Sorry about the long wait. Yesterday was officially the last day of winter semester so all my stuff is turned in. Now I have these two reading days before finals start on Friday so I decided to write a chapter for you guys. Yeah, I know, I'm such a merciful master, lol. But on a more serious note I might not get to update again until finals are over next week so my apologies in advance. Enjoy!

Edward POV

I wonder how Bella is holding up. Not any better than me that's for sure.

I thought about the likelihood that Alice and Rosalie would drive any girly love for shopping out of her. Not that she had ever seemed to have any to begin with. Come to think of it I wasn't even sure what all they had planned for her today. I didn't really think I wanted to know either.

At least she has Esme with her…

We had left in the Escalade before them since they were waiting for their escort. Luckily for me all we really had to do was meet up with Versace for the suits and then we were home free. The drive out to the Champs-Élysées was a short one. Whenever he wasn't in Milan you could be sure to find him there.

Something about fashion capitals of the world…

Anyways, Gianni always was one for lavish living. We parked the SUV, made our way to the apartment building and waited as the doorman buzzed up.

"You think he's home?" Emmett asked as he gazed up the side of the building.

"You'd think so since he's supposedly dead. I mean it would be kinda weird if there were 'sightings' of a dead fashionista." Jasper joked.

"Oui? Qui est la?"

"Open up Gianni."

"Doth my ears deceive me? That can't be Carlisle Cullen! Have you finally realized that you can't live without me?"

We looked at Carlisle who was looking decidedly uncomfortable.

"Really Gianni, must we go through this every time we meet? You know that I'm still with Esme and very happy. Now buzz us in already."

"Oh, very well…"

He buzzed us in and we made our way across a very posh lobby and into the elevator. From there we waited as we made our ascent to the top floor penthouse suite.

Wow, talk about decadent living!

His place was amazing and you could tell that he spared no expense when it came to his domain. He was smiling as he walked up to Carlisle, grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed the air next to each cheek.

"It was been too long, my friend. Must you always wait until I die to come see me?"

He started to laugh as Carlisle just stood there at a loss. He then turned to me, "Ah, yes the prodigal son returns. You do look much improved Edward. Tell me, are you still giving this old man unnecessary heartache?" He then leveled me with a stern gaze as he clamped a hand to Carlisle's shoulder.

"Ah, no…I hope that I have much improved since those days…" I then proceeded to look apologetically towards Carlisle.

I guess those days had been worse for him that I had thought…

"Indeed, Edward has grown much these years. I couldn't be prouder. Let me introduce you to my other sons. This is Jasper and Emmett."

"Well, well how lovely." He leaned over to shake Emmett's hand and then proceeded to stop and admire Jasper, who looked like a deer in headlights with the attention. "Hmm, yes… such wonderful bone structure. I could most definitely see you in my latest designs. Tell me, have you ever considered modeling?" He turned Jasper's face from side to side and then proceeded to walk around him. "I thought of Edward back in the day, you know, but he had the most depressing disposition."

"Umm, errr…" Jasper looked over at us for help, while Emmett covered his mouth to choke back a chuckle.

"That's what I'm always saying to Jasper!" Emmett commented, trying to keep a straight face. "He's got those delicate features and that almost feminine beauty that seems to transcend all reason."

Gianni whose back was to Emmett didn't seem to catch the sarcasm and just continued to nod as he continued his evaluation. Jasper on the other hand was just itching to get his hands on Emmett who was completely shaking in silent laughter. Carlisle just walked by Emmett and slapped him upside the head before he went towards Gianni. Now it was Jasper's turn to laugh as Emmett went from mocking to scowling as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Really Gianni, you know how I feel about being in the public eye and my family is no different. We value our privacy and we are not as fortunate as you to be gifted in a way to hide what we are."

"Forgive me. I forget myself sometimes," Gianni sighed as he gave one last appreciative look towards Jasper. "It is easy to forget that not everyone is capable to live as I do."

"I don't get it." Emmett replied as he continued to rub the back of his head.

Gianni who had been facing Carlisle turned to face Emmett, a look of concentration on his face that slowly turned into a mischievous grin.

Now would be a good time warn Emmett about him…On second thought, nah, he's had it coming.

He started to slowly walk towards Emmett, who was starting to back-peddle.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

He looked at the rest of us with a slightly panicked expression.

Well, who could blame him? It's not like he knows what Gianni's power is, lol.

