Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, I'm just a very happy textual poacher playing 'what if'.
Songlines Ch13
We sat outside talking a while longer until Bella shifted her weight against me with a quiet sigh. I knew that sound: she was getting tired.
"Hey," I whispered, my lips brushing her temple, "you need to get some sleep. I should take you home."
"Don' wanna," Bella slurred, "it's inter'esting."
Alice gave a quiet gurgle of laughter.
Bella shifted again and lifted her head from my shoulder to give Alice a gimlet stare before looking up at me. I obligingly pulled her closer but that wasn't enough. Grumbling under her breath Bella patted at my chest to push me back against the seat cushions and crawled onto my lap, settling with a quiet smile.
Guess she's a woman who knows what she wants. Even Jasper's mental tone was flavoured with amusement. Good luck with that one.
I raised an eyebrow at him as Bella curled a hand around my neck and settled herself with her lips at my throat. Her breath huffed against my skin once, twice and then settled into an easy rhythm that told me she had gone to sleep. I settled her more comfortably against me and looked up to see Alice and Jasper regarding the two of us with what seemed to be fascination.
"That can't be comfortable," Alice remarked after we had sat there watching Bella, "she's going to wake up feeling like she slept on stone."
"Still," Jasper marvelled, "just look at her. So much trust."
I nodded, careful not to disturb the sleeping woman in my arms. Jasper seemed curiously invigorated and peaceful after his brief conversation with Bella, and it seemed the more he got to know her, the less inclined he was to regard her as a threat. Perhaps the temptation of her blood would also fade over time. I could only hope.
"Can you remember what it was like?" Alice asked Jasper, not taking her eyes off Bella.
There was a careful pause as Jasper considered the question. "No," he sighed at last.
"Neither can I," Alice admitted. She reached out without looking for Jasper's hand only to discover that he was reaching for hers. They sat hand in hand; Jasper's thumb drawing lazy circles on Alice's skin, both unable to look away from Bella. "Is she waking up?" Alice leaned forward a little in her seat, "her eyelids are flickering."
I couldn't see Bella's face but her steady breathing and heartbeat remained the same.
"She's dreaming," I whispered.
"Ah," Alice nodded. Now Jasper leaned forward to watch, just as fascinated as his mate. "Can you see them? Her dreams?"
"No," I whispered again, and could hear the regret in my voice.
"I wonder what she sees," Jasper cocked his head as he watched Bella's eyelashes flutter against her cheek.
"I wonder what it's like," Alice commented, and I was surprised at the depth of longing in her voice.
"What about your visions, isn't that the same thing?" I asked, grateful for our enhanced hearing that made it possible to hold a conversation that wouldn't disrupt Bella. Even so, we found ourselves whispering out of courtesy.
"They belong to everyone else," Alice shrugged, "but dreams are your own."
"Hey," Carlisle appeared in the doorway and the three of us looked up to see him regarding Bella with what appeared to be disappointment. "Oh, she's asleep. I suppose it's later for her than I thought. I was hoping to spend some time with you like everyone else has this evening."
"You'll get your turn," Alice said as she looked back at Bella with considerable satisfaction.
"Care to sit with us a spell?" Jasper waved Carlisle towards one of the spare lounges on the porch.
"Don't mind if I do," Carlisle flashed a quick smile as he sank onto the lounge. "Esme will no doubt join us soon."
True to his word, Esme appeared moments later carrying a spare shawl. "In case she gets cold," she explained as she draped it onto the seat next to me.
"The heaters are on," I objected, "and she's wrapped up."
"Even so, you're only as warm as the ambient temperature of your surroundings," Carlisle noted. "If she starts to shiver you'll need something between the two of you to get her temperature back up."
Esme paused at my side and reached down towards Bella's face and had she needed to air she would have been holding her breath at this moment. Moving carefully she gently moved some hair off her Bella's with her fingertips.
