Carlisle-Esme.
It was a risk, but a calculated one. A necessary one as well, considering that Esme needed to acclimate herself to socializing with humans if their life together would be successful.
Their life together. Carlisle winces. This would be the first evening out under the guise of husband and wife; if Esme looked nervous about the evening itself, that was the detail that kept haunting Carlisle's thoughts. Edward rolled his eyes politely at the both of them as they left.
The night progressed and Esme had been a quick study -- how to accept food and appear to have consumed it, how to busy hands to prevent too much of a desire to shake hands, everything in stride.
Everyone stared at her, and Carlisle finally understood why after about an hour of worrying. They saw her as Dr. Cullen's beautiful wife, newly arrived now that the house has been settled. They saw her as Esme Cullen, gorgeous and poised.
They saw her as Carlisle's.
Their life together. Carlisle winces. This would be the first evening out under the guise of husband and wife; if Esme looked nervous about the evening itself, that was the detail that kept haunting Carlisle's thoughts. Edward rolled his eyes politely at the both of them as they left.
The night progressed and Esme had been a quick study -- how to accept food and appear to have consumed it, how to busy hands to prevent too much of a desire to shake hands, everything in stride.
Everyone stared at her, and Carlisle finally understood why after about an hour of worrying. They saw her as Dr. Cullen's beautiful wife, newly arrived now that the house has been settled. They saw her as Esme Cullen, gorgeous and poised.
They saw her as Carlisle's.