Chapter 12: Ball

A/N: So sorry that I'm late updating, but I've been very ill recently. I would like to say a huge.....WOW! You guys are absolutely great! Big hugs to everyone, and especially Michelle who reviewed my work on the blog: .Twilight!!! Thank you to everyone has come up with suggestions. Keep them coming!
Katie x
P.S PLEASE REVIEW!!!

The ball was tonight, which Carlisle was taking me to. I was both dreading it and excited. Excited because it meant that I could spend some quality time with my new father. He could get a better insight into my new and wonderful life. I was dreading it because Edward wouldn't be there. Oh, and not to mention the way my evil sister would be dressing me up like a doll. That just tipped my unbalanced emotions to the side of dreading it.

I spent most of the day curled up into a tight ball on the sofa, aimlessly watching pitiful television, or curled up on mine and Edward's bed, trying to avoid Alice and her make up brushes. The last thing I needed was for Alice to see me in this weak state of mind and try to 'cheer me up' by plastering me in cosmetics.

At around midday, I was still curled up on the huge bed in our room, tearlessly sobbing into the plush pillow. I felt so lonely and abandoned, but the fact that I hadn't been willed me to stay focussed on tonight's events. Edward leaving, even for the shortest amount of time left a huge chunk of my existence missing. Surely Carlisle must realise this? He understands how hard it is to leave Esme, even just to go and work at the hospital each day.

Pulling me out of my hell hole of despair for a few seconds, my phone buzzed from the bed side table. I didn't want to see who had texted me. It couldn't be Edward as Carlisle had banned him from making contact with me. Why should I see who it is? The phone persistently buzzed, revealing that a second message had been received. Ugh! I picked my self up off the bed and rolled over to reach it. I still couldn't as the bed was so big, so I gradually got myself up to walk to where my phone was in buzzing hysterics. I sighed and picked it up, and was taken back when it showed that I had three messages of Edward. If Carlisle found out about this, he would most definitely send Edward away for even longer.

As quickly as I could manage, I stumbled my way through the buttons to reveal the first message. Making silly mistakes on the way, it took me twice as long to read it.

I'm so sorry Bella. I'm craving your beautiful company. Please meet me. E xxx

Not hardly registering the first message, I stumbled with the buttons until I came across the second:

Please Bella. Meet me at our place. I have some making up to do. E xxx

He doesn't have any making up to do! He did what anyone else would. I should be the one apologizing – thinking that he had done something much worse to Damien. I should have known that my husband wasn't capable of doing something so menacing. Sighing at how pathetic I was, I uncovered the third message to show something so simple yet deep.

I love you.

No more needed to be said.

Just then I received another text message, but unfortunately, it was not off Edward, but Alice. Of course she would see what we were planning to do. That vampire can be so annoying at times!

I wont tell anyone as long as you promise to let me dress you up as much as I want for a WHOLE month.

Haha! Does she really think that a month was long enough when I was going to see Edward. She could have easily gotten a year! Nothing would stop me from going to see him. Not even Carlisle, and that was saying something. Everybody listened to Carlisle.

A year it is.

I just sighed and shook my head, disdained by her manipulative powers. I wasn't even that fussed by Alice's deal. I was just so happy and elated to be going to see Edward. My whole day had just immediately brightened up from the hell hole that it was previously situated in.

***

I ran through the surrounding woods as quick as I could possibly do. His scent was near, getting closer and closer by the millisecond. I craved his indisputably beautiful company. I was making my way to the small meadow that we had found on our many hunting trips. It was then decided that every where we moved to, we would always find a meadow to call our own as it reminded us so much of Forks. It was like a home away from home. Moreover, Edward was my home.

The opening to the meadow established itself in my eye line, and I ran as fast as I could, whipping through the bushes. His scent was so concentrated in the air now, that every living thought I had contained my glorious husband. I less than a split second, Edward came charging out of the meadow to meet me half way. I could not believe that I could miss one person this much. As soon as my eyes lay upon him, the aching feel in my chest relinquished.

We slammed into each others embraces, disorientated by the loneliness that had just subsided. He smothered me in kisses, fluttering up and down my neck.

"I missed you so much." Edward compelled between kissing my neck

"And me baby. Too much."

We gradually made our way into the meadow and fell down under a large, autumnal tree. Our passionate embraces didn't last long enough until I had to head home from my "hunting trip".

