Give that collective shout of "it's about time!" – they're at the Met. Might want to fasten your seatbelts…

As usual, not ours. But we would happily take that dance….

Chapter 15: Us vs. Them, Round 1

Warm Up - B

Demetri navigated the Mercedes slowly along Fifth Avenue, part of a long queue of cars waiting to drop off attendees. I could see the light and flashes ahead of us.

Edward squeezed my hand. "You ready for this?"

I took a long breath. I can do this.

"Yep. Good thing I took a nice long hit off the crack pipe before we left."

I heard Demetri snort from the front seat.

"Sorry, Edward. She's way too perfect for you."

Edward shook his head and smiled out the window.

When we were in front of the steps to the Met, Edward opened the door and slid out of the car. He turned and held his hand out to me.

"Bella?" Demetri leaned back over the center console. "Go in there and be yourself tonight. You're better than all of them, you know that don't you?"

I smiled. Demetri had been so kind to me over the past few months; I really had a soft spot for him.

"Thanks, Big D."

"Have fun, Feisty One." I reached out to grasp Edward's hand, and slowly unwound myself from the car.

We had discussed the fact that there would be photographers waiting outside. There were way too many celebrities, politicians and athletes attending for there not to be. And since Edward fell into the 'famous for no reason' group, they would want pictures of us as well. I promised that I would be a good sport and stop for a few photos, but that didn't prevent me from feeling a bit unnerved to hear them call our names. 'Bella, look this way.' 'Edward, over here.'

We stood on the steps, Edward's arm around my waist as photographers continued to call our names.

"How are you pulling off the smile?" He whispered to me. "You almost look like you are enjoying yourself."

"I'm remembering the look on your face when I showed up in your office door wearing my wellies," I whispered back. "You're cute when you're flustered."

I heard him laugh quietly. "I need to be on my best behavior tonight, and it will be incredibly difficult to if you decided to be a saucy minx."

I laughed too. "I'd never do that."

"Yeah, and I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn."

He gently guided me away from the photographers and up the stairs into the museum. I had been here numerous times, but hanging out on a Sunday afternoon in jeans didn't quite compare to this.

We made our way through the building to the Egyptian wing. The event was being held in the room where the Met had reconstructed the Temple of Dendur. It was one of my favorite spots in the museum, open and airy, with green lighting at night to add to the mystique of the centuries old limestone and reflection pool.

"I love this room," I stated quietly. It never failed to shock me how beautiful it was. "Now if you can figure out a way to get this view every day, I would die and go to heaven."

Edward didn't respond. I turned to see him staring at me, a smile on his face.

"What?"

"Nothing, just enjoying the view." He still had a hold of my hand, and tugged me back close enough to kiss my shoulder. "Remind me to thank Ralph, I like all this exposed skin. It feels blasphemous to say it, but I may like you better in this than my shirt."

A cough from behind me caused Edward to bring his head up sharply. I looked back over my shoulder to see Emmett standing behind us with a tall stunning blonde woman.

"Hey Em." Edward reached out to shake his brother's hand. "Bella, this is Emmett's wife Rosalie,"

I turned around so I could acknowledge her properly.

"Hi Rosalie, it's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you and Haley."

She gave me a once over, lingering for a moment on my face. Her eyes narrowed.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Bella. I've heard a lot about you as well."

There was a long awkward silence. Rose continued to stare at me, mesmerized by something, although of what I wasn't quite sure. There also seemed to be a silent conversation going on between Emmett and Edward.

"Well if this isn't a motley crew." Jasper and Alice appeared behind Emmett, diffusing whatever might have been brewing. Introductions were made, and Alice immediately captivated everyone. Thank god she was here. She might end up being a great life preserver.

Edward and Alice lapsed quickly into conversation. It was a bit strange to watch the two people that meant the most to me, other than my father, interact for the first time. They were sizing each other up, trying to gauge character, intentions, worthiness. I wasn't worried; I knew they'd love each other.

Jasper fell into step next to me as we moved further into the room.

"How are you hanging in, Diz?"

"Oh, you know, feeling a wee bit like Dorothy in Oz." I looked over to watch Edward in conversation with Alice. He caught my eye and gave me a quick wink. He can still get that butterfly garden party going.

