Carlisle's POV
For the next few days, I threw myself into obtaining information regarding the Masen house. I allowed myself to take some time from the hospital even though the influenza epidemic was still raging. I generally worked at night as there were less staff , most doctors didn't wish to work throughout the night. I didn't worry about the patients, they were far too ill to notice my cold hands or pale white skin. I explained to the head of staff that I had a family emergency and needed to be available for them at all hours for an undetermined time. I felt horrible about leaving the patients , I cared for them deeply, but Edward was my concern now. I had to be there for him.
As I researched the Masen house, I tried to keep my thoughts neutral regarding Edwards father. I know he tried to not read my thoughts, but he couldn't help it, my voice naturally was the loudest one he heard since I was closest to him. I knew any negative thoughts that drifted through my mind hurt him, he would wince and shake his head slightly. "Carlisle, let it go, please.", he would murmur and drop his head back to his book. Edward was spending his time reading through my collection of books, he was devouring a book a day it seemed. I think it helped him keep distracted, both from the siren song of the humans blood and to keep the voices at bay by having something else to concentrate on. Every now and then he would raise his head and stare blindly at the wall, then press his fingers to his temple as he shut his eyes tightly. I could only imagine the things he was hearing, it pained me to watch him.
"Edward, I have some good news for you. I have found the information about your home."
Edward looked up from the thick volume he was reading. "Can we go and see it? I'm finding it difficult to recall what it looks like."
"That is normal, Edward. You will find your human memories fading quickly. Once you see your home now though, you will be able to recall it with perfect clarity at any time."
"I can only vaguely recall what my parents look like." Edwards voice was low.
"I'm sure you have photographs at the house."
"I believe so."
"Then have no worries, son. Once you see them you will never forget what they look like again."
"What is happening with the house?" Edward questioned. "Is it being sold?"
I tried to keep my mind free from my thoughts. "As a matter of fact, it's already been sold."
Edwards face fell. "Already sold? So soon? Have the new owners moved in?"
"No, they really have no hurry to move."
Edward raised an eyebrow at me. "You are trying very hard to hide your thoughts from me. I'm a bit tired of hearing 'God save the King' running through my mind."
I smiled in spite of myself. "I bought the house, Edward. I bought it for you."
"I don't understand."
I smiled at him. "I purchased the house and contents in your name."
"But I'm supposed to be dead, Carlisle. How can I own my own house?"
I handed him the papers. Edwards eyes flicked over the documents reading quickly. "Edward A.M. Cullen?"
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen."
"I…I don't know what to say. It's far too expensive, Carlisle."
Edward's POV
Carlisle explained to me how he had acquired what sounded like a vast fortune to me. After existing for over 300 years, he knew how to manage his finances extremely well. He had invested, purchased properties and banked his money to guarantee him wealth for as long as he desired. He told me how he had purchased his own family estate and hired people to care for it, while he remained anonymous. I couldn't believe he had managed to own his own home and not be discovered over all these years.
"After some time, all the people you knew when you were alive die." Carlisle explained. "Several decades on, they believe you are a family relation eager to hold onto a piece of family history."
I shook my head in amazement.
"This will be the start of your investments, Edward. I am so happy I could do this simple gesture for you."
"But, Carlisle, what do we need money for? We can travel faster on foot than any vehicle, we don't need food, we have everything we need here."
"We have to keep up the human illusion, son. We need to change our clothing like humans do, purchase the newest vehicles. Things are changing all the time and if we are to remain undetected among humans, we need all the current things that humans own as well. I don't condone thievery, so we need to have money available."
Carlisle and I travelled to my former home that night. We scaled the trees surrounding it and entered the house on the second story from a window in my bedroom, my former bedroom.
"Take whatever you want, Edward." Carlisle encouraged. "I want you to be comfortable in your new home. But remember, we can't make it too obvious that things are missing, your uncle is sure to notice."
Carlisle had told me earlier that my uncle was looking after the care of my house for me. The contents of the house, including all the furniture was to remain and would be sold some time in the future. But Carlisle had agreed that I could remove some treasure possessions to keep with me in my new life.
Together we had gathered some of my beloved books and journals. Carlisle offered to take them to the car while I looked through my home for the final time. He disappeared through the window as I slowly turned and memorized my bedroom to my vampire memory. I gathered a few more journals that were laying on a shelf before leaving my room and moving down the hallway to my parents room. I picked up a framed photograph of my parents and one of my parents and myself that were resting on a side table. I had to take those with me. I found my human memories were fading quickly. I needed these to remind myself of who I really was - Edward Anthony Masen the second, son of Edward and Elizabeth. I added the photographs to the small pile of books and continued my journey through my parents room. I ran my hands over my mothers dressing table, touching her hairbrush, mirror, her gloves. My fathers pipe lay on his table, along with his cufflinks and a necktie. I breathed in deeply, inhaling their scent, committing it to memory. My searching fingers trailed across her jewellery box and I lifted the latch. I gently lifted a necklace from the velvet pouch it rested in.
""My father gave this to my mother last Christmas day." I answered Carlisle's unspoken question as he entered the room. "She loved it very much."
Carlisle placed his hand on my shoulder and I made no attempt to shrug it away.
"Son, I have your mother and father's wedding rings at the house for you."
I nodded in gratitude. I had always dreamed that my wife would someday wear my mothers ring. I knew that dream was now dead, but I still wanted them.
Carlisle and I moved through the house together, Carlisle kindly giving me the time and space to properly absorb my last moments in the empty house that had always been my home.
"It's almost daylight, Edward, is there anything else you would like to take with you?"
My eyes immediately travelled to the grand piano in the formal living room. I let my gaze linger, before I shook my head slowly. Music had been my salvation many times in the past. I knew that the piano would be missed and had to stay in place. Carlisle nodded, understanding.
"Whenever you are ready, Edward."
I sat at the piano and let me fingers drift lightly over the keys. I knew I couldn't even play because any sound coming out of the house would be noticed by surrounding neighbours. I continued to sit in silence, imaging the sound. Noticing the sun rising outside, I rose and carefully closed the lid of the piano. This was all that was left of my human life and I had to leave it behind. I had finally accepted that my new, vampire life lay ahead of me for time unknown. It was time to move on.
"I'm done, Carlisle. Let's go home."
