It's been a little over a year since Edward left Bella (in New Moon). Now at a Christmas party will Bella's change help them to find their way back to one another. Or will new little member of the family push them farther apart or closer than they ever believed possible?

A Christmas to Remember

Chapter 1

Bella's POV

"Izzy...Izzy wake up!" at the sound of the unknown voice I shot up in bed, and found myself staring into big wide blue eyes. "Are you alright? It sounded like the same nightmare again; I still think that if you need to talked about it..."said my very concerned roommate.

"Stop it Sarah, I already told you I don't remember my dreams after I wake up." I said while rubbing my face I realized that it was warmer than usual in my room. I glance from Sarah to my now closed window.

"Did you shut my window?" I asked a little confused and irritated.

"Yeah, it was like an ice box in here. I don't know why you insist on leaving it open. And by the why nice try."

"I have my reasons, and what do you mean nice try?"

"On distracting me from your dream I mean I could tell you what I heard you saying and...maybe that would work, you might remember, you know?"

"No thanks. If it's a nightmare, than that's where it needs to stay, in the night." I turned to see the time on my clock radio that sat on the bedside table 5:30pm it read, dang two more hours before I had to be at work, what excuse could I use to get away this time. The sound of the phone in the hall ringing saved me, "I've got." Sarah yelled as she headed for the door.

I didn't care who it was just as long as I was alone again, but just as always the minute I was alone I felt myself start to sink into the black pit of disrepair I always found myself in when I was truly alone with nothing to occupy me. I shook my head "No, you're not really alone Sarah's in the other room, she'll be right back, so just stop it!"I thought angrily to myself. I knew what I had to do; I pulled back my covers and walked into my bathroom shutting the door with a load bang so she wouldn't bother me.

I looked in the mirror to see the same dark circles as always under my eyes, sleepless nights does that to a person, not to mention the late nights I was keeping. I turned from the mirror and walked to the shower, I turned the hot water on first to let the water warm, and then removed my night clothes tossing them in the laundry, that I had let pile up, better get a load washed today I made a mental note of while stepping into the now too hot water, I quickly turned on the cold and it was soon just the warmth I wanted.

I took my time washing myself and my hair, shaving to. My mind wondered to Sarah, if she really knew what my nightmares was about she would have me locked away in a mental hospital. Because sane people didn't dream about vampires loving and leaving them only to want them to come back and love them again. Nope not a sane thing to dream about.

I mean should I tell her that a little over a one year ago the vampire love of my life left me in the woods outside my house because he didn't think I belonged in his world, because it was just too dangerous for me. Only he didn't know that he was leaving me in more danger. A vengeful vampire from our past found me and instead of killing me like she wanted, she decided that he would pay more for killing her mate if she changed me into what he was trying to protect me from in the first place. Sure I could tell her that, but then she would also realize that for the past six months she was living with a vampire and well that would be the end of this life and on to yet another.

I finished in the shower, stepped out and quickly dried off. I returned to the mirror and whipped off the fog. As I rolled my hair in curlers, and put on some make up to hide the black under my eyes, I noticed that they were starting to get a little dark, have to go hunting before I go to work I thought. I was so into doing my normal rue teen that I found myself thinking back. I hadn't seen my dad Charlie since three days after I changed. I did e-mail him and my mom every now and then, but I would like to see him just to make sure he was really taking care of himself. But I was still too afraid to go, even though I knew that I would not be a threat to him. I wasn't what you would call a normal vampire.

First it only took me twelve hours to change, I didn't have the urge to kill right away, and I found that I could still eat human food, but I did need to drink blood, but like them I decided to go with animals. And the only way anyone that knew me from the past would know something was different about me was the fact that my old brown eyes was now a deep gold, I told anyone that notice the change that I now wore contacts. I was also now as graceful as a ballerina, instead of the normal klutz and I had the song voice of an angel. Could singing be a vampire ability? Who knew it wasn't like I had anyone I could take to about it.

I remember that I had stayed away from Charlie for three days than I went to see him. I was happy that I had no need to feed on him, but he knew something was different I told him that I was going through something and I had to leave, he didn't understand but I told him it was for his own good if he didn't know too much. I left that night and went to the big white house. I didn't know what I had expected to fine, everything had been covered with white sheets to protect them from the dust, as I looked around the room I saw two large suitcases setting by the stairs as I stepped closer I saw a letter addresses to me I knew who it was from just by the way the letters was made, with a deep breath I opened it and read:

Dear Bella

I am so sorry he has done this to you. I tried everything I could to talk him out of it, but as you know he's very stubborn. Last night I had a vision that you would need some help starting a new life, so I have supplied you with plenty of money to help you get started and a new ID, I just hope that you can forgive me for not being there to help you now, but know I will always love you, and see you as my best friend, my sister.

