Hey guys, I'm back! I hope you all who came back stick with me till the end. I'm working as fast as I can! Also check out my other story, "For the love of Music," it's not done yet... but the next chapter will be up tomorrow! See you all at the end!

Chapter 6: The Bell of the Ball

"Hey Charlie! Our little Bella's comin' home today, isn't she?"

Charlie turned around before getting into the stretch limo at the sound of Peter's voice calling from the garden wall.

"That's right," Charlie smiled feeling like his insides where going to combust. His baby girl was finally coming home after a full year in Austria and he couldn't be more relieved that she was safe and sound. Ever since Bella got on a plane last year he'd thought of her, missed her, and worried about her every second she'd been away.

"I can't help it, Sue. She's my little girl," Charlie complained right after he dropped Bella off at JFK airport.

"She's a big girl now, Charlie. She can take care of herself... and there's so much she'll learn from being out there on her own. You'll see. You did the right thing. She won't be the same Bella we once knew by the time we see her again..."

"That's not very comforting, Sue..." Charlie grumbled.

"Charlie... it was your idea to send her away so she could get as far away from Emmett as possible. It's a little late to be changing your mind, don't you think?"

Since that day, Charlie had been counting the days until Bella's return, but she couldn't have come back during a worse time. Charlie had been swamped all day working to pick up Esme's relatives up from JFK and he wanted to be the one to pick Bella up from the airport.

Even though Esme was more than willing to arrange for Charlie to take the day off, Bella insisted that she would find her own mode of transportation and told him she would see him as soon as he finished work.

Charlie tried to argue, but the one thing he learned about his daughter is that she could be quite stubborn when she put her mind to it.

"Dad, really. It's no trouble. My friend told me he could pick me up and drop me off close to town, then I'll take a taxi the rest of way home. Don't worry about me, I got it covered."

"Well, if that's what you want, Bells. But please call me at anytime if you get stuck or change your mind. Mrs. Cullen will understand, you got me kid?" Charlie persisted even though he knew deep down Bella would want to handle it herself.

Who is this confident independent girl? What happened to my baby who wanted me to always hold her hand to cross the road just because she said she liked being near me. Is she gone for good?

"Your plane gets in around noon, so you should be home no later than two. Everyone will be busy tonight for Mrs. Cullen's birthday party don't forget. So don't be offended if—"

"I know the drill, Dad. Don't worry. I'm taking off soon. I'll see you tomorrow. Love ya, Dad!"

"Me too, kiddo. Have a safe flight."

Twelve hours ago, Bella was saying goodbye to all her friends and her home for almost a full year. She graduated with honors and top marks in her class. After the concerto competition she got cards from production companies in France and Italy who wanted her to come intern with them and possibly compose for their studios. Then one gentleman from Germany told her they could use her talents teaching at the high school of music and possibly the College of Music in Dresden.

All of those offers sounded amazing, but Bella told them all she would be going back to New York for the summer, then she would give her answer after exploring all her options.

Bella packed up all of her belongings and found she had more things now than when she first arrived, so she had to ship back some of her clothes and other nick-knacks that she didn't need for everyday use.

The only things she kept with her were one suitcase of clothes and her Nikcon D-300. It was a Christmas present from "The Cullens," but Bella knew it was sent by Esme, who asked her the in the card to take lots of pictures for her memories and to show her family and friends when she returned from her trip.

Over the past five months, Bella made it her mission to learn how to use the camera properly so she could make Mrs. Cullen proud. However, it was really difficult teaching herself how to work such a complex and challenging instrument.

Unfortunately, most of the terms didn't make much sense to her inside the manual. But luckily there was her friend Leah, who's mother was a professional wedding photographer. So Leah passed on all her knowledge to Bella about cameras.

After a few months of tinkering and training, Bella's pictures progressed from amateur into semi-decent... according to Leah's standards, at least.

Bella's last few hours in Austria were spent reading a note at the airport dropped off at her dorm room by her best friend, Jacob. Bella took out the letter once again while waiting for her ride outside JFK and sighed deeply as she started to read:

Bells,

I know you might be pissed after you read this, but I hope you understand my reasoning for sending you this note instead of seeing you off in person. First I hope you know that I never regret one moment I spent with you since we met at that awful club, Flex.

I don't regret kissing you before Christmas, or dating you for the past four months... or even our last night together as boyfriend and girlfriend. Please don't think I'm writing you instead of saying goodbye in person because I'm bitter, or upset... it's because I don't believe in goodbyes until you're dead.

And even then I don't think we need to say goodbye because we'll all see each other in the next life, so on and so forth. There are no endings... only new beginnings. So even though we're through, we're not really... because I meant what I said to you. You will always be my best friend.

I don't want to make any promises... but I might be seeing you again sooner than you think, if things go well this summer. We shall see.

