A/N: So this part was originally part of the last chapter, but I felt like I needed to break it up. It's still too short for my liking, but I feel like I need to put this out for you guys.

-Wish

Chapter 44: Resignation

It felt odd, walking into the hospital without any intention of beginning a shift. I felt disconcerted as my co-workers moved around me, rushing to the ER, or simply walking to check on a patient. Everyone smiled at me, but somehow, I couldn't summon a smile back. Leaving Forks seemed harder than leaving any of the other places. We were much more attached here than we'd ever been.

I found Dr. Gerandy in his office. When I knocked on his door and entered at his invitation, he seemed surprised to see me.

"Carlisle? Your shift isn't until tonight. Is there a reason for your visit?" He seemed puzzled.

I removed the letter from my jacket pocket and laid it on his desk carefully. "I got a call, last night," I told him, planning my words with care, "From a hospital in Los Angeles. They want me to be chief of surgery."

Dr. Gerandy picked up the envelope and looked it over, not opening it. He seemed to be thinking something over. He bit his lip in thought and I was reminded of Bella. She did the same thing, sometimes. Edward would miss her so much.

"You accepted, of course?" Dr. Gerandy clarified.

"Yes," I confirmed.

Dr. Gerandy shook his head and sighed. "I should have seen this coming. I always said you could be chief of medicine in any hospital in any city you wanted. Congratulations, Carlisle. I wish you luck. When do they want you to start?"

I sighed, running my hand through my hair. This was the tricky part. I liked Dr. Gerandy and the hospital, here. It was a good place. "Tomorrow," I told him, "they have a heart surgery scheduled that morning. My family is already packing."

Dr. Gerandy groaned. "I'm going to lose you so soon? I need to find a replacement for your shift tonight, then. You can't work tonight and still be in LA tomorrow for a heart surgery."

Actually, I could have, but I wasn't telling Dr. Gerandy that. No human could have.

"I'm sorry, sir," I apologized, looking down at my shoes.

"Don't worry, Carlisle. I'll find somebody. Go home and finish packing." He rose from his chair and stood, extending his hand across the desk to me. I'd only shaken his hand once before, when receiving the job.

I reached across and shook it again, smiling at Dr. Gerandy. He'd been a good colleague, one of the better one's I'd known.

Dr. Gerandy frowned down at my hand. "Cold outside?"

I shrugged, removing my hand. "A bit. I'd appreciate if we didn't make a big deal out of our leaving. It's hard on the kids, Edward particularly. You understand?"

"Of course, Carlisle," Dr. Gerandy agreed. "Are they all okay?"

No, I thought, we're moving away so that one of us doesn't kill the love of my son's life. "They will be," I lied. "Take care."

"You too, Carlisle," Dr. Gerandy replied.

I returned my ID card and left as he nodded. The only person I stopped to talk to on my way out was the nurse, Brett. And even then, he stopped me.

"Dr. Cullen, I thought you had an evening shift today."

"No," I replied. "I uh…just resigned. I have an offer in LA."

Brett's smile fell. "Oh—I'm sorry to hear that. When are you leaving?"

"As soon as we finish packing. I really should get home now."

"Right." Brett nodded and held his hand out. I shook it briefly. "It was good working with you, Dr. Cullen."

"You too, Brett," I replied. "Do you mind keeping this private? I don't really want to make a big deal out of this. It's hard on the kids."

Brett nodded again. "Of course. No problem."

"Goodbye, Brett."

"Bye, Dr. Cullen."

I returned home as Emmett was packing boxes into the back of his Jeep. He nodded once and reached down to grab another box from Rosalie. I went inside, bypassing Alice and Jasper, who were taking more boxes outside. I climbed the stairs and found Esme, gently removing my father's cross from the wall. I rushed forward to help her, even though I knew it wasn't heavy for her. It was an excuse to be with my angel.

We wrapped the cross carefully in silence. I was about ready to take it downstairs to put it in my backseat, when Esme stopped me.

"Why don't you finish your office? I can take care of this."

"Are you sure?" I asked her.

Esme nodded and motioned me towards my office door, before lifting up the cross and carrying it towards the stairs. I did as she told me and went to continue packing. Stepping inside, my office felt empty already. Laying my jacket across my chair, I got to work on what I would take. Some of it would stay here. We'd keep this house, I was sure. We had too many ties to Forks. I couldn't bring myself to accept that this would be the last time we lived here. It couldn't be. Someday, we'd return.