SM OWNS ALL THINGS TWILIGHT.
AN; I'm so sorry for keeping you all waiting, especially after you have all been so kind. I hope this chapter gives you all something to like and makes up a little bit for the long wait. If we could finish this story with at least 100 reviews I would love you all even more than I do already! LOL!
C POV
"It's seven days but only six sleeps, I've marked the date on the calendar and you can call me every day." Esme said soothingly whilst trying desperately not to laugh at what I knew was a pathetic looking pout on my face.
"Yeahhh, but…" I huffed throwing myself on the bed and settling my head in her lap. "the house will be so quiet…" Esme snorted with laughter.
"Quiet? Carlisle, you have met our youngest daughter right? She's not known as Hurricane Evie for nothing…then there is our grandson Adam, who will want to show you just what a little protégé he is becoming on the piano…and of course there will be Emmett and the newest editions to the family."
"I know I know…Emmett's convinced he can manage the twins by himself though." Esme and I looked at each other and laughed softly. Emmett was a wonderful, loving father, but he was terrified of dropping, hurting or even looking the wrong way at his two, healthy, lively six month old twin boys. Rose had been and still was in two minds whether she should take this trip to Ireland that all the girls in the family were taking, especially when she saw how long it took Emmett to change a diaper that was actually round the right way and securely fastened. But she needed a break and the girls had convinced her that the only way that Emmett was going to learn and develop a bond with the boys as strong as hers was to be left alone with them. Not that Emmett would be alone as such, he was coming back to Forks for the week with the twins and joining what Jasper had dubbed "Daddy Day Care" with me and Edward. I was actually looking forward to spending some quality time not only with Evie, but my sons and grandsons who like Esme, Evie and I were still trying to get over the trauma caused by Charles Platt and Siobhan.
"Still, you won't be here…the house feels different when you're not here…too still…it even smells different…" I said my hand deftly undoing two buttons of her night shirt before slipping inside and gently stroking the skin of her stomach. I couldn't help the smirk I felt twitching on my lips as I heard Esme's breath hitch at my touch. I loved this woman so much, she was my best friend, my confidante, my sounding board, my fiercest defender, my harshest critic, my rock, my lover. Esme always grumbled about how she had never quite lost all the weight she had gained when she was carrying Evie, but I adored her enhanced curves. But what I loved even more was the confidence that despite everything that we had been though Esme had developed in everyday life and the bedroom. I was always worried that the older I got, the less I would be able to please her, that maybe she wouldn't find me as attractive anymore. She was surrounded on a daily basis by younger, fitter construction workers who may have only been teasing but saw her for the beautiful, sexy woman she was. But Esme showed me in so many little ways that I was still the only man for her, the only man that could drive her crazy with need, but also more importantly to her give her the tenderness and feeling of safety that she needed.
"We've been apart for a week…longer before." Esme sighed, one hand working a little faster through my hair whilst the other caressed the side of my face and down my neck. I felt myself shiver at the combination of her touch and the look in her eyes which were focused on my face and darkening with need.
"I know, but I didn't sleep properly the whole time…bed felt…too big…empty…cold." I said softly as I opened another two buttons and let my hand wander upwards to meet the soft underside of her breast. She let out a soft moan as she lowered her head towards me, I leant up slightly to meet her half way and our lips met in a soft, but passionate kiss, tounges exploring each other's mouths, tasting, memorizing each other. Then with a sudden, surprising and agile move, I was laying flat on the mattress whilst Esme straddled my thighs.
"You should be sleeping…you have to be up very early in the morning…" I teased.
"Sleep on the plane." She growled as her hands found the hem of my T-shirt and began dragging it upwards. I sat up heaving it over my head before making quick work of her nightshirt.
"I have to take you to the airport, then go to work…" I breathed into her neck as my mouth began to explore the sweet tasting skin of her collar bone, before finally taking her nipple in my mouth.
"Shouuld have thought of that…before you started reminding me just how much I was going to miss your bedside manner Doctor Cullen." God I loved it when she called me that. Esme sighed pulling my head up for another kiss as I pulled her further forward towards me. I couldn't help the deep moan that escaped me into her mouth at the feel of her bare chest crushed against mine and her hot, wet core grinding against me in an attempt to create some friction. Her hands which were in my hair, scratching my back, finally pressed against my shoulders and I lay back, pulling her down with me, our kisses were hot, wet and a little desperate as they always seemed to be when we were faced with the thought of being separated, even for a short while. My sleep pants and Esme's panties soon joined our shirts on the floor.
"I need to see you baby…see your face when you come for me…give me something to dream about…" I whispered as I planted my hands either side of her head, careful as always to keep as much of my weight off of her as possible, before sliding into her all consuming wet heat with a moan. And not too long later, I got what I wanted as Esme, beautiful long legs wrapped round me, urging me on, shattered beneath me calling out my name and how much she loved me. Thank god, Edward had the first clinic in the morning and was therefore looking after Evie and Adam at his place whilst I took Esme and Bella to the airport.
