Enchanted

1911

Columbus, Ohio

What a stupid idea... But the tree had seemed to be waiting for Esme, extending its branches to her, its leaves looking so comfortable. So she'd climbed it, up and up until a branch had failed to support her. And she'd fallen on the ground, about 20 meters down.

Her mother had been upset when she'd found her, lying under the giant oak, clutching her leg with her hands. She'd already told Esme a hundred times that climbing trees was 'very unladylike'. But Esme couldn't resist the appeal of it. Painting trees didn't satisfy her, she had to touch them, to feel them. Lost in her dreams, she'd forgotten to pay attention to the branches, growing thinner and thinner, until her weight was too much.

Now she sat in her father's coach, her face distorting with pain at every jump of the vehicle over an imperfection of the road, which were numerous on this little country trail. They were taking her to the hospital. It wasn't that far, but the journey seemed endless to Esme.

When they finally arrived, Esme was relieved. The pain was about to end. They took her to a little white room on the second floor, told her that a doctor was coming, and then left her alone. As she sat on the bed, looking around this ordinary hospital room, Esme tried to distract herself from the pain by observing the sky outside the window and trying to imagine people and objects in the fluffy clouds.

Lost in her thoughts, Esme didn't notice when the door opened. The person who'd opened it didn't move any further, so she assumed, without lifting her gaze, that someone had made a mistake and left. But then a voice said pleasantly, making her jump :

"Good morning."

She looked up. Her mouth, opened to greet the stranger, didn't produce a sound as she took in his appearance.

He was tall, but looked unusually young for a doctor. He had wavy blond hair and pale white skin, His face was incredibly beautiful : His nose was straight, his eyes were some kind of magnificent golden-brown that radiated warmth, and his perfect lips formed the most breathtakingly kind smile Esme had ever seen.

She snapped back to reality as he spoke again in a gentle voice :

"I am Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Pleased to meet you."

"I'm Esme Platt." Esme said. "Enchanted."

She smiled, embarrassed by her previous staring.

"You broke your leg, is that it ?" asked Dr Cullen, smiling.

"Yes," said Esme.

Trying to distract herself from this perfect man, she looked at the wall in front of her.

"Can I have a look at it ?" he requested, pointing at her leg.

"Sure," replied Esme. "That's why you're here, isn't it ?" As she finished her sentence, she realized how impolite it was and quickly looked at him to apologize. Her mother often told her off for being impertinent.

But the doctor was quietly laughing as he said :

"Of course."

Still smiling, he gently reached for her leg. She had to stifle a gasp when she felt him touch her. His hands were cold, but the main cause of her reaction was the electricity that sparked between his body and hers.

He delicately pressed different parts of her leg, asking her if it hurt. Each finger that lightly touched her made her tense. She was aware of each square centimeter of their skins that were in contact.

Finally, he raised his beautiful head and said ;

"Well, Miss Platt, it looks like I will have to set your leg. See, the bone here isn't in its right place; I have to put it back so it will heal."