Chapter 23 – Sunday 31st of December, 2006

I swear my mother was the most stressed person alive. She has been awake since five this morning trying to get everything ready for her little soirée. Nearly all the glasses have been stacked on the counter, the cold bite-sized meals have been prepared, the warm ones were ready to be put in the oven as guests would start to arrive. I checked the big clock on the kitchen wall. The first people would arrive in about an hour and I was trying to mentally prepare myself as much as possible.
I really wasn't looking forward to this 'party' or whatever it was supposed to be. I thought now that I had a boyfriend and actual friends, my mother would stop with these sort of things, but apparently not.
"Alright, I'm going to pick up some last-minute stuff and I'll see you girls in half an hour.. tops," I thought my mother was going to whine, order Phil to stay or at least yell after him to pick her up some more stuff along the way. But I was wrong. Renee Dwyer, the absolute loudest woman on the planet was quiet as she practically pushed him out of the kitchen while he tried to kiss her goodbye. "Bye!"
"Bye.." I mumbled. My mother told me to get myself ready and so I did. Me complaining to her about not wanting to wear a dress would only result in us fighting with how stressed she was right now. God, it was as if it was a wedding. We would only count down from ten to zero and start a new year. It wasn't anything special!

The dress itched around my waist, the heels ached on my feet and the make-up made my face feel disgusting. What I didn't do to appease my mother. I had seen Mary come into the house with her parents, but I didn't have the courage to go up and say hi to her. This was one of the friends from school who hadn't even tried to contact me while I was staying in Forks. Some friend she was. Ellen and Katherine weren't any different though. I was glad that I had Angela. Unlike some, she had stayed in contact with me and I was merely on Christmas holiday. We'd see each other again after this was all done.
Phil had stayed out longer than he said he would. It had been at least an hour and a half since he left the house and I was more worried that my mother didn't seem worried at all about that fact. She planned all of this out bullet-point by bullet-point and her husband not being here on time wasn't a huge problem?
"Hi, Bella!" A voice called out from between the loud music. Mom had hired some senior high schooler to be the DJ. Must have paid him a couple of hundreds to be here on New Year's Eve. I turned to see who called my name. Shit. Grin and bare it, Bella. Grin and bare it. "Long time no see!"
"Carter!" I dragged out his name as to make the time go quicker. "Yes, it has. How are you?" Oh my God.. walk away, walk away, please walk away.
"I'm all good, thanks for asking. You look.. uhum.. nice," The little voice crack and nervous hand twitch would have made me laugh if I wasn't in such a hurry to get away from this place. Carter was like the most popular guy in my old high school, kind of like how Emmett was in Forks. Not sure how my mother got him to accept the invitation and why he was here, talking to me.
"Thanks, Carter. Oh sorry, my mom is signaling for me to come over. See you later!" I rushed out of there as fast as I could on those damn heels and made my way to the kitchen. Mom had outdone herself this time. The food was delicious and everything looked amazing.
She had done a great job. Too bad I wasn't enjoying it all that much. I could feel my mobile phone in my hand. I didn't want to embarrass my mom by getting caught playing a game on my phone while she organized a party, but I couldn't help it! I'm not a party person! Opening it, I first decide to text Edward. I hadn't contacted him all day with everything going on and now I felt bad just thinking about him.

Hey Edward. Sorry that I've been quite radio silent today. As I said, mom threw a party so I was busy helping her out. It's boring. Nothing like the parties your brother has! – B

At least the food is good. I'd save you some pigs in a blanket, but seeing as you're not here and they'd only turn cold and stale, I'll eat them in your stead – B

Hello? – B

You asleep already? XD It's only 9.30 pm. And don't try and trick me on time-difference like last time! It won't work.. A third time. – B

