Chapter III
The sound of birds chirping outside of my window woke me from a night's sleep. I felt like I was still exhausted when I struggled to open my eyes and let loose a yawn. Rubbing my eyes with my palms, I shifted to sit up in my bed and saw the sunlight streaming into my bedroom from the window. Looking over at my bedside table I saw the small wind-up alarm clock that sat there showed the time to be 7:30am. I guess I could consider myself an early riser, at least for now; granted I was also unable to sleep for a century so I never had to worry about waking up late when I was up at all hours.
I knew I had struggled still to sleep last night. I had found Bella yesterday, and I wanted nothing more than to have her in my arms while I slept for the night. I couldn't shake the gripping fear that it had been a cruel trick and that what I saw was only a fleeting glimpse of her - and that today she would disappear and I'd never see her again. It was a miracle at all that she was here in this confusing conundrum that we've found ourselves in. I still tried to grasp the fact I was back home in my time period as a human again and that I had my wife here with me. I didn't know what to think still or what the answers were to why we were brought back here. I had a million theories swirling around in my head but nothing seemed concrete. If I had the time today if Bella's still to come over with her mother, I'd want to try and find some time for us to talk privately and discuss more of what we can do for the time being or figure out what we should do in order to make things right.
After my mother and I had left the park yesterday, I let her direct me to the local markets we had nearby to get some ingredients of which she wanted to use towards a light and late lunch for her and I, as well as ingredients of what she could throw together for dinner for our family. She told me that she would have the help at our manor - maids and servants - work on making fresh baked goods like teacakes and finger sandwiches so that they could be served tomorrow for Bella and her mother. But she had told me that she didn't have anything for dinner that would be happening later on in the evening so she had to figure something out and throw together a meal. I did what I could to rack my brain and figure out just what dishes I might've liked back then; I was a goner in trying to figure out what my father liked so I didn't try to overthink it in that department. I settled on telling her that we could perhaps have a light roast dinner with potatoes and steamed vegetables, thinking that might be simple enough. She was delighted by my suggestion and we worked through the stalls getting the ingredients we needed. I followed pleasantries and tried to keep up with the idle chatter each vendor wanted to have with my mother and I while we looked for our items, but I honestly had not been paying attention to them.
For one, my brain was overloaded by the sights, the sounds and the smells at the stalls of the market place. Everyone was bustling between each stall, shouting and hollering to one another while they haggled on prices or complained about the quality of certain goods when they wanted to wager they could find a better deal elsewhere. Each stall did what they could to advertise what they had to sell, with colorful banners or signs that showcased the prices or deals they had. Every smell of every single piece of food assaulted my human nose; while I couldn't distinguish every single smell individually like I could've if I had my vampire senses, my human nose took in the spices, the smell of every meat being sold, the sweets from the bakers as well as the floral smells of flower arrangements that the few florists here today were trying to sell off. I wanted to lose myself in everything since it felt like I was looking at everything with fresh eyes again. It really felt like it had been forever since I've been human and all of the small details that I once overlooked while I was a mortal, I was astounded by everything around me.
My mother found it amusing that my nose was trying to guide me to every single food stall, and reigned me in saying that she's never seen me so starved from the smells alone. She assured me that we'd hurry up with our shopping and head home to get some food in me, a twinkle of mirth in her eyes while she smiled up at me. I had nodded my head to her and did what I could to help her with her purchases, carrying practically everything that my arms could get a grip on. I learned quickly that I couldn't take every single bag of our items like I would've been able to had I been a vampire. I did what I could to try and ensure nothing slipped in my arms, but eventually I had to yield and let my mother take an extra bag or two. She didn't seem to mind, or at least she told me as much and we trekked home with our spoils.
Once we entered, she had busied herself in the kitchen with the servants. She had told me that she would call me when the food for our late lunch would be done but I followed her into the kitchen anyways. She had looked at me perplexed, but I quietly explained then, "I uh... I want to help. I'd like to learn at least." She was even more baffled by this; I might've flubbed it by wanting to join her for this activity when honestly I couldn't remember if cooking was more of the "woman's" job and not something men partook in during this era. But I wanted to work on spending more time with my mother and even something as trivial as cooking was at least still time well spent with her if I could try. My cheeks were overheating at this point when I had asked her but my mother thankfully didn't push me out and said she would let me help with the cooking. So for the afternoon, I helped her in preparing things for dinner while I also helped her with our small lunch - something as simple as sandwiches with the extra fixings of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard topping. She was pleased that I picked up quickly between knife skills and how I would do my best to quickly clean up my area when I was done with a task. She put me to work in help kneading dough for the baked goods she wanted to make for the Swansons, before she showed me what to do with the roast and vegetables. We had taken a small break to eat our sandwiches before we had started dinner prep but once everything was in the oven and on a slow cook due to the low heat that was applied to it all, she shooed my out of the kitchen to tell me to go and take a break before dinner. I recalled that at least when I had been with my wife on our honeymoon, I had done a little bit of cooking for her since I did have some skills in my belt that I could put to use. Much of that started to come back to me when I set about helping her, but there were some areas that were still grey for me to try and remember how to do such a thing. I think at least my efforts were passable. It was refreshing to say the least and I enjoyed being able to chat with my mother about nothing as well as try to have amicable conversation with the servants that worked to help us.
After leaving the kitchen, I did my best to try and keep myself occupied while waiting for dinner to be made. I took some time looking around my old home, finding rooms such as our library, my father's office, my mother's sunroom that had some plants planted inside. There were many other rooms that just were used as sitting rooms or rooms that my mother or father would use for small entertainment settings. I finally found what I figured would be here - the room that held my old piano. It was an antique upright piano of a deep cherry wood color. Shelves were nearby and it held my old music sheets that I used to play all the time. Some were concert pieces that my mother had gotten for me to work on practicing and playing, others were blank sheets that I could write on should I have any idea of new compositions I wanted to compose. I found at least one sheet that had some notes written on it, where as I had jotted down in my scrawl that it was titled "Mother". I couldn't help but be confused by it when I found it. Strange, I honestly don't recall ever starting up a song for my mother. I tried to go through my memories and see if I had missed this sheet. I wondered briefly if I had started this but lost it after my parents had died and when I had been turned. I thought I had managed to get every possession that I could when I was able to return here after my "death" - at least the most important possessions that I could find and felt that I'd need to have with me. Did I leave this behind without realizing it?
