Dance for Two Chapter 3, a twilight fanfic

A/N – I had a dream (just like Stephenie Meyer!) but the dream was about Edward and Bella, so yeah – they belong to her – I'm just borrowing them! Please don't steal my story, 'cause that would just make me sad.

There are some lines in this chapter that I've borrowed from canon – they belong to Stephenie Meyer, not me – though I wish they did!

As ever, huge props to my wonderful betas, CanadianDreamr and rubiesymusica – I appreciate everything so much! *hugs*

Seattle – May 27th

My flight from Chicago to Seattle was short and uneventful; it seemed like no time at all before the plane was touching down at Sea-Tac International and I was hurrying to gather my carry-on and exit the plane. Alice had said she'd pick me up, so I quickly sent a text to let her know I had arrived.

Landed. Where are you?

I made a pit stop into the nearest bathroom to freshen myself up and to relieve my bladder. Drinking two cokes had definitely been a bad idea. I had just finished washing my hands and was trying to tame my hair into submission when my phone chirped with a text from Alice.

I got tied up at work – but I sent someone to get you, no worries.

I made a face at my phone as I scrolled through my contacts and dialed Alice's number. No answer. Hmm, very interesting, Mary Alice Cullen. Just what are you plotting? I shouldered my bag and made my way down the concourse, looking around for the 'someone' Alice had sent to pick me up, and my suspicions were confirmed when I caught sight of Edward leaning against a pillar, scanning the crowd – for me. I shook my head and fought my way through the masses, catching his eye and waving to him. He waved back and smiled that crooked grin of his that effectively ended any and all of my brain function, leaving me unable to do anything other than smile back as I came up beside him.

"Bella," he nodded and gestured to my bag. "May I?"

"You don't have to -" I protested weakly as he shouldered my carry-on. "Thanks."

"No problem. How was your flight?" Edward asked me as we made our way towards the baggage claim.

"Uneventful," I answered, practically running to keep up with his long strides. He noticed my struggle and slowed his pace a bit. "So … Alice got caught up at work?"

"So she claims – it seems a bit far fetched, considering she works for me and I didn't have anything planned for her this afternoon," Edward smiled down at me.

I rolled my eyes. "Knowing Alice, she's up to something diabolical."

"I've no doubt of that," Edward laughed. We stood in a comfortable silence as we watched the baggage carousel for my suitcase; as it came into sight I reached for it only to have the handle pulled away from me by Edward, who easily maneuvered it over the barrier. "Ready?"

"Honestly, I can carry my own bags," I huffed, slightly perturbed at his assumptions.

"I know you can – but I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I allowed you to." Edward explained, adding a smile to soften his words. "Now, if you're ready, I'm to take you back to the house since Esme is dying to fuss over you about how skinny you are and to make you eat entirely too much."

"Sounds like Esme," I laughed. "Lead the way."

The ride from the airport to the house was a short one; this would be my first visit to Esme and Carlisle's new home in Seattle, which they had only purchased a few years before when Carlisle had taken a job at Seattle Children's Hospital. I had to fight to keep my mouth closed when Edward pulled his car up to the house – their home in Forks had been beautiful and impressive, but this house was stunningly gorgeous.

"Ostentatious, isn't it?" Edward nodded toward the house as he cut the engine.

"It's gorgeous," I clarified, gazing up at the house in awe as Edward helped me once again with my luggage. He led me into the house, which was every bit as beautiful inside as I had expected, and I took in as much detail as I could as I followed Edward into the sunny and spacious kitchen.

"Mom?" Edward called out, setting down my suitcase and carry-on.

"Edward? Bella?" Esme came rushing into the kitchen excitedly, beaming with excitement. "It's so wonderful to see you, sweetheart!"

I felt at home as soon as her arms enveloped me in a hug and her familiar scent washed over me. "You, too, Esme. The house is beautiful."

"Thank you, dear. Your room is all ready, of course, and you'll be sharing a bathroom with Alice – so good luck with that," Esme laughed, holding me at arms length. "Now, let me get a good look at you." I waited patiently while she inspected me, shaking her head and sighing. "Beautiful as always, but too skinny. Didn't they feed you out there in Chicago?"

"It's nothing that your cooking won't fix," I assured her, blushing. "Are you sure it's okay that I stay here – I don't want to be a bother."

Esme playfully swatted me on the butt. "That's enough of that – of course you're staying here. I've already had Emmett and Jasper bring your things from your dad's house and Alice organized everything for you in your room."

"So good luck finding anything," Edward snickered, earning him his own swat from Esme.

"That's enough out of you," Esme scolded him. "Would you mind showing Bella her room? Dinner won't be for a few hours, Bella, so relax and get settled in. We'll have a nice long catch-up chat later."

"More like a grilling," Edward commented under his breath as we left the kitchen, making me giggle.

"I heard that, Edward!"

~O~

Once in the beautifully appointed bedroom that Esme had assured me was mine, I decided a long, hot shower was in order. I felt much better after getting cleaned up and out of my travel clothes, and even though I knew I'd be scolded by Alice later, I dressed casually in a fitted dark blue t-shirt and my favorite faded jeans. I had just finished blow drying my hair when a knock sounded on the door, followed by a blur that was my best friend.

"Bella!" Alice lunged at me, grabbing me in a bear hug. "You're here!"

I attempted to disentangle myself from her, without success. "It's good to see you too, Alice."

"Did you see your closet yet?" Alice gleefully jumped up and down, clapping her hands until she took a good look at what I was wearing. "Obviously not."

"No ... and I'm a little afraid to now." I laughed nervously. Normally Alice was a force to be reckoned with, but when she went into Fashion Coordinator Alice mode – there was no telling what could happen.

