Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer. The only thing I own is the plot line of this FF, Edward Gabriel Masen and generally the characters that are NOT mentioned in the Twilight Saga.
Previously
"Try," I said with a hoarse voice.
"I can't lose you because you're… my best friend," she whispered.
I closed my eyes and bit my tongue hard to prevent the painful moan that wanted so much to come out of my mouth. I didn't want her to see how devastated I was. I was only her goddamned best friend and not the man she could possibly love and spent the rest of eternity with. As much as it broke me, I would settle with being her best friend, if that was the only way I could keep her in my life…
CHAPTER 29
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Nadine's Pov
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"Wake up! Wake up, birthday girl," Alice sang as she opened the curtains of my bedroom.
I groaned as the early sunlight hit my eyes, and when I say early, I mean eight in the freakin' morning.
"Aliiiiceeee, go away," I groaned.
I'd hardly slept the past couple of days since I had too many information to swallow, not to mention the fact that once I woke up from my nap yesterday afternoon, Gabriel was gone. He left me a note saying that he had some business to take care of and that he would be back early this morning.
"Get up!" she laughed as she yanked off my comforter. "Go have a shower and then come down for breakfast."
I sighed, got up and started toward the bathroom. I was debating whether to ask her if he got back. Curiosity got the best of me.
"Alice?"
"Yes?" she asked and smirked.
"Is he back?"
"He'll be here in seven minutes."
I nodded and went to shower. I wanted to be downstairs when he arrived so I quickly washed my hair with my favorite vanilla shampoo, washed my body, rinsed the soap quickly and was stepping out of the shower… until I was overcome with mortification as I heard Alice yelling from the living room.
"Nadine Sullivan, get your butt back into that shower and shave your legs!"
"Christ, Alice! People are listening!" I screamed back as I heard Emmett and Jasper laugh.
I opened my bathroom door and found a purple knee-length silk gown with a matching robe and slippers on my bed. There was also a pair of lace undergarments. The bra was okay but the panties - if anyone could call those thing panties - were not.
"Alice!" I yelled. I heard the door open and close. I held the offending fabric out in front of me and shook my head. "I'm not wearing…" I said, pointing at the thong.
"You will," she smiled.
"I'll let you braid my hair and put makeup on me," I said trying to compromise with her.
"I'll do that anyway," she contradicted.
"I'll call Rose," I threatened.
"She was the one who chose it," she fired back playfully and looked over my legs.
"I did it yesterday," I said, shooting daggers at her.
"Oooooh, Gabriel is back," she said and left the room in the blink of an eye.
With the sound of his name, my heart started thumping like crazy. I really missed him, even if he was gone for less than a day. I quickly dried myself, got dressed with the things I was handed, put my wet hair in a messy bun and stormed downstairs to see him. As I entered the dining room, heavenly smells assaulted my nostrils.
"Good morning, baby girl," Bella said and kissed me.
"Morning," I said and smiled back.
Emmett, Jasper and Castiel were sitting on the couch in the living room looking at me with devilish smirks plastered on their faces. That didn't look good.
"Sit down and we'll bring you breakfast," Bella said and left.
"Where are the rest?" I asked the devils who sat on the couch, not being able to ask them directly about Gabriel.
"The Dads, including Carlisle, went in town to get something and the girls are upstairs," Jasper said smiling.
Bella came from the kitchen holding two plates and Esme followed right behind with a small tray with a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee.
"Today, we've made pancakes with dark chocolate sauce and hazelnuts, plus, Spanish omelette," she said as she placed the plates in front of me. "Your favorites."
This was my last breakfast and they wanted it to be special for me…
"Thank you," I said with a shaky voice as I placed the napkin on my lap.
"Enjoy," Esme said and winked at me.
Half way through my omelette, Gabriel entered the living room and smiled when our eyes met.
"Hey," I said. "welcome back."
"Thank you," he said, sitting down on the armchair on the other side of the room. 'Nice' I thought to myself. Jake sat in front of Gabriel's legs and he scratched his back.
"So Nadia," Emmett said.
"Nadine," Gabriel interrupted him. "Her name is Nadine," he said and winked at me. Of course I was on the verge of passing out with that wink.
"Yeah, whatever," Emmett continued. "So, Nadine, how do you feel being 18 years old?"
"Ummm, okay I guess?"
"Good," he said and smirked.
I finished my omelette and drank a bit of coffee before devouring the best part of my breakfast. I cut a nice piece of pancake and started chewing, humming with delight.
"Mmmmmmmhmmmm! This is delicious!" I said loudly. Jake ran to my side and waited for me to give him his treat.
"Jake, leave Nadine alone," Gabriel said and came to take him away.
