After a few seconds, the first notes of Clair de Lune filled the room. Bella smiled – this was the song they had danced to back when she was human, when everything had had a fuzziness, a greyish tinge. This time, however, it was so different. The sound was as clear as glass, coating the walls and everything within them with pure music. Bella could hear the every note of the piano, single sounds flowing sinuously together, building a melody so complete in its perfection that she was forced to gasp when the music reached its thrilling crescendo. All too soon the music slowed; it quietened, and came to a poignant close. Bella's mouth was open as she gazed into Edward's face, his eyes wide with fire; smouldering with passion, emotion, bliss, love.
They remained motionless for a long time. Unlike when she had been human, Bella felt no need to move, or to speak. She was simply and wholly content staring into the face of her purest love.
Edward gradually lowered his head, shutting his eyes carefully and with painstaking slowness. Bella saw, through Edward's navy shirt, her husband's lungs expand and collapse, only once – as if inhaling the atmosphere's intensity. Then, at the same deliberate speed, he raised his chin from his chest, blazing eyes opening as if for the first time. Edward glided towards the couch, keeping Bella's gaze the whole time. He settled weightlessly, crossing his legs and taking another deep breath, and made a tiny, almost unnoticeable nod of his head.
"Now I understand," breathed Bella. Edward nodded again, more perceptibly this time. Leaning forward slowly, his lips brushed faintly against his love's ear.
"I'm glad that you can understand, Bella. Now you know how I felt, dancing with you. Hearing that beauty, that perfection, that passion…it made me feel like love truly existed. And I had never felt that before, Bella. Never." His voice was laden with emotion; it felt like sweet honey in her ears.
Bella turned her head, meeting her lips with his ever so gently, soaking up every part of the moment. Edward's arm moved slightly, and the song started for the second time of many that night. He kissed Bella back, not hard or urgently; they were simply taking their time. Their forever.