CHAPTER 41 – THE RIGHT
I Come Apart ft. Florence Welch
I come apart, and you keep it together
I come apart, and I can't stand the pressure
In all your grace and fire for me, that I cannot compare
A/N: You guys are AWESOME! Thank you all for the great reviews.
"Are you okay?" Alice fretted over me.
Edward had held me as he led me to take a place on the porch swing. He had cradled me by his side and after a few minutes when my breathing finally evened, the rest of the Cullens had decided to join us. Not that I minded at all because it made me feel like they actually wanted me around which was why I had placed a calming hand over her trembling one, with a small nod in a reply, "Yes"
"Are you sure?" this time it was Esme who fussed over me. The all too familiar troubled expression played within her furrowed eyebrows as she looked down at me. She was leaning into Carlisle who had his arm around her and wore the same expression as she did, only he didn't seem to ask any questions. He had gotten too good at reading into my emotions – both he and my mother said that I was an open book.
"Yes" my smile was genuine this time as I looked over at all of them, hoping that they could see that I was fine, "Yes and yes for the millionth time" there was no venomous tone within my voice, just my fatigue and guilt, "I apologise for worrying you and for leaving so abruptly" bowing my head with the burden of shame.
A heavy hand slapped my back and I snapped my head up to look at the culprit, "It's cool, Bells" he assured me with another infectious grin. "We understand"
"Thank you" was all I could manage to say because it was still unfathomable that I had been lucky to be graced with such kind-hearted people who cared for me. My thoughts invoked the threat of tears so I changed the subject once again, "And I promise, no more mental breakdowns" I mused with one palm on my chest to emphasise my vow.
They all chuckled in response but the underlying hoarseness implied that they were forced although I was pleased to see the light returning within their eyes.
Jasper was the one to reply, "Oh by all means, you can have as many as you want" he joked with amusement warming his golden eyes. It was strange to see the affection that he held because I had noticed that he seemed to be uncomfortable around me but the newfound peace within his eyes told me otherwise.
Edward's fingers were still laced with mine which was why he had subtly squeezed his hold so that he could capture my attention. As usual, he had a meaningful look crossing his features as he cast his penetrating gaze onto me, still trying to read me, "Jasper's right" he spoke gently but then leaned in closer to me. His cold cheek was pressed against mine and I shivered when he breathed, sending a chill down my spine when I felt the cold prickle my neck, "Just as long as you come back to me" he purred and I felt my head fall onto his shoulder when he pulled away.
Someone cleared their throat and we both snapped up to the others who were staring down at the both of us. Alice, Rosalie and Esme were sending knowing looks at each other while Jasper and Emmett would sneak meaningful glances at each other but then turn to Edward with small secretive smiles – looking almost proud.
Emmett took a step forwards with the mischief gleaming in his eyes as he kept his eyes trained on Edward, "I think my little meant 'as long as you come back to US'" he corrected earning a dark glare from Edward.
I decided to mull over his reaction later on because at the moment my thoughts were preoccupied brooding vampire that had his anxious eyes trained onto me. Unlike everyone else, Carlisle was doing what he usually does…worry.
I could only imagine what was going through his thoughts.
The shift in the breeze caught my attention and I looked towards Edward who was now staring at Carlisle but he paid him no attention. Something obviously caught Edward's interest because surprise lightened his features and I didn't miss the embarrassed look that he sent to me before looking away, appearing to have fallen into his own thoughts.
I would have to ask him later.
"Are you still going to school?" Carlisle finally spoke, looking more relaxed than before but the doubt still battled within him.
Hoping my assuring grin was convincing, I nodded, "I'll be fine" my eyes were still fixed on his, pleading for him to not make this into a big deal. "Plus, I do have five vampires on my side" finally he cracked a small smile.
"Yes you do" Alice nodded in agreement which was followed by nods from the rest of the family.
It was at that moment that I realised just how much I was risking. Here I was, surrounded by people who cared for me which only scared me because it meant that I had so much more to lose…
…but I also knew that I would continue to fight for them.
