I'm tired! I've got to the eleventh chapter now; it's all kicking off! Now, however, it's introduction time for Edward and Bella. Enjoy :)
I returned to the Cullen's home full of blood and happiness. The run had given me time to think, and I felt a lot better with where I was now. I had known being in Forks was going to be tough, but I was so glad to have Alice and her family. If the others were half as lovely as Carlisle and Esme were, I'd be incredibly happy. I was slightly nervous at meeting them though, as I knew they would be home by now. But before I could dwell on it, a thrilled Alice sprung onto me, and I laughed at her ear-to-ear grin.
"Jasper's home, then?" I said brightly. She nodded happily.
"Yeah! They're all back! I can't wait for you to meet them! How was hunting? You were gone all night!"
"It was great. Your forest is a lot better than mine in Canada. I'm very full!" I patted my stomach, and we both laughed, "But it was great having a run around and stuff. I enjoyed it." I smiled, but stopped as Alice's eyes glazed over. I stood there for a moment, holding her upright, until she resurfaced from her vision, looking at me in wonder.
"What was it?" I was curious.
"Upstairs to the top floor, second door on the left." She smiled. I furrowed my eyebrows at her, but she just skipped happily inside. I sighed, following her in, then beginning to walk up the two flights of stairs. Two steps up, however, my ears met something… amazing. Music. More beautiful than I'd ever heard before. I followed the sound up two flights of stairs, and noticed it was coming from the door second on the left. What had Alice seen in her vision? I wondered. I walked silently to the door, pushing it open carefully.
I gasped at what I saw before me. A man, looking to be about 17, was sitting at a baby grand piano. His fingers glided effortlessly across the keys, and he was rocking slightly in time with the piece. The music filled the room and sent shivers down my spine. Intrigued, I walked closer, careful to stay silent so as not to disturb him. His eyes were closed, and a small smile lit up his features. He was absorbed in his music, and looked so beautiful my chest ached.
I didn't recognise the piece, so it must have been his own composition, but suddenly I could imagine something playing over it. He was playing mainly at the deeper end of the piano. It gave the piece a dark atmosphere. I crept forward, and when he didn't react, sat next to him. I took a deep breathe, and played the high notes above his, in perfect time and harmony. His head snapped to face me, and we both stopped playing. He looked stunned someone was suddenly next to him. I was stunned at his overwhelming beauty. Now that his eyes were open, I could see the full effect. His golden eyes stared deeply into mine, their depth never ending. His muscular jaw, perfectly messy hair… I ached to run my fingers through it.
"Urm… Hello." He spoke first. His voice made me melt on the spot, and I had to quickly pull myself together.
"Hi. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, your piece was so wonderful…" I trailed off, his smile dazzled me.
"You play beautifully." He complimented. I smiled, embarrassed.
"I had a lot of spare time in Canada. I taught myself to play many instruments." I turned towards the piano, stroking the keys lightly with my fingers. "Your piano is amazing. It must of cost you a fortune!" He laughed.
"Yes, it's my baby." He smiled at it fondly. Suddenly, his gaze returned to me, startled. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Edward. And you are obviously this Bella I've heard so much about." He took my hand and kissed it, and if I were human my heart would have probably stopped beating for a long time. His lips against my skin felt amazing.
"That's me!" I laughed nervously, needing a change of subject. "So, Edward, would you like to see my baby?" I asked, smiling.
"Sure." I put my hand up to stop him moving, then raced to my things in the hallway. I grabbed her case, and rushed back in quickly.
"Meet my baby, Charlotte." I raised my guitar from her case. "Actually, she's not a baby anymore. 32 years old, she is." I stroked her neck lovingly.
"Charlotte… After Bronte?" I nodded, grinning. "She's beautiful." He complimented. I already knew this; Charlotte had been there for me back when I was human. Her wood had the tiniest red tinge to it, and she was in pretty good condition considering the amount of times she'd been played. Her case was covered in stickers I'd collected of bands I'd seen or loved over 30 years. A lot of history.
"I know she is," I smiled, "She's been through a lot with me."
"Would you play for me?" He said hopefully. I looked over at him.
