Chapter 7, Daughters were silent

Esme

When you're young, you never really think you'll get old. Then one morning you walk through an empty house and realise that your families all grown up and moved away. Its the moment a mother lives for, and the one we all dread.

My babies are all grown up. The house always feels too quiet now, too empty. They still come round for dinner sometimes but they live so far away is too much of an inconvenience to do it often. And besides that they're all so busy, my two youngest are doctors, just like they're daddy, and my eldest is a strategic planner for an environmental agency. They grow up so fast. Before you know it they're off having a family of their own.

Carlisle had taken the early shift at the practice so I was by myself this morning. At least until the architect arrived, I had insisted we make the trip to Seattle but he shot me down saying it was better to discus it 'on location'.

Such a nice young man. He reminded me of my two boys. He was quiet and polite like Edward but cheery and always smiling just like Emmett. He was far to skinny however, poor boy looked like he hadn't had a good home cooked meal in years.

My kitchen was always well stocked, a habit a mother of three never breaks. The only difference is, now that they're no boys to lick the shelves clean, the kitchen stayed stocked. I decided to cook a big pot roast for dinner, with baby carrots, potato mash, green peas and my special gravy the kids love. Far too much food for Carlisle and myself however, I would have to insist our young Architect stay for dinner, it's the least I could do after him coming all this way.

I had just finished putting the meat in the oven to cook when the house phone rang.

"Hello, Cullen residence," I answered cheerily.

"Hey, mom, it's only me," Edwards voice rang in my ear.

"Hi honey," I smiled. "How is my favourite father to be?"

"Yeah, I'm great thanks." He continued. "I was actually calling to say that me and Bell's are coming into town tonight."

"Oh, what draws you back home?" I had an idea why he was coming to town, Carlisle had told me about the GP job opening up, but I thought it was better to let him explain himself.

"Well we've been looking to move out of the city before the baby arrives and there's a great little house for sale in Forks so we're coming to have a look. And maybe sort out a few other things while we're there." He explained.

"Ah yes, the Mallroy's old house, it's beautiful! You two must come and have dinner while you're in town, I'm making pot roast and of course I've made far too much." I pleaded.

"Yeah that would be great mom, actually that's the other reason I was calling you, would it be okay if me and Bell's stay the night? It's a really long drive back to.."

"Of course it's okay honey," I interrupted him. "You know you're both welcome here anytime."

"I know mom," he chuckled. "Thanks."

The door bell rang as Edward was speaking.

"Honey someone's at the door I have to go. See you at six?" I said quickly. We said a quick goodbye before I hung up and moved to answer the door. I couldn't have stopped the smile that was spreading across my face if I had tried, my baby was coming home. It felt nice, even if it was just for little while.

I pulled the heavy oak door open to find a handsome young man standing on my door step.

"Good morning Mrs Platt, I hope you don't mind I'm a little early." He said smoothly in a slightly Texan accent. He knew me by my maiden name, because that was the name that was still attached to the land we were building on. I had never bothered to change the name on the deeds when I got married.

"Not at all! Please come in," I said softly. He really was far too skinny. "And please call me Esme. Would you like a drink?"

"No thank you Mrs.. Esme," He caught himself. "Likewise ma'am, please call me Jasper, I'm far too young to be Mr Hale just yet." He laughed. his face light up when he laughed and colour flooded his pale cheeks. "I better get to work then."

I smiled back at him reassuringly. "We can set things up in the dinning room."

It was easy to spend time with Jasper. He was a lovely young man and, although he was young enough to be my son, pretty easy on the eyes. Before I knew it I was back in the kitchen getting ready for dinner and arguing with Jasper through the room.

"No Jasper I really do insist you stay for dinner," I said for what felt like the fiftieth time. "It's no trouble, I always make far too much."

"Really Esme, I don't want to be a bother," He shouted through. I could hear him gathering up the rest of his work, on which we had made remarkable progress, before he came into the kitchen to join me.

"Stop being silly, I'm a mother of three, having some mouths to feed is a speciality of mine." I joked easily. I also felt an overwhelming need to mother him, he just looked so...I don't really know, its just a look that only mothers can really see.

