Chapter 6

Spencer couldn't stop smiling as they rode back to Forks. Her ears had stayed red, and a pink hue was painted on her face. Their hands were interlocked on the center console of the car, the cold seeping through Carlisle's hand adding a comforting temperature to Spencer's ever-rising one. His thumb caressed the back of her hand, sending shivers up her arm. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure he could hear it.

Unbeknownst to her, Carlisle noted everything. The overworked pumping of her heart, the small beads of sweat her forehead was accumulating, the blood that had accumulated on the apples of her cheeks ever since they had kissed. He couldn't help the grin that would pull at the corners of his mouth every time he stole a glance at the passenger side. Carlisle was determined to commit to memory as many details from tonight he could, not wanting to forget a single second. But on the deepest, darkest corner of his brain lived the pestering knowledge that the time would come where he would have to be completely honest about who he and his family were, as well as expose her own family.

Before either of them could notice, they were entering Forks once more. As soon as the Forks sign came into view, Spencer kept glancing at her watch, making sure she had timed the call to her mother correctly not wanting to be interrogated as to why she was with the doctor. The car finally came to a stop at the art center once more. Carlisle got out and opened the passenger door, extending his hand to help Spencer out of the car. They walked hand in hand until finally sitting on the bench the girl had been waiting on just mere hours ago.

Noting that no one was around, Carlisle took the chance to steal a kiss from Spencer, earning a chuckle from the blushing girl. "Getting a bit daring there, doctor. My mom's gonna be here any second and I would really like to save myself a scolding from Allison Uley."

"At some point, those rumors are gonna have to be squashed," he chuckled. "I would like to be able to show you off to everyone. Although, a secret relationship would be quite exciting."

"It sounds like we're in high school. Rumors, secret relationships, boyfriends — I guess in a way I'm making up for everything I missed these past four years."

"You can't expect me to believe that such a smart, beautiful woman like yourself didn't have a boyfriend."

"Never had the time for it. For four straight years, all my life had been focused on was school and college all at the same time. I can't really say I even made friends."

Carlisle noted the change in emotions of Spencer. Her head had lowered and a low sniffle shook her shoulders. He placed his hand under her chin and moved her head to face him. "There's nothing wrong with haven put your education first. There is more than enough time now to build your social life." He smiled warmly at her and wiped the stray tear that had fallen from her right eye to her cheek. "And I might add, you've been doing an exceptional job at it. Although, I would recommend not getting into an accident to meet new people."

"Thankfully I've only had to do that once. Although, what would have been the chances of us meeting if I hadn't." They both chuckled knowingly — this twist of fate had unified their journeys for the time being. "At least I can restore my friendships now that I'm back at the res. Even if some I've grown farther apart from some people more than others."

"Has the transition back home been difficult?"

"Well, starting off with a concussion didn't help, but my brother and my best friend have hardly acknowledged my presence. And all the interactions we've had have been short and surface-level — I guess my absence caused a bigger strain than I had intended."

Carlisle fidgeted in the seat. He knew exactly why Sam and Paul had grown distant from Spencer, and it had nothing to do with her and all to do with him and his family. This was the first time the doctor had felt absolute guilt about being in Forks. As much as he was thankful to have met the Uley girl, he was the reason she wasn't close to her brother anymore and had possibly caused tension in her family life.

"Oh no." Spencer's voice broke Carlisle's train of thought.

"What's wrong?"

"That's my mom's car." They averted their eyes to the oncoming headlights and Spencer quickly left space between herself and the man. "Oh gosh, I'm not ready for this. Quick story, my mom thinks I was meeting up with a friend from school and she was the one that dropped me off here before leaving for the airport."

"Don't worry," he snickered. "I've got this."

They both stood from the bench and headed towards Allison's car. Spencer couldn't stop fidgeting with her hands, trying her best to camouflage the shakiness ha overtaken her limbs. Her mother had a confused look on her face, one that masked the possible anger that old arise if she found out the truth of her daughter's afternoon.

"Dr. Carlisle, what a pleasant surprise," Allison spoke in the way every mother would when confronting a possible lie.

"Likewise, Mrs. Uley." He leaned down slightly to meet the Uley matriarch in eyesight as Spencer turned the car and got inside.

"Please, call me Allison," she smiled. "I didn't know I would be seeing you accompanied, Spencer."

"Well, I was just on my way home from work and I noticed Spencer seating by herself. So, I decided to check up on her and how her weekend had gone after being discharged from the hospital."

"Yup, he arrived just a little while before you did."

"Oh, well it's a relief that she didn't have to wait here alone." Spencer knew her mother wanted to uncover more than she had, possibly a new piece of gossip she could relay to her co-workers. "Thank you for keeping her company then, doctor Cullen."

