Liberty was a nothing town in the middle of nowhere Michigan. It rained 360 out of 365 days of the year, why people lived here beats me but the hospital had offered me a residency for the last two years of my medical degree. Dr Cullen was a wonderful man and a brilliant teacher and I was very lucky to be studying under him, he was calm and clear and everything he did he explained exactly. If there were ever a doctor I aspired to be like it was him. I had been here for six months and had settled in a small two bedroom house on the edge of town about five minutes' walk from the hospital, it was quaint and convenient and despite the few odd things I still found that would 'improve it' I was happy.

Today was Friday and joyfully I had the weekend off and would be joining the Cullen's for thanksgiving. The Cullen's were a large odd family but I got along with Dr Cullen and his eight children, well even if I did get the impression his wife would like to roast me alive. What I had done to piss her off I did not know but Dr C had told me to ignore his 'bitch of a wife', his words not mine…apparently even 'perfect' couples had marital issues and that is just what I did, I smiled and nodded.

Dr Cullen's adoptive children were entirely mismatched, never had I seen such an odd group. Firstly there was Emmett, he was apparently the eldest and by far the broadest, his extremely mischievous personality and endearing smile were a dangerous pairing and despite his pranks he was a good man. Next were the twins, Rosalie and Jasper Hale were tall, blond and entirely different. Rosalie was beautiful, there was no way to really describe her apart from that, tall, busty and blond didn't cover it but it did not make up for her fiery personality and overly opinionated view of the world. She was the polar opposite of her quiet reserved brother. Jasper towered above me and his quiet and formal personality made me almost want to try to coax him from his shell, a shell that seemed to vanish when Lizzie was around. Lizzie was, from what I understood, the newest addition to the family and she was fiercely protective of her quiet adoptive brother. She was tall, taller even than Rosalie, and her lithe willowy body was accentuated by definite curves, her hair was a deep chocolate colour, falling in ringlets down her back. The most notable thing about her was her smile, something I had never seen her without and personality wise… well her and Emmett were constantly in trouble. This brings us to Bella, she was quiet but head strong, her dark hair falling in waves down her back. Nessie looked almost exactly the same but she was thinner, almost athletically so. Edward was… well… brooding? He was a talented pianist, seeming to skulk around it quite often. Alice was sort of the black sheep, she was ridiculously petite and with a pixie face. I had met her only once, according to Carlisle she had been accepted on a foreign exchange course in Italy. All in all they were a lovely well adjusted family.

It was seven o'clock and I was making my last round when I heard something I obviously was not meant to. Dr C's door was slightly ajar and from inside drifted an angry voice.

"Esme if you are going to be so ridiculous as to accuse me of being disloyal then I do believe our marriage has come to an end," Dr Cullen's voice snarled, "I have had enough of you and your accusations," The sound of a phone slamming encouraged me to stop eavesdropping and hurry on with my work but as I started to walk away a hand touched my shoulder. Jumping in surprise I turned to see a tired looking Dr C looking at me, his amber eyes lacking their usual mischievous sparkle.

"Dr Cullen," I squeaked, "I was just heading to Wynyard ward,"

"I'll walk with you," He said, his voice sounded hollow and it was unnerving in a man usually so calm and happy. My stomach sank as I watched his solemn face, his hands tucked in the pockets of his white lab coat.

"Is everything alright," I said slowly, "I couldn't help but hear you yelling," I knew it wasn't my place to pry but the look on his face was one of utter depression, his eye line moved from his shoes to my face with a guilty look of surprise.

"I apologise," He sighed, "Esme is…we are probably getting divorced," I absently bit my bottom lip, my right hand coming to rest on my left shoulder to quell the urge to hug him.

"I am sorry to hear that," I said sympathetically, "I know it isn't my place but if you need anything I'm here, I mean you've been so good to me…I…I just want you to know that I'm here for you Dr Cullen," His lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes but it, I guess, was a start.

