Beautiful Days

Chapter 43 -Goodbyes Are Always the Hardest...-

“Wake up, my love,” I heard Carlisle’s voice. I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. The sun was shining right into the room and I closed my eyes again.

“What time is it?” I asked panicky though when I realized that the sun shouldn’t shine already if I had gotten up early.

“10 in the morning,” Carlisle told me and stroked my arm.

“What?” I sprang up and looked at the bed. Both Haven and Carlie weren’t here. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?” I asked.

“The kids only woke up half an hour ago, you need the sleep for the long travel today,” he tried to soothe me.

“But I could have spent that time doing something with the two or packing and planning as long as they were sleeping!”

“Esme,” he said sadly and held his arms open. I hugged him close and sighed deeply. “Rosalie and Alice are currently bathing the two, and Jasper, Emmett and Renesmee are preparing breakfast. Bella and Edward are packing for all of us except Haven and Carlie, so you needn’t get up too early,” Carlisle soothed me.

“I’m afraid,” I whispered and closed my eyes.

“I am, too,” he whispered and kissed my hair. “But we should think of our children right now… You could help Rose and Alice for example,” Carlisle winked.

“Yes,” I smiled and grabbed his hand before dragging him with me into the bathroom.

“Good morning,” Alice greeted us as she saw us entering.

“Good morning,” I smiled and Carlie smiled broadly when she saw us. Rosalie had Haven in her arms and was toweling him down currently. Carlie splashed with the water and showed us her rubby duck when I kneeled next to the bathtub. Carlisle walked over to Rose and made funny faces at Haven, which earned squealing sounds from him.

“How are you doing this morning?” I asked Carlie with a smile.

“Good, Alie gave me soo many duckies,” she smiled and showed me a dozen other rubber ducks. I laughed and looked at Alice.

“She simply loves duckies,” Alice smiled, hiding her sadness well from Carlie, but not from us. I sighed and stroked her arm. She gave me a small smile and sighed herself. As it was hard for me and Carlisle, it wasn’t any easier for the rest of the family, they all took Haven and Carlie into their hearts in the short time they knew them…

“Look,” Carlie laughed and made a huge mess with the soapwater as she showed us another rubber duck with a superman cape. I giggled. “Superduckie,” she smiled and let it fall back into the water. I kissed her wet caramel hair and got up with a last smile at her.

Rosalie already cradled Haven in her arms and cooed to him. He cuddled contently into the soft red blanket and swung his arms while gurgling. Rose had tears in her eyes as she leaned down and gave him a kiss. “Here,” she said in a small voice, but with a smile as she gave him to me.

“Thank you,” I smiled and cradled Haven against my heart. “I love you so much, Haven, please never forget that,” I whispered into his ear and kissed his forehead. He smiled and patted my cheek. I kissed his palm as well and sighed to keep the tears away. His hand started to glow golden as I kissed it and I felt the familiar spark going through me. “Are you happy, little buddy?” I laughed and showered him with kisses. Haven giggled and began to glow all over.

“That still is amazing to watch unfold,” Alice whispered as she watched him while holding Carlie steady in the bathtub.

“Yes, it is, but also so dangerous now…” I whispered and looked at Carlisle.