I love you Bella.

Love Always and till the end of time;

Your sister forever,

Ali...

I still couldn't bring myself to think any of their names. My new ID said that I was Izzy Blackswan, and I was 22 years old. I just loved how she used my real last name and Jake's to make a new one. The thought of Jack's name made me shiver, the last time I saw him it was just as I was leaving the big house. He came running out of the woods with nothing on but a pair of old ripped off sweats. He took one look at me and told me to go away and never come back. That it would never be safe for me there again. I still have no ideal as to what he was talking about and when I thought of the look he gave me I knew I didn't want to know.

But that was all in the past. I had been living in Seattle for the past 14 months. I couldn't bring myself to move to far away just in case, they might return.

For the first few months I kept myself busy with getting my GED, than during the seventh month I took a job waiting tables at a night club called of all thing's The Vampire's Liar a month later, that's when I ran into Sarah, actually she ran into me. As she apologized we started talking, I found out that we actually had a few things in common, she was new in town and was looking for a job and a place to live. I had an extra room and I offered it to her, I even got her a job at the club, she was a pretty good bartender. She was taking some class at the local junior college and she talked me into taking a few courses, I agreed when I found that I could do so online, I just couldn't see myself sitting in a classroom without him.

Thank goodness the knock at the door stopped that thought before it got away from me.

"Come in Sarah." I said. "Who was on the phone?" I asked while removing the last curler from my hair and letting it all hang loose.

"It was Cam, he wants you to arrive an hour early tonight, so he can go over the song line up for tonight's private party." she said while lying across my bed.

"OK, I'll make sure I'm there by 7:00, hey I know you're off but your coming to night...right?" I asked sitting down at my desk and turned my laptop on.

"Of course I'll be there silly. I have nowhere else to be. Unless you don't want me to come." I looked to see her giving me what I called the puppy dog face.

"Yes I want you there, who else will tell me if I killed the song or not?" I asked laughing at her.

"You have never killed a song." she said throwing a pillow at me, and I caught it at once. And turned back to my laptop and typed in my password.

"Did Cam ever say who's throwing this party?" I asked.

"Nope. Just said they thought their kids would get a kick out of having a Christmas party in a place called the Vampire's Liar. And something about an inside joke. " she laughed and I joined her.

The doorbell rang and she got up to answer it. "Holy Crap! Izzy another gift!"

I shook my head, not again I thought to myself. I had started getting gifts in the mail about five days before my 19th birthday; first there were all kinds of flowers, but only the ones that I liked, than jewelry, again only what I liked. I have no idea who was sending me this stuff. I mean I liked everything but it was starting to creep me out. There were only a few people in the world who would know what I liked and none of them knew where I was...unless...

I shook the thought away and returned to what Sarah had just said, another gift today, that makes twelve in a row. I had actually hoped that since today was the night before Christmas the 'gift' wouldn't arrive. By now one would think I would get over hoping for anything.

I heard Sarah coming up behind me. She set the gift on the desk and handed me a knife. I cut though the tape and pulled out a stand with twelve drummers on it. Other than what was on the stand it was just like the other eleven they all were on a round metal stand with a long metal rod coming out of the bottom and a hole in the top middle. But this one had a hole and no rod.

"Hey this card says 12 of 12 guess it's the last one...O...M...G.!" I looked up from the drummers to see Sarah looking at the card with a surprise look on her face.

"Sarah? What's wrong?" I sat the gift on my bed and went to see what had surprised her. She just handed me the card, I could see that this one had a note typed on the back;

I hope you like your gifts. I put a lot of thought into what would be the perfect thing for you this year. So as you have probable realized, this is the last of the twelve pieces. But it's not all of the pieces. There is still one more that you need to make the rest work. PLEASE do as I ask. First put all twelve pieces together, you will find instructions inside. Once it is together, bring it with you tonight the last piece will be given to you at some point doing the party.

And if you're considering not doing this, that's perfectly fine. Just know one thing it will not only revile to you who have been sending you these gifts but as well as tell you who is throwing the party. And I know that you will want to know.

As always...

"So...whoever is sending you this stuff is also throwing the party?" Sarah had finally snapped out of her shocked state.

"I guess so; at least that's what they say."

"To bad they didn't sign the card."

"I know what you mean." I looked at the card again and then over to the gift on my bed.

"Hey want me to get the other pieces and help you put them together?" she asked excitement filled her voice.

