Good to be Home... **Carlisle** - 01/26/05

[esme]

Esme smiled when she saw the house from the end of the drive, she was happy to be home at last. She had spent a few more days on holiday enjoying the Isle, but she missed her family, especially Carlisle. She was sure though they were all able to look after themselves without her there to mother them. She pulled up the car and got out, she knew the 'kids' would be in school so she would get some quality time with Carlisle before the happy reunion between them all. She left the bags in the car and headed towards the house opening the door and stopping to listen.

She could hear and smell Carlisle, he was in his study which wasnt really a suprise. She headed upstairs and entered his study smiling, though her smile quickly faded as she saw the worried expression on her husbands face as he tapped quickly away at his Laptop. 'Carlisle... Whats wrong?' She was instantly behind him rubbing his back gently, her eyes furrowed in consern, she knew that Carlisle often looked to her in times of worry, and she felt a little sorrow to see that she had not been there for him.

She gently kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around him as he continued to stare at the laptop screen, her eyes looked to the screen for a moment, seeing that the e-mail was from Carmen. She didnt read any further, she was sure her husband would clear everything up in time. Though she couldnt help but worry that something serious must of happened whilst she had been away.

[carlisle]

At first Carlisle thought he had imagined the scent of his beloved Esme wafting up the stairs. That was until she entered the room. He was busy reading the response he had received from Carmen mere moments before his mate had entered the house. The news wasn't good, she had no idea what the problem could be, and her advice matched his own thought, contacting the Volturi. Carlisle didn't care for the Italian vampires, but they had been around for centuries, and tended to be the most knowledgeable of beings when it came to vampirism.

As Esme's hands roamed over his body, a semblance of calm came over him. Followed by dread. How was he to tell the woman who was so protective of their children, that he had no idea what was wrong with one of them. That there was a serious problem and he had no idea what to do about it. Her lips grazed his cheek and he swiveled in his seat, his arm's wrapping around her gorgeous form and pulling her into his lap. “Things have transpired since we returned.” Carlisle said, his voice low.

He buried his face in his mate's neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her. The scent that he had missed for so long. His lips traced her jawline as he tried to find the correct words to tell her of all that occurred. He decided to start with Alice, as that was the most important and pressing issue. Laying his head against her shoulder he sighed wearily, his arms tensing around her waist, as if he were afraid once he told her of his failure she would have the urge to run away. “Alice is sick. Something is wrong with her and I have no idea what it is, or how to fix it. I contacted Carmen, but she had no advice other than to suggest that I contact the Volturi to see what they say.” The words came out in a rush, and his nose nuzzled into her skin as he waited for her reaction.

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[esme]

Esme let Carlisle pull her onto his lap, she had missed him greatly, but she knew there was something deeply wrong. She let one hand wrap around his neck whilst the other rested on the back of his head. She took in a deep breath of his scent, as his lips caressed her jawline and wondered what it was that had troubled Carlisle so. It wasnt very often Esme saw her mate so worried, it scared her slightly, but she didnt want to show it, she knew Carlisle would share his troubles with her. Though his words about 'things' happening didnt reassure her at all. That implied more than one.

She held his head gently to her as he rested on her shoulder, very much like a mother would do for their upset child, she heard him sigh and waited for him to speak. Though after his first two words she felt a feeling of dread wash over her as she pulled away slightly and looked into her mates eyes in shock and horror. 'Alice?' She understood now why Carlisle had been so worried because now she felt exactly the same, Alice was her daughter and she dreaded anything happening to her children. She felt a tightness in her stomach as she remembered her son.

She shook that from her mind, she didnt want to lose another child. 'How is that possible?' She already knew that Carlisle didnt know the answer, but how could a Vampire be ill? She had never heard of such a thing and it worried her deeply. She drew Carlisle close to her, she held him tightly. 'Whats happened to her?' She dreaded to think, but she needed to know, she knew Alice needed her to be strong for her, but to do so she needed to know what she had been through.

[carlisle]

Another sigh escaped from Carlisle's lips as Esme held him so. While she had been away he had been the main line of support for the entire family, and no one had been there for him. Finally his partner was back at his side, and although it was selfish, he knew she was capable enough to share the weight with him. “I don't know.” He replied mournfully, once more feeling like a failure, like he was so utterly incompetent. Inside he knew that he was doing what needed to be done, that he was taking the correct steps to finding the answer and solving the problem, but at this moment he felt so venerable, so human.

