A/N: I was up till around 1AM to finish this chapter. Hope you enjoy reading it!
Chapter 10: Enlivening…
BPOV
As I made my way to my car after school, I was not looking where I was going, being engrossed in my thoughts about Edward. I was almost positive that he had had a very unhappy life and was trying to put on a show of being happy. For some strange reason, and I could not understand the feeling, it hurt me to see him unhappy. If only I could take away his sorrow…
Suddenly I bumped into something hard and cold…I looked up to see what it was but met with 3 pairs of topaz eyes, set in their gorgeous faces. I could recognize those eyes anywhere, even in my sleep. They were the same shade as Edward's.
I had spoken to one of them before, Alice. Next to her were the tall muscular blonde guy, the model-like girl and the body-builder. They all had similar reactions on their face. A mixture of amusement and elation; like I was their long lost friend whom they had not expected to meet here, Forks of all the possible places on this planet.
"Bella, I just wanted to introduce you to my boyfriend Jasper, his sister Rosalie and my brother Emmett. I guess you have already met my other brother, Edward. I guess he was in your Math class."
"Um…Hi. Nice to meet you!" I shook hands with the three of them and I had to bite my tongue to prevent the yelp from escaping my mouth, when my hand made contact with the freezing hard hands of theirs. If all of them were adopted children, how could it be that they have the same eye color, mild shadows under their eyes and similar abnormal body temperature? It did not make any sense. I was confused and shocked. Jasper eyed me speculatively as if sensing my inner turmoil. Emmett was looking at me with so much adoration, such unfathomable concern, one that I had not even seen in my parent's eyes. Rosalie's expression looked like something was holding her back from hugging me. I was overwhelmed by their affection. By why did they feel that way towards me, someone whom they had just met?
Alice was literally bouncing on her toes when she asked me "Bella, would you like to be friends with us? We are new in Forks and so are you. I can see that we will make great friends."
I cracked a wide smile, probably the widest in a long time. "Sure Alice! I would love to!"
"How about we have a sleep-over at our place on Friday? We could do some girly stuff. I can give you a complete make-over and then we can have a movie night with the guys. What you think?"
I had been to some sleep-overs at my friends' back in LA, when both my parents went off to some place where my father would have some business meetings and needed my mother to accompany him for the dinners and parties. And I did not have any close friends here and I knew that my parents were leaving on Friday morning to New York. I pondered over the options for spending my time, other than reading. I could not come up with any ideas and a sleep-over sounded fun. "That sounds great Alice! Thanks! My parents are away from Friday morning, for the whole weekend and I was in fact wondering how to spend my time."
She clapped he hands and squealed, before she pulled me into a tight hug. I could judge that Alice was the kind of girl who was always chirpy, bubbly and hyper! I was really starting to like her! The others were smiling at us.
We exchanged our cell numbers and said our goodbyes; I drove home, exhausted from the first day of school. The work load was not as heavy as in my previous school and for that, I was thankful. But I still had to work on my calculus, to keep up with the lectures. I was wondering if Edward had been serious about his offer and if so from when he would start tutoring me. I was looking forward to it, to spending time with Edward, alone. My brain told me that I was crushing on someone, who was as good as a stranger, and it was stupid to want to spend time with him, but my heart over-ruled my mind.
I had dinner alone, since my father was not back from work and my mom wanted to keep him company for dinner. I went back to my room, showered and changed into my night dress. I was lying on my bed, with my calculus book resting on my stomach and fiddling with my cell phone when I had a thought. I could call Alice and get Edward's number from her and talk to him with the pretention of asking some calculus doubt. After all, he had offered to help me. The more sensible part of my mind berated me for chasing after a guy and I dropped my phone on the bed with a groan…It was going to be a long night…
EPOV
I had made up my mind when I was running and was eager to implement my thoughts. I did not even bother to check for Esme when I entered the house. I ran to the grand piano in the living room, and removed the cover that Esme had put on it, when it had become nothing but a show-piece in the house. I ran my fingers over the ivory keys and a smile graced my lips. It was truly a century since I had actually smiled, not for the sake of my family, but because I felt happy! I closed my eyes to enjoy the feeling that coursed through my body as I touched the keys; complete bliss. My hands started playing on their own accord. I played Bella's lullaby. My ears tingled with pleasure of listening to my composition, the music, which I had written for her. I could see the beautiful face, with my eyes closed, conjuring up the image from my memory. Only it was not the memory from a century back, it was the one from a few hours before.
