»—— act three. eclipse
☽⋅── TWELVE ──thought killed me ─⋅☾

Despite the looming threat of the upcoming battle, life continued as usual for Carlisle and Eve. They went to work, fulfilling their duties as doctors amidst the mounting tension.

The pack, too, remained vigilant, keeping watch over the mountains and surrounding area. Even though they knew the exact day the battle would take place, caution prevailed.

The thought of the upcoming battle was never far from their minds, but neither Carlisle nor Eve allowed themselves to become too consumed by it. They went about their day as they usually did, both of them knowing how important it was to maintain a sense of normalcy amid the chaos.

While, Eve was engrossed in reviewing medical files at the nurse station when she couldn't help but overhear the nurses around her talking about a recent birth. The chatter piqued her interest, and she found herself eavesdropping on the conversation, listening intently to the details the nurses were sharing about the new mother and infant.

It was a peculiar observation, given that the hospital was rather small, yet Eve seldom ventured into the PEDS area. She was primarily involved in adult surgeries, which made her frequent absence from the pediatric section rather striking.

Before she even knew it, she was standing outside the hospital nursery, Eve was puzzled as to why she found herself drawn to observe the infants. Unaware of her, her mind began to wander, specifically to the mysterious red-headed goddess she believed to be her mother.

Eve's eyes fixated on the tiny bundles of life, contemplating their innocent faces. The name Brigid echoed in her thoughts—she was a goddess known for life, fertility, and the arrival of spring, a connection that seemed to hold an inexplicable intrigue for her.

As Eve pressed her hand against the glass, a frown of concentration formed on her forehead. She appeared lost in thought, unaware that Carlisle had just walked by and noticed her lingering outside the nursery.

From his perspective, Carlisle stopped in his tracks, slightly puzzled to find her observing the infants. He wondered what had brought her to the nursery and what might be causing this unexpected behaviour.

The worry in Carlisle's mind intensified as he mulled over the possibility of Eve yearning for a child. The idea tugged at his heartstrings, knowing the harsh reality of his limitations. He was a vampire, and the prospect of having a child together seemed like an unattainable dream.

Carlisle took a deep breath, forcing himself to set aside his worries and assumptions. He knew it wasn't fair to jump to conclusions; there could be a myriad of explanations for why Eve was there. Perhaps she was merely curious, or perhaps it was something completely unrelated.

With a quiet determination, Carlisle stepped away silently, deciding to give her space and trust that if it were important, she would confide in him when she was ready.

Eve continued through her workday, her focus firmly on her tasks at hand, determined to push aside any lingering thoughts of the perplexing draw she felt toward the babies in the nursery. With a host of pressing concerns already weighing on her mind, this new source of confusion was decidedly low on her list of priorities.

...

By the time her shift was over, Eve managed to leave the nursery curiosity behind for the time being. There were more crucial matters demanding her attention, like the upcoming impending battle, and it was imperative that she didn't allow herself to become preoccupied with inconsequential musings.

Once her shift at the hospital was over, Eve walked to the parking lot, where she met up with Carlisle. They then drove together back home. That evening, the couple planned to continue their practice session, with Eve intending to push herself further by training in the dark.

Carlisle, being a vampire, had no problem seeing in the dark, so he could safely oversee her training to ensure she wouldn't accidentally hurt herself.

The night was thick and heavy, perfect for training under the cover of darkness. They settled in a secluded area of the vast forest, Carlisle quietly watching over her as Eve tried to use her other senses besides sight to navigate.

He observed as she closed her eyes and attempted to sense her surroundings through other means, such as hearing and feeling her connection to the earth. Carlisle stood nearby, watchful and alert, monitoring her progress and ensuring her safety in the dark surroundings.

He would occasionally give her a slight direction, advising her to focus on a specific sound or guiding her movement. However, for the most part, he let her explore and experiment with her heightened senses, knowing it was important for her to learn how to rely on herself in the darkness.

Carlisle observed Eve's demeanour and could tell that her mind was not fully present. Despite his desire to remain silent and let her focus, he knew he couldn't ignore her inner turmoil.

