I don't own Twilight!
Bella POV
I watched Edward as he read the letter, his eyebrows knitting together. Curiosity burned on my tongue, but I held it back knowing that it would be rude to ask.
He looked up at me having finished reading and handed the letter over to me. I took it tentatively and started to read. It was from Edward's mother.
According to the epistle, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen, Sr. were hosting an annual formal ball on the fifth of November at half past seven: and we were invited.
I looked up at Edward. He seemed tense as he leaned against the frame of the kitchen door. His arms were crossed, his head down.
The fifth of November.
"Edward, today is the fifth of November."
He looked out the window as if the outside atmosphere could disprove what I had said.
He sighed and swung his head back to me.
"Yes, and it is already two." I looked over at the small clock on the mantle and nodded.
"Are we going?" I asked quietly. We couldn't just not go. Especially to his parent's party.
"Do you have a dress?" There was a small smirk forming on his face at his reciprocate. But I began to question whether or not I did have a dress. Of course I owned regular dresses, the one's worn on a day-to-day basis but I was almost certain I did not have a formal gown.
As I was about to answer an uncertain denial, another knock on the door saved me from having to answer.
My eyes widened as I opened the door to see my mother standing there, holding a large garment that I could only guess held a dress.
"Mom… hi." Renée smiled at me and stepped over the threshold, not even waiting for an invite and set the bag on the table.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Swan." My mom smiled and looked towards Edward, speaking in his gentleman tone.
"Edward! How nice to see you! And please, call me Renée. You are my son-in-law. No need for formal titles." I rolled my eyes.
Ever since my mother first met Edward she had absolutely fallen in love with him. In the maternal aspect, of course. She thought he was the perfect gentleman: intelligent, charming, assiduous, and handsome. Of which I wholly agreed with her, but would never admit. My mother had a rather large ego when it came to being right.
"Now Isabella, I know how adamant you are to being 'gussied up', but I am sure you will agree that Mr. and Mrs. Masen's ball is an instance where it is in dire need."
"Nonsense. Bella is perfect the way she is." Renée smiled admiringly at Edward's comment while I made a face at his mocking statement.
"Listen to that, Bella. Perfect gentleman. How did you ever get so lucky? Now excuse us, Edward. We have a ball to get ready for." She patted his cheek while dragging me out of the room.
I snuck a look back at him to see a flawless grin on his face as he turned away.
I followed my mother as she tried to locate the bathroom, until she eventually found it.
I realized, with a growing exasperation that it was going to be a long night.
XXXXX
I gaped at myself in the mirror. Renée had kept the makeup to a bare minimum, maintaining colors akin to my skin tone. My lips were light pink, blending in to the natural color of my lips. My hair, naturally wavy, was twisted into small curls that cascaded down my back. I wasn't quite sure how she had done it, but I wasn't about to question it.
Lastly, I was in a silky dark blue dress. It was slightly form fitting and fell down a few inches past my knees. The straps were thin and hung loosely over my shoulders.
To my horror, my mother had forced me into a pair of high heels matching the dress. They were very tall what with my mother knowing the problem I had of walking on a flat surface, but tall enough to be a hazard to myself and anyone near me.
I had to admit to myself that I did look remarkably pretty – much different from my normal look.
Renée had done a nice job, and she knew it.
She kissed my cheek and left the bathroom, calling that she would see me there.
I heard her talking with Edward and I could only imagine the terribly embarrassing fine points of the evening she was letting him in on.
Eventually, the front door shut and I heard the sound of Edward's dress shoes as he paced around the living room.
I took a deep breath, looked at myself in the mirror one last time, and strode out of the bathroom. I had to walk cautiously, wanting to try and hold off the inevitable for as long as possible.
I could see Edward now, pacing in front of the fireplace.
He was clothed in a brilliant black tuxedo with a matching tie. My breath caught in my throat as he turned to me, his eyes catching mine. I realized how absolutely flawless his features were; the blackness of his coat setting of a magnificent comparison against his pale skin. His bronze hair was sticking up in random sections as if he had been running his fingers through his hair all evening.