"Ah," she sighed as she looked at me in wonder, "so warm." Stepping back she took her seat beside Carlisle, soundlessly taking off her shoes so that she could sit with her legs curled beneath her. Carlisle reached out and gathered her to his side, pressing a kiss against her cheek. Esme submitted to his affection with a slight smile, but her gaze didn't waver from Bella's sleeping form.
For decades, centuries even, our family had witnessed countless wonders. All that we had seen paled into insignificance compared to the sight of a fragile human sleeping in my arms. I wanted to hold her closer, to shield her from their scrutiny, but I knew that their interest in her was only marginally less than my own and I could not find it in my heart to deny them.
"We'll go if she starts to wake up," Jasper said in a quiet voice, having sensed my conflicting emotions. "I wouldn't want her embarrassed."
"Not at all," Esme concurred. She rested her head on Carlisle's shoulder and gave a slow smile. "I remember watching my baby sleep like that, utterly relaxed, completely at peace." Her gaze shifted and I closed my eyes against the flashes of blurred memories of a gurgling baby, all pink cheeks and toothless gums. She blinked and the visions began to recede. Now I could see Bella though their eyes and could appreciate anew the charming picture she presented. Her lips and cheeks were flushed with sleep, her muffled heartbeat a comforting drum against the faint noises of the evening.
"Emmett and Rosalie will be here soon," Alice ventured after an hour of silence.
"Now that's going to be interesting," Jasper added in a thoughtful voice.
"Mm-hmm," Alice nodded, her gaze turned inward where he could not follow, "but manageable. Emmett will help."
"You think?" Jasper looked sceptical at this.
"He likes Bella," Alice reasoned in a placid tone.
"Emmett likes everyone," Esme smiled, "that's his gift."
Esme had a point. I couldn't think of anyone that could resist Emmett's open-faced charm; the man didn't have an ounce of guile in him. Those who discovered otherwise were the ones who threatened the happiness of those he loved. It seemed that Emmett's protection had extended towards Bella by default which made me hopeful that Rosalie would be a little less … challenging.
"Don't be too hard on her," Carlisle remonstrated, "she means well." As ever Carlisle was determined to see the best in people. Centuries of repairing the damage that humans had done to each other in the name of love and hate had not cured his eternal optimism.
Alice blinked; a sure sign that she was biting her tongue at this. Esme glanced over at her and shook her head in amused resignation.
Bella shifted in my arms and after a moment moved again with a quiet grumble.
"She's waking up," Jasper observed.
"Should we go?" Esme glanced from Bella to me as she hesitated.
"Yes," Alice said with a decisive nod. "She'll want to come inside soon and Emmett and Rosalie will be here soon."
"Great," I muttered sotto voce, knowing full well Esme could hear me.
"Rosalie will be fine," Alice soothed. Well, as much as she can be. Bella can take care of herself.
"Easy, Edward," Carlisle soothed. "I think you'll find that Bella will surprise us all." He stood up and held out his hand to Esme who took it after giving Bella another regretful look. "Another time," he soothed as he led her inside.
Jasper shifted in his seat but stopped as Alice paused.
"Just a little longer," she said as he reached out for her. Jasper subsided immediately and I realised he was just as reluctant to leave as Alice was. Again I marvelled that such a simple moment in time could keep vampires enraptured. Still, perhaps it wasn't such a simple moment; it was after all Bella that I held in my arms, a human like no other that we had encountered in decades.
At last Bella's breathing began to quicken as she shifted in my arms again.
"All right," Alice said as she allowed Jasper to pull her to her feet. "She'll be awake in another minute."
"I know," I replied, not looking away from Bella. "I can hear it." Her heartbeat had increased slightly as her body began to stir back to wakefulness. Bella turned to nuzzle against my neck as she began to wake up. Her scent puffed as she gave a small yawn and licked her lips as she shifted her head to gaze up at me.
"You let me fall asleep?" her tone was accusatory, "What did I miss?"
