Carlisle's POV

My family and I spoke about the adoption at length today. The pros and cons, how we'd make it work with a human child in our home. But it was unanimous that we'd adopt Britney into our family. Her name will become Britney Eileen Taylor Cullen.

I did some research on her parents and was surprised to see a similarity between her father and myself. Very similar face shape. Except he has brown hair and facial hair. Tanner skin, he used to work outside a lot. Her mother on the other hand was a lawyer and Britney gets most of her looks from her. Though neither parents has her green hazel eyes.

On a deeper search into her family history. I discovered her grandfather on her dad's said had green hazel eyes like hers. I couldn't find a recent history of genetic illnesses or cancer in her family. Though a few of her relatives suffered from dementia later on in life. Though it says Britney is allergic to fish, we'd steer clear of giving her anything with fish in it.

Anyway, Esme and I signed the adoption forms. She came with me to the hospital as she wanted to meet Britney. But first we handed the forms to Dr Akai. "Thank you, I'll call you references and speak to the local orphanage. But all being well she can start a trail with your family tomorrow" she tells us with a small smile. "By the way, it's an honour to finally meet to famous Mrs Cullen" she says smiling at Esme.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Doctor Akai" Esme tells her.

"Please call me June" Dr Akai tells her. "You must tell me how you snagged such an amazing man like Dr Cullen here" she says nodding to me. Esme giggles.

"No secret really" Esme tells her. "He was my doctor and we fell in love as he nursed me back to health" she states. "He helped me through a dark time" she adds. "I don't know how I got so lucky" she adds smiling up at me.

"I'm the lucky one" I tell her and kiss her gently. "I was gonna introduce her and myself to Britney. Is that ok?" I ask Dr Akai.

"Of course, just don't tell her about the adoption yet. No need to get her hopes up, encase it doesn't work out" she states. I nod my head. Already knowing it will work out, thanks to Alice. I lead Esme to Britney's room to see her awake.

"Daddy!" she shouts when she sees me. She rushes over and hugs me. "I knew they were lying" she cries. I look at Nurse Darby and Nurse Johnny.

"We just told her of her parents passing Dr Cullen" Nurse Johnny tells me.

"But you lied, my daddy is here alive" Britney snaps as she hugs me tighter. I sigh and gently push her away. Kneeling to her level. She looks at me and frowns slightly. "Wait, you're not..." she starts to say.

"I'm sorry little one, I am not your father" I tell her in a gentle tone. "Nurse Darby and Nurse Johnny were telling you the truth" I state. Her eyes fill with tears. "I'm Dr Cullen and I will be in charge of your care for your stay here" I tell her.

"But you look like daddy" she says and I wipe her tears away gently as Esme kneels beside us. "Who you?" she asks her.

"I am Esme, Carlisle's wife" Esme tells her in a motherly tone. "Hush little one, no need to cry" she says stroking her cheek.

"I want mummy and daddy" Britney cries and Esme pulls her into her arms. Rocking her gently as she cries. Esme hums a soft lullaby and soon Britney falls asleep. Esme goes to put her to bed, but Britney refused to let her go in her sleep. So Esme sits in a nearby chair and just holds Britney while she sleeps.

"I have some rounds, don't you two?" I ask the nurses. They nod and leave the room. "Will you be ok?" I ask Esme and she nods her head. I kiss her cheek and stroke Britney's hair gently before leaving.

(Time skip) Esme's POV

Britney stirs in my arms about thirty minutes after Carlisle left. She yawns rubbing sleep from her eyes. She looks around confused and then looks up at me. "Where's daddy?" she asks me.

"Carlisle, went to do his rounds. He will be back soon" I tell her.

"Why did daddy and mummy leave me?" she asks me.

"I don't know, but I promise things will be better" I assure her.

"How?" she asks me.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but do you know what adoption means?" I ask her.

"Like adopting puppy or kitten?" she asks me confused and I giggle.

"Similar, but I was talking about humans. When a husband and wife adopt a new child into their family" I tell her. "Carlisle has done it five times before and were planning on adopting again" I explain.

"Who?" she asks. I make sure we're alone and no one is within hearing distance. I hear Carlisle returning from his rounds.

"Well you" I tell her and she looks surprised.  Just then Carlisle joins us, with a tray of food for Britney. "Hello Carlisle" I say with a smile.

"Hello my love, little one" he says.

"Daddy" Britney says shyly looking up at him. "Is it ok for me to call you that?" she asks him.

"You may call me whatever you want" he tells her and she smiles. "Has Esme told you about the adoption?" he asks. Though he knows I have.

"Yes, I have a new daddy and mummy" she says looking excited. "And I'll have brothers and sisters" she adds look a little nervous. "Will they like me, mummy?" she asks me.

"They'll love you" I assure her. "Now, you should eat your dinner and get ready for bed" I tell her. She pouts, but nods her head. Carlisle helps her onto the bed and places the food in front of her. Helping her by cutting up her food, ensuring she chews before swallowing. Once she finished eating, I helped her brush her teeth. Well watched really as she knew how. Then I helped her change into pjs, before tucking her in and hum the lullaby again. She drifts off to a peaceful sleep.

"You love her already" Carlisle states as he checks her chart.

"So do you" I shot back and he smiles. "You know, the others envy your control more now then ever" I tell him. He sighs as he puts the chart back. "What is it?" I ask him.

"Had I meet her on my early days, I would have killed her instantly Esme. I would have become the monster I believe I was" he states. I touch his cheek and have him look into my eyes.

"You've never been a monster" I tell him. "I believe even then you would have not killed her" I state confidentially.

"You know the Volturi tried to find my blood singer, thinking it'd cure me of my affliction to human blood" he tells me. "In the twenty years I was there, they could never sway me from my beliefs nor I them in theirs" he states. "Even after all these years of not once losing control, I still fear I could hurt Britney, that she'd be safer away from our world" he tells me.

"But?" I ask.

"I can't leave her" he states. "Even though I know it's the right thing to do, I can't pull myself away from her. I want her close, so that I can ensure she is indeed safe and happy" he explains.

"And she will be" I assure him. "Britney will be safe and happy with us. She will never come to harm" I state. "We all love her already" I add looking at her. "It's not just right to adopt her, I believe she is meant to know of our world and we are meant to guide her through it safely" I tell him.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it, until then we will focus on her health and safety" he tells me. I nod my head and he goes to leave. Then pauses and looks back at me. "You're staying here aren't you?" he asks with a small smile and I nod my head. "I'll collect you when my shift ends" he states before leaving. I sit in the chair and watch my new daughter sleep.

A/N

Pictures above of Britney's biological parents.