A/N: Hello all, thanks for sticking around. (: A great many of you are alarmingly concerned over the outcome of this story and I'm a little surprised at the severity of it. But if I tell you the ending, will you really stick around? I mean, it's a little pointless if I give it away, oui? However, I did state that this story is loosely based on MBFW... So aside from the fact that things will be a little very different, maybe you shouldn't worry... *hint (:

I may post Bella and Alice's dresses on my profile, but if I don't, bug me about it.

FYI: Alice is still Edward's adoptive sister, same age, etc. They both moved to Chicago for college, and Carlisle and Esme live nearby.

Disclaimer: Truly, nothing goes under my name, I got the idea off of some fabulous Julia Roberts movie and the characters off some woman who truly ruined love for me. And sigh.

;

Bella.

"You'll be bunking with me this week, Bella! Oh my god, I'm so excited!"

"I'm sorry I couldn't book you a safe and quiet hotel. Apparently Casa Alice 'needed a little love' and so did the hostess." Edward explained as his exuberant sister prepared tea in her darling kitchen. Alice's house consisted of two rooms and two bathrooms. A living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. Each window adorned with pale lace curtains, flower pots sitting at the white sills.

"I honestly couldn't imagine staying anywhere else." I assured, laughing. He frowned a touch.

"You could've stayed with me at my place. Lord knows you'll be able to get some peace and quiet there." he said loud enough for Alice to hear. "Not to mention best friend needs some of that 'loving' Alice thinks she'll receive with your presence."

I held my breath as he smiled at me. This man was so phenomenal, he truly had no clue how lethal he was...

"Please, your spare room's full of CD's and records of god knows what. Do you remember that little music museum of his, Bella? Picture that and another three walls and that is Edward's guest room." she scoffed, rolling her eyes. I laughed at that, how could I not. Edward's music collection was outrageous. Ludicrous to some people. Alice, for example.

"Well who needs fifty throw pillows on their bed anyways?" Edward shot back.

"I'm small. My bed's queens sized — They fit." she quipped childishly.

Oh how I missed my Cullen sibling rivalry...

"Some things never change..." I observed, happily.

"But some things do..." Edward mused. "Your hair's longer." he commented. I nodded. "And you're dressing different..."

"Better?" I asked.

"Different. You're still my silly Bella."

I wrinkled my nose, playfully.

"But, maybe you're right. You're kind of graceful now, Bells, what'd you do? Join the Russian ballet while I was gone?"

"I had a lot of time." I sighed, trying to look the least bit upset by his absence.

Suddenly Alice was in the big scarlet overstuffed chair, a mug in her hands, and another two on the coffee table.

"Oh, Bella. How's Washington?"

;

I anxiously twirled my hair as I looked at the mirror in Alice's bathroom. I'm sure I looked a little decent. This was one of my best dresses. Black, V-neck, above the knee, satin, best dress material.

Right?

Maybe I needed a second opinion...

"ALICE!"

She came running into the bathroom, frantic as to why on earth I was screaming my lungs out. "Bella —"

"Am I okay? Do I look okay?" I asked anxiously. She blinked. "Did I scare you so shitless you can't speak?"

"Yes." she said slowly. "But... The screaming hardly has a part in that..."

I bit my lip. "Do I look that bad?"

"In my near eight years of knowing you, Isabella Marie, I have never heard you ask me to evaluate your appearance." she said, eyes wide. I sighed, and pulled the toilet seat cover down so I could sit.

"Ugh, there's something wrong with me..." I mumbled, running my hand along my forehead.

"Okay, spill, Swan. I know you've got your fash'on all of a sudden, but this is a little different for me. Is there something on your mind?" she asked, concerned. I sighed

"I didn't know if I was going to tell you or not, but I guess I should." I muttered, peeking up at her.

"Well, what is it?" she asked. "Is it serious? You're not pregnant are you?"

"God, no." I said in relief. She nodded in alleviation as well. "It's just... Alice... I'm — I came here not just because Edward asked me to, but because I thought it'd be a good opportunity to... Fess up. I can't lie anymore, and I've got to tell him..."

"Who?" Alice cooed.

"Edward." I said, torn by the name. "I'm so scared he's not going to believe me or something, I'm scared he'll stop being my best friend after I tell him that I love him."

Silence. The dragging kind where you beg for the other person to speak before you explode. The kind that sits, waiting to be cleared up.

The dulling silence. Painful in a way.

"I think you should wear your silver scarf with this dress..." she finally said quietly.

And strangely the relief I was expecting to feel had not washed over me.

;

"Cullen for three." Alice said to the hostess as she tucked our coats into the closet.

"Right this way, ma'am."

I was still perturbed by Alice's reaction to my confession. Had she thought I had no shot with her brother? That I wasn't going to have a shot at all with Adonis in the flesh?

How could I...

And then there he was. As soon as he saw us, he rose from his chair, a smile on his face. I tried to catch my breath, tried to think clearly. All that came cognitively was, 'alsjkkhflakdf.'

I needed help.

Because even in the dim lighting of the restaurant, I knew that look. The one that scared me out of my skin. Where his mouth lay open a bit, almost hungrily. The kind of look that brings about the silly word — What was it, again? — Yum... He stood there all formal in his coat and tie. And my heart stopped when his eyes appraised me unintentionally.

