Stars
"Good friends are like stars: you don't always see them, but they're always there" I feel Carlisle and Esme don't get enough attention, but through the whole Twilight saga they've always been there, offering love and support and taking risks for Edward and Bella. They deserve a little recognition, so this is what this story offers...hope you like it! Disclaimer: all this belongs to the brilliant Stephanie Meyer, i just do my best to interpret thoughts and emotions and fill in the gaps
________________________________________________________________________
Chapter One: The New Girl
Carlisle: It was a quiet day at the hospital. A broken wrist, an ankle sprain…nothing much out of the ordinary. That is, until Edward called in.
“Edward?” I wondered aloud; Edward hardly ever called me at work, let alone came into the building, and never in the middle of the school day. Unless…oh, no. I pulled him into my office.
“I have to go, Carlisle,” Edward started. “I have to go now.”
“What’s happened?” I asked, trying not to let the worry show up in my voice. We had been so careful, for so long…Edward had never slipped up: not while he was staying with me.
"Nothing. Yet,” he said, glancing around anxiously. “But it will, if I stay.” Oh, Edward. I knew you were strong enough…Scolding myself for my doubt, I reached for his arm, still unsure of what to say. He cringed away from my hand, and I let it drop. Though Edward and I shared no physical traits other than those our condition and diet allowed, I had begun to draw various similarities between us. Particularly, we shared guilty consciences: we could not accept forgiveness when we were not ready to forgive ourselves. But he hadn’t done anything, so what was to forgive?
“I don’t understand,” I said. Please, Edward…stay. He drew a deep breath and looked at me with wild, almost panicked eyes.
“Have you ever…has there ever been a time…” he experimented with the words on his tongue, but they were coming out wrong. “Has any one person ever smelled better to you than the rest of them? Much better?”
“Oh,” was all I could say. I recalled Esme all those years ago, lying so still; so fragile. Her scent was so sweet and so strong that it nearly killed me to let her live. I shiver ran down my spine when I remembered what I had done to her…how she shuddered and convulsed under me as my venom coursed through her. How she moaned in pain, how she tried with dying limbs to push me away. My dear Esme, too weak to even scream as I allowed the thirst to drive me to bite again. In an early 20th century cottage bedroom, the sweetest blood in the world ran down my throat, and standing in my doctors’ office nearly a century later, I tasted it again. His face fell with shame.
I reached out for him, wishing to relieve him of his torment, by any means necessary. He recoiled from me again, but I left my hand on his shoulder.
“Do what you must to resist, son,” I hated every word coming out of my mouth, but it had to be done. Even if it meant leaving Esme and I again. Even if it meant I had to be the one to watch her face fall as she realised her son had left again.
“I will miss you,” I told him. “Here, take my car, it’s faster.” I pressed the keys into his hand. This is right. She’ll live now. Everything will be okay. I don’t know whether I was thinking to myself or to Edward as I watched the familiar black car disappear. I remembered the sheer relief on Esme’s as she threw her arms around Edward after his return from years away. His eyes were bright scarlet, lost and angry at the same time, but Esme could still tell him it didn’t matter, that she loved him no matter what. “Promise me you’ll never leave again,” she had practically sobbed. Her words echoed in my head as I sunk into my chair. I remembered in flashes the growing stack of newspapers that recorded Edward’s killings…a collection I had made an effort to hide from Edward. This is different, I told myself. This time he’s leaving to save someone. But how long will it last? No, Carlisle, don’t think like that…he’ll manage, of course he will. He’s leaving, remember? Of course I remembered; how could I forget?
My son was leaving.
Again.
Driving home in Edward’s Volvo, I was infinitely glad of my extraordinary senses; with a human’s awareness, I would very likely have crashed. I was at the same time bursting with happiness and pride that my son had been able to resist as I was falling apart with worry for him and Esme the others. When I reached the drive, I stopped so fast the screech rang out. I was inside in less than a second. Esme flew straight into my arms, silent, and I held her against my chest and waited for her to stop shaking.
“He’s leaving again, isn’t he?” Esme asked, finally standing.
“It’s for the best, Esme,” Alice assured her.
“He’ll be back, you’ll see.”
