A/N: Hey guys sorry for the weight, been busy and having a minor meltdown with my computer. But here is a chapter for you and another is on it's way...sorry about any mistakes - I was on a role and just kept going.

Chapter 11

"You know if we were the movie vampire's catching the Queen Bitch would be so much easier." Emmett muttered to me as we sat on the porch of the Cullen's house.

This is how it was now. After ten years of being on my own every single day I was now constantly with another vampire. The Cullen's never let me out of their sight, I was always with at least one of them. Of course this was just in case Victoria attacked, we wanted to outnumber her at all costs. That was the basic plan, outnumber - distract to buy time - and then attack. We knew she wouldn't reverse her memory work voluntarily so killing her was the only option - and it was a huge leap to suggest it would reverse her power on my memories.

"Yes but if we were the movie vampire's we would only come out at night and be vulnerable to garlic and stakes through the heart." I countered playfully. I liked Emmett, hanging out with him was like hanging out with an older brother. The playful ribbing and jokes were there but the support and caring was also there. Emmett was fun and lovable, I was becoming more and more attached to the big bear like vampire.

"That's a good point...but then so would she...so there is my point - she would be so much easier to catch!" he said as he chuckled.

"You're imagining driving a stake through her aren't you?"

"Maybe." he replied slyly before elbowing me in the ribs.

It was silent for a moment before Emmett caught me by surprise when he said, "Hey Bells, thanks for not, you know, peaking into our thoughts all the time..."

"Where did that come from?"

"Well, I know that no one has said it to you, but we appreciate it, it's nice to have some privacy...we don't get a lot of it when Eddie's around."

"Well, the way I see it - it's not my gift to use like that, I try to only use it when I need it. Kind of like I borrow it from Edward from time to time...you shouldn't be so hard on him, his gift is amazing and he can't help it...it's not something he can turn off..."

Then I paused as I heard the statement come out of my mouth. I was standing up for him?...for Edward? That was something new. I guess spending all this time with the Cullens had changed me more than I thought. I was really starting to care about them...even about Edward, about the man I was told I loved, was told I was bound by my soul to, the man I resented for that very reason. I was my own person, my own woman, I didn't need a man, that's not what I spent 10 years looking for, I spent the ten years looking for a family not a mate and I didn't appreciate being told who I was supposed to love.

Emmett broke me out of my thoughts at that point asking for an arm wrestling contest. I complied but was distracted by this new nicety I was showing towards the God Adonis - I mean Edward. What did it mean?

Alice came down outside an hour later. "Bella..." she started as she opened the door.

"Damn it." I muttered, "I should have seen that coming." As I slowly got to my feet. I walked behind her like a woman headed for the electric chair as I heard Emmett start to laugh. She led me into her room and shoved me into the en suite bathroom. It was almost time for Rose's birthday party and that meant Bella Barbie time for me.

"I had a shower this morning you know." I told her through the door as I got undressed.

"Yeah but you just spent the afternoon with Emmett and considering it's Rose's birthday party I'm gonna suggest smelling less like Emmett and more like Bella would be a wise decision."

"I could take her." I joked as I got in the shower. Alice was right, Rose was civil with me but still icy on occasion, it would be best not to piss her off - especially today.

After the shower Alice spent an hour fussing over my hair and makeup much to my protests. For someone so tiny she sure knew how to keep me hostage. After she had me try on a dozen outfits she finally forced me into the first one I had tried on.

"You knew it was going to be this one didn't you?" I asked her sternly.

Alice stepped back and admired her work. "Can you blame a girl for making up for lost time? I mean I missed out on 10 years of Bella Barbie!"

I turned and looked into the mirror. I had to admit it - I was stunning and it was all thanks to Alice's handiwork. My hair was wavy, curling in just the right spots and my makeup was natural with just a touch of dark mascara. It accented the pale blue cocktail dress perfectly and sparkled in the light.

Alice appeared behind me, "Well, do you like it friend?"

I turned to face her and scrunched up my nose, "I hate dresses." I told her.

She laughed and hugged me, "You're becoming more like yourself everyday."

"That reminds me, something weird happened today.."

She smiled knowingly, "I know, we'll talk about it later. Rose will be ready in 5 minutes so we should get downstairs."

When I turned around and headed for the door I heard a distant piano stop playing. It had been like this all week since I had moved in with the Cullen's. Everyday I heard someone playing in the distance, a beautiful melody and whenever it stopped I always had a pang of sadness. I never mentioned the piano to anyone in the family, and no one ever said anything to me about it. They seemed like they didn't even notice it. And I could never go and investigate the source because I was on the buddy system until Victoria was caught and for some reason I told myself that whatever lied out in the piano mystery, was something so special I would have to do it alone. My gut told me it every time the music died away, whatever was out there was for me and me only.

For Rose's birthday we were going into Seattle. She wanted to go clubbing and that's what she was going to get. Esme had ordered a limo and her, Alice, Rose, Emmett and I climbed in when it arrived. Jasper, Carlisle and Edward were meeting us there. Alice had been so excited that she blurted out that they were getting Rose's present and was only stifled when Emmett and I launched at her mouth to keep her from revealing anything more about the surprise.

The drive to the city was entertaining and disturbing. Rose and Emmett were repeatedly told to get a room and Esme, Alice and I sought refuge sticking our heads out the sun roof. It was exhilarating riding through the city waving and laughing as we passed people on the street. I felt so normal, like I wasn't a vampire at all - like I was a normal teenage girl out on the town with her friends and family.

When we got to the Red Roses club Carlisle and Jasper were there waiting for us. Alice hopped out of the limo and into Jasper's arms to deliver sweet nothings into his ear. I smiled as I watched Esme and Carlisle do the same but with a little more civility that comes with their age.

Someone led us to the VIP section when we entered the club. Heads turned as we passed and eyes followed as we made our way through the dance floor. After faking a couple shots of alcohol the coupled dispersed onto the dance floor and I was left alone after many protests to Alice claiming I would be just fine watching from the table. She got a sparkle in her eye and said she agreed before bouncing off with Jasper.

A minute later I saw him. The crowd parted as he made his way across the floor. His black Italian shoes making no sound as he glided, his dark dress pants fitting his muscular legs just right, his buttoned down burgundy striped shirt undone just enough at the top to show enough of his stone chest to leave you wanting more. His hair perfectly messy and golden as it reflected the clubs lights. And his eyes...

...were locked on me.