DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creations of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bella and Edward have an audience as they play his piano.
La Suonatore Musica
I moved my head and looked out the window. The sun was just starting to rise, turning the sky a soft pink. We only had to get through this day and then they would be on their way back to Italy.
"Would you like to play the piano this morning, love?" I whispered to Bella.
She looked up at me, smiling brightly. She crawled off of my chest and we stood, stretching and smiling at each other. I took her hand in mine and led her over to our piano.
Bella and I sat side by side on the bench and I still felt like she was too far away. I'd held tightly to her all through the night and would've loved to spend the day the same way. But it was not going to be possible with our guests.
I flexed my fingers, getting ready to play. I smiled down at my angel, waiting to see if she was ready. She nodded her head, causing her beautiful chocolate hair to swirl around her shoulders. Her soft lips pressed into a thin white line as she found her focus. She was absolutely stunning. The strength and confidence she had been showing since Aro's arrival filled me with pride; not that I ever needed any new reasons to be proud of the amazing woman I loved so much.
I started playing the melody as Bella waited for her cue to join me. She started off doing very well, but soon missed the same note she always did when we played this song. I chuckled at her and she smiled, knowing she had missed it again. I continued to play and she rejoined me soon after.
I nearly forgot about all the danger in the room with us as I watched her smiling and enjoying herself. One way or another, I would protect her and keep her with me. No one would take the light from my life.
We finished the song and Bella smiled, her love for me brimming in her golden eyes. I gave her a quick hug, wishing it could be longer.
"Excellent!" Aro exclaimed with a clap of his hands. "From la tua cantante to la suonatore musica. Simply amazing! How long has it taken you to teach her, Edward?"
"We've been working on it for nearly a year. Bella started not long after her change. She shows great promise," I said proudly, not breaking my eye contact with my beautiful wife.
"I have much to learn, though." Bella smiled at me again. She was dazzled by me, as she liked to call it, but somehow was still able to speak. "I still watch my hands too much."
I motioned for Bella to rise and we both stood up. I pulled her music book out of the bench and set it in its stand on top of our piano. I flipped it open to the piece we had last practiced with. Bella sat back on the bench and I positioned it perfectly for her. I stood behind her, resting my hand on the small of her back. I needed to be touching her in some way to keep my own self calm.
"Start when you are ready and take your time," I said softly.
She took a deep breath before starting to play. It was Waltz in A-Minor by Chopin. Bella played the first section perfectly. As soon as she started the next, we both knew she had missed something. She stopped and looked sideways at me. "Where did I mess up?"
"My, my, my," Aro squeaked. "I didn't even hear it and yet she calls herself on it."
"She takes her playing seriously," Esme informed him. "Edward and Bella practice often together."
I leaned down and pointed at the part of the scale where Bella's error lied. "G sharp, not F sharp."
"Okay. Start over or just this section?" she asked.
"Just this section," I replied, stroking her soft hair.
She smiled at me and I knew I was comforting her at least a little. She started playing again and finished the second and third parts flawlessly.
I leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Excellent, my love."
"Alright!" Carlisle called. "Let's go about our routines and leave them to practice."
I looked up and noticed that everyone had ended up in the small room with us at some point. I sat down next to Bella again. We took her book down and spoke in whispers, deciding the next part to practice.
I was very aware that Jane and Alec had remained in the room. Esme was in the kitchen with the swinging door propped open. I could tell from her thoughts she didn't like that these two had stayed near Bella anymore than I did.
I could hear Emmett and Jazz playing a game. Rose and Alice were in the living room as well, going through a fashion magazine. Carlisle had stepped outside with Aro and the rest of the guard.
Bella was in no mood to learn a new piece. I thought playing around would help relax her since she seemed to enjoy it so much. I started making up melodies and she would try to follow them. In no time at all, she was laughing and relaxing as she leaned into me.
Our siblings meandered back into the room. Each of their thoughts admitted their shock at seeing me be so carefree at the piano. I was always so serious when I played in front of them. Bella soon had our siblings calling out random things for me to put to music. After I played, she would try to follow it.
"Horse!" Emmett yelled.
"That's nearly too easy," I chuckled. "But I will for you."
'Edward! You should be so relaxed more often.' Alice
'My brother is actually laughing at his piano.' Rose
'He just agreed?' Emmett
'I can't believe he's feeling contentment instead of panic.' Jasper
I felt Bella's small hand against the skin of my back. I tried to ignore the electrical charge her touch brought to me. 'Thank you. You should have seen Em's face when you said that. I know they were all worried you would close up, trying to protect me.'
