I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO TWILIGHT OR ANY RESEMBLANCE THERE OF.
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Chapter 8
Koi Pond
(Edward POV)
If I was right, then the timing would be perfect. Bella got home at about 4. Then I was sure she would take a shower, get dressed, and start dinner. At just after 7 Jackie would go over to her apartment, box in hand. I figured 5 minutes for her to question him about the box, another minute to open it, and another for her to smile. At exactly 7:09 I called her.
"Hello?"
"Hi angel."
"Edward!" I could hear the smile in her voice, it made my evening.
"Do you like them?"
"They're…" there was an anxious little pause and I thought for a split second that maybe it was too much too soon, or she was embarrassed or… "They're perfect."
"I'll always think of you when I smell lavender," I swear I could hear her blushing on the other end. "So, what are you doing tomorrow? I assume even beautiful danish-maker's get Sunday's off?"
She laughed a little "ya, I'm free. What did you have in mind?"
"If I said it's a surprise would you hate me?"
"Probably," she said with a smile in her voice.
"I'll have to take that risk. The car will pick you up bright and early at 6:00am."
"Do I get any hints?"
"Wear comfortable shoes."
(Bella POV)
Comfortable shoes? That wasn't inspiring.
"What! I'm dying here!"
"Hmmmm…"
"Bells snap out of it!"
"What? Oh sorry Jackie."
"So?"
"So… so a car is coming by tomorrow to pick me up at 6:00am"
"See what happens when we listen to Jackie? Wonderful wonderful things! So where's Eddie taking you?"
"I don't know. But he said to wear comfortable shoes."
"Comfortable shoes? God he isn't taking you hiking or something like that is he? Because scraped knees just ain't sexy."
"Something tells me he's not the hiking type."
"Good, because I don't do hiking hair."
"Hiking hair?"
"Yes Ms. Thing. You didn't think I was going to let go on a date with your normal pile-it-on-top-of-my-head mess did you?"
"Umm… yes?" The only answer I got was a high pitched laugh.
"And what are we wearing?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. I guess a pair of jeans and some shirt."
"Some shirt? Some shirt? That's it, get your shoes on, we're going shopping."
"Jackie it's almost 8!"
"Bells its New York!" After a mad dash to Macy's, we found an outfit that pleased Jackie. Honestly, I was just happy that it wasn't hot pink or leopard print. In the end we settled on a very simple baby blue dress. It was light, and gauzy, and summery and maybe just slightly too beachy, but oh well. It flared at the waist, and the skirt had three layers that hit me just above the knee. It was very pretty if not a little more girly than I was used to. I found a white cotton cardigan to put over it, and I'd wear my old beat up converse, after all he did say comfortable shoes, and there was no sense in going overboard with this makeover thing, no matter what Jackie said.
*****
At 4:30am the phone rang, waking me up. "OK, I'm coming over now."
"Jackie, I know I'm a disaster, but it honestly can't take you an hour and a half to make me presentable."
He had obviously already hung up because I heard him knocking furiously on the door. I dragged myself out of bed, opened the door, and walked to the kitchen to get the coffee going.
"No time for coffee Ms. Thing. Bathroom. Now."
Obeying, but begrudgingly, I walked with Jackie to the bathroom. Within 15 minutes, my hair was in curlers, and his hair dryer was blasting at me - it had to be his because I didn't own one. Hair hot enough to make me sweat, he proceeded to scrub my face with something abrasive and smelly.
"Hey, I'm not off to the Academy Awards you know!"
"Bells, you're just going to have to trust me ok?"
Knowing when I was beat; I sighed and just let him to do his thing. There was pulling and spraying, and slathering on of various things, and then wiping them off, and tucking and more pulling… by the time he was done, I was ready to call it quits and crawl back into bed.
"Ok, now go put on your dress like a good little girl," I snarled at him and walked into my room to put on my dress and shoes.
When I walked out, Jackie was smiling at himself, gleaming with pride. I was not amused. I was tired, I hadn't had any coffee, my face still hurt from the scrubbing, and I was sure whatever he had done was way overboard. I walked to the only full length mirror I had in the front hall closet. I pulled the door and looked at myself; at least, I thought it was me… the woman in the mirror was remarkably pretty, not awkward, pale, or plain.
