𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 | carlisle cullen (2)

(𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧) mother and son

✧✧✧

ESTE WALKED INTO THE DINING ROOM to find them all sat expectantly around the table. She'd come to hate this room. They congregated within the walls whenever something went wrong and Este could almost feel an argument dwelling inside their minds. Yet on most faces remained confusion, including Carlisle's.

"What's going on?" Este asked, not taking a seat before she understood where this was going.

"We don't know yet" Emmett shrugged as though he was nonplussed about the whole thing, "we were waiting for you?"

"Yeah you took a while" Alice pointed out.

"I'm earlier than usual" Este eyed the clock behind Jasper's head, "you could've called, anyway I was slightly preoccupied... Bella came to see me"

Edward looked up in surprise. It was the first time that Este had taken his appearance into account. He had shadows under his eyes, his pale skin seeming mottled in the low lighting of the dining room. His hands were clasped as though trying to mimic Carlisle's continuous calm but his eyes spoke an entirely different story.

"Why did she come and talk to you?" Jasper asked the question on everyone's minds.

"Because Edward's been ignoring her" Este stated simply, her tone only slightly accusing, "I thought I told you to talk to her, she's in bits Edward. Almost burst into tears thinking you're mad at her or something, scared of what's going to happen and most definitely blaming herself for the entire incident. It's not fair Edward, you need to get a grip"

"Sit down, please" Edward replied. He'd seen the playback of the memory inside her head. Seen Bella's shaking hands and her wide, scared eyes. Este noted how he winced ever so slightly before turning pointedly away as though blocking it all out.

Este considered arguing with him but she could tell that everyone was becoming impatient at Edward as he demanded to wait for the entire family. Este knew she would get her point across later. There was no denying that she was annoyed at Edward regarding his behaviour on all this.

She sat in the empty seat beside Carlisle. He smiled at her warily as she moved closer to him, their shoulders almost touching as she looked across expectantly towards Edward to begin.

"I owe all of you an apology" Edward started immediately, "I want to say that I am very, genuinely sorry for everything I have put you through with this situation. I care about all of you a lot and it was never my intention to hurt nor divide us"

Rosalie scoffed quietly under her breath but she didn't say anything. Emmett had his hand on her leg gently as though a warning for her to simply let Edward speak. There was no point in breaking out into petty squabbles this early on.

"Really Rose" Edward looked at her with a very heartfelt expression. "I never wanted to upset you all. I didn't want you to feel scared or in danger, I didn't want to put you under unnecessary stress" he looked at Este while he said that, "and I didn't want to put you in situations where I should've known to expect the worst" he turned to Jasper.