SM OWNS ALL THINGS TWILIGHT.
AN; Carlisle and Esme and Edward and Bella would like me to thank you all for the love you have shown the two new arrivals! And I would like to thank you as well. The continued support from long time readers of this story and the new support coming in is truly amazing and I'm really grateful. I'm trying something different with this chapter, flash backs and multiple POV's, hope you like it. I'm going to be covering most of the things that an M rating is for in this chapter and the next just so you know. Oh and to all of you who liked the fact that they fought, round two is in this chapter.
FOUR YEARS LATER
CPOV
I had been away for two hours, but Esme was in exactly the same place I had left her. Curled up on the rocking chair in Evie's room, her comfort blanket twisted in her hand. For a second after I pushed open the half open door, her eyes had met mine, the desperation and hope in them making it almost too painful to look at her. But then reality hit, that for yet another hour, we would as lost as our daughter was. But instead of just retreating back into her protective bubble of silent shock, Esme sat up straight, her arms wrapped around herself as if to keep the million pieces she had shattered into together and let out an agonized cry of pain that seemed to come straight from her soul.
"This is all my fault…" she wailed.
"Esme…" I began stepping towards her. She sprung up from the chair, holding up her hands as if to fend me off. Her face was swollen from crying and her eyes wild with fear and pain.
"Stop Carlisle! You know as well as I do that this is all my fault…why can't you stop acting so rationally, being so damn supportive and just tell me…"it sounded almost as if she were pleading with me.
Stepping forward, I grabbed her shoulders roughly.
"You want to play the blame game Esme? Okay then, we'll play…but I warn you, you're not going to win." I snarled. "Ladies first…" Esme remained silent. "C'mon Esme, you wanted to play…" she whimpered quietly. I would hate myself later for the way I was acting, but at this moment, I couldn't stop the torrent of emotion that her outburst had unleashed in me. "Okay then love, stop me if I get anything wrong…you want me to blame you for having married a psychotic, vindictive, possessive control freak that seems hell bent on destroying our life together, is that right?" I demanded. She nodded.
"Sorry can't…because if you hadn't of married him, hadn't of run away and broken down by the side of the road like you did, then I would never have met you. And despite all the pain and stress that that bastard has caused us, I will never NEVER regret having you in my life…having Evie…" my voice caught with emotion. "You want to know who I blame for this Esme, apart from that sonofabitch…I blame ME! That night in the cottage, I had him on the floor…I was standing over him with a fucking baseball bat! Two well placed blows to the skull…that's all it would have taken…"
"No Carlisle…no…" Esme whimpered, pulling her arms loose from my grip and wrapping them tightly round me.
"Could have…should have stopped him…" I sobbed into her neck. "I'm so sorry…"
She pulled back slightly and took my face in her hands.
"Don't you dare apologize for being the kind, loving, moral man that you are…"
Esme wrapped her arms around me tightly once more as she sunk back into the chair, whilst I ended up on the floor in front of her, my head in her lap. Leaning over me, she kissed my hair, before crooning words of love and encouragement in my ear.
Evie had been gone three days. It felt like thirty years. Charles the sick sonofabitch was enjoying making us suffer. And I was going to return the favour, the only question was how long I would make him suffer. When, I could not allow myself to think if, we got Evie back, the boys and I would as Emmett put it "show him what happens when you fuck with a Cullen," especially the beloved baby of the family. But, if the worst happened and my baby was taken from me I would take an eye for an eye and gladly take the consequences.
Esme's labour had been short and intense, but Rachel Black and Edward had pronounced both she and Evie fit and well. So after both mother and baby had been cleaned up, the bed changed and Evie's travel crib moved into our room and placed next to the bed, they settled down for some much needed sleep. I however was much too keyed up to sleep and had dragged the armchair in the corner of the room over to the crib and just looked at my daughter.
Evie Rose Cullen had made her dramatic, noisy debut into the world at 12.54am, weighing six pounds eleven ounces. She was red faced, wrinkled and most indignant at being born during the middle of a violent thunder storm, but to us, she was the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. And as I had told Esme, belated or not, the only birthday present I would ever want.
She did indeed have my nose and the little crease between her brows which both Edward and I developed when were thinking or stressed about something. But she had Esme's eyes, cheekbones and beautiful hair, stuck up in little whisps across her head. A soft little whimper pulled me from my musings, she gave a yawn, before gazing right up at me. I knew her eyes were unfocused and she couldn't really see me, but her gaze was so intense.
"Well hi there…" I said as I softly stroked her cheek. Another little mewl escaped her, louder this time causing Esme to stir. She had not long been fed and I didn't want Esme pulled from the sleep she badly needed for a dirty diaper. I was thankful for the practice my grandson had given me in holding newborns as I scooped her up and settled her into the crook of my arm. It wasn't even a dirty diaper making her cry, she just wanted a cuddle.
"Evie…" Esme mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. Her breath caught for a minute when she opened her eyes and saw the crib empty.
"It's alright sweetheart, I think Miss Evie just wants to tell me her plans for our birthday party next year." I chuckled softly.
"…spoil her…" Esme mumbled as she closed her eyes, a smile on her lips.
"Don't worry, I fully intend to…" I whispered as I stood up and walked towards the window. The storm had passed now and as so often happens, it was a bright sun that was just beginning to creep over the horizon.