He looked back at Gianni, who was starting to shimmer and faze like a hologram, and his eyes widened in disbelief as Rosalie appeared before him, dressed in naughty jungle lingerie, a seductive look on her face as she continued to saunter towards him. "Rose? What is going on?" He looked confused and Jasper's jaw looked like it could hit the floor. Carlisle looked on with a slightly amused expression and I just tried not to laugh as "Rosalie" started to circle Emmett all the while letting her hand circle a trail around his middle. Emmett looked like he could be blushing at this point as "Rosalie" stopped in front of him and caressed his face.

"That's enough. I think he gets the point…or maybe not." Carlisle corrected as Emmett quickly clasped his hands in front of his pants and stood rigid as "Rosalie" leaned in to blow in his ear.

"Gianni…" Carlisle cautioned.

"Rosalie" looked towards him and pouted once before she began to shimmer and Gianni stood in her place. Emmett who was blinking rapidly suddenly looked mortified, his hands still clasped in front of him.

"Um, may I please use your bathroom?" He choked out and then ran for it as Gianni pointed to the door at the end of a hall.

Jasper, who had been looking on with horrified amusement suddenly decided that it was funny after all and burst out laughing. That is until Gianni looked over at him and then he abruptly silenced himself, which caused Gianni to double over in laughter. Carlisle just stood there shaking his head.

"I see some things never change."

"Come now Carlisle. Stop being such a kill joy. I've been without distraction for days now and that will teach him to mock my opinion. Didn't he think I could tell he was being sarcastic? Anyway, no harm done…at least permanently…" He chuckled.

It was another couple of minutes before Emmett made his way back in a decisively more subdued manner.

"So are you a shape-shifter?" Jasper queried.

"No, it is bit more complicated than that. I can literally make you see what I want you to see. With Emmett here it was just a matter of reaching for the last vivid memory he had stored. Which just happened to be of, what did you call her? Rose? And project the image onto myself. That was pretty kinky stuff there, Tarzan."

Emmett just continued to look at his shoes.

"For the most part I find it both tedious and exhausting to pretend to be someone else so I mainly just focus on my own image. It's how I can make the humans believe that I'm aging and allows me to do what I do best. Speaking of Jane, how's Esme?"

Carlisle, who had been nonchalantly observing, suddenly flushed. "How do you mean?"

"Is she still swinging the vine with you?" He teased.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Gianni." Carlisle stressed.

"Why Carlisle…don't tell me the two of you are still pretending to be straight-laced. Especially, after the last time you two were here and-

"Well, that's enough of that…Edward why don't you tell Gianni why we are here so we can get on with it."

We all looked at Carlisle, who we had never seen so flustered and back at Gianni who had an amused expression on his face. Even Emmett seemed to have snapped out of his mortification at the implied meaning behind Gianni's comments.

"I see, well, do tell me what the news is Edward." Gianni asked me after one last smirk at Carlisle.

I cleared my throat. "Um, well, yes. I am to be married at the end of the week and I was wondering if you would do me the honor of designing our tuxes for the wedding."

He raised his eyebrows, "Married? My, that is a surprise. I guess that explains your sudden change of disposition." He proceeded to pat my head.

He did not just do that. Cool it Edward. Stay on his good side.

He always was a master at the veiled insult but I needed him to do this so I could bite my tongue for now.

"Well, I suppose I could. For old times' sake and goodness knows I would do anything for dear Carlisle." He reached over to pinch his cheek. "Alright, you convinced me. No need to beg. Oh, I am such a nice person, it's a wonder people don't take advantage of me."

That's because you are likely to make their lives miserable…smile.

He looked back at me, "This weekend you say? That's really pushing it, you know. You are incredibly lucky that I am doing this for you. I don't know any other designers who could pull this off. I must start the designs immediately. Now strip your clothes off so I can take your measurements."

We stood there with blank expressions, except Carlisle who just frowned.

"Oh, alright just your shirts then…you really do like to ruin my fun."

He sped off to grab his measuring tape and note pad as we took off our shirts.

"Okay, let's start with you first, Edward. What colors were you thinking?"

"Well, I was thinking I would be in white and the guys in black. Bella wants royal blue and gold for the wedding colors."

"I can work with that."

He made quick work taking my measurements followed by Jasper and then Emmett, who noticeably stiffened on his turn. Finally he reached Carlisle, who looked a bit tense.

"So, where are your ladies today?"

"I don't really know."

"Alice told me that she was taking Bella over to Agent Provocateur." Jasper offered.

Carlisle seemed to choke as Gianni snickered, "Is that so? I bet Esme is having quite a time there. Wouldn't you agree Carlisle?"

Not for the first time I began to wonder what was behind this strange interchange. I was beginning to think that there was something I was missing.

"Gianni, when was the last time you saw Esme?" I asked, keeping an eye on Carlisle, who went rigid.

