A/N: I loves my reviewers! I assure you, I read them all, over and over. I may have missed replying to a few, and I'm sorry! I do try to reply to them all.

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Edward's POV

The car ride home from the theater was both bitter and sweet; Bella was cuddled right up next to me all the way to her house, but I knew I'd have to leave her for the night. She had the luxury of sleep to eat up some of the hours until I saw her at noon tomorrow. I had a long, dark night alone ahead of me. I had no doubt what, or rather whom would be on my mind for those hours.

Alice and Jasper were already in DC, prepping for the gig, and my rat bastard brother had taken the Xbox with him.

I contented myself with having my arm around Bella's shoulders, my other hand toying with her fragile fingers, and letting her scent intoxicate me. I had no idea how I had survived without that scent all of these years. I didn't intend to survive without it for another day. I would do anything and everything in my power to make her mine. I had gotten quite a rush, pretending to propose to her at the restaurant. Little did she know that I would do it in reality, one day. I knew, though, that I had to give her time. Her human emotions could never be as intense as mine, but I had to hope that she could fall in love with me as well, even though I was actually a monster. Maybe she could also see the good in me, as my family seemed to, and overlook the murderous, bloodthirsty side to my nature.

Or was I fooling myself? She didn't know what I was. I was being completely unfair to her, letting her believe I was human. I would have to tell her eventually. She may run from me, screaming as she goes. Until then, I planned to enjoy every moment I could get with her. I'm so selfish.

Talk was at a minimum, but the silences weren't uncomfortable. I was content just to be near her. 'I adore you,' I said in my head, and I gave her shoulders a squeeze, even though she couldn't hear my thoughts any more than I could hear hers. She smiled up into my eyes. Her eyes were shining, and she looked truly happy. That's all I wanted for her.

That wasn't all I wanted from her, of course, but I forced my thoughts away from anything salacious. I'm a gentleman, you know. But her skin was like satin, and so porcelain white. Her lips were full, and looked so pink and tender, even in repose, they looked to be begging to be kissed. Stop. Gentleman.

I couldn't escape the effect she had on my traitorous, teenage body, though. My first taste of desire was hitting me hard. Pun intended. Damn it.

We pulled up in front of her brownstone once more, and my heart constricted. The evening was over. I would have to let her go, alone, into her house. I was already spoiled from this brief time that I got to hold her in my arms. How was I supposed to survive the loss of her warmth, even if only for the night?

We walked slowly to her door, our fingers intertwined. My heart was already breaking. How could I leave her? Stop it, Cullen. It's only for about twelve hours. You'll survive. Twelve hours. I groaned internally. I didn't want to be away from her for twelve minutes.

We stood on the small cement landing at the top of the stairs, turned to face each other. I knew I was acting like a callow youth, but damn it, I am a callow youth! I was frozen at seventeen years old, if not chronologically, than in my actual growth. I was standing with my first love at the end of the evening, and I wanted desperately to kiss her good night. Would she allow it? Would it offend her? Would she be disgusted by the feel of my cold lips? Maybe I should just say good night and go...

"Would you like to come in for a glass of wine, or some coffee? Oh, that's right, no caffeine." She looked at her feet, then back up into my eyes. "Some wine, then?"

Would I like to come in? I would love nothing better than to come in, and never leave! But I wasn't sure that the heightened emotions of this evening wouldn't be... too much. I wasn't completely sure of my control with her yet.

"I'd better not. We have a big day tomorrow, and you'll need your rest." I stepped marginally closer to her. "But rest assured, you will be in my thoughts every minute that I'm away from you. Will you... will you think of me?"

"Yes," she breathed, leaning closer to me.

Her eyes flicked down to my lips, then back to my eyes. Did she want me to kiss her? Do I dare? She licked her lips and did that eye flick again. Maybe I should just go for it. Just lean in and kiss her. No tongue, of course. I'm not a complete asshole. Just a soft, sweet kiss. Just touch my lips to hers. But what if she didn't think of me romantically? What if she only wanted a chance to go out with a famous personality? She might-

"Edward, will you kiss me good night?"

Well. Since she asked so nicely.

