Okay, this is the first "real" chapter of my new story, I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: All twilight characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, I only borrow them for fun!

Enjoy! And please leave me a review!

CHAPTER 1 – awakening and first hunt

A Special World

A special world for you and me
A special bond one cannot see
It wraps us up in its cocoon
And holds us fiercely in its womb.

Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
Gently nestling us to the fold
Like silken thread it holds us fast
Bonds like this are meant to last.

And though at times a thread may break
A new one forms in its wake
To bind us closer and keep us strong
In a special world, where we belong.

- Sheelagh Lennon -

Disclaimer: I own nothing of this amazing poem, I only found it and thought it was beautiful and fitting… Every credit for those beautiful words of poetry go to Sheelagh Lennon…

Carlisle's POV

I was listening to Esme's heart stop beating and went to stand by the window. I didn't want to scare her. It was over. Finally. But as the silence stretched on I became worried. Esme was not moving. And with no sound to distract me, my doubts and fears hit me full force. Would Esme hate me for damning her to an existence she couldn't have wanted? Would she want to leave me and Edward? How could I live on if Esme hated me?

My thoughts were interrupted as she sat up in a flash. The she stopped, obviously shocked by her own fast movements. I watched her looking around in wonder, then her eyes settled on me. "Hello Esme… please, don't be afraid…" I said lowly and carefully stepped towards her, my hands outstretched, signalling her I meant no harm. She simply looked at me, her red eyes being unreadable for me. "Dr-r C-Cullen… Car-lisle…" she whispered after a moment and I felt a smile spread over my face. She remembered me? She really remembered my name! I couldn't describe the joy that flooded me at hearing this three words…

"Yes… you remember me." I said lowly, still stunned. Esme nodded. "Yes…" she whispered, then held onto her throat. "Oh, I'm sorry, your throat must be burning." I said. Esme nodded.

Esme's POV

As soon as I laid eyes on Dr Cullen again my mind was flooded with fuzzy memories. I knew him. I remembered how he fixed my broken leg when I was younger. I remembered talking to him and the time we spent together. But there were also so many questions. I wanted to know so many things. Why I wasn't dead, I couldn't have survived the injuries… what had happened to me… why he was here… why he still looked exactly like ten years ago… or even better, since I was seeing everything so much clearer now… what the burning in my throat meant… I was confused and felt almost dizzy with all these open questions, or it was because of him… I felt almost light-headed seeing him there, smiling at me… remembering me… "I… I… what happened?" I croaked out.

Dr Cullen, Carlisle, kneeled beside the bed, but he kept his distance, as if not to frighten me. "What do you remember?" He asked gently. I sighed. Now that he asked some more fuzzy memories came to my mind, but it wasn't much. I was on a cliff, but I didn't know why. And I… "I jumped…" I whispered unbelievingly. Carlisle nodded. "You were brought into the morgue, but you weren't dead, your heart was beating, weak, so no one else could hear… I could not let you die… so… " He hesitated for a moment, as if not knowing how to say this part. "I made you one of my kind… a… vampire…" he whispered hoarsely.

Edward's POV

I was pacing through the living room, listening frantically for any sound from upstairs. Carlisle had wanted me to stay here though he knew that newborns are unpredictable and much stronger than older vampires. But no, Carlisle insisted I'd stay here. He was sure he could handle Esme.

So here I was now, listening carefully for any sound that might tell me Carlisle needed me and hoping if he needed me I was up there before Esme had managed to rip him apart. It was a stupid idea to handle a newborn alone but I had a feeling Carlisle was not really reasonable with this woman around. And the problem was, I knew that much better than he did.

But until now everything went smoothly. Esme's thoughts were confused and a little scared but she remembered Carlisle and that was good. It helped her to control. Also she felt much too fond of him to think of harming him in any way. I only hoped she wouldn't do it by accident. No newborn knew his strength and therefore couldn't control it. I remembered very well how I was after I woke up in my new life…

Carlisle had started to answer some of Esme's questions by telling her what happened to her. She was staying calm and that was remarkable. She believed Carlisle and the more he talked the more memories of their time together in 1911 came back and Esme was able to draw conclusions. Such as why he had worked the night shifts or why his skin had been so cold…

Esme's POV

I sat there and listened to everything Carlisle told me. I believed him. I knew I couldn't have survived the fall from the cliff and his answer seemed me the only plausible one. I also noticed some strange changes within me. For example I didn't get uncomfortable being in the same position for a long time. My muscles weren't tiring. My voice sounded clearer, my vision was so much clearer, my hearing better; in fact all my senses seemed heightened. And there was this nagging pain in the back of my throat, making me want to ease it no matter how.

