HAPPY HUMP DAY BELZONI!

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definitely she hates anything hump related so she's gotta hate wednesdays.

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EPOV - chapter 7

Oh, no.

No no no no no no no.

And no, just for good measure.

Jane's eyes were cast at the floor, not daring to look up as her mother continued to create the most ridiculous display. Carrying on, hooting and hollering over and over. She was by far the most obnoxious woman I'd ever met. I allowed her to continue to carry on as I leaned over to speak to Miss Swan. "The old bat has quite a lovely piano forte in this room; they say that Mozart himself once played it."

"I hadn't taken notice." Miss Swan said softly, her eyes cast to the floor.

"It's just there, behind Mrs. Newton's shoulder." I said quietly, feeling the despair roll off of her. "Shall I play for you?"

"It would be more acceptable if you played for Jane, not me." She informed, smiling sadly up at me. I felt disgusted with myself for being the one to cause her such pain.

"Perhaps." I replied, searching my eyes with my own and begging for her to understand. "Although we both know it would be a falsehood."

"Edward." My Aunt snapped, her voice so shrill that I had to look at her. "This room is much too quiet and I hear from Mr. Newton that you've taught Miss Swan to play the piano forte." Her eyes turned to Miss Swan, and my blood ran cold. "Perhaps you can play for us."

It wasn't a question; it was a command.

"As you like Lady de Bourgh." Miss Swan replied, standing to walk to the instrument in the corner.

Miss Swan began to play, her notes slipping occasionally as she could hardly see the keys in the dimming light. I sat half heartedly in the sofa; in the spot she'd left and let myself get lost in the last time I heard her play. If I tried hard enough, I could feel her hand on my cheek, her fingers running over my jaw...and that kiss, months later. The way her lips were perfectly formed to melt against mine and the way her soft body felt beside me. It was almost too much for me.

"Do you not enjoy Miss Swan's playing?" My aunt asked, snapping me from my reverie.

"No, no." I replied as Miss Swan stopped playing. "It's quite lovely."

Miss Swan smiled gratefully, then made her way back to the rest of us. "I hope that was to your satisfication Lady de Bourgh." She then paused, looking into the fire, but turned back. "I apologize, but it has been a long day of travel. I think I will retire to the cottage, if I may."

"But Lady de Bourgh has not given leave." Mr. Newton replied anxiously, looking like a lost dog beside his passive wife.

I rolled my eyes. "I shall escort Miss Swan. The cottage in on my way, and I need to look in on my sister." I stood, offering my arm to Miss Swan. "Miss Swan?"

Miss Swan met my eye, nodding slightly as she took my arm. "That is very kind Mr. Cullen."

I nodded at the withering gaze of my aunt and escorted Miss Swan from the house. "I hope you don't mind the walk; I didn't take my carriage."

"Not at all; I prefer walking whenever possible." She said, her eyes trained on the road ahead of her. "I very much appreciate the escort, Mr. Cullen. I can imagine it must be hard to leave your fiancee."

"Not at all Miss Swan." I replied, tucking her arm tighter as we began down the road. "I was surprised, though, to see a different Mrs. Newton."

"Disappointed?"

"Hardly." I replied. "You deserve better than complacency and a lifetime of dealing with the old bat."

She laughed; a true, uninhibited laugh. "It would be bad enough just dealing with him, but I do not know that I would fair well with your aunt.. at least, not without you beside me." She whispered, smiling hesitantly up at me.

I puffed out a small laugh. "I don't know how I put up with her on my own. That's why I have to keep Rosalie at home."

"A wise decision to be sure. I really hope you don't heed your aunt's advice and suggest she stop playing in the garden."

"Of course not; she loves it and it keeps her happy. If Rose wanted to simply stay at Pemberley and garden for the rest of her life, I would allow it." That was all that mattered to me; being able to provide for my sister.

Miss Swan chuckled. "That sounds like an ideal life to have."

"It would make her happy, to be sure." I replied. "However, once the young gentleman find their way to Pemberley, I'm sure she'll think otherwise."

