Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A full year had passed since the Cullens returned to Forks, now acting as grownups instead of some teenager studying in Forks high school, minus Renesmee, to her dismay. Carlisle received a warm welcome back to the hospital, where he encountered new faces introduced to him since his departure.

“Good morning Doctor Cullen.” A nurse with red hair greeted politely to him, he was around his height and had brown eyes, a face that he doesn’t remember during his time there

“I’m nurse Sean, not the chief nurse but I think Eunice is getting her out now.” Sean informed him “You’ll like her I think, she’s professional as fuck.”

A girl with her chestnut hair tied up in a bun walked out of a room. At that moment, all Carlisle could think about was how captivating the woman was, everything about her screamed authority, he knew then and there that she was the chief nurse.

Time felt like it slowed down when they locked eyes, this woman has plagued over his mind. Carlisle subtly admired her face, she had eyes that matched the shade of her hair and pale pink lips that complimented her fair complexions.

“Celine Wright, chief nurse here.” Celine introduced herself with a prim and proper tone. She offered her hand in a handshake and Carlisle accepted it, feeling the warmth of her hand against the coldness of his

“Carlisle Cullen, former chief doctor here.” Carlisle introduced back, pulling his hand away from the handshake “Pleasure to meet you.”

From the stories that Carlisle has heard, Celine was 25 years old when she assumed the position and has demonstrated remarkable competence, excelling in her role for a year prior his return with unparalleled precision and skill.

But it was distracting him, she was distracting him. Despite her undeniable competence, it was her blood that proved to be the real challenge for Carlisle. The tantalizing scent of it often left Carlisle struggling to focus, forcing him to endure long stretches without breathing just to filter out the temptation.

But even after leaving work, her scent lingered in his mind, infiltrating every aspect of his life. Something as harmless as a report file with a hint of her scent could drive him to the brink of madness.

It’s been a year since Carlisle has been working with Celine, a year of extreme caution over his thirst. He was always making sure that he was fed before going to the hospital, making sure that there was always some distance between them. However, as the chief nurse, their interactions were inevitable, presenting a constant challenge to Carlisle's restraint.

It also didn’t help that Celine’s kind and caring nature was growing on him in ways that he didn’t expect that it’ll do so. Her smile became a source of motivation for him, brightening his day with a single glance. He found himself instinctively seeking her out upon arriving at work, drawn to her presence like a magnet.

Celine was growing on him, as a person, as a friend, as someone that he wishes he could pursue openly.

“She’s your blood singer and mate.” Edward concluded, having experienced a similar scenario before “You’re dealing with what I’ve dealt with when Bella was still human.”

“Great,” Rosalie scoffed, crossing her arm “Another human.”

“Carlisle won’t pressure her into something that she doesn’t want to partake herself in.” Esme assured everyone

“We would never know if he doesn’t pursue her.” Alice said, holding on from having another vision whether Celine Wright was in their future or not

“Would we rob Carlisle a chance to finally be with his mate?” Edward argued to Rosalie

“Would you rob another girl’s humanity for an uncertainty?” Rosalie asked him back; the tension was growing between the two

“Enough with the arguing.” Carlisle said, a decision set in his head

“I’ve figured out that she’s my mate. But I will not pressure her into anything.” He stated at once to everyone that was listening to him “Nor will I pursue her whatsoever. Let the future play how it has planned to be. Alice, Edward, no attempting to manipulate it to one of your visions.”

Just in time, his alarm has rung, notifying him that he has a shift to get ready for. He bids his goodbye, going to his office to get ready.

He was painfully slow, questioning whether his choice was the right one, plagued by uncertainty and the fear of denying himself a chance at happiness.

But underneath his own desires was the concern for Celine's well-being. He couldn't bear the thought of forcing her into a life she didn't want, no matter how difficult it was for him to accept the possibility of letting her go.

“Are you sure of your decision?” Esme asked him, walking into his office “Do you really want to just give up like that already?”

“She deserves a long, happy life.” Carlisle spoke softly, grabbing his briefcase with all the reports that he’s brought home “Not be damned for eternity.”

“And if she asks for a long, happy life with you, then what?” Esme asked him, making Carlisle ponder at her question. She was right, what certainty did he have that Celine wouldn’t welcome this life?

‘The risk is too high.’ He thought to himself

He left without answering her question.

It was another late-night shift that Celine accepted. Having heard another alibi from one of her co-nurses. Lying and saying that “they have some important matters to deal with,” only to see them by the bar as she drives by, drunk beyond their capabilities.

‘I have nothing to do anyways, so why not just earn more so I could leave this shitty town.’ She always used that to convince herself

In all honesty, Celine's financial status was not a factor in her decision. She had inherited a comfortable sum from when her parents died, ensuring that she was shielded from any financial struggles. But she’s heard that Doctor Cullen always took a night shift, working perfectly for their family’s set up of needing someone to be at home at all times.

What’s wrong if she was to indulge herself and the tiny crush that she had for him? After all, he wasn't married, a fact his hand had subtly conveyed to her.

“Nurse Celine, good to see you…again.” Carlisle greeted, walking in her office (which technically, is his office too) with a disposable cup of coffee “I thought your shift was over?”

“Yeah, Nurse Alex had to bail, said something along the lines of dealing with some personal stuff.” Celine answered “Made sure to give him the morning shift though, just as some sort of revenge.”

“I do not condone that behavior, but frankly, I would say that you deserve the rest.” Carlisle said, sitting next to her. It was dangerous, he knew. But he didn’t want to leave her alone.

“It’s a slow night.” Celine reported “Just one rush to the E.R. thinking that they were dying because of some spots they saw on their face. After doing some checking on it, it was just some questionably large pimples. Scary? Yes. But not fatal.”

“At least it has been slow so you won’t tire yourself too much.” Carlisle said, pushing the coffee near her

“Why don’t you just say to your sister that you don’t actually enjoy the coffee she makes? It just feels like a waste, giving away your coffee every time.” Celine asked, accepting the cup and drinking it

Carlisle was asked by Celine one time why he wasn’t drinking the coffee that he had, noticing that the cup was left untouched until he throws it away just after his shift. In panic, he fabricated a story, claiming that his sister Esme, who worked night shifts at her own job, often made coffee for herself and would give the extras to him.

He had offered it to her then, hoping that the coffee Esme made because she has missed the aroma of coffee was in Celine’s taste. Celine didn’t answer that time if she had enjoyed the coffee or not, but every time he would offer her the coffee, she would accept it.

This silent acceptance fueled Carlisle's hope that perhaps, in some small way, they were connecting through these shared moments over coffee.

From then, he asked Esme about the recipe and continued to make it from the comfort of his car before he walked in the hospital, using the coffee as a conversation starter, a way to engage with her, hoping to deepen their connection through these small interactions.

“You enjoy it.” Carlisle answered almost immediately. Celine looked at him, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion

“I mean, she always makes it at night for her work. Offers some to me, even though I don’t drink coffee, I’m just too shy to not accept it. And besides, you deserve some coffee yourself too.” Carlisle explained further, giving Celine the satisfaction of getting an answer

“Thanks. I owe you one.” Celine said, lifting the coffee and drinking some more of it “How do you even get the energy to do night shifts? Ever since you got here, you’ve like made it your thing to be the one for night shifts.”

“I sleep in the morning.” Carlisle answered, having prepared an alibi for when that question inevitably gets asked to him “Did kind of take a toll on my social life though, I’ll tell you. But I have accepted this way when I decided to step into the field of medicine.”

“Really?” Celine asked, piqued with how he was opening up “Why prefer night shift then? You could easily be transferred to morning shift if you’d just ask.”

“I prefer it this way.” Carlisle answered, Celine pondered if someone has asked him this question before “Besides, who will give you your daily coffee if I don’t join you with the night shifts?”

“I can get myself coffee, thank you very much.” Celine answered, fake insult in her tone and playfully rolling her eyes at him

“I know you can, I do enjoy it just as much to be the one to give you your coffees.” Carlisle said, a smile on his face

‘He looked like a Ken doll.’ She thought, looking at Carlisle and admiring his seemingly perfect features. His eyes was shining golden, a shade she never thought was possible for a human to have. The pale pink tint of his lips stirred a fleeting curiosity about their softness, though she quickly brushed aside any thoughts of how they might feel against her own.

“Some of the nurses are getting jealous, you should give them coffee sometimes.” Celine teased him. Carlisle looked at her, his eyebrows raised at her teasing. He did not want to give anyone else some sort of affection.

His undead heart was with hers before she even knew it.

“That’s if they’ll like 5 teaspoons of sugar and 3 teaspoons of creamer in their coffee.” Carlisle teased her back, watching as she finishes the coffee that he has prepared

“Well, anything that you would give to them, they’ll accept really.” She answered, before going back to reading some reports that the morning shift nurses has prepared for them

The night was long, the comforting silence joining them as they read through. Fortunately, there were no urgent emergencies demanding their attention. It wasn’t until Carlisle heard Celine stifle a yawn that made him check his watch, the small screen showing 8:17 AM.

“Shift over.” Carlisle announced, standing up and faking a stretch

He could have stayed there forever had she been able to do the same.

“Finally.” Celine mumbled, the aftermath of the coffee finally taking a toll on her as she slumps herself on the seat that she’s been on for the past 12 hours “So tired.”

“Need a ride home?” Carlisle asked, seeing that she wasn’t awake enough to go home on her own

Despite his declaration not to pursue Celine, Carlisle found himself engaging in behaviors that seemed to contradict his words. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was unintentionally leading her on, even though she hadn't explicitly expressed interest in him, neither through her words nor her body language.

“I’m fine, brought my car with me.” Celine murmured; her eyes closed as she rests her head on the chair “Just need a few minutes to close my eyes.”

“Okay then.” Carlisle answered, sitting down on the chair where he was sitting earlier, grabbing a bit more reports to read as he accompanies her

The few minutes became an hour. Then the hour became two hours. Carlisle then slowly realized that Celine was beginning to doze off in the chair she was sitting in. He looked at her with a small smile on his face.

He didn’t need to be a vampire or a doctor to know that she was in an uncomfortable position. Her whole torso was slouched down and her head was down, giving the look that she was uncomfortably bowing.

Carlisle moved his seat closer to hers, feeling the warmth of her arm against the coldness of his. With tender care, he lifted her head, cradling it on his shoulder. Though not as plush as a pillow, he knew it would be far more comfortable than where her head had previously rested.

As he sat there, Carlisle gazed at Celine, closing his eyes and synchronizing his faux breathing with hers, attuned to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

Carlisle knew that it was temptation, being this close to her. And a sin to indulge himself in such temptation. But if he was to be damned today, he would be happy to have indulged himself with the existence of Celine.

Chapter Text

Celine woke up, feeling her head be on someone’s shoulders, Carlisle’s. It was a comforting surprise, knowing he had accompanied her during what was meant to be a brief nap to recharge. She checked her watch, 1:43 PM was displayed.

“Carlisle?” Celine asked, grabbing the doctor’s arm

Why was he cold? She questioned as she softly shook him awake, watching as the man fluttered his eyes open. A confused look on his face as to what was happening

“We fell asleep in the office.” She answered to the ‘what happened’ question behind the man’s eyes

“Are we off today?” Carlisle asked her. Celine answered with a nod, gathering her stuff into one hand, her phone on the other.

Carlisle grabbed his keys and phone, joining Celine as she goes out of their office, making sure to lock the room. Though Celine still showed signs of drowsiness, she offered him a reassuring smile, promising to be careful in getting home.

As they stepped outside the hospital, a rush of fresh air greeted them. Carlisle couldn't help but catch a whiff of Celine's scent, causing an internal struggle as he fought against the urge to bite her and turn her into one of them. He closed his eyes, wishing to whichever deity that will listen to him to give him strength from the temptation that was Celine.

“Enjoyed not being cramped in that four walls?” Celine asked him teasingly. He opened his eyes and looked at her, a soft smile forming on his face

His actions were betraying his words.

“I would have spent longer there with you had you decided to stay.” Carlisle answered before turning around and going to his car, not wanting to turn around and see Celine’s reaction

Celine furrowed her eyebrows, watching as Carlisle rushed to his car. Not even looking behind to see what she would have reacted with his words.

‘Did he just openly flirt with me?’ She pondered

Despite Carlisle's attempts to maintain a professional facade, Celine couldn't ignore the subtle advances he made, like the sharing of coffee every day and joining her during night shifts. She wasn’t naïve, she’s 27 already, she understood the signals that he was sending. Celine’s just waiting until Carlisle drops the word, and she will gladly say yes to him.

She chuckled and rolled her eyes at him before making her way to her car, knowing the need to call it a day and grant her body the rest that it desperately needs.

Carlisle decided to go to the forest before heading home, the enticing scent of Celine making him even hungrier. He found a deer, immediately rushing to feast on it. But even as he consumed the deer, thoughts of Celine lingered persistently in his mind, her smiles and eyes and basically the entirety of her refusing to fade.

That’s when he realized what was happening to him.

He quickly disposed of the deer’s dead body before rushing back to his car. He rushed home, having just driven a little under the speed limit.

He was fucked.

He’s had his taste of temptation, the temptation perfectly made to destabilize him and his 382 years of existence, the temptation that was named Celine. And now it was lingering on him, a stain that will never be removed. A sin that will never be forgiven.

Arriving home, Carlisle remained seated in his car, allowing his mind to drift amidst a sea of questions and uncertainties. What ifs and maybes swirled around him, casting a veil of doubt over his thoughts. Lost in contemplation, he was startled when a knock suddenly sounded on his car window, jolting him back to the present.

“Your kids would appreciate it if you walked in the house to talk to them, instead of keeping it all to yourself.” Esme said knowingly. She was right, again.

Stepping out of his car, Carlisle followed her into the house, where he was met by the gaze of the seven of them gathered there. Their eyes held an unreadable expression, leaving Carlisle unable to decipher their intentions.

“Couldn’t stick with your words, could you?” Rosalie asked. Carlisle knew that if he even thinks of pursuing Celine, that it would aggravate his eldest daughter

“He couldn’t even if he wanted to.” Edward answered for him “Instincts.”

“And besides, it’s fate leading them to this now.” Alice added “I haven’t done a vis—

Alice's sudden change in demeanor caught Carlisle's attention. Her eyes unfocused, signaling that she was experiencing one of her visions. Edward was reading into it, his eyebrows getting more and more furrowed as he keeps reading into her mind.

Carlisle couldn't help but wonder about Edward's increasingly concerned expression. What could Alice be foreseeing that was causing such a reaction from Edward?

“Carlisle!” She yelled, snapping out of her vision “Celine!”

“What?” Carlisle asked them “What did you see?”

“There’s a rogue vampire roughly 5 miles south of her house planning to attack her.” Edward said “Celine’s scent stuck by him way back when she was a child, now that the vampire’s back in Forks, he’s come to get her. Alice can’t see if he would turn her or feast on her.”

“It means that it’s still undecided.” Jasper realized, looking at Alice in nervousness “What else do you see?”

“He plans to wait until she’s dead asleep. I can’t see what he plans next.” Alice answered “He’s taking advantage of the fact that she had a 24-hour shift.”

Rosalie gasped at the news, her mind already racing to devise a plan to keep Carlisle's mate safe from harm without revealing the truth. She knew just what was needed to be done to get the Cullens there to check out for the perimeter without growing suspicion of what they were

A silent betrayal on her stance.

“Emmett, get Carlisle some clothes, preferably one for a date.” Rosalie ordered her husband, watching as Emmett rushed up to Carlisle’s room before looking at Carlisle “Carlisle, call Celine and ask her out on a date.”

“I thought—

“Do it now or she dies tonight.” Rosalie ordered

As Carlisle dialed her number and held the phone to his ear, a tense silence enveloped the room, every member of the Cullen family fixated on the ringing sound from the device. Each ring seemed to echo, heightening the anticipation in the air as they awaited a response from the other end of the line.

“Hello?” Celine’s voice said over the phone. It was obvious that she sounded tired, having just had a back-to-back shift

“Hi!” Carlisle said, he ran his hands through his hair. Rosalie was using her facial expressions to tell him to get straight to the point “I was just wondering what you’re doing now?”

“What are you thinking? I thought you didn’t want Carlisle to change her?” Esme asked, moving to be next to her

“I still don’t. But there’s a higher chance that the rogue vampire would kill her over changing her. And who knows what he’ll do before killing her.” Rosalie said, explaining her realization

“She’s using Carlisle to lead Celine out the house so we could do some checking around the perimeter of her house for her safety.” Bella continued, being able to get what was the plan going on Rosalie’s mind

“Rosie, you’re a genius!” Alice yelled, going and hugging her sister

“I-I was wondering if you’d like to get some drinks with me? Like, right now preferably.” Everyone heard Carlisle ask Celine

The ways that this 27-year-old woman gets this 382-year-old vampire nervous and stuttering amuses them all, they’re not gonna lie.

“Can I know why you’re suddenly asking me out?” Celine asked, everyone was listening intently

“Just wanted to let you know that I was sincere on my feelings and not just letting you believe on something.” Carlisle answered, getting Bella to open her mouth in shock “I know it may seem too rushed, but I really just want to let you know what I feel for you.”

The silence on Celine's end was deafening, each passing second feeling like an eternity as they listen intently to the phone call. No one knew if they were either too late in protecting her or if she was pondering her answer. It seemed like they could hear every clock ticking, a nerve-wracking moment of waiting before a soft “I would love to” came out from her side.

“Okay.” Carlisle said, a grin forming on his face “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Carlisle couldn't help but break into a wide grin as he ended the call, the warmth of Celine's acceptance washing over him. Esme chuckled at the sight; her brother finally being given a chance at love. It made her happy beyond words.

“Here’s the clothes, get ready.” Emmett yelled, going downstairs and grabbing Carlisle this navy-blue polo shirt with matching khaki slacks.

‘Thank heavens that he’s been with Rosalie to know what pair looks good together.’ Carlisle thought, getting Edward to chuckle. He rushed to his room, closing the door and getting dressed in the clothes given to him

“What’s changing in the vision?” Rosalie asked Alice as she has another one of her visions “Is she safe from the vampire?”

“The vampire is gonna go in Celine’s house while she’s gone now, positioning himself to surprise attack her. If we do the timing right, we can attack him and burn him just by the edge of the treaty line just before Celine and Carlisle gets back.” Alice answered

“Alice, tell them the truth.” Edward called her out, getting the rest of them to look at Edward, then to Alice “One way or another, we’ll have to face it.”

“This whole fiasco that we’re doing for Celine doesn’t ensure that she’ll be human for eternity.” Alice admitted “I peeked a little further into her future, she was always gonna be a vampire. We’re only preventing it from happening now.”

“Is it her own choice or was it a ‘Carlisle needed to’ situation?” Rosalie asked

“Her own choice, she would be the one to state when she wants it done too.” Alice answered to her question, giving Rosalie the assurance that Celine did have a choice

“How about the date? What will happen to Carlisle and Celine?” Esme asked, a hint of hopefulness in her tone

“Carlisle, just make sure to…wrap it up.” Alice yelled as Carlisle walked out of the room, wearing what Emmett made him wear with some matching shoes

“Ew!” Rosalie yelled in disgust, realizing what Alice meant “Is there any way to prevent…that? What if he doesn’t get to control his instincts?”

“Come on Rosie, Carlisle will take care of her.” Emmett comforted her, rubbing her shoulders with his hand “And besides, he’s been practicing this for over 300 years. I’m sure he’ll manage just fine.”

“Rosie’s right.” Edward said, agreeing with her, something that happened on very rare occasions “Is there a way to prevent something like that from happening?”

“I can’t see a vision where they don’t end up…tangled in the sheets. Do you think you’ll be able to deny her Carlisle?” Alice asked, looking at the vampire who was just wearing his shoes

“He has to.” Edward answered for him “Carlisle may have been exposed to human blood thousands of times already, but this is different. Celine’s his blood singer, he needs to be extra careful with her.”

“We have to go now.” Esme said, ushering everyone out “You decide the separations.”

“Jasper, Edward, Bella, you’re with me.” Emmett said, rushing to his jeep “We’re on hunting duties.”

“We’ll follow behind you, Carlisle.” Alice assured him “Just say that we’re supporting you or something, I’m sure she’ll be amused with that.”

“Don’t get too tipsy!” Emmett yelled, getting a smack from Bella

As they drove towards Celine's house, Carlisle couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at him. Fidgeting in his seat, he found himself grappling with a flood of emotions he hadn't anticipated. The reality of his existence as a vampire loomed large in his mind, a constant reminder of the potential danger he posed to Celine.

Carlisle has already dipped his head in the temptation, he might as well dip the entirety of him in it.

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Chapter Text

They walked back to the bar, with Carlisle closing the tab for the night and paying for the drinks, tipping 50% which made Celine bite her lip in excitement. After getting his card back, they rushed out of the building hand in hand. Carlisle noticed that Rosalie’s car was outside, a silent reminder of the watchful eyes of their family. He took Celine to his car, opening the passenger seat door and letting her enter the car

“I’ll be fast, I promise.” Carlisle whispered to Celine, who only nodded in response. He left a quick peck on her lips before rushing to Rosalie’s car. He knocked on the window, wondering why they were there

“Do not even think of doing something with her tonight.” Rosalie threatened immediately as the window was going down “You’ll hurt her.”

“I do not intend on bedding her while she has alcohol in her system.” He half-lied, knowing that the alcohol in Celine’s system is already almost gone. He could smell her blood slowly going back to its same alluring scent, hinting that she was slowly sobering up

“The rogue vampire is gone.” Alice informed him “Just don’t mind the scent in her place for the time being. It’s…sickening.”

“I’ll remember that.” Carlisle nodded “Are the others gone now?”

“Yes. I told them to leave after they’ve remove the vampire in her place.” Esme answered “Good luck, I think you’ll need it.”

