More Than My Own Life (Twilight Fanfiction)

Never Be Ashamed

Carlisle's POV

I could hear Renesmee approach my office and hesitate just beyond the door. Though I wanted to go to her and encourage her to come in, I simply waited at my desk. This was something she had to do by herself. I could not forcibly gain her trust.

Finally, she knocked. The knock was surprisingly loud, given how nervous she must have been. I was able to hear her heart beating almost as loudly. From my seat, I called out, "Come in."

She slowly pushed the heavy wood open. I frowned. All of the doors in the house were made of heavy wood in an attempt to gain privacy. Though not quite soundproof, it made it so you would have to be near the door in order to hear the person on the other side. However, as I watched my granddaughter struggled to move the door, I realized that I may need to reconsider. I certainly did not want Renesmee to have a hard time going from room to room.

I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I would worry about that at a later time. For the moment, the frightened child hesitating in the doorway required all of my attention. I smiled at her in what I hoped to be a reassuring way. "Come right in, Darling. Is there something you need?" She gulped and used both hands to close the door behind her. "Um..." She looked so nervous as she tried to answer. "Can...can I talk to you?" 

My answer was immediate. "Of course." I pointedly pushed all of my paperwork aside, making it clear that she was my priority. She forced a smile and edged closer to my desk. Realizing I was being rude, I quickly gestured to the cushioned chair on the other side of the desk. "Take a seat. Or would you prefer to go over to the couch?" I prepared to rise, but she shook her head. "No! No, it's fine. you don't need to get up. This is okay." She sat down across from me, looking at her hands as she twisted her fingers nervously.

I counted to fifteen in my head before I decided that she would not start speaking on her own. "So, what do you want was it you wanted to talk about, honey?" Though she never needed a reason to talk to me, I could tell that she was here for an important reason. With how nervous she still was around us, there would be no other way she would willingly knock on my office door. I was a bit sorry that she hadn't wanted to go over to the couch. Having a desk between Renesmee and I felt fat too formal, though I would have to get used to it. I planned to begin homeschooling her sometime soon, though she was not aware of it yet. 

"I, uh... I wanted to talk to you about the marks on my legs." I was immediately alarmed, and darted around the table. She gasped as I appeared next to her. I forgot that she was not quite used to vampire speed, but I didn't let that deter me as I gently grabbed her arm and pulled her from her seat. I pulled up the back of her sundress, looking at the bandages that covered her from her upper thighs all of the way up to her waist. I did not see any further damage, nor were there any blood stains leaking through the white cloth. "What is the matter?" I asked her, continuing to inspect her for injury. "Do they hurt more? I could prescribe you some-"

Renesmee pulled away, her cheeks bright red as she yanked her dress back down. I hadn't meant to embarrass her. I was about to tell her as much, but she started talking. "No, that's not it. I... I actually wanted to tell you how I got them. I was wondering if maybe there was...I don't know... some way that you could help me?"

Though I wasn't quite sure what she meant by 'help', I was eager to do so. She wanted help. My granddaughter wanted help, and she trusted me enough to come for it. Though I was elated on the inside, I made sure to keep my calm façade in place. No need to frighten her with excitement that she would not understand. "Of course, Renesmee. I will help in any way I can".

Though she still appeared anxious, I could see her shoulders visibly lose tension when she realized that I was willing to help her. I was proud of myself for helping her relax. I had been unable to do so until now, and all of my previous attempts had been met with her distrust. But this time, she started talking and opening up to me.