"So, where should we go tonight?"
Esme smiled guiltily at Carlisle and offered a gentle shrug. "I wish we could stay in."
"Darling, date night is a necessity and you already look so lovely." His smile was genuine as he raked his gaze over her body appreciatively.
Esme smoothed the fabric of her dress. "I dressed up for you. It doesn't matter if we go out."
He could feel his face melting into one of the expressions that he reserved just for her. "The children are home. That's why we need the date night. We're outnumbered." Blissfully outnumbered, he thought, wonderfully outnumbered. Emmett had made such a difference in their lives. If the years after Rosalie had joined them were the most tumultuous in their family's history, then the ones after Emmett were the happiest.
Emmett had brought joy into Rosalie's life. He had done nothing but use his own nature to exorcise her demons. She was still caustic at times, still difficult when she wanted to be, but everything was so much easier.
Esme sighed and stood, drawing him out of his thoughts as her hands fluttered to the pins in her hair. "Perhaps we could go dancing?"
Carlisle tilted his head, considering her as she secured her curls. "What if we stayed in?"
She smiled magnificently, her dimples deepening with her excitement. "I thought date night was a necessity."
He reached out for her hand and tugged her close. "Alone time is. We'll send the children off to hunt or something."
"That has never kept them away."
His fingers were gentle as they found her soft cheek. "We'll let them stay and be really quiet."
She laughed. "That's never worked either."
"Too late." Carlisle turned his ear up as if that would actually help him hear better. "Edward's herding them out the door."
She sighed again, this time a happy sigh. "I'll have to thank him."
Carlisle held a hand out again to his wife, his smile widening to match hers. "Shall we?"
Esme gave him a confused glance and took his hand. "Where are we going?"
He tucked her arm through his and escorted her toward his study. "You wanted to dance."
Carlisle let her go and moved to twist the knob of the radio in the corner. The sounds of Frank Sinatra filled the room. He smiled at the melodic crooning and turned.
He allowed himself a moment to take her in. She was beautiful in blue chiffon. Her dress was new, something she bought on one of her shopping excursions with Rosalie, no doubt. It was a little more daring than her usual attire but it suited her, the rich color a stunning contrast to her cascade of caramel curls. Her arms were bare, the delicate chiffon gathered at her shoulders with little silver clasps. The neckline was plunging toward her thin waist and beautifully draped skirt.
He let his gaze roam back up her body, smiling when he saw her biting her lip. "You are so beautiful," he murmured.
"Thank you." She smoothed her hands over the skirt again. "Rose picked it out."
"I'll have to thank her."
He reached out and pulled her against his body. She settled her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. They shuffled to the music, forsaking grace for the chance to hold each other close. "Isn't this better than going out?" she asked on a sigh.
"Yes." He kissed the top of her head. "You were right."
He felt her hands dance across his sides to settle at his back, under his dinner jacket. She tilted her head up and he leaned down to kiss her, revelling in the familiarity of her soft lips and sweet taste. "Mrs. Cullen," he whispered against her lips, "I do believe you have ulterior motives for staying in."
