Carlisle was the one to open the door into the sterile white washed hospital room. Edward felt Esme tense under his firm hold the moment the door opened. Kate was lying on a bed in the middle of the room surrounded by a few machines and a tube running from her mouth with several wires attached to her lifeless body. Her reddish purple face was covered in tiny cuts and bruises while her leg was in a cast that rested on a pillow. Edward found himself walking with Esme keeping a light grip on her as Carlisle smiled and nodded to him encouragingly. It was difficult to block out the barrage of thoughts that seemed to fill the quiet room from Esme and yet hearing how much she loved her daughter was something he didn't mind hearing at all.
"Esme, it looks a lot worse than it is. I promise you she will be ok." Carlisle told her firmly before glancing toward Kate.
Carlisle had noted Kate's flaming red hair, she was definitely beautiful and if it hadn't been for the fact she had a heart beat Carlisle would definitely assume she was a vampire. He watched closely as Esme walked towards her daughter her hand out stretched as she moved some of Kate's hair from her face before taking the girls hand. Edward stole a glance towards Carlisle before both of them left the room and stood outside waiting. Esme sank down on the bed next to her daughter whispering heartfelt apologies and I love you. For a long while both Carlisle and Edward listened to her speaking however as Esme began to speak of their personal lives both Carlisle and Edward returned to his office giving them some space. Once inside the office and the door closed Edward chuckled while Carlisle glared toward him. Edward scanned though his father's thoughts but it only seemed to add to Edward's amusement. He shook his head as he tutted looking towards Carlisle with a disproving look.
"Doctor Patient Carlisle... tut tut... how can you have such thoughts?" Edward asked doing his best adult voice.
"Edward Anthony Cullen... keep out of my head please!"
A slight hint of a warning Edward thought but he shrugged it off. There was no way he could keep out of anyone's thoughts and especially not when they all invaded his headspace. Not once did anyone keep his or her thoughts to themselves and when their private lives were all in his head 24/7 what could he do? Only listen.
"Stop invading my head then Carlisle. Oh, by the way it is too late I know you like her and she likes you too, a bit of extra information for you there. Esme she is easy to be around and to talk to." Edward said smugly.
Edward watched as Carlisle's face lit up and then turned quickly back to an impassive look. A look Edward knew all too well. The only time Carlisle used it was when he was trying to hide something though Edward had heard all so it was too late however the look still amused him. It was nice to see Carlisle actually seem happy to think of a future that included someone of the female disposition. All too often Edward heard thoughts of the family and never actually thinking of anything for himself, just the happiness of his respective children.
"Edward, her daughter is lying injured. Do you really think that it's appropriate? No. So if you would keep your opinions to yourself." Carlisle's curt tone made Edward huff a little as he turned to head out of the door.
"Well I am going back. I really think Esme would like some company. At least one of us should comfort her." Edward replied as another grin appeared.
"I need to work... I shall check back in a while and try not to get into any trouble Edward." Carlisle suggested as Edward nodded.
Edward made the short walk back to the small room knocking on the door before he entered. He saw Esme sitting on a chair she had pulled close to the bed, her hand still clutching her daughters with the gentlest of touches Edward had ever seen. He smiled at the sight, for some reason it made him feel happy to know that a vampire other than Carlisle was capable of caring about someone who was so fragile and human. It wasn't a sight he came across often, normally the vampire and human relationships always ended badly for the human.
"I hope you do not mind my being here Esme. My father thought you could use the company and I have nowhere else better to be."
Edward hoped that Esme didn't mind his presence as again he invaded her privacy. Esme's thoughts mainly centred on her daughter Kate though on several occasions Edward caught a few warm thoughts of Carlisle which he tried not to focus on too much. He simply grinned a little at Esme who seemed to be more relaxed about the whole situation.
"Thank you Edward. I don't mind you being here, I am glad for the company. Though please don't feel you need to stay if you have somewhere else to be." She replied not taking her eyes from her daughter for a second.
