Chapter two

Carlisle

"Alice!" I called out to the almost empty house. Not even a second later I saw her prancing down the stairs to where I was standing. The sight of her innocent smile made me roll my eyes. She knew what this would be about. Of course she would, just as she knew Chelsea would call.

I took a deep breath as she stood before me, hands behind her back and looking very pleased with herself. "I know you are trying to do the right thing here, but maybe you shouldn't interfere with this." I told her.

"But Carlisle!" She sounded shocked. "All I did was write a little note in her book…"

"And you took the engine out of her car." I rolled my eyes again. "Imagine if I wasn't at the school. The poor girl would have been stranded!"

"Ah but she wasn't!" She remarked cheekily.

"Speaking of her car, have you put the engine back in? That was so cruel of you."

"Yes, dad, I did. And it wasn't cruel. It was insurance!" She laughed to herself.

"Insurance of what, exactly?" I asked.

"Insurance that she would call." She winked at me and turned away. Before I had a chance to reply, she flittered back up the stairs, no doubt to reorganise her closet. I waved my hand and began to walk away.

The soft sounds of Moonlight Sonata drifted through the house. I followed the sound, knowing what I would find.

My "son", Edward, was seated at the piano. His hands moving slowly but precisely along the keys. I stood in the doorway of the living room watching him play.

That sounds lovely, Edward. I thought to myself, knowing he would hear it.

"Thank you, Carlisle." He said softly. The melody changed into something I had never heard him play before.

"Whats this?" I asked, interested. It was beautiful and strange.

"Something I have been working on. A lullaby." He replied with a crooked smile.

I decided to leave him alone for a while. He no doubt wanted to keep composing, and I had some thinking to do.

I walked up the stairs to my study and opened the door. I took a seat at the large mahogany desk and closed my eyes.

All I could see was her. Chelsea, with her soft white blonde hair and her hazel eyes. Her small pink mouth, her beautiful smile. The way she looked while she slept on the desk. I laughed quietly to myself at that image.

I was now thinking back to the moment I first saw her two months, and lost myself in the memory.

I had contact Forks High and asked if they had any positions available, knowing they would be very eager to make one for me if there wasnt. I told them I had wanted to try a year of teaching biology and English. Of course, as I had predicted, they would make a position for me.

My first day of teaching was a little nerve wracking. I stood at the front of the class and watched the students file in. They all took their seats and stared at me with awe. I couldn't help but laugh internally. I was used to people giving me this look at the hospital.

"Good morning, class. My name is Dr Cullen. I will be taking biology this year. I am looking forward to-" I was interrupted by the door opening. The room filled with an amazing scent of raspberries and cotton.

And there she was. If my heart were beating it would have surely stopped. Could this really be happening? I thought to myself.

She looked flustered and red faced, with her silvery hair looking slightly messed. She must have been trying to get to class on time. I had never seen anyone more beautiful.

"I am so sorry I am late! I couldn't find a park." She rushed to explain as she was closing the door. She turned around and looked at me. Her eyes were a beautiful light brown. There was an unmistakable golden colour to them, though not quite the shade of my own.

Her mouth opened and she let out a breath. If she was holding anything I am sure she would have dropped it.

"Thats quite alright. I was just telling everyone I was very excited to be teaching this class. May I ask your name?" I tried to remain calm. With my experience in the medical field, I am usually very good at not letting my emotions get in the way of my professionalism.

"My… My name?" It was almost like she had forgotten it completely. I began to feel a bit guilty. Though when she walked through the door, she had the very same effect on me. If you had asked my name I probably would have just stuttered and stammered also, probably worse than herself right now. I just smiled at her as kindly as I could and nodded. "My name is Chelsea." She replied in a small voice.

"What a beautiful name." I said rather quietly to myself. I cleared my throat and looked away, against all my instincts. "Please, take a seat."

She quickly marched past me towards the back of the room and opened her notebook up immediately, without even looking at me again.

I began teaching the lesson. It was more of an introduction of myself, my background, and what will be coming up in the next year.

"Lets play a little game," I suggested to the class. "Lets go around the room and one person at a time will tell me their name, their favourite colour and their favourite subject. I will go first. My name is Dr Carlisle Cullen, my favourite colour is brown and my favourite subject, apart from medicine, is English literature." I looked at Chelsea. She had her face turned down to her notebook. I felt a little disappointed.

The students began taking it in turns introducing themselves until we reached the back of the class, where Chelsea was sitting.

"Chelsea, as I already know your name, why don't you tell us your favourite colour and subject?" I asked her kindly with a smile.

She was forced to look up from her book now. I could see a blush come to her cheeks. It only enhanced her beauty.

"My favourite colour is gold…" She began, as her eyes found her way to mine. I felt my stomach flip when she looked at me. "And my favourite subject is also English lit." The blush deepened and I could hear her heart beat slightly faster.

"How wonderful." I said. "It seems you and I will get along nicely." The bell sounded the end of class and all the students began to file out of the classroom. I noticed Chelsea hadn't moved yet. She seemed to be still looking at me. I couldn't bring myself to look away from her yet. After an eternity in her eyes, she looked away and began to gather her things. I turned away also, feeling slightly embarrassed. Never had my emotions affected me so much.

