A/N: Finally here's the Soiree chapter! Hope you all enjoy :) If you want the full effect of what I was going for then you should definitely play "La Vie En Rose" by Louis Armstrong in the background during the dance scene ;) Hee hee! Have fun kiddies! Reviews are like gorgeous Paris nights.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Rain explodes at the moment that the cab door closed/
I feel the weight upon your kiss ambiguous"
- Books From Boxes by Maximo Park

Chapter Eight

La Vie En Rose

Solenne had gone positively mad. There could be no other plausible explanation for her giving me this dress. This scrap of cloth, more like.

I turned around, scrutinizing myself in the mirror, my pinched face glaring unhappily back at me. I had to find something else. Anything. I'd wear jeans to this ball even if it meant being the odd one out as long as I could escape this damn thing. There was no possible way I could wear this out of this hotel room. Maybe the Solennes and the Rosalies of the world could wear something like this with confidence, but the Bella Swans of the world definitely could not.

There was a light tapping at the door.

"Bella, are you alright in there? We really should be leaving soon."

It was Carlisle. I was making us late, I knew it, but I couldn't build up the nerve to leave the sanctuary of the bathroom looking like this.

"Uh, yeah. Do me a favour, would you?" I asked, thinking fast. "Pass me the black coat on my bed. I'll just be one more minute."

"Alright."

I heard his footsteps retreat towards my room and I heaved a deep breath. The coat would cover most of the problem but there was still the bottom half to consider. I frowned, cursing Solenne for getting me in this mess to begin with.

The dress was long, floor length, but that was as modest as it got. A large slit, beginning down from the ankle traveled all the way up to the middle of my thigh. The back of the dress was virtually nonexistent, dipping tantalizingly low on my skin. I pulled at it, trying desperately to cover my endless paleness. And the worst part yet? The neckline. Dropping lower than any of my, Alice's or Rosalie's dresses ever had combined, it was a sure thing that tonight men would passing me bills as I walked by and asking for lap dances left and right.

Alright, calm down. I could handle this. Maybe I was overreacting a bit.

I looked at the endless skin reflected back at me and scowled. Screw that, I had every right to be.

I pulled out the bobby pins holding my up hair and brushed out my curls, mentally thanking Alice for not letting me cut it. It was just long enough so a decent amount of my back was covered. I pulled a section to the front, trying to cover up the exposing neckline but to no avail. I'd just have to grin and bear it on that part, I was afraid.

I checked myself in the mirror one more time. The dress really could have been quite beautiful if there was, you know, more of it. It was made of a gorgeous deep red silk fabric and had twinkling crystals embroidering the whole torso, making me look something like a vampire in sunlight. On that note, I loved it. On the rest of it, not so much.

Carlisle tapped on the door again. I opened it just enough so I reach out, grab my coat and close it again hurriedly. There was no way Carlisle was seeing me looking like this until absolutely necessary. If I could get away with keeping my coat on at the ball, I would do just that, but I had a feeling Solenne wouldn't let that happen. As I pulled on the jacket and did up the buttons, I could swear I heard him chuckle.

He could laugh, he wasn't the one wearing a skimpy piece of silk to the ball.

I opened the door and stepped out, smiling at him sheepishly. Carlisle was there, waiting by the door, clad in a crisp black tailcoat and tie. I took a moment to appraise him fully and then nodded approvingly.

"You'll do." I joked. He shook his head and laughed, pulling on his own coat.

"Thank you kindly for the assessment."

I walked over and joined him, being careful not to let too much of my leg show as I walked, for I could feel him watching the slit of my dress uncertainly. I clasped the two pieces of fabric tightly over each other to avoid flashing my whole leg and compromised my steady walk for a slow waddle. As I neared, he offered his arm and I took it. I was grateful for the lack of comment.

"I was kidding, by the way," I smiled, "You look very handsome, Mr. Cullen."

He smiled back. "And you look quite nice yourself, Miss. Swan. I was afraid I would have to find a way to blackmail you into wearing a dress. I was sure you were going to step out of the bathroom in a pair of jeans."

"I almost did," I muttered, forcibly pulling the sides of the dress together again and balling up the fabric in my hand.