“Her name is Isabella Swan,” Jasper explained, still a little stiff, though not as uncomfortable as he was at school. “She really does smell delicious.” He looked ashamed for having drawn that conclusion, but Alice danced cheerfully over to him.
“Don’t worry, Jazz,” she said. “You wouldn’t have done anything. But I did see-”
"You were wrong,” Rosalie growled. Esme fidgeted, disquieted by the tense atmosphere.
“What did you see, Alice?” I asked politely. Rosalie huffed.
“Bella was one of us. She isn’t yet, but she will be…” Alice said.
“It’s Isabella. She’s human, Alice; she’s not friend material,” Rosalie reminded her sister.
“She said she prefers Bella. And if Edward goes to such lengths to protect her, she must be worthy to be someone’s friend.”
“I wish you wouldn’t make such a big deal out of this,” Rosalie said, scowling. “She’s really quite plain, you know, and far too awkward…she’d make a very clumsy vampire.” Emmett laughed.
“Yeah – she was shaking like a leaf this morning, and have you checked out her truck?”
“Emmett, really-” Esme scolded.
“It shouldn’t matter-” I started simultaneously.
“Vampire or not, she’s going to be my friend,” Alice stated cheerfully.
“I’ll attack before any of you, I always do,” Jasper hung his head.
“She won’t be one of us!” Rosalie cut us all off. “This one isn’t your choice.” She gave me a dark glare, reminding me of every word she’d ever spoken against me and what I had done to her, then turned and stormed out of the house.
“C’mon babe,” Emmett started, chasing her.
“Oh, dear,” Esme whispered, shocked and sympathetic. “I wish she wouldn’t do that. But I think she is right about this Bella girl…perhaps we would be best to leave too.” Behind her words was another meaning: as much as she wanted to protect the innocents here – which she didn’t count herself among, but did include me – she hoped Edward would be able to return to us. I hoped for it too, but I knew we had to stay. None of our decisions would result in the girl being changed unless it was to leave her unprotected.
“He’ll come back, love,” I assured her, kissing her smooth hair as I fought to hold onto Alice’s words; he’ll be back, you’ll see… _________________________________________________________________________
loving the banners ppl check em out
and more!! great work everyone!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Discussion ~ Chapter One
Page 1 ~ Chapter 2
Page 2 ~ Chapters 3, 4(pts 1+2), 5 (pt 1)
Page 3 ~ Chapters 5(pt 2), 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Page 4 ~ Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Page 5 ~ Chapters 17(pts 1+2), 18, 19, 20
Page 6 ~ Chapters 21(pts 1+2), 22, 23
Page 7 ~ Chapters 24, 25
Page 8 ~ Chapters 26, 27(pt 1)
Page 9 ~ Chapters 27(pt 2), 28, 29
Page 10 ~ Chapters 30, 31, 32
Page 11 ~ Chapters 33, 34
Page 12 ~ Chapters 35, 36, 37(pt 1)
Page 13 ~ Chapters 37(pt 2), 38
Page 14 ~ Chapters 39, 40
Page 15 ~ Chapters 41(pts 1+2), 42
Page 16 ~ Chapters 43, 44, 45
Page 17 ~ Chapters 46, 47
Page 18 ~ Chapters 48, 49
Page 19 ~ Chapters 50, 51
Page 20 ~ Chapters 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57
Page 21 ~ OK we have ended up with two chapter 58s. whoops! there's 58, and then 58(pts 1+2)
Page 22 ~ Chapters 59, 60
Page 23 ~ Chapters 61, 62 (pt 1)
Page 24 ~ Chapters 62 (pt 2), 63, 64
Page 25 ~ Chapters 65, 66 (pts 1+2)
Page 26 ~ Chapters 67, 68, 69
Page 27 ~ Chapters 70, 71 (pts 1+2), 72
Page 28 ~ Chapters 73, 74
Page 29 ~ Chapters 75, 76
Page 30 ~ Chapter 77
Page 31 ~ Epilogue
Tags: always, can't, carlisle, esme, saga, see, stars, there, twilight
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on -
thank you everyone I am touched :) It's the people like you that I love writing for!