I guess this whole mixing of thought messed with my motor skills. The toe of my shoe just had to meet the floor in the weirdest way possible right before I got to my seat. I anticipated the wood, as always. It was to be expected. Gravity. Hadn't Newton thought of it?

But how could I forget? Gravity doesn't quite matter when you've got an angel on your side. His arms found me again and I felt the blush of embarrassment and relief brush my cheeks. "Guess the Russian ballet's going to have to cut you off tour." he murmured into my ear, before laughing softly. The heat from his breath drove me mad and I steadied myself with his help.

"We can't all be perfect, Edward." I shot back, weakly. He chuckled softly and pulled my chair out for me.

"You look beautiful, my Bella." he said in apology. My heart fluttered.

"Thanks."

We ordered, and I thanked Alice again for treating me. She merely nodded, a forced smile pressed onto her face, and I was beginning to get confused. My eyes trailed to the french double doors leading to a terrace dimly lit by Christmas lights; a band softly humming in the air. I sighed dreamily. December was awfully beautiful at night. Even if snow dusted the wood, it was peaceful. Inviting. Warm.

That's when I felt his warm fingers wrap around my hand. I looked at him, confused, but thrilled. He cocked his head towards the dance area, a smirk playing along the corners of his lips. I blushed and shook my head, sheepishly. He tugged on my hand, and I stared at Alice frantically as he stood. But Alice was looking up at Edward. Communicating to him. And to my surprise —

She seemed to disapprove.

I've known Alice to be a little begrudging, but she wouldn't do this to me. I'd just told her how I felt about her brother and she was against he and I dancing?

I stood as well. Mostly because the idea of Edward and I dancing was enticing, but a little because I wanted to get away from his sister who suddenly seemed to deeply oppose me.

The air was cool, but acceptable, seeing as how the thin blanket of the tent hung over the whole patio. And then he pulled me into his arms again, a hand holding mine, another at my waist. I lay my free hand at his shoulder, watching as he led. Like always.

The instrumental to 'The Way You Look Tonight' began to play, and I closed my eyes with a muffled laugh.

"What?" he grinned.

"Don't act like you don't know..." I said, accusingly. He smiled guiltily down at me.

"Fifteenth from the left, shelf three. Tony Bennett." he admitted. I giggled.

"When was it? Senior Prom? We missed out —"

"Because dances are overrated —"

"And you said we should hang out. So I show up —"

"And I give you the dress —"

"God, that dress — Pink. And abominable. Alice..." I shook my head in shame.

"And we were looking for stuff to do..."

"Don't forget your suspenders —"

"I know, I know." he said softly. "So we messed around with Carlisle's record player —"

"Did we ever fix that?" I laughed.

"No." he turned the most adorable pink. "And this song comes on, and I asked you to dance..."

"Because you thought I should learn how to so that the next guy wouldn't have such a hard time... Because, that would be... The last chance at saving the poor fella..." I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.

"You danced with Newton six months later at Tyler Crowley's wedding. I should've taught you how to step on a guy's feet hard enough." he winked. I rolled my eyes.

And then silence. The kind you need, this time. The kind you wished stuck around for another minute, to keep you company. Because we all need a little peace when we're in heaven. Whatever form it may be.

"Hey, look." he murmured. He too seemed to be in the same daze I was stuck in. "You're still standing. Maybe you did establish an agreement with those two left feet."

"Maybe." I said softly, my forehead pressed against his cheek.

"So you've missed me, huh?" he asked. I pulled away slowly and nodded up to him, before falling back into my previous position. Forehead to cheek. "Bella, Bella." I knew he wasn't calling me... Often when he'd visit me he'd just repeat my name. As we hugged goodbye. When we sat in my car. Anytime quiet and tender.

Sometimes I'd theorize the meaning behind this habit. And then I concluded.

He'd say my name, because it'd been ages since he could. Granted there was the phone, but that was hardly the same.

Before I knew it, he dipped me. I couldn't believe the overwhelming want I felt for him right then and there. For his touch, his grace, his moves... Fatal to my persistent heart. Everything he did captivated me. And then he twirled me, and I never felt such elegance. Another dip, this time I let my head tilt back, my eyes closing instinctively.

And as he brought me back up, I felt the blood rush to my face. His eyes a deep green smolder. My head fell to his chest, and just as my eyes fluttered close he cleared his throat.

"Ready for the great news?" I was snapped out of the trance. Was even a little sad the moment slipped by so quickly.

"Shoot." I said, embarrassed by how hoarse my voice was. I cleared my throat too and he chuckled.

"Well, Bells I'm really... Excited. Thrilled, I've never felt like this before... And now that I finally found a time to tell you, I couldn't be more relieved. I've been dying to tell you. But you were always busy or, on travel... I just..."

My mind went frantic with the possibilities of this conversation. And in my head he was confessing his love to me. Dying to get me to stay with him. Anything that would end up him and I...

"... I'm going to come out and say it now, Bella. I'm getting married on the thirtieth. And her name's Tanya. Tell me you'll stay until then? Tell me you'll help me through this? I need you, Bella."

;

A/N: S'il vous plaît, review. Merci!