Beyond The French Doors

By REMDreams

Edward Masen lived in the suburbs with his mother and his dog, Lucky. The houses of the neighborhood were spaced out enough that each neighbor had enough room to be completely private; separated by tall hedges and fences. Large old oak trees, and other hard woods, dotted the landscape and in some spots there were rolling hills. But Edward's favorite part of his neighborhood was his backyard, shaded by trees, with plenty of lush grass for Lucky to run around on and enjoy.

This particular Saturday afternoon, Edward was doing just that, in his backyard throwing Lucky a tennis ball. The golden retriever bolted after the throw as Edward sat in the shade, watching him with a small grin. But just as Lucky was turning to head back to Edward, he stopped short and darted in the opposite direction.

"Lucky!" Edward called standing up to watch his silly dog head toward the hedges on the other side of the garden. He wasn't worried at first, but when the dog began to dig at the foot of the hedges he started to head over. "Stop it, Lucky!" Edward called as he walked.

The canine ignored his master, and instead continued to dig until he felt he had enough room to wiggle through. Edward started to run, but his dog has slipped between the hedges. Edward came to a stop at the wall the greenery and debated whether or not he could also slip between the hedges as well. He squatted down and peeked through, but all he could see was more well-manicured grass.

"Lucky!" Edward called, but the dog didn't return. He looked back at his house once more before he got down on his belly and began to shimmy through the hole. He was impressed he slipped through, and when he made it to the other side he was surprised.

Edward didn't mind talking to his neighbors, as a matter of fact he loved to stop and chat with them so he knew most of the people on his street. Although the man sitting in front of him at his patio a few feet away with his dog at his feet begging, was unknown to him. He had pallid alabaster skin, and had extremely blonde hair, it looked slightly abnormal to him. Like he should be in colder climates like Norway or Finland.

A second after looking for the gentle man, Edward blushed, realizing that he slipped under his neighbors hedges and also had his dog begging at him for something on the table.

"I…" Edward started as he got to his feet. "I'm sorry! Here lucky!"

"I'm receiving quite a bit of visitors today." The man said scratching behind Lucky's head.

"I'm sorry, he usually doesn't do that." Edward said with a frown.

"It's fine. It's nice to receive guest." The pale man said. "I was just reading a book anyway, have you heard of Chabon?"

Edward was hesitant for a while before answered yes. He honestly felt embarrassed.

"Have you read is newest book?" The man asked.

"No, I haven't. Does it live up to expectations?" Edward asked stepping a little closer.

"Indeed. Don't be shy, come and sit for a while."

Edward glanced at Lucky who was now laying at the man's feet. If he's relaxed enough, I can be as well.

The boy sat down next to the man who smiled at him. "My name is Carlisle, by the way."

"My name is Edward. I don't mean to be rude, but I've never seen you in the neighborhood before."

"I actually moved here a month ago, but I'm rarely home because I work on call at the hospital." Edward did remember seeing a moving truck a while back, but didn't remember seeing the owner.

"Oh."

"Would you like some tea?" Carlisle asked a moment later, not missing a beat.

"Yes, that would be nice." Edward replied and watched as Carlisle poured tea into an empty tea cup. Almost as if he was expecting someone. "Were you expecting anyone, today?"

"No, I haven't met many people in the town yet. My job demands all of my attention for the most part." Carlisle said handing the tea over to Edward who took a sip. It was fruity and sweet without needing to add sugar or honey.

The conversation switched back to the book for a while. They chatted back and forth about the author's uses of sentences and words, and how they flowed together effortlessly. Edward had become so engrossed in the conversation that he didn't notice how late it was becoming. The sun was starting to set and the temperature had declined.

"I should probably go. I don't want my mother to worry."

"Of course, Edward." Carlisle said with an easy grin. "Feel free to stop by again anytime. I'm sure your dog will." He petted Lucky's head who looked up at him with adoration.

"I will, and thank you for the tea."

"You're welcome." They stood, and Carlisle collected the dishes. "Come and use the front door. I don't want you to get dirty."

"Oh, I-"

"I insist, Edward." Carlisle said opening the back French doors to his house. Edward watched as Lucky trotted inside like it was his own house and Edward followed. Once inside, he noticed right away the posh air of the house. Overall the house was white, but there were expensive things carried about it, and one thing that caught his eye in the corner by three windows was a grand piano.

"Is that…"

"A grand piano." Carlisle said from behind Edward. "Do you play?"

"Not very well. I've only learned a few songs."

"If you come by again I'll teach you some new songs."

Edward spun around. "Really?" Besides books, Edward had a deep love for music and an even deeper love for playing the piano. He only wished he had more time for it.

"Of course, I rarely have time to play it anymore, so it would be nice to give someone a chance at it." Carlisle said with a grin before he disappeared for a second to place the dishes down in the kitchen.

Edward slowly walked over to the glossy white piano and lifted the key case, exposing the shiny ebony and ivory keys underneath. His fingers ghosted over the keys, wanting very much to hear it played.

"Go ahead." Carlisle said from the threshold of the room. Edward looked back at him, and he nodded in encouragement. Edward's fingers slipped down onto the key's making a light melody.

"I only know things like this. But my mother always encourages me to learn more. I just don't have the music."

Carlisle nodded once. "I'll tell you what, come back tomorrow around the same time; I should be free, and I'll teach you."

