47
I woke up Sunday morning feeling a mixture of contentment and severe anxiety. I was content because I was happily wrapped up in Edward's warm arms. We had come home last night from Carlisle and Esme's and made love for hours before we fell asleep in each others arms. I never wanted to leave his embrace but I knew I would have to sooner or later.
I was anxious because I knew this bubble we had been in for the last two, going on three, days was about to burst. I wasn't ready for that to happen. My time with my family had dwindled down last night and before I was ready, I was hugging them goodnight with tears pouring down my face. It had been hard to let them go but I knew I had to. Edward told me he had made plans for us so last night would be the last time I would see my brothers and sisters, at least face to face for awhile. We would take advantage of the webcams when I felt up to using them. I knew that we would text and IM like crazy but it wouldn't be the same and we all knew it.
I was anxious because I didn't know what to expect. I mean, I knew the facts. I knew what Blake Mallory told me but I didn't know what to expect. That scared me more than anything. I don't like not having control of my life.
"You look like you are doing some pretty heavy thinking," whispered Edward. I smiled softly as I looked over at him.
"I am," I whispered. "I'm scared."
"I know you are," he whispered. "I wish I could tell you that everything is going to be ok but I can't."
"I know," I whispered. I leaned over and laid my head on his chest. "So what are we doing today?"
"Not telling," he chuckled softly. I grimaces as I looked up at him. "But you'll love it."
"I'll love staying here in this warm bed all day better," I chuckled as I climbed over onto his lap. He groaned when my pussy rubbed his rapidly hardening cock. "Now, are you sure you want to go out?"
"God," he moaned as he lifted his hips into me. "Yes."
"Really?" I asked as I leaned up on my knees and slid down slowly on his cock. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of him inside of me as Edward moved his hands to my hips.
"Oh, fuck, Baby," He moaned as I started rocking my hips back and forth slowly. "Faster…..please."
"Tell…me…where we…fuck…are going," I groaned.
"No," he growled as he lifted his hips to meet mine. "It's …a…surprise."
Edward rolled us so that he was hovering over me. He leaned down and kissed me hard as he thrust his cock in and out of me. I wrapped my legs around the back of his and pulled him into me deeper. I could feel my orgasm starting to build deep within me as Edward increased his pace inside of me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as my body shook with my climax. Edward thrust once more inside of me before he came. He pulled his lips away from mine and laid his head on my shoulder as we panted for air.
"Wasn't this better than whatever you have planned?" I chuckled. Edward chuckled softly as he rolled off of me.
"Yes, but we are still going," he chuckled. I pouted causing him to chuckled harder. "Stop pouting and let's go take a shower so we can go."
"Fine," I sighed.
Edward rolled his eyes and pulled me out of bed. We went into the bathroom and quickly showered. We went back into our room and got dressed. Edward assured me that jeans and a sweater would be fine. We pulled on our coats and loaded into my car. Edward insisted that I should drive my car since I wouldn't get to drive her for awhile. He told me to head onto the highway toward Olympia so I did.
About an hour later, we pulled into the Olympia city limits. Edward directed me to a small building downtown. I parked my car and we climbed out. Edward went to the trunk and pulled out my guitar. I raised an eyebrow at him but he just smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist. I let him led me into the small building.
I looked around the room with my mouth hanging wide open. Edward had brought me to a small recording studio. There were album and framed newspaper clippings hanging all over the walls. The door to the back opened and a tall, red headed man with blue eyes came out. He smiled and came right to Edward.
"Edward, how are you?" he asked.
"I'm good, Nick," he said softly. Edward turned to me. "I would like you to meet my wife, Bella. She's the musician I was telling you about. Bella, this is Nick Harper. He owns this recording studio."
"It's an honor to meet you, Bella," said Nick as I shook his hand.
"You too, Nick," I said softly. I looked back at Edward. "What is going on?"
"You didn't tell her?" asked Nick. Edward chuckled as he shook his head. "Man, you are brave."
"I know," chuckled Edward. "Bella, Nick has agreed to let you record your music."
"What?" I whispered as my eyes filled up with tears. Edward reached up and wiped the few that spilled over away for me. "Seriously?"
"Yes, Baby," he whispered. "I promised I would help you do the things on our list. This is on the list."
"Oh," I cried softly. I turned away from Nick, embarrassed that he was seeing me cry.
"Don't be embarrassed, Bella," said Nick. I turned back to him. "Edward told me about the transplant. As a ten year survivor, I was more than willing to help him do this for you."
"You've had a bone marrow transplant?" I asked softly.
"Yes," he said. "I was twenty. Carlisle was my doctor. He saved my life."
"Oh," I whispered. "Was it worth it?"
"Everyday I get to look at my wife makes it worth it," said Nick.
"Good," I whispered. I wiped the tears off my face.
"Now, from what I've heard from your music, you are quite good," said Nick. "Are you ready to make a record?"
