Alright, so I haven't gotten the 11 reviews I wanted, but maybe this chapter will make you want to review so I'll get it out faster…because it's already written :D I wanna thank…Jazmin Torres, babylopez2008, indiananshu, angeljax, princessatessa08, MiniBellaSwan, and Edward'sDarkAngel for reviewing! I really appreciate your alls support through this crazy long journey, and I'm sad to say that it's coming to an end! Two chapters left at best! BUT if you'd like to see a sequel in the future, either PM, leave it in your review, or vote on my profile page!
Songs: "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by The Ting Tings, "Beating My Heart" Jon McLaughlin, and "Beat of Our Noisy Hearts" by Matt Nathanson
I don't own Twilight, just three notebooks containing this story that I've written!
Enjoy! A Summer to Remember, Chapter thirty-seven: Um…Surprise?
BPOV
"It's so great to see you again Jake! I'm glad you scheduled you and your friends to play tonight!" the owner warmly welcomed us. "By the way, I'm Perry. I've owned this place for who knows how long." He said thoughtfully. "Now come on, let's get you all set up!"
We all came inside the eccentric shop and I immediately smiled. This place is perfect in every way. It's cozy like you never want to leave; there are windows each with a different curtain, crazy dim lighting, big comfy looking chair arranged in small circles, bookshelves lining the room, and a small stage in the corner. The entre place was inviting. Perry had gone over to the stage area and flipped a switch producing hundreds of Christmas tree lights to turn on and illuminate the entire corner perfectly.
"Pretty sweet, huh?" he asked us.
"It's incredible." I told him.
He smiled. "That's what I was aiming for when I began lighting it. Do you all need help setting up or are you good to go?"
"I think we're good. Thanks Perry." Jake said happily, turning to go out of the shop and bring in the equipment.
"If ya'll need anything, just let me know."
"We will." I told him with a thankful smile.
He returned the smile then when around to the various customers that were in the shop and made sure they could find everything alright.
"Come on Bells, look around later, we've got to set up right now." Jake called as he brought in his instruments.
I sighed and headed out with Edward in tow. We grabbed the mic suitcases and all the cables I brought.
"Perry, where are your boom stands?" I heard Jake yell as Edward and I entered the shop.
Perry meandered past us on his way to Jake, unlocking a remarkably huge closet showing him where any and everything we may need is.
"Thanks." Jake said as he grabbed a boom stand and a guitar stand.
Perry nodded and went back to whatever he was doing previously.
Edward, Alice and Sarah left Jake and me alone as we set up the stage and ran all the cables to the different input and outputs.
When Jake pulled a keyboard stand out of the closet, I knew something was up.
"Jake, why the keyboard stand? I know you don't play." I asked warily.
"O, um…a friend's going to play." He said nervously.
"Uh-huh, which friend?" I asked.
"Edward." He mumbled.
"Excuse me?" I asked beginning to get annoyed.
"Um…I kinda promised Perry that the three of us would play."
"Hold up! The three of us?!" I asked, anger beginning to wash over me.
"Yea, you know…you, me, and Edward."
"Jake, there is no way I'm going to do that and you know it!"
"But Edwards-"
"I don't care what Edward's going to be doing, I'm not going to do it!" I told him furious at this point.
"But it's just this once; we're in a hole-in-the-wall coffee house slash bookstore in one of the least populated cities in the country. There won't be that many people!" Jake exclaimed frustrated with my stubbornness.
"Not that many people? Not that many people?! Jake you and I both know performing in front of friends is one thing and performing in front of complete strangers is another!"
"But Bella, the people that would be coming are more than likely people you know and have grown up with."
"Exactly why I don't want to do it!" I yelled at him, receiving a few glares from customers.
"What if you'd be rewarded?" a velvety voice asked behind me.
I spun around to face Edward giving him a furious look. I was beyond words I was so angry with both Edward and Jacob.
"Come here." Edward commanded as he dragged me into the closet and pulled the door, leaving it slightly ajar.
We stared at each other in complete silence. You could probably see steam coming out of my ears I was so mad. Edward's face was completely unreadable and emotionless.