I heard her begin to walk towards the front of the class, so I turned to face her again. "See you tomorrow, Chelsea." She was only half a metre in front of me now, even more beautiful up close.

"Goodbye Dr Cullen." She said quietly. Her voice warmed my insides and I couldn't help but smile.

I watched her walk out the door. Wow, was all I could think. I needed to call Alice.

Just as I thought that, my phone began to ring. It was Alice, of course. Always three steps ahead.

I quickly answered it.

"Alice, please. Tell me what just happened." I begged her. Her musical laugh filled my ear.

"Carlisle, I think you know what just happened." She sighed, "Ah, new love. I remember what it was like when I first saw a vision of Jasper…"

"New love? I don't think so, Alice. She is only 17. And my student." And besides, I had barely even spoken to her. It couldn't be love. But I couldn't deny… There was something there.

"I have seen it, Carlisle. Its her. The one you have been waiting for." She said more seriously. "And before you ask, yes. It did feel like that with Jasper. And that is how Rosalie felt when she saw Emmett. Its her. It has always been her."

Just as she said this, I couldn't help but this of Shakespeare's Sonnet 43. He dreams of his love until he sees her again.

"What… What do I do?" I needed some answers. For centuries I had never thought I would feel such an emotion. No, not emotion. A connection. When I looked into her eyes it was as if nothing had ever existed until that moment.

"Firstly, relax. Secondly, everything is going to work out perfectly. Trust me."

I sighed and tried to calm myself. "Ok, Alice. I trust you."

I was snapped back to reality by my phone vibrating. I had received a text message from Esme saying she has taken Rosalie and Emmett hunting. I replied telling her to have fun, and put my phone back on the desk. I felt slightly annoyed that she had chosen that exact moment to text me.

I picked up a bunch of papers I needed to mark and quickly became immersed in my work. Which was good. I needed a distraction. Being with her in the car this afternoon had almost driven me crazy and I just couldn't get her out of my head. Although this was pretty normal though. I rarely find myself not thinking about her.

For the past two months I have tried very hard to remain professional towards her. I have even tried ignoring her in class, but it didn't do much good. I even considered resigning once. The thought of not seeing her every morning made me reconsider though. She was like a drug to me. I needed to be around her. Edward had even asked me to tone my thoughts down a few times while I was around him. But I knew Jasper wouldn't complain. Out of all the emotions he could feel in the house, I know he wouldn't be complaining about mine. I was positive he loved the feelings I had, and possibly even reflected them onto Alice. So I know she wouldn't be complaining any time soon either.

I found myself eagerly awaiting class each morning, arriving to the school at 6am just so I would make sure to be there for her. I found myself extremely depressed for the rest of the day if she wasn't at school. And then I felt guilty. I felt guilty because she was my student. She was here to learn, not to be fawned over by an admirer. Although I had over 300 years on this earth, when I saw her I felt my real age of 23 again.

By the time I had finished marking the papers, it was 4:28am. I sighed frustratedly. There was still 3 and a half hours until I got to see Chelsea again.

I stood up and walked over to my ancient bookshelf. I looked at the spines of the books until I found the one I was looking for. It was a very thick, old book, filled with all of Shakespeare's work. I flipped through it with a smile. Chelsea had seemed interested in the quote Alice had left in her notebook, so I thought about giving this to her. It was very old and very beautiful which I found fitting. Not to mention it was filled with some of the most beautiful love stories ever written.

I thought about asking Alice for a gift box or something similar to wrap the book with. I decided I would ask her. I mean, why not. It was a gift after all.

She appeared before I called out. I wasn't exactly surprised.

"What a beautiful idea, Carlisle!" She exclaimed with a huge smile. She held out a dark woken box with gold hinges and a rose carved on the lid. The rose was filled with gold leaf, giving it a beautiful shine and detail. "I have had this box for a very long time. I was hoping to use it as a jewellery box, but we both know I have far too much for just one small box…" She laughed and I smiled at her. She was so selfless sometimes. I took the box from her tiny hand and thanked her.

I placed it down on the desk and opened it. I decided I should write a little note before I give it to her. I opened the leather bound cover to the first page;

Chelsea,

I hope this book brings you as much joy as it has for me over the years.

Page 374 is my favourite.

Carlisle.

I closed the cover of the book and placed it in the wooden box.

I checked the time again some time later and it was 7:14. I grabbed my coat, my scarf, my work journal and the box and made my way to my car. I would see Edward, Alice and Jasper in a few hours so there was no need to say goodbye.

I placed all my belongings in the back seat, taking extra care with the wooden box. If my heart was beating, it would have began to quicken in anticipation. In less than an hour, she would be here. Warming the car with her presence, her sweet smell of raspberries filling my senses, her heartbeat quickening as she looks at me, the blush on her cheeks making her eyes brighter. Her humanity was the most beautiful thing about her.

I drove quickly to her house and parked across the road. There was no car in the drive way. I knew her mother through work at the hospital. She was a nurse. She must have been working a night shift.