***

I returned home after a few hours, covered in dirt and leaves from my "hunting trip". I should go on those more often. As soon as I walked through the door, I received dirty comments from Emmett regarding my explicit sex life. I received a very disappointed look from Carlisle, but that was to be expected. He couldn't keep me away from my husband, regardless of what either of us had done. Everybody knew how much I was missing him, so I just made my way to our room and started up the shower.

***

"Ready?" Carlisle asked as I made my way down the stairs, in the long, flowing gown that Alice had insisted I wear. Carlisle looked much happier than earlier, and offered his arm for me to take. Everyone seemed much happier, as if a weight had been lifted off everyone's shoulders. They were up to something. I could tell.

The long, red evening gown that Alice dressed me in looked exquisite. It was simple, but sophisticated, and worked wonders with my complexion. I had tied my hair back into a tight bun on the back of my head, and that, combined with bright red lips, exuded sexy. I would have to take pictures for Edward to see. It would be a shame for him not to see me looking like this, even though we had all the time in the world.

I smiled at Carlisle gratefully, then took his arm. He was dressed in a expensive tux, probably due to Alice's making, and looked quite simply dashing. No doubt that all eyes would be on us tonight. As Carlisle picked up his car keys, and I received the clutch bag off Alice, Emmett let out a loud wolf whistle to signify how we looked.

"Gosh Bells, no wonder why you hooked up in a field with Edward!" I gave him a scornful look, and Rosalie smacked him on the arm. Alice and Jasper were both trying to hide back smirks. Carlisle cleared his throat and I turned back to him and plastered an apologizing smile on my face. Carlisle simply nodded his head, and turned to face Esme.

"See you later, honey." He then leaned over and kissed her fully on the lips. Instinctively, my eyes tried to search out Edward, but of course he wasn't there. Oh what I would do right now to feel his lips on mine, wishing me luck for the speech I was about to give. I had a speech written down on prompt cards, but it sounded laborious. I didn't have that personal feeling that a good speech had. I would have to ask Carlisle for advice on it later.

When myself and Carlisle were in the car, and out of hearing distance from the others, it dawned on me that I really needed to apologise for my behaviour earlier. I also needed to talk with him that he couldn't just send Edward away. He is my husband, and should not be punished for protecting me. Carlisle surprisingly sat silent, not taking the opportunity to talk like he wanted us to do tonight.

"I'm really sorry Dad."

"What for?" He replied questioningly. He knew what for. It appeared that everybody knew that me and Edward had met up.

"For meeting with Edward. And for being a terrible daughter." I was really starting to feel bad for lying to Carlisle, but it just could not be helped when he tried to keep Edward from me.

"Bella don't talk like that. I should be the one apologising. I shouldn't have tried to keep Edward away from you. I thought it would teach him a lesson, but I understand now that nothing can come in the way of you two."

"Thank you, but I still shouldn't have gone against your wishes."

"Bella, it is your life to lead, I can only guide you in the right direction."

"I understand. And thank you for tonight, I think we really need this." I said confidently. We really did need to talk about pretty much everything.

"Me too. So how are you dealing with all the dramatic changes?" He questioned. Carlisle was the perfect father figure. He understood everyone so exactly, almost as if he were a mind reader like Edward. Carlisle could also empathise with you in a way that no body could describe.

"It's not been easy, but also not hard. Edward is always there, so he supports me with anything I need him too." I replied, unsure of how deep to state my feeling and emotions. My new life had been pretty much perfect so far, except for having to leave Charlie behind and the ridiculous amounts of money that they all spend on me.

"We're all here if you need us, Bella. We all understand what it is like for you at this time." Carlisle expressed.

"Is there anything you want to talk about in particular Bella?" Carlisle devotedly asked.

"Err," I looked down at my feet, unsure of how to phrase my feelings, "does it get any easier as the years go by to forget about your human family?" I had been trying to bottle up my feelings about Charlie and Renee. I had tried to hide them away at the back of my mind, but now seemed the right time to release them.

"Aaah, I see. I don't think it gets any easier Bella, but you just have to look forward and enjoy your new life, otherwise you will always regret your decision to change."

"I don't regret anything, but it's just so hard to give up the last bit of normality in my life."

"Have you ever talked to Edward about this?" Carlisle asked passionately. He really was devoted to trying to make everyone feel at their best, all of the time.

"Sometimes, but I don't like to burden him with my problems." I answered shyly. I really didn't know where all this bottled emotion was coming from.

