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Esme and Carlisle: How the Love Story Began…

Honeymoon, Part I

Never again will I regret that I couldn't dream. This was just as good –or better. And now with Esme as my wife, I had eternity to live in a blissful dreamlike state.

The enormity of the moment hit me with the force of a speeding locomotive. I had found my mate.

How long I've been looking. How long I've been waiting. Had I been a bitter man, I probably would have given up. But every day at the hospital I witnessed love, in all its forms, and it gave me hope. Hope that one day I would find this emotion that changed people.

But now that I found love, I realized I had underestimated it.

I stole a glance at Esme, her skin so fair against the ivory lace of her dress. I knew I would, without question, lay down my life for her. Nothing mattered to me more than her joy and happiness. She was my salvation. As I had been hers.

Our hands were entwined as I drove in the darkness toward our destination. She seemed very happy, but what I wouldn't give for just a bit of Edward's mindreading abilities right now.

I brought the hand that I held toward my lips and placed a long kiss on the inside of her wrist. She closed her eyes and slightly parted her lips.

"What are you thinking right now, my love?" I asked, my voice low as I took in her reaction to my touch.

Her eyes remained closed as she spoke, "Automobiles move much too slowly. Let's just ditch the baggage and run to our honeymoon."

I laughed, "I know, every minute seems like hours. But I have planned a few surprises for you. So indulge me with your patience. I promise I will make it worth the wait."

She looked at me with slightly apologetic eyes. I kissed her wrist again.

As we passed another car, I caught the sight of something reflecting in its headlights. It was my wedding band. I had barely noticed its presence until now. A perfect circle with no beginning and no end. Endless. It stood for Esme's commitment to me. It was a symbol of my belonging to her. A ring – such a simple a thing, but it was my most prized possession.

I was surprised that Esme did not ask where our final destination was or how long until we arrived. She seemed content in knowing much more awaited. And we would be together.

At last we reached the docks just outside of Marinette. I saw Esme's excitement as she realized we had come to the end of our road trip. I pulled up to Dock 11 where a small ferry awaited. A lean, young man in uniform hurried from the ferry. He rushed to the passenger side of the car and pulled it open as I exited from my side.

"Good evening, Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. Everything is ready for your arrival as you requested."

"Thank you. We are tired from our journey and look forward to the comforts of your establishment."

Esme raised her eyebrows at the formality of our conversation. I smiled, pleased to know I could show her luxury she had not previously experienced in either life thus far. Up until now, money was just something to be collected. But now it had new meaning. It was the means to giving my wife the treatment she deserved.

We boarded the ferry while the workers loaded our luggage.

"It's a beautiful crisp night for a trip across the bay. You may want to enjoy the view of the full moon from the upper deck. And congratulations on your nuptials," the young man said as he freed the ferry from the dock. We glided into the dark waters of the bay.

"Shall we, my lovely wife," I asked Esme as I took her hand to climb the stairs to the top deck of the ferry.

We had the vessel all to ourselves, except for the few workers aboard. I had advised them of our late arrival and made special arrangements for our transportation.

It was chilly and the wind whipped around us as we crossed Green Bay. Even though the cool temperature did affect us, it was a perfect excuse to embrace her. I stood behind her at the deck railing and circled my arms around her waist.

"Mmmmm," she cooed. "Carlisle, it's beautiful. I have never been on the water before."

"I will show you the world, Esme. There is so much to see and we have forever…"

"Yes, forever…" she sighed.

She leaned her head back and rested it on my shoulder. The light of the moon was reflecting in the waves. It looked like a fluttering white ribbon. The constant sound of the water and the ferry's engine was almost hypnotic. After a busy day and a most certain eventful night, it was nice to take this pause.

When we docked at Door Peninsula, we were greeted by another man in uniform.

"Good Evening, Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. And welcome from the Ephraim Inn. I have a car ready for you. Please, if you would follow me, I will show you to the car and then retrieve your baggage."

It was a short quiet car ride to the Inn. The house was large for a residence, but small as far as a place of lodging. It had the look of home, in fact, I told Esme that it use to be the private residence of a doctor friend of mine.

"The architecture is so pleasing to the eye," she said.

"I didn't know you were interested in architecture?" Not that I knew everything about Esme, but I paid close attention to her likes and dislikes. This one had escaped me.

"I didn't either, but I just love the lines of this home. Could I sketch it while we're here to take as a memory?"