“Go home.” Carlisle said, rolling his eyes at them and going back to his car, where Celine was waiting patiently

“What happened?” Celine asked, the scent of alcohol was still evident in her and Carlisle is having a hard time with just sitting still

“They decided to come to enjoy the night out, thankfully, we’re about to leave too.” He informed her, pulling the seatbelt from her side and buckling it, his eyes on her. He was looking at her face, admiring the features the gods have graced her with

“Is there anything on my face?” Celine asked consciously, about to look at herself in the vanity mirror in his car

“No, you’re just really, really beautiful.” Carlisle whispered softly before starting his car. A smile on his face as he drives back to her place

It was quiet, Carlisle was reaching for the gearshift when he accidentally touched Celine’s thighs. He heard her jolt up in shock making him quickly pull away from the gearshift, scared that he’s made her uncomfortable.

“It’s alright, I was just shocked.” Celine assured him

Her house was coming in sight. Alice wasn’t lying when she said that the scent was sickening. Carlisle couldn't ignore the scent that permeated the air. It was a nauseating mixture of alcohol, human blood, and the unmistakable stench of vomit. He’s happy that Celine couldn’t smell it, he’d rather save her of dealing with scents like these

Rosalie’s voice was echoing in her head “Do not even think of doing something with her tonight.” He could hear her threats. Carlisle understood that she meant well, and that she was right in this discussion. The memory of Edward's unintentional harm to Bella served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in their world.

‘What assurance did I have that I won’t do the same with Celine? What assurance did I have that I’ll be able to control myself?’ He thought, scared of seeing Celine hurt because of him

As Carlisle parked the car in front of Celine's house, a sense of resolve settled within him. He knew what needed to be done. With purposeful strides, he swiftly exited the car and made his way to the passenger seat, where Celine was just about to step out.

She grabbed his hand, pulling him into her house. Without hesitation, he allowed himself to be led, his steps quickening as they made their way into her bedroom. Carlisle lifted her up in his arms, cradling her bridal style as he carried her to the bed. Reaching her bed, Carlisle made him and Celine fall on the bed, a small ‘thud’ and a bounce getting them to giggle.

Celine positioned herself on his lap, pulling him closer for a kiss. It was deep, it was heavy, it was filled with desire. Her desire to feel him. She could feel him get harder, so she started slowly grinding. Carlisle pulled away, letting out a grunt before pulling her for another make out, only this time, his hands were exploring the curves of her body.

She took matters into her own hands, slowly removing his polo shirt, leaving a trail of kisses along his neck as she unbuckled his pants to lift the shirt over his head. Carlisle whimpered under her affectionate touch, his desire evident in every breath. With each kiss, Celine felt herself growing increasingly aroused. She pulled away, finally removing his top

“Need to please you.” Carlisle murmured as Celine’s hands were tracing down his torso, her eyes filled with seduction as he admires him. He wished that he had Edward’s powers at that moment to know what she was thinking about

‘What a masterpiece.’ Celine thought, seeing Carlisle's toned body. Her suspicion was right, he did take care of his physique, and she was blessed to see him like that

Carlisle gently laid Celine down and positioned himself over her, his hands delicately tracing the curves of her waist as he crawled onto the bed. With deliberate care, he began to play with the hem of her blouse, gradually removing it to grant himself greater access to her skin.

“You are divine. A masterpiece carved by the gods above.” Carlisle whispered, indulging himself as he left shallow bite marks on Celine's shoulders, his words an ode to her beauty. Each mark elicited soft whimpers of pleasure from her lips, igniting a symphony of desire between them

Carlisle tenderly explored Celine's shoulders and neck, marking her skin with gentle kisses that elicited moans of pleasure. With deliberate care, he trailed his fingers down to her legs, lifting her skirt and removing the barrier of her panties, eager to continue bestowing pleasure upon his beloved mate.

"Carlisle," Celine moaned softly, her plea laced with desire. "No teasing.”

"I have no intention of teasing you, my love," Carlisle assured, his fingers deftly caressing the growing wetness between Celine's thighs "I simply wish to savor every moment with you."

"Carlisle, please," Celine breathed out, her voice filled with urgency. Carlisle chuckled at her reaction; he hadn't even begun, yet Celine was already pleading

Carlisle gently slid two fingers inside her, giving Celine a moment to adjust to the sensation. She moaned, arching her back in response. Sensing her readiness and just how needy she already is, he abandoned his slow pace, opting instead to quicken the rhythm of his fingers thrusting in and out of her. Simultaneously, he brought his mouth to her clit, skillfully heightening her pleasure with each tantalizing touch.

"Carlisle," Celine breathed out, her racing heartbeat audible to him, indicating her nearing climax.

"Yes, my love?" Carlisle responded, withdrawing from her clit, a trail of saliva lingering as he used his other hand to heighten her pleasure.

"So close." She managed to mutter amidst deep pants.

"I'm aware." He replied calmly, maintaining the rhythm of his hands on her.

It didn’t take long for Celine to cry out his name, her back arching in pleasure as Carlisle continued the steady rhythm of his fingers on her. He even returned to her clit, using his mouth to stimulate her sensitive, freshly-orgasmed pussy

"C-Carlisle!" Celine squealed, grasping a handful of his hair as she grinded her pussy against his face. Carlisle welcomed her enthusiasm, releasing his hands from her and encircling her thighs, ensuring she remained in place.

Carlisle decided that he was gonna force a few more orgasm out of her before calling it a day, a perfect alibi in his mind already. He didn't need his vampiric senses to discern that she was nearing climax once more. Celine's fervent whimpers of his name resonated through the air like sacred incantations as her back arched in pleasure, instinctively tightening her hold on his hair, her fingers gripping the strands with increasing fervor

"Carlisle, I'm cumming!" Celine yelled, instinctively thrusting her hips. Carlisle gently pushed her back down, determined to ride out her orgasm before withdrawing from her.

“Think you can handle a bit more?” Carlisle teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he slid his two fingers back inside her. He watched with satisfaction as Celine's eyes rolled back in pleasure, soft whimpers escaping her lips.

“Oh my god,” Celine breathed out, her pleas for more barely audible amidst the moans

Carlisle chuckled and increased his pace, driven by the desire to get another orgasm from her. He placed his other hand on her clit, rubbing his fingers around to stimulate her more. He was addicted to her every whimpers and her every moan, wanting to do everything in him to push more out of her

He was growing more addicted to her.

"I can't quite hear you, could you say it louder for me, my love?" Carlisle teased, curling his fingers inside her, eliciting a louder moan from Celine.

“I’m getting close.” Celine stuttered out, her chest heaving with each pant

“How close?” Carlisle only asked, making sure to settle his pace on one that could get Celine on her orgasm

“So close, please.” Celine whimpered, her hands gripping the bedsheets tightly

"Do you think you can hold on until I give you permission?" Carlisle asked softly, his other hand resting on her waist, his thumb tracing circles on her skin

“So close— can’t anym-m—

Celine's sentence was cut off as she succumbed to another orgasm, her pussy pulsating around Carlisle's fingers. He maintained his pace until Celine rested her hand on his, gently pushing his hands away, signaling that she had reached her limit.

“How was it, my love?” Carlisle asked her, pulling his fingers out looking at her flushed face. She was panting, and anyone would clearly be able to see just how used she had been

‘To think that it’s just been three orgasms’ Carlisle thought to himself, chuckling as Celine catches her breath

“How about you?” Celine asked, sitting up and gazing at him with concern “This was for the both of us, not just me.”

“Do not worry about me. All I want is for today to be about you.” Carlisle assured her, moving to sit beside Celine and gently pushing the strands of hair that had become damp with sweat away from her “Your pleasure is my pleasure.”

“Stay the night?” Celine asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes

He kissed her forehead tenderly in response, getting up from her bed and going to what he assumed was her closet. He grabbed some clothes for her to wear and brought it back to the bed. He grabbed a clean cloth and went to her bathroom, wetting the cloth and wringing it for it to be damp. Coming back to her, she was about to grab the shirt to wear when he stopped her

“Let me take care of you.” Carlisle whispered softly, his voice filled with tenderness “Please.”

Celine only nodded, allowing Carlisle to make her wear the shirt that he’s gotten for her. He soon followed to carefully pull down her skirt and panties, wiping the dried wetness in between her legs and inner thighs before helping her wear some house shorts.

Observing how Celine was now ready for bed, Carlisle hesitated momentarily before removing his own pants, leaving him in just his boxers. As he settled beside her, he initially felt uncertain, but eventually relaxed, allowing Celine to rest her head on his chest.

“Carlisle?” Celine called quietly, Carlisle let out a hum as response, focusing on matching her breathing “Will things have to come back to how it was after today?”

“My love, if you wish to come back to how we were before today, then we will.” Carlisle answered, looking at her “I just wish to make you happy, that’s all.”

Celine only hummed in reply. She wrapped her arms around her torso, trying to hear his heartbeat to help her fall asleep. Unable to find the familiar rhythm, her mind began to churn with thoughts of the unmistakable signs that hinted at Carlisle's non-human nature. Each revelation felt like a sudden realization, hitting her like a brick to the face.

The cold skin…

The golden eyes…

The non-existent heartbeat…

“Carlisle?” Celine asked again, sitting up and looking at him intently. It was most definitely gonna be her end, but she needed to ask it to him

“Yes, my love?” Carlisle asked, sitting up as well

“You’re not human, are you?”

Chapter Text

“What do you mean?” Carlisle asked, threading carefully on what will happen next

“You’re not human.” Celine concluded with Carlisle not answering her question immediately “What are you?”

“My love…” Carlisle started, looking at her, but he was met with no kind of adoration in her eyes anymore “Yes, I am not human. But I do not intend on harming you.”

“I know.” Celine said, the glint of calmness was now back in her eyes “I just need to know what you are. For my peace of mind, I guess.”

“You’ll either laugh or get extremely concerned if I tell you what I actually am.” He whispered lowly, ashamed of himself

“A vampire?” Celine asked him again

“How did you know?” Carlisle asked almost immediately. He looked at Celine, realizing that she didn’t actually know and that it was just a rough guess that he confirmed.

“A vampire? In a hospital?” Celine asked her, her eyebrows furrowed at the irony of it. There were so many questions running in her mind

“I-I have to go.” Carlisle answered, standing up and picking up his clothes, quickly wearing his shirt and rushing out of her house to his car

‘She knows’ Carlisle was panicking as he drove off back to their house. Thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind, making it impossible for him to think straight. He hit his steering wheel in anger before driving back home in silence, his grip on the steering wheel painfully tight

“Celine knows.” Edward announced to everyone, carefully reading Carlisle’s thoughts

“What do you mean, ‘she knows’? We were careful with it.” Rosalie asked her

“We were careful, Carlisle probably wasn’t.” Edward continued in conclusion “I tried telling you that this was the same as with me and Bella before, but no one believed me.”

“Will we have to move?” Renesmee asked

“No, no. Carlisle will decide on that.” Bella assured her “Besides, we can’t move yet, you need to finish your high school.”

“Well, with what’s happening, we might have to.” Rosalie said, sitting down on one of their couches

“I’m sure Carlisle will have an explanation.” Esme said, trying to calm everyone down. She was just as nervous; would they really just leave Celine like that?

“She figured it out on her own.” Edward said, reading into her mind “She’s not mad. Actually, she’s driving to our place now, at an incredibly dangerous but legal speed. Celine wants to chat with Carlisle.”

“Carlisle left her?” Emmett asked “Weren’t they just having sex earlier?”

“Emmett!” Edward yelled, covering Renesmee’s ears as she laughs at their antics

“My question still stands. Weren’t they just doing something earlier?” Emmett said, chuckling as Renesmee lightly slaps Edward’s hand off her, wanting to listen to what was happening

“Yeah, she’s kind of annoyed about that. But she’s more annoyed that Carlisle just ran away.” Edward said, still reading into Celine’s mind

“Couldn’t even wait until she fell asleep.” Rosalie said, playfully rolling her eyes

“So, you’re warming up to her now?” Jasper asked, teasing her lightly

“I mean, you heard Alice.” Rosalie shrugged “One way or another, she’s gonna be a vampire. We only prevented that rogue vampire from doing it early on.”

“You just want her to not jump first into being one of us?” Bella asked her, knowing and understanding what Rosalie now meant when she was still human

“She’s smart, she would think of the consequences first.” Esme said, already having heard stories about Celine from Carlisle “Besides, Carlisle won’t push her into that.”

“Carlisle is—

“I fucked up.” Carlisle announced, rushing in the house. All of them yelled and closed their eyes, having just seen him in his boxers

“Carlisle, go wear something!” Esme scolded, getting Carlisle to rush up to his room and get dressed into something more casual

“He technically told Celine that we’re vampires.” Edward told everyone as he rushes down the stairs

“Did you even see her reaction?” Jasper asked, Carlisle only shook his head no

“Well now you will, because she’s outside the house.” Jasper said, opening the main door of their house, seeing Celine

“You didn’t tell me that your house was very cold.” Celine said as a greeting to everyone, shivering from the coldness

“Come, let’s talk in my office. Then I’ll introduce you to my family.” Carlisle said, walking to her and taking her hand, leading her to his office

“What now?” Celine asks, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to warm her down. Carlisle immediately grabbed the hanged coat in his office and placed it on her shoulder. The sight of her in his clothes warming him up a bit

“I don’t know.” Carlisle muttered lowly “What do you want now?”

“Well,” Celine said, sitting on the table of his office “I’m not scared that you’re a vampire, if you’re worried about that. And I don’t plan to make that this week’s hospital gossip too, if you’re somehow more worried about that.”

“Thank heavens.” Carlisle let out a big sigh

“Why?” Celine asked him “Is it like a vampire law to not let any non-vampires know about your existence?”

“Kind of, it’s tough to explain.” Carlisle answered, moving closer to her. He knows that he won’t do much help with her being cold, he just wanted to be near her

The silence between the two was comforting but nerve-wracking. Carlisle couldn’t figure out what was going on Celine’s mind 

‘Probably filled with calling me a monster’ a part of his mind said to him

“I think you owe me the truth.” Celine whispered softly, looking at him with a smile “The whole truth, no more of that weird ex-girlfriend stuff. Because you and I both know that that was a very shit lie.”

“Where do you want to start then?” Carlisle asked, walking and grabbing some chairs for her to sit on

“How old are you?” Celine immediately asked, sitting down on the chair that he offered to her

“You have to be a bit more specific than that, my love.” Carlisle chuckled softly, joining her in sitting down

“All of your ages then.” She told him. Her eyes had this twinkle of curiosity, wanting to know more about him

“Well, I was 23 or so when I was turned into a vampire.” He answered, as Celine furrowed her eyebrows, he took it as a sign to continue “It was the 1600’s, we didn’t have a really good date tracking date by then.”

“You’re roughly 300 years old.” Celine said, a shock on her face

“382 to be exact.” Carlisle revealed, getting him to shy away. 

‘Now it looks creepy’ he thought to himself, watching her reactions

“Wow, never thought I’d date that old.” Celine teased him, getting him to let out a sigh of relief

“To be fair, you are already four years older than me in a sense.” He tried to tease her, letting out a small laugh

“I’m four years older than you and 350 years younger than you at the same time. I wish I could say that the math isn’t mathing but it is.” She said, a smile resting on her face.

And Carlisle could only wish that he could freeze the moment between them, take a picture of them and engrave it in his mind, a memory that would remind him of their short-term happiness.

Because who would choose an eternity of being stuck the way you are?

“Esme is 127, Edward and Alice are 121, Rosalie and Emmett are 107, and Jasper is 178 but he’s the last to join us alongside Alice, minus Bella.” Carlisle continued introducing his family

“Bella? As in Bella Swan? As in the chief’s daughter?” Celine asked as ne nodded in response

“She’s with Edward, she’s 35.” Carlisle continued “And the youngest, Renesmee, she’s 16. Edward and Bella’s daughter.”

“So, humans and vampires can procreate too?” Celine asked lowly

“Yeah, but if you think that I’m only pursuing you for that, then you’ve got it all wrong.” He immediately assured her

“Then why pursue me?” Celine asked, looking at him, her eyes begging him for an answer

As Carlisle gazed at Celine, a profound sense of sorrow washed over him. The weight of her pain and self-doubt bore heavily upon his heart, stirring a deep well of empathy within him. He longed to ease her burden, to carry her suffering as his own. Carlisle realized that she always doubted herself underneath the confident aura, thinking that she was worth nothing if she couldn't bear a child.

“Because my heart belongs to you. I belong to you.” Carlisle answered as he stood up, his hands cupping her cheeks and leaving a peck on her forehead

Celine wiped the tears threatening off her face. Never has she felt so loved until now, until with Carlisle. He hugged her, thinking that the tears coming out of her were tears of sadness, of disappointment with herself.

“You’re so kind to me.” Celine mumbled, wrapping her arms around him

They stayed in that moment. Celine has never thought to feel this way so easily about a man, it’s like she was drawn to him. It was as though the universe had conspired to craft their love story, aligning the stars to guide them together.

He was made for her.

“Are you two good now?” A brown-haired woman asked, checking in the office. She was jaw-droppingly gorgeous, getting Celine to subtly feel inferior to her

‘Why did Carlisle not end up with her?’ She questioned to herself

“We are, Esme. Just needed to collect ourselves.” Carlisle answered to her, wiping off the tear stains before leaving small kisses on the apples of her cheek 

“Good, your kids are dying to meet her.” Esme said, a smile on her face.

She was gorgeous, her brown hair rested nicely on her shoulders, her eyes held the same golden shade that Carlisle had. Esme had this maternal aura around her, subtly informing Celine that the Cullens is in no need of a mother figure to fill in

‘Then what am I here for then?’ Celine questioned to herself, stopping her face from forming a frown

“Well, since you’re here.” Carlisle said, motioning Celine to come closer to him “My love, this is Esme. My sister.”

“Hi, I’m Celine!” Celine greeted her with a smile and a small wave. Carlisle instinctively placed his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. Esme immediately liked her energy.

Celine was a fresh breath on a warm day, the one that feels like you’re being lifted by the wind itself.

“We’ve heard a lot about you.” Esme said, opening the door a bit wider for them to go out of “Come, I’m sure the kids would love to meet you.”

“Rosalie is kind of…iffy with you right now. But she’ll come around.” Carlisle warned as they walked out the room. There were seven looking adults, all looking and watching them as they come down the stairs

“Everyone,” Carlisle said as they get down the last step of the stairs “This is Celine.”

“Hi!” A girl with a pixie cut greeted. Celine couldn’t help but notice how she was towered by everyone else in the room “I’m Alice! I’ve seen this happen.”

“Alice, don’t—

“Oh, it’s alright.” Celine assured to the guy with brown hair, a face that was vaguely familiar to her “After finding out that vampires are real, what more is there to limit the imagination?”

“I’m Bella.” Bella introduced herself “Though I know you already know that, seeing as I remember seeing you grow up.”

‘At least there’s a familiar face’ she thought, letting out a small sigh of relief

“You make it weird saying it like that.” Another guy with brown hair teased Bella. He was really buff, getting Celine to be intimidated “Emmett by the way. This is my wife, Rosalie.”

The woman that Emmett pointed at, Rosalie, only looked at her. A face that Celine can’t seem to figure out what it was saying to her. Rosalie was drop dead gorgeous, any insecurity that she felt earlier to Esme was now tripled in Rosalie’s presence. Her gold hair, which was tied up in a ponytail right now, shone golden.

‘I don’t belong here’ her mind cruelly told her

“Babe, don’t do this now, please?” Emmett said to his wife, rubbing her shoulders to try and calm her down

“It’s fine. Must be unusual having a human be over casually.” Celine assured them again.

‘Who am I to complain about their behavior?’ she thought to herself

“I’m Edward, Bella’s husband.” Edward, the guy that tried to stop Alice earlier, introduced himself “And this is our daughter Renesmee.”

Renesmee waved her hand at Celine cheerfully. Whatever kind of nervousness she got from Rosalie was relieved with Renesmee. She was a walking sunshine.

“I’m Jasper.” A blond guy, Jasper, said with a small wave. He shared the same hair color as Rosalie did, though his was just above his collar “Pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Pleasure to meet you too.” Celine said to everyone

Celine felt awkward with everyone’s eyes on her, getting a feeling that she wouldn’t fit in their perfectly made illusion of a family. It was making Celine feel pity for herself.

“Carlisle, have you told her?” Edward asked quietly

“Tell me what?” She asked instead of Carlisle

“My kids…” Carlisle started slowly “Some of them have special gifts. Edward can telepathically read minds, Alice can see into the future, Jasper can control emotions, Bella can block Edward’s telepathy and basically anything that is of the using of mind, and Renesmee can transmit thoughts to others.”

“So—

“I didn’t intend to, but it was practically just yelling.” Edward confirmed her suspicion, getting Celine to push her lips in a thin line and just nod in response

“I do not plan into turning you into a vampire—

“Thank you.” Celine said, looking at Carlisle “I’d love to do some thinking first before making a final decision.”

“What?” Bella asked, her eyes widened at Celine

“It won’t be an easy transition for me.” Celine answered, looking at Bella “It may have worked out for you, but it wouldn’t immediately work out for me.”

“I would understand if you also would want to go back to how we were.” She continued, now turning her attention to Carlisle “Seeing as I’m technically rejecting you now.”

“Oh no, I don’t see that as a rejection.” Carlisle said, shaking his head no to her “Even if for a short while, I would love to be given a chance to pursue you. To make you feel loved and appreciated.”

‘It will be more than enough for me to carry for eternity’ Carlisle wanted to add. He looked at Edward and slightly shook his head no, asking him to not say what his thoughts wanted to

“Are you sure?” Celine asked him again

“Of course.” Carlisle answered almost immediately, a comforting smile on his face

“Then, I think a second date should be in the talks soon.” Celine said, kissing Carlisle’s cheek before walking to the front door

“It’s been an honor to meet you all.” She said, looking around the family that was watching her “I would assume that it won’t be the last time we’ll see each other.”

Celine walked out and closed the door behind her. The family was listening intently for her car to leave before even thinking of saying their thoughts out loud

“…I think that went well.” Esme said, her hand clasped together and her lips pushed in a thin line

“It didn’t, that was shit.” Rosalie said, shaking her head no at Esme “At least she wasn’t jumping headfirst into being a vampire.”

Chapter Text

Celine was invited to the Cullen’s house one afternoon by Bella, eager to catch up and discuss the existence of vampires and other supernatural beings that Celine might now encounter, given her newfound knowledge about vampires.

