Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 25

Absence

I wandered around the bustling streets of Paris looking at everyone's face who passed me. I had been in Paris for a little of three days and had yet to find anyone who even compared to Bella. Sure the women here were beautiful in there own way, but my eyes had been blinded my the great beauty of Isabella Swan, and now I can never look at any woman the same.

I continued to walk around until dusk when I ended my search for today and retreated to a favorite cafe of mine. The cafe was rather small, but it was quaint and the people who dined there were never loud or obnoxious, so I could bask in all my thoughts in peace.

I ordered a glass or Pinot Noir and sipped it as I assessed my progress in finding Bella. I had found no clues as to where she could be. I was basing all of this purely on my own instinct and knowledge of Bella. My new friend Peter had let me live with him for awhile.

Peter and I met on the first day that I had arrived in Paris. He had spotted me sitting on a bench observing the beautiful Seine River at night and watching all the busy people go by looking desperately for Bella. He sat down next to me carefully and smiled hesitantly at me.

" Its beautiful isn't it?" He asked me as he looked out at the gently swaying river. Surprised, I turned to him and nodded.

" Yes it is." The boy next to me held his hand out and I shook it hesitantly. He looked perplexed by me for a moment, but his face was smooth and expressionless before I could question him.

" My name is Peter, and you are?" He asked with a thick French accent. I smiled to myself at his effort to speak to me in English.

" Je m'appelle Edward." *** I said with my best French accent. Peter's eyes widened in momentary surprise, then shone with excitement.

" Tu as soif?" Peter asked me. I nodded my head.

" Oui, j'ai soif." I answered as I followed him along the streets of Paris. I thought back to my years of French as I tried top formulate my next sentence.

"Qu'est-ce qui vous apporte ici Edward?" Peter questioned before I could say anything.

"Je cherche quelqu'un." I answered nodded his head, and sensing my hesitation, switched subjects.

" Je vois et où est cela que vous restez?" I shrugged my shoulders non commitally.

" Je ne suis pas sûr, je resterai probablement juste dans un hôtel ou un foyer." I answered vaguely. Peter threw his head back and laughed at me as he sipped his espresso.

"Pourquoi si vague? Je promets que je ne mords pas!" I smiled at his reassurance and extrapolated a bit.

" Franchement dit, je n'ai absolument aucune idée où je resterai, ou combien de temps d'ailleurs! L'arrivée à Paris était un éperon de la décision de moment." I chuckled. Peter smiled at me and nodded his head thoughtfully.

" Bien, si vous ne devez nulle part rester, restez ensuite s'il vous plaît avec moi et mon fiancé!" He said cordially. My eyes widened in shock. I had always known that the French were hospitable, but not to a complete stranger!

" Oh pas! Je ne voudrais pas m'imposer. En plus de vous m'ont seulement connu depuis un court temps. Comment pouvez-vous vous fier en moi déjà?" I asked, still somewhat bewildered by his kindness.

" Je ne sais pas pourquoi, mais quelque chose de vous me rappelle mon frère mort, Luke, il était silencieux et réfléchi comme vous. Vous avez remué quelque chose à l'intérieur de moi, Edward. Exigez maintenant que vous restiez chez nous!" Peter laughed. I was understood bits of what he was saying but not all of it.

" Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas que vous avez juste dit. Pourriez-vous vous répéter?" I asked. Peter threw his head back and laughed again.

" Je vous aime Edward. Je peux voir que nous serons de grands amis! Nous avons une pièce supplémentaire que vous pouvez rester à la maison. Arrivez maintenant." He stood and began to walk away. I followed him with a smile on my face. I was pleased at how friendly and easy to get along with Peter was. We arrived at a cozy loft apartment in a small neighborhood. Peter unlocked the door and trekked out way up the narrow staircase. When we reached the third floor, the door to the apartment flew open, and a petite raven haired woman answered the door. She flew into Peter's arms and kissed him chastely. I looked away at the display of affection for it reminded me of the person I haven't been able to keep off my mind. The woman turned to me and kissed both my cheeks.

" Qui ont nous ici?"**** The woman asked.

" C'est mon ami Edward. Il restera avec nous pour un moment." Peter explained lovingly to the woman, whom I assumed was his fiance.

" Accueillez! Mon nom est Charlotte. Si vous avez besoin de n'importe quoi n'hésitez pas s'il vous plaît à demander." The woman said warmly. I smiled at her graciously.

" Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. Merci beaucoup de me laisser dans votre maison." I said.

" Votre très bienvenus! Venez s'il vous plaît et je vais vous montrer votre chambre." She led me to my room, and I set my things down. With one last smile, Charlotte and Peter left me alone to settle in. I could hardly believe my luck at meeting Peter and making a friend in this big unknown city. After putting away the few clothes that I had brought with me, I went back to the sitting room and after thanking the couple once again for their kindness, retreated to bed.

So here I was walking around the glorious sights of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, and Notre Dame. I was lost, searching for the missing piece of my heart. Peter and Charlotte had tried to entertain me by taking me out sightseeing, to small parties with their friends, and various other activities that I would have enjoyed throughly if the absence in my heart did not bother me so. And so it seems that the only way I will be able to go on with my life is by finding my heart's missing layer, piece, and essentially finding my soul. Bella. Just her name sent a soar of happiness and love through my aching heart. With the encouragement of her name, I continued stalking the streets of Paris. Only this time there was more determination in my stride.

I am very sorry for the wait for this chapter, and I fear I have lost all my readers :( For those of you who are still with this story, thank you. Anyway, this chapter was really just to get a little insight on whats going on with Edward and his search for Bella. The next few chapters will mostly be focusing on Bella, but I may throw in a few Edward chapters if you all like this one. Also, there is going to be a bit of French throughout the chapters with Edward still in Paris. Here is the translation to the conversations in this chapter :)


***

E: Je m'appelle Edward- My name is Edward,

P: Tu as soif?- Are you thirsty?

E: Oui, j'ai soif.- Yes I am thirsty.

P:"Qu'est-ce qui vous apporte ici Edward?- What brings you here Edward?

E: Je cherche quelqu'un.- I am searching for someone.

P: Je vois et où est cela que vous restez?- Where are you staying?

E: Je ne suis pas sûr, je resterai probablement juste dans un hôtel ou un foyer.- I'm not sure, probably a hotel or hostel.

P: Pourquoi si vague? Je promets que je ne mords pas!- Why so vague? I promise that I dont bite!

E: Franchement dit, je n'ai absolument aucune idée où je resterai, ou combien de temps d'ailleurs! L'arrivée à Paris était un éperon de la décision de moment- To be honest, I have no idea where I am staying or how long I will be here. Coming to paris was a spur of the moment decision.

P: " Bien, si vous ne devez nulle part rester, restez ensuite s'il vous plaît avec moi et mon fiancé- I see, come and stay with my fiance and I!

E: Oh pas! Je ne voudrais pas m'imposer. En plus de vous m'ont seulement connu depuis un court temps. Comment pouvez-vous vous fier en moi déjà- Oh no, I wouldnt want to impose. Also, you have only just met me. How can you trust me already?

P: Je ne sais pas pourquoi, mais quelque chose de vous me rappelle mon frère mort, Luke, il était silencieux et réfléchi comme vous. Vous avez remué quelque chose à l'intérieur de moi, Edward. Exigez maintenant que vous restiez chez nous- I dont know why, but you remind me of my decesed brother Luke. You are both very quiet and thoughtful. You have stirred something inside of me. Now you must stay with us!

E: Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas que vous avez juste dit. Pourriez-vous vous répéter- I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you were saying could you please repeat?

P: Je vous aime Edward. Je peux voir que nous serons de grands amis! Nous avons une pièce supplémentaire que vous pouvez rester à la maison. Arrivez maintenant.- I like you Edward. I can see that we will be great friends! We have an extra bedroom you can stay in. Come along now.

****

C: Qui ont nous ici ?- Who have we here?

P: C'est mon ami Edward. Il restera avec nous pour un moment.- This is my friend Edward. He will be staying with us for awhile.

C: Accueillez! Mon nom est Charlotte. Si vous avez besoin de n'importe quoi n'hésitez pas s'il vous plaît à demander.- Welcome! My name is Charlotte. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask.

E: Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. Merci beaucoup de me laisser dans votre maison.- Nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me into your home.

C: Votre très bienvenus! Venez s'il vous plaît et je vais vous montrer votre chambre.- Your welcome! Follow me to your room.


Reviews will earn you a French speaking Edward ;)

(Oh, and by the way my birthday is on Friday... reviews would make my day... just throwing that out there hehe ;D )

xoxo

Kenza