"I'll never, could never leave you Carlisle…never leave us…need you…want you…too much my darling." Esme purred as she continued to thrust against me, whilst I headed towards my own intense climax, which drew out the pleasurable aftershocks of her own. "Let go…tell me you love me Carlisle." She said softly, her hands cupping my face. There they were the words that sent me flying.
"Love you…sooo muuuch Esssmmme…only you."
Instead of adopting our usual spooned position, I let Esme move us so that my head was resting over her heart and her hands were in my hair. I was being pathetically needy, but I couldn't help it.
"Carlisle…I'm as nervous as you are. This is the first time we've been apart since…but I have to go…"
"I know, you need a break all you girls do…"
"And I have to see Siobhan."
There it was my fear. I raised my head.
"She is obviously not well, despite what all the damn doctors say, she's a doctor herself damn it, she knows exactly what to say, how to act…she could be worse now, violent." I burst out.
"Carlisle, I'm pretty good at handling violent and do you really think Rose or Alice for that matter would allow anything to happen to me." Esme said quietly. I winced.
"You'll be so far away from home…anything could happen."
"Is that what you are worried about, me getting arrested in Ireland?"
"What? No? I've given Alice details of the account Aro has set up containing bail money and the name of a good lawyer."
Esme laughed a low, deep chuckle that had a dangerous edge which was incredibly sexy.
"You really think I'm going to pound her into the pavement?"
"We were thinking more of Rose…" I sniggered. Rose had become the ultimate of "Mama Bear" since having the twins, add that to how much she loved Esme and Evie and she really was dangerous. "But Esme…you do what you feel you have to do." I said sincerely. Any guilt I had felt about Siobhan, how I treated her, should have treated her had turned to a dangerously intense hatred at the thought of how she had helped Platt torture my family. I know I should have felt pity or better yet nothing at all, but the memories of hearing my baby's pitiful cries and later the horror of that tape, meant that that was impossible.
"And what if all I want to do is talk to her? The same way Emmett talked to Charles."Esme said quietly. Even in the darkness I could see her eyes flashing.
I pushed myself up so that I was leaning on my elbow, but our bodies were still entwined.
"If that's what you want. I'm serious Esme you need to do what you need to do…"
"I love you." Esme whispered, leaning forward to kiss me. "I really don't know what the hell I'm going to do, to feel until I actually see her…I may well just end up talking to her…despite what the others feel, but thank you for not thinking badly of me if I do decide to be a little more physical."
"Well, it's only fair…I did pound on Charles."
"Yes…yes you did." Esme said raising my hand to her lips and gently kissing each knuckle. "Did it make you feel better?" she asked finally.
"I was angry, but it was the pain…I thought my baby girl was gone, then I saw the dummy and knew that that sick sonofabitch still had her…could be doing…" I trailed off, the painful lump of emotion in my throat taking my breath away as I remembered that day.
"Sssh baby…it's okay, she's okay…our little girl is safe…and even more of a Daddy's girl than she was before." Esme said as she stroked and kissed my face in an attempt to comfort me. It was true that during the tough months that followed what happened to her Evie and I had become even closer, but I had also seen how her bond with Esme had intensified.
"But…it was seeing you so still, so cold and lifeless…I thought you were gone…and my heart broke…I actually felt it…the thought that that bastard had taken you from us…from me…I couldn't breathe, think…" I was sobbing. Damn it, where the hell was this coming from. We had done family and individual therapy but I had never broken down like this before.
"Carlisle…Carlisle darling." I heard Esme say in alarm, but I couldn't stop myself.
"I'm…sorry…so…sorry." I stammered.
"No baby, you don't need to be sorry. Ssh, let it go…it's time to let it go now…my poor Carlisle, having to be so brave." She said sitting up and wrapping her arms tightly round me. I just let my body sag against hers as I sobbed all my pain and fear in to her neck.
"I'm here…I'm safe…I'm safe, here with you and Evie…Charles is gone and after this trip, it'll be over…all over…I'm safe, here with you…not going to leave you Carlisle…can't…need you…love you too much…" she crooned in the darkness over and over again as she held me.
"I'm sorry." I stammered again. At this she pulled away from me slightly, but only so she could hold my face between her hands. Her eyes and voice were fierce despite her own unshed tears.
"For what Carlisle if anyone should be apologizing it's me? You have been through so much…but I wasn't there, not properly…I was so focused on Evie, myself, Rose, the twins…everyone but the person I should have been spending more time with…caring for…loving…my wonderful, kind, caring, loving, brave husband, who needed me…well I promise that that is going to change." She said.
"I don't want you to change Esme…I love how much you love and care for this family…how you anchor everyone…make everyone including me feel that they have a safe place to come to." I whispered when I finally got myself together.