“Celine, hi!” Esme greeted, being the one to open the house before she even got to knock

“Hi Esme.” Celine greeted back, smiling at her.

Celine noticed the subtle darkening of her eyes when she opened the door for her but didn’t say anything about it otherwise, only thinking that it was a vampire thing. Unbeknownst to her, Esme's keen gaze followed her every move as she entered the house and made her way to the living room where Bella awaited.

“Esme, let’s go feed first.” Edward offered, getting Esme’s trance to stop and redirect to Edward. She only nodded in reply, following Edward out the house without a word

“How are you?” Bella asked, a warm smile on her unnaturally pale face

“I’m good, glad to be off today.” Celine replied resting on the couch

“There’s another non-bloodsucker.” Jacob said, walking in and pointing finger guns at her “Hey Celine.”

“Oh my god.” Celine said with a grin, playfully rolling her eyes at him

“You were moments away from being a meal, if you didn’t notice.” Jacob said, pointing to the open door where Esme and Edward went out

“You didn’t need to tell her that, I hope you know that.” Bella scolded, shaking her head no at him

“How does your diet even work?” Celine asked curiously

“Well, no need to worry about us making you our meal since firstly, we’re vegetarian vampires, meaning that we only feed on animals instead of the typical human that the other vampires do. Secondly, we’re in control with our thirst for actual human blood now, Carlisle having the most control over it.” Bella explained thoroughly

“You’re in safe hands with him.” She added, giving Celine some sort of comfort

“Oh, come on.” Jacob told her, rolling his eyes at Bella “Let’s be real, Esme almost slipped up earlier. If it weren’t for Edward pulling her out.”

“She’s been the most away from humans, preferring to stay at home and do her architectural and art works here instead of outside with humans.” Bella explained to Celine

“How tough was it anyways? Being a human with them?” Celine asked Bella.

Bella contemplated her response carefully, determined to portray that being human around the Cullens was completely safe. If there was anyone that was gonna fuck up Carlisle’s chance of an eternity with his mate, it was definitely not gonna be Bella.

Somehow, Bella couldn't bring herself to lie to her. She felt a moral obligation to answer Celine's question truthfully, providing her with both the advantages and disadvantages of being human around the Cullens. She wanted Celine to still decide for herself, even though her fate of being a vampire is sealed.

“Being with them as a human was an…odd experience.” Bella started softly, remembering how it was when she was in Celine’s situation

“There have been moments where Edward needed to be very careful with his thirst around me, there have been slip-ups from Jasper as well. Being with us, despite us being vegetarian vampires, doesn’t ensure you complete safety.” She continued, watching Celine’s reaction carefully

“Just like how Esme was earlier?” Celine asked lowly, figuring two and two together. Bella only nodded in reply, getting Celine to push her lips, forming a thin line

“But when they protect, they protect hard.” Bella continued, sharing multiple stories on how the Cullens have protected her and Chief Swan during her time as human

If Celine was frankly speaking, she found herself conflicted after hearing Bella's stories. While she appreciated Bella's honesty, the tales of gore and life-or-death situations only served to deepen her reservations about becoming a vampire. Each anecdote seemed too coincidental, as if fate itself were guiding Bella toward the path of vampirism.

And she wasn’t having any of those, so what makes it sure that she has the same fate as Bella did?

“Bella, I think it’ll be best if I talk to her.” Rosalie called from the doorway, a soft smile on her face “Your stories are obviously scaring her.”

“She has good control, no need to worry about her.” Bella comforted before standing up “She’s killed people though so I’ll look out for that.”

“Oh please.” Rosalie said, playfully rolling her eyes at Bella before sitting next to Celine “I do not intend on killing Celine.”

“Thanks for the assurance.” Celine said awkwardly, biting her lip in an attempt to hide the laughter

“So, not a fan of Bella’s very gruesome stories?” Rosalie asked her

“Kind of. It was just too much for her to happen in like a year or so.” Celine answered honestly

“Fair enough. I guess time just becomes kind of invisible to us when you’ve been alive for so long.” Rosalie shrugged

“Kind of scary, don’t you think?” Celine asked her “Time has become so invisible to you that something you share could already be years, or in some cases, decades ago.”

“I understand if you don’t want to join us, there’s no pressure in your decision of becoming one.” Rosalie said softly, a smile on her face

“Did you not want to be one?” Celine asked her in a gentle tone

“I used to.” She replied lowly, her eyes admiring Celine’s humanity

“I opened this to Carlisle one time, told him that sometimes I wished that he didn’t change me that night. That he should have left me dead.” She continued, averting her eyes into the nothingness of the doorway, possibly remembering the discussion they had

“He knew the weight of his decision, and he knew that his choice placed him in the same spot as my ex-fiancé and his friends. Carlisle used to be wary around me, and that was the same with me. I had so much rage at him that I couldn’t even look at him in the eye.”

“The first time I ever did look at him was when I begged him to change Emmett. Carlisle kindly accompanied me after while Edward and Esme were helping Emmett with his thirst, asked me how I was feeling, asked me if I needed anything.”

“I remember staying silent the whole time, even though I desperately needed someone to hold me then. I was scared, scared that Emmett won’t welcome the life that I had introduced him into. That he would become another…me. I was scared that I had just caused Carlisle to carry the weight of two people not welcoming that change that he did.”

“What did he do?” Celine asked softly, allowing Rosalie to open up more as she listens to her story

“He held me.” Rosalie only answered “He wrapped his arm around me, in a way that no man has ever done to me when I was still human. He brushed my hair with his hands with the same gentleness as how he is when he’s on the operating room. It was protective, it was caring. It was my first time feeling a paternal love through touch.”

“Because, undeniably, underneath the narcissistic behavior that I have, I had yearned someone to see past through my beauty. I wanted someone to know me beyond being the most beautiful woman that they’ve seen. I needed someone to know that I’m more than just my beauty.”

“Carlisle became the first man to actually show care for me beyond being a display; I wasn’t a prized possession to brag about to him. I was Rosalie Hale, his eldest daughter.” She ended, a soft smile on her face

“I thought I was just imagining your presence.” Carlisle’s voice said softly from the doorway, a smile on his face at the sight of Celine

“Bella invited her, though she was creeping her out with what had happened to her when she was still human with us.” Rosalie answered, chuckling at Bella’s stories “Edward is in the forest with Esme, if I were to guess, they’ll be home soon. Emmett, Jasper, and Alice are in town right now, said that they’ll be home before night hits.”

“Thanks a lot, Rosie.” Carlisle said, walking closer to the two of them. Rosalie took it as a sign and stood up from her spot, letting Carlisle have her moment with Celine

“Hello handsome.” Celine greeted once Rosalie has left them in the living room all by themselves.

Seeing him warmed Celine’s heart, a soft, giddy smile forming on her face. The same way that their quiet moments in the hospital, the subtle showing of affection underneath the tables, and Carlisle being more vocal in respectfully declining any moves that the other nurses and patients are showing to him did to her.

She knew that she was falling for him, in ways that she didn’t think one could do so.

“How was spending time with Rosie and Bella?” He asked her, sitting down on the space where Rosalie and Bella were once sitting

“Both were just sharing bits of their past.” She replied, scooting closer to him

“Then, you must know?” Carlisle asked, a hint of shame in his tone “You know what I have damned Rosalie with?”

“Is that why you were easy to accept my hesitancy in becoming one of you?” Celine asked lowly, intertwining her hands with his

“All I wish is that you get to decide for yourself, my love.” He replied, leaving a peck of assurance on her temples

Bella and Rosalie’s stories didn’t really help Celine on answering the question whether she’ll become a vampire with them or not. Bella's journey involved considerable risk before her transformation, while Rosalie's transformation was marked by a lack of choice, both something that Celine wasn’t facing right now.

In the midst of her uncertainty about becoming a vampire, one thing remained clear to Celine: her heart belonged to Carlisle, the discussions of her being a vampire can be dealt with once it comes.

~~

“Are you re— my love, what are you doing?” Carlisle asked, walking in Celine’s house and seeing her try to push her couch to the opposite side of the room

“Did you not receive my message that I won’t be available today?” Celine asked, a small frown on her face as she faces him

“Do you need some physical help?” He just asked curiously, looking at her with nothing but concern on her face

“I’ll be fine, just need to get this couch to the opposite side.” She answered kindly, smiling at him before going back and trying to push back the couch that she was pushing earlier

Carlisle decided to pull Celine away from the couch that she was pushing before carrying the couch to the empty spot where she actually planned to place it. With a cheeky grin, he faced her annoyed but amazed expression before going to her and pecking her cheeks.

“That was annoyingly cool.” Celine spoke up after a bit of staring at the couch and the now empty spot

“Comes with being 300 years old, I guess.” He playfully replied, pulling her hand and twirling her around

“You’re very pretty.” Carlisle whispered, resting his hand on Celine’s waist and pulling her closer to him with such gentleness that she felt like a porcelain doll

“Not Rosalie or Esme pretty though. Or Bella and Alice in some sense.” Celine answered offhandedly, catching the two of them off guard. She looked at him with wide eyes, scared of what his reaction will be

“Your beauty is one that reminds me of my humanity. Even if there isn’t much to remind me of it.” He only said, his hands tracing her cheeks with the same gentleness as earlier

“You are the radiant flowers that adorn the sacred corridors of cathedrals, my love; each petal is a representation of purity and elegance. You possess a purity that demands safeguarding, for there are those who would covet you not for your inherent worth, but merely to adorn themselves with a fragment of your radiance, like a prized possession to be displayed but never truly cherished.”

Carlisle went and pulled her for a deep kiss, his hands resting on her back for support. He wanted that kiss to radiate all the love that he has for Celine.

He may not have all of eternity to show her how much he loves her, but he has all of Celine’s life to prove to her that it’s her and that it will always be her that his undead heart beats for.

~~

After a few weeks, Celine was invited by Rosalie again, telling her that they haven’t seen each other in forever even though it only has been a few weeks. Having no choice but to give what she wanted, Celine prepared some overnight stuff, knowing that their house wasn’t human enough to have what she would need to actually stay over.

Walking in the house, she only saw Edward, who was reading, in the living room. She didn’t know where the others were, only knowing that Carlisle was with Renesmee, accompanying his granddaughter for the day.

“Rosalie and Emmett went out on a date, while Alice and Jasper are on Port Angeles right now, Jasper’s buying some new shoes. Esme and Bella are over at the cottage that they plan to gift to Alice and Jasper’s for their wedding anniversary.” Edward answered, not looking up from his book but having read the questions forming in her mind

Celine couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled by the unusual situation of being alone with Edward. Typically, he found reasons to excuse himself when she was around.  Though, it kind of helped with her anxiety, being with someone that could hear her every thought icked her.

“I really am trying to not read your mind right now.” Edward announced, finally looking at her, a guilty look on his face “I just hear yours much clearer since you’re the only one nearby.”

“Sorry, didn’t want you to feel guilty of your gift.” Celine said quietly, sitting on the opposite end of the couch that he was in, patiently waiting for someone to come. Someone that she could actually talk to

It was quiet for a moment, Celine was thinking of anything that Carlisle has told her about Edward to use as conversation starter, not wanting Edward to think about her otherwise. She was determined to connect with him on a deeper level, wanting to know him beyond just being the first person that Carlisle had been with.

“I was genuinely…terrified when Carlisle told us about you.” Edward started, getting Celine to look at him with furrowed eyebrows “We’ve seen with me how a blood singer can destabilize anyone in this diet, even having practiced this lifestyle for so long. We were scared that Carlisle, of all the vampires practicing this diet, might lose his control on you.”

“Blood singer?” Celine asked curiously

“A blood singer is a person whose blood sings for one specific vampire. It’s like their own personal brand of heroine.” He explained to her, reading her thoughts briefly before continuing “Bella was my blood singer when she was still human.”

“What does it mean to be a vampire’s blood singer then?” She asked again

Edward felt the need to gently redirect the discussion, knowing Carlisle would be better equipped to handle it. He recognized that Carlisle could provide a more reassuring explanation about their unique circumstances, assuring Celine of his continued composure and control around her.

But somehow, the way that Celine was looking at him with such curiosity made him want to answer her question. She was intrigued and Edward had the knowledge that was more than enough to give answers to her questions.

“It basically means that your blood will be addictive to Carlisle if he ever got a whiff or taste of it.” Edward bluntly replied before realizing what he had just said. He quickly focused his telepathy on Celine, seeing any reaction that he probably would need to raise to Carlisle because of his actions

“But Carlisle has seen me bleeding before, I get papercuts all the time.” Celine told him, her eyebrows furrowed “Maybe I’m not his blood singer or something.”

“Trust me, you are.” He only told her, an assuring smile on his face “I hear his thoughts about you all the time, especially when you two have first just met.”

“What does he think of me then?” She asked him

“It is not my position to tell you what goes in his mind.” Edward disagreed, shaking his head at her question “All I could say is that his heart is with you.”

“Why didn’t Carlisle and Esme just get paired to each other?” Celine asked him quietly

Edward looked at her, reading into Celine’s mind to see what had caused her to ask such a question, especially when Carlisle has shown nothing but love and compassion to her. But he was blasted with various doubting, showing that underneath her confident aura was a woman riddled with insecurities.

“They tried…at first.” Edward started slowly, keenly watching Celine just in case his stories just adds on her doubting

“Carlisle felt the need to take responsibility of Esme, and she agreed. She thought that the old crush that she had on him when she was younger would blossom into something more, which was why she agreed. Overtime, they realized that they weren’t fit for each other.”

“He was willing to keep the relationship going, out of responsibility. But Esme stopped him, told him that they should go as brothers and sisters instead, knowing that it would fit them more. She told him that the crush she had on him was merely attraction, and that she could not see him as a partner.”

“Esme isn’t who Carlisle needs as a partner, but she’s who the coven needs as a matriarch.” Edward ended, satisfied with how he’s worded their story

“Did Carlisle like her that way?” Celine asked him curiously

“He says he did, but frankly speaking, he was just convincing himself that he liked her that way.” He answered earnestly

“I wish I could say more, to get you to change your mind about if you’re worthy of Carlisle or not. But all I can tell you is that the entirety of him is in your palm.”

Chapter Text

Everyone noticed the change in the relationship between Dr. Cullen and Nurse Celine, having picked up the subtle looks at each other. Even without any explicit confirmation, the meaningful looks exchanged, especially from Dr. Cullen's eyes, were enough to indicate that something had changed between them.

“After discussing schedule issues with the morning people, Doctor Cullen wanted me to announce that we’ll soon go to having morning shifts now.” Celine announced to everyone in the night shift that was having some sort of snack in the cafeteria

 “Always the first to know.” Nurse Sean teased her

He was the first one to pick up that what used to be pinning before was now mutual, the telltale glow in Doctor Cullen's eyes whenever Celine's name was mentioned spoke volumes, confirming the shift in their relationship

“You are kind of forgetting that I’m still his chief nurse.” She replied, playfully rolling her eyes at the redhead “Did you hit your head too hard in Italy?”

“Yeah Sean, besides, if Doc Cullen wanted her, they would have been together already.” Nurse Eunice said, before looking at Celine “So, are you dating? Because it’s clearer than a glass that he wants you.”

“Oh my god. No, we are not.” Celine said, having answered the same question already.

They weren’t exclusively dating, but the quick kisses that they share in their office just before they go back to work says otherwise.

They weren’t exclusively dating, but Carlisle turning down every sort of affection from other nurses and patients except for Celine’s says otherwise.

They weren’t exclusively dating, but Celine allowing only Carlisle to be the one to take her home after a long shift says otherwise.

They weren’t exclusively dating, but they might already be.

“There’s no shame in dating him. And as you said, he’s single.” Eunice teased her, wiggling her eyebrows playfully

“Eunice, no.” Celine said, shaking her head no with a smile “We’re just friends, don’t make me the topic of this week’s hospital gossip.”

“Yeah, the morning shift nurses think that Doctor Cullen being in the morning shift gives them some chances now.” Sean said, rolling his eyes “Do they not know that Doctor Cullen only likes the chief nurse of Forks Hospital?”

“Already the gossip of the morning shift, still the gossip of the night shift?” Carlisle asked, walking through their table with a box of donuts on one hand and a tray of coffee on another

“I guess you’re just too pretty to not be talk of the town.” Celine said, amused as she helps him with the food that he got for them

“Well, you would be talk of the country then if that’s the basis.” Carlisle said, a teasing grin on his face as she rolls her eyes at him “Eat up, wouldn’t want my best team to get hungry.”

“Wouldn’t want your Celine to be hungry, you say.” Sean teased him, opening the donut box and grabbing one for himself

Celine watched Carlisle grab a disposable cup and drink out of it. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as to what was in the cup for him to actually drink it, Carlisle’s told her multiple times that he doesn’t intake anything other than animal blood, so the sight of him drinking out of a coffee cup confused her.

“Animal blood.” Carlisle whispered so quietly to Celine that she almost didn’t hear it if she wasn’t tuning out Sean and Eunice’s bantering “Threw the content of the cup so I could replace it with my drink.”

“Of course, why didn’t I figure that out?” Celine said, rolling her eyes with herself.

She grabbed one of the iced drinks, having told Carlisle once that she prefers iced beverages over hot ones after yelling a string of curses from burning her tongue.

The fact that he remembered that simple information she’s shared warmed her up deeply.

“So, will the four of us be in the morning shift, or just some selected ones?” Sean asked them

“Well, they’re asking for Nurse Celine to stay in the night shift, so she’s staying night shift until further announcements.” Carlisle answered, his lips pressed in a thin line as he pulls Celine a seat

“Wait, what?” Celine asked, looking at him in shock “I thought that the four of us would be on the morning shift?”

“That’s what I originally wanted too.” Carlisle answered as he rests his hand on Celine’s shoulder, subtly inviting her to sit down “But they said that they needed someone like her for the night shift.”

“Would it not make more sense for it to be you on night shift?” Celine asked, her eyebrows still furrowed as a frown form on her face. She sat down on the chair and grabbed a donut, eating out of frustration

Seeing the frown form on Celine's face, Carlisle couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment in himself. It had been his intention to bring her to the morning shift with him, not just so they could spend time at work together, but also because it’s beneficial for her.

He felt like he was disappointing his promise of giving her everything she wants.

“I’ll see what I can do more.” Carlisle said softly, sitting down next to Celine and resting his hand on Celine’s thighs, drawing circles to subtly comfort her “If it comes down to it, I’ll do night shifts so Celine can have morning ones.”

Back home, Alice couldn’t help but have a vision. Looking for anything to look out for, seeing as they now have another human to protect, especially with her being Carlisle’s mate. Because if there’s anyone that’s gonna know if someone wants jeopardize his happiness, it sure as hell would be Alice.

“See anything?” Edward asked before using his telepathy to look for himself as well

“I really cannot see a future where Celine doesn’t become a vampire.” Alice said softly, grabbing Jasper’s hand and playing with it “It just depends on who’s gonna change her.”

“The Volturi.” Edward said, seeing what Alice now meant “Are they going after her now?”

“Not yet.” She answered “But Aro has gotten the news of Carlisle finally meeting his mate. He’s finding it amusing that it’s a human.”

“Aro plans to be the one to personally change her only to spite Carlisle.” Edward continued, a disgusted look on his face

“He thinks that Carlisle won’t have the courage to change her, does he?” Jasper asked, his eyebrows furrowed as Alice nodded yes to his question

“I heard Volturi talks.” Emmett said, walking in with Rosalie

“What’s the Volturi got against us now this time?” Rosalie asked, her eyebrows furrowed

“Aro is sending a letter to us soon. He wants to meet Carlisle’s mate.” Alice informed “The letter consists of something about being happy that he’s found his mate.”

“What?!” Rosalie yelled, immediately figuring out that meeting her isn’t just what the Volturi wants

“We can’t let Carlisle and Celine go there; we have to stop them.” Edward said, the others nodded in agreement

“Oh, so no fighting Volturi today?” Emmett asked, making Rosalie fight off a smile

“We’re outnumbered. The guards alone will cause damage to us.” Edward answered logically, though the thoughts of fighting the Volturi was something he wasn’t opposed to doing

“If you’re talking about Jane, then we have Bella to counter her.” Jasper answered back “We can fight them if we want to, we just have to prepare.”

“Carlisle won’t let us.” Rosalie knowingly told them, knowing how much he still respected the Volturi despite their multiple attempts of destroying his family

“Do you think Celine would want us to fight?” Edward pondered

“Why suddenly ask– oh.” Emmett said, realizing what he meant

“Carlisle is willing to give her everything she wants. If she ever wanted to fight the Volturi, he would give in without second doubt.” Jasper said out loud in realization, a smirk on his face at the realization

“Do we tell Carlisle of the vision with the Volturi?” Alice asked “He’ll find out one way or the other, it’s best that we prepare him now.”

“Well, with that, we have to tell him that Celine’s gonna be a vampire too.” Edward said back “We’ve been holding that information back from him.”

“Celine doesn’t even know that they’re mates.” Rosalie added “Carlisle wants to give her the choice of walking away from him if she ever wants to.”

“Their relationship is built on secrecy?” Emmett asked

“More of ‘he just needs time before opening other vampire things to her,’ really.” Alice corrected him “It’ll be a shock to her, hearing those terms.”

“Carlisle wants to ask Celine to stay the night.” Edward suddenly announced to everyone in the room, changing the topic

“Has she eaten? Is there something open tonight? We can buy her food.” Rosalie immediately asked, standing up as she was about to rush and buy food for her.

‘Why did she warm up easier to Celine than Bella?’ Edward pondered, watching as she accidentally bumps into Bella on her way out

“Everything alright?” Bella asked

“Well, Celine’s staying the night here. We should at least get her food.” Rosalie said to her

“Celine already ate. Carlisle got her donuts.” Edward said, easing Rosalie

The Cullen kids then decided to lounge around the house, anticipating the arrival of their guest, while also hoping that Carlisle would finally provide the additional information that Celine needed.

“The vision is changing.” Alice announced, getting them to look at her

“Aro isn’t gonna send it to our house anymore.”

As the end of the shift approached, Celine found herself in excruciating pain, her back and legs aching beyond words. While she loved her work in the hospital and the opportunity to help people, the toll it took on her body was something she could do without.

