Un-betad

Characters aren't mine, that is all.

Word Prompt: Live

"Edward, let's just have a good time and not worry about her." I tried to give him as much assurance as I could, but none of us knew exactly where Tanya was. She could show up and try and ruin our party, or we could worry over nothing. I'd rather not worry over nothing just to find out too late it was over nothing.

"You're right," Edward whispered against my forehead. "We'll just enjoy ourselves and if she shows herself, we'll handle it together."

"Together forever," I affirmed with a kiss.

Of course, it looked like a scene from a movie when the doors opened mid-kiss and we hear a round of clapping. "Ladies, gentleman, friends, and family." It was Carlisle's voice over the speaker. "We'd like to introduce you to, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen."

We both looked on smiling as we walked out. All of the guests were standing and clapping, and I felt like it was all a bit ridiculous, but oh well. Esme was smiling with tears in her eyes, Alice looked at me like we were crazy, and I saw Rosalie and Emmett standing at our table. Their plane got delayed so we hadn't seen them yet.

"Rose, you're here," I cheered when Edward let go over my hand. "I'm so glad you made it. How was your flight? How is my nephew?"

"Slow down there," Rosalie laughed. "The flight sucked and your nephew is a bouncing ball of energy." I held my hand up and she nodded. I could feel him rolling inside of her and it was so surreal to know she was actually growing a baby in there.

"What am I now, chopped liver?" Alice teased from my side, but I shook my head rapidly.

"Alice, this is my sister-in-law, Rosalie, and her husband, Emmett. This is Alice, my best-friend from Forks," I introduced, as they said pleasantries to each other.

Esme rushed up a few seconds later and immediately stole Edward and I away to start doing rounds. I had met more people in an hour than I had met in my entire life, but everyone seemed nice. Of course, I had no idea what they were saying when we walked away, but I tried to push that thought away.

"Bella, I'd like you to meet a colleague of my father's, Dr. Robert Brown and his wife Cynthia," Edward introduced. "This is also their daughter, Elizabeth." A sweet girl popped out with a small wave, but she looked incredibly shy. She whispered something to her mother, who nodded, and she walked off quickly.

"It's a pleasure, Bella. Esme has told us so much about you," Cynthia gushed as I smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine. What department do you work in?" I turned my question to Robert.

"I'm the Head Chief of Staff, though my time is coming to an end soon enough." His eyes definitely looked tired, and I could understand why he would be considering retirement. "It's about time to pass that torch on, I believe." His eyes trailed over to Carlisle, and I had a feeling I knew what that meant. Carlisle had been in charge of the surgical wing of the hospital for many years, but being in charge of the entire hospital would be a rather high step up.

"Maybe one day, we'll recruit you to this area, Edward." Edward's attention snapped up as he chuckled. "I was speaking with Nicholas earlier this week, he tells me you're starting soon." Edward nodded. "Boy, they're gonna give you hell, I hope you're prepared."

"Anything I should be aware of?" Edward seemed more amused than anything, and it was nice to see him talking about something he genuinely enjoyed.

"Has your father never told you?" Robert whispered, but Edward shook his head in confusion.

"I know they went to school together, but…" Edward trailed off.

"Oh, boy did they. The rival between those two was awful. Sure they were friends and they'd socialize, but you get those two in the labs or class, and it was on. When it came time for the boards they studies together day and night, but when Nicholas found out Carlisle scored higher by two points, well…as you can imagine, the rivalry got thicker. They've never worked in the same hospital, but now that he's taking you under his wing, you can imagine," Robert explained.

"I wonder why he's never told me," Edward mused as he looked in the direction of where his father was speaking. He was standing with Tanya's parents and he didn't look pleased.

"He probably doesn't want you to worry. You're not your father, and I have no doubt you'll be a fine doctor, but you should never have to live in his shadow. He was probably trying to spare you, but I'll let you in on a hint. If Nicholas comes down too hard, just tell him, '109'. He'll know what that means," Robert told him with a wink.

Edward tried pressing more information out of Robert as Cynthia turned her attention to me. "Esme tells us you're into design? Have you gone to school for it?"

"No, designing has just always been a hobby of mine. I decorated our condo when we moved and everyone has raved over it, but it's just our space, ya know. I'm starting college in a few months, but design school isn't out of the question," I answered politely. I wasn't sure how many people Esme had been bragging too, but Cynthia was like the millionth person to bring it up.

