Chapter 3: Peeping Edward

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

Edward

I felt as I had back in Forks when I'd climb in her bedroom window at her father's house. I felt like a peeping tom, but I had to see her. I had to be near her. It had been far too long since I'd inhaled her sent and it sent glorious burning down my throat and the venom pooled hungrily in my mouth as I shut the window silently behind me. I had forgotten how appealing her blood was to me and why I had left her in the first place.
Didn't I want her to have a normal life? One where she could meet someone, settle down and have a family. Of course that is what I should want, but I was a selfish creature and what I wanted even more than that was to take her back, to claim Bella Swan as my own and tell her that leaving had been a huge mistake, that I was sorry and then beg at her feet for her to forgive me. I hated myself for being so weak, but I couldn't stay away from her. These last five years had been the worse of my existence. The pain had been so excruciating. Every time I closed my eyes I could think of nothing but her sweet angelic face. Thoughts of her plagued my mind night and day nearly driving me to the brink of insanity.

I sat on a chair on the other side of the room just watching her sleep. She had become even more beautiful than she had been in her teenage years. Bella Swan had turned into a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her long hair now glossy and wavy hung halfway down her back, her brown eyes still deep, but now wiser, her soft lips still begged for me to kiss her. She was still very thin but had some semblance of a womanly figure. Her body had matured quite nicely in the past five years. Oh yea I surely qualified as a voyeur. When I'd seen her the other day I'd realized she'd changed quite a bit in a subtle way from the shy, clumsy, teenager she'd been back in Forks. She now wore make-up and dressed to accentuate her femininity as well. Alice would definitely approve of her new more grown-up wardrobe.

Alice had seen me here I was sure of it, but she had not said a word. It was unlike her to keep a vision to herself especially when it concerned Bella. This unnerved me a little the more I thought about it. Was there something she didn't want me to know? The sun was almost up and Bella began to stir. Although she's been restless she hadn't spoken in her sleep, but as she stirred I heard the one thing I thought I'd never hear from her sweet voice again." Edward," My name escaped her lips. I couldn't help myself from grinning from ear to ear. She still loves me. I thought or at least she still thinks of me. I quickly vacated the same way I'd come and ran all the way home. I was as giddy as a schoolboy with a crush, but I didn't care. The woman I loved had not forgotten me. The hope swelled inside me as I skipped through the front door of our home.

You look chipper said Rosalie with evident disgust.

Bella still loves him chirped Alice darting across the room to where I was standing.

She put her arm around my shoulder. "Edward," She said. "If you are going to see Bella and you want her back in you life then you better move quickly. She looked me square in the eye.

"What, why what do you mean Alice?" I tried to invade her thoughts but she was reciting the French national Anthem in her head over and over.

"Just hurry," She stated as she flitted out of the room.

"Don't look at me," said Rosalie snidely. "You know I have to patience for that human you're so taken with."

I gave her a glare ready to fight her if she said one more thing. She glared back with a snarl.

Just then Esme came into the room she looked at us and shook her head. "Behave yourselves you're in your golden years and you still act like children." She tisked.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and left the room.

Esme came over and put her arm around me

"Edward we know your reasons for leaving Forks, but we all think that Bella would be much better off if you didn't make her decisions for her. She has a right to know you're watching her and that you still love her. She needs to make the choice herself. If she doesn't then she will never be able to live that full human life you're always talking about for her."

I sighed. I knew Esme was right, but how would I tell her that? How would I be able to approach her after all these years? What would her reaction be? Would she forgive me or was it too late? Was there someone else who had captured her heart or would she give it back to me as readily as she had before? So many questions floated around in my head and I had no clue as to what the answers would be.

"She'll forgive you Son, take you back? I don't know, but Bella is a kind person, she will forgive you. Go to her," My mother urged.

Was Esme right? Would she forgive me?

Carlisle returned from work a short time later.

"I hope everyone is getting ready the benefit is in a few hours. I want my family to look their best and represent us with dignity. And no screwing around," He said raising his eyebrow at us. In his mind he was thinking of Emmett and Alice and their shenanigans.

Everyone was already upstairs putting on their Sunday best in order to impress the hospital benefactors. I ran quickly to get ready as well. I wasn't too thrilled that Carlisle had insisted that I escort Tanya Denali to this benefit. Although it would be rude of us to exclude her seeing that she was visiting for the weekend. I think Carlisle was still hoping that I'd find a mate in her. Not a chance of that now that I knew Bella was here.

