Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, I just enjoy playing with the characters.

March 12, 2000

"Wow Esme, you've really outdone yourself with this party for me!" Carlisle told his wife as he leaned down to kiss her softly.

"Well, it is your 50th, and you've just decided to hand off the company to Edward next year, so I wanted to celebrate the start of a new period in your life," Esme told her husband with a gentle smile.

If only she knew how true her words to him would become…

"Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you," Rosalie's melodic voice sang, calling everyone's attention to the front of the ballroom. All the hundreds of guests joined in as Rosalie continued the rest of the song. "Happy birthday dearest Carlisle. Happy birthday to you!" The guests clapped exuberantly as Rosalie and the other Cullens hugged Carlisle one by one and wished him well.

Then, Edward stepped forward, holding his champagne glass up high, and tapped it gently to call the guests' attention again.

"Before I raise this toast to my father, I would like to say something to all of you who are here to celebrate with us. I have had a dream since childhood: a dream to be like my father, to walk like him, speak like him, sit like him…To do everything the way he does. I mean, look at the way he's standing right now…" Edward tried to imitate Carlisle's stance and posture, trying to figure out which hand went in the pocket and which leg to lean back on, struggling to get the position down as effortlessly as Carlisle did. With a chuckle, Edward continued, "I can't do it. I know I can't do it… And maybe I never will be able to do it, because there is no one in this world like my father. I know that someone up there is happy with me to have bestowed upon me the right to say that I am his son, Carlisle Cullen's. And I say it proudly. Thank you, Lord. Thank you," Edward paused here to clear his throat and keep at bay the wave of emotion that threatened to wash over him. Having collected himself, Edward looked up at the room again, and with his signature smirk he continued with his speech.

"So, today dad, myself and the three most beautiful women in the world…" Edward gestured to his left where three beautiful, statuesque women were standing, posing like models. "No, no, move away please ladies." Edward shooed the three away. "As I was saying," he resumed. "The three most beautiful women in the world: Ms. America, Ms. World, and Ms. Universe!" he cried pointing at his mother and his two grandmothers; they had been standing behind the models from before. "Oh, and of course, Fatty!" Ignoring Jasper's scowl, Edward concluded, "We all just wanted to tell you, dad, that we love you so very much, and you're the best papa in the world!"

Carlisle beamed at his beautiful family, and quickly wiped away the hints of tears that were collecting in the corners of his eyes. I could not have asked God for a better family.

~~O~~

"B, hurry up! Why are you pedaling so slowly? My mom is going to kill us if she finds out we are so late for Mr. Cullen's birthday party!"

"I'm sorry, Mags, I was just having so much fun dancing at my dad's party!"

"You know that's no excuse!"

"Well there's no way that I'm letting that high and might Mr. Cullen think he's more important that my own father!"

"B! You can't talk about Mr. Cullen like tha– ohh you mean Mr. Edward Cullen." Maggie chuckled, "I can't believe you thought that he was my fiancé. I mean I love Teague, but that Edward is a seriously sexy guy!" Maggie whispered the last part.

Rolling her eyes, Bella replied. "He isn't that attractive…okay maybe he is, but he's still a jerk for letting me embarrass myself like that! He must think I'm mental!"

Maggie giggled, but her laughter immediately cut off as the two girls biked up to the gates of 4705 Island Cove.

"I think their house is bigger than my entire block!" Bella gasped.

The girls quickly shook themselves and buried their awe, hurrying down the driveway once the attendant let them through. Stashing their bicycles along the wall, they quickly smoothed down their hair and clothes and entered the Cullen mansion.

~~O~~

"Pleaseeee Edward, let's just do it tonight? Everyone will enjoy it and it's been so long since you, your father, and I have done it together!"

"Fine, Mom. But only because it's his birthday," Edward relented, running his hand through his hair.

"Thank you so much, sweetheart. I know your father will appreciate it." Esme gushed before scurrying over to her husband's side and whispering excitedly in his ear, like a little girl.

Edward watched as a grin spread across his father's face at Esme's news. Carlisle borrowed a microphone from the musicians and asked them to take a break. Addressing all his guests, he announced, "My wife, my son, and I would like to entertain all of you here tonight with a little piece we've performed for ourselves so many times before. It all began when my youngest son Jasper was watching Sesame Street and he saw the episode where Billy Joel came on to sing to Oscar the Grouch as he gifted him a used piano. The song "Just the Way You Are" quickly became a family favorite for us to perform. So, without further ado, let's begin!"

