Hey folks! :)
Thanks for all the great reviews; Aussiebabbee, Lisa, Jill, RoshyVolturi, HiddenInTheWords, Sarah226, J5girl31012, Twilightluver39, SuperSayjinPanny, Guardian77, Heal my bleeding heart, MunchBunch, Roses4Cullen, Lizzy, Gnomegirl13, Lovinlife3792, Sprinter1, Avery Shane, Miss Stacy Sea Cullen, Team-Emmett-Cullen-Fan, x NON SEQUITUR x, Crazycharl, AutumnOtts, Jm1708, Lauren, She Isn't Here, Lolly , Uniqueuchenna and Rosaa! :D Reviews are better than ice-cream! xD Thank you for all the compliments, you guys are awesome!
And thanks for the hug, HiddenInTheWords, thanks SuperSayjinPanny for the ice-cream and M&M's, thanks for the expensive See's candy collection, AutumnOtts, and thanks for the M&M's, Lauren! xD Since I have so many bags of M&M's at this point, I'm going to share them with all of you. :p
Okay questions:
To J5girl31012 (And to everyone else who wanted to know if Edward is going to remember): I'm not going to give away what Edward will and won't remember, but I promise that he isn't going to be a jerk anymore. :p
To SuperSayjinPanny: You're right, I'm getting so many reviews, it's amazing! I have the most awesome reviewers in the world! :D
To Guardian77: Lol no, I can't update sooner. Unfortunately I'm not a vampire, which means that I have to sleep every now and then. :p (Bite me, Edward, being a vampire would solve the problems I have because of my serious lack of time. xD)
To Gnomegirl13: Rape? :O Edward? :O No way. xD
To Jm1708: Aahw, that's too bad. :( Good luck at work, and hopefully you'll enjoy this when you get home. ;)
Alright, new chapter. Seeing as all of you liked drunk!Edward, here's good news. We'll see some more drunk!Edward today. :p
Have fun!
Melody
We stayed like that for a long moment, and I could've stayed like this forever, just like Edward wanted me to… That was to say; he wanted me to at this moment, but reality would catch up with us eventually, and Alice and Jasper were probably still searching for him.
"Edward?" I asked softly.
"Hmm?"
"We should get you home." I said, even though I was reluctant to leave my comfortable place in his lap.
"I don't… want to go home. I want to stay… with you." He protested. "See? You're already… trying to get rid of me. You can't leave me!"
I sighed tiredly. "No Edward, I don't want to get rid of you."
"Then what's all this… nonsense about leaving." He accused me.
"You know what? What if I made you a promise?" I offered.
Edward glanced up at me, his eyes expectant. "Sounds… interesting. Go on…"
I smiled at him, lightly stroking his cheek. "I'll never really leave you, Edward. Even if we're not together, my heart belongs to you, and only you. I don't think I can ever feel like this about anyone else, so no matter what separates us, whether it is your job, or our lives… I'm still yours, and I'll be there for you whenever you need me." It didn't matter that I told him the disturbing truth at this moment, he wouldn't remember in the morning.
His eyes were sparkling and he smiled crookedly at me. "You really… mean that, Bella?"
"Yes, so please stop breaking your pretty head over it." I said, smiling reassuringly, gently stroking a lock of bronze hair out of his glorious face.
"Thank you… Should I… make a promise, in return?" He was talking to himself, rather than me.
I snorted and shook my head. "No, it only counts when you're sober."
He wanted to object, but was interrupted when the door flew open. Alice and Jasper barged in, surprise clearly present on their faces.
"Bella! Edward! There you guys are, we've been looking for you all over the place!" Alice exclaimed in her high voice.
I gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I was just about to look for you guys, but we…"
Alice was smiling like an idiot, and so was Jasper, so I didn't even bother to finish my excuse.
"We should take him home, he can't drive." Jasper stated unnecessarily.
"No kidding, he's wasted." Alice said. "Aren't you wise enough to know by now that getting drunk doesn't solve your problems, Edward." She added, scolding her brother.
"I wouldn't say that, Alice. Maybe in his case, it does." Jasper said thoughtfully, nonchalantly gesturing at the two of us.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Funny." I huffed.
I wanted to get up but Edward still didn't plan on letting me go.
"Come on Edward, Alice and Jasper are going to take you home." I said in a stern tone, while I did another attempt to free myself from his iron grasp.
"No… They're bad, just like everybody else… They want to take you away… from me." Edward stuttered.
I made a face at both Alice and Jasper. "Yes, they're totally evil, and after they've separated us, their next goal is to take over the world." I said sarcastically.
