Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

An Imperfect Life

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 11: Mood Music

(APOV)

We got home from school. I was so excited about tonight.

“Carlisle, Esme” I called.

They were there in seconds.

“Yes Alice” they chimed together.

“We have company coming in a few hours!” I squealed.

“May I ask who our company will be?” Carlisle asked.

“Sheriff Swans Kids, Emmett and Bella.”

“Oh” was Carlisle’s reply.

He looked toward Edward who just nodded and shrugged his shoulders. How can he be so nonchalant about this. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled. I knew it. He is completely stoked. I watched as he made his way upstairs. I’ll go talk to him, but first things first.

“Esme would you be so gracious as to cook for us this evening?”

“I would be delighted Alice.”

“And Carlisle you just be your charming self.” He smiled at me.

“Alright Alice”.

“Jasper” I yelled even though I didn’t have to. I was just so excited.

“Yes Alice?” Jasper said.

“Could you please make sure that Rosalie is on her best behavior.”

“Already on it.” he replied.

I made quick work of the cleaning. I put out the good china and silverware. Now to speak with Edward. I was at his door in a flash.

“Ed….”

“Come in Alice” he cut me off.

Of course he knew it was me.

“Edward how come you don’t seem as excited about tonight as the rest of us. Even Jasper is excited to speak with Bella again.”

“Alice” he said and I watched the smile spread across his face.

He was over to me in a second. Hugging me and spinning in circles. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alice you have no idea how happy I am!”

“Why don’t you tell me.” I coaxed.

“Alice, Bella and I spent all 6th hour talking and getting to know each other. She is the most wonderful person I have ever met. Next to you of course.”

That made me smile.

“She talked to me, she didn’t shy away. She actually brushed me off.”

“Oh Edward.” I shook my head. “We must get ready they will be here in a hour. Here wear this”. I threw a pair of tan chinos with matching sweater at him.

” It brings out your eyes.”

Now for everyone else! I heard him chuckle as I skipped out of the room.

(BPOV)

Emmett was bouncing around like a child who was told he was getting a new toy. I’m glad to see him so happy, even if I don’t understand it. We were do at the Cullen’s at 7pm. That gives us 3 hours before we have to be there. I called Charlie to let him know Emmett and I were going out for dinner. He said that was fine he was working overnight anyway. I got off the phone with Charlie and decided to go start getting ready. I got a quick shower and went to my closet to see what I could find. I looked over the clothes I had there and I couldn’t find anything I deemed appropriate. So It was time to enter the forbidden wardrobe, as I opened the door I saw the large variety of dresses I owned. Ugh! I have always had these, in case we had important dinners to go to when we lived in the city. We were once invited to the governor’s Ball, because of Charlie being on the police force. I dug through the clothes in there and decided on a sea foam green knee length sun dress, with white cork sandals. I went to my bathroom to take a look at my hair; of course it was a mess. I pulled a brush through it and pulled it into a high ponytail, leaving some small strands around my face which I curled along with my bangs. I applied some eyeliner and eye shadow. Smeared my lips with some strawberry lip-gloss to finish the look.

Emmett came in my room then.

“You look lovely” he said smiling.

“Thank you. Your not so bad looking yourself.” I replied.

He had on a pair of black dress pants and a gray sweater with a black and white strip that wrapped all the way around his chest. His hair was spiked with jell till each hair was standing straight up. He looked handsome.

“Well Bells you ready to go?” he asked. “Alice already called with directions.”

Oh good I  forgot we didn’t know where they lived.

“Yeah Emmy I’m ready. This is as good as it’s gonna get” he chuckled at my lack of enthusiasm.

“You know your excited to go see Edward!” he wiggled his eyebrows at me. I slugged him hard in the shoulder.

 “Rosalie Hale has nothing to do with your eagerness to get out the door?” I said.

“Touché” was all he said.