"Of course, dear. We'll have plenty of time and I have been assured by management that we will be provided anything we need. I will have a notebook sent up for you. But first, I think you will really like our room…"

We breezed through the lobby as I had sent explicit directions regarding check –in and the preparations for our room. Esme stopped to gaze at the grand foyer with its dark wood paneling and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I tried to be patient, but I was so full of anticipation of her reaction when she saw our room. I was new at this romance thing, but I was sure it would please her.

By the time we reached our suite, our bags were already in the room.

Outside our room I paused. "You know I am obligated by tradition to carry you over the threshold. Where I come from it's believed that a bride who trips over the threshold would irrevocably bring bad luck to her home and marriage."

"Hmmm, trip…" Esme had a thoughtful look on her face. I smirked knowing she was thinking of some wise remark. Finally, she looked up at me with a coy smile.

"Well, maybe we should play it real safe. I bet we could both leap from here and land on the bed. No chance of bad luck then…" She winked at me.

But I got the last laugh as quickly I threw her over my shoulder and burst into our room.

"The tradition said 'carry', but it didn't specify how!" I mocked.

"Carlisle! Put me down! How outrageous – the bride starting her honeymoon rear-end first!"

Her protests were weak at best, but I still complied. I set her on her feet, facing me. I took her face in my hands and placed a playful kiss on her smiling lips. When I pulled away, I ran my hands down to her shoulders so I could turn her around to view the splendor of our room.

"Oh, Carlisle!" She gasped.

The spacious room was alight with dozens of taper candles in shiny brass candle sticks. The overstuffed canopy bed was adorned with red silk bedding and covered with pink rose petals. Crystal vases filled with various colored roses twinkled in the candlelight. 'April Showers' by Al Jolson played softly.

Esme was speechless. So I seized the moment…

"May I have this dance, my breathtaking bride?"

I took her hand and pulled her into me. Our gentle movements stirred the air around us causing the candlelight to flicker and shadows danced on the walls.

Al Jolson crooned as we swayed,

"Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,
When the sun gives way to April showers,
Here is the point you should never miss."

"I love you, Esme," I whispered in her ear.

She looked up into my eyes, her expression appearing almost sad.

"What is it, My Love?"

"Carlisle, can this really be true? After all the tragedy in my life and your endless days alone, can this happiness really belong to us? I am so afraid it will disappear. That I might lose you…"

I placed my index finger under her chin and raised her eyes to mine, just as I had done to sweet-sixteen year old Esme, "What did I tell you long ago when we first met?"

She silently shook her head, her human memories too dim to remember.

"I told you to take care of yourself because one day you would make a lucky man very happy. And I was right. You have made me very happy. I could never be without you. Our love is real and it will be forever. I promise.

Now, tonight is not about being afraid, tonight is about celebrating."

"Oh, what I wouldn't give to toast to our future and enjoy a glass of champagne right now," she sighed.

"Well, let me see if I can distract you from that desire…"

I reached up and release her hair from the pins that held it back. I let my fingers run through her warm caramel-color hair as it cascaded down giving her an instantly sultry appearance. I placed a gentle open-mouthed kisses on her neck and worked my lips down to her collar bone. Esme let her head hang back and sighed again. This time it was for me.

It was quite exhilarating knowing this time I would not have to restrain my physical longing for her.

I allowed myself to taste her flesh. I ran my tongue up her next to her jaw line. I lingered there and then sought to taste her sweet lips.

Esme kissed me back hungrily.

"I want to taste you too, Carlisle," she spoke into my lips before parting hers and gently pushing her tongue into my mouth.

The honeyed taste of her mouth sent a jolt through my whole body. I quivered in her strong embrace.

"More, my love. Show me more…" I pleaded.

"Help me with something?" she asked me, her eyes darkening.

She spun around, "I cannot reach these buttons, could you undo them for me?"

My unsteady hands worked to unfasten the buttons on her wedding dress. Once I had released the last button that rested near the base of her spine, she turned to face me.

She placed her hands on the bodice of her dress with a slight tug it slid her arms. The dress effortlessly continued down the length of her body and puddled on the floor at her feet revealing her silky chemise.

Without words, Esme removed my bowtie and began releasing the buttons on my shirt. She ran her hands lovingly over my chest, removing the shirt that had been securely tucked into the pants of my tuxedo.

"I wish I had something as tantalizing to wear for you as you have done for me," I whispered feeling inadequate in my preparations for my wedding night.

But Esme smiled, "Don't worry, Love, I picked something up for you."

She turned and excitedly hurried over to her trunk, pulling out a garment box which she presented to me. "Step into the bathroom and put it on."

I wordlessly complied, staggering toward the bathroom.

