Don't be mad at my premature ending – I had written this epi and thought it a little too cheesy, but have decided to post it anyway. I think this was great learning experience, being my first fic and all.

Thanks to everybody who stuck around and watched me struggle my way through this one. It was brutal.

SM owns.

"Bella, move in closer. Smile!" Alice demanded as I shuffled uncomfortably in my spot, sandwiched between Emmett and Edward.

"Cheese." I said flatly as Alice snapped her 100th picture in the last hour.

Edward grinned, pulling me closer to his side and kissing the top of my head.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" He whispered into my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Only about fifty times." I smiled, shifting my weight to my other leg. "And honestly, as much as I appreciate the compliment, I'd rather be wearing jeans and anything but these shoes."

It was New Years Eve and Alice, predictably, had me looking like a Christmas gift. I was wearing a deep green dress and was adorned with gold jewelry. My hair was done high upon my head, and my gold heels made me about as tall as Edward. I had already tripped nearly five times.

"Okay, we need one group shot." Rosalie called, waving at Carlisle, who stepped forward obligingly and took the camera. She ran her hands over her silver mini dress before stepping back.

I sighed as I was pulled back into another tightly smashed line of people. I smiled until it hurt as Carlisle took far more then just one group shot.

"Five minutes!" Alice called, hopping up and down while grabbing at Jasper. "Let's go, you too Charlie."

"Alright, alright." My dad sighed, shooting an exasperated look at me with a smile on his face. Although he hated parties, he had no problem being here tonight. Although they didn't see each other often, Charlie and Carlisle had formed somewhat of a strange friendship when they had recently met while Carlisle was on a random trip to visit Allendale. Charlie had actually invited Carlisle out ice fishing. I couldn't wait to see the results of that little trip.

"Bella, you too." Alice ordered, her hands on her narrow hips.

We all filed dutifully into Carlisle's living room, and it was suddenly quiet as we watched Dick Clark start the countdown on the flat screen. We had come here to celebrate New Year's and to remember Esme. It had been Carlisle's idea, one that we were all happy to participate in. None of us could imagine being anywhere else actually, even Emmett, who had muttered more than once that he needed a drink.

But there was no alcohol at this New Year's Eve party.

I squeezed Edward's hand and looked at him. He gave me a small smile, his green eyes glistening.

Alice was crying too, holding onto Jasper from the side. Rosalie and Emmett were standing behind them, their eyes glued to each others. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, smirking across the room at Charlie, who had found a seat on a leather couch.

I realized Carlisle was standing next to me and I reached out my other hand and let it fall on his arm. He looked at me, startled, then smiled kindly and nodded.

As the countdown continued I allowed myself to run my mind back over the last year. It seemed impossible it had only been a year since Edward and I had been together, and less than six months since Esme's death.

Edward had been doing tremendously well since he let everybody back into his life.

It wasn't always easy – and he still wasn't going to school full-time, but he was taking two classes and spending a lot of time with Alice.

There were still nights he would wake up next to me in a cold sweat, thirsty for a drink. There were still days his eyes would glaze over and he would mentally retreat from the room, but those times were becoming few and far between. He was learning how to grieve. There had been a close call, or two, but he was always willing to let me comfort him. He was letting me see the real Edward, the Edward I had always loved, and would always love.

Christmas had been the biggest hurdle to cross. Charlie understood when I had asked him if he minded I spend Christmas with the Cullen's. He even had an early mock-Christmas for me so I didn't feel so endlessly guilty for leaving my Dad to fend for Christmas Eve dinner alone.

Renee was not so understanding. She was upset and hurt that I hadn't come to visit since coming to Michigan, but with a little persuasion she agreed to buy a plane ticket to come out with Phil the week before classes returned. Charlie "coincidently" had decided to plan his ice fishing trip with Carlisle that week, which was a plus. Having Renee stay at Charlie's was bound to be an awkward situation.

"Five, four, three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!" I was brought back to reality with a whoop from Alice as she pulled Jasper in closely. I felt the mood in the room shift and Edward's hand at the back of my neck and I turned to him slowly, caught by his intense gaze.

"It's a new year." He whispered, bringing his other hand up to my face. Without warning, my eyes watered over. "I love you."

I nodded as he brought his lips to mine as my knees went weak and for a moment the entire world melted away.