Chapter 16

Esme's POV

A social worker paced the halls of the ER awaiting the opportunity to speak with Aria. My husband was doing his best to redirect the woman's attention, but it wasn't working and she was getting a bit impatient.

"Listen, Dr. Cullen," she sighed, loudly. "I appreciate your position and your desire to watch out for the well-being of your patient, but I have three children whose lives depend on me meeting with their guardian. So I'd appreciate it even more if you could help me gain access to her."

Carlisle paused thinking things over a moment before nodding and leading her into an empty room. I could hear them through the walls, "I know you have a release to speak with me so let's be frank. Aria was named their guardian because there is no one else. Over the past couple months my wife and I have spent a good deal of time trying to support this family. We have been in and out of their home and entertained them on several occasions. Just last night, the children stayed with us because their aunt got a job working overnight. I realize it's unconventional, but you know as well as I that my wife and I are more than qualified to take in foster children. Our kids are grown up and that leaves us with a large, empty house. We've spoken in depth concerning this and we would like the department to consider placing the children with us. We would maintain contact with their family and make sure they get regular visits. You know your night is going to entail phoning through a call list looking for a placement. My suggestion makes it simple."

For the next minute, all I could hear was the sound of her breathing followed by the dialing of a phone. I listened as she spoke with her supervisor. We'd obtain confirmation within the next hour. That in place, I slipped into the next room where Aria lay beneath a pile of blankets.

"Hey," I offered a smile and strode across the room to adjust the covers. "How are you feeling?"

"Embarrassed," she admitted.

"That's to be understood. Listen, Aria, there's a social worker waiting to speak with you. My husband is meeting with her now. They are going to place the kids in short term foster care. Right now it's simply a question of where they are sent. We'd like them to be placed with us. What do you think?"

Tears filled her eyes, "I think that would be best. I...I wanted to be here for them. My sister...she was such a good mom and I...I've never been anything like her. I wanted to do this for her, but it's so hard and it hurts so much. I just...I can't do it. I'm not good for them. I'm not a mom, not like you."

"Aria..." I took her hand tightly in my own squeezing it tightly. "Right now, I know you're hurting. Let us help you so you can get back on your feet and then perhaps later you may feel ready to have them back. But in order to do that, you need to get better."

I held her as the tears fell, and stayed even after she met with the social worker. An hour or so later, my husband walked in wearing a tight smile.

"It's been approved," he reported. "The kids are being placed with us temporarily. The social worker is picking Dillion up from school and dropping him off with us."

I was grateful to hear they wouldn't be separated at least for now. Carlisle's arms wrapped up around me, and I rested my head on his chest gaining comfort from his presence. "The poor darlings, they need some stability right now. First their parents, now this...How's Hope?"

"Currently sleeping soundly under Jacob's watch," he smiled, playing tenderly with my hair. "We'll be able to take her home soon."

"Is it home though?" I asked, sadly.

"It will be, they'll settle in, it'll become home," his reassurance was all I needed.