"And I love my family I do…I never thought I would ever have this…but Carlisle…you…you and me, that's what gives me the strength to keep going…I need more time with you…just us…we've never really had that for long. I miss you…I was thinking…sometime in the summer, you and I could go away…just us for a couple of weeks."
"Really?" I asked. The thought of having Esme to myself for a couple of weeks sounded amazing.
"Really."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Surprise me." She purred.
"No arguments…I get to chose…anywhere?" I queried.
Esme giggled. "Yes, anywhere…as long as it's hot…I could do with some sunshine…this old figure of mine may not be as hot as it was…but I think I can still carry off a bathing suit pretty well." She teased. I groaned as I thought of Esme in a bathing suit, or more specifically Esme's legs in a bathing suit.
"Could I talk you into a bikini?" I growled.
ESME POV
"Don't worry Mommy, I'll look after Daddy." Evie said sleepily as she hugged me tightly. It was early the next morning and Carlisle and I were at Edward and Bella's to collect Bella. We hadn't banked on Evie and Adam setting the alarm on Edward's I phone which they had sneaked into the room they were sharing to wake them up. Now Bella and I were having to deal with clinging children as well as husbands!
"I know you will my big girl, that's the only reason I'm going…but will you be okay?" I asked. Evie was still not over her ordeal, that would take a lot longer, but she was improving everyday and I was so proud, but I didn't want to upset or push her. I had talked her through our trip and she seemed fine, but I couldn't help but worry.
"I'll miss you Mommy…a lot…but you'll be back soon right?"
"Very soon I promise…with presents…" I said.
Her heavy lidded eyes opened a little wider at this.
"Can I have a lepracaun?" she asked.
"I told you…they don't exist." Adam snapped from Bella's arms.
"Do so! You believe Britany Newton when she says that vampires exist…"
"There are no such things as vampires." Bella insisted gently.
"But that's what Daddy says the people at the bank are." Adam replied.
Edward choked on the coffee he was drinking.
"I'll see what I can do sweetie, now you go and Adam need to go back to bed…it's very early and I don't want you falling asleep when I call you tonight…I love you Evie and I'll see you very soon." I said giving Evie a tight squeeze and taking a moment to breathe in the scent of her hair.
All us girls were a little subdued as we took our seats in Business Class. I was still reeling from the sight and sound of Carlisle falling apart in my arms last night and the guilt I was feeling about not seeing that he needed me earlier. I was determined to bring the whole nightmare of Charles and Siobhan to an end with this trip. My husband and daughter needed me and I couldn't give them what they needed, what I needed until this was truly behind me. Then there was the painful pull of guilt and pain at leaving my child. Rose was practically vibrating in her seat.
"Mase'll be waking up soon…Emmett never gets to him quick enough…he'll set James off and Emmett will rush feeding Mase to keep him quiet and that'll…" she rambled as she saw me watching her.
"Rose honey…Emmett has to learn and…Carlisle will be there…he had to learn the hard way as well…it's a wonder Evie kept anything down when Carlisle was feeding her…her bottles were all ways lukewarm at best…he was always worried that he'd burn her mouth if he made them too hot…so he made them tepid and she ended up spitting most of it back up."
"Carlisle!" Rose said in disbelief.
"Yep…he wasn't around much when Edward was a baby, remember? so it was all as new to him as it was me."
"And you would think being married to a pediatrician would make for an easy time right?" Bella chipped in. " Edward pulled Adam's elbows out of their sockets."
We all looked horrified.
"It's very common." Bella said quickly. "Toddlers joints aren't set firm and so when you swing them around and play with them, they can pop out. Edward gets a few cases a month, usually fathers who have swung their kids a little too hard playing airplanes or whatever."
"So they're all as hopeless at child care as each other." Alice chirped.
"No Alice." I growled as I saw Rose pale even further. "What Bella and I were trying to say was, they both had to learn though experience…and you've seen how much Evie and Adam love their Dad's. Adam was thrilled at having some proper "guy time" with Edward."
"'S true." Bella sighed fondly.
"And I've been looking forward to having some girl time." Alice pouted.
"We know sweetie and I for one promise that'll I'll give you some proper Mommy and me time…once I've got a little sleep." I teased Alice.
"Carlisle too." Bella said knowingly.
"Oh yes." I sighed.
"Yeah Jazz got a little clingy." Alice mused. "It was nice, but I go away all the time."
"I'm lying there with boobs the size of barrage balloons that for once don't hurt for him to touch…all he wants to do is cuddle and give me self defense pointers." Rose huffed. "As if I can't take that bitch."
"Can we please not let that bitch spoil our vacation before she has too." I sighed.
"We are fammilleee…I got all almost all my sisters with me." Alice sang quietly. "I can't wait till Evie's old enough to come with us. Poor things going to be so bored with all those boys for company." She sighed.
CARLISLE POV
"Thank you Edward." Evie said sweetly as she climbed down from the kitchen stool she had been sitting to allow Edward to braid her hair into an impressive French Braid.
