The rights to the story belong to Sabrina writers: Ernest Lehman, Billy Wilder, and Samuel A. Tayor.

The characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

But the craziness of this is all me! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2: Natural Gift

Anyone who knew Bella Swan would agree that she was very self-sufficient and independent for a seven-year-old... but then again, she had little choice in the matter.

After the death of her beloved mother, she took on more responsibilities around the house, helping Charlie prepare his and her lunches for the weekdays, dusting, washing dishes, the laundry, and keeping their flat clean and tidy.

Bella was always especially grateful when Sue came over to help them with cooking. She taught Bella how to follow cook books and use the stove and oven safely... but could only use it with supervision.

Charlie thought Bella was growing up too fast, taking on so much while he was away driving the Cullens at all hours of the day, as needed. He wished she would agree to just go out and play in the gardens or visit friends once in a while so she could be with children her own age.

Be a child again...

"Isabella, would you come out here for a moment?"

Bella was struggling inside her room with the ancient vacuum cleaner, which was currently trying to suck up her purple curtains. She yelped and dropped the vacuum when it started making a choking noise and quickly pulled the plug from the wall, too flustered to find the off switch.

"Isabella!" Charlie called out again after he heard the noise level drop. "Come on, pumpkin I want to show you something."

"Coming!" Bella hollered after tugging the material out of the mouth of the vacuum and left it situated on the floor to give it a rest. She walked out of her room, then tripped on the rug by coffee table. Luckily, she was picked up by Charlie who caught her before she hit the ground.

"Careful, baby girl. That's the third time this week you've tripped on that spot. Watch where you're going, alright? I won't always be around to catch you, pumpkin."

Bella nodded her head blushing as she was set down carefully on the floor. "Come outside with me," Charlie said walking down the stairs.

"But I still have to vacuum and do laundry—" Bella protested, knowing she wouldn't have any clean underwear if she didn't have it done before school tomorrow.

"I'll take care of the laundry, Bella. I am a grown man. I'm sure I can figure it out myself."

I doubt it... Bella thought.

The last time he turned on the machine, it bubbled over because he put in too much detergent and forgot to check his pockets before dumping his pants into the wash. Thereby spilling change and his leather wallet into the machine.

"Besides it's Sunday. New rule. No work on Sundays. God rested today... and so should you."

"You don't..."

"That's different, I'm an adult. You pumpkin, are not. Follow me."

Charlie led his daughter down the driveway and to the birch tree that was directly in front of the garage and by the garden wall. There was something different about the tree that Bella noticed almost immediately.

"There's steps?" She pointed to the even bricks of wood that were nailed directly to the trunk leading up to the first and lowest branch of the tree.

"Come up with me," Charlie said with a childlike grin on his face, and Bella looked at him in shock. She'd never seen her father do anything that was undignified, especially fun ever since her mom passed away several months ago.

"Why?" Bella tilted her head and looked up at the familiar tree that she saw every single day.

"I want to show you something. Come on, you first." Charlie smiled warmly and held his handout for Bella, hoping his plan would work and that his daughter wasn't afraid of heights...

After looking and inspecting the steps once more, Bella shrugged her shoulders and took her father's hand so he could help her with the first few steps. Then once she reached the top branch, Charlie told her to wait there for him while he made to climb the tree himself.

He heard his daughter giggle and laugh for the first time since the funeral, and suddenly he knew deep down that this was the right choice. If only to hear her laughter once again.

Charlie finally settled himself on the wide branch, and leaned his back against the center of the tree trunk. There were twigs and leaves sticking into his spine and legs, but ignored his momentary discomfort and turned to his daughter.

He gestured for Bella to move closer, then she carefully scooted over and Charlie easily lifted her up and placed her between his legs. Bella leaned back against his chest and held her close while sighing deeply.

"What are we doing, Daddy?" Bella asked curiously since she was not used this kind of behavior from her father and didn't know what to expect next.

"Shh... just listen. What do you hear? Can you name all the sounds?"

Bella turned her face out and looked up at the blue sky and remained quiet so she could hear the sounds surrounding them and play along.

"I hear a lawn mower, Peter talking to Aro about—something... um... oh the birds! They're singing in the trees over there. And... piano music, Mr. Edward is playing inside—and..."

"Good. Good..."

"Daddy?"

"Your mother and I met in a park a long time ago. Back home in Forks. We used to climb trees all the time and play games. We'd try to name all the sounds we heard, and see who could climb the highest. Eventually we picked a favorite tree... one that could see over the tops of the buildings and we'd meet there to—" Charlie stopped and swallowed deeply for a moment, then continued.

"As we got older we brought books and our lunches up to the tree to... talk. Watch people passing by; make up stories about their lives and about having all kinds of adventures—"

"I've never seen you climb before. How come you stopped?" Bella asked touching her father's hand and looked at him comfortingly, knowing it was difficult for him to talk about Rene and anything that reminded him of her.