Esme found Edward an extremely polite boy, someone who seemed to care about others just like his father appeared to. Carlisle and Edward Cullen were the kind of people she didn't meet too often. At least the last lot of vampires she had met were less than happy when she told them her daughter was off limits. Who knew that telling someone her daughter wasn't going to be the main course could end so badly. Sometimes Esme regretted living the life they did, if she could have stayed in the one town or city long enough for Kate to make real friends not just the kind who where there for a year before they moved on again she would have done. If it wasn't the resident vampire's she was trying to avoid for her daughters sake, it was her fiancé who always seemed to catch up to them every once in a while though Esme soon pushed that thought from her mind.
"No, no... Carlisle will be stopping by soon though." Edward said his eyes catching one of the monitors for a moment.
He could see that the number indicating temperature was dropping faster and faster as Edward stood up. He wasn't a medical doctor but he knew enough from Carlisle to know that it wasn't a good sign especially for a human who was supposed to have a pretty steady temperature. For a moment Edward studied the machine wanting to be sure there was no technical fault before he glanced toward Esme, her hand still on her daughters.
"Esme, you may want to let her hand go... her temperature is dropping quickly." Edward announced.
Esme jumped back from Kate dropping her daughters hand as if it were on fire. Edward smiled apologetically as Esme pulled her chair towards a wall pulling before placing another next to it for Edward. She watched him carefully move her daughters hand under the sheets that covered most of her body before he placed another blanket over her. Had it been anyone else she might have protested the sudden intrusion but there was something about the Cullen family that made her feel safe enough to let them near Kate.
"Thank you for telling me. I forget sometimes." Esme admitted.
For so long she had wanted to hold Kate close to her and for a mere moment that was fine but any longer and Esme would bundle her in a blanket. The thought in Esme's head made Edward smile as he looked at the girl. She was extremely pretty or at least he thought so, her flaming red hair was splayed across the white pillow that was nearly the same colour as her skin had it not been for the bruising and cuts. Even with the cuts and bruises Edward thought Kate was beautiful though perhaps saying that to Esme at that moment wouldn't go down very well.
"It is very easy to forget living as long as we have. In addition, we do not socialise at parties too well. I think it is the fact that when we are asked to dance... we give our respective partners hypothermia." Edward joked as he saw it put a smile on Esme's face.
For some reason Edward liked seeing her smile it seemed to suit her when she was happy he thought to himself before he glanced back toward Kate. It was hard to believe that a human could be so pale, even with his father's assurance that the girl would be alright it seemed to be a bit of a long shot.
"So Esme, how long have you been one of us and how did you...?" Edward stopped himself feeling he had overstepped though Esme simply smiled at him.
Even when Esme turned to face him Edward could see her glance anxiously toward her daughter every few seconds. Even as he heard her think of how best to answer his question he still found her mind mainly focused on her daughter.
"About eighteen years in a month. Story of my life..." Esme replied, guessing it was what Edward was getting at.
Her story wasn't one she had ever told anyone, she had adapted it for the human world using an artistic licence here and there. Still it gave her a topic of conversation even though it was a less than pleasant one. The best thing to come out of her human life was Kate and yet in her vampire life sometimes all she could do was try not to kill the very person she loved with all her heart.
"Well it started with my fiancé, let's just say he wasn't the kind of many any woman would want." She began taking a breath.
For a moment Edward's mind was filled with noise, in those few seconds Edward could hear everything. There was every fight that Esme remembered, every cut and every raised hand that was directed at her for simply being herself. Edward felt his hands turn to fists; he had never felt so angry with someone he didn't know since Rosalie inadvertently told her story. He had asked himself for months how another human being could be so cruel but the only answer he could come up with was they weren't human at all, simply monsters. He wondered how anyone could want to hurt Esme, the woman he sat next to was kind and caring and he could tell she loved her daughter more than anything in the world. With that thought was suddenly taken back to reality as Esme continued.
