Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all of the Twilight stuff in this story. I didn't come up with any of it.
Author's Note: This all-human Romance was inspired by a dream the way SM dreamt of Twilight. When I woke up I just had to write it. It takes place in present day NYC because I really like to write about places I've actually been to, so I'm playing it safe and writing about where I live. All Human. Enjoy and Review!
Chapter 1: Sleepover
From the Point of View of Bella Swan
I remember the first time I saw Edward Cullen. I had been best friends with his sister Alice for about two years since we started high school together. I knew that all of the Cullen kids were adopted and related by blood in no way. The strangest thing was that there had been the formation of couples over the years between Alice and Jasper, and their older "siblings" Rosalie and Emmett. Their father Carlisle worked for the United States Embassy and they were a very wealthy family. I remember staring in shock as I stepped out of the car for our first sleepover during my junior year. Their house was so big I didn't think that anyone in Manhattan lived in houses bigger than brown stones.
I had met Jasper a couple of times before, he and his brothers went to a different school than Alice and Rosalie. He was quite distant with me and always focused his attention on Alice despite her constant urge to go shopping, his least favorite activity. He had just gotten his driving license so he picked the two of us up from school and brought us to the upper west side.
When we walked up the stairs of their house all I could think was that I had never been in a more beautiful home than this one. Once inside I noticed how each room was designed perfectly and someone had put in a lot of time to perfect each detail. It belonged in one of those magazine's that no matter how hard you tried you could never get you house to look so picture perfect.
Alice saw the look in my eyes and started to giggle. "Bella what are you gawking at?"
"Alice, your home is so beautiful."
"Oh, Esme always likes to take care of the house, come by in two weeks there is a good chance everything will be different, down to the crown molding."
I swiveled my head around and took in a grand marble staircase that led up to another two stories. Deeper into the ground level was a kitchen that looked barely touched, and a vast living and dinning room.
"Where should I put my stuff?" I asked. I looked at the floor afraid that my mediocre things would not be suited to lie upon the tile.
"Come upstairs, we'll put them in my room."
We hiked up the stairs with Jasper in toe carrying Alice's school bag. I turned to follow Alice across the landing when I stopped breathless. Standing two feet away from me was the most beautiful human being I had ever seen. I took in all six feet and two inches of him, staring back at me in all his green-eyed glory. It took me a couple of seconds to regain myself. Alice stopped mid turn to look back, and took in the sight of me, and her brother staring at each other without words.
"Uh Bella, this is my brother Edward. Edward this is my friend from school Bella."
"It's nice to meet you, Bella." He said expressionless. I blinked twice just to make sure I hadn't imagined him.
"Nice to meet you too." I walked towards Alice without taking my eyes off of him. I could see the shape of his perfectly shaped muscular chest through his light blue buttoned down shirt and accidentally dropped my bag in the daze I was in due to his presence.
"I'll get-" But I was to late. Edward had already bent down quickly and picked my bag up. Our hands brushed momentarily as he handed it back to me. I felt a shiver go down my spine and quickly turned away and followed Alice into her room. I shut the door behind me and looked at my feet.
Across the room I heard her burst into a fit of giggles and watched her roll uncontrollably all over the floor.
"What's so funny?" I demanded.
"Y-y-y –you!" She managed to squeeze out.
"What did I do?" I asked baffled at her sudden laughing fit. "Why are you laughing uncontrollably Alice?" She calmed herself down enough to sit still on her bed, which I noticed was perfect also, along with al the other furniture in the room including an open walk in closet that was larger than my living room.
"I think you have the hots for Edward!"
"Alice! Shhh! I do not have the hots for your brother!" She was right though, I totally had it bad from the second I saw him.
"Oh yes you do. 'Nice to meet you too'." She mocked me in my breathy voice. "Come on you were practically gawking at him."
I couldn't pretend with Alice, it was just one of those powers she had over me. I decided to give up and admit that Edward had definitely caught my eye, though I knew she would torture me about it for weeks on end.
