AN: Sorry sorry sorry, I know it has been a little while since posts - I have no excuses I have been slack and too busy reading other fanfics instead of writing mine. Its a slightly shorter chapter but at least its something!!

A big thanks to those that read/reviewed/added - much love to you

I just read one of my (newly) favourite stories "Maybe" by "107yearoldvirgin." It's fantastic if you haven't read it I strongly suggest doing so - it's in my favourites.

AN: I don't own Twilight, I do however own 4 very well read copies of the books.

Enjoy!Ch 34 – Should old acquaintance be forgot

I stood in front of the mirror looking at my new self, the dress Rose and Alice had bought me was perfect, it was like a short version of the navy blue Hilary Swank Oscar dress, the neck line was high and sat right across my shoulders, full length sleeves, it hugged my body perfectly and stopped mid-thigh (perfect length), but the back was the most stunning part of the dress…there was none. It was completely backless sitting just above my but, it was so sexy without being at all trashy, I adored it. The colour, the cut, everything was perfect; the girls had out done themselves.

Edward had returned about half an hour ago and said very little, I was really starting to get worried, I had had enough of this, time to confront Edward about what was going on. I could hear him getting ready in the bathroom, I just really hoped he wasn't naked otherwise I would have a great deal of trouble getting my point across. Thankfully he had pants on.

"Oh my god, Bella you look fucking amazing." Edward gushed as he saw me in the mirror.

"Edward, I need to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest?" Edward looked at me expectantly, I guess he knew I would ask eventually. "Whats going on? You disappeared for most of today, you were out all night last night, you and Emmett keep whispering to each other. I'm starting to worry." Edward moved towards me, still eyeing off the dress.

"I guess I do have some explain to do however I would prefer that we wait until tomorrow, but please know you have nothing to worry about with us." He lent forward and kissed me on the forehead, turning back to the mirror, if he thinks I'm just going to leave it he is sorely mistaken.

"Edward I appreciate that you may have a reason for not telling me now, but I really want to know. Even if it does have nothing to do with me I am your girlfriend, you should be able to talk to me about anything, you should be able to trust me." Edward's head snapped back towards me at the implication that he doesn't trust me.

"Bella, I do trust you, completely, its just I don't want to spoil your night, you have been so excited…"

"So it does have something to do with me, obviously something bad if it could ruin my night." I interrupted getting a little more angry. Edward let out a sigh of frustration, running his fingers through his hair.

"It doesn't have anything to do with you directly, more that it has the potential to ruin your night."

"In that case wouldn't it be better that I was prepared for this…possibility?" Charlie once told me that I could argue my way out of anything, I fully intended to use that skill now. Edward was thinking for a little while, toying with what to say next.

"I guess you're right, I should have told you the moment I knew, but I really didn't want to spoil your holiday." Edward took a deep breath before continuing. "That girl that you were talking to the other night, I think that was Victoria." Of course how had I not put two and two together, I'm going to blame the alcohol. " She comes here every new years…"

"And is going to Tyrst tonight, I know" I interrupted, "Why would you feel like you needed to keep that from me? Is that were you went today, to see her?" I accused.

"No I didn't see her today. What I was doing today has nothing to do with her." Edward was getting a little testy this was a side of him I hadn't really seen before.

"So why did you keep it from me? Why would that ruin my night? You don't still love her do you?" My hands were on my hips now, Edwards next answer would determine whether or not I started yelling.

"Fuck no!" Good answer, "It's just that Victoria can be very…nasty, I was worried that she might try and say something to you."

"When you heard me telling Jasper about her, why didn't you say anything then?"

"I don't know to be honest, I was shocked and horrified that she had spoken to you and worse that she knew who you were. She can be very dangerous Bella."

"She didn't seem that dangerous to me"

"Please trust me Bella. What would you say if I asked if you and I could spend New Years together…alone?" I eyed him sceptically, on one had I would like nothing more than to spend the night with Edward watching the fireworks on the strip, having a midnight swim. But on the other hand, for the past 12 years I have spent NYE with Rose and Alice and Rose did get us the tickets.

