Author's Note: I would like to say thanks for the reviews I got for the last chapter. Not quite as many as I wanted but I guess I'm not going to complain any more. Lol. Looking at my Stats, I seem to have quite a few people reading, even though the numbers for the first chapter go down considerably to say, the last chapter. Oh well. I just hope that you guys are enjoying this….

And yes, I know I'm horrible for not updating before this. I guess the major problem is that I find myself feeling rather uninspired at the moment when it comes to updating. I do know exactly where I want this story to go but I guess I'm just not up to writing it at the moment. Don't worry, it will be finished. I know that I will be more motivated once Breaking Dawn is over. So thank you once again for getting this far and travelling down this road with me. I really appreciate it. You guys are what make me want to write!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. It all belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I could never claim the world and characters she has created. I am just having a little bit of fun with them. However, should she like to hand over Edward and his silver Volvo, I would certainly not object.


Chapter VIII: Worries and a Duet

Edward and Isabella remained in the park until it grew cold due to the setting sun. They met back up with Angela and Ben and went their separate ways. The two decided that it would best for them both if Mr. Swan did not know of their little arrangement until they were both sure that it was worth telling about. Edward, however, knew perfectly well that it was, at least on his end. He felt like screaming to the world, or at least all of Naperville, that Isabella Marie Swan was his love. But that would be getting ahead of himself. So he stuck with what she wanted and agreed to keep the secret from Mr. Swan for the time being. It would not be any easier to tell him later but it looked far better at present than the 'sooner' option.

Edward slept well that night with dreams of Isabella on his arm in front of the whole town. They received smiles from their classmates, their neighbors, and other acquaintances. But to Edward, none of them mattered. The only one that did was Mr. Charles Swan who stood directly in front of them. As they approached him, his face was set in stone, devoid of any emotion. He stared them down with strong eyes. They stopped a few feet in front of him and Isabella just smiled up at him. He looked at the couple for another moment before breaking into his own slightly awkward smile. Edward could feel the worry and pressure leave his chest at once at the knowledge that they were accepted by their most difficult critic.

When Edward woke in the morning, he was in better spirits than he had been in months. He jumped out of bed with such vigor that he surprised even himself. He got ready for school faster than he normally did and he immediately joined his parents at the table for breakfast. As usual, his father was reading important looking court documents and his mother had the Naperville Journal out in front of her. When he sat down at the table with a smile on his face, both looked up from their respective activities and eyed him with curiosity.

Mr. Masen put his papers down and looked carefully at his son over his mug of coffee. He took a sip before addressing him. "Who are you and what have you done with my brooding, morning-despising son?"

Edward merely laughed as he grabbed a muffin off a plate in front of him and began to eat. They watched him for a few more minutes before giving each other one of their silent looks that they alone seemed to understand and returning to their readings.

After a while, Mrs. Masen let out a groan of worry that both of the men in front of her knew only too well. She was reading about the war overseas. It was a subject that upset her to no end yet she continued to read about it.

"It doesn't seem as though they are anywhere near ending it," she muttered with anxiety apparent in her warm voice. She eyed her young son with fear as he took another bite from his muffin.

"Lizzie…," Mr. Masen pleaded. He frowned at her. He did not like to discuss or even think about the matter either. It would ruin his dreams as well.

Both of his parents, his mother in particular, were worried that their only son would be sent off to the war once he graduated from high school. Both, of course, were fearful for his safety but it extended farther than that. His mother was fearful that his amazing talent from God would go to waste and that her only son would be taken away from her forever. His father, on the other hand, knew that the war would snatch away his dreams of The Law Offices of Edward Masen and Son faster than the Institute of Musical Art would. Even if Edward could get into the Institute, it did not mean that he would last. Then, he could attend law school and fulfill his father's dream. True, he was worried about his son for the obvious uncertainties that war instilled, but he felt that his son could make it through if it ever came to that. Unbeknownst to his son and wife, he had a covert horde of money that he could use to buy his son's way out of the military stashed in their fault at the local bank. It was not the standard or most proper way to deal with the situation but he was prepared to save his son at all costs.

"Don't worry about it now, mother," he said as he drank the last of his orange juice and wiped his mouth off with a napkin. "We still have a few months. Besides, there's the Institute to think of."

