My Hero

Chapter Sixteen

The Conference (Part One)

One month later

Carlisle's POV

Life with Esme in the family was strangely soothing. Every time I came home from work, everybody seemed to be happy and that was all that mattered. Even Jasper commented to me on the change in emotional atmosphere.

"I've never felt such positive feelings," he smiled. "Makes a change from all the anxiety and frustration, coming mostly from you."

I had frowned at his comment; was it really that obvious?

But, as I packed my bags for the overnight medical conference, I felt a wave of nerves pass through me. I would be spending the next few hours with Bella, and it had seemed that I hadn't seen her that much lately. Every time she did turn up at the hospital, she had tended to avoid me for some unknown reason. It made me think back to when we'd first me.

However, just yesterday she had sent me a quick e-mail:

Carlisle,

Hello, sorry that I haven't spoken to you that much of late; things at the hospital have become a bit crazy, but I'm sure you already know that. How have you been? I was just wondering about tomorrow – what clothes are you taking? I don't know whether to be formal or casual or what? And where are we meeting? I don't want to be there on my own... I'll probably get lost or something stupid.

Bella

The sudden contact was a boost for me, and I replied instantly:

Bella,

I've been great thank you, Bella, and I hope the same applies for yourself.

In answer to your question, I'm not sure that I'm the best person to ask about clothing, that's Alice's department really. But, I think I'm just going to wear my usual medical uniform and take some formal things for the evening. I was thinking that we could meet by the entrance to the hospital? I think that's where the transport will be.

Carlisle

She replied quickly.

Carlisle,

Okay, that sounds great! Sorry again and I'll see you tomorrow.

Bella

I didn't really know what she was apologising for. Then again, she did always surprise me with all of her actions; that was just one of the qualities which hopelessly attracted me to her.

I began zipping up the suitcase, shaking my head to myself, when there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Come in," I called, and Alice and Jasper walked into the room. Everybody else was out hunting and I smiled at them as they stood beside me.

"Jasper, Alice, is there something wrong?" I asked. They didn't usual talk to me like this, so I immediately feared the worst.

"I'm not sure, I was hoping you could tell me that," Jasper replied, raising an eyebrow, and I tensed.

"In what context are you talking about?" I murmured, although I had a pretty good idea who this was all about.

"Bella," he answered, and I sighed; it seemed I was correct. After a moment, I nodded and gestured for them to sit down.

"What do you want to know?" I sat down on the chair opposite them.

Jasper looked at me knowingly. "I think you're already aware of that."

I exhaled and turn towards Alice. "Did you tell him everything?" She nodded and I felt a burst of embarrassment. "Well then, what do you need to know?"

"You love her, don't you?" Jasper asked and I stared at him for a long moment. I couldn't really deny my feelings around Jasper, of all people. He had probably been absorbing my emotions for quite some time now, and it was blindingly obvious to him. I nodded infinitesimally.

"Yes."

It was his turn to sigh. "And she's going to be at this conference today?" I nodded again. It was silent for a little while.

"Carlisle, Alice has told me that Bella has a partner... and that she's having a child." I winced at his words. "I'm sorry if this is making it more painful for you, I just... I need to understand," he continued. "Why did you allow yourself to fall for her?"

I looked at him in despair. "I don't really know. It's a known fact, though, that nobody can help who they fall in love with. She's just... amazing. She draws me in... everything about her intoxicates me. I haven't felt this way in a long, long time, Jasper."

He stared at me with narrowed eyes. "She's human, though. This is dangerous, Carlisle."

"I know," was all I could manage.

Jasper said nothing else; he just exchanged a look with Alice. She then spoke.

"Carlisle, I had a vision about Bella earlier." I looked at her worriedly. "I've gotten to know her a bit, so I can see a little of what happens to her."

"Was there anything significant?" I asked curiously.

She frowned. "Well, all I saw was her packing a suitcase, and then unpacking it, then repacking it again."

I sighed. "She'll be preparing for the conference, then."

Alice shrugged. "Just thought I'd let you know."