"It was no trouble. And please, call me Carlisle." He smiled made the older Uley blush, as would anyone being met with the attractive man. Spencer couldn't help but smile at the effortless way he was able to come up with a lie to appease her mother's racing thoughts. Carlisle shared that "I'm just glad that no other symptoms have arisen, and I refreshed her on what best practices to follow to ensure no more flare-ups."

"Well, once again thank you, doc... Carlisle. We'll be sure to contact sure should anything change."

"Of course. My phone is available 24/7, so feel free to call at any time. Drive safe," he spoke to Spencer's mom before directing his sightline to Spencer. "It was good seeing you, Spencer."

"You too, Carlisle." The girl bit the inside of her cheeks to ensure that she didn't provide more than a courteous smile in the presence of her mother. "Get home safe."

"Yes, get home safe, doctor. Thanks again." The Uley girls stared at the rearview mirror as the pale man made her way back to his car, looking away once the headlight turned on. "He's such a nice man. If he is married, his wife really locked down a good one."

"If he's married, she really did."

Spencer held back a laugh and forced herself to swallow the words she wanted to shout at her mom. He was single. He had made it perfectly clear, and she didn't feel there was any sign of deception in his voice. She zoned out as her mother went on and on about how a man like that, with children and such a promising career, could not be single — her mind only locked on the event that had transgressed that evening.

Inside the black Mercedes, Carlisle was torn between joy and remorse. As he sped through the quiet and empty streets of Forks, he couldn't help but allow his brain to marinate in guilty feelings. For the longest time he had been able to coexist with the shifters, but he never pondered the effect of him and his family living there had on the people of the reservation. Many families were going through, and many other would have to go through, what the Uley's were experiencing now, all because of him. Carlisle had never lived firsthand the separation that occurred between the wolf and their family when vampires were near. Now, he scolded himself for being this selfish — he put his family over anything whilst ripping others apart.

"Stop thinking so hard." Alice knocked on his car window, startling the man. A hard task for someone that had a supernatural hearing. "Tell me everything."

"Will you allow me to at least step into the home, Alice? I'm sure the other have their ears plastered to the door trying to figure out the same thing you are."

The smaller stepped aside and allowed the older Cullen to step out with a defeated sigh. It only took a second for Jasper to receive the agony he was feeling and for Edward to know the thoughts that were causing the desperation. The others noted the change in the brothers' faces, something was wrong.

"Was it a total disaster?" Rosalie spoke, a small smile playing on her face.

"It was perfect." Carlisle slumped on the grey couch that adorned the living room, accompanied quickly by the rest of the clan.

"Then why do you look so defeated?" Esme spoke softly, the motherly tone noticeable in the syllables.

"I feel guilty. Here I am with a perfectly unified family, and because of our presence, hers is breaking. And that doesn't even compare to the fact that when it comes to the supernatural either I expose what we are, as well as what her brother is, and continue to separate her from him. Or Sam finds out about us, tells her everything, and she hates me for either lying to her and being a vampire. Either way, someone is going to be hurt. The last thing I want is to hurt her."

"Well, that's quite the conundrum, isn't it?" The larger Cullen boy couldn't sustain the laugh that escaped from his throat, always the one to liven a tense mood — mostly even when it wasn't necessary.

"Emmett," Edward warned.

"It's alright, Edward. One can't help but laugh."

"But, Bella doesn't know about the wolves yet and everything is fine. Why can't you just tell Spencer about us and not Sam?" Jasper chimed, already working on easing Carlisle's worries.

"It's different with her. We're not talking about a friend that you grew apart from because of secrets, this is her closest family member. She had just started feeling the divide between her family and Sam, last time she saw him they were a close-knit family," he rubbed his temples to calm the never-ending thoughts that kept surfacing. "Now she comes back and he's living away from the home, her mother and her brother don't talk to each other, and he's engaged to the cousin of his ex-girlfriend. Everything is happening so quickly for her, and I don't think I'll be able to add something more to her pile."

"Don't you think that providing her with the knowledge of the supernatural will only help to lessen her concerns towards her brother?" Esme debated. "Think about it. If you truly want to have her in your life she will be exposed to the supernatural sooner or later. Coming from you — someone with a bit more experience in this world — it might just click in her head why her brother had to hide that he is a wolf."

"I don't think it's my place to expose her family like that. It could do more harm than good."

"Sometimes we must sacrifice a small thing for the greater good. You can only do so much with your own secret, however, Sam and the others choose to reveal their own is on their part. Carlisle, don't limit yourself because of one thing. You still deserve to be happy."

Carlisle sighed once more, no words could subdue the invasive thoughts that raced. One by one the clan started to leave to their respective rooms, noting that the patriarch wanted some time alone with his inner monologue. He just needed a sign that what he was doing was the right thing.