It took us 45 minutes. To get to the Cullen house. Their driveway was one of those hidden ones with the signs. It was surrounded by trees on either side so you couldn’t see anything. We pulled into an open meadow. The house rose up out from among a sea of flower beds and rose bushes. The house was huge. 3 stories high. The outside was a pale peach color. The roof was made of Terra-cotta tiles. It looked like a house out of a story book. The porch completely circled the lower portion of the house. Potted plants and hanging baskets littered the porch. There was a swing hanging just off the side of the front door. It was perfect. I was nauseous. We parked next to the house and got out. We walked to the front door and just as I was about to knock the door flew open.

(EPOV)

I heard their vehicle turn onto the driveway. I rushed down stairs. I couldn’t wait to start this evening. I could only imagine how beautiful Bella would look. I waited by the door for them to get to the porch. Just as they were about to knock I opened the door. Bella looked stunned.

“Hello Edward” she managed to squeak out.

“Welcome, won’t you come in?” I said stepping aside to let them pass.

“Thank you” Bella smiled.

“Hey dude how’s it goin?” Emmett asked.

“Cool here and yourself?” I replied.

“Swell dude swell!” he responded.

I lead them into the sitting room. Alice was already there bouncing around.

“HI Bella” Alice chimed as she hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“Don’t you look dashing Emmett” Alice approved.

Great he gets bonus points. If Rosalie gets her way he’ll become Alice’s favorite. Jasper then wandered in.

“Hello Emmett, Bella. Welcome.”

He shook Emmett’s hand, then walked over and kissed Bella’s cheek. I became suddenly and outrageously jealous. Jasper looked over at me and raised his eyebrows at me. I knew I didn’t have anything to worry about Jasper was with Alice. I just shrugged. He smiled and shook his head. A wave of calm rushed the room. I mouthed Thank you to Jasper. Again he nodded.

“Something smells wonderful” Bella said sniffing the air.

“That would be dinner” I told her. “Would you like to meet the cook?” I asked. A smile came across her face.

“Yes I would”. I lead Bella into the kitchen where Esme was flitting all over the place. Stirring this and mixing that.

“Mom” Esme turned to look at us with the most welcoming smile.

“Oh hello dear, this lovely young lady must be Bella. I’ve heard so much about you. Alice and Edward haven’t stopped talking about you since they met you.” Bella shrugged, I would have blushed if it were possible.

“Mom” I whined a little.

“Oh sorry Edward. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Esme apologized.

“It’s fine mom, and yes this is Bella. Emmett is in the other room with Jasper and Alice.”

“Well then you two go have fun and I will call you when dinner is ready.”

“Yes ma’am” I said.

We exited the kitchen but I didn’t want to be with anyone but Bella. Then an idea hit me.

“Bella, would you like a tour of the house?” I asked hoping she would say yes.

“Sure why not.” she said. If I had a pulse it would be racing.

“Follow me” I said reaching for her hand. She hesitated for a minute then grabbed hold of my hand. I lead Bella upstairs, pointing out the different art work on the walls and the story behind each one. She was full of questions. I answered them as truthfully as I could. I showed her all the rooms in the house except my siblings rooms. I don’t think Alice would mind but Rose would have a cow. When we made it to the third floor I showed her the restroom first. Then it was my room, she asked about my books and Cd’s. she asked what CD was my favorite. I told her it was Debussy. She looked shocked, but when I asked what was wrong she smiled seeming wistful and said it was her favorite too. I wondered where she went just then. Our final stop was the library. I took it from her expression that she loved to read. Then her eyes settled on my piano in the corner. She caught me off guard when she turned to me and asked

“Do you play?” I smiled at her and replied

“Yes I do, would you like to hear me play?” I saw her eyes brighten at my answer.

“Yes Please” was all she said.