"Why do you say that?"

I shrugged. "Because...what do they say about young love? It's both blind and foolish?"

"Not if it's true. If it's true then even if it is blind it means something."

"I suppose." I said, my voice quiet and contemplative. I wanted to be near her; I wanted her to...want to be near me. "I assume we'll have to see what the young lady decides."

Miss Swan nodded in approval. "I understand that she will have a sister when you wed Jane, but please let her know that I am here, if she ever needs anything, Mr. Cullen. Truly, you have a sister that I would trade three of mine for on most days." She teased, covering her delicate mouth with a hand as she laughed.

"She is quite like you." I replied, stopping in front of the cottage. "Most days, had I not known her so well, I would have thought she were you."

Miss Swan smiled, then turned so that she was directly in front of me, her face shadowed a little by the moonlight. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Mr. Cullen. Truly." She murmured, looking from my lips before her eyes returned to mine.

"Indeed, Miss Swan." I replied, taking a step closer without my mind's consent. "I hope you had a pleasant evening, despite my Aunt."

"It was." She laughed her hand reaching up to cup my jaw. "Especially when she compared my laugh to that of a rooster."

I leaned into her touch, thankful for the cover of night so that she couldn't see my eyes closed. "She lies, I hope you know."

"I know. She said the soup was divine." She teased, her fingers gliding over my skin.

I leaned in, being bold and putting my hands on her small waist. "She has no taste. She's worse than a common house fly."

"Is that was the soup was made out of?" She asked, her hand moving into my hair.

"Probably." I whispered, my lips a breath away from hers. "Good thing we didn't indulge."

"Good thing..."

"Very Good, indeed." I murmured, pressing my lips delicately to hers. She was exactly as I remembered and I moaned against her, wrapping my arms more securely around her frame and lifting her into me. She pulled my hair, she pushed me harder. THis was everything I'd ever wanted. I pulled away only when I needed air, but put my forehead to hers. "Bella..."

"Edward..." Miss Swan sighed, her lips a breath away from mine.

I sighed, keeping my eyes closed. "I...have something for you." I said softly, kissing her again because I couldn't not.

Her hands fell from around me, and my body screamed at the loss. "You do?"

I nodded, pulling away in an attempt to regain myself. "Yes."

"Oh... oh." She said quietly, seeming to come out of her romantic haze. "Alright."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the envelope and placed it in her hands. "I've been carrying it around, hoping to post it but when I saw you...it seemed better."

"What does it say?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Read it. That's all I can ask." I leaned in, breaking yet another self imposed rule and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for a lovely evening. Goodnight, Miss Swan."

And with that, I left.

It truly felt like an end.

BPOV

I must have stood outside the small cottage for ages, holding the letter in one hand and touching my lips with my finger tips of the other. I could still feel his warm lips moving against mine.

A sharp wind blew by, breaking me out of my daydream of feeling his lips not pull away and instead continue. The dip in temperature reminded me I was outside without a heavy coat, and so I made my way inside, move carefully through the house and to my room where I lit a candle for some light.

After changing for bed, I sat on my bed and tore open the envelope; terrified by needing to read his words. I did not know what to expect, all I knew was what I could hope for.

My Dearest Ms. Swan,

I would like to begin this letter as I feel I should begin every meeting with you; with an apology. That day at Mr. Hale's summer home it was not my intention to lie or falsify my current situation. As the first night we met, you simply took me by surprise.

You see, my father and mother were desperately in love. So much so that when my mother died after giving birth to Rosalie, my father was unable to recover. His body failed him shortly after and as you may or may not know, it is said he died of a broken heart.

As you teased, I have had a bit of experience with travel and of being fortunate enough to be introduced to various social circles, which is why after finding no woman that caught my eye, that made me feel lucky to be alive simply because I could breath in her scent, I gave up.

I gave up on finding you Ms. Bella, and for that I will be forever sorry.

In giving up the notion I would ever find a love that even came close to comparing to that my parents shared, I went to my aunt; deciding that if I could not be fortuitous in love, then it would do well to secure my sister's future.

