Hello, here's chapter 2! What was Esme's impression on the doctor? What was she thinking? Read and find out!
Disclaimer: (Sorry, I forgot the Disclaimer in the first chapter) Well, of course I own nothing of this, everything belongs to SM, I only borrow the characters...
Just to let you know, English is not my mother-tongue so I am really sorry if there are mistakes in it...
CHAPTER 2: Fallen into heaven – Esme's POV
The pain in my leg was beyond imagination. It felt like the bone was not only broken but splintered in thousands of tiny pieces. I could feel every small stone or hole under the wheels of our cart. My mother was scolding me for not behaving like a lady but the words did not make it to my mind. I couldn't concentrate on anything else than the terrible pain. Tears were streaming down my face but I tried to stop crying. I was no little child and it was my own stupid fault I had a broken leg now. Another pothole made me whimper. My mother just snorted and said in her high stern voice: "I hope that experience will teach you how improper your action was!" Hopefully, the hospital was not far away anymore.
A big red brick building came into view. I saw people in white coats walking around. The hospital! The cart stopped in front of the building and my mother got out. She held her hand out for me and I clambered out of the cart. Every movement send waves of pain through my right leg and I winced. I bit my lip too stubborn to show in how much pain I really was. I stumbled along with my mother helping me. As soon as we reached the entrance hall a nurse rushed forward. "Oh please, let me help you. I get a wheelchair." She grabbed the vehicle and rolled it towards me and my mother. I gladly smiled at the nurse when she helped me into the chair. "Thank you." I murmured. My mother nodded at the nurse. "My name is Platt and my daughter here; I think her leg is broken." The nurse nodded. "Yes, I see. Please, follow me into the examination room, I will get the doctor." She took my wheelchair and wheeled me into a room on the right side. My mother followed me in. "Please, take a seat Mrs Platt." The nurse said. While my mother sat down the nurse helped me to get out of the chair and onto the examination table. "Just a minute, the doctor will take care of you immediately. Excuse me please." She left the room again and I bit my lip to keep the sobs from escaping my lips. I would not cry anymore.
We waited in silence. The tears on my cheeks dried slowly. After about two minutes the door opened and a man stepped inside. No, not a man, a god, an angel. He was tall and lithe, had pale skin, fair golden hair and his face was that of a Greek statue. I thought he could not be older than 25, probably younger. I felt my heart pace quicken. For a second he hesitated in the doorway. My mother got up and went over to greet him. She passed me and gave me a nudge in the side. It was not until then that I realized I must have been staring at him. "Ah, Doctor." She held out her hand and he shook it. I noticed that my mother flinched a little at the touch. "Yes, I'm Dr Cullen, it's a pleasure to meet you." He said with the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. Clear like a bell or water trickling over some stones. "Thank you. My name is Platt and this is my daughter…" my mother said and waved over towards me as if I was not in the least important. But the doctor came over to me and smiled. I was so stunned that I had difficulties understanding the words as he greeted me. "Nice to meet you." He said and flashed me a dazzling smile. "Pleasure." I managed to choke out as I took his hand. It was cold but not uncomfortable. "So then, Ms Platt, I will have a look at your leg." He told me gently. My mother looked at him and excused herself. "I will leave then." She said and was gone. Before I could help it a sigh escaped my lips. "What is it? Are you in pain?" The doctor asked me, concern in his voice. "Nothing Dr" I lied quickly. He shot me another worried look but said nothing more. I had the crazy feeling that he had guessed something. "May I ask how that happened, Ms Platt?" he asked. I blushed and did not meet his eyes, though they were beautiful. Rich butterscotch, like liquid gold. So warm and compassionate. "It will only sound silly… it was no proper behaviour for a lady…" I muttered under my breath. I cannot tell him. He will think of me as a silly little girl! Suddenly I was so ashamed of my action. I had not felt that in the presence of my mother. Not in the least. But now, with him. He would only shake his head over such bad behaviour. And, worst of all, he would think badly about me. "Well, I won't tell anybody." He answered lightly and winked at me. I believed him, even if I didn't know why. He had a look of mischief in his eyes now, which I actually liked. "But it may help me to understand your injury better." He said, back in his doctor-self. I felt a tiny sting of disappointment for thinking he would be really interested in me. But it was only because it helped him with the examination. Well, Esme, you have been really foolish. He cares for everyone, that's his job. He does this to everyone – you're not special! I took a deep breath and started talking. "Oh, well, I… I was climbing a tree…" I quickly looked up at him but as he did not react, I continued to explain more. "You know, I enjoy reading up there, it is so peaceful and quiet and I love to hear the birds sing in the branches. When I was up on my favourite branch I opened my book and started reading. That's when my mother found me. She yelled at me, startled me and I slipped. I am not supposed to behave like that and I am also not supposed to read… I said it would sound silly…" I ended unsure and a little afraid of his reaction. I felt myself blush again. What was wrong with me? I saw him smiling reassuring at me. "It did not. I like reading, too and I love climbing trees and being in the forest and it is also not considered as a proper behaviour for a doctor." He winked again and I had to smile at the imagination of him climbing a tree.