"So when I had the chance to run... I did and I haven't stopped since." Esme said saddened still by that fact. "Little did I know that I was going to have Kate here." She said gesturing happily towards the bed.
"After Kate arrived, I needed some groceries so I took a short cut though a park to get home and the only thing I remember is the pain and then nothing. Anyway I woke up to find Kate next to me unharmed but not in good shape. It took me a while to gain control of myself though after a year or so I was about as normal as I could be. I tried to get back into human life so I could raise Kate and so far... things have been good"
Edward listened to Esme; he felt a tinge of sorrow for her having to go though her change alone. Carlisle had been there for everyone of the family apart from Alice and Jasper. Carlisle had stayed by their sides and done everything he could to make the change as easy for them as possible yet Esme had been alone in a park with no Carlisle and no one to teach her the ways of the vampire life. He was stunned that Esme had taken to the life as well as she appeared to, they were in a hospital surrounded by human blood and yet her eyes were as golden as his own. She showed no hint or thoughts for killing another human being other than the driver of the car that had knocked them from the road.
"So tell me about your family?" Esme asked as Edward laughed lightly.
His family... now there was a topic that could last you all of a century. He looked towards Esme's honest face as he could tell she was genuinely interested in their family. Edward had his own ideas about Carlisle and Esme or the soon to be Carlisle and Esme, in his personal opinion he had no reason not to share information. After all it was better Esme knew what she was getting into before she found out the hard way.
"Well my family... there are five of us kids so to speak. Alice and Rosalie are my adopted sisters. They are both married to Jasper and Emmett, my brothers." He said simply as he began to stare at Kate who lay still on the bed. "Carlisle comes from England and is responsible for changing Emmett, Rose and myself. He never bites the living just the dying. I have been with Carlisle for almost one hundred and fifty years, Rose and Emmett about eighty. While Alice and Jasper have been around for the same amount of time as me though they are the new additions to our family." Edward said happy that he could actually tell his family's story to someone who had a genuine interest and that believed him to start with.
Their family was highly dysfunctional and one of the best in the world he thought as he looked back to Esme. He saw he had captured her interest as he noted it had taken her mind from worrying about Kate. Although her thoughts were still divided he could hear that she was more at ease speaking about his family than her own past.
"I have never heard of a family like yours so can I ask why you have not found a partner. I dare say your father would have someone lined up for himself." Esme asked knowing she was being a little forward but in her mind it was the only way to get an answer.
Edward noted Esme's questioning tone about Carlisle as he smiled trying not to laugh and fetch Carlisle there and then. He shrugged before answering her question. Esme was right he didn't have a partner or anyone who cared or loved him like the rest of his family did. He and Carlisle were the same in that respect; Carlisle had the love of his children that was clear and Edward that of his brothers and sisters however he figured soon enough Carlisle's attentions would be directed toward Esme.
"I simply have not found my special someone. As for dad, Carlisle is well... how do you say, he is single. He never married though I do think he likes someone... something about his demeanour today has changed so I do believe he likes someone he recently met." Edward hinted, it wasn't subtle but then was Edward ever subtle? The answer was no.
He founds Esme's thoughts racing as he chuckled to himself. Well that seemed to do the trick he thought wondering when his father would appear. Edward carried on the conversation about his family, it was nice to have a captive audience for a change and not someone who would want to drool over him as humans did or a vampire that got the wrong idea. Still while they talked Esme explained more and more about Kate and herself which was nice to hear. He found out that Esme had a love for photography and was an architect while her daughter was hoping to graduate in Forks but didn't have a plan for the future. While they talked Edward began to tell Esme things that Carlisle had never heard him say. With every passing minute he felt strangely attached and protective of Esme and Kate hearing of their world and past. A few hours passed with chat about family and past times, the places they had travelled and countries they had visited. Edward found out a lot as did Esme and the information sharing only stopped when there was an audible groan form the bed. Esme jumped to her feet as Edward called Carlisle to come to the room immediately. Edward watched as Kate began to twist as the machine forced air into her lungs. She was breathing on her own; Edward knew that though he resisted the urge to take the tube out himself as Carlisle glided gracefully into her room.