"Never see yourself as a burden, Bella. You are a member of this family now, and we will all help you, Edward more so."

"Thank you Dad. I really do think that this has helped."

"Any time sweety, but I do think you should talk to Edward about this." Carlisle informed. He was right. I shouldn't have locked all my feelings away like this. It doesn't do anyone, any good.

I recognised that we were now close to the hospital where Carlisle worked, and so I thought it best to have fun.

"I also think that I should talk to Edward about getting you some new music. This CD is terrible!" I mocked. His face brightened up and he mock-punched me on the arm We pulled into the car park, and Carlisle, always the gentleman, opened my door for me and took my arm. Carlisle, leaning down to whisper in my ear so that nobody heard, gave me sound advice about tonight, that hadn't even registered in my mind.

"Pretend to eat and drink something. We would look a bit strange if we didn't. Good luck for your speech."

"Thanks. I hadn't even thought about that." I replied, as quietly as possible.

"I would say 'Break a leg', but I didn't really think that it was possible." Carlisle chuckled. I could see where he was coming from.

***

After pretending to down several orange juices and canopies, I began to get restless about the upcoming speech. Carlisle had tried to advise me to speak from my heart, but I was still stuck. It was only five minutes away, and so I had decided to just stick to what was written on my prompt cards. Public speaking definitely wasn't my forte.

I didn't think that it was possible that vampires could shake nervously, but nothing surprised me by now. I really needed Edward to soothe me right now, and possibly Jasper if that didn't work. Why did I agree to do this? My time was up.

I consciously remembered to move one foot in front of the other as I finally reached the podium that I would be speaking from. Carlisle, to my left, introduced me with such clarity and confidence, that I was sure that I looked like a wreck next to him.

"I will now hand over to my newest daughter, Bella, who will talk to you about what her life has been like and how she dealt with adoption."

I involuntary shook with fear, and lifted my head to face the audience. There, sitting in the front row, was none other than my glorious husband. His smile was beaming, and I could hear him quietly willing me on. I was so surprised. I looked over to Carlisle, who had noticed that I spotted Edward, and smiled broadly. I knew deep down that Carlisle couldn't be as mean as to keep Edward away at a time like this. Finally, things were back to normal. As normal as it could be.

That was what they were planning.

I couldn't think of anything better! Nothing could cheer me up like Edward can.

I read the first sentence on my cards, and then realised how pathetic it actually sounded. I put the cards to one side, and smiled proudly at Edward. I would take Carlisle's advice and speak from my heart.

"After the loss of my parents, I lost myself. I lost who I was. That was, until I was found by Carlisle and his family. My life got kick started, and I realised what I was missing out of in life. Becoming a Cullen meant more than a sense of belonging, it meant finally accepting who I had become and the losses from my previous life. I havn't regretted a single day of my life, only that I didn't join the Cullen's, and my... boyfriend, Edward, sooner." I was so proud that I managed to speak about something that was actually worth while, and could help somebody else, who was actually in foster care.

***

"I'm so proud of you!" Edward exclaimed after running and pulling me into a bear tight hug. Thankfully, it didn't hurt, as if I were still human, it would have certainly crushed a few bones.

"I'm proud of myself. I honestly believed that I couldn't do that."

"You can do anything if you set your mind to it, love." Edward answered. I was so pleased for him to be there whilst I talked in front of hundreds of people. I mentally choked up, thinking of how much Charlie would have been pleased to have seen that too.

"Well at least my blushing cheeks didn't let me down." I laughed. They really were a huge problem in my human life. I was just glad that they couldn't embarrass me any more.

After another romantic embrace, I followed Edward onto the dance floor where slow danced to the fast music. We were the centre of attention with our grace and beauty, and to be honest, I really didn't care. Tonight was about us, and how far we had come together, not just as a couple, but as a family. We danced until midnight.

A/N: Again, really sorry for the delay in updating, but I've been very ill, and also permanently busy. This chapter was hard to write, to get the balance between emotional and realism between Carlisle and Bella. I didn't want the chapter to get too soppy, so I hope you enjoyed it! What would you like to happen in future chapters? Please review and tell me!

Katie x
P.S PLEASE REVIEW!

Also, do you think the story should have ended there, or would you like more chapters posted? I was in two minds whether to class the story as complete, as the last sentence summed the Fanfic up completely. However, I enjoy writing, and didn't want to finish it at just twelve chapters. What do you think?