Edward-Carlisle, at Forks Hospital.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle has been keeping as much of an eye on Bella as he can given the fact that she doesn't precisely fall in his rotation at the moment, but it serves the double purpose of making sure that Edward doesn't skip too much school in order to stay with her. He uses the justification of making sure he retrieves her assignments in order to motivate him to go - Edward still continues to manage looking highly displeased at the whole affair.

Bella is asleep the next time Carlisle checks on her that afternoon, so Carlisle heads back to his office to catch up on paperwork.

Comments

[themidnightson]

Edward made a face, over his shoulder, toward the back of Carlisle's head. He doubts the sentiment is missed, even when it doesn't effect his tone.

"Time consuming."

[ofthefamily]

"I'm sure. Anything of interest to report?"

[themidnightson]

"No." It's probably better for Carlisle all the first comments weren't said. Honestly. Edward leaned against the window, on his right shoulder. "Your day?"

It's a bad attempt. But at least it is one?

[ofthefamily]

"Nothing too stimulating. If we could convince the nurses that the way to my heart is most assuredly not through my stomach, I'd be better off, but I'll live."

[themidnightson]

"Who gets the anonymous gift this time?"

All food had to go somewhere.
And not to their house.

[ofthefamily]

"Does Chief Swan like peanut butter cookies?"

See? Carlisle is helpful.

[themidnightson]

Edward scoffed.





Even though it did beg at least one different thought to question.

[ofthefamily]

Which Carlisle just raises an eyebrow in wait.

[themidnightson]

Just because it's there, doesn't mean it's going anywhere.

"You could ask him. He'll say more than a few monosyllabic words to you."

[ofthefamily]

"Not that much more."

Do you want to talk to him?

[themidnightson]

"I don't need to."

He already knew what Charlie thought of him.
It was far more sensible than what he could make of Bella.

(But at least the latter confounded him with some relief.)

[ofthefamily]

"I didn't ask about need."

But that is Edward's business.

"How are you holding up with everything?"

[themidnightson]

"There isn't a point in endangering him." Too.

But the sentiment and the sound are conflicted.
It's true. But he's still involved.
Both of her parents are.




She still had people.
Things none of them did, could.

[ofthefamily]

As calmly as possible: "You could talk to him as the concerned boyfriend. It'd be a new role for you."

[themidnightson]

"He won't be susceptible the way Renee was."

Which might have been because she was so scattered.
Or because she didn't see things in the same black and white.


Or because she hadn't been there the night Bella left yelling and crying.

[ofthefamily]

"I'm not sure you really have another path to choose from, Edward."

[themidnightson]

"He'll need time."

Edward understood that part very well.



"And for Bella to not be here."

[ofthefamily]

"Understandable."

After a second, Carlisle caps his fountain pen to look up at Edward. "You'll let me know if I can help besides plying the man with baked goods."

[themidnightson]

"Magical cure-all."

There is no cent of humor in it.
He's gone back to look out the window.

[ofthefamily]

"I am a doctor after all."

Communal lack of humor, but he tries anyway.

[themidnightson]

"Twice over."

Now that the door has returned.

But Edward holds nothing against Carlisle in all this.

[ofthefamily]

It takes Carlisle a second to realize Edward is referring to Milliways, but he nods once he gets it.

"Anything going on on that front?"

[themidnightson]

It would have to be Milliways. If he was pointing to people with qualifications he'd have to make a face and count himself. And where would be the point in grousing about that?

He already has enough things to slander himself with.





He's been about to say nothing.
And then he paused, staring at nothing more.
But with exacting specificity when his jaw shifted.

[ofthefamily]

With his own level of increasing specificity:

"What."

[themidnightson]

"Meg Ford."