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The house was quiet when Carlisle carried Edward inside, and the moment the front door closed behind them, it was as if the whole world softened.
No fluorescent lights.
No thoughts.
No voices.
Just warmth, and the steady rhythm of Carlisle’s breath, slow and calming.
Edward clung to him, his thumb still in his mouth, his eyes glassy and rimmed in red. He’d stopped sobbing outright, but his body still trembled faintly, like a bell rung too hard.
Carlisle didn’t speak. He only kissed the crown of Edward’s head and began up the stairs.
---
The nursery was dim and quiet, exactly the way Edward liked it when he was small.
Carlisle nudged the door open with his foot and stepped inside, the gentle scent of clean fabric and powder welcoming them home. Soft pastels and hand-sewn blankets filled the room, and a lullaby toy ticked faintly in one corner.
“Let’s get you into something cozy, sweetheart,” Carlisle murmured against Edward’s hair.
He laid him down gently on the changing table, and Edward whimpered, thumb still tucked in.
Carlisle kept up a soothing murmur of affection as he worked. “My precious boy… my lovely little one…”
He stripped Edward out of his school clothes, his jeans, slightly too tight after sitting in them all day, and the soft sweatshirt, damp from tears.
“Such a brave boy, getting through the day,” Carlisle whispered, even as Edward squirmed shyly. “So strong. Daddy’s proud of you.”
He reached into the nearby drawers and pulled out one of the softest, thickest diapers they had. It was pale blue with little stars printed across it- barely used, because it had felt “too babyish” even for Edward. But Carlisle knew his boy needed this now.
He powdered Edward carefully, cooing softly, and then taped up the diaper with practiced hands.
“There,” he smiled. “All snug.”
Edward let out a tiny whine, not upset, just overwhelmed, and blinked up at him, thumb still in.
Carlisle kissed his forehead.
“Let’s get you something even cuter to wear, hmm?” he said, and went to the closet.
He chose a onesie Edward had only worn once before, light lavender, with little white clouds across the fabric. It was soft, almost silky, with a gentle zip up the front.
He brought it over and helped Edward into it gently, guiding his arms through the sleeves and zipping it up over his diaper.
“There we go,” Carlisle whispered. “My beautiful baby.”
Edward’s breath hitched, and he reached for Carlisle, thumb finally slipping out of his mouth.
“Do you want your paci?” Carlisle offered.
Edward nodded slowly, lip trembling.
Carlisle reached into the nearby drawer and pulled out a soft pink pacifier with a smiling moon on the front, one of Edward’s favorites, even if he’d never admitted it aloud.
He pressed it gently to Edward’s lips.
Edward took it.
And melted.
Carlisle scooped him back up into his arms.
“Let’s go get comfy, darling.”
---
They settled into the rocking chair by the window, the one Esme had refinished herself years ago. Carlisle eased them into the rhythm, soft and slow, creaking faintly as they rocked.
He held Edward close, resting the boy’s head on his shoulder, one hand on his padded bottom and the other stroking his back.
Edward was fully gone now. His eyes half-lidded, the pacifier moving rhythmically, his little fingers twisting in Carlisle’s sweater.
Carlisle reached to the side, picking up a warm bottle Esme had left in a heated pouch. She must have guessed what would happen.
It was filled with warmed blood, like Edward liked.
Carlisle gently took the pacifier from Edward’s mouth and replaced it with the bottle.
Edward latched instantly.
And then - quietly, heartbreakingly-
“Dada…”
Carlisle froze for a moment, his heart aching in his chest.
Edward never used that word unless he was completely tiny. Barely verbal. And always scared.
Carlisle hugged him tighter, rocking him gently.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Dada’s here.”
“D-dada,” Edward whispered again, tears slipping down his cheeks as he suckled. “I—I messed up... m’sorry... they laughed... they all saw...”
His words broke off into sniffles, and the bottle slipped for a second before Carlisle gently steadied it.
“You didn’t mess up, angel,” he said softly. “You were overwhelmed. That’s all.”
Edward sobbed again around the bottle, drinking slow and unsteady.
“I tried to be big,” he whimpered. “I t-tried, Dada, I did... I p-pw- promise...”
“I know you did,” Carlisle murmured. “You tried so hard. And I’m so proud of you.”
“But I was bad-”
“No, sweetheart. Never. You are not bad. You’re my baby, and you’re perfect.”
Edward let out a shaky sound - a whimper that was more a cry of relief than sorrow - and reached both arms around Carlisle’s neck, clinging tightly.
“Don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
They rocked for a long time.
Carlisle fed him slowly, kissing his forehead between sips, whispering little praises and nonsense love-words into his hair. He watched as Edward’s breathing evened, as the last of the sobs turned into sleepy hiccups.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered. “You’re so loved. So wanted. So precious to me.”
“Dada…” Edward mumbled again, softer this time, more secure.
“I’ve got you, my baby boy,” Carlisle whispered. “And I always will.”
They stayed like that, rocking in the warm nursery, the world outside falling away. Carlisle kept his cheek pressed to Edward’s hair, his arms strong and steady.
Eventually, they would talk about what happened.
Eventually, the family would return.
Eventually, there would be choices to make about school and what came next.
But not now.
Now, it was just the two of them.
Dada and baby.
And nothing else mattered.