-XxxxX-
After Carlisle's beeper had gone off, he had kissed and hugged us all goodbye. We had all stood on the porch to wave him off until his black Mercedes had disappeared from our sight. Once he was gone, Esme was next to hug us before excusing herself to her study, which I learnt that she used to work on her Interior Designing business. This surprising revelation only heightened the admiration that I felt for her.
With the beautiful house that they lived in, it was no gamble that she would be successful. This very thought was enough to make my heart swell with pride.
Once she had gone upstairs, Edward made me go back to the kitchen and finish my breakfast. After I was done, Jasper broke our friendly chatter by reminding us that we should get to school so that we wouldn't be late. This was why we were all trailing out of the house, to where the rest of the cars had been parked.
"Oh Bella!" Alice called be back and I turned around to find that she was now holding out my brown satchel, "…here's your bag" she passed it to me but I was hesitant in accepting it.
"How did you get my bag?" still stunned as I couldn't fathom how she had gotten my bag.
Had she gone into my cabin?
"From your truck" she answered with the same lightness in her voice.
Slapping a frustrated hand to my forehead, I groaned, "Argh, my truck" groaning again as I mentally kicked myself for questioning Alice's integrity. "I completely forgot" I added when my thoughts trailed back to the where I had left the truck parked on the edge of the cliff.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that" she tried to appease me, "Edward brought it back for you last night" she informed me with a prideful gleam in her eyes as she glanced to my left.
Following her line of sight, I smiled when I was met with the warmth of his topaz eyes, "You did?"
"I did" he nodded with his own gleeful smile.
Leaning into his side, I slipped my arm under his so that I could let my head fall on his side, "How many times will I be saying thank you to you?" sighing at the thought of how much I owed him…well actually, the whole Cullen family. I would have to think of something to make up for everything they had done for me.
"It was my pleasure" I felt his lips on my forehead before grazing up the side of my cheek but then he stopped so he could rest his chin on top of my head.
All too abruptly, I tore away from his hold with a small stumble and a regrettable look as I asked, "So where is it?" suddenly enthusiastic because after the past two whirlwind days, I had felt out of place but the mention of my truck created a sense of familiarity.
He inclined his head towards the side of the house as he explained, "In the garage with the other cars"
Other cars?
Instead of voicing this surprised thought, I decided to voice the other, "You have a garage?"
He nodded once again, "It's round the back. I'll take you sometime"
"Why not now?" I questioned with furrowed eyebrows when looking up at him, "I do need my truck to drive to school", my voice slightly patronising because I couldn't understand why I couldn't drive to school but then I began to worry over whether it was still running.
Did I leave the engine on?
It was when I felt his arms wrap themselves around my waist, that I realised I had leaned into his chest. Well he didn't seem to mind because he was pulling me closer so I threw caution to the wind and relaxed under his gentle hold.
Edward suddenly seemed nervous and much to my demise, I felt his hold on me loosen. The happiness that one shone within his eyes had dulled with his hesitancy, "Well, I-I was hoping I could drive you…?" he offered but his voice fell into a question at the end.
Wanting to tease him, I crossed my arms over my chest and wore a look of defiance when asking in a dull and monotone voice, "Why?"
He probably saw through me because his lips tugged up into a small smile and his arms tightened around me again, causing me to drop my arms by my side so I could close the space between us. He then leaned in towards me and lowly murmured, "Like I said yesterday" his smile widening and finally I watched as the gleam returned, "I love spending time with you" he reminded me of our time in h- well our beautiful meadow.
"I suppose you're not that bad of company" trying to be casual but the idiotic grin that broke through. It seemed that Edward always knew what to say to make a girl melt.
He accepted my words as a yes because he placed his palm on the small of my back, leading me down the porch steps and towards the Volvo, which was no longer situated next to the cheery red BMW. "They left?" I questioned whipping my head around as I searched the surroundings but finding no one but Edward.
