A trip.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle took the day off from the hospital; he has enough leave to take the next three weeks off if he so desired but he doesn't put in for them at the moment. Before he leaves the house to run an errand he smiles at Edward, who was gathering his books for class.

Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow.

Edward smiles back, a glimmer of a thing, before heading off for the day.

If Esme emerges from her latest project before he gets back to the house, there is a note on the kitchen table:

Esme,

Pack a change of clothing in a light bag you can carry while on a run.
I will return soon.

Carlisle

Comments

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Despite her heightened vampire senses, Esme isn't quite sure she heard Carlisle correctly.

She pulls back enough to meet his eyes, looking for some clue that she's not imagining this.

[ofthefamily]

Not what he was hoping for.




"...Esme?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Somehow she manages to form words.

"I... yes, Carlisle, of course I will... I just... "

... can't believe you actually asked.

[ofthefamily]

Any other time, Carlisle would have asked what the end of the statement would have been.

She said yes, though.

"Good," and Carlisle thinks to inhale again, "That means I can give you something." He bends at one knee to dig through his bag, eventually pulling out a ring that had been carried from Pittsburgh.

"May I?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme nods, words catching in her throat as she holds out her left hand.

The emotional impact of this whole outing is finally catching up to her and she is touched beyond measure by Carlisle's obvious planning.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle grins as he stands.

"Now you really will be Mrs. Cullen."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Carlisle," she manages, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

[ofthefamily]

"You do realize," he admits quietly, still holding Esme to him, "there was a thought in my mind that you would say no.

"I haven't been nervous like that since the sixteen-hundreds."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

His confession makes Esme laugh. "You really thought I might say no? Really?"

[ofthefamily]

"I am not so completely pompous as to assume outright someone else's thoughts," Carlisle tries for prim. It falls to smug rather quickly.




"Esme Anne Cullen. Does that work for you?"

Even as he repeats it for Esme's approval, it is circling in Carlisle's head when he picks up their bags again.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"It sounds perfect," Esme says, grinning broadly.

She watches him pick up the bags. "Why did I need to bring a change of clothes?"

[ofthefamily]

Not that Carlisle ever looks shifty or anything.

But.



"I didn't know what a six hour run would do for needing to get cleaned up later. I also didn't know if you would want to head back home to see Edward or if you would like to stay here for the night."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme's grin turns into a smirk.

"Spending the night around people who don't have enhanced senses and telepathy might be nice tonight."

Because you can bet that Esme would like to celebrate.

[ofthefamily]

You don't have to read minds to sense that.

Carlisle kisses her then, mumbling around their mouths: "I may have a reservation already."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Then what are we waiting for?" Esme asks.