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Carlisle stood outside a flower store with an umbrella over his head and looked at the various arrangements in the window. The store was small, cozy and yet the selection was plentiful: from potted flowers for outdoors and indoors to cut flowers, intricately braided wreaths and ready-made bouquets. Esme would surely be delighted by all the colors and different blossoms, her thoughts certainly already wandering to which room this or that arrangement would fit best. The thought of his wife, in turn, filled Carlisle with a comforting warmth and made him smile involuntarily.
Finally, he entered the store, folded the umbrella and shook it out gently so as not to bring all the raindrops inside. There was a stand at the entrance, but in his opinion it was simply polite to tap out a dripping umbrella for a few seconds.
"Good afternoon, sir," he was immediately greeted by a young woman, "Can I help you?" She faltered, her friendly brown eyes fixed on him. Carlisle smiled carefully, reassuringly. He could hear her rising heartbeat, smell a hint of fear and such moments always made him realize how big the chasm was between the humans and him; which made him melancholy. In addition, those frightened brown eyes reminded him of the deer a few days ago, making him feel guilty for frightening this young lady with his simple presence. But he was practiced with humans, knew how to behave in order to appear less threatening: to look like one of them.
"Good afternoon. I would greatly appreciate your help, thank you."
She blinked, still frozen, and then blushed abruptly, her gaze snapping to the side.
"Wh-what are you looking for? For an occasion?" Her eyes focused on him again, wandering down to his hands. He was wearing a wedding ring and his father's ring, which, together with his hat and suit, made him look like a fine young man from a respectable family.
"A bouquet for my wife, without a special occasion," he replied, "although it is always a special cause to be allowed to come home to her." A dreamy look met his eyes for a moment, a barely audible sigh escaped the young lady and Carlisle turned away, apparently looking around.
"What would you recommend, Miss Ellie?"
"Oh, uh..." she looked at the ready-tied bouquets, but made no move in that direction.
"What would your wife like?" Her words were practiced and there was already a hint of displeasure in her face, presumably expecting a common male response. Carlisle, meanwhile, let his golden eyes wander as if he didn't already know exactly what was in the room.
"I don't know any flower she wouldn't like," he admitted with a smile, leaning towards some edelweiss flowers. Their petals were white, the inside was yellowish and their texture made them seem almost unreal, as if someone had made them out of fabric: Full of magic, from another world. A star that fell from the sky. A layman would hardly consider it beautiful or elegant, but its meaning was deep; after all, it stood for courage, bravery and love. Many young men had died in pursuit of this rare flower because it originally grew in hard-to-reach places. Trials of courage and proof of unshakeable love, Carlisle had heard a few stories over the centuries. He was surprised to see edelweiss here.
"How about something with tulips or lilies?" Miss Ellie suggested, coming in his direction but not really approaching him. Her instinct still seemed to warn her about him, for there was a gleam of cautious skepticism in her brown eyes.
The ringing of the doorbell prevented him from answering.
"Professor Cullen! What a surprise."
Carlisle turned to the young man with a friendly smile and greeted him politely.
"What are you doing here, sir, have you upset Mrs. Cullen?"
Carlisle laughed softly: "Not at all, Henry. Bringing flowers to the most charming of ladies needs no occasion or apology."
"My father would disagree," the young student shrugged and then turned to Miss Ellie, "Is the order ready? I'm here to pick it up."
"The name, sir?"
"Grayson," he said in an annoyed voice, no doubt thinking everyone should know him, "my father's butler called."
"I'll check right away."
"Yes, yes," he waved his hand dismissively, his eyes fixed on Carlisle, "Tell me, Professor, wouldn't you like to come over with your wife this weekend? My parents would love to see you at the dinner party."
"Oh, well, thank you very much. But I'm afraid my wife and I are indisposed. Nevertheless, please give my regards and apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Grayson."
"That's too bad. Perhaps another time then."
Miss Ellie returned with a bouquet of flowers and handed it to Henry, who simply placed a bundle on the counter without looking at the bills. He thanked her rudely, while he respectfully said goodbye to Carlisle. Miss Ellie mumbled something very quietly about spoiled flat pipes and donkeys and Carlisle pretended not to have heard anything, because a human being could never have heard what she was mumbling to herself.
"Please forgive my student's behavior."
"He's one of your students?" she said with genuine surprise before shaking her head and giving him a small smile, "Don't apologize. After all, you can't help his behavior."
"Very kind of you, Miss Ellie."
She blushed slightly and Carlisle gestured to some lilies: "You suggested lilies? I'm sure she would like that color."
"Good choice, sir," the young woman immediately jumped at the opportunity to get back to business, "Just lilies or do you wish to add anything else?"
"It wouldn't be a bouquet without more flowers and foliage. Wouldn't it?"
"Right." And Carlisle was pleased to see her smile again.
In the end, he had an adorable bouquet, with chestnut leaves, windflowers, lilies and more little blossoms and leaves.
"Thank you very much," he accepted the bouquet, "I'm sure my lovely wife will be delighted with it. You have a good eye."
"Thank you," she took the money from the counter and handed him the change.
"Oh, no. It's just right."
"But, sir...that's too much."
"I insist."
"But- "
"Have a nice day, Miss Ellie," he said goodbye with a quick reach to his forehead, right where the brim of his hat should have been.
Outside, he finally put his hat on and looked up at the sky. It had stopped raining, at least for the moment. Satisfied, he walked down the street to his car and started the engine. Esme would surely be pleased with the flowers and even more with how wonderfully the colors and patterns matched. An elegant bouquet, colorful yet delicate. It went perfectly with the small house that was currently their home.