Alby Mangroves - In Braille

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This story was first published on October 25th, 2010, and was last updated on
October 25th, 2010.
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Summary
1st Place Winner of the Beautiful Edward Challenge. A young woman, scarred
inside and out. A guilty man looking for forgiveness. Will they recognize their
redemption in each other? Beauty is not just skin-deep. AH, Bella and Edward,
Romance
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In Braille
Disclaimer:
I do not own Twilight, though any original storylines are mine.
A/N:
Thank You to
LightStarDusting
for her Beta work on this winning entry
into the
Beautiful Edward Contest
.
Edward Masen's footsteps fall softly on the linoleum alongside the scratchy
whispers of his dog's paws. Balt is relaxed beside his leg, matching Edward's loping
pace easily. He's been here many times and knows what's expected of him. He
knows the way, and follows the corridors of the hospital like well-sniffed paths of the
park near their Seattle home.
Edward is not oblivious to the looks they collect along the way. Some are curious
about a man and a dog walking the halls of the hospital with such easy grace, like
they belong there. Some are complacent, having seen them many times before as
they make their way to the elevators. Some, like the nurses, shoot adoring glances
at the man and his dog, quietly awed and grateful for the unofficial duty they
perform on the Children's Ward. Well that, and he's easy on the eyes. Edward Masen
is a looker.
Balt might feel at ease here in the hospital, he might even look forward to their
destination knowing about the attention that's about to be lavished upon him; to
Edward, however, walking the halls here feels a little like finding oneself in an
episode of The Twilight Zone. All these doors look so innocent, and yet behind each
one is a special kind of tragedy. Each one houses personalized horror for the patient
within. He keeps his eyes trained ahead, knowing that should he look sideways, he
might unwittingly lock eyes with just such a tragedy, one much worse than his own.
Balt's furry head perks up as they make their way toward the elevators; he can
smell the cafeteria they're about to pass. His black nose twitches as it always does,
and he quizzically looks up at his master. Edward smirks down at him and winks. Of
course they'll go in, just as they always do. Edward needs this little reprieve before
heading up to the Children's Ward. It's a little ritual that he and Balt have perfected
over the past few months.
The smells become more pronounced as they walk into the cafeteria and Balt's
nose twitches and sniffs around in frenzy, his tongue lolling out as he tastes the
fragrant air. It's a veritable feast of aromas. Edward grabs the mane of scruffy fur at
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Balt's neck and gives it a playful tug as they walk toward the cafeteria ladies to
order their usual fare. Balt looks up at his master with eyes full of love, as long, sure
fingers scratch behind his ears in just the right way.
One black coffee and a bagel with cream cheese later, and the man and his dog
head over to their usual table by the far windows, away from the busy tables in
front. They settle themselves in their usual seats; Edward splayed awkwardly in a
chair which is too short to accommodate his long legs, and Balt on the floor
alongside his master's feet with one eye trained firmly on the edge of the white plate
which holds the bagel.
Edward looks out of the window as he slowly sips his coffee. It's a peaceful view; a
cityscape overlooking Seattle's busy streets. The bustle can barely be seen from
here, let alone heard. The cafeteria is barely occupied at this time of day. It's
mid-morning, well after the end of the breakfast service and a good hour before the
lunchtime rush.
The ladies behind the counter have time to catch up on the hospital gossip while
they prepare for the onslaught, and they too look at the man and his dog, familiar
fixtures though they are. The man is young and handsome, and coupled with the big,
happy dog, they're an intriguing pair. The ladies are very indulgent of the man and
his dog, and so they pretend they don't see a piece of the delicious bagel making its
way under the table and disappearing into the dog's mouth, which is surely against
some kind of health regulation.
Enjoying a moment of tranquillity in preparation for the squealing and screaming
upstairs in the Children's Ward, Edward and Balt enjoy the slivers of sunshine
filtering through the windows. Balt's tail is flicking ever so slightly from side to side
as he lays sprawled under the table at his master's boots. Imperceptibly to Edward,
Balt's eyes zero in on a small movement a few tables away, his well-groomed body
suddenly becoming quite still. Balt has spied an errant snack falling haphazardly to
the floor.
He observes it silently for a few moments, as only a bottomless pit of a dog can,
giving the morsel his undivided attention. It lays silent and completely undisturbed
on the floor a few tables away, just minding its own delicious business. Balt's eyes
never leave it, even as he abruptly rises from the floor, an oblivious Edward still
staring out through the cafeteria's windows. By the time he registers the movement
out of the corner of his eye, Balt is already halfway across the room with his eyes
still locked on the runaway prize.
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