I took the sheet with me over to my old piano and sat down on the bench, the leather whining when I sat. I propped it up on the built in stand that could hold it in place for me and let my hands rest on the keys for a second as I read the music. Once I had gone over the notes, I set about playing and let the first few notes hit the air. My natural ability to play the piano came back to me easily while I let my fingers glide over the ivory keys. I sat there and played for the remainder of the afternoon, working on the piece where I would replay the first few bars over and over, while also testing out some notes here and there to see if it would fit. If I had mulled over it enough to where I felt the notes worked, I would jot them down on the sheet before moving on. I spent hours working on the piece, trying to still go through my brain to comprehend where I had lost this memory let alone the physical piece. But I couldn't really come up with anything or any reason to where the memory had gone. I worked past it though and did what I could to progress on the piece. I had worked so long that by the time my mother had called to me that dinner was ready, I didn't realize that the sun had gone down and I was working almost in the darkness. I got up and set my music sheets aside for now before I went to seek out my mother.
She was in the dining room setting the table when I found her. My mother had chided me in telling me I needed to go and wash my hands, as well as that she wanted to reprimand me for not changing into better attire for the evening. But she said that she was going to let it go if only just for tonight before she pushed me towards the kitchen as it was the nearest sink. After I had washed my hands, I heard my mother call to my father to come down for dinner. Once I reentered, I helped my mother finish setting the table. We both had everything ready with the last utensil set down - and then my father entered the dining room.
I guess for one, I didn't hear him come home from a long day of work, and for another when seeing him after all these years, I honestly had felt momentarily something akin to shock. It had felt like I was looking at him with fresh new eyes, having a similar reaction to him like I had when seeing my mother again. My father was definitely more refined of a man than I had last recalled during my fuzzy human memories; he was harder to remember on his physical details considering we were never close due to him spending most of his time with work. I was definitely able to pick out more significant details of my mother than him since I spent more time with her during my youth. My father was only just a hare taller than I was but I had gotten a lot more of my physical attributes from him to where people could definitely see us as being related. A strong jaw, strong nose, and semi-large ears on his face, his lips were hidden behind a neatly combed dark brown mustache to which he smiled lovingly at my mother when he entered the dining room. The most obvious trait that I had gotten from my father was his eyes - they were the same startling emerald green as mine. Those eyes appraised me as I stood in the doorway to the kitchen with my expression most likely reading dumbfounded. He wore his work suit at the table, of which he had pulled out his pocket cloth from the breast pocket and wiped away the water that had gotten caught in his mustache when he took a sip from his glass. I began to recall the exact conversation we had last night after I had seen him for the first time in so long...
"My boy, why are you standing there gob-smacked as if you hadn't seen me in over a hundred years? Why we just saw each other last night at dinner; come now, pick up your jaw and join your mother and I at the table. I know we didn't get a chance to talk this morning since I left as early as I did. Your mother was just about to tell me how your day at the park together went." I had shaken myself from my stupor at his statement. Then I hurried over to my seat and sat down since my mother was already seated and waiting for me to join them to start our meal.
"I apologize, father."
"Don't be so stern with our son, my love. Our young man has been in quite the daze today; you should have seen how worried I was over him this morning when I went to check on him after he awoke. He said he had such a horrible nightmare that scared him half to death but nothing that he could recollect so it must not have been important. However I feel that he is lost in his own daydreams considering we had such a splendid day out together - and in part we have the lovely incident that occurred at the park, to thank for that." My mother gushed to her husband soon as I was seated, where she began to fix up her plate of food. I looked down briefly to see the plate of hot steaming food sitting in front of me, and chanced a glance over at my father's plate to see the same thing; I guess while I had taken time washing my hands, she affixed our plates for us.
"Oh? Is that so? Do tell then, what was this incident?"
"Why if you could believe it, there we were just strolling and gazing at the flowers and the sight of all the parkgoers - it was a grand start to our walk. But then as if out of nowhere, a poor young girl had tripped in on her own feet due to her not being accustomed to her new heels, and she felt into our Edward Jr. here! It was so sudden I had nearly jumped a foot in the air when seeing him fall with her on top of him and he had hit his head on the concrete. He claimed to have been fine but held the lady to his chest worried for her own well being. Her parents had come up to me and apologized to both of us deeply while scolding the poor thing." my mother began excitedly, starting to cut into her roast.
"Hmm, fell atop him you say?" my father asked conversationally.
"Why yes, she did. But then, the most amazing thing happened and I can not help but be ever so giddy at the sight before me; when the two had looked at each other for the first time, it is as if Eros came down from the heavens and struck them both with his arrows. They looked at each other with so much love and awe! It was love at first sight for these two young adolescents!"
"Mother..." I had groaned to her quietly, feeling my cheeks begin to heat with embarrassment.
"Oh hush my son! You know I am right when I say this - you never will ever bet against a mother who knows her son through and through. I know you have never looked at a woman before like you had looked at Isabella. You were so lost in her eyes and she had been the same with yours." my mother chided me with a smirk. With flushed cheeks still, I kept quiet while shoveling a piece of my hot roast into my mouth.
"Love at first sight? Why I never would have guessed that to be the news for this evening." my father mused out loud, his mustache twitching as if he was ready to burst into a smile.
"Yes my love! It was such a marvelous thing to see and I could not be happier for Edward Jr. He took great care with ensuring she was fine after her fall and had taken her to a bench to let her recover from her accident. They were talking so quietly with one another just eyes fixated on one another and in their own world; everything fell away from them and they only had each other to focus on. I felt like I had been intruding when watching just a distance away with her parents. Our son was ever the gentlemen and made sure she was able to walk after a few moments while I took time to talk with her father and mother. They're so charming and polite, and refined! I'll be having Renee and Isabella over tomorrow where we will be working on needle point together."
"Mm, what are their names again?" my father asked as he speared a steamed vegetable, taking a second to also spare a glance at me as my mother gushed about Bella and her 'parents'. I didn't know if he approved of how I went about treating Bella for her fall, but I could only hope that with how my mother was describing it, he saw there were only innocent intentions behind me caring for her.
"Renee Swanson and Charles Swanson, they're the mother and father to the young lady that Edward is smitten about; Isabella Marie Anne Swanson, though she prefers to be called Bella. Renee has told me they just recently moved here from Maryland."
"Ah yes, I know of the family. Charles is a good to do businessman that is looking to work with my office, with a firm background and good morals. Renee I did not know her name nor did I know they had a young lady like Isabella herself."
"Renee is just the most entertaining gal I have met; she will fit right in with my needleworking group should she come over regularly. She is charming, polite and refined to the utmost highest degree and she is hoping to raise Isabella to be the same. Albeit Charles is quite strict on her and I felt like he wanted to shoot daggers with his eyes at our son. He was so protective over her while she was being cared for by our boy. Isabella had not appreciated being treated as if she were a child, and I just know Renee is the more laxed parent of the two."
"I see. My, that is indeed quite the entertaining stroll that you two took today. I must say, I would love to meet the family more properly. As well as see for myself just how intriguing this Isabella is, since it may seem she has captured my son's own heart." My father mused, looking at me with his eyes crinkling into a slight smile. I nodded to him with a smile of my own.