"I would say no, Rose went out of her way and into her bank account to get us this holiday, it would be rude to not go, we don't have to stay long. We can leave right after midnight if you like?" Edward nodded in defeat.

"Hey Bella, are we ok?" Edward asked motioning between us.

"Yeah we're ok! Please don't keep shit from me though, I'm a big girl I can handle myself, besides I have Rose." I wish I had of known how much I would really need Rose later that night.

The place was packed as expected, it appears the boys made quite and impression on Zefron, as he invited us to join him in his boothy/couch area. I, naturally, was ecstatic I would be spending the night 3 feet from Zefron, I wonder if Edward minds terribly if I kiss him…I wish. I was interrupted from my daydreaming about me and Zac by Zac, I turned about 6 shades of red.

"Hi, you must be Bella." Zac said hand outstretched, completely cool, calm and collected I replied.

"Yep" whilst giggling…smooth.

"Edward wouldn't stop talking about you, he tried to tell me that you were the most perfect person in the world, Emmett even said that you were pretty awesome, so naturally I figured I would have to meet you." Zefron whispered close to my ear due to the noise of the club. I tried to think of something witty and perfect to say but all that was going through my mind was, OH MY GOD, IT'S ZAC EFRON, ZAC EFRON. Luckily Edward saved me from complete and utter embarrassment.

"Hey, no cracking onto my girlfriend Efron" He teased as he put an arm around me.

"What would you guys like to drink?" Zac asked as he summoned a waiter.

"I'll have a skittle bomb please" I asked reaching for my wallet.

"Nah this ones on me" Zac protested putting his hand on mine…never washing this hand again.

"Ok but I got the next round." Edward ordered his drink and chatted to Zac a little as I looked around the club. It was like the your who's who of Hollywood in here, The Olsens, Hiltons, the cast of The Hills including that turd Spencer. It was a gorgeous place I could see what all the fuss was about, I would be forever grateful to Zac for letting us share his table, it meant we had our own little space.

"Zac" Rosalie said coldly as she finally joined us.

"Well if it isn't The Rosalie Hale" Zac replied ever cooler.

"Wait you two know each other?" Emmett asked over Rose's shoulder.

"Yeah you could say that" Rose replied very uninterestedly as she sipped her drink.

"Don't tell me you fucked Zefron, Rose that sucks, I really liked Zac now I'm going to have to tear his eyes out so that we he looks at you he can't image you naked…"

"Emmett firstly Zac wishes I'd sleep with him and secondly even if you rip his eyes out he will still be able to imagine things." We were all giggling as Emmett shrugged and then skulled his beer. Rose sat down on the couch beside me everyone still staring at her waiting for an explanation.

"Rosie, if you don't want to tell them about us I will, see Rose and I met on a photo shoot earlier this year, she kept begging me to go out with her and I was like Rose I'm sorry but I don't do blondes" Zac teased winking at me, causing me to blush again and causing Edward strengthen his grip on me.

"Fuck up Zachary, that is clearly a lie. We did meet on a photo shoot, Zac asked me out I said maybe some other time, we met up with each other again a few weeks ago when I went to see Anna, he asked me out again and I said no because I was seeing someone."

"Suck that Zefron…a chick chose me, Emmett Cullen no one from no where Washington over you Zac High School Fucking Musical Zefron.!" Emmett shouted whilst playfully pushing Zac in the chest.

"Like I said I prefer Brunettes" Zac teased.

We sat around for about 40 minutes or so chatting and laughing, gotta admit Zac was a pretty great normal guy, it was kinda shattering the fantasy.

