Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait on this, I've got a 5 day a week volunteer job at a charity/museum that monopolises a lot of time! Hope you like it!
Chapter 7
"Bella, it's just Bella"
"B-e-l-l-a"
Edward rolled her name over his tongue, and if it were possible, Bella would have blushed. After that correction, neither of them spoke, they examined.
Time seemed to be as frozen as their bodies for the two vampires. Edward had neglected to release Bella's hand, and Bella made no move to retrieve it. Crimson and Amber stared into each other, both forgetting the pretence of humanity they were forced to maintain. Not a breath stirred the room, not a muscle twitched, not a hair moved, they were in their own microcosm of existence.
That is, until a throat cleared pointedly from the doorway, and their bubble was shattered, leading them to abruptly jump away from each other. Bella rubbed the spot on her hand where Edward had kissed it subconsciously, as if trying to recreate the feeling. Edward pulled his hand through his hair in a nervous way, causing it to go into further disarray. Bella felt the sudden urge to approach and rub her own hands through it, putting it into some kind of order, but the sight of their adopted father's in the doorway prevented any such action. It seemed this new body had new urges, she'd never have thought of being so forward in her human life.
"Ah Edward, I see you have become familiarizada with our Bella!"
Eleazar was smiling, but there was something about the way he said it that affected Edward, who suddenly looked guilty, before recovering and saying:
"Yes Eleazar, Bella and I were just getting acquainted."
"Carlisle, my old friend, I was going to introduce your family to Bella but it seems your son has beaten me to it! But either way, may I present my daughter, Isabella Swan."
Bella and Edward took this as their queue to approach as more people entered the room.
Carlisle Cullen, was as attractive as his son, and Bella was relieved the sight of his blonde locks did not produce the same reaction she had to the sister's on their first meeting. Eleazar and Carlisle were at the front, and Carlisle's eyes flickered between Edward and Bella's close proximity, and suddenly, he had hope for his eldest son. Edward must have picked up on his mental observations, as he subtly quirked his lip at his father. Edward noticed that Alice was smirking from the right, giving them both a knowing look, and Esme looked absolutely delighted, she shared a look with Carmen, who was beside her.
"It's wonderful to meet you Bella, I've heard much about you."
Carlisle held out his hand to Bella, and she shook it. He felt very different to Edward, there was no tingling or sensitivity, just the feeling of skin on skin.
"Likewise, Eleazar and Carmen talk about you all the time."
Bella was introduced to the rest of the family in turn, and couldn't help developing impressions about them. Esme's hair was auburn, and she had an air of a 1950's housewife about her. She seemed to emanate a calm grace, so different to the scatter brain and constant motion she remembered Renée exuding.
"It's wonderful to meet you dear."
The little woman beside her, Alice, had short black hair, and her petite stature automatically made Bella think of a pixie or a sprite. She squealed and practically vibrated when she was introduced to her:
"I know we're going to be best friends!"
Beside her was another blonde man, not as old or as tall as Carlisle, but with a grim expression on his face, Bella's hackles raised when she saw the multiple bite marks across his body, he'd been in a lot of fights.
"Major Jasper Whitlock, Ma'am."
He wasn't unfriendly, but Bella could sense he was reserved, she was too, he had the looks of battle about him. Kate had told Bella that Jasper was in the Southern Vampire Wars, and was an expert at controlling and destroying newborns. He was scrutinising her, as if he expected her to attack, and Bella suddenly felt uncomfortable. Edward moved behind her, as if sensing her discomfort, and the reminder he was there made her feel better. It was strange, how the presence of a stranger could make her feel so safe.
The next man Bella met put one word in her head "Bear". He man was huge, all muscle and brawn, with an almost childish face, and curly dark brown hair, he had a cheeky grin.
"Hey little cuz, I'm Emmett, you'll remember me, I'm the strongest and the best looking! This is my better half, Rosalie."
There was something warm and child-like about this hulking vampire, perhaps it was the slight curl of his dark hair, or the dimple in his cheek. The same could not be said for his companion, the woman was like a model from sports illustrated, but she wasn't smiling, and she was so well put together Bella felt self conscious. There was something stiff about her, unyielding, and Bella felt instantly uncomfortable, as if she'd wronged her in some way.
The Cullen's were nowhere near as intimidating as she had expected, they were mostly warm and welcoming, and above all, curious.
"Bella, niña, Carlisle informs me that his family have not fed yet, and would like to spend some time in the mountains. Would you like to come with us?"
"I fed this morning Eleazar."
"Perhaps, I should stay with Bella? I am not hungry"
Edward spoke up, and Eleazar raised an eyebrow.
