Grey Skies and Blue Eyes

Chapter Seven

He stood in the hospital room, watching Evie as she pretended to sleep. Carlisle was down the hallway, with a different patient, but his thoughts were completely focused on the dark haired girl lying on the hospital bed in front of the copper haired vampire. Edward understood his pain. Despite the fact that Isabella's blood sang to him in way that he almost couldn't resist, Edward wanted, no, needed to be beside her. It was worse for Carlisle, though. He had met his soul mate fourteen years ago, and then she disappeared. For those brief moments when Evie was four, he had come alive, but as soon as she was gone, he became depressed and locked himself in his study. Now, he had her once more, but he was terrified she would willingly leave this time because she was scared. A part of Carlisle, however, hoped she would, because he didn't believe himself worthy enough of her.

Edward had been with Carlisle for the longest, and had seen him before he had a family; seen how lonely he was. Evelyn Swan, even though she didn't know it, had changed Carlisle in a way no one else ever could. His thoughts were lighter, happier, and his actions were more open. He didn't hole himself up in his study for days at a time anymore, and he allowed himself to believe in the hope that was love. Edward admired Carlisle for that. He admired how he jumped head first into the unknown, with nothing but his hope. He himself wished he could do that, but he was scared.

The family had known Evelyn was going to be Carlisle's mate for a decade. Alice had many visions of the toddler, and even more of her when she had grown. Carlisle was fascinated by every little detail he could squeeze out of the psychic vampire, and he never grew tired of hearing what Evelyn was doing. Edward wished that he had known, himself, when Isabella would fling herself into his life, becoming the light to his dark. The week he spent in Alaska allowed him the room to clear his head of her delectable scent, and let him focus on the feelings he felt beneath. After three days in Alaska, he finally admitted to the fact that Isabella Swan had him wrapped around her finger.

Usually vampires knew immediately when they met their soul mate. For Carlisle and Edward, it was different, but only because their mates were humans. Alice had seen Carlisle with Evie for many years, so it made sense that Carlisle loved her long before he had even met her, but no one had seen Bella; especially Edward. That day, in biology, he couldn't focus on much more than her blood, but now that he could think past that, he knew. He supposed that it made sense. The one person on the planet with the unreadable mind was his soul mate. For once, he wished his gift wouldn't let him down, but it seemed that it was impossible.

Edward sighed, quietly. He hadn't told anyone yet about Bella, but he knew he would have to soon. Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Emmett would be happy for him. Jasper and Rose were a whole different story. At this point, he couldn't find it in himself to care, however. He was tired of seeing the happy couples around the house and not having his other half. Esme felt the same, but she was content to play the mother of the family. Carlisle was the only other one who understood what it meant to be truly lonely, but ever since he had found out about Evelyn, he had changed. Edward knew it wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth it. It was at that moment that Evelyn decided she could no longer take the infuriating neck brace, and threw it at the window. Edward chuckled at her, his eyes bright. The answering glare from the ice blue eyes only made his smile wider.

That's when he smelled her. The scent of strawberries and freesia's filled his lungs, and even though the burn in his throat felt like a hot poker being shoved down his mouth, he reveled in the scent and enjoyed the burn. He turned just as the doors flew open and Bella and her father flew into the room. Bella's eyes, despite focused on her sister, glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and the blush that colored her cheeks made the burn worthwhile. Smugness filled him to the brim, almost startling him with the intensity, but he couldn't help it. Knowing that the brown eyed beauty felt the pull too made him feel like he was over the moon.