When I saw Solenne tonight, I would throttle her. I could imagine her having herself a hearty laugh, imagining the sexual tension she'd created by giving me this horrendous thing to wear. Well, she didn't know me very well, did she? Sexual tension was never an issue for Bella Swan until there were copious amounts of embarrassment beforehand.

"A car is waiting for us downstairs," Carlisle informed me, leading us out the door, "I figured running us there was out of the question, considering your hair and all."

"Oh yes," I agreed sarcastically, following him into the elevator he'd summoned, "Perfect hair was at the top of my list of priorities this evening."

Miraculously, Carlisle laughed. The lift began to descend.

We arrived in the bustling main lobby and were met immediately with a great amount of gaping. I figured, for the staring men, it had something to do with the atrocious way I was dressed and for the flailing women, the general shock of seeing an extremely handsome man dressed to the nines. Carlisle took in the scene and gripped my arm tighter, steering us towards the door.

A woman coming through as we passed by stepped briskly out of our way, making wide eyes at Carlisle. I almost had an odd urge to lean over and close her gaping mouth for fear of the precarious glob of drool on her mouth falling onto her neat suit.

I was ushered outside before I had the chance. The driver of our car, who had been leaning against the car smoking a cigarette, straightened himself up immediately as we neared. His eyes dropped instantly to the slit of my dress and once again, I shoved it closed posthaste.

Carlisle seemed to have noticed his wandering eyes and snapped something at him in fast French. The driver, looking properly abashed, flicked away his butt and pulled open the car door through which Carlisle ushered me inside. There was an odd steeliness in his eyes as he watched the driver clamber in and rev the engine.

"Don't have much tact, do they?" I asked timidly, attempting to make light of the situation. One look at Carlisle's hard expression told me he didn't find the whole thing very amusing and I dropped my joking manner immediately.

"None." He agreed in a firm voice, turning his head to the window as the car pulled away from the hotel.

I rested my own head back on the seat and closed my eyes. I had a feeling we were in for a very long night, indeed. We'd barely made out of the hotel without causing a spectacle and I knew, surrounded by other rowdy vampires and humans, the rest of the night would likely continue the same way.

Oh, boy howdy.

I turned to look out my own window and watched the passing buildings and cars, all of which were alight with that mysterious air of night time. I gazed longingly at each one zoom past as we drove on, barely gracing me a second to marvel. I sighed. There was so much left to experience here in Paris, so much out there just beyond my fingertips, waiting for me to discover. The cool glass was satisfactory relief for my burning face but it made me feel caged.

The car slowed at a stop light for a moment and the melancholy feeling did not leave me. I wondered how anyone could truly see this city, live it, without staying here for a lifetime. I was so afraid I wouldn't get to truly know Paris before we had to leave. Leaving here without standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower breathing true Paris air, feeling the city for myself… that was my biggest fear.

I pressed my fingers to the cool glass, much like I had done the first night we'd come here.

"We still have a few weeks here," Carlisle said, breaking the silence. I noted the rather softer tone of his voice. "We'll have time to see it all."

I nodded stiffly, not taking my eyes off the scene. It was like watching a television; all so real and tangible yet just beyond the reach of my fingertips. There was a beat of silence and stillness in the car.

Carlisle's hand reached over slowly and wrapped itself around my own. He cradled it loosely, somewhat unsurely in his cool hold, allowing me the moment to pull away if I desired to. I didn't. He took it as an approval and slowly entwined his fingers through mine. His grasp felt safe, so I held tighter.

I peeled my eyes away from the outside world and back to Carlisle. My protector, my friend, someone who cared for me deeply, or so Solenne had said. I searched his face, trying to find the motivation for his action, and found only the deepest sincerity. His eyes conveyed vulnerability, the set of his mouth showed fear. I realized it then: he was scared. But what did he have to fear?

Solenne's words thrashed about in my brain and she answered my silent question for me. He was scared because everything she had that day was true and everything he felt for me should be wrong, should be impossible, yet the feelings were there and they were vehement on staying. Was this the face of a man who looked at me and felt "complete"?

No.