"Why do you want me to? My playing won't match up to your piano talents."
"Because a real musician reflects what their thinking into their songs. I'm hoping it'll give me a glimpse into yours, considering I can't hear them myself." I looked at him, a knowing grin on my face.
"I know you can't."
"Do you know why?"
"Yes." I resisted the urge to laugh at how wound up he was that he couldn't hear my thoughts.
"And I can't because…" He persisted.
"One of my powers is a mind shield." I shrugged, placing Charlotte on my lap and lightly plucking her strings.
"A mind shield?" He repeated.
"Yes," I nodded, looking back at him. I couldn't believe I'd told him, a guy I'd only just met, but it felt so… natural. "Mind powers don't affect me. I automatically block them out." He nodded his head slowly. "See, your power is to do with mind. But Jasper, who I hear can control emotions, would be fine with me, as it's not affecting the mind." He nodded faster this time in understanding. I closed my eyes and opened my mind, thinking one sentence.
I can remove the shield too. And expand it to protect others.
He looked stunned, and I beamed back at him. He returned the smile, laughing.
"That's one of your powers?" I nodded.
"You have more?!" I nodded again, sitting back on the piano chair. He sat beside me.
"That's amazing. What is it?" He was eager, and this made me smile.
"I can change my appearance." He looked into my eyes, and I momentarily was speechless, until I gained control and explained my power. I even showed him how I change my nail colour.
"Wow." He said. I laughed quietly.
"Yeah, I know. I'm a little different." I shrugged.
"Your completely unique. Very intriguing." He smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile back. We sat there, just staring at one another, until Alice burst through the door. Way to ruin a moment! I grumbled, glad Edward couldn't hear me.
"Bella! Fancy finding you here! Come on! You've been with Edward for ages! You haven't met Jasper yet! Or Emmett and Rose!" She said excitedly. I sighed, defeated. I didn't want to go. I enjoyed sitting and talking with Edward. I slowly got up, making sure Charlotte was locked away, and walked towards Alice. I felt Edward lay his hand on the small of back to guide me, and I would have definitely blushed if I were human. He lent down towards my ear, and I tensed slightly at the sudden closeness.
"You haven't played for me yet." He whispered. I looked up, momentarily startled by how close his face was, before smiling.
"Later." I promised. I then realised we had stopped in the hallway, and I reluctantly pulled my gaze away and headed into the living room, which was now completely occupied.
"Sorry, Edward kidnapped me." I teased, looking around at all the faces. I walked over to where Alice stood.
"Jasper, it's nice to put a face to the millions of things I know about you." I smiled at him, holding out my hand, which he shook. He chuckled at my comment, squeezing Alice's waist slightly tighter, and she poked her tongue out at him.
Next, I walked over to the one couple I didn't recognise.
"Rosalie," I smiled, hugging her. "Even more beautiful than Alice described you as. Her words do you no justice!" She laughed, happy at her compliments. Alice had told me she liked these, and I was a total suck up.
"And Emmett! The melted butter!" I punched his arm playfully, and Alice burst out laughing at my repeat of her words, leaving Emmett looking confused.
"Did I miss something?" He questioned. Me and Alice just laughed harder, and I noticed Edward was chuckling away in the corner. Obviously, Alice had shown him the memory. When he caught me looking, he winked, a smile still spread across his face.
"Now, I wonder who you are…" I stroked my chin, hand on hip, as I pretended to think it out. I clicked my fingers, in an 'I know it!' fashion.
"I got it! You're the music man! I am the music man, I come from far away, and I can play, yes I can play! Pia-pia-piano! Piano! Piano!" I danced around, singing the tune happily, as everyone laughed at me. Edward came and held my waist in one hand and my hand in the other, and we danced around the living room, singing the song badly out of tune, as the rest of the Cullen's clapped along and laughed.
We stopped dancing and fell back onto the sofa, laughing hysterically at what just happened. And so began Cullen Karaoke Night. An all-nighter of embarrassing songs, photos and videos never to be seen by anyone outside the family. And that's what it was. A family. Instantly, I'd clicked into place. In one day I already felt like part of a family. I was finally home.