A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderfulllll beta Joss17. She always saves me. Go read her stories RIGHT NOW! (or after you read mine). Finding My Way Back To You is my addiction right now.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading and complimenting on this story! I promise the pace will pick up soon.
SM owns everything in this crazy Twilight world.
BPOV
"Alice, how did you meet Edward?" Alice suddenly stopped brushing my hair and set the brush down. We were in her room getting ready for the rehearsal dinner and she offered to help me. She was standing behind me while I sat on the stool in front of her vanity. I looked at her reflection in the mirror and watched her face drop.
I turned around on the stool to face her. "Alice, what is it?"
She walked over to her closet and pulled out two dresses and laid them on the bed. I could tell she was trying to stall. I stood up from the stool and walked over to her. "Did something happen with you two," I paused and felt a lump in my throat. "Like...romantically?"
"No, no, no, Bella. It's nothing like that," she said. "It's just a long story."
"The rehearsal dinner doesn't start for another two hours. We have plenty of time," I said as I sat back down on the stool.
She sat across from me on her bed. "My mom, who is a nurse, met her fiancée, Carlisle, last April at the hospital she works at. He was a new doctor and they instantly connected. They were engaged in June and he was moved in by July. Around that time, Carlisle had a patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer," she said. "Somehow, there was something about the woman that intrigued Carlisle. He would always tell us stories about her. We would all go up to the hospital and bring her books and treats and the latest magazines. She soon became a part of our family. And so did her son." She looked up at me then and I know she saw the recognition in my eyes.
"Edward's mother," I mumbled. Even though I had only met this stranger merely 30 minutes ago, I felt the deepest sadness in my heart for him. "Is she alright now?" I asked.
"From what I know, she's fine. She lives here in California and Edward comes to visit from time to time. He used to come every other weekend, but he suddenly stopped," she said.
"Well, at least it's nice that he's here for the summer to visit her," I said.
Alice smiled and stood up. She clapped her manicured hands and came to spin me around in the stool. She stood behind me and smiled at me in the mirror. "It's time to get you all pretty for the rehearsal dinner tonight."
We walked down the path and past the gate of the front yard onto the beach. There was a big tent set up with tiki torches all around it. The sun was slowly setting over the water and it was just beautiful. I quietly wished I would have brought my camera.
I slid off the heels Alice made me wear and slid my toes into the sand with each step I took. The warm breeze blew all around my body and hair and it made me smile. Alice literally begged me to let her make my hair into an elegant up do, but I somehow convinced her to let me keep my natural wavy locks down tonight. She dressed me up in a strapless, navy blue dress, which gently blew around in the wind.
Alice and I entered the tent and it was already filled with people. There was a big chandelier hanging from the middle of the tent and candles on each of the tables. I spotted my mom chatting and laughing with some women in the corner.
I smiled to myself. I loved seeing my mom enjoying herself and actually being happy. After her failed marriage to my father I figured that seeing her baby sister getting married would really bother her. My father left me and my mom when I was only 3 years old. I hardly remember ever knowing him at all.
"Come on, I have to introduce you to Carlisle," Alice said as she took my hand and led me to where Esme and Carlisle were sitting.
Esme saw us approaching and stood up, holding out her arms to hug the both of us. "Hello, girls. Glad you made it on time." She hugged us both and turned to Carlisle.
"Bella, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Carlisle," Esme said, beaming. "And Carlisle, this is my niece, Bella."
Carlisle gently kissed me on the cheek. "Very nice to meet you, Bella. I've heard so much about you from these two girls."
I smiled at him. He had very green eyes and he was strikingly handsome. "It's nice to meet you too."
"Why don't you girls find your place cards and we'll begin dinner in just a few minutes," Esme said and kissed both of our cheeks.
Alice took my arm and we went from table to table searching for our names. I finally found my name and Alice was right beside me. Next to Alice were all of the people I had met at the alcove earlier. I waved to Aurora, Emma, Ian, Emmett, and Jasper. Alice sat down beside Jasper and kissed his cheek. Out of curiosity, I peeked at the name that sat on the other side of me. I picked up the card and my heart froze. And that's when I smelled it: cinnamon.
It came in with the breeze flowing through the windows in the tent. I turned around and he was standing at the entrance. My eyes fell on his beautiful face and slowly went down to his elegant tux. He was still as beautiful as the first time I saw him.
He had an elderly woman holding onto his arm that I was guessing was his mother that Alice had told me about. He was searching the room, for Esme and Carlisle I'm sure. But suddenly, his eyes landed upon mine.
His whole face broke into a huge smile. I felt my cheeks grow red and I couldn't help mirroring his smile. I held up my hand and gave him a small wave. He nodded his head at me and then began walking towards me.
"Hello, Bella. Is this soon enough for you?" he asked with a smirk.
I smiled at him. "It very much is. It's good to see you again."
I might have been staring into his eyes for a few seconds, or a few hours. I couldn't really tell.
He finally broke our eye contact and looked down at the woman on his arm.
"Bella, I would like you to meet my mother, Elizabeth."
I had to admit, his mother was beautiful. She had blonde hair that dropped down to her chin. Her eye shape matched Edward's, but hers were bright blue.