"Thank you Ebony," He said gently, "I appreciate the sentiment," Nothing more was said as we reached the ward but I could tell that this was the start of something I was unsure if I wanted to be a part of. The sight of Dr Cullen so broken… so empty and lifeless… it frightened me, it terrified me to the point of saying anything to try to make him smile and that was a dangerous thing.

I thought about Dr and Mrs Cullen and little else on my way home that evening, swaddled in a water proof jacket and battling the wind with my umbrella. Their plight had me thinking of my parents back in England, they had divorced just as I left for university…I guess me not being home meant they didn't need to pretend anymore. I think them pretending it had all been okay had made the shock worse, I knew their marriage was not perfect as none ever are but the idea of them not being together was incomprehensible and it shattered every ideal I had ever held about love and family. I didn't really speak with my parents now, my life was too hectic to call regularly and at times I just could not bear the thought of listening about one bitching about the other…I was a terrible daughter, when I moved I had intended to phone more yet life is full of good intentions.

Upon reaching my house I shed my soaked waterproof layer that really was not that water proof, my clothes were wet right down to my underwear. My lips curled into an unsatisfied frown as I gingerly hung the two piece up on a hook in the porch, trying and failing to dodge the puddle forming beneath it.

"Just perfect," I groaned, pulling my sodden t-shirt away from my stomach in a hope to unstuck it. The motion was in vain as the second I released the offending article snapped back as if magnetised and clung to every curve. Like every day I hurried upstairs and straight into a scalding shower, dried my hair, changed into dry clothes and made myself dinner. Friday was always stir fry night, my cooking was passable at best but living alone it really did not matter… domestic goddess would never be my title and I had accepted that. Settling down with a book was something I did to unwind, working in a hospital was a stressful existence and a quite couple of hours was always welcome, this was usually followed by a nice hot bath and then an early night. I was three pages into Shakespeare's Coriolanus when my door bell went. Looking from the page to the window I was hoping that the man three doors down wasn't here to proposition me again with an invitation to his 'love den'… some people had way too much nerve.

Alas I had convinced myself it was the man from three doors down by the time I reached the door and upon opening it I loudly proclaimed.

"I do not want to have sex with you," Unfortunately it was not three doors down but a rather confused and bedraggled looking Dr Cullen.

"Well it would be very unprofessional if you did," He said with a slightly bemused fake smile. My hand flew to my mouth, my eyes shot open and the bottom fell out of my stomach.

"Oh my…I am sorry…I…wasn't expecting you…" I pulled the door further open to let him inside,

"Please come in," He stepped past me into my rather snug porch and staring at his back as I closed the door I tried to think of something to say to redeem myself but my mind drew a blank.

"One of my neighbours keeps asking for casual sex," I said biting my lip, "He is the only one who calls at this time… can I take your coat," Dr Cullen turned seeming to take in my explanation, shrugging off his soaked black jacket, and handed it to me.

"It is good to know you don't answer the door like that every time… although I must say it was a first," He sighed, I kept quiet no longer trusting my mouth and slipped his jacket onto the coat rack.

"Well I like to make my opinion of people well know," I joked, "Please come and sit down,"

Pouring two cups of tea I watched Dr Cullen surveying my living room.

"Dr Cullen," I said quietly watching as his pale face turned to me, "May I ask why you are knocking on my door at nine o'clock at night," His face fell as a pregnant pause overtook the room, the only sound the rain battering on the window and the wind whipping the branches of the apple tree in next doors garden.

"Esme has kicked me out," He eventually said taking the offered cup, "I just got in my car a drove, I ended up on your doorstep before I realised where I was going," I took a sip of tea, my head slowly nodding.

"Well you are welcome to stay the night if you haven't anywhere else," My voice was quiet, almost whispering, it was a little faux pas having my attractive boss staying with me but as I had blurted out on the door step I was not going to have sex with him, however much my inner demon would like to.