"I don't know that I had much say in it," I explained, unable to help my smile as she blinked sleepily at me. Her face was still flushed with sleep but her gaze began to sharpen as she shot a look over at the now vacant chairs.
"Emmett and Rosalie are inside," I commented, "you met Emmett when he-," I paused and shrugged. "You've met him."
"I remember," Bella commented in a dry tone. "How long was I asleep for?" To my immense regret she began to squirm on my lap. I thought it was because she wanted to get up, but to my quiet delight she simply pulled herself into a more upright position rather than remaining cradled in my arms. I automatically adjusted my grip, noticing that she winced a little as my arms moved around her.
"A few hours," I replied, "are you hurt?"
Bella twisted so that she could look at me and I could see her bemused smile. "I feel a little stiff," she admitted, "maybe I should stretch a few kinks out."
I got the hint and slackened my grip so that she could slip off my lap and stood standing beside me. She twisted her upper body from side to side and rolled her neck a few times, giving a quiet grunt as the tendons in her neck gave a quiet 'pop'. Bending forward to let her head hang down so that she was grasping her ankles.
"Don't mind me," her voice was muffled, "it just feels good to stretch."
"I'm sorry," I instantly regretted having held her for so long. Alice had been right and I had caused Bella pain, "I should have made sure you were more comfortable."
"Don't be silly," Bella retorted, "this is no worse than when Angela convinced me to sleep on her futon for a night to see what it was like." Straightening up she gave me a quick smile and then rolled her shoulders in a quick semi-circle.
"And?" I couldn't help but ask the question. Bella seemed to be remarkably easy about the situation.
"The next morning I creaked and cracked so much that I sounded like a human castanet," Bella answered. "I vowed right there and then that I would never sleep on something that uncomfortable again."
"Right," I commented unhappily as I processed her words, "duly noted."
"Hey," Bella moved so that she was standing between my knees and then braced her hands on my shoulders, "you're the exception to the rule."
"I can't think why," I muttered.
"Then you're thinking too much," Bella replied, and before I could ask her what she was talking about she leaned down to kiss me. Her warm lips moved over my cool ones and for the time being my doubts and questions didn't matter. All that mattered was Bella.
Edward, Alice's mental voice was hesitant, it's late for Bella and Angela is going to be worried if she isn't home soon. I grimaced at the idea of Bella leaving but it had to be done. With the exception of Carlisle, Bella was the only person with connections and responsibilities to the outside world. I got to my feet, watching as Bella stood her ground, gazing up as I towered over her before she reached up and placed her hands on my chest.
"Bella," I began, feeling awkward. How to tell the woman I loved that it was time for her to go? "Alice just said that-," I stopped as Bella blanched and scrabbled at her shirt sleeve, pushing it up to reveal her delicate wristwatch.
"Crap," she swore, "it's later than I realised."
I was shocked. Modern sensibilities notwithstanding I was yet to grow accustomed to the blunt speech I heard from women these days, Bella included.
"Sorry," Bella ran a hand through her hair, chewing her lip as she thought. "I know, I'll.-," she stopped as Alice breezed out onto the porch and handed Bella her cell phone before returning inside without another word. "Wow," Bella glanced at phone and then looked up at me, "tell me she buys lottery tickets on occasion."
I choked back a laugh. "That would be more attention than we're prepared to deal with," I replied in a grave tone.
"Right," Bella nodded as she gave this some thought with a slight grin. "Hey, Alice," she said in a slightly louder conversational tone, "you know my birthday's in a few months."
Tell her I'm open to negotiation, Alice's reply was swift and tinged with amusement.
"She said she'll think about it."
"Sweet," Bella mumbled as she began typing out a text message to her room-mate. "All I need is a new pair of Converse."