Esme called out from behind me, "Oh, and Carlisle, the shirt is optional. I'll wait for you on the bed."

In the bathroom I opened the box and smiled at the contents. Esme had purchased silk pajamas in a brilliant sapphire blue.

I quickly stripped down and pulled the bottoms on. Again, I followed her instructions and left the shirt behind in the box.

When I emerged, Esme was facing me sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed. My eyes drawn immediately to her long, curvy legs.

"Come, Love, let me see you closer," she beckoned with her index finger. "Oh, Carlisle, you are beautiful…"

I moved closer to her wanting to embrace her silky smooth body and pull her to my bare chest.

But as I got closer, Esme stopped me with one quick movement. She snapped her leg forward, catching me square in the chest. She applied more pressure than needed to the heel of her shoe and it dug slightly into my flesh.

"Wait. I need more help, Carlisle," she said innocently looking from my eyes to her uplifted leg.

"I am at your service, my dear," I said playing along with her game of seduction.

I placed both my hands around her ankle. Slowly I slid them up, stroking her calf and caressing the soft spot behind her knee. My eyes firmly locked on hers appraising her reaction.

I reached for her garter and undid the snap holding her stocking in place.

"Carlisle, kiss my scars," she said softly.

I hesitated momentarily not understanding her request. Once understanding took hold, I felt ashamed. I had hoped she would never know the complete story of her transformation. I felt I had violated her in that moment of desperation when I bit into her thighs hoping to heal the wounds she had sustained after her jump. I would explain. I only wanted to save her in that moment.

Of course, Esme seemed to read my thoughts…

"You gave of yourself to save me. To bring me to this life of joy with you. I treasure the symbols you left me to remind me of that every day."

I place a soft affectionate kiss on the scars that marked where I had bitten into her human flesh. How could I regret the actions that brought Esme into my life?

I regained my focus and just as slowly as I had ascended to her thigh, I slid my hands back down her leg, bringing the stocking to her ankle. There I released it and removed her shoe. Then I gripped the stocking with my teeth and removed it from around her foot.

Esme began to breathe in an irregular pattern. I was bringing her pleasure. This encouraged me to continue…

With my hands still on her foot, I brought it to my lips and place teasing kisses on the bottom of it. Esme leaned back on the bed, propping herself on her elbows.

I upped the ante by placing my tongue on her ankle bone and running it the length of her lower leg stopping to place a firm lingering kiss on the back of her knee.

Air rushed from her lungs. I raised my eyes to meet hers.

"The other leg, my dear…"

This time Esme laid all the way back on our bed while extending her other leg into my waiting hands. I repeated the process. Esme closed her eyes with a soft moan.

Once I finished my labor of love on the sole of her foot, Esme sat up and gripped my arms, pulling me forcibly on top of her. It appeared she retained some of her newborn strength!

"Oh, God, Carlisle, you are perfect!" she exclaimed covering my face and neck with passionate kisses.

Esme wrapped her arms and legs around me and in one fluid motion flipped us over on the bed. Her legs straddled my hips and her hands were firmly planted on my chest. She looked down at me with a very determined look. I knew something very good was about to happen…

"Will you let me pleasure you, my husband?" her voice was dripping with seduction.

"Yes, Love, I am yours," I managed to push the words out of my mouth.

I looked at her lovely form. She was so beautiful. All mine.

Venom filled my mouth and I swallowed hard.

"Carlisle?"

I saw questioning in her eyes. Was she actually wondering if I approved of her appearance?

Esme, you are the most perfect woman I have even seen. You are beautiful inside and out. I love you, Esme. I love you so much…" My anticipation and emotion overwhelmed me and I was at a loss for words. I wanted to convey so much to her in that moment, but 'I love you' were the only words I could manage to utter.

To my surprise, my response was adequate – she smiled down at me.

I let my hands caress her form. At my touch uttered my name. I had never heard anything so arousing in all my existence.

Esme lowered her body to meet mine. My brain felt like every neuron was firing at once.

Her lips quickly met mine. Consuming them. She sucked on my lower lip…and then bit into it. My body shuttered at the pleasure that rippled through me.

Feeling so foreign to me…yet so incredibly right.

I pressed my lips to hers, eager to experience more of her.

We had all night, all day…all eternity.

End Notes: Thank you for reading this story, which has become a great source of joy for me. I hope it met your expectations yet retaining a "T" rating for the wonderful teens that have been following this story. Carlisle and Esme have such a wonderful love for each other. Now hurry on to Honeymoon Part II...

If you are 18 or older, you can visit my adult version (that I believe is still true to their character) on Twilighted(dot)net.