"Or Harvard." His father's face was once again hidden behind his work so that he could not see the glare that his son threw his way.

So as to avoid an argument, Elizabeth looked at the clock and told Edward that he should get going. He stood up, said goodbye to his father, gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, and proceeded to his car. He tossed his books in the back and pulled out of his driveway. He drove 

in the opposite direction he normally did. He was driving Isabella today, the main source for his good mood.

He pulled up in front of her house and was half-relieved, half-disappointed to see that her father was already gone. Part of him, deep down inside, knew that what he was doing was wrong and completely inappropriate. He wanted Mr. Swan to catch them and berate them for their obvious lack of respect for his wishes. But at the same time, he wanted to spend as much time with Isabella as possible. He felt as though he was stuck between Heaven and Hell and there was no way out of the situation without hurting someone.

He shook himself of his thoughts as Isabella walked out of her house and over to his car. She was wearing her uniform and her hair in its usual loose bun but for some reason, she looked unnaturally breathtaking. Maybe it was the rising sun that was throwing its golden light from behind her. Maybe it was the fact that she smiling at him without restraint and the crimson blush that was so easily associated with Isabella Swan was present. Or maybe he was just that far gone.

She was slumping slightly under the weight of her books as she crossed in front of the car. He reached over and opened the door for her. She smiled in thanks as she handed him her books which he tossed over the seat. She climbed in rather ungracefully, managing to bump both her knee and head in the process. It was a feat that only Isabella Swan could accomplish…and look radiant while doing so. She let out a soft 'ow' as she settled into her seat. He could not help it. He could feel it rising in his chest and bubbling in his throat. It tickled his mouth until he finally let out.

His laughter rang through the car as Isabella stared at him with astonishment. After a moment, in which his laughter failed to cease or even let up, her eyes squinted into a glare. But that did not disturb him. She was just too adorable.

She let out an indignant huff and brought her small, soft hand crashing into his chest. Edward looked down, surprised by her action as his laughter died away. In his lap was a copy of the Naperville Journal. He turned to look at her with a confused expression only to find that she was still glaring at him. It was more of a playful glare than anything.

"Yes, I know," she said, breaking the silence. "I'm blessed with the grace of a prima donna."

Edward snorted at the comment as he unfolded the paper. The whole front page was dedicated to the war abroad. It was no wonder that his mother had been a nervous wreck this morning. He skimmed over it, noticing that the death toll had risen considerably since he last bothered to read up on the news. They were also looking for volunteers for related efforts. He looked over at Isabella questioningly.

She shook her head as if understanding him. "No. Flip a few pages in, please." She looked out the window as he did as she asked and stopped on the fourth page.

"You want to go to the circus?" he asked, laughing at the full page ad for the event taking place that weekend in Chicago. "Or are you trying to tell me something else?"

He laughed at she hit him in the arm and instructed him to turn one more page. He obliged and was met with half a dozen small articles that seemed to be of little importance. "Which one?"

She reached over and pointed at the article in the bottom right corner of the left page. The title was vague, reading "Illnesses Seem to Be Connected; Cities Left in Terror". He read over the article quickly before looking up at Isabella with another questioning look.

She sighed impatiently and took the newspaper back from him with more force than was necessary. She folded it back as he shook his head and pulled onto the road, heading for Stoker. He looked over at her, ready for her to launch into an explanation. It came shortly.

"Recently, the citizens of Fort Riley, Kansas and Queens, New York have had a slur of illnesses." Even though he was not looking at her, he could tell that Isabella was anxious about the subject. She was wringing her hands in her lap as she watched the scenery pass by. "Most of those that exhibited symptoms were hospitalized and many have died as a result. They show signs of flu-like symptoms and it is believed to be highly contagious. They're calling it a flu epidemic."

Edward chanced a glance over her way at a stop sign. She was gazing up at him with what looked like fright etched over her breathtaking features. He sighed as he looked back to the road. "Just relax, Isabella."

She let out a humorless laugh and threw herself back into her seat. "Relax?" she asked, her voice sounding uncharacteristically frantic. "How can I relax? Most of those that were inflicted were young adults. Our age, Edward."

He sighed as she turned her whole body away from him to look out the window. He reached over and gently took her hand from her lap. She jumped slightly, clearly not expecting his touch. She turned toward him, her eyes vulnerable. They were a rich earth tone as she gazed at him, practically sending him over the close edge that he was balancing on. He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a soft, loving kiss on her porcelain skin. He lingered longer than would have been acceptable in public but he was too drawn to her to care.