"Oh, just a couple of weeks ago-

"Wait, I thought she was at a medical conference with you, Carlisle?" Emmett asked.

"She was." Carlisle quickly replied as he reached down to pick up his shirt.

Gianni snapped his head back towards Carlisle, "Oh, is that what you call it now?"

"Well, I think we're all done here. Are you guys ready to go?" Carlisle cut in.

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" Emmett continued.

I could tell that Carlisle was really uncomfortable and as much as I wanted to know what was really going on I felt I owed it to him to help him out.

"Well, thanks for everything, Gianni, and I'll be sure to pick those up when they're ready."

"Oh don't be silly. I will deliver them myself. I really want to meet this woman of yours."

Oh brother…

"Okay then. Thanks again."

We put our shirts back on and headed back towards the elevator as Gianni waved us away.

Carlisle POV

Thank god Edward changed the subject. That was too close!

I knew I should've called him before we came over but that would've led to too many questions. Now we were in the elevator and I swear you could hear a pin drop. Jasper kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye, probably wondering why I was spazing out.

Get a hold of yourself. You're a professional damnit!

I took a deep breath and walked out as the elevator doors opened into the lobby. Edward was looking at me with a quizzical expression but said nothing. Emmett at least seemed to be oblivious as he took to examining the paintings on the ceiling.

Poor Esme… I can only imagine what she's going through. I just hope Lilith catches on quick.

None of our kids know about our "alternative" lifestyle. I think they would all be surprised to find out that we still did the deed. Little do they know that Esme and I have a very healthy sex life and that we also like to...experiment...for lack of a better word.

Though not as surprised as they would be to find out that, that "medical conference" a couple weeks ago was just code for me playing doctor…if you know what I mean. The last thing I need is to answer unwanted questions.

We were getting back into the car when Emmett finally broke the silence.

"Well, that took longer than I thought. Man, I'm starving."

"You're always hungry. But at least your stomach gives that dick of yours a rest. I can't believe you got a hard on back there. I guess you really are gay!" Jasper jibed.

"He looked like Rosalie you douche bag!"

"It was still a guy, homo."

"Whatever, at least I don't look asexual, Brokeback Mountain. Why don't you put your cowboy hat and boots on and go model some underwear?"

"I bet you'd really like to see that, Queer Eye."

"Not as much as I liked seeing my fist in your face this morning, Project Runway."

"Keep talking Butch. I can't wait to see the look on Rosalie's face when I tell her you jacked off to Versace."

Suddenly, the car started to shake as growls erupted from the back and Emmett dove for Jasper. For once I just smiled.

Crisis averted.

Edward POV

I waited for Carlisle to say something as the two idiots went at it in the back but he only smiled.

Now I know he's hiding something.

But I refused to invade his privacy. If there was something he didn't want us to know then he had his reasons and I trusted him. I turned my attention back to the two dumb asses in the back that would flip us over, SUV and all, if I let them carry on.

"You two better stop now or I'll call Bella and you know she can be here in the blink of an eye."

They froze mid punch and quickly separated to their seats, looking out the window. You would've thought they'd been like that the entire time.

I could get used to this.

We drove in silence for a good five minutes before I heard Emmett whisper, "You're not really going to tell Rose are you?"

"Relax. I'm not going to say a word."

Emmett visibly relaxed before Jasper continued, "Besides, I bet Alice already told her anyways."

Jasper smirked as Emmett blanched and sunk back into his seat.

Bella POV

I walked back to the car as Esme followed behind me.

"If I ever see another boutique again it will be too soon!" I grimaced.

"Alice can get a bit carried away and Rose just adds to the fire I'm afraid." Esme sympathized.

I smiled as Pierre came around to open the door for us. "Will the other ladies be out soon?"

"Oh, they decided to continue their shopping. We are heading back to the hotel if that's okay."

"As you wish."

He bowed and closed the door, making his way back to the driver's seat.

"I wonder where the boys went with Carlisle." Esme mused.

"Oh, didn't Carlisle tell you? Edward was going to ask Versace to design and tailor their tuxes."

Ok, is it just me or did she just flush again like earlier?

"Did you say they were headed to Giannis'?"

"Who's Gianni?" I frowned

"Versace. His first name is Gianni."

"Oh, hahahaha. I thought that was his name, Versace, like Madonna or Cher."

I am so clueless.

"Yeah, I guess Carlisle didn't know then or he would have told you, I suppose. Does that mean you know him, then?"

"I guess you can say we've met before." She answered before she looked out the window.

That's weird. I've never seen her act like this.

"Esme are you alright?"

"What? Oh, yes. Sorry. I think all this shopping has taxed me. I'm not used to all of this."

"I'm sorry. You should've said something. You would've done me a favor." I smiled apologetically.