"Forks, may I introduce you to Miss Evie Rose Cullen. Astronaut, firefighter, dancer, doctor…"
"Architect…" Esme mumbled from behind me.
"Architect extraordinaire, first female president of the United States. We don't know for sure what he wants to be yet…but what we do know, is that she is the most beautiful little girl in the world…who has a mommy and a daddy who love her very much and who will love and support her whatever she wants to do…yes we will…" I said, as I noticed the little crease begin to form between her brows.
"And when she gets fed up with us, which unfortunately she will…"
"Mainly because her daddy won't be letting her outside the door with a man till she is 35." Esme chuckled.
"Oh, I could be persuaded I suppose, once I've had him vetted…"
"And neutered." Esme yawned
I chuckled, the vibration of which made Evie begin to squirm.
"As I was saying baby, when you do want someone else to play with, you'll have your brothers Edward…he can teach you to play the piano…Emmett, he'll teach you things that we probably don't want to know about…Your sister Alice, who will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about fashion including, how to persuade me that you simply MUST have the bag to go with the shoes…"
"Don't forget the scarf and the earrings."
"Oh yes, apparently the right accessories can make or break an outfit dontcha know!"I teased. Evie let out a little cry. I rocked her gently. "Then of course you have your aunty Bella, you'll be top of the class in English and she'll teach you ways to cope with all the mad people I've just told you about. Aunty Rose will teach you how to handle your Uncle Emmett when he gets a bit too excited, which he will do I'm afraid…and how to look after your car."
"Although not knowing anything about cars didn't do me any harm." Esme said softly. I turned and smiled at her. She was lying back against her pillows now, eyes still heavy with sleep, hair escaping from her pony tail, but to me she had never looked more beautiful.
"Now, who else is there, oh yes Uncle Jasper, apart from giving you somewhere to hide when you don't feel like shopping with Aunty Alice, he'll teach you how to look after your pony."
"Carlisle!" Esme hissed. "She is not having a pony."
"Don't worry baby…I have ways of talking mommy into things…"
Esme snorted.
"Ways that will be rusty by the time he gets to use them again." Esme said sweetly. I chuckled.
"Aand, there's your…nephew Adam, I know it's a bit confusing, but we'll explain. You and he will have lots of fun…"
A soft knock on the door caused both Esme and I to jump. But it was only Bella carrying a tray of food and drink.
"You two have to eat something…you'll be no use to Evie."
"Just put it down." Esme snapped her voice sharp. If Bella was upset by her tone she didn't show it and Esme's temper faded as quickly as it rose. "I'm sorry Bella." She whispered.
Bella waved away the apology. She looked as tired as concerned as we all did, her expressive brown eyes full of love and concern.
"She'll be back sliding down the banister before you know it. And please try the sandwiches…Adam put more peanut butter, banana and chocolate spread over the counter than on the bread…"
"Tell him they're perfect." I said with a sad smile. Evie and Adam found the way Esme scolded me over my sweet tooth hilarious. But one day, after seeing Esme bust me in the middle of trying to sneak the peanut butter out of the fridge, Adam had suggested a "mega" sandwich, consisting of all my favourite fillings. The three of us had then spent the next hour in the kitchen experimenting. The final effort was too sickly sweet even for me, but the sight of my grandson's proud face had made me finish my half of the sandwich. And ever since, the time it took constructing a "mega" sandwich had become some time for Adam and I to talk, laugh…just generally spend some time together.
"How is Adam?" Esme asked.
"Very quiet. He's downstairs working on that lego model you and he started…he's really proud of the fact he's got the drawbridge to work."
"I knew he could do it…he's a clever boy." Esme said with a sigh. Bella insisted we eat again before quietly leaving us alone.
"Do you think she's eaten? You know how cranky she gets when she doesn't eat…he could…he a short temper as it is…he could." Esme began, her voice rising in panic. I rose up onto my knees taking both Esme's hands in mine.
"She's going to be all right." I said firmly, hoping that my voice did not betray my own overwhelming fear.
ES POV
"She's going to be all right." Carlisle said firmly. I wanted to believe him, I needed to believe him, but as I gazed down into his tired face, which seemed to have aged ten years over night, into his tired, dull and frightened eyes, where the light of hope, the light created by his love for our daughter was flickering, dangerously close to being snuffed out every moment this nightmare dragged on, I saw for the first time, genuine fear in his eyes. I reached down and stroked his cheek, he leant into my touch. I could see we were both longing for the days when he could say that things were going to be alright with Evie and have it be true.
Evie had been about three months old when Aro had had a minor stroke. Carlisle was his next of kin and had to make the trip to Washington. He was going to stay a week to keep an eye on Aro and make all the necessary arrangements for his care, I would have gone with him, but Evie had a cold and was cranky. It was the first time I had been alone with her for more than a few hours since she was born. I was nervous.
With Evie and Carlisle I had everything that I had ever wanted, but that hadn't stopped me from bursting into tears at the most ridiculous moments over the following couple of weeks and feeling absolutely overwhelmed. Evie was a good sleeper, but feeding was difficult. She just didn't want to latch on and when she did, it was agony. And when I took her for her check up with Edward, and he had to tell me that she hadn't gained as much weight as he would have expected, I was a mess. I had continued to try, even sending Carlisle out to the twenty four hour market in Port Angeles at 3am for cabbage leaves to try and soothe my painful breasts , but in the end, I had to do what was best for Evie and that was expressing my milk and bottle feeding her. It worked and she soon gained weight. But as happy as I was about that, I still felt useless.