"It just worries me, is all," she muttered in the silence and he lower her hand but kept a hold of it nonetheless.

Edward nodded as they approached the turnoff for the school. "I understand," he said, looking her way quickly with sympathetic eyes. "But you can't worry about that, Isabella. What will come, will come. And until then, it will all be fine." She smiled up at him. He was not sure if he helped to ebb her worry but he was satisfied with the smile of an angel.

He turned into the school parking lot, the emblazoned sign of red and blue reading 'Bram Stoker Academy' glaring at them. Edward slowed as he drove past the doors leading into the school. He noticed Michael standing in a way that was supposed to be taken as nonchalantly by the door. Edward knew with one glimpse that he was waiting for Isabella. His thoughts of a romantic apology then an invitation to the latest banquet that his father's company was throwing were quickly replaced with jealousy and scenarios in which Edward met a painful death and Isabella threw herself into his waiting arms. The kid had serious mental instability issues to work through.

Isabella looked towards the door as well and immediately stiffened. She seemed to realize what Edward knew to be true. Her hand gripped his tightly as he pulled away and parked the car. She groaned and leaned her head against the window.

"Oh, he's the reason I left the Stanley's house early," she said quietly, as though hoping Edward would miss her confession. "He wouldn't leave me alone."

Edward let out a ragged breath as he tried desperately to control the anger that was coursing through his veins at the thought of Newton even coming within five feet of his Bella. The hatred from the other night was once again inside him, trying to persuade him to take action. But as he looked into Isabella's concerned eyes of glorious chocolate, it disappeared at the knowledge of having her beside him. He could and would protect her from the slime that walked the earth. She smiled, noticing that he had calmed down.

Edward climbed out of the car and walked over to the passenger side to open the door for Isabella. She smiled up at him as she accepted the hand he offered and slowly slid out of the car, careful not to have another graceless slip. Edward reached into the back and grabbed both of their books. When he closed the door, Isabella made a move to take her own books from him but he turned at the last minute. She stomped her foot in exasperation much to Edward's amusement.

"I've got them," he said, offering his free arm to her with a smile.

She glared playfully up at him, before breaking into a smile. "I'm more than capable of carrying my own books and walking on my own," she retorted, looking smug.

Edward laughed. "That may be. However, I'd rather not see you fall again if it's all the same to you, Isabella," he quipped back, the smile growing larger on his face. She glared at him once more before laughing herself and taking his arm.

They walked to the doors of Stoker in silence with Isabella's gaze elsewhere while Edward's were on her remarkable features. Her pale skin was glowing, a curl of mahogany was blowing in the faint chill of the morning, and there was still a pleasant smile on her face--one that Edward had created.

They walked up the steps slowly with Edward fully aware of Newton's eyes on them. His jealousy was so potent that Edward could feel it radiating off of him in waves. When they reached the last step and it looked as though Newton was about to approach them, Edward leaned down at brushed his lips against Isabella's ear.

"You look beautiful this morning," he whispered gently. She smiled shyly up at him and blushed that crimson red that he loved so much.

Once inside, Edward handed her books over for they were headed in opposite directions. Isabella smiled up at him again before she turned on her heel and walked up the stairs to her first class. Edward watched her until she was out of sight before he proceeded to his own class. He just reached the door when a small but vice-like hand fell on his shoulder.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, Junior?" a high pitched voice asked. Edward could hear the smirk in her voice. He turned around to face little Mary Alice staring up at him expectantly.

"How was your weekend with the parentals, Mary Alice?" he asked, figuring that a question would be easier for her to reveal what she wanted rather than engage in their usual banter that could last for hours. They had a tendency to go on and on. On more than one occasion, they picked up where they left off during class breaks because they were cut off in the middle.

"Oh, the usual," she said, glancing down at her newly polished nails. "Shopping and spa with my mother, courtesy of my father. You know how my father loves to dote on us while he's actually around." She smiled while she said this but Edward could hear the trace of bitterness in her voice. "And I was visited in my dreams by the Beautiful Vision Man. But besides that, it was all in all a dull weekend. Quite in contrast from yours, I'd say."