Why wasn't he answering back? He never took more than ten seconds to answer my texts. Something must be wrong. Maybe he got into trouble somewhere! I started to panic and searched through my contacts for Esme's number. "Hello?"
"Bella? Is that you Sweetie? Hi, so nice of you to call! Happy New Year's Eve!" Esme cheered like she had no care in the world.
"Yeah.. yeah.. hi. Have you seen Edward? He's not answering his phone," I told her, trying to hear myself speak over the loud music on both sides. The Cullens must be at a party too.
"No, isn't he.." She stopped and took a deep breath. "He's probably got his phone on silent dear. I'll tell him to check it as soon as I see him. You alright?" She chuckled. I really didn't see the humor in this situation, but it might just have been me who was worrying too much. "Yes.. I'm totally fine. Thank you for your time, Esme. Have a good night and a happy new year to everyone there!"
"You too, Bella. Say hi to your mom for me!"
My mother found me hiding out in the kitchen and hugged me tight, complimenting me on the dress I was wearing. "Thanks, mom. I love it," I grinned, not wanting to let her down. I know she appreciated me showing some effort in my appearance for her party. That's also the only reason I put on this dress.
"What's wrong baby? Ellen and Mary said they haven't seen you yet! Haven't you been out and networking? Everyone is asking for you!" Sighing I quickly shoved a little piece of cheese in my mouth so I couldn't answer her. "Oh come on! Don't be like that! I promise you.. as soon as you go out there and talk to people, you'll have fun!" Her little side hug did help to reassure me a bit, so gathering the courage I stepped back out, shimmying through the masses of neighbors, ex-classmates, and far-away family members. I decided to take my mothers' advice and look for the three girls that were my only friends when I still went to Phoenix High.
I spotted the two blondes and the ginger immediately and like usual they were chatting up some poor guy who happened to look a bit more handsome than the others. Poor guy. "Hi, Mary.. Ellen.. Katherine," My voice peeped. Great Bella. Way to sound confident. The guy apparently didn't hear me and walked away from the group, but the girls definitely did. And they were happier to see me than I thought they'd be.
"Bella!" Katherine smiled, not all that genuine. Her gesture made the other two greet me in a similar way. "You're already back?"
"Um.. yeah.. I've been back since the twenty-third. I'll be staying until the fifth,"
"You'll be going back to Washington then?" Mary asked. They were very interested in my and my life weirdly enough.
I nodded. "Yep. Back to Forks," I popped the 'P' without being able to stop myself. Apparently talking to my old school friends brought back the very awkward part of myself that didn't have a social filter.
"That's funny.. we just spoke to a guy from there," Katherine turned and searched the crowd for the guy they had been talking to before. "There," She pointed and I followed her finger to the most gorgeous sight I had ever seen. "He's from Forks too,"
Edward smirked at me and I could swear I heard Mary and Ellen swoon out loud. Too bad he's mine, ladies. And I'll gladly stake my claim right here, right now.
"Edward!" I called out, rushing towards him. Edward bent his knees a little and was totally ready to catch me as I jumped into his warm chest. He spun me around the room, kissing my lips hard. "What are you doing here?" I screamed. My emotions were all over the place. He was here? How? How long had he been here? Was this where Phil had gone to? I can't believe this!
"I couldn't postpone kissing my girlfriend at midnight until next year, could I? It would be a crime," Gently lifting me back to the floor he kissed me again. Feeling their eyes burning in the back of my head in jealousy. I grabbed Edward by the hand to introduce him to Mary, Ellen, and Katherine.
"Well, I don't think we have to introduce you to him," Katherine joked. "You obviously know each other already,"
"Of course she does," Ellen hissed to Mary, making sure to throw me an extra big smile when I looked her way. "How long.." She cleared her throat. "How long have you two been together?"
I looked back at Edward and nearly lost myself in his green eyes. I couldn't believe he had come all this way just to be here with me. I loved him so much. "Just over two months now,"
"Oh.. so still fragile love then?" Mary commented, getting an elbow in the boob from Katherine. At least someone was happy to see me in love. Mary and Ellen had always been the more jealous ones. "I'm very happy for you, Bella. You two look really cute together,"

We walked around the party together, talking to people, wishing them good things for the upcoming new year and simultaneously introducing them all to my god-like boyfriend. "I can't believe you're here," I mumbled into his neck as Edward pulled me close while we danced to one of the slower songs.
"No place I'd rather be," He kissed my forehead and chuckled, making it tickle my skin. "I wanted to come over for Christmas, but Esme threw a fit. She wanted me home for Christmas now that I wasn't such a sourpuss anymore,"
I laughed with him. "Yeah.. you were quite the sourpuss,"
"Don't start, Mouse. I've missed you,"
"I've missed you too. I got quite used to sleeping next to you in the past weeks. I miss it,"
"Okay people! It's a few minutes before midnight! Everyone off age can grab a flute of champagne, everyone who is not, pregnant or simply the designated driver, can take a glass of sparkling apple cider!" My mother stood on top of a table and used Phil's shoulder to keep herself steady. She was wearing some very high heels and certainly had a few drinks tonight. "Please make your way to the garden for the fireworks!"
Edward went to get us some cider and I went outside to find us a nice spot to stand and watch the fireworks some of the neighbors had set up earlier. I most certainly caught Edwards' eyes slowly going over every inch of my body; from down my toes peeking from underneath my heels, tot the little hairclips in my dark curls as well as everything in between.
"See something you like?"
He kissed my lips before handing me my drink. "Very much. I've only seen you in a dress once before remember? You look beautiful,"
"And you.. Mister Cullen. A suit? Very nice," I winked, kissing him back. "I also love that you didn't fix your hair up nicely. I like it like this. It looks like it has a mind of its own,"
"It does," Edward joked, taking a tiny sip from his glass.
"Here we go!" Renee yelled from somewhere in the room. "Ten!"
"Nine!" Everyone started counting down along with her. My heart was pounding and I didn't know why. I had kissed him before. It was just.. so official right now.
"EIGHT!" Edward put his hand on my lower back and pulled me closer.
"SEVEN!" I still couldn't believe he came all the way over to Arizona for me. I wonder if he planned all of this himself or if someone else suggested it to him?
"SIX!"
"FIVE!"
"FOUR!" Our faces were so close to each other that Edward had to bend his knees slightly to look straight into my eyes. He whispered the numbers to me along with the others who screamed at the top of their lungs.
"THREE!" Staring back at him was all I could do. And smile like a total lunatic of course.
"TWO!" Almost..
"ONE!" Finally!
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The arm that was at my back pulled me flat against his warm body as he kissed me passionately to the beat of the fireworks going off around us. I could see the colors flashing behind my closed eyelids, but didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. My own fireworks were going off right here in front of me.

That's the end. It wasn't all that long or complicated, but I do hope you enjoyed it. I'm sorry I didn't continue BAPOS 2, but I didn't have the inspiration. I might someday, but just not now.

Thank you guys for reading another story of mine (if you made it this far of course haha) :)

You guys stay safe in these crazy times! Bye!