"You're welcome. Now can you tell Adam we need to move it if we don't want to be late for school." He called after her.
"Duuude…" Emmett said, shaking his head in disbelief at what he had just seen.
"What? Chicken pox when I was ten. I was quarantined with Alice remember? I figured learning to braid hair was better than learning how to apply eyeliner." Edward grumped.
"Well, I for one am grateful for your tonsorial talents son." I said, trying to hide my laugh in my coffee cup.
"You two have till the count of ten or else I'm leaving and you're walking!" Edward bellowed as he left the kitchen. I winced as Masen began to cry at being woken from a much needed sleep and James or JC as he was fast becoming known joined in.
"He won't be able to do any of his fancy hair styling when I break both his hands." Emmett growled. I followed him out of the kitchen into the lounge where the twins were in their bouncy chairs.
"They will settle son…they're going for how long at night now?"
"Five hours." Emmett replied proudly.
"You and Alice were nearly a year before you managed that. I remember Elizabeth spending several nights helping with you and Alice that first year. You were fine…it was just Alice, when she got bored, she woke you up so she could have someone to play with." I said smiling fondly as I remembered.
"Figures." Emmett grumbled. People, especially Emmett doubted his abilities in caring for his son's but it didn't take him long to settle them. A gentle stroke of Masen's head, one of his large hands tenderly stroking JC's stomach and a few words in that deep comforting voice and the twins were fast asleep.
"What?" he asked when he saw the look of pride and emotion on my face. Emmett, loud, brash, devil may care Emmett, my son was a father and a good one. Where had the years gone?
"Nothing…" I said shaking my head.
"Okkkkay, there is still way to much girly cra…stuff happening round here. I thought we were going to have some proper guy time."
"Um…your little sister is still here remember?"
"Aww Eddie will be fine." Emmett laughed.
"Douche." Edward snapped as he joined us in the living room. "Sorry man."
"'S ok. Heh squirt! You'll be up for some BBQ and the game tonight won't you?" Emmett said spotting Evie in the doorway.
"Sweet." Evie replied. Alice was Emmett's twin and they were unbelievably close and always would be, but it was like Evie had become their triplet, forming amazingly close bonds with both of them.
"I thought I told you to wait in the car." Edward said.
"I was…but you forgot to pack Adam's lunch."
"Shit."
"A woman's work is never done son." I teased clapping Edward on the shoulder. He didn't need to know that Esme had left notes reminding me of what I had to do round the bedroom and next to the calendar on her desk. One day down.
Any further teasing Emmett may have planned for Edward or me was so soon stopped after three days into the trip Edward and I came home a lot later from work than he had expected us. Emmett had taken to collecting the kids from school in the afternoon and then starting dinner for us all, because despite the children's and my protests we could not live on pizza and ice cream all week.
"What time do you call this?" he demanded. Even when he was whispering his voice was incredibly loud.
"Nine…ish…I'm a big boy now Emmett…"
"Dinner was at seven thirty! It's ruined…I had to throw it away, after spending all afternoon preparing it…inbetween dealing with four cranky children!" he hissed, throwing the dishcloth over his shoulder onto the counter dramatically.
"Why is Evie cranky?" I asked.
"The coach put her on the bench at T-Ball practice and of course Adam had to start gloating…very unattractive trait to teach your son Eddie."
"I learnt from the best Emma!" Edward shot back at Emmett. "But Adam got to play, the whole game?" Edward clarified.
"Yeees and he was great, didn't trip once…you would have known this if you were home on time." Edward was beaming with pride. He didn't care that his son was a little clumsy, but he knew how much it would meant to the little boy for other people to see how good he could be.
"Emmett, today is the day that Edward and I do minor surgeries at the clinic, the kids know this…"
"They were saying something about operations…but JC was screaming…I think he's getting diaper rash…you could have told me, stopped me…"
"Slaving over a hot stove all day…we're sorry sweetie, why don't you go put your feet up…" I teased handing him a light beer from the fridge.
"Damn right…Desperate Housewives starts in ten." He growled with a devilsh grin.
ESME POV
C - It's no good-can't sleep. This bed is way too big and cold without you.
E- Is that the only thing that is too big and cold?
C-um-no, but the other situation needs…
E-Taking in hand? You could always imagine that I'm there with you…lending a helping hand like a good doctor's wife should.
C-And have you had to use those helping hands on yourself?
E-Several times-only way.
C-Next time CALL ME! Would like to listen…to your technique.
E- Yes Dr Cullen, I think it might be more effective and pleasurable treatment if it was delivered under medical supervision.
Ireland was grey and wet but beautiful. The people charming and friendly if a lot more business like American in their attitude than we thought they would be. Dublin was fast becoming a bustling, cosmopolitan and expensive city that could give New York a run for it's money. Inbetween the various fashion shows of Ireland Fashion Week that Alice had booked us, we did touristy things including a tour of the city in DUWK military vehicle with Viking Helmets on our heads! Alice had purchased one of the helmets and a ton of books on the Viking history of Ireland for Jasper. Bella had helmets for Adam and Evie, a beautifully carved piano stool for Edward which she was going to have shipped. We all made sure we had fine Irish Whisky and plenty of Guinness or "holy water with the froth on top" memorabilia for the boys. I also obtained some rare and very expensive editions of early work by James Joyce and Samuel Beckett for Carlisle. And I found several leprechauns and magic things for Evie. When we added the clothes we were going to be bringing home from the shows, we were going to be spending a fortune in shipping and taxes.
We had been to an early show, that wasn't really as good as the others we had seen and the weather had become really awful, so we had decided to have lunch at the hotel then enjoy the spa and pool. But I had had a little more to drink than I thought and began to get a little carried away when Carlisle had texted me, whilst I was laying by the pool. I couldn't stop my mind from drifting back to being by the pool in Lake Como.
"Esme…earth to Esme…what the hell has Carlisle said that has you blushing a colour that not even Bella has ever gone?" Rose demanded.
"I think it's more what I have said." I blurted out before I realized what I had said. Damn, I shouldn't have had that extra glass of wine at lunch. Rose's dirty laugh echoed round the thankfully empty pool area.
"What's happening?" Alice asked as she padded in from the spa in a robe that was far too big for her.
"Esme has been sex texting Carlisle." Bella replied. She was stretched out on a longer still blessed out from her massage. It had taken Bella, Rose and I a couple of days to relax, and we still felt the horrible pull of guilt and missing home when we called, but we were also really enjoying our time off. It was heaven to just be us and have fun doing silly things.
"EWWW!" Alice squealed.
"I miss my husband so sue me." I growled.
"Alice, you should be grateful that your mommy and daddy still feel the…"
"Urge." Bella offered.
"Okay, you too must have been drinking something other than wine at lunch." Rose sniggered. "as I was saying Al, you should be grateful that your mommy and Daddy still feel the need to share that special kind of love even when they are so far apart." Rose finished with a laugh.
"I think I may have gone a bit far." I said quietly.
"Oh jeeez no…" Alice moaned shoving the earbuds from her I pod violently in her ears.
Rose and Bella were round me in seconds.
"Nope, that's pretty standard doctor stuff." Bella remarked with a yawn.
"This is Carlisle." I argued.
"Yeah Bells, we all didn't have the chance to create our own personal sex god like you did with Edward. Add all your personal kinks and freaky shit." Rose snarked. Bella just grinned.
"It was a tough job."
"But you loved every minute."
"I'd say he was still a work in progress." Bella laughed.
When I called to check in at home again, I found that I hadn't gone too far for Carlisle, in fact he was most anxious to supervise my next treatment!
C POV
I was going to be late home again, but it was worth Emmett's nagging. I had assumed rightly, that Esme's first set of flirty text messages had been due to her having a little more to drink than she usually did, but she had assured me during our conversation earlier tonight that she was very sober and in need of my medical help. I was alone in the surgery, missing her as much as she was missing me…God the next few days could not pass quick enough and not only because I was horny for my wife!
I loved Masen and JC, but I had truly forgotten just how loud and demanding young babies could be. Added to that, there was a stressed and Edward had decreed hormonal Emmett to deal with. Evie who still had trouble sleeping, was getting cranky due to the boys constant crying, but she refused to take Sue up on spending a night with her, although she did spend this afternoon there watching Hannah Montanna and sleeping…which would mean she would be awake past her bed time…
I entered the house to find Adam at the piano thumping his way through Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, a song he had mastered and out grown a while ago.
"What gives buddy?"
"It's the only thing that stops the twins crying." He growled.
"So why not put the CD on?"
"Evie and I…we…" Adam began, chewing his bottom lip in a very like Bella like way.
"What did you and Evie do?" I asked, not really wanting to know the answer as I sat on the edge of the piano bench.
"The twins were awake and bored…so Evie and I thought they'd like to play with their gyms on the floor…so we took them out of their chairs and put them on the floor." Adam said.
"Where was Emmett?"
"On the phone in the kitchen to work…they moved really fast…"
"What happened?"
"Mase got behind the TV."
I winced.
"Is he okay?"
"Yeah, but Emmett went crazy…I have to play…"
"How many times have you played this song?"
"seven." He replied miserably.
The kids had done wrong and I would make sure that Evie knew that, but Emmett was being cruel. There was no way that the twins or anyone could hear the piano from upstairs due to the layout of the house and the soundproofing that had come when Esme had remodeled.
"I think you can stop now Adam."
"Emmett said."
"Don't you worry about Emmett…you know that Mase and JC aren't dolls…they could have been badly hurt." I said seriously.
"I know, I'm sorry, but they looked so bored…but I'm not going to go near them again…" Adam said seriously.
We headed upstairs for Adam to apologize to Emmett. What I found as we walked into the room where Emmett and the boys were staying would have me laughing for years to come. Emmett and Evie were wearing surgical face masks and gloves as they changed Masen's very dirty nappy.