"The piano" Bella said, struck by inspiration, "Carmen tells me you play the piano, I do too, a little, perhaps you could show me?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea" spoke Esme, linking arms with Carlisle.
"Come along dear, I have a taste for some Alaskan Moose."
Esme led Carlisle out by the hand, which Bella found very sweet, and as the Denali and the Cullen clan filed out, they left their physically youngest members behind.
Edward inclined his head to the piano, and Bella nodded, and he pulled the bench out for Bella to sit on, before seating himself.
"So, how long have you played piano?"
"I only had a few lessons, I was...uncoordinated, in my other life. What about you?"
"I was taught from a young age, in the early 20th Century. I continued after my human life ended, that was in 1918, so I have been playing for roughly 100 years, I'm an old man."
Edward smiled wanly at her as he put his hands on the keys, pressing them in an unrecognisable pattern. The tune was sweet.
"Who wrote that?"
"I did, for Esme, it's her favourite."
"It's beautiful. Can you show me?"
They spent the next half an hour playing the piece, Edward gently correcting Bella's fingering, her almost shuddering from the contact, their bodies getting progressively closer, and as they played, they began to talk.
"So, Carlisle changed you?"
"Yes, in 1918, I and my family had caught the Spanish Influenza" Edwards eyes focused on his hands, over a particularly difficult piece, although Bella was sure he knew it blind.
"My mother knew Carlisle was different, he was our Doctor in the Hospital in Chicago, and asked him to save me. After she died, and I was close behind, Carlisle changed me."
They were no longer playing Esme's piece, Edward was improvising, and Bella placed her hands on the keys, watching Edward's hands.
"I don't know who changed me."
Bella pressed down a cord, it sounded somber, and she tried another.
Edwards playing was slowing, as he listened.
"The...the man who attacked me...changed me, the vampire, I think he was blonde. The first time I met the Denali sister's I didn't react well to the colour. I remember that day, I was driving home from my Father's funeral, I was dreading going home to an empty house. I wasn't paying attention to the road, then I saw something jump in front of me."
Bella pressed individual keys, a slow sombre tune, it seemed her mind was linking the scales into a melody.
"I swerved, and the truck rolled, and I was hurt. I remember an arm reaching in, and tearing my seat belt, and then we were in the woods. He dragged me for what seemed miles."
Bella's hands began to move faster of their own accord, as she relived her experience, as if providing accompaniment to her story.
"He was blonde, I don't remember a face, and then he was at my throat, and I was burning, when it was over, I was alone, so I ran."
"That must have been very frightening" Edward said, a hard look on his face.
"I can't remember ever being so scared, I ended up in an abandoned gas station, I don't know how long I was in the bathroom there, but then Carmen and Eleazar came for me."
"Yes, I remember Alice making a call to them, she was quite secretive about it."
"I can't imagine what would have happened if they hadn't found me."
"I'm glad they did, Alice herself wasn't so fortunate. She has no memory of her former life, she woke up alone, a vampire, with no past."
Bella stopped playing, and looked at Edward.
"That's terrible! Poor Alice."
"It seems that things worked out for the best, for both of you."
"Yes"
They began the Esme piece again, and then heard the sounds of approaching footsteps. Bella didn't feel like being interrupted.
"You missed the tour of the house, how about I show you my room? It's probably the only room you haven't seen."
Edward looked surprised, but pleased, and something else flashed across his eyes.
"Perhaps later, right now I believe our families require out attention. But I very much appreciate the invitation."
He took Bella's hand and kissed it.
"You played well for a first lesson. You're a natural."
"I'm a vampire" Bella said "I have an eidetic memory."
"There's a difference between repeating and playing, you put emotion into your music, you play."
They heard the chatter of the families as they entered, and all split off to their different diversions, the older members, Carlisle, Esme, Eleazar, Carmen and the Denali sister's split off to discuss some things, and the younger members re-entered the living room.
Alice entered the room and squealed "Oh I just had a great idea, why don't we have Bella and Edward play chess!"
"Yeah Eddie" said Emmett, close behind her, "from what Eleazar says you won't be able to cheat!"
Bella didn't like the idea of Emmett accusing Edward of dishonesty.
"Cheat?"
Edward looked chagrined.
"I'm sure due to Kate, you know some vampires have gifts. I myself have one."
"What is it?"
Bella looked curiously at Edward, waiting for his answer.
"I can read minds."
Suddenly all the sly comments about her own ability pertaining to Edward made sense, and she found herself saying:
"Really? Can you read my mind? Because I'm a Mental Shield, I can block mind powers."
Edward looked stunned into silence.
"Wow Eddie, this is great, we've met a girl who can blindside you! Can we keep her?"
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait, hope you like it! Please Read and Review!