Chapter 19
Tune As Old As Song
"Now Bella," the director said as Edward and I stood there facing each other, "I want you to put your right hand on Edward's shoulder, yes, just like that. Edward, place your left hand on her waist and make sure you have a firm grip, I don't want her falling. Yes, like that is fine. Now clasp your free hands together, right, exactly like that. Perfect." The director walked away to talk to the pianist and I was left with Edward.
I bit my lip out of nervous habit and looked up at Edward. "You're not gonna let me fall, are you?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "I wouldn't dream of it." I still wasn't convinced that dancing was completely safe for me. When he saw my unsure look, he continued to comfort me. "Just follow my lead," he coaxed softly. I nodded, more sure this time.
The music started to play softly. I saw Alice off to the side. She was smiling lightly, a content, happy smile. I was sure the rest of the Cullens were smiling too. As Alice started singing, Edward and I remained standing there, for we didn't start dancing until the second stanza.
"Tale as old as time. True as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpendedly. Just a little change. Small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared. Beauty and the Beast."
One que, I said my line, "Dance with me?"
Edward responded with his line, "Oh, no, I don't-"
Jasper and Emmett cut him off with "Dance with her."
And with that, we started to move.
"Ever just the same. Ever a surprise."
It started with Edward stepping forward as I stepped back, watching my feet. "Don't watch your feet, let it come to you," he ordered softly. "Look at me."
I let my gaze shift up to him and stared into his golden eyes. Suddenly everything was gone. I wasn't in a t-shirt and pants, I was in my golden ball gown with my hair up in curls. I was Belle. But Edward didn't look like a beast of any sort. He looked like a prince, my prince. He wore a suit like the beast, but could never looked like one. He was just Prince Edward, and he was mine. And around us was a ballroom, with a window that overlooked a sunset over a forest.
"Ever as before, ever just as sure as the sun will rise."
Dancing with Edward was different then dancing with Maxx. With Maxx, you worry about falling because he's so hard-headed that he could easily drop you. But dancing with Edward... that was a whole different matter. Edward was patient with my clumsiness and very careful. It reminded me of prom.
"Tale as old as time. Tune as old as song."
Soon I forgot about it all. My feet moved on their own and the movements became natural. We were twirling all over the stage. I found myself smiling, actually smiling.
I found myself falling in love with Edward all over again.
"Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong."
Lost in his golden eyes, everything else ceased to exist. In his eyes, I could see all the pain he held when he was away from me. I remembered what it felt like to be held by him and suddenly, I felt extremely guilty for pushing him away.
"Certain as the sun rising in the east. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Beauty and the Beast."
The illusions started to disappear. The stage came back and Edward was wearing his green sweater and jeans. I was in a t-shirt and sweats again. It was all gone. All except the emotions flowing through his eyes, that was still there.
"Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Beauty and the beast."
The music ended, and Edward let go gently, nearly reluctantly. The director, as with everyone else, was smiling at us.
B.E.A.U.T.Y.A.N.D.T.H.E.B.E.A.S.T
Mostly, the rest of rehearsal was focused on choreographing Gaston. It was amusing to watch.
At 5:30 practice ended and I gathered my things, the Cullens were already walking out the door. But I could of sworn I had only seen four.
I decided to use the restroom before I left. Two minutes later I walked back out and the hall was silent except for one sound.
It was the sound of a soft, soothing melody. One that warmed my heart and made me smile to myself. I poked my head around the corner of the door and peered into the auditorium.
Edward sat at the bench of the grand piano, staring down at his hands as he played the melody.
As he played my lullaby.
Beware of Extreme Fluffiness in the next two chapters.