"Nonsense, I wanted to be there with you. I really am excited about all the planning and the wedding."

"Well, at least you can rest some when we get to the hotel. Do you mind if I use your cell to call Edward? I want to see what they are up to. They probably finished hours ago."

"Yes, go ahead." She fished into her purse and handed me her cell.

I flipped it open and pressed the speed dial for Edward. I waited as it rang and planned what to do with the rest of the day.

"Hey mom."

"How's my big boy?"

"Bella?"

"Hehehehe, I don't know if I like that as a nickname. Try 'Hey sexy' next time."

"Give me a break I thought it was Esme."

"So where are you?"

"I knew you'd end up calling me."

Oh crap. I forgot about that.

"I guess this means I win. Now what should I make you do…"

"Come off it. I'm done so there's no rescuing to be had. I was just wondering where you were at."

"Right, right…well, we are about 15 minutes outside of Paris. We're on our way back from the mountains since Emmett was hungry and the guys thought it would be a good idea to top off before the weekend."

"Well, Esme and I are heading back to the hotel so I guess we'll meet you there?"

"Works for me, wait, what? Oh, Bella, Emmett wants me to ask you if Alice has said anything to you guys about him."

"Um, not that I can think of…"

"She says no."

"But Alice isn't with us since she went on with Rosalie."

"Did you hear that? Alice went with Rosalie somewhere."

"Oh, shit!" Emmett cursed in the back.

"Dude, you are so screwed." Jasper laughed.

"You'd better call Alice and tell her not to say anything or I'll show you screwed." Emmett growled.

"I already told you I don't swing that way, Chippendale." Jasper retorted.

All of a sudden I heard a lot of growling and tearing. "Umm, do you need my help over there?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it. Hey, watch it! Bella, I'll see you at the hotel."

Next thing I knew I was listening to the ring tone.

"Looks like they're having a pretty exciting time…" I smiled at Esme sheepishly.

Alice POV

After Bella and Esme had left the Dior showroom I complained to Rose about Bella's lack of enthusiasm for finding the perfect wedding dress so we decided to go ahead and secure the appointment with the Balenciaga atelier to meet with the head designer himself. Over the course of the five-hour meeting, we had rejected and dismissed countless designs, causing poor Cristóbal to rip up more than several dozen sketches.

"Queridas, this would be a lot easier if I knew what you were looking for!" he let out, completely exasperated. "You're pickier than the bride!"

I inhaled sharply. "Exactly, if we left this up to Bella she would just pick the first thing she came across and be done with it!"

"You say this like it is a bad thing." He mumbled under his breath as if I couldn't hear him.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I could picture them walking down the aisle together. The dress she'd wear would be simple, white, merely a sheet, like a toga.

"The dress must be white like snow…transparent like tears. It has to be simple, yet elegant…"

"Yes, yes I see what you mean…white silk satin."

He was already getting that faraway look in his eye that he gets when the pattern works it way into his head. They didn't call him the master for nothing. He pulled out a fresh sheet and set to work. It didn't take him long before he was scrutinizing it and nodding his head.

"Hmm, yes, it just might work. It is genius. Here come look."

We went to go look over his shoulder and I gasped. "It's perfect! It is so Bella with a modern flare. She'll love it!"

"Where were you for my last wedding?" Rosalie pouted.

"When can it be done?"

"Well, I will have to send for the materials but since I am making it my first priority it should be done in four days…give or take a day."

"That's perfect the wedding is in five after today so it can be delivered. Do what needs to be done and spare no expense. You know money is never a problem."

"Of course I do…why do you think we're friends?" He winked as he set off to assemble his crew.

"Well, at least that's one less thing to worry about…now come help me find where we're going to have this shindig."

"Whatever." She laughed. "I'm soo ready to go home. Let's just do that tomorrow."

"Alright, fine. Hey, have you talked to Emmett today?"

"No. Why?"

"Oh, no reason…I wonder how things went with Versace today."

"Like you don't know, did something happen?"

"I probably shouldn't say…"

"Well now you have to. Did Emmett do something?"

"Let's just say Gianni really liked your Jane outfit…and your jungle routine."

"WHAT? He didn't! He told a complete stranger about this morning? And a famous designer no less! Ooo, I'm going to rack him and then I'm going to geld him and then…"

She continued to rant as she stormed out the door.

Poor Emmett…it's not my fault she didn't ask for the whole story.

I wasn't going to say anything but then I saw him cold clock Jasper and well…

What goes around comes around…I can't wait to see this.

I can't wait to see what happens either! P.S I really don't have anything against gays or lesbians so sorry if parts of this chapter offended anyone!