My Hero

Chapter Ten

Carlisle's POV

Alice's eyes were penetrating mine and I knew that I couldn't lie any longer. She'd find out somehow. I sighed shakily, and spoke.

"Bella Swan..." I began, feeling a slight thrill as I said her name. "She's... she's a work colleague of mine."

Alice tilted her head in disapproval and I continued. "I... we've been in each other's company a lot lately, and-"

"And you... like her?" Alice finished, and I nodded infinitesimally. I heard her exhale and, as I looked up to meet her eyes, they seemed full of sympathy.

"Carlisle," she murmured. "Esme has only been gone a few months... have you already gotten over her?"

Her words alarmed me, but I continued regardless. "I wouldn't say it like that, Esme will always be special to me. I... it's... I can't help it, Alice; Bella just has this... aura about her that hopelessly attracts me. I couldn't stop myself."

She sighed heavily. "What are you going to do about it? Are there any... complications?"

I met her gaze. "You could say that. She... she has a partner and is expecting a child." Alice winced. "That's exactly how I feel every time I consider my feelings."

She placed a delicate hand on my shoulder. "Well... maybe if you... leave it for a while, see what happens. I can obviously give you a little insight into her decisions," she smiled fractionally, "I'm sure it'll all turn out the way it should."

I smiled back momentarily; it was such a relief to share my feelings, but I was worried that they would be told further... Alice stood up and made her way out of the room.

"Alice?" I called. She turned around to face me. "Would you... mind keeping this to yourself?"

She smiled. "Of course. You can count on me."

She disappeared out of the room in a dance and I placed my head in my hands. I glanced at the clock on the wall and realised that it was getting late. I didn't know what to do for the evening.

There was one thing, though...

I ran out of the door before I finished my thoughts.

I knew I couldn't go inside, but I could just see her wonderful face through the window, and that was enough. It looked like she had company besides her partner, and I recognised the bleached blonde hair as Megan's. It puzzled me how Bella was allowed this visitor, but not myself.

I wanted to keep in touch with her, though, and there was one thought which had came to my mind out of nowhere. I carefully scanned the living room and smiled as I noticed a laptop lying on the table.

I took one last look as Bella opened the device and waited for it to load. Her face seemed to look even more beautiful illuminated by the light of the screen... I smiled once more.

Then I raced back to the house to ask Alice a favour.

"You want me to go to Bella's house... and give her your e-mail address?" Alice asked with a raised eyebrow. I nodded slowly.

"I need to keep in touch with her and this seems like a perfect opportunity."

She frowned. "How do you know if she even has an e-mail account?"

"I went to her house and saw her on a laptop," I replied, much to Alice's disapproval. "I'm sure she has an e-mail account, who doesn't this day in age?"

She twirled the piece of paper with my address around in her long fingers. Her lips were pouted.

"What makes you think she'll want to see me?"

"Well, her partner has a slight... aversion to me, and I don't think it would be a good idea for me to go there."

"Yet it was perfectly alright for you to spy on her outside the house?" she countered.

"I wouldn't call it spying," I replied.

"What would you call it, then?" she asked, and I sighed.

"Please Alice, just do this for me," I pleaded, "Quickly, before the others come back and start asking questions? Please?"

She sighed heavily, "This isn't going to help, but if it makes you happy..."

I frowned at her words. "What do you mean?"

She looked at me with a sorrowful expression. "Carlisle, she's going to have a child, a family." My face fell. "I don't think you're ever going to be more than just friends."

I stood still, absorbing the cold fact. My reply to her was a whisper... and a lie. "I'll settle for that."

I didn't look at her as she shot out of the door, into the dark. I just hoped that Bella was still awake.

Bella's POV

After Meg finally left, there was another knock at the door just minutes later and I sighed heavily. Mark made no attempt to get up, so I hobbled towards the door again.

I couldn't have expected who I would see.

She was beautiful and like some sort of glorious pixie. Her hair was short and spikey, and she wore elegant, timeless clothes. She was pale too, just like Carlisle. My heart throbbed as I thought of his name. I was missing him badly.

"Um... hi, do... do I know you?" I asked, leaning against the handle. She smiled warmly.

"Are you Bella? Bella Swan?" she replied in a wonderful voice, and I nodded. "Good," she breathed, "I'm Carlisle's daughter, Alice."

Realisation flooded through me, mixed with confusion.

"Oh... hello," I murmured quietly, wary of Mark. She sensed my awkwardness.

"He just wanted me to give you this," she said, handing me some paper. I unravelled it, and written in beautiful script was an e-mail address. Carlisle's.

