NOTHER CHAPPIE!

Dedicated to my RAWAT! (inside joke)

SIERRA

:3

ENJOY~!

EPOV

At five o'clock, Bella said, "Time to stop for today. I'm going to a small gathering in the park for youth activities. They're serving a buffet. Do you want to come?"

"Yes," I answered, not willing to turn down an opportunity to be with her. I looked down at my dark jeans and button down grey shirt. "Like this?"

She nodded, smiling, pleased that I would be going with her. "We'll be eating in the picnic area. You look fine, but my shirt is dirty, so I'm going to put on a new one. Meet me in the garage in 15 minutes or so?"

My pulse hammered as we walked up the staircase together, and my heart rejoiced. She must not be ashamed to be seen with me.

"I'll drive the Volvo." I said, as I was leaving her at the door to her room.

About 50 people had already come to the park when we arrived. Maybe this wasn't such a small gathering. Bella introduced me to some people she knew, many of which worked at the Redwood Estate when she had lived there. With her at my side, I didn't mind the curious glances in my direction. Actually, I'd hardly even noticed them. After all, the only glimpse my neighbors had of me was when I was driving to and from work. I've never been class conscious, and my business brought me into contact with the public, so it was easy for me to be pleasant to my neighbors.

A sense of well-being had settled over me, and after we left to park, I traveled along country road, taking the long way back to Redwood. We drove with the windows down, enjoying the twilight sky, and the soft melodies of Claude Debussy and other classicals. I said goodnight to her at the foot of the steps and turned to my office. I stopped by the drawing room and studied Bella's portrait for a long time.

"Thank you for bringing her to me," I said to no one in particular, "Her kindness is changing me. The bitterness of the past is slowly disappearing and being replaced with hope and trust—something I lacked for a long time."

BPOV

The next night, while we were eating dinner, Edward mentioned, "The Virginia Wind Symphony will be playing tomorrow night at View Park tomorrow night. You've probably heard their performances."

"Yes, many times."

"I have tickets. I'd like for you tome come with me."

I hesitated, and without meeting his eyes, shook my head. "No, I can't go."

When he clammed up and hardly spoke during the remainder of the meal, I knew I'd hurt him. When he went to his room instead of following me into that garden room, I realized what my answer had seemed like. He thought I was ashamed to be seen with him. How could I convince him that it wasn't the reason without mentioning his disfigurement which was never a subject between us? I asked that I wouldn't see his scars, and I hardly ever noticed they were there anymore.

He still hadn't sought my presence by the time I usually went to my room, and I walked down the hallway to his office. The door was open, and he sat still at his desk, staring into space. I paused in the doorway, and he looked up at me with the guarded expression I hadn't seen in days.

"Please understand that the fact I didn't want to the Symphony itself wasn't personal—it had nothing to do with you." I paused, wondering how far I should go. "I do enjoy your company." His eyes softened a little, so I walked into the room and put my hands on the desk. "It was a regular thing for my family and I to go to the Symphony every time it was performed. So did our friends. If I go with you tomorrow night, I know I'd see my former friends, and I'm not ready to face them and their pity."

"Did your friends abandon you when your father's fortune decreased?" He asked, his emerald eyes piercing with their intensity.

"No, well, at least most of them didn't. They telephoned until they realized I wouldn't be returning their calls, but since we no longer had family ties to bind us. It's a pride thing, I guess, but I can't meet them now and have them ask questions and study me like and animal on how I've changed."

If anyone could understand how I feel, I'm sure Edward could.

Edward said softly after a minute, "It's alright Bella, I shouldn't have been so touchy about it."

"My mother always told me to not be so concerned about pride, so I guess I'm failing there, but I'm hoping I can finish my work and return to Kansas without meeting anyone I used to know."

"You intend to go back?" he asked.

Startled, I answered, "Of course! Every time I talk to my dad, he asks when I'll be returning home. I should be finished in a month or so, and you can start advertising the collection for sale. When those artifacts are gone, that will allow all remains of my former life style to be gone forever and I'll be relieved to see it go. With the past behind me, I can start fresh."

Still feeling bad about earlier, Edward apologized again. "I didn't mean to make you feel sad, Bella. I thought you needed a break and might enjoy the music."

"I would have, but right now, I'm content to stay here." With you….

I was shocked at what I almost said, and where my thoughts were turning…

Please review more, I need more people to review so I can choose a person to dedicate to.

Plus, it makes me feel as though my writing is getting worse. I used to get a lot of review but now I hardly get any… :\ :/

Fatal