“Carlisle doesn’t deal with this.” Celine frowned, trying to squeeze her calf. The thoughts of being a vampire just so she won’t be in pain plaguing her thoughts

“You good?” Carlisle asked, walking in their office as she rubs her legs, trying to soothe the pain

“Did a bit too much running.” Celine answered with a frown

“Cramping or just in pain?” He asked again, moving to where she was to check it out for himself. Carlisle gently rested his hand on her calf, massaging it, his cold hands acting as some sort of ice pack for it

“Just in pain, probably a light sprain.” She answered before shooing his hand away “I’ll be fine, no need to worry about me.”

“You’re asking me, of all beings that care for you, to not worry about you?” Carlisle chuckled at her before standing up and leaving a peck on her forehead “That’s like rejecting me already, my love.”

“Don’t be overdramatic, you know I would say if I want you to stop courting me.” Celine said, rolling her eyes at him

“The kids miss you.” Carlisle said in a soft tone, sitting down next to her

“I think you share too much about me with them.” Celine softly teased, resting her head on his shoulders

“They want to know you more beyond my stories.” He added, softly grabbing her left hand to admire “You know a lot about them, but they, minus Edward and Bella, knows little about you.”

As he held her hand, Carlisle's thoughts drifted, imagining the day he could slip a ring on that very hand. The idea of pledging himself to her, whether for eternity or until her mortal life's end, filled him with excitement. While he acknowledged it might be too early to contemplate such things, he couldn't help but visualize a future where they’re bound together in every sense of the word.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Celine asked him quietly

“Just admiring every bit of you.” Carlisle whispered softly

“You know.” Celine started; her eyes closed off as she enjoys the few minutes of solace with him “I’ve kind of considered being a vampire.”

“My love, you don’t have to pressure yourself into joining me.” Carlisle instantly assured her “A vampire or not, I will love you for all of your life and until the end of mine.”

“I know.” She whispered, a blush creeping on her cheeks from his assurance “But like, I would be leaving no one in this world if I choose to change into one of you. So, at least I wouldn’t deal with the pain of outliving anyone. Other than friends, obviously.”

“I’m not saying that I’ll do it now, but like, the thought is there.” Celine continued “I’m 27, I’m technically already older than all of you.”

“Fair enough.” Carlisle answered lightly, feeling so many emotions at once.

Carlisle was taken aback by Celine's unexpected openness to the idea of becoming a vampire with them. He had already resigned himself to loving her until the end of her mortal life and carrying the love she gave him until the end of his immortal existence.

“Well, only a few months till May comes. And when it does, I’m gonna be more older than all of you.” Celine lightly bantered, a smile on her face “As sexy as it sounds for others, I don’t think you’re a fan of dating someone that’s almost five years older than you.”

“My love, are you sure that you’re not pressured to do this?” Carlisle asked again

“I’m sure of my decision.” Celine assured him with a smile “I’d like to do it on the night of my 30th birthday, unless something fatal happens to me within those three years of waiting. It’ll give me more than enough time to do things that I as a vampire wouldn’t be able to do anymore.”

“Of course, your wish will be granted.” Carlisle whispered, a huge grin resting on his face as he looks at Celine’s hand again

For eternity it is.

“Stay the night with me?” Carlisle asked quietly, wanting nothing more than to spend every moment with her. He’ll have all of eternity already, he just wants to have a head start

“Of course.” Celine whispered in reply

Soon, their shift was officially over. Carlisle and Celine started gathering their stuff, making their way out of their office with huge grins on their faces.

Walking out of the hospital, Carlisle reached for Celine's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. In that moment, everything felt wonderful, as if all the pieces were falling into place. It was only a matter of time until forever comes to him and Celine.

What’s 3 more years when he’s already waited 382 years for her?

She and Carlisle made their way to his car. Where a note was by the windshield. They both looked at each other, curious and concerned for what the note was about. Carlisle seemed to know the logo in front of the note as he quickly pulled it off his windshield, opening and seeing what it was

I would love to meet the future Mrs. Cullen of yours, Carlisle. Congratulations on finally meeting your mate.

Chapter Text

“Who’s it from?” Celine asked, peaking and seeing the note “And aren’t they jumping to the conclusion a bit too early? Why am I already Mrs. Cullen there?”

“Come, I’ll explain more to you at home.” Carlisle said, folding the paper and hiding it in his pockets

Celine was confused but decided to get in Carlisle’s car to go home with him. Throughout the journey, Carlisle remained unusually quiet, leaving Celine to ponder the implications of the note. The realization that someone knew about Carlisle and seemed to be keeping tabs on him stirred a sense of insecurity within her. She couldn't shake the reminder that Carlisle had lived a much longer life than she ever would, introducing an additional layer of complexity to their relationship.

“My love, it isn’t what it looks like.” Carlisle whispered, grabbing her hand and kissing it “Right now, we just need to get to the comfort of our home before I tell you more.”

“Our home?” Celine asked

“You might as well live with us after I tell you what this note is about.” Carlisle said, speeding up to get home quicker

Soon, the Cullen residence was coming into view, Edward and Alice were outside waiting for them. As if they knew that she would be with him when he goes home

‘Of course, they knew’ Celine thought, chuckling to herself as she remembered their skills

“My love, are you mad at me?” Carlisle asked as he parks to his spot

“Why would I be?” Celine asked back, curious as to where his sudden question came from

“You’ve been quiet the whole time, I thought the me being secretive might have angered you.” He confessed softly

“I’m not.” Celine assured him instantly, pulling him for a small kiss on the lips “Just pondering, that’s all.”

As Carlisle leaned in for a longer kiss, their moment was interrupted by a knock on the window. Celine quickly pulled away, realizing that one of Carlisle's kids had caught them in the act making her blush deep red at the thought. Carlisle sighed in frustration at the interruption, offering a sheepish smile to Celine before exiting the car to open the passenger door for her.

“Hi Celine!” Alice greeted as she stepped out of the car. Celine waved hi at her with a smile, seeing how excited she was to see her

“Come, they’re waiting for you.” Carlisle said, resting his hands on Celine’s waist and pulling her closer to him

They walked into the house, where all of them were actually waiting for her. Despite being unable to read their minds, she couldn't shake the feeling that their collective demeanor was connected to the note Carlisle had received earlier.

“We’ll just talk for a bit, yeah?” Carlisle assured Celine, leaving a small peck on the temples of her head

Carlisle went up with Edward and Alice to his office before she could even reply.

“Hi Celine.” Bella greeted; Renesmee waved at her before they go back to what seemed to be is Renesmee’s homework

“Do you want something to eat before Carlisle explains everything to you?” Esme asked her

“I’m good.” Celine answered shyly, smiling at her as she sits down next to Rosalie, waving a small hi at her

“How was work?” Rosalie asked her

“It was work.” Celine answered shortly, her mind still wondering things about the note that she and Carlisle received

‘Now I look mean’ her mind chastised her

“It wasn’t hectic, just some discussions about schedule and reading through reports while hoping that no one is dying at that hour.” She continued

“Oh yeah.” Rosalie agreed with her “It sucks having late night shifts.”

“Well, hopefully soon, we’ll get some morning.” Celine said, a small smile forming on her face

“Oh yeah, I remember Carlisle saying that he wants to take you—

“Babe!” Emmett yelled, stopping his wife from saying what she was gonna say next

“Take me where?” Celine asked, looking at the two of them

“Dinner in Seattle.” Rosalie quietly continued, embarrassed that she accidentally told Carlisle’s plans to her

“Aww, thank you for informing me, Rosalie.” Celine said, making Rosalie turn her head at her, confused as to why she was thanking her “Now I get to prepare at least.”

“Alice might have prepared the clothes you’ll wear already.” Rosalie added with a cheeky grin

“So, Celine.” Emmett said, looking at her intently “Have you decided whether you’ll join us or not?”

“Well, I have told Carlisle that I’m warming up to the idea.” She half-lied to them, looking at Rosalie’s reaction before continuing “I want to do more with my human life before I join you.”

“Wonderful choice.” Esme said, walking back in with a bowl of fruits “Sliced up some fruits for you, Carlisle said that you like apples a lot.”

“That’s nice of you Esme.” Celine said, grabbing a slice out of courtesy

“Imagine dating a doctor and your favorite fruit is apples.” Jasper teased, getting Celine and Emmett to laugh at the doctor joke

“Hu— oh my gosh,” Rosalie joined in laughing after realizing what Jasper meant. Esme looked at them curiously, questioning what made them laugh so hard about the apples

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Carlisle answered to her curious look, a fond smile on his face as he watches them laugh

Celine already fitted with them perfectly, no matter how much doubting she has about herself. Carlisle will make sure, alongside his family, to make her feel that she was the missing puzzle piece in their lives.

“You four have an awful sense of humor.” Edward teased them lightly, chuckling at the sight of them warming up to Celine

Bella confessed to him that being with Celine feels like what they feel when they’re on the meadow together. It was light, it was freeing, Celine was someone that can be confided to without any gist of judgement from her.

Through Rosalie's thoughts, Edward observed how effortlessly she could confide in Celine, sharing truths and opening up in ways she hadn't before. Edward pondered at the thought of it being her gift once she becomes one of them, but didn’t worry much otherwise.

Carlisle already loves Celine, there isn’t anything else that could change how he viewed her.

“I think you owe Celine some explanation now.” Esme said, once their laughter lowered down

“Ah, right.” Carlisle said, nodding as Celine looked at him “Want to go to my office for it?”

“No.” Celine answered, staying seated next to Rosalie “I think it’ll be better if they’ll know our decision, since you know, it will affect them too in a sense.”

“Okay then,” Carlisle said, nodding his head before pulling out the note on his pocket

“I received this letter on my windshield earlier. It came from the Volturi.” Carlisle said showing the paper before passing it to Emmett, then passing the paper to Rosalie, then to Jasper, and until the family has seen the note

“You’re not going, right?” Rosalie immediately asked once Carlisle had the note to him again

“Aro is many things, but he’s always wished for my happiness. He will not do anything to sabotage it.” Carlisle said, having a rough decision in mind already

An eruption of ‘no’ from everyone in the room was heard. Everyone was against the idea of Carlisle bringing Celine to the Volturi, and that made Celine against the idea too. Despite her trust in him, the swift and intense response from the rest of the family left her with a nagging sense of unease, prompting her to wonder about the reasons behind their strong objections.

“Disrespecting the Volturi would be a death sentence for us, you must understand.” Carlisle argued to everyone

“Hold on, shouldn’t I have a say in this?” Celine asked, standing up and facing Carlisle

“Of course, my love.” Carlisle said in a tone much softer than how he was with them earlier “After all, it is you that they want to meet.”

“Me?” Celine asked, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him

“Have you ever thought why it was so easy for you to be comfortable around me?” Carlisle asked her

“Well, you’re easy to be with, you’re calm— I still really don’t understand what that has got to do with me being wanted to be met by that Volturi group.” Celine said, cutting herself from rambling

“In vampire terms, we have this thing called mates. They’re basically soulmates in human terms.” Carlisle started, his eyes on her “You ever thought why I was so drawn to you?”

“I thought it was because I was your blood singer? Or so what Edward told me.” Celine asked, multiple questions now forming in her mind

“That’s not how a blood singer works.” Carlisle told her, debunking the information that she knew “Though I will not deny that you’re my blood singer as well.”

“Then why are you so alright when I didn’t want to be a vampire if I’m your mate?” She asked again, her eyebrows furrowed “Did you not want me as—

“My love, never ever think that I do not want you.” Carlisle immediately said in a stern tone, immediately shutting everyone up “As mate or not, the entirety of me is yours.”

“All I wanted is you to decide for yourself, and if you had wished to stay human, I would accept it wholeheartedly and prove my love to you until the end of your mortal life.” He continued, using a softer tone than earlier

“Let’s go back a few steps, yeah?” Celine asked, averting her gaze away from Carlisle in an attempt to hide the deep blush forming on her face “Who are these Volturi and why do they want to meet me?”

“The Volturi are these group of feeling superior vampires that think that they’re higher than anyone else.” Bella answered, joining the conversation “They’re these corrupt vampires that will do anything to keep their power.”

“I stayed with them for 2 decades, way back before I had a coven of my own.” Carlisle continued, Celine went back and sat next to Rosalie, wanting to listen to his story

“They didn’t like that I had compassion for humanity, as they kept trying to push me to drink human blood. After a while, I made the decision to leave. Aro, their kind of leader, accepted my departure and told me to go out in the world to find my mate.”

“Overtime, we, Edward mostly, kept getting in trouble with the Volturi. But we were always pardoned. I thought before that it was because I was one of Aro’s friends, but it was never that. Aro wanted Alice, Edward, and Bella’s gifts.”

“We almost had a big fight against them before, claiming that it was because of Renesmee’s existence, but really, he was using that as a way to finish our coven so he could get the three of them. He only backed down because he saw from Alice’s vision that he was gonna die if he do so.”

“I told him before, when I still stayed with them, that I will let him meet my mate once I meet her. I didn’t think he'd hold onto that promise, but here we are.” Carlisle ended his story

“Fuck.” Celine could only say. It felt like she was trapped now, finding out that she’s Carlisle’s mate as well as needing to meet these feeling superior vampires that wanted to take Alice, Edward, and Bella away from their family

“What now?” Rosalie just asked “You’re gonna risk her life just for an old promise you made?”

“Wait,” Celine pondered, her hands on her chin “Could we go visit them then say that we have a date set for me getting changed?”

“That worked with Bella, I think it’ll work with you.” Alice said hopefully

“That only worked with Bella because she had something the Volturi wanted.” Rosalie hissed at her

“So, why not change me now?” Celine asked

“No, no.” Carlisle immediately countered, shaking his head no at her suggestion “I promised to only turn you on the night of your 30th birthday, I do not plan on breaking that.”

“Well, I did add the ‘unless something fatal happens to me’ part.” She countered back “And, by the looks of it, I’m in a pretty fatal situation. Just no blood.”

“We’ll go to the Volturi and inform them of the agreed date.” Carlisle decided “It would be as easy as going in and out.”

“Did you not think that I’m pretty much fucked if you do take me there?” Celine asked him “From how you described the Volturi, I think agreeing with you would be like walking into my death sentence.”

“They won’t hurt you, you’re with me.” Carlisle tried to assure her

“They would hurt me, I’m human.” Celine spat back, crossing her arms

“Look,” Esme spoke up, having felt that tension was increasing between them “Why not bring some other members of the family, like Emmett or Bella or someone else?”

“That could work.” Celine mumbled “I want Edward then. Use your mind reading skills on him so we could go if he suddenly decided to make me his lunch or something.”

“He’s also a telepath.” Edward revealed to her “Though only through touching, so you are kind of safe.”

“What our concern really is, is Jane.” Jasper said, before looking at Bella

“I’ll come with you.” Bella said at once “I’ll use my shield just in case she attacks.”

“No, no. I can’t get you both to do that. What about Renesmee?” Celine disagreed

“I’ll be fine.” Renesmee chirped from the kitchen island

“Then it’s settled.” Carlisle said “Me, Celine, Bella, and Edward will go to the Volturi. Say that we have decided on dates, then leave.”

“I hope you can actually realize just how tough of a task that’ll be.” Celine muttered “You already said it yourself, they wanted the family dead, what makes you think that he wouldn’t try to use me against you?”

“Celine’s right. It won’t be an easy task.” Edward agreed “The Volturi are unpredictable, anything could happen. With Marcus’ gift, and Celine being human still, it’ll be easy to manipulate you.”

A knock on the door confused all of them. It was the middle of the night, who was gonna be knocking on their door?

Chapter Text

“It’s Jane and Felix.” Edward announced, getting Carlisle to immediately pull Celine closer to her as the family gathered on the front door

There are two vampires that broke the door of its hinges. One was a black-haired man with a muscular body, almost the same as Emmett’s. The other had blond hair, she looked like a child had it not been for the fact that she had red eyes.

“Why are you here?” Edward asked out loud

“Master Aro sent us here. He knew that you would doubt bringing Doctor Cullen’s mate to him, so he made us pick you up.” The girl, Jane, spoke up

“If you’re taking her then we’re all coming.” Bella said fearlessly, smirking at Jane

“Felix…”

“Bring it on.” Emmett said, smirking and wrapping his hand in a ball of fist, ready to fight

“We’re going.” Celine announced loud enough for everyone to hear

“Only if you let us bring our entire family.” She repeated Bella’s order “After all, it’s me that you want, right?”

“Master Aro would—

“Your master wouldn’t be happy had you not brought the one thing that he’s asking you to have or a set date on their arrival.” Celine said, easily figuring out that Jane’s loyalty was with the Volturi

“How dare you threaten me?” Jane asked, looking dangerously at her

“What are you gonna do, cry to your master?” Celine mocked, moving away from Carlisle and facing Jane. She felt Carlisle try to reach for her, but she was too fast.

Suddenly, pangs of pain were hitting her body. Celine hissed at the pain that she was feeling before looking back at Jane, a smirk on her face as the vampire’s eyes widened with what was happening. She knew that Jane had one question in mind: How is a mere human managing her power?

It wasn’t that she was not feeling the pain. But she’s made the decision to face Jane, it would be embarrassing for her to suddenly show weakness. So, she decided to suck it up and keep any sign of her feeling her pain just until they left. It felt just like sprains were all over her body, painful but kind of tolerable.

“I repeat my offer.” Celine hissed, gritting her teeth “We will go there, only if you let us all come.”

“Fine.” Jane hissed, before the pain stopped “Master Aro would be delighted to meet you.”

The two then left the house with their vampiric speed. And when she felt that they were far enough, she allowed her legs to give up, knowing that Carlisle would be there to pick her up.

“What was that?” Carlisle lightly scolded her, picking her up bridal style and laying her to the couch

“It worked, didn’t it?” Celine asked back, amused with what she had just done

“How did you do that?” Edward asked “Your mind was screaming pain yet your body wasn’t falling apart or something.

“Silly, the pain was there.” She told everyone “I’m just too stubborn to not back down. Worked out for us, don’t you think?”

“Never do that again.” Carlisle told her with a stern tone, kneeling near her “You could have died if you decided to provoke her further.”

“And then, you would have changed me in front of them.” Celine answered, acting like it was no big deal for her “Would solve like all of this Volturi issues for us.”

“Do you need anything?” Carlisle asked quietly, trying to find hints of pain in her body

“Just this very grumpy vampire.” Celine answered playfully, playing with Carlisle’s hair

“Oh, you would be one really fucking badass newborn. The Volturi will not know what to expect from you.” Emmett said before Rosalie hit him with her elbow

“How did it feel?” Rosalie asked her

“It was painful, like a light sprain, but all over my body.” Celine explained

“Ouch.” Carlisle winced for her, getting Celine to giggle at him

“I guess we’re going to where the Volturi is.” Celine said before letting out a deep sigh “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have dragged you to this.”

“What are you saying?” Jasper asked “We’re already dragged here. That’s called family.”

A yawn was let out, getting everyone to look at Celine. Her eyes were droopy, and she was probably more tired now having just dealt with Jane.

“You can sleep in my room.” Carlisle said, picking her up and running to his room.

Celine admired the room through her droopy eyes. It looked clean and had a lot of books on display. In the center stood a king-sized bed, a sight that might have led her to believe Carlisle was a married man had he not been pursuing her.

“Close your eyes, my love. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Carlisle whispered to her, kissing her forehead as she was laid down on the bed

Celine decided to call it a day, closing her eyes and scooting closer to where Carlisle was.

A week after Jane and Felix’s visit, they have decided to fly to Italy, where the Volturi was located. Suddenly, she felt anxiety hit her like a brick. Celine had not thought of this properly, having said goodbye to Sean and Eunice like it was just a weekend away.

‘What if this was my end?’ She thought to herself, a frown visible on her face

“Everything alright, my love?” Carlisle asked quietly, pinching her chin for her to face him

“Yeah.” Celine lied, moving her head and looking out the window

“Celine.” Carlisle whispered, resting his hand on her cheek and making her face him

“Are you alright?” Celine asked him

After their first date, Carlisle adopted a habit of only referring Celine by her name during their work hours. However, outside of the hospital, it was rare for him to address her by name, often opting instead to affectionately call her ‘my love’

“I love you.”

Carlisle said it. He knew that Celine was beyond nervous, having had a heads-up from Jasper with her anxiety. He couldn't help but wish that he had never entertained the idea of her meeting the Volturi while she was still human, or that he had taken measures to shield her from their discovery.

Thousands of negative thoughts are going through Celine’s mind right now, he wants to be that one positive thought that will outshine the others.

“What?” Celine asked breathlessly, looking at him with wide eyes

“I love you.” Carlisle repeated, louder than how he said it the first time

Celine's silence spoke volumes as she pulled him into a long, affectionate kiss. The wide smile adorning her face conveyed more than words ever could, confirming to Carlisle that her feelings mirrored his own. In that moment, he knew without a doubt that she loved him too.

Carlisle held Celine’s hand for the duration of the flight, getting her to lean on him while she was sleeping. She was at peace, and Carlisle was thankful that he was able to give her that moment of solace.

Soon, they were landing in Italy. Carlisle woke Celine up with small kisses on her face, not stopping until she was awake. As they were going out the airport, there was someone holding a huge signage that had Cullen. These are probably the Volturi’s people that were informed to pick them up. They made their way there, before one of the vampires there separated them.

“Separated girls and boys.” The vampire only mentioned, pulling Celine away from Carlisle’s grip.

Celine looked at Carlisle, who was looking back at her before he was pushed into the van. They were worried now having been separated from each other.

“Don’t fret.” The vampire that separated them mocked her as she gets pushed into the van “You’ll still see him. You just won’t know if he’ll be alive or not.”

That made Celine spiral back into her anxiety from earlier. She sat next to Rosalie, who had been quiet all throughout the trip.

“The Volturi won’t kill them easily. They’re credentials will be tarnished if they do so.” Rosalie whispered to Celine, sensing that her anxiety was at an all-time high

“Thanks. I’m too anxious to listen to that.” Celine tried to joke, before looking out the window, her eyes trying to follow the van that Carlisle and the others were in but somehow, they were faster than the van that they were in

After a few minutes of travel, they were making their way to this castle. It was huge, and Celine was almost certain now that she was gonna die there.