"No, it's okay. This is our thing," I said and gave him a small piece. Gabriel sat at the other side of the dinner table and continued reading the book he brought with him.
"What are you reading?" I asked as I took another bite.
"The Kama Sutra," Emmett said and started laughing along with Jasper and Castiel.
"Fuck off, Emmett," Gabriel growled and blushed furiously.
"Kamawhat?" I asked and they laughed even harder.
"Persuasion," he said without looking at me. "by Jane Austen."
"What is it about?" I asked, intrigued.
"It is about second chances in life," he said and sighed. He looked at me briefly and got back to his reading.
"So Nadine," Castiel said. "are you ready for your change?"
"Oh, yes. Yesterday I helped Carlisle to set up the room." I said and smiled.
"You are going to be dashing," he said and smirked.
I didn't have time to be embarrassed because I jumped lightly from my seat as Gabriel shut his book sharply and narrowed slightly his eyes at Castiel. I finished my pancakes by giving Jake the last piece. I used my coffee spoon to scoop up the remaining sauce and hummed at the deliciousness of the taste. Feeling stuffed, I leaned back in my seat and patted my stomach.
"No more food for today," I said.
Emmett, Jasper and Castiel started laughing and I looked at them.
"What's wrong with you today?" I asked.
"Jerks," Gabriel said and I looked at him. "Um, Nadine you have some chocolate on your chin," he said, showing me the spot on his.
"Oh," I said, and then I swept it up with my finger and put it in my mouth to clean it. "Than…" I started saying but stopped abruptly as I took in Gabriel's expression. His face was flushed and he was looking at me strangely.
'Is everything okay?' I thought. He shook his head yes, grabbed his book and started reading again. I picked up my orange juice, drinking it in small sips.
"So everything is set," Castiel said, "You are ready for the change."
"You helped Carlisle get the room ready," Emmett continued. "Is there anything else that needs to be done?"
"No, I don't think there is," Jasper said and smiled. "She already had her shower and ate her breakfast."
Taking my last sip of the juice, Emmett spoke again. "Oh, did you shave?"
I snorted and choked. They started laughing and Gabriel rushed to me to pat my back as I started coughing.
"You assholes! What do you want? To fucking kill her?" he yelled angrily. "Grow up for fuck's sake." He passed me a napkin as I gasped for a breath, I wiped my tears and Gabriel opened the window for me, to get some air. He helped me go to the window to take some breaths and made small circles in my back as I was trying to calm down.
"You okay?" he asked calmly. I nodded and turned to look at them.
"Wait until tomorrow you big oaf and I'll show you how waxing works while I kick your ass!" I said, picking up my plates and storming to the kitchen.
By the time I finished washing the dishes, it was 10 a.m. I went to my room and instantly I was attacked by Alice and Rosalie. They wanted to give me a birthday party and since she couldn't see the time my change would start, they decided to do it in the morning. Alice curled my hair. The front curls framed my face while the rest hung loosely over my shoulders. Rosalie did my make up, using light shades of gray and green.
I couldn't help but remember once again what Gabriel told me the past few days. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared, especially when he told me about the pain we feel. He said that what we feel is ten times worse than the normal change. That was because of two reasons: 1) Due to the fact that we are not bitten and 2) because our change lasts a day and not three. At some point he must have seen the fright on my face because he tried to comfort me by telling me that he wouldn't leave my side during the transformation and that if he could he would sustain all of the pain instead of me. Why would he want that?
"Okay, we are done," Alice said and took me out of my thoughts. "Be ready in thirty minutes," she finished and left the room with Rosalie.
On my bed, there was a black box with a nice turquoise ribbon and a Victoria secret bag, with a card from Rosalie, telling me, to change to these. It was a satin set of light gray undergarments.
'Thank God the panties are normal,' I thought to myself and giggled. I quickly changed my underwear and opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful piece of fabric I had ever seen in my life. I took it out in order to see the full beauty of it. It was a light gray, strapless knee length dress that was TIGHT at the bodice. I mean tight; it left nothing to the imagination. A big emerald green ribbon that would tie into a bow sat right below my breasts, and then the skirt flared out below that. The fabric was satin and when I moved, the skirt swished effortlessly around me. As the sunbeams washed the dress, you could see the fabric shimmer lightly. It was so beautiful.
I would never be able to express how grateful I was for what they'd done for me. They saved me in so many ways, especially Gabriel. He was my guide, the person I could confide anything to without being afraid of being judged unless it was necessary. He was my light, my best friend. To be perfectly honest, on the one hand I was so embarrassed when he told me about the extent of his mind reading ability. All these thoughts, the mixed emotions: he had heard everything! On the other hand, I was happy because he knew that I wasn't lying to him. It was possible they'd never see ME as part of their family, but they were mine. They were all I had left.
