Hi, I am back. I am so sorry about the delay. RL has been kicking my butt. I will try and update as soon as possible. Maybe ten more chapters and an epilogue.
Remember I do not own SM or Twilight. I just wish I did.
"I don't know, Alice. Isn't this a little too revealing?" I stood there in front of Alice's mirror fidgeting at the royal blue retro micro dress I was currently wearing. "Nonsense, it's perfect." She answered as she circled me smoothing the dress out. "Besides, Edward's not going to know what hit him when he sees this." She smirked. I smirked back knowing that she was right. We were getting ready for the Cullen's annual Christmas party tonight since Christmas was only a couple days away.
Rose was on her way over, and the guys were out picking up last minute decorations for Esme. She was busy making trays and trays of food for tonight's event. My dad was coming to. His only order was to dress nice and pick up Rose's mom.
As we walked down the stairs, I had to blink a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Esme had decorated the downstairs like a winter wonderland. "Breath taking, isn't it. This is my favorite theme. I do it every now and then." Esme was behind me with her hands on my shoulders. "Yeah, it is." Was all I could muster out as I was taking in all of the intricate designs of the ornaments on the tree. "I get a new one every year from Carlisle and the kids." Esme squeezed my shoulders and sighed. "Well, I need to get ready myself. Alice? Can you show Bella how to assemble the trays while I'm gone?" Esme raised an eyebrow at Alice when she rolled her eyes. "Yes, mother. Come on, Bella, let's get to work." Alice skirted off towards the kitchen and I followed.
While we worked away in the kitchen, finishing the trays, I learned that Esme had practically invited the entire city of Los Angeles. And that included all of Carlisle's past and present co-workers and children. "They are always on their best behavior, Bella." Alice assured me as I gave her a worried look. "Yeah, or else we will pound them into the ground. Don't worry, Bella, we have your back." Emmett interjected as he, Jasper, Edward and Rose walked into the kitchen. "Thanks." I smiled at Emmett.
"I think we are done here. Rose, let's go and get you dressed." Alice ordered as she ushered Rose up the stairs. "Yeah, we need to do the same." Emmett was talking to Edward and Jasper. But only Jasper started to walk with him. "Edward?" Emmett called. No answer. "Hey, lover boy, quit ogling your girlfriend and let's get a move on!" Emmett guffawed. "I'll be right there!" Edward snapped back as he smiled shyly at me. "Bella, you look…." He didn't need to finish. His eyes showed his appreciation at my appearance. "Thank you, Edward." I half whispered as my face heated up. "I love that, you know. You're blushing. The color goes great with your dress." He chuckled as he moved towards me. He had just enough time to give me a quick kiss before Emmett's voice boomed from upstairs. "Come on, Bro!"
"Ok, I'm coming!" Edward yelled back as he rolled his eyes. "See you later." He ran off as he shot me his signature smile. That made my knees weak enough to put my hands on the counter to hold myself up. "Are you ok, Sweetheart?" Esme smiled knowingly as she patted me on the back. "The trays look wonderful!" She beamed. "It was no problem at all, Esme. I enjoy doing this kind of thing." I really meant it. I loved working in the kitchen. I just never got the chance to do it when Charlie and I were never home. "Really, well I've always wanted to add someone to my hobby. So, you are welcome anytime." Esme gushed as she gave me a hug. "Thanks, I'll probably take you up on that." I giggled.
Sooner than later, the guests start to meander into the astonishingly decorated house. I recognized some of them from my stay at the hospital. But most of them were completely unknown to me. "Dad! You made it! You look awesome!" I gushed at Charlie in his 'Dapper Dan' attire. And he had Rose's mom on his arm. She also looked amazing. I could tell Charlie was proud by the way his eyes lit up when he looked at her. "Thanks, Bells, you look very nice yourself, even though you might need Alice to add a foot or two to the bottom of you dress." He mumbled that last part, but it made me smile. He would always be my protective father.
"Hi, Mr. Swan." Edward greeted my father as he walked up behind me and laced his fingers with mine.
"Nice digs, Edward." Charlie shook his hand and cleared his throat. "You and my daughter make a handsome couple."
"Thanks, Sir." Edward replied.
Edward tugged my arm and had me walking with him around the room saying hello to everyone. He was quite the charmer as he introduced me as his girl friend to everyone. The word 'girlfriend' coming from his mesmerizing lips made me want to pull him into the coat closet for the rest of the night.