‘At least I’ll die in a cool looking castle’ She comforted herself

The van stopped forcefully, the vampire driver snickering as they were all startled. They all got out of the van; the door of the castle opened for them.

“I’m sorry.” Celine whispered to Rosalie as they enter, seeing the others minus Carlisle just outside a room

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Rosalie assured her, walking and joining the others “The Volturi have been waiting to find another reason to antagonize us.”

A Volturi guard opened the door, and grabbed Celine by her arm, separating her from the others. She was dragged into what felt like a trial room. There were three vampires on top, two dark haired ones and one blond vampire, the three that she saw once in Carlisle’s office.

Carlisle was held to his knees by who she recognizes to be Felix, causing her to try and run to him if it weren’t for the vampire that was holding her, leaving her feeling helpless and utterly at the mercy of the Volturi.

“A pleasure to finally meet you.” The man with long, straight black hair greeted, standing up and walking down to be in front of her

“Carlisle, she’s a delight. I wonder how long you will be able to handle controlling yourself before just changing her. Or your self-control finally giving up and you feast on a human.” The man taunted Carlisle

“Get away from her!” Carlisle yelled before Felix grabbed him by his hair, ready to separate his head from his body once asked by one of the three vampires on top

“Pleasure to finally meet Carlisle’s mate.” The man in front of Celine said again, his hand hovering on her as it trails down her cheeks

“Drop him.” Celine asked, feeling a wave of courage at the man in front of him. The blonde guy at one of the thrones laughed at her, making her feel more aggravated with his reaction

“It’s me that you want, right?” Celine hissed at the guy in front of her, before he laughed at her as well

“So much courage coming from a—” The guy said, eyeing Celine from head to toe “—human.”

“What do you want?” Celine asked, annoyed with how they were looking at her

“You know, I can easily change you right now, right?” The man taunted her

She wasn’t scared, if that meant that Carlisle would be safe, she’ll take every bite that this bastard will do to her.

“Anyways, now that you’re both here.” The guy said, clasping his hand together “Welcome!”

“I know Carlisle hasn’t talked much about me, what a shame really, but let me introduce ourselves.” The man babbled, getting Celine to control herself from rolling her eyes at him, reminding herself that Carlisle was at their mercy

“I’m Aro.” Aro introduced himself before pointing at the blond guy that was laughing at Celine earlier “That is Caius, and the other brown hair guy is named Marcus. Though, he doesn’t care as much as we do, so we’ll just ignore him.”

“I’m sure Carlisle or one of his family has told you of my skill, right?” Aro asked her, she only replied with an angry look, making him chuckle

“Jane has told me that you withstood her attack, is that true?” He asked again but he was answered with her silence

“I’m sure you won’t want your Carlisle to be hurt, so I suggest you start talking now.” Aro angrily said, looking at Felix

“I’ve been told that you have the same skill as Edward.” She spoke up, watching Carlisle from her peripheral vision. His eyes were intently on her, only being able to watch on what was happening

“But yours required touch, so that makes him better in that sense.” She added, seeing Aro furrow his eyebrows at her, angry that she’s stepped on his ego

“I wish you know just how close I am to ordering Felix to finish Carlisle’s immortality or take your humanity right now.” Aro hissed at her before forcefully grabbing her hand, looking into her memories

“Very well.” He said, a smile on his face as he dropped her hand “The night of your 30th birthday is when you’ll become one of us.”

“Yes. I don’t intend on changing it.” Celine said to him with a smug look on her eyes

“You really are one cocky human being, are you?” Aro asked her, annoyed with her antics

“It annoys you.” Celine shrugged, a smirk on her face

“Just end her already.” Caius hissed before Aro hushed him

“Not before I get a treat for myself.” Aro said, grabbing Celine’s hand again and gripping it painfully tight before using his nails to try and wound her

“I’ve never seen Carlisle react to his la tua cantante before.” Aro said, a demented grin on his face as he motioned Felix to let go of Carlisle

“You’ve always preached about your compassion to humanity, but I would like to see if your desire to taste her will be able to overpower the 300 years of self-control. I would like to see if your la tua cantante is excluded in your compassion for humanity.” Aro continued, using multiple of his fingers to do multiple wounds on Celine

Celine winced in pain as Aro continued to scrape her skin, his intentions clearly malicious. Soon, it had started to slowly bleed, causing Celine to wince as he continued scraping on her skin.

Celine's eyes met Carlisle's through the thick fog of her excruciating pain, cutting through the chaos all around her. She could feel a violent storm building inside of him at that very moment, a whirlwind of opposing feelings pulling at his willpower. His eyes wavered, revealing the inner agony he was struggling with.

Carlisle clearly found himself at a crossroads, pulled as much by compassion as by the demands of his thirst. With a decision hanging over them that may change Celine's destiny, he appeared to be struggling with every fiber of his being.

Unspoken words hung thick in the air between them, reflecting the severity of the situation. Carlisle could feel the raw, intense pain radiating from Celine, and he was driven to make a decision that would lessen her suffering. However, the burden of accountability weighed heavily on him, reminding him of the implications of every decision.

Celine was attempting to wrench her arm away from him, but his hold was too firm, and the unrelenting scratching on her skin felt like it would never stop. Without showing any pity at all, Aro continued his vicious torture, his actions leaving red streams of blood seeping from Celine's wounds. His eyes ablaze with a sick pleasure at the scene before him, he seemed to exult in her pain with every cold-blooded blow.

Every stroke, every cut sent shockwaves of agony through Celine's quivering figure, every moan and flinch feeding Aro's cruel entertainment. Her pain was reduced to a cruel game that he played out for his own sinister amusement in the warped theater of his imagination.

“Human skin.” Aro said, looking at the wounds that has opened on her arm “So deep, yet so fragile.”

“You may go.” Aro said coldly, turning his back on her and going back to his throne “Felix, you know what to do.”

A wave of empathy broke through Celine's own sorrow as she watched Felix shove Carlisle in her direction. She was filled with unrelenting pain, but she also harbored a deep sympathy for Carlisle, whose pain was evident in the crease in his forehead and the tense way he stood.

Celine wished she could have reached out to comfort the guy in front of her, as their eyes locked in a silent exchange of mutual suffering. She want to alleviate his agony and reduce the weight of accountability that appeared to crush him under its merciless hold.

“Carlisle.” Celine said, though she was wary to get close to him

“Let’s get you out.” Carlisle hissed, closing his eyes and grabbing Celine’s non-wounded arm as they walked out of the room. The other Cullens were outside, waiting on them

“What happened?” Bella asked, ripping off a part of her long sleeve as a makeshift bandage for Celine

“Long story.” Carlisle only answered, turning his back on Celine

“I’ll be back, patch her up.” Carlisle ordered before walking away from everyone and back into the room where the three are

“Carlisle! I see that you haven’t had a taste of the temptation designed for you yet.” Aro mocked him

“I know you want her.” Carlisle responded, his eyes on the man on the throne. A man that he once respected. “You didn’t do that to try and test my self-control, you wanted a taste of her.”

“I’m glad you picked up on that. I was wondering if one of you would.” Aro said, looking down on him “What is it then if I wanted to taste her?”

“I have an offer to make.”

Chapter Text

Carlisle has reached out to the Uley pack one night, an offer that was sure to satisfy them in his mind.

The Volturi’s letter to them had caused him to spiral into paranoia for Celine’s safety. He knew that if he stayed with her, the Volturi would come after her one way or another.

He’s seen it with Bella, he’s not gonna risk his Celine the same way that Edward did with Bella.

“What is it?” Sam, the leader of the pack, asked him

“The Volturi wants Celine.” He announced to him “I will place my full trust in you in protecting her for one year.”

“What’s in it for us?” Sam asked him

“You get to kill the Volturi.”

“I’m intrigued. What is it?” Aro asked, Caius and Marcus were now intently listening to him as well

“One year.” Carlisle said, his eyes directly on him “My family will be away from Celine for a year. There are no limitations on what you could do to her. But after that one year, you are to stay away from her and my family.”

“It’s a trap.” Caius called out immediately, but Aro only hushed him

His two decades spent with them taught him a lot of things about their dynamics. One crucial observation was the strained relationship between Aro and Caius. Aro's tendency to disregard Caius's counsel and blame him for any attacks carried out under the Volturi's name was a stark reality.

Carlisle also knew that Aro still trusted him despite of their past, because why would someone dare to oppose the Volturi alone?

And that just made him the biggest loser of today.

Because he would dare oppose the Volturi alone for his Celine.

“I will accept your deal.” Aro said, a smile on his face “It will start a week after her birthday.”

“Deal.” Carlisle said, a smile on his face

Carlisle turned his back on the scene of suffering and stormed out of the room with a heavy heart and a resolute determination that echoed with his decision. As he stepped out into the shadowed area beyond, he couldn't help but feel that every eye in the area, other from Celine's, already knew what he was going to do, their heightened senses attuned to the subtle shifts in atmosphere that betrayed his plans.

Though Carlisle had made an effort to keep things under wraps, he was well aware that secrets were scarce. His family's enhanced senses, polished over decades of life, were highly sensitive to even the smallest details of intent and feeling.

“How are you, my love?” Carlisle asked, looking at the makeshift bandage on her arm and gently holding her wounded arm

“More than alright. Those are some cocky bastards.” Celine said, resting her body on Carlisle. The blood was still overwhelming him, but he pushed his desires away

Celine needed him right now.

“You’re really brave.” Carlisle said, kissing Celine’s forehead “And a bit of an idiot.”

“I’m your idiot.” She teased him

In that moment, Carlisle realized the weight of his decision, recognizing the gamble that he had taken. His attempt to shield Celine unintentionally risked causing greater pain to her. He pulled her for a deep kiss, thinking that it’ll be one of the last times that he’ll get to do that.

Upon their return from Italy, Carlisle dedicated the nights leading up to Celine's birthday to be by her side at her place, ensuring her every desire was fulfilled in these final moments together. She drifted off to sleep on top of him and she woke up to the sensation of his fingers tracing through her hair, the scene similar of a happy newlywed couple.

Carlisle wishes that the scene would have been reality.

And on the night of Celine’s 28th birthday, Carlisle made her see stars with his finger and mouth alone, just like how he did on their first date. He was attentive to her every moan, her every whimper, and her every plea that she uttered. He savored the moment, aware it might be their last such intimate exchange.

All while the other Cullens packed their house away and settled some paper works to leave Forks again.

“They always come back.” He says, but would it be the same?

It was the middle of the night, exactly on the date agreed, when he decided to leave her. He understood that if he caught even a glimmer of pleading in Celine's eyes, he would abandon his mission without hesitation, willing to face the Volturi alone to shield her from harm. It was a selfish impulse, driven by an overwhelming desire to safeguard Celine at any cost. Despite the inherent risks, Carlisle was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if it meant protecting the woman he loved from the Volturi.

As Celine woke up, she found her bed empty, a sense of unease crept over her, her thoughts spiraling into a frenzy of worry. Hastily, she dashed downstairs, her heart pounding with increasing urgency as she searched for any sign of Carlisle. Finding nothing, she made a swift decision to grab her keys and race to the Cullen residence, her heartbeat thundering in her ears with each passing moment of uncertainty.

As Celine parked just outside the house, the absence of any car in front intensified her growing apprehension, causing her thoughts to spiral out of control. Self-doubt gnawed at her, berating her for once again placing her trust in another man. She walked into the house, seeing it empty. It was as if no one had lived in it. The silence that greeted her felt suffocating, amplifying her sense of isolation and fear.

In a moment of clarity, Celine recognized the gravity of the situation and couldn't help but laugh bitterly at herself. Of course, she thought, this outcome was inevitable.

What had she truly expected, after all?

“I wouldn’t have expected that Cullen would actually hold his end of the bargain.” A voice taunted behind her, she turned around and saw Caius, his eyes black in thirst

Had he sold her to them?

“Go ahead then.” Celine said, tilting her head and offering her neck to him “Have at it.”

“Where would the fun in that be?” He taunted her, the smirk on his face growing “Maybe I’ll have a taste of you myself before bringing you back to the castle.”

A growl was heard surrounding the place. Celine could conclude with her own human senses that it was a wolf. Caius looked around before a wolf attacked him from above

“I knew it was a trap!” Caius yelled, trying to fight the wolf on top of him. But it was stronger, having separated his limbs already. She saw a man come out of the wolf once Caius’ body was separated, which made her shocked and concerned

“Get the fire starting. Burn every bit of him.” The man ordered to her before rushing out, his attempt to not answer any question that she’ll have for him

Celine quickly went to the kitchen, grabbing something that was not fireproof to light on fire. She collected all of Caius' body pieces and threw them outside before starting the fire and burning him.

“Damn you Carlisle.” Celine hissed, watching as Caius’ body became ash

With a realization, Celine pieced together the truth: Carlisle had orchestrated her to be some sort of pawn in his dangerous game, using her as a sacrificial lamb in a bid to dismantle the Volturi's power slowly. She figured out that it was a misguided attempt on his part to protect her, flawed and filled with risks, But it spoke volumes about the depth of his love and his willingness to do whatever it took to keep her safe.

But did that mean that she misses him?

Hell no.

Celine quickly bounced back to work after Caius’ death, her colleagues bombarded her with questions about Doctor Cullen's whereabouts and the nature of their relationship. With a heavy heart, Celine responded with a simple but firm statement: "I don't know, and we never dated."

“Are you really like, unaware of his whereabouts?” Sean asked her one breaktime

“Trust me. If I knew, I would tell his fangirls so they’ll go talk to him.” Celine answered cooly, taking a sip of her coffee in an attempt to control her emotions

“Didn’t expect him to leave like that.” Eunice said quietly, Sean agreeing with her with a nod

“But he did, so let’s just suck it up and forget him. We managed without him before, we’ll manage without him now.” Celine answered, almost having lashed out on them

On her day off, Celine decided to visit her parents’ grave, a place she hasn’t visited the moment she’s got in a relationship with Carlisle. She swept off the leaves that rested on their grave as she sat down next to it. The solemn atmosphere enveloped her as she took a moment to reflect, allowing memories of her parents to flood her mind and offering silent prayers in their honor.

Celine began to ramble aimlessly about work, sharing snippets of hospital gossip and any other random thoughts that crossed her mind. She found solace in keeping her mind occupied, hoping to distract herself from dwelling too much on thoughts of Carlisle.

“I’m sure you would have liked Carlisle.” Celine accidentally said while rambling. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before deciding to continue

“He— he was a great man. A father of three, but he took them as his own.” She continued, realizing just how much she actually missed him

“Have I told you that he’s also not human?” She asked, thinking that she would get some reply from their tombs “He’s a vampire, a really strong one too. Not once did he even think of making me his meal, even though I was already bleeding in front of him.”

“He accepted me, despite me telling him that I can’t give him children of his own, even though he knows that a vampire and a human can make a baby of their own. He made me feel so loved, so heard, so…understood. But he left.” Celine continued, wiping the tears that wanted to fall off her face

“He saw something in me that even I don’t see in myself. Would you believe me if I said that he said ‘I love you’ first?” She continued before laughing at herself in pity

“I loved him. So, so, so much.” She whispered, bowing as she starts crying “But he left. He only feels like a big part of my imagination now.”

“Is this some joke that you placed on me?” She asked, anger in her tone “Making me meet someone that will lift me so high, only for him to drop me from that height?”

“Why did he have to leave?” Celine whispered to the grass where she was bowing, letting the tears fall freely

She missed him. She misses her Carlisle.

~~

A year has passed since the Cullens left. She was now 29 and was still chief nurse, deciding that she’ll keep working until she leaves Forks on her 30th birthday.

There have been no more attacks from the Volturi, and the man who has saved her during that time at the Cullen’s house never showed up to her again. While questions lingered in her mind, she resigned herself to the uncertainty, knowing that it was just better for her to know nothing.

Despite occasional thoughts of Carlisle lingering in her mind, Celine had reached a point of acceptance regarding their situation. The abrupt departure of the Cullens had instilled in her a sobering realization: that Carlisle could leave her just as suddenly as he had entered her life.

Embracing this realization, she made the conscious decision to prioritize her own well-being, opting for a life of solitude rather than risking the vulnerability of opening her heart once more.

“You really should go on a date soon.” Eunice chastised to her, watching as she types away on her computer

“No time, need the money to travel the world.” Celine answered without removing her eyes on the screen

“He’s baaaack!” Sean said in a sing-song tune, walking in Celine’s office (which was still hers and Carlisle’s really)

“Who– ooohh.” Eunice said, realizing who Sean was talking about

“Nurses, let’s go welcome Doctor Cullen.” Doctor Daniel said. The name made Celine look at him, curious if he was messing with her or not

“We’re off to go, just calling Chief nurse Celine here to join us.” Sean said, shooing him away

“Doc Daniel is so interested in you.” Sean said, watching as he left

“Aren’t you gonna greet Doctor Cullen back?” Celine asked them.

Something in her hoped that they would drag her out, giving her an opportunity to feign disinterest and reluctance at the prospect of seeing him, pretending that she had been unwillingly coerced into the encounter.

“Aren’t you gonna greet Doctor Cullen back?” Eunice asked, mocking her tone “Come here, we all know you miss him.”

Upon their return to Forks, Carlisle made a swift decision to head straight back to the hospital. He knew that somehow, he would see Celine there, even for a split second.

And when Celine walked out of her office with Eunice and Sean, Carlisle found himself struck by the same sense of awe and admiration that had captivated him on the day they first met.

“Doc Cullen!” Eunice greeted happily, Celine behind her before she was dragged by another doctor to be by his side

“I really think you should accept my offer. It’s New York, and you’re made chief nurse there immediately.” The doctor whispered to Celine

“I can make decisions for myself.” She hissed to him, getting Carlisle to smirk

‘Always my bold girl’ he thought to himself as he was chatted on by Eunice and Sean

“Come on, think of it.” The guy continued “Higher pay? You got it. A better place? You got it. Me there? You so got it, pretty girl.”

“Have I told you that I don’t  like cocky boys?” Celine hissed to him.

Carlisle's anger simmered as he listened to the doctor spout nonsense to Celine. He made his way to her, acting under the guidance that he didn’t know him, not that he cared enough about who he was

“Nurse Celine.” Carlisle greeted, his eyes meeting hers before he diverted his look on the doctor next to her “I don’t think we've met. I’m Doctor Cullen, former chief doctor here.”

“I’m Doctor Daniel, current chief doctor here.” Daniel smugly introduced himself

Carlisle wanted to drop a low comment about his performance as chief doctor, having heard rumors and stories about how he was. But with Celine’s burning gaze on him, he knew to act proper

“So, why come back?” Daniel asked him, the same smug look on his face

“I missed this place.”

A lie.

“Forks was always the place for me.”

A lie.

“No amount of team anywhere else could compare to my team here.” Carlisle finally decided on an answer, his peripheral vision looking at Celine

The real reason of his return.

Chapter Text

“Nurse Celine, are you busy this weekend?” Daniel asked her, deciding that Carlisle wasn’t worthy of any attention and that he was more interested in Celine

“For you? I’m busy. For anyone else? I’m not.” She straight up answered before walking back to her office

“Fiery little thing she is.” Daniel just said, looking at her “I do like me a bit of a challenge when it comes to my women though.”

“She prefers blonde men.” Carlisle simply said before walking away and into where Celine was

He walked into their office, seeing Celine type something away in her device. The familiar surroundings remained unchanged, evoking a sense of continuity as if he were merely returning after a day off.

“Is this Doctor Daniel’s office?” Carlisle asked, making Celine look up at him

“No.” She answered softly, a polite smile on her face “Never told him that the chief doctor and chief nurse shared an office.”

“Why so?” He asked again, making his way to sit down on the chair in front of Celine’s table

“He’ll always bring up New York.” Celine simply answered, before averting her eyes back on the screen

“What’s in New York?” Carlisle asked again. Now that they’re alone again, Carlisle got to acknowledge the small changes that she did to herself

She changed the cut of her hair, now having shoulder length over the mid back hair length that she had before. The darker shade of lip color she now wore intrigued Carlisle, as she used to favor a paler pink tint, prompting a silent wonder about whether her lips still retained the same taste as before. Noticing the additional piercing adorning her ear, he couldn't help but ponder the significance of this subtle transformation, finding himself captivated by her again.

“Why did you come back?” Celine asked through gritted teeth, refraining herself from yelling at him

“I miss–

“Don’t do that bullshit on me.” Celine hissed, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes glaring with the heat of the burning sun

“I do miss you.” Carlisle confessed quietly

“You shouldn’t have left then if you did miss me.” She hissed at him again, her eyes still glaring at the vampire

“They miss you. Not once did they not miss you.” Carlisle confessed, remembering the somberness on their faces when they were in Alaska that even Jasper had days where he didn’t want to go out his room, feeling everyone’s sadness

“Point still stands, you left.” She said in a stern tone “So, if you’re gonna use your kids and your sister as a futile attempt to make me feel bad, then you’re one fucked up motherfucker.”

“Nurse Celine!” Daniel greeted in her office doorway “Busy for lunch?”

“Busy enough to not entertain your shenanigans.” Celine coldly said, before looking at her computer screen, tuning out whatever Daniel and Carlisle was gonna say to her

As the shift progressed, Celine continued her work quietly, while other nurses eagerly guided Carlisle around, showing him the new equipment that they had received and expressing their gratitude for it. Despite the quiet demeanor, the atmosphere buzzed with efficiency and compassion as everyone worked together to ensure the smooth operation of the hospital.

Celine’s masterpiece

From the gossips, Carlisle learned that the new equipment had been sourced from New York, specifically from the hospital that had expressed interest in hiring Celine. One nurse even mentioned that Doctor Daniel had been dispatched from New York in an attempt to persuade Celine to join their hospital, but his efforts seemed to be failing miserably. That made Carlisle chuckle.

It was the end of his shift when Carlisle passed by Celine’s office again, seeing Eunice and Sean there with her. He decided to just stay outside and wait until his shift was officially over.

“With how you’re acting, you’re making it easier for everyone to figure out that you and Doc Cullen are a thing.” Eunice lightly scolded her

“She’s right. It’s so easy for you to warm up to Doc Cullen when he was made chief doctor, but until now, you haven’t warmed up to Doc Daniel.” Sean added

“Because Doc Cullen is actually good at his job.” Celine complimented to him “Doc Daniel’s only purpose is to get me to New York.”

