Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 100
There wasn't an artificial source of light in the room, but moonbeam flooding through the open window illuminated its occupants in an unearthly glow.
It was in this surreal light that Bella caught the first glimpse of Edward with Ella.
He was pacing the length of the room while rocking his daughter close to his chest. He was trying to hold a milk bottle in place that Ella was swatting away. But she was, slowly but surely, submitting to the lulling motion and the soothing sound of her father's hum.
Bella noticed that he didn't know the words. He mumbled over the makeshift lyrics her mother had concocted all those years ago, but knew the tune quite well.
Bella had a sudden urge to sing along with him, teaching him the words he was glossing over. But she had to restrain her impulse. She couldn't give away her position behind the door.
She had seen framed pictures of the Cullen family adorning the living room wall. She vaguely recalled how she had thought that Edward Cullen was a decent looking guy. However, the man standing in the room, tending to his baby with incredible gentleness didn't seem to fit her perception.
During her cursory sweep, her eyes didn't linger long enough to register eye or hair color. But that didn't matter in the shadowy illusion of moonlight. His face was downcast and every aspect of the man manifested in subtle shades of silver and black.
Swirling boundaries, out of focus, yet too compelling to look away.
Once the baby in his arms quieted down, he sat down on the rocking chair by the crib, still singing the wordless lullaby.
Bella felt her heart clench. A parent's devotion to their child is nothing to be shocked about. But the utter tenderness of the scene playing out in the nursery moved her to the core.
She didn't know how long she stood there, spellbound by his lullaby, but she was jarred out of her trance when he stopped singing.
I shouldn't be here, she reminded herself. It was wrong to be spying on such a private moment. She didn't belong there. This bonding moment between father and daughter was not for her to behold.
She resolved to take a silent step back.
However, she heard him exhale a deep, shaky sigh before she could lift her foot.
Curiosity got the best of her once again. This time when she peeked, she saw him kiss Ella's head and then lift his face to the ceiling in a gesture of supplication.
He looked into the nothingness, giving Bella the first opportunity to really take in his face.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
Chapter 100! That's quite a landmark for me. Thank you all those who stuck by. I was far too engrossed watching the Apocalypse marathon on National Geographic yesterday, so there were no updates. I'm really sorry about that. What can I say, I am a total sucker for all things WWII! Love you all. Please review...