"Sure." I smiled at her, as she ran to my closet and gathered the other boxes and laid them in order on my bed.

We looked over the instructions and it was really ease to do. It only took us ten minutes. We sat on the floor and looked it over. It was actually pretty. But I was still unsure what it was supposed to be.

After about five minutes Sarah looked at her watch and realized she was running late. She was going over to the club to help decorate. But before she left I handed her the gift I got for her. She was so surprised to find the green sweater from Macy's that she had been saving for. Of course she thanked me like crazy and then started in that it was too expensive. I just waved her way.

She gave me my gift and apologized that it didn't cost as much as her shirt. But I told her that it was the thought that counted not the cost. And that I loved my new books. After that she left and I checked my e-mails, both my parents sent me a Christmas greeting and wished I would call or come visit. I wrote back and told them that I was busy with work right now, but I would see what I could do later on.

I finished looking through the e-mails, and as usual mom and dad was the only ones I had that wasn't junk. I didn't know why I keep thinking that my former so called best friend might just happen to write. I turned off the computer and started a load of laundry; I decided that I should go hunting so I would be ready for tonight. I ran at vampire speed to the nearest hunting area where I found a heard of deer and took down the buck at once and then the next largest in the group. On the way back I started thinking about the strange turn my life had taken since meeting Sarah. I had been waiting tables at the club for a month, than a week after she started we closed for inventory and we were all just messing around waiting for the delivery truck.

Cam turned on the karaoke machine and everyone took turns singing we each picked a song for someone else. Sarah had picked mine and I was scared enough about singing in front of them let alone not knowing what I was singing.

I got up on stage and nearly fell off when I saw the title appear on the screen it was Taylor Swift's Come In With The Rain, great if she only knew that this song explained why I always left my window open. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and started to sing, I was amazed that I actually sounded pretty good, but when I was finished I was even more surprised to have the entire staff standing and cheering for me. That night Cam fired me from waiting tables only to rehire me as the new singer. It was an every night gig and I found myself liking it a lot. In fact I found that singing was a way for me to release the built up pain inside of me.

I got home and took my wet clothes from the washer and put them into the dryer. I looked to see that it was 6:30pm and decided to go ahead and get ready for work, when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Izzy hey, it's Cam. Could you get over here as soon as possible?"

"Sure Cam. What's wrong?"

"Just get here. And you're see." and he hung up. What in the world was going on now? I used my speed to get dressed I remembered to grab the gift from my floor and headed over. By running I made it in 20 min. and when I got there I nearly fell to the ground in shock. It looked completely different. Christmas lights, garland and snow was everywhere. And a huge pine tree was set up next to the stage it was covered in so many decorations I had no idea how it kept from falling over.

"Izzy thank god you made it." I looked over to see Cam coming from the back room. An exhausted expression on his face.

"Cam what's wrong, your scaring me?" I said rushing to his side. I was afraid he was going to pass out.

"Oh sorry. Nothing like that it's just that Sarah keeps wanting to add stuff and I don't think we can fit anything else in here. Do you? And what is that your carrying?" he looked confused and pointed at my gift.

I shook my head and laughed. "I have no idea. And no I don't think we need anything else in here. I'll talk to her, where is she?" he just pointed to the back. I found her arguing with Will the base player.

"Hey what's going on?"

"Izzy your here?" she looked at me confused and then continued. "Will you please tell Will that we need the deer out front?"

"Actually we don't." I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "The place looks perfect the way it is, besides if you add any more there'll be no room for the guess." I saw Will mouth a thank you and pushed the deer back into the back closet. And then ran on to the stage.

"Yeah, your right, I guess I just got a little carried away, thanks Izzy."

"Not a problem. Now where do you think I could put this thing so it doesn't get broke?" I motioned toward the 'gift' in my arms.

"You brought it? I guess you are interested in seeing who is doing all of this?" she smirked.

"Yeah...maybe a little." she took it from me and sat it in my dressing room. I followed but just as I got to the door I head Cam cussing something about to early.

I went to see what was going on. He was at the front door and Will was at his side they were trying to keep some people out but I couldn't see who.

"I'm sorry Miss but you're early. The party doesn't start till 8:00pm. The hosts aren't even here yet."

"Yes, well if you would just look at this letter I have. I'm sure you will let us in." I heard a familiar voice say, but before Cam could say another word she slapped the letter to his chest and pushed past him, followed by two young men and another young woman.

I stood there frozen in place as I watched them walk in and appraised the room. When the last woman turned and looked at me. Shock and confusion filled her face all at once, I watched as she recognized me, with tears spilling down her face she throw open her arms and ran toward me yelling. "Bella? Bella...OMG it can't be?"