Edward crossed the stage and sat down at the piano bench, while his mother and Carlisle replaced the microphone on the stand and moved closer to it.

"Hi," Esme began.

"We're Grouch groupies," Carlisle continued.

"Mhmm, we sure love Grouches," Esme shot a wink to Jasper, who was turning red and trying to hide behind his grandmothers.

Then Edward spoke up from his place at the piano, "You love Grouches, yuck!" he said in his best Oscar the Grouch voice. Rosalie giggled with the audience at his spot-on impression. Edward's face reddened, but he stayed in character.

"Whenever, I throw away a used piano," Carlisle resumed, "I give it to a grouch. And this time, you're it!"

"Yeah? A used piano, oooh."

"Yeah, and we pushed it all the way here, Oscar," Esme added.

"Well if you pushed it here, why don't you all just shove off then haha. But leave my piano."

"I'm afraid not, Grouch. You see, this piano comes with a song," Carlisle said.

"Yes, a love song," Esme added.

"A love song? Aw man, I knew there had to be strings attached!"

"But it comes from the heart, go ahead Carlisle,"

Esme and Carlisle then began to sing the lyrics together as Edward played the piano.

"Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the.." Esme and Carlisle's voices trailed off as they forgot the lyrics, so Edward stopped playing.

"Oh, God Esme, what's the next line?"

"Um, it's don't change the… the…"

"Edward, do you remember?"

"It's 'the color of your hair'!" cried Bella from the back of the room, before gasping and clapping her hands across her mouth, realizing she had interrupted, and loudly at that.

Edward stood up from his seat onstage, and peered towards the back of the crowd. I know that voice…could it really be her? The crazy girl from the gas station convenience store?

Edward saw Siobhan storming towards the back of the room, while Carlisle and Esme stood shocked by the nameless voice that had suddenly corrected them. Edward jumped down from the stage and made his way to the back, keeping his eyes on Siobhan, sure that she would lead him to the mystery girl who may or may not be Bella Swan from the fair.

"Maggie! I'm a dead duck! I'm such a dead duck! I can't believe I just interrupted their song!"

"You better be lucky that's all you did Isabella Swan!" Siobhan suddenly screeched from behind Bella, tweaking her ear. "Just wait until your father hears about your latest antics! All I asked was for you to show up to the Cullens' on time! And you had to barge in here and interrupt their song…"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Byrne!" Bella sobbed. "I'm sorry!"

Esme, the perfect hostess that she was, quickly diverted the guests' attention by reminding them that dessert was ready in the dining room. She had lost track of Edward in the crowd and wondered to herself why he suddenly had run to the back of the ballroom.

Edward pushed his way through the crowd, trying to determine where Siobhan had gone. As he scanned the back of the room, he finally found a girl huddled in a corner. Siobhan was yelling at her while a red-headed girl comforted her. That must be Siobhan's daughter, Maggie I think. So then the girl in the corner must be her. Maggie whispered in Bella's ear and then pulled Siobhan away. The girl slumped against the wall, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. Almost as if she sensed eyes on her, she peeked through her spread fingers. It is Bella Swan! Locking eyes with Edward, she gasped and blushed deep red beneath her fingers. Beautiful.

As Edward moved towards Bella, she quickly moved away. Oh man, I can't face him again not after the Teague fiasco and not now after this! As she turned her head to look back at him one more time, she saw a look of horror and shock appear on his face. What has him looking so –!

Edward winced as Bella knocked into a table with a large flower arrangement on top of it, toppling the crystal vase to the floor. The sound of glass shattering was accompanied by a collective gasp from the guests as they turned to see what the commotion was this time. They were fairly unsurprised to see it was the same girl as before.

As Edward rushed to help Bella, he heard a high-pitched keening noise which then turned into a wail. As he reached Bella he realized the sound was coming from her.

"I-I-I broke your f-f-flower pot!" she cried.

Maggie and Siobhan quickly came and rushed Bella away, before Edward could even say a word.

March 13, 2000

Carlisle's faint voice could be heard just outside the door to his office as Bella pressed her ear against it.

"Okay, so Edward, remember we have the board meeting tomorrow at 2pm and I want you to sit in and observe..."

Turning around, she hurriedly addressed Siobhan and Alice. "Well it seems like he's really busy and we wouldn't want to disturb him again so I think we should just leave now and maybe write him a note?"

