I don't own Twilight
The morning I left the mansion went faster than I wanted it to. It felt like I had just fallen asleep in Edward's arms. We spent the whole night making love and whispering quietly to each other. When dawn had finally broken, we made love one last time and I was too tired to stay awake.
But it seemed like much too soon after, Alice had entered the room. She rushed over to the bed. Her bobbed hair moved quickly and I could smell her fancy perfume. She whispered my name to get my attention.
"Bella!" I didn't respond, I yawned softly. She called me again in louder whisper.
"Bella! I think the servants are having some sort of meeting downstairs. You can sneak out of this room and go to the guest room. It would be like you were in there all along," Alice said with excited eyes. "Here put this on."
She handed me a pale blue silk robe and turned her back. I noticed the back of her yellow dress had small beaded bows. I sat up and placed it on. The robe was silk on the front, and the back had a large butterfly design made from chiffon. It was beautiful. It felt very smooth and very expensive.
Carefully I tied it around the waist. I got out of the bed and my legs wobbled. I still felt terribly tired. I glanced over to the messy bed. Edward watched me silently with the sheet lazily draped over his lap.
His hair was flat on the side that he had slept on and waved on the other. Even though he had just awaken, he was still very handsome. His red lips were pursed and his eyebrows furrowed. His sleepy eyes were now focused on me.
"Come, hurry" Alice said as she led me towards the door. I walked quickly but looked back to Edward. Now he sat up, his eyes watched me sadly. He was no longer sleepy, but wide-awake. I ran over to him and kissed his warm lips softly.
"This isn't goodbye," he said. His voice had the rough touch it normally did when he first woke up.
"I know. It sure feels like it though," I said.
"Bella" Alice said. I rushed to her without looking back at Edward. We hurried down the hall to the guest room. My bare feet barely hit the carpeted floor. I rushed over to the bed and crawled under the sheets.
Alice went over to the radio and turned it on. She turned to a station where music played and sat on the edge of the bed.
"So no one will hear our conversation" she smiled and I nodded yes.
"If any of them ask why are you still in bed, and I'm sure they will, just tell them you wanted to rest up a bit before you went back to the mansion." Alice said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Do you know what time Mike is coming to take me back?" I asked.
"I'm not sure but I think maybe in a few hours." She exhaled. "Bella, I know Edward said no schemes, but sometimes they're necessary. To be today's woman, a girl has to think on her feet and be resourceful. I'll be working on a few schemes of my own. And if you must, I understand. Just be really careful."
"Thank you Alice. I really love your brother…I'd do anything I can to for him."
"And he'd do anything for you. You're a true doll and you're worth it. I don't know how, I can't really see it yet, but I know things will work for us. You just have to have hope and faith right?"
"Yes," answered.
"I'll see you in a little while" she smiled. She turned the music down and hurried out of the room. I looked around the beautiful guest room on last time. It would have been a nice room to stay in, but it was nothing to sharing a bedroom with Edward. Edward had his messy clothes all over the place. The bed with its sheets never made. Edward always had a teacup somewhere close by. I would definitely miss sleeping with him at night and waking up to him in the morning.
I didn't want to be sad...so I tried not to think about it. Instead i thought about how happy I'd be to see Mama, and Angie, even Jake.
When Mike arrived, Edward had come out of his room and was in the dining room drinking a cup tea. It looked like he had been reading the paper or at least held it in his hand. One of the servants approached him with a teakettle and offered to fill it back up.
He nodded silently and looked over to me. His eyes caught mine, and that pain in my chest that I tried to ignore had returned. His lips opened slightly and then he clenched his jaw. His face blushed softly and I bit my bottom lip.
The maid that had poured the cup of tea looked over to me too. It was an older maid who looked around my Mama's age. She didn't say anything, but did her job and walked away. I turned quickly from him and held my bag tightly in my hand. I walked toward the door.
I knew I would have to meet Mike outside. Why, he wouldn't come in to get the bags for the colored maid from the Cullen mansion would he? Not with a house full of possible busybody servants and reporters who waited for the next "story". Back to normal.
Mike stood outside the car with a cigarette in his mouth. There were a few reporters who pestered him.
"Say! Are you here to pick up Edward Cullen? Is he finally returning to the mansion?" one asked with a notepad in his hand and a camera around his neck.
"Is it true Edward Cullen has become a drunken recluse? Is that why he hasn't been outside?" another asked.
"Well, what about you? What's your story? Whatdya know about Edward?" another said.
"Sweet baby Jesus" I thought, "These Joes don't quit." But Mike didn't answer anything. He just smoked and blew smoke out the side of his mouth. He adjusted his hat when he saw me.