This was a man who scared to act on his feelings. This was a man who considered all the repercussions of acting but was treading along warily anyway. This was a man who needed assurance, and not from himself, not from a certain Sauvage friend or not from any stranger, he needed it from the only other person who mattered. He needed it from me.

Lines were about to be crossed, I could feel it. Ideals and divides and sanity were about to blur but somehow, in the confines of this dark car and in the space between us two on the slick, leather seat, that didn't matter. I tried to tell him from the look in my eyes, tried to tell him that I was right there along with him, that all his fears mirrored mine.

I slid myself over towards his open arms and nestled myself against him. I laid my head against his chest, where the silent heart rested. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close, stroking my hair. Desperation was thick in the air around us.

I squeezed closed my eyes, willing the world and our reality to disappear so I could have this, whatever this was, all to myself. I balled the front of his jacket in my hand, burying myself closer into his chest, letting his scent become all I knew. I felt Carlisle lower his face into my hair and breathe deeply.

"I never want to leave this place. I just want to stay here forever." I whispered, burrowing myself closer to him.

"If only," He said simply. "But there's a world out there beyond Paris, Bella, and when the time is right, we'll have to face it."

I knew that. And most importantly, I feared it.

I craved time to figure out what was happening. I knew what Solenne had said, it constantly plagued me, but I wanted to realize for myself how much of that was true. She had said that I may just love him. The only way I could prove that either true or false was to let myself open up to him, and for that, I needed time. Desperately.

It felt like everything I'd ever known had changed overnight. Here I rested, in Carlisle's arms above all, wondering whether or not I loved him. Edward was not a variable in my concerns at the moment, he was a world away. I acknowledged that I was cruel in doing this to him, as he risked his life to save mine no less, but was love a strong enough factor for it not to burden me?

If it was, then I had answered my own burning question about Carlisle.

And yet, this brought on a myriad of questions about Edward, whether how I felt for him compared to the intensity of feelings in this car and of being held in these arms. I wondered if it was possible to love two people at the same time. But how could two loves that were so incommensurable even be compared? I squeezed my eyes shut, willing all this rationality to bugger off.

I looked up to find Carlisle watching me. The darkness of the car did not dim the golden shine of his eyes and as they watched me, I could sense that he was slowly coming to grasp with his own feelings as I came to mine.

"You can pull away," He said softly, "Pull away now and we can exit this car, unchanged. If you so desire, we can leave as we always were: friends, companions."

As he spoke, the words held less and less conviction. For some unfathomable reason, he wanted and hoped with all his might I wouldn't pull away. But as compassionate as ever, Carlisle gave the option over to me, disregarding any pain he might feel to spare me from it.

"I've nowhere else to go, I'm afraid," I murmured, holding him closer.

I expected a smile, a rush of joy, but he continued to frown. "Consider what you're deciding, Bella."

He wanted me to think of the repercussions. Of Edward, the family. I pushed the thoughts out of my brain. I'd spare myself the headache for tonight.

"I don't care." I breathed. "I'm not leaving."

Carlisle closed his eyes tightly and then reopened them, trained them on mine.

"Are you certain?" He asked in a strained voice, "Because right now, I can let go." He heaved a heavy breath. "I can pretend. And one day, sometime soon, I'll even force myself to forget this… feeling I have in holding you so close. But if you stay now, and then leave, I won't have the heart to let go. And I'm afraid doing it anyway, as I'll have to, will possibly kill me."

There they were. Feelings, trickling past his self-control, betraying his infallible mask of certainty. Carlisle was laying it all out for me, begging me to accept him yet giving me an escape, the option to turn back. I was compelled by his words and struggled to find my own.

And just then, as I grasped for the words that eluded me, I had the sudden notion that I'd never feel safer than I did in these arms, and therefore I never wanted to leave them. And on that, I based my decision.

"You won't ever have to worry about that," I said, touching his cheek. "Because there's no place I'd rather be than where I am now. No place more safe, none more like home."

The car was sliding to a stop and I looked out the window to see the Sauvage mansion, glowing with light.

"Isabella," He said seriously, "Please consider-"

"I've considered everything there is to consider." I said, cutting him off and using up my remaining bravado. "And I have never felt more sure."