"Thank you, I may have to take you up on your offer," He said solemnly, holding his cup to his lips but not drinking.

"No problem, I shall make up the bed in the guest room when you're ready to go up," I explained, he simply nodded and I left it at that.

After a few minutes in silence I excused myself to make up the guest room, it was far to awkward sitting in silence.

Tugging emerald green faux silk sheets onto the king sized bed and putting towels out I surveyed my guest room. The large square room was painted white, the bay window with padded seat looked out over the road and the furniture was all oak. I sighed, running my hands through my hair feeling glad I had dusted and vacuumed the night before last. I had never had a guest stay before, the idea was rather odd, it wasn't that I didn't want guests it was simply I had gotten rather used to having my own bathroom. My eyes widened and a single profanity slipped through my lips as I dashed to tidy up the bathroom.

When I walked down stairs I could hear him on the phone and giving him a semblance of privacy I waited silently in the door way.

"Hey Lizzie darling," He sounded so dead, it made my heart plummet, "No I haven't done something stupid, I am at Ebony's…yes I know that it isn't going to appease Esme's ridiculous idea that I am sleeping with her. I know you all believe me but I cannot spend every second I am not at work warring with her. I am far too old to have to put up with it… thank you for checking on me…I love you all too I just need some time to think," Two words crossed my mind as I heard the convocation, oh shit, Mrs C thought I was sleeping with Dr C? It really was a ridiculous idea, but at the thought I began to ponder what it would be like to sleep with him, surely a man as gorgeous as he must be good. I quickly shoved the idea from my mind as he turned to look at me and his face fell, if that were possible.

"How much of that did you hear?" He said, brow furrowing.

"How much is too much?" I replied slowly walking forward before lowering myself down beside him, "If it is easier I can pretend I didn't hear anything," He smiled and for the first time since he arrived it almost seemed genuine.

"Now that is a ridiculous notion," He muttered, "Esme is jealous because of the time you spend with me and the attention I pay you, the fact you are my student and I your teacher doesn't placate her at all… she has convinced herself that the hours of tutelage I give you comprises of us having sexual relations and the reason I invite you to our home is not because you have very few friends here as of yet and more because I cannot bare to spend a weekend without seeing you," I could not help but stifle a laugh, I failed miserably and giggled.

"I am sorry, it isn't funny…I shouldn't be laughing," I chuckled trying to calm myself, I forced a serious expression. Our eyes met, a second seemed like an age, and then we both howled with laughter. My sides ached and my throat soon felt raw, I tried to calm myself once more but every time I met Dr Cullen's gaze I began to laugh again.

"She truly believes there is something going on?" I said once we had managed to stop our fits of giggles.

"Swears blinds that she has proof," He said with a sigh.

"Well that would be a feat if she could prove it, would be news to me," I snorted. Leaning his head to rest in on his hand as he propped himself at an angle he chewed his lip.

"I might have stormed from my house saying that if she was so convinced I was sleeping with you then perhaps I should prove her right," He admitted, "Which was why I found your greeting more surprising that I should have… for a split second I thought she might have called you,"

"Well to clarify Dr Cullen, I will not have sex with you," I said forcing my features into the most stern expression I could muster, which wasn't very convincing.

"Why do you call me that?" He mused changing the subject.

"What do you mean?" I murmured in confusion.

"Dr…" He stated.

"It's your name?" I was confused now.

"No… my name is Carlisle… Dr is my title and I would much prefer you call me Carlisle," He said with a wry smile. I scoffed.

"And here I thought Carlisle was reserved for the bedroom," I teased.

"Ooh… you wound me Ebony," He said placing his hands over his heart, "I shall get in trouble if Esme hears you say that,"

"You've been kicked out… how much more trouble can you get in," I scolded with a grin, he seemed to be relaxing slightly.

