The Way We Was

Chapter 2: Ivory Sounds

Standard disclaimers apply.

BPOV

Edward gently took my hand, again starting the electric current, and led me inside the beautiful house that he called home.

The inside was just as he had said it would be; it was even more majestic and beautiful on the inside. The white lace curtains were actually drapes that gently graced the floor. The floor itself was a deep mahogany wood that shined in the sunlight streaming from the opening in the drapes.

Whatever Edward's mother had done with the place, it was fantastic. There wasn't a single thing out of place. The sofa was a deep green colour that went well with the flooring. There were sepia coloured photos that adorned the shelves and walls.

Upon closer inspection they were mostly photographs of Edward as a child. His innocence seemed tangible in the photos. Even then he looked thoughtful and even gentlemanly.

Then I noticed the piano in the corner. It was easy to tell that it was Edward's; it was sophisticated and regal.

"It's such a lovely piano," I commented. My family had no such luxuries like a piano. That was the main reason my mother wanted to marry me off; so someone else would support me and she and my father would have more for themselves. I didn't blame them for their selfishness. I was just as guilty. After all, I wanted to marry for love, which they found ludicrous.

"It's even lovelier when it's being played." He lightly pulled on my hand and led me to the grand instrument. He sat me down on the bench next to him. Before he started playing he gazed into my eyes and then turned his head toward the keys and closed his eyes.

As the music started to flow from his fingertips he drifted to another world. It was beautiful. The song started soft and then it picked up and became more complex. His hands glided across the piano, just demonstrating his grace even further. The song ended soothingly. It reminded me greatly of a lullaby.

Almost as soon as the last note rang out he began another song. This one was more serene and flowing. It had a different character to it. It was equally as beautiful as the previous piece. It wasn't as intricate or complex. It was simple, alluring. I was simply lost in the music, but I wasn't as far-gone as Edward was. He was truly in a different place when he played his piano. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize he had stopped playing.

"Bella?" His velvet voice brought me back to reality. Oh, that smooth, lovely voice.

"I'm sorry. I was just so lost in the music," I tried to explain. I didn't want him to think that I didn't enjoy listening to him. Quite the opposite. It was simply exquisite to listen to him play and to see him so immersed in his playing. He looked completely at peace when he sat at the piano.

He looked at me with a crooked smile. It made him seem even more attractive than before. "I never doubted that you didn't like the music. The first piece I wrote just for you. Did you like it?"

He wrote me a song? Just for me? I couldn't even think of a single person who would even think about doing that for me. Except for Edward. He was truly amazing. "You wrote me a song? When?" When exactly did he have time to write me a song when I hadn't even seen him before today?

He thought for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I wrote it for you last week. I didn't know who you were, but I saw you by the river. I was afraid to approach you then. But seeing you sitting peacefully lost in thought inspired me. I just put the finishing touches on the lullaby yesterday."

"I've never had anyone do that for me before. I'm. . .speechless. It was beautiful." Words really couldn't describe how I felt. A handsome, wealthy, kind gentleman wrote me a lullaby. What exactly could I say to show how much that meant to me?

"Almost as beautiful as you." I blushed a deep crimson. No one had ever called my beautiful before. Not even my parents.

"No, you are more beautiful than I am." It was true. I had never seen a man more beautiful in all my life. My father was rather plain looking. My mother looked like me, only prettier and with shorter hair. I didn't have any brothers or sisters and I mostly spent time with my family's acquaintances from the middle-class. They were all beautiful in their own way, but Edward was astounding. He was like a forgotten Greek god.

"I don't think you see yourself clearly, Bella."

I turned red again. "Maybe you don't see yourself clearly." I wasn't used to the compliments. I couldn't accept them.

"You're even more beautiful when you blush." He wasn't going to give up, was he? I would have to give in eventually.

"I still think you're crazy."

"I still think you're absurd."

"I think we just need to agree to disagree." This would only go back and forth for hours. I could just tell.

"Again, absurd. I promise that we'll finish this conversation later." As he said that he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I was shocked, literally. The current that always seemed to flow between us almost made me jump off the piano bench. I then felt the incredible need to touch his face, but I was so dazzled that I couldn't move. My heart beat erratically in my chest as I started to hyperventilate.

"Breathe, Bella," Edward reminded. I did my best to take his advice, but it was easier said than done. My over-reaction was beyond embarrassing. The chagrin brought a blush to my face for the third time since I had arrived at the Mason house.

"I can't help it when you dazzle me like that," I accused after I regained control of my heart and lungs.

"I dazzle you?" He seemed rather excited about the idea that he could dazzle me.

"Yes," I admitted. "You dazzle me." Did I need to say it again? Edward could probably dazzle anyone in the world and he didn't seem to realize the effect he could have on people. How could anyone deny him anything if he looked at them like that?

"Well, that changes things."

AN: I have to thank all the people who have reviewed. It means a lot to me! It's extremely encouraging when I get reviews, like from Manda: "That was amazing! Please write more, its so . . . intoxicating, for lack of a
better word." Thank you all again so much!