You didn't have me at hello.

A/N So, I am so inspired so here is another one. Party time. If you want to see the dresses here are the links

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Alice's Dress

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Rosalie

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Chapter 7

February 14th The Ball - Part 1

Bella POV

Wow, the week went really quickly. Mum, dad and I tried to spend every waking moment together. We went to the opera a few times. We met a couple of my dad's friend for lunch as they came into the city for the ball. We went to Billy and Jacob's home for dinner twice. I was so happy that my mum and dad loved the Blacks as much as I did. During the week, I did finish up with the pending items we had for the ball. Harry, Alicia and Michael arrived on Wednesday and they rehearsed a few times for the ball. I was so excited. We all cared for each other and they loved mum and dad so much.

Now, Alice and Rosie kept bugging me all week on who my date was going to be. I had the biggest surprise for them – I didn't have a date. I really didn't care if I did or didn't. To me, I found that this ball was a work function requirement. One of my jobs as Director was fundraising. I don't believe involving romance within work hours. It causes to much tension and you know I have no time to be thinking about a man looking at another woman other than myself. Besides, I had many friends coming to the ball that I knew would dance once or twice with me. Harry had already promised me a dance and so had Michael. (Though I asked permission from their significant other). So to keep Alice and Rosie at bay, I didn't say anything.

Around 8:30 am as mum, dad and I were enjoying breakfast, someone knocked on the door. I went to answer and it was the bellboy delivering an envelope for me. I thanked him and gave him a tip. It was the letter I was waiting for. I sat down backto where I was and mum and dad had their suspisions on who it was:

Our dearest Tanya, Liam and Isabella,

We apologize profusely that we cannot attend the ball since we had prior engagements. We hope you can forgive us and please let us know when there would be another opportunity to be with you all again for an event as such.

Bella, we are extremely proud of you and we wish you all the luck in your new position. We know that you will do well and please count on us for any monetary donations. We hope you can progress your findings and find the cure that we desperately need.

Please send us pictures and email us more often. We miss our talks and games and your advice. We love you and cherish you always. Have a glass of bubbly in our name.

Yours always, Ed and Harry

PS. Dad and grannie and grandpa send their love as well. Please forward the attached donation to Dr. Cullen and wish him our best.

I tried, but I knew they would not be able to join us. They were good friends of mine since my mum and dad would at times have tea with the queen. I didn't want anyone else to know of the donation.

"Dad, can you do me a huge favor and call Carlisle and ask him to come down here alone. I have something to give him and only him." Dad nodded and called him immediately. Carlisle asked him to give him 10 minutes. I gave the letter and check to my parents and were so happy that these boys still cared so much. They did so more since their mother had passed on. They cared so deeply for those children that were sick and cherished life even more.

When we heard the knock, Dad opened it and welcomed Carlisle. "What's going on Liam? Is there something wrong?" I know he must have thought something bad must have happened for the ball tonight. Dad replied, "Well, something is going on and only Bella can explain." Carlisle sat down and I offered him a cup of coffee. "What's wrong Bella?" I just gave him the check for $1.5 million dollars in the name of the Seattle Laboratory Research fund. "Bella, where did this come from?" "Carlisle, first, I want you to promise that this will not leave this room." He nodded. "Ok, well, I had called many friends, in particular two very good friends of mine who live in a big castle in London. Well, unfortunately, they cannot attend due to prior commitments but did understand the work you do here. Therefore it is their way of saying to continue all the good work." Carlisle couldn't believe it.

Liam POV

I saw my old friend's face. He was astonished that this little person who had just entered into their lives less than a month ago has impacted them so much. Now he can imagine how it felt for Tanya and myself when Bella entered into our lives. She had just given us all the joy in the world. Most of all she has taught Tanya and I not to be selffish and that money wasn't everything. I will miss her some much once we leave, but it is time to let her grow up. Carlisle was at lost for words. There is a first time for everything.

Tanya POV

I am so proud of my daughter. Ed and Harry are dears and adore Bella so much. They barely call her Bella because they respect her dedication and work so much. They know how to sweet talk her by calling her nickname, but usually, they call her Isabella. They always remind her that she carries a name that represents her regal posture and grace. That is my Bella.

Once Carlisle left, Bella, Liam and I needed to shop to get ready for tomorrow's dinner. Bella had decided to go with a Spaniard theme for the dinner. Paella was on the menu, but she was doing both marinera and valenciana. She was planning to also do fried calamari, shrimp in garlic sauce, portobello mushrooms sauteed in garlice sauce, grilled spanish sausage, shrimp sauteed in white wine sauce and baked salmon. We needed to get as well a few bottles of wine, liquor, soda, water bread. She was so excited. Last time she had cooked this much, all our friends raved over the food. I knew she wanted to have this perfect since it was our last night together.