Alice let out a loud giggle, but Edward gave me an incredulous look. "Are they? I didn't know that! My own sister is planning on… taking over the world… She didn't even tell me…" He said, sincerely astonished.
We all burst out into a fit of laughter, except Edward, who was suspiciously glaring at us.
"Alright, enough with this, let's get you home." Alice said, kneeling down next to us and pulling on Edward's arms, helping me with freeing myself from his embrace.
"Stop nagging me!" Edward growled at his sister. "You can take over the world for all I care… but you can't have Bella, and you're not taking me home."
"Jazz? A little help here?" Alice called impatiently.
"I think I have an idea…" Jasper mused.
"Great, this is the time to share it." I urged him on.
Jasper grinned and turned his attention to Edward. "Edward? How about we'll let Bella take you to your place?" He asked sweetly.
"No, not that idea!" I objected in a reflex.
Edward however, seemed to approve of Jasper's plan. He grinned goofily and nodded. "I'll go home if… Bella takes me."
I groaned and glared at Jasper. "Thanks a lot."
Jasper snickered. "Anytime."
"Okay, that's settled! Let's get him downstairs." Alice said cheerfully, helping me up once Edward had finally loosened his grip on me. "You're sure you don't mind giving him a ride home?" She added, giving me an apologetic look.
I shrugged. "I don't think I really have a say in the matter, let's get it over with."
We dragged Edward down the stairs and outside to my old, red truck, Jasper supporting most of his weight. I quickly went back inside to tell Rose that I was leaving, and when I was back at my truck, Jasper had already helped Edward into the passenger side. Jasper said a goodbye and went back inside, and Alice buckled her brother in and closed the door.
"I wrote down the address of his apartment." She said, handing me a yellow piece of paper and a small key. "I'm sorry to trouble you with my brother's problems." She apologized again.
"It's fine… Hey, does he often… do this?" I asked, referring to his intoxicated state.
She let out a short laugh. "The last time I saw Edward drunk was at least five years ago. I think that answers your question."
"Oh…" I mumbled.
Alice smiled tentatively. "Listen Bella, if you ask me, he's merely frustrated and angry because he has feelings for you that he's not allowed to show… Give him some time, have some patience with him… I know my brother, he'll come around."
My stomach was filled with butterflies again; because like Rose, Alice also seemed truly convinced that he had feelings for me… What if there was a tiny possibility that he hadn't just said all those things because he was drunk, but also because he'd actually meant them?
"I will… Thanks Alice, for everything. It was very nice meeting you." I said warmly.
"I could say the same. And I'm sure we'll see each other again, soon." She said, again that knowing smile on her face.
She gave me a hug, and after we'd said our goodbyes I hesitantly got into my truck.
"Ah, there you are! I was worried." Edward murmured.
I started the engine, hoping that the noise would drown out the sound of my snort. "I was standing right next to the car, talking to Alice." I informed him in a dry tone.
"I know… but still, I'd rather you stayed close to me…" He said seriously.
"Well I'm here, which means you can stop worrying."
I checked the address, before backing out of my parking spot and driving away from the party as fast as my worn out truck could manage.
To my relief Edward was quiet during the short ride; apparently he was done talking sentimental crap at me. When I parked the truck in front of his building after about ten minutes, a smile broke across his face.
"You found it." He said in awe, as if he thought it was a miracle that we'd made it to his place.
"Well what do you know, I did." I replied. I wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or not.
I got out of the truck and walked over to Edward's side to help him out. He was smiling like a lunatic the entire time while I led him to the front door, and it was almost funny. Almost, for the most difficult part of this task was staring me in the face… I would have to make sure that he made it up the stairs, preferably without one of us falling down and breaking something.
It took me no less than fifteen minutes before I finally reached the top of the stairs. Edward was holding on to my arm and I was panting.
"Great, I thought we'd never make it." I breathed.
"Oh… Well I never doubted you…" Edward said cheerfully, giving me an admiring grin.
"Nutcase." I muttered under my breath as I searched my pocket for the key Alice had given me, which wasn't easy with Edward still desperately clinging to my arm.
I opened the door and gently pulled on his arm to get him inside. I closed the door behind us and reached for the light switch next to the entrance.
"Okay Edward, I think it would be best if you went to bed now." I hinted.
"I'm not tired." He protested.
"Yes you are." I responded firmly. "Where's your bedroom?"
"I'm not sure…" He answered, a puzzled look in his emerald eyes.
I sighed and scanned the living room, which was reasonably large. From what I could tell this had to be a fairly big apartment. I spotted a small passageway on the other end of the room, and dragged him along. Luck was with me for once, because behind the first door I opened, I found a spacious bedroom.
