Happy 4th of July!!! I hope everyone is enjoying your BBQ's and fireworks or whatever you do on the 4th. Again, big thanks to my beta, Monkey-en-TuTu, you are amazing! Thanks for the time you take out to help me. Also, thanks to everyone who reads my story and all the nice reviews. Keep them coming!
Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Gala

"There you two are, we have been waiting for you." My father's voice was impatient. "You must be announced when we enter."

Sorry father, it took a while for me to be dressed, I told a small lie.

He just gave me a slight nod and walked ahead of us. I could hear the orchestra playing when the doors opened. The entire room hushed when my parent's names were announced. "Lord Charles Swan of Norwich, and Lady Renee of Volterra." Everyone bowed in reverence.

We were next and I was feeling my nerves again. Edward took my arm and kissed my cheek "Bella everything will be alright, I am with you."

I took another deep breath and we entered the ball room. A round vampire announced us, "Princess Isabella and Sir Edward Cullen."

As soon as we walked in the room whispers filled the atmosphere. I couldn't believe my eyes there were luxurious materials draping the ceiling and extravagant floral arrangements on every table. It was beautifully decorated so elegant and inviting. The music began again, my parents were off mingling, I sent my father a small wave and we walked toward Edward's family. All the men wore black tuxedos and a vest that matched their mate. Esme had on a lavender gown with an empire waist, it was very tasteful and looked incredible on her. Alice was in a strapless black and white polka dot dress it had a small train and was very form-fitting, the complimenting empire waist had a red bow to tie in the back. She was truly stunning; Jasper kept a firm grip on her tiny waist.

Then, there was Rosalie. What more could you really say? She is already envied by every woman in the room and there she was wearing a blood red fitted dress with plunging neck and back line. It wrapped around her body like a glove; she is a true seductress. Emmett is truly one of a kind, he just held on to her proudly as he showed her off.

"May I have this dance?" Edward and his manners, always the perfect gentleman.

I blushed and took his hand, "you may." I never really danced much and if I did it was with my father. It was thrilling as we swirled around the room, he was so graceful. The rest of his family joined us on the dance floor and then my parents, I was really enjoying myself.

"Thank you" I whispered in Edward's arms.

"For what?" he pulled back a tad to look at me.

"For loving me and making me happy," my eyes would have been over flowing with tears if they could. "Will you promise me something?"

He smiled at me his eyes were a bit apprehensive, "Anything."

"Do you promise to love me forever?" my voice was almost begging.

"I promise," he bent his head to touch my lips with his. "Forever."

This is how I hoped it would be and my wish came true. We danced all night like a fairy tale come true. We traded partners every now and again, dancing with our parents. When he'd dance with my mother or Esme I would just gawk at him in all his perfection.

"Thank you," Carlisle's voice was low "For bringing happiness to my son. It is a pleasant change to see in him, he was so content on being alone; he never thought he needed anyone else to complete his world. And now you have shown him he does and he is gleaming like I have never seen before."

His words made me blush, "he has the same effect on me. I am truly the fortunate one."

I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder it was Drake. "May I cut in?"

I was hoping Carlisle would say no, "I suppose so." Great, I rolled my eyes.

Drake spun me out of Carlisle's arms and pulled me across the room, I looked for Edward and saw him glaring in our direction, he was no longer dancing. He stood there never taking his eyes off of me, making sure Drake didn't do anything.

"So Isabella, I've heard that congratulations are in order" a smug expression was on his face.

"You have heard right, I am going to marry Edward," I said arrogantly. His eyes flashed a wicked glare.

"Well congratulations then my sweet," he leaned down to kiss my hand. Our song ended. I let go of Drake's hand immediately. He took mine up again, "please just one more?" he said mischievously.

I don't know why I accepted, my gut was saying no but he was holding me tight and drowning me with his onyx eyes. "Okay just one more."

He smiled and pulled me closer to his body, I felt weak in his arms. The music seemed to have picked up in pace. Drake was dancing so fast it felt like the room was spinning. I couldn't see Edward anymore I couldn't focus on anything, everything was a blur. I was feeling extremely dizzy I wanted to stop dancing. I tried to ask Drake to stop but I couldn't even muster a word. All the spinning was making it hard for me to concentrate. I pressed my head up against his chest so I could see what was happening. We were no longer inside the ball room but out on the balcony. He touched my face tenderly, I realized Drake was laughing and whispering something to me. "Isabella," he breathed. "You must stop all this foolishness. We are meant to be. Both of us share the same royal blood, sacred blood. You and this Edward could never continue he can't give you an heir."

His eyes were piercing; it was like they were reaching into my soul. "You have always been mine, Isabella, from the time you were conceived. We will be as one, you will be my wife. You want this I know, say yes Isabella, say yes." His voice was hypnotizing, a voice in the back of my mind was screaming No, no, no! I didn't want to respond he knew my answer. I was going to say no, but when I parted my lips to speak I said "Yes!" his eyes glistened and he powerfully pulled me into a kiss.

A loud growl irrupted pulling me out of my trance. I already knew who it was, Edward.

"No! Bella how could you?" The hurt in his eyes stabbed through my heart, he turned and ran.

"Edward wait please, it's not what you think, I didn't mean to say yes!" I was screaming try to hold back the tearless sobs emitting from my chest. He was too fast for me this time I couldn't catch up. I was at the castles main gates now and could no longer see him. "What have I done?" I fell to the ground, holding my knees to my body sobbing uncontrollably.

Small arms embraced me from behind, whispering softly. "Oh Bella! I am so sorry, how did this happen?" It was Alice she had seen the whole thing.

"What did I do Alice? How can I make it right, make Edward come back to me?" I wept into her lap the rest of the night.

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