"ʻYou see, Bella, I was always that boy. In my world, I was already a man. I wasn't looking for love… but if I had found… If I had found you, there isn't a doubt in my mind how I would have proceeded. I was that boy, who would have – as soon as I discovered that you were what I was looking for – gotten down on one knee and endeavored to secure your hand.'"

- Edward, Eclipse, page 277

"And for one second, I could. I saw myself in a long skirt and a high-necked blouse with my hair piled up on my head. I saw Edward looking dashing in a light suit with a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand, sitting beside me on a porch swing."

- Bella, Eclipse, page 277

"Then, for just a second, I saw that same odd vision of Edward and me on a porch swing, wearing clothes from another kind of world. A world where it would surprise no one if I wore his ring on my finger. A simpler place, where love was defined in simpler ways. One plus one equals two…"

- Bella, Eclipse, page 325

Chapter 1: Preparations (Bella's POV)

"Marie, how much longer will it take for you to finish doing my hair?" I asked, meeting my maid's eyes in my mirror.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Swan. I'm almost finished," Marie said, a slight hint of panic in her voice, as she rolled another lock of my hair up and pinned it in place.

"Take your time, Marie," I consoled my frantic maid. "Esme said she had some people she wanted to introduce to Alice, Rosalie, and I. It's important that I look my best in order to make a good impression."

"I agree, Miss Swan," Marie said. "Undoubtedly, Mrs. Cullen has a few gentlemen she wants you ladies to meet. She is always trying to arrange potential suitors for my lady and her friends. Begging your pardon, Miss," she said as my eyebrows rose ever-so slightly in shock. "It was not my place to say anything." Raising my hand enough to signal Marie that her comments had not been deemed to bold, I turned my eyes back to the mirror in front of me and watched as Marie continued rolling and pinning my hair. Silence filled my room.

After a few minutes, Marie's soft voice filled the room. "I'm on the last lock of your hair, Miss," she said over a soft knock on the door.

"Thank you, Marie," I said. Pitching my voice louder, I called, "Come in!" to the person who had knocked on my door. The door opened to reveal the butler, Jonathan. "Yes, Jonathan? I addressed him.

"Miss Swan, Miss Brandon and Miss Hale have arrived and are waiting in the entrance hall," Jonathan announced.

"Thank you Jonathan," I said as I felt Marie pin the final lock of my hair in place. "Please tell them that I will be joining them shortly."

"Yes Miss Swan." Jonathan disappeared. I turned my attention back to Marie.

"Marie, fetch me my hat please," I addressed my maid.

"Yes, Miss Swan." Marie hastened to my closet to fetch my hat as I rose from my seat to examine my appearance in the mirror. My long brown hair had been carefully rolled and pinned to perfection and my warm brown eyes sparkled against my navy blue dress. Marie returned just then with my hat. She proceeded to set my hat on my head and insure that it would not fall off. Finally, I left my room and went to join my friends.

I found them waiting in the entrance hall, just as Jonathan had said. Alice Brandon, Rosalie Hale, and I had been introduced in our youth and immediately became friends. We considered each other our sisters, even though we were very different. Alice, with her long black hair and petite frame, was the most energetic of our trio. Rosalie, with her long blond hair and eyes like violets, was the most calm and well-mannered. I was the easily embarrassed and clumsy one. Regardless, we were very close to each other.

As I made my way down the stairs, I was able to get a better look at Alice and Rosalie. Both of them had styled their hair in the same fashion as mine and all three of us wore the same long, full-skirted dress, only mine was navy blue, Alice's was silver, and Rosalie's was a very pale green. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I drifted towards my friends. "Miss Brandon, Miss Hale," I greeted them.

"Bella!" Alice squealed. We leaned towards each other and swapped air kisses beside each others cheeks.

"Bella," Rosalie echoed warmly once Alice and I had finished. We repeated the air kisses, then she took a step back and appraised my outfit. "You look beautiful, Bella," Rosalie said.

"As do you both," I answered.

"Ladies, we'll have plenty of time for chatter at the Cullen's party," Alice said. Smiling, Rosalie and I followed Alice outside, into the waiting carriage, and set off for the party.