"Perhaps you could meet her tomorrow if you have the time, father. I do not know if they will be staying for dinner; if not we will just have to arrange for a dinner that works best for you." I stated simply.
"Mmm, that indeed sounds like a wonderful idea then." he mused before tucking more into his meal.
After the rousing conversation about my wife, we settled into talking about my father's business and how it was flourishing successfully. I had kind of checked out of the conversation at that point; it is not the fact that I found my father to be dull when talking about his business, but rather nothing about his work as a lawyer was something to be worthy of note within my mind for later. As is as well, during this time when I was a human I had no interest in honestly following my father's footsteps to be a lawyer and was being a 'rebellious boy' when not focusing on my future more seriously like he had hoped during this time.
I had finished my meal though and helped my mother clean up the dishes before I bade my parents goodnight and retreated to my bedroom. I had found a book that I was read a passage or two from before I was to fall asleep so after dressing down to my nightwear for the evening, I was soon settled under the covers and taking my time reading over the random book I had chosen. I believe it was a H.P. Lovecraft book that I had within my collection and I had decided to start from the very beginning of it. I took only perhaps an hour at most to read through some pages before I finally closed it and set it aside to try and get some sleep. I wanted tomorrow to come faster so I could hopefully see my Bella sooner.
And thus, is where I am back in the present after having recollected yesterday's events. I took some time after rising out of bed, to work on my appearance more seriously than I had yesterday. I made sure to bathe and clean myself thoroughly. I took time to trying to comb the hazard that was my hair - and I was proud to say I had managed to smooth it down for the most part. I could see that I was beginning to gain some stubble on my jawline but it wasn't horribly noticeable so I left it alone for today. After I was done in the bathroom, I took time to get dressed in nicer apparel. It was a simple light day suit that was grey in color - double breasted and with three rows of buttons set apart from each other. I paired it with brown loafers on my feet, and a deep blue button down shirt underneath, opting to wear a very simple black bowtie instead of a normal tie. I could only hope this outfit worked together - I was no Alice of course.
Alice... Ah, I can't help but recall still the severity of this situation, nor deny the longing that I have to see my vampire family again. But one step at a time now, Edward. We have at least our wife with us; we'll get to the other details sooner or later.
I left my bedroom and went downstairs to have my breakfast then. My mother was in the kitchen at the small table in there, eating her toast and sipping her tea. She was dressed in a simple pale yellow blouse and a deep maroon day skirt that stopped about midcalf on her which gave way to simple heels on her dainty feet. Her copper hair was pulled back into a braid which suited her well. She looked up when she heard me and smiled bright as I came to sit down beside her and eat the food that she prepared for me.
"My my, you look so handsome today my son." she gushed as I took my seat and placed the napkin in my lap. I smiled at her in greeting and took her compliment in stride.
"Thank you mother."
"This wouldn't have to do anything with the fact young Isabella will be here today, no?" I blushed then to her question; she giggled at the sight. "Well I believe that answers that. You are welcome to keep us company today my son though I do not believe you'd be entertained at the sight of us working on our crafts."
"Well mother I had the hopes of making a simple but bold request." I began, pursing my lips. A coppery eyebrow rose on my mother's face then.
"Oh? What are you requesting my son?"
"If I may be as so bold to ask this, I would like to have a moment of privacy with Bella and be a proud man in showing her my piano. I know that it is almost if not wholly unheard of to have a moment of privacy with a lady that is not my own wife without a chaperone to ensure her reputation. But I can promise you that I would treat Bella with the utmost respect and courtesy where nothing of the sort is sullied by me." I spoke with conviction, looking at her face to gauge her reaction. I don't know if this plan would sit well with my mother as much as she tried her best yesterday to let me have my moments with Bella alone like I had. It mattered more since she was going to be in my home without her father to breathe down my neck about her reputation as a young lady. Her mother may find faults with it even as far as I could guess. She might've let up on it yesterday but who's to say she'll do the same today?
My mother sat there for some time, mulling over my request thoughtfully. She then took a sip of her tea and looked back at me.
"Well my son, you know I have faith in you and know that you will never put her reputation at risk in being tarnished. You do realize that Renee may be a tough cookie to sell twice over about her daughter being alone with you - but I can only assure you that I will try my best to make her complacent towards the notion. I cannot guarantee that you will get your wish fulfilled, but it is not an absolute no; only a 'mayhaps'." my mother explained to me gently, smiling while reaching over to pat the top of my hand. A maybe is at least better than a flat out no. So I took this answer in stride and gave her a nod back to show I understood and appreciated her trying at least.
"Now, eat up my sweet son. You must fill your appetite and get yourself ready for the Swanson ladies to arrive." my mother ordered, finishing the last bit of her own food.
I quickly ate the rest of my food on my plate while my mother had busied herself in preparing more of the fixings for the get together we would be having. I had offered my services to help after I had finished eating and she gladly took my offer once again to help with the trivial tasks that once again, was most likely seen as the 'woman's' job during this era. I again couldn't care less if it was or not, I just wanted to help and I wanted to spend as much time with her still even if the task honestly didn't require two hands. She seemed excited to be showing me these simple cooking skills.
Once the food was done being prepared she had told me I should find something to preoccupy myself for the short amount of time I had left before needing to be ready for the Swansons to arrive. She worked on making the tea, so I left the kitchen and went towards the parlor. I went about tidying up the area even though it seemed nothing was out of place but I wanted to make sure everything was completely perfect. I had a feeling Bella's 'mom' would be scrutinizing every detail in our home - much like how Renee in our time was always extremely perceptive of things or people around her. Back then I knew she had her suspicions about me and just how 'perfect' I was - as if I was almost exceedingly too perfect. She had been weirded out by my lack of appetite, my excessive desires to be as close to Bella as possible (recalling back to our trip to Jacksonville, Renee had described us as joined at the hip - acting like magnets). I knew that if she was given the chance she would've been able to figure out about my true nature but thankfully she wasn't completely aware. She'd get close but she never did figure it out.
After inspecting every area within the parlor and deeming it to be perfect, I had just begun to turn around and head to the room where my mother would be spending time with the women, when the front door chimed. They were already here.
I whirled around on my feet and went to the door, feeling my heart beat faster. Trying to keep the nerves at bay, I wrenched open the door. There stood the Swanson women. Renee was in front, dressed in a cotton pale green day dress that reached down to about mid-calf length and wearing simple black leather slipper heels. On her head was the same elaborate day hat she wore yesterday, while in her arms was a pale brown bag; I could only guess that was her bag holding her needlework materials. I only briefly paid attention to her before my eyes caught the goddess behind her, with my heart thrumming even faster than before. She looked so fragile but still so gorgeous; she will always be perfect in my eyes no matter the state of her hair, her dress - she will be the epitome of beauty. Her brown hair was gathered up on top of her head full of curls and some pearl pins scattered about. She work a deep blue silky blouse that was tucked into her simple skirt that went about down to her ankles before I could see similar black slipper heels on her feet. She too carried a matching bag like her mother so I could only once again guess that was the needlework resting in there. Her cheeks stained a lovely red once she saw that it was me at the door greeting them, and Renee broke out into a bright smile.