"Alright maybe I think he's cute. But there's no way you can tell him that, promise Alice?"
She giggled a little before she responded. "Okay, I won't say anything, but you know when it's just us I'm totally going to harass you about this."
"Is it that bad?" I asked with a grimace on my face. "Well other than the fact that you practically melted before him, I would say yes, it is that bad."
"Thanks a lot."
She began to retort but there was a soft rap at the door. I figured it was Jasper but when I opened it and found Edward standing there I felt my knees wobble a bit. He continued to stare at me in wonder as he told Alice that Carlisle wanted to speak to her. I hadn't even heard the phone ring. Alice got up and left the two of us standing there in her doorway speechless. I turned to sit on her bed and to my surprise he followed me in and took the space next to me.
"So Bella, you go to LaGuardia with Alice"?
"Yeah, I'm not a voice major like her though, I'm in art."
"That's interesting I'm transferring there for the spring term in one month, for piano, do you enjoy the school?"
"Yes it's everything I hoped for in pursuing art. I didn't know that you could transfer mid junior year."
"Well I have to admit Carlisle, my father did pull a few strings but I have been studying the piano for a while and I seem to be up to their standard there."
"Why are you transferring out of your current school?"
"Well, private school isn't really working out for me, I'm not exactly what they would call one of their young poli-sci clones. Much to Carlisle's dismay I don't show much interest in the political world."
"Not to pry, and I've noticed that Alice and Rose do this also, but why do you call your parents by their first names?"
"I'd thought you would ask that, you see Carlisle and Esme are only nine years older than Alice who is the youngest. The only reason they were able to adopt us was because of their financial stability, and preparedness to take on five full-grown teens. They are our parents in every way but still we are more best friends than anyone could be with their parents."
"You guys are lucky. I wish I could make my parents understand me for one second. From what Alice tells me you seem very close together in your family."
"We are lucky." He seemed eager to change the subject for some reason and quickly asked questions about me, and my family. It was bit of a touchy subject, my parents were still married and I felt they stayed together reluctantly because of me. It was horrible to live in our apartment in the village and have them feel so uncomfortable around each other.
It was so easy to talk to Edward, I noticed after a few minutes we had taken more comfortable positions on Alice's bed. I looked over at her steel alarm clock and saw that it had been a half an hour since Alice had left the room. I jolted up a little to quickly and looked around as if I were expecting her to jump out from behind the furniture.
"Where's Alice?"
"Oh." He said sitting up. "Carlisle needed her help, she's in his office faxing a few files to the embassy."
"Oh."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine I guess I just lost track of time."
"I could leave if you like."
"No!" I said to quickly. "I enjoy your company, stay." I felt embarrassed at my choice of words immediately after saying them. I felt forward and clingy, not at all like my usual self. Despite this Edward resumed his position laying back Alice's bed and so did I. We began to talk of music one of my favorite subjects and I was happy to find we both related on this.
"Well, my favorites have to be the jazz singers, it's a bit old fashioned but listening to Ella, Sinatra, Dean Martin, and those types, just relaxes me and inspires my art."
"I have to admit you have good taste. I have a few collector's items that Carlisle gave me for my birthday. Would you like to see them?"
"Absolutely."
We walked up the second flight of stairs and down a narrower hallway. The door to Edward's room was dark and heavy. I felt like I was entering some ancient crypt. When he opened the doors I was hit with a far different impression. The room was spacious, and far less cluttered then Alice's. The walls were white and the room's overall atmosphere was calm and cheery. In the back towards the windows was a pearl white baby grand piano. Across the walls were shelves of CDs and old track records. Beyond the piano was an antique record player. Edward ran his fingers across the stacks of old records. He pulled one out and placed the record on the player. I got goose bumps from the needle scratching the record but calmed as the brass band began a sweet tune.