So this was a half-truth. I was completely unsure of everything. I hadn't considered anything. I was a mess of thoughts and feelings and confusion, but staring into those golden eyes made me certain of only one single thing: I wanted Carlisle's happiness more than life itself and if it involved me, then I would give myself to him. I wanted to be the source of that happiness more than anything.

Carlisle smiled. It was a small, tentative smile but it lit up his whole face. That smile made me smile.

The driver came around to the side and pulled open our door.

"Are you ready for a party?" I asked, smirking.

The smile only grew. "With you here? Darling, I'm ready for anything."

Carlisle climbed out of the car and extended a hand to help me. I decided that now was the moment to rid myself of another inhibition and biting back a laugh, I exited the car with my exposed leg first, letting my pale skin flash in the moonlight.

I straightened up outside and busied myself fixing my hair, seeing from the corner of my eye Carlisle truly appraising me, a look of both shock and appreciation on his face. The slit had done what it had been designed to do, Solenne would be so proud.

Nicholas answered the door when we knocked. There was an immediate surge of music and laughter, extending from one of the side halls. He led us to the ballroom silently after a brisk greeting.

I clutched my coat around myself tighter, losing the nerve I'd built up a moment ago, feeling suddenly quite self-conscious.

Craving the safeness again, I curled an arm around Carlisle's and he stroked a finger against it. A warm shiver traveled up my skin and I steeled myself for the entrance.

The doorman reached for our coats the moment we stepped into the hall. I had barely a moment to marvel at the beautiful scene around me before Carlisle was sliding the jacket from my shoulders. The room was slightly chilly despite the numerous burning candles and bodies flowing on the dance floor and I gripped my forearms, attempting to rub the chill from them. The endless faces surrounding us were pale and beautiful but few, like mine, were flushed and pink.

Carlisle sidled up beside me and took my hand, turning me around once.

"Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright." He appraised with a grin. "It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear. Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear."

Carlisle turned me around once more, then pulled me close into his side as we walked towards the bustling crowd.

"Shakespeare." I noted, taking his arm. "Very classy. Are you trying to get on my good side by quoting compliments from my favourite play at me?"

"Romeo and Juliet is your favourite?" He asked teasingly, "Oh, I had no idea. But tell me, is it working?"

"Maybe a little bit." I chuckled. "But honestly, Carlisle. This dress… all of this. Not my idea, I promise."

I fared a glance down at the plunging jewelled neckline and snapped my head right back up. If I didn't look, maybe it would go away. Please God, go away.

"I don't mind it all that much." He replied with a small smirk.

I threw an incredulous look up at him. Carlisle only continued to smirk.

"Mes amis belle!" A voice called loudly from the din. I glanced up to see a blonde figure making her way towards the two of us.

Solenne was traipsing in our direction, the fluidity of her movements almost making it seem like she was waltzing across the floor. Her long blonde hair was tucked in a neat bun at the nape of her neck and two enormous sapphire stones rested on her earlobes. Her dress was of a long midnight blue design, the net sleeves reaching almost to her thumbs. She manoeuvred her extensive train among the dancing couples as she came towards us.

She grinned at the two of us broadly, the action brightening her already stunning features. Solenne appraised us both, her eyes resting mischievously on me for a moment longer, before swooping into hug Carlisle.

"Oh, Carlisle!" She exclaimed, "Words cannot describe my happiness in you joining us tonight!"

"The pleasure is really all ours, Solenne," He replied cordially. "Thank you for inviting us."

"You and the formalities!" She giggled, slapping him playfully on the shoulder. She turned towards me with a glint in her eye. I forced my best murderous smile. "And Bella!" She exclaimed again, "Beautiful Bella. I see the dress has worked in your favor. Not everyone has the body to pull it off!"

She leaned into hug me and very quietly I whispered in her ear. "I am going to kill you."

Solenne's breathy laugh filled my ears. "Darling, you cannot kill the undead!" She pulled back and the self-satisfied grin was back on her face. She looked towards Carlisle quickly then back at me and waggled her eyebrows.

"Solenne." I said through clenched teeth. She was enjoying this whole thing a little bit too much for my liking. Carlisle seemed calm and easy beside me, so I revelled in the hope he hadn't seen her significant look.

