My Hero

Chapter Twenty Seven

Carlisle's POV

Bella was just wonderful. Amazing. Sensational.

And she was even more beautiful than before, if that was actually possible.

It came with great relief that she'd accepted what I had done to her; the pain of watching her changing over the three days was nearly unbearable. No, it was. Despite this, I stayed by her side and slowly watched all of her wounds stitching together, her skin gradually paling and her body shuddering.

But it had all been worth it, and now I loved her with all of my existence. That hadn't changed at all. Her skin glowed, her hair shone; I could go on and on.

"Carlisle?" she asked, looking up at me with her newly sparkling eyes. We were both sat on the couch and I stared at her, before mumbling, "Yes, Bella?"

She hesitated. "Won't people notice if the population of a certain animal species drops? I mean... after that meal..."

I shook my head, grinning a little. "We always make sure that we..." I coughed, "dine on overpopulated species, so people don't notice a difference." I winked. "You see, we've thought of everything in advance."

She smiled. "I wouldn't have expected anything less."

Her first hunting experience had gone exceptionally smoothly; she didn't seem to have any problem at attacking the animals. The natural instincts took over, and it didn't seem to bother her too much either. She was becoming extremely well adjusted, which pleased me more than words could express.

We sat in silence for a little while and I watched her staring around the room, her eyes flickering rapidly. She turned towards me suddenly.

"How on earth have you survived so long as a doctor?" she asked, frowning slightly. "Surely all of that blood tempting? I think I would have collapsed or something..."

"It doesn't bother me," I smiled. "I've just grown accustomed to it after all the years of practice."

She seemed to stare at me in awe and I chuckled. "You'll be the same after a few decades."

She raised her eyebrows. "Decades."

I laughed. "It doesn't seem like such a long time, really. The days pass by without me really noticing now."

She frowned. "So this means I'll probably have to give up my job for a while..."

I nodded and she sighed.

"But... but if it takes decades to control myself... I can't exactly go back there... they'll all notice I haven't aged..."

"That does become a bit of a problem," I replied. "It means we will all have to move location every few years. But we don't want to think about that just yet."

She nodded. "Yes... there are more important things to do..."

I turned towards her. "Like what?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, you know... just... things."

I smirked. "Alright. Things."

I watched as she suddenly froze and looked towards me with worry.

"Oh God, Carlisle... what about my parents?" she gasped. "They're going to realise what has happened to me... and the holiday!"

I looked towards her sadly. "We'll have to sort that out in time..."

"But the holiday isn't far away, Carlisle!" She looked truly panicked. "What would happen? Dad would probably have a heart attack! And Mom! They'd never come near me again!"

I reached for her hand. "Don't worry; we will find a way to solve the problem."

She slumped back against the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. She didn't seem convinced at all. To be honest, I wasn't either.

Bella's POV

For the time being I'd decided to avoid my parents for as long as I could. It wasn't like I saw them that often, anyway, and I trusted Carlisle; I knew he'd help me. Somehow.

Later on that day, Carlisle left after being called by Edward, and Alice suddenly skipped into the room, looking towards me suspiciously. I could immediately tell that she was planning something, so I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Hi Bella," she smiled chirpily. "How are you feeling today?"

I grinned a little. "Pretty good, actually."

She sat closer towards me. "That's great. Oh, and don't worry about your parents. It'll all work out."

Before I could ask what she meant, she had continued babbling. "Now, there is something more important that I need to sort out..."

I swallowed nervously, "Okay..."

"You and Carlisle. What's going on?"

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Um... I'm sorry, Alice, I don't know what you mean..."

She shook her head. "Oh come on, Bella! We've all been waiting for something to happen between you both!"

I couldn't form any words, so she continued.

"Bella, please tell me you're planning to do something about your feelings soon! The suspense is really frustrating!"

I frowned in surprise; how did she know how I felt?

Then I remembered. Edward. Stupid, mind-reading relative. I quickly made a mental note; I'd have to throttle him as revenge someday soon.

"Alice... I..."

She interrupted. "Have you liked Carlisle ever since..."

"We first met," I finished. "Yes."

"But Bella!" Alice screeched. "That's nearly a year ago! How have you two survived without any... well..."

She trailed off and I placed my head in my hands; this was all extremely embarrassing. Now that everyone obviously knew, it would be even more awful if nothing happened. I groaned.

"He likes you too, you know," Alice smirked, and I peeked at her.

"That's because he's a work colleague," I shrugged. "Of course he's bound to like me... how could we work together if he hated me?"

She slowly shook her head. "No, Bella, he likes you. I mean really likes you, as in how I like Jasper."

My eyes popped with shock. "Ssh."

Alice nodded. "I'm not lying. Jasper says it's been obvious, you know, how he can detect emotions and everything. He says that everytime Carlisle is around you, he's feeling... love. Lust. Desire."

I stared wordlessly at her... surely Carlisle wouldn't... he couldn't like somebody like me...

Love somebody like me...

"Ugh, Bella, I can tell you still don't believe me! Please," she looked at me intensely, "Why would Carlisle change you if you didn't mean something to him? He loves you Bella, he loves you more than he ever loved Esme." She must have noticed my worried face because she said, "Even Esme wants him to get with you; we all want him to be happy."

A small smile spread across my lips. He really felt the same way...

I felt a sudden wave of happiness spread through me, followed quickly by fear. Alice must have been telling me all this for a reason.

"We all think it's about time you two did something about your feelings," Alice grinned. "So... it's incredibly handy that Carlisle's outside right now, isn't it?"