I think we can do better than that, Alice's tone was indignant this time, and I managed to glimpse an array of colours in Alice's mind before she locked me out. I rubbed my upper lip with my forefinger in a bid to hide my amusement. Alice had been infatuated with Bella from the start – before the start if I was going to be honest – but Bella had unwittingly given my sister permission to take things to a new level. I wondered if she had any inkling as to what she had unleashed.
Bella sent the message and smiled up at me again as she pocketed her phone. "I told her I was going to be home late," she explained, "so there's no rush."
"It's late now," I warned, "so you'll be tired tomorrow."
"So I'll sleep then," Bella shrugged.
"And waste what Alice tells me is going to be a beautiful day? I think not," I shook my head at her with a smile.
"Fine," Bella sighed, "I suppose I'll let you take me home." She looked for her empty cup and raised an eyebrow at me when she saw the small side table was empty.
"Esme," I answered.
"I should thank her again for dinner," Bella turned to enter the house, jumping as I appeared in front of her to hold the door open.
"Can you always move that fast?"
"Faster," I grinned.
"You'll have to show me sometime," Bella commented as I held the door open for her to
"Careful what you wish for," I whispered in her ear as I followed her down the hall to the living room.
Esme looked up from her magazine with a warm smile as Bella approached.
"Edward has told me that I have to go," she began.
"Not so," I protested, "but I don't want you tired tomorrow."
"See?" she turned to Esme with a wink that she thought I didn't catch. "He's so bossy."
"He means well," Esme laughed, "although I have to say I agree, Bella. You do need more sleep."
"I can't believe Edward let me fall asleep like that," Bella blushed a little as she spoke. "Fall asleep in front of my hosts like that is very rude."
"Not at all," Esme waved off her concerns. "You should know by now that we operate on a different set of rules."
"Bella," Carlisle appeared on the landing and smiled down at us before he began walking down the stairs. "I was hoping I would get to see a little more of you before Edward whisked you away."
"Oh, so I'm the bad guy now?" I gave Bella a wry smile.
Our gentle teasing was too much for Esme who immediately got up and stepped to my side to rub my arm reassuringly. I submitted to her motherly concern enough to put an arm around her shoulders as we looked at Bella who was leaning against the back of the sofa happily engaged in conversation with Carlisle. Esme slipped an arm around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder as she gave me a slight squeeze to indicate her pleasure.
She's wonderful, Edward. I can see why you're so taken with her. Her mind was a jumble of happy thoughts, and the most common theme was the sight of me smiling and talking with my family, a sleeping Bella held lovingly in my arms.
"There she is."
Bella turned to see Emmett strolling into the living room with a broad smile, Rosalie following at a more cautious distance.
"Bella," he inclined his head, "nice to see you again under more pleasant circumstances."
"Emmett," Bella shifted uneasily and shot me a look that had me stepping closer to her out of sheer reflex.
"Rose," Emmett turned to see Rosalie standing nearby watching Bella with a very measuring gaze. "Play nice," he whispered.
"We'll see," Rosalie answered as she offered Bella thin-lipped smile.
Bella offered a slight smile in return and it seemed as if each woman was determined to be as cautious as the other.
"Bella was just about to leave," I said as I slid my arm around her waist and held her close. "It's getting late and she has classes tomorrow."
"Not us," Rosalie gave Emmett a smug look, "it's so nice to be free from college for a few years."
"I'll know myself soon enough," Bella murmured and then looked at me. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" Bella turned to me and then glanced at Alice who was silently shaking her head. "What?"
"Sorry, Bella," Alice apologised, and I could tell she was, "but the forecast means we won't be on campus tomorrow."
"Forecast?" Bella looked at me in confusion.
"I'll explain later," I soothed.
"Now that's a show and tell I wouldn't mind seeing," Emmett's snicker turned into a full-throated laugh as I shot him an irritated look. Emmett's humour was contagious and I could feel a subtle nudge from Jasper as he lightened the mood in the room. Bella's lips twitched with amusement.
"Right," Bella said slowly as she looked at Emmett who was still shaking with laughter back to me. "I'll hold you to that."