"We didn't need the tree anymore to have adventures, pumpkin... because we had you."

Bella nodded and cuddled closer into her father, smiling into his arm. She suddenly felt closer to him and her mother. Like she was watching from heaven and smiling down at them for climbing the sycamore tree together.

"I like it up here, Daddy. May I come back up here again? Please?"

Charlie smiled and nodded his head silently like Bella had before, then a slight frown appeared on his mouth, "But only when someone is here to watch you. I don't want you falling and hurting yourself. No offense but you're not the most graceful Swan of the flock," Charlie chuckled at Bella's mortification and she drawled his name before hiding her face in her hands. She started to squirm as Charlie tickled her slightly to make her laugh once again.

They spent the next hour up in the tree together until a voice from down below called out to them,

"Charlie Swan what in God's name are you doing up there with Isabella! You could break your back! Come on, supper's ready for all of us in the kitchen tonight."

"It's alright Sue. We're coming down."

Charlie moved Bella so that he could climb down first and help her down if necessary. But Bella felt more confident after climbing up here once, so she was certain she would be fit to climb down too with no sweat. And she did.

She's a natural... just like her mother. I hope now she'll want to come outside more and stop working so hard... I want my fun-loving daughter back. Rene would have wanted it this way.

Charlie thought to himself and he gathered Bella up into his arms and gave her a short firm kiss on the cheek, then started walking along side Sue toward the kitchens for dinner time.

Three years later...

It was a crystal clear day with blue skies, warm sun, and Bella was in her favorite spot in the entire world waiting for her father to come home from work.

Sitting on the highest branch in her sycamore tree.

Her normal Sunday routine these days consisted of having breakfast with her dad, watch Sunday morning cartoons while Charlie washed the cars in the garage, then going outside to play. On the Sundays her father had to work, she was forbidden to work and was ordered to eat in the kitchens inside the Cullen manor and ask the chef for lunch and or dinner so she wouldn't be alone until her father came home.

Today, she knew Charlie would be gone for the majority of the day, so she had a plan to ask for her lunch to go so she could try having a picnic ten feet off the ground inside her tree. She grabbed her school backpack and emptied it, then put a box of Crayolas and a Disney coloring book inside. Once it was securely fastened on her shoulders, she started trekking her way to the Cullen house.

When she entered the large industrial size kitchen, she instantly saw several people chatting and conversing on the kitchen bar stools and eating sandwiches together.

The minute Bella came into view, four friendly faces stopped talking and smiled at her; the gardeners Peter, Aro, and Ben, and the Sunday chef, Ms. Charlotte.

"Why, good afternoon to you, princess! Is your father working today?" Charlotte cooed at Bella in her southern belle accent, standing next to her husband Peter. The attention caused Bella to blush, and simply nod her head to confirm and hold tightly to the straps of her backpack. Everyone noticed that she was dressed casually in her usual jean overalls for outdoors, a lavender shirt, and black converse sneakers.

She's so adorable... thought Charlotte and the rest of the gentlemen sitting at the counter smiled and smirked at the little Tomboy with grass stains and braids in her long hair.

"C'mere monkey and give us a 'hello!'" Peter said holding his arm out to Bella, whose smile suddenly spread across her whole face. Bella quickly ran up to Peter and jumped up into his arms, and was scooped up into a big bear hug.

Peter gave Bella a sloppy raspberry kiss on her cheek causing her to giggle and wiped her cheek looking very grossed out from his slobber as Peter set her down on top of the counter.

Everyone chuckled from Bella's disgusted expression while Peter asked knowingly, "Did you come here for some of Lottie's famous PB and J sandwiches?" Charlotte stood up and smiled already knowing the answer.

"Yup," Bella said popping the 'p' at the end, and Peter moved back to sit on the stool pulling Bella down onto his lap and trapping her between himself and the kitchen counter. He bounced her on his knee like a bronco, making her laugh some more.

"Coming right up, Sunshine," Charlotte drawled as she brought ingredients out for Bella's lunch from the fridge and the pantry.

Ben said he was finished and thanked Charlotte for lunch. Old Aro got up after him and pinched Bella's cheek, "Avere una buona giornata, bellissima Isabella. Grazie Charlotte, lunch was magnifico, as always! See you outside, Pete."

Bella rubbed her cheek from Aro's hard grip as Peter whispered a response in her ear, and told her to shout it out to Aro.

"Grassy-ass, Aro!" Bella shouted out causing Aro's eye to bug out and Peter to snort loudly in order to stop himself from laughing. Charlotte smacked him in the back of the head, and tried her best to keep from laughing herself.