"Why don't you guys make tracks already? Why don't you guys go interview that Lucky Luciano guy? His story is hell of a lot more interesting then mine." He said.
I rushed down the stairs and tried not to make eye contact with any of them. But when they saw me, they headed right over and talked to me.
"Hey kitten! What's it like in there?"
"Did Edward get suicidal?"
"Is he a drunken recluse?" all the questions made me feel dizzy and upset. I stopped walking and put my hand on my hips.
"Edward is a great man. You all should leave him alone" I said.
"Oh this kitten has bite!" another said. Mike pushed his way through the group and grabbed my suitcase. He grabbed my bag and grabbed me by the elbow.
"Let's get outta here before I have to take this stupid hat off and lose my job" Mike muttered.
I didn't ride in the back this time but in the front with Mike. We drove back silently for the most part. I supposed he was still upset. Then he spoke to me.
"So how was it? Edward isn't any of those things right?" he asked.
"No. On the square he isn't. I think he's just tired of all of this, and hiding. I think he's ready to fight" I said as the rows of brick homes passed by us.
"About damn time." He said. "So you and Edward Cullen?"
"Mike," I started "if it were me and Edward, I wouldn't be able to say anything now. You know how it works"
"Yeah I know how it works. If you two work, then I might give Angie another go. I miss that crazy tomato," he laughed.
"Welcome back kiddo!" Victoria greeted me as I unpacked my things from Papa's bag. I left my room door wide open because I knew people would want to stop by and see me. Also my room was so stuffy and dusty since I wasn't there to clean it.
"Thanks Victoria." I smiled. I had to pretend to be happy even though inside I was the deepest shade of blue. I pulled out one of my dresses and a crumpled flower fell from it. I remember Edward handing it to me with that innocent and beautiful look in his eyes.
"How'd you manage over there all by yourself?"
"I held my own, Edward wasn't much work. He ain't picky or anything…he's a right guy" I sighed.
"That's great to hear, bet he spent all his time reading."
"Mostly. And writing in his journal," I added.
"And no raucous or hullabaloo either right?"
"No. That detective did stop by a couple of times though"
"Did he? Why I wish he stopped over here and check on me!" She joked. "Just that big fat copper from before came here. I'm happy to know I can still use my wiles, but a young Joe wouldn't hurt at all"
" Seems like you may have gotten some practice at being a wife. Well that's what it'll be like for one of us with no maids or anything. Doing all the work while the man just sits there and smokes." She said as she shook her head.
"I guess you're right. How were things here?" I didn't want to say too much about my time there. I thought I'd say the wrong thing for sure.
"The same things from before kiddo. Except Jane got canned. That girl should've known better than to mess with a Cullen, and Emmett no less. He can't keep it in his pants, and she couldn't keep her legs closed." Victoria shook her head, "no doubt she's going to have a child. He won't dare take care of the baby. The press would have a field day!" I held my stomach and thought about my baby.
"Are you listening to me Bella? You look like you're in a daze" she nudged me.
"Oh sorry. I'm listening" I smiled. She continued to talk.
"The grandmother is leaving this week finally. Even though she lightened up a little, all the extra work has me run ragged. I'm not as young as you kiddo." She laughed.
"I bet Mistress Esme must feel a little sad about it"
"She hasn't said much about it, but you know. She hasn't really said much to me about it. Why don't you get yourself unpacked and settled, I bet you wanna rest up a little right? Looks like you didn't get enough rest last night." She said as she touched my cheek. I bit my bottom lip.
"Thanks, I am tired. I'll come up and work lickety split."
"Get all the rest you can before noon. After 12, that's when you have to shake a leg." She left out of my room and left me alone.
"I didn't get any rest…we didn't sleep." I thought as I smirked to myself and lay down on my bed. It felt too empty without Edward to share it with me. I thought about last night. I closed my eyes to remember his kisses and his touch. I breathed in deep to try to remember his scent…
"I need a lifetime of nights to make love to you." Edward sighed. "One night is never enough. Tonight, we'll have to pretend that it's a never ending." he stared deep into my eyes. "Quietly though"
"I understand," I whispered.
"Even though I love you loud" he whispered. I giggled and opened myself to him.
"Edward?" I whispered as I opened my eyes. No Edward. I wasn't at the Hale mansion; I was at the Cullen mansion. I was alone in my little room and the bright afternoon light made my bed glow. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep; does being with child make you so sleepy?
I sat up slowly and fixed my hair. In the mirror I made sure my hair was smoothed and tucked away. I almost forgotten what my hair looked like up like this. Edward liked it wild and out.