"Good day to you, Mrs. and Ms. Swanson." I said formally after having the door open and slightly bowed at them. The two of them curtsied.
"Good day to you too, Mr. Masen. It's a pleasure to see you again." Renee said happily, and then looked behind at Bella over her shoulder.
"Yes, it's a pleasure." Bella murmured quietly, flushing deeper. I smiled at the two of them, my eyes lingering on her.
"My mother should be almost ready as she thought to prepare tea and other food goods for your get together today. May I interest you in coming inside to get away from the spring heat? I will gladly guide you to the room where you shall be enjoying knitting and sewing today." I breezed out, stepping aside from the doorway. Renee made a small humming noise before she walked easily into the home, tilting her head around this way and that at the sight of the inside. Bella followed inside though I would call it more like she had shuffled. I know she was still awkward in heels. No matter the height, she didn't trust herself in them.
"Oh my stars, your home is so lovely! The décor is so beautifully handcrafted, the paintings are exquisite why I feel like I am in such a glorious art gallery!" Renee had gushed as she took in the sights, and then briefly paused. "And Isabella, please do pick up your feet. Dragging yourself around in those heels is most unladylike. You will never learn to walk in them unless you take the time be used to the height. I have told you before my dear, it's heel-toe, heel-toe when you take your steps. You are likely to keep your balance better that way."
Bella pouted heavily at her mother but it went unnoticed since she was turned away from her. I gave her a smile that I hoped read as reassuring - that I knew her plight and could only hope it got better for her. She returned the smile and nodded her head in the very slightest. I then closed the front door and eased my way back to lead the two of them to the back room - it was next to the sunroom - as this would be where they'd be spending the afternoon together. It was just a simple small room that held two couches and two armchairs arranged around the small fireplace inside, with velvety deep pink material for the main cushions and the support being a dark wood color. The walls were a matching deep pink patterned wallpaper and the wood was a light pine color with a red large rug put in front of the couches. There was two simple windows that brought in natural light to the room where a set of double doors was opened to lead into the sunroom.
I went about helping Renee take a seat in one of the armchairs before rushing to help Bella sit on the couch to her left. Renee was smiling warmly at me. "You're such a delight to have around Mr. Masen, ever so polite in helping us ladies to sit down. Such a gentleman."
"My mother has always drilled it into me that I am to treat every lady with great care and respect, and that of course includes such simple tasks as taking a seat. And I do hope you could still call me by my name, Edward; Mr. Masen still sounds much too formal for myself when that title still belongs to my father." I said gently, giving her my half-smile - the very smile that I had used on Bella numerous times when she was a human. I had wondered if it'd work on Renee - again at least this 'version' of her - like it had when I was a vampire but granted I don't know if the full effects were really going to read just as "dazzling" as Bella put it when we were together during our time.
I suppose it might've worked since once flashing it, Renee blinked back something that might off been a dazed expression, and her cheeks brightened only the slightest. Then she let a ear splitting grin come upon her face and she took her hand to cover over her mouth while she giggled. "Oh but of course, my apologies Edward. You certainly are something else. Why isn't that right, Isabella?"
I looked over to my wife as she sat on the couch. She was busying herself with starting to unpack her items from her bag. Bella looked up upon being called and looked between her mother and I. She smiled a shy grin up at me then. "Yes mother, I do believe he is something else. I must thank you kindly for helping me sit down Edward."
"The pleasure is all mine to help." I breezed out.
"Oh Renee, Isabella! I deeply apologize for not greeting you at the door. I was busying myself in finishing all the preparation I had wanted to get done for our session today!" I turned upon hearing my mother and found she was walking into the room with a tray in her hands. It was a tray filled with the baked goods and finger sandwiches that she wanted to serve to the Swanson women. Thankfully there was a coffee table here for her to set it down.
"I'll go fetch the tea then for you ladies." I stated then, and then hurried off to the kitchen to get the tea tray so my mother didn't have to work extra hard to carry it. I would've gotten both as I was about to leave for the kitchen soon after having spoken with the two, but I see my mother beat me to the punch. I quickly grabbed the tray and with extra care to take it slow so as to not lose my balance (human grace was something I was still working on but hey, it's only been a day for me), I walked back to the room where the ladies sat.
"Oh these smell delicious Elizabeth. I feel terrible now in not thinking to bring any treats over for this session!" Renee's cry was the first thing I heard when I reentered with the tray. I set it down slowly next to the food and began to pour some into one of the cups my mother had set on top of the tray.
"Please do not worry about it too much, Renee. It was spontaneous of us to plan this and I was happy to oblige in making it all for us to eat and drink while we work today. I do not expect anything of any guests of mine as I love to host and entertain."
"That is nice to hear, Elizabeth but I still do feel terrible. Please the next time we meet again, I promise to bring treats. I have got to put Isabella to work anyways on cooking and baking. She's not done any of that with me since she was but a mere child. She cared more about exploring the outside and reading in trees than staying indoors to help me with the household matters." Renee explained, her tone turning almost exasperated as she talked about my wife. I had taken a second to glance at her from the corner of my eyes, and saw she was just fiddling with the needles and thread but I could see her cheeks turn a deep pink. She was embarassed. This was at least an intriguing extra piece of information to hear however, at least to me. For one, my Bella was never - or at least never read as such to me - to be one that would go exploring or being as bold to climb trees. She was afterall naturally clumsy which I had inklings of fear trickle in at the horrible thoughts thinking she'd hurt herself climbing trees or on any of her random adventures. But for another, it was also interesting to hear that if this is true, Bella's got some secrets still up her sleeve that I didn't know about. However, I couldn't help but wonder if this was just a weird piece of details that with Bella being thrown back in time with me, this 'Renee' was filled with details that might not be exactly true to the real nature that is my wife.
"Oh to be honest that sounds so exciting. Sometimes I feel it's better to let go of the social norms we must keep up with and have some carefree fun, every once in awhile." My mother was quick to rescue Bella, and Renee's eyes widened, as well as pulling me out of my thoughts and had me refocus back on the women.
"Really? Why I would have never guessed that about you."