"This is one of my favorite's." He took a seat on his bed, which I now noticed on the other side of the room. It had a plush cover with gold threading. I sat far from him on the edge not knowing how welcome I was in this new territory.
"I love Summer Time." Ella Fitzgerald's smooth voice rang in the background of our conversation. I was extremely old fashioned when it came to the arts. We talked about our favorite old movies. I was a hopeless romantic, but I tried to hide that even though I sighed here and there when talking about Casablanca.
I noticed the time again on my own watch; I had been an hour since Alice had left the room. As I stared back into those electric green eyes all I could selfishly think of was, thank God for Carlisle.
As "The A Train" finished we both sat up looking at each other. I knew then that there was something special and different about Edward Cullen. I noticed we were now a little too close for two teens that had just met. I was about to say something when I heard footsteps come up the stairs. I turned quickly to see Rosalie's face turn hard as she laid eyes on me.
"Hello Bella, funny seeing you here."
"Oh Alice and I are having a sleepover tonight."
"I know but I don't see her."
"Well Edward was just showing me his collection."
"That's right Edward, Emmett and Jasper need you in the yard, they need help with the Jeep."
"I'm on it." He replied. "It was nice talking to you Bella."
All I could do was smile back at him. Rosalie gave me another dark stare as I left the room with Edward following behind me. Rose never liked me. Alice even tried to tell me she was a bit jealous that I got more attention from guys than she did. I remember telling her she was crazy and that I probably looked like a dying slug next to Rosalie. She had Emmett and I highly doubted that she cared what guys at school gave her any attention.
As I came down the stairs and approached Alice's room I saw her running up from the first floor.
"Bella I'm so sorry I just got caught up with Carlisle and I'm the only one who's really good at the office machine stuff. I'm really sorry I kept you up here by yourself."
"It's okay, Edward kept me company." I said as we walked into her room.
"Oh lucky you." She said smirking at me, and raising her eyebrows up and down.
"Be quiet!" I gave her a little shove and she plopped on her bed.
"What did I say?" She mocked me innocently.
We spent the rest of our time gossiping about school things and painting each other's nails. She envied my control over the brush and I praised the contents of her closet. We blew up the air mattress and continued on with our girlie festivities. It neared midnight when there was a quick rhythmic rap at the door.
"Come in Jasper!" She called out.
Jasper opened the door and floated in. I was surprised to see Edward standing in the door way as his brother came over and laid a good night kiss on Alice's lips. We starred at each other intently until Jasper muttered his last good night. Before he turned to close the door Edward took the knob at turned back to me.
"Good night Bella." He slipped the door close and I fell back onto the airbed staring at the ceiling.
I heard Alice roll over and begin to chuckle into her pillow. I whipped lightly at her arm and told her to stop but as usual she didn't.
"Good night Bella." She mimicked Edward's velvet voice a bit huskier and turned the main light off.
The next morning I woke with the sun in my eyes. Alice was out cold next to me and I decided to ponder the last night. I felt so free when I talked to him, so relaxed to be myself. I felt that space that was in my chest for the past seventeen years fill up. I always felt as if my life was incomplete and that there was something that I needed that was missing. It was as if my breathing was constricted and for the first time I could really take in all the air. I quickly told myself not to get caught up in the feeling. It would only hurt more when it was taken away. I could feel it now just being alone with myself. I often thought I was an incomplete person that being me was somehow not enough.
I heard Alice slowly wake next to me as the smell of pancakes and bacon wafted in the air. I nudged her and she refluxed her arm and whacked me in the face.
"OW!" I yelped.
"Ooh I'm sorry Bella." He was sincere so I brushed it off.
"It's okay, good morning."
The door creaked open and I was greeted with the soft smile of a very pretty lady in her mid twenties. Esme stuck her head between the door and the wall and looked into the room.
"Everything alright girls?"
"Yes Ms. Cullen, Jackie Chan here just had a quick reflex reaction, were okay."
"Good, Carlisle's making breakfast come down okay."
