Chapter 19

The group drove till we found ourselves back at the top of the mountain.

After parking the car, Carlisle and Esme emerged from their vehicle signaling for us to do the same.

We exited the car and made our way over to the couple.

"Okay gang," cried Esme, her excitement bubbling over in an Alice sort of fashion.

"We thought since the last time the group tried to go skiing it failed miserably, we would make it happen! So we each get to pick a mountain, but we will have to be done no later than…6 o'clock, because we have reservations at 8.

"For what?" Emmett asked.

"I'm not going to tell you… So here is a map, each of you make your selection and we will get started," Esme continued.

"Um, Mrs. Cullen-

"Esme

"Uh Esme, we need gear. So actually before we go anywhere, shouldn't we get dressed?" Rose asked politely.

"Oh, you have a point," she seemed a crestfallen, but suddenly turned into a large grin; "Of course I knew that! We have a scheduled session with a guide, who will set everything up for us, including our gear, now I just have to find him…" she began to turn in circles looking for our 'guide'.

"Ah! There he is!"

We all turned to find two guys strolling towards us, each different from the other, yet remarkably similar. One was a very stout and stocky man, yet still seemingly tall and well statured. The other was taller and also built as well, both reminding me of bodybuilders.

"Good afternoon! My name is Felix and this is my coworker Demetri. We will be assisting you throughout the day, getting you fitted for gear, driving you from mountain to mountain and so on."

"Shall we?" Demetri asked, waving his hand in a sweeping motion behind him toward a fashionable multi-passenger jeep.

The boys helped us into our seats. Then after everyone was comfortable the vehicle began to move.

After a few moments of driving we found ourselves at a small hut, with people going up to and walking around.

"If you will please follow me, we will take you to a private location where we can get your boots and skis." Felix offered.

The group was quiet as we followed along behind, yet I'm surprised Alice had yet to explode; she seemed quite ready to burst from excitement, already jumping up and down.

"Is your friend always this hyper," a voice asked me from behind, causing me to jump. I turned and found an apologetic Demetri, "Sorry didn't mean to scare you."

I waved him off with a chuckle, "Its okay, and to answer your question, yes, some days more so than others." I shook my head at my sister, "Oh by the way, she's my sister, so is the blonde girl."

He looked between the three of us, as Edward and I were in the back of the trailing group, a puzzled expression took over his features, and "How?" he asked incredulously.

I laughed lightly, "I know! We look completely different and very rarely have anything truly in common with each other, sometimes we wonder if we were adopted."

Demetri looked thoughtful, nodding his head in understanding.

The hut was right upon us, when Felix stopped suddenly and turned to face us.

"Okay, if they guys would follow me we can get you your gear, ladies follow Demetri he can help you."

The group followed orders and Demetri led us to a side hut.

At the counter sat a very pretty young woman, with dark skin and green eyes. (Nothing that compared to Edward's, but still all-in-all very pretty)

"Hey Gianna, we have four beautiful ladies that need some ski shoes."

Esme went forward and gave the woman her shoe size, Demetri getting Rose's size.

Having received our shoes, after having stuffed into multiple to get the correct fit, we strapped ourselves down and found a pair of skis.

Alice got pink, Rose got red, and Esme picked green, so I selected blue.

Carrying our skis over to the little bench we waited patiently for the boys to finish. A few short seconds later they rounded the small hut, their own skis in tow.

"Okay, looks like everyone is ready, let's go."

We piled back into the jeep and Carlisle proceeded to tell our drivers which hill was requested first.

We drove quickly down a bumpy road preventing good fluent conversation.

At a stopping point we were at the base of a mountainside near the ski lift.

"Okay on our first stop we have 'Doctor Doom'. If you will follow Demetri he will set everyone up on the lift and help you at the top."

"Who picked this?" Emmett asked.

"I did actually, just for you, and you will see why when we go down," Rose replied.

At the top of the hill we lined up in pairs, Emmett and Rose in front, Demetri behind Jasper and Alice. Edward and I were holding hands waiting for the two in front of us to make their way down the obstruction infused hill.

