Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Song Inspiration for this chapter is Rainy Night In Georgia written by Tony Joe White in 1962 and made popular by Brook Benton in 1970. The song, and his voice are amazing. You should check it out if you haven't heard it.

GIFTS

Chapter 30: In The Spotlight

Bella came out of the restroom to the congratulations of the crowd. She began taking drink orders and waiting her tables. She noticed a woman sitting alone in the farthest booth and began to walk to her when the lights went down again and the bartender made an announcement. "Uh, ladies and gents, this is a little unusual, but we have a request from someone who wants to try and sing a song. We'll give him a fair try. Sure hope he doesn't suck".

The crowd roared with laughter.

Bella turned around in shock. WHAT? This wasn't an open mic bar. Oh well, whatever. She approached the woman in the booth. "Hi, may I take your order? Esme! Esme is that you? What are you doing here"?

"Hello, Bella. I think you'd better sit down, dear".

Her words were no sooner spoken than the spotlight appeared on the sawdust dance floor. It illuminated the man with the microphone standing there. "Hello everyone. Thanks for giving me a chance to sing for you tonight".

Bella almost died. It was Edward!

"I just wanted to say...I just wanted to say that sometimes things happen and you don't mean for them to happen. And people get hurt".

Oh, Edward you don't have to do this.

"I hurt someone very special, someone who gave me a precious gift. She gave me her trust and I betrayed her. And I'm trying to say... I'm trying to say I'm sorry".

Edward, I love you and I forgive you.

"Hey buddy cut the drama and sing"! Laughter from the crowd.

"Wow, tough crowd". He nodded to the bartender, a signal to begin his music. "Some of you might know this artist. For those who don't, this is the one and only Brook Benton".

Hovering by my suitcase, trying to find a warm place to spend the night
Heavy rain falling, seems I hear your voice calling, "It's all right"
A rainy night in Georgia, a rainy night in Georgia
It seems like it's raining all over the world
I feel like it's raining all over the world.

Neon signs a flashing, taxi cabs and buses passing through the night
A distant moaning of a train seems to play a sad refrain to the night
A rainy night in Georgia, such a rainy night in Georgia
Lord I believe it's raining all over the world
I feel like it's raining all over the world.

How many times I wondered

It still comes out the same

No matter how you look at it or think of it

Its life…and you just got to play the game.

I find me a place in a boxcar so I take my guitar to pass some time
Late at night when it's hard to rest I hold your picture to my chest and I feel fine
But it's a rainy night in Georgia, baby, it's a rainy night in Georgia
I feel like it's raining all over the world
I'm so lonely
Feel like it's raining all over the world
Never been this lonely
Feel like it's raining all over the world.

They were on their feet, clapping and cheering, stomping their feet and shouting for more, more, more. He had them in the palm of his hand. He thanked them and walked over to his mother. "Mom, did she see me? Did you see her"?

"Edward, Bella told me to give you this" and she handed Edward a scrap of paper.

"What do you mean? You met her"?

"Son, I met her weeks ago. I came to see her when I became concerned about you falling apart on the road. Sometimes a mother has to interfere".

He took the note with shaking hands and opened it.

MEET ME AT MY PLACE.

Authors Note: It's time for some making up lovin...