Wednesday One Shots for 5/12/10

JaspersDestiny recommends

Eternally Bound for the Unprepared by Isobelle Vaughn

When Carlisle Cullen sees Isabella Swan for the first time, his life is irrevocably changed. His bloodlust and rapidly growing feelings lead him, Bella, and Edward on a whirlwind ride of emotions to finally understand the meaning of true love. Rated M. Bella & Carlisle.

What if Bella wasn’t solely Edward’s singer? What if Edward just happens to unknowingly share the very same bloodlust as his ‘father’? What happens when Bella is brought in to Forks’ hospital on that fateful day after being almost hit by Tyler Crowley’s van? You guessed it – a man once renowned for his ability to deny his thirst for human blood is now thrown completely off guard by Bella’s introduction to the ER. This entire one shot documents Carlisle’s struggle to successfully manage his bloodlust from inside his office as he makes his way in to see his new patient.

I enjoyed this one shot for several reasons. The author does a wonderful job conveying the sense of chaos that Carlisle’s thrown into the moment he can smell Bella down in the ER. Known previously for his perpetually calm and controlled manner, both he and the reader are taken by surprise by his newfound bloodlust. And if it were not for his years and years of general practiced control, there would be a dead nurse in his office doorway, carnage en route to the ER, and a very dead Bella Swan. Does Carlisle have control? Yes - but the author aptly illustrates the tug of war that Carlisle is fighting within to maintain this control. And, boy, does he give himself away in the subtlest of ways.

I also enjoy the idea of an almost genetic inheritance passed down from father to son here – Carlisle and Edward share the same singer. For vampires, I think it’s a pretty interesting idea of 'shared biology'.

Carlisle’s a changed man once he actually sees Bella in person, though – it’s not just about bloodlust anymore - and it’s going to be interesting to watch this story develop. How will the Cullen dynamic change? What will happen with Esme? What kind of battle will we see between Edward and Carlisle? Who will Bella choose? Yes, it's a Bella/Carlisle fic, but it's the journey that will be fun. It's also early enough in the 'game' that the reader shouldn't be left questioning some unrealistic change of heart on Bella's part. At this point, she doesn't even know what the Cullens are, so let the wooing begin!

I don’t suspect Carlisle is going to be portrayed as the perfectly dull and typical Dr. Cullen in this fic, so I look forward to the continuation of this story, and I recommend you give it a read.

Maelyn recommends
When the TA Isn’t Good Enough by fiberkitty

Bella has a hard time reclaiming her friendship with Edward after their relationship falls apart. Can Dr. Cullen, Edward's father, offer some insight to help their relationship, or at least a night of passion for Bella to remember? Bella x Carlisle AH Rated M

When Carlisle month came up and I knew I would need to find a one shot, I immediately thought of this one. For some reason, I just really liked it.

Bella’s past in this fic is promiscuous without being so. Meaning, she got around, but wasn’t slutty or easy about it. Even in this fic, when she has her little fling with Carlisle, she is technically ‘free’ to do so, as is he.

I like how the author builds up to the actual fling – mentally and physically, so to speak. Bella is frustrated with Edward being too conservative in his sexual preferences which eventually leads to their breakup. Who can blame her? As she says:

“I love him, I truly do, but not enough to spend the rest of my life enduring sexual boredom.”

The fling itself is very hot, like scalding. I love the little game he starts, even if it doesn’t get very far before she pounces on him. But, again, who can blame her? If I had Carlisle licking and biting on my neck, I’d pounce him too!

Then he starts telling her what he’s going to do and I swear the temperature in the room rose 10 degrees! *fans self* Then he proceeds to do exactly those things and it’s just to die for.

I especially love the ending, but I don’t want to give anything away. I like that it essentially gives you foresight into how the story will proceed from there, so everyone has a ‘happily ever after’ and gives the reader closure without having to continue the one shot.

In all, it’s one of the more memorable one shots I’ve read, in a good way! And I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend it for our readers. So enjoy!