'I can't protect you without them and I've learned through you that I need them almost as I much as I need you.' I smiled as I continued to do the horse for Emmett.
'I love you. I'm pulling away now.'
I leaned my body over the keyboard, pretending to finish with a flourish, so she would know I had heard and understood her.
"What about you, Jazz?" Bella asked. "You haven't called one out in a while."
Jasper's eyes brightened with excitement as he stared lovingly at my sister. "Edward, play Alice laughing." Alice jumped up and down and squealed as she clapped her hands together.
Bella kissed my cheek. "You certainly have to now! Look how excited she is."
"I don't think you'll be able to follow," I chuckled.
The melody was fast and joyful; my long fingers covered the entire length of the piano, running up and down the keys, never resting on any one note for long. Bella stared in bewilderment at me as she watched my fingers in motion.
Esme had joined us now. "That's exactly how I pictured it, Edward. That was beautiful."
"Yes!" Alice agreed happily. "I love my laugh! Thank you, Jasper and Edward."
"We should do Rose now," Bella told me.
I thought about it for a moment, but then smiled wickedly at my sister. I played a tune that was striking. It was extremely beautiful, but it would suddenly became very dark and then lighten up in the next instant.
"Are you trying to call me a beautiful, moody person?" Rose teased.
I nodded my head with a big smile on my face.
"Slap him, Bella," Rose said, smiling at me.
Bella chuckled as she barely tapped my shoulder with a feather-light touch. "There. He's been smacked."
Our siblings laughed at my beautiful wife, as I kissed her cheek sweetly.
"Bella, will you sing?" Esme asked.
Bella bit her lip, thinking over Esme's request. She was still unsure about her voice no matter how many times I promised her it was that of an angel's. She smiled and nodded her head. Then she stood and moved behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders.
She whispered to me, "Let's do that one song I've been practicing with you."
I nodded and started playing the melody for her. She had said she liked this song because it was how our family made her feel loved and protected. She took a deep breath before filling the room with her beautiful voice.
When
I'm lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I'll find the light to
light my way.
And when I'm scared and losing ground;
When my
world is going crazy, you can turn it all around.
And
when I'm down you're there; pushing me to the top.
You're always
there; giving me all you've got.
For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for a love to keep me safe and warm,
I turn to
you.
For the strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For everything you do; for everything that's true,
I turn to
you.
Carlisle entered the house with Aro and the full guard in tow. Carlisle was as pleased as always to hear Bella singing. Aro was thinking of what a lovely song bird Bella would make. I very nearly growled at him. Felix and Demetri were bored and wanted to return to Italy. I seconded that idea. The other guards were still trying to figure out why any of them were here.
Bella never let her voice falter or waver as she watched them all enter the room. She gripped my shoulder tighter, but kept singing in that same perfect voice.
When
I lose my will to win,
I just reach for you and I can reach the
sky again.
I can do anything,
'Cause your love is so amazing;
'cause your love inspires me.
And when I need a friend,
you're always on my side;
Giving me faith that gets me through
the night.
For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for
a love to keep me safe and warm,
I turn to you.
For the
strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For
everything you do; for everything that's true,
I turn to you. (Christina
Aguilera – I Turn to You)
Our parents and siblings clapped for Bella as I smiled proudly at her. Aro simply rocked back and forth on his heels, smiling. Felix and Demetri rolled their eyes. Jane, Alec and the other guards seemed just as bored as before.
I pulled Bella's face to mine and softly kissed her lips. "You were flawless, love."
"I think now would be an excellent time for our hunting," Carlisle announced, holding Esme tightly.
Esme smiled brightly. "Yes, that's just what we should do now. A nice family outing."
"You are all welcome to join us," Carlisle said to our guests. "However, we ask that you follow our diet while staying in our home."
"We are content," Aro replied. "But we will join you for the pleasure of your company."
Bella grabbed my hand tightly, as I stood up from the bench. Alice and Jasper walked at our side and Emmett and Rose followed right behind us. We moved next to Carlisle and Esme as we made our way into the front yard.
I wouldn't have to worry so much about Bella this time. We could all stay together as we hunted. Carlisle had lifted her grounding when we returned from Forks. He was impressed with her restraint in front of the wolves and with Charlie.
"We should head over toward the hot springs," Alice announced. "There is a group of mountain lions stalking the elk. We can all get something we like."
Carlisle nodded and led our group in that direction. Fifteen minutes later, everyone was fed and finishing up on hiding the evidence.
