It had been a good three months since the sudden death of Carlisle Cullen. By no means was the family back to normal, every day was a struggle for them. However the mood was lightened, from what it had been, of course with a little help along the way from Jasper. The house was still and quiet, as Esme busied herself with chores, picking up after everyone else. Their day to day lives had returned, school and then hunting occupied them. Esme was humming a song, at she and Carlisle used to sing together, as there was a scream for the room above her. It was followed swiftly by, a called for a family meeting. As soon as it had happened, Edward, Bella and Renesmee appeared to the side of Esme. "What's going on?" Edward demanded annoyed that he had been disturbed, Esme could tell he was peeved for the sudden call, but Esme had no idea.
She shrugged, as Rose and Emmett appeared covered in leaves and small twigs. "Next time you call a family meeting, try and do it while we are in the house. That saves the run home." Emmett told the all, as Renesmee laughed. Her small but simple laugh had everyone smiling, as Alice in her pixie like fashion, appeared. "I don't know, but I have seen it." She said, too quickly for a human to understand. "I know, its amazing yes, I don't know how. But it is arriving soon. And its him, its really him. I don't think he is too well, but he is alive" She said, as Jasper came down the stairs he was met with wild stares, and held his hands up. "She wont tell me, just keeps saying its him." He said, as he seemed bewildered by it all.
Esme's smile grew as she looked at Alice, was there hope for her one love, as she put her hands on her hips. "Who is who, and what have you seen?" She asked, as Alice was barely able to contain herself. "Its, its" She began, as her face fell. Her trance like state calmed her, as it broke as suddenly as it started. Her eyes filled with terror, as she hopped from foot to foot. "He wont make it, we have to go and get him. We need blood. Lots of it, he needs help" She said, as stood impatiently, looking at the faces of seven totally confuse family member. "Carlisle" She said, as if to prompt a reaction. Esme was first to react. "That is a cruel joke Alice, how could you even do that. You have never shut up about the whole thing, saying he is alive. We watched him burn" She said, as she turned and headed upstairs, away from the gathering.
Bella shook her head, as Alice was distraught. "Alice that was mean" She told her, pushing past with Renesmee dragging her after Esme. Rose soon followed suit, as she shot a glare at Alice, who seemed almost as if she was going to have a fit. "Its true, Carlisle I saw him. He is in Canada. I saw him" She pleaded, as Jasper put his arm around her waist. Emmett and Edward stood and listened to her talking. Carlisle had never doubted Alice, so why should they start now. Emmett, looked at Jasper as a new sense of hope had been ignited with in him. "Alice what else did you see?" He asked her eagerly. Alice shook her head, "It comes and goes. He is very weak. I saw him on a plane, then the Canadian border. Then Carlisle was running, but I could see him becoming weaker and weaker. He stopped just a few hours from here. We could get there before dark, please I am not crazy!" She said, as there was a unanimous nod.
Just as the four set off out the door, Renesmee came running down to see them. "I'm going too" She said, as she grabbed her coat. Edward placed his hand on her shoulder gripping it, to turn her back inside. "No, stay here. We don't know anything yet" He said, as Renesmee shook her head. "Carlisle is my grandpa, I'm going" She proceeded to put up a fight until, Bella called her. "Esme will nee you here. Can you get some blood, and smooth things over for us please" Edward asked, as Renesmee nodded and fled back inside. Alice grabbed Jaspers arm, as he became entranced in another vision. "He has changed direction" She said, as her face showed a slight hint of torture. "He cant catch his prey. He's too weak. We need to go now." She said, as she gasped. "He's fallen. Jasper he has fallen" She repeated, as she took off as fast as she could.
Edward, Jasper and Emmett, were crashing through the forest after her as fast as they could. Edward of course did not know where, to go so he was hanging back with the group. It felt like days had passed, as they ran. Alice took a sharp left, as the others only a few strides behind followed her. She stopped abruptly, as she sniffed the air. The scent was weak, and not as familiar as it should be as Alice squealed. "Its him" She said, as the others took in the air around them. Their faces all had beaming smile on them, as Edward gestured to Alice, "Where now, the scent is too weak" He said, as Alice nodded in agreement. "This way" She said, as she again took another turn and the group sped their way though the forest that was noticeably thinner than when the had started out. All the while the scent was becoming stronger as they ran. The possibility of Carlisle being alive was something worth fighting for.