"That's what she said," Emmett said as his laughter increased.
Rosalie shook her head and rubbed his back with one hand to calm him down as she and Bella traded a look of mutual understanding.
"Can you believe I've put up with that sense of humour for eighty years now?" she murmured. She may have been exasperated at Emmett's juvenile sense of humour at times, but she gazed lovingly at her mate.
"Oh, Hells Bells," Emmett said as he began to subside, "I know we've just met but can we keep you? I love seeing Edward rattled like this."
"Hells Bells? Is that what you're calling me now?" Bella cocked an eyebrow at Emmett who gave her an unrepentant grin.
"My monkey man here likes to give people nicknames," Rosalie explained, "but would you prefer Isabella?"
I'm not saying I like her yet, Edward, Rosalie thought at me, but Emmett's right. She's different.
"Bella's fine," Bella returned swiftly, "but I'm okay with nicknames, as long as it isn't 'Snack' we're good."
Emmett gaped at her for a moment and then gave another whoop of laughter.
So much laughter, it's been too long. I glanced over at Esme to see her watching Emmett.
Told you, Jasper commented. Look at Rosalie. Emmett likes Bella so Rosalie's halfway there already.
"And on that note we're leaving," I sighed as I took Bella's arm and led her towards the door.
"See you tomorrow, Bella," Alice called from her seat on the sofa beside Jasper who was flicking through cable channels.
"See you," Bella replied, "thanks for dinner, Esme."
"Oh wait," Esme disappeared into the kitchen with vampire hast but returned at a more human speed carrying a plastic bag filled with plastic containers. "Your dinner," she explained as she handed it over.
"And lunch, and dinner-," Bella laughed as she took the bag and laughingly hefted it. "Thank you so much."
"Anytime," Esme said, pleased. Please bring her back tomorrow, Edward. She's wonderful.
"It's later than I thought," Bella yawned as she stepped outside followed by a chorus of 'goodnights' after I had helped her on with her coat. She stood blinking on the porch as I closed the front door behind me and gently took her hand to usher her down the steps towards the car.
"It's after midnight," I added as I held the car door open for her, making sure she was safely inside before closing it carefully. I stowed Esme's cooking in the back before I eased myself into the driver's seat a second later to see Bella settling into her seat and giving me a sleepy smile.
By the time we arrived at her apartment she was practically asleep and I had to brush my cold fingertips across her cheek to wake her up.
"We're here," I said as she blinked at me in confusion, "you fell asleep on the way back."
"I can't believe I did that again," Bella groused as I helped her out of the car, "this is getting embarrassing."
"Not embarrassing, it's human. We don't exactly keep the same hours," I commented as she stood in my embrace looking past me to the front door of her apartment building with something akin to regret before she looked up at me.
"So I won't see you tomorrow?" She looked disappointed at this.
"Not until late afternoon," I replied.
"And you'll show me why?" Bella went on. She wasn't going to give up on the subject; her curiosity was a powerful propellant.
"I will," I nodded.
Bella considered this as she swayed in my arms; her heartbeat was slow and steady.
"Okay," she sighed, "I guess I can live with that. I'll call you tomorrow afternoon then."
"I'll be looking forward to it," I reassured her.
Bella gave me a quick smile and then hesitated.
"What?" I asked.
"It's just," she shifted her weight from one foot to the other and looked down at her hands. "I've been wondering something," she admitted before looking back up at me. I nodded for her to continue. "I keep dreaming about you in my room, why is that?"
I hesitated long enough for Bella to get her answer.
"Oh," she breathed, "so when I was teasing you about being in my room that wasn't actually," a slight flush crept into her cheeks, "it wasn't the first time you've been there, is it?"
"Bella-," I began, trying to work out a way to apologise that would feel less torturous than the moment already did. Then she surprised me.
"It's okay," she shook her head at me to cut off my words, "I'm fine."