Bella had arrived with Adam one afternoon, to find me slumped on the floor against the fridge, surrounded by spilt breast milk silently sobbing. After settling Adam, she had simply cleaned up round me then slipped down beside me.
"When Adam wouldn't feed, I insisted that we take him back to the hospital to be checked over." She said matter of factly. Bella had developed post partum depression after Adam's birth, she had been convinced that his birth by emergency c-section had been all her fault. She had attempted to compensate by almost ignoring him, convinced that even by touching him she would make him ill or hurt him in some way. It was when she had stumbled through our back door with a crying Adam, who had only needed a diaper change that she had realized that she needed help. She had begun therapy with a colleague of Carmen's and although she still had her moments, was doing much better and was loving being mommy, to Adam, who was positively thriving.
"But even with the bottle, she'll feed easier for Carlisle than she will for me. He can get her to sleep quicker, she even smiles for him…proper smiles…" I wailed. I hated myself for it and knew it was wrong, but I was jealous of Carlisle and how easily he cared for her.
"Esme, I know this sounds silly, but what scares you most about Evie?"
"Scares me?"
"Yeah, in my case, it was Adam getting ill because of something I did."
I thought for a minute, it seemed an odd question considering everything I had just said, but if I thought about it, my upset at not being able to feed her properly was a symptom of my bigger worry that I wouldn't be able to give her the love, support and confidence she needed to stop her making the same mistakes I had made in later life. I wanted her to see me as being as strong and capable as Carlisle was. As much as I wanted her to love, adore, feel protected by her father, brothers, I didn't want her to grow up believing that the only way she could be happy and cared for was by a man. At that moment, I was glad that we had the money for the best therapists. I had booked myself in for some sessions with Dr Gerandy that afternoon. I was not going to let my shit affect her and stop me enjoying her all too brief childhood.
And it was whilst Carlisle was away that I got to prove to her and myself that I was just as capable as Carlisle was of looking after her, keeping her safe. It was the third night Carlisle was away and Evie's cold was lingering, making her fretful. I had managed to stay calm, do everything that Edward had suggested, I had even managed to settle both her and me into a fitful doze. We had not been asleep long however when I was woken by a strange grunting noise. Looking over into Evie's crib, which I had moved into our bedroom whilst she was ill, I saw Evie's little body convulsing. Biting back a scream of terror, I reached for the phone hitting the speed dial for Edwards number, gently stroking Evie's head I found her to be burning up.
"Hang on baby hang on…damn it Edward, pick up the damn phone…" I pleaded. Then I remembered that Edward and Bella had taken Adam down to see Sue and Charlie.
"Esme?" Edward said finally. He was driving.
"Edward! It's Evie, she's burning up and having some kind of seizure…"
"Febral convulsion…okay Esme I'm about ten minutes away…how long has she been fitting?"
"I don't know…not long…it's slowing down…"
"Alright, don't touch her till it does…then I want you to…."
What? What do I do now Edward? But the line cracked with static before going dead. Even if I called 911, it would still be forever before they got here and I needed to help my baby now. She was having a seizure caused by a high temperature it was common in young babies as they still didn't have the control needed to regulate their own body temperatures. They were usually fine afterwards, but I had to get to afterwards. I knew what I had to do I had attended several first aid courses for both adults and children when I started work at the clinic. But the practical part of my brain was being overwhelmed by the terrified part.
"Damn it Esme…get a fucking grip!" I snarled to myself. Evie gave a pitiful little whimper.
"It's okay baby…mommy's here…" I called as I hurried into the bathroom. With shaking hands, I filled a small basin with tepid water. Scooping Evie up gently from her crib, I placed her on the changing station before stripping off her sleep suit and nappy. I was in the middle of sponging her down and crooning words of comfort to me as much as her, when Edward burst into the room carrying his bag. The minutes he spent checking her over were some of the longest of my life, but eventually he looked up and smiled.
"I would like her to be checked over at the emergency room in Port Angeles to be on the safe side, but I'm pretty sure she's going to be okay. Esme, you did everything I would have done."
The doctors at the hospital decided, just to be on the safe side, to keep Evie in for forty eight hours observation. It tore at my heart to see her looking so fragile and helpless and I had to fight back the urge to rip the arms off the nurses who came to check on her as she whimpered and cried. Scooping her up out of the plastic box of a crib, I settled back in the recliner letting a whimpering and fretful Evie rest on my shoulder as I rubbed her back.
"I'm sorry baby…but I promise you won't be here for long…it's just you've been a sick little girl and mommy wants to make sure you're all better…" I crooned as she snuffled and whimpered into my neck. I don't know where it came from, but the next thing I knew, I was singing in a soft voice.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…you make me happy when skies are grey…you'll never know dear, how much I love you…so please don't take my sunshine away."
Evie was quiet, making soft little gurgling noises as her breathing fell into a pattern for sleep. "Did you like that baby?" I asked with a soft chuckle.
"I did."
My head shot up to see Carlisle standing in the doorway. He looked tired and anxious. I had called him from the car as we drove to the hospital. He had assured me, whilst running from Aro's house to the car, that Edward was doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay, but I could still hear the fear in his voice as Carlisle the doctor fought with Carlisle the new father. He had driven through the night. I let out a soft whimper of my own, I was so glad he was here. Crossing the room, he sat on the arm of the recliner reaching out a hand to gently stroke Evie's head before pulling it back and gently stroking my face.
