Chapter 42

Carlisle and Esme boarded the plane, and Esme had been quieter than normal. As the plane took off, Carlisle stroked her hand gently, "I think we're safe to check our phones now," he told her, hoping to cheer her up, "Masen's videos."

The thought seemed to give her face some light, "Oh yeah." She removed her phone from her pocket and the two of them watched their son's video together.

"Hey Mom. Hey Dad," he said waving, "Hope you're having fun. We're going to have a lot of fun here. Watch!" Masen backed away from the phone and some whispering from the other boys could be heard before he did his now infamous backflip for the camera. Carlisle and Esme looked at each other and laughed. Masen came back with his face close to the camera, though only half of his face fit because half of Jasper's face took up the other side of the camera, " Have fun in the sun," they said at the same time.

Alice could be heard whispering a little louder and Masen's eyes looked up toward her for a minute before he looked back into the camera, "Love you! See ya soon." He gave a quick peace sign, which they were sure he learned from Emmett.

Esme laughed and smiled. Carlisle squeezed her hand, "See. He's fine. We're fine."

She nodded, "Check yours."

Carlisle pulled his phone out and the same video began to play. The two of them watched it again anyway. The empty feeling in Esme's stomach still lingered, but faded a little because she knew Masen would have a ball with the rest of the family while they were away. From what she remembered, a part of him seemed a little excited to be spending all of his time with his 'big brothers.' She began to relax and focused on all the good things were sure to come in the week ahead of them. It had been so long since she had spent time truly alone with Carlisle, and the thought gave her the same nervous butterflies she got all the time in the beginning of their relationship. Not that she cared for him any less, but she wasn't really nervous anymore - until just now.

"You okay?" Carlisle asked with a smile.

Esme smiled, "Yeah." She stared at him for an extra second and he winked before kissing her temple.

"I can't wait to get in the sun," he told her, "That's the one thing I miss."

She nodded in agreement, "Yeah, me too."

They patiently rode out the rest of the ride, both eager to get to their destination. When the plane finally landed, Carlisle quickly made his way to the boat and threw all of their bags down before helping Esme in. He checked his phone, and the time read 7:10 pm. The sun was out, but high shadows were cast over the town as it was getting ready to set, "Let's try to get out there before the sun goes down so we can enjoy it a little."

Esme pulled him to her and kissed him, "Let's go."

Carlisle pulled the boat into the open ocean before getting it going at full speed. Both of them enjoyed the rushing wind that blew their hair back. The sun was out in full by the time they reached the middle of the ocean. No shadows were around to block it. Carlisle turned and smiled at his literally glowing wife. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him and put her chin on his shoulder, staring at the ocean before them that lead to the island.

Though the boat ride was far more enjoyable than the plane, it seemed like forever until the piece of land came into view. Esme enjoyed what remained of the boat ride and Carlisle quickly docked the boat, hoping to catch the last rays of sun as they began to turn in for the night. It had taken them a little longer to get there than he had remembered, but the ride was both peaceful and exciting at the same time.

Esme reached for a few bags as the two of them carried everything to the house. She looked around, "We should really come here more often," she laughed.

He nodded, "It's been awhile."

"A long while," she smiled.

He smiled back and the two of them got everything settled. By the time they were done, the sun had all but gone away.

"Well, we've got over a week," Esme told Carlisle, knowing he wanted the opportunity to just be out and about without having to worry about someone noticing their sparkling skin.

He nodded and put an arm around her, glancing over the beautiful landscape, "I can't complain."

They took the time to get to know the place again, not that they had forgotten, but they glanced around each room with memories popping into both of their minds. Carlisle tapped the headboard of their bed, "Here's one thing that's different."

Esme laughed, "I guess that's alright. Poor Bella, she was teased for weeks after everything calmed down with Renesme and she ended up being okay."

He smiled and looked outside into the dark, "Care for a swim?"

She nodded, "I know I unpacked a swim suit when we went through the bags before. And I saw your trunks too. I think Alice packed the bright yellow ones with the blue pattern."

Carlisle made a face, "I'd rather just the plain blue ones."

Esme laughed and found the trunks before throwing them at him. He was ready well before her and made his way out to the water. She soon joined him and felt overly relaxed once she went under the water and came up again.

"Nice, isn't it?" Carlisle asked, slicking his hair back with his hand.

She looked around them, "It's beautiful."

"We're definitely coming here more often," he told her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, bringing back memories of their bubble bath a little while ago. He put his arms loosely around her waist. "Happy we came?"

Esme nodded, "Yes. Very."

"Good." Carlisle kissed her forehead and then her nose and hugged her close.

She felt so safe in his arms and enjoyed just wading in the water so close to him. The nervous feelings in her stomach that she felt on the plane returned. "This just brings back so many memories," she told him.

"I know," he agreed, placing a hand on the side of her face, "Time to make some more."

Esme's phone went off from in the house and both of them looked in that direction, then to each other before running into the house. Carlisle threw her a towel so she could at least dry off her hand before answering so the phone wouldn't be damanged.

"It's Bella's phone," she told him before answering, "Hello."

"Hey," Bella's voice rang, "Someone wants to say hello." There was a shuffling noise before Masen's voice came over the line, "Mom?"

Esme's face lit up, "Hi honey."

"You guys there?"

She nodded and smiled at Carlisle, who had put his ear closer to the phone, "Yeah, we're here. Thank you so much for the video. We did what you said and waited until we got on the plane."

"Glad you liked it."

"We loved it."

"Me and Emmett are going to send you a new one every day."

The pit in her stomach returned, "Okay. I miss you already."

"I miss you too. I love you."

"I love you too, so so much."

Carlisle motioned for her to hand him the phone, "Masen."

"Hey Dad."

"Keeping Emmett out of trouble?"

He laughed, "Yeah. Well, kind of."

"We miss you."

"I miss you guys too." Carlisle could tell in his voice that he missed them very much.

"When I get back, I want you to be able to out hunt the rest of the guys," he said, trying to cheer him up, "Better than Emmett, Jasper and Edward."

"And you?" A little laugh came over the line.

Carlisle smiled wide, "Maybe."

"Well, have fun. I'll be practicing."

"Okay buddy. I love you."

"I love you too Dad," he paused, "Emmett said we'll hold down the fort here until you get back."

"Try not to burn it down," Carlisle laughed.

"See you soon."

"See you real soon."

"Bye bye. Love you."

"Love you."

The line went dead and Carlisle and Esme looked at each other, knowing what the other was thinking.

"I miss him," Esme said. Her mood had totally changed.

Carlisle nodded, "I know. So do I." He hugged her and rubbed her back with one hand.

He thought of ways to make her feel better, and made his way to a stereo, finding a nice song to slow dance too. He held out his hand and Esme smiled, joining him just outside of their bedroom by the ocean.

"I know we're not dressed very formally," he said looking down at their attire, "But I think a slow dance would be nice."

She took his hand and began to feel relaxed again as he swayed them back and forth, pulling her close. His eyes provided a sense of comfort, much like his gentle embrace before in the ocean.

"He'll be there when we get home," Carlisle told her, reassuringly. He looked her in the eyes so she could feel the honesty in his words.

"I know," she said, "Just hearing his voice got to me a little," she looked down and then back up at him, "But I'm so happy to be here with you."

"Me too."

The melody guided them on the empty island and both of them were finally lost in the moment.