"True, though if I were to actually sleep with you I feel my children may kill me on Esme's behalf,"

We ended up putting a movie channel on, Dr…Carlisle seemed in no mood to sleep and I felt bad at the thought of leaving him after everything that had happened. The thought that I were the cause of his marriage collapsing was eating away at me despite the allegations being false, I felt as if I would feel less guilty if they had actually been true but I was not going to sleep with my boss, my teacher and my friend.

Alas at some point in Gremlins and the second bottle of wine I must have fallen asleep because at eight am I awoke in my bed, fully clothed. It took me a moment to kick start my brain but groggily I realised that Carlisle must have carried me to bed, would the embarrassment ever end. Shoving the covers off me I stumbled out of bed in an entirely graceless way and hurried to get showered, dried and dressed so I could appear to be a good hostess. Carlisle was not down stairs so logically, I assumed, he would still be in bed asleep where any sane person would be on a Saturday morning. I had changed into a navy blue tunic with pale blue flowers on, black leggings and my fluffy pink slippers and padded into the kitchen to begin to make waffles. Waffles had always been my Saturday morning breakfast, I had found at university that they made an excellent cure for a hangover and with the late night and the wine, although I was not hung over, I was feeling slightly delicate this dreary morning. Plugging in the waffle iron I began to make the batter, mentally doubling what I usually made as I reminded myself I had a guest.

Setting two waffles, three pieces of crispy back bacon and a jug of maple syrup along with a cafeteria of coffee, cream, sugar, cutlery and a mug on a tray I precariously headed upstairs. Knocking three times on the guest room door I waited for a quiet 'come in' before turning the handle and entering. Carlisle was laying on the bed, covers up to his waist, shirtless. It was all I could do not to drool.

"I made breakfast," I said forcing myself not to stare as his perfectly sculpted chest and discombobulating abs leading down to…I didn't even try to comprehend what laid beneath the top of the duvet. He smiled softly, for a moment I panicked that he could read my mind, but that was ridiculous… people could not read another thoughts.

"Thank you, you really didn't need to bring it up…I would have come down," He said propping himself up on the pillows before I set the tray on his lap.

"Nonsense," I said batting the comment away, "Everyone deserves breakfast in bed once in a while,"

"It's been so long since I've been back to England I almost forget what English hospitality is like," He mused, I blinked, finally placing his slight accent.

"My mother would be thrilled to hear you say that," I said trying desperately not to stare as his chest. My new moto was, 'do not stare at your boss' bare chest' and I repeated it over and over in my head.

"I'll be down stairs when you feel like getting up, no rush," I said before backing out the room and closing the door.

I spent the time eating my breakfast mentally trying to shake the image of Carlisle's tantalising chest from my mind. The man was god's gift to women, and he was lying in my spare bed upstairs half naked… or possibly entirely naked but the thought was something I really shouldn't have had. Damn the sight had me hot under the metaphorical collar, that was not a good thing and especially with the allegations we were under. Washing up the dishes I pushed the dirty thoughts from my mind and tried to focus on something a little less thrilling. That was until around my left side came a plate, cutlery and cup and a chin rested on my right shoulder, a freezing cold cheek against my own.

"That was delicious thank you Ebony," Carlisle's silky smooth voice cooed, "Shall I dry up,"

"You don't have to, I can do it," I managed to say, it even sounded unaffected by the fact I could feel his shirtless chest against my back. Reeling in my wildly beating heart I took his piled plate from his hand and dropped it into the water, hating myself for wishing him clothed.

"So what do you do on your day off?" He said half an hour later, freshly showered and thankfully fully clothed.

"Depends on if it is the one day a year that is doesn't rain or not… as it is pouring with rain today I would generally stay in, bake and then take a cake to Mrs Blaine, the old lady who lives opposite," I said softly, with one hand he gently brushed a strand of hair from my face.