He took a step toward me and I took one back. Edward came closer again and I backed away again. This continued until my back was pressed against the wall and both of Edward's hands were on either side of my head.
"Now I'm not going to make you do anything, but I'd love for you to play tonight. I haven't heard you play in a long time." He whispered, running his nose along my jaw.
I took a deep breath and all my senses were filled with Edward.
"Convince me." I whispered in his ear.
He looked directly at me, his eyes holding love, lust, mischief, and so many other indescribable emotions. Before I knew it, Edward had crushed his lips against mine. The kiss was full of urgency, lust, and above all else, persuasion. He was hungry to kiss me. Our lips began moving in perfect sync with each others. His tongue glided along my lip begging for an entrance which I eagerly allowed, but before he slipped his tongue in, he pulled away.
He smiled at me and traced his fingers along my cheek. "Please play with us tonight, you'll get the rest of that kiss after…" he trailed off smiling his crooked smile.
I tried to kiss him again, but he wouldn't allow it.
"Are you going to play" he whispered huskily in my ear dazzling me.
It was all I could do to nod yes.
A brilliant smile spread across his beautiful face. "Thank you love." He kissed me softly on my lips. This time, it was full of love.
Once the short kiss ended, I wrapped my arms around his torso tightly and buried my head in his chest. He rubbed my back gently and leaned his head against mine.
"I don't think I've told you enough today that I love you." He whispered.
I hugged him all the tighter. "I love you too, and I'm sorry for being such an idiot earlier this week."
"Shh, what's done is done, and all that matters now is that you're okay and in my arms." He kissed the top of my head.
We stayed in each other's embrace a few minutes longer.
"Come on, we'd better get set up and see if Perry has an instrument mic for you." Edward said giving me a squeeze.
I nodded and let me arms fall limp at my sides. Edward grabbed my hand and we exited the closet.
Jake was situating the stage the way he likes it. "So are you going to play B?" he asked not sounding optimistic like usual.
"Yup. You got my violin?" I asked.
"Really?! You're going to play?"
"Yea, Edward and I had a little…talk, and I'll do it."
"I LOVE YOU B!" Jacob exclaimed as he ran over to me and engulfed me in a hug.
Edward shot Jake an angry look, but it quickly faded as soon as the embrace was over and I took Edward's hand in mine and squeezed it a little.
"Then come on! We've got a lot to do to finish setting up and a sound check." Jacob said excitedly.
I rolled my eyes and went back into the closet and grabbed another boom stand and walked back out.
"What do you need that for?" Jake asked.
"Well, if I'm playing I'll need to be mic-ed and I don't have my-"
"Violin mic?" Edward interrupted as he handed me the rectangular box.
"How did you?"
"Embry" Jake said with a smile.
"Ya'll are good."
"Yup, we know."
I put the boom stand back in the closet and grabbed a DI for Jacob since Edward is using the double DI for his keyboard and a loop petal for myself because you never know! When I came back out, I quickly hooked and plugged everything in and patched it to the small soundboard, and checked Edward's keys, Jake's acoustic and vocals.
"Hey Perry!" I yelled.
"Polo!" he yelled back
I laughed and yelled back, "Marco!"
This continued for a few minutes until Perry finally came to where I was at the soundboard.
"Sorry about that, I had to finish stocking a few shelves." He apologized.
"No problem. Can you EQ?" I asked.
"Dear, if I have a soundboard and a closet stocked with equipment just assume I know how to use it."
I smiled. "Would you mind? I'm channel six."
"Not a problem."
I went up on stage and tuned then ran threw a couple scales then some of the possible pieces we might be playing tonight.
"We're all set…"
"…Bella, sorry." I said and reached out my hand to shake his.
"No problem Bella. It sounds good. What kind of mic are you using?" he asked as he came over to look at it.
We talked about different mics and what I like to use for different vocals and instruments. Perry knew a lot, and it was interesting talking to him while being comfortable in my element.
As the conversation began to wind down, Perry encouraged me to take a look around before the performance began.
I wandered wordlessly through the aisles marveling at all the old and used books. There was something about all these worn books that makes me smile. There was something comforting about them; all the words that people wrote years and years ago and then all the people who have read them since then, and the occasional reader who will write their thoughts in the margins. I'm not sure what it is, but it has a calming effect on me.