"You will do no such thing," Siobhan retorted, keeping a firm grip on both the Swan girls' hands. "You are going to apologize in person, do you hear me!"

"Okayyyyy," Bella grimaced as she hesitantly knocked.

"Come in."

"Hi, Mr. Cullen, sir," Bella started in a meek voice.

"Mr. Cullen this is Isabella Swan, a family friend of mine, and she wanted to come to apologize to you."

"What? Oh about last night, well it's really not necessary to apologize," Carlisle said with a small smile.

"Oh, okay. Great! We'll just be leaving now, then." Bella turned to leave, but Siobhan grabbed her and pushed her forward.

"No!" she hissed.

Edward chuckled at Bella's obvious embarrassment at facing his father. She had nothing to be afraid of, of course. Carlisle and Esme both found it quite amusing and were not upset or angry in the least.

Bella narrowed her eyes, hearing Edward's laugh. "Well sir, you see, when I hear classic Billy Joel songs, I just can't help but sing along, and that's one of my favorites…" Bella was momentarily distracted by Edward's near-silent chuckles. His shoulders were shaking as he held in his laughs at Bella's obvious discomfort and rambling before his father.

"Shut up!" she snapped.

"Me?" Carlisle questioned, shocked.

"What?" Bella gasped. "No, no sir! I didn't mean you…I uh meant, well um, no one."

Confused, Carlisle just gestured to her to carry on. "Well um, as I was saying, I am the one responsible for breaking your flower pot."

"Vase," Carlisle corrected. At this, Edward started chuckling to himself again, annoying Bella but still escaping the notice of his father.

"I said shut up. This is all because of you!" Bella yelled to Edward again.

"Excuse me?" Carlisle asked again.

"Oh, no, no, no. It's not you! But yeah, I am willing to pay however much it cost, so you can replace it."

"Now that's not really necessary." Carlisle hedged, afraid to tell the young girl the real price of the rare vase.

"Well, you see, my father always says that no one becomes smaller by asking for forgiveness, and the one who forgives has a big heart themselves. You'll forgive me though, right sir?

"Yes, Isabella." Carlisle replied.

"Yeah, really? Yayyyy! Well I'm sure you have some big business of you big people to attend to so I'll leave," cheered Bella exuberantly. "God bless you, bye!" As she turned around in a rush, she bumped into Siobhan and as she tripped over her feet, her arm flew out and knocked into…

"NO!" cried Bella. "I-I-I did it ag-g-gainnnnn!" Tears began to pour down her face. "The pot, Siobhan. I br-br-broke the f-f-flower pot! Wait, not pot…vase!"

Carlisle stood there, shocked, unsure whether to laugh or not. Edward still sat behind the desk now laughing audibly at poor Bella's unintentional antics.

Once Siobhan had dragged the weeping Bella out to console her, Carlisle turned to his son and asked jokingly, "Is she even completely sane?"

"Yes… No…Not really. I don't know, maybe!" Edward laughingly told him. Edward remained in the study for a few more minutes to finish up his work. As he sat there alone, he chuckled to himself, "It's a vase not a pot!"

March 20, 2000

"Come on, guys this is the place!"

"Are you sure, Alice? What if we get in trouble for being here?"

"Shut up guys, we let this kid get the better of us on our own turf! Who does this rich kid think he is?"

"Umm I'm pretty sure he knows he's Jasper Cullen, son of Carlisle Cullen, owner of Cull– OW! Why'd ya hit me?"

"Because I want you to shut up Demetri. Now come on, we are gonna show Chubby here who's really in power."

The bell rang just then as Alice, Felix, and Demetri snuck inside the middle school building at Reagents School of Austin.

"Alice, I know we have off today from school, but this hour long bus trip better not get us in trouble!"

"Stop being such a baby Demetri. Felix help me find locker 529. That's his and he'll be going there to get his stuff for next period."

"Ali, I honestly don't know how you always find these things out, but this is 564 so 529 must be down there."

As the trio of Hills kids neared the locker, trying not to look too suspicious, they suddenly crashed into a large fleshy wall.

"Watch where you're going!" a mocking voice called.

"Chubby!" Alice gasped. Suddenly a ring of children dressed immaculately in uniform surrounded the three kids as Jasper blocked their way from the front.

"These are the weirdos I was telling you guys about," Jasper told his classmates.

"The ones who stopped you at the street fair?" a girl piped up. "Ew where are they from, the underworld?"