I felt the blush starting to creep in, and quickly shifted my focus back to Jasper. He had just asked me something about meeting Rosalie.

"I don't think Emmett or Rose like me very much."

"I don't think it's you, Bella. Emmett is just a bit thrown by Edward not being 'Edward,' or at least the one he expects." Jasper leaned closer, dropping his voice. "And Rose probably recognized Esme's earrings. She has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about Edward being Esme's favorite, and him getting special treatment."

It was strange to hear Edward be referred to as the favorite. It was so far out of sync with everything I had seen to date.

"I take it Alice told you about the note and earrings, huh? I don't know, JW, if they reacted badly, how can we expect Carlisle not to?"

Jasper looked around the room, taking in the crowd.

"I wouldn't underestimate Esme Cullen. She always seems to know what she's doing." He smiled as he watched Edward and Alice talking. "Look at them; they are already thick as thieves. It shouldn't surprise me. They both have that same spark in them."

"So I take it you are happy?" I asked. I knew where Alice was mentally, but I'd not spoken to Jasper about anything other than work since they met.

"Yeah. You do owe me an explanation for why you kept me away from her for six years, but I'll be nice and let it slide."

"I could say the same thing." It wasn't an accusation, just a simple statement.

He paused, looking at me with a slight frown. Then he laughed and shook his head.

"I never thought anyone would tame Edward. And I would have never connected the two of you, in my mind or in person. Without seeing you together, it didn't fit. Now, I feel like an idiot. I can't think of anyone more perfect for him than you."

With that, he left me to return to Alice.

I took a moment to collect myself and acclimate to the room. It had started to fill up, and I recognized famous faces here and there. A few even paused to look me up and down, like they knew of me.

"Would you like a glass of champagne, Bella?" I spun around to find Emmett with two flutes. "I heard you ran the champagne gauntlet with Mom, so this shouldn't faze you."

"Thank you, Emmett." I accepted the glass from him and took the longest drink I could while still appearing ladylike. I would have liked to have pounded it and gone for another to take the edge off my nerves.

"How are you holding up?" Emmett seemed genuinely concerned, not just making polite company.

"Okay. Everything the last few months has been a bit surreal, but Edward keeps me grounded."

He let out a belly laugh that made a few of the people standing around us look.

"That's a first! My brother has never grounded anyone. Got them grounded is more like it."

I was tired of people's inability to see the good in Edward. That, combined with how tightly I was wound caused me to respond a bit more brusquely than I had intended.

"You know what, Emmett? He does ground me. He's sweet, and funny, and kind, and he's done everything possible to help me ease into all this. He doesn't deserve to be ridiculed or put down. He's a wonderful person…." I broke off, searching for the right words. "…and he loves all of you like crazy, but it sure doesn't seem like you give him the same accord."

Let's Get Ready to Rumble - E

I had intended to stay glued to Bella, but of course, we were separated almost instantly. I kept glancing her way. Each time I did, she took my breath away. I didn't think I'd ever get used to how much she stood out in a crowd, particularly a crowd like this one.

For example, I knew she wasn't tall, but somehow it hadn't been an issue on the couch, or in bed for that matter. But seeing her next to Emmett now, it was startling. How could someone so small be so strong?

The man I was talking to droned on about some merger that we'd worked on together when I was in LA. I nodded appropriately, but I caught sight of Bella's determined face. I knew that face. She was taking on the world again. Only in this case the "world" was my big brother, and he was awfully strong himself. She needed to conserve her indignation if she planned to make it through this night. Emmett should have been an easy one.

I excused myself and joined their conversation just in time for a moment of awkward silence before Emmett smiled.

"I like you, Bella. I really do. But just be careful with your perceptions. There are reasons for the way people view my little brother here, and he may not always see things clearly himself. And for the record . . . loving like crazy has never been the problem in our family."

He turned on his heel and took a deep breath. Then he did a quick look back directly and me and said, "Nice earrings."

With that he disappeared into the crowd.

"What was that all about?" I asked Bella as I placed my hand in hers.

"I don't know. I think I got carried away. I just get so tired of the way everyone talks about you." She paused, biting her lip. It made me smile. Tiger to kitten in sixty seconds flat. "They don't seem very happy about the earrings."

"They?"

