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
Thanks to all who added this story to their alerts/ favourites and reviewed. You guys are 's pretty late so once again I will add your names another time.
I hope you enjoy this chapter, it is just a bit of their everyday life at the start so I hope it is not too boring. There will be more drama soon I promise.
Hope you enjoy! Sorry if there are any mistakes.
Forever Bound
Chapter Twenty One â Crack The Shutters
Three weeks had passed since New Year's Day and Bella was well into her third month of pregnancy. It sometimes felt as if there were bubbles in her stomach, popping every once in a while, but Bella was not sure if it was the baby or her wishful thinking.
Alice was due to return from her honeymoon next week; Jasper had taken her abroad for a month after their wedding. Bella was sure she had never seen Alice so excited.
Whenever Bella thought back to the wedding, she had reddened cheeks. Edward had kissed her, and although it was the best kiss she had ever experienced, she was unsure of its meaning. After pulling away, Edward had wished her a happy new year and pulled her closer to his chest but he had not explained his reasoning behind the kiss.
Bella had been dying to ask what it meant. Was he less resentful at having her for a wife? Was he upset he did not have Tanya to kiss so settled for the next best thing? Had he simply been taken in by the romance of the wedding and fireworks? However, Bella had contained her curiosity; she did not want to ruin the peace that had fallen upon the family.
Each day, Edward would request Angela to bring breakfast up to his chamber, well their chamber now. Bella had returned to Edward's chamber at the beginning of the New Year. She had known that Edward found his mattress easier to sleep on, yet she still did not want to be alone at night so they had reached a compromise; Edward would stay with Bella if they returned to his chamber. Of course, Edward had insisted that he was perfectly content staying in Bella's chamber, but she had put her foot down and ordered him to return to his own chamber. In response, he had picked Bella off her bed and carried her across the corridor before placing her on their bed, laughing all the while.
On the first morning after Bella had returned to their chamber, Edward woke her by placing his cold hands on her neck. She had shrieked and tried to pull away but Edward had simply pulled her close to his chest which instantly ceased her struggles. "Breakfast has been delivered here Bella. Surely your stomach can not be calling to you so loudly that you felt the desire to leave me so quickly?" Edward laughed at her while Bella stuck out her tongue. She extremely enjoyed the fact that they had become so comfortable around one another. Edward had untangled his arms from Bella's waist and she had instantly felt the loss. However, before she could even bemoan about the loss of comfort, Edward returned to her side, a tray of food placed on his lap.
On it was all she could ever want. There was toast, eggs, sausages, bacon, jam, grapefruit, apples, grapes, tea, pain au chocolat and so much more; Bella did not know where to begin. "What will it be for you Mrs Cullen?" Edward had asked, taking a piece of toast himself and biting into it. As she watched him chew, it was only now Bella began to realise what a perfect mouth her husband possessed. It was in the shape of a faultless cupid's bow and his lips were a beautiful shade of pink. They looked as smooth as silk and Bella knew from experience that they were definitely as soft as silk; she blushed as she thought back to the few kisses they had shared.
Edward notice and raised his eyebrows in question. Bella quickly shook her head and picked up a piece of apple a popped it into her own mouth. She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks once more as she noticed Edward's gaze transfixed on her mouth as she chewed.
Each morning since this routine had continued and before long, the husband and wife were stealing food from one another, resulting in small scuffles that always ended in fits of laughter.
-o-
Bella was roaming the halls of her home. She had had little chance to explore them all since they had moved in. Between the ball, the storm, the attack and Alice's wedding, Bella had had little time to herself or time that she was even allowed to remove herself from her chamber. Edward still believed that she should be resting in bed to make sure she was absolutely recovered but Bella had given him the filthiest look she could muster up and he had relented. The fact that he was still at his lessons also meant that he could do nothing to stop her.
Making her way down one of the corridors in the East Wing, Bella was sure she heard music flowing towards her ears. Following the direction of the sound, Bella came to two double white doors, one of which was slightly open. Bella walked closer toward the door and placed her eye in the gap. She gasped at what she saw.
On the stool sat Edward, his hands flowing like water along the piano keys creating music like Bella had never heard before. It was beautiful, flawless and utterly perfect. As she stood there in awe, Bella realised that she had never heard this piece of music before which was extremely odd as she enjoyed piano a great deal and knew almost every composition. It was at that moment that Bella remember, all those months ago, Edward had informed her that he had played piano for the past sixteen years; this must be his own work.