"Ha, no they're from Windsor Hills." Jasper explained.

"Ewwww," came the chorus from the children.

"Look at her hair. It's so short and spiky. What's with that?"

"What is that she's wearing, some kind of weird jumper?"

"That purse is so fake! Does it say Kate SPODE?"

"Look at the pattern on her 'Coach' scarf," another girl added with air quotes. "The pattern is so wrong, it's obviously a knockoff."

"I bet it's not even silk at all. It would give me a rash!"

Alice just looked at her feet, blinking her eyes rapidly as the hurtful words pelted her and were just as sharp as knives. Demetri and Felix stood behind her, bewildered by the mass of children surrounding them. Jasper noticed Alice's tears as they finally fell free onto the tile floor of the hallway.

"Guys, guys stop. Guys, that wasn't nice. Guys…" Jasper tried to calm the crowd, but the mob of his classmates was on a roll, so the insults continued. It wasn't until the late bell rang that the class scattered and Jasper stood alone, at a loss as to what to do with the sobbing Alice Swan in front of him.

~~O~~

"WHAT? You didn't even do anything to defend yourself?"

"There w-w-were too many people B! I couldn't d-do anyyyyy-th-thing. It was so embarrassing, and they made fun of me for my c-clothes and w-w-where we lllllive." Alice hiccupped, wiping away the last of her tears.

"Well I can't believe those kids would pick on you for wearing affordable designer imitations, but you see, here you roam around like you're some queen and now you see–"

"Bella," Charlie interrupted his eldest daughter before continuing in a stern voice. "What was the need for Alice to go into Regent's in the first place?"

"She just entered the school! It's not like she murdered anyone! You know, if I had been there, I would have shown them! Let me show that Fatty or Jazzy or whoever! I swear on Greg Porter in the middle of Heritage Hills that if I don't teach the fat rich boy a lesson I won't call myself Charlie Swan's daughter."

"Now, Bella, don't you think you're being a bit melodramatic?"

"No, Dad. I don't," Bella retorted as she continued to wave her arms and point at Alice. "You know Dad, people always say those who are rich in money can still be poor in heart! They will never find a place near to the Lord!" Bella recited with passion.

"Wow, that was a great line. Very poetic did you write it yourself?"

"Yeah, I di– YOU!" she shrieked as she realized who had just spoken.

"Hi Bella, we've met before. And this, as you know is my brother." Edward pulled Jasper inside the small open doorway and pulled him to stand beside him in the hallway of the small Swan house. "Idiot," he grumbled as he smacked his brother lightly on the head.

Charlie frowned a moment, before remembering his manners. "Bella they've come to our house for the first time. Please, show some respect now at least and get them something to eat or drink."

"I'm sure they ate before coming here." Bella retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. Edward looked down, hoping Bella didn't notice that he had found it difficult to tear his eyes away from her after that action. Get a grip, Cullen. She's just a crazy girl. "Haven't you seen the size of this one?" she added, jabbing her finger at Jasper's belly.

"Bella, don't be rude!" Charlie reprimanded her, shocked at her uncharacteristically hostile behavior.

"No, sir, Bella is right, we've already eaten." Edward stepped in, trying to relieve the tension.

"Well I'll go get some stuff anyway," Charlie offered, disappearing into the house. Bella turned her back to Edward and Jasper with a huff while Alice stood forlornly in front of them, scuffing her feet and looking down.

"Well what's the name, bro?" Edward asked.

"Jasper, why are you asking?" his brother replied, confused.

"No, you idiot! Hers."

"Ohhhh! Alice."

Edward took a few steps towards her, and she quickly looked up, nearly tilting her head all the way up since he had a good 2 feet on her. "Hi Alice," he murmured, before crouching down to her level. "Hey, what pretty eyes!" She returned a small smile. Turning back to address Jasper, Edward said, "You must never hurt anyone's feelings, especially not a girl's, and especially especially not such a pretty one, you hear me Jasper?" Pulling Alice by the hand towards his brother, Edward looked between the two of them and told them, "You know, a very wise person once said, no one becomes smaller by asking for forgiveness, and the one who forgives has a big heart themselves…Isn't that right Bella?"

Bella turned to narrow her eyes at Edward and he swore he heard a small, but sexy growl come from her in annoyance. He just smirked back and winked.

"Apologize, Fatty." Edward commanded.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I really didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's okay," she returned shyly. "Friends."

