The Twilight Twenty-Five

thetwilight25[dot]com

Prompt: Hospital

Pen Name: maxandmo

Pairing/Main Character(s):ExB

Rating: M

Multi-chapter

Photo prompts can be viewed here: thetwilight25[dot]com/round-six/prompts

I don't own Twilight. Extra special thanks to Twilly for encouraging me to write, and Sarah for beta'ing! Luv ya's! (maxandmo on Twitter and Maxandmo Fanfiction on FB)

3. Hospital

"Good evening, my guests. How's everyone doing?" Carlisle looked around with a smile for all.

Everyone looked relatively happy and content. There were no issues at the moment, and the food and alcohol were very much stocked up and flowing freely. He mingled for a bit until Jake caught his eye and motioned him over to the shaded cabana area.

Once he spotted Esme, he had a hard time taking his eyes off of her. She was laying back on a lounge chair and appeared to be napping. Her long sundress was vibrant in color and hung loosely around her, while wisps of her caramel colored hair blew in the slight breeze.

She mesmerized Carlisle. In fact, he hadn't felt such a strong attraction to anyone as he did to Esme. There was no way he was going to interfere in her relationship with Paul for his own benefit. Her happiness would have to be enough for him, and if there was something he could do to ensure that, then that's what he would do.

He was startled by a cough behind him and turned to see Paul standing there.

"She's something else. I've never met such a beautiful soul. My Esme is the best."

Carlisle was stunned that he had been so taken with her; he failed to realize Paul was behind him. There was no use in denying what Paul had so obviously noticed so Carlisle readily agreed with him.

"She's exquisite. You're a lucky man."

"This trip meant the world to her. Thank you so much for making it perfect for her thus far."

Carlisle shrugged, "You're more than welcome. I hope I didn't offend you by admiring her beauty."

"Don't be ridiculous. Even in her state, it's hard to miss. By the way, she appreciates that you haven't been making her uncomfortable by treating her differently than the others."

"I don't think I understand." Carlisle was wondering if Paul had noticed him staring at her since she first arrived. He thought he'd done a good job of acting as if she was simply another guest and not one that he was attracted to.

"Esme...she's dying. She came to your island because they told her that her treatment options had been exhausted. I thought you knew. She came here so she could come to peace with the fact that she only has a short time left on this earth."

Carlisle felt as if a dagger had pierced his heart. The beautiful creature in front of him was sickly. He knew she looked a bit frail, but he never imagined her life was slipping away from her.

"I'm speechless. I really had no idea. I'm so sorry." And he truly was.

As if she felt them talking about her, Esme opened her eyes and gasped. Carlisle was confused, wondering why she seemed surprised that he was speaking with Paul.

It wasn't until Paul ran over to her that he saw the pain in her eyes. There were two thick tears running down her face, and he could hear her tell him that she just wanted to feel well enough to enjoy the paradise that was his island.

Paul held her in his arms, and Carlisle wished it were he. There was nothing he would rather do than make her well again, and in the process make her his own. He didn't want to intrude; yet he couldn't stay away from her any longer. Jake was immediately by his side, and they made their way over to the cabana.

"If there's anything at all we can do, please let us know," he said in his soothing tone.

"Carlisle, I'm afraid we're going to need to get to a hospital. I'm not quite sure we'll be able to control her pain for much longer."

"Paul, please. I can handle this," Esme said quietly.

"Es, don't be so stubborn. You got here and were able to enjoy a nice day. Why risk it? I know that's not where you want to be, but I can't stand to see you not well."

"Do you mind going to the house and getting my pills? I put them in my green overnight bag. I dozed off and am a couple of hours late. Once I take them, I'll feel better. You'll see," she said with a firm nod.

"Let me lead the way," Jake said.

Once they were out of sight, Esme perked right up. "I love that man but sometimes he needs a bit of a push."

Carlisle looked at her quizzically. "What-"

"I mean c'mon. We're only here for a short time, he needs to take the bull by the horns and make a move already. I can't leave this world without at least hearing how incredible Jake's acrobats are." She giggle-snorted, and Carlisle was dumbfounded.

"So, you are sick, but you're not in any pain?"

"Yes, as long as I take my pills on time, I'm okay for now. Well, as okay as it's going to get anyhow. Fucking cancer."

Fucking cancer, is right, Carlisle thought to himself.

"You don't need to leave the island to get to a hospital?"

"Even if it takes all I have, there's no way I'm leaving this place yet," she looked up at him through her lashes and their gazes connected.

"So you and Paul aren't together?" He had to know for sure.

"Dear, Paul only has eyes for guys. We've been best friends for years. Ever since he saw Jake handspring to the plane, he was smitten."

Relief flooded Carlisle's body. He knew that his time with Esme would be short, but it was better than no time at all. There was so much he wanted to know about her.

After all, it was better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all. Carlisle planned on showing her just how much love he had to give during her stay on his island. He would be her hospital, the one to make her well. He was just going to have to figure out the right way to do such a thing.

"Esme, would you care to accompany me on a walk?"

"I'd love to."

Carlisle held his arm out for her, and they set out for their walk.