The War Doctor

01

Carlisle
The stars shine in the dark night sky brighter than i've ever seen. I lay in my cot, staring at them with awe. My stomach churns as I remember the events that are to take place tomorrow. The troops are marching out to fight for the independence from Great Britain.
Feeling too energized to sleep, I quietly sneak out of my cot and away from camp. Finding a small trail in the woods, I walk on the dirt path, letting my mind wander.
I stop in my tracks and look around when I hear a sound. It sounds like footsteps. They're coming closer to me. I quickly step off of the trail and crouch down behind a bush, out of sight. I peak through the leaves at the intruder. The white dress is the first thing I see, it's bright color being very visible in the dark night. Her hair is brown with a red tint, falling just below her shoulders.
Her heart shaped face resembles that of a movie star, her cheeks rosy, surely a side effect of the cold air. She gently bites her bottom red lip as she wanders through the woods.
Without thinking, I slowly stand to get a better view of her beauty. She gasps as she sees me and backs away.
"Oh, my apologies. It was not my intention to give you a fright. My name is Carlisle Cullen." I say, removing my hat and bowing my head.
"Mr. Cullen. What in the world are you doing crouching down behind bushes, trying to scare helpless women?" she asks, a hint of jokingness behind her voice. The corners of her mouth turn up in a small smile.
"I thought you were an intruder." I say lightly.
"So you hid? Very manly." she says, continuing to walk. I follow her like a puppy dog.
"Not hiding. Just trying to do a sneak attack. Good thing I didn't." I say. She giggles.
"Yes. Good thing."
"What is your name, miss?" I ask curiously.
"Hmm. Well Mr. Cullen, I barely know you." she says.
"Well then let's get to know each other. And then we will no longer be strangers and I can know your name." I say.
"And who says I want to get to know you?" she asks, turning to smirk at me.
"Oh, you want to get to know me." I say confidently. She looks at me and sighs.
"Oh, alright. Go ahead, Mr. Cullen. Tell me a few things about yourself." she says as she begins to climb up a tree.
"Climbing a tree? Not very lady like." I mumble. She stops and looks over a branch, down at me.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" she asks, smiling. I begin to climb the tree behind her.
"Alright. Well I'm a soldier-"
"I could tell by the uniform, Mr. Cullen." she says. I chuckle and settle myself down across from her on a branch.
"What made you decide to join the war?" she asks.
"It pays for my schooling to become a doctor." I say, shrugging.
"You want to be a doctor?" she asks with surprise.
"Yes ma'am."
"For the money?" she asks.
"No ma'am. Just a bad experience in my past has urged me to save other lives."
"Past experience? What happened?" she asks, leaning toward me.
"Well don't I get to know you too?" I ask, smiling.
"I suppose." she says shyly.
"What do you like to do in your free time?" I ask. "Other than climb trees in dresses." I say smirking.
"I enjoy reading. And art."
"Looking at art or making it?" I ask.
"Both. Though i'm afraid i'm not very skilled. My paintings are mediocre." she says, ducking her head.
"Perhaps you would allow me to see one some day?" I ask.
"Perhaps." she says, smiling softly.
"My turn." she says, confident again. "What happened to you that made you want to become a doctor?"
"When I was born, my mother died giving birth to me. So I never met her. But my dad...well, the only side of him that I knew was the stern and bitter side. Though people tell me that he used to be so lively. So fun to be around. But when I was about 16 years old, my father had an accident in the barn. He had fallen from the roof onto one of the pitch forks. When I found him, he was bleeding profusely and the only thing I could do was hold his wound and watch him slowly slip away. It was the worst hour of my life." I finish quietly.
"Oh Carlisle. I'm so sorry." she says. I look up at her and smile slightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"So can I get that name now?" I ask softly. She giggles and reaches her hand out.
"Esme Anne Platt."
I take her hand in mine and lean toward her to place a kiss on the back of it. Right as my lips graze her skin, we both slip from our branches and plummet toward the ground. I manage to cage her body against mine by snaking my arms around her waist.
My back takes the hit to the ground with a thud, knocking the wind out of me. I groan and begin coughing.
"Are you....alright?" I manage to cough out. She rolls off of me and sits up.
"Yes. Are you?" she asks, the nurse side of her coming out.
"Fine." I cough out. She helps me sit up and brushes the dirt off of my uniform.
"Thank you. For saving me." she says, her green eyes meeting my blue ones.
"My pleasure." I say softly.
In the distance, a horn sounds, signaling the awakening of my troop. I gasp and jump up, causing her to do the same.
"We have to get back." I say, trying to lead her back to base.
"I'm from North America." she says, stepping back. My heart stops and my chest tightens.
"What?" I whisper.
"I'm sorry. I know I should've told you earlier but-"
"When will I see you again?" I ask quickly.
"You're not mad I didn't tell you?" she asks.
"No. I'm more worried about when I will see you." I tell her.
"I-I don't know. I'm sorry." she says, looking like she is about to cry.
"Please. My dearest Esme, I must see you again. If I survive the day, I will meet you by this tree tonight. Promise me you'll be here waiting?" I ask.
"Yes. I promise." she breathes out.
"I must go. Until tonight." I tell her, jogging away.
"Carlisle, wait!" she shouts. I stop and turn to see her running after me. She stops in front of me and quickly kisses me on the cheek.
"Don't die." she whispers before turning and quickly leaving. I smile and slowly touch the spot on my cheek where her lips had touched.
The horn blows again and I sprint off, back to camp.