For now I'll just say have a good trip and I'll see you again soon.

Love your Beast of a best friend,

Jake

Bella couldn't help but smile at the words written down on the page in her hand. She did respect Jake's wishes and didn't seek him out for a goodbye. In fact, after reading his letter, she realized she agreed with him. There are no goodbyes, only new beginnings.

Jake always was wise beyond his years... and she missed him terribly already.

Bella broke out of her thoughts of Jake when she heard a Russian voice from the past. "Bella Swan? Is that you? It can't be! You look like movie star, now!"

Bella smiled brightly and humbly blushed at the sight of her first beloved music teacher, Demetri Dombrovski. "Look how you've changed! Has it really been just a year?"

"And you haven't changed a bit, Demetri!"

"Come here, and give your old teacher a hug!"

"You're not old!" Bella laughed, "You're only seven years older than me!" Bella rolled her single suitcase over to him and gave him a hug as he kissed the side of her temple.

"Hush, I'm trying not to think that way with my student, or I'm going to be in trouble! Come, I take you home. Is this all you brought?"

Demetri looked startled at the lack of luggage with her, but Bella assured him that she shipped the rest home already. "Boy, oh boy, is your father going to be shocked when he gets a look at you... you really did change a lot. I almost didn't recognize you."

Bella bowed her head and smiled to herself, trying to bite her tongue at the sudden change in Demetri's attitude toward her. It was flattering and also a little unnerving as well. She wondered who else would be affected by her change in appearance... and then her mind started to wonder back to Emmett.

NO, NO! Don't even go there, Bella. He's out of your reach now. Just stop before you do something you regret.

"—so I could drop you off there if you wish."

Bella snapped her head back to Demetri, "What?"

Demetri laughed, "You didn't hear a word I said. Ah, there's still a bit of the old Bella in you after all."

Bella pushed playfully on his shoulder and scoffed after she shook her head rolling her eyes.

"I was saying I could drop you off at home instead of in town. It's no trouble."

"No, that's alright. I need to do some errands in town and I don't know how long I will be so it would be easier if you just dropped off. Thank you though, for everything," Bella said sincerely earning a warm smile from Demetri who secretly found it difficult to keep his eyes on the road instead of on the gorgeous woman sitting next to him.

Student, student... she used to be your student! Prekratite, Demetri!

Soon enough they arrived in town. Demetri grabbed Bella's suitcase out from the trunk and then went onto the curb, where Bella waited and thanks him graciously for driving her this far and respectively gave him two kisses on both of his cheeks.

Once Demetri drove off, Bella made her way to the Kinko's on the corner to make copies of all the photos she took in Austria. She planned to hand out to her family when she returned home as small gifts and to give her favorite picture to Mrs. Cullen as a gift for her birthday tonight. There were a lot of them, so she planned on it taking a while which is why she sent Demetri off and planed to take a cab the rest of the way home.

On her way down the street, she felt a little self-conscious as passers-by and other pedestrians across the street stopped to stare as she walked on by. One man openly gaped at her with his lady friend stood next to him. Bella tried to hide her smike as she passed them when the man yelped in pain from a smack on the head from his wife or girlfriend.

Edward stepped outside his Aston Martin Vanquish with his brief case in hand and his cellphone by his ear. He tried to dodge three waiters carrying large serving trays and several builders carrying heavy equipment over to the dance floor and bandstand for his mother's birthday celebration.

Always a bloody circus every year...

"Yes, Jazz six o'clock. Are you and Alice coming? Well, when you've been to one Cullen party you've been to them all. Just make sure you bring the proposal for Hale so we can look over it after dinner, alright?" Edward saw his brother walking towards him dressed in an argyle sweater and khaki cargo pants. "Okay, good. See you tonight." Edward closed the conversation quickly so Emmett wouldn't over hear him talking about Hale Electronics, and he gave him his charming half grin before stopping in front of him.

"Trying to escape the mayhem before the big night?" Edward asked as Emmett stretched his arms up over his head, as if to say he just woke up from a nap.

"Yeah, I gdda pick up Ma's gift downtown. What did you get her for her birthday?" Emmett said gesturing with his head toward the house as Edward pulled out his birthday present from his pocket in a card and wave it at his brother.

"A two-week cruise around Italy. Dad knows... they leave the day after tomorrow."

Emmett nodded his head in approval then made a hitch hiking gesture toward the garage, "I got her some original Picasso. It just got shipped in from Paris and I need to go pick it up."

Edward's expression changed to disbelieving and coughed out a humorless laugh, "How much did that cost me?"

"Dunno. Couple hundred grand," Emmett shrugged it off and then both the brother's attentions were drawn to a small Beagle running across the yard, being chased by Maria, speaking Spanish to it.

