Absolución teaser from chapter 12

"And, Carlisle, I want you to swear that you will not leave me alone in this existence. Don't protect me if you put yourself in harms way. Don't push me away when I stand beside you. You promised we would be together forever... and I can't...." Her voice shook again and she stopped to dig deep for her strength to say what needed to be said. "I can't bear the thought of it without you."

"Esme...!" Carlisle cried softly. His heart broke at her words.

"You promise me that we'll be together forever, even in death," she said so low her voice was barely a hiss. She couldn't stand even the thought of it and she dropped her head onto his shoulder.

"Shh," Carlisle soothed, stroking her soft caramel hair. "Shh." He kissed her hair, nuzzling his nose against her until her gentle shuddering stilled. "I have no wish for death, my love," he assured her. "I just feel lost. Like time has swept me up and spun me til I'm disoriented and dropped me to the ground again. I'm only stumbling, Petal, but never doubt that you are, and have always been, the reason I haven't fallen."

Esme raised her head from his shoulder searching his face for reassurance.

"I swear to you, we will always be together," he said earnestly. "In this life or another."