Party Planning *Carlisle* - 01/28/05

[esme]

Esme parked up her car and stepped out, quickly retrieving several plastic shopping bags from the boot and heading inside the house. She had no idea why but Alice had been really insistant on her going out and buying food. Alice's visions had been random lately, but after the whole hunting trip her visions were even more random if sometimes strange. Of course it didnt help that she was explaining that now when she saw a vision it was like watching a badly edited movie. Alice had been very insistant however and so Esme had agreed to go shopping and get some food, though not being a real conisouir she had grabbed what ever came to hand. She had ended up with a Pizza, some chicken nuggets, a pot of potato salad, burgers, hot dogs, biscuits and some crisps... She just grabbed anything she remembered seeing off the telly.

As she entered the house she paused and frowned at the scents that lingered. There was no mistaking the scent of a human in their house, but Esme couldnt think why this would be. The Cullen home didnt receive guests of the human variety, their home was their sanctuary. Esme listened and she heard the heartbeat, the small heartbeat of a child who this moment was in the lounge with Rosalie. She decided to leave it be and she turned her attention to the other being she senced in the house, Carlisle. She swiftly flew up the stairs, her feet barely touching the steps as she stopped before Carlisle's Study door. She tapped slightly with her free hand before stepping in.

She smiled to Carlisle and dropped the bags on the floor moving over to him, trying to assess her mates mood. 'Carlisle whats going on?' She asked lightly as she slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him gently. Since she had returned from the Isle she hadnt been able to spend much time with him. It seemed like they were having one problem after the other at the moment.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle looked up from his work as he heard a car approaching. He would know the sound of that car anywhere and the smell that came flooding in his window confirmed what he was hearing. Esme was home. Alice had sent her out shopping. He knew that much, but Alice hadn't really told him if she had explained to Esme what was going on yet. Alice had changed so much in just a day or so. It was amazing the difference the recent events made on her when she finally realised they were there to help her and they weren't going to let her become what she had seen in her visions. He let out a slow sigh as he listened to Esme unload the car and enter the house. He closed his papers. He had spent the better part of an hour trying to get his paperwork in order and it still wasn't working. He rested his elbows on the desk and pressed his fingers against the furrow on his forehead as he scowled and closed his eyes. It had been an eventful year already and it wasn't passed January yet.

He opened his eyes, scowl fading as he focused on the little heart beat he could hear from downstairs. Rosalie was absolutely captivated by Fae and, if Rose was happy, it wouldn't be difficult to convince the others that Fae needed to stay with them. He slowly stood as he heard very light foot falls coming up the stairs. 'Esme,' he told himself. He stood and twisted to face the door, just as she tapped on it and walked in. He smiled softly at her as she dropped her bags in the floor and moved towards him. He continued to smile as she questioned him. “First, I ask you to trust me, like you have always done,” he began as she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him gently. He returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her to him. “Fae'Lee is...I think we need her here,” he explained, knowing he wasn't really being that clear. “Her mother's gone and her father...well, she's better off away from him and in our care,” he continued.

He pulled back his head slightly to look down at Esme. “She turns seven tomorrow,” he continued to explain. “I promised her cake,” he added with a smirk. “It seemed appropriate,” he quickly added to the cake interjection. It had seemed a little odd to just mention the cake. Though, that had been something Fae had been the most insistent about and it had kept her distracted. “It was Alice's idea to make you go and get everything. You really didn't have to,” he commented, glancing over at the bags she had abandoned on the floor just inside of his study door to move over to him. “I would have gone eventually. It's not until tomorrow, after all,” he said. “I may not even have needed to,” he continued, pulling Esme closer to him. “It seems that the girls are very taken with Fae, Rose especially,” he added, emphasising the blonde girl's name. He sighed, resting his head on top of Esme's. “I can't even begin to relay what I saw when I found her...” he whispered, remembering the scene like a high quality photograph in his head.