"I think you mean to say 'gracias', la mia Bella. And that is Spanish, Peter... not Italian." Aro said indignantly and walked out of the the kitchen shaking his head and muttering more words in Italian to himself about ignorant Americans messing up his language.

Peter finished chuckling as he looked back to Bella, "So what mischief do you have planned for today? Gonna climb more trees again?" Peter mockingly scolded her, with underlining concern lingering in his eyes.

"Yup," Bella nodded and smiled innocently, which Peter knew was anything but. No matter how young and naïve this little girl was, she was still wise beyond her years. He was certain it came with having to take care of herself and her father from time to time, and from hanging with more adults than children her own age for the majority of her life.

I supposed there's always...nah, Bella would be better off staying away from the Cullen boys. Edward never even knew how to be a child, and besides he's off at Yale finishing his degree anyway. Then there's Emmett 'the snake charmer'. Bella's nothing like him and I doubt he's even noticed she lives here... and I hopped to God it stays that way. That kid will be trouble when he grows up.

"Alright monkey, but you know the rules. No climbing until I go back outside to work. Understood?" Peter sternly said with this eyes making sure she wouldn't climb up there alone because even though Bella was shy, she was a free spirit, and most of the time did as she pleased.

Bella gave him an army solute which he figured she must have picked up from his sarcastic humor, causing him to grin affectionately at the little girl. It was comforting to know there was a small part him inside her.

In fact, everyone on the Cullen manor started to notice that Bella was slowly picking up bits and pieces of all her surrogate parents' mannerisms, which included all the people she interacted with on a daily basis.

"Alright, little lady. Lunch is ready. Would you like it to go?" Charlotte asked Bella who nodded her head and answered politely, "Yes, please," then took her backpack off her and placed in on the kitchen table.

The reason this little girl had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand wasn't because she was sweet, kind, motherless, or gorgeous... it was her manners. Bella had always been raised with treating her elders with respect and never talked back. She was probably the mildest mannered ten-year-old on Long Island!

Once her backpack was all set, Bella made her way outside to eagerly wait for Peter so she could climb her tree and watch him work over the garden wall while she colored and ate her lunch.

When Bella first climbed this tree with her father, it was like a whole new world opened up to her. This place was hers and no one elses. Bella would eat or hum melodies that were stuck in her head while she drew, colored, daydreamed, watched the gardeners, listen to birds, and sometimes... when no one else was looking... she'd sit and talk to her mother and sing the songs her mother sang to her before she passed.

Bella liked to sing... when she thought no one else was listening. She also loved listening to Mr. Edward play on the piano from the music room. She would sometimes and sing the melodies inside her head then pretend to play the piano keys on the wood of the tree for her own amusement... pretending she was the youngest concert pianist. This was the one thing about Bella, that no one on the Cullen manor was aware of...

Bella was gifted in music.

Two years later...

Esme Cullen had always been a firm believer that "talent could be learned or God given, and the only way a person could find out what their talents were, was to try everything!"

Esme Cullen made it her responsibility to be sure that each of her sons grew up to be well educated, cultured, and charming gentlemen. She'd sent them to the finest tutors for music, art, and dance because she felt that every proper gentleman should know at least the basic knowledge of how to lead a lady on the dance floor, a knowledge of classic art or develop an appreciation, and how play an instrument.

Of course, both Edward and Emmett participated in the lessons as they each tuned ten-years-old. The routine was to go to school, then practice each day when they got home with a different private specialist tutor who came to the mansion weekly for an hour.

Music on Mondays, Art on Wednesdays, and dance on Fridays.

At first, both Edward and Emmett complained to their mother at some point about their lessons, telling her it was a waste of their precious time.

Edward said that he would have rather been reading or studying for his exams than learning about Picasso or how to dance like Arthur Miller! But after his first few music lessons, Edward discovered he had an affinity toward the piano. He first became very good at reading music and music theory. He was one of the top minds in his class and age, and the mathematical part of music theory just made sense to him.

His instructor told everyone he was practically perfect, and always followed each dynamic marking written by the composer to the letter without missing a beat. Ultimately by thirteen, Edward's playing improved so much the he could have performed at Carnegie Hall. That is if he chose to pursue music as a career.

When he turned fourteen, he compromised with his mother to willingly continue his piano lessons all the way until he finished high school as long as he could drop dance and art when he graduated middle school...

She agreed.

By the time Emmett was old enough to start his lessons, just like he brother, he was already complaining to his mother that he would have rather been playing outside with his friends than adding more studying. But unlike Edward, Emmett despised his music lessons. He switched instruments every other week. Yet Emmett was very athletic and possessed good rhythm, which led him to develop a knack for dancing... which Edward was not so fond of.

Eventually, when he turned thirteen, he followed in his brother's foot steps by bargaining with his mother to continue dance lessons if he could drop the rest. Esme was simply satisfied that each of her sons found different talents through their extracurricular activities, that she readily agreed.

