To all who have been reading this story, thank you so much. Initially, this chapter was going to be longer, but I figured I would give you all something to read while I work on what comes next.

Anyway, here is the chapter. I hope you are all doing well.

CHAPTER 25

ANTICIPATION

Their predawn hunt was going to be quick and easy.

Running at full speed, Carlisle trailed after Rosalie as she sprang over uneven terrain, her hair fluttering as her feet approached then landed on the ground. Given how long it had been since they had last hunted together, Carlisle had been rather surprised when she had offered to join him.

Their sights set on an Olympic elk, the two circumvented then overtook the animal. As the agile bull jumped over a log, Rosalie ambushed it by clamping her arms around its body. The animal struggled. Her boots skidded to a stop. As she maintained her bone-crushing grip, Carlisle reached for the antlers, twisting and breaking its neck in one swift motion.

Energized by the hunt, they took turns feeding. When the elk was drained, Carlisle rose, while Rosalie sat back on her haunches and wiped her mouth.

"I needed that," she sighed at length, and gained her feet as well.

As the rush of the feed receded, calm descended upon them. With her back to him, Rosalie merely stood there, her eyes sweeping over the forested valley beyond the trees.

Perhaps now he would learn why she had chosen to join him. After all, Rosalie had barely spoken to him since she had learned about his relationship with Isabella.

Sensing she was about to speak, Carlisle watched his sister and waited.

"I gather you're still planning on seeing the chief's daughter?" And there it was. Surprisingly enough, there was no bite in her words, only resignation.

"I am," he answered truthfully. "I'm driving up to Seattle this afternoon."

"You're aware this can't end well."

A pained crease marred his brow. "Rose—"

"Look, I'm not some evil witch who doesn't want you to be happy. Believe it or not, I care. But let's be real here. Where do you see this going? Because, from my viewpoint, there are a limited number of ways this can end, and none of them are good."

Her words twisted his dead heart.

"I don't think you're an evil witch," he began. "And I know you care." Pondering how best to answer her query, Carlisle came to stand beside her left shoulder. As the two gazed at the night-clad valley below, he said, "Bella and I are taking things one day at a time. We're figuring it out as we go."

Rosalie looked to him now. In lieu of anger, her eyes held nothing but sorrow. "Let's say you guys get really serious. What happens when it's time for us to move on? She has friends, family. She has a life."

Another blow. She was telling the truth, though.

At his silence, she went on. "What happens when she continues to age? As a doctor, you know better than anyone. Human's die."

Despair slammed into him. Of course, he had pondered those things.

"If your relationship progresses and deepens," Rosalie continued, "you'll be tempted to change her. I know it. But you saw what that did to me and Edward. How it nearly destroyed us. Could you do it? Could you condemn her to this kind of life?"

"Nobody's talking about changing anyone, Rose." At least not at this juncture. He had thought about it, though. In his secret thoughts, Carlisle wished to have Bella for all time. But she was human, and humans didn't usually fall in love in the same desperate way vampires did. For most people, the process was more gradual—from curiosity, to infatuation, and then love. That's how it usually went anyway. Even if Bella had said she was falling for him, the relationship was incredibly new. For that reason, Carlisle wouldn't freak her out by broaching the future just yet.

"We don't always choose who we fall in love with," he told his sister in a quiet voice. "Sometimes, it happens whether we will it or not. What if our places were reversed? What if you fell in love with a human? Until you live it, you can't know."

What Rosalie made of his words, Carlisle had no idea.

Glancing at the dead elk, she only said, "We should bury the carcass. I have to get home."

Rosalie's words stayed with him all throughout that morning. But when two o'clock came around, Carlisle set them aside so he could focus on his upcoming evening with Isabella.

Dressed in black slacks, a white button-down shirt, and an Aegean blue V-neck sweater, he swung by the kitchen to fetch something he had bought the day before.

"What's with the cat treats?" Rosalie asked from the kitchen island, where she had been reading a car magazine.

"Her cat is terrified of me. I figure this might help."

Her brows rose toward her hairline, her response being, "Good luck with that."

Despite the sarcasm in her tone, he thanked her nonetheless. From there, Carlisle grabbed his jacket, wallet, and keys, then made for the garage. Nervous excitement whirled within him. In a few short hours, he was going to see Isabella again.

Minutes later, he was speeding down the highway, the radio set to an oldies station.

My love must be a kind of blind love, the song played. It was an old favorite of his. I Only Have Eyes For You by The Flamingos.

I can't see anyone but you.

As Carlisle enjoyed the drive, he stared at the winding road and sank further into the lyrics.

Are the stars out tonight?

I don't know if it's cloudy or bright.

I only have eyes for you, dear.