[esme]

The scent and presence of her mate always calmed Esme, the past few days had been tough on all of them, but hardest on Carlisle. She knew he felt at a loss with what happened to Alice, after all he was used to curing all physical ills, but none of them had any idea to what was causing Alice so much pain. She sighed lightly 'Carlisle I would trust you till the end of time, you know that...' Of course there had been a lot of doubts over the past few days, but Esme knew that Carlisle would never do anything to intentionally hurt any of them. She rested her head on his chest, savouring having him close to her. Private moments between them at the moment were rare, Carlisle was almost constantly worried and stressed and Esme worried about him greatly. As he spoke about Fae she listened out for the movement downstairs, she could hear Fae talking with Rosalie. It made her heart sigh, a small child in their home, Esme had always had a strong maternal instinct, perhaps it was because she was turned so soon after losing her son. Thats why their family worked so well, she loved all her children.

She smiled lightly Its been a long time since we have celebrated a birthday in the house... I am sure Alice will be thrilled' She was sure the boys would be less enthusiastic, but Alice needed some cheering up and this would be perfect. They had given up keeping track of birthdays, after all they were immortal there was very little need to celebrate another year of life. She could imagine Alice going totally over board with all the preparations, she was sure she would try drag everyone else into it as well. It was just the distraction Alice needed.

The thought of a human child there filled her with excitement and joy, but there was something she couldnt ignore 'Carlisle... Do you think its wise having a human child so close to Jasper and Alice?' She knew Alice would never harm Fae intentionally, but Jasper could be a wild cannon and with the events of the past few days she doubted Jasper would be strong enough to resist the scent of her blood. She was happy Rosalie had taken to the child, she knew it was the one thing Rosalie had craved in her vampiric life, a child. She brought Carlisle close to her, she could sense he was troubled by what he had seen, that doubled with the scent of stale blood that still lingered in the upper floor of the house she could only imagine what conditions he had found her in. Normally Carlisle was strong in these situations, after all he was a doctor. Either the scene was that bad, or the events over the past few days were really starting to get to him.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle looked to Esme as he heard her sigh lightly at his words. “I know and, now, I perhaps ask too much of your trust, but, please, understand, I'm just trying to help the little girl out,” he went on explaining. Esme trusted him, but he couldn't let this carry on without a proper explanation for her. He was thinking of what was best for the family, but he was trying to protect the young girl he had brought into their wake. She wouldn't know the slightest thing about them. She was too young. Even if she worked out something close to what they were, she probably wouldn't understand or think she was asleep. It was the coping process of children. It definitely worked better than that of adults. He rested his cheek on top of her head as she pressed her head against his chest. “I'm sorry, but I couldn't just leave her there,” he muttered. He hugged her tighter, knowing this would be difficult for her and her maternal instinct when it came down to possibly having to give Fae back to social services or something. He was pretty certain he could talk his way out of that.

He smiled when Esme said it had been a long time since they'd celebrated a birthday in their household and that she was sure Alice would be thrilled. He laughed lightly at the idea of it all. “I'm sure she will be: any excuse to spend money,” he replied, smirking. However, he did have the feeling that the other children would be less enthusiastic about it. He was also initially worried about how Rosalie might react, but it seemed that she enjoyed the idea of having Fae around. It was quite adorable to see how taken Rosalie seemed to be with the little girl. He was just happy that this was practically guaranteed to keep Alice occupied. However, Edward may prove difficult. He was still reeling from the events of yesterday, though by the sounds of things, he had calmed down a little after his day at school. He released one of his hands from around Esme to run it back through his hair and sighed. “Well, Jasper...I don't want to isolate him,” he offered. “Alice seems to be having a very good day. She's been at school and yesterday she was an angel,” he went on. “I have every faith in her,” he added simply.

[esme]

Esme shook her head slowly, she didnt think Carlilse could ever ask too much from her trust. She didnt know why Carlisle felt the need to explain himself to her, he knew she would support him no matter what. 'I know Carlisle... I would not expect anything less from you...' She knew helping people just came naturally to her mate, after all it was because of his help that she was alive. Though this seemed to be a totally different situation she would be behind him all the way. She could tell that Rosalie was forming a bond with the child and she couldnt help but smile at that. Esme had had the chance to use her maternal instincts, where as Rosalie had craved it so much 'I think this will be a good experience for Rosalie... We both know this is what she has been craving ever since she was reborn...' She had faith that Rosalie would step up to the mark, it might curb her more wild side...