I sighed heavily and started getting dressed. I neatly got in my beautiful dress and pulled the zipper up. My God, it was as if this dress was made only for me. In front of my bed there was a shoe box. I opened it and inside there was a pair of silver ankle-strapped high heels. Bella would consider them 'death traps.' I giggled to myself as I remembered how many times I kissed the floor, trying to walk on heels. I put them on and started walking around the room, smiling to myself. I was ready for my new life and believe it or not… I was happy about it.
I heard a soft knock and Esme voice asking to enter my room.
"You are so beautiful honey," she said lovingly.
"Thank you, Esme," I said.
"Here let me tie your ribbon. You want it on the side or in the back?"
"In the back please," I said and turned around.
"There, now you are ready," she said and kissed my cheek. "A certain someone will not be able to take his eyes off of you," she finished, whispering in my ear and I changed 100 shades of red. What did she mean?
"Come on. Let's go," she said, took my hand in hers and we went downstairs. "Why don't you go and sit on the porch until everyone is here?" I nodded and went outside.
The weather was wonderful. It was shiny, without a hint of a cloud in the sky. I wrapped my arms around me and just let the sweet heat run through me. It was so peaceful and beautiful. All I could think of was Gabriel at the moment and how much he would love to be at his meadow back in Forks. He had found a spot like Edward's and Bella's way further from them and it was magical: much more beautiful than theirs. It was unique and so very much him. He was such a good man and he deserved the best; he deserved the whole world. I just wish I could give me at least a tiny piece of what he had given me. I wish I knew how…
I heard someone clear his throat behind me and I stopped breathing when I turned and looked at the source. Damian, Edward and Carlisle were there looking at me. Even though there was no hint of anger in their eyes, I felt intimidated. After the incident with Gabriel and the sword, I was never left alone with his fathers. I knew they wouldn't hurt me because if they wanted, they would have done it when he was away. But still… I just wanted Gabriel next to me, to feel secure once again.
"Good morning Nadine," Carlisle said.
"Um, good morning," I said and looked at the ground briefly before looking at Edward and Damian.
"You look beautiful," Damian said and I blushed.
"T- Thank you," I whispered and looked at the floor again. For Christ's sake, why couldn't I just like interact with others like a normal person instead of being shy?
There was an awkward moment of silence until Edward spoke. "Nadine, can you look at me please?"
Oh shit! 'Please don't cry' I admonished myself. 'Please not now'. I slowly lifted my eyes and met his. He had a serious look on his face but not the one that would make you run away and never look back.
"I hoped that we could have a small conversation yesterday, just the two of us but I didn't want to overwhelm you even more. I chose to do otherwise; however, I need to tell you a couple of things. Is that okay with you?"
What the hell? Was he asking my permission? Not being able to form a coherent sentence, I nodded, looking him straight in his eyes.
"We will not apologise to you about the way Damian and I reacted the day before yesterday. You have to understand that Gabriel is our son and we will not allow anyone to hurt him," he said, and when I opened my mouth to speak he lifted his hand to stop me. Did he really believe that everything after they'd done for me, I still wanted to hurt them?
"However, we will apologise for only one thing: that we, that I didn't have faith in you. After all the years I've walked on earth, after all of the things I've seen, I can't trust someone easily. This is just who I am and it has nothing to do with you. The only person I was able to trust, just by looking at him the very first day I saw him - even though I didn't really know who he was - was Gabriel. Even though you were forced to adulthood a long time ago, today you are becoming one legally and tomorrow you will be one of us.
If you asked me thirty years ago how I felt, I would have told you that this is a curse but I couldn't feel more blessed having my son. He, along with his mother and Damian, have given a new meaning in my existence. They made me realise that no matter what you do and who you are, you should never lose your faith in miracles. We were supposed to give you your present along with the others but there isn't a better moment than this," he finished and handed me a small velvet box.
I didn't know if I should cry or pass out. I took the small box in my hand and I opened it slowly. When I saw that it was a ring that had the family crest on it, I felt my eyes brimming with tears. Only one thing was in my mind: what was the meaning if all this? Damian approached me, took the box from my hand and took the ring out.
"May I?" he asked. I was frozen like a statue, gaping at him. He took my left hand in his and slid the ring on my middle finger. He kissed my hand tenderly and then hugged me.
"Welcome to the family, honey," he said. I couldn't hold it anymore. I started crying and held him tightly for a few moments. He broke our embrace, smiled at me and gave me a tissue. I wiped my carefully, without messing with my makeup.