I exchanged a long look with her, before asking, "You really are being serious now aren't you? I don't want to make a fool out of myself... I've had a lifetime of doing that."

Alice looked at me in a way that convinced me fully. How could I have ever doubted her? She wouldn't lie about something as serious as this.

I stood up and smiled shakily. "I can't believe this."

She stood up beside me and gripped my shoulders. "I can, it's about time."

I exhaled. "He's really outside?"

She looked over my shoulder and I followed her gaze, seeing Carlisle pacing up and down the grass on his own. A rush of worry and desire filled me. I could be minutes away from finally fulfilling my dreams...

I was surprised I hadn't collapsed already.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the door, after receiving a final encouraging glance from Alice. I owed her so much.

I stepped outside and Carlisle turned around to smile at me, that beautiful smile I'd never tire of.

Carlisle's POV

I stared at Edward in disbelief. He had just taken me out of the room to tell me that Bella loved me. Loved me.

Surely not...

Although, after all the months of wanting to be more than just a friend to her, it did come as exciting news, even if I didn't believe him just yet.

"Carlisle," Edward sighed. "You know full well that I can read minds, and whilst Bella was human, I heard everything. She loves you Carlisle, so much. She was thinking of you most of the time... it was so clear." He paused. "Please Carlisle, I know it would make you both so happy, and it's been nearly a year now since you both realised your feelings."

I stared past his shoulder; it all made sense. I was starting to believe him.

Could Bella really share my feelings? The very thought made a rush of happiness pass through me, as well as something I hadn't experienced in a very long time... lust.

"Carlisle, everyone is just waiting for it to happen," he continued. "Please, I know you both have eternity, but why not spend it together? If somebody came along for me, I wouldn't waste any time, but I still have to wait."

I felt a wave of sympathy for him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, son," I smiled.

He smiled back. "Why not wait outside for Bella? Maybe you can... talk."

I couldn't help smirking. "Alright. We will talk. Thank you."

He nodded and I stepped outside, feeling prickles of anticipation mixed along with some nerves. This was what I'd been wishing for, for what felt like forever. Now, it could become reality.

I felt true happiness as Bella stepped outside to join me, and I knew what I had to do.

Bella's POV

I kept expecting my heart to be pounding erratically, but it was still. I hadn't really accepted that fact yet, but I knew it wasn't really dead. If it was, I couldn't hold all of this love for Carlisle. I was sure of it.

"Bella," he sighed, and I closed my eyes at his voice. He was perfect. Why hadn't I leapt on him before?

I cleared my head of the irrational thoughts and smiled back at him.

"Hi."

We stood close together for a long time, and I tried to concentrate to the wind blowing around us, but I could only feel Carlisle's eyes on me. I was drawn to look at him and shared a smouldering look which took my breath away. Surely this person wasn't real...

No, I knew he was. He'd helped me through the worst parts of my life.

He was my life.

He was... my hero.

He suddenly clasped my hand, sending tingles through my body. His touch was like a magnet and I was pulled closer towards him. I could see his shirt rising and falling as he took deep breaths, and I closed my eyes for a long time, struggling to believe what was happening. When I reopened them, he was just inches away from me and I could feel his cool breath on my face, causing me to shiver. His eyes were blazing and I swallowed loudly, in complete disbelief. I couldn't believe what was happening.

"Bella," he breathed, causing waves of desire to rush through me. I loved how he said my name and it sounded even better with my new hearing.

"Yes?" I whispered breathlessly back, not losing eye contact with him.

"I... I have something to tell you," he responded, clutching my other hand. I could nearly feel his nose on mine, and my body was practically dying with anticipation.

"Really?" I grinned, and he grinned back, showing me his beautiful teeth. It took all my self control not to kiss him straight away.

"Yes."

I took in a shaky breath. "Tell me."

There was an unbearable pause.

"I... I think, Bella Swan." He swallowed. "That I love you."

I closed my eyes for a long time, savouring those words that when straight to my heart. A stupid grin spread across my face as I felt the true joy flood me. Alice was right after all; he really did love me.

"Well... guess w-what?" I finally replied, looking into his expectant face.

He raised an eyebrow adorably. "I don't know, Bella, please tell me."

I made him wait, before murmuring, "I love you, too."

It was his turn to close his eyes and I rested my forehead against his, feeling a strange heat burning between our skin.

"It's taken us both long enough to realise," he grinned, breathing against my mouth. I couldn't contain myself anymore.

"Carlisle, can I ask you something?" I asked slowly and I felt him nod.

"Please, kiss me."

He didn't move for a brief moment, but then I felt his lips on mine and everything seemed complete.

Fire blazed through my body as his lips touched mine and I gasped against him, wanting more.

His hands found their way around my waist and he pulled me closer towards him. I happily pressed against his body and kissed him enthusiastically back, relishing in the desire which was enveloping my senses. I reached for his hair and ran my fingers through it, completely dazedby its softness and beauty. I returned my attention back to his kiss and felt my lips tingling; nobody had ever made me feel like this before. It was like I was moulded for his body; everything was perfect.

He kissed me long and hard, and I lost track of everything around me. It was like just Carlisle and myself existed in our own little bubble, and everything was fantastic. My past seemed so long ago and I didn't want to remember.

After the wonderful moments of pure bliss, I felt him pull away and we just stood there, breathing heavily. We then met eyes and both grinned happily. He pulled me into a tight hug and I rested my head on his shoulder. I could feel his hands on my back, holding me tightly towards him. I belonged to him now; we were together.

I just prayed this wasn't all a dream.