They reached a small clearing and Alice looked around. "He was here, I don't understand. Carlisle! CARLISLE!" She called frantically, as her small pixie like figure, darted from place to place. "Edward are you getting anything?" She asked, as Edward seemed to disappear into his own head space for a moment. "He's here, hiding. He is too weak to defend himself" Edward said as he quickly walked to the middle of the clearing. "Carlisle its Edward." He called, as his eyes darted around. "Edward over here" Jasper called as Alice took off again, followed by Emmett. The figure of Carlisle was slumped against a tree. His eyes were the blackest Alice had seen, as she knelt down next to him. Emmett, Jasper and Edward grinned widely. "Carlisle, its Emmett Jasper and Edward." Jasper said, as they each in turn shook him a little.
The shaking caused Carlisle's eyes to flare open, as a low growl escaped him. The faces he saw, made him want to cry tears of joy. But he barely had strength to speak, let alone do anything else. Several inaudible mumbles came from Carlisle as he then plunged into darkness, Emmett then took off to both Jasper and Edward despair. Alice wrapped her small frame around Carlisle, as Jasper and Edward stood on either side of him. "Carlisle, we thought you were dead, and the letters. We saw you burn. How are you here?" She began, as Emmett reappeared with a small deer in his arms. "All I could find" He said, as he placed the deer by Carlisle. Edward ripped open the throat, as he let the blood pour into his fathers mouth, that Alice held open.
Carlisle began to drink the blood, as he felt himself come around again. The smell was so good, and the taste even better. Again his eyes flickered open, as Edward tosses aside the deer. "We need to get him back, Emmett do you think that you." Edward hadn't even finished speaking, before Carlisle was safely held in Emmett's arms. A long slurred voice spoke, "Puutttt, meee.... down." he said as a usually commanding voice, but Carlisle sounded more like a drunk. "Its good to have you back." Emmett said, as they took off again together. Darkness had fallen which made avoiding obstacles a little more tricky than normal with the added fact he was carrying a man nearly his own side. Manoeuvring, was not easy. The time seemed to have halved as they got back to the house.
Renesmee was jumping as she saw them appear, but her excitement soon faded as she saw the body of a seemingly lifeless Carlisle in Emmetts arms. Alice raced to open the door, as Esme called from the kitchen. "Do not ever take off like..." She started, as the glass wear she was cleaning fell from her hands. "Carlisle" She gasped, as Emmett made his way up the stairs and the Esme and Carlisle room. "Blood, Renesmee." Edward called, as they laid Carlisle on the bed. Jasper and Alice stood in the corner, watching as Emmett and Edward tried to make him comfortable. Esme, quickly entered followed by Rose who looked worried, as she gazed at the lifeless body of Carlisle. Bella, and Renesmee appeared with a few litres of blood, carried in some of the blood bags, Carlisle kept around the place.
Edward poured the blood into Carlisle mouth again, and again. Emmett was stood at the far side of the bed, as Carlisle sat up. His eyes flared with terror, as he knocked the blood from Edwards hands. Emmett pinned him down, as his arms and legs began to flail in a new sense of life, before Carlisle stopped moving. Esme stared in horror at the sight of her two sons, fighting against their father. Carlisle struggled against them a further four times, before he became more complacent as his eyes were looking at the faces. "Aro, dont you touch them. I swear if you hurt them" He yelled, before falling back into the darkness, as the mouths dropped in utter disbelief. With in moments, of his outburst the room was in uproar with voices, shouting and people yelling. Alice finally managed to be heard over the noise, "Everyone out" she said, as silence fell on them. "He needs rest, and to come around. We don't want to be here, when he does. He has already lashed out at Emmett and Edward. I can see, that we need to go."
The family filed out of the room, lost for words as Esme stared at the man who she had given up for dead. Alice put a small hand on her, arm as she led her from the room. The family had pooled in the living room, the same place they had all shared their grief months ago. The moment Alice entered the room she was grilled with question. She held up her hands and she watched as people took seats, almost like a theatre to hear her speak. She took Jaspers hand, as she grinned at them all. "I can see that he will be fine, though if he hadn't left. Emmett would be missing an arm. And Edward his teeth." She explained, "As best I know, he doesn't know where he is. But he should be awake any time now. Though he wont leave the room for a day. I believe it best to wait for him to come to us." She told them, as a few looks were exchanged before an agreement was made.
