Chapter Music: Hello World by Lady Antebellum
A/N: Thanks to miztrezboo and annanabanana, who both had a sniffle while working through this chapter.
LINK TO CHAPTER UNDER THE COMMENTS BAR
:: Bella ::
"He's pretty bad," Edward warned as we made our way down the winding driveway in his truck.
"It's fine, Edward. You aren't going to scare me off." I turned from the window to look at him and saw that his brow was pinched in contemplation.
"I just don't want you to feel obligated, that's all."
"And why would I feel obligated?" I asked, more than a little confused. Edward glanced over at me, his expression softening and the lines on his forehead disappearing, but I couldn't read the look on his face. "From what I remember of the few times we met, your grandfather is a sweet and funny man. You know, charming and playful, humble and welcoming. I always liked the fact that even as a recognized figure in town he seemed to have time for people." I laughed. "He sort of reminds me of Charlie, actually."
"Of Charlie, huh?" His voice held a hidden meaning and suddenly his previous comment made sense.
"Edward," I started, reaching across the seat for him before changing my mind and pulling my hand back to my lap. "I appreciate what you did for Charlie—what you all did—while I was away, more than I can ever say. But I didn't offer to come with you today just because of that."
"You didn't?"
"Of course not." This time I forced myself to reach across the cab and brush Edward's hand. "I'm here because I want to be, because we're friends." His breath stuttered and his hands tightened on the wheel.
"Honestly?" he murmured with a wistfully boyish optimism.
"I hope so." At least, that's what he'd said on the lake.
"Me too." Edward laughed gently through his nose, easing the atmosphere that had built in the small space. Putting the truck into park, we both got out and headed up to the house.
"Edward." A blonde woman greeted him at the door with a grin. "I see you brought a friend." Her tone was suggestive, and her arched brow was playful and teasing. I covered my smile with my hand, choosing to focus on the swing at the end of the porch for a moment.
"Don't start, Carmen. You know who Bella is."
Of course she did. Retired or not, there was no one in town who didn't know who the police Chief's daughter was.
"I think I'd remember meeting this friend, sunshine." Carmen's teasing continued, and I laughed as she winked at me. Edward sighed.
"Sunshine?" I whispered, quirking an eyebrow at him. Edward cocked his head, staring down at me, a cheeky glint dancing in his narrowed green eyes. A giggle escaped my lips and he huffed his retort.
"Carmen, this is Bella Swan, the Chief's daughter." Edward stared at the woman pointedly, and her eyes widened as sudden mock recognition dawned across her face. "Very funny," he mumbled, turning to look back at me. "And this is Carmen. A dear family friend, and my grandfather's live-in nurse."
"Hi," I said, extending my hand. Carmen slid her hand into mine, squeezing gently before releasing it with a smile.
"Nice to finally meet you. Charlie speaks highly of you, so does Emmett," she enthused.
I felt my cheeks heat, discovering that people really didn't have anything better to talk about as they sat and ate pie in the only diner for miles.
"Thanks," I murmured.
Carmen smiled again before turning back to Edward, her face becoming somber. "The lawyer stopped by; he brought the new draft for you to look at."
"Let me say hey first, okay?"
"Sure thing," Carmen replied, stepping out of the doorway. Edward reached for my hand and pulled me into the house behind him.
We didn't linger in the foyer, instead walking straight into the sunroom.
"Hey, grandpa. I brought someone to see you."
"Edward?" Aro sounded a little confused as Edward released my hand, leaving me at the door, and squatted down in front of his grandfather.
"Yeah, it's me," Edward said with a smile. "How've you been?"
"Busy. Your grandmother's been planting her favorites around the garden again."
I watched as Edward's shoulders sank and he released a heavy breath.
"It's always like this," Carmen whispered as she stood next to me.
"Pardon me?" I asked, not expecting her to be standing so close.
"Aro," she nodded her head toward him. "He can have lucid hours, sometimes even days, but it usually only lasts for moments at a time. It cripples Edward. He hides it well, but I know. He can't hide it from me."
"It must be hard for him," I whispered back, watching Edward interact with his grandfather. Before she could say anything, Aro's voice rang out through the room.
