Edward's POV:
Nicki has one of the most complex minds I've ever read. She truly believes everything she says and despite her thought "He didn't get it!"
I got the message loud and clear. I was just so overwhelmed and trying to sort through everything that had been spoken in the last five minutes. My super-fied brain got stuck what she said about vampires surviving the flood and having souls. It's making me question everything that I've thought or believed in. So here I stood…
In my house, facing the wooden cross hanging in the hallway that Carlisle's father carved. Bella and Alice should be back from shopping any time now. Downstairs I can hear Rosalie's excited thoughts "Bravo Nicki!" then out loud,
"Hey Emmett,"
"Yeah Rosie?"
"You and Jasper owe me $20!" she sang, "She broke him, just like I told you she would."
I heard the front door open and close with a bang followed by Alice's squeal of joy. She blurred up the stairs, coming to stand in front of me while practically jumping up and down
"Did you do it? Did you talk to her? Did you reach a truce? When is she coming over?!"
"Alice, please give Edward a chance to breathe. I want to hear this too!" said my Bella as she marched up the stairs to join us. I didn't know what to say or do. Both my angel and my sister looked at me with such hope and anticipation in their eyes.
"What's wrong? What happened?" asked Bella, I guess I didn't do a good job with my expressions hiding my thoughts.
"What did you do now, idiot?" Alice sighed.
"Alice…" I began, "Nicki agreed to come over as long as I kept her conditions"
"More conditions?" asked Bella in disbelief. "What now?"
"I have to: Number One- Respect her privacy. Number Two- Let her be herself = don't try to change her. And finally Number Three- Don't order her around."
The two girls blinked in surprise while a laughing riot erupted downstairs from my other siblings.
"So really, how did it go with Nicki?" asked Bella that evening when we were alone in my bedroom. "I take it from what you said earlier, she has yet to succumb to your charms. Which is unbelievable in my opinion" she said, touching my arm flirtatiously. "For any - mortal to resist you" She added, trying to make me smile. I think she would've said "anyone" but then Rosalie came to mind. "Come on, I haven't seen you smile today since school. Was talking to Nicki really that bad?"
I didn't respond. Bella shook her head, "My cousin's an idiot"
"No Bella!" I said, jumping off the bed.
"I'm the idiot. Nicki is beautiful and smart. Smarter than me, I swear. Even with my hundred years of "experience."
Bella just sat there with her mouth open for a minute, "What?"
"Bella…" I said taking her hands in mine and getting down on my knees. "Love, I am not perfect"
she blinked in confusion, "What do you mean? Yes you are, you're perfect to me".
"Bella…I've spent my entire life both as a human and vampire seeing the world through rose tainted glasses. But today was a revelation, Nicki punched through the lenses. Took a sludge hammer to the frames and bulldozed the remains into the ground."
"What? Explain to me."
"Bella… I grew up privileged, with everything I could ever need or want due to my dad's job as a lawyer. I never suffered through hard times until the Spanish influenza. Then after I joined Carlisle, I never had to worry. I was taken care of. I've never had to scrap for even the most basic needs. So I absolutely have no right putting "Humanity" up on a pedestal like I've been doing…" taking an unnecessary breath, "Bella, Love… I also want to apologize again for leaving you last September"
"Oh Edward-"
"Please let me say this:
You were right, you should have had a say in it. I thought I was leaving to protect you and give you a chance at a "normal" happy life. But I was wrong… I wasn't giving you a chance, I was forcing you. I took away your free will to choose. I've learn that that is something no one has the right to do. Also the word "normal" applies to what serves an individual, not a whole group. I guess decade after decade of reading adolescent minds for six hours a day, five days a week. It all started to mesh together and I just assumed that's how it was. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not going to let this thing with Jacob Black put a wall between us. So I'm trusting your judgement"
Bella was flabbergasted. "Th- thank You Edward… Wow! If Nicki was able to help you come to that conclusion? I guess she not that much of a snob."
"Again with the assuming Bella, I don't know her story but Nicki's not a wide eyed innocent doe. It's clear she has a past and not a good one. Like Jasper, she has scars but hers are more mental. I do know she spent time in Jail and that's where she learned her "wisdom."
Bella blinked, "Really? She's never said anything to me"
I shrugged. "Nicki likes her privacy, or so I've learned the hard way. When she's ready, she'll let you in…"
Nicki's POV:
It had been almost two days since the Hair Gel verbal beat down. Bella hadn't been home either, pixie Alice kidnapped her for a sleep over. It was actually kind of strange to be without what is considered "Normal" here. I also found myself without Seth these days. Apparently the red-headed vampire that has been stocking these parts was in revenge mode. Surprise, surprise, she was after Bella cause Edward killed her mate.
Big Time No No! You do not mess with someone's mate.