"Rosalie and Emmett. Maybe I shouldn't have worn them. What is your dad going to think?"

"I don't know what's with Emmett and Rosalie, but you have every right to wear them right now." I rubbed my thumb in the palm of her hand. "You've taken on so much for me. I'm not entirely sure I deserve it, but I most certainly do not take it for granted."

She smiled in response, and she had opened her mouth to say something when we were interrupted by the sing song of "Edward" from behind us. I didn't have to look. I knew the voice. The night just kept getting better and better.

I raised my eyebrows at Bella in apology. I really needed to figure out how to make this all up to her. I let go of Bella's hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. We turned together.

"Giana," I greeted with my typical game face.

"It has been entirely too long, Edward. And you didn't even call when you got back to New York," she said while kissing my cheek. I felt her hand sliding into my pocket as she dragged her lips over to my ear and whispered, "In case you've lost my number." And then she blew in my ear.

When she stepped away, she looked to my side. "Giana, this is Bella Swan." I pulled Bella in closer as I completed the introduction. "Bella, I'd like you to meet Giana."

I'm sure Giana had a last name, and I assume it was something either incredibly boring like "Smith" or something she deemed too hideous like "Finkelstein," but either way, she was just "Giana" to everyone, including me.

There's no doubt the woman was gorgeous. In her heels, her eyes were directly across from mine. She and Bella had similar coloring, dark hair, deep brown eyes. She'd graced the cover of every fashion magazine there was. But seeing her tonight, she didn't hold a candle to Bella. And I didn't believe for a minute that it was only because I was in love. Bella shined and dazzled where Giana oozed and slinked.

The way Giana appraised Bella, or rather didn't, was probably the most disturbing thing I've ever seen. It was as if she didn't exist. There was no contempt, nor even a platitude. She literally ignored Bella, who had put her hand out toward her.

"Call me," she sang as she waved herself away.

"Bella, I . . ." I started to form an apology.

"I think I'm going to plan our dates from here on out," she interrupted. "Because so far, this one sucks. Well, except for the way you look in that tux. And the champagne. Speaking of which, I could use another."

"Pace yourself. As much as I'd liked seeing tipsy Bella, we haven't even run into my dad yet."

"So, I take it she was an ex?"

"Very."

"Did you love her?" I shouldn't have, but I laughed. The question was almost insulting. "I assume that's a 'no.'"

"It was very casual." I tried to choose my words carefully, but I couldn't really hide what Giana was to me.

"She didn't seem to think much of me."

"She doesn't think much of anyone but herself, Bella."

"I don't know. She seemed quite interested in you."

"No Bella, not in me . . . in the idea of me. You're the only one who has ever wanted to know me." I checked myself. Bella's expression was telling. It was one of those moments where she needed reassurance. "I'm not proud of my past, Bella, but I can't change it."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm just having a very ugly stepsister moment. Seeing the pictures was one thing, but watching a real life supermodel putting her hand in your boyfriend's pants is a whole other story."

"You know I only want your hands in my pants right?" We paused for a second just looking at each other, and then I saw her eyes go wider, and a grin start to form. We couldn't help it. We both started laughing at how silly the conversation had turned.

It's probably why we didn't notice the cool air my dad brought with him until he spoke. "You seem to be enjoying yourselves."

"Hello, Dad."

"Edward. Bella."

"Hi, Mr. Cullen."

His expression froze when he looked at Bella. His lips tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

"You look . . . nice this evening, Bella."

"Thank you, sir." Bella said tentatively.

Very slowly, he looked away from her and focused on me. He shook his head slightly. "That was quite a maneuver. I'll give you credit for that. I'm not sure what you thought it would accomplish though."

"Dad, I don't think . . ."

"Try not to call too much attention to yourselves this evening."

Bella was sharp, but she'd been confused by the first statement, enough so that she just now had that "take on the world" look forming. But by the time she was ready to attack, he was already gone.

Shake it Off - B

Piss off big brother? Check

Watch a supermodel feel up boyfriend? Check

Father thinks I am pond scum? Check

What was I thinking with this whole screw 'em approach? They weren't the ones getting screwed, I was. How had I ever deluded myself into thinking I could do this.

I felt Edward squeeze my hand. That's how.