"What's that?" Edward said warily and Emmett laughed out loud, "That's mom's birthday present from Rosie. She was sorry she couldn't make her birthday cause she'll be at the conference in LA till the end of the month," Emmett sighed and Edward thought he might have seen a hint of forlorn longing in his eyes.

Could it be he misses her? Well, this is proving to work out better than I could have imagined it! Edward thought smiling to himself.

"Well, I'll see you at the party then," Edward said patting his brother on the back and going through the kitchens so he could pick up a snack from the chef.

Emmett knew deep down that he was missing his fiancé. Even though, she'd only been gone for 24 hours, it seemed like much longer. And the next two weeks were going to be so slow with her to cuddle with and keep him warm at night.

But even though he was devoted to Rosalie, it didn't mean he still couldn't look while she was away. Emmett knew if Rose ever caught him looking at other women while she was around, she would probably not only break his balls, but break the girl he was looking at as well.

Rosie is beautiful... I still haven't seen another woman in all my years that even comes close to comparing to... to... Holy. Shit. Who is that!

Emmett was walking out the door to the post office when the saw the best toned legs, ass, and back, he'd ever seen in his entire existence. This woman had to be an actress or an athlete of some kind because she was too short to be a model and too curvy to be a dancer...but he still hadn't even seen her face.

What if she had a killer body, but had the face of a dog. Only only way to find out, Emmett thought as he crossed the street to get to his illegally parked Beamer.

Once he got to the car, he stopped to get a better look at the woman's face but he could only see her profile... and what an incredible profile it was. She had a firm flat stomach, strong shoulders, beautiful shiny mahogany hair that had red highlights in the sun, full lips, a delicate chin, and from what he could tell a flawless complexion that was complimented by the light blue pencil dress with nude pumps that made her legs look like they went on for days.

Who is this angelic looking creature and how can I get her to talk to me.

Suddenly as if the Gods had answered his prayers, the strange woman turned her head and looked at him through her dark sunglasses. All most instantly, she smiled at him and waved as if she'd known him from somewhere before.

Is—is she waving at me? Emmett thought while he smiled and pointed to himself curiously, wondering if it was indeed him she was waving at.

Finally, she spoke and the sexiest most melodic voice sounded through her juicy full lips, lips that he yearned to get a taste of.

"Yes, you." she laughed and moved to reveal that she had a suitcase standing right next to her.

"It's been ages! How are you?"

Emmett shrugged foolishly and stammered, "F—fine, just—just great. How've you been?"

"I've been good. I obviously just got back," she smiled again showing her healthy white teeth and pointing to her suitcase.

"Yes. I can see that. Did you—did you want a lift or something?"

Perhaps if I get her talking in the car, I can discover how the heck I know this woman, and find out where she lives in the process.

"Well, are you heading home?" the woman asked with made Emmett furrow his brow becoming more and more frustrated with his apparently faulty memory. He nodded his head and smilied back.

"Then yes, I'd love a ride home," the woman replied, lifting her suitcase and carrying it over to Emmett's convertible. Once Emmett helped her put it in the back seat, she climbed gracefully into the car, brushing her long hair behind her ears, and from the looks of it... slightly blushing an adorable pink.

"Alright then. I guess we're off," Emmett said, not having a clue where he was going in order to drop this woman home. But he kept quiet, waiting for her instructions while he made his way to his own home.

The car trip was silent while the mysterious woman was texting on her cell phone, Emmett was biting his tongue trying to see where he could begin the conversation. They were half way home, until Emmett couldn't stand the wait any longer. "So you just got back from where?"

"Austria," the woman smiled knowingly which Emmett thought was strange, but she still continued to look straight ahead never making eye contact with him.

"Austria... huh. But now you're back to stay?" Emmett realized his voice sounded hopeful.

Pathetic man... get it together. The last time you chased after a girl she proposed to you! Back off.

He knew what he was doing was wrong. He was engaged... but there was just something about this woman that drew him in... and it was driving him crazy. He was thinking the next few weeks were going to be pretty lonely by himself without Rose to keep him company. But maybe if this girl was willing, she would be interested in keeping him occupied until she got back.

"For now. I guess it all depends," she answered shortly. Completely positive now that Emmett had absolutely no idea who she was... and it was just too much fun to play with him. She wanted to have a bit of fun with him, so she refused to tell him too much and give the game away.

"On what?" Emmett probed hoping for more that just short concise answers.

"If I have a reason to stay."

A reason to stay? I could give you a million reasons to stay... with me!

"Well in that case, I'll have to find some way of convincing you..." he smiled his award winning smile but she still never glanced over at him and it was slowly driving him close to insanity. This woman appeared to be immune to his charm. But he wasn't one to give up so easily.