Now Edward, at the age of twenty-one, was an accomplished musician and used music as an outlet to unwind if he was feeling stressed, or anxious about working at CCC. The staff said that you could tell what sort of mood he was in based on the repertoire he played on that particular day.

Edward knew his father was preparing him to take over the family business, he just didn't know when. He would overhear his mother constantly talking to his father about an early retirement so he could start living his life... and Edward had a strong feeling his mother would eventually win, because she always did. This meant that the pressure on Edward was monumental, because he was entering in a world of people much older and experienced... he just was the new rich kid walking in 'Daddy's shoes.'

Edward thought to himself after pounding out the first movement to Beethoven's fifth.

Well if they think they'll be able to just walk all over me, but I will always be one step ahead of them. This company means everything to my father and I won't let him and generations of Cullens before me down. CCC will always, always come first!

While Edward used his musical talents for personal use, his brother Emmett, used his dancing abilities for personal gain. He was such a good dancer by the time he was fourteen, his instructor told him he was competition worthy. But Emmett was only interested in using his skills on the dance floor to help him get attention with the ladies at the Cullen's posh parties. He took it to heart when his mother once told him that,"every woman looks for a man who can dance and sweep her off her feet." So she finally convinced him one summer to compete with a partner.

Emmett was a natural Fred Astaire with a Gene Kelly build... absolutely perfect. Or so thought his dance partner, Jessica Stanley... as well as little twelve-year-old Bella sitting outside on a tree branch by the dance studio window.

For the past several years, Bella was more than aware of all the lessons the Cullen boys had to endure. Bella loved to sit outside in the garden and watch Emmett dancing. She liked to mimic the dance moves from the lessons in secret when no one was looking, and pretend she was the one dancing with Emmett instead of his teacher, Ms. Cope.

Emmett was strong but not a very tall fourteen-year-old, so he needed someone smaller and lighter than Ms. Cope to practice with so he could prepare for dance competitions. When Ms. Cope brought Jessica to dance with Emmett as his new partner, Bella felt her first pang of jealousy.

She'd been watching Emmett from a far for the past four years, hoping and praying that someday he would notice her, and ask to dance with her at all the fancy Cullen parties... dressed like Cinderella being swept away by her prince. But Emmett had never said more than a few words to Bella in passing ever since she first accidentally bumped into him in the hallway four summers ago.

"Ooph!" both bodies came tumbling backwards onto the hallway floor. The heavy sliver tray set that Bella was helping Sue move from one room up stairs to the kitchen, went flying and falling noisily all around them.

"Oh, Ch—rickets! I'm so sorry!" Bella said with her cheeks flushed bright red and her hair wild and mangled on the hardwood floor.

"Crickets?"

She heard a voice chuckle and sat up looking to see who she bumped into. When she saw him for the first time, her mouth dropped open.

Since Bella had moved to the Cullen mansion with her family almost two years ago, she hardly ever saw the Cullens' two son's, but would hear about them constantly. This was her first time being somewhere else inside the Cullen house other than the kitchens, and her first time laying eyes on the handsomest little boy she'd ever seen.

Emmett was on his way to his dance lesson after coming home from school, and he wasn't entirely looking forward to it. Tyler had asked him to come over and play ball, but he had to make up some other excuse than say he had to attend dance lessons. Tyler would think he was a sissy or something. So when he reluctantly threw his things inside his bedroom and turned the corner, he was entirely unprepared to be knocked down completely to the floor by a small body covered head to toe in soil and grass stains shouting out the funniest cover up for cursing he'd ever heard.

He sat up first repeating the word "Crickets," incredulously laughing, and finally saw the face attached to the grungy clothes splayed out on the floor. He held out his hand still chuckling, "Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry. I was just moving this silver tray set and I couldn't see you coming. I—"

Emmett shook it off and shrugged his shoulders, "It's fine. I'm late for my dan—um—class. So, yeah. Be careful. Do you need help or—" he offered at the last minute while helping her pick up the items off the floor, thinking it might buy him some time being a gentleman and helping this small girl, rather than spend the full hour dancing.

"Uh..." Bella looked startled at his offer and quickly shook her head, "N—no, no I got it. Th—thanks though." She started to walk away to make a quick escape from the embarrassing scene then heard footsteps following her.

"I better help you. Those look really heavy. I'm Emmett, by the way," Emmett said as he grabbed most of the trays from Bella's arms.

"B—Bella. Swan," she whispered nervously afraid to look at his cute face and bright charming smile.

"Swan... Swan..." Emmett thought back and then remember, "are your related to our driver, Charlie?"