Carlisle was next. He held me in his arms and I felt so warm and welcomed.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Edward was next. He had his hands in the pockets of his pants. I stood there and just stared at him. I always felt welcomed in their house but did he really mean it?
"Come here," he said and opened his arms for me. I went to him without a second thought, crushed to him hugging him tightly. I felt almost as safe as I felt with Gabriel.
"You are safe," he said. "You are officially a Cullen now. Welcome to the family," he finished and I cried even more.
"Thank you so much! Thank you! Thank you," I cried.
"Come, let's go inside," he said. I took a step back and wiped my cheeks.
We went inside and since there were still a few people missing, I excused myself for a second to go to my room and fix my makeup. When I entered my room, I looked at the ring that was on my finger. I felt the huge grin on my face and I twirled myself around, giggling like a child. I was happy…
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Gabriel's Pov
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I was sitting on my balcony and I couldn't do anything else but smile. They had given her the ring and I was happy. She was officially one of us. I would have her forever no matter what.
My fathers came in and joined me.
"Thank you, both of you," I said and hugged them. "I love you both so very much."
"You don't need to thank us, Gabriel," Edward said. "We did it because we wanted to do it."
"Besides," Damian continued. "it was bound to happen, whether we did it today or not," he smiled and I nodded.
"Let's go because she is about to come downstairs," Edward said. I picked up my present for her and went to the living room. I hoped she liked what was about to give her. She had to know what she meant to me and what she would always be for me.
When we got in the living room, everyone was there apart from her. I tried not to be irritated today but a certain asshole was making hard for me. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath in order to calm myself but Castiel's thoughts from the morning were burned in my mind…
My god, she is so beautiful…
I heard the clicking of her heels on the stairs, opened my eyes and waited for her to come into view when a fucking disturbance distracted me.
I want to see her so much…Castiel thought.
I snapped my head in his direction and looked at him intently. What the fuck was he trying to do? Jerk!
I heard mom gasp and turned to her direction, to see her between my fathers. They were both looking at me but Mom wasn't.
You okay, Gabe? Damian thought.
"I'm fine," I grumbled. He motioned with his head to look at the entrance and I did.
When I saw her… when I saw the angel standing in front of me smiling, I almost fainted. My God, she was beyond captivating and I don't think that there were words that could describe her. The way her hair hugged her shoulders, the way her dress moved, her blush as she was looking at me… She was perfect… she was the woman I loved more than life itself.
"Happy birthday," Alice sang and went to hug her.
Everyone went to her to wish her well and hug her and I just stood there like a moron. She had knocked the air out of my lungs. I managed to go to her but when I was about to talk to her, Castiel stepped in front of me.
"My goodness Nadine, you are stunning. Happy Birthday, beautiful," he said and hugged her.
"T-thank you, Castiel," she stuttered.
I closed my eyes for a moment in order to keep it together. He was provoking me and that was not good! I cleared my throat to let the son of a bitch know that I was still behind him and that he needed to take his fucking hands off her.
"Oh, Gabriel, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you were standing there," he said and looked at me. "She is enchanting!"
I flashed him a huge smile and looked at him. "Ah, Castiel, there is our difference. You can see her looks but I can see her heart and there is not a single word that will ever be able to describe the depths of it."
My girl blushed and looked at the floor. "Come on guys. Don't embarrass me," she whispered.
Castiel raised his fucking eye brow and looked at her again.
She is adorable when she blushes… he thought and ran his finger over her cheek.
He touched her. He fucking touched her in front of me. He touched the blush that I caused. I narrowed my eyes at him and he smirked. He took a step back to give me some space but he didn't go too far. Nadine was looking at me and I smiled at her.
"Happy Birthday, tesoro," I said as I hugged her.
"Thank you, Gabriel," she said and rested her head on my shoulder. "Are you going to tell me what it means?"
"Nope," I said. "Can't a guy have a secret?"
"You know that you will tell me someday," she stated as a matter of fact.
"Maybe," I said, pulling back a little to smile at her. "…someday. Plus I get extra time since I persuaded the girls not to get you a cake," I finished and winked at her.
"Can I ask how you managed that?" she smiled brightly.
"Using the Cullen charm, sweetheart," I said as I kissed her forehead. "I tried at least. They traded the regular cake for a huge cupcake."
"Oh, well… I can manage that."
I guided her to the couch and we sat down. We all started talking about various things. One of those things was her education. She was really excited that she would be able to go to school again. She decided that she wanted to study Psychology. Of course she was ecstatic when she found out that Buckingham had such a division. She was worried that she might have to go to London but everything was settled. Nadine would start in one year. It wouldn't take much time to tame her thirst. It didn't take much time for Castiel and me.
"What if I flip in the middle of class?" she asked me.
I smiled at her. "I'll be there for you."
