Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Songs for this chapter: Give In To Me - Leighton Meester & Garrett Hedlund (from the Country Strong soundtrack)...if you haven't seen that movie yet...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? It's awesome!
All songs and photos can be found on my blogsite for this story linked in my profile.
Bring on the New Year's Eve party! :)
"Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've been to a party or had any reason to get dressed up?" Alice asked casually, her head cocked to the side as she wrapped a strand of my hair around the curling iron.
I smiled at her in the mirror. She cherished any reason to dress me up; that was a fact. She'd threatened to gut me if I gave her any grief tonight about it too. "Well you and I deserve it after the weekend we've had."
"Damn right we do!" She chuckled. "And I can't wait to see Edward's face when he sees you in that dress. The party may not even happen! He may kick us all out and have his way with you!" she laughed out loud and I joined her, blushing profusely. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't object.
My dress was a deep royal blue, fitted and strapless. The torso was lined with silver and white rhinestones that fanned out from one side of my waist to the other. Knowing that blue is Edward's favorite color, made choosing this particular dress very easy. I knew it was perfect just as soon as I tried it on.
Alice was styling my hair into long lose curls. She gathered the hair at the crown of my head, teased it slightly and pulled it back, securing it with bobby pins giving it just a bit of volume. When she was finally satisfied with her work, she started on my make-up. Tonight I was giving her special liberties, since it was New Years Eve after all. Plus, I knew that anything she did would look ten times better than anything I could do.
She went a little heavier on my eyes promising that I would be satisfied with them when I saw Edward's reaction. Again she made me blush. She moved from in front of me and I gasped as I saw myself in the mirror. My eyes popped with silver, shimmering eye shadow and she had lined them with a smoky gray liner and black mascara. She'd dusted a light powder all over my face and a tint of blush on my cheeks. I was sure it wasn't necessary as my own reactions tinted my cheeks well enough, but it was stunning. Lastly she brushed a pink shimmer gloss over my lips. She stepped back leaned up on the counter as we admired her work.
"Alice, you did awesome! I love my eyes! Wow! Thank you!" I gushed as I stared at my reflection.
"You're welcome. Now get in there and get dressed so I can get ready too." She laughed as she playfully shoved me out of the bathroom. Alice's dress was also strapless, but it had a flowing skirt and large gold sequins with a gold satin bow tied at the waist. It was so Alice and I couldn't wait to see her all dolled up in it and finally smiling freely again. She deserved it.
Once in my room I unwrapped the new lingerie I had purchased to accompany my dress. Removing it from the tissue paper, I held it up to admire it. It had been years since I had thought about wearing something like this, much less bought it. It was an ice blue lace bustier with a garter belt with deep black, lace trimmed thigh-highs and matching ice blue thong. I blushed at the thought of the slight possibility that Edward would see it. Even if he didn't, I would feel powerful and sexy just wearing it under my dress. I fitted myself into the confines of the barely-there lingerie and shimmied the thong into place. I couldn't help a quick glance in the mirror and smiled shyly at the girl staring back at me. Hanging on the back of my bedroom door, I unzipped the garment bag that enclosed my dress. I could swear the damn thing shimmied at me as I removed it from the hanger. After unzipping it, I stepped cautiously into it and slid it into place. I called out for Alice to come help me zip it up, and she gasped as she walked into my room.
"Hot damn! Edward is going to cream his pants." And we burst out laughing.
"Help me zip this up woman, so we can get going. You're making me anxious." After zipping me up, she winked as she spun on her heels and left the room.
I slipped on a pair of silver strap heels, and put in silver chandelier earrings in my ears. I took a final spin in the mirror and felt my stomach do a little flip with excitement. I walked down the hall to the bathroom to find Alice doing a little twirl in her dress, the skirt fluttering up slightly as she did.
"And you my friend, are going to be the hottest one there tonight! I'm sure there will be quite a few single firemen fawning all over you!" she giggled and blushed.