I turned to Edward, "Just so you know, I don't think I will be going very fast down this hill, it's hard enough for me to walk, I don't think it would be a good idea for me to go fast when there are rocks and trees obscuring the path down," Edward chuckled, "Don't worry I wont go far," I smiled lightly and mouthed 'I love you' to which he returned.

Carlisle and Esme were making their way down now; Demetri gave the order to Rose and Em that when they were half-way it was safe to go down.

"Ready hot stuff?" Emmett called, but when he turned to look at Rose she stuck her tongue out and shoved off, leaving him behind.

"Come on you big lug! Last one down buy's me dinner!"

Emmett shoved off, a huge grin on his face.

With them at the half-way point Edward and I shoved off silently.

I swerved and dodged trees and large rocks. I sliced the snow beneath me, turning and moving across the snow. The one thing I always enjoyed about skiing is that I was able to be graceful. Edward and I 'danced' across the snow swerving and slicing in and out of each other's paths. I saw a rock that left the ability to ski on top allowing a large jump to occur at the end, so feeling brave I made the turn toward the rock. I catapulted myself into the air, loving the feel of the wind around my cheeks, brushing my hair behind me, and successfully landed on my skis back on the snow.

Edward veered toward me yelling and whistling, "That was amazing! You looked absolutely gorgeous."

"Thanks, I thought 'Why not?'"

At the bottom of the hill we slid to a stop a short distance from the others.

"Oh my gosh Bells that wasamazing!" said Rose

"Yeah Bella you got some air! That was wicked!" Emmett cheered. I grinned, "Thank you."

Alice and Jasper were making their descent a little faster than Edward and I, but not in the same way as Rose and Em, who were showing off. Demetri followed close behind.

All at the bottom, several complimenting my 'wicked jump' as Emmett dubbed it, we moved to the jeeps.

"What's the next one?" Jasper asked.

"'Dragon's Bend' selected by Alice." Demetri read off the list as he sat in the 'shot gun' position.

The day was spent in wonder, going up and down ski slopes, one selected by every person in our group.

'Dragon's Bend' was selected for Jasper's love of history, as there was historical significance on this mountain, and it twisted and turned the entire way down. Everyone loved it.

The next slope was my selection 'Pitchfork Peak', for Edward, as it was basic down-hill slope that had no obstructions, just made for speed. When he found out why I choose that particular hill he was giddy and displayed his crooked grin the entire time, both up and down the hill. At the bottom I received a twirl in his arms, "That was spectacular!"

Esme chose 'Love Nest Pass' due to the many birds that nested there, with a nearby waterfall, making the scene breathtaking. At the top of this hill we all decided to go down with our significant others, taking it slow and steady, providing each of the couples to spend some time together enjoying an amazing moment of peace and a thrill.

After all the selections by the girls were finished we moved on to the mountains chosen by the guys. Carlisle's selection was first. 'Waterfall Gorge' is a spectacular sight that is well known for the multiple waterfalls around the mountain. Interestingly enough the mountain leads through a tunnel and into the 'gorge' part of the mountain, where ten different waterfalls can be seen, surrounding you by falls, covering you in mist, and invading your ears with the thunderous noise of the water.

Edward chose 'Spiral Descent', a slope that literally spirals around the mountain. Although it provides an amazing view, it is rather troubling having to focus on the mountain in front of you due to the continuous turn as well as the multitude of trees. Luckily the edge was a far enough to the right of us (as we were going counterclockwise down the hill) that we had no fear of falling off the side of the mountain.

'Mania Mountain' was chosen by Jasper as it known for more experienced skiers with the many jumps, turns, obstacles, and more down the hill. More than once down the hill I was able to catch quite a bit of air, but that was only lessened by the fact that I almost ran into a few trees. Once I even had to swerve due to a tree and ended up in the air after flinging myself off an enormous bolder.

The last selection was done by Emmett, which in it self made me rather nervous, only further fueling the flame when I found out the name of the summit on which we would be plummeting. 'Jester Summit'. By far the worst of the selections. The mountain is crazy and very few that go down this mountain come out without some sort of injury. But after hurling off of cliffs, swiveling around clumps of trees, avoiding the rather steep down grade, and finally passing the 'loop-t-loop' in the middle of the slope, I safely skidded to a halt at the base of the mountain. Great fully not finishing in last. Emmett made it slightly more enjoyable with his constant jokes being tossed about down the hill, causing each of us to laugh hysterically or shake our heads at his stupidity. It was a wonder that no one became too distracted and thereby creating injury.