There was silence for a brief moment, which Jasper broke.

"Are you going to tell everybody else? About your feelings for Bella?" he asked and I shrugged.

"That would be likely to make everything worse," I replied helplessly. "But I'm sure that they may have guessed that something was happening."

He nodded. "Yes, you have been behaving very differently."

I looked up at him. "Differently?"

Alice nodded and Jasper said, "Yes, it's not even the same as it once was with Esme. Your feelings seem more... intensified than before."

I laughed once; that was a big understatement. My feelings towards Bella were hundreds of times more powerful than those for Esme. Every time I was with Bella, she enthralled me, yet when I was away from her I felt anxious and an intense longing to see her again. That fact didn't make me feel guilty anymore; I'd just accepted it. Besides, it was only the truth, and ignoring the truth didn't usually help matters, as I'd come to learn.

To my surprise, Jasper smiled. "I think being in love suits you, Carlisle; it brings the light back into your eyes. The only problem is that, pardon the cliché, you're on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you're feeling helplessly in love, the next you're feeling guilty, the next it's despair, usually followed by anxiety. I don't know how to help you."

I was shocked by his comments, but managed a response. "I... I just feel that..." I sighed, at a loss for words. "I can't really pursue my feelings because of her... situation."

He nodded slowly. "I guess only time will tell. Maybe everything will change. She could perhaps split with her partner? It may happen that she has feelings for you after all."

"That's unlikely," I admitted. "She's starting a family."

"It happened with Esme and yourself..." ALice pointed out, and I shrugged. I felt Jasper's hand on my shoulder. "Stay strong, Carlisle. I've got a good feeling about this."

If only I had as much faith as him. I smiled weakly.

"Thank you Jasper, Alice," I sighed. "We'll just have to wait and see, like always."

They both nodded again, then left me in peace packing my belongings.

Bella's POV

I quickly chucked my suitcase into the boot of my truck, feelings Mark's vicious eyes on the back of my head. This whole situation did bring back terrifying memories from a few weeks ago, and I shuddered violently.

"So this is some medical conference?" he said, his voice full of spite. I forced a reply back.

"Yes," I whispered quietly. "I told you about it ages ago. I'm not going anywhere permanently, like I promised."

He scoffed. "When are you coming back?"

"Tomorrow afternoon," I replied monotonously.

"Make sure you'e here."

He turned and walked inside, not even uttering a goodbye. I forced myself to hold back my tears as I stepped into my truck. This escape was going to be good. Amazing, rather. But it still didn't contain the despair and fear I felt.

I knew he suspected that I was trying to escape from him. I wished I could, but he'd asserted what would happen if I even thought about it.

I pressed hard on the accelerator and headed out towards the road. It was becoming more and more difficult to drive with my increasing bump. I felt bloated and huge, completely unattractive and useless. I just hoped that these were normal feelings for a pregnant woman.

I jabbed hard on the brakes as I reached a corner, letting out all my frustration. The brakes were sticking a lot and it just fuelled to my anger. Stupid things.

Some time later, I eventually reached the hospital and saw Carlisle standing outside the entrance waiting for me. He was just beautiful, leaning casually against the wall, and all of my worries suddenly disappeared, being replaced with excitement. He waved at me and started heading my way.

Carlisle's POV

I saw Bella struggling with her suitcase and rushed straight over to assist her. She smiled when I reached her and I returned it joyfully.

"Thank you," she said breathlessly as I retrieved the suitcase from her hands. She quickly locked her truck and turned to face me. Her cheeks were flushed and, to my surprise, she seemed more heavily pregnant than before. It was obviously going to happen, but I had never expected the time to fly by quite so fast.

As we started slowly walking towards the front of the building, she began speaking.

"It's so great to see you again, it feels like it's been ages," she murmured and I chuckled.

"Yes, it really does." When we reached the steps, she sat down and removed her coat.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Just feeling a little hot."

I glanced at the gathering clouds in the sky and smirked.

"How... um, how was your wife?" she asked, and I turned to see her looking at me. I coughed awkwardly.