She grabbed me in a big hug and I wrapped my arms gladly around her. "Hi Angela. It's me. Don't cry."

"Bella?" I heard coming from behind her. I looked up just in time to see Ben, Mike and Jessica running toward us. I braced for the impact as the three of them joined in our hug.

"What are you doing here?" Angela asked as she sniffed.

"I work here. I'm the...the singer."

"Are you sincere? Shy little Bella singing...in front of people?" Jessica laughed.

"Yep."

"Wow. Bella you look great. This place must be just what you needed." Ben added as he wrapped his arm around Angela. I was happy to see they were still together.

"He's right. You look good Bella. But what happen..." Mike was interrupted by a throat being cleared. I turned to see Cam, Will and Sarah staring at us. Cam was waving the letter in front of him.

"Sorry to interrupt but I read the letter and I just wanted to apologize. I didn't know that they were sending someone here to be the greeters." He looked at me with questions in his eyes. But instead of voicing them he just started too walked away.

"Wait Cam. Guys I want you to meet my boss Cam Green. Will Turner the bass player and my friend and roommate Sarah Brown. I introduced the others. And while they were talking I realized what Cam had said. I pulled Angela to the side and asked her about it.

"What did Cam mean by they sent you here? Do you know who's throwing this party?"

"I'm sorry Bella but I don't know. We just received an invitation about a month ago and yesterday we got the letter asking us to be here early to help out if needed and greet people until they arrived. And that we would know when they did. That's all we know. I swear." she looked upset that she couldn't give me more. And I felt bad about putting her on the spot.

"It's alright Angela. Don't worry about it. I guess will find out when it's time? By the way do you know who else is coming?" she looked at me as if I had just grown another head.

"Bella didn't you get an invite?"

"No. Why should I?"

"Because of what this party is for!"

"What are you talking about Angela? It's a Christmas party….isn't it?"

"Yes…but it's also a class reunion."

"A what? How can that be, I mean you guys haven't even been out of high school a year yet. And someone is throwing a reunion, already?"

"I know what you mean. But hey I get to see you and that's all I'm caring about right now." she pulled me into another hug.

"Sorry to bother you guys, but we were just wondering something?" I pulled away from Angela to see everyone standing around us. Sarah was the one talking.

"What is it?" Angela asked.

Looking at me she asked "Well I for one would like to know just who you really are? Izzy or Bella?"Great I was hoping I would never have to go here, but now that I was on the spot I just told everything, well not everything. "Well...I'm both. You see my given name is Isabella. And I use to go by Bella but I changed it to Izzy a little over a year ago. I needed...a change." I could see my old friends look down and then glancing back up at me with shy smiles on their faces. "You know, don't you?" I asked them looking at Jessica knowing she would be the one not to hold back.

"All we know is what your dad told us. About...him...them… leaving. And that you left because you couldn't handle it or something." she just shrugged.

"Maybe I should have pushed you harder to see the truth before he..."

"Stop it Mike, don't even go there." I growled looking at Mike in disbelief.

"Wait a minute. Jessica what do you mean someone leaving?" I could see Sarah was out to know everything she could.

"Jess please don't?" I pleaded with her to stay quiet. "Sarah...I don't like to talk about my past. It's...too hard." I looked at her with tears in my eyes that would never fall.

"OK. I'm sorry Izzy. I'll leave it alone. For now." she smiled

"Well I guess that'll have to do." the appearances of a warm genital hand on my shoulder made me turn so fast I nearly knocked Mike over.

"Um...Bella could I talk to you over here?" he asked pointing toward the tree.

"Sure Mike." we walked over and he took a deep breath, unsure how to begin.

"Mike whatever it is, just spit it out."

"OK. Don't get mad. But it seems to me, that a curtain disappearance may have been what you needed. You seemed to be doing really good here, and I can tell your...well...safer.

But before the discussion turned into an argument, that I was not prepared for. I was once again saved by the bell. Everyone turned to the front door. I saw Cam look at his watch.

"Time for the party. This will all have to wait till a better time." As he led the way to the door, I ran into my dressing room and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Was I ready for this, seeing my old classmates, all but the ones I really wanted to see? But the most important question was I ready to hear what they thought about the situation. As I looked into my own eyes and saw the familiar gold I knew the answer at once, no I wasn't ready.

Well there you have the first chapter. I am going to try and have this story finished by Christmas Day. But I will keep you updated if it will be longer than that.

Well please review and let me know what you think.

Thanks SarinaC