AN: You've seen it before... I don't own it. I just like to play.

Chapter 14

Bella POV

We arrive at the Blackbird Coffeehouse just in time to catch the first set of musicians and we're shown to the table Edward must have reserved—second row, to the left of the stage. We order our drinks and a dessert to share.

Tonight we split a salted caramel pecan pie and I am blown away by the sweet and savory combination. But more than that, the site of Edward eating captivates me. With each forkful he puts in his mouth, his eyes roll back and his tongue licks his lips. It's as if he has never tasted anything better.

I find my mind drifting to him tasting other things. I picture him starting with my neck, licking and nipping his way from just below my ear, down the side of my neck, to my collarbone and down to the top of my shirt. As he moves down to my chest, his hands are moving up the back of my shirt. I imagine his fingers lightly travelling up my spine and then firmly pulling me closer. I can already feel the heat creeping up my neck into my cheek. I manage to pull myself out of this daydream and look at Edward. He's looking at me with a look I can't decipher.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I ask, wiping my hand over my mouth and cheek.

He laughs at my gesture. "Not a thing, love. You're perfect." The blush deepens in my cheeks.

I have to find someway to lighten the mood or I might jump him right in this booth. "And you're blind, but please don't get that fixed."

We sit and listen to the music from the performer on the stage. It's open mic night and right now there is a twenty-something girl on stage with long blonde and pink hair belting out At Last as if she were Etta James herself. It was beautiful, soulful, and sexy as hell. Good god, I need to think about other things or I won't be held responsible when I jump in in this booth.

I pull out of my daydream and notice a new singer on stage. I really should be paying better attention. Edward gives me the perfect way to pull myself out of this train of thought by excusing himself. I take a sip of the milky coffee and another bite of the dessert. The musician finishes her set and everyone applauds as she clears off the stage. The music switches over to a recorded track while the stage shifts for the last performer.

I take a minute to look at my phone and see a text from Alice.

U free 2morrow? R, u, & me in Seattle?—A

Not sure. Will know more l8r.—B

Rrrreally?! Something I should know—A

No!—B

Come on B. Spill!—A

A! I'm on a d8. Tty 2morrow.—B

I no u r on a d8. U r with my bro.—A

Yes, & I would like to get back 2 him—B

He's not with you right now. U can chat w me—A

How the hell did she know that?

How the hell do u know that?—B

Look 3 rows back—A

I turned around and looked at a table a few rows behind me. There was Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. I laughed and shook my fist at Alice before walking over to the table. I offered a quick greeting to the Rose, Em, and Jazz before turning to Alice.

"Really, Alice. You felt the need to text me when we're sitting ten feet apart?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your date—or your daydreaming." She wiggled her eyebrows in my direction. "Join us." She pulled a chair out for me to sit at their table.

"I would, but Edward will be back in a minute. He just ran to the restroom."

"He'll be fine. Let your table go. There's a line at the door so you'd be helping someone out and enjoying time with us!"

How did anyone say 'no' to Alice? "Alright. But if Edward gets upset, I'm blaming you!"

"He won't be mad. You better sit down, the next set is about to begin."

I moved to take my seat and looked around for Edward. He'd been gone awhile but with Alice sidetracking me I hadn't noticed. I turned to look around the coffeehouse for him, but got distracted by the bronze hair on the stage. I knew that bronze hair. I was intimately acquainted with that bronze hair. Why was my date on stage?

Edward POV

Guitar smuggled in to the back office of the coffeehouse without Bella noticing—check.

Alice keeping Bella occupied—check.

Butterflies in the stomach—check. Huh?

So that's what nervous feels like. Another human first for me. As a vampire, I didn't get nervous. I knew I was invincible so I wasn't worried about my physical being and never cared what people thought of me so I wasn't anxious for my mental being. Now, I have everything to lose. Don't get me wrong. I know there is nothing here to actually cause me bodily harm, but the one person I want most to impress is sitting in the audience and she has the ability to crush my soul. What would I feel if she doesn't like my music selection, or worse, doesn't like my performance?

