Bella wandered down to the cafeteria toward the kitchen in the back to take on two hours of her on-campus part time job of washing dishes.

With a study hall last period she managed to make a few extra dollars by helping with the kitchen staff. Typically she would work until the early evening though with the field trip she was only on until three when the busses left.

Again, she had daydreamed about Edward all day. The two of them hadn't had a real night alone and it made her both anxious and excited.

A clanking sound came from the pulley system that was typically used to send down dirty dishes.

Bella pressed her eyebrows together and went to knock on the small, square door. "It's almost three! No more loads!" She called put. Still the little green light to the side of the door lit up and then the next load came down from the floor above.

She waited, listening to the soft clicks as the pulley worked its way down to where she stood. When the green light went off Bella opened the door and smiled when she saw a bouquet of flowers and a home made lap leading her down into the basement.

Removing her apron and removing the elastic from her hair, Bella hurried down the stairs, following arrows Edward had drawn.

When she arrived in the basement she began to look around when candles were lit all around the area with a big black and orange banner that read: HAPPY HALLOWEEN that hung on the wall.

A smile crossed her face but she jumped when Edward came up behind her. "Surprise."

Bella chuckled and watched him place down a few wine glasses on the center table by two old couches. He then set two bottles of wine beside them.

"Do I get points or what?" He motioned to the illuminated, dark room.

Bella nodded. "You score." The two of them shared a kiss.

"You know.. we have a psychotic serial killer in the family who loved to butcher people on Halloween so I always thought it was in poor taste to.. celebrate."

Bella raised her eyebrows but looked directly at him. "So why now?"

"Well there comes a point in your life when you have to focus on what's right about it." He smiled. "And you're a sterling example of what's right. Tonight you get my full concentration."

Bella smiled wide, feeling her cheeks grow a shade darker as he kissed her again.

"I can't wait," she whispered.

Edward kissed her a few more times before towing her by the hand. "Come on.. we'll come back down later. My mom and Carlisle will be making their rounds after the busses leave so you have to be in your room."

"Where are you going to be?"

"Around." He smirked, making her laugh, and then the two of them headed back upstairs to the main level.

..x

Esme left her office as the busses began to parade out of the school. Her heart sank, noting she hadn't said the proper farewell to Edward and she went running as the last one left the parking lot.

Immediately, she wished that she hadn't let him go - that her son would be safe and sound in the confines of the school. At the same time she reminded herself why she had let him go in the first place and tried to let the feeling fade.

Esme ducked back into her office and had the urge to cry but held off. She felt her eyes glisten but told herself she was being ridiculous.

In her moment of emotion she texted Carlisle, knowing he could ease the moment for her and within a few minutes he was rounding into her office.

"Hey." He smiled. "Are you okay?"

Esme nodded but he knew it was a lie.

Carlisle pulled up a chair and sat down beside her, resting a hand over hers. "He'll be okay."

"I know." Her voice shook slightly and Carlisle rose to his feet, widening his arms and Esme immediately accepted a long hug as he rubbed her back. "All these parents send their kids here from different states. I can't part from my son for two days.. less than forty-five minutes away. Am I going to turn him into Norman Bates?"

Carlisle let out a laugh, making Esme do the same and he snickered again when she looked at him.

"I don't think so," he said, still grinning. "But I do think after this weekend you'll see that he's okay.. that you're okay.. and on Sunday night when he gets back you'll be glad you let him go."

Esme stared up at him, liking his perspective on the situation and finally felt a genuine smile spread across her face.

"This is why I need you," she told him.

Carlisle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "I think I kind of need you too."

Esme kissed him several times in a row. "We can't get caught kissing like this."

"You're right," he agreed, "But aside from security and a handful of kids we're the only ones left here." Carlisle kissed her with more enthusiasm this time and Esme wrapped her arms around him, allowing herself to get lost in the moment for just a few seconds.

When she pulled back with a deep breath and a smile she looked at Carlisle more directly. "I guess it will allow us to have some much needed alone time."

He snickered. "It's been awhile since the stars have aligned."

"It has." Esme smiled at him.

"Will I have the honor of spending the evening with you?" Carlisle asked for confirmation.

"I'd like the company."

He smirked again. "Six o'clock? Right after I make my rounds to check on the kids."

"I think I can pencil you in."

Carlisle kissed her again.

"Pack a bag," Esme added with a wider smile.

He nodded and gave her hand a squeeze. Esme pulled him back and kissed him again, sighing just after.

"Sure you're okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. Thank you."

Carlisle looked at his watch. "I'll see ya in a couple hours. Then I might have to claim you as mine for the weekend."