Chapter 29 - Love Remains The Same

Revised: April 26, 2009

BPOV

It was impossible to fall back asleep after the dream. I spent rest of the night thinking only of Edward: re-reading his letter over and over till I had every syllable memorized, listening to each CD he made for me on repeat, and reminiscing about our nights together.

If I were to return to him. Things would be different and, potentially, better. We would no longer have to sneak around to spare another's feelings. We could be that normal couple at last: building a future together.

Our puzzle could be complete.

The next morning, I quickly took a shower. Even though the sleepless night took a toll on my already stressed body, I intended on going to work. I needed the money and besides, it'll give me time to think on what exactly I planned to say when I called Edward's cell phone number (thank god I didn't delete it from my phone) later on tonight.

After toweling off, I slipped on my undergarments; consisting of a plain white bra, panties, garter belt, and nude stockings (I was never a fan of panty hose). Next, was my Carver's waitress uniform: a robin egg blue one piece with white lace trim. It looked like it came right out of the forties and, shamefully, I really found it cute.

I pulled my hair into a messy bun as I ran down the stairs and out the front door to the car. Charlie and Deb already left for work earlier, so I didn't have to say goodbye to anyone today or explain why I was pacing back in forth in my room most of the night.

The drive to Carver's Diner was swift and silent; I was in such a daze at home that I forgot to take one of Edward's CDs with me. Even though I had, at least, thirty CDs in the truck with me, I had absolutely no desire to listen to any of them. The only thing I wanted to hear right now was Edward's silky voice. Nothing could ever compare to his voice.

Cora, the owner of Carver's and a old friend of Mom and Dad's, was already at the front counter counting down the drawer for the morning bank deposit. Surprisingly, the diner was pretty much deserted; only one regular, an elderly gentleman by the name of Mr. Duncan, occupied the corner booth in the far back of the diner. He greeted me with a smile before taking a sip of his coffee and looking back down at the morning edition of The Forks Forum- Peninsula Herald. I gave him a quick wave before tying my crisp white apron around my waist and pinning my name tag underneath my right lapel. Casually, I made my way back behind the counter and began busying myself with the coffee maker.

"Good morning, Cora."

Cora turned and smiled at me, zipping up the night deposit bag. "Good morning, Bella...wow, you look beat! Are you okay?"

I forced a smile and nodded as I quickly replaced the filter in the coffee maker.

"I'm okay...I just had a hard time sleeping last night. The storm kept me awake," I lied as I ripped open the packet of decaf and poured it in the filter.

Cora looked at me; unconvinced, but she didn't push. Instead, she sighed and picked up her appointment book and looked it over. An odd smile spread across her lips as she reviewed her plans for the day. This was a completely normal routine for her though. I would be surprised to see her without that book in her hand, even if it were for one single hour of the day.

"Bella, I got a proposition for you..."

I turned my attention back to Cora; leaving the coffee maker to carry out the rest of my task.

"Sure, what is it you need?"

Her smile grew bigger, resembling the Cheshire cat.

"Well, there is this gentleman that called a few days ago when you were off. He just moved from some place out east and his wife is supposed to be reuniting with him today. He was wondering if we could cater a nice lunch for him and bring it by the house he just bought especially for her. You remember, that Cape Cod house on the corner of Prairie and Calawah?"

I nodded as I felt a bit of sadness creep over me as she described the house; my dream house. I remember when it was put on the market after Mrs. Woods, the original owner, passed away. It had been up for sale for years now since it was a little run down. No one had shown interest in buying it and fixing it up. I, however, always had a glimmer of hope that one day I would live there or in a house just like it. It was the perfect place to live and start a family.

Cora cleared her throat, "Well...I have the food all prepared and in a picnic basket to go, but I need you to drop it off to him along with the invoice."

She handed me the invoice before running back into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she came strolling out with a large picnic basket in one hand and a clear, square CD case in the other. She handed the picnic basket to me first.

"Here you go! Just collect the money if everything is satisfactory. After you are done, take the rest of the day off and get some sleep. We are going to be slow today, I can tell right now..."

I was about to protest until she handed me the clear CD case with a shiny red CD inside. I stared at a few minutes. Did he come by this morning or last night? I missed him?