I took a deep breath and tried to get control of all the emotions running amok. I needed to rein myself back in if I was going to make it through this night. Although I hadn't been joking. He's never planning a date again, ever.

"It's that time, B." I turned to see Alice holding up a rocks glass full of maraschino cherries. God I love her. I might need to buy her an inflatable life vest as a thank you. "You know what you need to do."

I turned back to Edward, who looked confused. "Old party tradition of ours. It's exactly what I need right now, short of being out of here and back on our couch in my other Ralph."

I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll be back in a bit."

"Bella?" Edward called after me, still wearing a confused, slightly worried look.

"Edward, did you know that Bella can tie a knot in a cherry stem? And I am not talking about with her hands." Alice asked innocently. Edward's eyes went wide as my cheeks turned red. I'll never hear the end of this one. "Now go get your glass girly, we are headed up to the roof."

I gave Edward a smile of reassurance, and made my way to the bar in the corner of the room to request a glass full of cherries. The bartender gave me a strange look, but complied.

"Oh, I am so sorry." A tall man had bumped into me, knocking me back a few steps. His hand shot out to stead me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. No blood, no foul." I stepped back up to the bar to wait.

"Mind if I prop here by you for a minute? I got ditched, and am hoping to find a place to roost."

I turned to look at him. He was incredibly tall, and good looking in a boy next door sort of way; broad shoulders, sandy hair, a slight tan. He also looked vaguely familiar. I held out my hand to be polite.

"Bella Swan."

He smiled and took my hand. "Tyler Crowley."

I laughed; I knew where I recognized him from. "You used to play for the Mariners, didn't you? My dad is a big fan."

"Yep. Got traded to the Yankees last summer." He leaned up against the bar and surveyed the room. "I got conned into coming to this event by a friend of a friend. She's on a mission to reclaim an old boy toy, and needed arm candy. She just flamed out and took off for the bathroom in a hissy. I guess he found someone better."

"There seems to be a bit of that going around tonight," I observed, trying to be polite.

"Are you here solo?"

"No, I'm with my boyfriend. A friend and I were just getting ready to sneak off to relive an old college party tradition."

He took a sip of his drink, eyes focused across the room. "That would explain the guy who is staring daggers at me."

I looked back over my shoulder to see Edward. We both smiled the moment we made eye contact. All it took was that smile to make everything feel a little bit better.

"You are lucky, Bella. No other woman in the room exists where that guy is concerned."

Tyler let out a dry laugh. "Trust me; I remember what it feels like to look at a woman like that."

The bartender handed me my glass of cherries. I thanked him and turned to Tyler.

"Thank you. Tyler. It was nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Bella Swan. Giana couldn't hold a candle to you in his eyes."

I hadn't put two and two together until he said Giana. I wondered if he knew who I was when he came over, or put it together when he saw Edward staring at me.

"Thanks, Tyler. For more than you realize."

I took my glass of cherries and champagne flute and followed the route Alice had described up to the rooftop terrace. She had nabbed a cluster of chairs under a portable space heater.

She held out her glass of cherries. "To the good times."

"To getting through this night," I replied as I clinked my glass against hers.

We both dug in, pulling off the stems and popping the fruit like it were candy. We had started a tradition in college of raiding the bar for all the maraschino cherries, and hiding out in someone's room or a corner for a little girl talk. It could be at a party, a double date, or just a night out. Our little way of taking the edge off and enjoying a few minutes of peace. We tried to relive the moment wherever we could.

"How are you holding up? You looked pretty ragged in there."

"I've been better. So far I have pissed off Emmett, alienated Rosalie, watched a supermodel stick her hand in Edward's pants, and Carlisle acts like I am some gold digging fool. All in all, a red letter night."

"Jasper and I heard Rosalie on a mini rant to Tanya about you wearing Esme's earrings. Tanya put her in her place. It was fabulous."

"Why is it that no one can see the good in him?" I sighed. I couldn't understand why everyone was so single minded in their view of him.

"From what little I have heard, Edward was night and day different before he left for LA. Live hard, play hard, different date every night. Sounds like he burned a pretty bright path. Combine that with being at constant odds with his dad, and it seems like it was pretty messy."

"Did Jasper tell you all this?" I felt betrayed. Why wouldn't he have talked to me about these things?

"No, Nettie did over brunch. She's dying to meet you."

