Carlisle's POV
Disclaimer: I own no characters
The thirty minute car ride always seemed to short when I was with Esme. She could so easily light up my life with a short trip or even just a basic smile. Where ever she went she carried that warm glow around her. We sang along to every song on the radio, and if we didn't know the words, we'd simply make up our own. The singing stopped when she had me pull up to an Italian restaurant that's name I wasn't sure how to pronounce. The place was painted to look like a rustic Italy. The only light came from the dull ceiling lamps and the candles that were placed on the white linen tables.
We were seated near the back against a wall with a painted crack that traveled to the floor, it could almost look real. A single fragrant rose was place at the center of the table between the two candles. We were brought bread and water and of course I had to order a bottle of red wine. I'd find myself constantly looking at the romantic ambiance and then some how back at my best friend who's mood was quickly changing.
Esme now seemed distant and almost unaware of what was going on around her. The menu she had been given remained on the table in front of her and the red wine was untouched. However, she kept up a good poker face because for once I was unable to read her. Esme's eyes were blank looking off into the distance. She was thinking. I paused for a moment, thinking, myself, had she caught on, no, impossible I held a good façade for over two months now she couldn't have realized my feelings for her!
"Esme!" I snapped my fingers to break her trance.
"Oh! What! Huh!" she jumped.
"Are you okay?" I asked grabbing her hand almost too instinctively.
"Ya, I'm fine silly!" she said as she clasped her free hand around mine giving it a gentle squeeze and a reassuring smile.
We ate an almost silent dinner, which obviously implied that something was wrong. Esme was one of the most loquacious people I knew. Sometimes we'd sit in a restaurant until closing because she talked so much. She just wanted to know the details of my trip though. I found myself dominating the conversation for a change, while she twisted her fork around the fettuccini noodles. Esme was off today and I still wasn't exactly sure why.
"Are you sure you're alright?" I asked again "Is there something you're not telling me?"
"Carlisle, you just wouldn't understand!" she replied dropping the fork and looking down at her plate.
"I might not, but I can sure try," I smiled.
She let out a long breath. "Well, it's kind of complicated and I don't know how to explain it or how to ask you but, I've had this feeling and this longing, for quite a while now, even before you left and… I bet you'll probably think I'm crazy when I tell you this next part…"
I could fee my lips turning up in a smile
"Try me" I chuckled. I honestly couldn't believe it! She shared the feeling I had! Oh joy! Oh happy day! Oh….
"I want to have a baby," she replied with a soft shy smile. The mental self rejoicing stopped and my happiness went down about 10 notches.
"A What!" I almost screamed in confusion.
"A baby, Carlisle, I've wanted one since I held little Nessie three years ago and I've tried to hide this feeling for a long time but I just can't anymore. I mean all my friends are married and have had babies and I just want one too." She explained with her normal wild hand gestures.
"Esme, you're twenty-eight! You've got time!" I stammered.
"No Carlisle, after thirty my mother, my sister, and all three of my aunts couldn't get pregnant and hell, I'll be at least thirty-one when or if I get married!" the motions were bigger and wilder now.
"Don't talk like that Esme," I rolled my eyes at the beautiful woman in front of me, any man would be lucky to have her, myself included.
"No, I have to think this way I'm not getting any younger her. I know you think I'm on the brink of insanity right now, but I've researched this. I'm not big on the whole sperm bank idea, I just couldn't carry some random man's baby, and there's adoption of course but that takes forever…. So I was wondering if you would…." She looked away from me trying everything in her power to avert my gaze.
"If I would what," I said folding my arms. I was quite confused and pissed off.
"Well, brace yourself. You might want to admit me after I tell you this part," I braced myself "I was wondering if you could assist me in having a child."
"What? How in the hell would I be able to assist you in doing that?" I yelled almost a little to loud for the restaurants liking.
She cleared her throat, and brought the tone down to almost a whisper, she was obviously embarrassed by my out burst.
"You have sperm. I need sperm. I want to put your sperm inside of me to make a baby. Only if you are comfortable with it," she explained.
I froze for a moment thinking of all the possibilities. My head began to spin and all the ideas started to swirl together. I quickly reached for my water and drank the entire glass. It didn't help much. I took a few deep breaths and laid my head in my hands trying to straighten out my thoughts
"I'm sorry" She exclaimed" I shouldn't have sprung this on you right when you came home, it was completely uncalled for, just forget I said anything about it."
"No, no, it's completely fine! Sure, I'll dot it. Just call me Uncle Carlisle" I mumbled.
"What? You will? Carlisle I don't want you jumping in to this if you have any doubts. I mean you've got some time! Think it over!" She sputtered out.
"No, I want to do this for you," I smiled, confident in my decision.
"Really?" she smiled "Is there anything you want, money, food, power, my soul?" she laughed as she reached around to give me a hug.
"Nope, none of that just chalk it up there with the other little things that I do for you" I smiled receiving the tightest hug I had ever been graced. I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about this. I just had this indescribable feeling, and all I could think of was how some tiny person could alter our relationship. However, it's what she wants and it will make her happy, and I'd do anything for her.