You are always there for me… she thought looking into my eyes.
"Damn straight I am!" I said and she laughed.
Of course the perfect moment had to be destroyed when that son of a bitch started thinking about my girl again.
Her laugh is like angels' choir. So pure…Castiel thought.
He needed to fucking stop thinking about her. What the fuck had gotten into him? Couldn't he see that she didn't even look at him? He was really pissing me off with his behaviour.
"Do you know what is missing?" Damian asked abruptly. "Some music," he finished, answering his own question. He got up and pressed the play button from the CD player. Nadine closed her eyes and sighed. She loved music so very much. I couldn't wait to see her reaction to Mom's and Rose's present. Mom looked at my father and smiled at him.
"Dance with me?" she asked.
"Did Isabella Marie Swan just ask me to dance?" he asked teasingly. She grinned and nodded. "My God, what have you done with my girl?"
"Oh shut up and dance with me," she laughed and kissed him.
They started swaying in small circles, smiling at each other like love-struck teenagers. I sighed sadly because I'd always wanted that. Now here I was, sitting next to the love of my life, knowing that I was merely a friend to her. I wish I could tell her what she meant to me, how much I wanted us to be together. That I wanted her to love me like the way I loved her. I wanted her to know that I was hers, body and soul.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"Nothing," I lied. "I'm just watching how happy my parents are."
"They are. I am happy for them," she said looking in their direction. I stared at her profile. That perfect smile of hers was plastered on her face as she looked at my dad twirling mom.
They are so beautiful… Nadine thought. I miss dancing… I wish grandpa could take me dancing again…
"Nadine," I started saying when Alice cut me off.
"Nadine, do you know how to dance?" Alice asked and smiled at her.
"Yes I do. My grandfather used to take me to a ballroom dance school," she said with a sigh. "Every Sunday we would go for a picnic in Central Park and we would dance. He loved dancing," she finished with a sad smile.
An angel like her shouldn't smile sadly… Castiel thought.
Once again the shithead made me lose my focus on her in order to look at him. I caught him looking at her, smiling. 'Keep smiling like that you pervert and I will wipe that smile off your face before you realize it,' I thought to myself. I put my hand around her shoulders and the jerk looked at me. I narrowed my eyes, telling him to knock it off but the asshole didn't.
"Well, Ms. Sullivan," he said, as he got up and straightened his tie. Who the fuck wears a tie anyway these days? "Would you do me the honour of dancing with me?" he asked, standing in front of her with his hand extended out toward her.
Oh my God… she thought and her heart beat rose.
"Um, sure," she said and placed her lovely hand in his.
The song changed and you could hear the smooth voice of Tony Bennett singing 'The Way You Look Tonight.' A small growl escaped from my chest as he placed his fucking hands on her waist. He brought his body closer to hers, placed their entwined hands to his chest and started moving slowly. I wanted to tear him apart right that instant. She. Was. MINE!
Someone is being wooed… Emmett thought and smirked.
If I had blood in my veins, it would be boiling by now. I got up from the couch in order to go and get her off him when my grandmother approached me.
"How are you darling?" she asked me.
"Fine!" I snapped in a low tone, without looking at her. Then she giggled.
My eyes were glued on them, watching like a hawk and ready to attack. I had never felt like this before. I had never felt so angry, desperate. I want to torture him for even daring to have her so close to him. I wanted him erased from the planet. The room was full of people and all I saw was him holding my angel in his soon-to-be ripped off arms. I placed my hand on the armchair and felt the leather tearing under my touch.
"It's been a long time since I last danced," he whispered to her.
"Why? Dancing is so liberating," she answered back.
"Maybe I was looking for the right partner," he fucking said close to her ear.
She blushed and I nearly saw red.
"You are so cute when you blush, do you know that?" he said and chuckled.
"Um, thanks?" she muttered.
"Just telling the truth," he said. "You are quite a sight to watch: a very beautiful, smart and attractive young lady. I would be a very lucky man to have someone like you by my side."
'You fucking pervert… child molester.' I growled in my mind. She was eighteen years old and he was forty-eight and I didn't give a fuck if he looked no more than twenty one! That son of a bitch was hitting on my girl and I couldn't stand it any longer.
She. Was. Fucking Mine!
Oh yes I would! I could make her so happy… the fucker thought.
Over my fucking pile of ashes!
"Nadine," he started and looked in her eyes.
"Yes?"
He lost his chance and now it's my turn… he thought and my eyes widened.
"After your change, would you consider…"
Fuck no!
"… going out with me? Like a date?" he finished.
That was fucking IT! I ghosted next to him, struggling not to kill him.
"Excuse me," I growled lightly and plastered a fake smile on my face.