"I see you brought Renee Swan." The words felt like a knife twisting in my stomach, despite Aro's warm smile, and I fought to keep my tears at bay. I leaned against the wall, desperate for the support, and I barely felt Carmen's hand on my arm as she reached for me.
"Bella, I'm sorry," Edward began, his voice giving way to his panic and obvious concern. "He didn't mean—"
"It's fine, Edward," I waved him off, keeping my voice low so as not to upset his grandfather. "I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"Can I get you anything?" Carmen asked, her eyes flitting from me to Edward and back again.
"No, thank you. I think I'm going to get some air." I offered Edward a weak smile before slipping out of the room and onto the porch.
Breathing deeply though my nose, I tried not to think about my mother's face the last time I saw her, focusing instead on the smell of freshly cut grass and wisteria. The morning breeze felt cool on my face and dried my tears before they fell.
"You okay?" Like a healing balm, Edward's voice began to sooth the deep ache creeping through my body. I smiled and nodded, turning toward him and crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm sorry. I should have warned you that he's sometimes stuck so far in the past."
"Let's not, please?" I didn't want to rehash what had happened. I understood, but that didn't mean that I was eager to discuss it.
"Sure," he said softly, brushing my hair off the side of my face.
Movement behind Edward caught my eye and I saw Carmen wheeling Aro out of the house.
"Aro wanted to spend some time in the yard. He said your grandma spent all morning out there, and it was only right that he took the time to appreciate her hard work." Aro smiled serenely as Carmen spoke.
"That'd be nice, grandpa. I'm sure she'd love that," Edward said, placating his grandfather. I silently wondered how often he had to do that at the expense of his own heartache.
Carmen pushed Aro to the end of the porch as Edward led me toward the steps. I turned my head, trying to see where Carmen was taking him.
"Where are they going?"
"About three years ago I built an elevator system of sorts into the end of the porch. It's a little crude and works on a motorized pulley but at least he's not totally house bound." Edward dragged his hand through his hair sheepishly, as if embarrassed by his revelation.
"Seriously? You built that?" I pointed as I watched Carmen descend with Aro. "Edward," I said, my voice full of awe, "that's totally great." I had no idea that his skills extended so far.
Walking down the steps and into the yard with Edward, I briefly wondered what he was still doing in a small town in the middle of nowhere. It only took a moment for me to realize that his reason was now making its way across the lawn toward us.
"It's not a big deal," Edward replied humbly. At his discomfort, I dropped the subject, paying him the same courtesy he had paid me earlier.
Carmen stopped a couple of feet away, pausing to ensure that Aro's blanket was tucked securely around his hips. "So who's taking this old man for a walk?"
I smiled, watching as Aro became captivated by two hummingbirds playing in the flowers. In the midst of my overwrought emotions, his expression carried a childlike innocence that drew me in and warmed my fragile heart.
"I'll take him." The words slipped easily out of my mouth. "You have paperwork in the house, right?" I asked Edward. He nodded slowly, looking at Aro and then back at me, his brow creasing with uncertainty. I touched his forearm, trying to provide a little reassurance. Edward's muscles twitched under the skin and his arm tensed before relaxing again, and I ran my thumb across the back of his wrist in an effort to subdue him further.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course she's sure, sunshine," Carmen interjected. "She doesn't need to be coddled." Carmen winked at me while Edward rolled his eyes, and I dropped my arm back to my side.
"Is that okay with you Mr. Masen?" I asked, stepping forward.
"That would be just lovely," he replied. "Though do call me Aro. Mr. Masen sounds awfully formal and stuffy." He pulled a face and stuck out his tongue. "You can tell me all about that husband and daughter of yours, my dear," he said, smiling.
Edward grimaced, clearly sorry for Aro's mistake, and opened his mouth as if to correct his grandfather. But I was ready for it this time, so I shook my head minutely and smiled. I knew it was said without malice; besides it had been a while since I'd had the opportunity to talk about Renee.
"Charlie's fine, Aro," I said, acting the part of my mother. "He's busy looking after Bella today. You know, he just doesn't get the chance to spend enough time with her, what with his long hours at the station." I moved to wheel Aro across the yard, glancing once more in Edward's direction before turning my back on him. A grateful smile lingered on his lips as he mouthed the words 'thank you'.
