Disclaimer; I own sh*t, that's it.

...

Edward knew.

They had been talking, teasing, quietly, gently, heads hunched together as if concocting some diabolical plan, when Edward came in. Carlisle had been so absorbed by Bella that he hadn't paid any attention to Edwards' whereabouts.

Nor his own thoughts.

He immediately looked up when he heard a low growl, too low for human ears to pick up; face stricken as he realized what Edward must've picked up on.

Bella was still giggling over something he said, but he couldn't put his mind back together enough to remember what he told her to send her into such a fit, and so he was extremely thankful that she was unaware of the sudden tension in the air. He wouldn't have been able to explain it to her. Just like he won't be able to explain his sudden distance with her with any ease. Carlisle bowed his head, dropping his gaze from Edwards' piercing, livid glare.

He chose his thoughts carefully, wanting Edward to know that he respects and values his relationship with both him and Bella too much to jeopardize.

And that he can't help that he feels for Bella too much.

That he can't help he loves her.