Determined to support her through everything, Carlisle recognized that it was his duty to address her troubles when he sensed them. He was devoted to being there for her, no matter the situation.

His unwavering commitment to her well-being prompted him to speak up, "Eve," he called gently, his voice cutting through the darkness. "Something is troubling you. I can feel it."

Eve paused in her training and opened her eyes, meeting Carlisle's gaze. She knew there was no use in trying to hide her troubled thoughts from him. He had an uncanny ability to sense her feelings.

With a soft sigh, she admitted, "Yes, something is on my mind." She moved closer to him, seeking his presence.

Carlisle instinctively put an arm around her, pulling her closer to his side. He let the silence linger momentarily before gently prompting, "You can talk to me, you know. Whatever it is, I'm here to listen."

Eve turned to face Carlisle, her expression contemplative. "That's the thing, Carlisle. I'm not entirely sure what's wrong. Earlier, when the nurses were talking about a mother and child, it stirred something in me. Even though I've never really cared about having children before, it's just...there was something about it, you know?"

She paused, then continued, "But the thing is, the thought of having a child, terrified me. I mean, I don't age. And what if I had a child that does? It would be...it would kill me."

Eve's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes welling up with tears. "But then I met you, and we fell in love, and I never had to worry about having children. It felt like a relief because I knew it wasn't possible, and that thought killed me. I thought I wouldn't have to go through the pain of a child growing old and dying before me."

She looked into his eyes, her tears streaming down her face. "And I don't know how you really feel about not having children, but here I am thinking, 'Oh, thank God we can't have kids,' without even considering how you might feel. It's as if I forgot about how you would feel, about wanting children and being unable to have them. I thought it was okay because I was afraid."

Carlisle gently brushed her tears away, his touch a comfort in the dark. "You know, I never really thought about having kids before I became a vampire," he confessed, his voice tinged with a soft introspection. "With all the responsibility of taking over my father's work, it wasn't something I dwelled on."

Leaning his forehead against hers, the contrast between his cool skin and her warmth palpable, he continued, "But you know what? I ended up finding a family anyway. And that's all that truly matters to me."

Eve paused, her eyes closed, grappling with a tangle of emotions. "You know, with Eleanor, it's a constant fear. When my memories returned, the first thing that came to mind was the certainty of her being taken away. It aches deep inside, knowing that someday, I may see her fade away, wrinkled and grey-haired before ultimately leaving us forever."

There was a raw vulnerability in her voice as she spoke, her words tinged with an intense sadness at the thought of losing her daughter. It was a fear that tugged at her heartstrings, one that she felt deep in her soul.

The mere idea of watching Eleanor grow old, seeing the passage of time etched in her features and knowing that one day, she would no longer be there, was an unbearable thought. It was a fear that cut deep, leaving behind a persistent ache that Eve found difficult to shake.

Carlisle's touch was gentle but reassuring as he slid his hands, one tenderly caressing her neck while the other moved to her cheek. He placed a soft kiss on her eyelids, a silent gesture of understanding. At this moment, he chose not to speak, recognizing that Eve needed to express her fears and concerns without needing any immediate response.

Instead, he simply held her close, offering his presence and support. He could feel the weight of her words, the vulnerability and pain in her voice, and he knew that sometimes, silence was the most powerful form of comfort.

They stood together in the dark, the passage of time insignificant. Eventually, Eve chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "I'd like to continue this conversation after the battle," she said, taking a deep breath and smiling. "But I am glad we talked about this. It feels as if a significant weight has been lifted from my shoulders."

Carlisle smiled back, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and comfort. "We'll have all the time in the world to talk about this," he reassured her, his voice gentle. "For now, focus on the battle ahead. But know that I am here, and we'll face whatever comes together."

The bond between them was strong, and the unspoken understanding between Carlisle and Eve spoke volumes. Their connection went beyond words, their shared love and trust providing a silent yet powerful comfort in the face of challenges yet to come.

The night may have been dark, but their unwavering support for each other provided a guiding light, fueling their determination to face the battles ahead.

