Oooh have you seen the latest released movie still with Esme & the Pussycat dolls (Denali girls)? If not - ht tp:/ www .ew .com/ew /gallery /0,,20308569_20485406,00. html#20942633

I think the shot doesn't favor Esme very much...but well, she is Esme, so I'm happy to her in one of the first stills. :)...Now, when are we going to see a Carlisle movie still?

Alrighty, let's continue with this one, it took me long to get inspired but my mind finally gave birth to a storyline.

Thank you forever and forever Mackenzie L. for using your powerful beta abilities against my misspellings in this one. Haha, Thank you!

Chapter II

Duties for the Eternity

She was sitting behind the window glass, looking out across the front garden at the man she was bound to belong to. He was straddling the magnificent brown horse he had arrived with, getting ready to leave after his unique visit. Esme couldn't help but study his full, handsome, masculine figure as he sat on the stallion…He had such poise, such elegance and at the same time a warm gentleness radiated from him. It was surreal to be engaged to that man. Perhaps, it was indeed a dream.

"She is staring at you." Edward spoke, his eyes never leaving the reins of the horse he was trying to control.

And Carlisle knew for he was looking at her, too. The lovely image of his young bride, sitting behind the reflection of one of the large windows of the farmhouse was entrancing to him…

Engaged.

After almost three centuries of wandering the earth alone, he had surprisingly found himself wholeheartedly drawn to the most beautiful being on earth:

Esme. His soulmate.

Someone he had only read about in the most idealistic poems, someone who had only visited his most sacred dreams and someone who finally and surprisingly, came along into his world in the most curious way… Fallen from a tree...as if fallen from heaven.

He smiled a little at the thought.

"Yes, you are engaged." Edward was trying hard to be in command of his horse. How on earth did Carlisle manage to control these animals? The creature paced nervously back and forth right next to Carlisle's tranquil stallion. "It's pathetic though, the way they made you pay for her."

Carlisle's eyes were still glued on the beautiful image behind the window. "I take it as a dowry."

Edward pulled the reins harder but the animal ignored him even more. "She's being treated like a piece of property by her own family." He grabbed his top hat, preventing it from falling when the horse gave a bad step. "They should be the ones giving you a dowry."

"She is giving herself to me." Carlisle suddenly grabbed the reins of Edward's horse, and the animal immediately submitted. "That is fair enough." His piercing golden eyes looked at Edward in a severe way and the teen only raised his hands, pleading himself not guilty in anticipation.

"I won't be telling a word!" Edward assured him.

Carlisle handed him back the reins.

"Besides, she has a sweet soul and…" A smile appeared on Edward's face. "Did I mention she thinks your eyes are pretty?" He repeated the thought in Esme's mind before tapping with the heels of his boots against the flanks of the horse, quickly galloping away from Carlisle.

Carlisle pressed his lips together trying to hold an inevitable, timid smile.

Her eyes were pretty, too.

o)O(o

Her delicate fingers pressed the cold glass of the window when in a gesture, Carlisle touched the brim of the black top hat he was wearing, acknowledging her presence and saying goodbye until the next morning, when they would entwine their futures forever.

Then, he galloped away behind his son.

Esme's big eyes couldn't let him go. The burning spot on her hand, the one minutes earlier he tenderly kissed goodbye, was aching for another touch of his lips. The shiver of delight it sent through her body when they touched her skin was one she had never felt before; it was thrilling her.

"It's a shame you'd be getting married in a wheelchair." Her mother's words echoed somewhere in the room, interrupting her marvelous memory. "And we have so little time to properly instruct you."

Instruct her. Here we go. Esme turned the wheelchair around to face her mother. How much could they instruct her during the next few hours for a role that was going to last the rest of her life?

…The rest of her life.

Esme suddenly felt her stomach sinking down to the floor at the realization. A wife. She was going to be his wife.

Her fingers began to nervously play with the porcelain buttons of her dress. She didn't know anything about being a good wife…What if his expectations were high?What if he later decided he didn't like her; would he send her back? That would be the disgrace of her family, and they would surely shun her. She began to grieve the sole idea.

"Esme." Her mother's words interrupted her anxious thoughts. "There are very important things you must learn as a young bride."

Absolutely worried and knowing that she didn't want to disappoint him, Esme waited for her mother's imminent speech. She wanted her future husband to like her, to be proud of her.

"Listen to me." Her mother held one of her hands, the one that was about to anxiously pull out a button off her dress. "He is a very important gentleman." Her mother spoke. "And from this moment on, you must behave like the fitting lady of a gentleman. Once you are married to him, all above you must be submissive, silent and your utmost duty is to bear him children, at least one every two years." The woman spoke, very sure of herself.

