A.N. Well, as you can see, my wonderful resolution isn't quite working out... XD anyways, WHOOT! Happy One year anniversay! I can't believe we've made it this far! So please stay with me until the very end, and I'm reaaaaallly, reaaallly sorry for making you wait so long. Please R&R ! :D
Anxious. I was completely anxious. I couldn't believe that in only a matter of minutes, I would be able to see Edward again. The thought of meeting him again blew me away into another world, a world without worries. The carriage pulled up the dry stone road and came to a rumbling halt. The footman opened the carriage doors, and bowed as mother and father walked out. King Billy and Prince Jacob were both waiting to welcome us, standing under the arc of the entrance doors, arms fully extended.
"Welcome old friend! It's been too long Charlie," Billy said, shaking father's hand cheerfully before giving him a brotherly hug.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Billy?" Father replied while motioning mother and I closer.
"And Renee, why, you look as dazzling as ever!" Billy added, taking her hand and giving it a kiss. After releasing her hand, he looked at me with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Oho! And this must be the Princess Isabella that I've been hearing all about from Jacob. I would be honored to wish you a very happy birthday, Princess. Now that everyone has finally arrived, please come in. The banquet hall is this way."
Jacob extended his arm, and I took it absently, trying my best to keep my nerves under control. Somewhere in this castle, was Edward. I could hardly contain my excitement as Jacob took me for a tour around the castle. There were two marble staircases leading up to the Royal Chambers, which were anything if not large and spacious, even by my standards. A large chandelier hung in the middle of the throne room, it's crystal lights casting rainbow colours onto the white marble floors. The throne room led to a long, granite hallway, which lead several rooms and the garden.
The garden was exquisite. A long stretch of dark, mossy green grass, surrounded by hedges, fancifully shaped into wolves. There was a white, circular birdbath, with a fountain of water trickling from its center, tucked away in the corner. All along the hedges were red and white roses, with blooms the size of your palm. In the middle of the garden, stood two oak tables that stretched all the way to the birdbath. There wasn't much shade to sit under, but today the sun was dimmed, hiding behind a cumulous cloud. Polite chatter filled the air as guests walked about, having light conversations with one another.
Jacob led me around the crowd of people I hadn't met before; occasionally stopping when one of them recognized me and greeted me happy birthday. It wasn't long before I my feet started to ache and I felt the desperate need to sit down. As much as I wanted to, I still couldn't get the thought of looking for Edward.
Where was he? Was he busy? Did he remember that today was my birthday? Does he even care?
Looking around, I tried to focus on what I really wanted to do: see Edward. I scanned the crowd, searching for a merry pair of emerald eyes, or a flash of coppery brown hair. As a rather robust lady stepped away from my sight, I spotted him. He was on the other side of the garden, collecting dishes and serving out food. My eyes subconsciously started to watch him, following his every move. They traced his features, his arms, his lips, his eyes...
He suddenly looked up and as his eyes met mine, I gasped. I could feel a shock of electricity course through me, a fiery heat making its way to my cheeks. At first, his face lightened, but then he quickly composed himself and continued picking up a finished glass. I blinked as my chest thumped painfully.
Was he not happy to see me?
I continued to watch him, and frowned. He was tidying up a bit fast wasn't he? I saw him pick up a teetering tray of dirty cutlery, and turn, while doing so, discretely twitching his finger towards me before pointing towards the edge of the party. My eyes widened. Edward then nonchalantly walked inside and disappeared, leaving me confused. What was he thinking? Was I seeing things properly? Was he telling me to follow him? I was starting to panic a little. He was making me so confused. One moment calling me forwards, the next pushing me back. My jaw set and I decided that no matter what, I wanted to properly talk to him.
Pushing through the crowd, I found Jacob and muttered "Ladies' room." Jacob raised an eyebrow and nodded. Spinning on my heel, I hurried towards the edge of the crowd, spying his lean back turning a corner. I gave a quick glance behind me, picked up the front of my skirt and hurried after him.
What was I thinking? Even if she did notice me, that didn't mean that she would actually try to find me. I was being ridiculous, trying to lure her away from her own party. There was no way she would rather be with me than celebrate her own birthday. I knew her feelings were different from mine. The moment when our eyes met probably didn't give her the same surge of joy that it gave me. Yet, I perpetually found myself foolishly clinging on to unfounded hope. I still found myself waiting to see if she would come, if she would follow. She did.