As we walked through the garden, I could vaguely remember summer barbeques held on the estate as a child; most of the town would be in attendance. Thousands of tiny white lights would be strung through the trees, winding around trunks and branches. Everyone knew the Masens. The town had been founded by Edward's ancestors, and his entire family line had lived on the estate that Aro now called home, at one time or another.
The parties had stopped after Edward's grandma died. Mom had always said that after the death of, first his son, and then his wife, Aro had been too devastated to continue the tradition.
"That husband of yours works too hard." Aro's voice broke through my moment of reminiscence.
"Yes. Yes, he does," I lamented. I knew that in all the time my parents had been married, the time that Charlie had spent away from his family was one of his few regrets.
I pushed Aro slowly through the wildflowers growing in the garden, his hand reaching out tentatively to brush against the blues and yellows of the summer blooms.
"How's Bella coming along? Last I heard she was starting ballet." He chuckled under his breath and I stupidly found myself pouting at the humor he found in the situation. Relieved that he couldn't see my face, I replied quickly.
"She's doing just great." I tried to stall, buying myself some time while I thought about the sorts of things a proud parent might say about their child, but came up with nothing. "As for the ballet," I said, scrunching up my face and pursing my lips. "Well, the ballet lasted three weeks."
Aro laughed outright this time. "Didn't work out, huh?"
Smiling to myself, I remembered sulking in my room when I hadn't been able to perfect the arabesque my second lesson in. "Something like that."
A bench nestled under a pergola caught my eye, its covering vines and flowers blowing wild in the mild breeze. I steered us toward it, knowing that the bench would still afford us a beautiful view of the garden and the birds playing in it.
"Bougainvillea. They were my wife's favorite." Aro's voice was quiet but clear as he fingered the red and orange petals. Talking about his wife in the past tense was so significant that, for a moment, it took my breath away. I sat on the edge of the bench, trying to decide if it was best to run and get Edward.
"Mr. Masen?" I asked gently, trying not to scare him.
"Yes. And you are?" Aro asked comfortably, a curious smile turning the edge of his lips.
"I'm Bella, Mr. Masen. Bella Swan, Renee's daughter," I prompted.
"Little Bella?" he asked, obviously shocked.
"Yes, that's right," I smiled at him, hoping to provide some reassurance.
"Oh, my sweet girl. You're so grown up," he said sadly. "What else have I missed? I seem to keep losing track of people. You all seem to change so much," he murmured absently, his forehead pinched as though he were trying to recall a lost memory.
"What do you remember?" I asked, not wanting to overwhelm him, dubious about taxing him any more than necessary. I had no idea how long this moment of lucidity would last.
"I remember Anthony, and my dear, dear Sophia." Tears slid down his face as he relived their deaths. Muffled sobs escaped his throat, and I struggled with my own tears as I wondered how many times he had grieved for them like this.
"Should I get Edward?" I offered, but Aro shook his head.
"I remember Edward, too," he said, clearing his throat softly. "He reads to me you know." Aro scattered some of the blossoms across the blanket draped over his lap, pushing the petals over the cashmere with his fingertips. "How much have I missed?"
I hesitated, not sure if I should tell him. "He'll be twenty-six..." I trailed off, seeing the horrified look on Aro's face.
"All that time." He sounded winded, as if I had just punched him firmly in the stomach. "It's wasted."
"Edward's a good man," I assured him. Despite Edward's behavior in high school, I couldn't fault him for his recent actions. He had more than proven himself to Charlie, and I had no reason to doubt what I had seen since my return. The very fact that he had remained here in Masen with his family was a testament to the sort of man Edward had become.
"Tell me about his life."
"I don't really know anything," I said apologetically. "I should really get Edward. He'd want to talk to you."
A bittersweetness dulled Aro's eyes and when he spoke, his words tore at my heart. "I would love nothing more than to speak to my grandson, but I may not be here when you bring him back." He pulled a flower from the vine and brought it to his nose, inhaling its scent. I knew that Edward wouldn't want to miss this opportunity, but at the same time, a part of me knew that Aro needed it more. He had been without for longer.