"I want to dance!" Alice demanded standing and stomping her foot like a 3 three year old, Rose and I looked at each other sighed and followed her to the d-floor, now I must inform you that by this stage, I was blind…I mean para. The three of us walked to the middle of the dance floor, Rose pushed people aside so that we had space and we cut sick. I never really thought of myself as a good dancer but when im drunk, especially if I have had jager, I think I'm awesome!

One of my favourite things about Rose is that she gives off a "im far too good for you so don't bother" vibe, which ensures that we are left alone while dancing. After 4 or 5 more songs, I was thirsty so we made our way back to the table, the boys were all clearly drunk as they were yelling and carrying on. I looked around quickly for our waiter and noticed that he was swamped by another table, so I decided to head straight for the bar. I ordered a shot and a vodka sunrise chaser, all the alcohol I had consumed last night was ensuring that I was becoming severely inebriated.

"Are you following me Bella?" A voice came from close to my ear, I turned and was closer than I had expected which threw me off balance a little, a hand reaching out to steady me.

"I believe it is you who is behind me, indicating that perhaps you are the one doing the following Zachary." I teased as I let go of his hand.

"You might be right, well seeing as you have busted me stalking you, the least I can do is buy you another drink"

"Are you trying to seduce me Zefron?"

"I just might be Miss Swan" We both burst into laughter, I was doubled over using Zac's shoulder to hold myself up.

"Efron, what did I tell you about leaving my woman alone?" Edward yelled from the table, Zac grabbed me and dipped me (very Disney-esk) and kissed my cheek, we lost it again, giggling and carrying on. Zac ordered me another drink, when truth be told I didn't really need another. We stood at the bar chatting about different things, he asked me a lot of questions about Forks and my family, he really was a great, down-to earth, decent guy. Why oh why did I have to be with Edward…kidding!

Our conversation was interrupted by someone tapping on my shoulder, Zac excused himself and I turned to face the one person I was hoping to avoid.

"Hello Bella" Her voice was cold and calculated and now that we were both standing she towered over me, completely intimidating me.

"Hello Victoria" I responded equally as coolly. She motioned to me to follow her, stupidly I did so, why the fuck does my judgement have to be so impaired all the time, I knew I shouldn't follow her, but guess what, I fucking followed. We moved over to a quieter corner so that we could "talk" I suppose.

"Are you having a nice night Bella?" She asked feigning sweetness.

"Victoria, I know who you are…"

"Really, so Eddie told you about me huh, I wondered how long it would take him to figure it out, he was always so clever." Her smile was wicked and shrewd. "I wonder if he told you the real truth or just the truth he wanted to let you know…"

"He told me the whole truth, I must I say I find it disgusting that you would be out partying when you have a baby at home." I chided her with my hand on my hip.

"My baby died Bella" All the wind was knocked out of me, there was such sadness in her eyes that I believed her.

"Oh, Im…I…I'm so sorry, that was horrible of me to say, I had no idea"

"So Edward obviously didn't tell you the truth, I figured he wouldn't have. You know Bella, he isn't as sweet and loving as he seems, trust me." I stared at her blankly, still trying to process that Edward would have lied to me. She took my silence as a cue to continue.

"The baby was Edwards, he just refused to believe it, he claimed that I was cheating on him, don't get me wrong I did cheat on him but that was earlier in the relationship, I was completely faithful when I got pregnant. Anyway Edward didn't believe me and ran away to Forks, when I finally found him I told him that we had a baby girl, Riley. He came back to Chicago to be with us, as a family. And we were Bella, we were so in love, the three of us a happy little family."

Listening to her talk I felt sick to my stomach and this had nothing to do with the alcohol, I felt like someone had shattered my whole perception of the world. Was I really that gullible and naive? Had I really fallen for someone that would lie and abandon his family?

"About 10 days after Edward had come back, Riley died in her sleep, SIDS they said. We were devastated Bella, our perfect world had been torn apart, we couldn't look at each other more, I couldn't stand him touching me. That's when he left and went back to you I assume. Bella I am not telling you this to hurt you, I am trying to protect you from being hurt like I was." She had her hand on my shoulder as a tear ran down my cheek. I felt like falling to the ground crawling up into the foetal position and remaining that way until 2025. I should have known he was too good the be true.