"But," I grimaced at her, "you don't find it distasteful?"
"I guess it depends," Bella reached up and began to idly twist a button on my shirt front as she spoke, "on just how far you've been taking it." She gave me a sharp look. "Have you watched me get undressed?"
"What? No!" I replied. My shock that she could think such a thing was genuine.
"Okay then," Bella nodded, "well I'll be honest and say it's weird, but given the situation what's normal anyway?"
"True," I sighed. "I'm sorry, Bella. I just-."
"Will you come up to my room tonight?" Bella asked.
"I-," I paused as I considered the question. Bella's acceptance of my visits, my nature, my family were more than a little daunting. I was beginning to wonder what it would take for her to realise the extraordinary predicament she was in. The slightest miscalculation on my part, the slightest accident on hers could be catastrophic. Not just for my family, but for her life. I considered Bella who stood gazing trustingly up at me and as always my resistance fell to ash. "If you want me."
"I do," she said and went up on tip-toe to give me a quick kiss. "Just give me a few minutes."
* * * * *
After allowing a civilised amount of time for Bella to go about her evening routine I climbed over the windowsill of her room to see her sitting up in bed with an expectant look on her fact.
"You don't make a sound," she marvelled.
"It's why you've never woken up the last few times I've been here," I admitted.
"Right," Bella nodded. "You know, if you were human and I found out you'd been doing this I'd slap a restraining order on you."
"And because I'm not?" I waited for her response and watched as she wound a strand of hair around her finger.
"I guess that means the rules are different," she admitted at last.
"Oh, so there are rules now?" I teased with a smile as I paced towards my chair and sat down.
"Let's call it etiquette," Bella suggested, "I don't know what else to call it. I can't say that I'm very experienced with this kind of situation."
She looked over at where I sat in the chair and then shifted on the bed, patting the bed beside her and nodding at me. I took the hint and got up to sit on the bed beside her. Bella sat up with her legs crossed and reached out for my hand, occupying herself by drawing random circles on my palm with the tip of her finger. The warmth of her regard was soothing and I felt myself relax. She seemed a little more self-conscious than I was used to seeing her, and I wondered if the thought of my nocturnal visits bothered her more than she was prepared to admit.
"You have every right to be angry," I ventured at last.
"I'm not angry," Bella shifted towards me, "I feel like I've just found my guardian angel."
"Some angel," I mumbled.
"I hear they come in all shapes and forms," Bella demurred, "now lie back."
I obeyed and watched as she fussed around, pulling up the quilt so that she would be able to stay warm as she slept against my side, settling against my shoulder and then pushing her pillow until she was comfortable. I lay still, not wanting to disturb her as she began to relax against me and then glanced down as I felt her fingers brush over my shirt, silently un-doing one of the buttons. Bella looked up at me through her lashes.
"Do you mind?" she whispered.
"No," I whispered back.
She returned her attention to my shirt to carefully undo the first three buttons so that she could slip her hand under the cotton. Her warm hand rested on my chest, her fingers curling against my skin. I felt her temperature increase slightly in a way that preceded sleep and listened to her heartbeat slow to a steady rhythm that would soothe me all night.
"Will you be gone when I wake up?" Bella asked in a slow whisper.
"Yes," I whispered back as I brushed a kiss against her hair as she made a soft noise of disappointment before her body relaxed completely. I held her in my arms all night, listening to her disjointed whispers and wondering what her dreams contained.
* * * * *
Having declined Jasper's invitation to hunt the next day I found myself pacing the house looking for something, anything, to help the hours go faster. With Bella gone the house felt empty and dull even with the cacophony of what Alice liked to think of as music playing in their bedroom. I made my way to the upper level of the house. Originally an attic, the space had been converted into a music room. Ostensibly the room was for everyone to use but as I was the only one inclined to play an instrument the room had become my own personal space.
