Chapter 34$ - The Pianist

Song: "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" by The Backstreet Boys

Same song through the differing POVs until otherwise noted.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, not me.

Author's Note: My poetry sucks, if you send me something better, that is appropriate, I may take my pitiful attempt at writing out and put yours in! And you have to listen to the second song…"Soulmate" by Natasha Bedingfield. It is so perfectly Bella. You can go to .com, click on free episodes, select dancing with the stars, and Natasha sings this song on the week 7 results show. You have to hear this song, it is amazing!

R+R

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Bella POV:

"I have to go, I just remembered that I told Carlisle I would help him with his research. Get to class, I will pick you up later." And before I could say anything else she was gone. I wondered why she would take off in such a hurry.

I pulled my sweater tighter around my shoulders as a cold wind stirred up the falling leaves in the garden. It was so beautiful here, I could see Edward's love for nature built into this garden.

I got up and started to walk around the pond. I was so lost in my thoughts, memories of Edward swirling through my head, that when I tripped over a stray rock and fell, I realized I had come to the other side of the garden. I looked at my dirt caked hands, and then quickly jerked my head up to see if anyone on the campus proper had seen my lack of coordination. I never noticed if someone was pointing and laughing at me, because I could see a bronze head disappearing around the corner of the history building.

I was on my feet in record time and half way across the lawn when I stopped. It would not have been Edward, it couldn't be. Alice said he was gone, he couldn't live with the family. He couldn't be here. I had been thinking about him, that's why I thought I had seen him. My brain was playing tricks on me.

I hurried to Spanish, but my eyes kept scanning the crowds of people for someone I would recognize in an instant.

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Edward POV:

"Hey, I heard you were back." The voice took me off guard. Rosalie had been standing in my doorway for a few minutes now, trying to decide what to say.

Her steps barely made any noise as she danced across the room, and sat down next to me on the couch. "Edward, it is going to be ok. We are so excited that you have come home." She was trying so hard to make me happy, but I could tell she wanted something from me.

"What is it Rosalie?" I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

I easily picked the answer out of her thoughts. Open mike night, of course. She was worried the band would sound slightly off, if everyone had to switch instruments to cover my absence on piano.

"Fine, Rosalie, I will play tonight, but this is the last time." Her next thought was why I did not want to play anymore.

My answer took a minute and Rosalie got her "Why?" out before I could choke out the words. "Bella…Bella is my inspiration. Without her, I just cant play."

I was so caught up in my pain, I did not even hear her next thoughts until she voiced them aloud. "Edward, you will get past this. You just need time to heal, and the right mind set."

"No Rosalie, I CANT!" I shouted. "Imagine losing Emment…would YOU get over it with the right mindset and time?" I asked her, the sarcasm dripping off of each word.

As she pictured losing Emment in her head, I realized how much she truly did want me to be better. And then as she realized that she could not live without Emment, she suddenly understood what I was trying to communicate to her.

"Yes, I told you I would play for tonight." I responded to her mental thought that the band could figure it out, without me. "Come on, I could use some practice." I got up and held the door open for her, and quaked at the idea of facing Carlisle and Esme, after everything I had put them through.

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Alice was not at the house, which probably was for the best. I could hear my family's nervous thoughts convened in the living room as Rosalie and I pulled into the driveway. I slammed the door and walked inside.

Words were apparently unnecessary, because Carlisle just opened the door and hugged me. "Welcome home, son." He whispered into my ear, as he let me go.

Esme's arms quickly replaced Carlisle's. "You will stop putting me through this, Edward. I do not know how much more of this stress I can take."

"I am sorry, Mom. I needed time on my own." I replied shamefully.

"I know, sweetheart, I am just so happy your home."

Emment slapped me on the back. "Welcome home bro, you sure took your time."

"Thanks Emment." I replied.

Jasper nodded to me from his spot on the couch. He was unhappy to have me home. My emotional climate was uncomfortable for him to be around, and although he tried to soothe my hurts, he could never take away all of the pain I felt.

"Come on." Rosalie commanded. "Edward said he would play tonight, so let's go get some practice in."

"Why?" Emment whined.

There really was no need for the rest of them, but I knew my mind and my fingers would not be working together tonight.

"Because Edward needs it!" Rosalie snapped. Emment stopped asking questions and followed us upstairs.

I was oddly grateful to Rosalie, she could understand how difficult this was for me, and she was willing to do whatever was necessary to help me live with the family. She really cared about keeping us all together. For once the sister in my corner was not Alice.

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Bella POV:

I was surprised at how many people had shown up for open mike night. Alice had informed me that it was a big deal, but sometimes what Alice considered a big deal, and what the rest of the world considered a big deal were two different things.

We got a table together and then Alice left me alone to get us some drinks. I nervously picked at my chipped nail polish as my gaze slid through the crowd of people. Alice had dressed me in what she deemed appropriate attire: a white sundress with a sprinkling of strawberries all over it. She had pulled back my hair into a French braid and I had conceded to a tiny bit of makeup. I never was one for getting dressed up, but I was feeling rebellious towards my nature and thought maybe tonight I would talk to some people I didn't know while the Cullens played. It wouldn't hurt to look good if I had the nerve to actually get out of my seat and try to talk to people.