Jasper leaned forward and pressed a small kiss to her cheek. Alice gasped, blushed, and then rushed away to her room. Jasper looked confused by Alice's reaction, but shrugged it off.

Meanwhile, Edward had sidled up to Bella who was still pouting as she leaned against the wall. "Hiiiiii, B."

"Don't call me that," she snapped.

"Fine, Isabella." Bella repressed the delicious shiver that went down her spine as Edward's perfect pink lips wrapped around the syllables of her first name. He made it sound so beautiful and exotic, even though Bella thought that she herself was anything but. "So I figured," Edward continued. "If those two can be friends, why not us? I promise I just want to be friends. Is that a problem?" Bella was still refusing to speak, but it was no longer out of anger and annoyance. She just did not trust herself to speak without her voice shaking. I can't let Cullen have this kind of effect on me, just by standing next to me! So Bella just shook her head in agreement with Edward's proposition of friendship. "Ok great, friends!" Edward smiled at her. Oh he looks so cute with that boyish little grin on his fac– Bella gasped as her thoughts were interrupted by the pressure of Edward's lips to her cheek. She moved her hand up to touch the spot on her face that now burned from contact with Edward's lips.

But Edward was gone before the tingling feeling in her cheek and also stomach could subside.

March 29, 2000

"I'm telling you! There is something fishy going on with that Cullen's son, Maggie."

"Hmmm I guess it does seem a little odd…"

"Exactly. I knew it! He wants to take away my gas station shop!"

"Bella are you insane? I meant, he might like you. Heck he might even be in love with you! I saw the way he was staring at you at his father's party…"

"Maggie you are insane!" Bella giggled. "You think he picked, me: plain old Bella Swan, me, from Heritage Hills? Out of all the girls in this dump, no out of all the girls in this city? You've got to be joking. Plus I'm sure he already has a girlfriend. I mean, a gorgeous man like that would have to– Hey stop laughing at me Maggie! I'm just saying he is attractive!"

~~O~~

"Hi, you've reached the Swan residence," Bella sang as she answered the phone.

"Ah, I'm so glad I reached you!"

"Um, who is this?"

"Who? You're asking who? It's me of course, your new friend." Bella could almost hear the smirk in his voice as she realized who she was speaking too.

"I see, Edward. You know, it is polite to actually introduce yourself when you call someone."

"Relax Bella, learn to let things go," he teased. "Anyway, I was calling to ask you if you had any plans for tomorrow. See Alice and Jasper have been hanging out together the past few days during their spring break, and they have plans to go to the traveling circus and bazaar that's come to town. So, I was wondering if you wanted to accompany us."

"Us as in…"

"Well I thought it was quite clear Bella. I have to take Alice and Jasper, so you would be coming with me, to accompany all of us…"

"Fine, I'll meet you there tomorrow."

"I can pick you up Be–"

"Edward, I will be there at noon tomorrow. Bye!" Bella quickly threw down the phone to end the call. What does he possibly want? Why would he want to hang out with me? Is this a date tha– No Bella don't go there! Stop getting these ridiculous ideas. You do not like Edward Cullen, got it? He does not like you and you most certainly do not lo–Okay, don't even say it to yourself because you don't want to acknowledge anything. But there shouldn't be anything to acknowledge!

"Bella, get a grip. You do not need to think about that stuff!" Ugh I need to stop talking to myself…

Author's Note 4/27/11:

Hi, so hopefully it hasn't been too long since I posted that last one. The site's being weird so hopefully the chapters are all up okay. Also, I don't think I can promise a regular update schedule just yet; my life's about to get real crazy until the middle of May, but hopefully I won't abandon this for three months again like last time! I think it only took me a month to get my act together with this chapter. Still, I apologize for any mistakes. I have no Beta yet, but if anyone volunteers, I'd love to have a second pair of eyes look over this for errors! I always get annoyed when I read fanfics with blatant misspellings and grammatical mistakes, so I prefer to re-re-read mine to eliminate those. I just figured that those of you who have been telling me to post sooner would prefer to get this one to read now, rather than later. So, here it is! Also, someone previously asked if I'm basing this off Khabi Kushi Khabi Gham and yes that is the foreign film that I watched. It's great! What do you think of Bella's errant thoughts? Let me know in a review if things are moving at a good pace in the story, as well as what you do and don't like overall. If you have the time, please help me out by letting me know what you think! Thanks again for reading!