"Bella!" She countered lightly. "You two really should go on and enjoy yourselves now. Drinks and food are over there and you two can find the dance floor, I think."

She gestured towards the small bar counter where a few pink-faced men were crowded. "Meanwhile, I really think I should fulfill my duties as hostess. Do have a good time, won't you? And don't get into too much trouble." With a wink, she sauntered off, but not without slapping my behind lightly as she went.

Dead or undead, if I had something sharp in my hands right now, I'd be launching it at her perfectly blonde head.

"Dance floor," I said, taking Carlisle's hand to calm myself down. "Let's go dance."

He chuckled easily and took my arm again. As we made our way over, I grabbed a drink off the nearest waiter's tray and downed it in one gulp. I grimaced as it burned itself down my throat and guessed foolishly it wasn't the same red wine I'd had before. I could feel Carlisle's eyes on me.

"If I have to wear this thing all night," I said fiercely, "I'm going to need a little confidence boost."

Without thinking, I grabbed another drink and downed it. Okay, that time I regretted it. Whatever this stuff was, it was strong. The burning sensation took longer to dissipate this time and I gripped Carlisle's hand tighter as he steered me onto the floor.

He took my waist and pulled me closer into him as we took our place among the other couples. I encircled my arms around his neck and followed his lead. Dancing with a competent partner was always enjoyable for someone like me.

"Carlisle," I said, locking eyes with him as he swayed us softly to the music, "Can I ask you something?"

He pushed a tendril of hair off my shoulder and touched the skin lightly with his fingertips before replacing his hand on my waist.

"Hm?"

The music was changing. A slow, drowsy jazz tune was beginning to play and I vaguely registered that it was familiar to me. My head was feeling slow and heavy as the music permeated my brain and I rested it against Carlisle's chest. The singer began to warble into the microphone.

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast

This is la vie en rose

"If I asked you to take me to the Eiffel Tower tomorrow, would you do it?" I mumbled quietly.

Bodies were leaving the dance floor as the tempo slowed. A few couples were left under the dim lights. Carlisle turned us towards the center of the floor. He rested his cheek against the top of my head. I felt him sigh.

I wasn't sure, but it sounded like a happy sigh.

"If you wanted to spend the next year at the top of the Eiffel Tower, I'd be up there with you." He said quietly. "So you can take that as a yes."

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose

"Really?" I lifted my head and grinned at him. Under the dim, gold lights, he looked he was glowing. The edges of his face were a little blurry and I felt my feet becoming less and less stable beneath me. Carlisle's embrace kept me steady. I leaned closer into him.

"Of course," He said sincerely.

I ducked my head into his neck and closed my eyes, breathing deeply as he continued to sway us. The music played on.

When you press me to your heart

I'm in a world apart

A world where roses bloom

As we danced, I opened my eyes over Carlisle's shoulder and saw Solenne watching us from a far corner of the room. She had a tiny smile on her lips. Her eyes looked like they'd be glistening if they could still form tears.

I was confused as to why. The room was spinning so I closed my eyes again.

And when you speak angels sing from above

Everyday words seem to turn into love songs

"What was in those drinks?" Carlisle asked playfully, as I stumbled against him. "And you only had two. No more drinking for you."

I kept my face nuzzled into his neck and chuckled once. "I suppose not." My arms felt heavy and my face felt flushed. It was soothing having Carlisle's cool embrace surrounding me.

"If anyone asks to dance with you," I said abruptly, "Tell them no. Tell them… tell them we're together. And I don't want to share you." A giggle burst through my lips before I was even sure what I was laughing at. I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

Carlisle's throat vibrated against me as he chuckled. "I'll be sure to. And as every man in this room is staring at you, I feel obliged to say that you have to do the same."

"I don't see them." I breathed. "I don't see anyone else in this room but you."

Give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be

La vie en rose

The music was fading to a slow end. I righted myself, loosening my arms slightly from around his neck, but Carlisle's hands still gripped my waist close against his body. We slowed our swaying as the music finished off and for a brief moment under the dim lights, we locked gazes.

I saw straight into his ochre eyes and for a moment I swore I could see the whole world.