"That is so weird to hear you say. It's been such a long time since I thought about another man looking at me that way. I'm not even sure I'll know how to react. I just know I want to have a good time tonight."
"There will be no worries tonight, that's for sure my friend. It will be the best start to the New Year, and only good things are in store for both of us."
We embraced quickly. "Ok, enough of this sappy bullshit, let's go party!" I said heading to the front door. We grabbed our coats and headed across the lawn to Rose and Emmett's. He opened the door smiling ear to ear and looking absolutely dashing in his tux. He opted for no tie and instead had the top few buttons of his shirt undone, and I actually had to stop myself from staring at him. He looked hot!
"Well happy New Years Eve ladies! Aren't you two some fine specimen of women."
"Stop hitting on my best friends Em or you're spending the night alone at home while us girls go party." We both laughed as Rosalie's voice came from behind him.
He pouted as we stepped past him inside the house. Rose stepped out of the hallway and Alice and I both gasped. She was nothing short of stunning in a black satin dress with an organza one-shoulder. It had a gold embroidered beading around the bottom edge and more embroidering right under her bust line. Stunning.
"Wow Rose. Just…wow." Was all I could manage to say. She looked gorgeous.
As we stepped off the elevator to Edward's floor we could hear the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from his apartment. I felt the excitement bubbling up in me in anticipation of seeing Edward and spending a magical night with him.
Emmett clasped and rubbed his hands together. "Hell yea! Let's do this ladies!"
We were all grinning ear to ear as he knocked on the door to the apartment. We heard clicking footsteps leading to the door, and immediately I felt a strange pull in my stomach. It was definitely the sound of female shoes and I suppose I wasn't anticipating a woman to answer his door. As the door swung open, I let out a sigh realizing how ridiculous I was being as I caught sight of Kaylie. She looked absolutely adorable in her Navy blue tufted dress and silver flats. It had a row of satin roses at her waist and she was beaming.
"Hello beautiful girl!" I said excitedly as she came forward to hug me.
"Hi Bella! I'm so excited you're here for mine and daddy's party!"
"Me too Kaylie. You sure do look beautiful."
"You look beautiful too. Come on! Come see the decorations we hung up!" She said as she grabbed my hand and led us into the apartment. There was a group of men standing in the living room, drinks in hands laughing and chatting over the music. Brittany Spears' Toxic was coming through the apartment-wide sound system. There were what must have been thousands of white twinkling lights strung back and forth across the ceiling, around the windows of the living room and kitchen and wound around the railing on the balcony. Also hanging from the ceiling were silver and white shimmering, swirling streamers. It was very festive and I was a little shocked that Edward and Kaylie had done this all themselves.
Kaylie pulled me into the kitchen where more silver and white decorations donned the counters and windows. I saw him before he saw me, and my knees went weak. He was leaning up on the counter talking to someone in front of him. Wearing a black tux and his right hand in his pocket, a drink in his left.
"Daddy! Bella's here!" Kaylie exclaimed as we entered the room.
He turned slowly and his mouth fell open as his eyes made their way from my face down to my feet and back up again. He slowly made the two strides towards me, setting his drink down on the counter as he did. Just as his left hand wound its way around to the small of my back, I caught his scent and felt my knees weaken even more. His right hand went to the back of my head and he crashed his lips to mine gently but with so much passion I almost fainted. The kiss slowly escalated and I lost all sense of anyone else's presence as my hands slid up his back and pulled him closer to me. Brought back to reality at the sound of a few throats clearing, I gasped and dropped my head to his shoulder, flaming with embarrassment at that very public display of affection. I pulled back and looked at his face running my thumb gently over his bottom lip, wiping my lip-gloss from it. So fucking beautiful.
"That's my line." He whispered. My eyes widened as I realized I'd said that out loud, and I dropped my head to his shoulder again.
"Hi." I said softly as I pulled back and looked back into his eyes.
"Hi yourself. Happy New Year's Eve." He winked and kissed my nose.