"Alright, you can go to sleep now." I said, lightly pushing him toward the bed, not sure what to do now.
He turned around and raised his eyebrows at me, his kissable lips twisting into a pout. I couldn't deny that it was endearing, and I tried to suppress a laugh.
"That's very cute, Edward, now go to sleep." I encouraged him, playfully touching the tip of his nose, determined not to fall for his charms again.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, and gazed up at me, his eyes doing that unfair dazzling-thing again, hypnotizing me. "You can't leave." He whispered in his velvety voice.
He reached out to me, like he'd done in Emmett's room, and immediately my resolve started to crumble. He wrapped his hand around my left hand, all the while intently staring into my eyes.
I bit my lip, deliberating.
"Please Bella… You promised…"
How could I resist that face? I wanted to slap myself.
"If I stay, will you behave and go to sleep?" I questioned, frowning at him.
"Yes… Whatever you say." He purred.
I closed my eyes for a second, mentally cursing my inability to say no to him.
"Fine, I'll stay." I blurted out when I opened them again.
He smiled a dazzling smile, and obediently let himself fall back against the pillows. He moved to the center of the bed, creating some room for me, and he patted the empty space next to him, giving me his most adorable look. I slowly sat down on the edge, before I carefully laid down next to him.
He instantly wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me against his chest, burying his face in my hair. "You smell like… strawberries." He remarked, nuzzling my neck.
"It's just shampoo." I muttered.
"It's nice… Thank… you… Bella…" He whispered.
"You're welcome... Sweet dreams, Edward."
He mumbled something, but he was already half asleep, and I couldn't make out any of the words.
In a matter of seconds he was unconscious, and I moved my head so I could see his face. His features were completely relaxed and peaceful… No worries, no frustrations, no struggles… He looked so young and carefree.
"I love you, Edward." I whispered inaudibly, knowing that he could never hear it…
xxx
I slowly resurfaced, waking up from a calm, dreamless sleep. The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that I was completely surrounded by his heavenly scent. I inhaled deeply and lazily turned around, opening my eyes for the first time. The room was dark, and the alarm clock on the night table told me that it was only six in the morning. I was in his room, sleeping in his bed… But he was nowhere to be seen.
My foggy brain started to get clearer, and it registered a beautiful but haunting sound. The door was opened slightly and a breathtaking melody softly flowed into the room. I guessed the music was what woke me up in the first place, and I sat up straight, trying to hear it better.
I was drawn to the sound, as if it was luring me, and I slid out of the bed, making my way out of the room, my mind set on finding the source of the enchanting music. I wandered in the general direction of the sound, until it got louder and louder.
I stopped walking when I reached a dimly lit room. The door was open, and I smiled as I spotted the piano in the middle of the room. He was sitting on the bench in front of it, his back to me. His fingers were swiftly moving over the ivory keys, producing the most complex melody I'd ever heard.
He didn't notice me, and I silently watched him for a while. It was a beautiful sight, and I was sure that I would never get enough of it, even if I kept watching him play for hours, or days, or weeks…
The melody started to drift to an end, and a feeling of sadness came over me. He played the last notes, and then the room went completely silent. He had felt my presence now, for he slowly turned to face me.
"Did I wake you? I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep anymore." He murmured, sounding normal again.
"No, it's fine." I assured him. "Are you feeling better?"
He pressed his lips into a cautious line. "Yeah… Physically, at least."
"Good." I said quietly, walking over to the bench and sitting down next to him.
He was intently watching me with those emerald orbs, but suddenly his face turned from composed to horrified. "Oh god, Bella, are you crying? Are you alright?" He sounded alarmed.
I frowned in confusion. What was he talking about?
He brought his hand to my face, and gently brushed my cheek. That's when I felt the moisture, a few tears must've escaped me while I'd been listening to him.
I gave him a smile. "I'm fine, it's just… your music… It's amazing, Edward. You've composed this all by yourself?"
"Yes. This one is rather new, actually… I came up with it just now. Sudden rush of inspiration." He explained in an offhand tone, as if it was nothing special.
"Wow… I don't know what to say." I said, still stunned.
"Well I'm very honored that you like it." He cracked a small smile, and once again his beauty made me speechless.
We stared at each other in silence for a moment, until I was able to find my voice.
"Will you play it again?" I asked shyly.
He smirked. "You liked it that much, huh? Sure, I'll play it again."
He placed his hands over the keys again, and I turned around so I was also facing the piano. I rested my head against his shoulder, a huge smile spreading across my face as the music started to play again, the sweet melody filling my head…
Thanks for reading! :D New update tomorrow.