Disclaimer: I still do not own Twilight.

Chapter 10

Bella

Recap:

He leaned in once more, cautiously, about to plant another kiss on my lips. I smiled, leaning in closer to him as well, and making him smile in turn.

But like all moments, this one had to be broken.

Just as our lips touched, the lights switched on, and we heard a surprised gasp come from the doorway.

I was scrambling off of Edward and putting ten feet between our bodies before I could even process the entire situation. My embarrassment level had hit the roof, making my cheeks turn the reddest they'd ever heated up to, within the span of my entire life.

Edward stayed, unmoving in his spot, looking slightly less mortified than I was, with wide green eyes and a set jaw. He temporarily distracted me from the matter at hand, almost - almost - making me smile at how adorably frustrated he looked right then and there.

"Mom," Edward greeted, sounding as if he was choking.

I snapped out of my reverie, blinking, and immediately slipping back into reality after hearing that one word.

Yes, that was correct. Edward's mother had walked in on me and her son getting up-close and personal on her couch.

Kill me.

I opened my mouth with the intention of saying something, before closing it after realizing that I would probably embarrass myself further by speaking.

I couldn't believe that this was happening. Not only was I feeling incredibly flustered, but I imagined that Mrs. Cullen was right there in the same boat. I mean, imagine coming home after a day of meetings only to find your teenaged son cuddled up with some random girl on a couch that you must've hand-selected just a few months before. Well I wasn't exactly random, I'd been introduced a few times prior as her daughter's best friend. But still.

An awkward silence passed, thereby increasing the tension in the room. I was pretty sure that it was so strong by now, that it was tangible. I was almost finding it hard to breathe, looking down at my feet, and basically anywhere but at Edward's mom.

Unfortunately, I couldn't keep avoiding her face. And I kind of had to admit that it was killing me not knowing what her reaction to this entire situation was.

Admittedly, I was seriously expecting her to be sporting a protective motherly glare directed towards me. However, I was thoroughly surprised when I saw her fighting back a smile as she looked from Edward to me.

Even though we'd met before, considering the situation, I was truly expecting a little more hostility from her.

Mrs. Cullen, or Esme as she preferred to be called, had been a renowned interior designer in Alaska, and was not too far from achieving that same title here in Chicago. She had a round face and amber eyes, which complimented her caramel-coloured hair. She was currently decked out in a pants suit, looking put-together as always, and still wearing a pleased smile on her face despite the circumstances.

I had only met her a few times, but on each occasion, she had been nothing but warm and hospitable. She was just one of those mothers who showered everyone with love and affection, no matter what.

"I finished work early, so I figured I'd come home and start dinner," she explained to Edward, before continuing.

My cheeks had slowly been returning to their normal colour after realizing that she wasn't breaching the subject of me and Edward, like I'd thought.

Obviously, I had spoken too soon with that assumption.

"So, you two are –" as Esme motioned between the two of us, my horror returned once more in full force. As much as Esme was a wonderful person and just like her daughter, an incredibly easy person to talk to, I really didn't want to discuss whatever it was that was going on between me and her son. Mainly because I didn't even know what we were as yet. We weren't a couple, but we weren't just friends.

Noticing my reluctance to answer, Edward cut his mom off by clearing his throat, flashing her a look that said "Not the time, Mom." Then he ran his hands through his hair as he looked towards me apologetically. I found it in me to smile at the gesture, ever so slightly.

"Well regardless, it's lovely seeing you again, Bella. Will you be joining us for dinner?" Esme wore a grin so bright that it was blinding, making it fairly difficult for me to decline. I had a pretty valid excuse, though.

"I, actually, should be getting back home. I told my parents that I'd be back by two, and that was an hour ago," I joked lightly, as Esme nodded in understanding, allowing her disappointment to show.

"Thank you so much for the offer though. I wish I could stay," I did a half-smile, truly apologetic especially after noting how deflated my answer had made her.

But Esme brushed the matter off with a good-natured smile, "You're welcome, dear. Tell your parents I said 'hello'," she said, walking towards me and drawing me in for a small hug.

Like I'd stated before, her whole presence radiated motherly affection, so even her hugs were comfort-filled. I smiled, hugging her back, "Will do. Thanks again."

Esme smiled once more to me and Edward, giving us both odd looks which I didn't exactly know the meaning of. Then, she walked back into the kitchen.

I turned to face Edward, who was already standing to walk towards me. "I'm really sorry about that," he apologized, his green orbs burning into mine, nothing but pure sincerity in them. He'd taken both of my hands in his, as I interlaced my fingers with his, smiling up at him.

"It's okay. I really did have to get back. It wasn't just some lame excuse," I smiled, reassuring him and reaching up to kiss him on the cheek.

He wasn't having that though – just as I was about to press my lips against the side of his face, he turned, planting a sweet kiss on my lips. I sighed into it, not complaining at all for the surprising change, loving the feel of his lips on mine more than anything.

He leaned his forehead against mine when we broke apart, squeezing my hand, "I'll see you before school tomorrow?" My smile at his question practically lit my face up like a Christmas tree, and I think he realized.

"Definitely," I grinned, making him smile in turn.

He walked with me back to my Audi, opening and closing my door for me, before stepping back and waving as I pulled out of the driveway.