"Nettie?"

"Nettie Whitlock, Jasper's mom."

How ironic. They had hardly been dating a month, yet Alice was already welcomed into the family, and was brunching and kvetching with Jasper's mother over bloody mary's and eggs benedict.

Short of Esme, I don't think any of the Cullens wanted anything to do with me.

"So in the course of your brunch, did Nettie Whitlock tell you why Carlisle hates Edward so much? I simply can't fathom why any would ever be so cold to one child and so loving to the other."

Alice took a sip of her drink, and stared off in the distance.

"She doesn't think that Carlisle hates Edward, but she wouldn't say anything more. She mentioned that people are talking about how different Edward seems, and they are giving you the credit. She's only heard anecdotes about the two of you, but she says the change is apparent."

Alice reached over to snag a cherry out of my glass, having eaten all of hers. "She also said that maybe they all needed a good shaking up."

Quick Breather - E

Though I'd been to roughly a million and one of these events in the past, I'd never felt so lost before. I didn't want to mingle, nor did I want to stand in a corner posing, waiting for women to approach me. I just wanted to be with Bella.

At this point though, despite sparring with Emmett and my dad, my least favorite part of the evening had been watching Tyler Crowley hit on Bella. I knew I wasn't one to talk, but his reputation was not good. Whereas when I played the field I had been upfront about my goals, he liked to play a different game. He would act as if he were in it for the long haul with a woman, get her invested in the relationship only to cut her at the knees first chance he got. He was never in it for more than a short term goal—sex, attention, or a career boost. The problem with a guy like that is he came off too nice. No one ever believed the girl when he jumped ship, leaving her heartbroken.

I completely understood Bella's need to take a break, but once Alice had whisked her away, it left me without a purpose at this party.

My champagne flute was nearly empty, so I began meandering toward one of the servers.

"Where'd your better half go?" I turned to see Tanya approaching.

"Hey, she's off with Alice somewhere. She needed a few minutes away from the vultures."

"Their talons are really out tonight aren't they? Rosalie had quite a bug up her butt."

"I hear she's not happy about the earrings."

"That is an understatement."

"So who is your lucky date tonight?"

"I am solo. Dear Jasper was going to mercifully escort me until he fell head over heels for Bella's friend."

"The nerve!"

"I know! Anyway, my mom tried to set me up last minute with some 'nice investment banker' friend of a friend. Thank goodness I didn't take the bait. I met him tonight. He's hideous."

"Oh come on, he can't be that bad."

"Edward, look over your right shoulder. You're going to see a man snarfing appetizers in a green suit."

I discreetly glanced in the direction she said. I turned back almost instantly, and we both doubled over laughing.

"Your mom is really getting desperate for a wedding."

"You're not kidding. I may need to see what Bella and Alice can do for me. Seems I've been looking for love in all the wrong places."

"Yeah, maybe you should give Mr. Wonderful over there another shot," I said, pointing my thumb toward the man who had just picked his teeth with his fingernail.

"It has been a while. I blame you, you know." I sort of choked. She had a right to blame me, but I didn't expect her to bring it up now.

"I mean growing up around you three made it very difficult to ever find one man who was good enough. If I could take the best of each of you . . ." I caught the hint of sadness. I'd always assumed Tanya chose to be alone, but it appeared I was wrong.

"Oh well, maybe if I drink enough tonight, I could get past the bad hair, well what little there is of it, the awful fashion sense, and the complete absence of a personality." She said quickly changing the subject.

"It's not much to overlook, really. A few more glasses ought to do it."

We were in hysterics by the time I saw Bella coming back into the room. "Oh shit. He's coming this way. Whisper something in my ear, so I can pretend to be engaged in conversation," Tanya insisted. I leaned in, and she threw her head back in mock laughter.

"Is he gone now?" I asked.

"Safe."

"Good, because I see Bella looking for me. Want to join me?"

"Nah, I'll let you be. Off to see how many more glasses it takes to find him attractive."

"Good luck with that!"

I headed straight toward Bella. She was clearly looking for me, trying to stand on tip toe. She finally caught my eyes, and she smiled. It absolutely melted me. I started to pick up my pace but I felt a tug on my arm.

"Edward."

"Hi Mom. Would you like to say hello to Bella?"