After finishing their training, Carlisle and Eve decided to call it a night. They indulged in a much-needed shower, revelling in the refreshing feeling of the water cascading over their bodies. Once they were both clean, they found themselves relaxing in the bathtub, relishing the opportunity to unwind after their intense session.

Much later, after cleaning up and Eve had finished her meal, the couple settled into the living room, seeking relaxation in television. They sat together on the couch, Eve resting in Carlisle's lap. The TV was on, but their attention was drawn more towards each other than the show itself.

The flicker of the television provided a soft background noise, its images blending into the shadows of the room. However, the true focus was the couple seated on the couch. Carlisle's fingers traced lazy patterns on Eve's arm as her head rested on his lap.

As the night wore on, Rosalie, Alice, and Eleanor eventually wandered into the living room, joining Carlisle and Eve. The group settled into a relaxed atmosphere, lounging comfortably as they spent time together. Meanwhile, Edward, Emmett, and Jasper had gone out to hunt together, leaving them to enjoy their peaceful gathering.

The living room was filled with the soft murmur of conversations, the occasional sound of laughter, and the ever-present drone of the television. It was a comfortable and cosy scene, one in which everyone seemed to bask in the company of each other.

Carlisle, meanwhile, sat with Eve still in his lap, his hand moving to gently massage the nape of her neck. Occasionally, he would look at the others, offering warm smiles and engaging in brief conversations when addressed directly.

Eleanor broke the quiet moment during the commercial, her voice interrupting the background noise. "By the way," she announced, "I got accepted into Peninsula College today."

Eve's eyes widened in surprise as she sat up straight, turning towards her daughter, "What?"

Eleanor reached into her jacket, pulled out a slightly crumpled paper and handed it to her mother. "Remember in junior year when one of my teachers suggested I try applying there? I didn't think I'd get in, but the school called saying the college had contacted them."

Eleanor continued, "They sent a letter a few weeks later, informing me that I've been accepted."

Eve couldn't contain her joy, nearly leaping with excitement. However, as she looked at her daughter, she noticed Eleanor's lack of enthusiasm. Confused, Eve turned to her and exclaimed, "Why am I the only one excited? Why aren't you more enthusiastic?"

Eleanor stood up and glanced briefly at her mother before muttering, "Perhaps we can discuss this another time." She then quietly retreated to her room, leaving Eve to turn around and notice that Rosalie and Alice had also disappeared.

Carlisle remained sitting behind Eve, and she spun around to face him, her expression filled with confusion and worry. She spoke, her voice laced with concern. "What was that all about?"

He sighed and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, his expression thoughtful. "I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "It seemed like something was bothering Eleanor, but she didn't want to talk about it." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Perhaps she's feeling overwhelmed with the news?"

Eve nodded slowly, her mind racing with possible reasons for Eleanor's behaviour. "Maybe," she said, her voice tinged with worry, "Or maybe it's something else entirely." She leaned back against Carlisle, seeking comfort in his presence. "I just hope she's okay."

Carlisle wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "She'll be alright," he assured her, his voice gentle yet firm. "She may just need some time to process everything. This is a big change, after all."

Eve let out a small sigh, her body relaxing against Carlisle's embrace. "You're right," she agreed, "She probably just needs some time. It's a lot to take in." There was a hint of worry still lingering in her eyes, but she tried her best to mask it.

Carlisle adjusted their position, manoeuvring them on the couch so they could lay more comfortably. He gently pulled the blanket over her, making sure she was warm andcosyy. "For now," he repeated, his voice soft and reassuring, "Just give her time until she is ready."

He then leaned down and brushed a tender kiss onto her forehead, embracing her in his comforting embrace.

They lay there on the couch, the low hum of the television providing a soft background sound. Eve snuggled against Carlisle, finding solace in his presence. The air was filled with a mix of worry and comfort, their thoughts occupied by Eleanor's unexpected departure.

Carlisle held her tightly, his fingers tracing small patterns on her arm. He knew that they both had questions and concerns, but for now, all they could do was wait for Eleanor to come to them.