In an attempt to secure financial freedoms for my sister that I was unsure if I could do on my own, I agreed to enter a marriage of convenience with my aunt's daughter, Jane. In return I am to inherit the family assests, my sister and I will inherit title and the reputation that comes with my aunt's rank in life.

But love, trust that if you were to give the word, I would give it all up. I know now, having fallen so hopelessly in love that I sometimes think I can still feel your lips on mine, that your love is more important than any of it.

And I know I have broken the trust we had built over the summer at the Hale's home, but know that Cullen's do not give up; it is how we have built and maintained our status and how we will continue to live.

I love you Isabella Swan, and from the depths of who I am, I will be eternally in your debt for showing me nothing but kindness and love and perhaps, it was an exchange; I taught you the piano forte and you taught me what it meant to truly be in love and find their one.

I can only show you going forward, that this rings true and hope that it is enough to deserve your affections.

Yours truly,

Edward Cullen

I read and reread the letter so many times that by the time I folded it up the sun was beginning to peak from the horizon and I had the entire note memorized.

The rest of my time at the parsonage was spent attempting to ignore the letter and spend time with Angela; though every night I would read his note before bed and sleep with it clutched in my hands.

I was unsure of how to proceed. I didn't know if I was capable of ruining a young girl's life by being selfish. Though, hadn't I already by kissing him twiceknowing that he was attached both times?

Is making the right choice still doing the right thing when someone winds up hurt?

What happens when there is no right way? Do you follow the path of morality or the road to happiness?

I was still contemplating those very questions as the carriage took me home. I arrived to a silent house, which was very odd from the middle of the day. I dropped off my things in the room that I once shared with Alice and now shared with my younger sister Jessica. After changing into my farm clothes, I walked through the house, finally hearing noise coming from my father's study.

"... mother I don't know what we can do. We'll have to sell the land."

"Oh Mr. Swan! But how will we live?" My mother's voice screeched. Thank goodness Lady de Burgh wasn't in the vicinity to pick a farm animal to compare my mother to. I pushed my ear to the door listening intently.

"Renee, for Christ sakes I TOLD you that wedding was more than we could afford. Did you not think the bank would come and collect on the debt?" My father shouted, frustrated. His tone made me jump; I had never heard him yell before, no matter how mad my mother drove him.

"But Mr. Swan wasn't it beautiful? Her dress was-"

"More than we could afford! Along with the flowers and the food and the decorations! Renee, you must understand! We are not rich! While Alice may be now, she is no longer our responsibility and we are not hers! When will you learn that? Our children are not our paychecks! Alice was fortunate enough to find love in a rich man, but Bella will not do so! She will marry for love as will our other daughters. They deserve AT LEAST that much!"

I felt my breath cracking at his words. He was an overly reasonable man. Unlike most fathers who saw their daughters as financial burdens, he truly loved each of us and wanted nothing more than our happiness.

A week went by and there were daily arguments between my parents, each growing louder and each requiring that my sisters and I work in the fields or go into town for long walks. It was on one of these walks, that we ran into Mr. Cullen.

It was my eldest, younger sibling Jessica who pointed him out. "Bella! Isn't that your friend Mr. Cullen?" She said attempting to wave him over. It took a moment but he caught her wave and turned to look at me. I smiled faintly, nodding a hello. He began making his way over to us, crossing the road as his smile grew.

"Good afternoon Mr. Cullen!" Jess' voice cheered happily. The poor girl loved nothing more than shopping in town, even when there was no money left to shop with.

His gaze was focused on me as he addressed both me and my sister with a single statement. "Good Afternoon, Miss Swan."

"Mr. Cullen, a pleasant surprise to see you." I replied, unable to stop the wide smile from spreading over my lips.

He bowed shallowly, eyeing me hesitance and pain. "You as well; what brings you into town?"

"Our parents are quarrelling, so we were sent to town." Jessica spewed out.

"Jessica!" I shouted, glaring at her.