Edward's head picked up at the mention, his eyes automatically narrowing in her direction. "Mary Alice," he warned in a low, threatening voice.

She was not deterred by his fierceness, however. She continued to smile in her customary devious fashion. "What? I was merely stating a fact." She laughed, readjusting the ring on her right hand. "I must say that Isabella has a beautiful room. I'm quite jealous. Did she happen to mention her designer?"

"Mary Alice," Edward said a little louder this time as he looked around the hallways to see if anyone was listening. Luckily, those that were still lingering in the halls were too busy with their own conversations to bother with theirs. "That is enough!"

"So, it is true?" she asked, wonder apparent in her words. "I thought maybe I was slipping…." She trailed off as though she was consumed by her thoughts but Edward knew otherwise. She was just being difficult.

"Why do you insist on snooping in my love life?" Edward asked in an angry whisper.

Mary Alice laughed, completely at ease with their conversation. "So now it's your 'love life'? Huh. I can honestly admit that I did not see that in my vision." She laughed again at Edward's glare before waving her hand as if dismissing her previous words. "I'm just kidding with you, Junior. Besides, I would never, under any circumstances, want to hear about your…romantic engagements." She shuddered at the thought, the smile finally off her small face. Once she composed herself, she took to glaring at him. "And I do not 'snoop'. I resent that completely. I don't ask for any of it. Trust me, the last thing I want is to see you more than I have to."

Edward just shook his head at her. She was so hard to put up with sometimes. It was times like these where he wanted to strangle her. It would not be hard; her neck was so small, he could probably do it with one hand.

"Oh, Edward," she said, rolling her eyes at him. "You really need to lighten up. I did not mean anything by it. But really…what's going on between the two of you?"

Edward shrugged, uncomfortable with the path their conversation had taken. They had never been in this predicament before. True, both had had admirers (Michael and Jessica) who they made fun of together. They also had their fair share of being the admirers. However, never once had they been in relationships. While they shared everything, it was strange to share Isabella with Mary Alice.

"We're just…seeing where it goes," he said, using Isabella's words from the day before.

Mary Alice nodded, a serene smile on her face. She looked up at the clock and sighed. "Well, time to begin another day in paradise." She laughed as she walked backwards in the direction of her own class. She gave Edward a small wave and a smirk before turning around and taking off.

The first half of the day seemed to pass by at an alarming slow rate. Edward would look at the clock every 5 minutes or so only to find that the hand had barely moved. He was filled with sighs and groans as he listened to his teachers drone on. He forced himself to listen, taking notes when needed. He found himself thinking of Isabella when he let his mind wander and he could not determine if that was a bad thing or not. Most of him knew that he was getting in too 

deep for his own good but he knew that there was nothing he could about it. He also knew that he did not really want to do anything about it.

So when lunch time finally came around, he smiled. He made his way to the music room, sure that he would have his usual visitor outside the door by the time he started to play. As he walked into the room, he had his eyes on the floor, not taking in his surroundings. Therefore, he was met with a surprise when he finally looked up.

There, sitting at the faded and old piano bench, was an angel in all her stunning glory. She looked so out of place sitting there with her back against the edge of the piano, looking quite at ease. Edward had never seen anyone else sit at that piano besides himself, Mr. Matthews, and the occasional student that Mr. Matthews wanted to humiliate.

She smiled up at him brightly, the action lighting up her entire face. She patted the empty space on the bench next to her much like she had on Saturday night. Edward laughed at the gesture and walked to her. He sat down facing the piano and looked at her. Her eyes were intense and she seemed to be smiling through them.

"Will you play for me?" she asked, sitting up straight so she was no longer against the piano.

Edward smiled back at her. "On one condition."

Isabella's eyes narrowed at him questioningly. "And what would that one condition be?" she asked, clearly hesitant of his answer.

"You play with me," he said simply as though it was the most obvious thing in the world to suggest.

Isabella, however, broke out into a nervous laughter while she shook her head vigorously. She turned her body away from him as if to hide her unwarranted embarrassment. "No, no. I can't. I've told you that before."

Edward lifted his hand and placed it under her delicate chin. He applied a little pressure to get her to look at him. Her eyes remained adverted as he tried to look into them. "Look at me, Isabella," he said gently. She complied though still looking embarrassed. "Oh, there's no need for that." He touched her cheeks which were once again flushed. His touch however only seemed to heighten the color. "You must know something. I'm sure you had lessons."

