I Do Not Own Twilight
The day of the follies was busy. They had to set up and organize all the props and scenery on the wings of the stage so it could be rolled out when needed, there was the concession stand to stock, the ticket booth to man, and all the volunteers to organize. Garrett and Bella arrived extra early so Bella could hide the dancing dress and shoes she and Garrett had driven to Seattle to buy.
All of the performers were all backstage when the backstage exit door flew opened with a loud crash. In stepped Edward looking around at everyone with a strange grimace on his face. "Edward!" Alice and Rosalie ran to him at the same time happy to have their brother back.
Bella stepped up to him timidly, "Edward, it's nice you came to watch the Follies tonight."
He huffed, "Bella, you asked me to play the piano for these bumpkins. You know I always try to make you happy even when I find the idea ridiculous. I'm here to play the piano."
Bella cringed but kept a smile plastered to her face. "I didn't think you would want to play after everything that happened. I'm glad you're here." Bella hadn't known if he was going to be at the Follies or not. Alice told her to put his name in the program just in case. If his name wasn't in there at all he would be impossible to deal with and if he, wasn't they could say he had to cancel last minute at the beginning of the night.
Edward walked over to the piano he would be playing on tonight. He ran his fingers over the keys and scoffed, "I knew it out of tune." He rolled his eyes and pulled a tuning key out of his pocket in order to tune the piano himself. Bella knew the piano had been tuned the week before. She had set up an appointment for it to be tuned as soon as Edward had agreed to play. She knew he was picky about his instruments.
Soon it was time to start the show. Bella had her clipboard and spent most of the show running around telling people when to go on. She did get a chance to see Carlisle emcee. He was very charming and funny. She knew several ladies who would be making doctor's appointments with him in the future.
She peeked at the audience several times and noticed how many of them were eating Esme's treats from the concession stand. Just after the intermission Esme slipped backstage and apologized for not bringing more treats. She had completely sold out of everything. "That's great Esme! Just go and enjoy the rest of the show!" Bella grinned.
The funniest act was Charlie and the other guys on the force. Their outfits were hilarious. Charlie sported a fake afro and neon sunglasses with a blue leopard print leotard. He did a lip sync and all the guys danced and wiggled their hips. She did wonder if she needed to bleach her brain when it came to the part where the song said, "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, huh." This got a lot of loud silly catcalls. Charlie was embarrassed when he was done but he knew it would help the force, so he did it every year.
As soon as Edward headed to the stage Bella ran and fixed her make-up. Her hair had already been done by Alice earlier in the day. She slipped into her dress and dancing shoes. Then she put on a long duster jacket, buttoned, and tied the belt so no one could see her outfit.
Edward was next. He pushed the piano out onto the stage. He was dressed in a black tuxedo and set a lit candelabra on a table next to the piano. He stretched before sitting down. He ran his fingers up and down the keys. He got up adjusted the piano lid, to allow for better sound he had once told Bella and sat back down. He repeatedly hit one note and leaned down to listen to it. He stood up, took the tuning key out of his pocket, made a slight twist, sat back down, hit the note, and repeated the process. When all of his theatrics were finished, he took a deep breath. He dramatically closed his eyes and paused. Then he began to play. He played Bella's Lullaby, the composition he wrote for her. He played it very dramatically.
Bella listened to the song he had written her. It was very sad and somber. She wondered if this was what he felt about their relationship and wondered why it made him sad back in the beginning. She glanced out at the audience who looked completely bored. Several people kept looking at their watches. She saw seven people yawning and folding their arms across their chest. Two people actually nodded off.
She shook her head in wonderment. Why would he play a long dirge at an event like this? He was talented and this would be appreciated in a different venue, but she thought he should be playing something more upbeat.
When Edward finished, he stood up slowly, turned toward the audience, and did a long slow bow. There was a smattering of applause and it gradually built as he stood bowed. Several wives elbowed their husbands to get them to clap. Once he felt the audience had responded well enough, he stood up with his arms stretched out wide like they had loved him.
He walked over to Bella with a smug grin on his face. "Let's see Garrett top that!"
Carlisle came out and introduced Garrett as the last act. Garrett stepped out onto the stage dressed in black pants and a black button down. His top two buttons were undo and he was wearing his normal necklaces. Bella took off the duster and smoothed out her tea length powder blue dancing dress with matching shoes.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I want to do this last number my way and I'm going to ask for help from a very special person. Miss Isabella Swan." He held out his hand to her and she stepped out onto the stage. The bright lights blinding her. Bella gulped and took a deep breath. She turned her face to Garrett and met his eyes. His smile was brilliant. She knew he was proud of her just for walking out there.
He pulled her in front of him and turned her slightly. The music started and she arched her back while he lowered her into a slow dip. The audience started "oohing" as they realized what dance the couple was going to do. She stood in front of him with her back to his front, and reached her arm around his neck. He nuzzled into her cheek and then caressed down the length of her arm, to grab her opposite hand spinning her out. They moved into the steps they had practiced moving gracefully around the floor.
The Cullens and the Pack were all staring opened mouthed at the two of them. Jasper folded his arms and everyone around him could feel the pride and smugness coming off of him. Alice beamed and clapped. Emmett pointed and Rosalie looked incredulous. The two of them wondering how the clumsy girl in front of them could be moving so gracefully. Carlisle and Esme looked proud. The guys from the pack sat as frozen as bored thousand-year-old vampires. However, the one to worry about was Edward. He looked murderous. He had thought Bella would be running back into his arms once she heard her song played again.
Bella and Garrett continued moving then Garrett jumped off the stage and ran down the aisle. Bella continued dancing in place until he turned and motioned for her. They had practiced how she would get off-stage without help. She did a solo dance down the stairs and in front of the aisle where Garrett was waiting. She went running and Garrett swooped her up. Her hard work had paid off she was perfectly still in the lift looking graceful and serene in the air. The audience whooped and cheered.
It was at this time everyone stood up and danced to the music just like in the movie. Garrett glanced back and saw Edward on the stage. He could see the fire in his eyes and his chest heaving. Venom started dripping from his mouth. He knew he had to get Bella out of there quickly or Edward was going to be a problem.
Jasper realized this at the same time. Garrett started pulling Bella further down the aisle and toward the back when he was intercepted by Charlie. "I think you two are going to have a problem. He looks unhinged." Charlie nodded with chin toward Edward who was coming as fast as he could down the aisle.
Garrett nodded, "I'm gonna take her and go someplace safe. We'll call you when we get there. I think she could be in danger."
Charlie nodded, "Keep her safe, Garrett." He turned to Bella, "You looked beautiful out there tonight!" He kissed her cheek then turned to stop Edward with praise for his piano playing abilities.
Garrett swooped Bella into his arms and began running as fast as he could.
I am super curious to find out how many people had to go rewatch the final dance from the movie on YouTube. I've watched it like ten times since I started writing this.