Chapter One.

Bella

I sat back in my chair rubbing my tired eyes and glanced at the clock then groaned. Only another half hour and Patrick would be here. Why the hell had I agreed to go to the party? He knew how much I hated crowds yet he'd used emotional blackmail to force me into going to a damned party on Halloween. Well, maybe that was a little harsh. He hadn't exactly forced me. I just knew he really wanted to go and he wanted me there with him. I just didn't have the heart to refuse him.

I knew that he loved me, however, I still wasn't sure I could give him what he wanted. We met three years ago while I was still in college. He had been persistent and I guess at first I had been flattered. I still hadn't come to terms with Charlie's death or Edward dumping me so brutally and Patrick had been a shoulder to lean on. It felt good to see that someone else found me desirable.

Charlie. If I allowed myself to, I could still see my dad's photograph next to the highly polished coffin. He had looked so proud and so handsome in his uniform and both friends and colleagues had spoken warmly of him at the memorial service. I had known he was popular in Forks but it was still a shock to see how many people had been touched by his passing.

My dad had been in so many potentially dangerous situations over the years as a cop and had seemed bulletproof. How ironic then that it had been a stroke that took his life. One day he was there fit and healthy, the next he was gone.

I had felt so isolated and alone at that point, yet when Renee and Phil offered me a home, something had stopped me from accepting. I decided that the only way to make a new start, a post-Edward start, was to get away from Forks and everyone who had known us as a couple. My friends had tried so hard not to mention him when we got together that it only made things worse.

Luckily I was able to transfer colleges from Seattle to Phoenix which is where I bumped into Patrick.

I think what fascinated me about him was not so much that he liked me or was handsome and funny so much as he was everything Edward was not. He was human which was a huge plus, with dark curly hair like my dad and lacked the intensity and controlling attitude that I had found so wearing in Edward.

Luckily the silence was broken by the ringing of the phone stopping my thoughts taking me down dangerous pathways. That wasn't my life any longer. It had belonged to a different Bella, one who no longer existed. This Bella was more powerful and in control of her own destiny.

I picked up the receiver praying that it was Patrick calling to tell me that the party had been called off. That he had to work late and couldn't make it.

"Swan Gallery. How can I help you?"

"Bella? Is that you?"

I recognized Renee's bubbly voice.

"Mom? Hi."

"Sweetie, I thought I should catch up with you. We haven't spoken in ages. How's Patrick?"

I groaned, my mom had a soft spot for Patrick. She thought he was Mr Perfect and I knew I would get the not so subtle hints about marriage and grandchildren if I didn't head her off quickly.

"He's fine. Actually, we're going out this evening so I don't have long. How did you and Phil enjoy your trip to Thailand?"

I listened as she rambled on about the people and culture and how wonderful everything was. As long as I made the right noises at the right time she could go on like this for hours.

Only half-listening I tried to think of an excuse to avoid the party. It wasn't that I didn't like Patrick's friends. They were nice enough. It was just the thought of the whole Halloween ethos, trivializing things that were too dangerous to be taken so lightly.

Unfortunately, I could hardly give that as an excuse without begging to be put in therapy. After all, who would believe that vampires really existed? Not to mention guys who turned into giant wolves!

I pulled myself up knowing this was the worst time of year to be thinking about such things. Forget it, Bella. Edward and Jacob belong in your dim and distant past.

Taking a deep breath I gave myself a stiff talking to, 'Calm down, Bella. You are in Phoenix, the last place the boogeyman is likely to come. Too much sunshine here. This is normality, embrace it.'

Checking my watch I realized I would have to cut Renee short and she hadn't even had time to nag, or so I thought.

"I'm sorry but I really do have to go, Mom."

"Oh, OK sweetie but before you do, we're going to be in the States in a few weeks and we'd love to get together. We haven't seen you in ages and I want to know if I should be looking at wedding outfits or maybe even baby clothes…"

I groaned, she'd gotten it in, "Neither, and I'll see what we can do. Send me the dates. Gotta go, bye."

Putting the phone down I wondered why a woman who supposedly knew me so well would even think about me getting married let alone having a baby! I wasn't ready for either and I wasn't even sure Patrick was the right man for me. I just couldn't explain why I was hesitant.