"Thanks Esme." Alice groaned as she pushed herself of the mattress.
"Lets brush our teeth and go downstairs." She suggested.
We walked over to a door on the other side of her room I thought was another closet, but when she held it open, I was walking into a very pretty blue tiled bathroom. We washed up and I went over to my bag to pull out my clothes when Alice took me by the hand and dragged me out of the room.
"Alice don't you want to get dressed first?"
"Bella it's Saturday morning, pajamas are perfect attire for a Cullen breakfast."
We were halfway down the stairs when I realized that I hadn't taken my bra off last night, thank God. She pulled me into the kitchen and sat me down on a barstool. Carlisle was at the stove flipping pancakes and frying up some bacon. He turned to place plates in front of us stacked high with pancakes.
"Good morning girls, how did you sleep Bella?"
"I slept fine, thanks for breakfast Mr. Cullen."
"Please call me Carlisle. Have you ladies seen you seen any of the boys yet?"
"Nope, we just woke up they should be down soon though, I could smell everything upstairs." Alice sighed and began to cut up her pancakes. We joked and talked with Carlisle for about five minutes when we heard the boys climbing down the stairs. Jasper came around first giving Alice a quick peck on the cheek before taking the stool beside her. He gave us a low spoken good morning and began eating his pancakes without a word.
I turned my head to see Edward coming down the stairs in black silk pajamas. He still looked like a super model even if he had just woken up. Another huge boy that was about six inches taller than him with overbuilt muscles came down after him. This must have been Emmett; Alice wasn't lying when she said he could eat her for breakfast.
"Good morning everyone." Edward muttered as he took the seat next to me. "Emmett have you met Bella yet?"
Emmett walked down the last stair and walked behind the bar to where Carlisle was cooking.
"Hey Bella, nice to finally meet you. I wonder if all the things Alice says about you are true." He raised a playful eyebrow at me. I immediately turned to Alice and, felt all the blood rush to my face. I looked at my reflection in the toaster to see that my face was beat red. Edward and Emmett couldn't help but laugh at my reaction.
"Alice." I grumbled.
"I haven't said anything." She replied innocently. "Emmett stop embarrassing my friend."
"So Bella." Emmett began. " Were gonna play base ball in the back yard later on. You wanna join us."
I turned to Alice and gave her a sly smile; it was my turn to tease Emmett. "I don't know, is it safe Alice?" I was not prepared for her response and it threw me off guard.
"It's safe alright…unless Edward plays."
"Why?" I turned my head slowly to look at him. It was hard not to gaze at his perfect face, especially when he gave me that intense stare.
"I usually hit the ball the hardest or run the fastest, it doesn't give anyone else an advantage over me."
"Well than I think we should be on the same team to even it out, I really can't play to save my life."
He chuckled at me, it sounded like bells. Alice started laughing also. "No she's not exaggerating even if her life depended on it she would trip before even running."
"Thanks Alice." I nudged her. We collected our plates and threw them in the sink. We made our way over to the sofa and the boys followed. I heard a buzzing sound in the background as we turned on the TV. I looked around and noticed some one was missing.
"Where is Rose?"
"Oh, She's just blow drying her hair, maybe she'll be down in five hours, maybe not." Emmett responded. We were watching an action packed movie that was a little too gruesome for the morning but the boys seemed to enjoy it. Every so often Emmett would mute the volume and voice over the characters making them say perverse things. We all laughed except Edward who looked at him disapprovingly.
"Oh, come on Edward, we all know you think it's funny." Edward continued to glare at him until Emmett gave in. "Alright, if you insist. Please excuse my French ladies." He got off the sofa and bowed to Alice and I and then got on his knees and pretended to beg for our forgiveness.
"Okay Emmett." I started. "We forgive you now turn the volume back on."
So tell me if you like it. This may be the only chapter for a while because like a very stereotypical teen I'm going to camp! So if there is computer stuff up there than there may be a chapter two and three. Review!