For the next day and a half, Esme busied herself with what ever she could find, as she promised not to go up there as Alice had said. She watched as the minutes ticked by, and it arrived at mid day. She hadn't seen the others around that much, which she hadn't thought anything off. There was a happiness in the house that had been missing, ever since that day. Esme silently approached the door, as she knocked politely as she entered. Her questions were answered, as to why no one had been around. They were all spaced around the room. Upon her entering she saw several smile, and heard a few chuckles. Carlisle lay on the bad, his eyes closed and his face seemed to be at peace with the world. Renesmee was curled up at the side of him, Carlisle arm draped around her, as Bella was sat in Edwards lap, leaning against the bed on the floor. Alice and Rose say on his other side, with his other arm that they had taken up. Jasper and Emmett were whispering in the corner, and looked up to see Esme.
"This explains a lot" She said quietly. Jasper was the first to justify his actions, "We thought we'd check and see. He seems to be asleep, he never stirred when Renesmee, Rose and Alice climbed up there" He said, with a smile. "He is breathing though, and I think he is sleeping" He said, it was the only other explanation for Carlisle's total lack of consciousness. Emmett moved over, so Esme could sit down, between Jasper and himself. "He is really here." She whispered, as bother Jasper and Emmett hugged her, and nodded. Renesmee began to squirm, "Dad stop it" She said, a little more loudly then a whisper. Edward looked confused, as he shrugged, "Quiet" He told her, noticing that she hadn't even opened her eyes. Again a little chuckle, came from Renesmee as she glared at Edward. "Stop doing that. I will wake him" She said, in her normal voice. "Renesmee, I said quiet, i'm not doing anything." Edward replied as he glared at her. Again Renesmee went back to her previous state though keeping one eye open.
It was then that she felt a hand tickling her shoulder, she began to laugh as she tried to quiet herself, realising that it was Carlisle. Carlisle had not been sleeping, he was just resting due to the fact he was too weak to do much else, though he was feeling much better, when he heard that laugh. The smile on his face, was enough for Renesmee to keep quiet. Rose suddenly jumped a little. "Alice, get lost." She whispered, as Alice looked as confused as Edward. "Why?" She asked, as Rose shook her head. "Keep still or you will wake him." She told Alice. "I was, you are moving" Alice replied, as she herself jumped. "Rose, what the hell was that for" she said, as Renesmee burst into fits of giggles. Both Alice and Rose glared at her, as she pointed to Carlisle face. Simultaneously, Rose and Alice punched his side, as Carlisle groaned and winced a little.
Alice and Rose were kneeling beside him, as with Renesmee. Bella and Edward sprang up from the floor, with Emmett, Esme and Jasper. "Grandpa Carlisle your awake." Renesmee said, as Carlisle opened his eyes. "I have been for a while now." He replied, as Renesmee flattened herself on top of Carlisle. "Don't ever do that again, you promise" She said, as Carlisle nodded. "Sorry Renesmee, I promise" he said, as sorry eyes glanced around the happy faces. As Renesmee got up, Alice and Rose took over. They both flattened themselves to him, as Carlisle hugged them both. "Im so sorry" He whispered, as Alice and Rose let go of him. Bella was next, as she hugged Carlisle. Edward Jasper and Emmett, waited as they looked towards Esme. "It was better when you were unconscious" She said tartly, as she shook her head, and walked out.
A few mouths dropped open, as they watched their mother leave. Jasper and Emmett, were about to go as well when Carlisle spoke. "Don't, leave her a while. Its a shock" He said simply, he could not hide the fact he was upset by her leaving, but he hadn't really done anything but hurt her. Edward looked at Carlisle, before taking him into a crushing hug. Emmett and Jasper followed Edward, as seats were all taken up again. Emmett tapped his foot impatiently, as he finally spoke. "So are you going to explain?" He asked. Carlisle lay back on the bed, as he sighed. "Aro had this planned. He didnt want you, any of you. He wanted to see you all suffer, and me suffer" Carlisle said, as he shook the memories of his months in Voltera. "They took a body and dressed it in what I was wearing. I watched you all from the trees." He said, that act alone almost killed Carlisle. "Aro, then made my stay in Voltera as unpleasant as it could get. For one blood was not a option. He gave me a ticket, I managed not to massacre anyone on the plane, as I think Aro had hoped. Then the rest, I just remember staggering around, then nothing" He explained.