What the fuck is your problem kiddo? he thought angrily.
I wanted to tell him that he was my fucking problem and that I nearly solved the problem by feeding him his own balls.
"I want to dance with my bestfriend," I said and looking straight in her beaming eyes. "Is there a problem with that?" I finished and narrowed my eyes at him.
No problem… he thought. …For now!
You fucking piece of shit!
"Of course not, Gabriel," he said and smirked. "Ms. Sullivan, it was a pleasure," he continued and kissed her hand. "I would love to see those graceful skills of yours again, dancing the Tango."
'Not if I have a say, asshole!' I thought.
"Yeah, sure," I said as I quickly took her hand from his.
Michael Buble's 'Save the Last Dance for Me' filled the room and I smiled. She smiled brightly at me and I took her in arms and just like that… I was in heaven holding its most beautiful thing in my arms. We started moving in small circles and it was just only us and no one else. She sighed and laid her head on my shoulder.
You can dance-every dance with the guy,
who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight.
You can smile-every smile for the man,
who held your hand 'neath the pale moonlight
"I didn't know you could dance," she whispered and I could trace the smile in her voice. "Who taught you?"
My gaze reached Damian and saw him smile as he remembered the days he'd spent in the backyard teaching me how to dance.
Now Gabriel, remember: it doesn't matter whether your partner can dance or not. It's all about the lead. If you are just sharing a dance and nothing more, make sure your body proximity stays formal but if you really have feelings for the girl, then bring your bodies close to each other. Allow her to relax in your arms. Dancing is all about emotions. Show her with your dance what you can't say to her…
Dancing is all about emotions. Show her with your dance what you can't say to her… Damian repeated in his mind. Sweep her off her feet Gabriel…
I smiled and started swaying us more eagerly. I loved her and I was happy for her, for me. Never before had I felt so connected with her, I was flying to places I never knew existed. She was all I ever wanted.
Oh I know that the music's fine,
like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun.
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart,
don't give your heart to anyone.
I placed my hand firmly on her back, our bodies inches apart.
But don't forget who's takin' you home
and in whose arms you're gonna be
so darlin' save the last dance for me
When she wasn't expecting it, I twirled her and brought her body back to mine.
"Oh!" she exclaimed with a laugh and I grinned back at her.
I closed my eyes and placed my cheek on her temple; savouring the feeling of having her so close to me, loving her…
Baby don't you know I love you so?
Can't you feel it when we touch?
I will never never let you go;
I love you oh so much
'More than I will ever be able to tell you' I thought to myself and tightened my arms around her as we swayed.
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me,
Right that instant, I wanted him to know that I would fight for her. 'Me' I mouthed looking at him, letting him know that he was going down… No one fucked with me!
Oh, baby won't you save the last dance for me?
Ooh, you make a promise and save the last dance for me.
Save the last, the very last dance for me…
The dance ended with me twirling her one last time and bent her, holding her tightly from her waist. Our eyes locked for seconds before she started laughing happily. I helped her back to her feet and she hugged me tightly. I turned my gaze to the asshole's direction.
Take that fucker!
I brought to my lips to her left hand and kissed her ring. She was a Cullen…
"Welcome to the family, sweetheart," I whispered in her ear and she shivered.
Mom approached us, holding a small silver plate with Nadine's birthday cupcake and a candle on top.
"Okay, enough with the cuddling," she said with a laugh. Nadine, to my dismay, got out of my arms, turned around and smiled at her. "Make a wish, baby girl," Mom said.
Nadine closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
I wish I could go on a real date with him… Nadine thought and blew her candle.
That was the first time I wished I wasn't a mind reader. There isn't anything worse than hearing the woman you love wishing for another man. I never wanted to leave as much as that moment. She will never be mine. Never…
"Time for presents!" Alice squealed. She took Nadine's hand in hers and stood her in front of her first present. "This is from Esme," she said.
Nadine tore the paper and she gasped at the sight.
"Oh my God!" she said and started crying. The woman on the painting was beautiful. I could see from where Nadine got her eyes. She turned around and looked at me. "G-Gabriel, this is my mom," she said and cried even more. I went to her and took her in my arms.
"Shh, don't cry," I whispered to her as I felt my eyes burning. She nodded and went to Esme.
"Thank you so much," she said and hugged her. "The last time I saw her face was three years ago."
"Now you will get to see it for eternity," Esme said and kissed her cheek.
"I love you Esme," she whispered.
"I love you too," she smiled lovingly at her and wiped her Nadine's tears away.
"Now," Alice said. "This is from Jasper, Emmett and me." She said and handed her a fancy leather envelope.
Nadine opened it and took out the papers that were contained in it. She furrowed her brows and looked at her. Alice giggled and sat with her on the couch.