"Sooo... I seem to have forgotten where you live," he said nonchalantly because they were getting closer and closer to his neighborhood but she still hadn't given him any directions on where she lived.

"73 Cherry blossom Lane," she said confidently with a small smirk on her lips, seeing in her peripheral vision Emmett's mouth drop.

"Th—that's where I live," he said wondrously.

What the fuck? Is she pulling my leg or something?

"Yes, I know, Emmett." Bella finally looked over at him and smiled while taking her sunglasses off showing him her eyes for the first time, "You don't remember me, do you?" She didn't ask him in a mean or bitter way... it sounded like understanding. Like she didn't expect him to remember someone like her, when surely he would have. Especially if she lived close by to him.

"Wha—of course I—no. Not at all," he jokingly laughed which she joined in with him as he pulled up and started going down the long driveway into the Cullen mansion.

Emmett could see her smiling and sighing in contentment, and excitement. Like she really was coming home and Emmett seriously thought this day couldn't get any weirder.

Finally, when he pulled up to the front of his house, he knew something had to be up. This woman didn't live here, he'd never seen her before in his life!

"Please, tell me now. Who are you?"

Bella was about to open her mouth to answer when Edward suddenly walked out the front door carrying a cardboard box of office supplies out to his car and called out casually, "Hi Isabella."

Both Emmett and Bella froze looking at one another, both waiting for the other person to speak but Bella spoke first. "Hello Edward," she said softly but still could be heard.

"Isabella?" Emmett said to himself staring at the woman across from him in disbelief. "Isabella?" he couldn't comprehend it. This gorgeous creature was the little girl who used to follow him around everywhere, tripping over everything and always covered head to toe in dirt. It couldn't be.

"Did you have a nice trip?"

"Yes, it was lovely, thank you."

"Isabella?!" Emmett finally saying out loud trying to convince his eyes that he wasn't seeing things.

"Why does he keep saying that?" Edward stopped to look at his brother who looked like he'd just seen a ghost... or a— oh, for the love of GOD! Not that!

"I'd um... I'd better so see Charlie," Bella humbly grabbed her suitcase and started rolling it away then abruptly turned around, "Oh, and thank you for that ride." Bella started to walk away again, but this time Emmett followed her.

Edward groaned to himself and clenched his teeth while staring daggers at his brother. Hoping to God he was just going over to her to help her with her bags... or else. He watch the two of them closely as they walked toward the garage with is eyes zeroed in on his target.

"Hey Cricket!" Emmett called out causing Bella to stop and turn around, surprised he actually called her by the old pet name he used to call her, thanks to her make-shift poddy-mouth. "Are you busy tonight?" Emmett asked before his brain had a chance to catch up with this spontaneous side.

"Um... just unpacking and such. Hanging out with Charlie..." it was all very provincial and boring in comparison to what would be going on, on the other side of the garden wall.

"I want you to come tonight. Please? I know Esme would love to see you and I'd like to hear all about your trip to Austria. Will you come?" Emmett turned up his irresistible charm which Bella had zero defense against.

"Oh—okay," Bella stuttered then quickly turned and walked away before Emmett had a chance to change his mind and un-invite her.

Emmett walked back to his house feeling like a million bucks... or should he said multi-million bucks. But the show wasn't over, because he once again ran into his older brother on his way back into the house.

"Emmett?" Edward said staring at him straight in the eye shaking head and plainly said, "no."

"Ed—" Emmett started brushing off his brother's comment and walk away, but Edward caught his arm and held him briskly saying, "No!"

The seriousness and finality of Edward's tone took Emmett by surprise, but he nodded then said, "No worries, brother. It's under control. We're just friends," then Emmett bolted inside and up the grand stair case to his room.

Edward stayed where he was watching his brother escape from his critical glare, then his eyes shifted to the beautiful grown up chauffeur's daughter and pursed his lips, "There's no such thing as a woman friend for you, Em... shit!"

Edward took out his cell phone again and pressed speed dial and the phone picked up on the second ring, "Jazz, we have a problem..."

The flat over the garage was completely full of people hugging and kissing the new college graduate, while all trying to get a glimpse of her new mature look.

"I can't believe our little girl is all grown up! Look at you!" Sue says while giving Bella the biggest hug of her life.

"Sue... Sue, you're crushing me..." Bella wheezed out and Sue released her from her death grip just before Bella was picked up by another set of arms and hands. Charlotte and Peter.

"Gosh, I never would have believed I'd see the day when I would see you without jeans and sneakers on. Look at you! You look like a classy lady!" Peter said jostling her hair the way he used you only to be smacked in the arm by Charlotte.

"Behave yourself. Oh, Bells... I missed you so much!" Charlotte said with tears in her eyes, causing Bella's eyes to water up as well.