"I was so scared." I whispered my voice heavy with tears. I leant into his stomach and he began to gently stroke my hair, before dropping a kiss on the top of my head.
"So was I love, I swear to God the drive from Washington has never taken so long. Esme, I'm so proud of you…"
"For what?" I demanded looking up at him. "My baby was sick…I took care of her, like any other mother would."
"Say that last part again." Carlisle said softly.
"I took care of her…like a mother…" I said slowly, the meaning of the words finally hitting me.
B POV
"Did Papa like his sandwiches."? Adam demanded as soon as I returned to the kitchen. He had done as I had told him, leaving the mess on the counter and returning to his model at the kitchen table. Unfortunately, Adam had inherited the balance problems that had plagued me as a child to my teens I did not want to risk him unsupervised in the kitchen.
"He said to tell you, they were perfect." I said walking over and standing behind his chair. Absent mindedly, I began to try and smooth the unruly copper coloured hair that he had inherited from Edward. But just like his fathers, his hair had a mind of it's own.
"Moom." Adam drawled cautiously tipping his head back to look at me
"Yes baby." I said.
"Are Papa and Glamma mad at me for not looking after Evie properly"? Adam whispered, his voice thick with anxiety and unshed tears. I dropped to my knees by the side of his chair, pulling it round to face me. His little face was creased with concern, his green eyes shining brightly in his pale freckled face with unshed tears. He was biting down on his lower lip as I did when I was upset or stressed.
"Adam, this is not your fault…do you hear me?...You couldn't have stopped what happened to Evie."
"I did try…I yelled and tried to run after her, but I fell over." He spat angrily.
"Adam…Pappa and Glamma are not mad at you, they love you and…"
"You did more for Evie than any of the adults did."
I looked over my shoulder to see Demetri Marcus. He had been an undercover officer for the District Attorney looking into Charles' dodgy business practices. It was Demetri warning my Dad that Charles was coming for Esme that had saved her from worse than the beating she had received. Demetri was now working for a specialist FBI task force, but when it had become clear that Charles was responsible for Evie's disappearance, he had asked to be placed on the case. He was camped in the old suite of rooms that Edward and I had on the top floor of the house, with an another officer and phone tapping equipment. In his call to tell Carlisle he had Evie, Charles had said that he would call again with a ransom demand.
"Huh?" Adam queried.
Demetri came forward and knelt down beside me.
"Adam, we asked about fifty adults what they had seen when Evie was taken. All they could tell us was that she was grabbed and put into a car. It was you that told us the car's colour make and registration…that was so important…I still don't know how you did that?"Demetri said sincerely. I could see Adam's shoulders relax and his little chest begin to puff up with pride.
"It was easy…Aunty Rose knows a lot about cars…"
"I see, I really think you should consider a job with the FBI when you're older though."
"Ya think"?
"Adam!" I said sharply. The English teacher in me still reacted to such lazy use of language.
"Absolutely…now I know how good you are with cars, what I'm wondering is if you're as clever with the X-box? You see, I'm fed up of your uncle Emmett kicking my ass…"Demetri said, before looking over at me sheepishly. I smiled and shook my head. I could forgive this man anything for putting a smile back on my son's face.
"He cheats!" Adam exclaimed before leading Demetri towards the games room. It may have seemed inappropriate playing video games at such a time, but the boys especially needed a way to decompress from the stress of the waiting and their fruitless searches for Evie in the forests, Port Angeles and as far out as Seattle. The FBI and the local police were looking for Evie, but Carlisle and the boys had needed to do something other than wait by the phone. Jasper had divided the areas up and arranged search patterns with military precision. Alice and I took our turns searching, but we knew we would be more use at home. I was with Carlisle and Esme, whilst Alice stayed with a very pregnant Rose.
Adam was like Edward in so many ways and not just physically. He had inherited his caring, polite nature but he had also inherited his tendency to overanalyze and brood over things. And he had obviously been doing this a lot more than Edward and I had realized. Adam was technically Evie's nephew, but Edward and I and Carlisle and Esme had always encouraged the almost sibling like bond that developed between them, especially as the gap between Evie and Edward her youngest brother was over thirty years. Evie had always been the more outgoing of the pair, in fact Alice had claimed her as a "mini me" from an early age. Adam was quieter and shy especially around new people, not that he didn't get involved in his share of trouble and back chat, especially after a few hours with Uncle Emmett. But I had still been worried when Adam and Evie had started preschool three mornings a week. And one morning about a month after they had started my worries were proved well founded.
"Did you find out how Adam's back pack got ripped?" Esme asked as she blew on her coffee. I only worked part time at the High School now and was glad of Esme's visits, which always seemed to increase when she got stuck on a project.
"He said he fell over in the bushes." I replied. Esme nodded slightly over the rim of her mug, it was possible Adam could be as clumsy as me, but there was something about just how upset and defensive he had been when he had come home yesterday that had worried everyone.
Suddenly, our cell phone's burst into life, mine with a boring generic ring tone, Esme's with Dusty Springfield's Son of A Preacher Man. I lifted an eyebrow she merely smirked.
"Yes, this is Mrs Cullen." We said almost in unison.