"Carlisle…I…you are too generous."

"I insist. I use to teach piano classes while I was in college."

Edward wondered at that moment how old Carlisle was. He said he was a doctor, but he didn't look that old at all. Calling him 30 would be a stretch. Maybe it was just the fact that he stayed out of the sun.

"I'll come back then." Edward looked down at the keys, then back at Carlisle. "Thank you, Carlisle. Your generosity is amazing."

"You're quite welcome, Edward." Carlisle smiled and as if on cue Lucky came around a corner and Carlisle walked them to the front door where they said their good byes once more.

The next day Edward and Lucky (He followed against Edwards's wishes) came to Carlisle's house around the same time. Edward glanced down at Lucky who was standing and waiting with a doggy smile for Edward to knock. The boy shook his head and rang the doorbell. A moment later the door opened and Carlisle was standing there with a grin.

"Hello, Edward, come in!" He said moving out of the way to let them inside.

"I hope you don't mind that Lucky came. He really wanted to follow me today."

"Not at all, I'm sure Lucky likes being here."

To that the dog let out a happy yelp before he headed into the house to explore. Carlisle closed the front door and the pair headed to the piano.

"I managed to find some old sheet music. You strike me as a classical lover." Carlisle said as he opened the piano for Edward.

"I do." Edward said as they took their seats at the white grand. Carlisle set the sheets of music on the holder.

"I haven't played this one in a while, so let's see how it sounds." Carlisle said and put his pale fingers to the keys. The music that followed was amazing, and Edward was mesmerized by the sweet melody that filled the air. Carlisle's ability to play was far beyond what Edward had ever expected of him, and when he finished the song Edward clapped with a crooked smile.

"That was amazing!"

"I'm a little rusty." Carlisle said humbly.

"Where did you learn to play?"

"My father. He was a pianist."

"Amazing." Edward said again softly.

"Now." The older placed a new sheet of music on the holder. "I'd like to hear you play this."

Edward was hesitant. He didn't want to embarrass himself, but Carlisle patted him on the back softly in encouragement. The younger took a deep breath and began to play the music. It was hard at first, but Carlisle was patient and helped Edward.

"No, no, Edward." He said, "You have to pause between these two notes." Carlisle reached around Edward so each of his hands were on top of Edward's and carefully helped the teenager play. Edward played with Carlisle, and it was much easier with his hands on his.

"Better?" Carlisle asked, his mouth much closer than Edward thought it was. He could feel his cool breath on his ear.

"Much better." Edward replied as they ended the song together.

"Here." Carlisle said leaning down to grab something. "I have some sheet music I want you to look through and tell me which one you'd like to learn next. I'm going to make a cup of tea, would you like one?"

Edward took the papers and answered yes. As he looked though the classical pieces he heard Carlisle in the kitchen making tea, and Lucky was by his feet now, staring up at him with big eyes.

"Do you have to use the bathroom?" Edward asked the dog as Carlisle came back inside.

"It'll be done in a moment, is everything alright?"

"I think Lucky has to go outside." Edward said standing. "Do you have a bag?"

Edward brought Lucky beyond the French doors and into the backyard where he ran out onto the grass and sniffed around for a while. Carlisle joined him outside, watching as Lucky found a nice spot to do his business.

"You don't seem like a dog person, Edward." Carlisle confessed.

Edward nodded. "Lucky was my neighbor's dog. She moved over seas and couldn't take him with her so she gave him to me. I would always watch him when she had to do business out of town."

"Ah."

"I assume you don't have any pets, Carlisle?"

"No. I thought about adopting a bird once, but decide with my work it would be difficult."

Carlisle leaned toward Edward a little bit and reached out, plucking a piece of fur from his hair. The proximity brought Edward's heart rate up, and his breathing became shallow.

"Fur." Carlisle said blowing it away in the wind with a grin. Edward smiled back with a blush. "I'll get the tea." He said softly before heading back inside. Edward walked over to Lucky and bent down to clean up his business. The dog sat and watched with an amused smile on his face.

"You are a hand full." Edward said petting the dog's head before going back inside the house.

The rest of the evening was spent learning music and drinking tea. Carlisle was very hands on with Edward, and made learning the music easier.

"Look at the time." Carlisle said staring at the clock on the mantel. Edward looked too and was shocked to see it was almost nine. The time had passed without Edward even noticing.

"I should go, my mother is going to be worried." Edward said, but didn't move. He didn't want to leave Carlisle's house, which to him was becoming more wondrous by the minute.

Carlisle closed the piano and smiled at Edward. "Until next time?"

"Will you be free tomorrow?" Edward ask hopefully.

"I'll actually be at the hospital most of the day tomorrow and the day after." Carlisle confessed and Edward nodded, feeling his stomach drop.

"But, I'll be sure to tell you when I'm off next. We can dedicate the entire day to music. You can even bring Lucky." Carlisle said as the dog started to sniff near him.

"Stop it, Lucky." Edward said and the dog huffed and walked away. They headed to the front door, said their good byes, and Edward left with Lucky. That night he laid in bed humming the new music Carlisle had taught him.

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Ah, my first Twilight Fic! I hope you enjoyed reading so far! Next chapter we'll dive into Edward's home life a bit.

Please Review it means a lot to me!

And thank you again for reading!