Accompanied sonata - chapter five

[herumtreiber]

Title: Chapter five
Author: herumtreiber 
Rating: NC-17
Characters: Edward/Jacob
Word count: 3,511
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does. Nor do I make any money from this writing.
Notes: This occurs just after Eclipse. Edward mulls over his upcoming marriage. The tweet wording is from wirrrn 


Chapter one



Chapter four

I entered the foyer of our house, my mouth dripping with blood. I hastily took out my handkerchief and wiped my lips, mindful of my mother's careful housekeeping.

It was Carlisle who told me to feed because my eyes were getting darker. I'd been too preoccupied with Bella's reactions if I told her I was breaking up with her to care much about food. Jake worried me too. From what Seth had told me and the ideas swirling around the Quileute boy when he thought about his friend, I knew Jake would take it badly if Bella overreacted to our breakup as was her wont.

My family wasn't making things easier for me. Alice still found a way to interfere; she'd stolen my three mobiles so I was unable to contact Bella. My Volvo mysteriously developed a failure in the computer system and I couldn't turn it on, rendering the shiny car completely useless.

I yearned to confide in Carlisle, knowing that my father's endless concern and empathy would surely enable him to give me good advice but a food poison epidemic had broken out in Forks and he was too busy at the hospital. Even his inhuman strength was proving a bit inadequate for the daunting task; I didn't want to weigh his mind with my woes at this time.

I could have gone to Esmée, but I hesitated to unburden my undead soul to my mother because I would have to tell her about the growing rift in our family, and this I refused to do. Esmée was a mother above everything. I knew that she wouldn't, couldn't take sides.

Rosalie glided down the stairs with her usual poise, wearing dark denim jeans that hugged her hips; her ivory hand toyed with a button of her silver blouse. "Emmett still giving you trouble, Edward?"

I nodded distractedly as I bounded up the stairs past Rosalie. I idly noted the Celtic knot on the choker that directed my gaze to her ample bosom.

My sister followed me upstairs, grimacing. "I'll beat the shit out of that stubborn man, I swear!"

My shoulder touched one of the stupid mortarboards of our endless graduations and I growled, ruffling my hair. "I thought he would support-"

Rosalie touched my shoulder gently. "Give him time, Edward. He'll come around, you have to understand him."

I opened the door to my room, my gaze drifting across the rows of CDs and books. None of them would help me now.

I'd confided in Emmett, telling him about my growing infatuation with Jacob. I didn't know what I expected. Maybe a bit of sympathy? That he would clap my shoulders with one of his big paws as he joked about the awkward situation, that he would show understanding?

I wanted him to act like the supportive brother he'd always been. I didn't expect his coldness, this extra space he put between us. I'd never cursed this supposed gift of mine more as when I read his thoughts, broiling with revulsion and wonderment.

Esmée had suggested that Emmett and I should go hunting and he refused, saying he had things to attend to and would hunt later, though his eyes were black as coal. In his mind, Emmett wondered whether I would hit on him if we were alone in the mountains.

This felt like he stuck a knife to my gut. Hadn't we spent decades together? Before he'd been mortally wounded in Tennessee, Em spent a summer in Quebec working as a woodsman. He picked up a bit of French there. It was Emmett who told me that La Push was a derivation of La Bouche, French for the mouth of the Quileute river. This inevitably led me to thinking about Jacob's hot mouth wrapped around my cock and mine around his hot prick.

With a shake of my head, I backed away from the erotic imagery and returned to the puzzle that was my brother Emmett. I'd never felt the least bit attracted to either Emmett or Jasper, handsome and statuesque as they were.

Did Emmett think that now that I'd confessed my attraction to Jacob I would become a slut? It infuriated and saddened me. Without saying goodbye I'd dashed out of our house, leaving my mother open-mouthed. I dared not tell Esmée the reasons Emmett suddenly shied away from me, or why Alice kept sabotaging my attempts to break up with Bella. I would not put my mother in the quandary of having to choose between her children.

While I hunted, I wondered if I was wrong - maybe it would have been better if I went ahead with the wedding, if I married Bella and spent the rest of my existence - however brief or long - pretending I didn't feel the way I did. It would have kept peace in the family and Bella happy. But I imagined Jake's face in the lees of the trees; I heard his voice in the rumblings of the nearby rapids as I ran. In my mind, the opening bars to the song I'd dubbed "Wolfheart" were taking shape, as clear as the sun that shined on my face.