"Yes, I used to be such a carefree spirit before marrying and becoming a mother with my Edward. He loved that about me but after settling down, I put those moments aside because I wanted to be sure that my husband didn't have more to stress about than he already has on his plate with his work. I wanted to keep myself safe and in tune with the home so he can come home to a peaceful haven. Having my son, Edward Jr. to even further help with the tasks and be as kind, gentle, caring and thoughtful of my feelings as well as the space surrounding us, it sure has become more relaxing for me that I do not feel the need to... well I'm sure you'd agree with me when I say that as mothers, we would view our children being wild is seen as acting out." My mother began to ramble, chuckling to herself.
After I had the tea all poured with some small amounts of sugar and milk added to the tiny cups, I began to dole them out to the women. First was to Renee, then Bella since they were our guests, before I finally gave the last cup to my mother. Renee had the biggest, toothiest grin on her face after she had received her cup and took the first sip. My mother threw a wink to me after I had handed her the last cup. Bella took it graciously and had murmured the tiniest of thank yous that I've ever heard from her. She was being very shy around me once again, which I would've been puzzled by - but this is Bella after all. My Bella. When I had met her in our time, she was shy back then and dealing with her own human nature that left her just socially awkward as is. So I couldn't help but wonder if it's amplified since she's returned to the mortal life with me - or if she had easily slipped into immortality before our predicament occurred, and now she was trying to remember how to act around me in this different era.
"Your son is honestly so helpful and kind. I thank you, Edward, for tending to our needs with the tea and handing us some food." Renee gushed and I began to feel my cheeks heat at the praise.
"As he's most likely said at this point, I've been whipping this boy into shape in being the perfect gentleman. You can see just how attentive he really is." my mother added, smiling brightly up at me.
I coughed to try and push past my embarrassment at how many compliments I was receiving, and then spoke up again. "You ladies are too kind as I'm more than happy to help out and serve you. But for now, I hope it is alright that I leave you to your afternoon activities. I plan on reading through some novels I had recently gotten. I shall be nearby should you need any assistance with anything." I then bowed once more and with one last smile thrown towards Bella, which she reciprocated, I left the room. I was merely going to be hanging around two doors down and reading my book but leaving the door open for the time being. I wanted to slightly listen in on their conversation if my human ears could've detected it but I doubt I'd be able to hear much. I had made a plan for myself at least that I'd read maybe for an hour before I'd want to try and steal Bella away from our mothers so I can try and talk to her more about our situation.
I went and got my book from upstairs before hurrying back down and taking up residence in the simple room that had two armchairs sitting inside. I began to pick up on my reading spot from where I left off the night before, half paying attention to the words but also half straining to hear the women down the hall. Our mothers set about starting up their work soon after I had left and they settled into idle chatter quickly. Renee would stop every so often to teach Bella sternly about how to do this stitch or how to stop pricking her fingers. My mother tried rescuing her with a more gentle voice to encourage her to not lose hope on her novice skills. Bella had tried to interject with the conversation periodically and had apologized for any mistakes while she did her work. But otherwise my mother and her mother dominated the conversation of nothingness.
It was just past the half hour mark when I could hear, albeit slightly, that my mother began talking to Renee about all of my positive marks. I wanted to shrink slightly as she talked about my prowess that was in the areas of literature, languages, math and sciences, everything that I had done perfectly well in my private schooling. She would ramble on and on about the top marks that I earned and how I was at the top of my class. Renee was pleased to hear about my intelligence in between her chastising my wife, and then had asked her about my future briefly. My mother went into slight details that at the moment I was at a crossroads with myself. She had mused that I could go to any private college to further my education - with one being in high hopes I'd choose law school to follow after my father. I pursed my lips at the words I could catch, but sighed. She wouldn't let up on this unless I do come up with a finalized plan in some aspect. I still had to keep in mind that I had a year before history is to repeat itself, so either I would have to go back to school for the time being - or I would have to find work somewhere somehow to start earning money and to please my mother.
Renee had mused then that it would be a wonderful and carefully planned future if I were to follow after my father, saying that I would be stable financially enough for myself - and for Bella. I felt once again my face get hot at catching the words and my heart skipped a beat. This was shocking to hear. This 'Renee' was very much different from the real mother of my Bella. Renee in our time was adamant against young marriage after her tumultuous divorce with Charlie, namely because she had realized she married for the wrong reasons and became a mother way too young. She was always pushing Bella to go to college, leave me behind so she could focus on her work and perhaps find someone else other than picking me to be the only one for her as I was Bella's first and only boyfriend at the time. Bella chose me in the end and we married young; Renee eventually sucked it up because she wanted to see her daughter happy - but I knew in the back of her mind she feared that she would regret not going in the other direction that she had a choice in.
"Why Renee! Are you implying already that our children are to be wed?" I could hear my mother cry out in shock but had giggled giddily right after. Renee copied her.
"Oh perhaps, but I just may be getting ahead of myself. Still the thought is there that Edward should be choosing stability not only for himself but his future wife."
My mother agreed and had said that not only would I truthfully have merit in a career such as a lawyer, but I would have no doubt be perfectly capable of being a pianist. Renee had made a humming noise and asked her if I play the piano. My mother admitted that yes I did. Then, she called for me.
"Edward my son, could you please come here?"
"Yes mother, be there in a moment." I called back. I placed the bookmark back into the book on the page I left on, set it aside for now on the nearby end-table, and then rose from my seat before walking back to the women. I entered to find both Renee and Elizabeth deep into their sewing, still stitching with brilliant ease and speed. My poor wife however, was struggling with her needlework. I could see thimbles on her tiny fingers; she must've pricked herself so often that my mother was kind enough to try and save her skin from any further damage to have those on her. She looked up at me when she felt my eyes on her.
"Edward my dear son, I think it would be most calming and brilliant if you were to take Isabella to your piano room and that you play for her! I believe poor Bella needs a break from her needles before she becomes too bloodied and bruised at the pricking. I hope you do not mind it Renee but I feel he could mesmerize the dear with his music as he does with everyone he meets. We'd be able to hear the music too from our sitting here just perfectly. Do have faith in me that the two of them will be fine together and I'm sure once he is done showing off his prowess, he'll return her lickedy split." my mother tried to butter up Renee about me, smiling such a crooked grin - that I just realized now is the same grin that I had gained - while she gazed over at Renee. No wonder Bella saw it as dazzling; on my mother the half grin was stunning on her timeless face.
Renee blinked back her dazed look once more - no doubt unable to think my mother was just beautiful in every sense - and then nodded her head. "Oh I think that would be heavenly for my daughter. She loves her music so much but she could stand to watch your son play. It may rub off on her; I tried fruitlessly to get her lessons when she was younger but she had grown bored of it quickly. Isabella, you may leave your needlework for now and join Edward so he may play you his music. I do expect you to return and continue your piece. We'll work on salvaging it." Renee said to her daughter. Bella nodded her head and set her things down, carefully taking off the thimbles on her fingers. I walked over to her and offered her my arm. She used it as leverage to stand, where soon as her hands grazed me, that familiar spark ignited itself between us. I gave her a smile and she ducked her head shyly.