"Well as long as it's no bother, I would love to stay for dinner," He said slowly. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

It was hot in the kitchen, with the oven being on all day, and out the corner of my eye I could see him tacking of his jumper and rolling up his sleeves. What a polite young man, offering to help, it's something my two never did, in fact make that three. "Some help would be fantastic," I looked around to find something for him to do, I was used to doing it all myself but I wasn't going to pass up his offer. "Could you clean and chop up those carrots and potatoes for me?"

"Of course," He said before flashing me a crooked smile, washing his hands and getting to work.

"My son and his wife are coming over as well, they're about the same age as you actually. I think you'll like each other, you remind me a little of him actually..." I looked round to face him when I noticed his arm, I only looked for a second. There was an old scar running up the length of the inside of his forearm, a small dressing covering the crook of his arm and bruises. Well not bruises exactly, just one big bruise. But there were other scars smaller ones, and they drew my attention more than anything, because I knew exactly what they were. Needle marks.

He must have noticed me looking, because he quickly rolled down his sleeve to cover it up. My mind was racing back to thirty years ago when I first noticed those same marks on my sisters arm. What if Jasper was taking...No, he just didn't seem the type. Irina didn't seem the type either.

"How do you want to chop these?" He asked, pretending he didn't notice my current state of shock.

"However you like," I answered, trying (and failing I think) to inject some of the joy I felt a minute ago into my voice. "I'm going to mash them anyway."

Just then I heard the door open, followed by a familiar shout of, "Just me, the town burglar!" It made me smile ever time. Carlisle was one of those rare people that could always made a bad day seem better. Or, as the case may be, dissolve a tense situation.

I tried to keep my mind off of the scars on Japer's arm, at least for now. It's probably nothing close to what I thought it was... But maybe it is.

Edward

I was stiff and sore from the drive, Bella wanted to take over half way here but I insisted she shouldn't drive in her condition. I know I'm overprotective and she is perfectly capable of driving a car but...a leopard can't change his spots I guess.

I got out the hot little car as soon as we arrived and went over to help Bella, she was starting to show already. I could tell even early on this pregnancy was going to be hard on her. I felt to helpless, I worked constantly and still have exams left right and centre, even when I'm with her I'm not really there. I feel terrible about it. And Bella didn't really talk to me anymore, determined she can solve all her own problems and not "bother" me with a thing.

So I was glad we had made the decision to move back home. Working in the hospital was so hectic and my specially was so demanding. I was looking forward to general practice. Less exams and less working hours. Much better for raising a family. And this way we would be closer to my parents. Its great for Bella a talk to my mom about...women stuff, her mom passed away when she was very young and she's never really had a female influence in her life.

And I know my parents will be over the moon. Dad's always wanted me to take over the family practice. Well actually I think he was gunning for Alice since being a GP is a very family friendly career, she doesn't seem interested however. And mom would kill me if I raised my baby in the big city and she never got to see them, she lives for us kids.

"Edward I can manage on my own, I'm not that far gone." Bella tiscked at me. I just sighed and shut the door behind her. I took her arm as we walked toward the white porch, there were lots of things she could trip over in that short distance.

"Hello son," My dad greeted me cheerfully. "And my favourite daughter in law," he winked at Bella. "For the moment at least, you never know what luck young lady will end up with our Emmett, Rose might be the one."

"Oh how I envy her," I said dryly as we walked into the hall. Dad lead us into the living room and to my surprise introduced us to a guest.

"This is Jasper," Dad said, like it should have been obvious. "Our architect. Jasper this is my youngest son Edward and his wife Bella."

"It's a pleasure to meet both if you," he stood and shook our hands. "You mother insisted I stay for dinner, I hope its not an inconvenience."

"Be more of an inconvenience to deal with mom of you didn't stay," I chuckled. "You are very welcome of course and it's a pleasure to meet you too." But truthfully, I'm not entirely sure I was meeting him...it's just, he seemed very familiar. I put the thought out of my head, I was just imagining things.