I sighed, unable to stop myself from thinking about how amazing today had been. Apart from the situation with his mom towards the end, I was more delighted than anything to have gotten the chance to spend that time with Edward.

It made me feel closer to him; like I knew him just a little bit more.

Edward

I watched as Bella's car slipped out of the driveway and onto the street, before I retuned inside with a heavy sigh.

Was it weird that I already kind of missed her?

I knew it was too soon to ask her to be my girlfriend, but it was seemingly breaking me to know that I couldn't have that assurance of exclusivity with her. All I wanted was her.

I guess I'd have to wait it out until it was the right time to be making that kind of commitment. Not for me, but for her. I knew that she had feelings for me, but I wasn't sure to what depth. Even though I'd been reassured today that Bella wanted a relationship soon enough, and this wasn't just a one-time thing to her either, I still didn't know when would be the right time to ask her to be my girlfriend.

I walked into the kitchen, planning on getting some orange juice to drink before heading up to my room, but of course, I was intercepted by my mom. "So?!" she said, looking at me expectantly as she began cutting up some onions for the pasta she was in the process of making.

I shrugged, trying to act casual, but she saw right through it. "How long has this been going on? And why didn't you tell me?" my mom looked hurt that I hadn't let her in on this whole dating-thing, and I began rushing to explain the circumstances.

"Honestly, it's only been two days, counting today. We met this week, and then we went out on a date last night, while you and dad were at that conference in the city. I didn't tell you anything, because we're not really exclusive. Yet," I said, pouring myself the glass of orange juice and sipping on it while I waited for her reaction.

She nodded, "Well, you two could've fooled me, the way you were both, you know –" I cut her off before she could say anything more, already getting embarrassed beyond belief at her insinuation. I sat down at the kitchen table, watching my mom cook. I'd offered my help countless times before, but I knew by now that she preferred to work alone in the kitchen. It was her thing.

"You really like her, don't you?" my mom's tone took on a more serious note as she gazed towards me. I didn't even have to think twice before I nodded, unconsciously letting my mind wander back to Bella just at the mention of her. I hadn't realized that I was smiling, until my mom pointed it out, "I remember that look."

I raised my eyebrows, looking back towards my mom as she smiled, "It was the same look that always seemed to be plastered across my face when I first started dating your father. Every time someone even mentioned his name, I got all dazed." It made me smile hearing her compare my father's and her relationship, to mine and Bella's. It gave me hope that there was a possibility we could be as long-lasting as them.

"I've never felt this way about anyone else. It's so crazy, but when I'm with her, I feel like things are finally… right. She amazes me with everything that she does," I smiled, thinking about Bella once more and all the things she'd said and done in the past few days.

My mom broke me out of my reverie, "I'm glad it's her, for the record. She's such a wonderful person, and she seems to really be making you happy." I smiled, nodding in agreement. I was grateful that my mom approved of Bella, and spoke so highly of her.

After a few minutes of casual talking, I decided to go upstairs and play some Call of Duty while waiting for the food to be ready. But of course, as soon as I turned on the PlayStation, I was much too distracted by the occurrences of the day to focus on the game itself. I shut the power off, sitting for a few minutes in silence.

I was having a hard time thinking of what I could possibly do at this moment, until it seemed that the heavens opened up as an idea popped up into my head. Suddenly, my feet began moving on their own accord, before I could even comprehend where they were taking me. I walked up another flight of stairs, landing on the third floor which contained three rooms: the game room, a guest bedroom, and last but not least, the music room.

I opened the door containing shelves of different genres of sheet music surrounding a select few instruments which my family enjoyed playing. But my eyes weren't searching for just any instrument. As soon as I entered that room, my eyes settled on a sleek-black grand piano which I'd gotten for my tenth birthday.

I took a deep breath, sitting on the bench of the piano, which had been untouched since I'd moved to Chicago – not because I didn't enjoy playing anymore, but mostly because I hadn't had any inspiration - until now.

I picked up the purple cloth which acted as a shield to protect the keys from collecting dust, setting it aside, before placing my fingers on the white keys. Then, I allowed myself to think of one thing, and one thing alone, and before I knew it, my fingers were gliding across the keys. It was as if I'd never stopped playing.

I kept her image in my mind as I finally let out everything that I'd been feeling. The composition started off happy and giddy, describing how I felt when I first met her. Then the tone became soothing yet intriguing, describing how I felt when I began to get to know Bella. It continued in a calming, smiling mood as I began to describe her with the music.

Finally, it turned mysterious and wondering, closing in on how I felt right now.

I knew that the piece wasn't finished. Not yet. It probably never would truly be finished.

But for now, it described her, and everything that I knew and felt about her.

I played a few more notes, making the piece drift off into nothingness, smiling softly, before replacing the cloth on the keys and shutting the piano.

I hoped I'd be able to play it for Bella one day.

I sighed once more, getting up, and returning to my room. I only had to wait a few more minutes until my mom called me down for dinner.

My dad, Carlisle, and Alice had arrived home, so we all ate at the dining room table in silence. I didn't mind though. It was comfortable. That thought made me smile a little, because that's how it felt every time a silence passed between me and Bella.

I had to resist the urge to shake my head at my train of thought.

I was really falling for her, hard. And there was no going back now.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed!

Xoxo

LoveACullen