A/N: A shorter chapter than the last but still over 4,000 words, so definitely not my shortest so far.

As I've told you many times, I'm quite a bit ahead of this chapter in terms of where I'm at in the writing of this story. I think I'm about 10 chapters ahead of this one. Anyway, the reason I've mentioned this again, is because I'm up to quite a pivotal part of the story! Of course, I won't tell you what that is (no spoilers!), but I just had to tell someone. I've been eager to get to this specific part and now I'm there it's just hard to keep to myself. I hope you guys don't mind hearing about this. I'm still not too close to finishing yet though (I know, it's going to be a long one, but I did warn you in the earlier chapters!), I'll keep you guys posted as I make progress and let you know as soon as I'm done, or almost there at least!

Right, I'll shut up now and let you get on with reading what you're really here for! Enjoy!

I'll Always Find Peace In The Meadow

Previously...

"My mom wants me to make a big entrance. They're keeping up the pretense that it's still a surprise to me for our guests. They're all planning to yell 'surprise'. I don't want to walk in alone and I knew you'd protest to entering the party with me, so I wanted to make sure we were securely closed in before I told you."

"What?" I stop allowing him to lead me toward a door on the far side of the room, halting my steps. "Edward, I'm not going to do that."

"Why? Look, Bella, you know that I hate people staring at me. I'm going to be the center of attention most of the night anyway, but this will be the worst of it. I'll hate it. You always seem so oblivious to the attention at school, and I know it won't be so bad with you there. Please?"

Well, shit. How am I meant to say no to that?

"Fine," I grumble, pouting. "But you owe me." No he doesn't. Not really.

It is his birthday after all.

Chapter Thirty: 'nosy bastards' (Bella POV)

Tuesday 20 June 2017

"My mommy says I'm not s'pposed to talk to you." I look down at the adorable six year old girl sat at my right, totally unaffected by her words. I heard her mother warn her before the first course was served. To be honest, I expected it.

"It's okay," I say as gently as I can. "I won't bite." The little girl just stares up at me.

"You're pretty," is all she says. I blush lightly.

"Thank you. But I'm not as pretty as you." She grins up at me before turning back to her small plate of food. I look round at the other guests sat at my table, all of whom are between the ages of four and eleven. That's right. I've been put on the kids' table.

After Edward dragged me along beside him during his entrance to his birthday party, something I am certain he hadn't confirmed with his parents beforehand - if they're shocked reactions were anything to go by - he was greeted and wished a "happy birthday" by every guest in attendance. Which is a lot of people. I've never been to a birthday party with so many guests. Not only are there people I recognise, but there are also members of Edward's family here - both from his mother's and father's side.

I stood off to the side for most of the initial mingling, just silently observing while Edward played the perfect guest of honour, constantly smiling and ever-so-charming. I recieved many strange looks but I took it all in my stride, not appearing fazed at all. Bev and Alan, after wishing the guest of honour a 'happy birthday' themselves, kept me company for a while. I'm glad, because I could see Rose eyeing me up, just gagging on an opportunity to at least throw some quiet, snide remark my way. She'd never make a scene at a social event such as this, I'm sure.

Sometime after, Mr and Mrs Cullen announced that dinner would be served soon. Everyone began making their way to the circular tables set out across the lawn, which are surrounding a large temporary dance floor.

The tables are each draped in white table cloths, decorated with candle lit center pieces and tiny pieces of confetti, as well as name plaques, directing each guest to their designated seats. The concentration everyone gave to finding their correct seats allowed Edward a small reprieve, and the chance to come to me. I'd hung back, waiting for the mass of people to spread out before I even tried to locate my table.

Edward hung back, too, saying he'd help me find my seat. It was very clear to me that Edward had absolutely no idea where I'd been placed as he dragged me around all of the main tables first. We passed all the ones I'd been expecting to be main tables - his table with his parents, sister, grandparents and aunt and uncle. The Mayor's table with his family and their friends and parents (namely Rosalie's group). A table with more members of the council. A table with some of Mrs Cullen's colleagues, and another few full of hospital staff. I bet Edward doesn't know half of those people; I don't think this party is entirely for him, but more of a chance for Mrs Cullen to show off her home and splash some cash.

Edward finally had to duck down beside his father's ear to ask where my seat was. He, in turn, had asked his wife, who then stood and pointed to a table all the way across the other side of the dance floor, farthest from Edward's. I'd blushed when I'd seen it was already occupied by a bunch of children. I could sense Edward was about to kick off, and not wanting him to cause a scene at his own party, I quickly told his parents "thank you" and made my way to the table.

The amount of stares grew as I sat down with the children, which is when my cute little neighbour's not so cute mother had rushed over to whisper her warning - rather loudly - into her daughter's ear.
That was a course and a half ago. My main is now sat in front of me and I'm already feeling a little full. I can't even force myself to glance over at the buffet spread that's set up on the patio at the back of the house.