"You clean up your kills?" Aro asked incredulously. He sounded amused again.
"We work hard to blend in," Carlisle explained. "We don't expect humans to be this far out, but they sometimes wander."
"Bella, you are quite a skillful hunter," Aro commented.
Bella didn't reply. She just turned her face and buried it against my shirt. I held her and stroked her hair, wanting to calm her.
Aro chuckled at Bella's reaction to him. I focused on his thoughts. 'How very interesting! The way she clings to him. Yes, I think Marcus was right. I think their bond is stronger than any he's ever seen. I can't wait to have them in Italy for Marcus to confirm this.'
"Are you actually satisfied?" Felix asked, spitting out the last word.
"We are content," Esme answered. "Our way of life has provided us with our wonderful family. There is nothing we wouldn't do to remain together peacefully." There was a finality in her tone that no one seemed to want to question. 'Let them test us if they do not believe me.' I was a little shocked the thought had really come from Esme and not Emmett.
As we slowly walked back toward the house, I listened in on our visitors.
'Boring.' Alec
'This is pointless.' Jane
'I wonder what Giana is doing.' Demetri
'I bet Heidi found some great fish today.' Felix
'Truly remarkable. The entire way of life is so different. Humans as equals and not food. How intriguing! To deny themselves for those they have no tie to. Old friend, you still manage to capture my attention. And Bella! I had thought her plain as a human, but she is stunning as a vampire. She would make a welcome addition. If only I knew what her power might be!' Aro
I found myself thinking of one of Emmett's favorite sayings as I processed Aro's thoughts: Sucks for you! I would help Bella make sure Aro never learned of her powers. She would not be taken from me! I would kill anyone who tried!
Emmett and Rose moved closer to Bella and me. Emmett winked at me as he sent a thought to me. 'I'm going to challenge Picky to a Halo match. Get her to accept so there's an excuse for the two of you to be next to me for the next few hours.'
I nodded my head to my brother, hoping he would remember not to call her 'Picky' out loud with our guests around.
"Squirt!" Emmett called, winking at me. "I challenge you to a rematch of Halo!"
Bella looked up at me and I squeezed her hand tightly. She smirked at me. "I don't know. Edward, what do you think? Should I let Em have a shot at being number one again?"
"I think we should make it a three-way competition," I replied.
"Make that four!" Jasper announced as he and Alice walked up to us. 'I don't have anything concrete, but I keep getting little spurts of deviousness from Demitri and Felix. Alice doesn't see anything yet.'
"Rose and I will referee," Alice chirped. 'Keep Bella close, Edward. I feel like something's going to happen, but I can't see it.'
"Another tournament," Esme snickered. "Is there a point to me asking for you to keep the noise down to a dull roar?"
"We'll try our best, Mom," Emmett chuckled. "But you know how seriously we take our video games."
"Just remember that all of your extra controllers are already packed on the truck," Carlisle warned.
"Video games? Is that what you do with your free time? Do you not train?" Aro asked.
"We train if we find it necessary," Jasper answered with a steely glare.
"You are leaving yourselves open to unnecessary risks," Aro replied.
"We are more than capable of defending our family if needed," Jasper said. "As long as life is peaceful, we will enjoy it to the fullest. If turmoil should find us, then we will meet it head on." 'He's testing our defenses, Edward. He may ask if Bella has training. You better start thinking of a reply.'
"Has Bella received any training?" Aro asked. 'I am curious if she could defend herself one-on-one. How to find out?'
"We have been training her in all of the normal vampire skills," Carlisle explained. "She has learned to hunt and climb. She shows promise in tracking as well. Emmett, Jasper and Edward are her instructors."
"Then she is learning from very skilled teachers," Aro said. "What do they each teach you, Bella?"
I caught the smirk on Bella's face and had trouble hiding my own. I doubted she had any intention of giving Aro a real answer.
"Emmett teaches me wrestling. He mostly teaches me to wiggle out of his grasp. Jasper works with me on stances and stealth for hunting. Edward teaches me everything else."
"Could you elaborate?" Aro asked sweetly.
"I could," Bella replied with a nod of her head. "But unless my father or husband tells me I have to, I won't." Bella tugged my hand and we set off running toward the house.
I could hear our siblings following behind us as Emmett's booming laughter filled the forest.
EBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEB
A/N: la suonatore musica roughly translated from Italian to English means player of music
You lucky, lucky readers ... E.C. Cullen is back as my excellent Beta!!!!! And thanks to Dreamnin for the superb title!!! It fits perfectly.
