Here's the second chapter. Thank you for your feedback, and thank you for reading.

Sorry for any mistakes.

Chapter 2

He apologised profusely. His lips close to her ear, whispering words of comfort as he held her hand. He could only hope that he was helping her in some way as she bucked and fought and screamed as the agonising burning sensation he knew all too well raged through her body. He brushed her hair from her face, speaking in soft tones, not even sure if she would be able to hear him.

But he wouldn't stop. Not until it was over. Not until the pain had gone away.

She lay on the bed that he never used. He sat beside her, hovering near her head. He listened to her heart as it continued its beating, pumping the venom through her bloodstream as it made change after change inside her body. And he hated himself for the pain that he was putting her through.

But he couldn't lose her. As selfish as it may seem.

He stopped his speaking as he heard her heartbeat speed up, beating too fast as it tried to fight the venom overtaking it.

And then it stopped.

And Carlisle held his breath, waiting and waiting until...

He raised his hands in surrender as the woman flitted across the room, a violent hiss escaping her as she did so. He breathed in a soft sigh of relief. It had worked.

Now he could only hope that she didn't resent him for his decision. And he had to figure out just how the conversation that they needed to have was going to take place.

How did you tell your soul mate that you had turned her into the undead because you couldn't stand to see her leave you?

"Dr. Cullen?"

Immediately he nodded. Then he shook his head a little.

"Carlisle." He corrected, slowly lowering himself onto his knees, showing the new vampire that he wasn't a threat to her. He wasn't going to harm her. She needed to know that, or Carlisle could find himself in an awful amount of trouble. "How do you feel?"

He watched as her hand travelled up to her throat, a mild panic in her eyes as it did so.

"It burns."

"I know. I'm sorry." He said sadly, hating to have put her through this. "It's an easy fix. But it's going to be a recurrent issue until you adjust to it. There's something you need to know, and it's going to be difficult for you to believe, so I need you to be open minded, okay? I couldn't see you go, Esme. And I made you like me."

He watched her closely as he spoke, watching her defensive stance as she waited for him to continue.

"You're a vampire, Esme." He continued, hoping against all hope that she'd take the news well. "I couldn't let you die. I am so sorry. That pain you feel, that's your thirst. Hunting will help. It comes naturally, but you may need a little help at first. Esme, how do you feel?" He repeated.

"You turned me into a creature of the night so that you would never have to leave me?"

Carlisle nodded, bowing his head, surrendering as he waited for the explosion.

But the explosion didn't come.

"That is so sweet."

Carlisle's grimace transformed into a wide smile as he lifted his head to look up at the woman before him. She was smiling from ear to ear, her red eyes alight.

"I never forgot you." Esme continued, making her way over to him as he rose slowly from his kneeling position. "I remember that day at the hospital like it was yesterday. Except... it's a little fuzzy now." That was to be expected. But as long as she focused on it, and remembered it as often as she could, he knew she would never be able to forget it in the future. "I hated to find out that you had left. But you're here now. And you're going to be here forever?"

"Just like you." Carlisle had to fight the urge to embrace this newly transformed vampire. "I don't expect you to stay with me. You may do as you please. But I would like to help you adjust to this life. And I hope that, should you chose to move on, you'll come back and visit me. I-,"

"I'm not going anywhere." Esme interrupted, wincing a little as she did so. The action made Carlisle think, but his thoughts were interrupted by her next words. "I'd like to stay with you, if I may."

"Of course." Carlisle beamed. "I'd been hoping you'd choose to. Now," He saw her wince slightly again, somehow differently this time, and continued his thought, "I think it would be best if you and I went to find something to eat. I'm a little different to the vampires you're used to hearing about. I don't feed from humans. I survive only on the blood of animals, and I intend to teach you the same thing."

Leading Esme out of the darkened house, he watched as she took everything in with her new eyes. He knew what she was seeing. He knew that everything she was used to was now so much more beautiful, colours and smells more impressive now she was able to detect them.

He took her to his usual hunting grounds and taught her the basics of how to kill without the animal suffering too much. This was something he figured Esme would like. She didn't seem like the type of person who liked causing pain.

He was happy to find that Esme wasn't upset with him in the slightest for changing her. In fact, she seemed grateful to find that somebody had cared for her enough to prevent her death.

Settled together on the sofa in Carlisle's house - their house - and satisfied from their hunt, Carlisle and Esme spoke in soft tones about any subject they could think of, watching the night pass through the windows. Just enjoying one another's company.

Thank you for reading.

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