“Right, not giving up on the retiring at 30 and traveling the world setup.” Sean said, getting Carlisle to listen more intently

A text from his phone distracted Carlisle from hearing what the reason was of Celine leaving

You should tell her why we actually left; she’ll understand - Edward with the help of Alice

He typed out a reply, listening as Celine continued talking about anything. Allowing himself to be enveloped by the soothing sound of Celine's voice as she continued to speak about various topics, her words creating a sense of peace within him.

She’s rightfully mad at me, she won’t listen whatever I will say

Carlisle sent that as reply before checking his watch and seeing that his shift was over. He stood up and said a quiet goodbye to Celine before rushing home

We’ll get her to come over, then you can explain.

Celine's phone rang, displaying Rosalie's name on the screen. She hesitated briefly before answering the call, reminding herself that her anger was directed solely at Carlisle.

“Celine!” Rosalie’s voice boomed on the other side of the call “We missed you.”

“I missed you too, Rosie–

“So, you don’t miss us?” She heard Emmett ask

“Oh my god.” Celine said, rolling her eyes at Emmett’s antics “Of course, I missed you all.”

“Does that ‘all’ consist of Carlisle as well?” Jasper asked, teasing laced in his tone

“Whatever you say, Jasper.” She replied, rolling her eyes at them

“Come over?” Rosalie invited her.

‘Are they playing matchmaker on us?’ Celine pondered before giving them an answer

“Sure, but on the day that Carlisle has a morning shift.” Celine agreed with them, there were murmurs on their end of the call before it was silenced.

“Of course.” Rosalie answered, Celine smiled at the thought that their plans on playing matchmaker didn’t work for her

“We owe you so much stories!” Alice cheered on the other end of the line

“Can we see you?” Edward quietly asked

“Carlisle just went home.” Celine replied back, not having the guts to see him face to face yet

“We’ll come over to your place, all of us without Carlisle.” He persisted. Celine had a small smile before answering a soft yes to them

“You’re lucky I like you all.” Celine playfully told them, before ending the call and closing her desktop, calling it a day

A month had passed since the Cullens returned to Forks, and Celine had seamlessly settled into a routine of visiting them whenever Carlisle had a shift, and leaving just as he was getting home. She was thankful that everyone sided with her, not doing some things behind her back to make her “coincidentally” be in the same place as him.

Celine didn’t think that she had the strength to see him yet.

Walking out of the hospital one afternoon, Celine was taken aback when she noticed a note placed on her windshield. As she picked it up, her curiosity mingled with apprehension upon seeing the symbol of the Volturi emblazoned on the front. Her heart quickened with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

What did they want from her now?

Carlisle may have fooled me, but I see the strain that it placed on your relationship as mates.

I will be patiently waiting until the night of your 30th birthday.

The Volturi does not give second chances.

Celine felt shivers run down her spine. How could they have possibly forgotten about her? She had made a solemn promise to them that she would be changed by the night of her 30th birthday, a twisted assurance on their part to ensure her silence regarding the existence of vampires.

“Fuck.” She heard Carlisle say from his side of the parking lot, having used his vampiric senses to read what the note was. She rushed to him immediately, note on her hand

“I–

“What now?” She hissed to him

“I thought they would drop that, given what I had done.” Carlisle whispered, softly pulling the note on her hand and reading it for himself

“Why would they?” She angrily asked him “They couldn’t even drop the meeting your mate promise, mine is much more recent.”

“Come home with me, let’s talk about it with the others.” Carlisle quietly invited, looking at her with hopeful eyes

“I’m taking my car.” She simply responded, rushing back to her car and entering it.

Celine was panicking internally; she was about to actually leave the hospital when a knock was on her window. Peering out, she saw Carlisle standing outside, gesturing for her to roll down the window. Reluctantly, she complied, opening the window to see what he wanted.

“I’ll ride with you.” He decided at once, opening her car door and making himself comfortable on her passenger seat

“Why?” Celine asked, her eyebrows burrowed at him “What about your car?”

“Your heartbeat is faster, your breathing is getting a tiny bit shallower. You’re showing signs of having a panic attack and I want to be there for you if it happens.” Carlisle listed down like he does when repeating symptoms to the patient “And don’t worry about my car, Jacob has a spare key for it. He’ll drop it off later.”

“You were gone for a year, don’t act like a saint now.” Celine hissed at him before driving off to the Cullen household in silence

As Celine drove, she could sense Carlisle's apologetic gaze on her, but she chose to ignore it, keeping her focus on the road and attempting to keep her emotions in check. She wasn’t one for anger, but Carlisle leaving for a year and coming back like he did nothing was just pushing her on the edge.

Soon, the Cullen household was coming into view, getting Celine to remember that the last time she was there was when Caius was killed and burned off. While a part of her was relieved that Caius was no longer a threat, she couldn't shake the sense of impending danger with Aro now coming back for her.

“I’m sorry I dragged you into this.” Carlisle whispered as she parks in front of their house

“You have a lot more to be sorry for than dragging me in this, trust me.” Celine hissed, getting out of the car and rushing in the house

“Celine!” Esme greeted, the same motherly aura surrounding her as she runs to hug her “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too.” Celine said, hugging her back with the same tightness as her hug had

“Celine’s here!” Rosalie called to everyone, getting Celine to hear continuous footsteps down the stairs

“Hey!” Emmett said, pulling Celine for a hug that lifted her up before twirling her around.

Everyone greeted her with such happiness that Carlisle could only chastise himself for making the decision of deciding without hearing any of their suggestions.

“You owe me an explanation.” Celine said smugly to Carlisle once everyone was done with greeting her, immediately wanting to know the truth. The vampire only nodded and pulled her up to his office and locked themselves in

“I know it may sound crazy, and much more aggravating—

“I’m giving you one chance to explain yourself.” Celine dangerously said to him, crossing her arms together and sitting down on his table “I don’t need to hear any more introductory statements, I need the truth.”

“I made a deal with the Volturi.” Carlisle said, his head hung low “I made a deal with your life to the Volturi.”

“Are you fucking out of your mind?!” Celine angrily yelled at him

“Everyone there got a whiff of your blood. Whatever hiding we’ll try to do, they’ll find us.” Carlisle tried to explain

“Are you hearing yourself? How can you say that you love me and go and gamble my life to those things?!” Celine angrily continued

“My love—

“Do not fucking call me that.” She hissed angrily “You lost every right to call me that the moment you gambled my life to those creatures.”

“I offered them a year of us being away to protect you. One year, and then they’ll stop trying to have you.” He started to tell the whole story, looking at her with hopeful eyes that she’ll listen to him, no matter how crazy it sounded

“But before that, I made a deal with the shapeshifters here, I think you would know them, Jacob is one of them. I asked them a year of their protection on you, killing whatever vampire steps here. I know you will come here after I have left, hoping that I just went home. I also know that Caius would be the one waiting on you, being the one ordered by Aro to kill you.” He continued softly, moving to be in front of her

“The shapeshifter killed him.” Celine continued the story for him

“Aro then realized what I had done. He sent me a letter, angry for tricking him like that.” Carlisle continued the story, moving closer to her to rest his hand on her cheek “That’s why there were no Volturi attacks since then.”

“Did you expect that he’ll use the changing me when I turn 30 promise that I made?” Celine asked with such gentleness that Carlisle was taken back

“I didn’t, because I had asked in exchange of a year of us being away from you was that they get off your back.” He answered earnestly “But apparently, the promise that I have made has been fulfilled. But your promise that you made isn’t.”

“Well, that kind of makes sense, thinking of it now.” Celine quietly said with a small giggle, welcoming Carlisle’s cold hand on her cheek.

“I wished I had approached it differently, told you about the plan, prepared you for it. But I needed to be careful.” Carlisle whispered, using his thumb to stroke her cheeks

“Did you think of me during the year that you left?” Celine asked quietly, looking at him with her eyes coated with tears that were threatening to fall

“Not once did you leave my mind, my love.” Carlisle whispered, pulling Celine for a kiss on her forehead then hugging her. He missed her, everything that made up her.

He thought that she was the temptation designed for him, but she never was.

She was his solace.

Chapter Text

“And I promise that starting today, I will never leave you.” Carlisle whispered, pulling away from the hug and softly kissing her on the lips

With the kiss serving as a quiet declaration of his unwavering devotion and love, he hadn't expected Celine's reaction. A mixture of need, hope, and nostalgia rushed through him as their lips connected. He gave the gentle embrace his whole being in that brief instant, hoping she would know how deeply devoted he was.

Their hearts beat in unison, creating a tapestry of unfulfilled promises and shared memories with every beat. He lingered in the last of their connection's warmth as they parted, silently hoping that she had sensed his love's resonance resonating deep within her.

Pulling away from the kiss, Carlisle gently wiped away the tears that stained Celine’s cheeks, ensuring to leave tender pecks after each tear was wiped away, a silent reassurance of his presence and affection.

“I want to properly court you.” Carlisle whispered, their face only mere centimeters away from touching again

“I didn’t do it properly the first time. But I want to show efforts in pursuing you, I want to show you that I’m actually into you instead of just being with you because of this vampire mate thing. I want to show you just how much I am yours.” He continued, leaving small kisses around Celine’s face

Celine felt like laughing at Carlisle right now. She found it ironic that he hadn't considered the possibility that she was simply prioritizing her own well-being. She considered herself to be a rational woman, and she knew that her best course of action for the time being was to remain with the Cullens until the Volturi fiasco was resolved, at which point she planned to leave them.

Because why would she stay with beings that showed her how easy it was for them to leave her?

Everyone knew and agreed that the best decision now was to get Celine to live with them, prioritizing both her safety and her gradual adjustment to their way of life prior to her transformation. Carlisle graciously offered his room to her, allowing her to design it however she likes so that she’ll have a piece of her humanity in their home.

The people at the hospital slowly figured out that Doctor Cullen and Nurse Celine have gone back to their old ways, with Carlisle even going back and using his side of the office. No one knew what was going on between the two of them, all they knew was that Nurse Celine appeared slightly friendlier toward everyone compared to her demeanor before Carlisle's return.

Celine’s nonchalance to Carlisle was something that he couldn’t ignore though. She was kind to everyone at home, but when it comes to him, there’s this subtle coldness that Carlisle could feel. She was quick to engage herself in a conversation with any of them when they get home, and when he’s about to initiate any conversations with her, she was quick to call it a night.

Celine rarely reached out to him in regard of being a vampire as well, always choosing to ask Edward or Rosalie about the diet and all that she would need to know once she becomes one of them. It lightly stung his feelings that Celine wasn’t asking him questions instead but he didn’t worry much, thinking that Edward and Rosalie are just better at giving objective answers to her questions than he would probably be.

Because why would he be concerned when he has all of eternity to win her heart again?

~~

After a successful surgery resulting in the patient's discharge with just a scar, Doctor Cullen extended an invitation to everyone involved in the operation for a night out. Something that even Celine couldn’t get a grasp of why he was doing it.

“You all deserve it.” Carlisle only replied with a shrug when Celine asked, sending her a smile before reading the report about the surgery.

“You don’t even drink? Or eat for that matter.” Celine asked, sitting on the chair opposite of his

“When has that been an issue for us?” He asked back, averting his gaze away from his laptop and to her, his eyebrow raised

“I mean, what if they notice?” Celine asked

“Then I’ll just say that I’m your designated driver for the night.” Carlisle answered like he’s already thought of that specific alibi “Maybe I’ll even drive them home if they’re beyond definition of drunk.”

“I’m sure Nurse Grace would love that.” Celine said, pulling the laptop so she could have a read of the report

Celine pretends to not notice the nurses' evident enthusiasm whenever Carlisle is present. She remains seemingly indifferent to the way Carlisle's angelic smiles brighten their days, purposely ignoring the fact that his smile is wider when directed to her. She always just ignores the bubble of jealousy forming in her whenever he does that, deciding to just focus on her job.

‘Because why would it matter if he flirted back to them or not? It’s not like I cared.’ Her mind would always remind her

“Jealous?” Carlisle asked playfully, teasing in his tone

“Just telling you, don’t assume too much.” Celine replied cooly, ignoring Carlisle

‘You have a plan, stick to it.’ Her mind hissed to her. Though the blush forming on her cheeks says otherwise

“You have nothing to worry for, my love.” Carlisle comforted, standing up and going in front of her, towering over Celine as she was seated on the chair “I am all yours.”

“I know.” Celine replied quietly, still focused on the report and purposely ignoring how her heart is beating faster at his declaration

“I love saying that I’m all yours.” He replied with a grin on his face, kneeling to be on the same height as she was “Makes me feel complete.”

“Don’t be too dependent on me.” Celine warned him. She wanted to hurt him, but not to the extent of him reaching Edward status when Bella was still human and was presumed dead.

“You make it hard to not be.”

The day of the celebration has come, with everyone in the operation talking about it in the group chat. Celine opted to ride with Carlisle, eliciting a smile from him as they made their way to the agreed-upon bar for the gathering

The same bar that held Celine and Carlisle’s first date.

The rest of the family all watched as Carlisle’s car grew smaller in the distance, a smile on their face as they could see Celine slowly warm up to Carlisle again. They only had 6 months until her 30^th birthday, and it seemed like Celine hasn’t really warmed up to the idea of being a vampire, only seeing it as a responsibility that she had to take for everyone’s safety.

“Do you think that 6 months will be enough?” Bella asked quietly, looking at Edward

“If Alice’s vision doesn’t change, then 6 months will be more than enough for Celine to welcome Carlisle back into her heart. Which would make the transformation less of a responsibility for her but more of a desire to spend eternity with him.” Edward answered his wife earnestly

Edward hid Celine’s plan from everyone, confident in Carlisle's ability to regain her trust and affection. However, observing the slow progress between them and Celine's persistent intention to leave Carlisle and their family once the Volturi threat diminished, Edward recognized the need for action.

“Family meeting.” Edward called loudly, getting everyone that was about to do their own thing to immediately go to the living room

The four of them were enjoying the night out and Carlisle felt happy that his initiation was the cause of it. Celine, Sean, Eunice, and Grace were sharing a bottle of vodka, but he couldn't overlook the fact that Celine seemed to be consuming more shots of vodka than the others, despite their shared bottle.

“No drinkin’ tonight, Doc?” Grace asked him, passing a glass for him to drink “One shot wouldn’t hurt.”

“Not a drinker.” Celine answered in a matter-of-fact tone for him, grabbing the glass that she was offering to Carlisle and drinking it “Learned that when we went out on a date.”

Sean, Eunice, and Grace all exchanged surprised glances, causing Celine to furrow her eyebrows in confusion at them as to why they looked at her like that, before realizing what she accidentally just said

“Whoops?” Celine asked, a sheepish grin on her face as she looked at Carlisle

“I did ask her out on a date.” Carlisle continued for her, knowing that her drunken state would not be able to find a proper alibi on what she said “Just one, then I backed away. I realized that I wasn’t ready for the love that she deserves.”

“Is that why you left?” Sean asked curiously

“No, that’s a different discussion. A very private one.” Carlisle answered, his eyes following Celine as she goes past the line of tipsy

“I wish you didn’t leave.” Celine muttered so quietly that Sean, who was next to her, didn’t hear her

“You are so drunk.” Eunice laughed at her, giggling as Celine grabs the whole bottle and chugged a lot of it before putting it down on the table

“Maybe if I was drunk, I’ll forget things.” Celine joked with a drunken smile on her face. But Carlisle can see behind her drunken smile that her eyes held so much pent-up emotions

"I remember how fuckin’ cold you got when Doc Carlisle bounced those first couple weeks." Grace started, getting Celine to sit up and look at her with don’t-you-dare eyes

“Tell me, I’m curious.” Carlisle said, flashing a smile to Grace that was sure to get her to tell the story that she started to tell, to Celine’s dismay

“She was so cold and strict.” She started before taking another shot of the drink

“You know, she's gotten all...like, real calculating since you split. Too smart, too tough to handle, Doc. And, like, even though we all can't stand Doc Daniel, he's the only one who can really get under her skin, you know? Like, brings out some different vibe from her, not just all authority and stuff. She was pretty rational before, but now? It felt like you took her heart with you when you left.”

“Grace, that’s enough.” Sean warned her. Carlisle was so engrossed with what Grace what saying that he didn’t notice Celine finish the remaining content of the bottle of vodka that they had and had ordered a second one already

Carlisle stood up immediately and carried his chair to sit next to Celine, her blood still being intoxicating but also had a hint of something else in it because of the alcohol. She was quiet, and her face was redder than usual. She glanced at Carlisle, managing a loopy grin before resting her head on Sean's shoulder.

“Tired?” Carlisle asked Celine softly, fixing the strand of her hair that fell in front of her face

“Drunk.” Sean answered for her playfully “I think you should take her home.”

Carlisle scooped Celine up with his arms, letting her rest on his chest.

“Keep the tab open for the night, all your drinks tonight are on me.” He told the three, earning cheers from them “I’ll take her home and call it a night for myself, I think.”

“All goods boss.” Eunice teased, mock saluting to him “Thank you for making sure that we’re all off tomorrow too.”

“Anything for my team.” Carlisle said to them with a smile, before standing up and smiling goodbye to them.

Carlisle quickly walked to his car, making sure that he gets Celine in the car all buckled up before he even gets in to drive home.

“Have I told you that you’re a really shit person right now, Grace?” Celine mumbled as Carlisle started the car to drive them home “He didn't need to hear that. Honestly, I doubt he'd give a damn about it anyway.”

“Why do you think that?” Carlisle asked her

“Because I just know.” Celine answered, crossing her arms and letting out a huff of anger “He walked away from me so easily, why would he give a damn about what I've become since he left?”

“Did you ever know why he left?” He asked her again.

Despite feeling conflicted, Carlisle knew he needed to seize this opportunity to understand Celine's true feelings. He felt compelled to understand her true emotions, even if it meant facing the painful reality of that he was losing her.

Hell, he’ll even fight the Volturi if it offered even a glimmer of hope for Celine to be able to retain her humanity.

“He said something about needing to protect me or whatever.” She answered

“You know what was messed up? I needed him more than he needed me! I needed him every time I wanted coffee because he’s the only one that knows the specific measurements for my taste. I needed him every time I would get any sort of sprain on my body, because he always knew what to do to ease me, and because I knew that if I ever fell, he’d be there to catch me, always. I needed him when I felt insecure, because— damn it, he never gave me a reason to doubt or question myself.”

“I needed him, in so many ways that I wish I knew how to express.” She cried in her seat, covering her face “I didn’t need protecting, I just needed him.”

“Did you love him?” Carlisle asked again

“God— I wish there was a deeper word than love that I can use to tell him what my heart screams.” She sobbed, taking deep breaths in attempt to stop her tears from flowing

“He was so gentle, so kind, so patient. He lifted me up so high, I felt like I was flying from all the love that he showered me with.” She continued, her words digging deeper into Carlisle, making him realize just how much he actually fucked up

“He came back though, didn’t he?” Carlisle asked, wondering what she thought of that

“For an obligation to me.” Celine drunkenly laughed “He wouldn’t have come back anymore if he didn’t need to.”

Carlisle wanted to argue, tell her that she was wrong, tell her that she was never an obligation to him. But he understood that this was coming from a place of pent-up anger, and the fact that he did leave her.

“What do you plan now?” Carlisle asked quietly, slowing down to hear what she has to say before they get home

“I wanted to hurt him.” Celine answered, wiping the tear streams that were on her cheeks “But whenever I see him, whenever I feel his tenderness, whenever I feel his love for me, it’s like my mind stops for a second to question if I was doing the right thing. If hurting him the way that he hurt me was the right way to go.”

“Do you still love him?” Carlisle asked, some sort of hopefulness in him

“Not once did I stop.” Celine answered drunkenly, a grin forming on her face “It’ll always be him. No man will be able to love me the way he did.”

“Do you want to hurt him?” He asked as he sees the house in view, realizing that Celine will one way or another figure out that it wasn’t Grace that was talking to her this whole time

“I have to. It's the only way I'll feel better about everything.” Celine answered, a strain in her tone as she says it.

Carlisle couldn't help but hope that the strain in Celine's voice was a sign that she didn't want to hurt him. Perhaps, buried beneath her words, there was a glimmer of reluctance, a flicker of hesitation that hinted at her true feelings.

Chapter Text

Carlisle went out of the car and went to the passenger side to carry Celine to her room. His step feeling heavier than the last as he makes his way to her. Carlisle knew that Edward and Jasper knew what was happening, hell even he who didn’t have Jasper’s powers can feel how heavy the atmosphere is.

Celine made herself comfy on Carlisle’s chest, her eyes closed and her breathing steady. Carlisle couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her, peace evident on her face. But his smile faltered when he remembered that underneath the peace that her face held was so much anger and pain that she hid from everyone.

Walking in the house, he saw that everyone was doing their own thing. Rosalie and Alice were discussing some things related to cars and Emmett and Jasper were playing some video games. Edward was the only one that was already looking at him when he walked in, seeing what had just happened in his mind. Esme walked in from the kitchen, the scent of chicken noodle soup trailing behind her.

“Celine’s gonna suffer some very tough hangover tomorrow, Alice saw.” Esme gave answer to the food that was prepared

Carlisle answered with a nod before going up to her room and calling it a night for her. There, he gently laid her down on the bed and retrieved some nightclothes from her closet along with wipes, cotton pads, and micellar water to remove her makeup. Sitting beside her, he admired her beauty as he meticulously wiped away the makeup from her face with care and tenderness.

“So beautiful.” Carlisle whispered, a smile on his face as he finished cleaning her face up.

Carlisle proceeded to carefully remove the dress she wore for their hangout, taking his time to ensure her comfort. He then used the wipes to cleanse her body gently, refreshing her skin for when she woke up. And when he was done, he made her wear the nightclothes that he picked up, a simple shirt and shorts.

Carlisle looked at her, a sad smile on his face. He needed to give Celine a chance to live, to love, to be happy. A decision was forming in his mind, he looked at Celine one last time before leaving her room, allowing her to peacefully rest.