I was sure that Jacob would stick to his convictions as stubbornly as he'd kept courting Bella, notwithstanding her manipulation and rejections. I could do no less than my wolf.

If Emmett found my choice disagreeable, I'd have to live with that. He certainly wouldn't be the last to do so.

My thoughts went to Jacob's pack; despite Seth's words, I was not certain they would approve of his unorthodox choice of mate. Wolves were very protective of their own, and I didn't know the Quileute mores regarding this.

What would the elders say? If they forbid Jacob to see me, would he agree? The stubborn mutt would probably defy them and thus put himself at risk.

"Earth to Edward. Edward, please answer." Turning my face, I saw Rosalie brandishing a CD as if it were a microphone. When she saw she had my attention, Rosalie put the CD on the shelf. I noticed it was the Talking Heads' 'Stop making sense' which certainly fit the situation.

"Emmett has talked to me, you know." Rosalie fingered her white silk scarf as she grimaced, recalling the conversation with her husband.

"And?"

"You have to understand him. He comes from a background in which these issues were not discussed." Rosalie's face acquired a glow as she spoke about Emmett. I felt jealous, wondering if ever someone would talk about me the way she did about her husband - if Jake would ever love me as much as she loved Emmett.

I nodded distractedly while she approached me and put her hand on my shoulder. "Give him time to get used to the idea. Whatever you're thinking-"

Rosalie stopped and appeared to browse the bookshelf behind me. In her mind she was devising ways to convince Emmett, discarding them almost as fast as she made them up. Finally she chose a book at random.

"-just stop. Emmett loves you as his brother. He's struggling with the idea. Em is like a bear, you know." Rosalie smiled sweetly, a stark contrast to the way she usually behaved. "Growling and fierce, but once you have their love they never stop caring about you."

"You think he'll ever accept me and Jacob?" I shook my head wonderingly. "Perhaps it's the idea of the wolf mating with me. If I chose another man th-"

Rosalie playfully hit my shoulder with the book. "It's not the dog, believe me. Emmett would have trouble with you and any man. At the risk of sounding bitchy-"

"Bitchy, you? Who would've guessed?" I smirked, forgetting for a moment the quandary I was in.

Rosalie waved the book at the door. "If you don't tell Bella, I'll send her a tweet myself." Rose continued in a singsong voice, "Dear Bella, welcome to Dumpsville!"

I smiled nervously. If I hadn't had my gift, I would've dismissed her words as a joke, but in her mind I read she was being deadly serious.

"Sure, put more pressure on me, as if-" Before I could say anything more, I sensed my brother's thoughts just before the door opened.

"What's the matter with you, Edward? Your emotions are all over the place, and you left without hearing what I had to say." Jasper strode elegantly into the room; though he wore a black silk shirt I couldn't help but picture him in a knee-length gray coat, golden cufflinks adorning his white wrists.

When I rushed out of the house to go hunting, I'd met Jasper who was getting off the red BMW. I was sure he would shun me too, just like Emmett. After all Jasper came from a time when such things were harshly punished.

It was with guilt that I recalled the words I'd thrown at a surprised Jasper. "I'm gay, ok? Now if you'll excuse me I have to hunt."

Rosalie's words brought me back to the present. "Edward told you?" She asked, leaning towards me, holding another book close to her chest.

"That he is gay, as people so quaintly put it nowadays?" Jasper frowned and crossed his arms. "Edward, you've always been a confusing man, but lately I despair of ever understandin' you at all."

Without letting me answer, Rosalie asked him, "Are you fine with that, or are you going to behave like that brute I call my husband?"

Without answering her, Jasper sighed and furrowed his brow. "At first I thought you told me you were happy that you were going huntin'."

Reading his thoughts, I said, "Sorry, I should've put it more cogently."

Jasper ruffled his hair, as silky and golden as Rosalie's. "It wasn't until later that I got the gist of your succinct message, but then you were gone and Emmett was broodin'."

Jasper walked to the CD shelf to his left and touched the spine of their plastic cases as he drawled, "You should've stayed to hear my answer, man. I don't care who you love."

"You're ok with it?" I felt comforted by Jasper's presence. It had nothing to do with his gift; rather it was his perfect manners and his drawling voice that soothed me.

"Edward, I can't read minds but I do feel emotions." Jasper picked up a CD and stared at the cover; I noticed it was Brahms' Requiem. "Underneath it all, we all have the same drives, love, hate… greed."