"You have no idea, Lottie," Bella bowed her head on her shoulder and felt more hands patting her on the back waiting for more hugs before they had to run back to their jobs around the manor getting ready for the party tonight. Marcus, Maria, Aro, Ben looked shocked at Bella's transformation and two of newer maids Mary and Maggie, who joined the team two years ago. They were the youngest on the staff who had all know each other fifteen years or more.

Bella turned her head to the far right when she heard baby gargles and saw shaking a rattle and still sitting in her car seat, her god-daughter Bree.

"Dear God, she's beautiful Lottie. May I?" Bella whispered and held out her arms. Peter immediately picked up his daughter and brought her closer to Bella.

"Baby Bee, I'd like you meet your God-mommy, Big Bee," Peter cooed to his daughter, then placed her gentle into Bella's waiting arms. Bella felt the almost seven month old baby coo and blow bubbles with her spit and Bella felt her heart instantly expand and fill up with love for the little girl.

"Hi Bree, it's so good to finally meet you."

The smile across Bella's face was so bright it lite up her whole face and made the rest of the company inside her crammed apartment still in silence unable to look away from her radiance.

"She's been waiting a long time to see you... you're all we seem to talk about," Charlotte said while putting her arm around her husband, and seeing both of her 'daughters' bond for the first time brought happy tears to her eyes.

"Isabella?"

Only one voice could have possibly pulled Bella's attention away from the small bundle wrapped inside her arms, and he just walked through the door. Peter took his daughter back so that Bella and Charlie could have their moment, and everyone cleared a path to watch them reunite after a full year.

"Hi Dad," Bella say meekly, watching her father see her clearly for the first time in months.

"C'mere pumpkin," Charlie said holding his arms out and Bella rushed straight to her father's embrace.

Charlie groaned in relief that his little girl was back home safely, and they both heard voices congratulating Bella on her degree and telling them both they would see them later after the party. Then they all head back out to work except for Charlotte, Bree, and Sue.

"I can't stay long kid. I have one more trip I have to make to pick up more guests for tonight in the limo. I'm so happy you're back," Charlie gave his daughter a firm kiss on the forehead, then stood back to look at her. "You're all grown up now... exactly what I was afraid of."

"Daddy," Bella blushed and bowed her head in embarrassment, "I'm still me, just older."

"You were born at 21 years old, Bells. But now you look it. I need to get going. I'll see you in a few hours,"

"I'll be at the party," Bella called out quickly before Charlie made it out the door.

Charlie looked back to his daughter shocked by her comment and furrowed his brow, "Why?"

"I was invited," Bella told him confidently, then looked away from her father's critical gaze.

"By whom?" Charlie crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame waiting for his daughter's explanation.

He didn't like this. He didn't like this one bit. Bella was nothing like the Cullens. She didn't belong in their world... she was too innocent and good to be suddenly thrown to the pack of wolves known as the upper class.

"Emmett. He saw me in town and picked me up then invited me to Esme's birthday tonight," Bella was about to turn around to pick up her suitcase to put in her room and gave Charlotte a look to follow her and make her great escape, but Charlie wasn't going to just let this pass.

"I don't like it, Bella. Why did he invite you all of a sudden after all the years you've lived here. Why now?"

"I don't know, Dad? He just being nice... he drove me home and—"

"He drove you home? Emmett Cullen?"

"We just met unexpectedly in town after I printed out my photos. I didn't plan it..." Charlie narrowed his eyes at his daughter. It was that he didn't trust her...

"Please, Dad?"

"Charlie it's just a party," Sue said going over to him and grabbing his hand, which didn't go unnoticed by Bella.

Charlie grunted and nodded his head, then walked out the door followed by Sue who winked at Bella, then closed the door behind them.

Charlie didn't want to make his little girl unhappy her first day back, but he was skeptical whether Emmett's motives were honorable or not.

Once the door closed behind Charlie and Sue, Bella jumped and did a little fist pump causing Charlotte to laugh and Bree to giggle.

"Well, if Cinderella is going to the ball tonight we better get her ready," Charlotte cooed to little Bree who was clapping her hands at all the excitement in the room.

"That was really cheesy, Ms. Charlotte. Or should I say, fairy Godmother?" Bella chuckled and took her suitcase into her room and unzipped the bag.

"Yes, well this fair Godmother can't just poof a dress out of thin air. Where are you going to get a gown this late in the game?"

"Are you referring to something like this?"

"Holy moly. Where did you pick up something like that?"

"Salzburg, before the concerto concert. I performed that night and there was an award ceremony and banquet right after. So a few of my friends and my boy—I mean... Jake, helped me pick out this dress."