A second later he was again back in his task. "So Ms Platt, may I examine your leg now?" he asked me. "Esme…" my lips blurted out before I could think it over. He looked away from my leg and back into my eyes. "You can call me Esme." I explained shy. I knew that offering him to call me by my first name was even more improper than climbing trees but I didn't really care. I did not think he would react as any other man. I had a feeling that he was different. My inklings were right as I was rewarded with another dazzling smile from him. "Only if you call me Carlisle." He said then. I stared at him. Did he really just tell me his first name? "Carlisle." I tried the syllables. It sounded nice, strange, but really nice and it fit him. "Well, Esme I will examine your leg to find out where exactly it is broken. But perhaps you can help me. Does it hurt worse in a particular place?" he asked me. I liked the way he pronounced my name and for a second I was marvelling at it, then I sadly shook my head. "It is like my leg is on fire. I can't tell you where it is worst. Sorry." I whispered. I really would like to help him, but my leg was just hurting to much. From my toes up to my thigh it hurt. A throbbing pain which made me think it may be broken all the way. But Carlisle – I really liked his name – smiled warmly and comforted me immediately. He was just so perfect. "No, it is okay." He told me and touched my leg carefully with his fingers. His fingers were like ice. But it did not feel bad on my skin. It had not when I shook his hand and it wasn't now. Actually, it felt really good. The throbbing pain in my leg was crucial but his cold touch eased it. I sighed and in a flash his hands were gone. Obviously he had misinterpreted the sound from my lips because he immediately apologized. "Sorry, poor circulation." He whispered under his breath. It sounded a bit sad, as if he really regretted that his hands were not warm. "No, it is okay... honestly, it felt good… my leg hurts so much…" I told him quickly. He looked unbelievingly at me. Then, his hands were back on my leg. Cold but soft and gentle, a feather-light touch. My heart quickened again, though it was already beating twice as fast as usual since he had entered the room. His hands moved up my calf, softly pressing onto the skin, feeling for the break. The coldness of his touch was really comfortable. Then his fingers hit a vulnerable spot and though his touch was soft and gentle, I winced. Another jolt of pain shot through me. I bit my lip not to cry. A single tear escaped my eye and flowed down my cheek. "Sorry." He said and his hands left my skin. "You are really brave. I have seen many patients, even men, cry at an injury like yours." He told me and reached for my face. His cool fingers swept over my face and wiped the tear away. The tiny gesture had something really comforting and I also like him touching me. I blushed. I should not think this. His compliment flattered me and I looked away. Before I could think of him in even more inappropriate ways I asked: "Have you found the break?" I hoped he had. The idea of more examinations was not very pleasing, even his touch could not make up for the excruciating pain which seemed to have increased when he touched the break. He nodded but his expression was not a happy one. I was puzzled. Wasn't it good that he knew where my leg was broken? "I did, but I have to set your leg. This will be painful, though I try to be as gentle as possible. Just tell me, when it is too bad, alright Esme?" Carlisle looked up into my eyes. I could see how much he hated the idea of causing his patients pain. I clenched my jaw. I would not make this harder for him by crying and moaning. "Okay, just do it." I told him with my most determined voice, though I could not ban the fear completely. I nodded at him. Carlisle held my gaze for a second, as if he wanted to look behind my mask. His golden eyes bored deep into mine and I felt like I was seen through. "Do you want any painkillers now?" he asked. My mask must have been not as good as I wanted it to be. Either that or he was just again inhumanly caring and compassionate. I knew that what he had to do now would hurt even more but I didn't want some pills to blur my vision of him. I wanted to memorize everything about him. It was childish and silly but I felt like I was special. Like he really cared for me, like he really wanted to comfort me. Oh come on, he is a doctor! He is just doing his job! When you're done he will move on to another patient and do exactly the same! But I did not want