1921, Pittsburgh

[themidnightson]

Afternoon class was canceled on the account of a power failure on their floor.

They'd been asked to wait the first half hour while someone tried to fix it, but then they'd been sent home with a time table for when the lecture would be reconvened and the promise of it being fixed tomorrow. Though what the speaker was thinking was that he was promising phone calls tomorrow if the problem hadn't been handled and that someone was going to lose their job over it and hopefully it wasn't him.

With no need to stop anywhere else, Edward went home.

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[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Well, since you're home, would you mind helping me hang these?" Esme asked.

She was still a little antsy around Edward because of the mind-reading, but she was trying.

[themidnightson]

He set down his case and jacket, and was at her side a second later.

"For this rooms, or are there sets for every room now?"


She had pondered enough different things when buying.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Every room," she said. "Well, except your bedroom. I didn't want to choose something for you without knowing your tastes."

She had no such qualms about choosing for Carlisle.

[themidnightson]

"I would be fine with whatever," Edward said, meaning it.

They were just curtains after all.

"This goes on that side?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you have to slide it into that little hook thing," Esme explained.

"What's your favorite color?"

[themidnightson]

"I'd rather have something from a brighter pallet." Edward focused on sliding the curtain on to the hook more than the question. "Something luminous."

They were more his words than hers.

Well, specifically they belonged to catalogs.

But her thoughts had placed them into his, with swatches.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"I'm certain I can find something that will fit the bill," Esme said. "This place definitely needed a woman's touch."

[themidnightson]

"It's definitely different." He hadn't meant that as an insult, even if it was strained. Which was why he shifted, lifting the rod as he finished. "I remember my mother doing things like this. Well, having people doing it for her."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme nodded.

The finished hanging that set and she stepped back to make sure it looked okay.

"Where is your family now?"

[themidnightson]

"Gone." Edward looked at the curtain.

Both for himself and through her eyes. She actually had an opinion of what it should look like, whether she liked it. He just saw hanging curtains over a window.

"My parents both died in the week before--"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Edward, I'm sorry."

Esme was slightly embarrassed about bringing up a difficult topic. She, of all people, knew how hard it was to lose loved ones.

[themidnightson]

"It's alright," he said, very quietly.

He's thinking about it, what he does remember.



And then;

"I took care of them for weeks before it happened."

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"And then you got sick yourself," she said.

Her respect for him grew at that point. Other young men wouldn't have stayed and risked getting ill themselves. Her brothers certainly wouldn't have.

[themidnightson]

Edward had meant to shrug, but only his head tilted over and back faintly. His tone addressed her thoughts as well as her words. "They were my parents. They'd done everything they could for me for nearly two decades. I loved them."


He was certain of all that.

It had been bigger than any differences.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme nodded. "I'm sure they loved you as well."

Despite only knowing her son for a few days, she knew how powerful the parent-child bond was.

[themidnightson]

"They did," Edward got a wry wisp of a smile, as his head shook this time. "Even if we rarely saw eye to eye. My mother and I especially."

She hadn't liked his plans--his dreams and goals--for his future.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"I know a little about what that's like."

Esme's parents always accused her of having airs. She didn't understand what was so wrong about wanting to have more than a life on a farm.

[themidnightson]

"You definitely have that now," Edward said, quiet chuckle in his voice. He glanced over, harmlessly teasing, "Unless you change your mind. We could find you a small farm house. Might be easier than having to be surrounded by people during your first year."


Not that Edward had ever considered any of Carlisle's offers likewise.

And Carlisle had been serious in his, where Edward wasn't.

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme started for a moment and then laughed. "I guess I'll have to get used to you responding to things I don't actually say."

It still unsettled her a little, mostly because of the dark things in her past, but she was learning to accept it.

[themidnightson]

Edward's expression was instantly contrite, edged in some embarrassment and reluctance. Maybe even a touch of annoyance at both the secondary ones. He hadn't been thinking about it. He didn't here.

"Carlisle," he paused on the name uncertain how to explain. "With Carlisle I've been used to both hearing and being talked to that way. It helps in certain situations, but I do manage not to address people at my school so."

"I could make an effort not to," He offered. "If it would be easier for you?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"No, it's okay," Esme said. "I want you to be comfortable with me."

She was surprised to realize that she truly meant that. "It will just take me some time to get used to it."

And hopefully learn to keep her thoughts at least somewhat in check.

[themidnightson]

The relief and gratitude is surprising on his part.


"Which room is next?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

"Carlisle's," she said with a slight smile.

She sincerely hoped that he wasn't picking up on any thoughts she may have had (or was currently having) about Carlisle's bedroom.

[themidnightson]

He kept his face clear as he could, and chose the most innocuous one present, while heading in the direction of Carlisle's bedroom with her. "You're going to decorate with his old stuff, too?"

[mamavamp.livejournal.com]

Esme nodded. "There are some new pieces as well. I can do the same for you."