Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight or the characters, but I do own a copy of the Eclipse soundtrack!
A/N – Once again, I want to apologise for the delay in getting this chapter posted. No excuses other than the usual real life trials and tribulations. I would like to thank TwiFic Promotions who are featuring this story on their blog (go check it out at http:/(.)twi-ficpromotions(.)blogspot(.)com) I would like to thank KekahJ for her wonderful review!
Chapter 13 – Embarrassing Emmett EPOV
The few days after my trip to James' shop were like a whirlwind for me. I switched my phone off, plugged the keyboard in and just let the music take me. I hardly noticed the passage of time, and Jacob seemed to sense that I wanted to be left alone as he spent very little time in our room, only coming in to sleep or change clothes. His trip to the jobcentre had proved lucrative and he had begun his new job as a hod carrier on a building site a few miles away. He seemed to enjoy it, and was often heard regaling the others with tales of hot young girls walking past. He was hoping to get enough money saved to put down a deposit on his own place.
I didn't see much of Bella either, but I saw that as a possible good thing as I was still embarrassed about her reaction to my hug. I was kind of shocked at my actions myself. I wasn't one for hugging, never had been, but that day I'd just had an overwhelming urge to feel her wrapped in my arms. I didn't know what was going on, but all I knew was I could not get her out of my mind. Everything about her seemed to draw me in. Her deep, brown eyes that seemed to see right through me and her long brown hair that shone with hints of red in the sunlight. What stayed in my mind most of all was her scent. She had a naturally delicate aroma that reminded me of lavender and freesias. Although it had been a few days, that smell seemed to be imprinted on my brain.
The music I was working on after so many years was slow and loving. I couldn't help but picture Bella's face as I composed, and knew that it was all because of her that I was composing again. I couldn't remember being so compelled with my music before; I just had to go with it.
A week to the day that I'd brought the keyboard to the hostel began in a bit of a funk. I woke and took a shower as normal, but as I was getting dressed, I noticed that someone had been looking through my music. I wasn't bothered as it was still, as yet, untitled, but for some reason, my pencils were missing. I pulled on my clothes and headed downstairs in a bit of a mood.
"Morning Edward." Carlisle's cheerful voice distracted me from my thought. "We haven't seen much of you lately. Are you ok?"
"Morning. I'm fine, I just need to get some more pencils, mine seem to have gone walkabout. Sorry I haven't been around much, I've been a bit preoccupied lately."
"No need to apologise Edward, any kind of productive outlet is good news here. I'll leave you to stock up on pencils then." I watched as Carlisle went to make himself a drink. I turned towards the door and walked into something small but very solid.
"Oof. Edward, watch were you're going." Alice was sprawled on the floor; Jasper, Emmett and Rose were stood just inside the doorway behind her.
"What...? What are you guys doing here?" I asked as I leant down to help Alice up off the floor.
"Well, seeing as you haven't been answering your phone for a week, we thought we'd come and check you were still alive." Emmett's booming voice filled the narrow corridor. "Bella!" His eyes travelled away from my face as he spotted her coming out of the office, mug in hand.
""Hey guys. What are you doing here?" She smiled at them all as Emmett gathered her into his arms for a hug.
"Well, we haven't seen or heard from Eddie boy here, so we thought we'd come and make sure you two hadn't run off into the sunset." Bella's face flushed bright read as he placed her back onto the floor.
"Well, none of us have seen much of him, so no, no running away. I've got to go, great to see you all again." She hid her flushing face behind her hair and headed into the day room.
"What was that all about you idiot?" Rose smacked the back of Emmett's head.
"Ow! Oh come one. Are you telling me no one else noticed the goo goo eyes those two were chucking at each other that day in the park?" I could feel my own face getting rather warm as everyone but Alice shot blank looks at Emmett. "And you people say I only notice food!" He threw his hands in the air.
"Are you going to keep us in the hallway all day Edward?" Alice piped up.
"Er…what?" I shook my blushes away. "Sorry, follow me." I led them into the day room, hoping Bella wasn't in there. I silently groaned as I spotted both her and Carlisle sat chatting at one of the tables. They both looked up at us, I knew Bella must have explained quietly who everyone was as Carlisle rose to his feet and made his way over to us smiling.
"You must be Edward's friends, please make yourselves comfortable. Bella and myself will leave you to it."
"Bella can stay if she wants." Emmett grinned at Carlisle.
"I'm sorry Emmett, but I'm busy, I've only got a few more months before I leave to go back home. I promise to catch up with you soon."
"Wait…What? Months?" Emmett couldn't form a coherent sentence.
"I go back home to the States at the end of the semester." Did I detect a hint of sadness in her voice?
"In that case, you have to spend time with us, a lot of time." Emmett stood up and walked out of the room. I watched in horror, knowing exactly where he had gone. I shot out of my chair and followed him out.
"Emmett, get back here." I whisper shouted at him. Too late, he's gone into the office. I stood outside and listened to what the big idiot was saying.
"Sorry to interrupt. Carlisle is it? I just wanted to have a quick word."
"Go ahead er...?"
"Sorry, my name's Emmett McCarty. I have the unpleasant honour of being Edward's best friend. I just wanted to have a quick word about the lovely Bella here." I could just picture his big hands indicating Bella who would most likely be blushing that intoxicating pink.
"What about her?" Carlisle's voice was amused.
"Well, as I'm sure you know, she and Edward have a…connection." I couldn't believe he'd just said that. "I would love it if you could spare her for a bit so they can spend some quality time together before she has to leave us for good, thus breaking his tiny little heart." I was going to kill him.
"Emmett! What are you doing?" Even Bella's voice sounded like it was blushing. "Carlisle is my boss, and I do not have a, what did you call it? A connection with Edward. I am his case worker."
"Bella, come on, you're not fooling anyone with that line." I mentally ran through ways of killing Emmett without getting caught. "We've all noticed the way you two look at each other. Just come and spend some time with us, please."
"Emmett, I can't. Not only would I get into trouble for it, I'm far too busy. I'm sorry." The sadness in Bella's beautiful voice hit me like a ton of bricks. Did she want to spend time with me?
"Wait a minute there Bella." Carlisle joined in the conversation once more. "Is what Mr McCarty says true? Are you attracted to Edward?" If Emmett got her in trouble…
"Of course not Carlisle." My heart sank at her reply.
"Bella. I need you to tell me the truth. I don't think you are at the moment." Wait..Huh? Did Carlisle really believe what he was saying? "I have to say, I have also noticed the way you two interact with each other and I would be lying if I didn't say I was concerned."
I lost track then of what was said as Alice came out to join me.
"What's going on?" She whispered theatrically.
"I'm going to kill Emmett."
"Why? Oh, they're coming." Alice dragged me back into the day room so we wouldn't be caught eavesdropping. We'd just managed to sit back down when Emmett sauntered back in and took his seat.
"What have you done?" I growled at him.
"I have just made your miserable life a thousand percent better." I glared at him as he stood. "Are we ready to go?" He looked at all of us.
"Where are we going?" Alice asked.
"We are going sightseeing." A look of confusion crossed everyone's faces. "Can you believe Bella hasn't done the tourist thing since she's been here?" We all turned to see Bella enter the room, coat and bag in hand and her eyes locked onto mine.