A.N.-okay so I know that many of you want to kill me for making you wait so long but the thing is I kept getting stuck and going back and deleting everything. . .i wanted to get exactly what I wanted out. . .i hope you enjoy this chapter and please don't kill me. . .Please enjoy and hope you luv it. . .i know my excuses are lame but I really did want to make this perfect. . .please tell me what you think and enjoy!!!!!. . .hope u luv it cause I really tried. . .if you will please stick with me and let me know what you think and if you have any advice please let me know. . .if you hate me, I am sorry. . .thanks to everyone that has stuck with this, thus far. . .

Disclaimer- - -okay so im not Stephanie Meyer and I don't own Twilight but this plot is ALL MINE!!!!!!. . .one day Edward Anthony Masen Cullen will be MINE!!!!

This chapter is dedicated to sprinter1 and hermione0789. . .Congrats on getting the challenge right and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. . .don't forget to leave me a review of what you thought of this story. . .AND recommended by lizcullen2011 is the story stay close, don't go by FinsXI . . .

Flashback to last chapter-

Edward must have suspected I would do something like that because he grabbed me and held me so I could not go away. When I stopped struggling, he let go of my shoulders and held my hand again. Charlie and Billy were closer now. It was now or never to confront them. Oh, hell…..this was going to be a long night.

Billy and Charlie came to a stop in front of Jasper, Edward, and me and took in the sight of Edward's and mine held hands. Charlie's eyes narrowed noticeably while Billy only slightly narrowed his eyes but fixed his expression quickly. He tried to look proper and polite.

Billy looked again at Edward and my hands intertwined and looked into my eyes focusing instead on me as if Edward was not there, as if he did not matter, as if he was as unimportant as a stain you could not remove. His eyes were cold and angry but his smile was friendly and inviting. "Isabella, it is such a pleasure to see you again, it has been too long since our last meeting." he said in a light, conversational tone, kissing the hand that was not currently in Edward's grasp. As he brought my hand to his lips, Edward stiffened and in turn I did and Edward squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"It is nice to see you too Mr. Black, as always it is memorable whenever we meet." I said, being half-honest and polite. My visits with Billy were always memorable but they were never good memories.

"Dear Bella, you father has told me the news and I must say I am a little taken aback. I cannot believe you are settling down, especially since you showed no liking to any of the other young men. I was taken aback to hear that you also are very suddenly going to enter an engagement. Engagements are tricky, it is the time the real person you are going to marry comes out and you get a taste of what marriage will be like. Are you ready to take that step?" Billy asked his eyes starring intently at me, the same eyes as his son. He was using a polite tone but his eyes said something different from his words.

"I know that the news of my engagement to Edward was sudden and quite shocking but I know that I am ready to take on a life with Edward. I am ready to start a journey with him and I know that this will change my life but I am willing, just to be with Edward. I know that you were just as surprised as my father was Mr. Black but I will not change my decision. Thank you for you concern though, Mr. Black," I said as sweetly, yet surely, as I could. Charlie's face turned red with anger and Billy had more trouble controlling his expression. His face turned into a mask of rage but he quickly and with some effort put back on the calm look.

"Well, Isabella, I can see you have made up your mind and you will follow through with it. I just cannot help but wonder if there is a reason you are engaged to Mr. Mason, he is not in your class and yet you will marry him. Is there a reason for the sudden and shocking engagement? I know this is not what you would like to hear but it is a question you two will have to answer, I am just being practical." Billy asked, his eyes calculating. I gasped, he was asking if the reason I was getting married to Edward was a result of a pregnancy. He was asking if I was creating a scandal because of a scandal. Billy was assaulting my pride and was saying that I would never marry Edward unless there was a reason such as being with his child. That bastard dare insult Edward! Dare insult me!

I did not know how to react. What do you say to something as insulting and rude as that? Edward looked as if he had been punched in the face. My eyes narrowed and I let my anger get the better of me. "I assure you Mr. Black that the only reason I am marrying Edward is because I am completely in love with him and I do not care what social class he is in. Edward is whom I will marry and no one can change that. Do you have any more practical comments Mr. Black or is that all you can over here to discuss?"

Billy looked surprised by my tone and words; Charlie looked purple in the face from embarrassment and rage, like he would explode any minute; Jasper and Edward looked like very dazed and impressed at the same time. I abruptly smiled as sweetly and innocently as I could and curtsied to Charlie and Billy and excused myself to the powdered room. Once inside I let out a sigh of relief for surviving my confrontation with Billy and Charlie. I knew I was not attractive but Jacob Black seemed to have some kind of weird fascination with me and I was terrified of his reaction. The Masquerade Ball was ending and everyone was starting to say his or her farewells.

When I returned to Jasper and Edward, they smiled brightly and let out shaky chuckles. "Bella, that was amazing. I cannot believe how well you lied to Mr. Black and Charlie. You have impressed me little sister, I am proud of how well you are handling this. I cannot wait to see the look on Jacob Black's face when he hears you refused to court him, I bet that is a first. It will surely be a blow to his ego and maybe he will be a little less arrogant." Jasper said cheerfully.