I led her out of the room, going at her pace as she walked carefully in her heels. I thanked my luck that my piano room was a distance away but within earshot that they could still hear it - but hopefully would not hear us talking too much. Bella took in the sights of the hallways in my home, silently gazing from wall to wall. I kept silent while I guided her, feeling my heart stutter. I was going to be alone with my wife and I couldn't shake those hormones that were beginning to rear its ugly head once more. Curse these emotions.
Finally we reached the piano room. I opened the door and gestured for her to enter. She gasped at the sight of the piano and walked slowly towards it, letting her fingers graze delicately over it. "Edward this is so beautiful. And all your music..." she spoke quietly, her eyes lifting to see the shelves. I hummed, watching her move around in the space but my eyes flitted between down the hall in the direction of where our mothers sat, and then took in the sight of her figure. My Bella was breathtaking in any shape or form to me. When she had given birth to our daughter, she had been deathly thin due to the nature of her pregnancy as Reneesme had slowly been killing her; once I had saved and turned her, her womanly figure filled out perfectly that she had curves in the right places. When she was a human though, she still had curves but they weren't as prominent as they were before our situation occurred. She was back to that state since she was mortal again. The dress for women during this era try to keep things simple and hidden; any curves that were to be shown off was far too revealing and vulgar. Women would be shamed for it. So dresses, skirts and blouses made sure that everything was kept as straight and narrow as possible. They still suffered due to the corsets they had to endure that try to give them only mild curvature under all the layers. I feared she was suffering such a fate while standing there taking in the piano and music. She had complained about as much yesterday upon our meeting.
Still, staring at her regardless did things to my teenage boy body. I knew down south my trousers were straining in the slightest while my heart was quickened with impure thoughts. I was alone with her, no hard gazes to be watching us mindfully. She didn't know what things she still does to me even after all this time. It was going to be so hard trying to reign myself in. But for now, perhaps I could taste the wine just a bit.
With this in mind, I hummed and then with one last fleeting glance outside the room, I quietly strode in and stood behind her, ensnaring her around the waist. She quietly gasped and turned her head towards me in shock, those cheeks of her darkening. I carefully turned her body towards mine and held up a single finger to my lips, silently telling her we need to be quiet. "Bella, I've missed you dearly. Even though we saw one another yesterday, I was so deathly afraid it had been a cruel dream in seeing you here with me. I apologize for what I'm about to do, but I can't hold it back any longer. Please entertain me with this." I whispered to her and then with one hand cupping her cheek, I lowered myself to her lips.
Heaven.
She hiccuped out a squeak that thankfully was such a tiny squeak I don't think anyone would be able to hear it. But soon as our lips touched, the electricity that had been thrumming between us ignited. It was a fiery explosion soon as I felt her lips. They meshed with mine, mostly messily. I had been used to kissing her when we were both immortal and this was so new to me. I never experienced my first kiss during my human years; I was again, never interested in anyone of the opposite sex during this time. Things were different though since I had Bella here with me. It felt amazing as soon as I took her bottom lip in-between my teeth, gently nibbling on it. Bella shuttered underneath me and then crushed herself closer to me. I let a soft moan - doing my best to keep myself as hushed as I could - as I felt through her blouse the curves to her breasts hitting my chest. I lowered my hands from around her thin waist to rest on her small hips, gripping them tightly for a brief moment while she mirrored my nibbling with her own small teeth. I let my tongue slip out to enter her tiny mouth and she willingly let me in, her tongue peeking out to entangle with mine where we fought for dominance.
Her human scent that was the usual strawberries, freesia and lavender washed over me and I could feel myself wanting to lose myself in it forever. It was again not as strong as it would've been were I a vampire. But it was still so intoxicating to me as a mortal that I took in a deep breath while our lips twisted around one another. All too soon, I realized that yet another age old mortal need was coming through - breathing. I was in desperate need for air and I was sure she needed it too; if we didn't get it soon, we'd likely pass out. So I regretfully pulled away from her, where we both groaned very quietly at the loss, but did our best to take in air through gasps that weren't horribly loud. My thoughts as I remained lip-locked with her during our first kiss since we've been sent here were starting to become impure the more I stayed with her. Bella would've let go of my lips and I would have let my lips drift down her neck, kissing each piece of skin I could find though it would be a struggle since her blouse did everything to keep her modest. I would've solved that by unbuttoning her top slowly and get to her covered chest before I'd bury myself in it and then she wouldn't be able to control her moans. I would've done what I could to rid her of her clothes and she would've done the same...
I shook my head to try and dispel the tantalizing imagery that began to cloud my perverse mind. Bella's face was deeply flushed and she raised a hand to her chest while she took deep breaths.
"Uh..." she murmured gently, her eyes flitting to various parts on my face and my body. Her eyes paused briefly on my crotch and the blush deepened. I moved forward and hugged her to me, burying my nose in her hair.
"Love please don't look down there, or I will have to ruin my gentleman façade and then your mother will find you in a compromising position." I whispered to her and she gasped a breath of shock.
"Edward!-"
"Please, I need a moment as I'm sure you do too. I need to calm myself down before we begin talking." I murmured, kissing her hair and then pulling away to sit down on my piano bench. I sat down and took a hand to the back of my neck to scratch at the skin there, doing all I could to think of unpleasant thoughts so it would push the carnal feelings out. It took some time before finally I could feel my heart calm down and the pain down below had eased. I sat up straight and saw Bella standing behind me; her breathing had returned to normal as did the natural color to her cheeks. She was watching me carefully. I extended a free hand to her and she put her small hand in mine. With the sparks flowing between us through our skin, I gently tugged her over to sit next to me on the bench.
"There. All is right." I whispered and she smiled up at me.
"That was... honestly something so different." she murmured.
"Different as in good, though? I will admit, that was amazing for me. I've been so used to feeling your lips as an immortal - both when you were human and when you were turned. But feeling you as a human, it's..." I trailed off, letting my hand reach up to graze her cheek. She turned her head with my hand so that touch wouldn't end so quickly.
"Yes. I never felt so much for you like I did when you kissed me." she whispered shyly, looking up at me with her bottom lip being bitten. I can feel the beast roaring again deep within... She was breathtaking. I smirked and bent down to peck her lips, still grinning that when I pulled away she was pouting. I knew she wanted to have another deep kiss.
"We can keep discussing our emotions soon here my dear but I should get to playing some music. Renee may be questioning why it's still so silent." I whispered before I stood and went over to my collection of music sheets on the shelves. I sifted through some of the papers and pulled out a decent handful of concert pieces that I had as well as my mother's piece. Bella was lightly touching the keys when I returned to sit beside her.