Slowly, the music came to an end. Bella stood there for a moment, simply watching her husband be before he suddenly turned around and caught her gazing at him. Bella instantly blushed and tried to run away.
"Bella?" Edward's voice called to her.
She slowly turned back around and made her way towards the door once more, pushing it open slightly before she began to apologise profusely. "I am so sorry Edward. I did not mean to disturb you in any way at all! I was simply taking a look about tâ"
Edward interpreted her. "Bella, it is perfectly alright, do not worry yourself. You would have heard me play one day, I just regret you heard this piece first." Edward looked down towards the floor.
Bella slowly made her way over to him. "It was beautiful Edward, I feel very honoured to have heard it, even if you did not wish me to."
"It is not that I do not want you to hear it one day, it is just it is not yet completed."
"It sounded absolutely perfect Edward. It is the most beautiful composition I have ever heard. Why would you wish to change it?" Bella was slightly confused.
"I just want it to be perfect. It is for the baby." Edward responded, blushing.
Tears sprung to Bella's eyes. This man was becoming even more perfect in her eyes. She placed her hand on her stomach. "It is utterly perfect Edward, I promise you. I am sure our child will love it." Edward smiled shyly at her as he softly placed his own hand over hers on her abdomen.
The husband and wife smiled at one another for a moment, "May I hear the complete item?" Bella requested, wanting to hear the entire song that her husband had written for their child.
"Of course." Slowly Edward removed his hand from her stomach and it on the keys. He paused for a moment and took a deep breath before he began to play. There were no notes in front of him, and Bella knew the music was coming from the bottom of his heart.
By the time Edward had finished, Bella had tears streaming down her face and was hastily trying to wipe them away.
"Was I that bad?" Edward joked. Bella instantly shook her head.
"No, it was just so beautiful. Please, do not make any changes to it, it is utterly perfect the way it is." Edward simply cupped her cheek in his hand and began to wipe the tears away. She could not help but lean into the supporting hand.
"Do not worry Bella. Every single note will stay the same." Edward leaned in a gently ghosted his lips across her cheek. Bella shut her eyes at the sensation, wishing it lasted just a little longer.
-o-
For the first time in a long time, Bella rose before Edward. She leant on her elbow and simply watched her husband be. He was beautiful while he slept. His eyes were firmly closed and his plump red lips were slightly parted. His bronze hair was more of a mess than usual and was falling all over his face.
As gently as she could, Bella reached out her hand and moved the stray hair away from his face. Apparently she was not gentle enough, as Edward moaned at the sensation, and pushed his head slightly forward into the pressure of her fingers. Bella smiled and kept running her hands through his hair as softly as she could so as not to wake him. Edward appeared to enjoy it, as a small smile appeared on his face.
After simply being for fifteen minutes, Bella suddenly felt the uncontrollable urge to use the bathroom; one of the many joys of being pregnant. As quietly as she could, Bella eased her way out of their bed, but before she made her way to their bathroom, she leant down and placed a kiss on Edward's cheek. For a reason she could not explain, she could not resist the urge that had risen within her.
Finishing her business, Bella entered the chamber once more and noticed Edward was still sound asleep. As quietly as possible, Bella made her way over to the wardrobe and dressed for the day. By utter coincidence Bella wore a dress that highlighted the growing child within her. Smiling down at her stomach, Bella made her way out of the chamber and towards the kitchen.
"Bella, what are you doing in here?" Angela questioned as soon as she saw Bella's head poke through the door, "I was about to bring your breakfast up to your chamber as Sir requested." Angela was always worried that she was doing something incorrectly.
"Calm yourself Angela. I simply wanted to make my own breakfast for Edward today; he has been so good to me over the past few weeks."
"Of course. Would you desire any assistance?" Bella shook her head.
"No thank you. Although, I do believe that Ben has arrived today to tidy up the garden. Why don't you take out the lovely breakfast you have prepared for him? I am sure he will be famished," Bella hinted slyly. Angela blushed all shades of red, yet she still picked up the tray and began to make her way outside.
Bella smiled to herself as she set to work.
-o-
An hour later and Bella was finished. She had made everything she could think of that she knew Edward would eat for breakfast and was making the last preparations to the table when she heard her name being called.
"Bella? Bella! Where are you?" Edward's voice rang throughout the house. Hearing his footsteps on the stairs, Bella made her way into the lobby.
As soon as Edward saw her he ran at her and scooped her up into his arms, taking a deep breath into her neck.
"Please do not do that again," he begged, placing her feet back on the floor.
"Do not do what again?" Bella asked, utterly confused.
