This is an alternate universe story in which Edward seriously injures Bella when he keeps Tyler's van from crushing her. It's written from Edward and Bella's POVs, but Esme has a pivotal roll in the story
From Persephone's Sister (Edward's POV)
"I wanted to let you know I have not forgotten that I promised to hunt with you this weekend." Carlisle would be on call at the hospital, so I had volunteered to escort Esme to an area experiencing a sudden increase in the black-tail deer population. The sizable increase caused fish and game authorities to consider permitting human hunters into a normally restricted area, which abutted a region where we frequently hunted. Esme's research determined that recent mild winters allowed more deer to reach maturity than otherwise might have normally survived; and it would be necessary to cull the herd in order to prevent human intervention.
If Esme's research had revealed that our hunting activities had removed too many animals that preyed upon the overly-plentiful herbivores, she would have created her own version of an Endangered Species Bulletin, prohibiting their consumption. Realistically, Esme's efficient monitoring of local wildlife and occasional intervention assured that the family's dietary needs could always be met and that chances for encounters with tempting Homo sapiens were rare. Esme would not risk our being in such close proximity to humans when we shed our civilized veneer, allowing our raptorial instincts to rule us. Even the mother of monsters set her dining room table with care.
Prologue: Accident link
Chapter 1: Assessment link
Chapter 2: Bedside Vigil link
From Persephone's Sister (Edward's POV)
"I wanted to let you know I have not forgotten that I promised to hunt with you this weekend." Carlisle would be on call at the hospital, so I had volunteered to escort Esme to an area experiencing a sudden increase in the black-tail deer population. The sizable increase caused fish and game authorities to consider permitting human hunters into a normally restricted area, which abutted a region where we frequently hunted. Esme's research determined that recent mild winters allowed more deer to reach maturity than otherwise might have normally survived; and it would be necessary to cull the herd in order to prevent human intervention.
If Esme's research had revealed that our hunting activities had removed too many animals that preyed upon the overly-plentiful herbivores, she would have created her own version of an Endangered Species Bulletin, prohibiting their consumption. Realistically, Esme's efficient monitoring of local wildlife and occasional intervention assured that the family's dietary needs could always be met and that chances for encounters with tempting Homo sapiens were rare. Esme would not risk our being in such close proximity to humans when we shed our civilized veneer, allowing our raptorial instincts to rule us. Even the mother of monsters set her dining room table with care.
Prologue: Accident link
Chapter 1: Assessment link
Chapter 2: Bedside Vigil link