Chapter 10
Author's Note: In response to a review I got, the whole imprinting thing is supposed to be that way. That was the basis for my story: What if imprinting happened to Vampires? This is the result of that *ahem* errant thought...
PLAYLIST
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Every Time We Touch (Yanou's Candlelight Mix) - Cascada
So Close - Jon McLaughlin
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
Isabella Swan
Now that Alice had mentioned breakfast, I was suddenly very hungry. I held on tightly to Edward as we walked down the stairs. I could never remember if there were 20 or 21 and always ended up tripping on the top or the bottom. ''Relax, Bella,'' he breathed. ''21 steps. Do you know what number we're on right now?''
''No,'' I whispered, terrified.
He laughed. ''Don't worry. I won't ever let you fall.''
The tone of his voice made me think that there was more behind the words than just what was said. Even so, I held on tighter to his rock hard skin.
After eating, we went back up all 21 stairs to Carlisle's office. Edward knocked.
''Come in,'' called the doctor's pleasant voice. ''How are you feeling this morning, Bella?'' he asked.
''Fine,'' I yawned. Tired, yes, but 100 percent great.
''Well, I just wanted to take a look at your eyes and see if they're doing all right yet. Come sit down on my table.''
With help from Edward, I climbed up onto the examination table and waited. Dr. Cullen's cool ahnds gently touched my face. ''Have you been experiencing any pain?'' he asked as he deftly unwrapped the bandaging.
''Not really. Just discomfort.''
''Hmm, ok, keep your eyes closed,'' he cautioned. He pulled of the last of the gauze and much as I wanted to test them, I knew it probably wasn't a great idea. He made a strange sound at the back of his throat.
''What is it?'' I asked.
''Well, there seems to be a small infection. I'll put some antibiotic on it and wrap it back up, It's going to be another few days before you're completely back to normal. You'll be ready to go back to school next week.''
Next week? It felt like I'd already been here an eternity... a very pleasant eternity, but an eternity nonetheless. I only had a week left and then I'd have to go back to school and pretend that Alice was a human and Edward... what would happen to us then? I hoped we would be together. I wanted to know everything there was to know about him.
My train of thought was interrupted by a stinging on my eyelids. I sucked in my breath in a hiss. ''Sorry,'' Carlisle murmured.
Edward squeezed my hand.
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After talking to Carlisle, everyone but Edward went away for two days to hunt. He would go another day. A few minutes after everyone had gone, Edward pulled me along behind him and sat me down on something hard. He sat beside me and then music filled the air. Now I understand. Hesitantly, I reached out. My fingers met piano keys. I didn't press down, though. I pulled my hand back and listened to him play.
It was soft and sweet. I recognized it was the one he'd played at that piano festival what seemed like years ago but had really only been a few months. I laid my head on his shoulder, lost in the music. The song changed to a differently melody but no less gentle. ''I wrote this one for you,'' he whispered into my hair.
''F-for me?'' I was at a loss for words. No one had ever written me a song. I felt him nod.
The next two days were very peaceful ones for me. The night everyone was due to return, Edward led me somewhere in the forest. When we reached our destination, wherever it was, I could smell flowers and grass and trees. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. ''Tell me everything you can about this place,'' he said quietly.
I thought for a moment. ''You're here with me.''
He laughed. ''Think a little farther out.''
''Ok... I can hear birds singing and maybe some bees nearby.''
''Good. Keep going.''
I sighed. Where was he going with this? I listened very hard. For a moment, it was as though my senses were infinitely heightened. ''The wind. I can hear it moving the trees and the grass. We are definitely sitting on grass, by the way. I can smell flowers and rotting wood.''
''You're better at this than some people,'' he said. ''I can hear the wind, too. It's singing.'' He set me down on the grass. We were side by side, two unseeing people who trusted each other so completely that sight was rendered unnescessary. He was leaning closer, I could feel it. Instinctively, I did the same.
''I can hear you breathe. I can hear your heart beating in your chest. Everything about you is so alive.''
I blushed.
''Your skin is heating up,'' he said, his breath just centimeters from my face.
Then our lips met ever so gently. I wrapped my arms around him, twisting my fingers into his hair. The cold of them didn't even bother me. His hands were around my waist, pulling me closer until we were so close that there was nothing between us but clothing. Then we were laying on the grass, no longer upright. My lips opened as his did, moving in harmony. It occurred to me that maybe we were moving too fast. Could vampires even... do it?
Edward yanked himself away from me before the answer could be found. ''Bella,'' he breathed, burying his face in my neck. ''I'm sorry.''
Wait. Wasn't that just the best moment of my life? Why was he apologizing? ''Edward, that was amazing,'' I said seriously.
''I know.'' He flipped us so that I was laying on his chest.
''Don't be sorry. That was the best first kiss in the history of first kisses.''
He laughed. ''I'm glad you think so. We have to be more careful, though. I could have really hurt you.''
My lips did feel little swollen but it was something I could definitely get used to. ''OK, we'll be careful, but does that mean no more kissing at all?'' I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
''Of course not, we'll just have to be a little slower about it,'' he chuckled. ''We should probably head back. The others will be home soon.''
Author's Note: This chapter feels like it was longer than the others, but it probably wasn't. Probably 'cause I crammed so much stuff into it. Well, I hope you enjoyed it.