Quotes

As we currently only see the Twilight series from Bella's perspective, we rarely see Esme and Carlisle sharing intimate moments together as a couple, other than filling the parental role in the Cullen family (much of what we know about their private relationship has come from statements by Stephenie Meyer; see the relationship page). Even so, here are a few quotes from the books where they appear, or are referred to, as a parental couple or a romantic couple. If you know of a quote from Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse that should be listed here, please let me know. :)

Quotes from Twilight

Page 92:

"I don't really remember them that clearly. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now."
"And you love them." It wasn't a question. It was obvious in the way he spoke of them.
"Yes." He smiled. "I couldn't imagine two better people."
"You're very lucky."
"I know I am."

Page 252:

"He acted from loneliness. That's usually the reason behind the choice. I was the first in Carlisle's family, though he found Esme soon after. She fell from a cliff. They brought her straight to the hospital morgue, though, somehow, her heart was still beating."

Page 252:

"Carlisle brought Rosalie to our family next. I didn't realize till much later that he was hoping she would be to me what Esme was to him - he was careful with his thoughts around me."

Page 269:

"Carlisle brought his compassion. Esme brought her ability to love passionately."

Pages 281 - 282:

Waiting to greet us, standing just to the left of the door, on a raised portion of the floor by a spectacular grand piano, were Edward's parents. I'd seen Dr. Cullen before, of course, yet I couldn't help but be struck again by his youth, his outrageous perfection. At his side was Esme, I assume, the only one of the family I'd never seen before. She had the same pale, beautiful features as the rest of them. Something about her heart-shaped face, her billows of soft, caramel-colored hair, reminded me of the ingénues of the silent-movie era. She was small, slender, yet less angular, more rounded than the others. They were both dressed casually, in light colors that matched the inside of the house. They smiled in welcome, but made no move to approach us. Trying not to frighten me, I guessed.

Page 299:

"But as time went on, I began to see the monster in my eyes. I couldn't escape the debt of so much human life taken, no matter how justified. And I went back to Carlisle and Esme. They welcomed me back like the prodigal. It was more than I deserved."

Quotes from New Moon

Page 26:

Edward's parents, Carlisle and Esme – impossibly youthful and lovely as ever – were the closest to the door. Esme hugged me carefully, her soft, caramel-colored hair brushing against my cheek as she kissed my forehead, and then Carlisle put his arm around my shoulders.
"Sorry about this, Bella," he stage-whispered. "We couldn't rein Alice in."

Page 42:

Carlisle offered me his hand and helped me up from the table. I followed him out into the main room. Esme had come back; she was mopping the floor where I'd fallen - with straight bleach from the smell of it.
"Esme, let me do that." I could feel that my face was bright red again.
"I'm already done." She smiled up at me. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," I assured her. "Carlisle sews faster than any other doctor I've had."
They both chuckled.

Page 43:

Esme and Carlisle both said a quiet goodnight. I could see them stealing quick glances at their impassive son, much like I was.

Page 395:

"So, what does Carlisle think of you being here?"
"He doesn't know. He and Esme were on a hunting trip. I'll hear from him in a few days, when he gets back."

Page 400:

Carlisle was working nights in Ithaca and teaching part time at Cornell. Esme was restoring a seventeenth century house, a historical monument, in the forest north of the city.

Page 496:

Carlisle and Esme waited in a quiet corner far from the line for the metal detectors, in the shadow of a wide pillar. Esme reached out for me, hugging me fiercely, yet awkwardly, because Edward kept his arms around me, too.
"Thank you so much," she said in my ear.
Then she threw her arms around Edward, and she looked like she would be crying if that were possible.
"You will never put me through that again," she nearly growled.
Edward grinned, repentant. "Sorry, Mom."
"Thank you, Bella." Carlisle said. "We owe you."

Quotes from Eclipse

Page 161:

"It was too much waste. I couldn't leave her," Carlisle repeated in a whisper.
"Of course you couldn't," Esme agreed.

Page 206:

The Cullens pondered Esme's words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to.

Page 283:

When we got to the house, we found Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper watching the news intently, though the sound was so low that it was unintelligible to me.

Page 284:

"And all those innocent humans in Seattle," Esme murmured. "It's not right to let them die this way."
"I know," Carlisle sighed.

Page 428:

Esme and Carlisle were talking a few yards away, heads close together, fingers linked, not paying attention.

Page 614:

"Esme is three years older than Carlisle - technically. Did you know that?"
I shook my head.
"It hasn't made any difference to them."