Note: I do not own any of these characters, if I did I would be done paying back my student loans and live in Hawaii.
Carlisle POV
I was doomed. I knew it the moment I saw Isabella Swan laying on the bed on the emergency room. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen; her chocolate brown hair flowing down her shoulders, pouty lips, and the smell that came off of her nearly knocked me off of my feet. I had heard Edward mention her, and the way her blood sand to him, but now I knew a little of what he meant.
Something in her eyes called to me and for a moment, I almost forgot how to talk. I don't know what I was thinking of, but I could see myself pulling her close to me and tangling her hair in my fingers. I wanted to crush my lips on to hers, to feel the heat of her skin under my fingertips. I could hear her heart race as I got closer to her. It made me smile, but other women had the same kind of reaction to me. I loved the color her cheeks turned when I made her blush, it was like roses.
I heard Edward enter the hospital and I had to push those thoughts out of my head. I knew about his obsession with her and I was glad that he had found someone that he was interested in, after all these years alone. He had heard me ask her if she wanted a ride home and I could see the anger rolling off of him as he came to the bed. I almost had wanted her to say yes to the ride, just to see what his reaction would be. I wasn't sure if he had heard any of my thoughts, but, even if I was a vampire, I was still a man and had reactions to beautiful women.
When she got off the bed she fell and I caught her. When her hand touched mine I was a goner, I felt something, almost like a jolt, in my still heart. It almost felt like it jumped at her touch. I wanted her. No one had ever made me feel like this before. I was 'married' to Esme, but only for the legal sake of things. I liked her very much when we first got together, that was when she and Edward were pretending to be brother and sister, but there was no real love. I loved her, but I was not in love with Esme. And I knew that the feeling was reciprocal. We were best friends, companions. She was my confidant and we counseled each other, and sometimes when we needed to release in physical ways we were there for each other. She was not my soul mate, no matter how right we seemed for each other.
Isabella was all I could think of when I left work, but at home I controlled my thoughts, especially when Edward was around. I took to reciting medical journals in my mind. When he would come in the house from being with her, I could smell her scent on him and it made me sick to think of how close he may be getting to her. I knew tonight he was going to follow her to Port Angeles. It was all I could do to not go myself. Or better yet, sneak to her room and lay in her bed, just to have her scent all around me.
"Carlisle?" it was Alice. She looked concerned. "Jasper has been picking up some pretty strong feelings from our little group. And I am getting some weird visions. I just wanted to make sure you know what you are doing."
"I don't know what you are talking about," I feigned innocent, but she knew better.
"We know how you and Esme's relationship is going; we can hear you fighting at night. It's probably best that she wants to move on." That tipped me over the edge.
"She already has moved on." I spat at her, knowing that Esme could hear. "When she cheated ten years ago it was over. Ten years since we have slept together! Good riddance, to the bad rubbish." I said it, but it still hurt knowing that it was over. I knew she was planning on leaving, it was just a matter of days, and I was going to lose my companion of more than eighty years.
"Yes, but I can see this going two ways. Isabella can end with Edward, but she will be hurt. His obsession with her is going too far. Or she can end up with you! But you have to actually act like you want her," she punched me in the arm, trying to break the mood.
"Edward has been alone for so long, how can I do this to him?" I knew what loneliness was. I was alone for close to 300 years before I created Edward, just to have someone to talk to.
"He will hurt her, not meaning to, but she will stay because she is scared. And you will be driven away out of guilt. Would you really do that to your soul mate?"
"What?" I was taken back.
"You heard me," she jutted her chin out at me and raised her eyebrow.
"How is that possible with a human? It can't be possible?" Could she really be meant for me?
"I know it is rare, okay, nearly impossible. But it has happened before. You just need to be there for her, convince her that it is not wrong, she likes to worry! Show her how a man acts. Edward is still a boy in many ways. Oh, Carlisle! I'm so happy for you!" She hugged me and left me to absorb the information. Isabella Swan could be mine! Mine! Mine! When the words rang through my head something changed. She was mine, my mate, my beloved! I needed to show her. I needed to claim her so Edward would know. My nostrils flared at the thought of her kissing his lips, being scared of him. I needed to protect her. Edward was my first son, but now he was my competition for my mate. He was a threat.
I took a deep breath, I needed to think rationally. I had to do this right. I went to see Esme. It was decided that Jasper, Rose, Edward, and Emmett would see her to the Canadian border tomorrow and she would continue on to the Denali coven. There was no need for long goodbyes and I made sure to stay away from Edward when he got home, I knew he would smell of Isabella. I needed the time to think clearly so I went hunting.
