»—— act four. breaking dawn, part one
☽⋅── TWELVE ──over the edge ─⋅☾

Eve woke up, disoriented and tired, only to realize that she was hooked up to an IV. She looked around, puzzled, and her eyes landed on Carlisle, who had his back turned to her, writing something down on a clipboard as he examined the IV bag.

Eve cleared her throat, her voice weak and tired, "Carlisle... what's going on?"

Carlisle continued writing on the clipboard, not turning to face her, his anger palpable. His emotions swirled like a storm within him. Frustration, worry, and disappointment all mixed together.

"As a doctor yourself, and as an expecting mother," he finally spoke, his voice strained, "I can't believe you let things get this bad. I kept my distance as you asked, but then I found you in this state, weak and barely managing. Maybe I should've been a bit more selfish from the start."

He paused for a moment, looking at her with a conflicting blend of anger and concern. "Eve, you should know better. You should've taken better care of yourself. Your stubbornness has only made things worse."

Carlisle continued, his voice still stern but laced with a hint of fear, "I wanted to give you space, the time you asked for. But not at the cost of your health! It's not just about you anymore, it's about the twins too. They need you healthy and strong."

His hands clenched into fists, the clipboard nearly crumpling under his grip. "I didn't want to force my presence on you, but finding you in this state...it's made me realize that I may have been too passive. Your decisions affect not only you but our babies as well."

Eve instinctively bit her lip, Carlisle's words hitting her like a wave. She knew he was right, that her stubbornness had led her to neglect her health, and in turn, the health of their unborn babies.

As she lay there, hooked up to the IV, Eve felt the full weight of her actions. The anger in Carlisle's voice stung, but deep down, she knew it came from a place of fear and concern for her and the twins.

She opened her mouth to speak, to apologize, but the words stuck in her throat. She didn't know where to begin, or how to express the tangle of emotions and thoughts swirling in her mind.

Carlisle's demeanour was firm, his voice stern. "I'll still give you the distance you want," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, "but that doesn't mean I can let you be alone, not after finding you this weak. If you're not going to take care of yourself, I'll make sure someone is there with you at all times."

He paused, his expression showing a mixture of worry and determination. "Whether it's me, or someone else, you won't be alone. You've proven you can't handle the solitude right now. It's for your own good, for the sake of our children."

Carlisle turned his head, and Eve followed his gaze to see Rosalie standing in the room. He turned to leave, telling Rosalie, "Once her IV is done, just let me know." Without looking at Eve, he left the room.

Rosalie watched him go before moving to sit down beside Eve on the couch. "This is probably the first time I've ever seen Carlisle angry," she remarked.

Wincing slightly, Eve replied, "Really?"

Rosalie nodded, "Yeah, I've seen him disappointed or annoyed, but angry? Never. Or at least, not that I've seen."

Eve sighed, shifting a bit in her seat. "I guess I pushed him over the edge this time," she admitted.

Rosalie shrugged, leaning back into the couch cushions, "Probably. But you also scared him, you know. He's worried about you and about the babies."

Eve let out another sigh, guilt gnawing at her for causing such worry and anger in Carlisle. She knew he was only trying to look out for her and the twins, but the stubbornness in her had kept her stubbornly insisting on solitude.

"I know," she confessed, her eyes downcast. "But I just... I didn't want to feel like a burden."

Rosalie chuckled a hint of lighthearted humour in her voice. "Hate to break it to you, Eve, but you managed to do it, and probably way worse than it could be." She shook her head before continuing, "I don't know what started the fight, but I hope you both have a talk and figure things out. Fights in relationships are normal and can help to make things stronger, but during this current time, the fight shouldn't linger longer than it should. The twins are about to arrive, and they need their parents to be united."

Eve nodded the truth of Rosalie's words sinking in. She knew she needed to talk to Carlisle, to apologize and truly listen to his concerns. The twins deserved a united and happy home, not one filled with tension and anger.

Rosalie let out another sigh, her expression reflective.

"Furthermore, given the current division within the family, it's probably for the best if the twins aren't exposed to so much discord in the days just after their birth," she mused.

She continued, "I don't know when the rest of them will finally come around, but I just wish things could be less awkward between us all. I hate barely being able to see Alice, Jasper, Edward, or even Eleanor. They've been so tentative around me because I've been constantly by your side."