My heart raced.

I looked up at the wonderful person in my doorway. "He wants to keep in touch," she hesitated, "He's... concerned about you."

I didn't expect the flood of happiness which passed through me. I smiled gratefully.

"Thank you so much," I gushed. "I'll get right to it." As she began to leave, I added, "Oh, Alice?"

She turned around gracefully, spinning on her small feet. "Can you tell him I'm sorry about Mark?" I whispered quietly. "Please tell him that his behaviour was unacceptable."

She nodded. "Sure. See you soon, Bella."

I waved as she disappeared into the distance, and I was exceptionally pleased that my laptop was already loaded.

I sat in the corner of the room, as far away from Mark as I could manage, and opened my e-mail account. I clicked on 'add contacts' and immediately typed in Carlisle's address. I was so hasty that I made spelling errors and had to retype twice. After I managed to key it in properly, the contact appeared on my list and I opened a new e-mail. My heart was hammering as I wrote my message.

Carlisle's POV

I knew it was stupid sitting here, staring at my open laptop, but I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on anything else.

Alice had returned ten minutes ago and, to my relief, her journey had gone well.

"She told me to say sorry about Mark's behaviour," she informed as she sat by my side. I smiled; Bella was always so selfless.

"Did she accept the address?" I asked desperately.

"Yes," she sighed. "Maybe..."

Before she could finish, I had grabbed my laptop and was sat, waiting for it to load. She exhaled heavily, before joining the others upstairs. I called a quick thank you, and she just muttered in response.

Five minutes later and every one had rejoined me in the room, sitting in front of the television. Emmett was the first to speak.

"What are you doing on the laptop, Carlisle?" Emmett asked, and I turned away, blocking his view.

"I have work to do, Emmett, and I'd appreciate it if I had some peace," I replied as politely as I could. My body filled with excitement as I noticed an e-mail already waiting in my inbox. I tried to keep calm as I opened it and read the text:

Carlisle,

Hi, I hope this has got to you. Thank you so much for sending Alice around, it's great that I've finally met the cook. I'm sorry you felt that you couldn't come over yourself; I'm so sorry for Mark's behaviour. It was disgraceful. Although, it is best that you don't come around anymore, for your own sake.

Anyway, how have you been? Have I missed much?

Bella.

My thoughts were jumbled by the sudden contact from her. I speedily typed a reply.

Bella,

Thank you for accepting the e-mail address, I wanted to keep in contact – never mind how I'm feeling, how is your ankle? And the… (I paused, before typing) baby? Have you been doing much?

Carlisle.

I longed for her reply seconds after I pressed send, and to my surprise, she did so almost immediately.

Carlisle,

Urgh. It's been alright, I suppose. Thank goodness some boffin invented painkillers. And the baby's good, thank you. I'm hoping to have a scan in a few weeks. And I have something to ask you! Why on earth did you send Meg around? She's been here all the time! What have you subjected me to? It's death by bleached blonde hair!

(a very annoyed) Bella

I smiled uncontrollably at her response and typed my own.

(a very annoyed) Bella,

I'm truly sorry; perhaps I could send the pest control team around? That should eradicate the problem.

On a more serious note, when are you thinking of returning to work? It's a little dull without you, in a good way of course...

Carlisle

I wondered if I'd overstepped the mark, but her reply reassured me I hadn't.

Carlisle,

Why thank you. It's nice to know I'm your personal little light bulb. Um, I don't know, maybe 6-8 weeks? Do you think that sounds about right?

Bella

I grinned happily, thinking of a witty reply.

Bella,

That sounds right. I'll have to make do with a torch for the time being – any suggestions?

Carlisle

Her reply came quickly.

Carlisle,

Try John or somebody. He should be adequate.

Bella

I smirked.

Bella,

Would you like to please like to explain to me how he qualifies as a torch?

Carlisle

Another response.

Carlisle,

I don't know… but you'll have to make do. Anyway, I'm really sorry, I have to go now... I'm very tired, maybe I'll speak to you tomorrow?

Bella

I felt deflated, but still replied.

Bella,

That sounds like a plan. Thank you, and have a good night.

Carlisle

I felt a sudden emptiness as I closed the laptop. I sighed, and looked at Edward who was frowning at me.

"That must have been some pretty interesting work, Carlisle, because that's the happiest we've seen you in a long time," he said and I avoided his gaze.

"I don't think it was work he was looking at," Emmett laughed and I glanced at him disapprovingly. I placed the laptop under the table and headed towards the door.

"I'm going for a run," I murmured and disappeared out into the darkness without another word.