Jim

I got into the car and started to drive over to pick Izzie up. I had called Veronica last night to see if she could find out what was wrong with her, but to no avail. The only thing she'd come back with is that she didn't think that proposing right now would be a good idea. That Izzie had said that twenty-three was too young to be married. That helped me a little. Maybe I was smothering her. I keep forgetting the age difference. Being that I was almost seven years older than her. I had to think back to when I was her age. At that time the thought of marriage was quite scary to me as well. If I back off a little she'll relax and everything will be okay I decided.

I pulled up in front of her place and she surprised me by slamming the door behind her and flying down the stairs to greet me at the car. She was usually running late, but here she was all dressed and ready to go on time. Maybe she really had needed the sleep she claimed she'd needed last night. She smiled genuinely at me as I opened the passenger door for her. It was rare that I got to drive her anywhere. She preferred to drive separately or to be the driver. That was yet another one of her notorious quirks.

"You look beautiful," I said kissing her cheek lightly as she took my hand so I could help her into the car. She was wearing a new dress that in my opinion would turn every man's head tonight.

"Thanks," She said blushing. The drive to the benefit was actually quite pleasant.

"Sorry about last night." She said looking at me earnestly.

"I've just been off my game lately with school, this dance stuff, lack of sleep. I hope you're not mad at me?" She looked at my questioningly with those beautiful brown eyes.

"Of course not I said. I could never be mad at you." I took her hand in mine and brought it up to my lips and kissed it gently.

She giggled. "You never cease to amaze me. After all the havoc I've wreaked on this relationship and you're still putting up with me. I'm so lucky to have someone like you." She smiled at me.

My heart skipped a beat. She really did sound like she meant it. Maybe talking it out with Veronica last night helped. She's just scared that's all give it time. I reassured myself as we pulled up to the hotel where the benefit was being held. I helped her out of the car and handed my keys to the valet.

Edward

We made it to the hotel and found our table. Tanya had joined us at the front door. She looked absolutely stunning as usual her long, strawberry blonde hair swept up elegantly. She never disappointed with her beauty. I complimented her quickly on her dress and escorted her to the table as if she were truly my date. She was a nice girl and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting her feelings anymore than I already had in the past. I knew that she thought we were a perfect match and that she wanted me to want her, but I had told her quite bluntly in the past that she deserved better. I could not give her what she truly deserved. She had taken my rejection quite eloquently, but still kept up hope that some day I would change my mind. I cursed Carlisle silently for forcing her upon me this night. I didn't want to lead her on. It wasn't fair to raise her hopes especially since Bella was within my reach again. If only she would forgive me. I was extremely on edge and I wasn't good company.

I went to the bar and brought back two glasses of Champagne. They were only props for us, but were very important at these functions. We already stood out by our flawless beauty and unchanging pale skin we did not need to draw anymore attention to ourselves than necessary. I was a little surprised that Carlisle had allowed us to come. I could see in his mind that it would be more problematic if he tried to hide his family from his colleagues. We'd been here nearly a year and we had made ourselves as scarce as possibly unless it was when my brothers and sister were at school. I saw his point and it didn't usually bother me. It was beginning to though. I wanted to show myself to Bella badly.

Bella

We walked through the doors into the ballroom where the event was taking place. I was in awe of the massive amount of money spent on an even meant to raise money for charity. There were opulent chandeliers, thick deep red carpets, and the fixtures on the walls seemed to belong in a chateau. The table settings were just as elegant as the rest of the room as well. Jim escorted me through the door and we found our seating arrangement near the back of the far side of the room. We joined some of his friends from the hospital and Haley and her current boyfriend Dylan.

"Wow your dress looks fabulous," Haley commented as we approached our seats.
"Thanks," I said blushing. I was still a little bit uncomfortable in such high heels and the dress that Veronica had helped me pick out was a little low cut for my taste. It was a glittery halter style that flattered my shoulders and it was clingy at the waist and flowed until it was a few inches above the knee. She'd insisted on this dress because it would twirl nicely around me during the dance competition. I was suddenly nervous, more so than I'd been in a long time. I had overcome the majority of my clumsiness, but would I be able to dance in front of this many people? I looked around the room and suddenly my head started to swim.

"You look a little faint Izzie are you okay?" Jim put his hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes.

"I'm just a little nervous," I said biting my lip. "What if I fall?"

"You won't fall. We've rehearsed this a million times. And even if you do I'll be there to catch you," He said his eyes shining with love for me. That made me feel even worse. He was just so sweet.

I knew what he said was true we were very well rehearsed and everything was going to go well, but I couldn't shake this sudden feeling of apprehension as I took a sip of ice water out of one of the elegant crystal goblets on our table.

So How do you think Bella will react upon seeing Edward again and vice versa? Let me know what you think and if you want to read more. Tell your friends to read lol… It doesn't seem like people are that interested. Believe me it gets way better this is just the intro. Thanks for reading!