"Yes," I said with a soft smile.
"Then let's go," he chuckled.
Edward and I followed Nick to the studio. I couldn't stop the smile that exploded on my face. I was standing in a real recording studio. I took out my guitar and strapped it on, after Nick gushed over it, and made my way into the small glassed in room. I went over and stood in front of the mic. Nick got everything ready in the control booth and we started recording 'When I'm Gone' first.
We spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon recording several of my songs. I swear my face was starting to hurt from smiling so much but I couldn't help it. This had been one of my biggest dreams since I could remember. Of course I don't play my music for this reason but it was still a nice feeling knowing that my songs, my music, were going to be on a CD.
Nick smiled as he signaled for me to hold still after our last run through of my last song. I smiled and held my breath. He chuckled and motioned for me to come into the control room. I took off my guitar and made me way into the room. Edward had a huge grin on his face as he stood up and hugged me.
"Baby, you are a natural. That was amazing," he gushed.
"Thank you. I had so much fun," I laughed. I leaned up and kissed him. "Really, thank you so much."
"Anything for you," he said softly. I turned and looked at Nick, who was smiling and shaking his head.
"Bella, darling, you are a super star," he said. I chuckled as my face turned red. "I'm serious. One day, you are going to be blasted all over the radio and I am going to sit back and gloat about how I told you so."
"I hope you're right," I said.
"If it's ok with you, I would like to send in a copy of your music to some friends of mine in LA," said Nick. My mouth fell open. "I think you have what it takes to go the distance. I know you have a long, hard road ahead of you, Bella, but you can do it. I can't wait to see you standing on some stage sharing your music with the world."
"You really think I'm good enough?" I asked.
"No, I know you are more than good enough," said Nick. He handed me a copy of my CD. "Bella, this is best music I have heard in a long time. This might give you something, other than lover boy here, to fight for. So can I send your CD along to LA?"
"Yes," I said softly. "Thank you, Nick."
"I haven't done anything," he said.
"Yes, you did," I said as my eyed filled up with tears. "You helped me fulfill one of my dreams. That means a lot to me."
"Then you are very welcome, Bella," he said. "I will be praying for your recovery."
"Thank you," I said.
"Nick, thanks, man," said Edward.
"Don't mention it," said Nick. "Take care of her. She's going to need you. Tell Carlisle and Esme that Megan and I said hi."
"I will," said Edward.
Edward and I thanked him again before I packed up my guitar and we headed back out to the car. Edward put my guitar in the trunk and we loaded up. Edward headed down to a small French restaurant. He parked the car and we headed inside. I held his hand while the hostess led us to a small booth in the back. We slid into the same side. As soon as the waiter took our order, I laid my head on Edward's shoulder.
"I can't thank you enough for today," I whispered softly. Edward wrapped his arm around me.
"You don't have to thank me," he said. "The look of joy on your face was thanks enough for me."
"It felt so good to be in that studio," I said. "It felt normal to me, I guess. I hope I get back there someday."
"I'm sure you will," said Edward. "Nick was really impressed with you. In all the years I've known him, I've never seen him gush about a musician like that."
"How did you meet him?" I asked. "Was it through Carlisle?"
"No," said Edward. "Nick was my piano teacher. I started taking lessons from him when I was six. He was a student at the Chicago Institute of the Performing Arts. He was looking for a part time job so Esme hired him to teach me the piano. I took lessons with him until he got sick when I was eight. He was like my big brother in a lot of ways. But when he got sick, he couldn't teach me anymore. He went through the chemo for a few months before he did the transplant. That's how he met his wife, Megan. She was his donor."
"What?" I asked.
"Yep," he said. "She was from Florida. She had sighed up to be a marrow donor and happened to be a match to Nick. About a year after the transplant, the hospital brought them together to meet face to face for the first time. It was love at first sight. They were married a year later. That was seven years ago."
"That's so sweet," I said. "So what brought them to Olympia?"
"Megan got a job with a local law firm. It was too good to pass up so they moved. Nick started his record company. He mostly records small tracks for people wanting to sing happy birthday to their moms or wives. He doesn't do it for the glory. He does it because he loves music. Almost as much as you do."
"Or you," I pointed out.
"True," chuckled Edward.
Our waiter brought our food out so we talked more about the recording session while we ate. I felt like I was high. I guess I was in a way. I was high on life, as cliché as that sounds. Today had been a perfect day. We finished eating and paid our check. We loaded into the car and headed back to Forks.
I pulled my car into the garage and followed Edward into the house. He led me straight to our room. He peeled off my clothes and quickly removed his own. We fell into the bed and made love slowly all night. This would be the last time we could be together like this for a long time. I know Edward was making it last as long as we could. We savored each other's bodies and souls. Our journey together was fixing to hit a road bump but as our bodies came together, I vowed to myself to do everything I could to make it through all the pain. I just hoped my body was strong enough.