DISCLAIMER: I own nothing yadda yadda yadda all credit belongs to Stephanie Meyer

I am really sorry I haven't updated earlier but here it is now. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and I'll try to update next weekend but I can't make any promises.

Jali =)

The building was the usual hectic mess and not wanting to disturb anyone I walked straight to my office. After my usual morning meeting where staff updated me on the merger process I took a fifteen-minute break in which Angela thought it imperative to ask as many questions about my upcoming sex life. Why I wasn't sure but I played along anyway to see what she would deduce from our conversation.

Twenty minutes later I had come to agree with Angela. Edward was starting to grow on me and if I wasn't careful I might never want to let go. When I wasn't near him my thoughts were constantly betraying me and heading to him. His hair, eyes, crooked smile, his lips, and his touch...I was in over my head. Edward was going to be a huge distraction but I couldn't see the negative side of spending time with Edward.

The majority of my afternoon I was busy looking over papers preparing for my father's arrival now looking like the worst possible idea. Angela would stop by hand me papers or new tasks I had to do stare at me and then leave without saying a word. After the umpteenth time I had enough and asked her why she kept staring at me.

"You look different." She simply stated with a shrug.

"Different?"

"Yes, happier than usual. I don't remember ever seeing you this perky?" Angela sat down on the chair in front of my desk. "What brought it on if I may ask?"

"I don't know. I hadn't even realized I looked happier than usual." I smiled quoting what she had just stated.

"You want to know what I think?"

"Does it matter? Your going to tell me whether I want to listen or not."

"You've finally found happiness Bella." She stopped and gauged my reaction before continuing. "Emmett is back in your life and now you have someone that cares about you. I've known you for a while Bells and you may not have noticed but there was always a hint of sadness in your eyes. Very subtle and to those that don't know you very well they would not have seen it. Now though…now I can barely see it. There's still something making you sad but you are happier. There's no denying it."

My mouth fell open. What could I possibly say to that?

She was right. No matter how hard I tried to deny it I had changed. I remember being much happier as a child. Of course I was I had Em with me. No matter what happened I had him by my side. When Emmett left I wasn't the same. My father had become my closest companion and he steered me in the direction he thought was best. Of course my mother encouraged me to be an obedient daughter and listen to my father. I had taken more responsibility within the company because I felt it was my duty not because I wanted to. I smiled and attended events. The people I met were full of themselves and most had a secret agenda. Charlie was proud of me and last week that meant the world to me but now…I wasn't sure. Angela was the only one who really knew me.

I may not have been jumping for joy every morning but I was that sad. Was I?

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything." I had been lost in my own thoughts I had forgotten Angela was there.

"Don't worry about it. Um I'm heading out now. If anyone needs me you have my cell number."

My car was the closest one to the door and I swiftly exited the building reliving the past few years in my head.

Not once had I put up any kind of resistance. When my father wanted something he got it without asking twice even from me. I had always held some sort of resentment towards my mother for not standing up to my father but I had given in just the same.

There was never a moment when I resisted like Emmett had. I was jealous. Jealous he had everything he always wanted while I had to follow the path chosen by my father. I know I was my own person capable of making my own decisions but somehow I could never refuse Charlie. Even when I was young I was never able to say no. When I did Emmett would tell me he was proud of me and then I would feel guilty for refusing my father.

I didn't know many people outside of the office so I could only think of one person to visit.

The door opened and a bell rang. I smiled when I saw it. No one besides Em knew it but I had a bell by my closet door so that every time I opened it would ring. Ever since I saw "It's a Wonderful Life" I had wanted one so he bought me one and placed it in my closet.

Alice finally looked up and smiled warmly at me. She ran over to me and gave me a hug yelling Rosalie's name as she let me go. I sat down on a stool by a mirror.

"Bella," Rosalie greeted me. "What are you doing here? I thought you were at work."

"I was but decided to leave early." Both women looked at each other before Alice spoke again.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing really I only wanted to talk to someone."

"About?" Alice raised an eyebrow while Rose took a seat next to me.

"Is Emmett happy?" I blurted it out before I could stop myself.

"He should be he has me." Rose teased and I smiled but I needed to know.

"Is he really?"

"Why do you ask Bella?" I looked at Alice but didn't respond.

"I…I need to know."

"Yes, he enjoys what he does and he loves us but…"

"But what?"