"Find anything you like?" a stranger asked beside me.
"Yea, there's a lot of good stuff here. I don't know where to begin." I told the guy.
He smiled. "Well you're currently in the classics, mystery is over there, adventure there, fantasy on that back wall, and love right here." He finished pointing at himself.
"Oh, is that so?" I asked seeing Edward passing the aisle. I silently begged him to save me with my eyes.
"You know it baby. Me and you can write a rockin' love story no one has ever read before." He said confidently leaning closer to me.
"Hey love," Edward said as he passed the guy, "I think Alice wants to fix you up before the show."
"Oh boy, this'll be fun." I said sarcastically.
Edward kissed my forehead. "You'll be fine."
The stranger looked at us confused.
"Oh, hello there," Edward began acknowledging the man for the first time and sticking out his hand to shake, "I'm Edward, and I'm guessing you've met my fiancé Bella."
The creepers face went pale as he shook Edward's hand and glanced at my left hand. At that moment, I was so glad I wear a nice looking promise ring!
"Y-Your fiancé?" he asked mortified.
Edward smiled. "Yup. I was lucky I found her and then convinced her to be mine."
"Yea, I'd be pretty happy too." He said before turning around and walking in the opposite direction.
I let my body sag against Edwards. "Thanks for saving me, Mr. Cullen."
"Anytime, Mrs. Cullen." He whispered in my ear as he played with my fingers.
I shivered and he wrapped his arms around me tightly. I would love to become Mrs. Cullen someday. That would be a dream come true.
"Alice really is looking for you." He mumbled.
"I don't care." I mumbled back.
"You'd better care!" Alice yelled as she stomped down the aisle, and grabbed me away from Edward.
She brought me to the tech closet where she had an outfit and a little make up waiting.
"Alice, you can't be serious." I whined.
"Oh, but I am. Now change, I'll turn around, don't worry." She said as she turned around and faced the door.
I rolled my eyes and slipped off my clothes and replacing them with dark wash fitted jeans, a black cami and a black skin tight shirt that had a line of elastic up the front making it bunch a little until it reached right under my bust where a varnished gold buckle was. The outfit looked really flattering, the combination of the v-neck shirt and the tightness of the shirt with the dark jeans looked amazing!
"Alright, times up, here are your shoes. Yes, they are heels, but they're small and you'll be able to handle them I promise!" Alice said as she turned around.
"Okay, work your magic." I sighed as I slipped on my shoes.
"Wow, you went down without a fight! I'm proud of you Bells!" and with that, Alice began working her magic.
"Alright, I'm done." Alice announced with a smile ten or fifteen minutes later.
She had taken my hair out of its bun and pulled it into a ponytail, allowing a few wisps to stay free so that they were wavy and framing my face perfectly. She had given me a smoky eye and made my make up look dramatic while still keeping it simple like I like.
"Oh my gosh Alice! I look absolutely amazing! Thank you so much!" I said gratefully giving her a hug.
"My pleasure!" she said happily. "And Edward is going to love it too." She whispered as we left the room.
When I came out, Edward met me outside the closet. He looked gorgeous as always. He had also changed into dark wash jeans, but his hung on his hips just right and his black button down with the sleeves rolled up was the cheery on top.
He smiled. "You look gorgeous love."
I blushed and looked down.
"Hey look up." He prompted.
"Thanks." I mumbled still blushing.
Before we could say anything, Perry loudly yelled, "Come on kids! Let's get this show on the road!"
Jake, Edward, and I all took our spots on stage. Jake elaborately introduced us to the small crowd that had shown up, then we began playing the first song.
When I put my left hand up on the fingerboard of my violin, my promise ring had been replaced by a completely different one.
And that is that! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and even if you didn't drop me a review? Please? They make me happy, and I could a borrowed cup of sunshine right now! And if you do, you get an excerpt from next chapter!!!!!!!! (which I'm pumped for!) Also, remember to let me know if you want a sequel by leaving it in a review, PM, or voting on my profile! Thanks for reading! I less than three ya'll.