"Wow Bella…you look gorgeous!" I heard Jasper say from behind Edward. I peeked over his shoulder and smiled at him as I took in his appearance. It was the first time I had ever seen him all dressed up, and he looked sharp. Garrett was standing next to him smiling widely too.
"Thank you Jasper." I said shyly, as Edward turned and we faced him.
"Back off Jazz." Edward teased him, as he kept his arm wrapped protectively around my waist. "This one's all mine for the night. Go find your own." He chuckled softly and pressed his lips to my temple. Jasper just smiled and winked at me, eliciting another rush of red to my cheeks and I looked down at my feet. I raised my head as Rose and Emmett stepped around us.
"Wat up Jazz!" Emmett boomed as he shook his hand and they hugged their one-armed "man hug".
"How's it going you big bear?" Jasper chuckled.
"Happy fucking New Year dude!" Emmett smiled with both his hands on Jaspers shoulders and shook him slightly. Rose pushed him out of the way and embraced Jasper in a hug. "Happy New Year, Jasper. You look very handsome." She said sweetly.
"Handsome is not a word I would use to describe you Rose, you look absolutely illegal." He chuckled, drawing a slight growl from Emmett, knowing just what he was doing.
I turned to Alice who was shyly smiling at the three of them, yet when she caught my stare, her eyes widened and she nodded so slightly in Jasper's direction, that only I would notice. I quickly realized her unsaid thoughts and reached for her hand and pulled her to me.
I turned back to the trio, "Jasper, Garrett, this is one of my oldest and dearest friends, Alice Hunter. Alice, this is Jasper and Garrett."
"Well, I'm not sure about old, but dear sounds like a slightly appropriate description." Jasper said as he stretched out his hand to hers and their eyes locked. She stepped forward from my side and took his hand. He raised it to his lips ever so softly, "Might I add stunningly beautiful too?" And he kissed the top of her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." He said in his gentle Southern accent. Alice giggled softly and blushed as she turned her head to the side, their eyes remaining locked.
Edward squeezed my side gently and I turned my head up to look at him. He looked down and me and winked pressing his lips to my forehead. I smiled, closed my eyes and took a deep breath, breathing him in. This would be a perfect night. I could feel it.
A few of the men from the living room joined us in the kitchen and Edward made the introductions. I hadn't noticed that Kaylie has left us in the kitchen until she returned with the remote for the stereo.
"Daddy, is it time yet?" she asked handing it to him.
"Not yet sweetie." He smiled as he squatted down to her eye level. "I promise I'll tell you when you can put that song on, ok?"
"Ok daddy." She smiled as she turned and skipped back into the living room placing the remote back onto the coffee table.
I looked down at him, puzzled and he raised back up next to me. "She got to download all the music for tonight, with my discretion of course, and is very excited about playing DJ tonight. She knows that Auld Lang Syne is the midnight song, and may be a little anxious." He chuckled.
Emmett took over the role of bartender and began making everyone something to drink. I took note of a bottle of Champagne Henriot that was resting in a bucket of ice centered among the impressive rows of top shelf alcohol. Edward had really gone all out for this.
A few hours later, and after Emmett had refilled my glass a few times with who-only-knew what kind of fruity alcohol concoction, I began to feel very at ease. It hadn't escaped my attention that Alice and Jasper had not left each other's sides since their introduction, and I knew Alice well enough to know that look in her eyes. She was smitten. Of course, who wouldn't be? He was such a sweet, Southern gentlemen, and she hadn't had that in years.
I found myself out on the balcony with a few of Edward's firemen buddies, just enjoying the view and light conversation. The night was crisp, but with the alcohol in my system, I was warm as I leaned up on the railing. The music that Edward and Kaylie had chosen was just perfect for the evening, and I began to softly sing along to U2's Beautiful Day. It fit my mood perfectly.
I was vaguely aware of the sound of the doorbell, but there was a sudden commotion from inside. A few of the guys filed inside, and I turned my head slightly following their path with my eyes. Rosalie suddenly appeared in the doorway with Kaylie.