I stuck my hand out for her to shake, but she pulled me into a tight hug.
"It is so nice to meet you, Bella," she said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cullen," I said as she pulled away.
"Oh please, call me Elizabeth. Mrs. Cullen makes me sound like an old lady," she said with a wink.
We all laughed together. I looked up at Edward and back down to Elizabeth. He was still holding onto her hand, which was placed on his arm. He was so sweet to his mother and it made my heart glow.
"Edward! Elizabeth!" We all turned to see Esme and Carlisle make their way to us. Esme gave Elizabeth a big hug as Carlisle gave Edward a manly handshake. Carlisle then kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and Esme gave Edward a hug.
"How have you guys been? It's been so long since we've talked," Carlisle said.
"I've been doing well. I've been doing a lot of resting lately. I'm just so glad to have my boy back for the summer," Elizabeth said as she smiled up at Edward.
Esme wrapped her arm around my waist. "Have you met Bella yet?" she asked Edward.
Edward smiled at me with those sparkly gray eyes. "Yes, we met earlier on the beach actually."
I blushed as I remembered my camera bag tumbling into the water. What a way to meet someone, huh?, I thought.
Suddenly Alice was standing right beside me. "Elizabeth!" she said as she hugged the woman. "It's so good to see you!"
"Alice, darling. It's so very nice to see you."
"Honey, I think it's time to begin," Carlisle said to Esme as he took her hand.
"I promise we'll chat more after the dinner, Elizabeth," Esme said as they walked back to their table.
Edward and Elizabeth began turning around to go find their place card. "Edward, I think you guys are sitting by me," I said as I handed him the place card with his name on it.
He took it and looked up at me and smiled. "Well then that's perfect."
He pulled the chair out for his mother and helped her sit down. Just as I was sitting down, he pulled my chair out for me. I smiled at him and said a quiet thank you. As he sat down, his hand brushed against mine. His touch felt like fire and it burned through my whole body.
We quickly looked at each other and then back down to the table. Just the presence of him sitting next to me was almost too overwhelming.
The food came out and we quietly ate and made small talk. Alice and Elizabeth chatted about old times in the hospital last summer. Aurora and Emmett flirted and made small jokes with each other. I longed to say something to Edward, but my mind was blank.
The dinner was almost over when Edward suddenly took his glass and tapped it with his fork. I was slightly confused as he stood up and captured the entire room's attention.
"I would like to make a toast," he said as he pointed his glass towards Esme and Carlisle. "To the wonderful bride and groom to be. Your love has captivated me in more ways than possible. May that love be beautiful for as long as you both shall live."
The room filled with noises of glasses clinking together. I could have been imagining it, but I swear he had glanced down at me at the word 'beautiful'. I clinked glasses with everyone at the table, and lastly Edward's. As I sipped out of my glass I looked over at him to see his eyes staring into mine over the rim of his glass.
We both set down our glasses slowly at the same time. "Bella, you look really beautiful tonight," he said.
I flushed and looked down at my lap. Suddenly, his finger was under my chin and he raised it back up. His eyes were burning right into mine and it took all the strength I had not to kiss him right then and there. "You honestly do."
"Thank you, Edward. You look like a gentleman tonight," I said. Really, Bella? You look like a gentleman, I thought. Pathetic.
He laughed and it was the loveliest sound I have ever heard.
Esme and Carlisle announced that the dinner was over and began walking around to say their "thank yous".
We all began standing up and as Edward helped his mother out of her chair, I grabbed the place card with his name on it and stuck it into my purse. I couldn't help that I was sentimental.
My mom made her way through the crowd and over to our table. "Hey, Bella. I think I'm going to head back to the condo. Do you want to come back with me?"
I began to speak when Edward cut me off. "Actually, Mrs. Swan, I was wondering if Bella and I could take a walk on the beach before I walked her home."
I looked up at Edward and was amazed by his kindness to my mother, who he had never even met.
To my great surprise, my mother actually blushed. "I suppose that would be alright. I'm guessing you are the famous Edward that saved my daughter's camera bag?" she asked.
"I am indeed, ma'am," he said, shaking her hand.
"Well you kids have fun. Don't stay out too late." She kissed the top of my head and made her way out of the tent.
Edward turned back to face me. "Is it okay if we go for a walk? I'm sorry for just asking your mother without asking y-"I cut him off before he started rambling.
"Of course it's okay." I smiled up at him and then looked to Elizabeth, who was engaged in a conversation with Alice. "But what about your mother?"
Just as Edward was about to speak Esme and Carlisle made their way over to us. "Time for some catching up, Elizabeth?" Esme asked.
"Definitely," Elizabeth said, beaming at them. "Is that okay, Edward?"
"That's perfect, mom. I'm going to take Bella for a walk on the beach and then walk her home. I'll come back to get you in a few minutes." He kissed her cheek.
Esme, Carlisle, and Elizabeth all sat down at the table and began talking. I told Alice where I was going and that I would be home later. I hugged the rest of the gang at the table and then walked out of the tent with Edward.