"Step away from her!" A voice growled, low and feral from behind me. A pair of hands snatched at me pulling me backwards, I immediately shrugged out of his grasp. I could feel his eyes boring into me, hurt and rejection radiating from his body but I couldn't look at him. I was too disgusted to even look at him. I felt a tiny hand grab mine and knew instantly that it was Alice and that I was flanked by Rosalie on the other side, which meant that Emm and Jazz were close behind. I quickly turned to look at my support group.

I was shocked to see Zefron standing side by side with Emmett, I had figured that he would have steered clear not wanting to end up on Perez for getting in a bar fight, but then I realised that he, just like Rose, was in Perez's favour and that what ever happened tonight would be reported positively and wouldn't have a dick drawn on it.

"Hello Edward" I eyed Victoria as a malevolent smile spread across her face and then as if it were as plain as day, I knew that she was the one lying.

"You fucking nasty, skinny, red headed bitch!" I screamed at her. Rose and Alice instantly pulling me behind them, Rose taking her earring's off, I loved when she did that, most girls shit themselves and run, Victoria however stood firm. We looked liked a tribe of lions in a territorial fight, only instead of land it was Edward we were fighting for. We were all slightly crouched at the knees, leaning forward and almost hissing.

"What did you say to her?" Edward spat, pure venom in his voice, I removed my hand from Roses and grabbed his.

"I simply told her the truth" She smiled again feigning sweetness.

"What that you got knocked up by your trailer park boyfriend and then tried to trick Edward into thinking it was his? That is old news sweetie" Rose retaliated.

"What the fuck would you know, wanna-be Barbie?"

"You did not just call me Barbie." Rose said, handing Emmett her earrings and taking a step toward Victoria, they were so close that their noses were touching. "You get the fuck out of here, and stay away from Edward and Bella, or so help me god I will fucking kill you." Rose threatened.

"I'd like to see you tr…" Victoria barely got the words out as Rose's hand lashed up and grabbed Victoria by the back of the neck, throwing her to the ground, Rose then bent down with her knee on Victoria's throat all in one slick superhuman movement.

"I could crush you!" Rose whispered to her before security came arrived grabbing Rose under the arms and carrying her out. Victoria started to stand so I took the opportunity and walked over to her and punched her right in the kisser, sending her back down the ground. It was then that I felt two strong arms under mine lifting me and taking me backwards, my feet were kicking about as I tried in desperation to make contact with Victoria.

"You stay the fuck away from us!" I yelled as I was carried through the crowd to no doubt be reunited with Rose. We were escorted out the back door, I guess it was the closest exit, for a second I was worried that they were going to rough us up like in the movies. The door opened and I could hear Rose's laughter from behind me. I was placed on my feet and I spun instantly to find Rose having a smoke with the guards that had carried her out.

"If it wasn't for me you know, your night would be boring!" Rose teased

"If it wasn't for you Rosie, we wouldn't be able to feed out families" Even I laughed, the seriousness of the situation washing away and only the ridiculousness remained. The rest of the crew, minus a Zefron, met us in the alley way, Edward looked like he was going to be sick as he approached with hesitation. I ran up to him and threw my legs around him, raining a million kisses over his face.

"I love you so much" I whispered. Edward clutched me tighter to him.

"I have never been happier to hear you say that" he smiled in relief.

Emmett grabbed my hand and thrust it in the air declaring to the world;

"The champ is here, the champ is here! She floats like a butterfly, she stings like a bee! Haha stings like a bee, get it?!"

AN: A million thanks for reading and million more if you review.

I probably wont post again before Easter, so have a safe and happy holidays - may the bunny deliver a shitload of chocolate to you.

Cheers
Court
xoxox