"Do you miss him?" Charlotte asked as she sat down on Bella's bed looking up at her expression. Bella nodded and tried to hold in her emotions as she turned around to air out her dress. Charlotte sensing the change in atmosphere, put Bree back in her car seat, then clapped her hands loudly to get Bella's attention.

"Well, let's get crackin', sweet pea! We only have a few hours to get you unpacked and ready to party!"

"My goodness you have so much energy for someone who only gets two hours of sleep per night," Bella chuckles as Charlotte shoves her into the bathroom to shower, and help her open boxes to put her clothes and things away.

"I'm not energetic, I'm delirious... there's a difference. Now move it!" She shut the door behind her, trapping Bella inside laughing heartily.

"Edward? Edward?"

"I'm in here!" Edward had been dressed for the past two hours and making a dent in the floor of his office from pacing back and forth and steadily drinking his Scotch on the rocks.

Jasper and Alice both walked into the grand office and Edward stopped pacing for a moment and gestured for them to sit down and make themselves at home.

"I brought the proposal for you both to look at and—Edward are you listening?" Alice said suddenly sounding concerned because Edward's hair was more tussled than normal.

"You look like a wreck, Ed. What's the big emergency?" Jasper said standing by his wife Alice on the leather couch by the fireplace.

"It's come to my attention to today, that there are some obstacles standing in our way of closing the deal with Hale Electronics," Edward was leaning against the mantel staring into the fire, waiting for the questions to start firing at his back.

"What obstacles?" he heard Jasper ask and he turned around to face his VP and best friend. "Tanya."

One word said it all, and both Alice and Jasper raised their eyebrows in surprise because they hadn't heard from Tanya for almost five years. She stopped coming to the Cullen mansion ever since they broke up, but Edward heard from Eleazar that another company was looking to merge with Hale Electronics looking to promote their products to the Midwest and western states. Edward knew the only reason that Eleazar hadn't sealed the deal with this other mystery company was because of Emmett's engagement to his daughter.

Edward knew that his company had a lot to offer, but they didn't have any offices located in the Midwest. He made that decision years ago when he refused to relocate to Chicago.

It didn't take a lot of snooping to discover who the competition was. Kate's letter to Emmett last year was enough proof that Tanya was traveling to New York a lot more recently with her sisters to try and make a deal with one of Carlisle's friends. She planned to use her connection with the Cullen family to her advantage to get closer to Eleazar. But all that Kate wanted was another rendezvous with Emmett, which was the underlining tone of the entire letter with her less than subtle hints about we're to find her.

Edward was beyond furious at his ex-girlfriend, but there wasn't much he could do about it if Tanya took the deal from under his nose due to Emmett's incompetence with relationships. He was also frustrated and perturbed with Isabella Swan for her inconvenient timing.

If only she waited another month to return, the billion dollar merger would be complete, and once that happened Emmett could marry Rosalie or Bella for all he cared... so long as this merger when through.

But no! She just had to come back today with her tight ass dress, and tight ass body, and big brown doe eyes messing everything up!

"What's other obstacle?" Alice asked.

"What?" Edward snapped out of his train of thought about Bella and Emmett.

"You said obstacles. What's the other one?" Alice asked walking over to Edward's desk to write down their plan of attack to over come these obstacles.

"Isabella Swan," Edward said bitterly with a sneer on this face, downing the rest of his Scotch in one gulp.

"Isabella... you mean Bella? The chauffeur's kid— Charlie's daughter? How is she in the way?"

"Come with me to the party and you'll find out," Edward said straightening his bow tie and leading his friends back downstairs.

Bella was shivering.

Not because it was cold... it was a lovely 75 degrees tonight as the sun was setting over the horizon causing pink and orange clouds to float over head in the Twilight. The color of the sky made Bella's skin glow and her eyes shine, and her form fitting silvery white dress to sparkle... but the scenery did little to comfort her nerves as she crossed the driveway toward the garden wall that separated the garage from the house and backyard.

The music was already playing and Bella could make out dozens of muffled conversations mixing with the big band playing 'Autumn leaves.'

Bella passed the ivy walls and could finally be seen by all the party guests in the garden milling and circling around either other like molecules. She then realized she didn't know a single soul at this party, aside from the Cullens and the staff making their way through the guests carrying hor' dourve trays and champagne.

Bella was offered a drink by one of the extra hired waiters for this evening and thanked him graciously while he stayed and stared at her an extra moment longer than it was customary before walking away to the next guest.

"Well, I don't recall ever seeing you here before."

Bella turned her head about quickly to see the face belonging to the sly voice that spoke right next to her ear. She recognized him as one of Emmett's friends from prep school, but was never formally introduced to him before.

"That's because I'd never been invited to a Cullen party before now..." Bella said coyily then took a sip of her champagne, hoping it would soothe her nerves.

