"Alright guys it's show time! When I call your name get in line!"

Emmet's hand gripped tighter around his mouth as he tried to contain his laughter. Alice was also laughing by my side. Our attention was directed at a short, chubby, bald man. His name was Patrick, and he had been hired to run things backstage. He had a very flamboyant personality. Twice already he had tried to pinch Alice's cheeks. The funniest part was the way he talked in a singsong manner.

"Okayyy. Will the wonderful Esme and Carlisle please begin your decent?" He sang. I could here somebody announcing Esme and Carlisle's names to the people in the ballroom.

"This is ridiculous!" I whispered to Alice. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and shrugged.

"It's not that bad Bella. At least you won't fall," she smirked. She was right though. I would be walking with Emmet and I knew he wouldn't let me fall.

"Alice and Edward!" Patrick shrieked. I felt my heart beat pick up speed. My eyes darted around the group of people. I felt Alice's hand on my shoulder.

"You'll meet him later," she squeezed my shoulder and skipped off towards the stairs. The rest of us waited while more names were called. We didn't have to wait long after Rose and Jasper were called before I heard my own name.

"Emmet! Bella! Lets goooo," Patrick said. Emmet took my hand in his.

"Let's go slugger," he whispered. I nodded and followed him through the crowd. My nerves started to act up again, but Emmet squeezed my hand reassuringly.

We rounded the corner as the announcer said our names.

"Emmet and Bella Swan," he said. I took in the beautiful ballroom before me. The stairs before me were a deep golden color. They led down to a beautiful marble floor. The rest of the room was various shades of gold and tan. The ceiling had an enormous painting on it that I couldn't make out. My eyes automatically scanned the back wall.

"Bella? Bella? Come on! That was your cue!" My teacher said as she pushed me towards the stage. With a final nudge I found myself under the bright lights. I slowly sauntered towards the other girl onstage. My puffy tutu sparkled under the lights. I opened my mouth to say my lines, when I saw my mom standing against the back wall. I heard a snap as a closed my mouth. She smiled at me and I felt my heart tug. I knew she shouldn't be here. She was too sick to be coming to my third grade play. She gave me a small nod and mouthed the words "I am so proud of you," to me. Needless to say, I performed my scene flawlessly. When the play was over my mom was gone. When I got home that night my mom explained that it would be our little secret. From then on she always snuck out of the house to see Emmet and I at various events. She was always at the back wall to tell me how proud she was.

The loud clapping snapped me out of my memories. I quickly focused my eyes back to the steps before me. I gripped Emmet's hand even tighter and heard him chuckle under his breath. I took each step carefully. When I reached the bottom I heard my mom whispering inside my head, "I am so proud of you." Confidence surged inside of me. I released Emmet's hand and strode forward with a purpose. Emmet smiled and followed me towards Alice. She wasn't hard to find, seeing as how she was basically jumping up and down.

"Bella! That looked so graceful!" Alice teased me. She gave me a quick hug before Esme enveloped me.

"You looked beautiful," she whispered. I beamed and told her just how great she looked too. I heard somebody clearing their throat behind Esme. I knew this was the moment of truth. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Bella, I would like you to meet my cousin Edward." With that Esme stepped aside revealing the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His hair was a bronze color and it looked like he had tried to comb it unsuccessfully. His eyes were emerald green and they captured my complete attention. A small crooked smile was playing on his lips.

"It's nice to finally meet you Edward," I managed to say. I reached out to shake his hand. When our skin touched I felt a current pass between us. He tensed up so I assumed he felt it to.

"Yes, a pleasure," he murmured. Alice stood to his side looking genuinely pleased.

"Wasn't there something you wanted to tell everybody darling?" Esme asked her son. I could have been mistaken, but it looked like she was trying to hide a frown.

"Oh yes." He replied, running a hand through his hair. I almost melted. "If you'll excuse me," he excused himself and walked away through the crowd. Alice immediately gave her aunt a questioning look, but Esme ignored it.

"Cute huh?" Rosalie whispered in my ear. I nodded my head vigorously and she laughed. Suddenly her expression turned angry.

"Rose? What's wrong?" I asked. She shook her head and motioned towards the crowd. I looked to where she had pointed and saw that Edward had returned. My heartbeat sped up again. However he had another person with him.

She was a tall Strawberry-blonde. She wore a dress that made her look like she owned the place. She was the first person I had ever seen that could have had a fair challenge with Rose in the looks department. I assumed this was why Rose was upset.

"Don't worry," I whispered to Rose, "you are much prettier than her." Rosalie smiled a little bit but quickly returned to frowning.

Edward surveyed us all before pulling the girl up beside him.

"Everybody, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend. Tanya, this is everybody."