Carlisle had just finished explaining the most important things to me and slowly stood up. "I'm sorry, this took so long. You must be terribly thirsty…" Carlisle smiled apologetic and I was painfully reminded of the burning in my throat. It flamed up with full force. I grabbed my throat. Carlisle coughed awkwardly. "Eh… I think you need something to wear…" he said and stood up. "I fear, you have to borrow some men's clothes since we don't have any women's clothing here…" he rambled on. I had just noticed that I was wearing nothing more then a hospital nightgown and suddenly felt self-conscious. I couldn't be sure but I think I had been changed. This nightgown would surely be torn after I tried to kill myself, no? But there was something else Carlisle had said. "We?" I asked a little afraid. "Yes, my son, Edward…" he said slowly. He had a son? My still heart sank and I felt terribly lonely in that moment. A second later it knocked on the door.

Edward's POV

Carlisle was finally telling her about me and calling me upstairs. I knocked, not wanting to scare her. "Come in, Edward." Carlisle called. I opened the door and found Esme sitting in the bed. She looked a little afraid and had pulled the blanket up around her. "Hello Esme." I smiled at her. She smiled back. He looks nice… but so young… he can't be over 18… "17." I corrected her. Esme stared at me. "I'm sorry. I… eh… have a gift, sort of… I can read minds…" I explained. Esme stared at me. You can hear my thoughts? She mentally blushed ten shades of red. "Well Esme, this is Edward, my son, sort of…" His son? How can they be related? Carlisle looks so young and Edward is 17… "We aren't related by blood. Carlisle changed me and I stayed with him." I told Esme. She nodded. "Well, I think I will get you something to wear…" Carlisle mumbled and excused himself.

I smiled at Esme. "Well, hello. It's nice you're awake now…" I said, breaking the awkward silence. Esme was nervously fiddling with the blanket and didn't say much. She was still so confused. "So you're also a…" I nodded. "Yes, I am also a vampire. Carlisle changed me 3 years ago… I have been with him since." Esme nodded. A moment later Carlisle returned, carrying some clothes. "Eh… I found you a shirt and some pants to wear… we will leave you to change…" he mumbled and placed the clothes on the bedside. I noticed how nervous Carlisle was and how he almost fled from the room.

Esme's POV

I was still very confused as Carlisle and Edward left but I also felt the burning in my throat so much stronger with every minute. I carefully sat up, concentrating very hard on moving not too fast and not destroying anything by accident. As I put the clothes on a thought came to my mind. Someone must have changed my clothes. I surely wasn't wearing this spotless white gown when I fell from the cliff… I felt like blushing terribly but there was no blood running through my veins so nothing showed on my face. But the feeling remained. I felt extremely self-conscious in that moment.

Very carefully and slowly I changed in the clothes Carlisle had brought me. They smelled of him and I found myself inhaling his scent deeply. Burying my face in the soft cotton of his shirt. His smell was even better now, with my senses enhanced. I loved it.

I took several long deep breaths before I finally realised what I was doing and stopped, again ashamed of myself.

Carlisle's POV

I was waiting downstairs for Esme to get changed so I could take her out to hunt. I felt terrible for babbling about vampires so long. I had just forgotten how terrible the thirst as a newborn was. I should have only explained some basics and then took her to hunt immediately.

"Should I come with you?" Edward asked, stopping my trail of thoughts. No, I think it's not necessary… we will be alright… I thought but smiled gratefully at Edward. "Okay, I just stay here then until you return." He answered and sat down on the couch with a book in his hands.

A moment later I heard Esme coming down the stairs and looked up. She had her eyes cast downward and was concentrating hard on not walking too fast. I smiled. She looked adorable, even better since she was wearing my clothes… I somehow liked her in my clothes. They were too big but it looked good on her.

As Esme reached the bottom of the stairs I gently smiled at her. "Are you ready to go?" I asked her. Esme nodded, looking a little unsure of herself. "Don't worry, you will be alright… I show you everything, okay?" I said, smiling lightly. Esme nodded shyly. "I held out my hand. "Come on, let's go." I said. Esme hesitantly took my hand and I felt a spark run through my body as our skin touched. I felt a happy grin spread across my face and led her outside, never letting go of her hand.

Esme's POV

As I held Carlisle's hand I noticed for the first time that his skin didn't seem cold to me anymore. Then I remembered. My body was also cold now, just like his. But still, I felt a little warmth spread from where our hands were entwined.

Carlisle led me to the edge of the forest and let go of my hand. I instantly felt colder inside. "Okay, let's run a bit… There is plenty of game a little north from here…" he explained. I nodded but felt unsure again. I was never a good runner. "Eh… can't we walk?" I asked lowly. Carlisle turned towards me. "Don't be afraid… You will like it… it is natural to us…" he said slowly then held out his hand to me again. "Come, I'll show you." I took his hand again and he led me into the forest.

Carlisle started to walk a little faster and then ran. I followed him and suddenly realised that this felt good. I ran faster, I wanted to stretch my legs. Soon I overtook Carlisle. I let go of his hand and enjoyed the freedom I was feeling. Trees flew past me in a blur, I jumped over rocks and fallen trees and felt like flying. I let out a happy laugh.

Carlisle's POV

I tried to keep up with Esme but it was futile. She was much faster then me with her newborn strength, but there was nothing around us for miles. I decided to let her stretch her legs a bit and just ran behind her. Esme let out a laugh and it sounded like bells chiming. I smiled. She was now really fast and we would soon come into our hunting area, so I decided to stop her. "Esme!" I called and she turned. "Stop!" I told her, smiling widely. She stopped, though I could see she would have liked to go on for a while. Testing her strength I guess.