I lead her to the window seat closest to the piano. She sat with her legs curled under her. I sat and began to play. I watched Bella as she closed her eyes and leaned into the window. She seemed to be enjoying the music. I hadn’t noticed that the song I started playing had morphed into something else entirely. A brand new melody I haven’t heard before. That’s when I realized Bella was humming along with the rhythm like she had heard this song everyday of her entire life. I finished the song and Bella looked up at me. I motioned for her to come sit with me on the piano bench. She seemed unsure but joined me anyway. She gently stroked the keys on the piano. She noticed me watching her. She stopped, looked at me and said ” Do you mind?”

I smiled and said “Not at all.”

Then she allowed her fingers to take their proper positions on the keys and began to play the most beautiful melody I have ever heard. Every note she played flowed flawlessly into the next. Was there anything this enchanting girl can’t do? I asked myself. Then I realized we were no longer alone. It seems Bella’s beautiful music called to them. As Bella’s song came to an end Emmett looked at Bella and said

“That was Beautiful Bells… I haven’t heard you play like that in years.” Bella blushed. Finally realizing she had a audience. Rosalie was even smiling. Her thoughts were smug.

‘she may actually play better then you Edward’

Then she winked at me. Jasper and Alice were thinking in unison, one word, ‘Beautiful’. Esme’s voice broke through the calm in the room.

“Dinner is ready” she chimed.

The others turned on their heels and left. I helped Bella up from bench. Then like the others we headed toward the dining room.

(JPOV)

We were all just hanging around the sitting room. Edward took Bella to the kitchen to meet Esme. So I sat on one of the bean bags on the floor and turned on the X box. I think I could get a few rounds of wrestling in before dinner. Emmett must have noticed what I was doing and asked if he could join. I’ve never had someone who wanted to play against me. We sat on the bean bags going match after match. Emmett really got into it. His emotions were raw and exciting. Which of course got me going as well. Alice and Rose sat on the sofa behind us cheering us on. I guess I was sending them the emotions of Emmett too. I heard Edward ask Bella if she would like a tour of the house and she replied noncommittally, a strong wave of emotions crashed into me. Nervous, happy, excited, scared, puzzled, determined. What a mix. One last emotion was extremely strong. Desire. ‘Edward’, I thought. I know he could hear me. I heard him whisper “sorry Jazz”. I chuckled, but continued to wrestle with Emmett. Minutes passed and we hear the piano music coming from upstairs. Edward was playing again. He hasn’t played since we moved here 2 years ago. This girl is bringing him back to life. He played beautifully. Somewhere along the way the melody of his usual song changed as if someone else took over. Still I could hear the beauty in the notes. I could also hear someone humming. Bella? Strange. Then it stopped. A new song began. This one was the most glorious song I had ever heard. Edward was out doing himself. Something about the tune called to me. It was obviously calling to the others as well cause we were all heading toward the stairs following the harmonies that claimed us. It was soothing, I myself have never felt this calm before. We were approaching the library door. We stopped. I was stunned to find that is was Bella playing not Edward. I saw a smile spread across Emmett’s face. This must be a good thing then. Bella’s emotions were always very deep. I kept them to myself so as not to alert Edward. Bella was very broken. Her emotions were all over the map. Happy, sad, confused, scared, lonely, but mostly angry. I couldn’t sort it out. Something must have happened that sent her on this roller coaster of emotions. I would have to be sneaky about this so as not to tip off Edward. Right now Bella’s feelings were so confusing to me. It was as if she left the room. There was nothing. Like she left her body. The song was ending and the only thought that crossed my mind was ‘Beautiful‘.

