"Okay Bella, time to change"
I looked up at Mark and smiled softly and took the bikini he handed to me and headed in to my change room. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled at how the sage green of the fabric added to the natural look they were going for.
Since leaving Forks 4 years ago I had certainly grown up. My body had curves in all the right places, my face had less of a babyish look and my hair had grown significantly. I loved the changes, they gave me the confidence to do what I was doing. Most people seemed to think the pale skin made me more of an ethereal beauty and the scars gave me character apparently.
I looked down at the 4 huge scars coating my body from my left shoulder right down to my right side. I stroked my hand over them and smiled sadly remembering the last time I saw my best friend in person. Jake and I had been for a walk in the woods as we often did, hand in hand and chatting away when we came across Laurent. He had been with a group of nomad vampires I had met back when I was with the Cullens. He had lost control and tried to come at me. Jacob had moved beside me his arm covering me in a protective stance. When Laurent had finally lunged Jake had exploded in to his wolf from the rage consuming him, ripping me apart from left to right.
He had destroyed Laurent in his fit of rage and then took off in to the woods, a heartbroken howl following him. Sam had rushed to my side to get me and had rushed me in to the hospital. The pack had came by to sit with me or bring me gifts whilst I was in hospital and continued to do so when I was taken home. Alice had raced to the hospital to see me with Carlisle and explained that they were sorry for leaving and they loved me. I loved them too, I realy did but it wasn't the same now, they weren't as irresistible as they once were. I had asked them to not contact me again in fear of bringing up buried memories and they agreed. A few weeks after that I decided to leave Forks to study the culinary arts in New York with money from the bank account the Cullens had left for me.
I was snapped from my reminiscing in the past as arms snaked around my stomach and a head propped on my shoulder.
"You look gorgeous my little Bell" Mark whispered in to my ear causing me to giggle.
"Thanks Mark, but you shouldn't really flirt with the models when you're married to the photographer"
"Ah, Sean won't mind, he loves you nearly as much as me!" he quipped kissing me softly on the cheek "Now come on babe, last shoot before you leave"
I took his hand and let him lead me to the beach we had travelled to for the shoot. It was a photo campaign for some swimwear brand. I gave Sean a hug and he smiled "Come on sweetheart, we have work to do" he smiled.
The shoot went by rather quickly, I guess the presence of my impending trip back to Forks was weighing heavily on my mind. My dad had came to visit me around 3 months ago with his girlfriend Sue and they had announced they were getting married in July. I am happy for him, it's been years since he and my mom split up and I'm glad he's found someone else, he deserves it. I was happy to be heading back but I'm not sure how well I'm going to be welcomed back, especially with the pack. I speak to Seth a lot since he's always been like my little brother and soon will be but no one else knows how to contact me.
"Right guys, that's a wrap!" Sean shouted and soon there was applause filling the air as always and smiles on everyone's faces. Mark came right up to me and ushered me away from the other staff so I wouldn't be late for my plane.
"You sure you can't come with me Mark?" I asked as I changed in to my grey Victoria Secret sweats and hoodie with a plain white tank.
"No honey, I've told you, we're visiting family out of town this weekend. You'll be fine sweetie, your friends all sound like hotties anyway" he winked.
"Yeah they certainly are tough on a woman's control" I laughed "Although I'm not too sure how well I'll be received after 4 years since I upped and left with no warning"
"You'll be fine babe now come and give me and hug, I'll see you when you get back, we're only a call away if you need us honey" he smiled as he hugged me and I could see the tears in his eyes.
"Come on Mark, don't cry, you'll set me off" I said trying to keep in my own emotions "I'll be back in two weeks I promise and we have the big candy shoot to look forward to planning when I get back"
"I know, it's just hard, you've never been away this long in 4 years, I can't take it" he sniffled "Why does it take two weeks? It's only a wedding!"
"I know honey but I promised I'd stay with Seth while my dads on the honeymoon and my dad wants to spend time with me when he gets back. You two can't keep me to yourselves forever you know" I chuckled
"Watch us!" Sean countered as he walked in to the room and pulled me in to a strong hug "Your cabs here hun, best get going"
I grabbed my bag and sunglasses and headed off out of the room with one last kiss to the cheek from each of them.
As the cab pulled up to the airport my nerves well and truly set in. The driver helped me with my suitcase and I turned to the airport to find a man holding a piece of paper with my name on. I approached him carefully and after introducing himself as my pilot he ushered me to the airfield where a plane was waiting. I boarded and the plane and looked around at the magnificent private plane waiting for me.
"Um, excuse me? I think you must have made a mistake, this isn't my flight" I explained as I began to gather up my things and turn to leave.
"No miss, it is correct, a gift from a lady named Alice I believe" he smiled and turned to the other end of the plane.
I sat down in a large comfy seat and curled up, completely amazed that Alice had sent me a plane, she must still be looking in to my future. I smiled at the gesture as I knew it was as hard to give me up as it was for me to give them up.
"Hello Miss Swan, my name is Lydia and I am your attendant for this flight, anything you need please ask, all costs have been covered by Miss Cullen and she asked me to give you this.
She placed a black box with red ribbon tied around it on to the table along with a little black envelope and left. I opened the envelope and found a small note written in Alice's careful script.
For the wedding Bella, give my congratulations to your father. Alice.
I opened the box carefully and gasped at the beautiful baby blue dress. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and stopped just above the knee. It had blue and silver gems adorning the bodice and the skirt was layered with chiffon. She had also sent matching shoes and a clutch.
I closed up the box and smiled at the gift. I missed Alice the most, she was my best friend and it hurt so much not to speak to her anymore. I dropped back in to the seat and curled up for the long journey home with a smile on my face.