My brother put the CD back in its place, mindful of my obsessive orderliness. He turned to me and smiled soothingly, "I just want you to be happy. Besides, who am I to judge? The man who's killed so many…"

I took two steps towards my brother and grasped his elbow. "Thank you, Jasper! I appreciate your understanding."

"You two are such wimps!" Rosalie huffed, touching her alabaster forehead with the book. I turned to glare at my sarcastic sister while she put the book back on the shelf.

"Sorry to interrupt male bonding time and all that." In her thoughts I read nothing of the sort and was about to say so when Rosalie smirked at Jasper.

"Jazz, if your wife doesn't get all her stuff out of my wardrobe, I'm going to take the bigger scissors I have-" Rose frowned and her new train of thought made me smile. "Wait, I'm going to take my electric screwdriver and cut tiny holes in all her dresses!"

Jasper held up his hand, shaking his head ruefully. "So that's why Alice was movin' in and out of your room! Must've seen this in one of her visions."

The moment of levity was cut short when Jasper frowned, turning to me. "I take it you haven't told Bella, about the gay thing."

"No, I haven't. How do you know?"

"Man, you've been feeling more guilty than usual. May I inquire why?" Jasper leaned on the CD shelf, his black boots touching the edge of the Norwegian wood.

"Your dear wife, Jazz!" said Rose exasperated while she fingered the knot on her choker.

Jasper scuffed the wooden floor with his right boot, deep in thought. Finally he said, "Alice wouldn't want you to disappoint Bella, then?"

"That's the problem in a nutshell." Suddenly I had the urge to sit at the piano and pour out the melody that Jake inspired; something in my siblings' conversation had seemingly motivated me. Yet I had to tell Bella before she found out from someone else.

"We'll have to distract Alice." Just like that, Jasper took command of the logistics of the situation. "Rosalie, try to needle Alice a bit, I trust that won't be difficult?" He cocked an eyebrow at Rose, who smiled maliciously.

Jasper looked at me. "While I soothe Alice, you can take my Ducati and go to Bella's to-"

My brother stopped and touched gingerly the pocket of his shirt. He took out his mobile and looked at the screen for a moment before handing it to me.

I grabbed it and read the terse message: Edward Leech, we have to talk. Meet me at the burger place. Leah C.

Jasper put it back in his pocket after I handed it back, frowning. "How did she ever get my number?"

"Who?" Despite her cool demeanor, I could tell Rosalie was nervous; she kept touching her choker as if seeking comfort.

"Leah Clearwater, Seth's sister." I turned to Jasper and explained, "I gave Seth your number, in case-"

"Alice interfered," finished Jasper, lifting his eyebrow.

After I nodded, Jasper smiled craftily. "We can use it to further my plan. You go meet with her; Alice won't see you for a while because Leah's a shifter. Afterwards go to Bella's and for Chrissake break up with her before you drive me mad!"

My brother looked at Rosalie. "Meanwhile you and I will distract Alice."

Rosalie pointed to the door, making shooing motions with her hand. "What are you waiting for, Edward? Go!"

---

I fidgeted, glaring at the burger in front of me. Leah was late and I was forced to order so the waitress wouldn't find it suspicious. She kept glancing at me while she licked her lips, adjusting her apron so it would fit better her generous figure. She'd been smitten with me ever since she saw me park the Ducati in front of the diner.

I sighed; apparently the motorcycle I gave Jasper made me look sexy, which I hadn't counted on.

After I'd looked at my watch for the tenth time, the door swung open and Leah strode in, her confident strut belying her irritated thoughts as her Converses hit the linoleum angrily.

She sat on the chair opposite mine and I couldn't help but glare at the man on the other side of the diner who was ogling the beautiful Quileute woman.

Leah made a striking figure with her simple gray tee and torn jeans. Her exquisite russet-colored face wouldn't look out of place in a Mayan frieze or in one of those Polynesian settings I'd read about in Margaret Mead's books.

"You gonna eat that, leech?" Leah pointed to the burger and I shook my head.

Leah pushed the dish towards her and began eating. After she took the first bite, she explained, "Not gonna let this burger go to waste. I'm not Seth. I've told that kid to save his money so he can go to college later!"

Leah took the red-colored bottle and poured catsup generously on the meat while she complained, "But does he listen to me? Heck, does anyone listen to me at all?"

She glared at me. "Don't answer, leech!"