After a few hours of shopping, we finally got home. We were unpacking when the doorbell rang. Liam went to get it and it was Esme, Alice and Rosalie. Thank God Lauren did not come by. Alice chimed in, "Bella, why are you still dressed that way. We need to get going." Bella looked at her like she had two heads on her shoulder. "Alice, we are ok with time. It is only 2pm and I had to get the stuff for tomorrow." Her face was priceless. Alice didn't understand, my daughter really didn't like to be overly liked to show her natural beauty. "Besides Alice, we have a hairdresser coming and a makeup artist." Rosalie and Alice surprised yelled "You do?" Esme and I laughed because this was actually for both Rose and Alice. I guess a form of "I am glad I met you both, but thanks for taking it day by day" gift. These girls jumped up and down and were just molesting my poor daughter. I just saw Bella smile. I noticed that she was slowly opening her soul towards this girls. I just hope they won't hurt her again.

Alice POV

So, we decided to send Liam upstairs as we women got ready in Bella's place. We had quite a few laughs. Bella was first to get herself ready. She had volunteered to go upstairs first due to the entertainment. When Carlisle, Liam, Emmett and Jasper were finished cleaning up, they waited for us in Bella's place. Rosie and I were in our robes still eating something. Tanya and Mom were just hanging out before they got their dresses on. Then Bella came out of her room. The men just whistled. My god, she was simply gorgeous. Her hair was pulled into a grecian goddess hairstyle (which totally went with her dres) with tiny red ribbons strategically placed to represent valentine's day. Her makeup was darker than usual and she wore a deep crimson red lipstick that made her pout that usual. "Why – thank you. Carlisle, I am going to see downstairs if there is anything that might be needed to make the guests more comfortable. Then I will check out how the entertainers are doing." Daddy gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was so tender next to see her dad and how he looked at his grownup daughter. She was getting her purse, then I remembed, "Bella, what should we tell your mystery man where to find you." She gave me an evil smile as she walked towards the door, "Sorry Alice, I don't have a date." Rosie and I screamed, "What?!" She had already opened the door when Edward and Lauren were coming in. Ugh, Lauren looked so bad in that dress. " Isabella Marie Swan, why don't you have a date? It's Valentine's Day." Everyone was laughing, I know, but it wasn't fair. She is such a sweet girl, she deserves this at least. She came over, "Sweety, it isn't a problem. I will be busy working anyway." I nodded. "Ok, any problems, call my on my cell. – Hello Edward, Lauren" and she left. "Tanya, how could you let her be without a date?" Tanya just led me to the sofa. "Alice, she is fine. Really. My daughter isn't the type to be dating many men or kiss here and kiss there. Do you know she really hasn't "kissed" in her life? " I heard Liam groan. I chuckled. She continue, "She takes dating and love seriously. She doesn't like games or fooling around with one man and then another. Just please let her be. She know what is doing. "

Bella POV

Whew, got out of there in time. Woo hoo. Now I can see my friends. If I say so myself, I do look pretty today. I love how everything turned out. Now I hope the party turns out as successful. I went downstairs and I had already gotten to know the doormen for our building. "Hi Sam, Laurent. Are you ready for tonight?" They smiled and Sam answered, "Ms Bella. You look so beautiful tonight. Yes, we are ready." I thanked them and informed them that I would be sending a nice plate of food for dinner. Some guests were slowly coming in. Then I went upstairs. At last minute, I gave the idea to hire a string quartet to help mellow the mood as the people arrived. I was looking around and I saw Harry and Alicia talking. Michael was on his way and I just wanted to make sure everything was ok. I went to the waiting staff to make sure they were ok, the bartenders were filled with the necessary liquor and the food was getting prepared. I decided to grab a small drink, cranberry and vodka, to calm my nerves. We did good. We really did good.

As 7:30 hit, pretty much everyone was there. My parents were talking away as was Esme and Carlisle. Alice and Jasper were talking to a group of people as was Rose and Emmett. I was doing the social scene as the event's photographer were shooting some pics. Eva was gorgeous in her red dress and Tony was so handsome. I saw Leo was there as were Liv Tyler, Ben Afflick, Jen Garner and many more. They were all having a great time and the show was going to start soon. Carlisle went to the stage as I over saw the great success of the party. "Thank you all for attending the 2008 Valentine's Day Ball. We truly appreciate your support and help. Now to no further waiting, please welcome an increidable musician, Harry Connick Jr." Everyone clapped and whistled as many had looks of surprise. Harry came out looking handsome as always in his tuxedo. "Thank you, before we start, just wanted to thank you again for coming. Thank you Cullen family for allowing me to sing tonight. We have several surprises for you all and we hope you all will enjoy it. Today, on such a special day, I would like to declare by continuing enduring love to my beautiful wife Jill (he blows a kiss). But today is not just to celebrate love, but friendship as well, So, I would also like to declare my enduring pledge of friendship to a special girl. You know who you are and thanks!" I smiled. He started the show with "It Had to Be you", one of my favorite songs. I saw Carlisle take Esme so gently in his arms to start dancing. My mum and dad were the first ones on the dance floor with my dad mouthing the words to my mum. Jasper and Alice were dancing closely as were Rose and Emmett. There were so many couples out there.

How I wish I could find that special man in my life, but for now I had to stop thinking about this. I know one day I will find that special man who will love me through all my faults and ill wills, but for now, I must maintain my heart in its "cold" state for today. I hate Valentines' Day, but hey this is my job.