Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter Seven- White Satin
Nine Days Later
After Edward left her room over a week ago, she looked into the bag and found a beautiful mahogany box with a small lock on it. Edward had the key on a ribbon tied to a handle of the bag. Bella hadn't yet brought herself to open the box. Now she found herself staring at it.
Curiosity got the best of her.
She took the key and opened up the box. Inside was a pile of envelopes with different dates on them. She looked through and counted four envelopes containing letters and another small box at the bottom. It was wrapped in a shiny gold paper.
Each envelope was labeled with a date. They were September fourteenth, September twenty-seventh, December twenty-second and December twenty-fifth. She took out the one from September fourteenth. For a long time she stared at it and then finally, she gathered her courage and opened the letter.
Charlie rang the Cullens doorbell and Rosalie answered. "Hey, Bella's in the kitchen."
He stopped before crossing the threshold. "You mean she's out of her cave?"
Rosalie smiled. "That's not all."
"What do you mean?" he asked. She just smiled and pointed to the kitchen.
He walked into the kitchen to find Bella sitting at the table with Alice and Esme. "Hey Bells. How are you today?" he asked, not expecting an answer.
"Hi, dad," Bella said timidly.
Charlie stopped dead. His eyes filled with tears. "It's good to hear your voice again, kid." He opened his arms, inviting her for a hug. Slowly, Bella got up and hugged her father. She backed away quickly, though it was the happiest moment Charlie had experienced in a long time. Bella sat back down at the table.
"So you're getting better? Therapy is doing good, the girls are helping?" he asked.
She nodded, looking down at the table. Charlie smiled. "I don't know what's happened, but I'm glad it did."
Bella smiled back. She knew exactly what was helping her.
Bella's hands shook as she unfolded the letter. And began to read the words scrawled in Edward's elegant handwriting:
September 14th
My dearest Bella,
I'm so sorry for I am about to do. After what happened at your birthday party yesterday, I cannot allow myself to put you in anymore danger. There's no easy way to do this. I wish, on everything I love, that I didn't have to do this. I love you enough to let you go.
I can only hope that you won't hate me. You should move on and live your life. Find someone else and get married. Live your human life to the fullest and never take for granted what you have.
As long as you're happy, I'll be able to be happy knowing that I'm just a happy memory you can sometimes look back on and smile. For the rest of my existence I will always look back at the time I've spent with you and smile. Nothing makes me happier than to see you smile. I hope you'll never forget that.
Love, your Edward
Bella's eyes filled with tears and she folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. She took the next one and began to read it.
After Charlie left, Bella went outside with Rosalie and Alice. The vampires talked about playing baseball when the boys got back. They hadn't got to play in a while. They teased Bella for ruining their last one. She smiled half heartedly, remembering what a disaster that had been. She didn't contribute to their conversation aside from a nod or a smile here and there. And the vampires were perfectly happy with just that.
Rosalie told Edward what good progress Bella was making, how she'd talked a little to everyone. However when he came to visit her, she still wouldn't talk to him. It hurt his feelings. It looks like she hadn't forgiven him like he had hoped.
Edward heard her when she spoke to Charlie when he came to visit. He heard the emotion in Charlie's voice when he spoke to her. He saw Charlie wipe his eyes when he got into his cruiser. He loved his daughter, and only wanted what was best for her. Which was the only reason he'd agreed to let Bella come stay with Esme.
After Charlie's departure, Edward went to his piano. He hadn't played since Christmas, which was six weeks ago. Edward wondered how he had gone so long without playing.
The girls went outside, so Edward was alone in the house, save for Esme. She drifted into the room and leaned against the piano. "I love it when you play," she said more to herself than to him. Then she drifted off into another room. Edward was so absorbed in the music, he didn't even hear the back door open.
Bella had dismissed herself from Rose and Alice's conversation about sex. When Rose asked if she were going to lie down she just nodded.
"Okay, get some rest. One of us will be up in a little while to check on you," Alice said with a smile as Bella went into the house.
She heard the music as soon as she stepped inside. Quietly as she could, she snuck into the living room. Edward didn't even look up. She crossed the room and sat down on the bench next to him. He began playing a very familiar tune.
If the first letter was any indication to the rest, Bella knew she was going to have tears in her eyes for a while. She pulled the second letter from the box and began to read.
September 27th,
My dearest Bella,
A few days ago I arrived in Brazil. There are loving couples everywhere and I just can't help but think of you. The hotel I'm staying in has a piano in the lobby. I've gone down a few times to play a few notes, just to keep my hands busy.
I hope you remember a few months ago, we were at my house. I played little of a song for you and you asked me if it had words, so I sang to you. You thought I had written the words on the fly, but that isn't true. I had actually written the song for you, weeks before. I just wanted the perfect chance to play it for you. Well, I finished the song this morning on the hotel piano. One day I want to play it for you. Some of it was inspired by my stay here.
I see you in everything around here. All the happy couples, I wish it were us. The smiling women running down the beach or playing volleyball, I wish it were you. Sometimes it's something as small as seeing a pair of high heeled shoes.
Love, Edward
"My song," Bella said aloud. Edward jolted, as if electrocuted.
"How…? You snuck up on me. Where did you come from?" he looked at her with a teasing smile.
She returned it timidly. "That's my song," she repeated.
Edward smiled. "You read my letters."
She nodded.
"So then you know there are words to this song?"
She nodded again.
"Would you like to hear?"
She nodded with a smile. "Please?"
"Who am I to deny you anything?" he said. Then began to sing.
Gazing at people
Some hand in hand
Just what I'm going through
They can't understand
Some try to tell me
Thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be
You will be in the end
And I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you
Gazing at people
Some hand in hand
Just what I'm going through
They can't understand
Some try to tell me
Thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be
You will be in the end
And I love you
Yes I love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you
Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send
Bella's eyes brimmed with tears. "Beautiful," was all she could say. Edward's fingers lingered on the keys. Slowly, he lifted his hand and brushed a finger across her cheek, capturing a tear on his fingertip. Bella flinched in surprise.
"I'm sorry," Edward said. Bella shook her head. Suddenly, she stood up and went up the stairs to her bedroom. Edward heard her door shut. "Progress," he said with a smile.
Bella stood with her back against the door. She crossed the room and sat down on her bed. She took out the box wrapped in gold paper, she had yet to open.
December 22nd
My dearest Bella,
It's been a while since I've written a letter to you. These letters I write to you, I never plan for you to read them. I just like to vent my feelings for you. Sometimes it's hard to stop myself from sending it though. I would like to think you're still thinking of me in some way. I hope you don't hate me for leaving you the way I did. Even if I can't imagine you hating anyone, I would understand if you did.
I'm flying to Alaska in the morning to be with my family. It's almost Christmas time. I bought you a gift a few days ago. I have no intentions of sending it to you. I saw it in a shop and thought of you. I bought it on impulse. I believe I'll just hold on to it and use it to keep you on my mind.
Love, Edward
So whatever was in this box was her Christmas present from Edward. Bella was afraid to open it at first. Finally she tore the paper off and opened the box.
Inside was a charm bracelet with gold and silver stars adorning it. She ran a finger over the stars before she put the bracelet back in the box. Of course Edward would buy her an expensive gift she'd be embarrassed to wear. She put the box in her drawer and lay back on the bed.
A/N: The song Edward sings is "White Satin" by Zed's Dead. It's been pretty much the only thing I've listened to while writing so go check it out, seriously.
Thoughts on this chapter? Your reviews are always appreciated. ~JLL