"What? Is he hurt?" I demanded.
"You want to do what to Evie?" Esme exclaimed, her coffee cup hitting the table with a bang, causing the hot liquid to spill out over the sides. Instinctively, she reached for one of the dish towels I had been folding to clean it up. I caught her hand and shook my head.
"We'll be there in twenty minutes." I said, about two seconds after Esme had said the same thing.
"Apparently, some kid called Peter has been picking on Adam, he was the one that ripped his back pack yesterday, after throwing him in the bushes. Today the little shit pushed him off the monkey bars." I growled over my shoulder as we ran towards my car.
"Is he hurt?" Esme hissed.
"He has a sore arm…I'm taking him to see Edward."
"Well he's not the only one, Evie's skinned her knee after tackling this Peter to the ground and attempting to pound on him."
"She didn't!" I choked.
"Yup, whilst proclaiming loudly, "Nobody Fucks with a Cullen!"
It wasn't funny. But we couldn't help the nervous laughter that escaped us both.
"Emmett is sooo…grounded." I chuckled.
"Oh, I think Carlisle will make sure that Emmett gargles with bleach before he's allowed back in the house." Esme replied darkly.
At the school, we went into the medical room. Adam and Evie were sitting on the side of the examination table, Adam holding his arm whilst Evie was examining the nasty gash on her knee.
"Mommy!" they chorused when they heard us arrive. Evie reaching for Esme, Adam for me. I dropped in front of Adam, my hands running through his now wild hair as I looked him over. His little face was pale and swollen from crying and pain.
"Adam, you should have told me and Daddy what was happening baby…"
"That's what I said." Evie huffed.
Esme silenced her with a look.
"I'm sorry…I thought…I thought…once I let him take my spiderman home yesterday he'd leave me alone…but then today outside… when I a asked for it back he said no and pushed me off the bars." Adam wailed losing what composure he had and burying his head in my neck. After a few minutes he rose wiping his sleeve across his nose to my chagrin.
"Then, all of a sudden Evie came and knocked him down…she used one of those proper wrestle moves that uncle Em shows us…it was really cool…and she said…" Adam began excitedly.
"Uh, we don't need to hear what Evie said again." Esme said sharply.
"But mom…it's true…" Evie insisted.
At that point, the principle called Esme into her office, leaving me to watch the still upset children. It galled me that Evie's swearing was classed as a more serious problem than Adam being hurt. But if I was honest, I was glad of a few extra minutes to gather my thoughts. Adam and Evie were now both examining Evie's knee. As I watched her, her caramel curls bouncing as she chattered away about how much it hurt, I couldn't help but think it would be a very brave, no make it stupid man that would ever fuck with this particular Cullen. And as strong as I knew my son was and would grow to be as he got older, I was glad that he had Evie fighting in his corner.
EM POV
As I turned the jeep onto the drive of the house, I couldn't help the frustrated sigh that escaped me. Jazz and I had been out searching through the back allies and flea pits that covered the rougher sides of Port Angeles and Seattle. Our combined size and demeanour, not to mention the large amounts of cash we had been handing out to jog people's memories meant that we had done all we could for now. That didn't stop the feeling of helplessness that overwhelmed me as the house came into view.
I am an easy going guy, always up for a laugh and able to see the silver lining to any cloud, but the two things that I do care and worry deeply about are my family and my work. And my protective feelings had only doubled since my Rosie had finally become pregnant with the twins. We had tried for so long, only to fail three times over the last four years. But it had been a case of last time lucky for us. The treatments and the subsequent failures were destroying us both and after much arguing, a lot of tears from both of us and even a brief separation, we had decided to stop trying. We would never have a biological child of our own, but we had agreed to look into adoption sometime in the future. That night, we had gone out as I wanted to show my Rosie that although she might not be able to bear my children, she was everything that I would ever want or need. We're still not sure exactly what happened, but six weeks after that night my Rosie found out, after fainting in the middle of Macy's whilst shopping with Alice, that she was pregnant with as it turned out twin…boys.
The family had teased me mercilessly about the two little mini me's on the way. Whilst the guys at the station where despite my protests my nickname was "BEAR" had presented me with two little firefighter uniforms with CUB 1, CUB2 written on the back. I was excited, scared a million different things, I couldn't wait to meet "my son's." Shit, I loved the way that sounded. I was worried sick about how the stress of what had happened was affecting Rose, who was only eight weeks away from giving birth, I knew I should be with her, looking after her. But Evie was my baby sister. I adore Alice, she is my twin, but "Hurricane Evie" as she is known in the family, holds a very special place in my heart. From the moment she was grabbed my finger and held on with a grip that would put mine to shame, she had me…me and Rose. She allowed us an outlet for all the love we had for a child, but couldn't show yet.
"Em…bro…you coming in?" Jazz repeated.
"Huh?" I muttered thickly. I hadn't even realized that I had pulled the jeep into the garage. "In a few." I replied. I needed a few minutes to strengthen myself against the pain that seeing the look on my Dad and Esme's face would cause. Carlisle wasn't my biological father, but to me, he would always be "Dad", he took me in loved me, guided me, took all the crap I threw at him…he was the man, the type of father that I wanted to be for my son's. After Elizabeth died, he stepped up to the plate and did everything and more a father should do and the three of us did not make that easy. But he lost himself along the way. He was almost painfully lonely before Esme came along. She and Evie had given him a new lease of life.