But apparently the Doofus had brought it on himself for going after Bella in the first place. Oh what a tangled web we weave! Then to top it off! Sometime when nobody was home, an unknown vampire had broken in to the house and stole a shirt belonging to said cousin. Jacob was able to pick up his scent and so both he and Seth along with the rest of the pack are doing double runs. Seth…
Though he and I talk on the phone every day, it's not the same as in person. The last time we were physically together in the same space was the night of the bonfire where Billy and the elders shared the tribal legends with the pack, their imprints and Bella! She and I had to leave though shortly after. I leaned up against Seth, relaxing comfortably. Our hands intertwined. La Push and its people had become my safe haven. Jacob drove us to the treaty line, Bella asleep in the front and I stretched out in the back (once I removed my lower "legs.") We were there before I knew it. My Cousin after she woke up and Jake explained everything, ran to Edward who was waiting on his side. It took me a minute with Jacob's help to reattach before I too reluctantly headed in that direction.
Once I crossed over then came the surprise! Hair Gel himself approached and politely offered to carry me. I respectfully declined, I needed to save whatever dignity I had left but I would take his arm if he was offering. So there we were… the vampire walking slowly alongside me to the car as I clutched him for balance. It had been an off day anyway and I wasn't doing so good. I got to say it sure felt nice to have him helping this time. Maybe there's a gentleman in there after all…
So here I am alone in an empty house. Normally I wouldn't mind that but today I feel… what's the word…? Lonely. Maybe it would do me good to get out for a while. I think I'll take a walk…
Grabbing my backpack, I started on my usual route but something keeps telling me to go this way… Oh Geez! Where am I? Standing in the Cullens driveway. They've got the upstairs window open, I can hear Alice:
"Just a little more blush Bella and we're almost done"
I couldn't help but chuckle "Alice, if you haven't turned her into a silk purse yet? Chances are you are never gonna!"
"Nicki?!"
Oh shit she heard me! Faster than I could turn to run she blurred out to the balcony. "What are you doing here?" she asked excitedly,
"Just a… taking a walk"
"Well come on in! Bella's waiting for you upstairs!"
I smile nervously backing up, "Thanks but I got to go, it's getting dark soon"
"Nice try, Nicki" I hear a voice behind me before finding myself engulfed in Emmett's arms. The voice belonging to his accomplice, Jasper. "Nicki – roo! You holding out on us? Now that certainly won't do!"
The next moment I can comprehend, I'm plopped down on the Cullen's couch in the middle of their living room.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to bring livestock into the house?" I said pulling out a G. I. Joe figurine from the pillow behind my back.
"Emmett" came Alice's voice, "I need your help to reach the big box on the ladder in the closet. Jasper can watch her till you get back"
He nodded, leaving Jasper to his own devices. I looked between him and the distance to the front door. "Don't even think about it Nicki" he warned. He could take me, I saw it in his eyes.
Suddenly my eyes caught sight of an object in the corner, a piano.
True it wasn't a guitar but a piano was the first instrument I learned to play. Wordlessly as if in a trance I got up off the couch and was transported back in time.
When I told Rosalie of my past, I said that I didn't have any stability which was true to a point. My most stable years were spent in the house I'd lived in from the time I was 9 ½ to twelve. That's where I was now…
Abigail's standing by the bench. Smiling warmly, beckons me to come and practice.
"I have a surprise for you today, dear" she says. She bought me a medley book of sheets listing Disney music. I sit as my hands feebly find the keys and I start to play "Part of Your World". As I play I am somewhere between the past and the now. I dedicate this song as a love letter to trusty ol' legs, May they rest in peace.
Once that song ends, I find myself swept away into the unknown as I think of Bella and Edward and "A Whole New World" pops into my head. Bella…. That thought alone brings me to deal with my own goal and its journey. "Go the Distance"
I find myself using Disney to express my thoughts and I don't mind. Then I start to think of Seth and my beloved pack and "Colors of the Wind" comes out of my fingertips. My thoughts turn back to Abigail as I play my heart out lost in her memory. Taking a break from Disney, I start "River flows in You" by Yiruma as I go over our shared motherly moments when I needed her the most. I start to ache when I think of how it all ended and my promise "My Heart Will Go On". Not wanting to dwell in sadness I go into the song I learned when I found my faith "You Raise Me Up" and once more into Disney with "Circle of Life" The final song that comes to mind is one I haven't heard before but it could be Disney-like. It definitely fits me. I start singing as I play.
After I sing the last line I hear Emmett remark "That's just fine kiddo! The cold never bothered me either, we can go out and play in the snow anytime you want!"
"Emmett!" Rosalie scolds, elbowing him. I spin around on the bench fully aware of where I am and what I've been doing. The entire family plus Bella are all reclined on the sofa watching me!
"How long have you guys been sitting there?"
"Oh! Ever since you started playing the first notes on my piano" answered Edward, Bella curled up on his lap.
Starting to panic I said, "Oh Edward! I am so sorry! I had no idea it was yours. I wasn't myself!" …At least my present self, I finished in my head. "I -!"
"Nicki! Nicki, calm down. It's okay, I understand. Mind reader remember?"
I breathed a sigh of relief, somehow I knew that he wouldn't reveal anything private without my permission. For he remembered our little talk and was respecting my wishes. "Anyway regardless, you have quite the musical talent. Have you ever tried to play something classical?"
I grimaced, "On my last attempt, Beethoven's Fifth turned into Beethoven's 4 ½." They all laughed.