He went down to join the rest of his family, sitting next to Bella who was watching tv. His thoughts were obscured by the weight of his decision, contemplating the various approaches he could take. It didn’t take long until the rest of the family was surrounding him, all with an unreadable expression on their faces

“Do you need to tell us something, Carlisle?” Esme asked, making the man look at her

“Celine isn’t happy anymore.” Carlisle started before he let out a sigh of defeat “I’ve hurt her too deep; I doubt that forgiveness is something that she’ll be able to grant me.”

“And that’ll just make you give up?” Rosalie asked, her eyebrows furrowed and her arms crossed

“I decided to try and fight the Volturi.” He continued, earning gasps from everyone “You don’t have to join me, I do not wish you to do so. I’m doing this to give Celine a choice.”

“Have you said this to her?” Jasper asked quietly

“I don’t think she’ll want to know.” Carlisle answered “It’ll put guilt in her if I don’t make it out alive.”

“Oh, fuck you!” Rosalie hissed angrily

“Rosie—

“I’ve had enough of you being a coward! You're always hiding behind 'it's for her' or 'this is for the best' but how will you know if you don’t straight up ask her?” She rambled angrily

“She wanted you, Carlisle. She understood all the risks, all the damn danger it would put her in, but she didn't give a damn because she wanted you! She didn’t need protection, she didn’t need saving, she just needed you! Now, if you can't get that through your thick skull, then I say we march straight to those Volturi scum right now and never show our faces to her again!”

“Rosalie, that’s enough.” Edward warned her

“No! Someone needed to tell Carlisle that he can’t always be making decisions alone.” Rosalie argued, her eyes blazing in anger “Edward, tell him what you told us.”

“What is it?” Carlisle asked

“Alice had the vision, why is it not her to say it?” Edward asked, not wanting to take responsibility of telling Carlisle what the vision was

“Will someone just tell me what—

“If you fight the Volturi, Celine will be one of them.” Alice spoke up, louder than how she usually talks “She’ll find out of your attempt to fight them, and she’ll go to Italy herself. She’ll offer herself to them for your safety.”

“She has no escape from being a vampire, it’s her calling. We’ve known that way back when that rogue vampire wanted to attack her.” Edward added “All that matters is who’s side she’s gonna be on. And I don’t think you’ll be able to accept being on opposing sides as your mate.”

“What now?” Carlisle asked quietly, dropping all thoughts of fighting the Volturi for Celine “She still won’t accept me as her mate even when she’s turned.”

“Win her heart again.” Rosalie answered in a matter-of-fact tone “It’ll be slow, but you’ll have all of eternity to win her back.”

“And for the love of God, will you please tell her anything that concerns her now? I would have thought that we’ve learned from Bella and Edward before already.” Esme exasperatedly said as Edward playfully rolls his eyes at her

“Like father, like son.” Emmett teased, a grin on his face

It was nearing noon when Celine woke up with her head throbbing with a relentless ache and her memory of the previous night blurred. She was in her room, well Carlisle’s room, but he was so gracious to give her his room to stay in until she becomes one of them.

“Ugh, headaches.” She groaned, clutching her head in pain. It was as if Carlisle heard her wake up because a soft knock was on the door before he entered the room with a tray of food for her

“How are you feeling?” Carlisle asked, setting the tray on the nightstand and sitting on the bed next to her

“How much did I drink last night?” Celine asked quietly, clutching her head in pain. Carlisle reached for her hand and pulled it away from her head, holding it to stop her from hurting herself more

“Like almost half a vodka bottle, more or less.” Carlisle answered, getting her to groan at her decisions last night

“Did I do anything stupid?” She asked again, grabbing the tray and placing it on the bed carefully

“Nothing that will get you questioned by the police.” He playfully answered before he grabbed the bowl of chicken noodle soup and the spoon for it “Open up, Esme cooked this for you.”

“I can take care of myself.” Celine softly argued, about to grab the bowl from Carlisle had he not moved it away from her

“I know.” Carlisle simply answered, mixing the soup with the spoon “I also want to take care of you.”

Celine didn’t argue anymore and allowed Carlisle to feed her. He was gentle in feeding her, just as he’s been gentle with her ever since. And once the bowl of soup was finished, Carlisle picked up the glass of water and helped her drink it.

“I said something last night, didn’t I?” Celine asked as Carlisle put away the tray of empty dishes on the nightstand, about to take the dirty dishes and leave her be until she decides to join them “Usually, you wouldn’t put much of a fight in my decisions to just take care of myself.”

“Not much that really mattered.” Carlisle assured her, flashbacks of all the anger and pain that she let out last night on the drive home playing on his mind

“I don’t need to have skills like Edward to know that you’re lying.” She said softly, looking at him. Carlisle let out a sigh before sitting next to her again

“You were sobbing last night.” Carlisle started, making eye contact with Celine as she listens to him in curiosity of what she has done

“I’m sorry for leaving you. I was so obsessed with keeping you safe and keeping the Volturi away from you that I hadn’t thought of what you would feel if I left you.” He continued, making Celine realize just how much she told him while drunk

“It was foolish of me to believe you'd welcome me back with open arms. I thought that it was gonna be simple, I just needed to tell you why I had done it and then you’ll forgive me. But I hurt you beyond words. You had to live alone after I had shown you the love that you deserve. You were alone again.”

“I know an apology alone would never be enough, and I accept it. I made the decision to leave you.” Carlisle ended, reaching for Celine’s hand with a sad smile on his face “I’ll be happy for whatever decision you decide is best for yourself.”

“Carlisle, I—

“After your transition and after we show the Volturi that you’re a vampire, you’re free to go wherever you want. Live how you want. Be who you want.” He continued with an offer, reading Celine’s eyes for any reaction but it only held emptiness, giving him the answer that he didn’t want to have but needed to see “You deserve the freedom.”

Carlisle squeezed her hand softly before standing up. He looked at her, flashing her a small smile before grabbing the tray and leaving the room.

“Carlisle?” Esme asked, watching as he goes down the stairs, his steps heavier than usual

“Where’s the others?” Carlisle asked

“They all went out.” She replied, her eyes still on him as he goes to the kitchen to clean up the dishes. She followed him to the kitchen, resting her body on the island, her eyes intently on him as he moves eerily silent

“Spill it, Carlisle.” Esme said, despite knowing what he’s offered Celine already “What happened?”

“You heard it.” He answered, not even turning around to face her

“Why did you offer it?” She asked

He turned around and faced her, an unexplainable lost expression on his face. Not once had she seen Carlisle look so lost and hopeless until now. They’ve had this sibling charade for 90 years already, and not once did he look so unsure of what to do next. It reminded Esme of the time when Bella carried Renesmee, a period filled with doubt and fear. However, this moment surpassed even that, leaving Esme deeply concerned about the weight of the decisions ahead.

“A simple apology isn’t gonna fix what I broke.” Carlisle answered, a sad smile on his face

“You’ll have all of eternity to fix it.” Esme tried to assure him, but he only shook his head no

“When I first daydreamed of meeting my mate, I thought it was gonna be magical, just like how Edward felt meeting Bella.” He started, letting out a small laugh of pity to himself “But now... now I can't help but wonder if this is just God's way of punishing me, for entangling all of you in this mess, for bringing you all into a life of turmoil and pain.”

“I wish I could cry right now just so God can feel the depth of sincerity of my love towards her.”

“You should hunt.” Esme told him “Clear your mind a bit. Let me prepare some lunch for Celine then I’ll follow.”

Carlisle didn’t need to be told twice; he went out into the depths of the forest, leaving Esme and Celine alone. Esme made her way in front of Celine’s room, wanting to have a conversation with her so she could know her side. She softly knocked on the door, waiting for a response.

Upon hearing a soft "come in," Esme entered to find Celine seated on the bed, engrossed in one of Carlisle's books. Noticing that Celine wore one of Carlisle's jumpers, Esme couldn't help but feel a deeper admiration for her, knowing how much it would mean to Carlisle to see her in it.

But Celine’s scent, it was burning Esme’s throat. A scent so addictive that Esme knew that if she had a whiff of her blood while she was actively bleeding, that she would terribly struggle with her self-control. Something she was so scared to face, especially when it’s Carlisle’s mate that is in grave danger if she showed any lack of self-control.

But she needed to be strong

For she would not wish Carlisle to live an eternity without his Celine, the same way that she has to live an eternity without her mate.

Chapter Text

“Hey Esme.” Celine said, a smile on her face as Esme sat next to her

“How are you feeling?” Esme asked her

“Just a bit of a headache, and heartache I guess but that’s a different topic, so yeah. Just saving up energy so that if the kids want to play around later, I could join them.” Celine explained.

That was when Esme realized that she didn’t know how to actually approach her with the topic regarding Carlisle. Now she wished she had brought a food of some sort to prolong the discussion

“Everything alright?” Celine asked her, a confused look on her face

“What do you mean by heartache?” Esme asked, deciding to just go for it “Did Carlisle do or say something again?”

“You didn’t hear what he said?” She asked her. Esme shook her head no as response

“No, though he looked bothered by it.” Esme half-lied to her

“He offered me the chance to leave once I became a vampire and the whole Volturi problem ends.” Celine said, answering her curiosity

“It’s like he’s always finding ways to try and remove me in his life.” She angrily continued. Esme listened as she continued to ramble to her about her and Carlisle’s interaction earlier

“—I know I haven’t been a good mate to him, but he doesn’t need to push me away like that. I’ll leave if that’s what he wants me to do.”

“What do you mean?” Esme asked

“He stuck to his words before when he told me that he wanted to prove to me that I still had his heart. Not once did he make me doubt what he felt for me.” Celine answered

“I haven’t been the best partner to him, assuming that we're still even together. I've been so stubborn, too consumed by anger to even acknowledge his efforts, but despite that, he was so patient with me. Earlier today was kind of a slap on me when I realized that he may be tired of my behavior. Then again, why would anyone be patient like that for such stubbornness?” She continued rambling, before feeling Esme’s eyes on her. She looked at the woman, seeing a fond look on her face

“Am I saying something wrong?” Celine asked, suddenly getting conscious of her ramblings

“Carlisle has waited more than 350 years for you, he’ll be able to wait another 300 more had you wish for him to do so.” Esme only assured her

“What if he can’t anymore?” Celine asked her quietly “Not everyone has the patience to wait for someone forever.”

“If there’s one thing about Carlisle, it’s that he’s a patient man.” Esme assured, seeing Celine sit up and listen to what she was gonna share about Carlisle “And besides, you’ll have all of eternity to open up to him, he can wait.”

“Why couldn’t it be you instead?” Celine asked her again “It’ll save him like all the struggles of being in love with a human, I think.”

“Trust me, we would never work out that way.” She answered immediately “Besides, I’m much more alright with being the supportive sister for him, my heart is already with someone else.”

“Carlisle understands your worth, and he's willing to endure every struggle, every effort, every moment of patience, and every bit of waiting just to be with you. He already waited more than 350 years for a love like what you two share and will continue to share, he'll gladly wait a little longer if you ask him to.” Esme started, seeing and smelling Celine’s blush rush up her cheeks

“I don’t have to be an empath like Jasper or a mind reader like Edward to know that your heart is still with him. Your eyes alone speak the words that your mind pushes to not speak to him. You just need a bit of nudge in the right direction, if I were to guess.”

“I know you're a rational woman.” Esme ended, smiling at her with her usual comforting smile before standing up “But for today, just let your heart do the talking.”

Celine watched as Esme left the room, her thoughts all over the place. She knew Esme was right, one day, she would open her heart again to Carlisle. The facade of rationality she had maintained for so long now seemed transparent, merely a guise to conceal the depth of her feelings for him.

She’s been lying to herself the whole time.

Celine wasn't oblivious to the fact that she was gradually rekindling her love for Carlisle. However, fear gripped her heart, recalling the pain of his departure the first time she had dared to feel these emotions. But his gentleness and patience with her just makes her want to risk it all again.

‘Just for a day’ she thought to herself, the tempting act of indulging herself and letting her feelings for the vampire take control instead of being cautious in her next step in fear that it’ll all end the same as how it did at first

Just for a day.

Esme descended the stairs with a wide grin, confident that her words had resonated with Celine, perhaps nudging her towards a new perspective. Just as she approached the bottom step, Carlisle just entered the house, having finished hunting already.

“You said you were gonna— Esme, what did you do?” Carlisle asked, seeing her go down the stairs

“Brought Celine her food, duh.” Esme answered, the same grin on her face

“I know that grin, it’s your ‘I’m up to no good’ grin.” He argued, his eyebrows furrowed before rushing up to where Celine was

“Oh, you are so mean to me!” Esme playfully argued back, rushing up and following him to just outside of Celine’s room

“She’s right.” Celine added, opening the door and temporarily stunning Carlisle with the fact that she was wearing his jumper instead of the shirt that he’s chosen to make her wear.

Something about her felt different right now, and he was certain that Esme did something or said something for her to act like that.

Then again, who was he to complain when his mate is openly expressing her feelings for him right now?

“Stop being mean to your sister, my love.” She said with a smile, softly patting Carlisle’s cheeks before going down the stairs

“Did she just—

“She called you ‘my love’ yes. You’re welcome.” Esme said before following Celine to wherever she plans to go

Carlisle didn’t know what Esme did or said to get her to warm up to him again, but he was thankful that it worked. He didn’t know if he’d last another day with Celine being rational and ignoring her feelings for him.

Even for just a day, it felt nice that his feelings were openly reciprocated.

“That’s your heart talk?” Esme asked, amused as Celine grabs some ingredient to make herself a quick lunch

“What? My heart always wanted to call him the pet name that he calls me.” Celine shrugged, a smile on her face

“Soon enough, your heart will be telling you to let him hold you while you sleep.” Esme teased her, smiling as her advice worked on Celine.

‘Finally, some progress’ Esme thought to herself. Even if it was just a day of Celine loosening up to Carlisle, it would be more than enough to help out on their way to eternity.

“It’s already yelling at me to do that.”

By dinner time, the Cullen kids all got home slowly after enjoying a day out. Jasper was the first to notice the lightened atmosphere, remarking on Celine's newfound sense of peace, contrasting with her usual tense demeanor. They entered the living room to find Carlisle, Celine, and Esme engaged in a board game together

“Ha, I got that one!” Celine yelled. They were watching Carlisle watch Celine move her piece to where she was gonna land, a fond smile on the vampire’s face

“Got space for seven more members?” Emmett asked, getting the attention of the three

“Not really, but I can just pair with Carlisle if he’s alright with it.” Celine offered, getting them to all look at each other, curious as to what the fuck was happening

“Yeah!” Carlisle said, moving next to Celine, his arm casually making its way to her waist to pull her closer to him. They all looked at each other, curious as to what was actually happening, before shrugging and joining them around the board game

“Let’s all pair up, just so it’s much funnier.” Jasper suggested, his arms already intertwining with Alice, claiming her to be his partner

“I call dibs on Bella!” Emmett yelled, getting Edward to gasp in shock and fake betrayal before furrowing his eyebrows at him

“I wanna be paired with Aunt Rosie.” Renesmee cheered, moving to be next to her, getting Edward to gasp and dramatically fall to the floor, clutching his chest

“All my love, all decided to betray me.” Edward recited like some sort of poetry, getting Celine to laugh at his antics. He knelt down before looking at the ceiling, yelling a dramatic “why”

Carlisle watched as Celine laughed harder at Edward, he couldn't help but feel a swell of happiness, realizing that it was the most genuine laughter he had witnessed from her in the five months she had been with them. Her laughter was captivating, like a piano tune being performed by a musician. The glint of happiness in her eyes sparkling like one of the stars in the night sky.

She was happy and Carlisle knew that her happiness was all that mattered now.

They played until past midnight, so much yelling and play fighting going on during the duration of the game. A tired smile was on Celine’s face as she watches Rosalie and Alice playfully argue over who’s turn it actually was. Without realizing it, she found herself leaning against Carlisle's torso, seeking comfort in his presence as she rested her head on his shoulder, her gaze fixed on the amusing spectacle before them

“Tired, my love?” Carlisle quietly asked her, looking at how she was leaning to him

“A little.” Celine answered softly, making herself comfy on Carlisle’s torso “I think I’ll be able to stay awake for a little longer.”

“You don’t need to, let’s get you to bed.” Carlisle chuckled, positioning his arms behind Celine’s knees and shoulders, standing up and carrying her with him

“We’ll call it a night I think.” Carlisle said to everyone, Celine being carried by him bridal style. Everyone watched as he carries Celine to her room, all curious as to what was happening

“What the fuck was that?” Emmett asked, his eyes bewildered in shock

“Esme talked to her.” Edward answered, his eyes making its way to Esme

“It’s nice seeing her like that.” Bella said, looking at the stairs “I told you she just needed some time warming up to Carlisle again.”

“She only needed someone to talk to, really.” Esme said with a fond smile

“Did she really think that Carlisle wouldn’t be able to wait for her?” Edward asked her

“I get her. I used to think like that when me and Emmett started.” Rosalie shrugged “It takes a lot of time to open your heart again once you decided to close it off.”

“I don’t want to assume how her past relationships turned out, but if someone had a past that traumatized them so much, their approach to the one following them will be overly cautious. It takes patience and time to love someone that has been traumatized.” She continued, getting the others to ponder with what she said

“Yeah, and it makes sense that she’ll be cautious around giving Carlisle a second chance too.” Esme added to Rosalie’s point “He’s hurt her, she understood why he did that but that doesn’t mean that she wasn’t hurt by his actions.”

“It’s only a matter of time until they fall in love again.” Alice said with a soft smile “If I were to guess, I would say that it’s already happened.”

“It never stopped.” Jasper opened up “Celine always loved Carlisle, just as Carlisle has always loved her. She just chose to be rational instead of letting her feelings take control.”

In the quiet of the room, Celine busied herself with cleaning herself up in the bathroom while Carlisle sat on the bed, his attention captured by the not-so-subtle discussions emanating from downstairs.

Lost in thought, Carlisle gazed up at the ceiling, a silent prayer escaped his lips, desperately hoping that the assumptions his family held about Celine's feelings for him were indeed genuine. It was a silent plea born out of both longing and uncertainty, a yearning for the possibility of a future filled with the love he dared to hope for.

“You good?” Celine asked, walking out the bathroom

“Yeah, just looking at the ceiling.” Carlisle answered, standing up “Ready to go to bed?”

“Stay the night?” Celine asked. Carlisle looked at her, seeing if there was any sense of feeling forced to invite him on her face

“You don’t have to of course; I get that it’ll be boring after an hour or two of staying in bed while I—

“I would love to, my love.” Carlisle answered with a soft smile

“Won’t you get bored?” Celine asked, sitting on the bed and making her way to her side of the bed

“Of spending time with you?” Carlisle asked, the soft smile on his face changing to an amused one “Never.”

Carlisle positioned himself next to Celine as she laid down on the bed, a tired smile forming on her face. With a gentle gesture, he opened his arms, inviting her to nestle against his chest. Wordlessly, she shifted her position, resting her head upon his chest, finding solace in the comforting embrace they shared.

“I’m sorry.” Celine whispered softly in the quiet room

“For what?” Carlisle asked, softly playing with the ends of her hair, his other hand resting by the middle of her back

“For being stubborn.” She answered

“I never thought that you could get tired of me. I was so busy wallowing in my anger and pride that I didn’t think that I was just pushing you away with my own actions.” She continued, looking up at him

“Where did you conclude that I was getting tired of you?” Carlisle asked, confused as to where her assumption was coming from

“You know, the pushing me away and saying that I’m free to leave after the transition.” Celine answered, sitting up and looking at him with doe eyes. Carlisle sat up as well, his hand making its way to Celine’s cheeks

“Ever since we met, I spent all my time praying to the gods above to be blessed by you and your love.” Carlisle assured, rubbing his thumb on the apples of her cheek

“I cried to the gods, pleading for an opportunity to express the depth of my devotion to you, and to share how truly and completely my heart belongs to you.”

“My love, all my intention from earlier was to give you a chance of freedom.” He continued, an assuring smile on his face “Not once has it crossed my mind that I’m tired of you.”

“Are you sure?” Celine asked “You can be honest with me and tell me that you’re tired of me being stubborn or something.”

“I am tired of something.” Carlisle said, the assuring smile changing to a teasing one “Not being able to do this.”

Carlisle gently pulled Celine into a kiss, his hand finding its place on her waist for support. It was soft, it was so filled with love. All the affection that Carlisle had shown and all the love that Celine had tried to conceal merged into one beautiful expression of intimacy.

Celine pulled back gently after a moment, her breath coming in gasps as a grin spread across her face. She was admiring his seemingly perfect features, running her fingertips through his cheeks then to his jawline.

“I missed you.” Celine whispered, tackling Carlisle for a hug. The vampire immediately hugged back, nestling his face on her neck

“Did Esme say something for you to think like that?” Carlisle asked, looking at Celine with a pondering look

“Oh no, Esme actually tried to talk me out of that thought, but it still lingered on my mind. It’s not every day that I get blessed with a love as genuine as yours. Her sweet talk just helped me actually do something instead of just waiting for something to happen to push me.” She answered, a soft smile on her face

“I love you.” Carlisle whispered through the silence of the night, looking at Celine with eyes filled with admiration

“I never said it back.” Celine replied, a small giggle coming out her mouth in realization “Even before.”

“I don’t mind waiting for you to say it.” He said, pulling her closer to him and leaving a peck on her forehead “I can wait an eternity for you if you ask me to do so.”

“Lucky for you, because you won’t have to do that anymore.” She replied, pushing him down the bed and resting her head on his chest, her arms loosely wrapped around his torso

Carlisle smiled at the feeling of his beloved resting on top of him. He was listening to Celine’s heartbeat as he closed his eyes, matching her breathing, and acting asleep. Even if just for a few hours of solace with her.

Celine stirred from her slumber, feeling the gentle caress of Carlisle's hand playing with her hair. She kept her eyes closed, enjoying the few moments of peace and quiet with her Carlisle. She can feel his fingertips trace her torso, drawing shapes on her back.

“Good morning, my love.” Carlisle whispered, getting Celine to open her eyes and face him

“Did you stay here all night?” Celine asked him, sitting up and rubbing her eyes

“I told you that I would, didn’t I?” He only asked back, getting Celine to blush. She playfully rolled her eyes at him and stood up, wanting to clean up

Celine knew what was happening, it was easy to figure out.