"And which of the Cullens invited you this evening? How are you acquainted with them?" The blond haired man asked while invading Bella's personal space, and she took a small step back before he ended up cornering her.

"Emmett invited me... and I've known the Cullens my whole life," Bella said honestly to the man who seemed to be having difficulty standing up straight. He might have been drunk already, Bella thought to herself, and all she wished to do was move a way and blend back into the crowd.

"Really... me too. Though I'm pretty sure I would have remembered you. What's your name?"

"Is that so? Well I remember you..." Bella thought hard, then remembered where she met him once before. She was driving in the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce with Emmett and this drunken man sitting the the back talking about the chicks at their school.

"—Michael Newton..." Bella finished saying confidently putting her hand on Newton's chest to keep him at arms length, and watching the shock appear on his face.

"That's right. But please, all my friends call me—" Mike was leaning closer to Bella's mortified face when another voice stopped him in his tracks before Bella could push him away.

"Mike! How are you doing, you old sun of a gun? Long time no see... " Bella turned and heard Emmett's strong voice and instantly her body relaxed.

Emmett had been searching for Bella ever since the guests started to arrive and had to brush off several other old flames and advances just to find her being perused by one of his best friends and rivals, Mike Newton. There was no way in Hell he was letting Mike, the scumbag, anywhere near his girl!

My girl? Bella isn't mine... but Jesus Christ, do I want her. I wanted her the moment I spotted her on the sidewalk and especially now, seeing her in that fan-fuckin-tacular dress... or out of it.

As Emmett marched toward them, he was imaging all the different ways he would be helping her out of her silvery gown.

"Bella, my God, you look brighter than the stars tonight. Would you honor me with a dance, for old times sake?" Emmett smiled his charming grin, never taking his eyes off of Bella the moment he spotted her.

Mike was pissed that his best friend was cock-blocking him, but he wasn't going to give up without a fight. Besides he saw her first, "Do you mind, Emmett? Bella and I were just talking and—"

"—I'd love to," Bella said instantly, smiling at Emmett. Then she took his outstretched arm so he could to lead her away from the awkward drunk man. Emmett grabbed her almost empty champagne fluke and gave it to Mike and started walking away with his friend's failed conquest.

Before they got too far, they could both hear Mike call out, "You know he's engaged!"

Emmett grit his teeth, and was close to turning around in order to punch Mike's traitorous lights out. But he felt Bella continue to drag them both by the arm further away.

Bella sighed heavily in relief and put her hand to her bare chest, "Thank you. I thought I'd never manage to get away from him."

Emmett grinned widely at Bella's remark, very pleased that she wasn't falling for his sleaze-ball of a friend. Plus he was more than happy to keep her away from anyone else at the party as well.

"No problem, Cricket. Glad I could be of assistance. I'll be your knight in shinning armor for this evening, please let me know how else I can serve you."

Emmett hoped she picked up on the double meaning of his words, but from the innocent look and smile on her face, he gathered not.

"Well, shall we?" Emmett held his hand out toward the dance floor.

"Shall we what?" Bella looked up at him with a bewildered expression.

"Dance? Did you still wish to dance?" Emmett smiled at her astonishment and wondered where it had come from.

"You mean... you really want to dance with me?" Bella asked, unable to comprehend Emmett and his offer to dance with her again.

"Of course. I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

"I just figured you were trying to help me and would rather dance with your fiancé," Bella said meekly and internally kicking herself right now for screwing up this golden opportunity.

"My fiancé is in LA until the end of the month. But you would certainly make a fine substitute in the meantime. Trust me," Emmett said with his smile and dimples cutting out a piece of Bella's heart.

As they got closer to the music, her heart practically beat out of her chest remembering once upon a time when, in fact, she was a 'substitute' for an entire summer.

Emmett led her onto the floor as the intro to "Fly me to the moon" began to play, and the band singer, who sounded just like Frank Sinatra, sang the opening lyrics.

Emmett held his hands out for Bella to join him in the ready position, and she instinctively placed her hands in his. Then he started to effortlessly lead her around the dance floor in an intimate but advanced Foxtrot.

Fly me to the moon,

and let me play among the stars...

Let me see what Spring is like on Jupiter and Mars,

In others words, hold my hand...

In other words, darling kiss me.

"You're incredible, Bella. I haven't had a dance partner in so long who knew how to actually dance the Foxtrot," Emmett confessed being genuinely impressed at how well Bella was following his intricate dance steps.

Usually when he complimented a woman while dancing, he would fish for compliments while they swayed side to side. But for once someone wasn't stepping on his toes and actually following his lead with grace and expertise.

Suddenly like a flash of light, Emmett recalled a time long ago when he did in fact dance with a younger more scrawny version of Bella.