Edward just smiled and looked at me in awe, as if realizing something for the first time. I was about to ask what his expression was for when he said in his velvety voice, "Bella you were wonderful tonight. I wish I could stay and continue to discuss this evenings events but my parents are leaving so I must bid you farewell. I will see you soon Bella, Jasper." Edward, always being a perfect gentleman, bent to kiss my gloved hand, though he held it for a little longer than necessary and then he whispered in my ear, "You really do look lovely tonight." His lips brushing against my ear and he rubbed his index finger against my neck very lightly, causing me to have goose flesh. He walked away, and I felt the cool rush of wind as he went. My mind was dazed and my skin tingled where he touched me.

I then remembered Jasper but there was no need for my worries because he was focused intently on Alice and her family, which were leaving. I wondered, was Alice the only one with feelings there. Jasper seemed to remember me the same time I remembered him and he smiled slightly embarrassed at having been caught staring at Alice.

"Let's go home, Jasper," I said, holding out my arm like I had when I was younger. He smiled and took it as we walked out of the ballroom to go to our carriage. We stopped to get our coats and thank the Newton's for inviting us. I avoided looking at Michael Newton; sure, he would not forgive me for our dance earlier.

When we reached our carriage, I was suddenly very grateful that Charlie came in his own carriage, with Daniel as the driver; he always took Daniel when he went to the country club. Jasper and I slowly made our way to our carriage and the driver, Mathew, helped Jasper and I in.

We were silent on the way home, both of us lost in our thoughts. I was surprised when we were home, not remembering the ride there. I went upstairs to my room in a daze. I really didn't want to talk to Charlie after tonight so I had one of the maids tell Charlie I was too tired to see anyone and I tried to go to sleep, even though I knew it was impossible with all the chaos going on in my head.

I tried to fall asleep restlessly all night. The constant rain pounding on the roof was not helping. As I started to finally, calm down enough to sleep the wind started howling and thunder and lightning began to go relentlessly. There was no hope of going to sleep until the storm let up and quieted down. I lay awake, looking at my ceiling, letting the most important moments in my life play back in my mind. Somewhere around two in the morning, I was finally able to fall asleep, thinking of Edward.

When I awoke the next morning, the sun was shining brightly and I knew it was well past the normal hour to still be asleep. I carefully got out of my bed and went to go wash my face and clean up. I needed to look presentable. As soon as I was washed and dried, I decided to get dressed and go greet whatever was coming from Charlie today. I dressed in a simple blue dress that I had always loved.

As I descended the stairs, I noticed how quiet the house was. I entered the kitchen hoping to get a late breakfast or a quick piece of bread to last me until the next meal. After getting something to quiet my growling stomach, I went to go face Charlie, head held high and proud. Remembering every lesson, I had ever learned about being the proper young woman. I knocked on Charlie's door with three light raps but there was no answer. After searching for him in his bedroom I asked Helen, one of my favorite maids, where my father was. She replied, that he left in the early morning and said he would be back later.

I found Jasper in the library reading Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley. He was nowhere near as big of a fanatic about reading as I was, but he did enjoy reading, especially about politics and war. He was very knowledgeable about war strategies. I wondered often if he ever considered entering the Navy or something like it. He could become a very high-ranking officer. I lightly tapped on the door, to announce my presence.

"Bella, I see you finally have awoken," I blushed, looking down, "How did you sleep dear sister? I hope that last night's events did not keep you awake too long, or the storm. However, judging from the look of you, you could use with a bit more sleep. Oh well, you still look as radiant as ever." Jasper said, putting on the bored, gentlemen small talk he knew I detested. I rolled my eyes and fought the instinct to stick my tongue out at him. "Anyway, when was the last time you read Frankenstein? I had forgotten just how incredible it is. I know you favor Romeo & Juliet but this is very intriguing."

"But Romeo& Juliet is the ultimate best because it is the best love story."

"Yes, but it's not a very good love story at that. I mean, Romeo and Juliet both die because of their love for each other." Jasper replied.

"Ugh! You sound just like Edward. I refuse to have this same argument with another person again." I exclaimed. "Do you really think this will work, father looked furious yesterday. I do not know what to do. It was so very wrong of me to get Edward involved in all of this. It will blacken his name and he will never be able to find a suitable wife now. . . .and how will this effect you finding a wife . . . and what about me, and a husband someday . . . and . . . . and. . . ." I trailed off, letting all of my hysteria finally out.

I closed my eyes, holding back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. The events from last night finally affecting me. Jasper wrapped his arms around me, comforting me.

"Shhh, Bella. Calm down, everything will be fine. Everything will work itself out. Do not worry about anything, do not worry about any of the ridiculous things you just said. This will not affect anyone's future betrothals. Everything happens for a reason, you remember mom saying that right. Well remember it now. Everything will be fine Bells." I just nodded mutely. Jasper had this power to affect people the way he wanted to effect people, he could always calm people down. Jasper was right, everyitng would be fine, I hoped.

"Jasper, i think i need to talk to Edward." I said, thinking of everything that was soon to come.