In all the times I've visited this house and the meadow beyond the trees, I've never ventured down the steep dip at the side of the house I saw the first time I stumbled across this place. I've never taken the risk. As expected, it's just as magnificent as the rest of the land. The back yard is humongous, and could very well be classed as more of a field than a simple back yard. There's a large patio that spans the entire length of the back of the massive house.

From the front of the house, it appears to be a two-floor building. But it's not, and that's crystal clear from the back. The dip at the side reveals a third, lower level to the house, which is hidden underground at the front. At the moment, all the doors and curtains of the bottom floor are shut, but the back yard is clearly accessible from the bottom floor if given the chance. There are also two flights of stairs, one on both of the hexagonal extensions at the corners of the house. They lead to an elevated decking area, which acts as a canopy for a large portion of the patio underneath. The elevated decking area and stairs is where people entered the party from.

For this party, pillared lights have been set up around the garden, illuminating what would otherwise be a barely visible garden right now, thanks to the darkening sky. The lights are mostly set up as a barrier for the tables and general area of the party, caging it all into the brightened center of the garden.

I can't take another bite of the rich food that's been served, my stomach not conditioned to portions quite as big as this. I sit back in my seat, my hands resting on my bloated belly as I look around at all the other guests. Most people aren't eating any more either, I realise, which makes me feel better for leaving some of my food. A few people have already taken to the dance floor, moving to the music that's playing through the large speakers attached to the fence of the decking area above the patio. I crane my neck in an attempt to see Edward, but there are too many tables between us, too many heads and shoulders blocking the way.

I give up, instead watching the younger ones that surround me. They're all very noisy. A set of twins, who can't be any older than five, both wearing matching bow ties and shirts, are sat opposite me. Their hair is blonde, and they have identical green eyes. I watch, entertained as they bicker. What starts out as harmless back and forth between young siblings soon turns into a miniature food fight. However, before it has the chance to get too out of hand, a tall woman in a lovely purple floral dress that shows off her small baby bump rushes over. "Boys, please behave. Throw your food into your mouths, not at each other."

That was the wrong thing for the woman, who I'm assuming is their mother, to say, because they immediately both stop, look at each other and then at their plates before they hold food out in front of their faces and start trying - and failing - to aim each piece into their widely open mouths. I have to cover my mouth to hide my smile. They're too cute to not find funny. Their mother thinks so, too, I can tell, though she tries very hard to keep a stern face... and a stern voice as she chastises them. "Peter and Garret Cullen! Stop playing with your food and eat it properly or we will go home."

I blanch at her words, particularly at what she called them. They're Cullens? I now focus on the woman, who is subtly beautiful with a slim face and strawberry blonde hair that's currently swept into a plait laid over one shoulder. She fusses over both of her sons, trying to clear up some of the mess they've made, completely oblivious to my watchful gaze... Or so I think.

"It's Isabella, right?" she asks like a ventriloquist, barely moving her lips. Her focus doesn't waiver from the task of wiping some sauce from the left twin's shirt with a napkin. I don't know which is which.

"Y-yes," I stutter nervously, not really sure I'm ready to deal with a new Cullen. She's going to hate me, too. "But I prefer Bella," I tell her honestly.

"Bella then. I can't believe they've stuck you on this table. Especially when it's so clear our birthday boy would much rather you were sat with us." Her words shock me so much that my eyes feel like they literally bug out of my head. She... what? I'm momentarily stunned, until I remember a conversation Edward and I had during my first time in his home. He'd told me that day that while his mother was born to a long-lasting-rich family, his father had come from a not so wealthy family. She must be from his father's side - they seem like the ones more likely to accept me - which also makes sense with her last name being Cullen.

"Um..." Still, even though she seems to be friendly, I'm unsure of how to respond. I'm saved, thankfully, by the arrival of a man who holds striking resemblance to Mr Cullen. He's a little taller than this woman who I still don't know the name of, with short blonde hair and comfortingly familiar green eyes.

"Are we behaving over here, boys?" he questions the two twins who are patiently waiting for their mother to be done fussing over them. Both boys turn to the man with wide eyes and nod their heads simultaneously. The man raises an eyebrow, further pressing his question. Garret and Peter slow their nods until they've stopped completely, and then they lower their heads like sad puppies and slowly shake them from side to side. It's all I can do not to giggle aloud at their antics. I can see the woman, who has now straightened and has stood beside the man, is struggling to contain her amusement, too. The man is doing a much better job than the pair of us. "Do you want to go home?" he asks them. At the same time, both of their heads whip up to face the man, who I'm confidently assuming is their father. They shake their heads with much more vigor than before. "Good. Sit nicely and finish your dinner then. As soon as all the vegetables are gone you can leave the table." At that, both boys dig into their meals, using the proper utensils and aiming perfectly for their mouths.

