Carlisle and Esme

33. Life in Forks

Chapter Thirty-Three

We fell into a regular pattern in Forks. I went to work every day and the kids went to school on the weekdays. They had homework to do which kept them busy for a few hours or so. Esme kept the house clean, dealt with new clothing and gave the old clothing to goodwill. She was also constantly invited to human parties and charity fundraisers.

"Hey guys!" Esme danced into the kitchen. Rosalie, Emmett and Edward were doing their homework at the dining table. I had my paperwork spread out too. I usually did this in my study but it was just as peaceful doing it when everyone else was doing their work.

"What's up?" I asked her, smiling. She was waving a piece of card at us.

"We're all invited to a garden party. It's a fundraiser."

"What charity?" Edward asked, twirling his pencil between his fingers.

"Cancer awareness."

"I can donate a few hundred but no more, love okay?" She nodded, smiling.

"Thank you. But we still have to go."

"Why?" Rosalie asked. She had the cap of her pen in between her teeth, biting it.

"Because it will be good for us to socialise and make friends." Esme smiled.

"What day is it?" Edward asked.

"Sunday."

"I suppose we could go for a few hours." I nodded.

"I don't know..." Emmett bit his lip.

"Well if you're staying, Rosalie's coming." Rose sighed, putting her pen down.

"Fine! I'll go."

"Edward?"

"I'll go."

"Sorted then." I smiled at my wife. She smiled back and put the card on the fridge, putting it in place with a magnet.

******

On Sunday, we all went to the garden party. All but Emmett. He stayed at home. We were all dressed smartly. Esme and Rosalie wore summer dresses with coats as it was a typical rainy day in Forks. Edward and I dressed smart too.

All of Forks seemed to be invited to the garden party. Esme introduced us and within a few minutes, Edward was deep in conversation with a small group of humans. Rosalie struck up conversation with a few people as well. I stayed with Esme. Esme introduced me to the humans that she had met recently. When one of my colleagues at the hospital arrived, I talked to him while Esme helped the hosts with food. The food was mainly laid out on a table as a buffet. There was also a BBQ with burgers, sausages, kebabs and chicken wings. We all helped ourselves to keep up human appearances.

After most of the food had been eaten, desserts were brought out but we had eaten enough to say that we were full and declined eating the desserts.

Esme came to find me. She had a glass of white wine in her hand.

"Carlisle, have you signed the donation yet?" she asked.

"Not yet. I'll do it now." I kissed her cheek and went off to the donation table. Two ladies manned the table. On top of the cloth was a donation bucket for cents and nickels then there was a register where you signed your name off once you had donated and the amount you had donated. One of the ladies had an envelope was I presumed for cheques.

"How much do you wish to donate, sir?" One of the ladies asked, smiling. I took out my cheque book from my pocket and the pen from off the table. I scribbled the price. I then gave the cheque to the lady with the envelope and I wrote my name and amount in the register. I noticed Edward had donated two hundred dollars.

"Thank you." The ladies chorused. I winked at them then went off to find Esme again. At around five PM, the hosts of the garden party called attention to all the guests. They announced that the fundraising had raised over five hundred dollars. We all applauded and then the ladies called thanks to several people who had helped. Esme was one of them. She got a small wrapped box and a bottle of wine. She thanked them, kissing them. I smiled, watching her as everyone applauded her.

"Isn't that your wife?" One of my colleagues asked me.

"Yeah that's my Esme." She came over to me, beaming.

"We should get going home." She said, cheerfully.

"Okay. I'll get the car. You round up the troublesome two." I left the party and collected the Mercedes. I stopped in front of the host's house where Rose, Esme and Edward were waiting. They all got in and we drove off back home.

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