"Hey Bella! Kaylie and I thought we'd join you out here." She smiled brightly, with a hint of something in her eyes. I was confused, but smiled back.
"Miss Kaylie, you did a wonderful job on the music. I love it!" I smiled down at her as she came to stand next to me. She was wrapped up in a thick, white wool sweater.
"You see those lights over there, just on the other side of the bridge Miss Bella?" She asked as she pointed out over the railing. "Daddy says that's Mexico."
I followed her motion and squinted, trying to focus. "That's pretty cool, huh?" I nodded.
The commotion inside began to taper off, but I was suddenly aware of Alice and Jasper out on the balcony with us as well. I turned to look at Alice, and she had a look of…something…I couldn't quite place in her eyes. I frowned at her in question, and she simply shook her head as if begging me not to ask. I turned and looked back out at the skyline, trying to gain a sense of control on my thoughts through my alcohol haze.Where was Edward? What was going on inside? I took and let out a deep breath and turned to make my way inside, just as Rose grabbed my wrist.
"Maybe you should stay out here with us Bella." She said softly. "It's such a beautiful night."
I frowned in confusion again as I looked deep into her green eyes. Okay, something was amiss, and they were trying to keep me from finding out what it was. I looked down at Kaylie, who was smiling up at me. I smiled softly back, and looked back to Rose.
"What's going on Rose?" I asked confused, starting to feel a slight sense of anger. I turned my head around and met Alice's stare, almost begging me with her eyes not to go inside. I looked to Jasper who wouldn't meet my eyes, as he simply looked out over the city lights. Turning my head to the apartment, I tried to focus through the glass window and could see a few of the firemen standing in the living room. I caught a glimpse of a head of tousled copper hair. Edward. I gently shook lose from Roses' grasp and headed inside and she didn't try to stop me this time. The music switched over to Kool and the Gang's Celebration and was loud enough to muffle any conversation to be heard. I kept my eyes on Edward, as he had his back to me. Where did all these people come from? I thought, as I noticed there were many more people than when I first arrived. A few of the firemen were chatting and dancing with some girls that I hadn't met yet, and I hadn't even noticed had arrived. I glanced at the clock on the wall, noting that there was just an hour until midnight. As I made my way through the crowd of people, Emmett suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Hey there beautiful lady. You ready for another drink?" he beamed as he held out a glass towards me.
I smiled, "No thanks Em. I was just looking for Edward."
"Of course you are! You two are one in the same." He winked. "Why don't you join Rosie back out on the balcony and I'll get him for you." Still smiling.
"That's ok really. I have to use the ladies room too." I lied, hoping to just get to Edward.
"Maybe that's not such a good idea right now Bells." His expression changed up to what looked like sorrow, guilt?
What the hell? I was more determined that ever to get to him now. Something was going on, and I needed to know.
"Just why not Emmett?" I half growled at him.
"Just…Bella…come back outside with me. I'll get Edward for you."
That was it. I tried to push past him, but he stopped me. "What the fuck Em? What is going on?" I could feel my stomach begin to tangle in knots and I was suddenly feeling nauseous.
He looked out over my head and then down at the ground, avoiding my stare.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." I said through clenched teeth and he moved to the side to let me pass.
Thanks to Emmett's' gigantic stature to my small one, I had lost sight of Edward. I moved through the crowed in the direction of the front entry where I had seen him last. He wasn't there. I peeked into the kitchen. No Edward. I spun back around towards the living room, and rose up on my tiptoes to see if I could find him again. No Edward. I turned and headed in the direction of his bedroom down the hallway. His door was closed but I placed my hand on the knob and began to turn it. Locked. I tried again and I began to feel weak and slightly woozy. Still locked. I pressed my ear to the door and heard nothing, so I knocked softly.
"Edward? Are you in there?" I called out, still with my ear pressed to the door. No sound. I let out a sigh and regained my balance. The hallway was dark, but I could make out a soft light coming from under the door to Kaylie's room. I stepped across the hall and placed my hand on the knob. I heard faint sounds of moaning and my stomach lurched again. I turned the knob and swung the door open violently, stumbling through the doorway. Pressed up against her closet door were one of Edward's buddies and some hussy in a hot pink dress that screamed "slut". His hand halfway under the bottom of her dress and locked in a very heated kiss. They both jumped at the sound of my not-so-graceful entrance.