I checked my watch and it was 7:56. Four minutes to go. I decided I would stand in front of the car, so she knew it was me. Of course she would know its you, I thought to myself. Nevertheless, I opened the door and stood on the road.

Then her front door opened. She was wearing light blue jeans, a white camisole top and a dark purple cardigan. She also had a brown scarf draped over her shoulders. Her hair was hanging loosely in a pony tail. She looked at me and smiled. I could have sworn she had just melted me into a puddle on the road.

I watched her walk over to me. "Hello, Carlisle," her sweet voice said.

"Good morning, Chelsea." I looked into her warm eyes and smiled. "Oh! I just remembered! I have something for you." I opened the back door and retrieved the wooden box. Her eyes widened and I held it out to her.

"Thank you! Its beautiful!" She sounded so grateful. I couldn't help but laugh, to which she gave me a self conscious look.

"Open it," I teased.

I watched her open the lid carefully and gasp what it held. "Let me help you," I said as I took the box from her. She opened the book and read the note on the first page that I had written for her.

"What is on page 374?" She asked with a big smile.

"Why don't you have a look?" I watched her carefully flip through the pages until she found it.

"Oh!" She exclaimed. "Its our sonnet." I raised my eyebrows at her choice of words. "I mean, its that sonnet that was quoted in my book…" She looked away from me.

Our sonnet. I couldn't have agreed more. After all, it was about a man dreaming of his love. I didn't know until I saw her that she was the one I had been dreaming of. Well, not technically. But I know that if I could sleep, she would fill each night until I could see her again.

I smiled down at her while she read over the page again.

"This is such a wonderful gift, Carlisle. How did you know?"

"To be honest, I never planned it. I was in my study this morning and saw it and thought of you. I thought maybe you would enjoy it. The box actually belonged to Alice. She volunteered it to hold the book." I took the book from her hands and placed it back in the box. "Would you like to take it back inside or would you like to keep it with you today?"

"Hmm… I think I should take it back inside. I dont want anything happening to it." she replied. "Be right back!"

I watched her run back across the road into her house again, and took this chance to calm myself. I had come to learn over the past few years from my family that vampires have much stronger emotions than humans. I had experienced them some, but never like this.

Chelsea was back at my side after another minute, and my attempt at calming myself had been in vein. My heart was in my throat and I was dazzled by her. She just stood there looking into my eyes. I desperately wanted to know what she was thinking.

Before I could stop myself, I asked her.

"What are you thinking, Chelsea?" I asked her quietly. She just continued gazing into my eyes. I wasn't going to complain though. I could have an eternity with her like this. She opened her mouth to speak.

"I was just thinking about the first time I saw you…" She replied just as quietly. Could this really be happening? Did she feel this too? I just had to know.

"Tell me about it," I pressed.

"I…" She started. I could tell she was nervous.

"Yes?" I asked while trying not to sound too eager.

She took in a deep breath. "It was strange… It was like seeing the sun for the first time. That is the only way I can describe it. Nothing else comes closer to the way it felt. Nothing existed before you."

My stomach flipped at her words. She did feel it. She felt whatever was between us, this connection. I could barely contain my joy! I moved closer to her, closing the few inches we had between us.

"It was you. It was always you," I said to her.

I moved a stray piece of hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear, then my hand returned to her face. I laid my hand on her cheek. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red now, and I could feel her heart beating erratically through my hand on her skin.

"Carlisle…" She whimpered. "We can't…"

"Chelsea, trust me. We can." I whispered as I lowered my head down to hers. My lips where an inch from hers. I heard her take a deep breath and she tilted her head slightly up towards me. I hesitated for a moment, thinking whether this was the right thing to do. Was I being selfish? Maybe she was right. Maybe we couldn't do this. I began to pull my head away slowly.

"Please," she whispered. "I need this…" That was all i needed to hear.

I closed the distance again, but this time I didn't stop an inch from her lips. I pressed my own against them. She sighed and I felt her arms snake around my neck. I put one of my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. I opened my mouth and flicked my tongue gently against her lips. God, she tasted amazing. Sweet and tart at the same time, and fresh. She opened her mouth a little bit as well and her tongue met mine. The taste was a lot more intense. I couldn't help the sound that escaped my mouth. I groaned quietly as the kiss became more intense.

After a minute or so, I pulled away. She made a disappointed face which I chuckled at. I bent down and gave her one more quick kiss. I checked my watch. 8:20.

"If we dont leave now, we are going to be late…" I cautioned her. She furrowed her brows for a moment, and then smiled.

"Well, I wouldn't mind having a break from school today. I can think of more pressing matters."

I laughed and shook my head.

"What would you like to do then?" I asked her with a smile.

"Well, we havent exactly had a chance to spend any quality time together before. But my mom will be home soon. So we cant stay here… And I do need to get my car from school."

"Its ok. I will ask Alice to bring it back home for you. As for where we should go, I think I know just the place."

A/N

I know I probably should have waited a while before posting the second chapter so soon but I couldn't resist. I didn't want anyone left hanging and not knowing how Carlisle felt.

So yay! They are together! Well, the details will be worked out in the next chapter anyway.

Please message me or leave a review if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading :)