Me: Hello my dear readers!
Alfred: Our dear readers…
Me: Whatever makes you sleep at night…
Alfred: I could say the same for you.
*Edward walking up*E: Can you guys just please get one with it; I would like to know what happens in my life.
Me: Sorry Ed, we'll get right on it.
Alfred: Yeah, but can I just say you are kinda stupid?
Me: *smacking Alfred* Be nice!
Edward: Well it's not my fault! You're the guys that wrote me!
Alfred: Ya know Musica, he has a point…
Me: I know, I know. Get back into the story Edward so we can get on with this thing.
Alfred: Do your disclaimer.
Me: I do not own Twilight or any of the Twilight characters.
Alfred: Thank you all so much for reviewing and showing your support.
Me: And for all the alerts and favorites! You guys are amazing.
Alfred: Now! On with the story!
Music of the Heart
Chapter 8
BPOV
I was standing in front of a big, no huge house. It was Rose and Em's dream house actually, one that they had driven by for years, always saying that if they had the money they would buy it. I offered many times, but they would never take my money. I had even made offers behind their back, but the relater that I talked to always said that the owners were not interested in selling.
I could understand why, the house was just outside of town with a long paved driveway. On either sides of the road there was big stretches of grass that was the perfect length with white farm fence lining it. Everything was centered as you drove up. Large trees stood on either side of it, with the house itself right in the center. It was made of brick all but the four large columns. Most of it was two stories but it had two 'wings' that were only one story. The windows had white wash window panes, and two of them – one on each end – had flower boxes. It was set on an old southern style plantation mansion, with massive fields in the back that had been turned into orchards, and a small pond that had been dug out.
Even though most people passed this house from a distance to get to north of Memphis, I had never had a closer look at it because it was privet land and no one really knew who owned it.
A call that morning told me who did though. It was 10:30am on my day off and I was, of course, sleeping in. I was having a wonderful dream about monkeys bringing Tom Felton to my apartment and him falling madly in love with me, when one of the monkeys opened its mouth and 'If Everyone Cared' by Nickleback came out. Turns out it was actually my phone wheedling its way into my dream. I slapped around on my nightstand for my the annoying device and answered it with a 'perky', "'Lo"
"Ms. Swan?" I heard on the other end.
I shook my head to wake myself up. "Yes, this is she." I sat up and ran my hand through my hair.
"This is Mrs. Cullen, you know my daughter from St. Jude's, and my husband, and well my son too I guess." She laughed softly.
"Oh yes, hi Mrs. Cullen. What can I do for you?"
"Well I'm sorry to bother you, but as you probably know they moved Abigail this past week and she is now back at home."
"That's wonderful. And how has she been doing?" I asked.
"I believe better, but she doesn't have a session today, and Edward needed to go into work, and Jasper has been busy. I'm afraid she's getting quite sick of me, and I was wondering if it would be too much trouble for you to come and see her?" Mrs. Cullen asked me hesitantly.
Her old southern accent was so prim that I knew she had to be from farther south. Her manner was also very sweet and proper. I shoved these thoughts aside, realizing that she was waiting for my answer.
"Of course, you caught me on my day off I would love to drop by." I told her.
"Oh wonderful." And with that she gave me the address. I didn't realize till I neared the house that I knew where the house was, or that the Cullens had more money than I thought.
So there I was, standing in front of the huge, beautiful, house trying to convince myself that there was no reason to be nervous. With a deep breath I pushed the doorbell and waited as patently as I could manage.
Not even 30 seconds later an average height woman with shoulder length honey hair and sparkling green eyes opened the door. She wasn't fat by any means but she wasn't skinny either. She had a softer, 'I've had kids' look about her. Her smile was gentle and it lit up her entire manner.
"Hello, you must be Ms. Swan?" She asked.
I nodded with a smile of my own. "Yes, but please call me Bella."
She nodded and stepped to the side so I could walk in the door. "Well you are a Southern Bell, just like your name." She told me with a wink.
I laughed lightly. "Thank you." I looked around the large high ceiling room in awe before turning back to Mrs. Cullen. "You have a beautiful home. I must tell you that I've admired it from afar for a very long time."
The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside. The floors looked to be cherry hard wood; the walls were white and led to high ceilings. A little off to the side of the room was a spiral stair case and looking up you could see that the banister that was on the stairs continued up and around the floor that separated the first and second floor. There were old classic paintings on the walls. All southern and probably as old as the house.
"Why thank you. I love it. It's been home for many years." She looked around with a smile before turning back to me. "Can I get you anything to drink? You must have had a long drive."
I shook my head. "No, but thank you." I told her.
"I told Abigail that you would be coming, so let's go up to her room shall we?"
I nodded and fallowed her up the stair case. As the top we walked to the left and down the hall way to a large white door. Mrs. Cullen knocked softly twice.
"Honey, it's me, can I come in? Our guest has arrived."
There was a soft yes from the other end. Mrs. Cullen smiled at me and opened the door. The room wasn't all pink and sparkly like most 11 year olds room would be, but more consistent with Abby's love of music. The walls were a soft peach with seemingly iron music notes hanging on them. There was carpet in this room, which was a darker version of the walls. Abby's bed was four posts with glossy which paint covering it. The bed spread was a sheet of music, with a name A Lullaby printed at the top and then piano notes covering the rest. Since her room was at the end of the second floor she had two large windows and a window seat in the form of an L with a few pillows.
This was where Abby was sitting, a book in her lap. She looked a little better since last I saw her.
I smiled and waved a little. "Hey girly." I said.
She gave me a small smile in return. "Hi."
"Well I'll just leave you girls alone." Mrs. Cullen said and walked out the door, shutting it behind her.
I glanced around the room again, "I love your room. I definitely approve of the music notes." I said and winked.
Abby laughed. Yes, she laughed. I had to fight to keep the sigh of relief in my body. My eye caught a brown case in the corner.
"Nice!" I said walking over and picking up the guitar. "Do you play?" I asked, not remembering if she had told me and I forgot.
"No, Edward got that for me right before- well, anyway I never took lessons." She said.
I grinned. "You want to sing something with me?" I asked.
A spark came into Abby's eyes that I only saw when we were talking about music. "Yeah! That'd be awesome." She put her book to the side and sat up straighter as I got the guitar out of its case and sat down.
It was a gorgeous instrument. Gibson, made out of lighter wood with engraved with light swirls with steal strings. I ran my fingers over the glossy wood and smiled. My first guitar was also a Gibson and it was my most prized possession for all my teenage years.
"Edward has good taste," I said as I grabbed the pick that was in the bottom of the case.
*MOTH*
We played every song that came to mind that we knew. It started out with oldies, Summer Of 69 and Sweet Home Alabama, and the changed to some rock and other genres and the next thing I knew I was picking out Follow Me by Uncle Kracker.
I bobbed my head and I picked out the first couple of chords, hitting the guitar with every beat as Abby clapped with a smile as we goofed off. (AN: I suggest listening to the song while reading this part, but I cut the song short for them singing.)
You don't know how you met me
You don't know why,
You can't turn around and say good-by
All you know is when I'm with you I make you free
And swim through your veins like a fish in the sea
I'm singing
Abby laughed as she continued to clap and joined me for the chores.
Follow me, and
Everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you want to leave
I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me
We both had ridicules grins on our faces by this point in the song and Abby was snapping her fingers instead of clapping bobbing her head back and forth dancing. I joined her.
I'm not worried 'bout the ring you wear
cuzz as long as no one knows
Then nobody can care
I sang, strumming out the chords and dancing in my seat. I was quiet and let Abby take the next verse.
Your feelin guilty
And I'm well aware
But you don't look ashamed
And baby I'm not scared
I'm singing
We both continued on the chores with grins and laughs in our singing.