I was surprised the next day when Alice pulled up to the house, home early from school, but even more surprised when I could hear the we thudding of a heart. I stayed in my office, trying to control myself. The animal instinct in me wanted to rush down to her, take her in my arms, and bring her back to this office. I would knock the books off my desk and lay her on the hard wood. I could imagine the heat coming from her core, the smell of her wetness. Oh, God! I almost moaned. I wanted to feel her warmth wrap around me and pull my hard shaft inside. I wanted to hear her call my name and beg for more. I wanted to make her mine. My pants were suddenly too tight and I fought to control myself. I started thinking about the plight of the polar bears in the North. There! That did it.
"Oh, Carlisle, you are home," Alice pretended to be surprised. Normally her interference was a bit annoying, but I was actually grateful. Maybe I could steal a few moments alone with Isabella.
"Yes. The hospital was slow today and I asked if I could leave early. I had some paperwork I need to catch up on. How are you feeling, Isabella?" I finally got a full view of her appearance. Soda was coating her. But oh, that sweet smell mixed with her natural freesia almost undid my rational thoughts. When I looked to her shirt I could see where the drink had made her lovely bra visible, I would have to thank Alice for whatever she did "Did a soda attack you?"
"No, Alice scared me and then, well, my luck happened." Her voice was music to my ears and the blush on her cheeks was lovely. Alice announced that they were going shopping and that Isabella would have a shower first Oh, Lord, she would be in my house naked!
"Well, I won't keep you. By the way, Alice. Esme called and said she was going up to Denali to visit the family there. She will be gone for at least a month, extended vacation. Excuse me, Alice. Isabella." I walked by, but I couldn't stop myself from brushing the back of her hand. Once again my motionless heart jumped. I thought I saw her hand twitch a little, as if looking for more. It made me smile. Could she want me, see me as more than Edwards's father? Oh, I hoped!
I left the house until I was sure she was in the shower. I could hear the water running, splashing down her body. I felt my legs draw me closer to the bathroom door, against my rational mind. I pressed my ear to the door, listening to her breathing, it was steady at first, and then it started to get faster and deeper. I inhaled sharply and almost barreled through the door. I could smell her arousal, it called to me, teased me. I opened my mouth, inhaling as much of the scent as I could. I could taste the salty sweetness on my tongue.
Someone grabbed me from behind, ripping at my hair; I was caught off guard, easily pulled to the ground. I tried to defend myself, my mate was behind there and her scent was calling to me. A hiss erupted from my throat just as Alice's hand clamped down over my mouth!
"If you go in there now you'll both regret it forever, and she will never be yours!" She whispered furiously into my ear. I didn't care, I needed her, and I wanted to feel her naked body on mine. "The others will be home in ten minutes." That cooled me off quickly. Even if she was a human, as a vampire ten minutes was not nearly enough to satiate the beast inside of me, we could go on for days if the conditions were perfect. And I did not want to do anything to drive her from me. Alice let me up and I darted to my room, opened my window and took in the fresh air, clearing my head.
I was breathing so deeply and trying to clear out my thoughts before Edward came home that I barely heard Alice as she called for me. Oh no! Blood! I could smell the sweet liquid and moved to get there in case Alice had trouble; she was good with blood, but not completely immune. I could see in Alice's eyes that she was having trouble with the smell; I heard the front door swing shut before I was halfway across the bathroom to my beloved.
She was lying in a small heap with a towel doing a poor job covering her. Any animal thought I had left me instantly. I knew the others would be back soon. Edward said her blood sang to him and Jasper was still new to this lifestyle. I couldn't risk them finding her like this. "I need to see your head, Isabella." I saw her shift to cover herself better and to try to stop me from smelling the delicious scent coming from her. I smiled, she knew that I knew. Her modesty only endeared her to me more.
"Don't worry, Isabella. I am a Doctor. I have delivered babies and seen women in a lot less. The first thing we need to do is get you off this cold floor. I have a robe in my room; I'll go and get it. Alice had to leave on account of the blood." I took a clean white facecloth and held it to her wound. "Hold it here; I'll be back in a second."
I didn't look at her as she slipped into the black robe; I wanted that moment to be something I would remember for other reasons then the blood that had seeped into her hair and onto her shoulder. She looked a little wobbly, as if the smell of the blood was making her sick. "Are you dizzy?"
"A little," she admitted. "Just give me a minute." There was no way I was going to have her walk, besides, I didn't want to pass up the chance at getting to hold her, helpless and willing, in my arms. "May I ask your permission to carry you? You would probably be more comfortable that way."