"He's my dad," Bella said with a proud smile on her face and continued walking to the kitchen the rest of the way in silence. She set the trays down onto the counter and both kids were thanked by Charlotte for bringing them down from the cabinets.

"Well, I better go. Later Cricket!" Emmett said with a wolfish grin and jogged off to the ballroom, running five minutes late for his dance lesson.

Bella asked if Charlotte needed help with anything else before getting dinner started, which Charlotte replied she should go outside and play. Bella smiled excitedly and hurried to follow where ever Emmett ran off to. She went down the hallways, following the music and voices coming from the ballroom. She peeked through the crack in the door and saw shadows moving inside. Bella remembered that there where doors with many windows lining the back wall of the room, so she hurried back down the hall and ran outside to the gardens to spy on the lesson going on inside the ballroom.

When she saw Emmett dancing for the first time... she was hooked. He had been so kind to her and forgave her for running him down in the hallway. Bella knew from then on, where she would be spending her Friday afternoons... watching Emmett Cullen dance.

"Bella? Bella, may I speak with you for a minute, dear?"

Bella shook her head from her daydream and looked down on the ground where Esme Cullen was calling up to her. She quickly started climbing down the tree trunk and landed lightly on the grass.

"I was looking everywhere for you, and Peter told me exactly where to find you. You're a very athletic girl, aren't you?" Esme smiled down at Bella affectionately. She'd always wanted a daughter to fawn over and share experiences with... but she wouldn't trade her sons for anything.

"Not really, ma'am. I just like climbing... was there something I could do for you?" Bella asked respectfully like her father spoke to his employers, but Esme just smiled and laughed at her formal expression.

"Goodness, please call me Esme, dear. I've known you since you were so high. But my you've gotten bigger, haven't you? Honestly, there is something you could do for me, if you're interested. Actually, it's for Emmett."

Bella's ears perked up at the sound of Emmett's name and her eyes brightened. The reaction to Emmett's name didn't go unnoticed by Esme. "I hope you don't mind... I saw you dancing a few nights ago by the ballroom, and—"

Bella's face cringed and she groaned, putting her face into her hands to hide her chagrin... her reaction only made Esme chuckle. Little did Bella know, that Bella was referred to Esme by a few of the gardeners who had seen her dancing to the music outside, coming from the ballroom. Esme watched her one day to see for herself if Bella could solver her dilemma.

She would make a fine substitute... Esme thought.

"Don't be shy, dear, you're quite good actually... and, well his partner Jessica is going away this summer and I was wondering if you would be interested in substituting for her during Emmett's dance lessons on Friday afternoons. We have a little agreement, you see, and it would help me out as well if you would agree to dance with him, so he could keep up his end of the bargain. What do you say?"

Bella almost peed in her pants.

"YES!" She shouted out unexpectedly, startling Esme. Bella cleared her throat and lowered her voice from her boiling excitement, "I mean, yes ma'am. I mean... thank you, Ms. Esme."

"That's very kind of you, dear. I'm sure you will benefit from these lessons as well. It's always good to learn a new skill, or in this case... improve, because I think you have natural talent," Esme said warmly to the small girl she'd seen growing up ever since her family first arrived several years ago.

Once Bella ran off to tell Sue she would be starting dance lessons, Esme set off to inform Charlie that his daughter was indeed interested in the lessons after all, and would start at the end of the week.

The first day Bella showed up to fill in for the dance lessons, she came dressed in baggy jeans, a tank top, and Converse sneakers. Ms. Cope, the dance instructor, mentally noted it wasn't the proper dance attire next to Emmett, who was in his professional white button down shirt, black slacks, and black dance shoes. But Ms. Cope knew this arrangement was only temporary and kindly refrained from putting the little girl down for her outfit and simply stated, "Thank you for joining us Isabella. Have you and Emmett met?"

"We've bumped into one another before," Emmett said confidently, remembering the little girl who ran him over several years ago and had, on a few occasions, seen her around the mansion taking a couple of spills. He sometimes saw her working in the gardens, talking to the staff, or climbing trees like a monkey... and always had a layer of mud and dirt covering her face and clothes.

This was probably the cleanest he'd ever seen her.

"Excellent, so we can bypass introductions. Do you have any prior dance training, Isabella?"

"Just Bella. And no, Ms. Cope," Bella said meekly and slightly embarrassed to be standing in front of the boy she couldn't go a day without thinking about or secretly spying on.

"I see..." Ms. Cope said disgruntled, but recovered quickly, "Well Esme assured me we wouldn't be starting from scratch, but no matter. Emmett will just be at a different level than you to start, but we'll try to catch you up by learning the basic steps, then seeing how well you follow his lead. Emmett will you start the music while I demonstrate for Bella, please?"