Follow me, and
Everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you want to leave
I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me
I did a short solo pretending to jam out as Abby danced and clapped with a fake serious face. We sang together for the last part of the song.
Won't give you money
I can't give you the sky
you're better off if you don't ask why
I'm not the reason that you go astray and
We'll be alright if you don't ask me to stay
Follow me, and
Everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you want to leave
I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me
I gave Abby the last verse and she belted in perfect key.
You don't know how you met me
You don't know why,
You can't turn around and say good-bye
All you know is when I'm with you I make you free
And swim through your veins like a fish in the sea
I'm singing
We sang the last chores together and I harmonized that last part.
Follow me, and
Everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you want to leave
I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me
I strummed hard on the last chord and we both ginned for a moment before laughing hysterically. Mixed with our laughter was applause. We both turned to see three men standing in the door way grinning at us. In the center was Dr. Cullen with a small camcorder, the red light flashing keying us in that he was recording. To his right was Jasper leaning against the door frame, and to his left was none other than Edward. All their eyes were twinkling as Edward and Jasper applauded.
I didn't want Abby to get embarrassed so I did a quick bow. "Thank you! Thank you! We're here all night." I said with a laughed. Abby laughed with us.
"And we take cash tips." She said sweetly. Shaking my head with a smile I got up and put the guitar back in its case.
"It's nice to see you all." I told them. By this point Dr. Cullen had put down the video camera and was smiling at Abby, as was Jasper, but Edward was looking at me. My words turned all their attention to me though. I nodded to each. "Dr. Cullen, Jasper, Edward."
"It's nice to see you also Ms. Swan, but please call me Carlisle. I just feel old when people call me Doctor in my own home. I swear one of these days I'm going to forget my own name." He said rolling his eyes.
The stern doctor had made a joke! I never thought I'd see the day. "Well then you must call me Bella."
"Of course. We just came up to get Abby for dinner." The statement shocked me and I looked at my watch to see that it was 5pm already.
"Oh wow, I've over stayed my welcome." I said putting the case back in the corner and then walking towards Abby to give her a huge goodbye.
"Nonsense. If they threw out people that over stayed their welcome I woulda' been gone a long time ago." Jasper drawled. "Besides Mrs. C told us to ask you to stay for dinner, she already has a place set."
I laughed but shook my head. "No, I really don't want to intrude." I said.
"Bella Honey, that came out as a question, but you're staying and that's the end of it. Plus I need some dirt on Alice. That girl doesn't give away squat." Jasper said shaking his head.
"Really Bella you should stay, we always have more than enough." Carlisle said.
"Please Bella." Abby asked. "Mom and I don't stand a chance with all these goons around the table."
Edward and Jasper put on fake hurt expressions. "Well I never." Jasper said in a high pitched voice while Edward put his hand to his heart. "And to think that this goon was going to give you a ride down to the table."
Abby sighed but she was smiling. "Well I guess if you really want to give me a ride down…"
Jasper smiled and jumped over to her. "Get on Sweet Pea." He told her as he crouched in front of the window seat. Abby slowly stood on the seat and grabbed hold of Jaspers neck.
"Forward!" She declared in a deep voice and pointed.
"As you wish." Jasper told her.
"Looks like you got yourself a Wesley there, Abbs." I told her laughing.
"Please, I am way hotter than that guy." Jasper scoffed. We all laughed and fallowed them down the incredibly large stairway. We walked past the front door and to the left. The whole house was very open, and even though the square footage was probably huge, the number of actual rooms didn't look to be. There was a living room on the way to-, well wherever we were going. I didn't get to look at it good but it was roomy with a set of off white furniture and a flat screen TV. This room led directly into a large kitchen with an island in the middle, the counter tops were pearl and gray granite with stainless steel appliances that all looked like they had a place. There were pots on the stove all steaming and the aroma that filled the room was mouth watering. I hadn't eaten anything since the quick granola bar on the way over here at maybe 1ish. Mrs. Cullen was hovering about checking on this and that when she spotted us.
