Chapter 62 - Esme's Garden

Xavier and Esme exited the backdoor of the Cullen residence, walking onto the back patio before a set of swirling stairs took them to the backyard.Xavier's initial confusion dissipated as he realized they were walking through Esme's meticulously tended garden behind the house.It was nothing much in his eyes, as someone who, himself, possessed a hidden garden, but The Eternal smiled kindheartedly nonetheless.Rows of colorful blooms and neatly arranged herbs stretched out before them, a serene contrast to the wild forest beyond.'Where nature meets nurture,' he thought.Esme glanced back at Xavier with a knowing smile, noting his unimpressed expression, before stepping off the garden path and into the dense woods beyond.Xavier's confusion doubled, momentarily suppressing the ever-annoying headache plaguing him."We'll have to run the rest of the way," Esme called over her shoulder, her voice carrying effortlessly through the crisp air, "Or, in your case, fly…"Without waiting for a response, she broke into a swift jog, her movements fluid and purposeful, almost a blur despite her obvious intention to run somewhat slowly.Xavier hesitated for a moment, then focused his mind and followed suit, levitating a meter off the ground and shooting after her.The stability of his abilities could be questioned due to his abnormal mental state but even a collision with an innocent tree would do The Eternal minimal harm.The forest blurred around them as they dashed through the dense underbrush, Esme's supernatural speed propelling her forward with ease, almost as if gliding in the air.Xavier flew alongside her, the world rushing past in a mix of exhilaration and sensory overload – every sound, every whistle, and every vibration was amplified as soon as his feet left the ground.Trees became streaks of green and brown, rocks blurred into fleeting obstacles, and the ground below seemed to undulate with a rhythmic pulse.Still, somehow, Esme was able to predict and avoid every sudden hole, gap, or critter that marred her path.At roughly 70 meters per second, every second felt simultaneously stretched and compressed, sometimes seeing the world with enhanced clarity and other times, missing the obvious things.The wind whipped past Xavier's face, tugging at his hair and clothes as he kept pace with Esme.They could both move faster but it was not a competition and testing each other's limits was not necessary when Alice already knew Xavier's.Still, there was something to admire.The Eternal marveled at the effortless grace with which Esme navigated the terrain, her movements synchronized with the natural rhythm of the forest.It was not just a matter of her vampiric senses but also a depth of familiarity that came with truly having a place to call home.The Cullens, though prone to move from state to state every decade, held a special place in Forks history and Forks held a special place in their hearts in turn.Xavier and Esme covered a dozen miles in what felt like mere moments, Esme leading them unerringly along the ascending mountain trail.Moving at Superspeed, especially when flying, made distinguishing between elevations unnecessary and hence difficult.The Eternal could not tell they were ascending a mountain until a full second had passed and they were already a quarter of the way up.Esme leaped over fallen logs and bounded across small streams.Their journey was marked by the occasional burst of laughter from Esme as she effortlessly traversed the rugged landscape.Xavier, to enjoy the short journey, sometimes twirled and sometimes dipped.As they ascended higher, the air grew cooler and the scent of pine needles intensified – it could have been more than two miles away but it tickled Esme's and Xavier's noses as if it was right next to them.Another three seconds…Towering pines stretched overhead, their branches reaching toward the sky in a silent salute to the mountain's summit.Rocky outcrops provided brief reprieves, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.The view sent a memory rocketing to the forefront of Xavier's mind – Wat Tham Pha Plong in Thailand, built into the side of a cliff and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.The views were similar…Finally, after what seemed like both an eternity and an instant, they reached a secluded summit.Here, the trees thinned, giving way to a vast meadow bathed in the golden light of the afternoon son.Xavier's eyes failed to immediately adjust to the intense glare of the sun but when he did adjust, amazement saturated his features.It was here Esme's hidden garden lay, a sanctuary of vibrant colors and thriving life amidst the rugged mountain terrain, both separated in sections and clustered together.It was as if a compact zoo, clearly distinguishing between flowers but all of them complemented the overarching theme of nature and impossibility.Despite the harsh climate and remote location, the garden thrived under Esme's meticulous care."Beautiful," the word unconsciously slipped from Xavier's lips.Esme smiled with a hint of pride.The garden was something she had accomplished not just due to her supernatural abilities, but also due to her hard work and dedication for fifty years.Rare and exotic plants – Jade Vines, Ghost Orchids, Hydnora Africana – their colors vibrant against the backdrop of rugged terrain, seemed to defy nature's limitations."I can see the effort you put into everything," He voiced.With eyes that saw the traces of time in everything, The Eternal could vaguely imagine the gouges Esme dug with her bare hands, only to later fill it with fertile soil she carried from elsewhere, possibly hundreds of miles away.Everything was done with a certainty that only a century-old vampire could command.But Xavier knew there was something more – something he had long since suspected but lacked adequate evidence until now.And the key was Carlisle…Xavier's eyes narrowed in enjoyment as he beheld the sight before him, awakening a long slumbering childish wander he thought he had long since shed.Among the rows and rows of flowers, he spotted delicate orchids in shades of purple and pink, their petals luminous in the afternoon sunlight.Occasionally, there would be large mahogany and timber trees.Beside them, towering sunflowers stretched towards the sky, their golden heads turning towards the warmth of the sun.Herbs like basil and thyme filled the air with their aromatic fragrance, mingling with the earthy scent of the soil – soil, Xavier was sure, originated from somewhere in China.The unique microbiome of Chinese soil gave off an earthy smell with distinct hints of history, owing to their long history of soil cultivation.The Eternal had encountered it once, some thousands of years prior, and was only now recalling it.As they strolled through the garden paths, Esme's enthusiasm for her gardening techniques became evident.She