The sun was dipping into the ocean and the sky was pink and orange. I carried my purse in one hand and my heels in the other. We quietly walked on the shore, side by side. The waves came and washed over our feet and then left again.
"So Bella, where do you really live?" Edward asked as he looked down at me.
"I was born and raised in a small town called Forks, Washington. This is my first time ever getting out of that town," I said.
I looked up at him and he was staring down at the sand, almost contemplating something. His hands were in his pockets of his tux.
"You said you visit here, so where do you really live?" I asked him.
"I orginally live in New York. I love it there. I work as a journalist in Manhattan. I was born and raised here, but sometimes you just have to get away," he explained.
I slowly nodded at his statement. I had never really thought about leaving Forks. It was home and it was familiar to me. But being here has made me realize that there's so much more in the world. And so many more feelings.
I big wave came rolling in and it splashed us both up to our thighs. I let out a little scream and we both began laughing. More waves started coming in and I started jumping around, making it splash even more.
"Hey!" he yelled at me. He then grabbed my waist and picked me up. I kicked more water into the air and we both laughed hysterically.
He set me down and we both looked down at our clothes. "You got me soaked!" he said.
I laughed at his dripping wet tux and then laughed at my dripping wet dress and my mess of hair.
We reached the path that led up to the waterfall alcove. I took Edward's hand and led him past the waterfall and up the stairs onto the top of the alcove.
The sun was almost completely down into the ocean and the sky was now blue and purple. It was breathtaking from this view.
Edward took off his tux jacket and hung it on one of the rocks. He then began unbuttoning his white shirt and my heart nearly exploded. His chest was incredible. He had sprinkles of hair and a happy trail that my hands wanted to touch so badly.
He looked up at me through his lashes and I quickly turned around. "Sorry," I muttered.
He laughed softly and came to stand beside me. We were both looking up at the stars. "Aren't stars beautiful? They're just balls of energy up in space," I said.
He didn't respond, so I looked up at him. He was staring at me with curiosity.
"You're a star," he said quietly.
I couldn't help but let out a little laugh. But his face remained serious. My smile faded as he started moving closer to me.
Out of instinct, I backed up and my back hit against a rock. His body was inches away from mine and I wanted his warmth to cover all of me.
He reached up and put a piece of my hair behind my ear. "Bella, is it alright if I kiss you now?"
The wind was knocked out of my chest. I knew I had to give him an answer but I couldn't form any words, so I quickly nodded my head.
He smiled and began inching his face closer to mine. My breath hitched as his lips slowly brushed against mine. It was a soft kiss, but I needed more. My hand went into those beautiful locks of his and pulled his lips closer. He crushed them onto mine and my body was on fire again. His hand went into my hair and he pulled me closer. Without thinking, I slid my tongue in between his lips. Thankfully, he didn't deny it. Our tongues danced together in a perfect rhythm. My other hand went to his back and I pushed his body closer to mine. I needed to feel his warmth.
He suddenly pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. Our breathing was heavy and our chests were rising and falling perfectly together.
"I think it's time for us to head back," he said. My heart sank just a little bit.
He went to put his shirt and jacket back on. I adjusted my dress and hair and felt completely stupid for bringing him up here. I must have done something wrong. Why else would he run off so quickly?
I turned back to him as he was sliding his arms into his jacket. He looked at me and held his hand out. I took it and we descended back down the rocks and onto the path towards my condo.
We stayed in silence the whole walk there. I held his hand the entire time and I honestly never wanted to let go. I had only met this man a few hours ago and I was already falling in love with him. What is he doing to me? I thought.
We reached the gate and I stopped walking. "You can just drop me off here. I know you need to go get your mother," I said.
He put his hand on the back of my head and brought my forehead to his lips. I closed my eyes as he softly kissed it. "Thank you for walking with me tonight, Bella," he said.
"Thank you for allowing me to, Edward."
He wrapped his arms around my waist and I stood on my toes to hug him. I could feel his breath on my ear and it sent shivers down my spine.
"Sweet dreams, Isabella." He took my hand and kissed it gently.
"You too, Edward." I smiled as he turned to walk back towards the tent.
I quickly walked into the condo and up to my room. I quietly opened up the French doors to my balcony to catch a quick glimpse of Edward, but he was gone. The breeze blew all around my dress and into my room. What the hell happened tonight?, I thought.
I went into my bathroom and turned on the shower. I made sure it was steaming and then stepped inside. I scrubbed off all of the makeup Alice had put on my face. I washed my hair and body and then got out. I changed into my sweatpants and t-shirt. As I was walking out of the bathroom, I heard a loud noise hit my window.
I walked out onto the balcony and saw a rock with a note tied to it. I picked it up and then looked over the rail of the balcony. It was dark, but I couldn't see anyone down there.
I untied the note from the rock and brought it inside to read in the light.
"You are more beautiful than any star in the sky."
It was written in perfect cursive. I turned over the little card, and it read: Isabella Swan.
It was my place card from the rehearsal dinner. Did he save mine when I wasn't looking too? I held the card against my chest and felt my heart pounding against my ribcage.
I left the French doors open and lay down on my bed. I held onto the card for dear life as I let the aroma of cinnamon and coconuts carry me to my dreams.