"So, you're sure you'll get back alright?" Bella asked Carlisle as the bonfire wrapped up.
"As long as I'm not attacked by a wolf," he joked, "I think it'll be just fine."
"We're very Zen these days, Doc," Jacob teased. "Peace, love, namaste." He put his hands together and gave a little bow, making both Bella and Carlisle laugh.
"You sure you'll be alright?" Bella asked. "The nights are long sometimes. The one thing I miss about being human is sleeping."
"Our minds never do get a rest, do they." Carlisle gave a half-smile.
"Why don't you come play a little hockey tomorrow," Jacob suggested.
"Hockey?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, Bella, hockey. You know the game with the sticks and the puck."
She rolled her eyes. "I know what hockey is, Jake."
"A bunch of us are going down to the pond," he informed them. "Or you can be boring like Nessie and just ice skate around."
"I can hear you!" She shouted from indoors, making everyone give off a fleeting laugh in unison.
Bella looked at Carlisle. "If you need some alone time, I under-"
"No," Carlisle said right away, "No, I think it could be.. fun."
"What size you wear? We have a collection of skates here," Jacob offered.
"Ten and a half," Carlisle told him.
"Same here. I have a few pairs. We're meeting at five, right around the time when it gets dark. Don't want you getting sunburned or anything."
"Jake.." Bella rolled her eyes again and Carlisle laughed again.
"That's very considerate of you," he joked.
"It'll be a good time." Jacob looked at Bella, "Even as a bloodsucker you still have no coordination."
"Yeah, we'll see about that." She swatted him and then refocused on Carlisle. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."
"Thank you, Bella. I may hunt tonight to get my strength up for tomorrow." He glanced over at Jacob who grinned back. "Thank you for having me."
The two men approached one another and shook hands. Bella awkwardly put her arms out at first and then pulled Carlisle in for a hug. Her eyes closed when he kissed her on the cheek in their parting and she smiled as he pulled back.
"Be safe," she told him.
"Always."
"Not to be.. motherly.. but could you send me a text when you get to the house?"
"Sure." Carlisle nodded and put up a hand. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
..
The pond Jacob spoke of was more of a lake. The kids skated around twirling and whipping in all directions. Two goals were set up and pucks were flying left and right as a group from the Quileute tribe played around.
When Carlisle appeared Bella greeted him first and Jacob swooped in to hand over a pair of skates.
"Look at you, Mr. Casual," Bella teased, almost timidly. She motioned to his hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Carlisle chuckled and sat down on the ground beside the frozen lake to lace up the skates that Jacob had offered him. "This one's actually Emmett's." He smiled.
"I feel like he'd get a kick out of this." Bella nodded toward everyone skating around.
"It's been awhile since we've played," Carlisle told her. "A long time ago we'd have our own little games like this?"
"Really?"
He nodded. "You'd think we would've kept the tradition going. I suppose there's no sport more fitting for vampires. And w don't have to wait for thunder to play." Carlisle motioned to the skated they hung over her shoulder by the laces. "Are you going to join us?"
"Skating.. yes. Hockey.." Bella shook her head.
"I'm sure you could hold your own," he said with a smile, pulling the laces right on his left foot.
"Don't want to hurt anybody," she joked.
"You couldn't hurt a fly!" One of the Quileute guys shouted from a distance.
"Stop eavesdropping!" Bella called without looking in their direction.
"I suppose there's no such thing as privacy in our world, huh?" Carlisle went to stand up and Bella leaned a hand down to help him up.
"Guess I better lace mine up." She took his place on the ground and shouted, "Watch out!" as a puck flew in their direction.
Carlisle turned and caught it a few inches in front of Bella's face, prompting Jacob to shout, "Whoops!" as he laughed from farther out on the ice.
"Asshole," Bella grumbled under her breath, prompting Carlisle to laugh. He then launched the puck almost to the other side of the lake, making Jacob raise his arms in the air.
"Doc, you're killin' me," he whined.
Carlisle chuckled and waited for Bella to lace up before helping her up off the ground. Before they stepped onto the ice he caught her quickly by the arm.
"Bella.."
"Yeah?" She smiled at him and Carlisle was suddenly disarmed as they stared at one another.
It took his brain a few seconds to catch up before he continued on with his thought. "I know I said this before but.. thank you."
She shrugged and looked down. "For what?"
Carlisle thought of how to phrase it before speaking. "For making this a happy trip.. instead of a sad one." He looked around and half-smiled at all the laughter and banter. It was a change of pace he didn't know he needed. "I expected to sulk in that cabin.. visit a few places I used to go with Esme.. visit the place she died.."
Bella put a hand on his and he put his other hand on top so he sandwiched hers. "I understand your pain. I've.. done that. I've let myself drown in that sorrow so many times."
Carlisle nodded. "I don't want to drag you into dwelling on anything. I just.. it's making me see things differently. Moving forward doesn't mean forgetting."
Another puck flew past them into the woods making Bella scowl and Carlisle chuckle.
"But.." he went on, "It doesn't mean we can't enjoy living. Living in the moment. Smiling.. genuinely." When Carlisle grinned Bella mirror him.
"No, I know.. you're right.. I, uh.. I feel that, too. More since you've been here." Bella made a little face as she was unsure of what she meant by the last part or if she should've said it.
Carlisle held a hand out and Bella looked down. She smiled and slipped her hand into his. "Wouldn't want you to fall."
"Or get hit my a puck." They laughed as Jacob shouted "Whoops," out loud again and then joined everyone out in the center of the ice.