Isabella sighed and seemed to lean into his touch. Edward smiled at her encouragingly. She smiled back after a moment. "Well, yes, I was put through lessons. I did learn one song…but I only remember the first half and it's probably completely wrong as it is…." She was babbling as her hands twitched in her lap.

Edward laughed and gestured towards the piano. "Why not show me? I promise not to judge." He smiled widely as she looked at him straight into the eyes.

Finally, she nodded in agreement and turned to face the instrument as well. She picked up her right hand and positioned it over the worn and dirty keys. With her index finger, she started to play a series of half notes that Edward immediately recognized from Pachabel's "Canon in D". She bit her lip as she ventured on, seeming to struggle slightly with the next notes. Edward resisted the urge to laugh at her playing with only one finger knowing that doing so would only earn him the silent treatment.

Edward joined her when the faster part began and took over on the sixteenth notes. His own fingers danced effortlessly across the keys as he continuously reached passed Isabella to reach the right keys. He could feel her intent gaze on him as he played on. He knew that he was impressing her and his heart soared at the thought. A smile found its way onto his lips as he neared the end of the piece, drawing out the final notes. He moved with the music, letting his fingers stroke the keys with a passion. He was at the second to last bar when he was joined by Isabella at a lower octave. Together, they slowly moved to the end of the piece with their eyes on each other. In that moment, Edward felt closer than he ever had to her, even when she had been wrapped up in his arms. Now, it felt as though something stronger than their own arms connected them to each other. Their souls were brought together by the music they played. It was the most unique and deep connect there was. It was artistic. It was raw. It was real.

When the last note descended into silence, Edward reached over and grabbed her hand. With a serious face, he brought it to his lips and kissed her wrist, savoring the softness of her skin. He looked up at her through his eyelashes to meet her orbs. She smiled faintly down at him, the blush once again on her cheeks. He removed his lips and straightened up slowly, never breaking eye contact. He wanted to bask in the connection between them for as long as he could.

Isabella was the first to break the silence. "That was beautiful," she said.

Edward smiled at her, pleased by her obvious fascination with his music. "Thank you."

Isabella looked down at the instrument in front of her, a look of longing in her eyes. "My mother tried to teach me when I was young. I'm afraid I never quite possessed the talent." She laughed lightly, apparently lost in memories of a time long ago.

Edward shrugged. "It's not for everyone. I once tried to teach Mary Alice. Needless to say, it did not quite hold her attention. Then again, not much does for very long." He laughed as he looked down at her. She smiled up at him though it was only the ghost of the one she wore a few minutes ago. Edward sighed, not sure how to pull her out of the slump she was currently in. "I'm sure there must be something that you are talented at. I can't imagine that there is nothing."

She laughed lightly and shrugged modestly. "Well, I suppose there is something. I used to do something all the time and I enjoyed doing it. My mother used to say I was brilliant but she was biased."

Edward noticed that she referred to her talent in the past tense but he decided not to call her on it for the time being. Instead, he smiled at her, trying to get one out of her as well. "Would you care to tell me what it is?"

She smiled genuinely up at him, a little bit of laughter issuing from her mouth. "I can't really tell you. But I can show you." She shrugged and looked back at the piano. "If you agree to come over after school, I'll show you what I mean."

Edward smiled brightly and placed his hands on the keys once more. He began to play "Moonlight Sonata" in response to her request. She understood and laughed brightly; the music of her voice blending in with the notes from the piano.

"Show off," she muttered, shaking her head at him as she watched on in interest.


Well, there is Chapter 8. This one gave me some trouble. It's kind of boring I guess since it is pretty much just a lead into the next chapter.

Now, on another note, you guys are going to hate me for what I'm going to say but I can't help it. With everything that I have going on, I don't have as much time to write as I would like. So, the best I can do is update once every week. I know that it sucks but please bear with me.

However, I do have a proposition for you guys. If I get more than twenty reviews for this chapter, I will post chapter 9. It's finished because it is incredibly short. However, if don't those reviews, I'll just save it for the next update. It's really a treat for you guys since I'm such a horrible person (feel free to correct me in a review!).

Now….REVIEW! Just click on that purple button below. I will be eternally grateful!

Pumpkin.