him to move on. I wanted to talk to him, to feel his touch again. "No, it is alright, it is not this bad…" I told him again, hoping he would just get over with it. Carlisle nodded. He put his hands on my leg, touched the break and with a quick movement and a sickening, cracking sound my bone snapped back in its original place. It felt like the bone was broken again. A hot fire raged inside my leg, blood throbbing through my veins, increasing the agony. But I did not cry. I'd rather bit my tongue off. Only a tiny whimper left my mouth. "Sorry." He said lowly and he really sounded pained. When I looked in his face I saw my pain written on it and felt the strange urge to comfort him. "I know you can't do anything against it…" I whispered. He smiled crooked. I could see in his eyes that even that knowledge didn't make the situation any better. His lips were curled up a little. It looked like he was about to laugh at the thought of me, his patient, telling him I was okay. "I will give you something against the pain…" Carlisle said and stood up. I violently shook my head. I did not need painkillers. Well, I probably needed them, but I was determined not to take any. "It is okay, really… it doesn't hurt so bad…" I repeated. Carlisle hesitated as if he was questioning my sanity but then he slowly sat down. He touched my leg again. His cool palm rested on my calf and I felt the pain decrease a little. This was far better than any painkiller he could give me. I sighed lowly. Even if it was wrong I would just enjoy every second with him and imagine that he was doing a bit more than his job here. "You are really okay?" His voice sounded concerned. He obviously misinterpreted the sigh. It was not out of pain, but pleasure. "Yes… as I said, your hands… the coldness is good…" I murmured a bit shy. With a soft smile he put his other hand on my leg, too. I did not move. He neither. His hands just rested on my calf and eased the throbbing pain. We did not speak but after some minutes he pulled his hands away. "Okay, now I will put your leg in a splint because we cannot put it in a cast before the swelling is gone, which will hopefully be tomorrow. I fear you will have to stay in the hospital for a few days." He told me. I did not mind staying in the hospital, as long as he was here, but I could not tell him this and because I did not really trust my tongue on that matter I simply nodded. "Is it alright if I let your mother back in, Esme?" Carlisle asked me. I looked up at him. I had already noticed that he was a very sensitive man but could he have guessed so much? "Yes, why do you ask?" I wanted him to believe everything was okay and tried to let my voice sound puzzled. Suddenly Carlisle seemed a little unsure and started to explain: "I… well, I just had the impression that your mother is really upset about your injury…" he said but the unspoken words still hang in the air. He surely had seen how my mother behaved. Did he also think it cold and emotionless, like I did often? "Oh, yes, she is not happy." I admitted so low it was almost a whisper. I swallowed hard. So fast that I could hardly see him move Carlisle was at my side, kneeling in front of me. "What is it?" he wanted to know. His golden eyes sparkled dim. I hesitated. I was no one who wanted pity. But something in his gaze told me that Carlisle asked not out of pity. He asked because he was interested in me. I had never met anyone who cared for her the way he did, though I had only known him for a few minutes, he was more honest than anyone else, more gentle, more compassionate. Oh god, I really had already a crush on this beautiful young doctor! I swallowed again and answered: "My mother is upset… about my broken leg… she, she hates it, if I don't behave like I should but I hate all the things she wants me to do, sewing, dancing, cooking… I am never allowed to do what I like…" I forced my face into a neutral mask but as it seemed I could not fool him. Carlisle clenched his jaw tightly together and for a split-second I thought he wanted to embrace me, but then he stood up and smiled warmly at me. "I will talk to her. Make her see that you did nothing wrong." Carlisle promised. I looked up at him, hopeful but also stunned. I had not expected this. "You would do that, Dr…" I was about to call him ʽdoctor' again, when he interrupted me. "Esme…" "Sorry, Carlisle…" I corrected smiling. He also smiled and winked before he left the room. I could hear him talk to my mother. Then the steps of two persons disappeared and a door was closed. I only sat there, waiting, wondering.