"You didn't notice?" he mused.
Shooting him a mock glare, I rebutted, "You didn't either"
"You're right" he grew serious once again, taking a small step to close the distance between us yet again. His feather touch pushed my hair so that he could cup my cheek and I think I purred when I felt my whole skin blaze. "I seem to forget about everything else when I'm around you" he whispered and yes…I did melt.
After many seconds passed, the cold wind sent a shiver down my spine which broke me from my Edward-trance. It then dawned on me that we were still on the driveway so I shook my head to clear my fogged thoughts while resting one palm on the car to balance myself and regain the strength in my weak knees.
When I felt somewhat safe, I glanced back up to find that Edward was looking at me with a look between curiosity and amusement but it only frustrated me further because I didn't know how to be with him. I wanted to be with him…in…the right way? I didn't want to do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing which would drive him away.
"You really shouldn't do that, you know" I stumbled my way to the passenger door but he beat me there and like a true gentleman, he opened the door for me.
Once I was safely inside, he closed the door after me before flashing to the driver seat and turning on the engine, but made no move to start driving. Instead he inclined his body towards me with a skeptive expression, "Do what?" he wondered, patiently waiting my reply.
"Dazzle people!" I practically shouted, throwing my hands in the air in frustration. How could he not know the effect he had on people? Or the effect he had on me?
His forehead creased and he furrowed his eyebrows but then his features relaxed, understanding clouding his eyes as he released a low chuckle, "Dazzle people?" he smirked but the confusion in his eyes suggested that the word was so foreign to him.
"Never mind" avoiding his eyes, while pretending that I was busy with the seatbelt. However, seeing as that was a two-second job, I had to then pretend that I was suddenly interested in the trees when diverting my gaze to the window. "We're going to be late" I murmured hoping that he would let it go and start driving.
"Do you even care if you're late?" he mused and I smirked but still didn't dare to look at him. "Bella?" he called out to me.
"Mmm", still keeping up with my façade, I craned my neck, still pretending to find the moss growing on the bark of the oak tree as being very fascinating.
"Bella, look at me" he pleaded in a weak whisper.
It was scary how much power he had over me and how the simple sound of his voice, compelled me to turn my body towards him. Although, I did have the power to keep my head bowed down so my hair fell down both my sides, shielding me away from those mesmerizing topaz eyes.
He didn't let me get away that easy because his fingers slipped under my hair and onto the nape of my neck so he could tilt my head up. This time, I couldn't fight it and once again, every thought I had was besieged with the warm pools of gold gazing back at me.
"Do I dazzle you, Bella?" he breathed but I was sidetracked with the strengthened honeysuckle scent due to the close proximity.
"Everyday" the confession fell from my lips before I could stop myself but the boyish lopsided grin that lit up his features made it worth it.
Pleased with my reply, he fell back into his seat so that he could finally pull out of the driveway. The grin still plastered across his face as he drove us into the main road.
Rolling my eyes at his smug attitude, I too fell back into the leather seat and relaxed into it and tried to prepare myself for the day ahead but hearing Edward's following words alerted me. "I'm sure it's already obvious that you dazzle me"
Now I understood why he was smiling like a Cheshire cat but instead of giving the benefit of the doubt, I feigned nonchalance when relaxing back in my seat and closing my eyes as I replied, "I seem to have that affect on people" which earned another velvety chuckle.
Behind closed lids, the silence of the darkness was interrupted with the familiar notes which I easily recognised, "Claire De Lune" my eyes fluttered open when each note played, seemed to tug onto my heartstrings. Every single note played echoed within the small space of the Volvo, overwhelming all my senses.
"You know Debussy?" he sounded genuinely surprised.
Wearing a smug smile, I replied, "Not only do I know Claire De Lune…" he cast a fleeting glance towards me so I continued "I also used to play"
"Piano?"
I nodded, "And violin and cello and clarinet and the rest…"
"Wow" he seemed impressed.
