Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or New Moon. They are the rightful property of Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter Two
Esme POV
December 24, 2005
Loneliness is a monster that so few people can understand. Growing up outside of Columbus, Ohio on a farm only meant loneliness. My parents could never have understood why I deserted my marriage… if they knew that my decision was based on the abuse, the survival of my child, and the loneliness, I don't even want to think of what the consequences would have been. The only man who would have understood was Dr. Carlisle Cullen.
How was I to know that two months after my son died I would be under his care… again?
x-x-x-x
"Merry Christmas, darling." Carlisle whispered into my hair as he cradled me in his arms.
"There's nothing to be merry about." I murmured.
"Well, Edward is home for the time being. Alice is on her way, as are Rosalie and Emmett. And you can't forget that the only one we have had home with us for over a month now has been Jasper… and you mustn't forget that you have me."
"Bella." Was all I could get out before something hit the floor above us.
"Esme, she is not coming back, and nothing we say to Edward is going to bring her back. I wish it was different."
-x-x-x-x-
Christmas 1921
Ashland Community Hospital
The Morgue
Carlisle POV
Morgue duty… the only time I am in complete control of myself. And since this was my last night here, I jumped at the sudden opening. Actually, I planned on the opening since it was Christmas Eve and hardly anyone wanted to work the morgue on Christmas Eve.
I entered the room at about six thirty and was greeted by Dr. Riley.
"Merry Christmas, Sean. How are the wife and kids?" I asked politely.
"Oh, well you know how it is…"
"I'm sorry, but I don't, I'm not married."
"I fine young doctor like you not married… that is completely not logical. And what about that brother of yours… is he married?"
"No, no. He doesn't really fancy the marriage concept. He was engaged back in 1918, this was back in Chicago, and his fiancée died during the flu epidemic. Quite sad, the girl had a beautiful soul. Isabella was a wonderful girl. Ah me."
"That is sad.
"He hasn't wanted to date another woman since."
"Well, there are two new arrivals in back. The one was an attempted suicide. Esme Evenson… identified by one of her neighbors. Her husband is on his way from Ohio to claim the body. The other is a Jane Doe. Maybe I'll see you around sometime Carlisle, when I travel to New York. Have a safe trip there, Doctor." I followed him to the back and upon entering the room I froze in shock. One look at the woman towards the right was enough to know that it was Esme Platt. Not to mention the exceedingly slow heart beat, inhalation of breath, and the smell of life.
"I know her." I whispered. "Or rather… I knew her." She was still alive, although it was impossible to believe by looking at her.
"It a shame. She was a beautiful woman. She was my sons teacher. She stopped teaching about two and a half months ago. She had a son… but he died of a lung infection… she never returned to school. Did I mention her husband is coming to claim her?"
'Over my dead body.' Which would be hard to over take.
"Yes, you did."
"Oh, evening Edward, we didn't hear you enter." Riley said quickly. "I must get going now. I don't need Rose worrying her wee head about my whereabouts. Have a good night and safe trip." Riley hastily exited the room.
Edward only came to celebrate the holiday with me… and the dead bodies… body. I was actually more concerned about the body in front of me though.
"What's alive?" Edward stated as he picked up a clip board and started filling out a sheet for the body behind me.
Wait. I told him. Does that woman look anything like her?" I asked aloud.
"Yes." He stated. "That ones fighting to stay alive. It's a shame they already think she is dead."
That's why this was perfect. I could save Esme from dieing and give Edward a mother all at the same time.
Did you bring the car?
"Yes… are you kidding?" he looked from me to Esme and then back to me. "What does her life even mean to you, Carlisle?"
Everything, I never thought I would never see her again.
"Obviously, she's thinking the same thing. Your all that's racing through her mind as of right … what are you doing?"
I bent down over her and bit down on her neck and then both her wrists.
"I am not seeing this. I am not seeing this." I rolled my eyes and walked over to he sink where I picked up a towel and ran hot water over it.
Put all of Esmes information on that and help me recreate some of the injuries to the face… it needs to look like her so that Riley thinks we only got rid of the Jane Doe.
-x-x-x-
3 days later.
Dawn cracked over the snow covered hills that surrounded our small three bedroom "hunting lodge". I stood quietly staring out the window at the vast grounds. I listened to Esmes breathing and slight whimpers as she stopped screaming a few hours ago. She could be awake at anytime now.
"Doctor… Carlisle…" she whispered. "I need you… take me from Charles… Carlisle…"
"She dreams about you. How cute." Edward's sarcasm reached me from across the room.
"What does she mean by 'take me from Charles'?"
"Why don't you ask her when she comes around? Which is about… now." He rose out of his chair and walked out of the room.
A scream of terror echoed in my ears as Esme realized that something was horribly different… she was most definitely still alive.
"Calm down! You're completely safe… he'll never harm you again. So long as I am with you."
"Dr…. Cullen?" She looked at me with great confusion. "Where am I? Why am I not dead?"
"Because God has a strange way of bringing people together. You and I are meant for one another."
"What?" she cocked her head to the side and her eyebrows knitted together.
"Trust me when I say that is the least of your confusion." Edward chimed as he entered the room.
"Dr. Cullen… what ever is this boy speaking of?" She looked to me with blood red eyes. I looked away from her angelic face. I couldn't bring myself to look at those eyes. I had made them that way and they were horrible to look at without feeling responsible.
"Now you may find this hard to believe… but we are not like other people… what I am trying to say is that we are vampires." If she could have fainted, I am sure she would have. Instead her jaw dropped and she made what sounded like gagging sounds.
"…That is the… most ridiculous… thing I have ever heard. Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"Yes." Edward answered for me.
Esme made the cutest face of disgust that ever I have seen. Her hand clutched a fist full of the sheeting on the bed.
"That's insane." She stood up so quickly that I doubt she was even aware of the action. She went over to the window and threw it open… or rather broke it.
"I'm so sorry, but this is the truth." I paused a moment. "As your physician… would I lie to you?"
"No." She looked down at her hands. I stood up and took her hands in mine and pulled her into my embrace.
x-x-x-x-
And now she is cradled in my arms and in a way… close to death. She refuses to speak to anyone but myself… and even that took some coaxing.
"Esme, you know there is nothing you can do to keep him here."
"Yes, I know."
"He's made up his mind." I said softly.
She stood up and went over to the door and then stopped. She turned to look at me.
"Not everything is as it seems, Carlisle. The boy is dieing inside because he lost his Bella. He is not making it without her. He only hunts so he can stay strong enough to destroy Victoria. He needs us right now and we need to keep him from destroying himself."
"Kept him in this world, Esme, I have been there since day one. I made him the way he is."
"A pompous twit! I am the mother of six wonder…"
"Five, Esme, Five…" I corrected her.
"Six, Carlisle." She was trying to keep Bella.
"She'll never be one of us Esme! He's never going to change her… even if we didn't leave! It never would have…" She slammed the door in my face.
I sat up on the bed and hung my head. She had a point, and I was just too stubborn to admit she was right. Edward needed us… he was in pain and was too stubborn to ask for help. What was I to do with them?