"What? It's true!" She whined, looking from me to Edward and back. She huffed, noticing I wasn't backing down the menacing looking. There are some things that you don't share with people; family issues being one of them. "Fine! I'm going to go look inside the candy shop and see if I can get a free taste." She sniffed, turning on the balls of her feet and storming down the road.

"I am terribly sorry Mr. Cullen. Really, she's just a young girl; hardly as well mannered as Ms. Rosalie."

"Well, how well mannered could she be? I did raise her, after all." He grinned, chuckling quietly.

I laughed a bit, peering at him through my eyelashes feeling a soft blush rise to my cheeks. "I hope you have been well?"

He nodded. "Well, enough. And you?" He asked, his smile faltering slightly as he drew in a slow breath.

"Well enough? That doesn't sound well at all. Don't tell me you went back for more of your aunt's soup recently?" I teased, cocking my head to the side.

His laugh and smile returned and I could not have been more grateful to see such an expression. His smile returned which made my heart swell. "No, nothing of the sort. In fact I haven't stepped foot in Rosings since that night."

"Oh, but what about Jane?" I asked, concerned for a girl I had previously never felt anything but jealous of.

"I haven't heard anything recently." He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Oh, right..." I replied, my mind scanning over the letter for the thousandth time in my head. "And my brother-in-law? Have you seen the Hales recently?" I asked, not wanting the conversation to end.

"I have, about a fortnight ago. They're doing well it seems." He smiled, his eyes darting off as if he was envious of their union.

"That's good to hear. We should make a plan to visit them at the same time. It could be a reunion of sorts." I suggested, matching his smile.

His grin stretched and I couldn't help but wonder if it was in part due to my idea. "That would be lovely; you must keep me informed of your travel plans."

I nodded. "I shall. I'll ask that Alice pass the message along once we have finalized a date for me to visit that is convenient for them." I murmured, my eyes drifting to his lips and remembering the last time we were together and the kiss we shared.

My pulse raced and lips tingled at just the memory.

"Well, I don't want to keep you..."

"You never do." He murmured, his voice gravely.

I wanted to argue. I wanted him to fight, to show that his words weren't empty. I wanted to trust in what we could have. "I don't deserve that." I replied instead, just as quietly.

He took a step closer, his eyes burning into my own. "I will never, nor could I ever regret a single moment I've spend with you." He whispered.

"You say that as if I do." I murmured back. "Don't forget that I'm the one that crossed an unspoken rule of polite mannerism in confessing how I felt." I snipped.

This was no use. He was still engaged and I was still heartbroken and had no idea how to make it better without someone getting hurt.

"I should go and find Jessica. It is getting late."

I stepped back, giving a short curtsy in his direction and sliding past him to find my sister.

Another few days went by and all remained tense in the house. My father was scheduled to meet with the bankers to finalize the details of the house. We all sat anxiously in the sitting room; my mother knitting, me attempting to read the latest book I had gotten my hands on, and my younger sisters drinking tea and talking about dolls and candy.

"There is a god!" My father yelled, storming through the door. He was simply beaming.

"What is it Mr. Swan? Tell me this instant!" My mother demanded as she rushed into the hall. He wrapped one arm around her, showing a public display of affection I had never witnessed between them before.

"Well, it seems, my lovely ladies, that an anonymous donation has been made on our behalf into the account in the exact amount of our property's worth.

"So who owns this land now?" My mother asked hastily.

"We do. The benefactor simply... gave us the money." He said, shaking his head with shock.

"And we are unable to find out who this generous person was?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"According to the banker the person wished to remain unknown." He replied with a shrug. "All I can say is he will be rewarded tenfold in heaven and in this life; I guarantee."

"Well, it must have been Mr. Hale!" My mother announced, quick to pin the miracle on someone. "Who else do we know with that kind of money to spend on something they would get no return on?"

"Mr. Cullen, mum!" Jessica squeaked. "Bella and I ran into him last week - I bet it was he who did this!" She sighed wistfully. "Ohh Mr. Cullen how I wish you would save me from this mediocre life and carry me away to your home!" She fell dramatically back onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.

Hm. Mr. Cullen indeed...