Chapter 2: Time for a change?

Things were tricky in the Cullen family. Everyone was happy that Edward had this rapid change of character ever since he met Bella. It gave the family a new kind of peace, but it also seemed to create new thinking paths for a few family members and Carlisle wasn't sure if he considered himself affected by it or not. Obviously Rosalie and Esme were victims of those new feelings. Carlisle knew that Esme loved each of their Children as if they were her own. She let no doubts to anyone outside of the family that those young adults are her babies, no matter how old they seem or really are. But he also felt that over all those decades it didn't quite replace the wish of truly raising a child. The children, while they behaved as such, were all old enough to be independent and live on their own if they decide so. And deep down they knew it, even though they all preferred the family life they had.

Now with young Bella around, Esme had the chance to cook for her, make sure she did her homework, which was just pointless when your kids already graduated school several times, and care for someone. But even Bella had her own family, Charlie, and she was nearly 18. Old enough to care for herself as well. It made his wife happy and sad at the same time to see her grow into this young, wonderful woman, that made her son so happy. But Carlisle had no idea what to do, to help his beloved Esme.

Rosalie was an extreme different kind of issue. While Esme hang in-between Happy and sad, Rosalie simply was devastated by the new course of actions. Not only did she disapprove of the relationship her brother chose for many reasons, it also ripped wounds open, that she long had buried. Esme's way to take care of the human girl made her wish to do that for someone as well. It reminded her that she never will be able to see a child of her own grow up and have the chance to care for. She hated all of it and she made sure everyone took note of her disagreement. It hurt Carlisle as a father and as the one who was partly to blame for this fate, to see his little girl in so much pain. But he couldn't take away one childs happiness for another. They had to find a way to deal with it.

Unfortunately now wasn't the time for him, to fix all those issues. Because besides all the problems laying ahead, he had something that excited him throughoutly. He always somehow knew that if he was real, if vampires were real and if shapeshifter were real, then witches and goblins and all the fancy things could be real as well, but seeing it, was a whole new story. Weeks ago he received a letter from a hospital in London. St. Mungo's. At first he didn't know what to make out of it, he never heard about it and that usually means it has no or a bad reputation. But oh boy was he wrong. The letter explained the nature of the institution, and how they were interested in his story and career as only known vampiric doctor. How they knew about him was beyond him and he was hesitating to accept their invitation for a tour, but he didn't regret it the slightest. He went there for a short visit a few weeks ago and was simply stunned by the huge impact this discovery had on his world view. He thought the secret society of vampires among humans was nearly impossible to believe but the wizarding world put a whole new level to it. He learned about this whole secret society system they maintain since decades among the human world, unseen and unnoticed. It was amazing. How much his people could learn from it, if they weren't so headstrong about their position in the world. He also learned that a lot of his people knew about the wizards all along, and some even live in this other world as he started to call it secretly. Of course those magicians knew all about their world, how wouldn't they? As organized as they were. The older Lady that showed him around the hospital and introduced him to the staff, explained a lot about how the world is kept secret from humans. They were sincerely interested in his story and met him with respect and awe, something he did not expect to be fair. They also explained that they were interest in his work, to help them with research work related to vampire-venom. He found the topic quite intriguing and agreed on a longer visit in the future to work with them. As soon as he got back home he had to tell his family and he didn't stop reading about the wizarding world. He wanted to know everything. Now his suitcase was packed, thanks to Alice, his ticket to London was safely in his Jacket-pocket and he was ready to leave for 3 weeks. He only hoped that his family would be ready for his absence as well. It bothered him to leave them in this state, but he had to trust that they could handle this problem until he would return.

"Do you have everything you need, Darlin?"
Esme asked amused as he stood at the door, that led to the garage. Emmett carried his things to the Car and would drop him off at the Airport. Carlisle smiled lovingly and put an arm around his wife's waist.

"Do YOU have everything you need, while I'm gone?"
he asked with a hint of true worry in his voice. Playfully she slapped his chest.

"Of course, we will be fine. Please don't worry all to much. We want you to enjoy your trip, so you can tell us all the exciting stories when you are back and maybe finally show us this fairy wonderland you are speaking of all the time."
She kissed him tenderly to say her goodbye.

"And don't forget to bring me some input on their fashion ways, as you promised!" Alice reminded him in a strict tone as she walked over to wish him her goodbye too.

He had a few words with each family member before he finally left and focused on his new Project.

AN: So the first two chapters were rather an intro than part of the actual story, but I hope you enjoyed them anyway.