"He doesn't talk about it much but he missed you. A lot. Whenever he saw something that reminded him of you he used to say, "She would love that." He would get this said look in his eyes but would shake it off. I never asked because I figured when the time came he would tell me."

"What about our parents did he ever mention them?"

"He would never discuss your father but your mother was brought up once or twice."

"Only two times?"

"He was always reluctant to talk about them. As if it hurt him to speak about him. With you it was as if he felt guilty."

I looked down at the floor. For the second time today I had no idea what to say. I was the one that asked.

"Bella are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Um I have to go I'll see you guys soon." I turned to leave but was stopped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Wait. We can't let you leave like this. You're upset and no one leaves this place upset." I laughed and took a seat again.

Alice left and came back quickly with seven dresses at hand. She held out a beautiful red silk dress.

"Do I have to? I don't think I have the body type to pull that off Alice. Besides I'm not going anywhere that requires a dress." My attempts were futile because the evil pixie pushed me into a dressing room and handed me the dress.

"Yes you are. We are going out tonight with the guys and you will wear that dress."

"We are going out? Where?"

"To a club of course. I'm sure you could use the distraction."

"A club?"

"Yes, it's called Desire. The hottest club in town."

"Maybe we should rethink this. How about dinner instead?"

"Bella the dress you're trying on isn't for dinner."

I stepped out of the dresser and both Alice and Rose were waiting for me. Alice let out a gasp and Rose held out her hand for me.

"Oh my Bella you look beautiful. Edward is going to have a heart attack when he sees you." I felt myself blush and Rose twirled me around.

"I don't think it would be a good idea to go out today." My nerves were skyrocketing. I had never been to a club before and I was sure by the end of the night I would make myself look like a complete fool. No I couldn't go.

"Why not? Besides I'm sure Edward is dying to see you again." Alice smiled handing me black heels to go along with the dress. I knew what she was doing. Trying to weaken my resolve by bringing up Edward. Well my fear of embarrassing myself in front of a whole audience made up my mind.

"I won't go Alice."

"Yes, you will."

"No I won't." I pouted knowing I resembled a child at the moment.

"Bella give in. Alice gets her way more often than not. I wouldn't bet against her."

I scowled at Rosalie for taking her side but when I saw Alice grin I knew I had lost the battle.

One hour. One hour of choosing the perfect outfit and shoes combination. Those two hours were just spent choosing! Rose and Alice had yet to get ready.

While both women talked about outfit possibilities Alice's phone rang and seeing as how she was a little preoccupied I answered.

"Hello?"

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"It's Jasper can you tell me what time you will be ready." I glanced at Alice and Rose noticing they were rummaging through drawers.

"How long do they usually take to get ready?"

"The longest is three hours." He stated matter of factly.

"What! You aren't serious are you?"

"That was only once I'm sure they are almost done."

"Ok. It's been an hour I'm sure they won't be much longer."

"Jasper stop taking up Alice's time the sooner she finishes the sooner we can get the party started." I could recognize my brothers voice anywhere.

"I'm not talking to Alice I'm talking to Bella. They won't be much longer now."

"Bella's on the phone let me talk to her." I laughed at my brother.

"Bells! Why haven't you called me yet?"

"What?"

"We barely talk anymore I don't know what's going on in your life and we used to be so close."

"Emmett you could have called me it's not like you don't have my number."

"I didn't want to come off as needy." I laughed again. Angela was right I did feel happier. Being with Emmett made me light hearted.

Somehow knowing that made me upset. How much had I missed out on because of the responsibility I held within the company?

"Bella?"

"I'm sorry what?"

"I said you shouldn't laugh when people tell you how they honestly feel." His tone was playful so I knew he was joking.

"Aw. Did I hurt your feelings?"

"Yes now ask the girls to finish up quickly we don't want to wait forever."

"For the sake of your health I'm going to rephrase that."

"Fine but don't make us wait more than an hour." We said our good-byes and I threw the phone on desk.

"Are you guys do…" I stopped mid sentence when I saw both girls dressed accessorized and with keys at hand.

"We're done. Let's go." They walked towards the door but stopped when they saw I wasn't moving.

"Bella are you ok?"

"Fine just nervous."

"About what?"

"I…I've never been to a club before."

"Are you serious?" Rosalie's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"Yes." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Oh my god! You're a club virgin! Yay! We are going to have so much fun!"

"Now I'm not just nervous, I'm terrified."

"Come on the guys are waiting and the night is young."

I had the feeling tonight was going to be one of the best nights of my life. Then again it could be the worst.