I don't own Twilight.
Serendipity Chapter 1
Bpov
I grabbed my ancient copy of Romeo and Juliet, a thick blanket and my mug of tea and headed for the couch. Outside the French doors leading to the balcony the snow fell softly. I snuggled down into the couch and sighed softly. Rose groaned behind me.
"Oh for pity's sake! She's got books and tea! It's new years eve! Don't you want to go out?" she pleaded. I shook my head and snuggled down further into the couch. Alice appeared in front of me in a mini jewel purple cocktail dress.
"Oh Isabella. Get off the couch and rejoin the world! It's been weeks." she folded her thin arms over tiny body, tapping her foot. I refused to look at either of my roommates.
"I cant go out. It's to soon. You guys have fun and call me if you need a ride home." I said hiding behind my book.
"Isabella Marie Swan we are not moving until you get out from behind that book, get up and go get dressed in something other then a ratty tee shirt and sweats." Rose paused for a beat and when I didn't move she tapped her designer clad foot on the hard wood floor.
"I'm waiting." she reminded me. I sat up and looked at both of them seriously.
"can I ask a question?" Alice nodded, opening the floor for me to speak.
"Why do I have to go? I caught my boyfriend cheating on me. Isn't that enough humiliation for one year? Shouldn't it be my choice to stay here and end my year the way the next one will start....alone!" I slumped back into the couch and put my feet on the coffee table, crossing my arms over my chest like a stubborn child. My friends exchanged a worried look, Alice sat down next to me.
"Why do you think you'll be humiliated?" she laid her head on my shoulder and I reseted my tired head against it.
"There's going to be dancing and I can't dance....there's going to be a kiss at midnight and I don't have anyone..." my lower lip trembled. Rose interjected.
"We don't have anyone either. We are fine with it." I gave her half a smile.
"you guys are beautiful. You'll meet guys to kiss. I will sit at a table all night watching the purses and guarding the drinks." Alice gave a huff next to me.
"if you are just yourself tonight, you'll find a guy to kiss. I swear." Rose perched on the coffee table. "It makes us sad to go out without you. We know what happened was hard but we don't want you to be alone tonight. Please come with us. If its to much for you we can leave....even if it's before midnight." Rose said softly and stroked my hair. I sighed, utterly defeated. They pulled me up and hustled me back to my room. Alice got a sapphire blue dress from my closet and matching shoes. Rose quickly pinned my hair away from my face and applied my make up. She gave me a reassuring smile while I applied my own mascara over the thick eyeliner she applied. I stood up and took the dress, shoes, pantyhose and evening bag from Alice. They left my room so I could get dressed. The dress was beautiful but I took no pleasure in it. The shoes were designer but I didn't care. The bag was vintage Gucci and I still couldn't make myself feel happy. Stuck in between the glass mirror and it's oval oak frame was the last remaining picture of him and I. My first...my only....I never thought he'd hurt me this way. I thought he loved me..I took it from it's place, holding it closer with trembling fingers. There was a knock at the door, Alice let herself in.
"Don't cry please. Don't think about him tonight." she begged. "I can't stop thinking about him. Mike was..." I trailed off trying to find the words. .
"A jerk. You can do better and you will. Let's go." Rose ushered me into my coat and gloves. We got all the way to the front door and I hesitated.
"I haven't left this apartment since the break up. I can't do this. guy's please don't make me." I begged. Alice kissed my cheek and whispered
"I'm sorry." then shoved me with both hands out the front door.
Epov
"Edward, buddy I am telling you this is like pivotal to your life! You have to go out tonight!" I bit back a laugh at my cousin's use of the word 'pivotal'.
"Why is it pivotal to my life that I go out tonight?" I asked Emmett as he tossed me my dress coat from the closet. He grunted.
"No one knows you here. This is your fresh start remember." I grimaced. It was one thing to be a multimillionaire, it was a totally different thing to be all over the social section of every news paper in Chicago with a social climbing ex girlfriend that refused to admit she was an ex.
"Where are we going again?" Jasper clapped me on the back smiling.
"La push. It's a new club. Sounds pretty nice." he shrugged on his coat. I nodded.
"And you are sure I have to go? I can't stay home and listen to music like I planned?" my voice was pleading with them. They both shook there heads and pointed at the door. I bowed my head defeated and went out into the cold new year's eve night.