At this, Emmett rolled his eyes, knowing his lesson was going to be slowed down immensely by this amateur girl who will probably end up bruising his toes after this hour is through. He had grown quite fond of dancing, and was really looking forward to learning lifts this summer. But from recalling how he and 'Cricket' met, and seeing her occasionally around the mansion tripping on smooth flat surfaces... he doubted he would get to that point with her as his substitute partner. He suddenly started thinking of other names who might be interested in replacing her... like the cute Lauren Mallory girl from regionals last winter.

Emmett turned on the the iPod, then leaned against the wall sulking while Ms. Cope and 'the cricket monkey girl named, Bella,' started learning the basic steps to the waltz.

"123, 123, 123, 123, very good Bella. You pick up very quickly. Now lets try a turn step," Ms. Cope said demonstrating the move for Bella, who instantly picked it up with no trouble or tumbling whatsoever.

Thank God... Ms. Cope thought. Esme wasn't lying after all when she said we wouldn't be starting from scratch.

After the waltz, Ms. Cope showed the basic to the Fox trot, Tango, and Swing. Bella already knew all of the basic steps and danced them flawlessly.

Hmm, she's much more graceful when she's dancing... I guess this won't be so bad, but I still wish I had Lauren here... and her big boobs. Emmett thought, but quickly pushed his thoughts aside when it was his turn to dance with Bella.

He took his place in front of her and held her firmly in his opening stance ready to lead her around the dance floor. Bella remained as focused as she possibly could without trying to stare into Emmett's blue eyes. Knowing if she did, she would immediately lose her footing and no doubt stumble graceless on the floor making a fool of herself.

The entire lesson, Bella didn't speak unless spoken to... and by the end, Ms. Cope told her that she was a fine stand-in for Emmett's partner and asked her to continued showing up for practices once every week...

After a month of dance lessons, Bella had proved to be almost as good as Emmett on the dance floor. Ms. Cope said they were finally ready to do small lifts, which made Emmett excited and Bella a little nervous. Even though Bella was only twelve, when she danced she had the grace, poise, and maturity of a young lady. Something that Jessica Stanley lacked in comparison.

Unfortunately for Bella, Emmett never said more than a few words to her during the dance lessons except a 'hello' and a 'thank for the dance' at the end of the lesson. Bella was too shy to start a conversation with him... so she found the best way to communicate her feelings for him was through the music and dance steps every Friday...

This was her only way of feeling close to Emmett... at least until Jessica returned in August, and she was no longer needed. She looked forward to her one hour with him ever Friday. Until her last day of class, when Esme brought Jessica into the lesson so she could observe all that Bella and Emmett had worked on the last twelve weeks as far as lifts and special moves to include for the next competition.

They performed the Tango beautifully and received a loud round of applause from Ms. Cope and Esme at the end of the lesson with Jessica giving them a less than enthusiastic applause.

"Bella, you have been marvelous. You both truly have worked well together, and have come so far this summer. Bella, I spoke to Esme and you're welcome to continue the dance lessons if you—" Bella's eyes lit up for a brief moment, then died away instantly after seeing Emmett talk to Jessica on the other side of the room, flirting with her and asking how her summer had been in Nice, France.

Bella sighed, and looked up gratefully at Ms. Cope, "Thanks anyway Ms. Cope, but I'd like to try something else for a while... you know? Thank you again for letting me dance. I learned so much and I really liked working with you."

Ms. Cope knew instantly why Bella refused, but chose not to press the matter further and simply nodded in understanding, "You have a lot of passion for someone so young... it shows in your dancing. You're very talented. Don't give up," Ms. Cope winked at her and moved to speak to Esme by Jessica and Emmett as Bella exited out the backdoor... unnoticed.

When Bella gave up the dance lessons, because she knew Emmett would have rather had Jessica as a partner than her... it felt like a part of her died. She was sorely disappointed, but refused to let anyone know that.

Now she had lots of free time on Friday afternoons, with nothing to do after she got home once school started. She took to reading books again up in a tree near the garden wall to wait for her father to arrive from driving Emmett home from high school.

She'd watch him get out of the car and race inside his house to grab a snack from the kitchens, before firing up his computer or getting ready to go out on another date or one night stand. Emmett never noticed Bella watching him from up in the tree... and she felt better knowing that her stalker habits went unnoticed.

Except sometimes it crept her out, wondering why he never noticed her watching him. She always knew when he was standing close by, because the hairs on her arms would stand up and shivers would run down her spine.

One Friday afternoon, she had a half day at school and the bus dropped her off early so she had several extra hours to kill after she completed her homework for the day. She knew her father would be working late that night waiting to drive all the Cullens home from a charity benefit that was taking place in the city.

That day was the day she decided to roam around the mansion, trying to stay out of the housekeepers way, and hiding from the rest of the staff so she could be alone.