"Honestly, Bella – you should be used to this by now! You are sadly deficient in the ability to dress yourself properly, but luckily, you have me to guide you and attempt to educate you in the ways of fashion," Alice giggled as she pulled me toward the double doors that I assumed led to the closet. She opened the doors, and I stopped dead in my tracks. It was the closet to end all closets – a beautiful antique dressing table sat in front of a window overlooking the back yard and there were several dressers around the room with one in the center. There were also two large closets and another door that led into our shared bathroom that I hadn't noticed before.

"I hope this doesn't mean that you think you'll be playing Full Size Barbie with me everyday – I am here to work, you know."

Alice rolled her eyes. "I know that, Bella. But once I started unpacking your clothes, I knew you needed my help in the worst way, so Rose and I -"

I cut her off. "Please tell me you didn't go out and buy me stuff!" Alice's guilty expression was all the confirmation I needed. I groaned and threw open the nearest drawer, where the sight of a lot of lace and satin met my eyes. "Alice!"

"Don't be mad, Bells, please?" Alice begged me.

I slammed the drawer shut and threw open one of the closets where at least a dozen dresses and even a few garment bags were hanging up, which I was pretty sure held ball gowns or something else equally as fancy. I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself down; I knew Alice and Rosalie hadn't done any of this to upset me, but it did. My entire life I never had the type of money that the Cullens had and usually it didn't bother me. I knew that the things that Alice, Esme, and even Rosalie had purchased for me over the years were gifts and that it made them happy to be able to give me nice things. Yet it always made me uncomfortable to not be able to reciprocate in some way. "Allie … you know how I feel about always taking things from you guys …"

"Don't think like that, Bell – you know we do it because we love you." Alice wrapped her arms around me. "You don't know how much we've all missed you – how much I've missed you. Please – just consider this a welcome home present from all of us."

I hugged Alice back with a sigh, my earlier anger abating. "Fine. I appreciate it, really I do." I took one look at her chagrined face and had to laugh. "I know you're dying to show me how to work everything in here – so go on!"

Alice squealed and picked up a remote that was lying on the center dresser. "First – some music!" She pressed a series of buttons and music began to play from hidden speakers and soft lights came on all around the ceiling. I allowed Alice to show me all of the new things she and Rosalie had purchased for me, and I even got more than a little excited about some of them. It had been such a long time since I had had any new clothes other than dance wear; there was never much need for it in Chicago, where I was always either going to or coming from classes, rehearsals or performances; so the opportunity to have and to wear normal clothes was exciting. We had been going through all the clothing and accessories – with Alice making model the occasional piece - for about an hour when "Bad Romance" came on over the speakers.

"Ooh, I love this song!" I smiled at Alice, who turned up the volume and we started singing along.

Rah rah ah ah ah

Ro mah ro mah mah

Gaga ooh la la

Want your bad romance

Alice grabbed the remote to use as a microphone and tossed me a hairbrush as we started getting into the song, singing loudly and doing the choreography from the video. I threw myself into the song completely; it had always reminded me of my crush on Edward and my impending close association with him only made it worse.

I want your love

And I want your revenge

You and me could write a bad romance

Oh oh oh oh

I want your love and

All your lovers' revenge

You and me could write a bad romance

Oh, caught in a bad romance

I want your psycho

Your vertigo stick

Want you in my rear window

Baby you're sick

I want your love love love love

I want your love

I jumped up onto my bed and belted out the next lines, putting every ounce of feeling I had for Edward into the lyrics and choreography.

I want your love

And I want your revenge

I want your love

I don't wanna be friends

J'veux ton amour

Et je veux t'en revanche

J'veux ton amour

I don't wanna be friends

No, I don't wanna be friends

I don't wanna be friends

Want your bad romance

Alice was laughing hysterically and cheering me on as I reached the end of the song.

Rah rah ah ah ah

Ro mah ro mah mah

Gaga ooh la la

Want your bad romance

The sudden sound of clapping made me nearly fall off the bed in surprise, and I whirled around to see Edward standing in the doorway to my room with that damned crooked grin on his face, clapping at my performance.

My performance. Oh dear Lord, please, just kill me now. I sank down onto my bed, feeling the furious blush blooming over my face and chest.

"Edward!" Alice quickly stopped the music and – God bless her – tried to salvage what she could of my dignity. "We didn't mean to disturb you, sorry if we were a little loud."

"No, you didn't disturb me," Edward grinned at me even wider, his eyes filled with laughter. I wondered if it were at all possible to die of embarrassment, because it certainly felt like I was about to. "Mom just sent me up here to tell you two that dinner is ready, but I'm sure she'd be willing to wait if you felt the need to do an encore."

"Very funny, Edward," Alice scoffed at him. "I'm starving – you ready, Bell?"

"Yeah … I'm starving …" I straightened my clothing and smoothed my hair off of my flaming cheeks, trying valiantly to quell some of the overwhelming embarrassment I felt as I moved past Edward to go downstairs. He reached out and grabbed my arm as I passed him.

"Hey – I'm sorry I startled you," his green eyes were still filled with laughter, but he seemed sincere. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"It's all right," I snorted. Snorting was good; it sounded impressively offhand.

"No, really – Bella, I just -" He frowned at me, before he settled on being amused. "I have to say that was very impressive."

I shrugged. Shrugging was good too, very blasé. "Right. Thanks."

Edward's green eyes darkened wickedly. "So, do you think we should add that number to the tour?" He was unable to keep a straight face and busted out laughing as my cheeks burned even hotter than before.

"Okay, big brother, I think you've embarrassed the hell out of Bella enough for one day," Alice interjected. "Come on, Bells, let's get some dinner."