Her Time

𝒞𝒽. Six

"Annabelle?" The voice broke the momentary silence that enveloped the room, gently drawing Annabelle's gaze downward. She found herself looking at Reneesme, whose bright eyes sparkled with excitement.

"What can I do for you, sweetie?" Annabelle asked, her tone warm and inviting.

Reneesme hesitated, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as she fumbled with her words. "Well, I was just wondering if you, uh, would want to, uh..."

Annabelle chuckled softly at the younger girl's shyness before taking her hand in assurance. "Sweetie, just ask me what you want to ask me."

With a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, Reneesme finally blurted out, "Would you like to go to the movies with me?" A rosy hue colored her cheeks further at her boldness.

A radiant smile spread across Annabelle's face as she replied, "I'd love to."

In that moment, Reneesme could hardly contain her joy. With an excited squeal, she threw herself at Annabelle, nearly knocking her off balance and to the floor. "Thank you! You won't regret it! I'm going to go get dressed!" she shrieked, her voice echoing with youthful exuberance as she dashed away.

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Annabelle couldn't help but smile to herself, the energy in the air infectious. "She seems happy," she remarked aloud, turning around to find Carlisle leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, a knowing smile plastered on his lips.

"Really? I hadn't noticed," she replied with a light-hearted chuckle, her eyes sparkling with playful sarcasm.

Carlisle chuckled in return, pushing himself off the wall and striding towards her. He stopped right in front of Annabelle, his expression serious yet kind. "My family has taken a huge liking to you, Ms. Salvatore."

With a small nod, acknowledging his words, Annabelle smiled shyly back at him. "Looks like that, doesn't it?"

In an unexpected yet tender move, Carlisle reached out, lifting his hand to gently cup her cheek, his gaze searching hers. "Carlisle?" she voiced tentatively, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as the intensity of his stare sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Yes?" he answered, his voice low and steady.

"You're staring again," she pointed out playfully, a smile tugging at her lips.

He shook his head and blinked rapidly, clearly taken aback by his own actions. Quickly, he withdrew his hand, stepping back slightly to regain his composure. "I'm so—"

"If you keep apologizing, I'm going to be forced to bring you physical harm, Dr. Cullen," she scolded playfully, giving him a mock glare that held no real malice.

Carlisle raised his hands in mock surrender, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "My apologies, Ms. Salvatore," he replied, chuckling slightly.

Turning the conversation back, Annabelle inquired, "So, Dr. Cullen—"

"Call me Carlisle, please," he interrupted smoothly.

"So, Carlisle, will you be joining us to the movies or will you be working?" she asked curiously, her excitement about the outing still palpable.

"That depends on if Reneesme doesn't mind," he said with a touch of hesitation.

"I don't mind!" came Reneesme's enthusiastic voice from upstairs, her tone high and carefree as if she were already in the process of preparing for their outing.

Annabelle lifted an eyebrow, amusement flickering across her features. "Ho—how did she hear that when she's all the way upstairs?" she questioned, her voice laced with incredulity.

Carlisle visibly stiffened, the playful air around them shifting to something more serious. "Uh, she was probably eavesdropping on us," he said, a hint of awkwardness evident in his tone.

Annabelle shook her head in disbelief, her brow furrowing in confusion. "No, I distinctly heard her go into her room and shut the door. Carlisle, what is going on? How can she hear so well?" she pressed, concern lacing her voice.

As if summoned by their conversation, all the Cullen children entered the living area, watching the exchange between their father and Annabelle with growing curiosity.

"Annabelle, I can't—" Carlisle began, his voice heavy with unspoken worries.

"Don't lie to me, Carlisle," she interrupted, her voice firm yet filled with emotion. "If it's something that I need to know, something that will affect my life, then tell me. If it isn't something I need to know, then don't tell me, but don't lie to me."

Carlisle glanced back at his children, their expressions wide-eyed and attentive, before turning his gaze back to Annabelle. With a sigh, he responded, "It's nothing that you need to worry about." The words felt heavy, laden with the burden of secrets he carried.

"Are you sure?" Annabelle pressed, her doubt clear in her eyes.

He nodded, attempting to keep his tone reassuring. "I'm sure."

"You promise?" she questioned one last time, searching his features for the truth.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Carlisle nodded again. "I promise," he said firmly, though the words felt hollow to him.

A soft smile blossomed on Annabelle's face as she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "Thank you, Carlisle. I thought you were going to tell me that I've been tricked into coming here so that you could drug me and have me for lunch," she joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Carlisle chuckled softly, the tension easing just a bit. 'If only you knew how close I was about honoring that,' he thought, earning a reproachful glare from Edward, who was silently disapproving of his father's internal monologue. 'Sorry,' Carlisle mouthed silently, before breaking into a small, sincere smile directed at Annabelle, grateful for the lightness she brought into their otherwise complicated lives.