Well folks we reach the end of another story. Its been great fun. If anyone has anything they think I haven't covered please let me know and I'll either post an epilogue or a few more Chapters. Otherwise I hope to see you all reviewing my other stories. Thanks Jules
Chapter 91
Esme
When I got back Carlisle still wasn't home so I was safe from questions but there was something I had to do while I was still alone. I went into his study and picked up the phone, ringing the number eagerly and praying it would be answered.
"Hello"
"Its me. I don't have long, I think Carlisle suspects something. Did you hear what happened?"
"Yes I did, you were very lucky to get out of it alive, you must take more care darling. I couldn't bear to lose you now, we are so close to the end."
"I know we agreed not to contact each other but I needed to hear your voice. I've missed you so much. I hate being so far away from you "
"Not long now but you have to keep your head Esme. Calm down and we'll be together soon."
I heard the car pull into the driveway,
"I have to go, he's back. I love you."
"Love you too Esme".
I rushed downstairs to greet Carlisle as he came in, he looked weary and I was surprised.
"Is there something wrong darling?" I asked him as I helped him off with his coat.
Carlisle
I was so tired of all the acting, the duplicity, my whole life's work must now be carried on by Rosalie and my wife must be dealt with before she got the rest of my family killed. There was a strange light in her eyes as if she were excited about something and I knew what it was that put the sparkle in those beautiful eyes that had once looked at me like that.
"Bad time at the office" I joked as I put my arm around her slender waist and pulled her too me.
"Shall we go for a walk?"
She looked at me, it was something we had done a lot over the years, moonlight walks but they had tapered off as things had started to go wrong in the family. Perhaps the whole thing was my fault as she had said. I spent too little time at home with my family, neglecting those who needed me most. Perhaps if I had been here I would have seen what was happening so much earlier and been able to prevent at least some of it. But ifs and buts were now too late. My time was over, I had achieved some of the goals I set myself but others I would never see, I just hoped that Rose would carry on my work in secret, safe from the Volturi who hopefully would think it died with me.
We walked out along the track through the trees to our favourite spot beside the lake and sat on our log seat looking at the moon reflected in the water.
"You know don't you?"
"Yes Esme, but not why."
"I got an offer I couldn't refuse."
"Really? And what was it that I couldn't provide you with but someone else could?"
"Attention Carlisle. You were so busy with your work that you neglected us, me."
"I am so sorry Esme., Why didn't you speak to me about it? If I'd known you were unhappy I would have changed things. I thought we were happy."
"No Carlisle. You were happy and the children had each other, then Bella came into our lives and things got worse but still you never noticed."
"So are you going to tell me who you are seeing?"
"No one Carlisle. We talk about the future but we don't see each other."
"Why not?"
"Too dangerous at the moment."
Esme
He wanted to know who I was involved with but it was a secret, the only one I had left.
"You gave my work to the Volturi" he accused.
"Yes. They were very interested in it and he asked me if I would be willing to help."
"Your "companion" works for the Volturi?"
"You sound shocked Carlisle and I don't know why"
"I just assumed you were as scornful as I about their way of life, after all you've always been a vegetarian"
"Yes because I never had the opportunity to be anything else. You made me and you've governed the way I live ever since. I know you think of yourself as a kind and considerate man but in reality you are as blinkered as the Volturi. Neither side sees there could be another way, a middle way, you all see only in black and white."
"I see, and how long have you resented me this much?"
"Don't sound so sad Carlisle. You had a wonderful life with me, always thinking everything was rosy in the Cullen garden. What do we do now? My usefulness to the Volturi is over now you know."
"Oh I don't know. Wait till they find out that most of what you obtained for them was in fact useless nonsense."
I looked at him startled,
"You knew? You set me up?"
"No my love you did that to yourself. I just gave you the opportunity."
"You bastard" I slapped his face.
Carlisle
So the hell cat was prepared to fight after all.
"How long have you been unfaithful to me?"
"Only in my thoughts and I don't know to the day but a long time."
"Really, then why haven't you left me before now?"
"We had to wait for the right time. I was to have left you after Alice took Edward to Aro"
"And when is the right time going to be now?"
"Soon."
"Oh yes, I'm sure of that, but will he still want you when he finds out you've been giving them useless information all this time"
"All of it? You knew from the start? How?"
"Almost the beginning darling. I loved you with all my heart Esme and I thought you felt the same way. I would have done anything for you, given you anything your heart desired. You wanted children and I gave you the best I could, children who loved you like a mother. You wanted pretty things and I got you anything you saw, I even bought you an island to prove my love for you, so we could be together in a tropical paradise but it was always going to be next year and next year. Isle Esme has been used by everyone except the couple it was truly intended for. That's when I saw the reality behind our life together. So I decided to test you. Your affair for want of a better word has been going on for more than thirty years and how do I know? Because my darling wife, your phone lover was me. So you see the person for whose love you betrayed me, was...Me!""
She gasped and stood up at that revelation.
"So what happened to your notes?"
"Oh they went to the Volturi. That was not of my doing although I soon realised what was happening.
"I don't understand, Aro? Felix? All the subterfuge?"
"My dearest Esme, you caused it all with your actions. I didn't know Alice was working for Aro but I think you did and I think you went along with her because you were jealous of my relationship with Edward. Aro and I have been great friends for centuries but that doesn't mean I trust him any more than he trusts me, we just respect each other. How he heard about my research I don't know but he found you a willing accomplice. What he doesn't know and never will is that my research was real and Rose will carry it on in my place. You have destroyed me but only because I allowed you to. I love you with all my heart but I can no longer live a lie for decade after decade. By doing what I am about to do I am saving the others from more grief at your spite filled lips"
Saying this I took her in my arms very tightly and squeezing the accelerant from my pocket I flicked the wheel on my lighter and kissed her as the flames started to flicker around our embrace.