“She is having difficulties with her gift.” Carlisle said, beginning to explain the problem. “She has told me that there have been severe headaches, and waves of dizziness when ever she 'sees' anything.” He paused, not sure if he wanted to tell his wife anymore. “When she was in my office earlier, when she came to tell me about the problems she was having, she collapsed on the floor. She was bleeding, Esme. Our Alice, bleeding on my floor.” His breath hitched as the painful memory replayed in his mind.

“She's agreed not to go anywhere alone until I find out what the problem is.” He said, relief evident in his tone. Alice was almost as headstrong as Edward, and Carlisle had been afraid that she would refuse an escort. The fact she acquiesced only proved how ill she was feeling. Swiveling his chair once more, with Esme still in his lap, Carlisle turned to his lap top, reaching around the beautiful woman to type the next of a series of e-mails.

Contacting the Volturi was never easy, and it took an initial e-mail to the 'business' they owned, requesting 'customer service'. A representative would return the e-mail and within almost eighteen hours time Carlisle would be directed to someone who he could speak to.

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[esme]

Esme held onto Carlisle and she instantly regretted choosing to stay at the Isle for a few more days. This was the Carlisle that their children didnt see, he was always strong for them, but no matter how strong a person was they always needed someone to turn to and she hadnt been there. She gently kissed his furrowed brow, she didnt like seeing Carlisle like this, he was the strongest out of all of them and yet he was just as scared as she was. She could sense in his tone that he felt helpless and for a moment she held him so close to her, she wished she could help him but the only way she knew how was to be there for him.

It pained her to see Carlisle so, he had been there for her when she needed strength, even in her human life when she had first met him when she was only sixteen. She had seen him as a kind gentle man who had no bad bone in him, she often wondered if anything would have been different for them if he had changed her then, rather than when she was the broken dying woman he found in the morgue. She had felt silly when she was sixteen, she had a silly crush on a doctor she only saw a couple of times, of course she didnt know then that in years to come she would find him again and become his wife and life mate.

Esme listened as he described what had happened to Alice, she was horrified but didnt let it show, now wasnt the time and Carlisle needed to get this all off his chest. She thought of their fragile sweet daughter Alice, bleeding and hurt make her quiver slightly but she shooed it away. She could only begin to image how Carlisle had felt being there with her, being unable to do anything. She squuezed him gently as she heared his voice faulter a little, she didnt understand how any of this was possible, however she also knew her husband was just as clueless and thats what scared her the most.

She nodded as Carlisle told her Alice had agreed to go nowhere without someone by her side. It was a wise choice and she was sure that no matter how scared Carlisle was, Alice was feeling ten times more so. She could only imagine how Alice felt, unlike the rest of them she didnt really understand what illness or pain was. She didnt remember her humans life and so knew nothing of their afflictions. 'I am sorry Carlisle... I should have been here' She sighed slightly, she thought back to the last few days she had spent relaxing and enjoying herself whilst her family needed her.

'Do you think the Volturi will be able to help?' She of course knew about the Volturi but had little to do with them, she knew Carlisle had a past with them and she looked up to the painting he had of them on the wall. She knew the Volturi knew a lot of things about vampires, however she also knew they werent the nicest of vampires either and needing to rely on them made Esme panic slightly. She watched him as he typed away, his slender fingers making quick work of the e-mail.

Esme took a deep breath, she knew that other things must have happened, though she was sure that Carlisle had started with the worst she needed to know the rest. 'Carlisle what else happened whilst I was away?' She prepared herself for more bad news, but the news of Alice had shook her greatly, she already felt like running to their school to hold her and tell her everything was going to be okay. Instead though she cuddled her love, knowing at the moment he needed her company more than anything else in the world.

ooc: Hehe sorry long post

[carlisle]

“No, no.” Carlisle said, “Please do not apologize my love. I am glad that you could receive the extended rest so that I might draw from your strength.” He continued to type as he spoke, finishing the e-mail in a speedy manner. Once the simple letter was sent he reclined in his chair, cradling Emse's body against his. “I don't know if they will be able to help or not.” Carlisle said into the skin of his wife's arm, his lips tracing the words on her cold body. “If anyone knows though, they will. Or they will at least know where to start.” He didn't add his thought that they were really their last hope, other than Carlisle taking the time to find the solution on his own.

“A lot of other things have occurred while you were gone, but nothing so pressing.” He felt so much better with her there. All they had to do now was wait, and then they would have their answer from the Volturi. Lazily Carlisle's fingers weaved through Esme's locks. “We have a few new arrivals to Forks.” He reported, “A new pack of shape shifters, coyotes. I have invited them over to dinner, promising that you would cook.” A crooked smile crossed his face when he spoke of that. “A young vampire that claims to be Edward's biological sister; although we're not certain yet, it is looking as though she is telling the truth.” He paused, saving the good news for last. “And Angel is back. She returned and it looks as though she is ready to stay, even if things with Edward become choppy again.” A grateful sigh escaped his lungs. That was all that had transpired that he could recall and it was good to have his wife to tell everything too. She was the only person in this world that he could rely on to support him.