Alice was back with the drinks, as she set my Coke down in front of me, and I asked her, "Where is everyone else?"

"Oh, they are bringing all of our equipment over. They will meet us in a while."

"Mmm" I responded as the first person stepped up to the mike.

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I was enthralled by all of the poets and musicians. They all had such passion for what they were doing, and time just flew by. I couldn't believe two hours had really passed until Alice said that it was time for her to go and I risked a look at the clock.

As I watched Alice disappear into the crowd I wondered where the rest of the Cullens were. They had never joined us. I couldn't worry about it though, because the next person was reciting a poem about loneliness, and I could relate to it.

In the night, I reach for you.

My hand meets nothing, but soft dew.

I cry out your name, I race through the dark.

But you are gone, and you've taken my heart.

If I hadn't seen Alice waiting to walk onto the stage, I probably would have left. The words struck a cord deep in the heart of me, it was like she was speaking of my pain. My thoughts of sorrow were interrupted by Alice's voice over the mike. "Hey this is Alice of the Cullen Clan…me and Jasper on the guitar are going to open us up tonight."

************************************************************************Song: "Soulmate" by Natasha Bedingfield

Remains Bella POV

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The opening guitar cords started up slowly and soulfully, and I saw Jasper seated playing an acoustic guitar in the back corner of the stage. Alice had her eyes closed as she vocalized before she started singing the words.

"Incompatible, it don't matter though

Cause someone's bound to hear my cry.

Speak out if you do,

Your not easy to find."

I scanned the area around the stage and saw Rosalie and Emment waiting off to the left. They had their arms wrapped around each other, and were intent on watching Alice.

"Is it possible,

Mr. Lovable,

Is already in my life?

Right in front of me, or maybe your in disguise."

Alice's voice was sending shivers down my spine. I knew I had no Mr. Loveable, he had been in my life and now was gone forever.

"Who doesn't long for, someone to hold?

Who knows how to love you, without being told.

Somebody tell me why I'm own,

If there's a soul mate for everyone?"

Tears started to run down my face. I had had a soul mate, he left me. How does that work? I was on my own, and I had already found my soul mate. Life wasn't fare.

"Here we are again,

Circles never end,

How do I find the perfect fit?

There's enough for everyone, but I'm still waiting in line!"

I turned my tear stained face back towards Rosalie and Emment, and wondered if I could make it over there to tell them I was leaving. I didn't see them where they had been before. I scanned the crowd for them and found them on the other side of the stage. A third person had joined them. I craned my neck to get a better look. I didn't want some random stranger to see me at my worst.

"Who doesn't long for, someone to hold?

Who knows how to love you, without being told.

Somebody tell me why I'm own,

If there's a soul mate for everyone?"

I figured it was a guy. He had a good build, was pale, but that could just be the lights. The music crescendo-ed, and I started to hyperventilate.

"Somebody tell me why I'm on my own,

If there's a soul mate for everyone?"

Pale, bronze hair, friendly with the Cullens…it couldn't be. Alice wouldn't do this to me. I glanced quickly to Alice, just as Jasper finished playing the last cords of the song. The entire audience rose to its feet to applaud Alice and Jasper, and I lost track of Rosalie and Emment, and the person they were talking to.

I tried to remain calm as the audience quieted down and the rest of the Cullens filled onto the stage. Emment walked over to the drum-set and started twirling his sticks. Rosalie picked up a bass, and walked up to a microphone. I glanced over at the person sitting down at the piano…and was unable to process what was happening.

Alice's voice somehow broke through my mental stop. "I have some bad news to share. Our pianist will no longer be with us after tonight. So we would like to feature him in a solo, before we begin."

This was not happening this couldn't be. The pianist looked up at Alice as she finished her announcement, and his golden eyes reflected more sorrow than I thought possible for one person to possess.

I barely could comprehend Alice's next words. "This is a song he wrote for his only love."

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Song: "Bella's Lullaby" by Carter Burwell

Remain Bella POV

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As the opening notes of my lullaby washed over me, I was in another world. I was mesmerized by the fingers that passionately played, that I never dreamed to see, and that I longed to feel touch my face. I watched his body rock to the inner pulse of the lullaby which would ebb and flow, that body that I wanted for so badly to hold me tight against it. I stared at the profile of his face, the face I desired to kiss so badly.

I thought I was going to lose my mind. "I love you, Edward." I whispered, as I grabbed my purse off the table. Those eyes immediately flashed up to my own, though his fingers never faltered on the keys. He continued to play perfectly as he stared into my eyes.

I had no idea how long we stood staring at each other, but his fingers eventually found the last chord of the song, and our moment was broken. I quickly turned my back from those eyes and made my way through the crowd. The fresh air outside helped to clear my head, but the bright lights of the student center were a reminder of the possibilities I had left waiting inside….because had I seen my desire and longing reflected in his eyes? Or were the feelings his own?

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Author's Note: This is going to sound so conceded, but….I love me! This chapter has been dying to get out from under my fingers for weeks! *SCREAMS* I am so happy! What did you think? If you only ever leave me one review, let it be on this chapter!