I would always love my biological mother and Elizabeth, the woman who had practically raised me. But with Esme, I had found a kind of peace and understanding that I hadn't realized I so badly needed. She was such a kind, loving, wonderful woman who was put on this earth to mother and care for people, to care for my Dad and Evie, it broke my heart to see her in so much pain. But I fully intended to see to it that "Bastard the Builder" as Rose called Charles, would know the meaning of real pain.
Wandering round the garden to stretch my legs, I stopped at the jungle gym that Carlisle had put up for Evie and Adam.
I had been tasked with babysitting Evie one afternoon whilst Carlisle took Esme out to an antiques fair or something. We had ended up sprawled across the sofa watching the Jungle Book for the hundredth time, not that I minded, it's a great movie!
About half way through, Evie had bounced off her seat and announced
"We need more snacks!"
Before I could say anything she was in the kitchen. A second later, there was a crash of glass and Evie was crying. Running into the kitchen, I found the full glass salad bowl Esme had placed in the fridge to go with dinner later, smashed on the floor and Evie crying as her hand oozed blood.
"Ah Evie!" I growled
Carlisle and Esme had only just forgiven me for what had happened at pre-school. I was very proud of her, but I could see their point.
"It hurts uncle Em." She whimpered
"I'm sorry honey." I said. I hate it when the women in my family cry. It makes me feel big, clumsy and useless. Sweeping her up, I sat her on the edge of the kitchen counter. The cut wasn't too big, but there was a little sliver of glass sticking out of it.
"C'mon, we'll go see if Eddie's home."
"NO!" Evie shouted, fisting my shirt with her good hand.
"Why not"?
"He always tells me off…mommy's gonna be mad enough as it is…you do it…you can fix it." She insisted. She was right, I could fix it up, I had done enough first aid courses over the years, but that had mainly been dealing with adults.
I let out a growl as I fetched the first aid kit.
"You do realize that it's me that's gonna get in the most trouble…" I said seriously.
"I did it."
"Yeah, but believe it or not, I'm your big brother…I'm supposed to take care of you." I said. I was keeping her talking to take her mind off what I was doing. Also, even though she was only little, she could still hold a great conversation with you.
"You're the best big brother." She said seriously. I swallowed hard on the lump of tears that had formed in my throat.
"Flatter me away squirt, you're still telling mom and dad what happened." I teased. She giggled. After a few minutes, I had the glass out and her hand dressed. Evie was still a little fretful and tearful though. We went out to the garden and I played around trying to make her laugh, but she wasn't having it…until.
"Evie…who's this"? I called as I pretended to hang off one of the gym bars.
"OH, I'M THE KING OF THE SWINGERS YEAH…A JUNGLE VIP"! I bellowed.
Evie's contagious giggles soon filled the air and increased as I loped over to her hootin and hollering like a monkey.
"Dammit squirt where are you"? I sighed as I roughly wiped away the tears pricking my eyes.
JAS POV
I was exhausted and needed a shower. Emmett and I had been out all night, trawling some of the most dangerous and sleazy parts of Seattle. With no luck. Now I was no expert, but I always felt that I had a good understanding of not only military history and tactics, but also psychology. I knew Charles was a desperate man, prison was tough enough, especially when you were serving a 35-life sentence with no hope of parole, but add in the physical abuse he was suffering and that would make Charles dangerous as well as desperate. So why the hell, couldn't we find him? From what we had learned, he had not made that many contacts in jail. He was a desperate man and desperate men make mistakes, it had been three fucking torturous days, he had to slip up soon, he had to.
Entering the main hall of the house, I couldn't help but gaze at the banister to the stairs. Evie had taken to climbing up onto the last low section of the banister and sliding down, rather than walking. Esme's heart was in her mouth, but no matter how many times we all told her it was dangerous, she still did it. And thanks to me, she did it loudly. I had likened her way of entering a room or sliding down the banister to that of an incoming "missile" and ever since, she had yelled an excited "incommming." Every time she saw me, or launched herself down the banister.
"Jazz"?
I spun round to see Edward coming out of the kitchen. I shook my head. He hissed a low "shit", before pinching the bridge of his nose. I clapped him on the shoulder, before heading up the stairs, stopping half way up as I almost tripped on one of Evie's toy ponies. Esme had held firm against Carlisle and Evie had not received a pony, but that didn't stop me from taking her to a nearby stables one weekend. I rode when I got the chance, as painful as my memories of Texas were, all I remembered about my time riding was the peace.
"Where's your hat uncle Jazz"? Evie had demanded as she came into the kitchen dressed in her jeans, boots, plaid shirt and little cowboy hat. Trust my wife to take a theme and run a damn marathon with it.
"Alice says you're a proper cowboy…you can't be a proper cowboy without your hat."
I glared at Esme who was trying not to laugh. Carlisle had buried his head in the newspaper, his shoulders shaking with laughter. With a growl, I pulled on the cowboy hat that I had attempted to "forget" and scooped Evie up. If she wanted cowboy, I'd give her cowboy.
"Well little pardner…I think it's time we mosied on outta here…" I drawled, playing up my accent. Evie giggled. Evie had been a little less confident when she saw the horses and their size. But she had braved a ride on a leashed pony and then a quick trot round with me, a hardhat under her Stetson. I had begun singing silly cowboy songs "I was born under a wandering star", "Home on the Range" "Don't Fence me In".
