NOTE: If you would like reference for the song Edward plays in my imagining of the piano scene, go to YouTube and search for "Finding Neverland - Piano Variation in Blue." I know they wrote a lullaby for it in the movie, but it just seems a bit too simple for Edward's level of skill. I've tried copying and pasting the link here, but it won't copy correctly. Also, in the previous chapter, Bella refers to herself as being 17 years old. I have changed this to 18 years. Thank you! (Happy reading and a Happy New Year!)

As Edward and I rounded another corner in the labyrinth that was the Cullens' house, I caught sight of a gigantic frame that contained dozens of graduation caps—organized chromatically from light to dark colors. I gazed at it for a few moments and then raised my eyebrows at Edward, asking a silent question.

"Yeah, we matriculate a lot," Edward said with a shrug. He gazed mistily at the caps.

"Are these from college, high school?"

"Both."

I gasped dramatically. "Do you have a degree, Edward Cullen?"

Edward smiled bashfully. "Only one or two."

I gaped at him. "How did that never come up in our conversations?"

"You never asked."

I scoffed incredulously and stared at him wide-eyed. "Well, go on!"

Edward looked very uncomfortable, as if he were about to get caught out in a lie. "I may," he started hesitantly, "have a few degrees in literature and music." He stared at me, eyes scrunched up, as if he were waiting for me to physically attack him.

Instead, I smiled knowingly. This made sense to me. Edward had always struck me as being well-read; and the musical component was easy to picture, as well.

"And a law degree," he added hastily, as if he had accidentally forgotten about that one.

This was a surprise.

"What?" I asked incredulously. "I'm sorry—did you just say a law degree?"

Edward nodded. "I got bored a few years ago. But law wasn't for me." He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"Wow," I said flatly, gazing at him with a dead-eyed stare.

"What are you thinking?" Edward asked, genuine concern lacing his voice.

I considered ignoring him, but elected instead to say, "I'm pissed that it didn't occur to you to tell me that you have multiple college degrees!" I shook my head at him and then said, feigning exhaustion, "Let's keep going, then."

Edward next led me to a room in the back corner of the house. Glass comprised three of the four walls, with the fourth wall being nothing but built-ins. I stepped into the room and took in the breathtaking view of the woods that surrounded the Cullen house. Next, I perused the dozens of books, CDs, and trinkets that were settled into the wall of built-ins and realized that this was Edward's room.

"Nice room," I said, tucking a hand into my pocket and doing a 360 turn. Something was missing. I frowned and glanced around, sure I must have missed it. "There's no bed in here," I concluded with a frown.

"Yeah, I don't sleep," Edward said with a measured expression. He was waiting to see my reaction.

"You don't sleep ever?" I clarified, raising my eyebrows.

"No."

"Well, okay then." I considered this further for a moment. "Actually, that's really interesting."

Edward stared at me quizzically. "How so?"

"Well, as I'm sure you already know Mr. I've-been-to-college-multiple-times, sleep is an integral part of our biological process; it's what allows our bodies—human bodies, that is—to repair and replace essential cells." I gazed at him. "Your cells must therefore have some other way of replicating, repairing, and replacing."

Edward regarded me with an expression that was equal parts impressed and cautious. He left the doorframe that he had been leaning against and situated himself a few feet away from me. "I'm starting to sense that your proclivity for Biology is a bit more involved than I previously speculated."

I nodded. "My school in Arizona had a top-tier biological studies program; I'd started doing some preliminary research into cell biology—stem cells mostly." I wandered around Edward's room as I spoke, peering at the books and trinkets that were stacked in the wall of built-in shelves. "Ultimately, I'd like to pursue some type of career in Microbiology—cell biology, stem cells… Something along those lines. Research would be preferable, but that may have to be put on hold since Forks doesn't have much in the way of a biological sciences program." I shrugged and then glanced at Edward; he was listening intently—as he always did when I divulged personal details about myself. I thought about whether or not to divulge more and then threw caution to the wind.

"Truth be told, I find the whole vampire thing really fascinating—on a microbiological level, I mean. I'd love to study and understand the cellular alterations that take place during the change." I noticed Edward's body stiffen out of the corner of my eye. Interesting. I continued my musings without missing a beat and settled an easy smile on my lips. "Wishful thinking, huh?" Edward relaxed. Even more interesting.