-
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
thanks so much I'm glad it connected with you :)
-
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
yeah yeah i know. it's about time!! I have had loads of problems lately which I'm not even going to bother boring you with. Instead, we have chapter 76! (OMG *sob* it's nearly over!! NOOOOO!!)
btw the bible verses Carlisle recites are Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3:4
Chapter Seventy Six:
As the sky became dark, the house was already remarkably quiet as most of our guests had left. Stephan and Vladimir had been first of course, furious that there hadn't been a 'proper fight.' Ben and Tia had been quick to follow Amun and Kebi, though they seemed reluctant to miss the festivities. The nomads dispersed throughout the night, and by the morning the Amazonians were ready to leave too. I made a mental note to visit Zafrina more often - not that it would be a problem now: I had a feeling Nessie would draw her out of the Amazon more often. The Irish were next. Reluctant to leave so soon, I asked them to tell Alistair what had happened: he had worried about having to hide under a rock for a decade, and I have a feeling that's exactly what he would have done had we lost. Fortunately, Liam agreed to find Alistair. Who knows, maybe he'd make a new friend.
Speaking of friends...it was time for the Denalis to leave. Tanya and Kate had joined in the festivities for a while, but with notably less gusto than even fellow Denalis Carmen and Eleazer. Garrett, who had become increasingly closer to Kate during their time here and who demonstrated a powerful devotion to her by grabbing her at the clearing, was dragged down a bit too. The solemnity of their faces now, standing at the door, was almost too much to bear, especially knowing that their sister had died defending us and that I had never been able to set things right between us.
"We're sorry to be leaving so soon, but we don't want to spoil the festive atmosphere," Tanya explained. Finding her resolve weakening, she turned to leave as she spoke. The other Denalis jogged towards the forest, eager to get home after their sad ordeal. But I couldn't let Tanya leave like that; so broken and dispirited.
"I'm sorry about Irina," I said, making her hesitate. She turned back for a moment and beckoned me to join her, and the others discreetly took a different path through the forest.
Out of everybody's hearing range, safely buried in a thick area of the forest, we stopped. Tanya pressed something into my hands.
"Irina's death was not your fault, Carlisle," she assured me. "The bitterness between you was resolved in her last moments; you have nothing left to apologise for. We are just not prepared to celebrate with you in light of what has happened. I appreciate your joy; I do not resent that smile on your face. Siobhan was right; the Volturi will strike again with everything they've got. When they do, we'll stand united. Until they do, enjoy every moment with your family. You never know which might be your last."
Edward could have died today. Or Esme, or Bella, or myself. It was a reality I had been determined to eradicate from my mind. For the Denalis, particularly Kate and Tanya, it was a reality that they might never overcome: without so much as an 'I love you,' their sister was gone forever. The Denali sisters were a tight bunch, almost like three segments of the same organism. Irina's death had scarred them deeply, and may not ever heal...so much damage in only a few seconds. If I was smiling before, I certainly wasn't now. Both of us looked away from each other, flushed.
"I'm sorry. I was being melodramatic," Tanya said.
"I'm sorry you didn't get to say goodbye," I said.
"Oh, Carlisle, it's my fault! I should have protected her!" Tanya wailed. An instant later, I was hit with the force of a train. Tanya's arms locked around my neck, and she sobbed tearlessly, passionately.
"You are a good friend," she sniffled as I gently lowered her to the ground and hugged her tightly. Her bout of sobs was over, but she was still shaking.
"As are you. And a good leader," I told her truthfully. "What happened to Irina was not your fault, Tanya. Terrible things happen to good people; Irina was a good person and she understands."
"A good leader?" Tanya sniffed bitterly. "Oh, that's rich. I get all mad and jump out of line - Carlisle I nearly got us all killed. I was careless. All our sacrifices, including Irina's, would have been in vain."
"Rage is understandable, and the crisis was averted. Irina died valiantly, defending her friends. It is sad that it had to happen under such unfortunate circumstances, but don't you think she'd have rather gone out like that than withered paper-thin and lost all interest in this world?"
Tanya sighed and shook her head painfully.
"I just can't think of it like that at the moment," she explained, pulling out of my grasp. "I should go."
"You and your family need to be together," I agreed.