"Would you mind? I mean, I'm sorry, it's your party, and the picture isn't great on my phone, but I just hired someone in, and I don't know, I'm not happy with it," she mused, and I nodded. Saying no would have felt disrespectful, and saying yes, meant standing in the same spot for more than five minutes which I appreciated.

Cynthia pulled out her phone and flipped through a few pictures before handing it over. Immediately I could see the problem with their living room. They had a gorgeous three window view that was being half covered by an entertainment center. Had the designer flipped it to the other wall, accented around it, and used a lighter paint, the sun would shine in and literally light the room without even needing a lamp during the day. With the dark green and hideous gold curtains, the room felt heavy.

When I looked up to try and explain what my thoughts were, I felt like I had entered The Twilight Zone. Everyone was looking at us and no one was talking. Edward was in the process of grabbing my hand and pulling me closer into his body when I whirled around and saw the reason for the distraction.

"Tanya, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't think we received your RSVP," I say as politely as possible. Though Edward's hand was still on my arm, I pulled it to my side and then extended it out.

She looked down at my hand and up again, back and again.

"I wasn't aware I needed an invite," she recovered after a second. "After all, this is to celebrate Edward's marriage. You do understand, Edward and I grew up together, we're very close."

"Oh, I understand. You must practically be like brother and sister," I forced out in a sickly sweet voice, as Edward choked.

"Well, I wouldn't," Tanya tried to recover, but couldn't.

"Is that for us?" I asked and motioned towards the envelope in her hands. She smile turned sly as she held it up.

"It is, I must have bypassed the gift table on my way in, but I wanted to give it to you personally anyhow," she replied as I took it and began to slowly open the seal.

Of all the things I was expecting, I actually snorted in a very unlady like fashion when I eyed picture just inside the flap. It was obviously a photoshopped image of me and another man having sex. The image was cleared marked with a date from a year prior and the cabinets in the background were lined with alcohol bottles and what looked like cocaine.

"Interesting," I mused though I was trying so hard not to laugh as I slid the envelope into Edward's hands. When I heard him growl I knew he had seen it, though neither one of us pulled it out, thus shielding it from everyone else.

"And, that's just the first," Tanya said with far more confidence that she should have had. "I have more."

"Really? And, exactly what do you plan to do with them?" I asked.

"I'm sure there are a few magazines that would be interesting in them. Of course, it could all go away with…"

Her comment did me in, and I did actually start laughing. "Oh Tanya, release that and I'll see you in court for slander. I understand you're upset, I'd be upset too if I lost Edward, but lies won't get you anywhere with us. And, if I had to, I could call plenty of character witnesses to attest that is a botched photoshop picture that should never see the light of day."

"Who on earth would speak for you? I've been to Forks," she spat back. Edward made a move forward, but I put my hand up and shook my head no.

It was impossible for me to whisper low enough for absolutely no one to hear me, but I weighed the less of all the evils and decided there were worse things the Brown's and Cullen's, who had all moved closer to use with every word, could know about me.

"Tanya, I'm going to let you in on a little secret," I whispered close to her ear. "If I had to, I could easily have my husband attest to the fact that he took my virginity, the night after our wedding." I pulled back with another sickly smile as shocked expression played over her botoxed features. I heard a few gasps around me, but Edward and Carlisle both wore smug expressions. She was definitely not expecting me to say that.

"Look, I was really hoping we could all move past this. I understand that your families have a lot of history, and I would never presume for them to cut ties over me. After all, like you said, they've been close almost all of their lives. But, I won't accept blatant disrespect towards me or my family, so come at us with whatever you'd like. The truth is, Edward and I are happy, blissfully happy even, and you just don't stand a chance. Now, if you're done, we have a party to get back to and more guests to meet with."

Tanya turned completely red before screeching as her parent's drug her away. I looked over at Edward who wore a look of shock and awe, and simply smiled. Taking his hand and one deep breath, I turned my attention back to the Brown's.

"It's not a party without some family drama, right?" I started as everyone sort of gasped before quickly going back to what they were doing after realizing the drama was over. "Now, about the room…" I motioned back to the picture on the phone and began to go over what I would change acting as if nothing Tanya had just done phased me.

And, that was how I got my first paying customer.

Now, how does Bella really feel...I'll update later!