"Okay." I took a shaky breath. "What do you want to know?"
"What does he do? Does he have a family? Do I have any more grandchildren? What are his friends like?" he enthused, and a watery laugh bubbled out through my lips.
"As far as I know, Edward is quite talented with his hands." I felt my blush rise over my neck and cheeks as Aro arched his eyebrows at me. "He's the town's handyman," I said hurriedly, hoping that I had given the right title for what it was Edward actually did.
"I see," Aro mused, enjoying my discomfort. He always had been more laid back than the other grandparents I'd known—able to see the funny side of a situation, never taking things too seriously.
"He made the elevator on your porch."
Aro cast his eyes back up toward the house and his eyes lingered there for a while as he sat in silence, absorbing what I had shared so far.
"Edward's friends are good and honest, all hard working, right here in town," I said reverently. "You don't have any more grandchildren, and I don't think Edward's seeing anyone right now." I bit my lip momentarily. I hadn't seen him with anyone, and he hadn't mentioned anyone special, but I probably shouldn't assume... "Well, not that I know of. Edward really would be the best person for this conversation, Mr. Masen."
"Call me Aro," he said, for the second time since I'd arrived, though this time at least he knew he was talking to me. "Twenty-six and no girl, eh?" He moved his jaw as if he were chewing over what I had said.
"I'm sure he'll get around to it," I replied, almost certain that if Edward wasn't seeing someone, his commitment to his grandfather was, in part, the reason for it.
"Mmhmm," Aro murmured distractedly, before turning his attention back to me. "And what of you Bella Swan? How has life treated you?" I shifted my eyes from his, focusing instead on the honeybee collecting nectar from the surrounding blossoms. "Not so well then, my dear?"
I had managed, over the last few days, to go without spending any real time wasting my thoughts or energy on Jacob. I didn't really want to monopolize whatever precious few moments this sweet man had talking about him now.
"I'm finding my way back," I evaded, dropping my eyes to my lap. "With Charlie's help."
"And Edward? Is he helping?" Aro asked. I couldn't fight the smile that spread over my face as I tucked an unruly strand of hair back behind my ear.
"They all are," I replied honestly. "I forgot how comforting being home can be."
The light in Aro's maple colored eyes flickered for a moment, and I held my breath, unsure of how much longer he would really be here.
"Edward needs to find someone. I need to know that he won't waste his life." Aro's voice was earnest as he grasped my hands in his. "He can't spend it alone, wasting away like I have. No memories from one day to the next, a family he can barely remember. Promise me, Bella. Promise you'll help him—now and when I'm gone," he implored.
"It's not something I can—" I stopped short as Aro surged forward.
"He needs to find a good girl, someone wholesome and honest. Someone who won't take advantage of his good nature, who won't see his name as a means to an end," Aro continued with barely a pause. "Someone who'll know when to encourage him, but when to give him space, too. He needs that you know—space. Even as a boy he didn't like to be crowded." He squeezed my hands hopefully, waiting for my answer.
"I can try. I will promise you that much," I confirmed sincerely. "I'm not sure how much weight I'll hold when it comes to the kind of girl Edward chooses to spend time with." I hoped my promise wasn't being made in vain.
"Thank you." Aro breathed a sigh of relief and released my hands, relaxing once again in his chair. "Renee was a good mother, Bella, she raised you well. God took her from us all far too soon." It was surreal hearing Aro talk about my mom. Charlie and I rarely spoke of her—I knew that it upset him too much.
I nodded in agreement. "I would give anything to have her back."
"We would all trade something for a treasure lost, my sweet girl." He smiled a sad smile as another tear fell down his cheek. We sat quietly for a moment before I noticed Edward waving from the porch.
"Shall we head back?" I asked.
"That would be lovely, Renee. Now, do tell me about that husband and daughter of yours, my dear."
My tears fell silently as I walked back the way we had come and I listened to Aro hum in the afternoon sun while the butterflies danced above the purple shades of the larkspur.
A/N: Alzheimer's and dementia are both heartbreaking diseases that affect many families. I've tried to focus on the emotional and personal aspects rather than the medical facts, drawing from my own family's experience with both of these.
Thank you for reading, teasers will be in the usual places.
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