paused beside a row of sunflowers, her slender fingers brushing over the leaves with a gentle caress.For the first time, Xavier looked at the woman… no, the young woman would be more accurate.Esme held the everlasting beauty of youth, frozen in her prime at the age of twenty-six."I forget sometimes that all of you are young," The Eternal murmured.Any normal person would not have heard him but she was a vampire and her hearing was, perhaps, the best among The Cullens."A blessing and a curse," Esme responded, "you see, Xavier," she began, her voice soft yet animated, "being a vampire has its advantages when it comes to gardening. My heightened senses allow me to detect even the subtlest changes in the soil composition. I can gauge pH levels just by feeling the texture of the earth and observing the plants' response."'It helps that you can stand like a statue for days and watch plants without ever losing interest,' The Eternal internally mused.Esme knelt beside a patch of soil, her fingers deftly digging small grooves around the base of a delicate orchid. "Here, I'm adjusting the pH," she explained, her movements precise. "Certain plants prefer slightly acidic conditions, while others thrive in more alkaline soil. By carefully manipulating the pH levels, I ensure each plant receives optimal nutrients."Xavier chuckled to himself when he saw Esme reaching for a pouch labeled "Miracle-Gro" – a popular brand known for its balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential nutrients crucial for plant growth.For some reason, The Eternal thought she was old-fashioned but clearly, vampires were not above some modern intervention."This helps to supplement the natural nutrients in the soil," Esme spoke as if she were advertising the product, bringing another smile to The Eternal's face. "It's especially useful here," she explained, "where the soil lacks some of the organic matter found in richer environments."Xavier nodded thoughtfully, absorbing her words as he scanned the garden around them.His mind raced with questions about the intricacies of the pant biology and the innovative techniques Esme employed. "It's fascinating how you're able to achieve such lush growth in this environment," he praised, unable to hide his interest.Esme smiled warmly, her golden eyes reflecting a mix of pride and satisfaction. "it's a labor of love," she replied, rising to her feet. "Over the years, I've learned to adapt traditional gardening practices to suit our circumstances here. The key is balance – knowing when to intervene and when to let nature take its course."Xavier quirked a brow. "Even if it means letting the garden die?" he inquired.Esme nodded. "I am a vampire. I am no stranger to death," she gestured to a flower that had lost almost all its petals. "The thing with my garden is… when it dies; it becomes more beautiful, not less.""Story of human civilizations," Xavier chuckled. "The most beautiful cities are built upon once rich civilizations, and those civilizations were built on massacres of outrageous degrees."Esme hummed in response.Carlisle was a man of history, the purest form of it, so almost everywhere they lived, he would unearth the atrocities committed, and honor those worthy of the change they brought about.As Esme and Xavier strolled along the garden paths, her graceful strides led him through a botanical wonderland.She pointed out various plants and herbs with expert knowledge, each one meticulously cared for and thriving despite the challenging mountain environment."These lavender bushes, for example," Esme explained, her fingers brushing over delicate purple blossoms, "they're not native to this region, yet they've adapted beautifully. Their essential oils are highly soothing and have been used for centuries in aromatherapy."Xavier: "Do you invest in mental health as well as gardening?"Esme's smile widened, more pride flashing on her face. "Yeah. My primary investments are in gardening, horticulture, and pharmaceutical applications of plants and flowers," she stated and continued. "Both people and plants are the same – it's all about understanding their needs and providing the right conditions."Xavier gestured to a plant on the slope. "Let's take those jasmine vines as an example. If I recall correctly, they require warmth and sunlight, so you plant them strategically along the southern slope where they can bask in the afternoon sun."She nodded."How would you apply that to someone?" He inquired, interest sparking in the depths of his aged eyes, "If plants are indeed like humans? Say, someone who is highly suicidal?"Esme chuckled softly, her gaze fondly lingering on some tropical blooms. "If I had a highly suicidal patient, I would give them a weak noose. Plants re-blossom when they are down to their last petal. Chances are, three seconds into hanging themselves, that person would fight to live. I just have to make sure they can get themselves out of that situation, not stop them."'All great men and women thrive because of hints of insanity,' Xavier reminded himself, trying not to judge Esme too harshly.They reached the end of the garden path, where the afternoon sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across the meadow.Esme turned to Xavier, her golden eyes reflecting a deep-seated satisfaction."Thank you for joining me, Xavier," she said warmly. "It's rare that I get to share this part of my life with someone outside the family."Xavier returned her smile, feeling a sense of gratitude for the glimpse into Esme's world. "Thank you for having me, Esme," he replied sincerely. "It's been a while since I have been invited anywhere."They stood in companionable silence, the serenity of the mountain meadow enveloping them.For Xavier, an afternoon of peace was exactly what he needed, the headache that had plagued him for days was reduced to a faint echo at the back of his mind."You look happy," Esme observed."Happier than I have been in a long time," Xavier replied, "and equal parts sad.""Sad. Why?"The Eternal shrugged as he started to hover in the air. "—when you have lived as long as I have, every memory is entangled with a hint of sadness."Esme smiled and waved as Xavier rose high and higher, clearly about to depart.The Eternal took comfort in the fact that he now understood the Cullens better, and the glue that tied the family together – Esme Cullen."I have a family too," Xavier whispered to himself, his voice drowned by the winds that grew more intense the higher he ascended, "I can't keep avoiding my memories."No sooner had the thought crossed his mind, than the headache returned with a demon-like will as if encouraged by Xavier's introspection.Esme had just turned around, seeing he had become a dot in the skies, when…BUDUPSomething smashed into the ground with a groan.Esme didn't even have to turn around to understand who it was – a cramped smile found its way onto her face.