“I am glad that you have returned,” he said softly, “I missed you so.”

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[esme]

Esme smiled but she was concerned for her partner, he always came across so strong but she knew that he was deeply troubled by what had happened. She only wished she had been there, 'I have to, I wasnt here when I was needed, Alice needed me, and so did you.' She kissed his forehead gently again as he reclined leaning into his chest and enjoying being close to him again. She hated seeing Carlisle like this, he was normally so relaxed and calm, she only hoped they would be able to help Alice.

Esme hoped that the Volturi would be able to help, Alice meant the world to her and she couldnt bare the thought of her being in pain. She would certainly make a point of talking to her when they all arrived back from school. She didnt like feeling helpless, being unable to help those she loved. it reminded her so much of her biological son. She sighed and rested her head against his cold strong chest.

She felt relieved when Carlisle told her the other matters were not so pressing. Knowing that one of her children was 'ill' was already too much bad news for her to handle. The only thing keeping her strong was knowing that Carlisle needed her to be strong for him. She smiled a little as he told her about cooking dinner. 'Thats a great idea... Whats the point of having a kitchen if you never use it?' Of course they had a kitchen, they had yet to use it though, after all none of them ever needed to eat so it was merely another room for Esme to decorate and play around with.

She was a little shocked by the next thing though and she looked up to him her eyebrow raising slightly, she obviously had heard of no such thing before. Though talking of Edward something else came to mind. 'How is Edward coping at the moment?' Edward was the child she had known the longest and although all their children were special she had a soft spot for him. He unlike the rest of them hadnt found his soul mate and she always felt sad for him.

As Carlisle mentioned Angels name her face brightened up, for a moment forgetting all the troubles and hearing that she was planning on staying calmed her a little and made her smile, though then she thought of Edward and sighed a little 'This isnt a good time for Edward' Her hand gently roamed over his chest gently as she took in all the news he had told her. Who would have thought so much could have happened in only a few days?

She smiled gently at Carlisles words 'I am glad I returned, I missed you even more.' She raised her head to his neck and ran her lips gently over his neck. It wasnt often Esme was apart from the one she loved, and she had decided she wasnt going to let it happen again any time soon.

[carlisle]

Pressing kisses into the fragrant hair below his chin, Carlisle continued his conversation with his wife. He was relieved that she was at least slightly excited by the thought of cooking for people. Even though they had been married for almost a century, he never wanted to do anything to cause her any stress. As her hands explored his torso, Carlisle arched into the touch, enjoying the feeling of her making contact with him. He liked to think them an independent couple, but being apart for these extra days had paid its toll.

When Esme's lips traced the sensitive skin on his neck, a soft hiss was sounded as he inhaled through clenched teeth. “You are here now.” Carlisle comforted, “That is all that matters.” His voice caught as he spoke, yet he continued. “Edward is not reacting well to anything at the moment.” He said with all honesty, “Though, I did not expect him to. It would take him enough time to straighten things out in his mind if the situation at home were normal. However, with Alice being ill, I have the feeling he will ignore everything else until she is better.” Esme's touch was making it difficult for him to think, and his speech was effected.

“Edward is a strong young man. I have no doubt that he can handle these things on his own, in his own time. If he finds there is a problem he cannot solve, he will come to us.” Once again thinking of his beloved daughter, Carlisle ran his fingers through his hair in a frustrated manner. “It is Alice that I am worried about.” His eyes became pools of sorrow, as the horrid thought of life without her entered his mind. Death was something that humans had to deal with, and he dealt with it on a daily basis. He never expected to have to fear the reapers presence with his family. They had all fended that ghoul off long ago, hadn't they?

His eyes searched his wife's face, as if looking for an answer. Not able to find one, he put a hand on each cheek, and guided her face to his own, looking for the next best thing. His slender fingers carded into her silken strands. Softly and with great care Carlisle pressed his lips against his wife's own perfect ones, offering to her a loving kiss.

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[esme]

Esme closed her eyes enjoying being close to the one she loved again. Though his voice and words calmed her she couldnt help the guilt she felt for not being there for their children, and more importantly for him. She smiled and sighed slightly as she felt him move into her touch, they were always strong for their children no matter the situation. The more she thought about what had happened the more guilty she felt though she tried not to let it show her concern showed fully in her emotional eyes.