"So... climbing trees, going off to explore?" I mused quietly to her while I worked to set the papers up on the stand. I gave her another smirk when she giggled to herself.
"Yes, honestly I'm a bit surprised that seems to be my 'past' while I'm here. I must admit to you Edward, I'm a bit... thrown through a loop with my parents while I'm here. My 'mother' and 'father' are so unlike Charlie and Renee, it's weird. I'm so used to Renee's flightiness, her quirks and the fact she's wanted to take on so many weird projects to keep herself occupied creatively. Not to mention her desires to dissuade me from marrying young. And I was so used to Charlie's awkward, gruff personality. But now, these versions of them are so off-putting. My mom is so stern and uptight with rules and norms of this time period, while doing so many household tasks to keep things in order. She's pushing me to learn so many skills and things about being a lady while saying I'll never find a man to marry me. And Charlie is just as equally stern; I honestly feel like he just cares more about his daughter not being a hussy than he does about my well being..." Bella rambled quietly to me, staring down at her hands while she spoke.
Once the papers were arranged carefully so they'd remain upright for me, I reached down and took hold of her hands in mine. Bella looked up at me then. "Darling, I know it's quite frustrating having to go through all of that. I'm sorry to say but that was basically the norm during this era. Parents had to be strict with their children to ensure they wouldn't do anything to embarrass the family name; reputation namely for the upper class mattered so much more than for lower class families. Sadly the boys would not be as punished because they could get away with more. But the girls had much more on their plates to be seen as upright, outstanding women of society that would not be some floozy. You had more to take care of in the home since there was cleaning and cooking to be done, not to mention that it was the women's role to be taking care of any offspring while the men went to their jobs and bring home the money. It helped some that upper class folks could have servants and maids - and at that point, women of the house had to find their own means of entertainment as tasks were taken care of for them." I explained gently and she puffed our her cheeks a bit in a frustrated sigh.
"I know, and I know it will take some time for me to adjust. I hate the fashion, the expectations that I have to take on as a girl, the fact I can't do anything that I used to do for fun." she muttered.
"It will come with time that you'll adjust." I said, squeezing her hands before letting go and then placing them on my piano. "I promise you this though, that I have plans in my mind to try and ease up your boredom so you and I can spend time together." I added, smiling. And then I began to play the first piece before me which was a concert piece. Bella listened for a bit, her eyes looking dreamy as she took in the notes. I will always enjoy playing the piano, and it's even more special when I have my wife sitting next to me, watching and listening with rapt attention. She loved to hear me play, ever since I brought her over to our home in our time and played her lullaby for her the first time.
After a few minutes of listening, Bella began to talk again. "What are these plans of yours? I recall briefly that back when you and I were dating and that you wished you could've done things properly from your time, you mentioned courting. Is that your overarching plan to woo me and whisk me away so I'm not dying from boredom?"
I snickered at her teasing. "Well, you've hit the nail on the head. Are you sure you're not the mind reader between us?" Bella snorted very quietly and poked me in the ribs. "Ow, love please you'll break one of my ribs doing that." I continued to tease and she rolled her brown eyes at me.
"Please, a jab won't break bones. But it does mean that now I free reign to give you some smacks for your boyish attitude."
I chuckled now down at her and shook my head. "Yes though, I have plans to court you. Already I think your mother is impressed by the showboating I've been doing so she can see that I'm a good match for you - she's already hinted that seemingly she'd want you to be my wife earlier and I frankly think that's the best sign I could ask from her to proceed. Of course I plan to go about it right - and well that means I have to formally ask your parents. Renee may be easier to sell the plan to, but Charlie - er, well Charles I guess - I know will be a lot harder. The man wanted to strangle me yesterday." I continued, grimacing at the memories.
"If looks could kill, he's got it down to a fine point. But he's still like Charlie in every way when you and I were dating." Bella supplied to me, frowning.
"I still think I'll be able to convince the both of them that you're it for me and that I want you as my wife. When we're going out during this courtship, we'll be able to see each other more than just these sporadic get togethers that our mothers would like to have - and it'd be more reason for me to steal you away to spend time with you. Of course, chaperones are to be expected so we may not have complete solace without someone watching. And lord knows, that you and I can't exactly have our... moments unless I'm absolutely sure no one is within sight." I whispered, and her cheeks reddened. Bella caught onto what I was hinting easily.
"I honestly don't know how long I would be able to go without kissing you..." she whispered shyly. A groan hit the back of my throat and she looked up at me. I could feel my body react to her admission.
"You are a minx still, even during this time. And you don't even realize it." I whispered huskily to her, leaning down and kissing her lips. I tried to make sure I was still playing the music so our mothers wouldn't want to come investigate us but I was going to slip on a note here and there no doubt. Especially so as once our lips reconnected, the sparks between us set my insides on fire while she tried her best to deepen the kiss. It took every ounce within me to not let my hands go off the keys so I could grab her and guide her lower half to mine if I were to shift her into my lap. I wretched myself away from her, gulping down some air while my heart stuttered. She looked up at me through half-lidded eyes, eyes exceptionally dark with lust I could imagine. "This task of courting you will prove so difficult if I can't reign in my human emotions. You don't know the half of it with every single dirty fantasy I have running through my teenage brain."
"Edward, you're insatiable." she breathed, giggling slightly. I snickered then, doing what I could to calm myself down before focusing back on the music. We took a few moments to let ourselves be quiet while I played. When the piece was done, I moved onto the next piece and let the notes play out. Finally she spoke up again. "I would love it though if we can pull it off. I'll gladly take any chances that I could with you to spend time with you; you could show me your hometown now through your human eyes, we can experience foods and smells together, as well as outdoor activities. Anything that we could imagine that we can do together, I'd love to see it."
"So be it your wish, I will do what I can to ensure I grant it." I said simply, smiling down at her.
"That reminds me... well honestly it's still sitting in the back of my head that I'm floored as to how and why we're here." she began again, pursing her lips.
"That's also what I wanted to talk to you about, really the main reason why I had tried coming up with a plan to steal you away from your sewing with our mothers." I supplemented, nodding slightly to her so she could begin talking again.
"Have you managed to come up with any ideas as to why we're here or how you and I have been able to hold onto all of our memories?" she asked, looking up at me. I sat there silently, mulling over some of the theories I had come up with to myself while I let the music fill the silence.
"Well I've only come up with possibly two theories, my dear. One of them might be more plausible than the other - but I feel at the same time they could work together in answering just how we're able to hold onto our memories like we did." I began then after several moments of just the music filling the room. She turned herself slightly to incline herself more towards me and sat patiently. "As you recall of what happened between us before we ended up here, you and I were both weak and dizzy. I had managed to get to the hallway where you were and had crawled towards you to grab you and hold you in arms before we slipped into unconsciousness. Now, I don't know if you might remember this or were even aware of it but did you maybe use your shield to try and protect us?" I asked. Bella's breath caught in her through and she stared up at me wide eyed.