"These are 10 shares of 10 stocks from 10 different companies. These will be worth a LOT in a few decades," Alice explained and bounced on the couch.
"I haven't heard of most of these companies," Edward said as he took a document in his hands.
"You will, dear brother of mine. Soon," Alice said and winked at him.
"I am sure of it," he chuckled.
Nadine thanked them with a big group hug even though Emmett picked her up in a bone crushing hug. Mom and Rosalie were next. They asked her to close her beautiful eyes for a few seconds. They placed the case on the coffee table and opened it. It was beautiful and there was no chance she wouldn't love it.
"Open your eyes, sweetie," Rosalie said.
It was a black Spanish guitar that had lavender and silver Victorian swirls where they ended with an elegant daisy. Nadine didn't make a sound. She had her hand in front of her mouth. She kneeled in front of the instrument and took it in her arms.
"This is the most beautiful guitar I have ever laid my eyes on," she whispered.
It's perfect… Nadine thought.
'Just like you' I thought to myself. She placed the guitar back to the case, as if it was something fragile, and threw herself at Mom and Rosalie.
"Thank you so very much," she said and kissed their cheeks.
Then it was the dickhead's turn and I almost had a heart attack once I saw the bag from Tiffany's. As if the heartbreak I sustained the past few days wasn't enough, I had to watch him making goo goo eyes with what was fucking mine!
"I tried to find something, that would be equal to your beauty but I couldn't. I hope that you will like it," he said and handed her the bag.
She opened the bag and took out a small leather box. It was a silver chain-link bracelet that had a charm with a capital 'N'.
"Oh Castiel, it's beautiful," she said, got up off the couch and kissed his cheek. I can't imagine a worse pain than watching the love of your life kissing another man even if it was so innocent. I slowly backed away, not being able to look anymore and left the house…
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Nadine's Pov
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"Sweetie, I think it's time for you to get out of these wonderful shoes," Alice said.
"Why?" I asked confused. "I like my shoes."
"Yes, I know you do but it's better to do as I say."
Even though I didn't understand the reason of doing so, I did it anyway. I placed them under the coffee table and sat on the cream-coloured carpet. Alice placed a medium leathered box with a Cullen-crest stamp on it in front of me.
"Something tells me that this will be your favourite present of all," Esme said and smiled widely.
I took a deep breath and opened the silver clip of the box. I took out the first item and held it tenderly in my hands. It was a beautiful porcelain angel girl, with long brown hair sitting on a blue bench, looking down.
"Oh my God. I can't believe he still has it," Damian said.
"What?" I asked, as I set it on the table.
"This is the very first thing I got for Gabriel. Three days after I got him, I went to the supermarket to get diapers. As I was passing from a small vintage store I saw it standing on the window and remembered something Bella had said to Gabriel, before I thought she died. She told him that she would be watching him from heaven. The little angel represents Bella watching over Gabriel," he said looking at me. By the time he finished speaking, I was on the verge of bawling my eyes out.
I drank some juice that Esme had brought me earlier and took out a small white box. Inside the box there were two heavy silver hair combs. Dark blue sapphires were clustered into floral shapes atop the teeth. As I took one out of the box, I heard Bella gasp.
"Oh Gabriel," Bella said in a whisper.
"Bella?" I asked.
"These belonged to Grandma Marie. She was my father's mother. Charlie gave these to me on my eighteenth birthday. Two weeks ago Damian handed me the jewellery he had found in my room and I gave these combs to Gabriel in order to give them to a very special person," she said, smiled and held Edward's hand firmly in hers.
But why? Why would he give something so important? I wasn't a special person. I was only his friend. I wiped my tears and continued to the next one. It was a medium-sized snow globe that surrounded a beautiful house and tiny glitter snow flakes. I turned it upside down and stared the tiny flakes moving in the water.
"I gave this to Gabriel," Edward said. "When Damian came to find me after he and Gabriel left for Alaska, he told me that Gabriel loved snow globes as a child. So as a remembrance of our reunion, I had this one made for him. The house in there is an exact replica of their house in Chandalar," he continued. "Everything in this box, are small token of love we gave to Gabriel," he finished.
These were tokens of love from his family. These were important things to him. Why would he give them to me? I sniffled and took the last item in my hands. When I opened the velvet purple box, my heart started pounding so hard and fast that I was able to hear it in my ears. Inside there was a white gold Claddagh Pendant hanging from a thin chain. It consisted of two hands joined together to support a single emerald heart with a crown upon it.
"Oh my God!" I gasped. My hands started trembling violently as I took out the pendant from the case. Only then I realised that there was an ivory envelope in the box. Holding the necklace in one hand I opened the envelope, took out the letter and started reading it.
