Carlisle's POV

Alice was giving Bella a birthday party tonight, against everyone's wishes, and soon enough to be aganst Bella's wishes when she finds out tonight. It's a surprise party. Two things Bella hates, surprises and parties. I had asked to work today specifically to avoid doing work for the party to escape Bella's guilty protests. Bella would be disappointed to know that Alice gave her a party since she wanted so badly to be a vampire like us. She thought she was too old because she was a human year older than Edward.

I got home only five minutes before Edward and Bella, just enough time to change into something “Alice Party Appropriate”. As I watched Edward and Bella pose for a picture, I couldn't help think how beautiful she was. Although, I quickly thought of my patient at the hospital that had a car crash to avoid Edward's curious stare. When Bella looked at me, I smiled warmly at her. Jasper looked at me oddly. I had no idea why he would be, however.

Then, the catastrophe started. Bella had cut her hand on a present and Jasper, being new to vegetarianism, ran towards her. Honestly, she did smell good, but I had over 300 years to become immune to human blood. I was about the only one who kept my cool during the insanity. After missing Jasper in his attempt to get to Bella, Emmett grabbed him and held him back long enough for me to get to Bella in a defensive crouch. I motioned for Emmett to get Jasper out of here, and soon everyone else followed except Edward.

“Check on Jasper.” I told him. He hesitated a few minutes, but silently left.

When I took Bella to the kitchen table to look closer to her wound, she looked downhearted and guilty. I felt sorry for her and oddly protective of her. Thinking it was because of my compassionate nature, I put it aside. Although, when she looked me in the eyes after asking if I thought about doing it the easy way, I knew it wasn't just my compassion. I was falling for her. It was stupid though. I was over 350 years old, going on 23. She was a human, I was a vampire. She had Edward, I had Esme. It was insane.

“No, I knew who I wanted to be. I wanted to help people. It brings me happiness, even if I am damned regardless,” I explained as I worked on getting the glass out of her arm.

I focused on her heartbeat. A normal heartbeat, but it felt like it was beating just for me.

“Damned? Like-like hell?” She asked, a slight chuckle in her voice. I looked at her straight.

“Edward believes we have no soul and he will do anything to keep your soul alive.” I started to get out my needle.

Bella's eyes followed my hands to her arm, then she looked away quickly. She had a low tolerance for blood and I found it oddly amusing for someone who wanted to be a vampire. However, I knew her squeamishness towards blood would go away when she became one.

“Carlisle, you couldn't be damned. You couldn't. It's impossible,” She protested looking into my eyes.

I smiled as I finished up her arm. “Thank you Bella, you've always been very gracious towards us.” I looked her in the eyes after I sat my needle down.

Her eyes were chocolate brown. They just called me to her, as did mine probably. We both started to lean towards each other when my phone rang. I jumped back and found myself on the counter. I looked at her longingly before answering my phone, but they had hung up and Edward came barging in with a guarded look on his face.

He took Bella and lead her home. I sat there on the counter thinking what would have happened if I didn't get that call. I didn't have time to think about that though. My family was coming back. I had to act like I wasn't falling for Bella, and I was still in total control of my emotions.

We all waited around for a couple of hours. I knew that Edward would want us to move now that he had realized the destruction that he could cause to Bella, but I wasn't sure if I could do it. I wasn't sure if I could leave Bella here all by herself. She had to have someone to watch out for her in case Victoria decided to show up, or if she hurt herself again. After an hour of thinking, I decided to stay if Edward wanted to leave Bella.

I couldn't risk Bella's safety for Edward's pride. Alice went all rigid for a few minutes, my guess finding out what will happen to me and Bella if I stayed on this course. Jasper was beside himself for going after Bella, but we all tried to tell him that Bella wouldn't be mad. In fact I was sure she wasn't mad. She blamed herself for Jasper going after her and no one would be able to change her mind. She was incredibly stubborn, which was something that I liked about her. Suddenly, my phone beeped. I expected it to be work, but it was a text from Alice.

'I know what will happen        '

I smiled to myself. She didn't tell me anymore, but that smile was enough to give me confidence. A few minutes later, Edward came home. He stood there beside the door and said, “We have to leave.”

