A Vampire's Aurora

Family Discussions

Family Discussions

Carlisle made his way back slowly into his office after leaving the emergency room. As he walked down the quiet corridor, he turned his head, looking at the parking lot of the hospital, his eyes focusing on the petite figure who was opening a black car door. A small frown appeared on his lips as he watched the car disappear into the street and down the road.

As he closed the door to his office, he once again frowned, considering the entire interaction. Carlisle had never in his centuries of being a vampire had had such an intense bloodlust until Aurora had walked through the emergency room door. Though the feeling had subsided and left him just as quick as it came, there was a nagging fear in him that it may not stay away for long. And while the feeling, no the need, he reminded himself, passed and he was able to remain composure, he wondered if all his years of practice and reserve would not be enough. Putting his hands on the desk, Carlisle bent over, resolute.

"I'll have to tell the family about this," he said quietly.

There was another nagging feeling that he couldn't place. In his vision, which he tried with all his power to not recall. Why was it in his fantasy, while Aurora terrified, did not beg him to stop? She had begged for more. Her begging had egged him on, wanting to consume her, wanting every part of her to be his. Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss it all.

"I will have to ask Alice a few more pointed questions," he growled softly.

Carlisle knew Alice and Jasper had already been observing Aurora. He knew that Alice had mentioned in a sing-song voice that the new arrival to Forks was alluring and that her scent was unique. He also knew from Alice's observation that the girl was likely to be found often in the forest behind her home as she was a photographer, so the family would have to be careful to not scare her or inadvertently bump into her. What Alice had failed to mention was her beauty. Carlisle scowled, his brows furrowing. He decided to think no more of the subject as he shrugged off his Doctor's coat and grabbed his suitcase before heading home.

When Carlisle arrived at the spacious Cullen abode on the outskirts of town, he could already see that most of the family had gathered upstairs. Making his way to the front door, he was greeted by Alice's beaming face and Jasper's reserved smirk. Rosalie and Emmet were both seated on the plush white sofas, while Edward perched himself on the seat of the sofa. Each family member's golden eyes bore into Carlisle, all expecting news of the arrival. But it was Alice who spoke first.

"I told you! She is absolutely... Intriguing," she breathed the last word.

Twirling around in a circle, Alice peered over at Carlisle who was setting his briefcase down on the table.

"Yes, she is Alice. Yes, she is," he repeated.

Rosalie rolled her eyes, flipping her long blonde hair around as she gave Alice a pointed look. Emmet couldn't contain his laughter, and chortled his massive chest heaving.

"She's had quite a storied career in Europe," Rosalie said. "Apparently she's had some trysts with celebrities too."

Alice clicked her tongue, sending her blood-sister a knowing look.

"Rumors Rosalie, they were all rumors. Besides since when you follow such gossip?" Rosalie asked her sister.

Rosalie groaned, standing up and walking towards a massive window overlooking the forest.

"I do not follow any gossip," she bit back.

Emmet playfully punched Edward's arm who seemed to be deep in thought as he observed Carlisle intensely.

"She'll never admit it, but Rose actually likes the new girl's photos," he chuckled.

Rosalie sent him a withering glance before ignoring him. She turned her attention to Carlisle who till now had been silent, his hands in his trousers pocket, staring at the ground. Edward also stared at the eldest vampire. Carlisle could feel Edward gentling probing his thoughts.

"I suppose it's best for now that we keep a distance just for the time being, until..." Carlisle trailed off.

Edward felt his father pulling away from him in his thoughts. He crossed his arms, his jaw set in a firm line.

"I agree with Carlisle, and that means all of us, including you Alice," he said.

Alice who stood in the middle of the room looked at her siblings in surprise.

"But..." she whispered. "She means us no harm. She's..."

Rosalie turned to her sister and then to Carlisle, mimicking Edward and crossing her arms across her chest.

"I agree, we should stay away from her. There's no need to be going to her home and observing her, and besides, there's more than enough places to hunt without bumping into her," she said firmly.

Carlisle nodded in agreement, before turning to leave. Alice was at a loss for words, looking to Jasper for help, though the blonde-haired vampire only shrugged his shoulders. Carlisle slowly made his way to his study, knowing full-well Edward was behind him.

"Carlisle?" Edward asked softly.

Carlisle looked over his shoulder, observing his youngest son. The youth's eyes were worried.

"Edward, perhaps another time," Carlisle replied.

Edward's fists balled up; he had never felt Carlisle pulling away in his thoughts. His father had never been mercurial, nor had he ever hidden something from Edward. Carlisle sighed, seeing his son in such a state of worry and anger. Walking over to the oldest vampire of the Olympic coven, Edward placed a hand on Carlisle's shoulder. Carlisle took a deep breath as Edward gently probed his thoughts. The two vampires stood like that for a few minutes. The room grown darker and darker as the sun's last rays bade goodbye to the forest surrounding them.

"You're afraid you'll lose control," Edward said in a low voice.

Carlisle nodded.

"Edward in my centuries as a vampire, this is the first time I have felt like this. Even when I was a newborn. This hunger, this need it felt unstoppable. I felt consumed by it," he said slowly, weighing each word.

Edward shifted his weight, waiting for his father to continue.

"It's not the thirst that worries me, it's the fact that I didn't want to stop it at that moment. Everything in my being yearned for me to give in," Carlisle said. "I wanted to. I wanted to give in. No amount of rationalization could stop me. No amount of compassion could stop me."

Both vampires fell silent again. Carlisle felt ashamed. Closing his eyes, he heaved a long, sad sigh. He felt like his entire existence had been a failure and for the first time in a long time, he felt truly damned.