"Do not leave me alone in the bed again. I awoke to find you not asleep beside me, your side of the bed was cold and you were not in our chamber. I had no idea what had happened to you." Edward had a sad look in his eyes.
Bella reached up on her tiptoes and placed her hand on his cheek, as he had done the day previously. "Edward, I simply left to make us breakfast; that is all. There was no need to worry."
Edward shook his head. "There was need to worry Bella. I do not like not knowing where you are, it worries me after everything that has happened recently. Please, wake me next time." Bella nodded, feeling heat rise within her. She identified it as sheer joy, joy at knowing that Edward worried about her.
Bella took his hand and led Edward towards the dining room. As Edward looked at the spread she had created his mouth dropped open.
"You made all of this food?" he sounded stunned.
Bella nodded, a huge smile plastered on her face. "Of course. I just wanted a way to thank you for all you have done and this was the best way I could think of."
Edward took their joined hands and placed them on her stomach. Bella loved the fact that Edward could simply not get enough of touching their growing child. "Bella, there is absolutely no need to thank me. It is my fault any of the events even occurred, and you are giving me the best gift I could ever receive, our child. There will be no way for me to thank you for that."
"Do not blame yourself for the events of that night Edward. All that occurred was James' fault, no one else's. Please, let us not ruin the day by talking of him. Enjoy the food in front of you instead."
Edward smiled at his wife and made his way over to his chair. "This all looks absolutely delicious Bella. I have no idea where to begin."
"Take a little of everything." Bella suggested and received a laugh from Edward; however he appeared to take her advice and began to scoop a little of everything onto his plate.
The two young Cullens sat together eating for over an hour. They shared jokes and little snippets of their lives with one another. Halfway through the meal, Edward had reached across and grabbed Bella's hand, grasping it in his own. Feeling sparks shoot down it, Bella did not pull away and enjoyed the pleasant sensation.
At two hours to midday, Edward pulled out his pocket watch and gasped.
"I apologise Bella. I am two hours late for my lessons with Jenkins, and if I do not arrive soon he will not be pleasant to work with." Bella was deeply disappointed that they could not spend more time together but nodded understandingly; training was vital for Edward's career.
Edward rose from his chair and made his way over to Bella, crouching beside her chair and turning it to face him. "I am truly sorry Bella; however this is the best breakfast I have ever had. Have an enjoyable day and I will be home as soon as I am allowed to leave." He rose a little and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Take care of yourself," he then moved his head down and kissed her stomach once more, "and take care of this little one."
Bella beamed and waved him on his way, wishing him luck with the tasks ahead of him.
-o-
At noon there was a knock on the door. Bella was too involved in her reading to get up and allowed Angela to answer it.
A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the library door. "Come in," Bella called, marking her page in a copy of her beloved Wuthering Heights.
Angela entered with a man Bella had never seen before following behind her. Bella rose from her seat.
"Mr Jenkins for you Miss." Bella felt panic rise within her chest, consuming her so much that she did not even correct Angela for the formality.
"Has something happened to Edward? What happened? What went wrong?" Bella shot out questions a hundred miles a minute, wanting to know what had happened to her husband.
"Calm yourself Mrs Cullen. I am not aware of anything happening to Mr Cullen. I simply journeyed over here to enquire of his whereabouts." Jenkins explained gently.
Bella was bemused, "What do you mean his whereabouts? Edward set off this morning for his lessons as he always does. Are you saying he has not arrived yet?" Bella asked, the worry almost crippling her.
"Mrs, Mr Cullen has not attended his lessons since last year. I called today because I wanted to know whether anything had happened to him."
Bella shook her head. "He informs me each day that he is going to his lessons and returns home at his usual time. Are you sure he has not appeared to any?"
"Completely Mrs Cullen. I have not seen him since a week before Christmas." Mr Jenkins informed her gravely.
Bella was still utterly bemused but tried to hide it, "I apologise on his behalf sir. I shall question him about it this evening and I assure you he will return tomorrow."
Mr Jenkins nodded his head in thanks. "Thank you madam. I am sorry to have disturbed you and will allow you to return to your novel. Good day."
Bella curtsied and waited for the two people to exit the room before she sank back down into her chair, her mind trying to connect the dots.
Suddenly it all fit. Edward's unexplainable attention. His happy moods. Their kiss at New Year.
Edward's was spending his days with Tanya and felt guilt for his actions so smoothed her in what he believed she would want to hear and receive. And she had been the fool to believe it was all genuine.
Bella's book dropped to the floor as she began to sob.
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