"Well I should call one of my children before they come looking to me," He sighed pulling out his phone, "I was beginning to enjoy single life…"

"Being able to do what you want when you want," I teased, "Being free, it's been less than a day,"

"Yes but my eight children have a habit of worrying," He said lightly, "And I need to get one of them to acquire some of my things, I shall have them dropped off here if I am allowed to stay a little longer,"

"You can stay as long as you want, I'll even get you a key," I chuckled before walking away to the kitchen, "For once I won't listen in on your calls,"

Carlisle and I lazed the day away watching films, eating popcorn and being 'free' as he put it. It was four o'clock in the afternoon when there was a knock on the door. Climbing off the sofa I hurried into the porch to answer it. Standing there were two of Carlisle children, the girl was taller than me by a couple of inches and breathtakingly beautiful with pale skin, chestnut curls and she was clinging to the arms of a boy… if he could be called that, who was tall, pale with blond curls.

"Hey we've brought some things for Carlisle," Lizzie said cheerily.

"He's in the living room being 'free'," I said ushering them in out of the rain.

"I sincerely hope he isn't naked," Jasper said, "That is something I really do not need to see,"

"Free and fully clothed," I promised showing them through.

Carlisle made a grunting noise as the suitcase Jasper was carrying was dropped on his lap.

"This ain't right," Jasper said folding his arms, "You shouldn't be kicked out your home when she is the one with the issue, mad as a sack of cats,"

"Jazz," Lizzie scolded, "But I have to agree Carlisle… Edward and Rose are trying to convince her that she going to the Tanya's for a while is the best course of action," I felt so awkward sitting there while they talked family, it was worse than overhearing his phone calls.

"No, it is Esme's home too… until we come to an agreement I shall stay here," Carlisle sounded emotionally drained, "Ebony is aware of the situation, she's offered to let me stay,"

"Yeah she found out and blew her top," Lizzie said dryly, "Something about it's one thing you sneaking around behind her back another with you doing it to her knowledge,"

"I have given up caring what she thinks, I have never cheated on her but it would serve her right if I did now," Carlisle said before looking to me.

"How about no…" I said rolling my eyes, "You can stay though, for as long as you like,"

"Still don't sit right with me," Jasper said frowning, "Just sort it out, it's upsetting Nessie which has us all on edge,"

"I shall endeavour to if Esme is ever calm enough to talk to me like adults," Carlisle said frowning, "Thank you both for coming," Lizzie swept in and hugged Carlisle.

"Anything for you Carlisle," She said kissing his cheek, "Just come home soon. Thanks Ebony for looking after him," She looked to me.

"He's my boss… be a little awkward to say no," I said seriously before grinning to a hurt looking Carlisle, "Joking," I put a hand on his forearm, "You're welcome here and you know that,"

"We should go Lizzie," Jasper said clapping Carlisle on the shoulder, taking his sister by the hand and walking out.

Carlisle and I ordered in dinner and afterwards we sat around doing nothing in particular, he seemed content just talking.

"Ebony," Carlisle said softly, looking over I nodded, "Why did you come to the US?"

"Uhm, well I did my final year in university here, I just fancied seeing somewhere else, when at the end I was offered a residency I extended my visa to allow me to work and took the job. It isn't as if I have any major reason to go back, if anything I am happier here than I ever was back there," I said shrugging, "Why did you come to the US," Carlisle blinked once.

"Well I guess you could say it was my escape, I had gotten in with some bad people and this was my way out. I moved over here, met Esme and Edward, then Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper, Bella, Nessie and finally Lizzie," He said slowly, thinking carefully.

"If I ask you something… promise you won't laugh?" I said with a cheeky grin.

"I shall try, no promises," He said tucking his hands behind his head.

"How old are you?" The words fell from my mouth quickly before I subconsciously held my breath. Carlisle's lips curled into a bemused smile.

"How old do you think I am?" He chuckled. I deadpanned, trying to come up with an answer.

