SM owns.

Carlisle and Esme: How the Love Story Began

The Dance

CPOV

I held to the promises I had made to Esme. When we returned home from the cemetery, I retrieved the trunk from my closet. It contained all her personal items and her medical record. I placed it in her room with the lid closed and latched. She eyed it uncertainly as I wordless left her room. I would let her determine when she was ready to review the contents.

In the days that followed, Esme was very quiet and withdrawn, but had asked us to understand as she had much to sort out. She spent most of the day in her room, coming out to check periodically on Edward and me, but still she would seem distracted and somewhat distant.

As part of her "healing process" as she termed it, she had started journaling. Sometimes this included sketching in her notebook, something she found she had a knack for and brought her some joy.

Nights were the time I looked forward to. We would hunt most nights and then spend the rest of the time in front of the fire. These were the times Esme would relax her mind and would occasionally share with me something she found particularly insightful during her journaling or sketching.

I grew to admire her inner strength as she worked to become whole again.

She also visited Benjamin's grave site frequently, preferring to go alone although I always offered to accompany her. When she returned from the cemetery, she always went straight to her room to draw or to write. It seemed she was making good progress in reconciling her past and her present. But I was looking to the future and often felt alone.

So one Friday evening, I thought she might be ready for a night out. Maybe I could resurrect that celebratory night out that we never had. Taking in a deep breath of courage, I knocked on the door of her room.

"Carlisle?"

Her voice sounded so sweet and full of promise.

I opened the door and a rush of her scent greeted me. It literally took my breath away for a moment….

"Esme, I would so like to see you in the beautiful dress you bought in town, therefore, I am formally asking you out on a date with me. Would you like to go dancing tonight?"

Her eyes lit up, but her demeanor remained calm. "Dancing? That sounds lovely. I would like to engage this body in something civilized and ladylike for a change."

"Wonderful!" I equally tried to be reserved, "I have heard the dance hall in town can become quite crowded on weekend nights, so would you like to hunt before we go?" Business before pleasure I thought. Esme was closing in on her first year anniversary as an immortal, but I wanted to leave nothing to chance. I don't think either of us could bear a devastating setback.

"I think that would be wise. I am looking forward to this evening, thank you."

I sensed I had been dismissed, so I closed the door to her room and walked calmly down the hall though my excitement at her acceptance made me feel like doing a little victory dance. I was enjoying this game of love.

At 5pm sharp, Esme descended from her room for the hunt.

A rare early spring storm was rolling in over Lake Superior. The darkened sky frequently lit up with flashes of lightening. In the brief bursts of light, I would catch glimpses of Esme stalking her prey. As a female, her movements differed from mine and Edward's. Her motions were so fluid and quick, yet feminine. Almost cat-like. She made hunting look and feel almost ... sensual.

Drawn by her movements, I followed after her, more focused on observing her than satisfying my own thirst. In some slight way I felt I was stalking her, seeking her as my goal. A strange feeling overcame me. It was thrilling in that it what I was doing and feeling was somewhat forbidden. And that thought seemed to spur me on.

I sensed the chains of my constant restraint and control slipping away. I was different around Esme, in a wonderful way. I could be who and what I was. I was experiencing a part of me I wasn't even aware existed ... or ever willing to show. She was awakening something from deep inside of me.

I continued to follow her as she pursued her prey, intrigued and wanting more of this strange, new feeling.

By the time I arrived at her side, she had made her kill. I stopped and dropped to a crouch. The smell of blood and her posture over her prey stirred something untamed in me. My eyes narrowed and my mind was bombarding me with instinctual messages I couldn't comprehend or decipher. Growls rumbled low in my chest.

Esme's keen instincts picked up on my unconventional presence behind her. She spun around and took a defensive posture.

We both let out a hiss.

A sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the night and charged the air around us. The resulting earth-shaking boom broke our focus. We lost our intensity in that moment and relaxed our postures. But what a rush…

"Carlisle?" Esme questioned, not really sure what had just transpired between us.

"Nice strike," I played off whatever it was we had experienced. It felt too primal and illicit to discuss.

"Thank you, but you're not stalling are you? We need to get you dinner – you promised me dancing tonight, remember?"

"No stalling. I plan to dazzle you with my fancy footwork. You do know I was cutting a rug when Arthur Murray was still in diapers..." I quipped and then took off at a full run.

This time Esme pursued me.

We played a rousing game of hide and seek, vampire style, until the scent of a herd of deer caught our attention. Dinner was served.

Fully sated, we ran back to the house to clean up and prepare for the evening.

I quickly went to my room and searched my closet for appropriate attire for the evening. Knowing the style of Esme's dress, I decided to pull out my tailcoat jacket. I had only attended one formal event in recent memory. It was when I was presented the Physician of the Year Award by the local Physician's Association in Chicago. I can't say I won fair and square. With 200 years experience as a doctor, the odds are definitely stacked in my favor. At times I found it difficult to keep to these small town hospitals when I knew I could do so much more good at a larger research hospital. But then I might get noticed, stand out, or be memorable. That would definitely complicate my life - my house of cards. Best to keep a low profile.

As none of my dimensions had changed since ... well, in a couple centuries - my tailcoat and pants fit like new. I polished my shoes and combed my hair back. I was ready and quickly headed for the main room of the house. There I would wait for Esme to make her appearance. I looked forward to the full effect as she came down the stairs and entered the room.

I was not disappointed.

As she made her way very slowly down the stairs, I caught a glimpse of her high-heeled shoes. Fire rose in me as I realized how I enjoyed the new style of clothes women were wearing nowadays! The height of her heeled shoes made her lower leg so shapely it gave me a new appreciation for the anatomy of the leg! The hem of her flowing dress was slightly below her knees and it swirled around them as she descended the stairs. The dress itself was a rose-color and it hugged her vampire-perfect figure. She had tied her hair back and applied a subtle shade of lipstick to her lips. In a word, she was stunning.