Benedetto sia 'l giorno, et 'l mese, et l'anno,
et la stagione, e 'l tempo, et l'ora, e 'l punto,
e 'l bel paese, e 'l loco ov'io fui giunto
da'duo begli occhi che legato m'anno;
et benedetto il primo dolce affanno
ch'i' ebbi ad esser con Amor congiunto,
et l'arco, et le saette ond'i' fui punto,
et le piaghe che 'nfin al cor mi vanno.
Benedette le voci tante ch'io
chiamando il nome de mia donna ò sparte,
e i sospiri, et le lagrime, e 'l desio;
et benedette sian tutte le carte
ov'io fama l'acquisto, e 'l pensier mio,
ch'è sol di lei, sí ch'altra non v'à parte.
It was useless. I didn't understand a thing in that letter. All I knew was that it was beautiful, unique… I turned to look at Gabriel but he was nowhere to be seen. I started crying even more.
"What does it mean?" I asked in a whisper. I sat on my knees and tried to read again and figure out what it said.
"It's an Italian Sonnet," Edward said. "It was written by Francesco Petrarca back in the 1300's. He was inspired by Laura, a young woman he saw in church," he finished.
I got up, stood in front of Edward and handed him the letter. "Please Edward, tell me what it says… Please," I begged him between my tears. He folded it and put it back in my hand.
"It's called Bound to Love…" he said before he started reciting the most magical words I had ever heard.
Oh blessed be the day, the month, the year,
the season and the time, the hour, the instant,
the gracious countryside, the place where I was
struck by those two lovely eyes that bound me;
and blessed be the first sweet agony
I felt when I found myself bound to Love,
the bow and all the arrows that have pierced me,
the wounds that reach the bottom of my heart.
And blessed be all of the poetry
I scattered, calling out my lady's name,
and all the sighs, and tears, and the desire;
blessed be all the paper upon which
I earn her fame, and every thought of mine,
only of her, and shared with no one else.
By the time he finished, I was trying really hard to stand still…
He loved me…
Gabriel loved me…
How could I be so blind? How could I not understand all these feelings that tortured my soul all these months? The jealousy I felt when I saw him with that girl, the way he made me feel when he held me, the way he looked at me.
Oh God!
I started looking frantically around the room but he wasn't there. Holding the pendant tightly in my hand, I bolted upstairs to go to his room. I opened the door but he wasn't there.
"Gabriel!" I yelled but I got no answer.
Without thinking twice, I ran downstairs and went outside. I started running to go to the backyard, calling his name. That was when I saw him walking, heading toward the woods.
"Gabriel, wait!" I called again but he didn't stop and I was getting angry. This time it was him that was running.
"Stop!" I yelled and Gabriel fell to his knees, his head hanging.
I ran to him and fell to my knees as well.
"Stop running away from me, you fool!" I exclaimed as I took his face in my hands. His eyes were closed and I needed to look at him.
"G-Gabriel, look at me," I pleaded but he kept them shut. "Please angel…"
He slowly opened his eyes and they were full of tears. "I will release you only if you promise me that you won't run, okay?" I asked him, running my fingers through his hair. He nodded and I felt him relax slightly.
"Will you help me wear it?" I asked, handing him my pendant.
"Yes," he said in a hoarse whisper. I pulled my hair to the side and he smoothly placed it around my neck. When he closed the clasp, he put my hair around my shoulders, ran his finger over my pendant as he locked his watery eyes with mine and sighed.
"Gabriel?" I said as I placed my fingertips on his cheek.
He closed his eyes leaned his face into my palm and surrendered to my touch. "Yes?" he asked.
"I love you," I said and crushed my lips on his. He placed one hand on the back of my neck and the other on my waist, pressing me tightly to his body.
Our kiss was needy, desperate and full of love. It was only me and him and I loved him more than anything because he deserved nothing less. We both pulled apart gasping for air and he held my face in his hands.
"I love you," he chanted between kisses. "There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you, nothing I wouldn't give you. I can't breathe without you," he said and we both started crying. "I am nothing without you."
I smiled at him through my tears. "Well," I sighed happily, "that makes two of us," as I moved to kiss the love of my life once more.
A/N
*wipes tears… This is it. They are finally together… I hope it was worth the wait and sorry for the small delay.
The lyrics of the song 'Save the last dance for me' are owned by Ben. E. King and not by me.
I want to thank Camilla10 for her help with the Italian poetry. Grazie!
Ale, my precious friend… Congratulations for winning the two categories in 'The Indie Twific Awards'. I am so proud of you. You wrote an amazing story…
Thank you for your help again… It is valued….
Pen…