"Aww man." Adam reeled trying to move. I grabbed his shoulder and held him still. I could see in her eyes that Evie was struggling, but she was determined not to give in.
"Wipess." Emmett barked.
"Wipes." Evie said slapping a handful into Emmett's.
"Cream."
"Cream."
"Diaper."
Finally the operation ended.
"I'll leave you to tidy up." Emmett said wickedly.
Evie went to argue, but she was a Cullen, complete with the stubbornness and thankfully the ability to accept when she had done wrong.
"So doctor, was it a successful operation?" I asked Emmett.
"I think so, but I'm afraid I'll have to go back in at any time." He replied dead pan. "But I am seriously taking some of those masks and gloves with me."
ESME POV
"Okay, even I'm going to be freaked out if you to have moved on to pictures." Rose quipped as she caught me laughing over my phone. I threw a cushion at her head.
"It's nothing like that…it's a picture of Emmett."
Rose paled. "Fuck, show me…no don't…no show me." She said snatching the phone and looking at the picture Carlisle took of Dr Emmett after his successful "operation."
Bella and Alice found us both creased up with laughter and soon joined us. "Why was poor Evie assisting?" Alice asked.
"She and Adam took the boys out of their chairs whilst Emmett was out of the room." I said with a frown as I read the accompanying text. Bella and I both grimaced.
"Sorry Rose…they were both warned I'll make sure Edward talks to Adam again." Bella said.
"It's okay, there was no harm done and Emmett shouldn't be keeping them in their chairs so much…and I think they've been punished enough."
"What did Adam get?"
"Playing Twinkle Twinkle seven times straight." Bella said shaking her head as she read the text she had received from Edward over night.
"Ladies…as educational and fun as this trip has been…we do have one other piece of business to deal with." Alice said finally. The atmosphere suddenly became tense as all eyes fell on me. "I've been in touch with Aro and the private detective that he has had on her, has her pinned down to an address." Alice said.
"I guess pinning her down is a start." Bella of all people said.
"Easy…all of you please…let's just think about this." I said.
"Oh I have." Rose snarled.
"Esme…she has to…you have to…"
"She has to suffer? Believe me Alice nothing I, we could do to her would cause her one tenth of the pain that Carlisle and I suffered, are still suffering." I burst out. My last comment caused them all to look at me with genuine concern and a little fear.
"It's nothing that we can't sort out, work through…I promise. Carlisle and I need to spend some time together alone as a couple…he…what I have to do…is talk to the bitch, listen to what she has to say…then if she's still talking the same old crap…I'll pound her face into the wall."
CARLISLE POV
Jasper's arrival the night before the girls were due back was met with a lot of excitement from Adam, Evie and Edward, Emmett and I, who were starting to drive each other crazy. Jasper was his usual laid back self, even when Adam, Evie and Emmett got over excited at him handing a tyre swing in the yard!
The plan was for a movie night for the kids and then a hand or two of poker for the big boys when the kids were in bed. But instead of joining the others downstairs Evie, freshly bathed and in her PJ's stuck her head round my study door where I was attempting to catch up on some reading and paperwork.
"Daddy?"
"Hi Baby…why aren't you downstairs watching the movie?"
" Don't feel like it." She said quietly, She was shuffling and twirling one of her curls round her finger, something she only did when she was tired or upset.
"What's the matter my little noodle?" I asked. Evie giggled, it was a pet name I had for her that she loved and that I hadn't had used in a long time.
"I have a bit of a headache." She sighed. As I looked at her more closely I saw that she was a little pale and I knew she was tired.
"Me too, it's been a busy and noisy week and me and you haven't had nearly enough cuddles have we?" Evie shook her head. I let my glasses slip a little down my nose which made her laugh again. "So how about you and I have a quiet cuddle here and see if that makes us feel better."I suggested. My answer was her launching herself into my arms as I headed over to my big, battered, but incredibly comfortable leather chair. She snuggled against me and I was overwhelmed by a sense of calm and peace.
ES POV
Alice and I attended the final fashion show whilst Bella and Rose took care of making sure we were all ready to head home as soon as we had finished with Siobhan. I hadn't given Alice as much of the "mommy and me" time I had promised, so despite my nerves, I made the effort to focus on her and the shows.
Alice was in her element, she was practically bouncing with excitement, her beautiful large eyes were shining with excitement as we watched the models.
"I want front row seats at the first Cullen Creation show." I whispered. Alice had her own boutiques and had quite a varied and loyal customer base for her designs, but she had never had the courage to create a collection for a show.
She shook her head with a laugh. "Who'd want to see my stuff." She sighed.
It turned out, a very important was very anxious to see Alice's clothes.
I was in the bathroom when a perfectly dressed and made up fashionista stopped me.
