Carlisle-Esme, Pittsburgh.

[ofthefamily]

Vampires don't sleep.

They do, however, sometimes find it relaxing to sit in a chair with a gramophone record playing in the background -- instrumental; an orchestra. Beyond that, there's no label on the record to dictate where or when the performance was recorded.

Carlisle's eyes are closed, his feet are propped up on a chair.

Comments

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme manages a weak smile.

"I'm trying."

[ofthefamily]

"I know."

Esme and Carlisle have nearly entwined themselves around each other in the chair now, ankles crossing over ankles and both leaning inward towards the other.

"What more can I do?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

By sheer force of will, Esme doesn't allow the first words that spring to mind to pass her lips.

Instead, she shrugs and lets her eyes drift closed, drawing comfort from his closeness.

[ofthefamily]

"Somehow I doubt you are ever a woman who does not know what she wants."

He doesn't push the topic, though. Carlisle sits as still as stone with Esme by his side on the chair, thoughts wandering.




"I will try to make you happy. If I can, and know how. There is no manual for this."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Being here makes me happy."

Here being subjective. She means here, sitting with him, close to him. But she assumes he will mean here in Pittsburgh.

[ofthefamily]

For once, Carlisle may actually get it. And not protest.

"You don't have to move until you want to."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme's face no doubt registers her surprise that he not only understand what she meant, but that he's not arguing with her about it.

But rather than comment on that, she is quiet for a moment, listening to the music currently playing.

"What is this?" she asks.

[ofthefamily]

"A record."

Smirk.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme rolls her eyes. "I'm surprised an old guy like you knows anything about modern technology."

She's clearly teasing. But will maintain that, in her defense, he started it.

[ofthefamily]

"Of course I prefer the actual performance to a recording, but harpsichords are slightly difficult to come by in Pittsburgh."

Carlisle stares at the gramophone for a long moment.





"I don't want you to choose me out of...some idea of recompense. You owe me nothing. I have lived for a very long time.

"Don't stay with me because you feel as though you have to."

Family doesn't work that way.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Where do you think I would go?" Esme asks.

Especially in light of the conversation they have just had. She cannot understand why he thinks she might ever want to leave.

"And... you have made it quite clear that I don't owe you anything. You've made it equally clear that choosing you is not an option. I'm well aware of both."

[ofthefamily]

"Esme -- "

Carlisle shifts from his position, pulling back from her; trying to disentangle himself.

" -- For as much as you want a reason why I turned you, you've given me no rational explanation as to why you should want to...choose me. It makes no sense."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"And you have yet to give me a rational explanation as to why you did turn me," Esme retorts, making it easy for him to disentangle himself as she stands up and walks across the room.

"You know why that is, Carlisle?" she demands, addressing the wall. "Because love isn't rational!"

She walks out of the office, not waiting for a response.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle shifts, spinning to his knees backwards on the chair, elbows and forearms across the back of the headrest, calling out to the house at large calmly.

"Esme, please come back."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Why should I?" she asks, hovering in the doorway of her own room.

[ofthefamily]

"Because if we are going to manage to live together, we have to be able to have a conversation in the same room."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme takes a moment to reign in her emotions and walks back to his study. She stays in the doorway.

"Yes?"

[ofthefamily]

From over the top of the chair:

"You're in love with me."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

[ofthefamily]

Esme loved him. Loves. Is in love with.

It makes no sense.

"Come here. Please." Carlisle gestures for Esme to move closer to the back of the chair.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme moves closer against her better judgment. She has nothing further to say, so she gives him an expectant look.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle waits until she wanders close enough to the back of the chair. He stands on his knees, one hand reaching forward and guiding Esme to him, pulling her against the chair back.

There is a nanosecond pause before Carlisle kisses her lightly. She could still break him in half if she felt so inclined. Why do I feel like I could break her?

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

It's a very good thing that Esme doesn't need to breathe because she's forgotten how.

This is almost the last thing she expected. Her thoughts are racing, but she lets her instincts take over and leans into the kiss, her hand resting on the back of Carlisle's neck..

[ofthefamily]

Esme softens to Carlisle and he finds himself smiling, wanting to pull her in closer by the caramel twists of her hair that he daydreams about when it is a slow shift at the hospital.

It's enough.

Carlisle pulls back.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme lets her hand fall to her side when he pulls back. She unconsciously bites her lip, wondering if he's already regretting kissing her.