Eve could see the sadness in Rosalie's eyes. She knew how hard it was for her to be caught in the middle of this family rift. But Eve was too drained to offer any reassuring words, any promises that things would get better soon.

So she reached out and took Rosalie's hand, offering a silent show of support. She wanted to express her gratitude for the words of wisdom, but the energy was drained out of her. So, she simply squeezed Rosalie's hand, hoping the gesture would convey all the unspoken thanks.

...

Perhaps it was due to the internal resolve to finally end the self-imposed distance from Carlisle, or perhaps it was simply the desire to be strong for their twins, but either way, Eve managed to find a renewed sense of strength.

She managed to eat, move around, and even force herself to socialize, despite her body's obvious fatigue.

Eve realized with a sudden clarity that she needed him more than ever. Carlisle was the pillar of strength that had supported her through the trials of her pregnancy. He had been her rock, the one who comforted her when she felt scared, calmed her when she was overwhelmed, and lifted her spirits when she felt terrible. He had been there, steadfast and unshakeable, through the thick and thin.

She remembered the countless times he had reassured her, held her tight, and whispered words of love and encouragement in her ear. The way he had been a constant presence in her life, through all the ups and downs, was something she hadn't truly appreciated until now.

As she sat there, the realization that her strength was closely knit with his washed over her. She needed him, not just for the twins' sake, but for her own. Carlisle was the one who made her feel safe, loved, and capable, and she had willingly pushed him away.

The next day, in the evening, Eve felt a rush of determination. She had sorted through her feelings and knew what she had to do.

With a firm stride, she walked towards the clinic where Carlisle spent most of his time.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached the clinic, but she pushed any doubts aside. She had to do this. Her stubbornness had caused enough harm and it was time to make things right. With a steadying breath, she pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

The sight of Carlisle working at his desk, completely engrossed in his tasks, made her heartache. She wanted to run to him, to wrap her arms around him and apologize for being so stupid. But she knew that wasn't the way to do it. She had to show him that she was truly sorry for taking him for granted.

Clearing her throat, she got his attention. His head snapped up at the sound, and their eyes met. For a brief moment, a mix of relief and lingering hurt crossed his features before he schooled them into his usual neutral expression.

"Eve, what are you doing here?" He asked, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. Eve gulped, but she didn't let his cold demeanour deter her. With a deep sigh, she stepped closer, closing the distance between them.

"I came to see you," she said quietly, her eyes not leaving his. She knew it would not be easy to win him over, but she had to try. "I've been thinking a lot, and I realize I've been a fool."

Carlisle sat back in his chair, his face giving away nothing, his eyes studying her like she was a complex specimen. "Have you now?" He asked, his voice still flat and emotionless.

Eve nodded, fighting the urge to flinch at his distant demeanour. "Yes," she replied, her voice quivering a bit. "I've been so stupid. I let my stubbornness get the better of me, and I hurt you."

Carlisle's gaze softened slightly, but he continued to regard her cautiously. "And what makes you think I'll just let you in so easily after the way you've treated me?" he asked, his voice still guarded.

Deep down, Carlisle had already forgiven her, his anger dissipating shortly after the fight. However, he was hesitant to let her back in easily. After all, this was their first real fight, though not their first disagreement. They both knew they had eternity together, and that this was only the start. They both also understood that there would be more fights to come, and more trials and errors. And as such, it was important for them to start as they intended to go on.

This was a lesson in their relationship that needed to be learned. Fighting was normal and a good thing, but the aftermath had to be dealt with properly. It was about setting a precedent, establishing what was and what was not okay between them. It was about ensuring they had a healthy relationship for the centuries to come.

"I know I don't deserve forgiveness that easily," Eve continued, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and repentance. "You've always been so good to me, always so forgiving after every argument or disagreement. But I know I've messed up this time."

Carlisle's eyebrow quirked up, clearly taken aback by Eve's words. She could see the slight surprise in his eyes, a rare crack in his stoic facade.

"I shouldn't have taken you for granted," Eve went on, her voice laced with sincerity. "I was stubborn and pushed you away when you were just trying to help. But I realize now that I need you. I need your strength, your support, your love. I don't deserve any of it, but I want it, Carlisle. I want you back."