I take a moment to pull myself and jump on the stage. I stand looking out to the crowd but the lights are still up from the last singer. I've asked the manager to turn the spots down so I can see Bella. Before they even begin to dim, I hear her gasp. I think it's safe to say that she's surprised!

My fingers begin to strum and the music flows out of me. The song I chose may not be the most popular or the most hip, but it says everything I want to say to Bella.

I close my eyes to quell the nerves and begin:

The very thought of you and I forget to do

The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do

I'm living in a kind of daydream

I'm happy as a king

And foolish though it may seem

To me that's everything

The mere idea of you, the longing here for you

You'll never know how slow the moments go until I'm near to you

I see your face in every flower

Your eyes in stars up above

It's just the thought of you

The very thought of you, my Love

I can feel the music pouring out of me as I open my eyes and connect immediately with Bella. She is on the edge of her seat and her arms are wrapped around her. I notice some glistening in her eyes but the way the smile on her face lights up her eyes lets me know I've hit the mark.

I finish the song, my eyes locked on hers.

I see your face in every flower

Your eyes in stars up above

It's just the thought of you

The very thought of you, my Love

Bella's arms are wrapped around me with her head in my neck before I can even put the guitar in the stand. This makes it worth every butterfly flutter and temptation to run.

She speaks into my shoulder, "Edward, that was amazing!"

"It was all for you, love."

She pulls her head back, stares deep into my eyes and whispers a quiet thank you. Then, she runs her hand into my hair and pulls me in to her lips. We stand on the stage, tongues dancing, teeth nipping, hands grabbing.

"Get a room, you two." I don't need to look to know that the one making that suggestion is Emmett.

I pull Bella further into me because I don't want to let her go and I need a minute to calm myself down before she steps away.

"Need a minute, Edward?"

"Really, Jasper. What have I ever done to you?" I knew he was a bit bitter about the fact that Rose, Em, and I were changed. He had been on the edge of anger for the whole week, partially because he was upset, but mostly because of Alice's disappointment.

Rosalie jumped in to save both us from an awkward conversation to tell me how much she enjoyed my performance. She also managed to steer my other siblings out the door saying they would catch me at home.

Bella and I moved out to the car and started the journey home. It was only 9:30 so we had more than enough time to make it back to Forks. Just as we got on the road, Bella's phone rang.

"Hi Dad. We're on our way home now."

I could hear something about him not being home, but my hearing wasn't what it used to be.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem. Be careful. See you tomorrow."

"Everything alright, love?"

"Dad has to be out tonight. Something about attacks in the woods and setting up a trap at night. He wants me to stay with Alice. I think he forgets that you're in the house also."

"You won't hear me complaining. Shall we stop by your house so you can pack a bag?"

"Thank you. Yes, I at least need something to sleep in."

"Well, I have a few ideas about sleepwear—or lack of." I would prefer the latter, but we could work up to that."

She giggled a nervous laugh. "I think Alice would prefer I slept in clothes if I'm staying over with her."

"Bella, you can stay with Alice if it makes you more comfortable, but I would love to have you in my bed. We don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with. I just want to hold you and wake up with you in my arms."

She was quiet for a moment and breathed out a loud sigh. "I would like that. I'm not sure I'm ready for much more than we've been doing, but I would like to stay with you if your parents are OK with it."

"I don't think it will be a problem." I actually wasn't sure what the reaction would be now. Carlisle and I had that weird conversation a few weeks ago but he hadn't said anything recently.

As we pulled up my driveway, I noticed the dark house. Rose and Em must be in bed already. I guess the rest were out hunting which meant they wouldn't be home until the morning.

I opened the door for Bella and ushered her to the stairs. "Looks like everyone's in bed. Come on. You can get ready in my room."

AN: The song is "the Very Thought of You" originally written by Ray Noble and sung by a bunch of people after that. One of my favorite versions is Harry Connick Jr.

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