"I need some air."

I noted the dazed look in his eyes as Carlisle nodded in agreement.

The balcony faced out the back of the Sauvage quarters, into the trees surrounding the property. In preparation for tonight, someone had draped a length of golden lights over the trees closest to the balcony. They swirled up the trunks and drifted off the limbs, looking like a million tiny fireflies. I leaned over the balcony railing, striving to touch them.

"Easy, does it."

Carlisle had come up behind me and grasped my waist, pulling me from the plunge I'd been about to take. He righted me and I swayed a little, feeling shaky on my feet. The whole scene was slightly blurry and I gripped the front of his shirt to keep me steady.

With one arm still holding me up, Carlisle removed his jacket and laid it on the tiled balcony floor. He aided me into a sitting position on the ground and I plopped down unceremoniously, leaning my back against the railing for support. I closed my eyes to keep myself from getting too dizzy. It was dawning on me that I probably shouldn't have downed those drinks right after one another.

Carlisle sat down alongside me, his shoulder allowing me a place to rest my head. My face still felt flushed.

"I don't wanna go back inside." I mumbled, eyes still closed. "I feel too hot and the waiter got me tipsy."

"Then we won't go back inside." Carlisle laughed. "But the waiters here really do need to have a little shame. Coercing an innocent girl into drinking, I'm disgusted." He clucked his tongue.

"Oh, shut up." I mumbled through a chuckle. "Guess I don't handle alcohol well. How was I supposed to know?"

I opened my eyes and leaned my head back all the way against the railing. I stared up into the sky above us. The night time darkness was dense and dark but above, the lights of tiny stars weaved their way through the blackness and twinkled down on us. It felt like they were each winking a thousand times. A cool breeze fluttered past my face, blowing a few strands of hair across my eyes.

Carlisle's hand pushed them away almost immediately. I turned to see him watching me. The light in his face reminded me of the tiny stars above and I reached out to touch the cool plane of his cheek.

"Give me my Romeo." I said quietly, recalling the passage from my scrambled mind. "And when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars. And he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night."

He smiled serenely. "You are a curious creature, Bella Swan."

"Hm," I smirked. "How so?"

He ran a hand through my curls. "Only Bella Swan quotes Shakespeare when she's drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" I insisted, "And now we're even. One Shakespearean compliment for the each of us."

Carlisle saw the persistence in my face and laughed. "Alright Bella, we're even then."

I replaced my head on his shoulder. Our breathing fell in sync. "Did you mean what you said, by the way?" I inquired, breaking the silence.

"About what?"

"The Eiffel Tower. Will you really take me tomorrow?" I hoped he couldn't hear the pleading in my voice.

"A Cullen never goes back on their word." Carlisle said with a smile, nudging me. "So yes, we'll go to the Eiffel Tower tomorrow. We can spend the whole day if you want. But only if you promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"You will not lean over the railing like that at the top of Tower, okay?"

"Aw shucks," I said mock-seriously. "That was the plan."

"Really," He said, taking my hand and squeezing it. "I promised you adventures, didn't I? That first night. And like I said, a Cullen-"

"Never goes back on their word." I finished.

"Exactly."

Music had started up again inside the hall and though I felt tempted to rejoin the party, the seclusion out on the balcony seemed more favourable. The cool wind supplemented the heat in my cheeks and it seemed to be one of those intoxicating nights you simply had to spend outside.

More steadily now, I rose to my feet and extended a hand to Carlisle.

"Monsieur Cullen," I imitated in my very best French accent, "Will you do me the favor and dance with me?"

"Here?" He gestured, laughing.

"Well, where else?" I asked mischievously, and pulled on his arm. Carlisle rose to his feet and shaking his head while still chuckling, bowed and offered his arm.

"The pleasure is mine, Mademoiselle Swan."

I bit back a grin and curtsied before accepting his outstretched arm. From where we stood, we could just hear the soft melody of the music. Carlisle began to lead us in a slow waltz.

The stars twinkled down and the music played on through one, two, three more songs. Carlisle and I stayed outside on the balcony as we danced, laughing and twirling under the golden lights of the trees, with only our shadows to dance alongside us.

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