"Thank you for the music Bella, Abby. It made my work go by much quicker." Mrs. Cullen said with a big smile. With anyone else it would sound like teasing, but her voice said that she really meant it.
"You're welcome. We had fun doing it." I looked over at Abby with a smile.
Abby blushed and burred her face into Jasper's shoulder.
"Well Bella can I get you anything to drink. We have water, milk, soda, wine, beer?" He asked.
"I'll take a beer." I said with a smile.
"Flat Tire okay?" He asked. I nodded as he grabbed one from the fridge, and got everyone else drinks too.
"Edward, we're just about ready here. Why don't you take Abby, Jasper, and Bella out to the patio?" Mrs. Cullen asked.
"Sure Mom." He picked up Abby who had been sitting on a bar stool drinking water. He led us out a sliding door to a rather large cover porch. It had a large circular table in the center with screened walls all way wrapping around the corner. It was decorated with a solid carpet and soft green walls. But what I was most taken with was the amazing view. The sky was blue still with a couple of lazy clouds floating around. Down from that was green land. Scattered on it was a barn in the distance, which had a couple of trees surrounding it. One held what looked like a tree house and swing. Words didn't even enter my mind as I look. It was incredible.
"Yeah, that was my reaction when I first saw it and I was 8." Jasper told me as he sat down. I took a seat next to him just as Mrs. Cullen and Carlisle came out with the food. The aroma of pork chops, corn on the cob, wild rice, and steamed broccoli filled the air and my stomach growled.
"This looks amazing Mrs. Cullen." I said with a smile. She took the seat next me. "Why thank you, but call me Esme. Mrs. Cullen is my mother in law and lord knows I don't want to be her."
Carlisle chuckled. "Shall we pray?" He asked. We all took each other's hand as he said a short prayer. "Dear Lord, thank you so much for this day and the blessings you give us. For helping our Abby get better. We also thank you for this wonderful food and the family that surrounds us, old and new." Everyone looked up and smiled at me; I blushed and tucked my chin. "Amen." He said and we all repeated. My family wasn't terribly religious, but my grandparents had been and I missed the familiarly of it.
"Dig in guys." Esme said.
The meal was excellent as was the conversation; it flowed easily. About halfway through the meal Esme turned her attention to me.
"You must work a busy schedule, how do you have time for relationships?" She asked. It was a cloaked question but the intent was clear; she wanted to know if I had a boyfriend.
I smiled at her effort. "Relationships are very important to me so I make time. Just as I'm sure Dr.- I mean Carlisle does. I keep in touch with my parents and have a great group of friends." I told her skirting around the question.
"So, uh, no boyfriend then?" She asked.
I laughed and winked at Abby. "No boy is worth the time or frustration." I looked at Edward across from me and saw that he was, relieved? I raised one of my eye brows at him in question but he just shook his head.
"Ah, I see. Not saying that it isn't true. But even with friends you must get lonely sometimes?" Esme prodded.
"Leave the poor girl alone Esme." Carlisle laughed.
"It was an innocent question. Someone as beautiful and kind as Bella shouldn't be lonely." Esme defend herself.
I laughed as I leaned back in my chair. "Thank you Esme. But I assure you that I'm fine. Like I said my friends are great, speaking of which did you know that Jasper is dating one of my best friends?" I asked like it was new gossip.
Edward rolled his eyes as did Abby. It was quite funny to see since they had the same color eyes and it was like a mired action. "Alice is all he ever talks about." Abby complained.
"She's right, all we ever hear is Alice this and Alice that, did you know that Alice did this?" Edward complained.
"Oh hush you two. I think it's great, it's about time someone grabbed that man." Esme said with a motherly smile.
Jasper's cheeks colored a little. "I don't think she's grabbed me yet. I don't know what's going on. Care to shed some light Bella?" He asked.
