Chapter 7

AN: Hi everyone. How is everyone enjoying the story so far? Well the last chapter left a very desperate Edward. Wanting nothing more than to run away from the world that surrounds him. What will this chapter bring? Hmmm…let check it out and see.

Please Enjoy

Reviews are always welcome

Augusta Moonlight

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything. I own nothing!

-Edward-

The sun soft rays stream slowly into his room as his emerald eyes appraised the scene. The fresh morning dew made the blades of grass shimmer against the capture sunlight. He bit his lip as last night enter his mind. He had walked for hours in the park feeling the warm wind turning into a late night chilly breeze. The nigh air had made his alert and agitated body finally calm down. He had return home only to sit down in the living room and stared blankly at the TV. His body screamed that it was tired and worn out, but he couldn't find sleep. He stay awake the rest of the night until early morning light had leaked into the dark room. When it did he had walked upstairs into his room. And he had stared out the window lost in thought.

A new sun, to begin a new day. Today was special….it was a day of remembering. He turned to see a small black frame around one of the last pictures of his mother. She was sitting down wearing a beautiful dark red dress. Her long locks of bronze hair fall down her back. Her eyes glowed as they stared into the camera. Her warm comforting smile had found a place within her flawless face. The picture was taken two days before the fire. Tears build in his eyes as he glanced at it. He bit his lip before whispering out.

"I miss you mama"

Just then the door was throw open. He turned his head to see Alice standing in his room wearing a deep blue dress that wrap itself elegantly around her waist. She wore black Mary Jane heels and her usually spiking black hair was gel back into sleek looking French braid. She stood in front of him with the same grace and beauty as their mother. He looked away from her, it was his fault that his mom could never see Alice grow up. A shudder breathe escape his lips as he closed his eyes. He felt Alice walk toward him before placing her hand on his shoulder. He open his eyes quickly and looked into her watery blue eyes. A warm but small smile had come to her face. She whispered out.

"It time to get ready"

He nodded as Alice walked out of the room. He turned to walk into his bathroom and shower before dressing in a white button down shirt and put on some black dressing pants. As he put on the black suit jacket and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His tall lean frame looked distinguished and powerful in the suit. He pulled out his black silk tie and knotted around his neck. His bronze messy locks was perfectly gel back into fall into a sleek hairdo.

He turned toward his drawer, and open it only to reveal a blue glass rose sitting quietly on a velvet pouch. He pick it up and looked as the sunlight caught the crystal making it glimmer softly. It was prefect as the person who it was meant for. He tucked it gently into his suit pocket. As sigh escape his lips as he turned on his heels and headed downstairs. When he walked into the living room he saw Alice looking at their mother portrait. Tears laced her blue eyes and slowly drip down her cheek as she reach over and brushed her long pale fingers against the glossy paper. His emerald eye dropped to the floor for a moment before looking up. He remain silent just watching his little sister look at their mother. A knot from in his throat but he little time to acknowledge it as their father walked slowly down the stairs. Then they all took off toward the one place he only visited twice a year, the cemetery.

As they walk on the well kept grounds of the place he could feel his heart pounding wildly against his chest. His mind began to wake up and with it came the wake of slow aching memories. He bit down on his lip but before he knew there in white shimmering marble his mother tombstone stood strongly in front of him. He took in a sudden breathe as he came to halting stop. Alice and his father moved closer to the tombstone and mumble words of "I love you", "I lost without you", "I miss you, honey"…and other words of endearment. His own words were stuck in his throat unable to come out. He watched how his father placed a kiss on the marble and let his long fingers swept against it. Alice gently kneel down and place a sweet kiss on the white roses in her hand before placing them down. Then father and daughter turned to look at him. He move toward them before saying.

"I want to be left alone"

His father open his mouth to say something, but Alice pull him away and said.

"We'll see you at home"

He nodded his head quickly and from the corner of his eyes he saw them walk away. When he was sure that they were out of sight, he crumble to the floor. He looked up at the white marble and in old elegant script was the name Elizabeth M. Cullen. He bit his lip as he closed his eyes. In the back of his eyelids he saw those dark red flames sprout around him. He open his eyes quickly and shook his head as if to erase the thought. Then he open the pocket of his suit and pulled out the blue glass rose. He placed a soft kiss on it before placing it down. His eyes filled with tears that did not fall. He said as quietly as possible.