"I remember you," he leaned back, and his eyes squinted to find the girl he once knew somewhere hidden inside this sexy woman dancing with him right now. Emmett looked directly into her face as if seeing Bella for the very first time.

"Ms. Cope's dance lessons..." Emmett whispered almost to himself while he watched Bella's face light up for finally noticing her as the beautiful woman she is... and always was.

"Yes. That was me... the 'cricket monkey girl' who waited a long time for you to notice her... and tonight you finally did," she smiled up at him longingly with her eyes, yet looked a little bit sad.

"It's like I'm seeing you clearly after all this time... I don't know what I must have been thinking back then..." Emmett marveled while dipping Bella back and seeing the length of her long Swan-like neck.

No pun intended, he thought.

"Yourself..." Bella said with a seductive undertone, and Emmett lifted her back up to see the teasing smile and playfulness in her eyes, causing him to burst out laughing.

Emmett's laughing of course, caught the attention of three people standing off in the distance, watching the happy couple dance together in the center of the floor. They were slowly drawing more and more attention to themselves with their professional-like dancing, finally receiving a subtle round of applause from the onlookers surrounding them when the song ended.

"I don't believe it..." Alice said frozen in place next to Jasper, smiling her head off, "That's Bella?"

"Isabella?" Jasper muttered, unable to tear his eyes away from the most beautiful woman at the party... next to his wife, of course.

"Look at her own that silver strapless sequined dress... wow, that slit goes on for days! You go girl!" Alice clapped, only noticing Bella's obvious fashion choices, rather than the drastic situation at hand.

"Is that all you see, Alice?" Edward said incredulously, "her gown?"

"Isabella...?" Jasper whispered shaking his head trying to clear his mind.

"Of course not... but look at her. She's gorgeous! Bella really grew up, didn't she?"

"That's Isabella?!"

"OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! Look at who she's dancing with!"

"Emmett," Alice said, as if she didn't understand, then looked back at them and the pieces started falling together. "Oh no. Her and Emmett?"

"Shit, he'll ruin everything if Eleazar sees them like this," Jasper said turning back to Edward, looking like he was trying to come up with a plan.

"Exactly! We need to separate them somehow. If Emmett pisses Eleazar or Carmen off then we can kiss that billion dollars goodbye. We need to do something fast."

"They do look cute together, don't they..." Alice whispered looking at how happy both of them seemed while they danced and laughed while spinning around.

"Alice, stop talking non-sense, and think of something, for God sake!" Edward said throwing his hands up in the air then put one hand through his copper hair.

"You'll have to seduce her," Jasper said with his hand under his chin and looking directly at Edward.

"What?!" both Edward and Alice said at the same time looking at Jasper like he lost his senses.

"The only way to drive her away from Emmett will be to distract her with someone else," Jasper explained and both Edward and Alice looked to each other to see what the other thought of this plan.

"She's so young, Jazz..."

Edward raised his eyebrows to her almost insulted, "She's twenty-one, Ali. She's not a child anymore. And I'm a perfectly healthy twenty-nine year old, thank you very much," he said indignantly crossing his arms over his chest.

"Thirty, Edward. You're almost thirty," Alice patted his shoulder to comfort him as if this was a hardening blow. This raised Edward's hackles on the back of this neck even more for her patronizing tone and glared back at her.

"All I'm saying is how do you expect to divert her attention way from Emmett when she's so hung up on him. She always had a crush on him, you know that," Alice looked knowingly at him and Edward nodding understanding the challenge.

"I'm more concerned about Emmett. He's not going to just give her up... even if he is already engaged. You know how he is about his conquests."

Edward cringed a little at the thought of a sweet innocent girl such as Bella becoming one of Emmett's 'conquests.' Thinking of what Charlie would do if he found out...

Then Edward realized he wouldn't have to make Bella fall in love with him necessarily... just spend time with her in order to pull her attention away from Emmett long enough to close the deal. No one would have to get hurt... unless she did fall in love with him. But then he would deal with that when the time came.

"I'll do it," he said never breaking his gaze from Bella. "I seduce her or do whatever I have to in order to get her away from him. You two need to find my parents because that's where Carmen and Eleazar will be, and distract them while I go out there and pull Emmett away from Bella."

Edward uncrossed his arms ready for action but Jasper grabbed his arm suddenly and turned him around, "We won't have to find them, they're already outside... and from the look of Eleazar's expression, he's already seen them along with your parents and—, oh my God..." Jasper groaned out.

"Fuck," Edward's eyes became daggers, entirely focused on one person standing on the other side of Eleazar whispering into his ear.

"Tanya," Alice whispered hopelessly.

Uh oh... Tanya is back... and the plan is set. You know what happens, but let's see how they get there.

Let me hear your thoughts! And see you next time.

(You can view Bella's dress on my profile... hopefully it works!)