The club was nice for a dance club. I usually didn't make myself come to places like this but for the last four years I didn't need to, unless I was trying please Tanya but that wasn't really hard. Just give her a new diamond, ruby or sapphire some thing and send her on her way. It was a hard cold hard fact I had to accept, she only loved me for my money. I wish she would have been unfaithful to me, they probably would of hurt less. We found a table and sat down. Emmett took charge and ordered for the table. I sat back and waited for my beer. Jasper let out a whistle of approval and smiled at the tiny pixie like girl a few tables over from us. Emmett nudged me with his elbow and chuckled while Jasper attempted to long distance flirt.
"He's twenty eight. You'd think his flirting skills would of improved by now." Emmett teased. Jasper shot him daggers with his eyes. Jasper gave the girl a small wave and jerk of his head. She crooked her finger at him, biting her lower lip. He went to her, clearly trying not to run. We both snickered watching them talk as our beers arrived.
"Happy New year. I hope you meet someone tonight." Emmett announced and clinked his bottle into mine. I groaned, leaning my head on the back of the booth .Jasper loped back over to the table with the pixie girl on his heels.
"Emmett Edward this is Alice Brandon." we shook her tiny hand. Something about her was utterly kind and warm. Everything about her said she was a genuinely sweet person, you could tell by her smile.
"I was hoping you guys might join us. We have that big table and all." she gave a beaming smile. Emmett caught on immediately.
"Us? Like you have friends as pretty as yourself?" he attempted to flirt harmlessly with her. I attempted not to laugh.
"I came with my room mates. Bella and Rose." she turned herself pointing to the woman coming back to her table.
"Rose is single. Bella is recently out of a relationship, a bad relationship." she grimaced. The pain she felt for her friend was evident in her face. Emmett leaned in, doing his best to be a good wing man and asked
"Well sweetie are you single?" she giggled and blushed a little, giving Em exactly what he wanted. "Why yes I am but hopefully after tonight that will change. New Year's eve....it's magic. Anything can happen." her voice was high and tinkling like bells. Jasper stared at her mouth when ever she spoke. We gathered our things and went to join our new friends at there overly large booth.
Bpov
I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror of the club while Rose primped and reapplied her lip gloss. She offered me some and I took it. Dabbing it on my lips I wondered if I were as pretty as Rose would Mike have cheated on me? My emotions were always written all over my face. Rose turned to me, planting her hands on her slender hips.
"He ruined Christmas, he doesn't get new years too! He's an ass. He's a hopeless dick-less spin-less brainless piece of shit that you should have never given the time of day." I shook my head.
"I know I shouldn't let him ruin this for me but Rose it was my fault...if I could have been..." I stopped knowing she was going to yell at me if I said it out loud.
"If you could have been what Bell's?" I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut.
"Prettier. If I was beautiful like you he would of stayed with me. Just me." Rose sucked in shocked breath.
"Is that what you think this is all about? You think if you were prettier you could of kept him with you?" I nodded. She was behind me instantly.
"Look in the mirror! You are beautiful, smart, kind and loyal. It's not your fault he's got a wandering eye and got caught." I shook my head that I understood even if I didn't believe it.
Rose and I linked elbows and walked back to the table. Alice was over talking to a table of guys in there twenties. They approached our table while we sat down. Rose signaled the waitress that we needed more drinks.
"Bella and Rosalie this is Emmett Cullen." she motioned to the biggest one with dark hair, he was large, very large. Like a boulder in a dress shirt and slacks. I could see Rose silently sizing up his dark hair and dark eyes. He smiled and shook our hands. Alice continued.
"This is Jasper Whitlock. He's graciously agreed to be my dance partner this evening." Jasper gave a little nod of his head but never left Alice's side. he was thinner then Emmett with blond hair and crystal blue eyes.
"And this is Edward Masen. Emmett's cousin." I bit my lower lip and shook his offered hand. I wished my hair wasn't pinned back so I could hide behind it. He was far to beautiful to be sitting here with us. He had creamy skin and bright bronze hair. It was clear he'd tried to style it but it didn't seem to work. His eyes were piercing emerald green. I didn't know I was staring until Rose hit me in the ribs with her elbow. I let go of his hand and laughed nervously. Our drinks arrived a few moment's later. I gladly took mine sipping it slowly. Alice giggled when the song changed to something by the ting ting's "Jasper would you like to dance?" I envied Alice for being so forward. Before he could answer she pulled him into the center of the dance floor. I couldn't help but smile at Alice dancing and having fun. She was like a force of nature. Happiness just oozed out of her very being. Emmett cleared his throat. "Rosalie would you like to dance?" he offered her his hand like a perfect gentlemen. She looked at me nervously.
"go have fun. Dance for me." I encouraged her. It was sweet she didn't want to leave me alone. Edward took her seat.. I watched my friends dancing, careful never to meet his eyes.
"Would you like to..." he trailed off.