The trouble was that I set my standards too high. I guess being 'loved' by a vampire and a shapeshifter left humanity at a distinct disadvantage. That frustrated me because all I wanted was a regular, ordinary guy with no special powers or supernatural baggage. Why couldn't I be happy with one who ticked all those boxes and was crazy about me? Maybe I should realize that and settle for what I told myself I wanted and was being offered.

A knock on my door heralded Patrick's arrival and he swept into the room looking like a cross between a businessman and a rock star. His suit was immaculate, his shirt open at the collar and his tie poking out of his pocket.

"Bella honey, come on we have to go. Time's racing. Besides, I've got a surprise for you."

My heart sank at those words. His surprises were usually expensive and I hated being showered with gifts. They always made me feel uncomfortable.

"Who's put that far away smile on your face?"

I jerked back to reality. For a second I had been standing in the lounge of the Cullen home surrounded by crystal, flowers, presents, and a huge birthday cake.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see you."

"Good, good. Come on then."

He took my arm, swung me into his chest for a long kiss then steered me out of the office switching off the lights as we went.

His bright red convertible sat at the curb heedless of the local parking restrictions and he opened the door for me before jumping over his own and then took off out of the city towards his condo.

"Patrick, where are we going? I need to go home first."

He smiled over and squeezed my hand, "No, you don't. Once there you will find a thousand and one reasons why you can't make the party. It's like your little comfort blanket.

Tonight we are going out on the town. My friends are beginning to think they dreamed you up. It's been so long since we went to any of the parties."

"I've been busy."

He grinned and patted my hand.

"No. You've arranged to be busy, Bella, which isn't the same thing. You know you'll enjoy yourself when we get there. Besides, you like Tom and Abigail."

Actually, I did. They were the only two of Patrick's friends who didn't make me feel like a hillbilly at a society wedding. I knew it was stupid, I could hold my own against the rich and semi-famous, I just chose not to if at all possible.

We were soon at Patrick's place and he left the car out front meaning we weren't going to be here long.

Hugo came bounding up tail wagging furiously as we opened the door and I took a moment to give him some love before Patrick tugged me up the sweeping staircase to the bedroom.

"Close your eyes."

I frowned, "Why?"

Kissing me he pulled a face, "Humor me. Remember I have a surprise for you."

Groaning I closed my eyes and heard him open the bedroom door, well at least it wasn't a car or a horse. The last time he decided to surprise me he had bought Hugo, the huge dog which now lived in his yard and ate half a cow each week according to Patrick's cleaner.

"OK. You can open them now."

I did so, not without some trepidation, to see a long clothes bag hanging on the back of the door.

Puzzled, I turned to him and he laughed, "Don't look so stunned. Remember we're going to a party?"

"Yes, I know and I had a dress ready waiting at home."

He pulled a face and suddenly looked a little nervous, "I know, but there's something I forgot to tell you. Abigail rang me a few days ago to say they had a change of plans. The party now has a theme."

"A theme? What kind of theme?" my voice was tinged with apprehension.

"Yeah. They've hired a new events planner who was offering to set up a themed evening very reasonably in return for the publicity. Abigail couldn't resist.

"What kind of theme, Patrick?"

"A Halloween party."

His answer was almost a whisper and as the ramification of this sank in I shook my head, "No. No way."

He grimaced, "I knew you'd say that. Look I could hardly get out of it at this late hour so I asked Stella to run out at lunchtime and rent you an outfit. Nothing naughty, no blood-soaked hooker nurse or anything like that. I think you'll like it."

My spirits had sunk to rock bottom, "You know how I feel about Halloween and all that crap."

He put his hands on my shoulders and smiled reassuringly, "I know, but it's only for a few hours.

You never did tell me why though. Most people enjoy being someone else for a while and letting off steam. Take a look, you even have a fan you can use to hide behind."

"Patrick, I don't feel at all comfortable about this."

"Oh come on, Bella. You don't want to disappoint our friends, do you? Besides, you can hardly be the only one not in costume. That would make you stick out and I know how much you'd hate that."

