o
"It's okay, darling," she whispers. "It's okay. Really okay."
"I love you," he mumbles through his tears. "You must know that. I love you."
"I know, Edward. As I love you."
"What if I forget you?"
"You won't ever forget me."
"I'm so scared," he sobs.
"I know. But you can do this, Edward. It's been a long time. Now blossom forth."
o
Edward groaned when his alarm rang. He could not remember his dream, just a sense of lingering lightness.
He showered and had coffee and toast, thinking back to last night. Bella had been sweet as always, beautiful in an almost ethereal way. And she liked his little drawing, which was the most important thing to Edward.
He'd spent quite some time bent over his desk the night before, working into the morning hours until he was satisfied.
Bella had mentioned one time that rabbits were her favourite animals. They were always seen as cute bunnies, shy and reticent, when in reality and in wild life, they were, in her words, "tough little fuckers," who loved their freedom and refused to be domesticated.
He arrived at Rosalie's shortly after eleven, only ten minutes late.
Emmett was puttering about in sweaters and a T-shirt, mumbling into his phone.
"His agent has been harassing him for days," Rosalie explained as she slipped into her Gucci coat. She rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's get this done. Bye, Em."
"Bye," Edward added, but Emmett only waved his hand and continued mumbling.
"Where do you want to start looking?" Edward asked once they were in the car.
It was a tradition for the Cullen siblings to go Christmas shopping together for their parents' gift. Usually, it was an antique piece of furniture or a painting. One time, they'd given them a trip to Rome.
"There's this lovely shop in Islington. I know the owner, and she told me about a Biedermeier tallboy. It might just be right for the guest room."
"Okay." Edward nodded, and started the car.
"How are you, Edward?"
Never one to beat around the bush, Rosalie cut right to it.
"Fine," he replied, steeling himself for the interrogation.
"You're working a lot, Mum said."
"I am. I finally agreed to do the exhibition at the Saatchi."
"Wow, that's great."
He looked at her, and Rosalie smiled.
"I know what you're thinking, Ro."
"What am I thinking?"
"Good he's painting, not drinking."
"And am I right?"
"Mostly. I'm working a lot."
"Good to hear it," Rosalie said. She ruffled his hair in a friendly gesture.
"Hmm."
He steered the car through the crazy London traffic and they were silent for a while until Rosalie started to talk about Vera. Edward was glad for the distraction, and since he loved his niece dearly, he was glad for the new subject.
They were laughing when he finally found a parking spot, and they were still laughing when they stepped into the shop named Senna's Antiques.
It was a nice shop, with only first-class antique furniture and paintings, lamps and vases and bric-a-brac. There were a few other customers, but Edward and Rosalie were greeted quickly.
"Good afternoon! Can I help you?"
Edward and Rosalie turned to the woman who'd spoken, and Edward immediately felt sick.
It was Zafrina.
oOo
Woops, he never gets a rest, does he?