The Twilight Twenty-Five

thetwilight25[dot]com

Prompt: Greenhouse

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)

4. Greenhouse

Carlisle did all he could to ignore the fact that Jake was occupied. After all, his little friend needed to enjoy himself once in awhile. Carlisle wouldn't say he was unaware of his sexual preference, more like he chose not to focus on it. He had absolutely nothing against homosexuals, it was merely that he wouldn't want to think about his little friend engaging in those types of activities with men or women and especially with both.

It was rumored that Jake was sort of a freak in the sheets, but he surely was a gentleman in the streets. It was a good thing because Carlisle shuddered at the thought of his little friend being anything more than the loyal and helpful man he had come to rely on. Carlisle mused that those words would make a great song. As he silently chuckled to himself, he looked down to his hand that fit together perfectly with his beautiful Esme.

She was gazing at him, and Carlisle figured she was probably wondering why he was laughing. He flashed her a smile as they continued to walk the short distance to the place he wanted to show her. He hoped that she would be pleasantly surprised, and that she would realize how much Carlisle was enamored with her.

"Carlisle, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm the best I've been in what feels like a hundred years. Besides, isn't that what I should be asking you, darling?"

"It's just that you're chilled, and it's pretty warm out here," she said with a quizzical look.

"I've been like that for years. It's hard to explain, but I assure you, I feel great."

They continued walking hand in hand until they reached a large building full of opened windows. Upon his arrival, staff members greeted him with enthusiasm.

"I'd like you all to meet a very special friend of mine. This is Esme," he said as he squeezed her hand.

His staff nodded to her and smiled, for they had never seen their boss with a special lady friend before.

Carlisle opened the door and led her into his greenhouse. She looked around in awe and a bit of puzzlement.

"Wow, Carlisle. There sure are a lot of plants in here." She immediately shook her head at her lame sentence. "Duh, it's a freaking greenhouse. Lots of plants are like a pre-req!"

Carlisle let out a boisterous laugh. "While this greenhouse is filled with a vast amount of foliage, there's a section that I think will greatly interest you."

He ushered her through another door, which brought them into a smaller room. There was a slight man of Asian descent hovering around a microscope in the corner. He barely paid them any mind until Carlisle introduced Esme. The man's name was Eric, and he was completely enthralled in his lab work. It was then that she saw the various labels on each table.

She couldn't help but read them a loud, "Arthritis. Migraines. Cataracts. Hypertension. Fertility. Cancer." With a gasp she turned and looked at Carlisle. "What does this mean?"

"It's taken many years, and though they aren't even close to perfection, they have been beneficial to our guests. I'm not saying these plants cure these ailments, but they do seem to make them bearable while on the island."

"Oh Carlisle, this means I can enjoy myself on this trip just like a 'normal' person!"

"Esme, there's nothing 'normal' about you. In fact, you will never be 'normal'." What Esme didn't realize was that Carlisle already thought of her as much more than just 'normal'. She was extraordinary, and he was looking forward to spending as much time as possible with her.

He was confused when she took on a sad face, and even more so when he saw a giant teardrop roll down her cheek. "I know I have to face my fate but I want…I wish I could forget that I'm dying."

Realization came to Carlisle like a moth comes to a flame. "Esme, I only meant that you are so much more than 'normal'. In fact, on a one to ten, you're a certified twenty." He shook his head at the weird words that had been flowing from his mouth. Esme was going to think he was the one who was a freak. "I just meant that I'd love nothing more than to help you enjoy yourself on this trip," he voiced nervously.

"You better plan on it."

They walked out of the room, and Carlisle showed her around the rest of the greenhouse while he pointed out several different types of plants and flowers to her. When they stopped to smell the roses, Carlisle carefully clipped one off of its bush and handed it to Esme. He didn't have a chance to forewarn her, and she was pricked with a thorn.

"Oh, Esme. I'm sorry. Every rose has its thorn." He picked up her bleeding finger and brought it to his mouth with a sigh. He swirled his tongue around it and let out a low sort of growl.

She looked at him in shock, and he was afraid she would think poorly of him. "Carlisle, take me to bed before you lose me forever," she said in a breathy tone. "I know we just met, but I want to go out with a bang."

"Esme, I do believe I've been waiting my entire life for you. You're simply delectable."

She pulled her finger out of his mouth, which took a bit of effort since he was still greedily tending to her wound.

He knew he should check on the rest of his guests but first he needed to pay special attention to the one who had quickly captured his heart.

As they walked back to the main house, Carlisle had a spring in his step and found himself bobbing his head to a joyful chant of 'yeah, yeah, yeah' that had suddenly taken residence in his brain. Who knew that being smitten could make a person so songful?