"I can't dance...at all." I admitted blushing scarlet from my hairline to my neck.
Epov
I had never seen a woman like her before. She beautiful in a sophisticated, understated old Hollywood sort of way but the innocence in her eyes was endearing and child like. I could tell she'd been hurt and badly. The blush that crept over her skin when she admitted she couldn't dance was amazing. It made me want to reach out and touch the scarlet spots on her cheek bones. Who could of hurt this amazing creature?
"Everyone can dance. It's all in the leading." she sighed deeply, treating me to a small smile.
"I can't dance. It doesn't matter who's leading me. I'm a little clumsy." I nodded.
"How clumsy is clumsy?" I asked her when the waitress brought over a plate of finger food for the table.
"I trip on flat surfaces and sometimes I roll out of bed." I bit my lower lip so I wouldn't laugh.
"Well we could try and dance to a slow song. I promise I wont let you trip. It's new year's, every girl should dance at least once on new years." Alice bounded back up to the table as Bella looked like she was going to speak.
"Hey what are you guys talking about? Oh man that food looks good!" she handed jasper a plate and quickly got him some food to go with his beer.
"I was just asking Bella if she might like to dance when the music slows." I said to Alice. Bella blushed again. My fingers itched to touch her face. Alice looked under the table and stood back up.
"You're in flats. It should be fine." she reassured her friend then explained to Jasper.
"Bella's accident prone." Bella shook her head and shrugged. Jasper grinned. The song changed into something slower then before. I offered her my hand. She looked at Alice hesitantly. She shooed us from the table together.
Bpov
Edward smelled amazing like lilacs, honey and freshly washed boy. I stayed close to his back, letting him lead me to dance floor. He turned to face me, his fingers gave me goosebumps as he wrapped my arms around his neck and then his arms around my waist. Edward pulled me closer to him then smiled at me. He moved us back and fourth to the music like junior high kids at there first dance. Rose whistled from across the dance floor, clapping and smiling. I waved at her from around Edward's neck. Emmett laughed and gave me a thumbs up. I blushed, Edward grinned.
"I think your friends are envious I could get you to dance and they couldn't." I laughed for the first time in weeks. Something in me felt lighter here dancing with this beautiful man I hardly knew. I didn't want it to stop. I was sure when he let go of me the pain would creep back in. it was unlike me to get close to a man I didn't know. Something in his smile made me feel like I'd known him my whole life. I wrapped my arms around Edward's neck tighter, his breath caught for just a moment. His fingers gently rubbed the small of my back. I knew Alice was staring at us. I hoped she was pleased with herself. I shivered when Edward lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered. "you're dancing." then kissed my cheek. I laid my forehead on his shoulder. He laughed lightly and held me tighter. Before I knew it the song was over and he led me back to the table when I declined his offer to dance to a faster song.
The hours passed quickly as it approached midnight. The waitress passed out champagne and party hats. Edward snagged me a glittery tiara and a top hat for himself. The dj lowered the volume on the music at 10 minutes to midnight.
"Bella come freshen up with us." Rose and Alice ushered me into the bathroom smiling and giggling. There was a line out the door.
"guys we are going to miss the countdown if you two really have to pee." I folded my arms over my chest. They exchanged a knowing, smirky look.
"Edward is going to be your midnight kiss!" Alice screamed and jumped up and down. Rose settled her quickly when the other woman began to stare.
"oh no guys I don't think it's like that. We were just thrown together. Besides I don't think I'm ready to kiss anyone else." I looked at my shoes. Rose groaned.
"Honey, it's very very obvious he likes you. He didn't stop smiling the whole time you were dancing. He hangs on your every word. Just let the man kiss you!" Alice smiled. I let them doll me back up and redo my make up. Then we headed back to the dance floor for the midnight count down.
Epov
I was never so nervous to kiss a woman in my life! Emmett and Jasper laughed at me from there seats at the table.
"What? This isn't funny! First kisses are nerve racking! You could bump noses or chins or teeth!" I was on my way to a panic attack before Jasper came over to calm me down.
"you may never see her again. This could be your only chance to kiss her." he laughed and slapped me on the back. I barked at him
"oh thanks Mr. Sensitive that was helpful. You ass hole." I threw a left over at him. He dodged it and pointed at me laughing.