Spencer felt ecstatic the whole car ride home. Her mother continuously questioning the reason behind her smile. How could she reveal that she had just had her first date, with her first-ever crush, her first kiss, and most probable her first relationship? These huge milestones she had crossed were to be kept secret from everyone until absolutely necessary. For now, she would appreciate the moments with Carlisle she could.

Once in front of the Uley house, she hopped out and skipped to her room. Taking out her phone, she scrolled through to Carlisle's contact.

I really enjoyed our time today :) Hopefully, we can do it again soon.

All this found courage was new to Spencer. Putting herself out there had always been second nature, preferring to hide behind her work and school. There was an alluring nature to being the person taking the first step — she felt powerful, in control.

But she didn't know how much power she actually held on Carlisle. She didn't know that his every thought had been invaded by her face, the sound of her voice, the touch of her lips, the warmth of her skin. Anything she asked for he would provide, he would move heaven and hell to make sure she was happy — that's all he wanted.

I had a wonderful time as well, Spencer. Any time you'd like to do it again all you have to do is ask, darling.

The girl's eyes brightly shined at the lovable nickname. In such a short amount of time, she had gone from an unknowledgeable young woman to learning about what others only spoke of — love at first sight.

Well, if you have any free time this week let me know and we can arrange something.

You could always hang around with the excuse of studying for the med assistant course or for mentoring. No one would be opposed to that.

Are you inviting me to be bad, Carlisle?

Of course not. I'm simply providing you with a believable excuse to spend time together without many questions arising, darling.

Alright, I can't argue with that. I concur though that it's a good idea. I'll see how we can work something out. Good night, Carlisle.

Sleep well, darling.

Before either knew it, a month had gone by. Half of the summer had passed in between three times a week visits to the hospital, impromptu dates to Port Angeles, late-night phone calls, and secret displays of affection. The pair had gotten closer every day, enjoying the bubble they had created for each other. Though their physical needs couldn't be met as soon as they arose, in the privacy of Carlisle's car, camera-less corners of the hospital, and empty alleys in Port Angeles they would sneak passionate kisses that they couldn't share anywhere else.

Allison had noted the change in her daughter. Spencer was happier, chattier, a tad more social than normal. She didn't speak of this to her in fear that Spencer might hide away, but she couldn't help but wonder who had inspired the change in the demeanor of her daughter. Whoever it was, she was grateful. Since Sam had left the house there wasn't much light and happiness in the Uley household. Then Spence came back and got into an accident, a situation that could have left her in a rut. Instead, her daughter had come alive. Every other day she'd bring home fresh flowers for the house, chocolates for her mother, or simply help with the household chores whilst her mother was at work. Allison may not have known who the person was that inspired the change, but was glad they had met her daughter.

During a Wednesday in July, Spencer and Carlisle were spending time together in his office reading. Carlisle was sat, his eyes scanning the pages of – and softly reading aloud the words, and Spencer lay with her head on his laps, enjoying the sound of his voice and the strokes his hand passed through her hair. It was a slow day at the hospital and the blond doctor had more time on his hands than usual. They had been like this for almost two hours, thankful that no interruptions were had. Their love for books had brought them even closer than they already were, losing themselves in the pages of different books every couple of days.

"I want you to meet my family, my love," Carlisle blurted. Spencer perked up and smiled brightly. "Is that something you'd be interested in?"

"Absolutely, darling. Although I must confess, it is completely nerve-wracking."

"How so?" He chuckled, noting the red hue painting on her cheeks. His hand raised and stroked it —a touch Spencer leaned into.

"What'll they think of me? I mean, I'm probably very close to them in age, there's a maternal figure that I'm sure they're protective over her, and you. I'm just scared they won't like me."

"Oh, there's no reason to worry yourself about that. I'm certain they will love you as I do."

"What?" Spencer wasn't sure if she had heard the words right. It was one thing that he started calling her my love, but he had yet to tell her he loved her. For the past few days she had been toying with the idea of saying those words, but she never found the right time to do it.

"What?"

"What you just said."

"That you don't have to worry about meeting my family?" He joked.

"Carlisle, you said you loved me."

"And I do, I hope that's alright." Spencer threw her arms up and wrapped them around him, leaving a kiss on his lips. She felt him smile into the kiss and couldn't help but share the grin.

"It's more than alright. I love you too, Carlisle. And I am more than honored to meet your family."

"How about this Saturday?"

"Saturday is perfect."

"It's a date then." A quick kiss and they were back to the book for a couple of minutes before Carlisle had to return to work.

That afternoon when driving home, Carlisle took the time to make a hard decision. He wanted to be completely honest about who he was and who his family was, regardless of the outcome. All he could hope for was that she took the news with an open mind and the best scenario was the one that played out. Come Saturday the woman he loved would know the other side of what his world was, no skeletons left in the closet. Hopefully, she would overlook what he was and still love who he was.