"Well sometimes I think you have to be at least twenty years older than me but then sometimes I doubt if you could be any older than me than a couple of years max…I mean I am twenty two… but you are a senior Doctor…married…adopted eight children which takes forever… so it really confuses me," I said sighing, Carlisle began to laugh quietly.

"I am 384 years old Ebony," He said grinning. I gave a withering sigh and rolled my eyes.

"And here I thought it was middle age women who get touchy about their age," I muttered beginning to sulk.

"And you insinuating that I am a middle age?" He said raising his eyebrows.

"Well flashy sports car… sleeping with women half you age? Ring any midlife crisis bells?" I said lightly, trying to mask my amusement with a look of seriousness.

"Are you ticklish?" He said looking equally serious, my jaw dropped for a moment.

"You wouldn't dare," I said leaning away from him slightly.

"Oh but I am having a midlife crisis… I can't be held accountable for my actions," He said smirking before pouncing on me.

I honestly did not see him move, one moment he was on the other end of the sofa the next I was flat out on my back with him pinning me down by straddling my hips, his fingers doing an evil dance along my sides. I squealed my legs kicking up and down as I tried to dislodge him but to no avail, he was remarkably strong.

"Carlisle no fair!" I whined between peals of laughter.

"One must learn to respect ones elders," He said mockingly, my hands grasped his shoulders as he leaned down with a wicked grin.

"Carlisle!" I squealed as my shirt rode up of its own accord and his icy fingers found exposed skin, "Your hands are freezing!" As if to prove a point he stopped tickling me, his cold palms flat on my exposed stomach. I shivered beneath his touch half from the cold and half from realising compromising a position we were in.

"This Carlisle," I panted, "Is cruel and unusual… how could you possibly be so cold!"

"Ah I am a Doctor… my hands are supposed to be freezing," He said simply, lifting one of his hand-sicles to brush the stray hair from his eyes. Silence fell over us as we just stared at each other, my breathing slowed as it dawned on me how close his face was to mine and how unusual his golden eyes were, how his alabaster skin was flawless and how much like silk his hair seemed to be. He was beautiful, more so than any other man I had ever laid my eyes upon, almost unearthly so. As I realised I was holding my breath I could see a look pass through his eyes, a glimmer of something so quick I could not catch it, my heart pounded, blood rushing in my ears as his icy breath made my own condense before my eyes. In the back of my mind I wondered if he were closer than before, the flecks of black in his eyes now seemed bigger somehow, no wait he was closer, his lips mere millimetres away. Oh how easily I could lean up and chastely press my lips to his, how wonderful it would feel. All thoughts of who this beautiful creature above me was were long forgotten, the fact he was my boss disregarded when both his hands took a hold of my waist, his thumbs tracing icy circles on my skin. My core twisted deliciously, a fire lighting in my lower abdomen. I whimpered slightly as I felt his hair brush against my forehead, I came over hot all at once despite the cold radiating from the body pressed against mine, wait he was pressed against me? When did my legs get pushed aside so he could settle between them? My hands, still on his shoulders, trembled… my lips parting as I tried to swallow a breath to calm my quaking body.

"You can get off me now," I heard the words before I realised I had said them. Carlisle blinked and then nodded, sliding from me to his feet allowing me a moment to regain my breath before I pushed myself up to sitting. What just happened? I thought smoothing my slightly frazzled blond hair, I looked up to him and instantly regretted it. He looked almost… disappointed? My first worry, had I hurt his feelings? He was my boss and that was something I had to put first above the fact he was my friend, whatever had just happened…I needed it never to happen again. I swallowed thickly, that brought me to my second worry… had I stopped him moments before he was going to kiss me?

"Ebony I…" He started but I just raised a hand to silence him.

"Carlisle…just don't," I said with a small smile, "It's fine," From his face I could tell that to him, it most definitely was not fine but he wouldn't press the matter and for that I was thankful.