My hair was shinier then I had ever seen it, with the slightest wave just gracing the ends. He had taken the hair out of my face with two French Braids on either side of my head that he clasped with a barrette and a piece of lavender… a silly little romantic touch, but I had to admit, it was sweet. I could barely tell that I had makeup on, except my cheeks were slightly rosier than normal, my eyelashes were miles long, my lips were glossy, and my skin actually was glowing.
"You're like my Fairy Godmother or something!" Before I could thank him though, my buzzer rang.
"Ok Cinderella, you can thank me later, have a great time." I kissed him on the cheek, and ran out the door.
A half hour later the car pulled up in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Whatever I had been expecting, it certainly wasn't this. It was a happy surprise though; I had been in New York for about a year but still hadn't been. But, it was 6:30 in the morning; surely the museum wasn't open yet. When I saw Edward standing at the top of the steps waiting for me, his copper-pot hair shining in the sun, all my questions disappeared. I didn't care what we did, as long as I was spending time with him.
(Edward POV)
She got out of the car, and I could see her hair shining in the sun. She starting climbing the stairs to meet me, and with every step I noticed something beautiful. Her skin which normally glowed anyway, was sparkling. Her dress just grazed the top of her knees hinting at the sweetness that lay under it. Her hair was off of her face, shining and bouncing with every step. When she finally got close enough, I could see the pink of her cheeks, and her lovely glossy lips calling to me. She was wearing blue. She should only ever wear blue I thought.
"Morning."
"Morning Bella. You look…" I was actually struggling to find the right words.
"I know, I know, Jackie did it. It's a little overboard but you try saying no to a nearly 7 foot gay guy with a curling iron someday."
Of course she thought my pause was something bad. What would I have to do to make her understand?
"Bella," I lifted her chin with my right hand.
I knew words were useless on her, so I kissed her. I poured every sincere emotion I had for her in that kiss. She tasted sweet and buttery, like pastry. I knew right then, when she kissed me back, that she felt my sincerity. When I pulled away though, there was an oddly sad look on her face. But before I could ask her about it, she spoke.
"Edward, the MET doesn't open at 6:30 in the morning."
"Well, not for the public."
"I see, and what are we then?"
"We are very lucky that my parents have been giving money to the museum for years."
"Huh?"
"I made a few calls; the Museum is ours until they open at 9:30." Then my angel smiled, laughed to herself, shook her head and walked through the revolving door. Could I always make her this happy? As we went through the revolving door, I saw the lavender in her hair - I really had to do something wonderful for Jackie. We walked into the main lobby, and Bella's eyes went wide.
"It's gorgeous Edward! Had I known I would have come sooner."
"Well, where to first, Angel?"
"I wouldn't even know where to start. What's you're favorite part?
"I think I'll save that for last, but why don't we start with the American Wing?"
(Bella POV)
When he kissed me on the steps at first, I was relieved that he didn't think I looked like an overdone idiot. But, there was something in that kiss, something that made me nervous. He meant that kiss, deeply and sincerely, and I felt myself melt into it. This amazing, beautiful man was showing me how he felt, and I was afraid that I felt it too. I knew he wasn't James, but what if he changed on me like he had. What if one day things were gorgeous, and then the next for any number of reasons, things turned ugly. What would I do? Run again? As he pulled away, I put on a brave face, and changed the topic in my head.
"Edward, the MET doesn't open at 6:30 in the morning."
"Well, not for the public."
"I see, and what are we then?"
"We are very lucky that my Parents have been giving money to the museum for years."
"Huh?"
"I made a few calls; the Museum is ours until they open at 9:30."
Then I smiled, laughed to myself and shook my head, because come on, really? He couldn't possibly be that perfect, well connected, stunning, or considerate. Was he really that amazing in every way, it wasn't possible right? Every question in my head faded when I stepped into the lobby though. It was like I was 6 years old and at the circus – my eyes went wide and tried to take it all in.