The song matched his mindset to a tee, for he failed to notice the police cruiser until it was too late. Red and blue lights flashed, then the siren sounded. In the oncoming lane, the cruiser did a U-turn as soon as they had crossed paths.

"Shit."

He was being pulled over. As if that wasn't bad enough, the cop in question was none other than Charlie Swan.

Once he had turned down the radio and stopped by the side of the road, Carlisle rolled his window down before fetching his license and registration.

"Hey there, doc," Charlie said as he neared the Mercedes. "Driving kinda fast today. You were going fifteen over the speed limit."

"I'm sorry, chief. I was distracted." Before Charlie could ask, Carlisle gave him his license and registration.

As the police chief looked them over, he pursed his lips, and asked, "Where are you heading off to?"

Since the hospital was in the opposite direction, Carlisle couldn't claim it was a medical emergency. But as much as he liked and respected Charlie, he couldn't tell the truth either—that he was on his way to see Bella, and in all likelihood spend the night with her.

Searching his mind for what to say, he settled on, "Since it's not raining for once, I just thought I'd take a drive. Enjoy the scenery."

Charlie would find out eventually—Bella had said that she wanted to ease him into it, perhaps over the holidays—but now definitely wasn't the time.

Charlie said, "Because you're a good guy, and you saved my daughter's life, I'll cut you some slack this time. But slow down, okay? We don't need another accident on these roads." He handed his license and registration back to him.

"Yes, sir. And thank you."

"Don't mention it." His jacket swishing with his movements, the police chief straightened. "Well, I suppose I should continue my patrol."

Now he pointed toward Carlisle. With feigned seriousness, he added, "Remember what I said."

Carlisle smiled and gave a nod. "I will."

"Sooo…" Audrey nudged Bella's arm as the two were exiting their office building. Friday had arrived, and their work day was finally over. "Is Dr. Hot Stuff still coming to see you tonight?"

"Audrey," Bella replied on a laugh, shaking her head. "He's got a name, you know."

"I know. But you gotta admit, your guy's hot."

She couldn't really argue with that. Carlisle was hot, and then some. As a delightful shiver traversed her skin—courtesy of the scorching memories that were now playing in her mind—Bella had to relent. "He is."

Audrey adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. "One of these days, we have to do something all four of us together."

"We will. Soon."

"I get it, though." Her friend was smirking, aware of how Carlisle and Bella's last "date" had ended. "If I was you, I'd probably want to keep him to myself for a little while longer. So, is he taking you out to dinner or are you staying in?"

"I was thinking of cooking." It wasn't exactly a lie. Bella intended on cooking, but only for her, and she planned to eat before Carlisle arrived.

"What are you going to make?"

"Um, I haven't decided yet."

"You're going to call me tomorrow, right?" Audrey asked as they crossed the parking lot and neared their cars. "I want all the juicy details."

Bella smiled and refrained from rolling her eyes. "Talk to you tomorrow, Audrey."

Instead of cooking, Bella settled on making a quick sandwich. No sooner had she eaten than she hopped into the shower, where her musings quickly took over.

Carlisle, she thought on a lazy smile. After nearly a week apart, he was finally coming over.

Her skin tingled beneath the spray, her eyes closing as she tipped her head back, and smoothed her wet hair.

Their relationship was incredibly new, it was true. But it wasn't just sex to her. She enjoyed his quiet company, and felt a genuine connection to him. Even so, as Bella drifted, the memory of his hands on her skin tormented and beguiled her. Her teeth clamping on her lower lip, she couldn't wait until Carlisle touched her again.

As a delightful ache settled between her legs, Bella decided to shift her focus. It was nearing six o'clock and he would be here soon. She needed to get ready.

A little while later, after Bella had dried and styled her hair, she was standing by the foot of her bed, hesitating between two sweaters, when a meow netted her attention. Turning, she saw that Lollipop was in the doorway. As the feline calmly strode in, her fluffy paws carrying her closer, Bella had to wonder if the elderly cat would ever warm up to him.

"Carlisle is a decent guy, you know. You don't have to be scared of him. He would never hurt you."

Lollipop slowed to a stop, and stared.

The buzzer sounded just then, jolting Bella to alertness. "Crap." He was here.

Picking a sweater at random, she hastily slipped it over her head, then zipped her jeans. Hurried footsteps carried her across the apartment. Her heart was racing a mile a minute when she pressed the intercom. "Carlisle?"

"It's me," he said, his tone pleasant and beautiful.

"Come on up."

With a final glance at her apartment, Bella judged it was presentable enough.

Moments later, his knock resonated through the entryway. Swallowing her nervousness, she made for the door, and answered.

"Hi," she breathed and smiled.

Returning the warm expression, Carlisle said, "Hello, Isabella."

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