I am so so so so so so so so sorry for the outrageously long wait! I was on retreat with my school since monday and I just got back 5 minutes ago. I meant to post this chapter before I left but I was so busy! I'm so sorry! Anyways, this chapter is extra special because of that. Its another present in CARLISLE'S POV!! And its up to you, but I think thats fun. Something very exciting happens in this chapter, so enjoy it! This chapter is dedicated to DolphinDreamer24-7 for all the awesome reviews! I hope i wont be drowned in your non existent pool for taking so long to get this chapter up, but I think its a good chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I dont own twilight. However i have been watching the new trailer every day I have had computer access and just bought a second poster.

Chapter 12.

CPOV

I studied her behaviors. How she moved, reacted, shied away from things. It was obvious someone had hurt her. The part that shocked me was that I wanted to track down that bastard and tear him apart limb from limb.

I had always hated violence. Always tried to find a peaceful solution to every problem. But not now. I wouldn't ever let Esme be hurt again. Not that she needs protection anymore…..

"I'm going to go inside," I heard her say. "Are you sure I can't help in anyway?"

I shook my head no, still trying to decipher the reason behind my sudden longing for violence. Not for violence per say, more for vengeance.

Esme walked inside and I sat out here, staring at the stars. I longed to follow her inside, to talk to her, hold her, explain to her just how important she is.

But I was confused. I couldn't comfort her if I didn't know why I felt this strong of a need to. I knew that before I could help her, I had to help myself figure some things out. Mainly, why?

"I know why." I heard a voice from behind a nearby tree speak.

"Edward! You surprised me. I didn't expect you home for a while."

"Aren't you curious why you are behaving this way?"

"Yes, but knowing you, you won't tell me."

" Carlisle ! How could you think of me like that?" Edward teased, a look of playful shock on his face. "Actually, I will tell you. You're in love with her."

"What?!" I had never pictured myself in love with anyone. Ever. I felt strangely about Esme. Different than I ever had felt about anyone else. I wanted to protect her, take care of her, show her how much she meant to me. But……Actually, now that I think about it, that does sound like love. Love. Ha. Who would've thought? Me in love.

"And I'll tell you a secret. She loves you back."

He winked and then ran back into the forest.

I sat staring ahead of me, unable to move. She loved me? Really truly loved me? Or was Edward playing some sort of sick joke? Toying with me? But what if she did love me? Would I be brave enough to do anything about it? To tell her that I felt the same? To open up to her? Because everyone knows that when you give someone your heart you also give them the power to break it. I wasn't sure if I was ready.

But I was distracted from my thoughts by a great thudding around in the house. I ran inside, up the stairs, to find Esme throwing the few belongings she had with her into a suitcase.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

"Leaving." She said bluntly.

"Leaving?" I managed to choke out.

"Look, I heard you and Edward talking. He said he knew why you were so annoyed. It was because of me, I'm sure it was."

"Esme, we went through this! You're not imposing in any way, shape, or form. I want you here."

"You needn't lie in an attempt to be polite. I understand. I'll leave and you'll never have to see me again."

"That's not what we were talking about!"

"Well, what then?" She asked, a skeptical look on her face.

So here we were. I had to choose. My one chance to get her to stay. But it involved giving her the power to break me. Would I do it? Could I do it?

"He was talking about irrational feelings of mine. But not the ones you are referring to. He was talking about the fact that…that….that I love you. With my whole heart. I love you Esme."

"You…love me?" She said disbelieving me. I couldn't tell if the fact that her already soprano beautiful voice seemed to jump two octaves was a good thing or not.

"More than you can possibly imagine."

We stood there in silence for a minute, just staring into each others eyes.

And then she said four little words that made my heart soar. That made me want to dance and sing and hold her and never let go.

"I love you too."

I reached out to take her in my arms, then flinched back, remembering her past and her fear.

"No, its okay. I want you to."

So I gently cradled her in my arms and held her tight with no intention of ever letting go. She began to explain her past, her pain, her life. I tried not to physically show my hatred toward Charles, hoping not to frighten her with my violent wishes. But I think she noticed my jaw clench every time she said his name. I let her sob everything out on my shoulder, and even though no tears came, I could practically feel her pain rolling off of her, leaving her with each sob. Whoever said crying doesn't help was a fool.

When she was finished, she stared into my eyes once more. And I stared back into hers, looking through her eyes, which were magnificent despite the color, into her beautiful soul.

I could tell she was debating something, although I was not sure what. I saw her slowly inch closer and closer to me, as if seeing how close she could get before being reprimanded.

And then ever so gently, when she was less that an inch away from me, she nervously leaned in and kissed me.

I kissed her back and it was like I was in heaven. In heaven with my own personal angel. This kiss was not just a kiss to fill a silence, but a kiss to say everything that could not be said. A kiss to be used when words became superfluous.

I wasn't sure how long we kissed for, although it was probably a while. For once I was grateful for the fact that I did not need oxygen.

It felt crazy that she could love me after everything I had done to her, the life I had doomed her too. It felt crazy that she could trust me this much after someone had broken her trust so completely. It felt crazy that both of us could love each other this much having not known each other for very long at all.

But what can I say?

Love is insanity