"Edward?" Bella's small, curious voice called out my name, sending a shiver down my spine. "Edward are you-" Before she had finished that sentence, I had already grabbed her wrist and had started to run down the long hallway with her, hurrying towards the other side of the castle. I could hear her heavy, laboured panting which seemed to beat in time with the sound of our footsteps. "Edward! Where are you taking me?" She asked between gasps of breath, amusement and curiosity evident in her voice.
"You'll see," I called back, sneaking a peek behind me to see her flustered face. I took one more turn around the corner to the storage room before I slowed our pace to a brisk walk. She was huffing behind me and I unlocked the door to the room, lighting up the candles closest to me. I brought her to the piano, and made her sit down next to me.
"I haven't been able to say it yet, but Happy Birthday, Bella," I murmured, momentarily drowning myself in her dark brown eyes. Taking my position on the piano bench, and I started to play. As my fingers grazed along the black and white keys, my eyes watched her as I played each chord, noticing her eyes widening with surprise, her mouth slightly agape, and her lips pulled into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. It was so wonderful to watch as her eyes danced with wonder and her body subconsciously swayed with the tempo. All of her attention was wholly focused on me. I had her all to myself again. My lovely Bella.
My lullaby ended softly, the last note vibrating through the room. I looked back at Bella who hadn't taken her eyes off me throughout the song. She smiled softly at me; her eyes holding a look that made my head spin.
"When did you learn how to play?" she whispered, her voice reverent, as if she was in a chapel or a church.
"Did you like it?" my palms were starting to sweat with nerves.
"I love it."
My heart sang.
"It's beautiful. What's it called? I don't think I've ever heard it before."
"River Flows in You," I said smiling. It was the perfect title for her lullaby. I had composed the song while thinking of her, and had named the song with her smile in mind. I felt myself being drawn to her, to want to hold her and make that face smile. I couldn't fight the urge to touch her, to make her realize that I was still here, and that I would always be here for her. I wanted to protect her. I sensed rather than saw Bella settle down on the piano bench, her body pressing against mine.
"I can't… explain how I feel about it." She murmured. "I…love it. Thank you Edward...for playing it…for me..." her voice drifted off, and she lowered her head to look at her pale hands folded on her lap. I watched her expression change from the blissful smile to a pained grimace.
"Is there something wrong Bella?" Bella seemed to jump slightly.
"No, it's nothing. Don't worry," she said, looking up at me with a reassuring smile. I stared at her. She was a terrible liar.
Something was wrong. One moment ago, we were happy. What happened? Did I do something wrong?
"Bella, what's wrong?" I whispered, worry lacing my voice.
Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes and I could see them beginning to swell. I wanted to wrap my arms around her small frame, but I forced myself back, not wanting to frighten her. It would be best to separate myself from her before I did anything I would regret, anything that would taint her.
She abruptly stood.
"I suppose you have to go now?" I muttered.
"I'm afraid so. Jacob is probably looking for me. I have been gone for too long as is." she said. Walking her walk away from me made my heart burn. I wanted to follow her. To make her look at me, to tell her how much I love her. As she approached the doors, she pulled them open before turning towards me.
"Goodbye, Edward." And with that, she left, leaving me feeling emptier than ever.
The moment I walked out, a few servants were pushing the tables back, leaving a large space for the guests to dance. Hired musicians were setting up their instruments. There was a regular sized piano placed to the side, and two other men holding violins surrounded it. Two other people with slim fingers were fine-tuning their instrument, a smart looking man with his cello, and a tall woman who was softly playing her harp. After a minute or two, they nodded towards each other and music began to fill the air.
I watched as Jacob invited Bella to dance. Their bodies, close together, were swaying to the beat of Aura Lee. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but I saw Bella looking down and blushing. Her face was glowing with laugher. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. The fact that Jacob was able to do the things that I could not gnarled at me. The feature that sets us apart, and the defining reason why I could not hate this man. He could make her happy. Jacob was probably better for Bella in many ways than I ever could be. What was even worse was that he was the one she wanted. She chose him.
The music quieted down and I turned around to take one more look at Bella's happy face. That's when Jacob let Bella go, and got down on one knee, as if to pick something up. My gut clenched and my stomach almost heaved as I watched the prince pull out a small dark box. And I could do nothing but watch as he looked at her with the same eyes I watched her with, held her hand and asked the question that made my heart crash.
"Bella, will you marry me?"