*Carlisle's POV*
"Will that be all Doctor Cullen?" a high-pitched voice squeaked from in front of me. It was Betty, one of the nurses at the hospital where I'd been working for the last few months. I gave her a tight-lipped smile and nodded before signaling her to leave, she giggled, which she believed was attractive, and sauntered out of the room with an unattractive sway of her hips. When my office door clicked closed, I shivered and cringed before pinching the bridge of my nose in irritation, she had been trying for the last month to get my attention, but it was starting to sicken me.
I sighed deeply and my gaze drifted to my bare left hand, it had been many years since I had worn my wedding band, and I had taken to not wearing it as it was somewhat difficult to explain how I was widowed at 25 with five adopted children. Though that did not stop me from wearing the same band on a chain around my neck, although it was times like this that I wished I did wear it.
A sharp three knocks came upon my door, gaining my attention, "Come in," I called and cleaned up the few papers that were scattered along with my desk.
My door opened to reveal the Chief, Doctor Martins, entered. He smiled joyfully and closed the door with a soft click, "Doctor Cullen," he greeted, "I thought I'd come and tell you personally that we'd be getting a new doctor as of today."
This was news to me, besides me, Forks hasn't had a new doctor in years, "How lovely, may I ask what their profession is?" I asked and folded my hands on my desk.
"Her profession is a double board-certified OB/GYN, subspecializing in maternal-fetal medicine/, a neonatal surgeon, and a medical geneticist," he explained, "She's the new head of OB/GYN and Neonatal Surgery, and she's a little younger than you."
This shocked me, a woman who was younger than I – in human years – was specializing in three different fields. It was quite a shock, "That's amazing," I awed in shock.
"It is," Doctor Martins chuckled, "With her here, many patients from around the world will come to Forks to receive treatment from her."
"Well, I hope to meet her soon," I expressed happiness in the fact there would be another intelligent mind to converse with.
Doctor Martins smirked, "Well, she will be introduced at the gala next month," he said, "I'm allowing her to take some time to adjust before throwing her into work," he then pulled a thin envelope out of his suit jacket before throwing it to me. I caught it with ease, giving him a quizzical look, "Every doctor must be in attendance, even you Carlisle," he turned and walked towards my door, "I'll see you there," he left, and my door closed with a soft click.
I stared at the envelope with a sad sigh, I didn't want to go but I needed to attend like every other doctor and nurse. A small chime came from my phone that sat in my pocket, I pulled it out and saw it was a text message from Alice, it made me smile.
Alice: I already sent your suit to be tailored. You're not getting out of it.
I sighed and chuckled silently as I began to text back. As I was halfway through my message, I caught a whiff of a familiar scent.
Caramel and vanilla.
A scent I haven't smelt in a long time, I quickly jumped from my office chair and rushed out of my office, I looked down both ways of the open ward, and my nose could easily distinguish the scent amongst the smell of blood and chemicals. I speed-walked down the hall, with my phone in hand so if anyone questioned, I could easily provide an excuse.
"...it'll be such a pleasure to have you here with us..."
The familiar voice of Doctor Martins came from around the corner, I paused in my hurry and hid slightly behind the corner, I could only see Doctor Martins from my spot so I leaned a little further and saw the back of a woman's head. They were standing in front of the elevator laughing, "I'll walk you to the entrance," Doctor Martins offered as they stepped into the shiny lift.
I stepped out of my spot and caught a brief image of the woman, she was tall and slender, with an oval-shaped face, long black hair, and a creamy fair complexion, as she turned to face the doors of the elevator, I saw her face. Truthfully, I only caught a slight glimpse before the doors closed completely, I swallowed thickly before hurrying back into my office where I locked my door and leaned against it.
I whimpered slightly and pulled the chain around my neck out of my shirt, it was a plain 14krt gold band, Beatrice's was much more extravagant. The shining gold glimmered in his eyes as he gently unclipped the chain and took it off before sliding it onto my cold ring finger. Venom lined my eyes as I pressed a gentle kiss upon the band, "Beatrice...I miss you so much," I whimpered in pain before allowing myself a moment to mourn for her. After that moment, I quickly pulled the band off my finger and slid it back onto the chain before continuing with my work.
*Beatrice's POV*
"Carlisle?" I muttered so quietly inside the elevator that Doctor Martins didn't hear me. I shook my head, quickly ridding myself of the brief image, before turning to Doctor Martins, "Thank you for allowing me the month to adjust to Forks," I appreciated.
"Not a problem Doctor Heinz," he replied as we exited the elevator and headed toward the entrance of the hospital.
"Thank you for walking me out, Doctor Martins," I appreciated as we stepped outside, "I'll see you again in a month."
"You have a lovely time here in Forks," he said and left with a pat on my shoulder.
I swiftly climbed into my car and left the hospital, I made sure to keep to the speed limit while trying to get home as fast as I could, I turned sharply around the corner that lead to my home. Upon seeing the familiar building, I slowed to a stop and parked before speeding into the house and my office and gently shutting the door.
I swallowed thickly, the scent of my lost lover still fresh in my mind. Mint and Cedarwood. It was Carlisle's scent. Venom lined my eyes, as I collapsed into my chair with my head in my hands, a soft knock grabbed my attention, "Come in," I called softly, Christian opened the door and poked his head in, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry I wasn't aware you and the others were home already."
"It's just me right mom," he replied and walked over before leaning on the desk, "The others went hunting."
"Oh, okay then," I said and smiled up at him, "Was there something you needed?"
"Why're you upset?" he asked before kneeling in front of me and caressing my cheek softly.
"It's nothing, sweetheart," I assured him and caressed his head, before pressing a kiss to his forehead, "Don't worry about me," Christian then look down as if he were thinking about something, "What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.
He was quiet for a minute, "Can you tell me about Dad, please mom," he begged, "I ask every year and you always say you'll tell me soon, I'm tired of waiting Mom," he pleaded.
I sighed and gave in, "Okay, I'll tell you all about him," I replied with a soft smile.
I took a deep breath and began the story, "Your father was the son of a pastor. He was born in 1640 a year before I was born, during a time of religious and political upheaval. Sadly, his mother passed while giving birth to him," I swallowed thickly, "His father and other pastors led hunts for the supernatural. Werewolves, witches, warlocks, anything that was deemed to be unhuman, claiming that they were attempting to rid the world of evil and sin."
I paused again, "Many a time, however, these groups would end up killing innocent citizens. As his father aged, your father took over the raids. He was less at ease about killing as his father was, but he was intelligent enough to find a real coven of vampires inhabiting the sewers of London," I stopped and wiped my eyes, "This was the last time I saw your father, when I was eight months pregnant with you, my love," I caress Christian's cheek as he leaned into my hand, "Your father led the hunt after them, and in the chaos that ensued, he was lost, I never saw him after that...the town believed he was dead, but I had hope," I smiled softly, "I hoped every day that he would come back to me...but he never did."
Christian looked up at me before pressing his forehead against mine, "I'm sorry you had to go through that Mom," he apologized, "But I'm happy to know a bit about him."
I smiled at my sweet boy before grabbing his face gently, "You're so sweet Christian, I see your father in you every day that passes, your compassionate and you care more about this family than anyone else besides me," I expressed and kissed his forehead, "We should probably go hunting now, your eyes are starting to darken."
With that, I stood from my chair and walked towards the door, "Mom," Christian called from behind me causing me to turn to look at him from the doorway, "What was dad's name?"
I smiled sadly, "Carlisle," I said and walked away.