The dream was really over…I straightened my apron and I went right upstairs to look for Victoria. I went in the room with the grandmother and Esme, I knew she would be there doing something.
"Excuse me," I said softly. I felt the grandmother's dark eyes on me. She sat in the armchair in a burgundy dress, a newspaper folded on her lap. Esme sat across from her in the little cushion area in the windowsill. Her eyes warmed when she saw me.
"Bella, so glad you have returned to us safely! You look completely lovely cherie" she smiled. I guess I missed her accent so much that I felt myself smile. She wore a light pink blouse and a long grey skirt. It even looked like she had a little rouge on her lips. She looked…brighter.
"Thank you, Mistress Esme." I said with a nod.
"Come closer. You must tell me all about my son. It is one thing to speak to him on the telephone and another to actually see him in person." She said. "Is he well and happy?"
"Yes. He is," I said softly as I walked closer to her.
"He ate and slept well?"
"Yes he did."
"Did you hear him laugh anytime you were there?" she asked and eagerly awaited my answer.
"Yes," I smiled "I heard him laugh. He even sang a few times"
"Sang? That's perfect! My prayers for him are being answered." she said happily. Then she said something in French to the grandmother and she nodded.
"I don't know how to thank you for what you've done. I felt so much more peaceful knowing that he would be in good hands. Soon, this will all be a terrible memory and my family will be back together."
The grandmother then said something in French and Esme answered her. They went back and forth for a little while longer then Esme asked me another question.
"Maman wants to know if you saw any women there with him." Her eyes were wider as they both awaited my answer. I didn't think I'd have to give the low down like this.
"No, it was only me, honest. And Alice when she came over." I started to fiddle with the cuff of my uniform.
"She says that Edward told her he was in love a while ago. She was curious to know who the fifille was. In fact, I want to know too. This girl, who is so precious to my Edward, she's precious to me as well." She blushed slightly "You would tell me if he you knew wouldn't you?"
My heart started pound in my chest. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to scream, "It's me! He loves me and I love him! I'm going to be his wife and the mother of his child! And I didn't want to leave him this morning!" I felt my eyes start to well with tears
"Yes Mistress" I said softly. The grandmother stared harder at me. She got off the armchair she sat in and looked me up and down.
" Bien sur she knows! She holds his secrets. All these servants hold secrets Esme," she hissed as she touched her long strand of pearls.
"You are in love too? No?" she asked me. She squinted her eyes.
"I…I" I started but never finished my sentence.
"A young minette like you and my handsome grandson, all alone? Did he promise you sweet nothings if you did not tell his secrets? Or, perhaps you are his secret?" She said. "Like that other maid and Emmett?"
"I...I'm not like Jane...I." The tears spilled out. I was embarrassed and I wiped my face quickly.
"Oh, Bella, cherie. Don't cry. She's only teasing. I know you are a good girl" Esme interrupted.
"A good girl with some kind of secrets. I know this story too well. Esme, you know the story too. Two beautiful opposites brought together by circumstance..." Then she went back to her chair rambling in French.
Esme clenched her jaw, the same way Edward does. Her cheeks blushed, but this time I think out of anger.
"It's quite alright if you hold my son's secrets. We hold secrets for those we love and care about. When he is ready to share that page from his journal, I will be here for him." Esme comforted. She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I can only pray that the fifille is half as sweet as your are cherie. And half as beautiful."
"Thank you." I said, "Do you need anything Mistress?" I said as I tried to get back into my servant role. I wasn't off duty anymore. I couldn't let my personal side show like that. I'd done and said too much already.
"No, cherie. You may continue with your work," she answered.
I rushed out of the room and closed it quietly behind me. I leaned on the door to gather myself. Was the grandmother just teasing or did she really know? And if she did know, how? I fixed my apron and exhaled.
I continued to look for Victoria. I found her around the corner in the hallway dusting.
"Finally sleeping beauty is awake" she joked. "Come help me with this dusting and I'll tell you what's left to do today.
Bella is back from her extended stay at the Hale mansion. So will it be business as usual? And what about the grandmother? Does she really know what's going on between Edward and Bella? And speaking of Edward how will he deal with being separated from Bella? Tell me what you think in a review or private message!
Again and always i appreciate every message and review from everyone! I'm always so sorry when i keep everyone waiting for a update, but i love your commitment to me and the story! I'm writing so many notes and ideas down. I hope everyone's summer is going great so far! I've been super busy but squeezing in time to for fun things and spending time with my "Edward".
I only have one song for this chapter: "Rose Room" by Vic Myers- Music When Alice turns the radio on in the guest room. Do any of you have any favorite jazz songs that you would like in the story?