In that instant I realized that I was in love, for yet another time in my never-ending life. Only, this time, I would make sure not lose my love. I decided to erase all comparisons that I was drawing between my Bella and my new found love. I will love her, even if she is not like my Bella, even if she does not reciprocate my feelings, I shall keep her safe and near. I could not help it when a wide smile broke across my face at my realization. Being in love was the most powerful emotion, to man, even to vampires. I played the lullaby a couple of times and then went on to play Esme's favorite.
By the time I finished her song and opened my eyes, the whole family was gathered in front of the piano. Even Carlisle. Esme should have called for him at work. I could see Esme sobbing on Carlisle's shoulder; she would have happy tears running down her cheeks, if only she could shed those tears. I had almost turned deaf to the thoughts of those around me, being engrossed in my music, in my revelations.
…That was beautiful Edward…You brought back some life into this non-living heart, to my family. Thank you! I missed you, my baby! (Esme)
I walked to Esme and gave her a hug, something that I had not done since I had left Bella.
… Edward, I hope you realize how much this means to all of us. It is good to have you back son. If you want to talk, I will be in my study later on… (Carlisle) I nodded to let him know that I had heard him.
…Edward…you love her. Don't you?! I knew this would happen. I saw it! And you would not believe what I planned for this Friday. You are going to thank me for centuries to come! (Alice) I laughed freely and picked up the little 4'10" pixie as she squealed and kissed me on the cheek.
... I feel like I would burst from all the happiness…Edward, I hope you intend on telling Bella that you love her. (Jasper) I nodded again and I felt nervous at the thought of being turned down, causing Jasper to snicker.
Too bad she is not that clumsy…Well, Eddie boy…how about a round of arm-wrestling to celebrate. We have not had a rematch for the one you cheated on 100 years, 3 days and 11 hours ago… (Emmett)
I slapped him on his shoulder playfully and nodded to him and started to walk away towards the backyard where we had a boulder for our arm-wrestling matches. It was then that I heard something that I never thought I would hear.
… I am truly happy for you Edward. If she is the one who will make you happy, I will love her like a sister and gladly accept her. You do not have to worry about my reactions this time. I am so glad to have my brother back. I missed you Edward. Terribly. Could we work on your car after you are done with Emmett? I thought we could upgrade your engine… (Rosalie)
I walked back the way I had come, past Emmett, Jasper and Alice, to where Rosalie was standing. "Thank you, Rose. I missed you too!" And for the first time in our life, we embraced.
I heard Alice tapping her foot impatiently and turned to look at her questioningly.
…Aren't you going to ask me what I planned for Friday?...
I smiled and asked her what she wanted to hear from me verbally "Will you please tell me Alice?" I put on the best puppy-dog pout that I could muster; of course it was not even close to the one that Alice could pull-off.
She squealed and let the images of the conversation with Bella play in her mind. My breathing hitched. My love was going to come home…to me.
"And now I guess someone wants the phone number of someone whose name stats with a B and ends with an A, which I don't intend on giving out!"
"Please Alice, for me" I acted like I was pleading with her. Like I could not just grab her phone from her pocket…
"Aww…you look so cute!" Alice knew how that statement gets on to my nerves.
"I will go shopping with you the next time Alice. Is that a good enough deal? Can I have her number now?"
"Deal!" and she read out the number in her head.
"Emmett, we can have the game once I finish the call. And Rose, I promise to work with you after that!"
I ran out of the house, grinning, into the woods, to be away from the earshot of my family members, when I called my love… I felt as 'alive' as I had ever been in a century of this soulless existence…because of her, my love for Bella…