But the one song I couldn't shake out of my head at this moment was the one from an old cowboy movie I changed for her "Get along home Evie Evie…get yourself home."
E POV
After checking on Adam, who was still upset about Evie, but currently lost in his task of teaching Demetri all Emmett's X-box cheats, I moved from the games room across to my piano. It probably wasn't appropriate, I should probably wait until I got home, but I desperately needed to relieve the stress that was overwhelming me and the best way I knew to do that was through music.
I felt so useless not being able to help with the searches more, but Dad had pleaded with me to keep the clinic going and I wasn't going to argue with him. It took me a minute to realize what I was playing.
I had agreed to drop Evie off at ballet class as Esme had a client coming to the house and Dad was still at the clinic. My little sister, because of the huge age gap between us, she should really have felt like a daughter, but she didn't, she was so little, but sometimes it was like talking to a 40 year old midget, was not spoilt, but had energy to spare and to harness it Dad and Esme encouraged her to try many different things, the latest one being ballet.
We had arrived at class ten minutes early, but unlike the last time I had dropped Evie off, I was not the main interest of the twelve other mothers in the room, not that I was complaining. They were instead, gathered round Miss Gates the teacher that came in from Port Angeles.
"As you know, our sound system gave up the ghost last week and Jenny, our piano player has the flu."
"My brother plays the piano." Evie had piped up suddenly, causing the intense stares I had been hoping to avoid to focus straight on me. Add to those the pleading, hopeful stairs of twelve little girls of different ages, all dressed for class and I was done. I found myself playing various repetitions of music for the next hour, whilst trying not to look at the mothers who had decided to stay and watch the class after all.
When class had finished and I had escaped from the profusely grateful Miss Gates and friends, I had grabbed Evie and practically dragged her to the car.
"Evie, next time…could you actually ask me if I would like to play the piano…" I hissed.
"I'm sorry Edward, but you play much better than Jenny…"
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Can we still go for milkshake"? she queried. I looked at her and as cross as I was, my heart melted. She was an exhausting, at times precious little midget, but she was my sister.
"Yes, but you're paying." I growled.
As the sound of a fresh round of sobbing echoed down the stairs from Evie's room, my hands thumped heavily down on the keys. God, if you can hear me I thought, please bring her back and I'll play for as many damn ballet classes as she wants.
ADAM POV
I jumped when I heard my Dad slam his hands down on the piano keys, he never did that unless he was really mad or upset. Everyone was saying that it wasn't my fault and that Papa and Glamma, my name for Grandma Esme, didn't blame me for Evie being taken away, but I wasn't so sure. I had only seen them for a few minutes when I got home that day, after that I had had to stay at my house until today.
My dad was still at the piano, but he didn't see me sneak across the room on my tummy using the furniture as cover. Uncle Jazz had said that I would make a good soldier, because I was so quick and quiet…when I wasn't falling over or knocking things down.
I reached the door to Evie's room, it was half open. Pappa was on the floor, his head on Glamma's lap and he was crying. This was bad, really bad, Pappa doesn't cry.
"I'm sorry…I'm really…really sorry…I tried to stop him taking her…I did…I promise…" I burst out pushing the door open. Pappa and Glamma sprung apart looking shocked.
"Adam…sweetheart we know that…" Glamma said. "C'mere baby." She said and I ran to her arms and jumped in her lap, burying my head in her neck. She didn't smell like my mom, but she still smelt nice and safe. After a few minutes I sat back. Pappa was now sitting on the tiger chair Evie had, I couldn't help but laugh, he looked so funny being so big, when the chair was so small.
"I don't know what you're laughing at young man, if I fall over, you're the one picking me up." Pappa said with a sad smile. He looked so tired.
"S'alright…I'm strong enough." I said proudly.
"We know that, you're going to be a big strong man like your daddy…but honey…not even your daddy could have run after a car." Glamma said stroking my hair.
Our class was going on a field trip to the zoo. My favourite part of the trip had been riding on the bus, I had been to the zoo lots of times. Evie had too, but she loves animals, especially the monkey's…maybe that's why everyone calls her a "little monkey". Anyway, we had been through the monkey house, but Evie wasn't finished doing her drawing.
"Evie C'mon…" I said. "Everyone's going." I was standing in the middle between Evie and the rest of our class that was moving really fast out of the door, leaving me and Evie alone.
"One more minute." Evie hissed as she scribbled.
"Just as stubborn as your mother." The creepy guy had said, just before he lifted Evie up, one hand across her mouth and began running back towards the other exit. I was shocked for a minute, but then I realized what had happened. The creepy guy, everyone kept asking me what he looked like, all I could remember was that he was tall, skinny with scars on his face, had taken Evie!
"Heh! Put her down! Evie! Help! Help…he's got my Evie!" I had screamed as I began to run after them. The monkey house was busy, but I managed to keep sight of them. I was screaming, but none of the grown up's were doing anything, they just looked at me and thought I was being naughty. I managed to push the door open that creepy guy had tried to push in my face, the door was alarmed and was making a big noise. I knew we'd probably get in trouble from the security guards that were running our way, but I didn't care if it got Evie back. We were in some kind of parking lot, Evie was trying to fight the guy, but he was too strong, she did manage to bite him though, causing him to drop the hand he had over her mouth.