At the bottom of the mountain, everyone came to a halt in a circle formation, safe and sound. Esme glanced at her watch.

"Okay we better head back it is now 5:17. The girls will want to be back in time to do their hair."

"Where are we going that the girls need to dress up?" Emmett asked, still determinedly trying to discover his mother's plans.

She grinned and headed for the car.

Around thirty minutes later we were at the hotel.

"Excuse me Esme, but how are we supposed to do our hair here? We have no supplies." Alice asked in a worried tone. Being the fashion obsessed person she is, it is common for her to become worried about the less important things, but I would never dare let Alice know that I was thinking that. Obviously she knew how to make anyone look good, there is no denying it, and so if she obsesses about the oddest things I will not say a word. Alice is Alice.

"Don't worry dear, I have everything under control. Follow me." She turned to the boys after speaking to my sisters and me and spoke, "Now boys, you must all be completely ready by 7:30 or so help me I will make your lives miserable." The seriousness to her tone had the boys cowering, causing the girls and me to stifle our giggles. Esme turned around in a bounce, "This way!"

We danced along behind her excited for the night's events, whatever they may be.

We spent around an hour being primped and polished. Nails done, hair curled, we were finally able to select our gowns. I went simple with a floor length Ivory capped sleeve gown, that had a sweet-heart neckline and an empire waist. Esme also went elegant yet simple with a floor length v-neck embellished evening gown. The gown was sleeveless with tank top style straps. The sequins covered the triangular bra-cups till the bust line, where the dress flowed out in a black fabric. Alice went with a little more flare. She went with a strapless fitted gown with bead accents. The bodice was covered in a beaded design from the top of the sweet-heart neckline to the waist of the form-fitting dress, until around mid thigh where the dress fell fluidly around her legs in an elegant fashion. Rose's dress was a little more showy (but that is just her), as she wore a silver strapless gown with a beaded bodice and a 'keyhole' opening. It was fitted till her midriff where it pleated around her small waist. The beaded embellishments continued from the bodice down, covering the gown in small details of flowers. Once more the dress was floor length, but hers contained a tiny train, the skirt made of lace with a scalloped hemline.

All in all we were the four most beautiful girls alive tonight and had wrapped around our fingers four of the most handsome guys.

At the entry way we met our better halves, each giving wonderful praise to the girl they love and their beautiful appeal tonight. I think Emmett also whispered something about 'seeing what's on underneath the gown', but I would really hope that he waited until the two were alone, and that might be a while.

At 7:45 Esme led us to the downstairs foyer where a number of people in long gowns and men in tuxes were waiting.

Seeing a banner of sorts I cocked my head to find a poster of what was held beyond the rather large oak doors.

"Welcome guests to the showing of 'the Phantom of the Opera'. Showings will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings beginning at 8 PM. Please join us for a wonderful time of beauty, mystery, and a chorus of music!"

I almost squealed in delight. Edward noticing my distraction turned and read the same poster while I turned to Esme.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe this. This is my favorite play besides 'Romeo and Juliet'!" I ran over to the woman and embraced her in a tight hug.

"You are amazing!"

Alice and Rose began squealing with delight at the discovery of what we would be seeing, enveloping Esme in a hug once more. The boys looked on with amusement and love in their eyes.

The doors opened in a grand way, allowing the many people milling about to enter and take their seats. As soon as we were seated in a row close to the front, but off to the side, the lights began flickering, signaling the start of an amazing and spectacular play.

A/n: Wow I am sooooo sorry. When I got back home I spent an entire week cleaning house and preparing for a family reunion, so I couldn't update. Hopefully that will change. I can't promise anything cause in 2 weeks(?) I am going on vacation.

These are the dresses- hope the hyperlink works.

Rose: .#

Esme: .

Bella: .#

Alice: .