Here's Chapter 3.

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Sorry for any mistakes.

Chapter 3

His arms wrapped tightly around the vampire he had fallen head over heels in love with as she sobbed softly into his chest. She apologised over and over again as he held her close, rocking slowly. He had hoped that his soothing humming was doing something to help her deal with the guilt that she was feeling.

"It was an accident," He whispered, running his fingers through her caramel hair, "just an accident. I know you didn't mean it. You've been doing so well. It was just an accident."

He continued his mantra as he held her to him, feeling tears that would never fall well up in his eyes as he listened to her sob.

"You don't need to worry, Esme. It was just an accident. That's all it was. Just an accident."

This is what they went through every time she messed up. She was so hard on herself constantly and he hated it. He tried to comfort her the best that he could, but she was frightened. He tried to assure her that he wasn't angry, but she would continue to apologise, begging for his forgiveness, promising to never do it again.

His typical mantra didn't seem to be working this time, so he tried something a little different.

"You made a mistake. That's all. I know you didn't mean it. You're okay. You're safe."

It seemed that those words made the difference he had been hoping for, and Esme glanced up at him tentatively. She was clearly wary of his reaction despite his constant reassurances.

"Accidents are expected, Esme. Even mature vampires make mistakes. I'm not angry." He could see the uncertainty in her eyes and gave her a soft smile. "Not at all. I was expecting it. Honestly, I was expecting more. You've been doing better than I could ever have hoped."

He listened to her as she fought to catch her breath. Even when her sobbing had died down, he held her in his arms.

"Esme," He began, a little worried about what she was going to say in response to his question. "Do you fear me?"

He watched her avoid his gaze for a moment.

"I haven't had the best experience with men." He nodded encouragingly when she paused, continuing his methodical combing through her hair. He could see her hesitating, and he knew that what she was building up to was something that she didn't really want to admit. "My mother said it was normal. My duty to him. His duty to me. He was to... punish me if he felt it necessary."

At those words, rage began boiling within Carlisle.

"He hurt you."

It wasn't a question. Somebody had hurt this woman. This person who wanted nothing but the best for everybody.

"Charles Evenson." Esme supplied, pushing away from Carlisle's embrace slightly and he released her. She sat up, lowering her gaze as she played with her fingers. "I-I wanted to become a teacher, but my mother said I must stay and marry. And so I did. I thought he was perfect, but I hadn't had much to go on. He would hit me if I was out of line. He would say things that he knew would hurt me. I spoke to my mother about it. She told me it was his job. I was to be a good wife and not make things difficult for him."

He watched as she closed her eyes for a moment and knew she was sifting through her thoughts. Memories were odd things for newborn vampires. If they fought hard enough to remember they could recall, but if they focussed too much those memories would never be forgotten.

He wanted to pull her into his arms. But he was worried that the action might overwhelm her.

"He went to war. And I was happy. But then he returned. I couldn't cope anymore, so I- well, that's when you found me."

Carlisle had a feeling that Esme was diluting her story a little. But he didn't mind. He knew that this must be difficult for her to talk about. He'd treated battered wives before. He hated that it was classed as normal to hurt their 'significant other'. If there was more, he'd listen when she was ready to share.

After assuring that she wasn't too lost in her memories, Carlisle wrapped her in his arms again. He had decided. He would make certain that Esme knew what love truly was. It didn't matter how long it would take. He would make sure Esme experienced love, even if it killed him to do so.

"You're safe here." He promised, going back to stroking her hair. "I will never hurt you. I give you my word."

This was a filler chapter, to give a bit more background to Esme.

Edward will be coming in the next chapter.

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