"Like this rose will never wilt. For as long as I live neither will your memory. I will always tell you that I'm sorry for what I did…and most the time I want to turn back time so it me that lays here instead of you. But I can't…and I beg you, wherever you are, to forgive me. I rob you of seeing Alice grow up, to grow old with dad…I rob you of living. I know it all my fault and I take the punishments that come with that realization. I'm will always be sorry mama…always"

-Bella-

The sun pour around her in a halo of warmth. She closed her eyes and threw her head back. A soft giggle escape her pink plump lips as she open her eyes again. An air of content embraced her as she walked among the sidewalk. She took in the sights of the shops that where scattered around the town. She bit her lip gently as she looked around it, when suddenly she spotted something. There hidden in between two tall corporation buildings sat a small quaint looking bookstore. The name Volturi Bookshop glanced down at her. Her eyes sparkled with interest as she rush forward. Opening the door, the scents of coffee, apple spice, and old pages fill the air. Her smile only got brighter as her eyes took in the shelves filled to the brink with books. Ah! She had found home.

-Edward-

He walked slowly down the street. He had one place in mind as he walked under the humid California air and sun. The small book store that always linger with the scents of coffee, apple spices, and old pages. His mother had loved visiting the place during lazy Friday afternoons. An old memory of sitting beside his mother while Alice sat on her lap. As their mother melodic voice read to them, easing them away from reality into the fantasy of the book. He bit his lip and shook his head as he saw the bookstore in the distance. He pushed his legs a little faster until he stood outside the store. He open the door and step in as the smells that he remember so well filled his nose. His eyes water remembering how much his mother loved this store. When the door shut behind him, he turned toward the reading area. He sat heavily on the overstuff blue love seat. It was right next to the large window where the sun was steady swimming in. His emerald eyes closed on their own accord. He took in a deep breathe and allow the silence to fall around him. He blindly shrugged off the black suit jacket. Then with practice movement he rolled up his sleeves. He threw his head back until his head fell against the soft cushion. His mind seem to taken on the role of being silent and for once he was allow to sink into the silence and warmth of his surroundings. Peace and harmony where two friends that desert him since that day, making him forget that such feeling could exist. Yet, on this day it was like they had return to him, even it was for limited time he got to feel something other than pain, regret, and sorrow. He open his eyes and turn his head to look out the window.

-Bella-

Clutched tightly in her hand was a leather bound book. She looked around quickly for a comfortable spot. She was dieing to get lost in the magical world of her book, but as she turned she saw him. Edward was sitting in blue love seat looking out the window. His pale skin caught the sunlight and glinted as if it was made of many tiny diamonds. His emerald eyes were bright and warm. There was something different about him. It look as if he gain inner peace. She couldn't help herself as she started toward him. Her heart beating rapidly against her chest. Just as she stood in front of him. His emerald eyes turn to lock with her chocolate brown. They shimmer at her, she could see the dark deep circles around his eyes as if he lack sleep. But that didn't make them any less soul capturing. She was swimming in the liquid warmth that resided in his eyes. She could feel a smile form on her face as he breathe out.

"Bella"

She nodded her head and said

"Edward, what a surprise to see you"

He let his head drop to a nod and said.

"I come here sometimes…to think"

She tinted her head at him and said

"I can see why, it so peaceful and quiet here"

"It is…I use to come here as a kid"

"Really? A young Edward Cullen coming to read"

Then the last thing she ever expected to see come from Edward Cullen happen. He threw back his head and let out a gentle laugh. It was so light and musical that she giggled a little. She looked at him as he laughed and said

"Well as a kid, I hated coming here…but as I grew up I love leaving reality and into fantasy"

"I like do that to. Maybe that why my major at school in English lit…I love being able to read at my heart content and still credit for it"

"Well Miss. Swan I believe you are a much bigger bookworm than I"

"I am not a book worm, I'm a enthusiastic reader"

His let out a another beautiful laugh that fill the air around them with joy and contentment. He seem so at peace and she like that about him. He wasn't as shut down as he was before. She wonder what spark this new change in him, and if it would last. She moved steady to the couch that was opposite him and just stared at him. Watching his bronze hair shine in the sun, and it look almost glossy. He return her stare and said.

"I guess we have to agree to disagree"

"I believe you are right Mr. Cullen"

"Please, my dad is Mr. Cullen…sorry Dr. Cullen. I'm just Edward"

"I heard so many great things about your father. He's almost a celebrity around here"

"I beat you have, everyone loves him"

His once joyous tone had turn bitter. His liquid eyes were once again hard and cold. She bit her lip and felt as if she had said the wrong thing. She just stared at him, he was a mystery to her. He suddenly stood up in one quick motion and looked at her. She took in his attire. A white button down shirt rolled up to his elbow. His black tie was loose around his neck. As he pick up his suit jacket and swung it around his shoulder before saying.

"I'm gong to get a cup of coffee, care to join at the coffeehouse down the street"

She nodded her head before putting her book down and standing up. As she look up at his tall frame and lock eyes with Edward. She could see sadness that always linger in his eyes. For once even if was a small moment did she see in him peace and harmony, and it suited him well. As they walked away together did the sudden thought of finding way to keep him content and at peace enter her mind, because something deep down told her. Edward had spend so much time without it.