"Well, what do you think?" She asked as she spun in front of me, keeping her eyes toward the floor.

Oh yes, I definitely liked this game of love! "You are a vision of loveliness," I responded with all sincerity.

She rewarded my compliment with a large smile. It was just as striking as the rest of her.

"You look very dashing in your tails!" She reached out to smooth my collar, sending chills down my spine. "We are sure going to wow them at the dance hall. Are we ready to leave?"

Just then Edward entered the room. "Hey, you two look really spiffy. Enjoy your evening," he said casually before flopping on the couch and picking up a magazine.

While Edward's words were appropriate, the smirk he wore on his face made it clear that he knew our thoughts exactly. He was enjoying himself at our expense, no doubt.

I pulled the car up to the front porch and held the door open for Esme. She glided in and slid over - a little further than she really needed to. When I got into the car, though, I was pleased to find her close enough to touch while I drove.

She casually played with my fingers as they rested on the seat while she spoke of the events I had missed while at work this week. I marveled at how relaxed and comfortable I felt with her. I think she felt the same way. I knew it would be a delightful evening...

When we arrived at the dance hall, the evening was already in full swing. We made our way onto the floor. I was not surprised to find Esme was a wonderful dancer and I could tell that dancing made her happy.

I dared to hold her close.

I could see many other dancers stealing glances at us, however, they did not give us scandalous looks. I knew individually either of us was attractive enough to humans, but seeing a perfect pair gracefully gliding on the floor was definitely going to attract attention. I still felt a sense of pride. Yes, this exquisite woman is with me tonight.

Her scent enveloped and swirled around me. It was intoxicating and I drank it in with deep breaths.

I dared to hold her closer.

Forget social etiquette tonight! I had waited two centuries and too many decades to have what I was holding in my arms now, and I wasn't going to waste another moment.

I actually let out a laugh.

"Carlisle, are you all right?" Esme questioned with amusement in her eyes.

I would not hide my feelings from her. That mistake had almost caused me to lose her forever. I would be honest with her every moment from now on…and that decision was frightening. To open myself up like that…well, it was like being naked! I had cloaked myself in lies and deceptions for so long, they came to me as second nature. I swallowed hard and gazed into Esme's warm golden eyes for strength.

"Yes, I am quite well. Actually, I am the happiest I have ever been. To hold you close like this, it overwhelms me. I don't think I have the words right now to describe my feelings. But I know that I'd like to feel this way always." The honest truth...

Again, I was rewarded with a radiant smile.

"I think I know how you feel…And Carlisle, I believe I love you too."

She rested her head on my shoulder and placed an ever so slight kiss on my neck.

I spun us around to the sound of the gentle waltz that was playing. It was like dancing on clouds!

We stole several more polite kisses on the dance floor, surrounded by other dancers, and stayed lost in our new world until the music stopped and the hall closed.

After we returned home, we retired to our rooms to change out of our formal wear. When I returned to the main room, Esme was describing the night to Edward. At the sight of my entrance, he excused himself from our presence, and I had started a fire in the fireplace - as was our usual night time routine.

We settled close to each other on the floor and immediately became entranced in the mesmerizing flames.

"Carlisle, I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you."

"I'm glad. We will go as often as you'd like. But we'll definitely have to get you more dresses…and heels," I added that last word with a smile. She threw her arms around me and we both laughed at my forward comment. But as the laughter died down, I wrapped my arms around her gently.

It was a quiet moment that held meaning.

After some time, Esme pulled from my embrace, "Carlisle, would you mind, I'd like to spend some time in my room. I have a few things I want to tend to."

"Of course," I said as I stood with her. We walked to the staircase hand in hand. She climbed the first step and then turned. At that height she could look me directly in the eyes.

"Thank you for this life, Carlisle. You have brought hope for happiness into my heart. Good night." And she kissed me soft and gentle on the lips before pulling away to climb the rest of the staircase.

I sighed silently and watched her disappear behind the door to her room.

I returned to the fire and added another log. Looking into the flames I could see my future more clearly than I ever had before. I made a decision. I let it fill my head and my heart.

I shouldn't have been surprised to hear the door to Edward's room open. He approached the fire, and held his hands to it before sitting down beside me.

Speaking very quietly as to keep the conversation between the two of us he said, "Big night."

It wasn't a question, but a statement. He undoubtedly knew what I had decided...

"Do you approve, my son?" I truly wanted to know his thoughts.

"When you first brought Esme home, I was very skeptical. Change is not an easy thing to accept sometimes I guess. I was unsure what her presence would mean to our life here. But now, I cannot imagine our lives without her. She is like the glue that holds us together. But even more importantly, she makes you happy. She completes you, Carlisle. So for what it's worth…you have my blessing."

"Thank you, Edward. And your words have great worth. Our relationship is very important to me too. I would not want to jeopardize it."

"So…" Edward prodded me for details, although I knew he already heard them in my head. I guess he just wanted to share this moment with me.

"So ... this weekend I am going to ask Esme to marry me."

It did feel good to say it out loud - even if it was barely a whisper.

End Notes: Ahhh, yes. Love. If you feel all warm and fuzzy, drop me a comment/review. I know we've been building up to this and now I am starting to get sad the end is in sight. But I hope the wedding and honeymoon will make you feel emotionally safisfied (well, as satisfied as a "T" rating will allow ; ) Also, thanks to all the great friends I have met thru this site. Your correspondence makes me very happy.