la belle dame sans merci | carlisle cullen

17

Carlisle watched from the window of his study as the brown Monte Carlo pulls up the drive way. He can see her there in the driver seat, laughing as Alice hugs her. It brings a smile to his face, which had felt like it was beginning to stick into the form a frown.

He sees the troubled look on her face for only a moment before the car turns around and she's totally obscured from his vision, his pale fingers rest on the window pane as he wishes for just a moment longer to see her. Part of him wonders if he should have gone down. Just to say hello. He could have schemed when he'd get to see her next if he had.

Embarrassment kept him rooted. He didn't want his family the way this woman they'd forbidden made him melt. Mixed with the embarrassment was his thirst, he definitely needed to hunt before he saw her again. The last thing she needed was for her to notice his eyes going pitch black again.

He could hear them downstairs, the argument breaking out before Alice was even totally through the door.

"What the hell, Alice?" Rosalie demanded, he could tell just by the tone that she'd been thinking carefully about what she was going to say since Edward had gotten home.

"What the hell Alice," Alice returned in a mocking tone. "She's my friend too, Rosalie. If you met her, I think you'd really like her."'

"That doesn't matter!" The blonde practically screeched, "She's dangerous."

"She's lovely." Alice corrected in a chime, "I don't think she's got a bad bone in her body."

"She doesn't." Carlisle whispered to himself, rubbing his temples. The record player called to him, urging him to reset the needle and block out the noise but he couldn't bring himself too.

"Give her a chance," Alice continued, "She's Carlisle's mate, for fuck's sake. Do you have to be such a pessimist all the time?"

"Yes!" Rosalie shrieked, "I do! Cause apparently, I'm the only one who sees the threat she poses. The Volturi has rules about witches for a reason-"

"Outdated rules." Jasper added.

"Rules," Rosalie went on, "That were made for our protection."

"When have we ever agreed with the Volturi? You should hear yourself right now." Alice scoffed, footsteps approaching the stairs, "Get real, Rose. I'm going to see Carlisle before he kills me."

He listened to her steps draw nearer and nearer before he quietly called, "Come in."

Alice's spikey head poked through the door, "Is it a bad time? We can talk later." She offered gently.

"No, no." Carlisle sighed, running his hand down his face, "Come in. The suspense has been killing me." She gave him a little knowing smile as she shut the door behind her, moving to sit across from him at his desk. "I don't think the universe could have paired you with someone more perfect."

He closes his eyes and sucks in a breath through his teeth, "I know."

"I didn't say anything I didn't think you'd want me to." The black haired girl continued, "I actually.." a sly grin appeared on her face, "I helped her pick out your Christmas present."

Carlisle's posture straightened, "What?"

"I've already seen. You're going to love it." Alice beamed.

"What the hell do I get her? I wasn't even thinking about it." He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, "Did she.. say anything about me?"

"We agreed you're a nerd." Alice began making z Carlisle roll his golden eyes, "Honestly, I think she was specifically trying not to. She probably thought it'd make me feel weird." The girl mused, "She did blush a few times though when you did come up."

Carlisle could practically see it, the way her face flushed that perfect shade of pink and she'd turn away to hide it. His heart warned at the mere thought.

"You can't imagine how infuriating all this is to me." Alice reasoned, leaning back in the chair. "I see the future Carlisle. I see the track you're on. You're going to be together."

A sad smile lifted his lips, "it could be a long time from now."

Alice's ochre eyes softened, "Are you worried you're losing time?" It came out in a whisper.

Carlisle let out a breath, pushing himself up from the chair feeling her eyes following him as he made his way to the record player. He carefully lifted the needle, placing it at the beginning of the record which immediately began to play.

"I'm not losing time." He said quietly when he was sure their conversation was being mostly masked. "She told me a few weeks ago.. she's been twenty-five for a very long time." Alice's eyes were wide and bright. "She's encroaching on 180."

She bounced in the chair, clapping several times, "Oh, Carlisle! That's fantastic news."

A sad smile lifted his lips, "I just have to be patient." He looks up at the ceiling as he says it, "I'm worried something will happen, your vision will change and she'll be forever out of reach." Alice's smile dwindles, "She's not invulnerable, she can die or she could move on from Forks."

"Rosalie and Edward will come around before any of that can happen." The clairvoyant promises softly, "Edward sooner, I think. He knows how bad you're hurting. He'll break and then they'll be outvoted."

Carlisle just shrugs a little, it's a wonderful thought but he doesn't dare get his hopes up. He can't help but dwell on the way Edward spoke earlier, perhaps the cracks were already forming.

"You'll be together, Carlisle." Alice says rising from the chair, "and I think you'll find the waiting was worth it."

Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you don't mind that it's such a slow burn, it pains me just as much as it pains you— I promise. Votes and comments are appreciated, have a lovely day!