"Finally, I saw you and the girls you were sitting with at Wednesday's show…I just have to know who you were wearing And who is this? I love it." She simpered pulling at my wrap dress, which like what I had been wearing was one of Alice's creations. I told her and then led the way back out to Alice, who went a little pale when I introduced her to the woman but said she was fine as they talked.
I was outside waiting for the car to take us back to the hotel.
"ESSSMMMEEEE!" Alice squealed. I turned and just about managed to catch Alice who threw herself into my arms.
"You are…the best…mom…EVAH!" she shrieked before informing me that the woman that I had met was an editor from International Magazine who not only wanted to commission a couple of pieces, but had also set up there and then some plans for a photo shoot.
CARLISLE POV
"Read em and weep gentlemen." I laughed as I placed my cards on the table to the groans of Emmett and Edward. " Whaat…I have a daughter to put through college and see married."
"How is Evie…she was really quiet this afternoon and she didn't see the movie." Edward said.
"She's okay, just a little over tired and missing Esme." I said.
"I guess you were a little over tired too huh pop…considering how long a nap you took?" Emmett teased. Evie and I had fallen asleep in my chair and I had woken to the sound of Emmett taking a picture.
"I was resting my eyes…and a nap might not have hurt you son…focus your mind on your cards." I growled.
"Whatever, old man."
"It seems, that my wife…your sister…daughter is going to be famous…in fashion circles at least…" Jasper said coming back to the table. He had left after Alice had rung every cell round the table to get someone to answer. I was thrilled for Alice, but it was what Jasper was not saying that was worrying me.
"They're going to see her." I said. I didn't need to say who.
"Should be arriving any time now."
ESME POV
Siobhan's address was on a run down housing estate on the outskirts of town. It was quite a come down from what she had been used to in Seattle and I could only imagine what that would be doing to her already fragile mental state.
She had told the police and anyone else who would listen, loudly and tearfully that she had seen the error of her ways, realized that she couldn't hurt Carlisle that way, that what she was doing was wrong. But as Carlisle had said, she knew how to play the system and even her psych reports that Aro's contacts had gotten us access too had said that she was faking. That underneath, she still had genuine feelings of love for Carlisle and hatred for me.
We knocked and waited. The landing looked deserted, but you never knew who was watching through the curtains of the surrounding flats. Finally, the door cracked open and Siobhan, not looking too bad considering appeared. Her face paled when she saw Rose and I at the door.
"Top o' the morning to you bitch!" Rose snarled, sticking her foot in the door before Siobhan could close it again.
"I have nothing to say to you." She stammered.
"No…well, I've got a shit load to say to you and not a lot of time to say it in." I replied pushing my way inside. Rose quickly followed me and shut the door. I had decided that I didn't want to risk anyone other than me getting into trouble. I had tried to get the others to stay behind, but I was secretly glad that Rose and Bella had insisted on coming with me. I had pleaded with Alice to be our contact on the outside incase anything went wrong. And as much as I didn't like it, Bella was keeping watch outside the flat. The investigator had found that Siobhan had a room mate.
"So? What do you want?" Siobhan sneered finally, She was sat on a threadbare sofa trying to light a cigarette.
"I want to know why?" I asked quietly.
Observing me through narrowed eyes and making sure to blow as much of the smoke from her cigarette as possible in my direction, Siobhan took a moment to form her answer.
"You had what was mine…my life…my man…the child we should have had…I wanted it back. You were just Carlisle's charity case…his good deed…you weren't supposed to…"
I cut her off by holding up my hand. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. There was none of her fake contrition now. Just the same, demented delusions.
"Esme…" Rose called. I spun round. Rose had moved quietly round the flat until she had come to what must have been Siobhan's room. Rose's beautiful face was pale and tense with anger and shock. But what was worrying me more, was the fact that Siobhan was not reacting to Rose going in her room.
The walls were covered in photo's of Carlisle, Carlisle and her from their brief relationship and what when I looked closer I saw were photo's of Carlisle and I, but with Siobhan's head super imposed over mine. Taking pride of place was a wedding picture…my wedding picture. With a snarl of anger, I began ripping at the walls, before coming back into the other room.
"If Carlisle could see his precious Esme now? Siobhan taunted.
"He would be fucking applauding, you twisted bitch."
"You and he were finished…long before I came along…you married someone else." Why was I still trying to rationalize crazy?
"I needed a visa. Carlisle and I would have got back together…we were meant…what we have…"
With a speed and strength I didn't know I had, I launched myself at her, dragging her off the sofa and pinning her to the floor.
"YOU HAVE NOTHING! YOU ARE NOTHING TO CARLISLE! YOU WERE NOTHING MORE THAN AN EASY LAY WHEN HE WAS BORED! THIS…ALL THIS…" I screamed waving a handful of torn photo's in her face. "THIS IS MY LIFE WITH CARLISLE! MINE! AND THAT WAS OUR DAUGHTER…OUR CHILD CREATED FROM OUR LOVE AND THE HOTTEST FUCKING SEX YOU CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT…"
That seemed to snap Siobhan out of her weird trance like state. We were rolling across the floor, clawing, scratching and tying to hurt each other.