Dinner as always was fantastic, moms cooking could not be beaten and jasper was great company. There was a kind of charm about him that just drew you in, but the doctor in me couldn't help but notice...never mind, it was none of my business.

"So are you an only child Jasper?" I asked after the plates were cleared and dad was digging out the card games.

"No, I have a sister," he said, I could hear a slight bitterness in his voice, but he smiled all the same. "She's a lawyer, works in Olympia."

"Architects and lawyer, your parents must have been proud," I laughed.

"Well my dad was a neurosurgeon so I think he was a little disappointed we didn't follow in his footsteps, but he loved us anyway," he laughed.

"Was he, now?" My dad asked, suddenly interested in the conversation. "Where did he practice?"

"Seton Medical Centre," Jasper replied promptly. "Back home in Austin." He had a sad look in his eye when talking about his father, dad must have noticed too because he didn't ask any follow ups as was his usual style.

"Well," he said instead, "Neurosurgeon or not of you were one of my litter I would be very proud, you're doing a wonderful job on the cottage!"

"Thanks you very much sir, and thank you for the wonderful dinner but...I'm afraid I must be going. I'd like to get back to the city before it gets too dark." Jasper said politely, standing up from the dinner table.

" Oh it's the least we could do Jasper, you're welcome anytime!" My mom gushed. "I'll walk to your car."

"It was lovely meeting you both," he said nodding to Bella and I. "And good luck, with the baby."

"Thank you Jasper it was lovely to meet you too," Bella said on my behalf. I couldn't help it, but whenever anyone mentioned the baby it just...felt so real, it scared the shit out of me. So I managed a polite nod and headed for the bathroom.

When I returned the topic of conversation had quickly returned to a full on review of our new architect.

"He is a lovely young man," My mother gushed. "We should tell Alice about him, he lives in Seattle, has a great job, easy on the eyes and I just worry that she isn't going to find anyone with how much she works, she doesn't meet anyone who isn't a collage or a patient!"

"Stop trying to set Alice up mom," I said light-heartedly. "Anyway, only meeting colleges and patients worked out fine for me!"

"And for us might I add dear," Dad said giving mum a nudge.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked. "You didn't work in healthcare did you Esme?"

"No no, I was.." my mom seemed to struggle to find the words, looking to dad for some help. "Well I suppose you could say I was a patient."

Esme POV, Alaska 1988

It was always cold in Alaska, but the Platt house was always filled with bodies and a warm stove. We didn't really get out and about much in the winter. I was studying an interior design course from home and was working on my main year project. The house was covered in swatches of fabric, pictures of furniture and the walls were rainbowed with colours of paint.

The house had always has a bit of patchwork feel too it, my mom likes collecting bit and pieces form thrift shops. We don't have much money, but we had a home built with what we had. Me and my sisters childhood artwork was displayed everywhere, along side ribbons and meddles from our various and ever changing endeavours.

Kate's science trophies filled one shelf in the dinning room while Tanya's small wood carvings covered the side board and Irina's gymnastics ribbons took up a whole wall! There were bits of my flare of decorating everywhere alongside many an oil painting.

We were happy here.

One day I walked into Irina's room, I wanted to ask her opinion on some geometric patterns and being the youngest she often got overlooked, but I tried my best to include her in things.

I wasn't prepared for what I would find. The world turned to black and white when I found her.

She was on the floor, dried vomit on her face and a needle sticking out her arm. I don't know what I did.

Shouted

Screamed for help

I remember seeing the marks on her arm, how long had she been using?

How long hadn't we noticed?

I knew she was gone.

When the paramedics came she was still breathing. Got her into their ambulance as fast as they could and ill never forget driving to the hospital behind it. My dad was driving and for once, all his daughters were silent.

The green flashing light in front of me was blinding.

There was so much white in the building, and so much noise that I could see...but not hear. An when they told us she was gone, the world went black.

When the light came back I was lying in the arms of an angle. His name badge read 'Dr Cullen', and tears started streaming down my face.

"I guess everything has a silver lining," My mom finished. She gave no explanation but my dad smiled and kissed her forehead. "So who wants' dessert?"