It was then I noticed everyone standing around me. Bella herself came out of the trance caused by the music. She suddenly had a wave of embarrassment hit her. She must have realized we were here. She blushed, going by what Emmett had said she had played before but not for a long time. I have noticed many similarities between her and Edward. They both seem to have strong emotions they can’t control. Their love of music and literature is obvious. They both seem to be intelligent beyond their years. I wonder if it is fate that they were brought together. Edward didn’t seem to even hear my speculations. He seemed to still be in a trance. Whatever power this girl has over him was strong. I can feel the admiration he has for Bella, and truthfully I don’t blame him. She is strong, kind, talented, beautiful in mind, body and spirit. She is the complete package. She is either going to be a curse or a blessing. Only time will tell. I was brought out of my thoughts by Esme telling us dinner was ready. We all retreated down stairs. Edward and Bella trailing behind. I could feel the emotional turmoil building inside Edward. Love, lust, need, desire. Others as well. Protection, fear, hope, sadness. God this boy is gonna drive me crazy. I will speak with him later to help sort this out. We all sat in our seats around the table. Esme was starting to serve dinner when were heard Carlisle come in. He had been called to the hospital on an emergency after Alice had told him about our company. He entered the room and went straight over to Esme. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheeks. The love radiating off them filled the room without any influence from me. Alice grabbed my hand under the table. I smiled. I could only hope me and Alice could feel half the love they have. Edward cleared his throat, and brought the room back into focus. Carlisle just smiled. He finally realized our guests at the table.

“How rude of me, I have yet to introduce myself.” he said.

“I’m Dr. Cullen, but you may call me Carlisle.”

Bella smiled and spoke.

“Hello Dr. Cullen…My name is Bella and this is my brother Emmett.”

She placed her hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

“Oh yeah…Hello.” we all started to laugh. Emmett flushed red.

“OK settle down. Dinner’s getting cold.” Esme scolded.

We all settled into our seats and Esme served dinner. The rest of the evening was uneventful. When we finished eating, or pretending to eat, we all went to the living room. All expect Edward and Bella. They headed back upstairs to the library. I guess Bella wanted to hear Edward play again.

After sometime we heard the piano playing again. I could tell I didn’t know this song so I figured it was Bella playing again. I could hear Edward sigh. Her music was extremely beautiful. We all just sat and listened, not talking, not moving. It was really peaceful. Bella really could calm a room down just by playing. Then all to soon her music stopped and we heard her speak to Edward.

“It’s getting late, Emmett and I should really be going.” she told him.

I could feel the sadness come from him.

“Awe man I don’t wanna go yet. I was having a great time” Emmett replied.

We all chuckled. Edward and Bella appeared at the door to the living room just then.

“Sorry Emmett, maybe we could come by another time if it would be okay?” she said in a questioning tone.

“That would be great.” Alice chimed in.

“Well then Emmett lets go and not wear out our welcome” Bella told him.

He stood and walked over to her. She smiled at all of us and they said their good byes. Then they left out the front door. We all sat and listened as they drove away. I could tell Alice and Edward were both sad to see them leave. The one that caught me off guard was Rosalie. She also seemed upset but also a new emotion longing…okay now I’m confused. I will have to get to the bottom of this. Edward looked over to me as he heard my thoughts and smiled. He knows something!

“Edward, can I have a word with you” I asked

“Sure Jasper” he smiled at me.

This can’t be good. He chuckled. Yep like I said not good.

We walked out the glass doors in the back of living room. I followed him for a long while before he stopped and sat down on a tree that had fallen over.

“OK Jazz let’s have it” he stated.

“Well I was wondering about all the emotions you were feeling toward Bella earlier?”

“Jazz I wish I could explain them to you but I myself have no idea about them. I was actually hoping you could tell me.” he said.

Oh great we are both lost.

“Okay so no help there. What about Rosalie?” I asked.

With that he smiled. I knew it! He knows something.

“Well Jazz yes I know why Rosalie is feeling the emotions she is putting off. You see I think Rosalie is falling for Emmett.” he said.

My jaw dropped. I think it actually hit the forest floor. He of course laughed at this.

“What. Why. How?”

“Jazz just go with it. It could be a good thing…Think about it. If Rose is happy the rest of us can be too!”

I thought about this for a minute. And of course like always Edward was right. I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye. Smug little punk. At that he laughed. We continued the rest of the night talking over the evening and how he felt about what was going on between him and Bella. The future is looking brighter as the night progresses and I don’t need Alice’s visions to see that.