"ADAM!" she had managed to scream, before he pushed her into a car. A beat up grey Ford Taurus.
Pappa's cell phone was ringing. Both he and Glamma were really still, I don't think they were even breathing. Suddenly, Demetri appeared in the doorway. He nodded at Pappa, who with a really shaky hand flipped it open.
"Carlisle Cullen." He said quietly. He didn't speak for a minute before saying with a deep sigh. "Okay Charlie…see you soon."
Grandpa Charlie was coming over!
C POV
As soon as a now excited Adam had left the room to go wait for his Grandpa Charlie, I fell off Evie's little chair onto the floor. I was lying on my side on the floor, cell phone clutched in my limp hand, but I didn't care. I couldn't take any more of this. I wanted my little girl back, I wanted my family to stop tearing themselves apart, seeing Adam, a sensitive boy at the best of times so torn apart, had been the last straw.
"Carlisle…Carlisle…get up sweetheart…come on please…Bella's right, we'll be no use to Evie if we both fall apart…" Esme pleaded holding out her hand to me. There was a new light in her eyes, she was doing what only she knew how to do so well, loving and caring for me. Her heart was broken over the fate of our child, but here she was taking care of me. Slowly, painfully, I climbed to my feet. My back, which would never be as strong as it used to be, was screaming at me. With her arm wrapped round my waist, Esme walked me into our bathroom.
"I'll run you a bath." She said as I sat on the toilet dumbly watching her. I knew I should be getting undressed, but all I could do was stare at the phone in my hand. Had it really been three days since that bastard had last called?
I had been at the clinic waiting for Esme to join me for lunch, when I had received a call from a frantic Bella telling me to come home. It was only a twenty minute drive, ten if I floored it, which I did. On the way, I had begun doing a mental inventory of everyone in my family and their condition when I last saw them. Edward, Bella and Adam were fine, Adam was excited about riding the bus to the zoo. Evie was excited about the zoo. Esme was in the middle of a project, a little frustrated by it's progress but happy. Rose and the twins had just had a check up and were progressing nicely. But I didn't have to go any further. Esme was running down the drive of the house towards me, her face twisted in agony. I stopped the car inches from Esme and leapt out.
"She's gone…someone's taken her…someone's taken Evie." She sobbed.
My heart stopped. How I made it to the house I don't know, but I did. And Bella managed to fill in a few more details. Evie and Adam had fell behind the rest of the class at the zoo and some "crazy guy" as Adam had described him had snatched her and bundled her into a car.
The next few hours had been a blur of police and family arriving. Then, the house phone had rung.
"Carlisle Cullen." I snapped.
"Heh Doc…you took something that belongs to me, now I have something that belongs to you…" came the cold, sneering, slightly slurred voice.
"Is that you Platt?" I demanded. It had been over a year since I had last heard that bastard's voice in the court room at the trial, but I would never forget it. Esme froze.
"You remembered…yeah it's me…you stole what's mine Doc…got her for free…to get back what's yours…it's gonna cost ya."
"Daddy!" Evie had then squealed.
"Evie!" I had shouted.
Esme moved like lightening at this. She snatched up the other line.
"Evie! Charles…I swear to god, if you hurt her I'll fucking kill you myself…" she snarled. All Platt had done was laugh and say that he'd be in touch.
I took a bath and then Esme and I had lay down on our bed, on our sides, foreheads touching, arms wrapped round each other staring at the space between us where our little girl should have been. We must have fallen asleep, because the next thing we knew, Demetri was standing over us holding a phone looking grim.
"Platt?"
"She's quite a little handful that kid of yours…but I soon taught her some manners."
"Listen to me you sonofabitch…" I snarled. If he'd hurt her.
"No Doc…I'm the one in charge now, not you…" he had replied icily.
" You know, I always wished that the club collapsing had finished you off, but now I'm kinda glad it didn't…I want two million cash and don't say you can't raise it…coz I know you can." He was right. Aro had put five million at my disposal. He adored Evie almost as much as he loved Esme.
"I've got it…where and when?"
"Three hours, the I-DENT club." The club had been destroyed in the explosion, but had been rebuilt later as flats, however the economic crisis meant that the construction team hadn't gone further than a shell. Esme snatched the phone from my grasp, but held it so I could still hear.
"Charles…let me speak to her…please." She had said. I could see how much it galled her to have to beg him, but I knew she would do anything for our daughter.
"Mommy." Came Evie's small, scared and exhausted voice.
"Evie, baby are you alright?"
"Yeah…but I want to come home…" she was trying so hard not to cry.
"I know baby…Daddy and I are leaving right now to come and get you…we just need you to be brave a little while longer…can you do that sweetheart."
"Yes…I love you mommy."
Esme choked back a sob. "I love you too baby so much."
"It won't be long sweetheart." I whispered
"I know Daddy…you'll come and save me like you saved Mommy."
AN; Charles' POV and the big rescue will come in the next chapter. I know I'm mean, but don't shout to loud, it's very hard to type with my fingers in my ears! Lolx I wanted to try and show how Evie impacted on everyone's life, there will be other memories from Alice, Rose, Charlie and Sue next chapter as well. I'm sorry if anyone feels let down that I didn't stick to a proper baby growing up timeline. Oh and I know Evie and Adam are very well spoken and developed for four. What can I say they're Cullen's ! And I thought it helped the story move easier. Please read and review.