The Conclusion

[themidnightson]

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.
- Marian Edgeworth
~*~

He's not the one who skips school on a whim. That's Jasper and Emmett more than anyone else, each for their own individual reasons. But drastic times call for drastic measures, which is why Edward isn't at school today.

Instead he's in the Fork's Hospital parking lot sitting on the hood of a very shiny Mercedes.

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[themidnightson]

Edward mimed, with obvious exaggeration, a yawn before his lips shifted into an amused curl. Quick and effortless as though the two expressions were one, not thinking about slowing down for a second.

"Who else am I supposed to rely on for sane, rational discussion?"

[ofthefamily]

The laugh turns to a snigger.

"Certainly not anyone in our house. I don't retire to my office; I hide there, and even that doesn't work half the time."

[themidnightson]

Edward afforded a mock serious expression. "The door are too breakable. You should have your wife fix that."

[ofthefamily]

"Another project for Esme to -- "

Wait.

Glare.

"You are still on my car, Edward. You are washing and waxing her when I get home from work."

[themidnightson]

"That's fine."

Yes, he did just settle onto the car more.

Stretch his arms back to lean leisurely and James Dean It over the Mercedes.

[ofthefamily]

Wearied, You enjoy picking on me, don't you.

[themidnightson]

"As long as you're here for it," Edward said, smile fainter for very true words. "Besides she can stand the abuse. Rosalie and I wouldn't let you out of the house in something that couldn't."

[ofthefamily]

"Alice runs my wardrobe, Esme designs the house, you and Rosalie control my vehicles -- "

[themidnightson]

"You know you're glad you don't have to think about such trivial things."

Then a small quirk toward but nor reaching a frown graced his expression and he glanced upward and back toward the building. "Your one o'clock is worried that you'll forget about her in the remaining twenty minutes before her appointment."

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle's head rolls back as he groans softly.

"One time she showed up forty minutes early. Who shows up forty minutes early for an appointment at a hospital?"

[themidnightson]

"People who worry about dying," Edward said with an smugly unrepentant smirk. "Far too much in her case."

[ofthefamily]

"Still."

She's a patient, and Carlisle is a doctor.

"I should get back to work." Thank you for coming. "Are you going back to class?"

[themidnightson]

"Most likely." Edward miss Biology Class? Perish the thought. He does have his priorities in this life, Carlisle. "Wouldn't want to tarnish my reputation of being the only Cullen child who doesn't abuse the system based on their test scores."

He slipped off the Mercedes finally, with graceful ease, but stopped with a pause still looking at Carlisle.

[ofthefamily]

I'll be fine. I'll see you at home. I promise not to work late.

[themidnightson]

That wasn't what the pause was for, but Edward just smiled, quiet and small. There weren't enough words to say what it was and the ache for not just being instantly understood was much fainter. All this still being right here, still the way it always was and had and would be, was far more important than what if's and could's.

He tipped his head in a nod and turned to walk toward where his Volvo was parked. Even though he was out of sight in under a minute, there was the ghost of a chuckle that suffused the parking lot when Carlisle had to pet his car before he could go back in.