Carlisle's gaze remained on her, stoic expression still in place, though Eve could see the change in his eyes. He was listening intently, soaking in her words. She could see the mix of emotions behind that mask of stoicism.

Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I miss you, Carlisle. I miss us. I miss our moments together, our conversations, our silences. I realize now how foolish I was, how blind. I was too wrapped up in my head and my stubbornness to see what was right in front of me."

As she spoke, her voice was soft, a touch of vulnerability in her words, "I miss my person."

Carlisle's stoic expression finally crumbled. The words had impacted him. His shoulders relaxed a bit, and his eyes softened further. For the first time since she walked in, he looked truly like her Carlisle again.

It was a small crack, but it was enough. There was a hint of understanding in his expression, a glimmer of forgiveness. Eve took a step closer, closing the distance between them even further, but she didn't touch him. Not yet. She had to let him take the next step.

Carlisle's gaze held hers, and after a few moments, he spoke, his voice soft, yet firm. " I missed you too," he admitted. " You've always been my person, Eve. But I need to trust you."

Eve felt a shiver run down her spine. It was a small start, but it was a start nonetheless.

She nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I know," she replied. "And I promise, and I swear, that I'll do better. I'll work on my stubbornness and my trust issues. I'll communicate more, I'll listen to you, I'll work on us."

Carlisle studied her for a moment, his eyes searching hers. Then, slowly, he stood up from his chair, crossing the distance between them.

As he stood before her, towering a foot taller, he reached out to cup her face in his hands. Eve leaned into his touch, closing her eyes and relishing the feeling of his cool skin against hers.

"I want to believe you," he murmured, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "But I've been hurt, and you must understand that."

Eve reopened her eyes, meeting his intense gaze. "I do understand," she whispered. "And I'm not asking for you to forget, Carlisle. I'm asking you to give me a chance to make it right."

For a brief moment, Carlisle remained silent, his gaze filled with a complex mixture of feelings: pain, love, and a hint of vulnerability. Then, in a soft voice, he spoke, "No more stunts like that anymore, Eve. Don't forget, you're never alone. You have a lot of people who love and care about you, and you're pregnant with our twins."

Eve's eyes welled up with tears at his words, the weight of her actions hitting her hard. She nodded, a small sniffle escaping from her lips. " I promise," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. " I won't push you away again. I won't take you for granted. Not again."

With a soft laugh, Carlisle spoke, his tone gentle yet firm, "It's okay if you push me away sometimes, and it's okay if you take me for granted at times. That's the price we pay for our long lives. We'll face more challenges, but what's certain is that we'll always find a way to meet each other in the middle."

Eve's heart thumped in her chest at his words. There was a reassurance, a promise in there that made her feel secure. He was telling her that their relationship wasn't one-sided. There would be moments of selfishness and moments of stubbornness, but they would always find their way back to each other.

She reached out, taking his hands in hers, intertwining their fingers. She stepped closer until her body was almost pressed against his. The proximity was enough to cause heat to spread across her skin, a stark contrast to their cool bodies.

"So, we're okay?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart was racing, but it wasn't due to panic anymore. It was anticipation, excitement, and love.

Carlisle smiled down at her, pulling her gently into his embrace, his arms wrapping around her smaller frame. "We're okay, " he murmured, his voice soothing and comforting. He lowered his head so their foreheads touched. "We'll always be okay, as long as we keep working on us."

As his arms encircled her, pulling her close, Eve felt something deep inside her finally relax. The tension, the worry, it all faded away. She leaned her forehead against his, the gesture intimate and comforting.

"We'll work on us," she agreed, the words a promise. "And we'll keep getting better. We have eternity to figure it out, right?"

Carlisle chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "We have forever, my love. And we will learn and grow together, just as we always have." He tilted her chin up, so their eyes locked, and leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Eve closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his cool lips on her skin. A small shiver ran through her, not of fear or cold, but of contentment. They had fought and made up, and now they were back on track.

Leaning into him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. "I love you, " she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of love and relief.

"I love you too," he murmured in response, his arms tightening their hold around her. It was in moments like this when they were simply holding each other, that their love felt most profound. The rest of the world faded into the background, leaving only them.

He pressed another kiss to her forehead, his silent way of reassuring her that they were okay, they were together, and they had forever.