Taking a seat at the piano I played a simple scale. It had been over a month since I had played anything but the pitch was still perfect. Leaning forward towards the piano cover I gave a careful sniff, catching the barest trace of Carlisle. He had been the one keeping it tuned after all this time.
"Thank you, Carlisle," I murmured.
You're welcome, Son, came his instant response.
My hands moved across the keys creating a ripple of sound that resonated in the stillness of the room, a simple tune with a harmonising counter melody. The tune had been whispering in the back of my mind for a while now, but for the time being I wanted to reacquaint myself with some old friends. I shifted into the soothing strains of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' and followed it with 'Fur Elise'.
"Any requests?" I asked aloud knowing that the others would hear me.
Oh thank you, Edward. My favourite?
I smiled at this and launched into Debussy's 'Suite Bergamasque' hearing Esme's hum of pleasure as I worked through the suite towards the unmistakable notes of Clair de Lune. The sun continued on its overhead path across the sky with agonising slowness and still I played on.
Alice kept me company for a while as I played, adding her silent voice to Esme and Carlisle's occasional requests for a particular tune. When Jasper returned to the house after his hunt Alice had stepped into his embrace with a giggle as I launched into the Penguin Café Orchestra's nonsensical 'Music for a Found Harmonium', watching them with a smile at each other as they whirled and dipped around the room.
At last the sun reached its pinnacle overhead and began its slow descent. Emmett and Rosalie returned from their outing, offering greetings and making themselves comfortable downstairs as I played on. Rosalie's thoughts were relaxed as she curled up beside Emmett where he had taken a seat to challenge Jasper to another game of Grand Theft Auto.
"How long as he been playing like that?" I heard Rosalie ask as I paused before launching into another melody.
"All day," Esme sighed, "and it's wonderful."
"All day?" Rosalie said in disbelief. It had been over ten years since I had played for this long. "Edward," she called out in amused exasperation, "you need an off switch."
"He's got one," Alice piped up from the other sofa where she had been playing with Esme's hair, "it's called Bella."
The timing was remarkable. My cell phone began to ring and I snatched it out of my pocket already knowing who the caller was.
"Bella," I smiled, ignoring Alice's comment of 'Told you' downstairs.
"Hi, Edward," she sounded a little breathless and I could hear the ambient noises of campus in the background: conversations as she walked past groups of students, doors opening and closing and the occasional shouted call. "How was your day?"
"Long," I said with feeling.
"Me too," she replied and I could see her smiling in my mind's eye. "Shall I come to you?"
"I could come get you," I offered.
"What, you don't like my truck?"
"It's not a matter of not liking, I just don't trust it."
"Edward," Bella huffed a little at this but I could tell her mood was still upbeat, "I'll have you know my truck is totally roadworthy."
"Nonetheless, I'll pick you up in twenty minutes," I replied and listened to her sigh and agree.
I got up from the piano and flew downstairs to see Alice regarding me with a knowing expression.
She'll love it, Edward. It's a beautiful day.
* * * * *
Bella was exchanging small talk with Angela and Ben when I arrived and she looked up to give me a brilliant smile as I parked and strolled towards them.
"Here he is," Bella grinned as she reached for my hand. "Angela, this is Edward."
"Hi, Edward," Angela smiled at me and Ben reached out to shake hands.
"Cool grip you've got there," Ben said as we parted.
"Sorry, the air conditioning in the car was a little high," I explained and watched as Ben nodded. He had accepted my words at face value and I felt relieved. Bella's expression however was a study in suppressed mirth. With such an expressive face she would never be able to play poker although given her mind was closed to me it would still be worth an attempt sometime.
No wonder Bella's so happy. Angela's thoughts were jumbled but positive. The way he looks at her …
"Ready to go?" I smiled at Bella and watched as her smile increased.
"Sure," she nodded and then looked at Angela, "I could be late."