The rest of the day passed… awkwardly, and the next was just as bad. Thanksgiving with his family turned to another take out, I really did not mind as thanks giving was never something I had celebrated as I was English. By the time Monday morning came I was almost glad to have a moment alone and that my mind could be focused on something other than how wonderful it had felt to be pinned beneath my boss. Alas the fact I had arrived at work with Carlisle in his car had not gone unnoticed and rumours were already circulating, the issue with living in a small town was the everyone knew everything about everyone and the Cullen's marital problems was something that was already common knowledge.

"So," Martha, one of the younger nurses said to me as we were sat in the canteen, "What's going on with you and Dr Cullen…" I grimaced slightly.

"Nothing that is going through your filthy mind, he is my boss…that would just be stereotypical," I said before spooning a forkful of tuna pasta to my mouth. Martha scoffed.

"Come on Ebbs, you can tell me," She preened, "He is hot,"

"And married!" I retorted pointing my fork at her warningly.

"Everyone knows that's down the pan," She chuckled, "You of all people should know that as you're always with him,"

"Fact that he is my boss still stands, and on top of that he is my teacher…I will not jeopardise that by…fraternising! I am sure there is a policy around somewhere stopping that," I growled glaring at my plate. Martha sighed dramatically.

"If I got a shot at Dr Dilf…I would, I mean have you seen him? Cause of frustrated women all over Liberty," She said with mild disappointment.

"You are incorrigible," I muttered rolling my eyes.

"If he wasn't your boss wouldn't you?" She said with a smirk, I froze and frowned. Stupid question really, I mean Carlisle was… well Carlisle, he was wonderful.

"Oh come on Ebbs, you two are perfect for each other… when we nurses see you two working together it is like swoon," With one hand on her forehead she mock swooned to make her point.

"We are friends Martha, you and I… but I am telling you to leave this be, whatever you wish would happen it is not going to. Carlisle and I…" I started.

"Oh my lord!" She said punching a fist into the air and cutting me off, "I knew it, you called him by his first name… you NEVER do that… something has happened,"

"No," I started. She pressed a finger to my lips.

"Your secret is safe with me," She giggled winking and then got up and skipped away.

By the time I got home I was in a foul mood, so much so I had forgotten Carlisle was going to drive me back, I had even forgotten that Carlisle was living with me and had a key. By the time I marched from the bathroom dripping wet and with a tiny towel wrapped around me I was so lost in my own world of angry thoughts that seeing a man on my landing made me scream my head off.

"Holy shit," I screamed stumbling back and almost dropping my towel, "Carlisle…I…oh damn…I forgot…I…I…"
"No problem Ebony, I was beginning to think I'd made you angry," He sighed in relief. Rapidly I shook my head, water droplets flying everywhere.

"No, I've just had an earful today from the nurses who seem to be siding with your wife… everyone thinks something is going on and by the end of the day I entirely forgot to wait for you," I admitted realising how little my towel covered, "I'm…just going to put some clothes on," Hurrying past him I ducked into my room and slammed the door behind me.

Dressed in jeans and a crimson t-shirt I made my way down stairs. I was now stewing in guilt, Carlisle had thought me upset with him. I was upset, just with everyone else in the world but him. Said worrying doctor was sitting on my sofa, elbows on his knees and head in his hands, it was a devastating sight.

"Hey you," I said softly, padding the few feet to sit next to him, "What's wrong?" Carlisle raised his head, turning to look at me.

"I'm sorry that I've made things unnecessarily difficult for you," He sighed, leaning back against the cushions.

"No you haven't, nosy nurses have," I chuckled, "You've done absolutely nothing wrong, if anything I should be apologising for forgetting you were giving me a lift. I am so used to walking," His lips twitched into a smile.

"Never apologise to me Ebony," He said slowly. I cracked a lopsided smile.

"Well… now that is sorted I'll get cooking dinner," I chuckled, "You kick back and relax," And with that I sauntered into the kitchen hoping that I could suddenly become the domestic goddess I would never be. Fat chance.