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The Falling

Summary:
In the action itself, she is weightless and free. The flight is not to be feared, only the impact. A story on the life of Esme Cullen. Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Banner By incredible Iris!

Notes:
I may submit this to the official site. What do you think?

3. Chapter 3

Rating 5/5   Word Count 602   Review this Chapter

A different fall…

It is not an hour before the doctor returns. His smile is piercingly tender. He seems to honestly want me to get better.

I, on the other hand, have dedicated myself to spend the absolute longest possible amount of time in this very hospital bed. The longer before I have to leave, the better. Why?

Because I have come to the appalling and yet intriguing conclusion that I fancy Dr. Cullen. It is strange, and rather disturbing, that all my friends are enamoured of boys our age, young and handsome. Of course, Carlisle only looks about twenty, so he may not be all that unreasonable. However, there is little to point to the possibility he has any interest in a wife, especially one like me- if he isn’t already married. Yet this is not the time or such thoughts. As he approaches, I cease caring about anything in the range of reality, and instead turn my attention to the way he smiles.

“Esme, are you all right?”

“In all honesty, I’ve been better.” My leg feels as though the bone protruding from it has split it in two.

“I’m sorry. I would have set your leg sooner, but I prefer to get the more mundane work finished first. I would prefer you not have a distracted doctor trying to place your skeleton back in alignment.”

I realize he talks like the hero from one of my books. He is romantic, his language flowery and creative rather than the simple speech of my parents and schoolmates.

“I appreciate that,” I reply, and he laughs.

It is the first time I have heard such a perfect sound, and I resolve I will cause it again as soon as possible. His laugh trills like a bell. It is a surprising levity in this solemn young man.

“Well, I presume it is time to fix up your leg, though I regret to say you’ll have to stay here for a while afterwards. You may have to tolerate my presence. Dr. Milers will be ill for some time and I am the only other doctor in the hospital. This is a complicated break. You’ll need a licensed physician to set it.” I smile. I am glad my worries this is our last encounter can be safely dispelled. He looks at my leg, then carefully touches the skin around the small protuberance of bone. I am forced to choke back a scream. The pain is almost nauseating in its ferocity. However, the touch of his cool skin is oddly comforting about the firey skin. It also lights my heart aflame.

“Does this hurt, Esme?”

“Not inconsiderably so,” I choke out.

“You are very brave. I must warn you I’ll have to set it. It won’t be comfortable. In fact, it may hurt a good deal.” Somehow, I am reassured by the fact he says it will hurt, since the typical adult continually says there is no pain involved in a given procedure, and there always is.

“If you relax, it will be easier,” he says. It is remarkably possible to do so with the soothing touch of his strong hand on my leg. He grasps the shard of bone and yanks it, swiftly, from my calf. I do not scream, but I am rather tempted to faint. However, I decide it is more important to retain his good opinion of me. After all, it shan’t hurt less if I do scream.

Fall in love…