His emerald eyes, gleaming in the light given off by the kitchen were taking in my appearance. They held an unobtainable emotion so strong that it caused my cheeks to flush. I looked down, habitually causing me to fret and bite down on my bottom lip. I was momentarily glad I could feel pain or else I may have bitten right to the extent of drawing blood.
"Bella," the softness to his velvety voice made me look up at him in time to witness him take a step closer to me, "You look… stunning. Though that word doesn't even retain a degree of the allure you hold."
I smiled widely, the pervasive blush ignored for the moment.
"Thank you, you look exquisite as well,"
Extreme understatement.
He chuckled as I frowned at my choice of words. I should have just taken the compliment and left it at that.
He moved towards the door, an air of his gratifying, unique scent wafting towards me, disconcerting my senses. I shut my eyes, figuring this was one of the best smells I would ever have the pleasure of inhaling, and followed him to the door.
He held up my shawl, wrapping it comfortingly around my shoulders and stuck out his arm. I took it, ignoring the way the muscles rippling under the fabric felt against my thin limb and allowed him to lead me to the Packard parked in front of the lawn, sent by his parents.
"By the way," his voice was casual but I hinted another emotion behind his words. Be it remorse?
"While you and your mother were…" he waved his hand towards my dress and I smiled faintly, "I took the opportunity to purchase the covers for your bed while I was in town, I hope you don't mind…" he trailed off subtly, looking over at me.
My heart sank at his words, and then again as I realized his remorse would have only been for the inane possibility that I would have been upset. I was, but for quite the opposite reason than he was most likely inclining towards.
I shook my head, forcing a smile on my face and thanked him quietly.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes and then turned away, looking towards the black automobile.
"My parents certainly went out of their way. They hired one for all of their guests whom are arriving. They like their visitors to arrive in a timely fashion, especially to their annual ball. It is a bit presumptuous if you ask me."
We were situated in the vehicle, on our way to the gathering. The Packard was rather large, comfortable to sit four or five people.
"This ball – annual as it is, has it been going on long?" My eyebrows knit together in wonder at his reply. My family had certainly never been invited to a Masen extraordinaire before.
"Annual, yes. Substantial, no. When they host it, this would only be the fourth or fifth one – it is not that annual – it is usually just open to family only. You would be surprised at how the little amount of relatives could fill up a parlor and make you feel as though you had invited the entire town." I laughed at the face Edward made; one of reminiscing of particularly exasperating times.
"Although this year they did invite the entire town, which I am sure will be a remarkable adventure of its own." He finished with an emphasis on the last part and smiled at me. I couldn't help but to laugh again as thoughts of the 'adventures' that would be happening tonight engulfed me.
Our town was quaint, but it was filled with a great amount of characters. Tonight would be interesting, to say the least.
XXXXX
We pulled up in front of the grand house I had visited what seemed like ages ago. People were filing into the abode, some standing around outside in groups, others could be seen inside through the large open windows.
My stomach twisted as I the realization of the entire town being invited hit me. That would mean that there are going to be over two hundred people. I was never one for parties – or large gatherings, and I was certainly not one for dancing.
Edward must have sensed my worry, as I am sure it was pouring off of me like a waterfall.
"Hey," When I didn't look over at him, he turned my face towards him by pulling on my chin. His long fingers were soft against my skin, his eyes gentle.
"Don't worry about all them. Most of them will be huddled around the buffet table all night anyways," I cracked a smile at that, knowing he was right, "I will stay with you all night, if you would like."
I wondered whether or not he realized the double meaning to his words, but I was sure he didn't or he wouldn't have chosen his words so imprudently.
"I can't dance…" I trailed off as if that was all the explanation he needed; and in a sense, it was.
The corner of his lip twitched, then pulled up into one of his crooked grins that made my knees go weak even though I was sitting.
"I know. We have danced before, remember?" he chuckled as if remembering our first dance while I repressed a groan.
"Besides, it is all in the leading."
Well there's another chapter for ya. I know nothing much happened… I guess it was kind of a filler chapter. Review?