N0t wanting to sound too self-absorbed, I explained the reason behind it with a small shrug, "I've had a lot of time on my hands" my thoughts trailing back to my lessons with my mum, sometimes with my dad.
"What's your favourite?"
I had to contemplate over this because I never really considered it but now as I thought about it, I could come to a safe decision, "It's between the violin and the piano"
"Maybe we can play together sometime?" his hushed suggestion made me turn my head to look at him and check if he was serious. "I play piano" he added and that conjured the picture of perfection where I sat by Edward at the piano bench, both of combining a piece of ourselves through music.
"How good are you?" I teased him.
He tore his amused eyes away from the road and onto me, a smirk on his face, "How do I answer that question without sounding egotistical?"
"I'm just checking to make sure you'll be able to keep up" enjoying how his eyes narrowed with my teasing but no anger was evident within his features.
He laughed once again before offering, "We could start off with Chopsticks"
"Maybe Moonlight Sonata?" I countered and coincidently, Beethoven's first movement filled the atmosphere. Each note played, vibrated through the silence when it engulfed what was left of Debussy's composition. Me and Edward both snapped our heads to each other and locked gazes and we both smiled.
When he looked back to the road, he began to drum his fingers onto the wheel to follow the notes played while I hummed along with it.
My humming broke off when the car curved into the all too familiar parking lot. Edward had noticed this because he cracked another smile when veering the car to an empty spot next to the red BMW. The rest of the Cullens were still sitting in the car and had stopped their chatter when spotting us.
Once the engine died down, Edward hitched an eyebrow, "Ready?"
"No" I warily shook my head, when I saw the sea of faces that were now fixated on the silver car.
His palm covered mine, calming me down with his cold touch, "We're all here for you" he vowed. "I'm here for you" he concluded and this was en0ough to make me smile.
He always knew the right thing to say…
A/N: Working on the next update…will be up soon. Responses to last chapters' reviews:
Multi-Fandom-Lover123 – I really loved writing the ExB moments and I keep trying to fit in as many as possible. Really glad to know you liked the update.
sarahalliwell – Thank you ever so much for your help. I have taken that into consideration and will try to successfully apply it to my updates. Thanks for giving the story a chance…so welcome…
MaryE1980 – Thank you for reviewing anyway – each one is valued. Your compliments are also cherished – make me feel more encouraged to write. I've already set a time for when they'll kiss, which will be coming up very soon.
Valentine Rain – We are drawing up to the return of her past and I have written some of it so we'll just have to wait and see…
Twilight Rocker 12 – I feel sorry for Bella who is still hesitant to give her whole heart. It's like having one foot in and one foot out….As for my stolen fanfic problem – I sent a civilized PM hoping that they would take it down.
jbrjaw27 - I too want my own personal Edward!
Aw…you're so sweet, thinking of Bella. I agree that she needs to forgive herself but it will take time and some love and assurance from our favourite bronze-haired vampire to help her move on…
Horses-are-my-life - Did not think Snow was capable of killing Cora. I felt kinda bad for Cora after seeing the person that she used to be and how badly the royal family treated her. Very weird seeing her and Rumpelstiltskin together. Just about to watch the next episode. Also, I saw your review to my stolen story. Thank you for that – appreciated it.
IzzyPure – Understandable technical difficult. I'm just thankful that you took the time to review anyway.
Sorry about Footguy and metime…I'm sure things will be looking up soon.
All in all – BIG CONGRATULATIONS for the Carver writing program. Consider yourself one of the best.
BeyondSanity12 – Wanted to give an insight into Bella's hesitation and just how traumatic that experience was. Nice ending though, huh?
pfkman23 – We will get to see Bella let her hair down and paint the town red…and all that jazz. As for school…let's wait for more…
A/N: I will end on the note that you are all AMAZING! I don't know what more I can say – you all keep me going. Your reviews help me better myself as well as make me smile. Thank you all so so so much for your support – whether you're favoring me as an author or the story or simply reviewing. It is all appreciated.
THANK YOU!