She nodded slowly as he spoke about Edward, she always worried about him. She knew he could get very irritated easily and very protective, especially of Alice. Those two were probably the closest outside of the couples, Esme guessed it was because of their unique gifts but they always knew how the other was feeling or what they were doing. Esme smiled a little thinking of their little family, they were all so talented in their own way, gift or no gift.

'Edward was always a stubborn one.' She knew it was an understatement, his stubborness was legendry and he rarely changed his mind once it was made up. 'He has always had a soft spot for Alice' She noted his struggle with his words and let her hands rest on his stomach though she couldnt resist nuzzling him gently. Edward was probably the most complex of their children, he was older than she was, yet he still saw his life as damned. She sighed softly, she wanted Edward to be happy but she couldnt see it happening any time soon.

Esme looked at her husband sorrowfully, Carlisle had always been the strong one for the family, but she could see him falling apart and it pain her. She took his hand and held it gently, she was worried about Alice too but she could only imagine what it had been like to see their daughter hurt and in pain. She winced slightly at the thought of it herself, and burrowed her face into Carlisles chest allowing her strength to waiver. 'Why Alice?' Her voice broke a little, Alice was the only one in the family that didnt remember what it was like to be human. It had always comforted Esme that Alice never needed to know the pain that could come from human life. Though hearing that she somehow, despite being a vampire, was ill and in pain tore Esme to the Core.

She gritted her teeth finding her strength to look up into her Husbands eyes, she could see the deep sorrow in his eyes as she knew he could see hers. To her Carlisle always had the answers, this time he didnt and neither did she and it chilled her to the bone, she felt helpless, though she suspected Carlisle felt even more so. She closed her eyes and sighed as Carlisle cradled her face drawing it to his, letting their lips touch in a loving kiss.

For a moment, just a brief one as they connected she felt the worries waiver. She had faith in her husband to do everything for their family, and she would be beside him every step of the way. She let her arms move and drape around his neck lightly as they shared their moment, hoping that he like her could let his worries fade, if only for a short time.

[carlisle]

Their moment, and the possible moments that could have blossomed off of it, was quickly shattered with a slight vibration on Carlisle's desk. The cell phone face lit up as it wrung, and EDWARD showed across the screen in large letters. Hastily, yet unhappily, Carlisle broke away from Esme, moving one arm from her to snatch the electronic off the polished wood surface. “Edward?” Carlisle asked, and the answer came back instantly, not at all what he wanted to hear.

His body tensed under Esme as he hung up the phone. “There's something wrong with Alice.” He stated soberly, hitting the refresh button on his computer quickly to see if by any chance the Volturi had replied already. Of course they hadn't, that would be far to useful of a thing to happen. Sighing deeply out of habit, rather than need, Carlisle stood carefully, giving Esme enough time to stand as he did so. “The agreement was that he would bring her home if anything were to happen while they were hunting.” Carlisle explained as he walked to the door of his study, grabbing his medical bag from a table by the exit. “From the tone of his voice and the briefness of his conversation, I am assuming that things are not well at all.” His footsteps echoed through the rest of the silent house as he made his way down the stairs, heading toward the living room.

ooc:thread continued here.

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[esme]

Esme jumped slightly at the sound of the vibrations on the desk looking up sharply. She too saw her sons name across the screen and though normally she would feel excited to hear from their son she felt a strangle dull feeling in the pit of her stomach. She froze, her eyes followed Carlisles hand as he answered it, and she heard the two simple words from Edward that brought all the worry, all the fear that she had been trying to cope with for the last few moments crashing through her barriers like water through a breached Dam.

She stood swiftly and watched as her husband grabbed his medical bag. She never once in her entire life thought that Carlisle would ever have to be a doctor for their children, it was simply never needed. The thought of their daughter, little Alice, in pain and frightened almost made Esme feel sick. She didnt want to have to loose another child, she had thought she would never have to go through that pain again. Yet it almost seemed like life was mocling her, not even her immortal children were safe it seemed.

Esme was stunned and shocked to the core, however she composed herself as she saw Carlisle head downstairs, she needed to be strong for all of them, it was her turn now to help share the burden. Carlisle needed to concentrate and he needed her help to keep the rest of their children calm. Her thoughts turned immediatly to Jasper, of course Edward would be worried upset, but the emotions that ran through Jasper would be the biggest problem. She took a deep breath and headed down the stairs, waiting for their children to arrive home. This wasnt going to be the happy reunion she had thought it would be.