"Same. You've got your phone?" Angela nodded at her and I concealed a smile at Angela's internal excitement to see Bella 'dating'. I sobered however as I wondered what Angela would think if she knew that she had just greeted a predator into their midst. I chaffed a hand against my thigh to conceal my concern as my mind flashed with images of Bella lying bleeding and broken at my feet as James fed on her friends. It couldn't happen. I would not let it happen. I was roused from my thoughts as Bella gave my hand an imperceptible shake.
"Angela, Ben," I nodded at Bella's in turn with a polite smile, "it was good to meet you both."
"Likewise," Ben replied, "maybe we'll see you again sometime."
"I'd like that," I replied carefully before smiling at Bella. "Let's go."
"So are you going to tell me why you couldn't be on campus today?" Bella asked as she fiddled with the CD player in the car as I pulled the car out of the parking lot.
"It's difficult to explain," I began, "but easy to demonstrate. You'll find out soon enough."
"Mmm," Bella leaned back in her seat and looked thoughtful. "I'm intrigued."
"I thought you would be," I smiled.
The drive out of town was uneventful and smooth, although Bella's curiosity had her shifting restlessly in her seat. She watched me as I drove but for the most part stayed silent. When I pulled off the highway and began to follow a track that lead into the forest she gave a mild grumble but said nothing. Her curiosity was definitely getting the better of her.
"Soon," I soothed.
"Hope so, the suspense is killing me," she muttered as she squirmed again.
When I parked the car she unlatched her seatbelt and was out of the car almost as fast as I was.
"Where to do?" Bella gave me a bright smile.
"Up there," I pointed up to the mountain and watched as Bella's face blanched.
"We're hiking?" she plucked nervously at her jeans and looked down at her shoes. "I'm not really wearing the right gear."
"You're perfect," I stepped closer and tilted up her face so that I could give her a soft kiss, "and don't worry, I'll get us up there soon enough if you're feeling brave."
"Bring it on," she replied.
"I can carry you up there but you'll need to climb aboard," I said as I looked around the clearing. Spotting a fallen tree I walked Bella towards it and got her to step up. It was enough of a boost for her to be able to climb onto my back. "Wrap your legs around me," I urged as she settled herself, "and hold on tight."
"You're the boss," she murmured, "but how are you-," she broke of with a gasp and a convulsive clutch of my shirt as I began to run.
Trees and undergrowth flashed by as I ran up the mountain. Bella's heart rate increased and I wondered if it was out of fear or pleasure. I got my answer seconds later as she rested her cheek against the back of my neck with a laugh of sheer delight. Knowing that she could embrace my abilities without being scared of them was a curiously exhilarating moment. We reached the top and I paused to let Bella slip down my back and find her feet with only a slight wobble for balance.
"Wow," Bella pushed her windswept hair off her face and straightened her jeans and coat, "that was incredible, can we do it again?"
"Sure," I beamed at her. I could feel a bubble of pressure in my chest as if I wanted to throw back my head and shout for joy. The pleasure of being with Bella and able to be myself was liberating beyond anything I had experienced in decades.
"So what are you going to show me?" Bella put her hands on her hips as she looked at me like a child waiting for a treat.
"Come here," I invited and held out my hand.
She took my hand eagerly and followed my lead. It was only a few more paces to the edge of the forest at the top of the mountain and once there I hesitated, stepping aside to let Bella see the clearing.
"Oh," Bella's voice was soft now, her face slack with wonder as she gazed at the meadow before us. It was small but beautiful and illuminated by the afternoon sun. Bella took a few more paces forward, her face mesmerised as she stepped into the light. She stood in the meadow and turned in a slow circle as she took in her surroundings and then saw me standing in the shadows watching her. "What are you doing back there?" she called, "Come join me," she held out her hand with a smile that was as dazzling as the sun overhead.
I hesitated and took a deep breath. I could detect no humans nearby so the coast was clear. There was nothing to give me away other than the woman who stood gazing at me, her face bright with curiosity.
"Here goes," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the light.