Cora smiled, "I found this in the mailbox this morning. It's addressed to you."

"Um...thanks...I guess I'll get going now..."

I grabbed my keys and made my way out the diner and to my truck with the CD and picnic basket in tow. Once I was inside and comfortable, I looked down at the CD. A warmth came over me as I looked over his handwriting. I was happy I had the rest of the day off now. I could do the errand and then call him. I could finally speak to him.

I read over the title of the CD and its contents carefully:

Part Three: Wouldn't It Be Nice

1) I'll Be - Edwin McCain

2) I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden

3) You and Me - Lifehouse

4) Wonderwall - Oasis

5) Naked As We Came - Iron & Wine

6) Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

7) Love Remains The Same - Gavin Rossdale

8) Day After Day - Julian Lennon

9) Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Gos

10) Bella's Lullaby - Edward Cullen (You inspired this one - Ti Amo)

I looked at the last song with disbelief. He wrote me a song...a song that I evidently inspired him to create. I turned the ignition and revved the engine before putting the CD in, skipping to track ten. I smiled as delicate piano notes whispered through my speakers; instantly causing me to tear up.

Soon, Edward and I will be together. I could feel it.

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The drive to the beautiful Cape Cod style home was perfected with the rare morning sunlight and Edward's angelic voice. In half an hour, I was standing at the front door, ready to knock until I saw a typed letter stuck to the gold door knocker. I leaned in closer to read what it said:

Isabella -

Cora mentioned you would be the one delivering the meal. Please come inside. There's no need to knock.

Sincerely,

Tony

I sighed and opened the door, stepping inside and looking around the foyer and adjoining living room. I set the basket on a nearby hall table before looking around for this Tony fellow.

"Hello? Tony?"

A velvety voice came from the back of the house, "Back here."

I hesitantly walked through the foyer, through the small kitchen, turning right down another hall; finally coming to the last bedroom on the left where the voice had come from earlier. I stepped inside the room; peering around slowly until my eyes met a bronze-haired figure dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a familiar Rolling Stones t-shirt. His piercing green eyes surveyed the powder blue room before looking into mine. I could feel my breath hitch as my memory kicked in full gear: placing the face before me with a name.

He smiled crookedly at me, but there was a hint of desperation gracing his angelic face. He cleared his throat and stepped closer to me, hesitantly.

"I think this room would be perfect for E.J. It'd be right across from our bedroom and it has its own little bathroom that he can use when he gets older. Upstairs is a great loft bedroom that we can convert into a master when we decide to have another baby..."

I shook my head in utter disbelief. I no longer needed to call him. Edward Anthony Cullen was here in front of me. He was in touching distance. I wanted to move; to run to him and fall into his arms, but my feet were cemented to the hardwood floors.

"E-Edward? Oh my god...you are here...y-you bought this house?"

He stepped closer to me and reached out cautiously to caress my cheek lovingly.

"Cora and Deb told me that you always had a thing for this house. I put in an offer on it a week after you left...I wasn't going to give up on you so easily, Bella."

I shook my head in utter disbelief as I looked around the room. I tried to take all this in with as much rational as possible. Cora and Deb were in on this whole thing?

"Edward...what about Chicago? What about your job with the hospital? Wha-" His warm fingertips rested against my lips, silencing me.

"Bella, my home is where ever you are. As soon as you left, I began planning my playlist. I put my apartment on the market. I sped up all my classes so I could finish early. I began setting up my roots here: buying this house and taking a job as the head of pediatrics at Forks Hospital. There is only one more thing on the playlist that needs to be addressed immediately."

I cleared my throat and asked the question that now weighed on my mind, "What is it?"

With a nervous sigh, he whispered, " Sposilo… è la mia moglie."

"What does that mean, Edward?" I could feel the frustration and anticipation building. I wanted a straight answer to the Italian saying that he has continuously referenced.

His lips pressed against my hairline; relishing the silence between us. He allowed his lips to move down my forehead, nose, then finally my lips. His lips brushed lightly against mine as he spoke.

"Bella...there's one thing I want more than anything in this world. Marry me...be my wife..."