But she was ready to risk it for him again.

Chapter Text

Carlisle was at the hospital, finishing his shift and tending to the paperwork regarding Celine's two-week notice. She told him that she wanted to be officially off the hospital by the time that she becomes a vampire, focusing on practicing her thirst like he did before coming back and joining him in hospitals again.

Carlisle's concentration on the paperwork was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his phone, displaying Edward's name on the screen. It was rare for Edward to call him, giving him some sort of hint that whatever was happening at home right now was dead serious

“Hello?” Carlisle asked, placing the phone by his ear

“Carlisle, you need to come home.” Edward immediately requested at once, panic was in his tone, getting Carlisle to subtly start panicking too

“What’s happening?” He asked him, standing up and gathering his stuff so he can leave

“I can’t read anything off Celine’s mind.” Edward explained, getting Carlisle to furrow his eyebrows. He rushed out the hospital, not even bidding goodbye to anyone anymore

“Jasper also only feels emptiness off her too.” He added, getting Carlisle to worry more for her. An empty mind and an empty feeling, it meant that Celine was on autopilot.

“I’ll be there soon, have any of you tried talking to her?” Carlisle asked, entering his car and immediately starting it, wanting to rush home to Celine

“We’ve all tried, but she just stares at us, a guilty look on her face.” Edward answered to him. Carlisle could faintly hear Rosalie try to approach Celine, but was just replied with silence on her end

Carlisle fought the urge to exceed the speed limit as he drove, though it surprised him that he even approached his comfort driving speed. Nevertheless, he knew Celine needed him, even if she wouldn't openly admit it.

Soon, he arrived at their house, swiftly parking his car and turning it off before rushing inside. Seeing the eight of them be gathered around just outside the kitchen door, he easily guessed that Celine was there, doing something.

“She hasn’t talked all day, her mood has been a stable emptiness this whole time too.” Edward briefly explained to him, before moving and allowing Carlisle to see what was happening

There was an array of food displayed on the kitchen island. Carlisle recognized some as Italian, others as Greek, some as Russian, and there was even some Chinese food. It still made him question why Celine was preparing that many food when it was just her and Renesmee that could eat it. Even if she gives the shapeshifters some, there would still be a lot left.

“She hasn’t stopped cooking since this morning.” Jasper informed him

“Will you all please step out the house first?” Carlisle asked them. It was obvious that Jasper wanted to disagree but said nothing, only following Alice outside the house. Soon, they were all out the house, leaving him and Celine on their own

Carlisle stepped into the kitchen, observing Celine's every move. She seemed lost in thought, watching the dishes she had used in cooking with a slow, deliberate gaze. She was in her own world, just letting her familiarity of the kitchen to guide her

“My love.” Carlisle softly called, getting Celine to be startled, dropping the knife that she was washing.

The room was suddenly filled with the scent of her blood, getting Carlisle to be in a trance. It took everything in him to resist his primal instincts, and he found himself holding his breath as Celine turned to face him. A guilty look on her face for causing him to have such a reaction

“Just go, let me take care of this.” Celine said softly, grabbing a cloth to wrap the wound

“Let’s go to my office, I have my equipment there.” Carlisle said with a strained tone, very gently grabbing Celine’s hand and guiding her to be in his office so he could patch it up

“I’m sorry.” She said sheepishly, sitting down on his office table and watching as Carlisle gets the necessary things to patch her up

“You have nothing to be sorry for, my love.” He assured her, leaving a small peck on her forehead “It’s just a small wound, and as alluring as you are, my love for you is deeper than the desire to taste you.”

“Very good way to assure me, by the way.” Celine lightly said, a small chuckle escaping her lips

“Your shift isn’t done yet.” She called out, her eyes on Carlisle’s fingers, watching as he takes care of the shallow but long wound that was resting on the side of her arm “Did they call you to come and try to talk to me?”

“You may have panicked everyone with the lack of thoughts and emotions that you expressed today.” He only told her, a smile on his face as he burns the cloths that were used to soak up her blood, not wanting to trigger anyone else “Is there bothering your mind?”

“It’s my parent’s death anniversary today.” Celine said quietly, her eyes averting away from Carlisle, choosing to focus on the bandaged-up wound

“I’m sorry, my love.” Carlisle said softly, sitting next to her “How are you feeling?”

“Numb, generally.” She answered almost immediately “I never visit their grave on their anniversary, I’m too scared to do so for some reason.”

“Why so?” He asked softly, inviting Celine to share more as she wishes

“Has anyone ever told you when I actually became the chief nurse?” Celine asked him. Carlisle shook his head no at her question

“It’s today.” She answered to the question bubbling in his mind

“What happened?” Carlisle asked

“The day that I became chief nurse, they had a very bad car accident.” Celine started, her eyes zoning out, probably re-remembering the events

“It was the year before you came back, so I was also technically the acting chief doctor too. As I had been announced to be the new chief nurse, there was a code blue.” She continued quietly, Carlisle intertwined his hands around her, wanting to be a beacon of comfort “They were the code blue.”

“They were the only cold blue that had died during my time as chief nurse. The only one that I didn’t get to save.” She admitted, tears now streaming off her eyes and down to her cheeks. It made Carlisle feel terrible for her

‘No wonder she pushes herself to be excellent at her job’ Carlisle thought to himself

Carlisle didn’t say anything, opting instead to hold her as she cried over what had happened. Anyone would not know how to react if they saw their parents dead and knowing that you have the knowledge to save them, had she gotten better equipment by then.

Celine was thankful that Carlisle only listened to her, not wanting to hear some of the usual ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘They don’t blame you’ that she would hear from anyone else. It warmed her heart, knowing that he will always be there to just listen if she asks. She loved that she didn’t need to explicitly tell Carlisle that she needed him.

He just knew when he needed to be there for her.

~~

It was 2 weeks before Celine’s 30th birthday, 2 weeks before she gets turned into a vampire and joins her Carlisle into eternity. It was weird, it was nerve wracking, it was exciting. However, amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained constant: the comforting knowledge that Carlisle would be by her side, guiding her through this profound transition and into eternity.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Carlisle asked, passing her a cup of tea

“I have a lot of thoughts actually. Do you have the time?” Celine playfully asked

“My love, we’ll have all the time in the world.” He replied, kissing her forehead before sitting next to her “Seriously though, what is it?”

“Have Esme met her mate?” She immediately asked “Or had a chance to meet who?”

“She has, and she wishes that we don’t try to connect them.” Carlisle answered

“Who?” Celine immediately asked, her eyes lightening up at the thought of Esme finally having a mate

“Do you remember our time at the Volturi?” Carlisle asked her, watching Celine nod in response “Do you remember the guy named Marcus?”

“It’s him?” Celine asked, shock evident on her face “H-how would that work?!”

“Believe me, the situation baffles us as much as it does you, especially considering Marcus had a mate before. But when the Volturi came here to see if we had created an immortal child, Marcus and Esme felt connected despite being across opposite sides.” Carlisle explained to her

“What can we do to help her?” Celine asked. Carlisle only chuckled at her determination, but shook his head no at her question

“Esme asked me to not do anything about it.” Carlisle only told her, watching a frown form on her face “She doesn’t want to change her lifestyle to follow his, and she knows that he would not want to follow her lifestyle either. It won’t work out for them.”

“That sucks.” Celine frowned “How is that affecting her?”

“Edward says that she still thinks of him from time to time, but never says anything.” He answered her “Jasper said that she felt envious when I met you. Edward confirmed that it’s because she thinks that she’ll never have a chance with her mate.”

“So, she’ll just live alone?” Celine frowned, sad for Esme’s fate

“That’s just how it works, I guess.” Carlisle answered, feeling Celine’s sadness pass unto him “I am happy that it was Marcus that she mated with though, imagine if it was Aro.”

“How is he any better than him? Aren’t they all under the same coven?” She asked him again

‘Now I get what she meant when she said that she has a lot of thoughts’ Carlisle thought, a chuckle escaping his lips before smiling at Celine

“Marcus…isn’t like that, he’s different from Caius and Aro.” He explained, holding her hand softly “Among the three of them, I would trust him the most. He’s apathetic, all because of his late mate’s death. Esme brought life to him again, even if it was just for a brief period of time.”

“You seem to know a lot about the Volturi, tell me more about them.” Celine asked him again, a smile on her face.

With her one smile, Carlisle was ready to give her everything she asks

And if she asks more of his past, he is ready to be an open book for her.

“I stayed with them during the 1700s, when I was studying medicine in Italy. In my two decades there, they could not believe my self-control. They tried multiple attempts into getting me to taste human blood, but not once did I budge.” Carlisle started, rubbing his thumb on Celine’s warm hands

“After two decades, I decided to leave. Initially, Aro expressed reluctance, emphasizing my value as an asset to him. However, I managed to persuade him otherwise, explaining that by traveling the world, I would increase my chances of encountering my mate rather than remaining confined.” He continued, looking at Celine with a smile on his face, seeing the woman he loves be so interested in him

“That’s why you told him that you’ll let him meet your mate once you meet them?” Celine asked, Carlisle nodded to her question “Did he expect that I’ll be human?”

“He expected that I’ll meet you as human. But if I were to guess, he didn’t expect that I’ll keep you human this long.” Carlisle truthfully answered

“Well, sucks to be him because in two weeks, I won’t be human anymore.” Celine playfully said, pointing finger guns at Carlisle.

“Speaking of not being human anymore.” Carlisle said, standing up and pulling Celine with her arms “Come, I need to show you something.”

“Woah! Slow down!” Celine said, trying to keep up with Carlisle’s speed

“Right.” Carlisle only said, stopping before carrying Celine bridal style to outside their house and into the depth of the forest

“Planning to take me a little early, Mr. Cullen?” Celine teased, tracing his torso and biting her lips, his eyes on him with her eyebrows raised

“I don’t intend on changing you in such an uncomfortable place, Miss Wright.” Carlisle replied, softly putting her down on her feet. “I only intend on giving you the best.”

As Carlisle began to strip off his long sleeve in front of her, Celine watched in awe, her thoughts momentarily clouded with images not so safe for Edward's presence. Carlisle stepped into the ray of sunlight in the forest, getting him to shine like diamonds. He was sparkling, showing Celine how she will be once she becomes one of them, it awed her.

As Celine edged closer to him, her hand tentatively reaching towards his chest, Carlisle gently intercepted her movement, wrapping his own hand around her wrist and drawing her closer. She stumbled to Carlisle, getting him to catch her from almost falling and pulling her closer to him.

“You’re…sparkly.” Celine mentioned, tracing her fingertips on his bare chest, her eyes looking up and meeting Carlisle’s

“And very pretty.” She added, her hands making its way to his cheeks, He immediately smiled at her touch, accepting the warmth of her hands. One that he’ll sure miss when she joins them.

“We’ll, you’re already very pretty. Soon, you’ll be sparkly too.” Carlisle said, pulling Celine for a deep kiss.

She felt all the love that Carlisle had for her in that one kiss, his arms protectively wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. It was genuine, it was soft, it was all for her.

He was made for her.

Celine wrapped her arms around Carlisle’s neck, pulling him closer to her and deepening the kiss. She wanted him to feel just how much she loves him. She needed him to feel it.

She wishes that all the words that can’t roll off her tongue are felt by her actions.

“I love you.” Carlisle whispered after pulling away from the kiss, his hands cupping her cheeks

Celine felt the overwhelming urge to express her feelings in that moment, but the words seemed to elude her, refusing to roll off her tongue. Carlisle looked at her, an unreadable expression on her face. He only smiled at her and kissed her forehead, assuring her that it was alright for her not to say it yet.

“I’m sor—

“My love, I am perfectly fine with waiting for you.” Carlisle assured her before buttoning up his long sleeve “Let’s go back home.”

“I wish I wasn’t so scared of love to actually tell you those words.” Celine opened up quietly as they walk back home

“Why?” Carlisle asked, intertwining her hands with his as they take a longer route home

“You know, in my opinion, love is this incredibly uncertain thing because of how intricate and complex it is. It exists in a world where people evolve, situations shift, and emotions fluctuate. You can't really pin it down or box it in with neat little definitions.” Celine rambled, making Carlisle understand her thought process more

“For me, love demands that we welcome vulnerability, navigate ambiguity, and submit to the unpredictable journey of the heart. It's this very uncertainty that makes love both thrilling and daunting. And honestly, that's reason enough for me to be careful about who I let into my heart.” She ended, as they make their way in front of the house

“Don’t think of this as I’m scared of loving you, by the way.” Celine realized with Carlisle’s silence, looking at him “I’m merely just scared of the concept of love.”

“I understand.” Carlisle smiled at her, squeezing her hand in assurance

“I have an eternity to give you the certain love that you’re looking for anyways.”

Chapter Text

It was Celine’s birthday. Alice was about to insist on having a big celebration when both Celine and Carlisle disagreed. Telling her that the celebration should just be when she turns to a vampire

“A welcoming party for her” they say.

“Carlisle, where do you plan to change Celine?” Alice suddenly asked as they were lounging around the living room

“Well, I plan to change her here, but she’s asked me to keep Jasper and Edward out the house cause she doesn’t want her to let them feel the pain.” Carlisle answered

“You can’t.” She immediately said, getting everyone’s head to turn and listen intently “I’ve been watching Aro’s decisions.”

“What is it?” Carlisle asked immediately

“He plans to take Celine in the middle of her transforming. His reasoning is that the human that’s been changed to the Cullen coven in the past decade is way too powerful.” Alice explained

“Aro thinks that all the humans you change has some sort of power, and he’s gonna see if his suspicion is true on Celine.” Edward added, getting Carlisle to groan in frustration “Someone needs to be on the lookout for any Volturi.”

“Well, you can’t be looking out for me, and hunting, and looking out for the Volturi all at once.” Celine argued

“I’m not gonna let him get ahold of you either.” Carlisle told her “I’ll stay with—

“I’ll stay with her.” Bella immediately volunteered “If I would guess, Jane would try to be the one to get to her. If I’m here shielding, she would have to put up a physical fight before even getting to touch Celine.”

“I’ll join her in staying with Celine.” Emmett added “I’m sure Jane would bring some brute force to actually do the lifting.”

“No, no.” Celine disagreed, shaking her head “You’ll do better staying outside, Bella and Carlisle would be alright.”

“No, Carlisle would be better outside.” Edward spoke up “He’ll be too distracted with your pain to do proper protecting; I’ll join Bella in keeping her safe.”

“I’m not gonna leave her alone.” Carlisle argued

“You have to.” Celine told him “Edward’s right, my pain will distract you.”

“Fine.” Carlisle said with a huff, crossing his arms in annoyance

“I’ll be in your arms in less than a week after tonight, no need to worry my love.” Celine assured, leaving a peck on Carlisle’s cheek

“I already had my last sleep of my life, so I’m gonna have the last nap of my human life too.” Celine said, standing up and stretching her back

“Want me to join you?” Carlisle asked, looking at her

“No need to, It’s just a nap.” She assured him before bidding a ‘see you later’ to the rest and going up their room. Most probably the last time that a bedroom will actually be used for sleeping in the Cullen household.

She walked in the room and plopped herself on the bed, staring at the ceiling and letting the silence of the room to lull her to sleep. The last time that she’ll ever do so as human.

Celine woke up sometime with Carlisle entering the room, a look that expresses that he wants something to say. She rubbed her eyes open before sitting up, looking at Carlisle with raised eyebrows, asking him to spill what he wants to say.

“We’ll have to go to the Volturi.” Carlisle spoke up, sitting on the bed to be next to her

“After my transformation or what?” Celine asked him

“As in now.” He cleared up, getting Celine to let out a gasp, looking at Carlisle with a bewildered look on her face

“Why?!” She asked, practically yelling at him in confusion

“I think the Volturi wishes that your transformation is done in Italy, just so they could track your transformation.” He only replied, a grim look on his face

“Carlisle, will you please think for one moment and decide on your own without the Volturi controlling your every move?!” Celine yelled in anger

“Do you think I want this?” Carlisle asked, his tone staying as calm as possible “They already sent Volturi guards to pick us up.”

“Then I want Esme to come with us.” She decided at once, crossing her arms and looking at him “It’s either Esme is joining us or I’m not leaving this bed.”

“My love.” He said, grabbing Celine’s hand and squeezing it softly “I’ll be there with you every step of the way, I promise.”

“This is our chance to help Esme.” Celine whispered lowly, looking at Carlisle with pleading eyes “We have to help her somehow.”

“I’ll tell her.” Carlisle only agreed, leaving a peck on Celine’s forehead before standing up and leaving her to get ready

Celine knew that this was very dangerous, not just for her as a human, but also for Carlisle and Esme. She’s been told multiple times by the other members of the family that the Volturi have had their eyes on every human that joins the Cullens because of Bella. Add Alice and Edward into the equation and Aro is already going for three of the family

Who knew just what distance that bastard could do just to get what he wants?

“Esme?” Carlisle asked, carefully opening the door to her art room and seeing Esme staring into the unfinished artwork that was resting on her easel.

It was a painting of a woman, strikingly similar to Esme with a blank space next to it. She was waiting for her to be with her mate to be able to finish the masterpiece

“I heard what she said.” She only replied, her eyes still on the canvas

“Do you want to go?” He asked, she nodded immediately. It may be selfish but Celine was offering the opportunity to her

‘Just one glimpse of what could have been hers.’ She thinks to herself

“This’ll be dangerous for her, you know that.” Esme said, looking at Carlisle with sad eyes “The Volturi, Aro especially, wants her. Either to use against us, or for a meal? No one knows.”

“I know, but we’re in a tight spot. He’s being extra careful, after last time.” Carlisle said, letting out a sigh of defeat, moving and sitting next to Esme “I’ve instructed Edward that if they ever feel the need to leave the coven while we were gone, for them to do so.”

“This is the Volturi’s revenge for what happened before, isn’t?” She asked him “Their way of avenging the humiliation they dealt with.”

“Then, why must it be with her?” Carlisle asked back in a pained tone, his eyes resting on the unfinished work “Why can’t the Volturi hurt me instead?”

“Because they know that seeing Celine in danger will hurt you more than fire itself.” Esme replied knowingly.

She was right, he’ll rather burn than see the Volturi even lay a finger on her.

“Carlisle, a word?” Edward asked, resting on the door frame. Esme tapped Carlisle’s shoulders before standing up and going to her room

“Is everything alright?” Carlisle asked him

“Just…worried for you and Celine.” Edward only replied, sitting next to him “Alice had a vision.”

“What is it?” Carlisle immediately asked, looking at him. Edward only had a somber look on his face, a look that implies that they lost something…or someone

“Celine won’t come back with us, would she?” Carlisle only asked with a strained tone, Edward only nodded to his question

“D-does she see anything past that?” He asked again, Edward only shook his head no

“We tried to see anything more, but we really can’t.” Edward added sadly “Celine would make the decision herself. For our safety that the Volturi would never go after us again.”

Carlisle hurried to his office, deliberately ignoring Edward's calls from Esme's art room. In the solitude of his office, he was overcome by a wave of longing for a human experience, one that would allow him to grieve openly for the future he and Celine could never have.

Entering the room, he closed the door behind him, enveloping himself in the silence, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the weight of his emotions.

Seated at his desk, Carlisle gazed into the emptiness of the room before reaching for the bottom drawer of his table. With a deliberate motion, he retrieved a carefully stored item, a Bible. The cherished possession had once belonged to his father, acquired by Carlisle in an auction many decades ago.

Carlisle placed the Bible on the table before him, opening it with care. Though uncertain which scripture might offer solace for the anguish weighing heavily upon him, he felt compelled to search.

In this moment, he felt like he was back to his youth, reminiscent of the times he sought guidance within these pages during his father's illness. As his eyes scanned the text, they landed on a particular verse

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Carlisle found himself immersed in the verse, each word etching itself into his memory as he read it repeatedly. But instead of solace, a surge of agony gripped his heart, intensifying until it became unbearable.

With a cry of anguish, he pushed the Bible away, rising from his seat with clenched fists and gritted teeth. His eyes bore into the scripture, seeking answers that avoided him and wrestling with the pain that consumed him.

“Is this Your plan?!” He painfully yelled, pointing his finger at the scripture “Is this Your plan to hurt her like this?”

Carlisle was shaking in anger, his grit on his teeth was getting painfully tight that even he as a vampire could feel it, but he couldn’t care. He was too angry to care. Celine was walking into her death sentence, all because he couldn’t protect her for all of eternity.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, he constructed a makeshift kneeler and knelt upon it, clasping his hands together in prayer, bowing his head and wishing that a God above would listen to him. Even if he was beyond damned to be heard.

“My Father Almighty, I know I haven’t reached out to You in centuries and I know that my kind isn’t something that You’ll welcome in Your kingdom. But today I come before You with a heartfelt plea for my beloved, for my Celine. I am deeply grateful for the time You saw fit to bless me with her presence and love, even if only briefly. Now, Father Almighty, all I humbly request is for her safety to be safeguarded, both here on earth and within Your divine palace. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.”

“I’ve never heard you pray before.” Celine said quietly, her head peeking into the door of his office. Carlisle stood at the sight of her, admiring every feature of her, possibly for the last time

“The guards are getting impatient, they’re close to pulling away Emmett’s arm in anger because he keeps bothering them and asking to arm wrestle with him.” She continued, lightly giggling at Emmett’s antics.

Carlisle's gaze lingered on Celine, drinking in every detail of her being with a bittersweet longing. He cherished the lines that formed on her face when she smiled or laughed, etching them into his memory as precious reminders of her joy. The way her eyes glistened with delight whenever she found something she enjoyed filled him with a sense of warmth and adoration.

In these fleeting moments, he sought to capture the entirety of her, knowing that once their fate had been imposed, these memories would be all he had left to hold onto.

As Celine drew nearer, her hand found its way to Carlisle's cheek, her touch gentle and comforting. With a soft smile, she gazed into his eyes, and in that very moment, Carlisle wished that time could stand still, freezing them in this intimate exchange forever.

For in the warmth of her touch and the sincerity of her smile, he found his solace from the chaos of their impending fate.