Emmett started to protest immediately. Rosalie stayed quiet the whole time, Jasper was still looking quite angry at himself. Alice just looked on like she was in a trance. Esme, however, silenced Emmett.

“Explain.” She said.

“I want to move away from here. I want to forget about Bella.” Edward said slowly, with pain in his voice.

I watched Jasper look at everyone. “I agree with Edward, but I wish that we didn't have to do it like this.” His jaws tightened in anger.

“I'll go too,” Rose said. She didn't give a reason, although I expected it was to get away from Bella. She never got on with her for some reason.

Emmett looked at everyone in shock. “But we just got back.”

“It's for the best Emmett.” Alice said calmly. “Think. What if something like tonight happened again and no one was able to stop it.” She didn't mention names, but Jasper's eyes grew more sad at that. She got up and walked over to Jasper and hugged him, showing that she wasn't mad or anything.

I couldn't believe my ears. My family wanted to leave to “protect” Bella. How could we protect her if we weren't here?

“Carlisle?” Edward asked. “You haven't said anything.” I knew he heard my thoughts. He was just asking for the rest of the family.

Sighing, I got off the counter. Choosing my words carefully, I started,” Bella is a part of our world now. If the volturi had found out about Bella in our absence, then she would die. We have to protect her at all costs, if you want her to live. And what about Victoria?”

Edward thought about it for a minute. “We could kill her.”

True, but she's a human. “She's a human, Edward. She is fragile. Her friends could kill her.” I responded.

Edward's eyes bore into mine. “ Either you are coming or you're not.”

I was a little shocked by the tone in his voice, but I ignored it. “I can't. Bella needs to be protected.”

Shocked gasps surrounded the room. Esme looked sad, but I had to do the right thing. Bella was a part of our world, and Aro would kill her without a thought if he found out somehow that she knew. Not to mention her klutziness.

Over the next few days, they all prepared to leave. When the day finally came I waved goodbye to Edward first. Then Emmett and Rose. Esme wanted to visit the Denali's so she took off with a final kiss that didn't satisfy me. It's like I wanted more than that, but I didn't know what. Jasper had went out to start the car and left me and Alice alone.

She looked at me with her pixie smile. “Everything will sort itself out.” She said and with a final hug, she left.

Then, I was left alone in the house. It gave me the creeps slightly. I decided to go spy on Bella to see how she was doing thus far, even though it hasn't been even an hour. When I got to her house, everyone was there, searching in the woods beside Bella's house.

“You find her yet?” Charlie asked another police officer.

He shook his head, sadly. Bella was out there?  I was about to go look, when Sam came out with her in his arms. I fought the erg to go rip him up. That would draw attention. She was curled up in Sam's arms, looking extremely lost. My dead heart broke to see her like that. After so long, everybody left, leaving Charlie in the living room looking somewhat between happy and angry and Bella in her room sleeping restlessly. I had debated going up to her room to keep an eye on her, but it may be odd to her. I climbed the tree beside her window and watched her toss and turn. Then her heart-rate raced.

I knew she was about to have a nightmare and I wouldn't be able to watch or listen to that, so I gently climbed in. I walked over to her bed and laid on the top of the covers. Her heart-rate went down a little as I placed my hand on her forehead to wipe the sweat away. Then Bella opened her eyes. I knew she was expecting or hoping for Edward, but he wouldn't ever be back.

“What are you doing here Carlisle?” She asked quietly. She seemed Bella, but she had a look in her eyes, a dark look.

“Keeping you safe.” I replied smoothly with a grin.

She smiled back. “So, you still like me? I mean you're not going to leave?”

That was an odd thing to ask. “Bella, I left my family to keep you safe, so no I am not ever going to leave you. You are still a part of our family, and Edward did wrong.”

I took her into my arms and started to hum a song I heard a few years ago. Soon, Bella was back asleep and I was able to leave. However, before I left I decided to leave a note for her so she wouldn't think I really did leave her forever.

Bella, I am going to work. I will be back at nightfall if you want. Fill free to visit me at the hospital, I just hope that you won't be the patient. Just ask the nurse for me if you decide to come.

                                                                                                Carlisle