Chapter Eighteen: From the Day

Carlisle's POV

"How do you feel?" I asked Kayleigh two weeks after we'd taken her home from the hospital. She really was the sweetest girl I'd ever met and I couldn't understand why anyone would do something so cruel to her. She was polite, quiet, respectful of authority. She was even more well behaved Edward, which was saying something since Edward was one of the best kids I'd ever met.

Not that I was bias.

"A lot better, thanks." She smiled as I handed her a glass of orange juice. It had been a rough few weeks for her. She was imprisoned in the house other than going to the police station to make a case against her parents. But, she was a strong girl and was remarkably able to move passed everything.

"I'm going to be in my office if you need anything," I told her after I watched her get to the couch safely. Her doctor cleared her for most things, but she still wasn't able to play sports until school started to be careful, but Bella had a great book collection and she'd gone through at least four in the last week alone.

Bella and Edward were having their own day and even they asked Kayleigh to go, she decided to stay home and read. I had a strong feeling she was afraid to go anywhere, even though everyone knew her parents would not be seeing her again for a long time. They were in custody since bail couldn't be paid and would remain in jail for hopefully the rest of her life.

It was amazing how much work I could get done without Bella coming in and distracting me with...well just being Bella or Edward asking if I could do something either with him or for him every half and hour. I checked on Kayleigh regularly, but for the most part, I was in my office for good.

"We're home!" I heard Edward call upstairs just as I was finishing up a practice test for the first class. It wouldn't be graded, but I wanted to see how much my students knew. It was a different test every year and I'd been doing this since my first teaching job at a small community college before getting my doctorate. I was about to shut my computer off when I heard a small knock on the door.

I spun around in my chair to see Bella standing there with a ton of bags in her hands. I didn't think they were going to go shopping for their outing, but nothing could be ruled out when Edward and Bella got together. I patted my legs for her to come sit down and she put the bags on the floor before walking over and taking a seat.

"Hi," I smiled as she leaned down and lightly pressed her lips to mine.

"Hi," She smiled as she placed her head on my chest. Just as we got comfortable, the phone rang. Bella let out a low groan as she stood up so I could turn the chair to grab the phone in my office.

"Hello?" I asked into the other line.

"Dr. Cullen?" An unfamiliar voice asked on the other line. "This is Jean Hoffman, Kayleigh's case worker."

"Yes, how can I help?" I asked as I set the phone down after pressing the speaker button.

"We've contacted the aunt and uncle and they are up for the task of caring for Kayleigh."

"She said they lived in a different part of town," I told her. "Will she have to change schools?"

"That's up for the school distrect, Dr. Cullen." She sighed. "Would you like to come here for a meeting Saturday afternoon?" I looked up at Bella and she sadly nodded.

"Yes," I whispered. We finished up on the phone and Bella and I were up for the task of telling Kayleigh and Edward everything. She'd most likely have to change schools, community soccer teams, and everything else that she participated in. It broke my heart knowing these two were going to be pulled apart and limiting time to spend with each other.

When we broke the news, Kayleigh took it much better than Edward. He stayed quiet, just looking at the floor and refusing to look at anyone. His best friend wouldn't be going to the same school anymore. They wouldn't play soccer together, they wouldn't have classes together. They'd be back to being two different people, not just one.

It broke my heart.

"Come on, you." Kayleigh's uncle, Sam, laughed as Edward and Kayleigh walked slowly to the car. "We're only twenty-five minutes away." He reminded me. Bella and Emily walked out, carrying the rest of her things just as the two of them turned to hug one another. We all turned away and waited for their precious moment to be done before pulling her away from him.

"You are welcome here anytime." Bella smiled as she hugged Kayleigh. I knew Bella loved Edward, but I also knew how much she wanted a girl, and Kayleigh was the closet she had for the time being. I went over and hugged her tightly before she got into the car. Edward stormed inside before she drove away and I hated doing this to him.

But, it needed to be done.

For the rest of the summer, Edward threw himself into his piano and soccer. Eighth grade was approaching and I could tell how much he was dreading it without Kayleigh. She wasn't his only friend, but she was his person. Soon, it was August and I decided enough was enough and he couldn't spend his last few weeks of summer moping around.

After he left for the soccer field and while Bella was at work, I sat down at my computer and began searching. Finally, I found a decent deal and plane fair and printed everything to show Bella. Edward called and told me he was eating with Ben, so it would just be Bella and I again for dinner. I decided to order a pizza and just after hanging up, the garage door was going up.

