Bella stayed up half the night reading. No luck. She found out about all sorts of faerie curses and various treatments, she learned about demons from Japan but she had learned nothing that would help her. Still, there were some books she hadn't touched so she hadn't given up hope entirely. She crawled into bed and hoped the morning would yield better results. As she lay in bed she couldn't stop thinking about it. Why had he lunged at her? She certainly would have to ask him in the morning, perhaps it would shed some light on things.
She spent the next morning reviewing the books again to no avail. Frustrated she decided to take a little break and write to Jane. Jane would surely know what to do, she always the best and most passionate about her studies. She missed her best friend. They were always together even when school was dismissed they would take turns visit each other. Bella came to visit Jane at her family's eerie country mansion and Jane would see Bella in the Swan's fashionable townhouse in London.
She wondered if her mother knew she had left school; not that she would mind in particular. As long as Bella would marry at a suitable age she would happy, marry and marry well. Bella did not look forward to marrying well; always wrapped up in novels and poetry she knew she would like to marry for love. She bit her lip in frustration she thought surely that no one would ever fall in love with her. "Back to the books." She whispered to herself.
There was a knock on the door "Miss Swan." A man's voice said softly.
"Come in." Dr. Cullen entered her room.
"If you should care for it my son is ready to see you again."
It was a welcome break from musty old books Bella mused "I shall go in a moment, let me just mark where I've left off in my reading." Truth be told she was nervous about seeing Edward again. His beauty made him frightening to her for she was so painfully shy. She knew she had to see him again in order to help him and delaying would do no good. She told herself to be brave and finally shut her book.
He lay on the bed still as death with his eyes boring into the ceiling. Bella felt that this was somehow her fault though she did not know why. Cautiously she pulled the green armchair closer to the bed and sat down. "Bella," he began "I cannot begin to apologize for my dreadful behavior last night. I am truly fortunate to be graced by your presence and I must learn to behave in a manner more suitable for my position." His face showed so much pain.
"I assure it is quite alright." Bella told him "No harm has passed." She reached out and took his hand. He gasped. "Oh I'm sorry!" She said quickly pulling her hand away.
"No," Edward said breathlessly "No, there is no need to apologize. Forgive me if I have startled you, it's just that it was unexpected. Since I have been tied to this bed two weeks ago I have no received any contact of a physical nature. They are all terrified of me. It may be ungentlemanly to say so but your touch was most wondrous." She turned leaned over him and touched his face in an almost motherly fashion. She felt great sympathy for him. Her other hand slipped into his again where it was met by a firm grip. She felt his ragged breath on her palm as he turned his head and then most unexpectedly his lips brushed against it. Her eyes widened with surprise and when he saw her face he looked ashamed. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Forgive my boldness Miss Swan it shall not happen again."
She smiled softly, her smile that made his heart ache. "Do not fret, truth be told I am flattered." With that she moved her fingertips across his lips and in that moment Edward Cullen knew he was her slave for the rest of his existence. Her touch seared in him. It cut straight into a part of his heart no one had ever reached before. He thought bitterly of that first day, of her scent and what he wanted to do. He loathed himself for it. Edward wondered how he would ever confess his shame to her. He feared it would send her running for the hills and with that his life would end. There was that glimmer of hope though, that the angel before him would show mercy and stay. Isn't that what angels do?
"Could you explain why you behaved in such a peculiar manner though? I believe it would be most helpful in finding a cure for you."
"I will…just not today. I am too much entangled in bliss to speak of it. Stay Miss Swan and let me talk to you of other things."
"As you wish." She replied. "Perhaps you would care to tell me about yourself before all of this happened. I should very much enjoy some company after spending half a day surrounded by musty old books."
"I love to play music. Before I was tied to this bed I could spend hours in front of the piano. I even wrote songs too. It would be my greatest wish to one day play for you Miss Swan."
She blushed "I would be honored. I have tried to learn piano as young ladies ought to but I confess I lack the talent for it."
"But you more than make up for it in beauty and kindness."
She felt her cheeks burn and tears sting the corners of her eyes "Please don't say such things." She whispered trying to contain her sadness.
"Have I said something wrong?" Worry lined his face "I'm sorry for my boldness, I hope you may in time forgive me."
"No," she managed to choke out "You have said nothing wrong. I simply know I am not beautiful."
"Bella," his voice was soft "You are beyond beautiful. When you entered my room I thought the end for me had come and I was seeing an angel." His hand reached out for hers and his thumb softly stroked the back of her hand. Her breathing became steadier but she was still in disbelief. This Adonis creature found her, Bella Swan beautiful?
"I-I'm afraid I really ought to go now. I must get into town to have a letter delivered. Please excuse me."
After she left Edward exhaled a sigh of sadness. Did she know what he had thought? What he could possibly be? Was this angel revolted by him? He had never been a religious man but he prayed that in time she could return his affections. If he could sleep he wished to dream of her as his bride, but he could not. So instead a melody came to him, soft and sad. He would have to write it down one day a song called "For Bella."