Bella kept wandering around the almost empty mansion until she found the music room. It contained several various instruments. This room was mainly used by Edward who strictly played the piano these days, and not Emmett's violin, cello, trumpet, saxophone, drums, or flute that were hung and placed carefully around the room.

Bella knew she wasn't allowed to touch any of the instruments in case she accidentally damaged them... they also weren't hers to touch. But something about the shiny black grand piano, positioned right by the large paneled windows, called to her. Bella constantly heard music coming from this part of the house when Edward was around... she was aware this room was his sanctuary and retreat.

But Edward isn't home at the moment... is he? He wouldn't have to know...

She walked over and lifted the cover that hid the smooth white and black keys that intrigued her and sparked her curiosity... wondering what kind of sound they would make if she pressed down on them.

Bella knew the sounds they made for Edward when he pressed them. His music would sometimes be so loud that the tones would ring down the hallways and sometimes out the window into the garden where Bella would be perched listening in a nearby tree. But Edward hadn't played for a while now... he was usually away on a trip with his girlfriend Tanya and would probably be away all weekend.

There was only silence down the hallway, so if she pressed a few keys quietly, no one would have to find out. Plus if someone came, she could hide in the curtains or run into the adjoining room.

Yes... just a few notes. Then I'll stop.

She reached the bench and sat herself down on to the shiny black wooden seat. Then ever so slowly, lifted her right hand to the white key in the center of the piano and gently pressed down.

The white key sounded clear and crisp... perfectly in tune. It also sounded familiar. Like she'd heard that particular note before in many different songs she'd once heard on the radio.

Bella wanted to hear more, so she pressed the white key next to the last one she played and recognized that note as well. Bella continued to play all the white keys on the keyboard until she ran out. Then decided to play the black keys as well, and found that they created more of a dissonant tone when played with some white keys and black keys, and beautiful tones with the others.

This isn't so hard. I wonder if I can play a song?

Bella put both of her small hands on the keys and tried to plunk out "happy birthday" and found that she made a few mistakes, but for the most part it was "happy birthday." She tried pressing some of the keys down together and ended up harmonizing the song after a couple of tries.

Bella's heart started to feel lighter as her fingers became more and more familiar with the instrument in front of her. She didn't realize how much time had passed from when she sat down, to hearing her father's voice calling out her name loudly outside near the garage.

Bella's hands stopped playing instantly, and she stood up quickly after closing the piano cover loudly, causing the strings inside the piano to vibrate loudly. Then she pushed the bench back into place, before bolting out the door and quickly ran home to Charlie.

The rest of the weekend and the following week, Bella would find the time when all the Cullens left the house, to creep back into the music room so she could play on the piano. Every time she pressed down on the keys, the notes would imprint inside her mind and she could manage to plunk out many songs strictly from using her ear, not knowing how to read sheet music.

Eventually after several more weeks, Bella became comfortable playing simple melodies with two hands, and was able to hum or sing along with some of them while she played. Around Christmas time... Bella began playing new melodies that just popped inside her head and played them out using her hands... only she couldn't right down the notes so sometimes she forgot what she played.

One cold Thursday evening on the night of a Christmas charity fundraiser, Bella sneaked into the music room once more to play a song she heard called "Dreams to dream," from a cartoon movie she fancied at the time called "Fievel Goes West." After practicing it a few times, she was finally able to accompany herself while she was singing the lyrics from memory.

Dreams to dream,

In the dark of the night...

When the world goes wrong,

I can still make it right...

I can see so far in my dreams,

I'll follow my dreams,

Until they come true...

Bella paused for a moment, not sure what the next lyrics were to the song and was suddenly startled by a loud round of applause. She turned her head to the doorway of the music room and saw her friends Maria, Peter, Charlotte, Aro, Marcus, and... Oh dear, Mrs. Cullen.

Bella blushed and bowed her head in shame knowing she was about to get into trouble for being where she shouldn't be without asking permission first. But before she had the chance to scamper off she was bombarded with questions and compliments.

"I didn't know you could play the piano! Since when you sneaky little monkey?" Peter asked puzzled whiled rubbing her vigorously on her head.

"You've been holding out on us, Mi'ja! You should give us concerts more often! Is that not right, Mrs. C?"

"Indeed," Mrs. Cullen stood idly by the door waiting for the rest to clear a path, "We were all talking in the kitchen and then I heard some beautiful music coming from upstairs and I thought it was my son,"

She looked neither angry or happy... more like confused.

"But then I says to Mrs. C, Edward is not home. He is gone all week this week and that's when we all came to see who was playing, and what a surprised to my eyes! Our little Bella," Maria wipes her eyes with pride and claps her hands in front of her mouth ecstatic.

"Dov'è Charlie?" Aro asked in his thick Italian accent, "Avrebbe voglia di sentire il suo gioco," he pinched Bella's rosy cheeks affectionately, but all Bella wished to do was hide from the stare across the room from Mrs. Cullen.