She walked inside with arms full of brown bags and I gave her a puzzled look. She hated shopping and only did it when she absolutely needed to.

"What do you have there?" I laughed as I grabbed some of the bags from her.

"Wedding stuff." She laughed. "Brooke told me about these amazing sales and we were just going to look at lunch and well...it turned into this." She shrugged. I couldn't help but laugh as I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"I thought this was going to be a small wedding?" I asked.

"It will be, but even small weddings need good deals." She laughed. I helped her stash the bags in the hall closet and didn't bother asking what she'd bought. We sat down with some wine and waited for the pizza. She just laid in my arms and I never wanted to leave this spot. Bella in my arms was heaven on earth and it sucked when we were pulled out of our bubble.

Not long after, the pizza arrived and she set up the table while I paid the delivery boy. We sat down and talked more about the wedding, her day, and the plans I had to go to New York with Edward to see Esme's family for Memorial Day Weekend. Then, when we were done and she was cutting us a slice of cheesecake, I went to get all the information.

"What's this?" She asked as I handed her the papers. "Disney World?" She questioned as she grabbed our plates and walked to the kitchen.

"I think it'd be good for Edward to have a vacation." I shrugged. "He hasn't been on a family vacation since Esme and I split. I mean I took him down there a few years ago for his birthday and he had an absolute blast. Plus he's been so miserable this summer."

"I think it's a good idea, but isn't summer like...over?" She asked.

"I found a good deal for a room that was a last minute cancelation." I told her. "And, I know it's soon and you don't want to be taking off work for a week, but..."

"I think it's a great plan." She smiled as she leaned in and pecked my lips. "When is this trip?"

"Saturday." I shrugged. It was Wednesday.

"Then Saturday we leave for Disney Word." She nodded excitedly. "I've never been there."

"Well, then Edward and I will be your tour guides." I smiled. We finished our desert and retreated to our bedroom. With trying to entertain Edward and her working and me trying to do things for school, we hadn't had a night to ourselves in a very long time. It was good to connect again and when it was over, we just held each other until we heard the garage door going up.

Thankfully, Edward was excited about it and Saturday we headed to the airport bright and early. We were in Florida by noon and Edward wanted to go straight to the parks. But, since our passes weren't activated until tomorrow, he had to settle for the pool. It was a nice hotel on Disney property so everything was still fun and very Disney. The pool was a grand piano and there was a giant cafeteria as well as a gift shop, and plenty of things to keep him busy.

Edward had Bella and I up at the crack of dawn to get breakfast so we would get to Magic Kingdom right when it opened. Bella was just excited as he was though, so I couldn't complain about it. We ate breakfast and went to stand in the line for the bus to take us to Magic Kingdom.

We got there early enough that it wasn't too crowded yet and Edward pulled us right to Splash Mountain. He insisted this would be the longest line later and that we had to get on now or we never would. I wrapped my arms around Bella as she squeezed my knee tightly. She wasn't big on heights and I tried assuring her she's be fine.

It was a long day. And, by a long day I mean a day that seemed like it went on for a week. Edward had us running from ride to ride without even taking a five minute break to eat something. By the time we were dragging him out of the park, I was completely exhausted and Bella's cheeks were flushed with sunburn.

He fell asleep as soon as we got back to the room and I pulled Bella onto the small balcony. I sat in one of the white plastic chairs and pulled her into my lap. I pulled out a bottle of Noxzema to rub on her red shoulders and cheeks.

"I should have put more sunscreen on." She sighed as I rubbed the white lotion into her skin. "I hope this doesn't ruin the trip."

"You aren't very burnt." I told her as I put the lid back on the bottle. "Just a bit pink."

"Would this be a beautiful place to get married?" She asked, leaning into my chest. "I mean, not Disney World, but Florida."

"You wanna get married in Florida?" I asked as gently rubbed her arms.

"Yep." She smiled. "With only Edward and your parents there."

"What about your mom and dad?" I asked.

"They don't like this engagement very much." She shrugged. "My mom's dealing with it, but she isn't thrilled and my dad's trying to pretend like it's not happening."

"They'll come around."

"We've been engaged for months, Carlisle." She cried. "And they haven't called to congratulate me."

"I can see where they're coming from though." I whispered, kissing her shoulder. "I mean if I found out Edward was dating one of his college professors, I'd be pissed and I wouldn't want to accept it."

"Even after everything we've been through?"