I held up my hands placatingly. Leah's thoughts were sharply protective of her pack and family. I could sense she felt a deep kinship with Jake. After all both of them had their hearts broken by seemingly indifferent love interests.

I crossed my arms, expecting the same kind of threats I'd received from Seth earlier. But her next words surprised me. "The kid told me all about you and Jacob, leech. After I threatened him a bit of course."

I would've been intimidated by her words if I hadn't read in her mind her methods to get the truth. Apparently she had warned Seth he'd have to do the household chores for a whole month if he didn't spill his secrets.

I sighed. "And you will tear me to bits if I hurt Jacob, which I assure you I won't."

"You're wrong, leech. I'm warning you, but not about that." Leah paused and put the burger on the dish as she leaned towards me. "You see, Edward, I've had my heart broken and-"

"You don't want me to break Jacob's."

Leah stomped her feet on the floor and lifted her arms. "See, no one fucking listens to me! You all put words in my mouth!"

She put the burger aside, frowning as her angry voice deepened an octave. "I'm warning you that you might have your heart broken, not Jake!"

Intrigued, I lifted an eyebrow. Leah was proving as surprising as her sharp mind.

"You've heard about Imprinting?"

I nodded, playing with the plastic fork on the table. "Bella told me-"

"The fucking leech-lover knows shit! She's just like Rebecca and the other Black bitch, out to fuck over poor Jake." Leah bit her burger angrily and finished it in two large bites.

Apparently the Clearwaters had it for the Black sisters; I wondered what tribe dynamics were at work here.

Leah wiped her mouth with the napkin. "Imprinting is not as simple as Jake told her in a moment of weakness." She shook her head, her short hair making an obsidian curtain around her sharp cheekbones. "God knows men go crazy around her, including you!"

I sneered; obviously Leah didn't know me at all. I wasn't anyone's pawn, not even Bella's.

"Bella won't ever know Jake's so…" Her mind suddenly edged away from the topic, as if it was a fish speared on a hook that the fisherman was reeling back; but there was a hint of a song and I heard distinctly some words in her mind, 'when you crashed in the clouds, you found me.'

I recognized the song by Barcelona. However much I pried into her thoughts, I couldn't gather anything more.

Leah Clearwater muttered sullenly, "Fucking Sam and his stupid orders!" Raising her voice, she added, "Just take care, leech, ok? I don't want you and Jacob tearing each other's hearts, 'cause I'm sure my happiness depends on you two. Silly boys!"

I cocked an eyebrow at her. "How?"

She shrugged. "Woman's intuition."

---

In the darkness of the new moon, I'd sat on the motorcycle for half an hour in front of Bella's house. I fidgeted in the leather seat, unsure of how to proceed, knowing that Jacob's well-being was strongly linked with Bella's. If I broke completely Bella's heart I ran the risk of alienating Jacob - that infuriatingly loyal mutt.

Finally I walked with a heavy heart towards her house, glancing back at the Ducati, a black shape in the darkness that only my keen senses could see.

I jumped and loped an arm around the upper branch in the tree in front of Bella's window, swaying gracefully in the night, propelling my upper body towards the window ledge and grabbing it with a predator's ease.

Opening the window silently, I entered her bedroom, watching fondly the girl I had loved so intensely as she lay asleep, her arm curled protectively around the iPad I'd bought her.

I went to the side of the bed, brushing tenderly a curl of her shiny hair, her scent feeling me with a renewed sense of protectiveness towards her. I vowed to always care for her, even if I didn't love her anymore as she wanted me to.

I bent down and whispered in her ear. "Wake up, sleepyhead!"

After a minute, I gently shook Bella's shoulder, knowing that my siblings couldn't hold Alice at bay forever. I feared I would hear the sound of her Ferrari outside the house any minute.

"Whaa?" Bella opened her beautiful dark eyes and rubbed her eyelids, looking up at me.

"Edward? What are you doing here?" She yawned, her blouse riding up her belly.

"I have to tell you something important, Bella. I'm sorry I disturbed you, but I couldn't find any other way." I cupped her cheek tenderly, perhaps for the last time.

"What's so important?" Bella looked quizzically at her iPad and touched the screen, closing the browser. Then she put it next to her pillow.

"Don't tell me you changed the caterer again? Alice told me..."

I put my index finger on her shapely mouth and silenced her. Taking a deep, unneeded breath I gathered all my courage and resolutely plunged ahead. "It's not that at all. Bella, I'm calling off the wedding. I'm breaking up with you."