clean slate | charlie swan

~ the one where the lie falls apart

"Where are you headed?"

Esme looks up, her hand on the door to her car. She smiles warmly at her husband. "I'm headed to the store, Ness needs some more snacks." She says casually. "You wanna come?"

Carlisle straightens up, kicking off the garage door and walking over. "As a matter of fact, yes I would."

"Sure." Esme shrugs, climbing in. She sends Rosalie a message, putting her phone away as Carlisle climbs in. "Shouldn't you be at work?" She enquires as she drives.

"I took a couple of days off, I thought I'd help the boys out some. Have you seen Alex and Charlie at all?" He asks casually.

At this point, Esme knows something is going on. He's her soul mate, she can read him like a book. She smiles sweetly. "I went round yesterday - she's really blossoming. I said I'd help design the nursery with her, one less thing for her to worry about."

"Uh huh. That's why we're all helping to find that asshole." He says.

"Exaclty." Esme parks up and swiftly climbs out.

Carlisle trails behind her pushing the cart as she grabs groceries. As she does, she keeps looking around for relief - she adores her mate, don't get me wrong, but she's looking for any way to get away from him right now. Anything at all.

"Fancy seeing you here!" Emily smiles wide, rushing over.

Esme mouths 'thank you' as she pulls her into a hug. "Hi sweetie, how are you!?"

Carlisle raises an eyebrow - Emily Uley is hugging his wife. Why? Since when were they friends? What? He's beyond confused but forces a polite smile. "Hi, Emily." He nods.

"I was just grabbing some things for the boys bonfire tonight." She says. "Do you guys want to come? Boys only."

"Actually, we-"

"They'd love to!" Esme smiles. "Won't you, sweetheart?"

Carlisle forces another smile. "Of course... I'll talk to my sons as soon as we're home."

"Why don't you run and ask them now? Before any of them decide to make other plans." Esme rubs his arm.

"Sure... I'll see you at home." He kisses her cheek and leaves slowly, at a human pace.

Esme scowls, listening for his departure. Emily goes to say something but Esme signals to wait, moving by the noisy fridges and gossiping teens. "He's onto me. To us." She says in a low voice.

Emily's eyes dart around. "Sam is too. What do we do?"

"Remain calm." Esme encourages. "They don't know a thing yet okay? Just keep them on their toes. Paul has moved him and Rosalie is covering the scent. It's handled."

Emily nods small. "Good."

-

Jasper opens the door, a hard look on his face despite having asked their guest to come. "Aro."

Aro smiles wide. "Jasper Hale. How... Lovely it was to recieve your invitation."

"Yes, well call it what you want." He mutters. "Come in. We still have an agreement?"

Aro nods as he enters, his curious eyes looking around. He's never been in a house. Not in the last millenia or so. "Yes, yes we do. I am here to assist, not be judge or jury."

Jasper leads him upstairs where Edward, Emmett and Carlisle wait, all stood in similar positions - legs shoulder with apart, arms crossed over chests and expressions as neutral as they can manage. He stands similarly, but clasps his hands in front of himself.