"It's gorgeous Edward! Had I known I would have come sooner."
"Well, where to first, angel?"
"I wouldn't even know where to start. What's you're favorite part?
"I think I'll save that for last, but why don't we start with the American Wing?"
I followed him because really, I had no idea where to go, or what to look at first. I must have looked like some silly kid because everywhere I went things were more and more amazing. I didn't even know where to concentrate. The Tiffany windows? The Apollo Fountain? The simply to-die antique furniture? And not that any of it would have been less beautiful with other people there, but being alone with Edward at the MET, it felt like the world was ours. I felt like we were the King and Queen of all things beautiful, and right then, we were.
We walked through various wings and halls, looking at paintings and tapestries, and of course Edward knew something about all of it. It wasn't that I hadn't expected him to, but hearing him wax poetic about EVERYTHING was a little funny. He was obviously trying to impress me, and as sweet as that may have been, it was wholly unnecessary. I was plenty impressed already.
When we got to the Greek and Roman wing, I was in awe. In front of me were hundreds of statues, all white marble, all flawless, all glowing in the sunlight. As we walked through, every statue was more achingly beautiful than the last. Beautiful curvy women draped in silks, pouring water out of vases, looking at lovers we couldn't see. We turned the corner and saw a statue that made my heart stop. It was Edward, in white marble, on a pedestal. His hair was curly, his arms and legs were long and strong, his chest was elegant, he was standing with his weight on one leg, his arm extending, as if reaching for someone. Even in stone Edward was dazzling.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm wonderful."
I walked closer to the statue, and although I knew I wasn't supposed to, and wasn't sure if some alarm would go off, I had to touch it. Slowly I let my fingers touch the statue's foot, and something struck me as incredibly ironic… 'Achilles Heel.' He had told me I was his, but he was very quickly becoming mine as well.
He put his hand on mine.
"What do you suppose he's reaching for?" he asked me.
I thought for a moment. "I suppose he's reaching for his equal." I didn't know if that was me or not, but I wanted to be very badly. I leaned over and kissed his hand.
"You know, you're more beautiful to me than any woman in here."
"Edward, that was corny."
"And what's wrong with corny?"
I thought for a second, and seeing as how over-the-top the morning had been so far, I said, "absolutely nothing," and I kissed him.
I let my hands tangle in his hair, then come down and rest on his shoulders. His lips were so warm. Pressed against him, I couldn't help but think about being in my kitchen, being pressed against him, half naked, and wanting more. The wanting more part was rising inside me. I pressed into him a little harder, letting my tongue slip into his mouth. I could feel him getting hard against my body. I could be good and let it go, or I could…
I didn't have time to think it through though, because Edward walked me backward until I hit a wall and pinned me. He pressed against me and I could feel how hard he was. The reality of it all hit me. We were in a museum, there were cameras everywhere, and I didn't care how much money his family donated, fucking against the wall in the Greek and Roman Hall would NOT be good for the family relationship.
He whispered in my ear, "can I have you now?"
All I could do was swoon and nod.
He took my hand, and ran down the hall around the corner, through another smaller room, until we came to the elevator bank, and… the bathrooms.
I wasn't sure whether we were in the Men's or Ladies room but it didn't matter. He pushed me into the handicapped stall, locked the door, and pressed me against the wall. He kissed me so hard I thought my lip was bleeding, but who cared at this point. I needed him as badly as he needed me. He undid his belt, threw it to the ground, unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. Then he pulled down his underwear. He reached under my dress, and nearly tore mine away from by body. I laughed out of sheer shock and surprise. He lifted me up off of the ground, and as I wrapped my legs around him, he pulled me onto him, and I groaned.
He pumped in and out of me. My back rubbing against the stall wall. I could barely breathe. My hands grasped onto everything and anything - the walls, his hair, his shirt. I didn't know how long he could keep this up, but I wanted more, so with the little breath I had, I whispered "harder."
He smiled broadly, eyes twinkling. His eyes narrowed, his mouth closed, and then he pushed me into the wall so hard it damn near knocked what breath I had, out of me.
