Here's Chapter 4.

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Sorry for any mistakes.

Chapter 4

She seemed happier. Carlisle noted the change with a soft smile as Esme sat on the sofa with a book in her hand. Carlisle had been going over some work at his desk when the thought had occurred to him. He had been true to his word. He had made certain that Esme knew what it was to be loved. He had done everything in his power to replace the image of Charles Evenson and give Esme a new perception of men.

Esme had even worked up enough courage to ask for Carlisle's permission to take his surname. He had readily agreed. And she had been growing in confidence. Much to Carlisle's joy she had become happy to ask things of him, and argue things she didn't agree. However, issues were resolved in a civil manner and Carlisle always assured she was okay afterwards.

Esme was a newborn and, as such, her emotions were all over the place sometimes. Still, they never stayed angry at one another for long. He couldn't stand to see her hurting.

He toyed with his pen for a moment as he thought. He wasn't sure, at all, how she was going to react to the new information he was about to give her.

"Esme," She pulled her attention from her book immediately. Their eyes met and she marked her place in the book and placed it on the table beside her. "I have something to ask you." At her encouraging nod, he took a deep breath and continued. "Would you like to meet my son?"

"Your... son?" She squeaked at him and he nodded.

"He's adopted. I changed him, just like I changed you. He's frozen at 17 years of age. And I know he's been looking forward to finally being introduced to you."

"What's his name?"

"Edward." Carlisle supplied, rising from his seat and crossing the room. He gently took Esme's hands as she mouthed his son's name.

Her brow furrowed then; "Where has he been?"

Esme had been living at Carlisle's house for a while. He knew that she was aware that Edward had never been there.

With a soft smile, Carlisle said; "I've another property not too far from here. Edward has been staying there."

"On his own?" She squeaked again and Carlisle had to laugh. She sounded very much the concerned mother.

"I've visited him everyday to make sure he's okay. Edward is independent, and I think the space gives him a sense of responsibility. But he knows that he's welcome to come home if he ever feels uncomfortable alone. Would you like to meet him?"

At her nod, Carlisle promised he'd be back shortly and set off to find his son.

The boy had been very happy to learn that Esme wanted to meet him. Carlisle could only hope that their relationship would be as happy as he wanted it to be. He knew that Edward missed his mother, and he worried that he might act out if he believed Esme was trying to replace her.

Double checking that Edward was comfortable with what was happening, he took him to Esme, introducing them.

"Edward." He watched as his son shook her hand lightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you."

Sitting together in the front room, the trio spend the next few hours talking, Edward and Esme using the time to get to know one another. The pair were very comfortable with one another and Carlisle couldn't be happier. Everything was going well until Edward accidentally answered an unspoken question. When the silence fell over them, confused and uncomfortable, Carlisle saw the panic in Edward's eyes as he realised his mistake, looking to him for assistance.

"Edward is gifted." Carlisle explained easily. "He has the ability to read minds."

At the slight panic he saw on her face, he was quick to reassure her.

"He understands and respects privacy. What he hears or sees stays between him and the other person. You've nothing to worry about. Sometimes he gets a little confused, particularly in group situations when he can't look at everybody at once."

He watched as Esme nodded along with his words and placed a reassuring hand on Esme's back. He knew that the last thing Edward wanted to do was accidentally scare Esme away.

"I'm sorry."

Carlisle waved away Edward's apology and was happy to see Esme do the same.

"He's still getting used to his gift." Carlisle continued to explain. "It's as strange for us as it is for him, I'm sure."

The conversation continued smoothly from there. Edward was careful to not accidentally answer any more thoughts, and Carlisle saw that the relationship between Esme and Edward was growing fast. Which was why, Carlisle was sure, Esme was so upset when Edward announced that he would soon be heading back to the other house.

After ensuring that both Esme and Edward were happy, it was decided that Edward would be staying with him.

Esme had grown attached to him and did not want him to leave.

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