"Now now gentlemen let's not throw food. We are in public." Alice chided coming back to the table. We all sat up straight minding our manners when the girls returned. Bella sat down next to me and put her tiny hands in her lap. I hoped my friends and hers didn't notice when I skimmed my finger tips down her arm and held her hand lightly. She intertwined our fingers, making our palms touch. I think everyone at that table could feel the electricity pass between us. It was like being a teenager all over again for me. Every little touch, every little look from this girl I hardly knew gave me butterflies. Emmett leaned over to Rose and whispered something to her. She nodded in agreement and then moved out to the dance floor with there champagne. Alice and Jasper shared a knowing look and did the same. I cleared my throat and motioned to the dance floor with the other couples. Belle smiled, allowing me to lead her out. On the video monitor about the dj's booth they started a countdown from sixty. Bella and I counted down with everyone else until our eyes met at thirty seconds until midnight. All around me I could hear people shouting the numbers while my heart thundered in my chest. Our faces got closer and closer, neither one of us in control of our own bodies. My hand crept up to the side of her neck, my palm resting on her cheek her hand rested gently at my side. I brushed the end of my nose over hers as we counted back from ten.
"10...9....8....7..6...5...4...3..2.." my lips fell to Bella's before she could get to one. Her hand that was at my waist crept up my chest, gently stroking the bit of skin underneath my open collar. I moaned softly into her warm mouth. We were still kissing and covered in confetti when the music started again. A tiny person cleared her throat behind us. Bella jumped away from me and touched her lips.
"Happy new years guys. Having fun?" she gave a pointed look and smile at Bella then laughed. Jasper, Emmett, Rose and Alice all danced for a little while longer. I refused to miss out on having one more dance with her. I knew she wouldn't want to 'bump and grind' like our friends so I gently held her to me, placing her hand over my heart and swayed us slowly to the music.
Bpov
I stared up into Edward's beautiful eyes. My instincts said he wouldn't hurt me. I wanted to be honest with him, I had to be honest with him. I had to tell him what happened before this went any further.
"Edward I..." he cut me off as he kissed me again. I sighed happily as he broke the kiss, smiling.
"Can I see you again? Like a real date?" my heart was pounding. It had been ages since I dated. "Edward my ex cheated on me. He hurt me pretty bad and I don't know if I'm ready. I think you deserve so much better then to be the rebound guy." I looked away from him. He slipped his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him.
" I have never cheated on a woman in my life. I would never hurt you, never harm you in anyway. All I want is to make you smile Just say yes you'll see me again. We can be friends if that's what you need. I just want to be near you. ." I smiled listening to his velvet voice say such wonderful things to me. He handed me his cell phone so I could program my number into it. I took it smiling and added my number to his contacts list. Edward slipped the phone back in his pocket, grinning. Shortly after that everyone was ready to go home. Alice had a little to much to drink and Rose was playfully arguing with Emmett over him getting her number.
"sugar if we are meant to be you'll see me again....let's let fate take it's course." she purred to him. I rolled my eyes at Edward and he smiled kissing my confetti covered hair. They walked us out and we said goodnight after we hailed a cab. I turned to Edward.
"So you'll really call me? No fooling?" we both laughed.
"no fooling Bella, ill really call you and soon because I miss you already." he held up his phone like a reminder that he had a way to contact me. I kissed his cheek then got in the cab with my waiting room mates. I turned back and smiled at him.
"Happy New Year, Edward." Even in the dark night I could tell his cheeks went slightly pink. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Happy New Year Bella." I climbed in the cab and hugged Rose's neck.
"aren't you glad you came with us?" Alice asked me. I smiled wide.
"I really really am. Rose please tell me you gave poor Emmett your number." she shook her head. "nope I was serious. If this is fate we will find each other again." Alice and I rolled our eyes.
EPOV
"This was a night I'll never forget." I said to Jasper. He just smiled in silent agreement. I scrolled through my contacts to see her number, half thinking about calling her and saying goodnight. I sighed happily until Emmett hit me hard on the shoulder and I lost my balance. My phone flew into the street. I ran after it but it was to late. I screamed enough obscenities to make a sailor blush and picked up my ruined phone. It was soaking wet and wouldn't turn on.
"oh great! Bella's number was in there you loser! How am I going to call her now?" Emmett looked apologetically at my phone. I turned to Jasper,
"tell me you got Alice's number. Please tell me!" he shook his head.
"she got mine. She likes to be the one that calls...." I was panicked.
"Edward this will be fine. We will go to the store and they can fix it or something. The number is still in there. It will just take you a little longer to call." I took a deep breath hoping he was right.
A/n-Hey guys and Gals, it's trips. I hope you guys like this as much as I liked writing it. I have some really fun ideas about where this could go but first Edward has to get a new cell phone and I have to get some reviews! Happy Holidays! Song's for this chapter:
BpovEpov
"White Horse" Taylor Swift. "She will be loved." Maroon 5
"t shirt" Shontelle"Won't go home without you" Maroon 5