Hello! Here's the next chapter. I've been trying to work on my descriptive writing, it's not easy, so let me know what you think. Too cheesy? haha.

And, of course the song is River Flows In You.

Sweet Suffocation

Carlisle's POV

"Good night," I could hear Bella Swan say to Edward as she shifted her truck into drive and pulled away from the house.

They had just completed their third "tutoring" session, and the amusement it brought me was unexpected. I didn't intentionally eavesdrop, but I couldn't help overhearing as Edward had tried to act dumb.

"The mRNA travels to the ribosomes to create proteins." Bella explained. "The tRNA—"

"Wait, what are the ribosomes again?" Edward asked, as if he hadn't had two degrees in the subject.

"They're the little dots you see in the diagram." Her patience had withstood so far but I wondered if he was trying to find her limit.

"Right, on the plasma and squiggly thing," he responded confidently. I smiled recalling the complex biological conversations we had had over the decades. He was going to great lengths for this girl.

"It's called the cytoplasm—" she had spoken slowly, "—and ER."

They had passed the two hours this way, often with him interjecting with questions about her and other subjects. Her hatred for him, as displayed the evening of their car accident, had not made an appearance.

When her truck was out of earshot, I heard Edward's light footsteps returned to the house. He seated himself on his piano bench, his fingers lightly gliding over the keys, sighing more than once. His obvious attachment to her, having grown stronger, appeared to leave him empty in her absence.

I heard soft notes sound from his piano, painting a picture.

It started slow, with a clear melody, engulfing the ear like someone who was submerged in water.

Floating motionless in a vast blue world, hearing nothing but the clear harmonic notes. Gradually the tempo increased, and the submerged opened his eyes, discovering the endless ocean around him.

Full of exploration, he swims on in wonderment until a distant light captures his attention. Approaching, he finds something so beautiful, something to love. Suspended in water, they dance slowly to the gentle tune, inciting a sense of innocent clarity.

Suddenly, the melody dropped off. The swimmer emerged at the surface, leaving the magical world below and gasping for air. The tune returning to its original slow tempo. A melancholy feeling running through the repeating verse, as the swimmer reflected on what had just passed, on what he didn't belong to, on what he so desperately wanted.

With an uplifting and invigorating energy, he dives back into the rapturous depth. Giving his all as he dances with love. As the music slows again, the man does not swim towards the surface. Rather, he clings to the love, not letting go and giving his life to stay with it. The swimmer's body floating motionless in the beautiful water as the melody trails off. The sweet sound of suffocation.

The seemingly simple song was calming and insightful, yet weaved itself into the complexity of Edward's blooming love. He had been walking this earth for so long, only knowing this love second handedly through the eyes of others. Now, he was being forced into its depth and drowning under its hold. He was in love with Bella Swan, and she flooded his mind.

At some point I had come down from my office. Leaning against the corner of the wall, watching him as he had played. After the sound of the last note faded, he closed the lid, and rested his chin on his folded arms.

I approached him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulders. I wished so much to navigate these waters with him, but it was a journey I could do little for.

Love is more powerful than reason, I thought to him. Are you afraid?

"Yes," he whispered, keeping his head down, "It's wrong."

Love is never a bad thing, I responded. Your situation is just unique.

Esme was here now, always listening when Edward sat at the piano. Her fingers running through his hair, and most likely thinking her own comforting words at him.

After a moment, he spoke, "I don't know yet, but it's a lullaby."

"Will you play it again?" My wife requested, and he opened the piano lid for a second time.

The enchanting music from his heart resounded through the house once more.

P.S. I love reviews :)

The next chapter starts the "meatiest" part of this story. ;)