The man now turns to me, as does the woman, who's situated partially behind him. "Isabella-"

"She prefers Bella," the woman corrects him before I can, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Of course. My bad. Bella, it's lovely to finally meet you. I've heard some great things about you over dinner from my nephew and had to come and introduce myself. I'm Markus Cullen, Carlisle's younger and more dashing brother. This lovely woman here is my wife, Gina," he says with a loving smile, guiding the woman to stand beside him. "And I know you've been forced to enjoy the company of our well-behaved sons, Garret and Peter." Wow. It seems Markus' opinion of where I've been placed is the same as his wife's. "If my wife doesn't mind," he says with a knowing smile and a wink to Gina, "I'd love it if you'd share a dance with me."

My mouth drops open in my speechless moment of uncertainty, as I lean to look behind the couple, at the dance floor. Many more people have joined the few that were on there a while ago. It's currently a song suitable for casual swaying, which is what most of the couples on the dance floor are doing. "I don't dance very well," I admit, my hands bunching up in the material of my dress underneath the table.

"Don't worry. Neither do I. I'm definitely no Lem Goodman. Just one dance?" I consider it for a second more before nodding and standing, offering the now smiling couple a nervous smile of my own.

Markus kisses Gina's cheek and gives his sons an I'm-watching-you look, before leading me to the dance floor with a hand to my back. I glance around nervously, noticing all the stares we are receiving. In my usual habit, I lower my head and watch my Converse clad feet as we walk toward the dance floor. "Don't pay them no mind. They're all just a bunch of nosy bastards." A shocked laugh bubbles from my chest and I quickly blush, covering my mouth. I hear Markus chuckle from beside me.

Once on the dance floor, I'm clueless. Despite his claims at not being very good, he seems to know more than I do as he picks up my right hand and places his on my waist, leaving me to rest my bandaged wrist on his shoulder. I knew as soon as he asked me to dance that it was a ploy to talk to me, and his remark back at the table clued me in on what he was likely to mention, so I'm not at all shocked when he begins speaking no more than ten seconds into our gentle swaying.

"I apologise on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law, Bella. What they did to you tonight wasn't very... hosty."

"Hosty?" I repeat, unable to keep the mirth out of my voice.

"I couldn't think of a better word for it," he says with a smirk that very closely resembles Edward's. "I'll be sure to have words with Carlisle about his mistreatment of you." I sober up from my amusement at that.

I rapidly shake my head, rushing to change his mind. "No. No, please don't do that. There's really no need. I was fine sat over there."

Markus casually cocks his head, a disbelieving expression on his face. "I don't believe that. I'm sure you'd have preferred to be seated beside one of your friends." I stay silent, lowering my eyes to the chin of this man who is practically a stranger to me. "Sat by Edward?" he presses. My eyes jump back up to his but I still remain silent. Markus sighs. "Edward was right. You can be stubborn."

My mouth hangs open. I'm the stubborn one? Why that little...

Keeping in time with our slow swaying, I search for Edward, easily spotting him not too far from the dance floor. He's focused intently on his uncle and me, even as his mother tries to engage him in a conversation. I narrow my eyes at him, causing him to mouth "what?", before I turn back to Markus.

"He's one to talk," I grumble, my eyes still narrowed. Markus throws his head back as he barks out a loud laugh. My angered expression changes to one of confusion.

Markus is still chuckling lightly as he says, "Edward was also right about you being a fiery little thing." I blush, and Edward's uncle chuckles some more.

"What? It's true. He can be just as stubborn as me," I defend, frowning.

"Oh, I know," Markus says. "He'd been arguing your case to his parents all through the appetiser. I had to stop him, however, when I could see my sister-in-law was about to snap, so I asked Edward to tell us some more about you. I'll tell you this, Bella, that nephew of mine is smitten."

I blush, my eyes growing wide as I stumble slightly. Markus does well to keep me balanced. I avoid eye contact with him as I struggle for a response. "I-I'm... He doesn't... No, he..." I sigh loudly. "We're just friends. Really good friends. No more than that."

"We'll see."

Before I can insist to this man that he's very wrong, that his nephew couldn't like me in that way, the nephew in question interrupts. "What are you telling my friend, Uncle Markus?" I arch a brow at Markus, giving him a look that says "See? Friends", before we both stop dancing and face Edward.

"Nothing bad, Edward. I assure you," he chuckles, clapping Edward on the shoulder. My friend doesn't look very convinced. "I better go see if my Gina needs any help with our trying sons. Would you take over for me here, Edward? Can't leave a lady alone on a dance floor." I blush, startled at his request, but Edward doesn't seem affected by it. He just nods and smiles. Markus turns to me, picking up my good hand. "It was lovely to meet you, Bella. Thank you for the dance." I nod silently, and after kissing the back of my hand, he walks away. Edward quickly mirrors his Uncle's stance, holding my hand in his while the other sits on my waist. I keep my eyes locked on his collar, my nerves returning.