Feeling disgruntled I watched as he pulled the zipper down theatrically to reveal my 'costume' and then relaxed a little.

It was quite pretty, not creepy at all, although I could see a thousand ways it could go wrong. Me in a full-length ball gown and heels?

Ten minutes later he was zipping me up and smiling broadly beneath the Errol Flynn moustache he was now wearing.

"Well, Madame, what do you think?"

I stared at myself in the full-length mirror and Marie Antoinette stared back, complete with powdered wig, rouged cheeks and beauty spots.

Deciding that as I couldn't get out of this now I would make the best of it and fluttered my fan coyly.

"I think I like your outfit better."

He grinned, jumping onto the bed and cutting the air with his fake blade until his boot heel caught up in the comforter and he tumbled onto the floor, cursing and laughing at the same time. It was then I realized why I liked him so much, he was fun and had no problem with laughing at himself.

"We could swap but it's not that kind of party. Now, are you ready?"

"Just one thing, Patrick. How am I going to get into your car dressed like this?"

I gestured to the full skirt of my costume.

"Never fear sweet maiden I have come prepared. Behold!"

He pulled out a can opener and flourished it in the air and we both started to laugh. Suddenly I didn't feel so nervous anymore.

The dress did prove a little problematic but once I had squeezed in we took off and by the time we hit the highway I began to relax and think that the evening might not be that bad after all.

By the time we arrived at the party, I was determined to enjoy myself. Patrick had a way of making me feel at ease wherever we were and I held his hand tightly as we left the car.

The valet who took Patrick's keys was dressed in a Confederate army uniform complete with blood-stained bandages swathed around his head.

As we walked away I couldn't resist glancing back over my shoulder.

"What's wrong, Bella? Did you forget something?"

I turned back, shaking my head in reply to Patrick's question. I couldn't say why but something had drawn my attention to the valet and I checked again. This time he was gone and pushing aside the nagging feeling that I'd missed something I checked out the other guests in their costumes. Most were like ours, fancy dress rather than Halloween costumes although there were a smattering of Draculas, zombies and Frankensteins.

Joining the other guests in the grounds of the house we soon found our hosts and were warmly welcomed before being introduced to Abigail's sister and her latest beau, a young football player with shoulders that would have given Frankenstein a run for his money and the bluest eyes I had ever seen.

Abigail had told me that her sister Chelsea had once gone out with Patrick but found him too strong a character for her. I wasn't sure what she meant by this but from the look in her eyes as she stared at him she still had feelings for him and I wondered if it had been Patrick who had ended the relationship and not her.

I had to admit that whoever organized this party had done a great job. The music was low key and atmospheric, helped by the low lying mist from a hidden fog machine.

There were a few Halloween games that appeared to be a great hit with those who had been here a little longer and were better lubricated! It was hilarious to see a mummy trying to bob for apples without getting his bandages wet although the red wine which replaced the usual water only served to stain his white bandages crimson. He might not get an apple but if he wasn't careful he was certainly going to get even drunker!

I tried my luck at betting on the spider races. I have no idea who the poor people dressed in huge spider costumes were but they had to have been sweating by the time they had run the length of the course a few times.

My spider won and I was presented with a silver spider brooch which I reluctantly allowed Patrick to pin to my gown. I wasn't a fan of spiders, even fake ones, and watching the race had made me want to turn tail and run.

The food was excellent as always, Abigail knew all the best people whether they be caterers or business people. I had met her and her husband Tom through Patrick. They were childhood friends when all three lived in San Francisco. Abigail's parents were loaded as were Patrick's and probably funded their endeavors. Patrick was a stockbroker like Tom, and Abigail sat on lots of committees as well as dabbling in antiques.

I rationed myself to one drink after sampling the punch on offer. I was a novice compared to most here who could down pints of the stuff without it becoming noticeable while two would have had me falling over my dress hem and babbling incoherently. Patrick didn't drink at all so at least he never put any pressure on me or ridiculed my inability to hold my liquor.

I still felt a little unsettled and knew this was not going to be one of my best evenings. I had been relaxed until we got here so it must have been something since I arrived that put me on edge. Spiders probably! I should have avoided the giant ones.