"Excuse me." I mumbled with a slight relief that it wasn't Edward. But that still didn't explain where he was. "I think the two of you should find somewhere else to carry on. This is a child's bedroom." I spun on my heels, leaving the door open and hearing the hussy giggle as I walked back towards the front door.
I made my way back to the entry and rested up against the wall, taking another deep breath. I glanced back into the living room to the views of the guests smiling, laughing and dancing, but still caught no sight of Edward. I heard the sound of a thump from the other side of his front door. Turning my head towards the sound, I frowned trying to figure out if it was Edward, why would he be out there? Regaining my balance, I made my way to the door and could make out muffled sounds. I leaned my hand on the doorframe and pulled it open with the other. The sight before me almost made me fall to my knees. Against the wall opposite the door was Edward…in an intense lip-lock with a fiery red head. I felt the bile rising in the back of my throat and the hand that held me up on the doorframe, flew to my mouth as I fought it back down with a whimper. The sound caught their attention as she pulled back and Edward's head shot around her. His eyes met mine with a wide-eyed look of horror. The red head turned at that moment too, wiping her lips with the pads of her fingers and a guilty yet, smug look on her face. Victoria! I stumbled back as he grabbed her shoulders and moved her away. I spun around and stumbled as quickly as I could to the hall bathroom.
"Bella! Wait! Bella!" Edward shouted from behind me as I turned to lock the door and fell to my knees in front of the toilet. I emptied the entire contents of my stomach violently. Tears streaked down my face as I collapsed onto the floor leaning my head against the wall. What is going on?
"Bella. Baby, please. It's not what you think. Please open the door. Bella, please." Edward called out from the other side of the door, knocking and trying to open the door.
"Leave me alone Edward!" I called back, my voice weak and scratched from vomiting and crying.
I reached up and grabbed a hand towel from the bar above my head and dabbed under my eyes, certain that my make-up was a wreck at this point and still couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
"Bella, please! You have to let me explain. Please! Please open the door." He pleaded. I wanted so badly to give in to him, but it certainly looked exactly like what I thought it was.
"What's to explain Edward?" I said angrily. "You're ex-girlfriend is here to celebrate New Years Eve with you. Seems pretty cut and dry to me. Go away!"
"No Bella! Don't make me break this door down!" He fired back.
Victoria's voice caught my attention next. "Come on Edward. Leave her be. You know she can't make you feel the way I do." She said seductively.
"Fuck you Vic!" He countered violently. "You don't know shit about how she makes me feel! She's a thousand times the woman you'll ever be!" he paused and I heard her gasp. "Now I'm going to ask you one more time to fucking leave before I throw you out!"
I sat silently, processing what I had just heard. I reached over, flushed the toilet and began to slowly rise from my crumpled mess on the floor. I caught site of myself in the mirror as I leaned forward onto the counter. Shit. I wet a corner of the towel and began to dab around my face, doing my very best to clean up the mess I had created from puking and crying.
Edward knocked softly again and with so much pain in his voice he softly said, "Bella, please let me in."
I took in my appearance again, and let out a deep breath. It wasn't how I looked when I'd arrived, but I had cleaned up well enough. I pulled a bottle of mouthwash from under the counter and poured a small cup. I swished it around for a second, spit it out then turned off the water, picking up the towel and pressing it to my mouth to dab the moisture. I smoothed my hands down the front of my dress and fingered through my hair. Facing the door and placing my hand on the knob, I closed my eyes. The lock popped open with a slight turn and Edward slowly pushed the door open.
"Can I come in?" he asked softly.
I shrugged and stepped back allowing him to fully open the door and step in. He relocked it and turned to face me, as I leaned with my back up against the counter and folded my hands across my chest.
