A Family's Unrest 7/21/2011

[Carlisle Cullen MD]

Rose: *Walking around the living room, hearing the familiar footsteps of Bella approaching* Oh lord.

Bella: *Tiptoes up the porch and opens the door, walking quickly and quietly inside, closes the door behind me* Oh lord what, Rosalie?

Rose: *Rolling my eyes and crossing my arms over my chest* Come back for round two? Or with news he's decided to show his face again?

Bella: *Rolls my eyes and pushes past you* Whatever, Rose. Where's your sidekick, booboo?

Rose: *Frowns unamused and pivots on my heel* He's out. And you didn't answer my question, Isabella.

Jasper: :following Alice as she leads me into the living room, glancing between Rosalie and Isabella: now ladies, come on...

Bella: *Squezes my eyes closed, tightly as you say my name, spinning around with my fists clenched* Sorry what was the question? *Narrows my eyes*

Rose: Has. He. Returned? *Looking towards Jasper* I'm not the one with my fists clenched am I, Jas?

Jasper: :shaking my head and sighing as I move to sit on the couch, arms crossed over my chest defensively, Alice sitting beside me trying to keep me calm, speaking simply: no, Rosalie

Bella: *Rolling my eyes and speaks sarcastically* Does it look like he has? *un-cleanches my fist and crosses my arms hastily across my chest*

Jasper: :glancing at Isabella: Bella, be reasonable - Edward had every right to leave if he thought it was the best thing to do

Rose: I don't know, he could have taken hiding up in the cottage for all I know. *Shrugging*

Esme: *PUlling up to the house with Carlisle, hearing raised voices from inside the house, immediately jumping from the car and heading inside* What is going on in here?

Bella: Edward wouldn't have felt that way if his supposed family supported him instead of attacking him!

Carlisle: *Stands with my hands on Esme's shoulders*

Esme: Whoa.. Attacking? *Glances between Alice, Jasper, Rose and Bella, leaning bac against carlisle*  Someone explain.

Rose: *Stopping myself from yelling back at Bella before looking to Esme*

Bella: *Runs a hand thru my hair and looks at Rosalie* Would you like to tell her or shall I?

Jasper: :jaw clenching, muttering: Edward clearly didn't explain that I was supporting him :glancing at Carlisle and Esme as they enter, finding it difficult to do anything other than contain everyone's anger within myself, Alice grabbing at my arm:

Esme: *Placing my hands on my hips as I glance to my family* Please.  This is not a time for silence.  Someone.. please... *Sighs and pinches the bridge of my nose*

Jasper: :jaw still clenched as I fight my anger: Edward's gone

Carlisle: Communication is important now more than ever *moves to sit on the couch*

Rose: *Crossing my arms over my chest in annoyance* He ran away.

Jasper: :shaking my head: he didn't run away, he needed space

Bella: *Growls at Rosalie's comment and turns towards Esme and Carlisle* He's left town for a few days because Rosale and Emmett were attacking him over the whole thing about Charles

Carlisle: Exactly, as we all do at one time or another

Esme: *Follows Carlisle to the couch, worry filling me, throwing Rosalie a sharp look* I'm awware that he's gone.  Do you know that Nessie was so upset, she called Carlisle yesterday and filled us in.  *Holds my hands up* Enough jokes. This isn't funny.

Rose: Oh so it's our fault now? Really Bella.

Bella: *Nods quickly* Really!

Esme: Rosalie.  *Locks eyes with you* Enough now.

Carlisle: STOP! *Stands and speaks firmly* There is no blame

Esme: Girls Please!  *Nods in agreement with Carlisle*

Jasper: :uncrossing one of my arms to rub my temple as the anger starts to build like a headache:

Rose: *Going silent, glad someone finally agrees with me*

Esme: Bella.. *Grips you by the shoulders, speaking calmly*  Where did Edward go?

Carlisle: *paces the room* We all know quite well that Edward would never leave his family. He needs space just as Esme did and the very reason we left for a few days to go to Isle Esme

Esme: *Nods* Space is a good thing, but not at the cost of our family.

Bella: *Takes a deep breath* He's gone to Chicago to his family's house.

Carlisle: Bella *looks to Bella's worried face* Did he say anything before he left?

Rose: *Mutters* Probably that Emmett and I are evil etc etc.

Jasper: :glancing at Rosalie and shaking my head: come on, Rosalie...

Esme: Rosalie. Jasper. *Shakes my head, my eyes full of concern and sadness* Please.. not now.

Bella: He just said that he felt unwelcome here and needed to get away for a few days.

Rose: *Looking to Jasper with a shrug before casting my gaze downwards*

Jasper: :sighing and getting to my feet: well, I had nothing to do with this and I'm clearly not needed here :leaving the room and heading outside, knowing Alice will follow when she's ready to leave the rest of them:

Carlisle: Is that how family is supposed to behave? *sighs* We're supposed to support each other, not push each other away

Esme: *Sighs* Jasper..

Bella: That's what I thought too *Looks down as I shake my head*

Esme: *Turns and glances to Carlisle, our eyes meeting as I show him my concern, needing to go to Edward to apologize and make things right*  Carlisle... I have to...

Carlisle: I know Essie *nods* Go, I understand

Esme: *Hugs Carlisle tightly, kisses his cheek and whispers* I love you, I won't be long.  We need to put this family back together.

Carlisle: *looks at you knowing you need to do this alone* Take my car *hands you the keys*

Esme: *Squeezes your hand, smiling slightly as I take the keys* I have my phone this time.  Don't worry.  *Looks to the family* I'm going to get him back.

Rose: *Resisting the urge to roll my eyes and make a comment*

Carlisle: *nods to Esme* I love you, be in touch

Esme: I will darling, I promise.  *Heads for the door, turning to see Alice walk up the stairs with a wink* See you all soon. *Looks to Rosie and Bella* We need to be strong for each other.  I'm sorry this ever happened.

Rose: This was never your fault Esme.

Carlisle: *takes Esme's hand to see her out to the Mercedes for a moment alone*

Esme: *Looks to the floor* I feel responsible, Rosie.  I can't help that.  *Sighs and walks outside with Carlisle, whispering* I will get him back, I promise you.

Carlisle: *opens the door for you* Please be in touch *kisses your forehead* I'll see to them iniside *glances over my shoulder towards the house*

Esme: Thank you sweetheart.  Lets put this family back together.  I can't stand the tension, and having Edward so far from us.  I will fix this.  *Kisses you tenderly for a brief moment and slips inside the Mercedes with my phone*

Carlisle: Things will be alright, I promise *holds my hand on the car feeling it slip away as you drive off watching you disappear down the drive*

Esme: *Glances to the rearview mirror seeing your sihlouette grow smaller as I disappear down the driveway, heading back to the airport*

Carlisle: *jogs up the steps back inside* This is between Esme and Edward.  We need to let them work it out alone. I know we're all tense and uptight when there's upset in the family but we have to stay strong and undivided *sits on the sofa*

Rose: *Remains in my position* Then the sense of blame in here should go if we are to stay strong *Side eyeing Bella*

Carlisle: Agreed. *nods at Rosalie then looks to Bella* Let's put the blame to rest

Rose: *Scoffing as Bella rolls her eyes* Fine with me.  

Carlisle: *stands up holding my hand out to Bella* I think it's best if we head to the cottage to check in on Ness* I'll be back soon, Rose *sighs & heads out the back door with Bella towards the cottage chatting quietly*

Rose: *Turning on my heels towards the stairs after Alice*