"I'm sure Charlie would love to hear her play, Aro... but if you all would excuse me and Bella for a moment, I would like to have a word with her alone. Then we could all finish our chat downstairs for the party on Saturday. Thank you all."

Mrs. Cullen dismissed the infectious crowd politely, then walked further into the room and sat in the chair by the grand fireplace in the far corner of the room and gestured for Bella to join her.

Bella's hands were sweating as she walked to the chair feeling guilty and sat down before quietly pleading with Mrs. Cullen, "Please ma'am, I'm very sorry for playing without permission. It will never happen again... I—"

"It's alright Isabella. Please relax. You're not in trouble. I'm simply curious to know who has been teaching you how to play and sing? I've never heard Charlie mention you had an interest in music before... does he know what you've been up to?"

"No one has been teaching me, ma'am. And no... Charlie, I mean, my dad doesn't know I come up here to play. I—I usually come when no one is around... I didn't hear you come home."

Bella bowed her head in embarrassment from her admission and hoped the silence from Esme didn't mean she was disappointed with her. When Esme made no attempt to break the silence, Bella glanced back up at her face, and found that she was not upset or disapproving, but stunned.

"Do—do you mean to tell me that you taught yourself how to play that song just now? How to sing that way without any prior training?"

"Well, my mother used to sing to me to put me to sleep. It's the clearest memory I have of her... but she never taught me how to sing. And as for the piano... I just walked in a few weeks ago and started plunking the keys out of boredom. I figured out how to play the songs from my head... I just sounded them out."

"Incredible. Do you realize that it took Edward several years to reach the level you are at right now? And forget about singing... he won't even whistle!" Esme covered he mouth laughing and leaning back in her chair, staring astonishingly at the small twelve-year-old across from her.

"Bella, dear... you have a gift. A wonderful gift and... I know you were disappointed when the dance lessons got canceled a while back." Bella looked away from Esme, too shy to admit that was the case indeed, but Esme could see right through her complacent façade.

"I'll tell you what, I'll speak to your father tonight about getting you a tutor for some music lessons which could take the place of the dance lessons on Friday afternoons. Would you like that Isabella?"

Bella eyes instantly lit up and she couldn't help herself but fling her body across Esme's lap and squeeze her tightly in appreciation saying 'Thank you' over and over again. Esme laughed at Bella's excitement and knew she had made the right offer to help her, and possibly help mold her future for when she decided she wanted to pursue a career in music.

When Bella pulled away from Esme's neck, she realized she practically strangled the poor woman and instantly felt the need to rescind her behavior towards her father's employer.

"I'm sorry ma'am," she whispers with her eyes to the floor.

"Nonsense, Isabella. And please, no more ma'am... your father calls me that and it makes me feel old. Just call me Esme, dear."

Bella smiled and nodded her head and made to exit the room until she heard Esme call out to her,

"Oh and Isabella... the only payment I require for using the piano is allowing us to hear you play, when ever you're ready to give a concert." Esme winked at her while Bella blushed and nodded,

"Yes ma—Esme."

Then she ran back home, excitement running through her veins about her up coming music lessons, which she just realized while she was speaking to Esme... reminded her of her mother.

That's why it feels so good to play... I remember her. My Mother.

Charlie agreed to allow Bella to take music lessons, but he insisted that he pay for them himself. He found her a teacher from the Manhattan School of Music who was looking to take on students for his Music Education degree and only charged him half of the normal price for music lessons.

Demetri was a good teacher, and pushed Bella to work hard by having her go home to practice every single day. Her only concern was that she didn't have her own piano to practice on every single day, and she needed to go to Esme once again to ask permission to use the music room when no one else was.

Esme told her it was no trouble since Edward was hardly home enough to play on it anymore. He was constantly shadowing his father so he could be ready to take over for him in a few years.

So Bella, finally had her practice space and used it to her advantages one to two hours every day after school.

One Saturday afternoon she was practicing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, getting lost in the haunting melody when she heard a familiar but unexpected angry voice from the doorway,

"What are you doing?"

Edward's loud voice caused Bella to jolt and abruptly hit the wrong notes. Embarrassed by her mistake and being under Edward critical eye, she quickly moved her hands away from the keys which caused the cover to close loudly just missing her fingers. The crash made her jump in her seat.

At that moment, Bella woke up startled from her deep sleep after hearing the over-comm chime and announcement from the flight attendant, who spoke first in German, then in English welcoming them to Vienna.

She rubbed her eyes groggily and stifled a huge yawn behind her out stretched hand, reaching the other one over her head.

She grumbled to herself feeling no matter how far, or where in the world she went... it seemed she could never escape the Cullens.

I hope you all continue to follow and please let me know your thoughts!