"You're my family too, Carlisle. Don't forget that. But for now your place is here. Celebrate, enjoy yourself. Come up in a few weeks, when you're ready. We'll wait for our whole family before we send her off properly."
"Thank you," I replied, taking a step back. I looked at the object in my hand; a sterling silver model of the Denali crest: a phoenix with its wings stretched up and open for all to see. It was a symbol of rebirth, ironically, but also one of majesty, valour and loyalty; very fitting for my dear friends. I smiled at Tanya and held the crest close to my heart. She smiled briefly and disappeared into the bushes, and I wandered back to the house with a warm smile on my face, running my fingers over the ridges that created the phoenix.
I tucked the Denali crest into my pocket and drifted through the house, taking my time to get to my study. I took a deep breath, and all manner of pleasant smells filled my lungs as I wandered over to a cabinet in the corner where I kept some of my most precious belongings. I carefully opened the door and set the Denali crest beside the Cullen crest, on the top shelf.
"They go together well," a familiar voice came from behind. I jumped and twisted simultaneously, almost breaking the cabinet door before I let go of it. Esme grinned, skipped over to me with a youth and energy I hadn't seen in her for a long time, and slid around me like a fox to press the door closed herself.
"Back amongst your books already, Doctor Cullen," she scolded, turning back to me with the facial expression of a teacher telling off a mischievous pupil. "Am I not interesting enough for you? What have your books got that I don't?"
"My dear, it is a question of what you have that my books do not. I'm afraid there is no contest."
I cupped her cheek in my hand and kissed her forehead. She shifted closer to me, a deep purr emanating from her throat. She shivered with delight as I ran my hand down her neck, then down her arm to her hand. I led her over to a settee in the corner and sat down on it with her, drawing her into my lap.
"I love you," Esme breathed, still purring quietly. After a moment of blissful silence she asked;
"Is Tanya okay? Are you okay?"
I replied in the form of a Bible verse; one I found to be very true to life. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance."
Esme sighed and settled back against me, and I occupied myself running my fingers through her hair, twisting and twirling at will. A human couple might have fallen asleep like this. I found myself wondering what it would be like to wake up with Esme by my side. Sleepy-eyed, we would stare at each other as the morning sun poured in through the window...
"I could stay like this forever," I murmured into Esme's ear. She shifted, suddenly remembering something.
"Huilen and Nahuel stayed," she told me excitedly, twisting around so she faced me. "Alice told them about how much you loved stories. They said they'd be happy to tell you theirs. They'd like to be getting home soon, so I figured you'd want to talk to them as soon as possible."
I grinned back at my wife and both of us stood up. I bowed like a gentleman and kissed her hand.
"Lovely to spend time with you, Miss Esme. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Don't wear anything too precious." I winked conspiratorially at Esme, who giggled. Next door, Jasper loudly cleared his throat. Esme rolled her eyes at the wall and began shoving me towards the doorway.
"Go on, downstairs with you, you rogue!" -
-
Permalink Reply by kel bel :) on -
lol, i love esme, ;D, awww its gonna b ova soon, :(
-
-
Permalink Reply by Anita Newbill on
-
Another great chapter!! Thanks for the bible verse - it's one I know of course - even a song from the '60's [ my era!] but I really needed to hear it today . . . Namaste! Keeep mee on your up-date list!!
-
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
a song? what's it called?
-
-
Permalink Reply by Kristahra Collins on -
this was a great POV's lol...loved it.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen=] on -
AWWW!!!!!!!! I love Esme and Carlisle! They bring a new meaning to eveything!
-
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
YAY its beena while since I've heard from you EAPEC=] (i need to think of a proper nickname other than Esme)
-
-
Permalink Reply by Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen=] on
-
Lol! We'll find one! Maybe...... *shifty eyes*
-
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
Es-An-Pl-Ev-en?
An-Pl-Ev-Cul-mé?
lol -
-
Permalink Reply by TeamCarlisle+Esme on
-
yeah but they've gotta have a little fun XD
Thanks all you guys I <3 reviews + readers! -
© 2013 Created by Hachette Book Group.
Report an Issue | Guidelines | Report an Issue | Terms of Service
