Chapter 39
Renesme and Masen were getting older. It was the middle of March and over the past several days the temperatures had been in the high sixties, though a snowfall later in the week was expected.
Masen was talking in full sentences, and appeared to be maybe six or seven and Renesme looked about thirteen or fourteen. To watch them both grow so rapidly was mesmerizing, even for the Cullens, who had seen nearly everything in all of their years.
"Come on Mase," Emmett urged, you got it. He counted to three and guided Masen along to complete a back flip. "Yeah! You got it!"
Masen laughed, "One more time."
"Emmett, what are you teaching him?" Carlisle asked, joining the two of them outside in the back yard.
"Watch."
"Yeah Dad watch," Masen said with a smile.
Carlisle stood back as Emmett counted out again and Masen did another back flip.
He smiled at his son's enthusiasm and big eyes, waiting for his approval, "That's great, kiddo," he brushed a hand through his son's blond hair, then looked at Emmett, "Make sure there's no one around when you're teaching him that. If anyone ever saw him do a back flip they'd think he was Superman or something."
"He is Superman," Emmett laughed, "And don't worry, no one's around."
"Hey Dad," Masen said, "Can we hunt. Can I hunt?"
Carlisle looked over at Emmett, then back to Masen, "You want to try doing it yourself?"
He nodded.
Carlisle thought about it for a second, then nodded. "I'll take you right now."
Emmett smiled, "You going to ask Esme?"
He shrugged, "We'll see how it goes. I'll run it by her later."
"Good luck, little man, " Emmett said.
"You want to come?" Carlisle asked.
Emmett shook his head, "This is a good first father and son moment. You two go."
Masen stared up at Carlisle with a sudden nervous look, "Is it hard?"
Carlisle smiled and threw him on his back, "You'll get it. I think you'll be fine."
The two of them went deep into the woods to where Carlisle tracked down the feeding spot of a few deer.
"What you want to do," he whispered, "Is the same kind of thing as Emmett and you were just doing with the back flip."
Masen nodded and looked up waiting for him to continue. The thirst for the deer began to make him uncomfortable, and Carlisle saw his eyes beginning to really blacken and he touched his throat.
"Be patient. We're close. Count to three in your head and then use your speed to jump on top of it."
Masen shut his eyes for a second, then focused in on the deer. His primal instincts had just taken over, and without warning, he sprung from his crouch and took down one of the deer in front of them, sinking his teeth and getting the blood he needed. The remaining deer scattered, and Carlisle stood over his son, who devoured his prey. Carlisle bent down to speak to him, but a low growl escaped his throat and he continued to feed.
When he was finished, Masen looked up at his father and down at the deer. Carlisle smiled.
"Sorry," Masen said, "I didn't mean to make that noise."
Carlisle picked up his son and laughed, "It's okay."
"Did I do good?"
They both looked down at the deer, "I'd say you did great," he looked at his son's expression, "Are you alright?"
Masen nodded and grabbed his throat, "I feel all better."
Carlisle hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead, "Do you want to go back home?"
He nodded, "Can I have a piggy back ride?"
Carlisle threw him on his back and raced home.
When the two of them walked in, Emmett, Jasper and Edward were eager to hear about his first experience hunting. Esme sat in a chair across the room, and Carlisle wasn't sure what to make of her expression.
"She's a little mad," Edward whispered with a low laugh.
Carlisle looked over at his wife and made his way to her. "Esme, what's wrong?"
"I thought you were going to talk to me before he went hunting on his own."
Emmett laughed, and the boys all looked in their direction.
"Come upstairs," Esme ordered. Carlisle followed her and they stood across from each other in their room.
"I'm sorry," he said, "He just asked and it was just the two of us, so I took him."
"I was just worried he would be weirded out, or freaked out about killing something," she told him, "He's so young still."
Carlisle nodded, "I know. I know. He just seemed like he was ready for it."
She let out an aggrivated sigh. It was very rare that they argued, or disagreed. He immediately felt guilty, and from their previous talks, he knew that he should have ran it by her. He moved across the room and put a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry for not talking with you before I took him."
Esme looked into his honest eyes and looked down, feeling a little bad for being mad at him, "It's fine. I'm sure I would have done the same thing if he asked."
"No, you would have done the right thing and talked to me first. I'm sorry. I should have done the same. It's what we agreed to."
She could tell he felt really bad and she put her arms out to hug him, "It's okay," her voice softened, "So, how did it go?"
Carlisle kissed her forehead, then answered, "Really well, actually."
"Yeah?"
"First try."
"What did he think about actually getting it himself?"
"It didn't seem to phase him. I think the thirst just took over and he did what he had to."
Esme looked into his eyes, "I guess it's what we're built to do."
He nodded, "I think he's fine."
She nodded back and Carlisle tilted her chin up so her mouth we even with his, "Still mad?"
Esme smiled, "Well, you're making it a little hard to be."
He kissed her, "Good. I don't like when you're not happy."
"I'm happy," she said hugging him again, "Just fill me in next time."
"I promise."
They heard Masen getting cheered on about his first hunt by the boys downstairs. They were high fiving him and making him feel great about himself. Jasper altered his mood so he felt overly excited, like a kid on Christmas. They heard Masen explaining a few of the details.
Carlisle laughed and looked at Esme, "What would humans do if they ever heard our conversations in this house?"
She smiled and shook her head, "Let's go downstairs. I want to hear all about it from him."