"Oh my god, yes! I did! I was so terrified as to what was happening to us that I think I tried encasing us in my shield to protect ourselves from any mental attacks. I thought that's what was going on between us and that if I could stop it we'd be able to shake off the weakness..." she trailed off.
I nodded my head to her. "That is what I think might've saved us then Bella. Whoever or whatever sent us back here, I don't know if they intended for us to have our memories wiped of each other or if they didn't think that through. But your quick thinking of using your shield I think at least saved us from having our memories completely cleared of one another. I do wonder why the fact that when you used it it didn't immediately stop the blanket being pulled over us, but I don't know for sure if it was just a means of too little too late once the full effects took us over or if it was strong enough to push passed the shield. But that's at least one theory that I think that would explain why you and I know everything about our lives still even though none of it has technically happened at this point."
"But... why did I get brought back here with you?"
"What do you mean? Are you having second thoughts of finding me back here in time?" I teased her, and she rolled her eyes again.
"You're ridiculous, you joker. But no it's not that. I feel like... or fear at least that whoever sent us here, I'm scared to think that I wasn't supposed to be brought here with you. I had gotten the weird weak feeling after you did. I wonder if you were supposed to be pulled to be back here by yourself without me. Something happened or we did something that let you bring me with you."
"That I feel could just be explained something as simple as the fact that I had grabbed you in the hallway and held you to me the entire time before we fell out of consciousness." I stated simply. It was a plain answer and honestly nothing still that held merit but that's all that I could think of. Bella pursed her lips, but nodded her head eventually with a slight shrug.
"I guess that's sound enough for a reason. Oh... you said you had possibly another theory, one that would tie into the first one?" she asked, raising a brown eyebrow up at me.
"Yes I did. This might be me overthinking things but it's just a slight chance that it could be likely. You see when we were at the mall earlier that day, getting clothes for you and Reneesme, I had just a small thought hit me while we were waiting in line to pay for her clothes. Do you recall the mother and her children that was with her, in front of us?" Bella nodded her head again. "Well, you were right there was something on my mind that day, that I didn't want to tell you in that moment. You wouldn't have admitted it then but I could see in your eyes this dazed expression... you were enamored at the sight of the little baby that was being played with. I knew in that moment you wanted another baby."
"Edward..." she trailed off to interrupt me, furrowing her eyebrows at me. "You know that I wouldn't have done it any differently back then. I was more than happy with what I received. I was able to marry you, we had our beautiful honeymoon, and we got the miracle to have a child together before I was turned. I wouldn't have given any of that up to just have a boring, normal human life with some other man that wouldn't ever be like you. Not being able to have forever is not a fair trade in my eyes just so I can have more children." Bella murmured to me.
"I know sweetheart, trust me I know that. But still... I feel as if I was a failure of a husband to you. I want to give you everything and anything in the world that your heart desires the moist. You wouldn't have admitted it then if I told you but I knew you loved the sight, the smell, the sounds of that baby. I wouldn't trade anything for the fact we did have Reneesme, but if I had the chance to still be able to let you have a child again, and again and again - I would gladly do anything to give it to you." I said to her with raw emotions, trying to gulp down the sadness that peaked when I spoke of it. "If there's anything I do regret more now that I have had time to reflect on it is the fact that I wasn't there for you as much as I should've been during your pregnancy with Reneesme. I was clouded with poor judgement and worry to be there for you and I deeply regret my actions." I added in a small whisper.
Bella raised a hand to hold it to my cheek, looking deep into my eyes. "Edward please, I don't hold it against you. You were scared for the unknown because it was unheard of at the time to get pregnant from a vampire and to live past the birthing process - you thought I was going to die and you didn't want to see me go through the pain. You didn't want anything happening to me and you didn't realize that our daughter was a beautiful creature in there until you heard her thoughts. I pushed you away so I am just as is in fault. But you and I have since worked past that and look where I ended up? I ended up as a mother, you a father, and I became like you so we could live out our forever. At least... that was our place before we ended up here." she said quietly, offering me a small sad smile.
"Still... any man should be excited and happy for their wife when they're pregnant with their child. I did the opposite and wanted nothing more than to end our little girl's life. You don't know how upset I feel with myself. Even now as we have her and she will be with us forever, I regret that now you have no chances of being able to have more children with me - I see how you look at other children from humans around us." I whispered, and she shook her head.
"Edward! My son, do you think you could return sweet Isabella? Renee would like for her to continue her work!" Elizabeth's shout caused the bubble between my wife and I to burst and we reeled away from one another. I blinked and saw I had long since finished playing the music on the stand. I feared I had been so engrossed with Bella during our private chatter that I failed to realize I had stopped playing - and wondered if my mom heard as such to where Renee felt like our time was up. Bella frowned heavily at the shout.
"Yes mother, I will be out with her soon enough!" I shouted back then, sighing and looking down at Bella. She was biting her bottom lip again and began to fiddle with her fingers, where she might be picking at the scabs and pricked areas after she had accidentally jabbed herself during her work. I reached down to place my hand on her cheek and gently pulled her to look back at me.
"We seem to keep being interrupted from our private chats often, my love." I murmured wryly, smirking. Bella let loose a small giggle but nodded her head.
"It's frustrating me to no end... I feel as if we have no time anymore for ourselves." she grumbled and I chuckled.
"Do not worry, Bella. I'll see to getting started on the courtship so you and I can have more time together. I promise." I whispered and then leaned down to capture her lips in mine thrice over. The sparks lit through us and I leaned into her, my arm going down beside her left side as I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. She willingly accepted me into her mouth and placed her hands on top of my shoulders, squeezing. I could only assume she wanted to dig her hands into my hair but I think she was restraining herself so as to not make a mess of my hair that would no doubt be questioned by our mothers if they saw it in that state. We let our tongues dance and try to prolong our private moment as long as we could, where I could feel my hormones kick in once more and I wanted nothing more than to press her against my piano where I would hike up that skirt of hers and dive into the desired home plate that was her.
But my mother shouted out my name again question. I sighed and once again wretched myself from Bella, who whimped at the loss. She pouted up at me and I smirked, clearing my throat.
"Soon Bella. I promise." I whispered, and she sighed. With that I stood up from the piano bench and offered her my arm. She took it and stood carefully next to me. After I was sure that my raging emotions were under control, I led us out of my piano room.
Soon couldn't be soon enough.
A/N: And there's the next chapter. Probably very wordy or lots of information overload but I had to cover some bases before ending the chapter.
Hopefully too the answer of the "how they were able to hold onto their memories" was answered as to me it makes some sense.
We'll see where our little human Bella and Edward will be heading to next in their adventures. Until next time,
~Lady Eleanora~