I laughed. "Who ever knows what's going on with Alice? She does her own thing. But even if I did know, 'sisters before misters'." I told him with a smirk.
Abby busted out laughing. "Jasper you just got told!"
"Whatever Abby." He grumbled.
"Bella I'm intrigued now. Tell us more about your friends." Carlisle asked.
"Well let's see. There's Alice of course, she's full of energy and loves life. Hardly anyone can keep up with her, but she's an amazing person. She went to college for business and fashion and now ownes her own store and designes. Even though she's propabbly the busiest out of all of us, she seems to have the most time. Then there's Emmett. He's like the big brother to Alice and I. I went to high school with him. We actually attempted to date for a while, that didn't go so well." I laughed at the memory of Emmett trying to kiss me and me punching him in the gut.
"Why?" Edward asked speaking for one of the few times throughout the meal.
I shrugged. "He was more like a brother than a boyfriend." I took a drink of my beer before I continued. "He teaches science at a privet high school here in Tennessee and coaches their football team. We met his wife, Rosalie about seven years ago and it was love at first sight. They married two years later. Alice was friends with Rose and the time so that's how we all got together. Rose is well… I don't know how to explain her. She comes across as harsh and unfriendly, but she's really soft under all of that if you stick around enough to see it, and she's really protective. Like the momma bear over all of us. Which fits I guess because she's pregnant. Oh, and she owns a car body shop." I told them.
"They sound like lovely people. We'll have to meet them with Jasper so smitten with Alice." Esme said.
"I'm sure they'd love that."
We were all quiet for a moment, the sun was starting to go down and the way the light hit the clouds was breathtaking.
Esme stood. "While Carlisle and I clean up why don't you give Bella a tour Edward?" Esme asked. I was silently thrilled by this idea. I had kept my thoughts firmly planted on anything but Edward all dinner. The idea of walking around alone with him made my body fill with pleasant butterflies.
"Sure Mom." Edward said getting up.
"Are you sure you don't need help Esme?" I asked, my manners kicking in.
"Oh no Sweetie. You go ahead." She told me with a smile and a little mischief in her eyes.
I didn't have time to think about it because Edward had started to walk into the house. I picked up my plate and fallowed and saw him waiting for me to catch up in the kitchen. I went to put my plate in the sink, but dropped my fork. After I had bent to pick it up I turned around to see Edward in the same place. No one had fallowed us yet and when I made eye contact with the man in front of me I almost jumped by his eyes' intensity. He looked like I was the first female he'd ever seen and he planned on ravishing me right there. Not like I didn't want him too, but the expression was so different from what I had seen moments ago. What had changed?
Edward blinked a couple times and looked as if he was trying to clear his thoughts. The look was still there, but not as intense as it had been.
He cleared his throat and looked away from me. "Should we, uh, yeah. Um, on with the tour I guess…"
Me: Oohhhh! Edward is getting some intense hots for our Miss Bella!
Alfred: Yeah! I mean what could be going through that boys head?
Me: I think we'll find out next chapter… *evil grin*
Alfred: Yes! I love Edward chapters. You think a kiss in the next chapter too? Huh? Come on PLEASE!
Me: *tapping finger tips together* we'll see.
Alfred: *pout* Come on.
Me: I already told you the POV, calm down.
Alfred: Well it was a great chapter, finally meeting Mrs. C.
Me: Yeah, she'll pop up more I'm thinking. And it looks as though she has some plans of her own involving Edward and Miss B.
Alfred: That's going to be fun…
Me: You have no idea. Thank you all for reading! I hope you all liked it, and please tell me what you think or want.
Alfred: At this point we don't have chapters lined up so if you want something let us know and we might fit in. :D
Me: Review! Please! Reviews are like jamming out on a Gibson.
Alfred: God, Gibson's are sexy.
Me: *rolling eyes at Alfred* Until next time!