Edward pulled Esme back a little as they both watched Carlisle work. He checked tubes and the IV before he carefully pulled her breathing tube out. The girl took in several gasps of air before her face turned for a look of relief to one of terror. She seemed to be scared as she looked directly at Carlisle who shone a torch in her electric blue eyes.
"I... I'm dead." She gasped as Edward saw Carlisle smile and shake his head.
"Oh god I'm dead... finished... kaput..." She rambled as Esme squeaked a little swaying on the spot.
Edward could hear that Esme didn't know what to do or say as Carlisle was trying his best to get the girl to relax and calm down. This didn't seem to bother Kate who was still convinced she was dead. Edward found it slightly amusing as to how the human mind worked though he knew better than to say anything at that moment. Kate was clearly distressed and adding to the mix was probably a bad idea.
"No Kate you are not dead. You are in a hospital, Forks hospital to be exact. I am Dr Cullen and you have been in an accident."
That was all it took as Edward watched tears stream down the face of the girl. The sudden urge to take the girl in his arms washed over him as he shuddered a little not sure why he was feeling the way he did. He could see Esme wanted to do the same thing though she still clung to Edward.
"My mum... Esme... mum is she ok? Please tell me she is ok..."
Her croaky voice asked though the tears, as Edwards brow furrowed. He looked towards Carlisle who pointed to Esme. Kate simply stared at Esme though Edward had a hard time picking out any clear thought as there were just too many. It was only seconds before her head fell back to the pillow and her eyes closed while Carlisle increased her morphine. Esme again walked over to her daughter as she kissed her forehead and sat back down looking at Carlisle with a slightly dazed stare.
"She is fine just emotional and the pain as well. I increased her morphine which will make her groggy. She will be in and out of consciousness for a while."
Carlisle said as he smiled moving towards Esme. Edward stood out of the way as Carlisle sat in the chair next to Esme, his hand reaching for hers as he held it tenderly smiling. Edward simply stood and stared at Kate who looked peaceful despite her recent conversation and insistence that she was dead.
"Esme why did she ask if you're ok? She knows that you are virtually indestructible right?" Edward asked curiously.
Edward found it hard to understand Kate and the fact that one human could have so many thoughts all at once. Vampires were not breakable; they were not hurt by a simple car crash. No, they were made steel like. Not easy things to break and yet the girls thoughts were of the safety of her mother.
"She knows but she always thinks of others, that's Kate always looking after everyone else." Esme replied.
Edward had his answer; she was selfless which was a good thing in some ways and in others ways not such a good thing. Edward looked over to Carlisle as he saw his hands wound around Esme's. The pair muttering quietly to each other while Edward stood silently. Edward was beginning to feel nauseous not just because of what he was seeing but what he had to listen to that went along with it. Sometimes Carlisle could be so cheesy he thought shaking his head though Esme seemed enthralled by Carlisle's every word. It was a short while later that Kate woke again. Esme spoke to her for a brief moment while Edward and Carlisle sat and watched. Edward spent a few days at the hospital with Carlisle and Esme. As time passed Carlisle would end his shift and go straight to Esme where Edward had usually stayed at her side in Kate's room. Edward got to know more about Esme and Kate, he would only leave the two to go home for a few hours and give his family the update. Of course Alice knew all before Edward even got home and they were always discussing what he was going to tell them when he arrived. The trend continued for five days before Kate was well enough to be moved. Edward would sit and speak to her for hours at a time before she would either doze off or Esme would arrive and Edward would go to Carlisle's office to give Esme some time alone with her daughter.