After a few minutes the door opened again and Carlisle came back. My mother followed behind him. "Mother." I said really surprised that she was there. "Esme, you will have to stay in the hospital for some days and I will return to the farm now…" She told me. I nodded. I haven't dared to hope she may stay with me. Though she was always cold and distant to me I would have felt less lonely. Carlisle would go and I would never see him again. The mere thought made me sad. "Excuse me, please, I have to prepare everything for the splint…" Carlisle said and left the room. I knew he wanted to give us privacy.
My mother looked at me. "Well, good night then, Esme." My mother said. "Your father and I will probably not be able to visit you. The farm is far away and the journey takes too much time. We have work to do…" I nodded. "Yes mother." I said. She shot me one last stern look then she left. I sighed and covered my face with my hands.
Then the door opened and Carlisle stepped back inside. His appearance brightened the room and my mood. "There you are!" I said happily. He looked around the room to find out where my mother was. When he realised she must be gone he shook his head. "Yes, I had to get some things first." He said. I noticed the splint and the bandages he was carrying. He sat in front of me again. "Okay Esme, I will now put a splint on your leg. That may hurt, but I try to be very careful and you tell me, if it becomes painful?" he said to me. I nodded. "I will." I promised. Carlisle smiled at me. He arranged the bandages on a small table. The he reached for the splint and placed it very carefully around my leg. "The bandages have to be really tight so it may be uncomfortable." He explained while he took a bandage in his hands. I was a little afraid. The pain had just decreased a little and I didn't want it to become worse again. "Press my hand, if it makes you feel better…" Carlisle said when he noticed my expression. I shyly reached for it and then took it. It was still cold and hard, like sculptured of marble but also very soft. I saw that Carlisle started to bandage my leg but my mind was somewhere else. His thumb was stroking the back of my hand. His touch sent a current through my body. I hardly noticed the time passing but after a while Carlisle sat up back straight. "Well then, I think you are finished, Esme." I smiled at him and felt myself blush at the same time. I let go of his hand. "Thank you, Carlisle." I murmured. "Come on then, it is late and you should rest now. I will take you to a room but I will get a wheelchair first." Carlisle said. "Okay, I will just wait here, I guess." Carlisle chuckled at my sarcasm and my heart skipped some beats at the sound. Then he left and returned only a moment later pushing a wheelchair in front of him. "May I have the pleasure to escort you now to your room, my lady?" He asked when he put the vehicle next to the examination table. I laughed. His eyes twinkled. He acted like a gentleman from a different century. "You may." I answered him and looked up at him through my lashes. Oh god, what are you doing Esme? Flirting with him! I tried to sit up straight and move close to the edge of the table but Carlisle stopped me. "Let me." He said and before I could answer he had me scooped up into his arms. He lifted me up effortless and sat me down in the chair. His body was hard and cold. I could feel it through his shirt. I had never been close to a man before but it did not feel uncomfortable. Even though his body was strangely cold. There was something inhuman about him. He was too perfect to be human. He wheeled me out into the hallway. A nurse came around the corner and wanted to take my wheelchair out of Carlisles hands. "Dr Cullen, you don't need to bother with this. You could have called a nurse." She said. I smiled when I realised that this was really not one of his tasks. He could have left me but he did not. "It is alright. I really don't bother and there is no other patient, is there?" Carlisles answer made me beam. He rolled me into a hospital room next to the bed. Then he lifted me up again and sat me down on the mattress. His smile suddenly disappeared and he stepped away. He looked sheepish down at me before he murmured: "I will get a nurse to help you change. And because I know you won't take any painkillers I suggest some ice?" he said. I nodded and tried to hide my blush. "Yes, thank you." I said. "You're welcome." Carlisle told me and left the room.
A nurse came in. She smiled warmly. "Hello, my name is Abigail. Dr Cullen asked me to help you." I nodded. She helped me change in a nightgown and covered me carefully with the blanket. I thanked her. A minute after she had left someone knocked at my door. "Come in." I called. It was Carlisle. "I got the ice." He explained and held up a blue bag. I smiled. He came over to my bed and placed the ice bag on my leg. "Better?" he asked when I leant back in the pillows and closed my eyes. "Much better." I told him. "Well, try to sleep now. If you need anything else just call the nurses and ask for me, but believe me, sleep is the best medicine you can get now." Carlisle said with a soft smile. I nodded and suppressed a yawn. Carlisle stayed at my bedside for a moment before I heard him whisper "Good night". Then he left the room. I sighed in the darkness. My angel was gone…
What do you think? Please leave a review, 'cause I'm a curious person! xD (even if's a bad one...)