"Are you okay?" he asks after thirty seconds, and I finally look up and meet his eyes. I nod, offering him a tight smile. "I am so sorry, Bella. I could kill my parents for what they've done tonight. I didn't know they'd put you on that table, I swear." My smile this time is more natural.

"It's okay, Edward. I really didn't mind. Your cousins were a delight to sit with," I say, smirking. He chuckles but still looks a little crestfallen. "Edward, come on. Cheer up. It's your birthday." His smile is small. "Have you enjoyed your night so far?" I ask, trying to change the subject. Edward, however, doesn't seem ready to let that happen just yet.

"I would've enjoyed it more if my parents hadn't humiliated you like that."

"Who said anything about me being humiliated?"

"Bella, please. You don't have to pretend with me. And you definitely don't have to defend my parents. What they did was wrong."

I sigh. "Yes, well, there's no changing it now, is there? Let's just enjoy the rest of your birthday party." We're silent for several seconds, swaying slowly. "I have to say, this is the most sophisticated sixteenth birthday party I've ever seen." That finally earns a genuine smile from Edward, as well as a chuckle.

He looks around at the decorations and party-goers around us. "Yeah, I know. It's definitely more than I'd have had for myself, had I been the one to organise my own birthday party. Though, you'd think it was a matchmaker party with the way my mother's been forcing me to speak to some of the girls here. She's even pressing me to ask them to dance!"

I pale and go to step back, but Edward's grip on both my hand and waist tighten just a little, almost impalpably. He cocks his head, his brow furrowing a fraction. "If you have to dance with them, I don't mind," I say, going to pull away again. His attempt to keep me close is a lot stronger this time; his grip around my hand is almost painful, and he slips his hand further round my waist, pulling our bodies closer together.

I can hear the thudding of my heart in my ears.

"Don't," he whispers.

I don't try to pull away again. Edward let's go of my hand, moving his now free hand round to my back so it can join the other. He pulls me closer, so, naturally, I rest my head against his shoulder as I loop my arms loosely around his neck. We simply sway from side to side slowly.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Edward asks quietly. I nod, wordless. "I've been planning an escape." At that I do pull away, but only my head from his shoulder, so I can look at his face. The smirk that's stretched across it makes me question the authenticity of his "secret".

"What?" I ask dumbly.

"The cake will be served soon. I heard my mom speaking to one of the catering staff before my Aunt Gina and Uncle Markus left the table. And after the cake, those doors will be opened," he tells me, nodding his head in the direction of the large, currently closed french doors that are behind the long buffet table, which I know lead into the great room on the bottom floor. I know the piano has been pushed to the corner of the room, so it's no longer blocking the doors. We passed through it on our way to his bedroom, which is where we'd hidden while he waited for the text from his parents, telling him to come up and act surprised. "And once those doors are open, the wine bar will be, too," he finishes. The way he whispers the last part into my ear, you'd think it was a Top Secret meant only for government ears.

"And you plan to escape how?"

"Wellll," he begins, drawing out the word, "everyone's focus will be on getting to the bar first for a drink. And my bedroom is only down the hall. I'll slip away and let you in through that door." Now he jolts his head in the direction of the door that's just over his shoulder, in one of the two outer hexagonal extensions of the house. I've seen the exterior door in his bedroom from the inside.

My answering smile matches his. "That, my friend, is an excellent plan."

"Yeah?"

I nod. "Yes. As much as I've enjoyed being at this party, especially as it's for you, nothing beats the peacefulness of minimal company. And by minimal I mean just you and me."

He grins. "I couldn't agree more." And then, in a sudden and totally unexpected move, he grabs my hand like he had it before and spins me away from him, drawing me close and dipping me just as the song ends. He can dance?

When he pulls me back I'm flushed but laughing in delight, wondering how in God's name I didn't fall. Edward's grin is brighter than the pillar lights surrounding the party. I can sense eyes on me and glance around, instantly noticing that my senses weren't wrong - they very rarely are. We have many judging eyes on us. I turn back to Edward, my bottom lip caught in the trap of my teeth. He shrugs, not bothered. "Let them stare, the nosy bastards." I laugh aloud at that.

"Do you and your uncle share the same mind?"

A/N: So, some more Cullens that are pleasant - it's about time, wouldn't you agree? I loved writing this chapter; its one of the more carefree ones, as I'm sure you all noticed. Next chapter will be up Monday! It'll be a continuation of the party. Let me know what you thought of this one in a review! What are your predictions? I'll be more than happy to know!