Esme chuckled and nodded, Alice loved any excuse to go shopping. Of course it would be a welcome distraction for her. 'And any excuse to decorate the house in everything pink and frilly she can find' She chuckled reaching up and kissing Carlisle on the nose. It had been a stressful few days and Esme had had little time alone with Carlisle, but their children needed them and it came with being a 'parent'. 'I just hope he has enough self control at the moment' She sighed slightly, poor Jasper wasnt having any luck either lately 'Perhaps with Alice around him everything will be fine...' She still wasnt totally sure, she only hoped that the human part of him would help him to not lunge at the poor child.

'So... I take it you want me to help sort out this party you promised?' She smiled, it would be nice to have something to focus on. 'I can get a nice Cake for her... And some decorations... I am sure Rosalie and Alice will be thrilled to find her a dress.' Her fingers ran gently up and down Carlisle's back, he needed to relax a little and stop worrying, if only for a moment.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle let out a slow breath and closed his eyes and Esme spoke. He knew that she would understand, it was just the nature of why he had had to recover the girl and bring her back to the house that bothered him the most. He slowly open his eyes as she spoke again, talking about how it would be a good experience for Rosalie. “I hope she doesn't get too attached too quickly. We can't be certain as to how long we can keep her here,” he explained, sadness harrowing his gentle voice. “She is bonding well, which was one of my initial fears that she wouldn't be as agreeable,” he went on. He had had the same feeling yesterday about Edward's protectiveness over Damienne, though, that bridge had yet to be crossed. Rosalie, as far as he was aware, didn't know about the situation with Edward and Damienne and he was certain that Edward was going to keep it quiet until he was absolutely sure. The boy had been shocked when Jason had worked everything out and Carlisle hadn't been able to lie about it any longer, talking it through with the other father, knowing there was an understanding.

He burst out with a slight laugh at the mention of 'pink and frilly'. “I'm sure Edward's going to love that,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm as a smirk spread across his face. He laughed lightly again, scrunching up his nose slightly as Esme kissed the tip of it. He slowly and half heartedly shrugged, sighing heavily. He couldn't imagine what Jasper was going through because Carlisle had never been in a situation like this. Jasper had made a choice, a very conscious choice, about the way he was going to help Alice. It may have taken a fraction of a second for the idea to come to him, but he had chosen that way around it, to make his Alice better. Carlisle knew that Jasper had spent the better part of the day out with Emmett and Rosalie, hunting, trying to fight back the urge to eat something other than the deer and other animals that the forest and mountainous areas of Forks offered, whilst Alice accompanied Edward to school. Alice had adjusted quickly, but Jasper was going to struggle, both Carlisle and Jasper himself were aware of that. Jasper just worried him at the moment.

“I honestly don't know how he's coping,” Carlisle offered, knowing that, at this moment, Jasper was pacing up and down in his room, willing himself not to go downstairs. The moment Carlisle had pulled up to the house, Jasper had confined himself to his room, smelling the little girl a mile off. Fae being in the house must have been torture. “I may have to take him out again,” he continued with a concerned scowl. “Alice is with Fae, Rosalie and Emmett and Jasper's...refusing to go anywhere near them,” he explained. “He's too busy fighting himself,” he added in a low tone. “Edward's in his room as well, but that's a totally different matter,” he went on, again in a low tone, but with a humoured taint to it. He knew that Edward had been keen to get home because God forbid he should miss a moment talking to Damienne. Carlisle smirked slightly. He wondered if Edward had divulge to Esme about Damienne yet. Though, something told him that he either hadn't bothered or hadn't had the chance yet because he was certain that Esme would have asked about it already if he had.


He laughed when Esme asked if he required her help. Something told him that Alice wouldn't be pleased if he continued to help. He'd already helped Fae get out of that...place and, now, he was going to have to help her get better. Alice would have something to say about it if he had to keep her completely entertained as well. He figured that Alice, Rosalie and even Emmett would be happy helping the little girl have fun where they could. He hoped Jasper would be able to adjust. He didn't like spending the time away from Alice, Carlisle knew that, but he needed to recover first. “Well, I think Alice will be taking over,” he offered, still chuckling. “You might want to ask her,” he added, smirking. He nodded at Esme's enthusiasm to help out. “I'm sure Alice will give you something to do,” he answered with a smile. He closed his eyes again, taking in a slow, deep, intentional breath as Esme ran her fingers up and down his back. He let the breath out in the same manner, before opening his eyes and looking back down at Esme with a gentle smile. “What would I do without you?” he asked gently, pressing his lips against her forehead.