"Are you ok?" His voice velvety and soft as he stepped in front of me with his hands in his pockets like he was fighting the urge to embrace me. I nodded my head and sniffled, feeling completely sober now.
"Can you please let me explain what you saw out there?"
I looked into his eyes and saw a mixture of pain, honesty, fear and love. I couldn't help myself as I fell into his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling the tears beginning to sting again. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I felt him tremble as we melted into each other. This is where I belong.
"Bella, I swear to you, I had no idea she was going to show up. I swear. What you saw out there…I was trying to get her to leave, but she's so damn persistent." He paused and I closed my eyes not sure I wanted to hear what was coming next. He held me tighter as he said, "I explained to her that she wasn't welcome here; that there was no more "she and I". That the only woman I would ever want…is you. I was going to at least walk her to the elevator when she caught me by surprise and pushed me up against the wall….and….kissed me. But I swear, I did not kiss her back!"
It was my turn to tremble and he squeezed me tighter still. "Fuck Bella! I am so sorry you had to see that. Of course, you had to open the door at the worst possible moment, and I can't say I blame you at all for your reaction. I'm so, so sorry."
He released our embrace and placing his hands on my shoulders, he pushed me back and leaned down to look into my eyes. "You, Bella. You are everything to me. I love you and there is no way in hell I would ever intentionally do anything to hurt you or mess this up again." He held my stare. "Please tell me you believe me."
"Edward." Was all I could painfully whisper before he softly placed his lips to mine. His hands moved up to cup my chin as mine rested on his waist.
"I love you." He whispered with his brow furrowed and pain still in his eyes when he pulled back to looked at me.
There wasn't even the slightest hint of doubt in his eyes and I nodded my head. "I believe you." I whispered softly as he wiped my tears with the pads of his thumbs. With those words he crashed his lips to mine again, this time with so much love, devotion and relief that we quickly became carried away. His tongue slid slowly across my lips and I opened my mouth gingerly, greeting his with mine. His hands made their way down to my hips and he lifted me up, placing me softly on the counter and stepped between my legs. My dress was pushed up dangerously high and he rubbed up my thighs, making me warm and tingling all over. I broke the kiss and my head fell back as his lips fell to my neck, my hands grasping at his hair. His hands slid slowly under my dress and he pulled back abruptly.
"Jesus Bella! What the hell are you wearing?" his eyes wide as he looked down and fingered the strap of my garter belt that was clasped to my stockings.
I smiled seductively as our eyes met. "Just for you my love."
"Oh good God." He said with desire in his tone. "Remind me again why I am having a party?"
I grabbed one of his hands as our eyes remained locked and guided him up my hip. His other hand mirrored ours on my other hip and it forced my dress to slide up even higher as I felt the cold of the counter against my bottom. His eyes looked down again, as he took in what he could see of my lingerie and he let out a deep sigh.
"God woman, what are you doing to me?" he said with even more desire in his velvet voice. "I want you so bad right now, but not like this."
"Edward." I whispered as I he looked back into my eyes. "I love you. I'm sorry if I overreacted."
He kissed me again softly but firmly, slid his hands under my hips and brought me forward where I could feel his erection pressing up against my heated center. Dear Lord, had I forgotten how awesome that felt? I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer to try and deepen the kiss. Edward pulled back this time and took another deep breath, and I wiped my fingers over my lips.
"Woman, you have no idea." He said smugly with a crocked grin.
"Oh honey, believe me, I do." I teased back.
He patted my hips and stepped back trying to regain his composure, and I giggled at the sight of his erection through his tux.
"Yea, so how exactly am I supposed to go back out there like this?" he said pointing both hands down at his "predicament." We both laughed out loud and I cupped my hands over my mouth. He tried to adjust himself and pressed it down to do the best he could at concealing it. I made a move to get down from the counter and he swiftly stepped back to me placing his hands once again, dangerously high on my thighs.
"We will finish this later." His voice made me tingle all over.
"You bet your fine ass we will." I countered back as I pressed my lips to his.