"Indeed," he replied, scanning the wall of music I was looking at.

I noticed an old CD player that looked like it walked out of the '90s and compulsively pressed the play button. A familiar tune filled the air. "Debussy," I murmured, smiling at Edward. He looked surprised. "I know things," I said, pretending to be offended. I closed my eyes and listened to the music. "To be fair, Clair de Lune is a classic."

"Do you like music?" Edward asked. Even with my eyes closed, I could sense he had moved closer to me.

"Listening? Yes. Producing? No—not my strong suit."

"Dancing, then?" Edward whispered. He was much closer to me now.

I kept my eyes closed and willed the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck to stand down. "Definitely not."

"Are you sure?"

Suddenly, Edward had snaked his arms through my own and was holding me very close. "Is this okay?" he murmured.

"Sure," I answered lightly, rather impressed with his sudden boldness.

A faint smile danced over Edward's lips. With slow, measured movements, he lifted my left hand and placed it on his shoulder; then, he settled his right hand on my waist and wrapped the other around my remaining hand. We swayed back and forth, listening to Clair de Lune playing gently in the background.

"See? You're dancing," Edward said with a proud grin.

"I'm pretty sure we're just drifting, actually, but I appreciate the vote of confidence."

Edward chuckled and I felt his cold fingers shift ever-so-slightly against my own, closing further around my raised hand. The small gesture sent a chill through my fingers. I cleared my throat. "Is it not difficult being this close to my mouth-watering blood?" I asked, suppressing a grin as we swayed to the left.

I could practically feel Edward's eyes roll to the back of his head. "It's tempting," he teased, "but the more you ask, the more repulsed I become."

"That's the spirit!" With a knowing smile, I stopped our tandem swaying and stepped away from Edward. I clicked the CD player off and quirked a brow. "How about you? What exactly did you do with your music degree?"

"Would you like to see?" he asked, a glint in his eye.

A few minutes later, Edward and I were settled in the Cullens' gigantic living room, at the center of which was a sleek Grand Piano. I settled myself in one of the lavish loveseats that surrounded the piano and watched while Edward propped open the top of the piano and absentmindedly tapped at a few of the keys. Though none of the other Cullens seemed to be around, it was unclear if they were lurking somewhere else in the mansion-like house, or if they had left entirely.

I realized Edward was ready to begin when he took a seat at the piano and pulled the bench in, situating it beneath him. I glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows opposite us and noticed that the sun was beginning to set, casting a hazy, orange glow throughout the entire room. Just then, a series of light, trilling notes filled the air. Edward had begun to play.

In the minutes that followed, Edward's hands danced over the keys, producing a timeless melody that floated and crescendo through the air. I listened intently, complete engrossed in the stunning tune which ebbed and flowed. I studied Edward's face while he played and noticed that his gaze was fixed not on the keys, but off in the distance; he may as well have been a thousand miles away. Propping my arm up on the arm of the loveseat, I nestled my cheek against my knuckles and reveled in the moving melody, fascinated by Edward's youthful appearance as he played. I suspected that I was glimpsing a sliver of Edward's human past and the thought made me smile.

When the song was over, Edward closed his eyes for a few seconds and then glanced at me, almost as if he were surprised to find me sitting there.

"Where were you?" I asked gently.

Edward understood. "Not sure. Somewhere simpler."

I nodded once. "Well, I'd say that particular degree well-spent and well-earned."

Edward smiled appreciatively, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth as he did so. He glanced around and, noticing the setting sun, rubbed his hands over his thighs and then said, almost reluctantly, "I suppose we should get you home."

I nodded in agreement, uncrossed my legs, and then stood.

"Well, I think that went well," I sighed as Edward and I climbed into his car.

Edward scoffed sarcastically and made his way back onto the country roads, driving us away from the Cullen house and back towards town.

"Oh, come on," I said, cranking the temperature to its highest setting and setting it to full blast. "All families have quirks. Even the blood-drinking ones."

Edward cringed. "I suppose," he murmured.

"I think they liked me, anyway," I suggested, phrasing it more as a question than a statement.

Edward smiled. "They adored you—Esme especially."

The thought of Esme made me feel warm inside again. "I can live with that," I said with a smile.