After most of the introductions were made, he pulled me into the middle of the room where people were dancing. "I know I dance, Edward, but this is different, I don't know…" I questioned myself feeling so vulnerable. "Don't worry. I've got you, just follow my lead." His lips grazed my ear as he pulled me closer to him and started to move fluidly through the crowd. "See, you're a natural." He chuckled softly before he suddenly stiffened in my arms. "I didn't think they would actually show up when mom invited them." He seethed through his teeth. "I'm so sorry, Bella."
I didn't need to look over to see who he was talking about, especially when I heard her cackle his name. Well, I didn't think I needed to look, but apparently my assumptions were coming up a little short. Not only were James and Victoria standing at the door, but so were his father and Maggie. I thought it strange that his mother wasn't present, but it looked like Maggie was enjoying the attention as she laughed at James' father's jokes. I don't know why I was even surprised to see them, since Esme said she had invited everybody. She had also promised that they would all behave since this was a social gathering of the finest.
"Let's go say hi." Edward coaxed. "Really?" I asked incredulously as he started to pull me across the room. "Yeah. I am the son of the host and hostess, and this is the normal thing to do." "Ok, so now we're normal?" I laughed as we made our way across the room. "Hey James. Victoria. Welcome." Edward shook James' hand and nodded at Victoria. He new how to work a room. "Thanks, glad to be here. This is awesome. " James seemed unusually polite.
His father probably threatened him. My inner Zena spoke up. I flinched a little, surprised she spoke up. It's been a while since my inner monolog spoke to me. I had decided that stress brought her on. And I was a little stressed being amongst people that wanted to harm me.
And speaking back again of his father, I could feel a cold stare. "Nice to see you again, Edward. Bella." His father's voice was sinister, and it gave me the chills. "You too, sir." Edward responded. "Oh, please, Edward. We've known each other for how long? Almost eighteen years? I want you to address me by my first name. Call me Aro." He grinned widely at both Edward and I, showing his teeth fully. "Ok, sir..er, I mean Aro." Edward smiled hesitantly, and then he turned to Maggie. "And how have you been, Maggie?" Edward interrupted my thoughts. "I've been…good, Edward. And Bella, you look…beautiful." Maggie gave both of us a nod. She looked as if something was distracting her from being here. In fact, she had a worried look in her eyes. Just then, Carlisle entered the room. I then realized whom she'd been distracted by. Carlisle had a very protective look in his eyes. "Welcome, Aro. I'm sorry your wife couldn't make it. Esme says she's ill." Carlisle didn't miss a beat as he shifted his eyes over to Maggie. "And it's so nice you could accompany Aro to our party, Maggie. I trust he is treating you well?" He raised his eyebrows at her. "Yes." Maggie cleared her throat. "Yes, he is."
I watched the exchanged between Carlisle and his guests and realized that I might not need to worry about James' father as much as I thought. Carlisle had quite the effect on his colleagues. And I think Maggie actually feared Carlisle. Do we need to fear Carlisle as well? Zena whispered inside. "No…I mean…well…no." I breathed back under my breath. "You ok?" Edward whispered pulling me close to his side. "Yeah, I am. Can we…dance again?" I looked at him with a big smile. "Sure." He answered giving me a worried look. "Sure you're ok? Do you want to go to my room instead?" He smiled evilly. "No, Edward, I don't think our parents would appreciate us ditching the party to go make out." I giggled. "Who said anything about just making out. I wanted to see that dress of yours on my bedroom floor so I can see what you may or may not be wearing underneath it." Edward growled in my ear making me shiver effectively. "I also don't think you parents, my dad, or your company would appreciate us lighting up your house like the fourth of July if we got too hot and bothered." I managed to squeak out. Then he looked at me like he had suddenly remembered our conversation about what Carlisle had told him what might happen if we were to be too intimate. "You're right. Let's dance." He laughed as he led me toward the middle of the room. Emmett and Rosalie were practicing their ballroom dancing, and Jasper and Alice were doing some sort of jitterbug dance. Edward and I chose to stick with just moving together around the dance floor in a fluid motion. He was flawless. It put my dancing to shame. He was perfect. Almost too perfect. "I love you." I breathed as I put my head on his chest. "I love you, too. More than words can say." He breathed back as he pulled me in closer.
"Hey, you're supposed to be moving around when you dance." Emmett guffawed as he twirled Rose past us. It was then that I realized we had stopped moving. And I was perfectly fine with that. I had never felt more content as I did at that moment. Safe even. Safe, are you kidding? Zena huffed as I saw James giving me an eerie look as he danced with Victoria. "Yes. Safe." I said out loud, ignoring my inner thoughts. "Good." Edward mumbled. I guess he was getting used to inner and outer ramblings.