He was groaning loudly and breathing so heavily I thought he would faint. But he didn't stop. I tightened around him and he made a deep low sound in the back of his throat, like his sexy little hum, but this was raw, it was pure lust. I knew I couldn't hold myself together much longer, "come with me Edward," I pleaded.
He looked at me in the eyes, kissed me hard, and together we let go. My legs were still wrapped around him, and I was still pinned against the wall, Edward inside me. We stayed like that for a minute, just catching our breaths. Finally, I unwrapped my legs, and reluctantly, he pulled out.
After what seemed like an eternity of breathing heavily, staring at each other blankly, the absurdity of it all hit me. He was half naked, I was panty-less, and were in a friggin' bathroom stall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Out of a sheer loss of what to say or do, I started laughing hysterically. At first Edward looked confused, but then he couldn't help but to start laughing along with me.
He pulled up his pants, and I my panties, and when we had calmed down, and were clothed again, we started laughing like hyenas yet again.
"You, Edward Cullen, will be the death of me."
"Maybe, but what a sweet death it would be. Come on gorgeous, we still have some time before the Museum opens." I took his hand, and with all the dignity I could muster, walked out of the bathroom, back straight, head held high.
He took me to the third floor, where the Asian collection was held. We walked through halls of Buddha's, bits of ancient temples; amazing hand painted scrolls, and beautifully embroidered clothing.
When we reached the end of one of the halls, he took my hand and said "this is my favorite place. When I was a kid, right after Esme and Carlisle adopted me, I was completely anti-social and withdrawn. I hardly ever spoke. I was glad that Alice and I were out of the orphanage, but I didn't know how to be a family, how to interact with others well."
"You? Never," I said sarcastically.
He chuckled. "Anyway, since Alice always had dance classes and play dates, Esme would take me here, to the MET. She said the art spoke loudly enough. We would just wander through the halls for hours, not speaking at all, just looking and taking everything in. I slowly came out of my shell in this place. One day, we found ourselves right in front of this archway. Neither of us had ever been to this part of the Museum, it was practically deserted."
We were standing in front of a circular archway, ahead of me I saw a Bamboo walkway, but that was it. When we walked in, I was immediately transported someplace else. We were standing in a Japanese courtyard. There was a little Koi Pond to my left with a small waterfall and a bench, the bamboo walkway to my right and ahead of me was a sitting room, complete with floor cushions and wooden sandals. The sun was shinning through the glass windows in the ceiling. It was so serene, so quiet.
"Edward, it's lovely."
"I was hoping you'd like it."
He led me to the bench by the Koi Pond. There was a small gold plaque on the bench which read:
Donated by Dr. & Mrs. Carlisle Cullen
I looked at Edward, "this would be your Dr. and Mrs. Carlisle Cullen, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, it would. Sit with me?" I sat next to him, and put my head on his shoulder. "Esme and I would sit here, in silence until I started speaking. She would never push me. Slowly but surely, I just started talking. I would talk about school, about my birth parents, about whatever little girl I had a crush on - she would sit and listen. On my 10th birthday, Esme brought me here; this bench was their birthday gift to me."
"Edward, that's so sweet."
I was moved, I really was, but it wasn't his story that made me start to cry. I was falling for Edward Cullen and quickly. It wasn't possible though, was it? We had only ever seen each other 3 times, and we were still on our one and only date. I couldn't be right? But I was. I didn't know what that meant, or even if I was ready for it, but there it was there, a heavy tug in my chest that I couldn't ignore. He took my face in my hands, and wiped a tear away with his thumb.
"Don't cry."
Something inside me started churning. The churning made its way up my body until it reached my mouth. I was the only reason I could think of that I was brave enough to say, "I think I'm falling in love with you, and I'm terrified."
"I think I'm falling in love with you too, and don't be scared angel, I won't hurt you again."
I wanted so badly to believe him, but someone had told me that before. And speaking of that someone, what would I tell Edward about James anyway? Should I even tell him at all? I needed to talk to Jackie, badly, but for right now, the only place in the world I wanted to be was on Edward's bench, next to the Koi Pond.