She nodded and I picked up her small frame. She leaned her head into my shoulder and breathed deeply. I wondered what I smelled like to her. Her body heat nearly drove me crazy. I wanted her hands to slide around my neck, through my hair, and pull me down to her lips. I wanted her to initiate it, oh God that would be so sexy!
I was quiet while I worked on her head. It wasn't too bad, the cut was shallow, and head wounds seemed to bleed worse than other wounds. I cleaned the cut and applied suture tape, covered it with gauze, and then with medical tape. She sat in the chair and watched me with a curious expression. I tried not to meet her eyes, I knew that Edward would be in range to hear me soon, and I didn't want to start fanaticizing about her.
I busied myself, flying through the house, cleaning the blood, dousing the facecloth and towel in bleach, and burning the bloody gauze. I went to check her head again, I had cleaned the blood off her face, and as much as I could from her hair, but I couldn't chance Edward or Jasper attacking my beloved Isabella. I heard her heart accelerate when I approached. The work I did looked good, but I had a lot of practice.
I heard Edward before Bella did. I could see the anger on his face as he entered the room, his nose smelling her blood and the faint remnants of arousal. I could see the look of fear on Isabella face when she heard the growl. My heart dropped, I never wanted to see that look come across her face again. His eyes were black with rage and he lunged at me, knocking Isabella over in the process. I heard her breath rush out of her as she hit the floor. Now I was mad! Our bodies crashed through the wall to the hall, wood splintering and drywall shattering.
I pushed away from his grip, his eyes focused on Bella. I don't know if it was the fury or the smell of blood that changed his target, but at that moment I didn't care, I could only see him going for her. She shrank back from his gaze and I launched myself at him. Emmett got to him the moment we hit the floor, pinning his arms to the ground. Edward had gotten home first, well, he was faster than the rest of my family. His teeth snapped at us, his eyes not looking anywhere but my face. Jasper was finally there, with Rose and Alice, helping to hold Edward while I approached Isabella.
Her face was white with shock and I could hear her heart hammering in her chest. The room suddenly was feeling very calm. Thank you, Jasper! I held up my arms to Isabella to show her that I meant no harm. "Are you alright?" I tried to keep my voice steady, more for her sake than mine. I wanted to rip his throat out for endangering her life.
"Yes," she let out a small gasp. Alice darted to her side, hugging her, and Isabella fell into them. I wanted to hug her, to kiss her, to take away her fears, but I saw Alice give me a miniscule head shake. If I did that now, it would expose me to Edward, who was still crazed with jealousy.
"How dare you, Edward!" I began quietly. "How dare you assume such horrid things about this girl and about me? Do you really think that I am such a person that I would seduce a woman the moment I was free of Esme? Do you not know me? I am ashamed of you. I am ashamed that you would think so little of Isabella! And what right do you have to think those things? She is not yours. You have not made your intentions clear." I could see the rationality returning to his eyes. He did look properly abashed.
He groaned, almost a cry "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He looked to Isabella, but I could see there was still fear in her eyes, and she would not meet his gaze.
"I think I should take her home," Rose volunteered.
"I'll go, too." Alice piped up. "Let's get you some clothes out of my room before we go."
They whisked her out of the room, but before she left, Isabella's eyes met mine. I could see the questions she had there. I would have to find a way to speak to her. I needed to hunt; sometimes it would help me to clear my head. I heard Edward whisper me an apology. I didn't look at him. "Just have this place fixed by morning." I jumped through my window.
I took down three deer before my thirst was filled. Darkness had fallen and I found myself heading into town, searching for her scent. It was easy to follow. The light to her room was off, so I climbed the tree next to her window.
"Why don't you just go in?" I heard Rose say from below. She took a graceful leap and landed in the tree. "Alice said you would end up here."
"I can't make things worse for her right now. She just saw Edward attack me and then try to go for her. You saw how violent he acted! The last thing she needs is to have any of my scent on her before she meets him for school tomorrow. What if he lashes out then? No one would be there." I sighed. Her safety was my number one concern at this point. I wanted to enter that room and caress her pink cheeks and put my lips on hers to taste her sweetness. But, I needed to wait. There would be time for that. "I just wanted to make sure she was alright."
"I think she likes you," Rose smiled.
"And what makes you the expert?" I joked back, but I was curious.
"Every time I said your name her heart jumped. I thought I would have to take her to the emergency room by the time we drove her home. And," she paused just trying to torture me "A woman just knows these things." I playfully pushed her out of the tree and I heard her softly laugh as she hit the ground. "Goodnight, Romeo!" she darted away into the trees. I watched Isabella through the night and nearly fell out of the tree when, while she was dreaming, I heard her whisper "Oh, Carlisle."