I ran up to her and stopped. She smiled widely at me and my still heart fluttered in my chest. It was good to see her happy again. "Sorry, I couldn't keep up… you are too fast for me… and we are close to the hunting spot…" Esme nodded and bit her lip. I could tell she was feeling a little self-conscious again. "Don't be afraid… It is all instinct for us… just concentrate on what you feel and hear…" I told her. "Close your eyes…"

Esme's POV

I closed my eyes as Carlisle asked and concentrated on my surroundings. I took a deep breath and my nose was filled with his scent as he stood so close to me. Something spicy, a hint of vanillin and cinnamon, but also fresh cotton and I don't know… But it was intoxicating. "What do you smell?" I heard Carlisle ask behind me. You. I thought, but didn't say it. Instead I forced my thoughts away from him towards the forest. I heard a steady thumping somewhere to my left. Like a sticky liquid was pumped through veins… My throat flamed up. A heartbeat. I smelled something that reminded me of earth and ferns… "That's a deer." Carlisle whispered. "Only a few miles from here." He told me. I nodded. The burning in my throat was almost unbearable by now and all I wanted was easing it by sinking my teeth in the neck of that deer. I listened harder and could hear more hearts pumping blood through warm bodies.

Carlisle must have noticed that my thirst became unbearable because he stepped behind me and smiled. "Go ahead… I'm right behind you." With these words I ran towards the herd of deer.

As soon as the animals caught her scent they fled in all directions, but I was faster. Only a second later, as I was about to take a large buck down, I saw something come after me from the corner of my eye and jumped at it. I shoved it away from my prey and snarled loudly, then I launched myself on the buck and sunk my teeth through its fur.

Carlisle's POV

I followed right behind Esme and set my eyes on a smaller deer. I followed it through the forest and just as I was about to take it, something pushed me to the side into a large old tree. After a second I realised it was Esme. She snarled at me before she sunk her teeth into the buck. My back hurt pretty bad as I slammed against the tree. I shook my head and looked at Esme sucking the deer dry. I realised then I had made a mistake. I had been too close to Esme and she was defending her territory. Her instincts were much too young to be controlled by her. Just because I could run right next to Edward when we hunted didn't mean she would allow me the same. She was a newborn. I had to remember that.

I got back on my feet and brushed the dirt of my clothes. Just then I saw Esme looking at me. She was biting her lip and not meeting my gaze.

Esme's POV

I finished the buck off and dropped the carcass to the ground. Then I turned around to look for Carlisle. I found him with his back against a tree. He was just getting up, brushing leaves and dirt from his clothes. Oh no! I hit him! The embarrassment and shock washed over me and I looked to the ground. I had hit him! Maybe even hurt him! I was so sorry! I bit my lip and looked to the ground, ashamed of myself.

"Esme…" Carlisle said softly. "I'm sorry… I'm… I never meant to hurt you! I…" Carlisle interrupted me. "Shh… it's okay. I should have known better. I was coming too close to you… we are very territorial, mostly when we hunt… It was my fault, really." He said lowly. I couldn't believe it. He was really thinking it was his fault! But I hit him! "No… I hit you… I pushed you away! Did I hurt you?" I asked, looking him over. Carlisle smiled. "It is okay… I am alright. How are you? Still thirsty?" I shook my head. Every thought of thirst was gone for the moment. I was worried for him right now. "Esme… don't lie to me. I am alright, really, perfectly fine… but you must be thirsty… Edward took down three mountain lions on his first hunt…" I smiled weakly at him. "A little maybe…" I admitted. Carlisle smiled. "Okay, what about we look for a little deer or mountain lion then?" He asked. I nodded, still a little embarrassed.

Carlisle gave me a small smile before he followed the trail the running deer had left in a northern direction. I ran behind him. Being careful not to let myself get overtaken by instinct again. I still felt bad for causing Carlisle pain. And I knew he hurt, I saw the look on his face just before he hid it.

We found the herd of deer just a few miles north again and while Carlisle was also able to quench his thirst I followed the trail of a mountain lion and took it down. Unfortunately I had not been very good at taking it down without getting my clothes ruined and the shirt Carlisle had given to me was now almost in shreds. I was staring down at the torn clothing and wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I couldn't go home like that!

"Here, take my coat." I hadn't realised Carlisle was behind me, so I was a little startled as he placed his coat over my shoulders. I was sure if I could I would have blushed the deepest red. "Thank you…" I mumbled. "No problem. Most newborns are messy eaters…" he replied and smiled. Then he offered me his hand again and I took it happily. "Should we go home?" I nodded.

We ran back to the house and arrived there within minutes. It was strange, we had run so many miles and still got back in a few minutes.

Carlisle opened the door for me and led me inside. I felt timid. I couldn't remember my past, except for the cliffs, but I had the feeling I had never been treated like that.

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