Edwards head bowed, as Carlisle looked over at him. "What's wrong Edward?" He asked, as he could see that something was wrong. "Nothing, I'm going to see Esme" He told them, as he swiftly got up and left the room. Bella looked at Carlisle as if silently asking permission to leave, he nodded to her as Renesmee followed Bella. "Lets take this downstairs" Carlisle said, as soon as Renesmee had left. "May I have a minute" he asked them, as Jasper spoke, "Take your time, its good to have you back Carlisle" He said, as Alice and Rose left followed by Jasper and Emmett. Carlisle sat in the silence, as he thought of what a mess he had caused. Maybe he shouldn't have even attempted to go back, he should have stayed away as Aro to kill him. No, he thought there was too much to live for now. The family was safe, Aro had promised not to bother them, not that his deceiving promises meant much to anyone, but Carlisle being himself put hope in that simple promise.
Carlisle sat up again, suddenly feeling tired as he stood shakily. He took a few steps forward, before collapsing to the carpeted floor. His strength seemed to have left as soon as it had arrived. The door was slightly ajar, as he saw a figure walk towards it. Edward burst through the door, as he held his fathers body close to him. "Carlisle, come on..." He said, as Carlisle tried to stand, "I need to..." He said, as Edward shook his head, and steered him back to the bed. "Esme is fine, we all are" He said, the clear look of sorrow shone distinctly in his eyes. "I'm so sorry Edward, If there had been any other way. Please Edward" He said, as he grasped at his sons arm. "Carlisle, I understand your choice now. I have had a while to think about it, if it was Bella, or Renesmee I would have done the same." Edward told him, he could see that Carlisle more happy with his words. "It hurt that you never told me. but you explained it all, Carlisle I..." Edward shook, as Carlisle wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so very sorry Edward" Carlisle said softly, as Edward pulled away and smiled.
There was a quiet knock on the door, as Esme entered. She took one look at Edward, "I'll come back" She said, as Edward sprang from the bed. "No Esme, Carlisle needs more blood, he fell" He said as Carlisle shot him a quick glare. A small whimper erupted from Esme as Edward walked out, "I will be back soon." He said, as he headed out the door. Esme put a hand over her mouth, as she stood and stared at Carlisle who did not have the strength to sit up any longer. "I love you, forgive me" Carlisle babbled as Esme jumped to his side, with in moments she was lying next to him, embracing him in a crushing embrace. "I wont ever let you go again, please never leave again" She sobbed, as her face fell to his chest. The cool skin beneath his shirt, was comforting as the man she loved lay there. "I wont Esme, I needed to go, I couldn't them hurt you. I had no choice" He said, to her weakly as the embraced each other.
Carlisle shut his eyes again as his breathing slowed. "Alice" She called, as not only Alice, but everyone apart from Edward appeared in the room. "He's ok Esme, just resting he needs the blood. They really messed him up" Alice said, as Esme didn't let go of her husband. Renesmee then walked over to the bed, and held her wrist over Carlisle lips. They stood in horror, as Carlisle hand came and grasped her wrist gently. "Thanks but no thanks." He said weakly, as there was an unanimous sigh of relief, as Bella pulled her away from him and Esme. "So are you still wanting to go an that holiday?" He asked her, as Renesmee squealed, "Move over Esme." She said cheekily as she jumped over to Carlisle's other side. "I take that as a yes then." He said, as his gaze fell to the rest of them. "I foresee a holiday" He told them with a smile.
Edward came rushing through the door, with more blood as he gave it to Carlisle. Again his eyes grew heavy, as they closed. Esme smiled as she carefully got up. "Thank you Edward." She said, as she watched Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett sit on the floor, at the foot of the bed. Renesmee was still curled up at his side, as Bella pulled her away, and they sat with Edward propped against the far wall. That left Esme, she stood for a good long moment, looking at the faces of her children. Content with sitting and waiting. Esme smiled as she climbed onto the bed, and wrapped both arms around Carlisle. The feeling of joy, and relief was surprising as just hours earlier, there had been sadness and despair.