Esme's eyes opened wide in disbelief. At least one every two years?

"Your place will be at home." Her mother continued. "You will have to manage the everyday household duties. No tree climbing, Esme. No more sneaking away from home. And don't you dare talk back to him since he will have the right to discipline you and believe me, you are not going to like it. Always remember: a good wife can't oppose her husband's wishes."

Esme tried hard to handle the vast and startling amount of information she was receiving. Suddenly the idea of getting married didn't sound that romantic.

Her mother paced infront of her, giving a nod of approval to the governess who just had walked into the room. "There is more." The woman gave her a tense look. "Being a wife is a hard occupation."

Esme looked down helpless at the ring on her finger. Somehow, it was suddenly feeling heavier than before.

"You will have to perform and endure a very unpleasant duty." She turned her back to Esme, trying to explain a very well known subject, matter of taboo among the prude Victorian women. "You are going to share the bed with him." She then turned around to face her. "And whatever he does to you, you won't refuse. He will have the right to do as he pleases with your body."

Esme drew both of her hands to cover forehead. She was overwhelmed and confused and...What on earth did her mother mean by that?

"Miss Esme! Miss Esme!" One of the maids entered the room, extremely excited.

"Now what is this scandal?" The Governess hushed the young girl.

"Packages have arrived for Miss Esme!" The maid smiled. "They are waiting in the parlor, Miss."

o)O(o

Helped by the happy maid, Esme stood by the parlor's door, admiring the many wonderful boxes of different sizes and shapes that were lying on a large table. Colorful ribbons and wrappings were adorning them beautifully…and the women of the house were causing a commotion around them.

"He sent them!" Her mother said excited while rushing to open one of the largest boxes.

Wonderful, she wasn't even able to open her own presents.

"He is just so considerate!" Her aunt blabbered.

"…and so rich." Her other aunt giggled while trying on a very elegant hat taken out from one of the boxes.

Esme suspired. The atmosphere was becoming overwhelming. She approached the table, still helped by the young maid, who in a very subtle way slid a letter behind the ribbon around Esme's waist. "It came with the packages." The girl told her quietly, taking advantage of the fuss around the opened boxes. "I thought you might like a little privacy, Miss."

Suddenly the presents and the fuss were long forgotten.

"May I go outside?" Esme interrupted the excitement. From that moment on, nothing except the letter hidden behind her ribbon mattered. "I need some air…" Which was actually true, the stress growing inside her was too much for her to handle, especially when surrounded by those women. "I can't climb any trees, Mother." She anticipated. "So rest assured I won't be doing it."

After receiving her mother's permission, Esme walked with difficulty out of the house into the garden. Her leg was still healing but no matter how painful it still was to her or how long it would take her to run away from the house, she needed to be alone.

Once out of sight several minutes later, she immediately pulled the letter out of her waist and stared at the ivory envelope for a moment. Her fingers traced the bright red seal, which had embossed the detailed figure of a lion standing on a chevron decorated by shamrocks. She had seen it before, on the ring he wore on his left hand.

Not being able to hold herself back any longer, she broke it and a delicious scent, a blend of peppermint and sweet spices escaped the opened envelope, a fragrance she immediately recognized as his. She smiled a little when she noticed his elegant handwriting for the first time:

My Dearest Esme:

Dearest …A slight blush appeared on her face as she leaned with difficulty against the trunk of the beloved tree that witnessed her fall.

I hope you find these presents useful and pleasing to your wishes.

I am obliged to say that I am extremely sorry if the rapidness of our engagement has caused you any distress, for I never intended such a thing. Nevertheless, I must confess that since I first saw you, you charmed me so immeasurably. Ever since that day, I treasure your soul, your noble nature and your sweet, loving heart above all.

I look forward to living in your heart and companionship for the eternity as now and forever you are the one and only possessor of my most profound affections.

Your own,

Carlisle Cullen.

She couldn't help but cover her mouth to keep the sneaky trees and flowers around her from witnessing her shy smile. She knew her face was burning red and her heart was pounding faster than ever. Oh dear, he was so…wonderful. His words were wonderful. She closed her eyes, bringing the letter close to her lips, breathing in the marvelous perfume of the paper.

His words had lifted the upsetting weight that had been building up ever since her future duties were instructed to her.

Esme dropped her head back, allowing the wonderful sunshine to bathe her with its warmth. Whatever her duties were going to be, she knew they couldn't be that bad...never with him.

There's a dangerous chance that this story will turn out very fluffy. lol

Thanks a lot for reading!