"It was good to sort out our problems," I replied, not meeting her eyes. "She's staying in with the family, for their sake, but our divorce is now official. Thank you for your concern, anyway, Bella."

I casually glanced at her and saw a small smile on her lips. I could have been mistaken, though.

"How have you been?" I asked. "Is the pregnancy treating you well?"

She met my eyes with a strange look. "It's been interesting. Although I feel like an elephant."

It was hard not to laugh.

In the distance, I could see a group of people gathering and I gestured towards Bella that we should join them. I helped her up and we headed over together, talking along the way and attracting a few unwelcome stares.

The coach eventually turned up after half an hour and I gratefully assisted Bella up the steps. During the wait, James, a fellow colleague of ours, had deemed it appropriate to start talking to Bella in a way which I found completely infuriating. My unusual anger was difficult to control, and I had to focus on Bella's breathing to distract myself.

"So, Bella?" he continued as we took our seats. It was mildly reassuring that Bella was sitting next to me out of choice.

"Yes?" she replied, looking towards James. I pulled my hands into tight fists, focusing on the view out of the window.

"What do you say to sharing a room with me tonight?" He winked at her and my eyes bulged.

Bella stared at him with, what I hoped, was horror. She tried to reply, but couldn't quite manage the words. I took this as an opportunity to speak.

"That's hardly appropriate, James," I said in clear disapproval. "I'm not sure your wife would approve."

I watched as he backed away, cursing to himself. I tried to stop the smile from creeping its way onto my face, but failed. When I saw Bella turn towards me in the corner of my eye, the smile widened.

"Thank you for that," she breathed. "He was beginning to drive me insane."

"No problem," I grinned. "I know the feeling."

Bella's POV

Did Carlisle just... stick up for me?

Actually, I didn't know why I was so surprised; it was completely in character for him. Caring, compassionate, generally amazing... but it still came as a shock to me. I stared ahead as the coach trudged down the road. I was beginning to feel a little sick and it was pretty cramped, but I didn't want to cause any hassle. I just closed my eyes and relished in the silence.

"Bella?"

Carlisle's concerned voice alerted me. I smiled sleepily at him.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked. "You look a little pale."

"I could say the same for you." He returned my smile and I sighed, wriggling around uncomfortably. "I feel fine, just the usual sickness. It'll pass."

He placed his hand on mine and rubbed it gently with his thumb. I stared into his eyes as he did so, and found myself looking at his lips. I wanted so badly to kiss them, but snapped out of my trance when he continued speaking. "We'll, uh, we'll be there in thirty m-minutes."

I nodded. "Good."

He kept his hand on my own for the rest of the journey and the feeling he caused on my skin never left.

Carlisle's POV

We checked into the hotel just after midday and found ourselves at the back of the reception queue, waiting for the available rooms. Bella was leaning on her suitcase and her colour had become even lighter and blotchy. I stared at her in worry; she really didn't look well.

"Are you still feeling sick?" I asked nervously and she shook her head.

"No... I'm fine honestly. Just a little d-dizzy."

She rested on her suitcase and the receptionist came into view. She smiled warmly at me and had the same dazed look on her face that every woman I acknowledged seem to acquire. At first, it used to come in handy, but now it was a bit of an inconvenience.

"Good afternoon," she said warmly. "Are you a part of the other group?"

I nodded. "Yes, we're with the medical conference."

She smiled and began checking the computer. "So it's a room for two, yes?"

I frowned. "No, sorry, we should have two separate single rooms booked..."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's the only room left."

I glanced back at Bella and she shrugged weakly. "I don't mind, if it's the only one left."

I turned slowly around and spoke to the woman, sighing. "Alright... that will have to do." I was secretly thrilled but couldn't show that. It was quite immature of me, but I didn't really mind at that moment.

She handed me the keys, looked briefly alarmed at my cold skin, and we headed towards the elevator, Bella resting heavily on my arm.

"Have fun," I heard the receptionist mutter before the elevator doors closed.

I just prayed that this one wouldn't break down as well...