"YOU say you love Carlisle…but you helped a fucking psycho take his child…a child he adores…"
"And I'd do it again! And this time I would have let him do what he planned for her…because as you say…SHE'S NOT MINE…SHE'S YOUR LITTLE BITCH! Who knows, maybe I'll get the chance…now I have a new visa…new name." Siobhan screamed, her bloody face twisted in a grimace of a smile. She couldn't have, she was convicted, Aro had effectively ruined her career as a doctor everywhere…but terrorists got new identities all the time…peadophiles changed their names…struck off doctors got new jobs. I looked frantically at Rose who hurried back into the bedroom. She had to be lying, she had to.
"Bedside table drawer…next to my toys." Siobhan called out through her split lip. I had to fight to swallow the bile in my throat.
"Bitch…the sick bitch has a new name and visa…" Rose confirmed.
I was going to break my promise to Carlisle and Evie, I wasn't going to be home soon…I wasn't going to be home for years if ever. I was going to be in an Irish jail for killing this mad bitch.
"You're like some fucking rabid dog…diseased…sick in the head…only way to deal with you is put you down…put us out of your misery…it's the only way." I said softly.
"Esme." Rose said, she looked genuinely frightened. Rose had been there for moral support but I had made her promise to not touch Siobhan. She had Emmett, her babies…my baby…"
"Rose I want you to leave now…just leave the front door open as you do. You're to go staright to the airport…go home…tell Carlisle I'm sorry…so sorry and that I love him so much…" I said quietly. I wasn't frightened, just determined.
"Esme stop this…we're all going home all of us. You have to go home to Carlisle…to Evie…"
"Evie."I repeated dumbly.
"That's right…your Evie." Rose said kneeling down to my level. I was once again sat astride Siobhan's chest. "We'll call the police, let them deal with it. They'll throw away the key this time." Rose pleaded.
" Evie…my Evie…I have to keep her safe…from this…animal…" I said. I spat in her face, I actually spat in her face. "LEAVE NOW ROSE!" I said suddenly, I picked a now slightly frightened Siobhan off the floor by her hair and began dragging her towards the front door. Siobhan began screaming for help and Rose screamed for Bella as I began to heave Siobhan over the fifth floor balcony in front of her flat.
"ESME…ESME…stop…PLEASE…look Esme…look whose waiting for you at home…Carlisle and Evie." Bella pleaded, her voice thick with tears. It was taking all my strength to hold Siobhan but I looked across at the photo on Bella's phone of Evie cuddled up on Carlisle's lap, both of them asleep in his big old battered chair. Carlisle's glasses were slipped down his nose and Evie had her fingers twisted in her hair. MY Carlisle and MY Evie needed me…I had to go home…but…what had I done? The bitch was going to win…she was going to take my family from me.
"What have I done?" I whispered as the red mist began to clear.
Rose, Bella and two of the neighbours helped me pull her back over. I slumped down against the wall, my head in my hands. The neighbours were not as I feared baying for my blood instead they had turned on Siobhan. It seemed that every hose on the estate had received a leaflet through their door the night before detailing what Siobhan had done, going into great detail about Charles and that tape he had tortured Carlisle and I with. I would find out later that that was down to Alice, Aro and the PI.
"I would have dropped the mad bitch." One woman said as she wrapped a blanket round me.
"I just want to go home…I want Carlisle…" I whimpered burying my head in Rose's shoulder and weeping. The police arrived, but before they could do much, Siobhan like the sick, trapped animal she was…ran…into the path of a car. Apparently, I saw it happen, I had jumped up in fear as she had run past the police who were trying to sort out the chaos of the neighbours, screaming that she had to be stopped, I had been standing watching as she bounced across the bonnet onto the road. I don't remember. I didn't remember my interview with the police where it was determined that Siobhan had asked to see me, but she freaked out attacked me and then tried to jump from the balcony. I was trying to save her…apparently.
The first thing I remembered was Carlisle calling my name at the airport. I looked around me for a long desperate minute before Bella gently pointed me in the right direction. He was standing there, safe, well…MY CARLISLE…with such a look of love and concern on his face.
"Carlisle…MY CARLISLE!" I cried as I covered the concourse in record time and threw myself into his arms.
"Ssh…I've got you…you're home now…safe…it's over Esme…it's all over…" he said, his voice thick with emotion as he covered my face with kisses. And I knew he was telling the truth. Charles was gone…Siobhan was gone…I was safe home with my Carlisle and not far from my baby. All I had to do now was enjoy living the life we had fought so hard for.
AN; So…there you go. I do have an idea for a two part epilogue that covers Evie and Adam in the future, but I'll only post that if people want more. If you don't I understand and would just like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support for this story. It's not only Esme that has thrived thanks to the Kindness of Strangers. Thank you again so much.