I bent my head and let my lips press against hers. If my stony heart could still beat, it would have pounded out of my chest. She tasted so good, her lips were so moist and soft. They moved with mine so sweetly. If I hadn't already fallen head over heels for her, this would have sealed it for me. This woman owned me. Without realizing that I had moved at all, I found my hands cupping her face, holding her in place as I fought not to suck that succulent bottom lip between mine. Her hands were at my waist, and I could feel her warmth burning my flesh, even through the cloth of my suit jacket.

I had to stop, before I had her pressed against her door, molesting her like a common trollop! She'd never speak to me again if I acted so atrociously, I was sure of it.

I reluctantly raised my head, tearing my hungry lips from hers. Her eyes were still closed, and I could feel the heat of her blood under the skin of her face, pooled in her cheeks against my palms. When she opened her eyes, I could swear that shining from her eyes was tenderness, desire... and love. Or perhaps it was wishful thinking on my part. And I did wish it, with every fiber of my being.

"Good night, Isabella Marie Swan. I will see you tomorrow." I stroked her cheeks once with my thumbs and dropped my hands, stepping back.

"Good night Edward Anthony Cullen," she breathed. She looked a little stunned, but her color was high. I didn't see a trace of disgust at my kiss. Score!

She pulled her key from her purse and inserted it into the lock. With one last smile at me, she slipped inside and closed the door. I placed one hand on her door, and the other hand on my chest, feeling the ache of being separated from her squeeze at my heart. I knew it would hurt, but the anticipation of the pain was no comparison with the actuality of it. This shit hurts!

I waited to hear her disarm, and then rearm her security system. Good, my Bella was locked in, safe.

I returned to the limo, reluctantly leaving my love behind.

Christ, I'm so emo.

All the way back to The Plaza, I replayed the evening in my mind. It had gone so wonderfully. I had every look she gave me, every touch, locked in my memory forever. Especially the moment when she asked me to kiss her. And the actual kiss. I felt a thrill run through me. I was heartily glad Jasper was already gone. I could already hear him telling me what a girl I am.

I did feel a great sorrow over the impending loss of her hearing. But she had already told me that she'd been in sign language classes since learning of her diagnoses last year, and I had every intention of learning it myself. Her deafness would never impede our communication, I would see to that. I already knew the sign for 'I love you' from some movie or other. I'm sure that's the sign I'd use the most. I idly wondered what the sign for marry me was. Spend the rest of your life with me, and I want you. Stop that, you degenerate!

It still astonished me that she could possibly think that I wouldn't want her, just because she would soon be deaf. Bella could be blind, deaf and dumb, lose both legs and both arms, and I'd still want her. I would be her ears for her. I would do anything for her, if she only knew it.

I had a melody in my head, demanding attention. I really needed some time alone with a piano, to work it out. I wanted it finished in time to play it for my love, since she was the inspiration for it. I wanted to play it often enough that she'd be able to remember it, even after her hearing was gone. I wondered if the hotel staff would mind if I used the piano sitting in the lounge tonight.

Alice had assured me that it was going to be overcast all day tomorrow, as well as the day after; some storm out at sea had the entire Eastern Seaboard under heavy clouds. Sometimes, astonishingly, things worked in my favor.

I was wondering if I could fit in a quick trip to Tiffany's in the morning.

My phone chimed with a text message. Alice, of course.

'How happy are YOU?' ~A

How happy indeed. I didn't bother to respond. She already knew how happy I was. I'd pick something up from Tiffany's for my sister as well.

At the hotel, I stopped briefly at the front desk to inform them that I would be at their piano in The Rose Club for a few hours, and they could close up and leave without disturbing me. I'm afraid I dazzled the poor girl. Of course, there was no objection, they knew who I was. I also inquired about the business hours at Tiffany's. Yes, I would have plenty of time.

The Rose Club was nearly deserted, just a few tables were occupied, with the stray loner or three huddled at the bar. The piano was, blessedly, unoccupied. I sat at the keyboard, and ordered a drink from the cocktail waitress who had instantly appeared. I ordered a whiskey, for appearances, and began to compose my lullaby for Bella.

E/N: I neglected to include a link to The Plaza in the chapter that originally mentioned it. I'll rectify that now. I don't know if The Rose Club at The Plaza has a piano or not. If it doesn't, please forgive artistic license to place one there. They do have a regular Jazz act, and the heart of Jazz is the piano, so I figured it was safe to assume.

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