"Well, now I'd understand." I smiled. "But, if it happened and I wasn't with you, I'd be acting the same way your parents are."

"I guess."

"Trust me, once we have kids, you'll understand."

"Once we have kids?" She asked, turning to face me. I took a deep breath, thinking that I said something that scared her, but she luckily leaned in and brushed her lips to mine. "I like the sound of that."

A week passed and it was time to pack up our hotel room and head back up to Pittsburgh. Edward grumbled and fought the entire time and he didn't stop until he passed out on the plane home.

When we got home, I helped Edward get his school things together for Monday and he passed out in my bed after his backpack was ready to go. I felt awful for him. Disney was a good distraction, but he had to face it. Kayleigh wasn't going to be in school on Monday and I just prayed Nate would be a good enough distraction.

Monday, all three of us were up and ready to go to work and school. It was weird walking back into my classroom without Lizzie across the hall. It pained me to look into her classroom and see and new professor setting things up.

The school had set up a nice little memorial for her, but for the most part, her death wasn't paid much attention to. It was horrible, but bad things happened to good people and she hadn't worked at Pitt for a long enough time I assumed.

The first day of classes were always long and quite boring. It was the same thing each year and I was glad when my last class was done. I had a beautiful fiance to get home to and a son who would need some attention tonight.

"I smell something good!" I laughed as I walked in the front door. I was surprised since Bella tended to work later on Monday's, but I wasn't arguing with it. "Hey, you." I smiled as I lightly tapped her butt before giving her a kiss.

"Hey yourself." She laughed as she went back to watching whatever was on the stove.

"What are you doing home?" I asked.

"I thought I'd come home early today since it was your first day back to work...since...well, you know." She smiled sadly. She was referring to Lizzie. I smiled and kissed her again. Only she would be so kind and understanding about my dead girlfriend.

If she was in this situation, I don't know what I'd do.

"Thanks," I nodded. "It was...weird." I told her as I sat down on a barstool. "I mean, girlfriend or not, Lizzie was the first one to welcome me to Pitt. She offered to help me get settled and she just made me feel lucky to be there, even though my life was crumbling."

"I'm so sorry." She whispered, grabbing my hand.

"I grieved for her, it was just sad being back there without her across the hall."

"Well, I have cookies for after dinner."

"Thanks, baby." I smiled, kissing her hand. "Where's Edward?"

"Outside with Nate." She told me. "I told him it'd be okay for today since they didn't have homework."

"Yeah, is he staying for dinner or do I need to drive him home?"

"He's staying." She told me. "I'll take him home after dinner."

"Sounds good." I sighed, standing back up. "I'm going to change my clothes before dinner."

"I think I want an outdoor wedding." Bella sighed as we lay in bed together a month after school had started. "A small, intimate wedding in September. It won't be too hot, and the leaves will be all different colors."

"A fall wedding?" I asked, thinking about how I didn't need anything but Bella. "I like it." I smiled, kissing her forehead. "I thought you wanted a teal wedding though?"

"Purple." She giggled. "Alice was showing me samples of something and she held up this dark purple and I just had to have a purple wedding."

"Oh, Alice." I laughed. "Speaking of which, when are they getting married?"

"Not for a while." She sighed. "They want to wait until they've settled down with jobs and stuff."

"Good for them." I nodded. Esme and I got married too soon and I feel if we'd waited longer things could have gone very differently.

"And, his company might be moving him to...Harrisburg!" She squealed. "Which means she'll only be hours away!"

"Thats wonderful." I yawned. I reached over and switched off the light. "I love you." I whispered as she settled down onto her own pillow.

I was woken up suddenly by the shrill ringing of a telephone. I blindly reached over, searching for my phone and slid it open.

"Hello?" I asked, my voice heavy with sleep. I craned my neck and saw it was just after three in the morning and I prayed to God someone just had the wrong number.

"Carlisle?" Emmett asked on the other line, waking me up.

"Em?" I asked sitting up. I looked over and Bella was propped up on her shoulders, giving me a look of concern. "What wrong?"

"Rosalie cheated on me." He cried and I felt my heart stop. He had to be mistaken or drunk or something. Rosalie loved him more than anything in the world and they had the best marriage I'd ever seen. She loved her girls and was so devoted to them. I'd never even seen them fight. The only time I ever saw them go through a rough patch was when she got pregnant with the twins.

"She cheated?" I asked, unable to ask anything else.

"She cheated on me, Carlisle." He cried into the phone. I turned to Bella, wide eyed. Trying to wrap my mind around this.