"Certainly, let me issue a warning first. You need to be more aware of your surroundings."

"What do you mean?"

"How do you think that little exchange you just had with Tanya appeared to those not 'in the know?'"

"We were just talking."

"I know that, dear. But not everyone would. Your father wanted me to remind you how a picture of her whispering in your ear might be captioned. And while I realize he may overreact about some things, he's right about this one."

Honestly, I hadn't thought about it. I hadn't been fully on my guard all night. So much for just enjoying a night out with the love of my life. But yes, the press would find ways to make that exchange look awful—I'd be the playboy once again.

My eyes searched for Bella but she was no longer in my line of sight.

Sucker Punch - B

I reluctantly left Alice on the roof with Jasper. The time away had helped me to get some control over my emotions. I knew I had to get through this for Edward. If not for him, it would have been incredibly easy to tell these people to fuck off.

I was scanning the room when I saw Esme and Carlisle Cullen deep in conversation by the reflection pool. They both looked rather intent, heads close together. To most people, they would appear to be an affectionate couple. But I had been around Edward enough to recognize similar mannerisms in his parents.

Esme was tapping her index finger on her leg. Edward did that when he was irritated.

Carlisle was leaning toward her, focused on her face. I knew that stance. He was totally engaged in what she was saying, and not happy about what he was hearing.

I hoped that she was giving him a piece of her mind. Go Esme.

I continued to scan the crowd. It took me a few minutes, but I finally spotted Edward talking with Tanya. Just the sight of him made me feel better, stronger.

Before I could move in his direction, I heard someone call my name. I turned to find Carlisle Cullen looking at me, a neutral expression on his face.

"Might I have a word?"

My instinct was to flee. Every conversation with Carlisle had been glacial at best. I was already on edge, and not confident in my ability to take another frontal assault. At the same time, I knew that blowing him off would only give him more reason to dislike me. So I gave him a slight nod to indicate my willingness to listen.

"Can we step away? I'd like this to be a private conversation."

I followed him to the edge of the room, close to where I had observed him speaking with Esme.

"I believe that I owe you an apology. I was rather…discourteous to you earlier. I was operating under an incorrect assumption. I inappropriately took that out on you."

Confused, I didn't speak. He had been dismissive of me earlier, but his ire had been entirely focused on Edward.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." I fumbled.

He sighed, and moved as though to run his hand through his hair. It was disconcerting to see how many mannerisms he and Edward shared. I didn't want to see any semblance of the man I loved in him.

"Bella, there are a number of things that you don't know about Edward, about this family. Things that you can't understand. I made an assumption based off that history, and it made me act inappropriately towards you. For that, I apologize."

The damn earrings. That must be what this is about. Emmett and Rose had freaked out when they saw me wearing them. That must have been what Carlisle got all bent about earlier, the damn earrings. Did they think that Edward had asked his mother for them? Is that what he meant?

"Mr. Cullen, if this is about the earrings, I…"

He cut me off. "Do you know the story behind the earrings you are wearing?"

"Yes sir."

"Can you appreciate why it is difficult for me to see you wearing something I gave to my wife as a representation of my love and affection? You are a bright girl, Bella. I'm sure you have a wonderful future. Don't get hung up in my son's personal vendetta to mock me at every turn. You deserve better than that. I'd hate to see you get hurt because of a chip on his shoulder."

It all clicked into place. He thought that our relationship was Edward's way of flipping him the proverbial bird. That me wearing Esme's earrings had been yet another way for Edward to flaunt his irreverence. Bring home a girl who would appear inappropriate just to piss off his father.

I was tired of it. I was tired of their lack of faith in Edward. I was tired of them marginalizing our relationship. I was tired of them constantly trying to tear him down.

I could feel the tears building. I would not let him see me cry. He wasn't worth it. I reached up to remove one earring, then the other.

"Here, I think it's best that you take these. It's obvious now that it was inappropriate for me to wear I shouldn't have worn them tonight. I'm sorry for any problems that I may have caused."

I slipped them into his jacket pocket.

"I know that you think that our relationship is something orchestrated by Edward to piss you off, but what we have has nothing to do with you. Edward has never been anything but wonderful to me. He is sweet and considerate, sometimes to a fault. He tries to protect me at every turn; from the press, from people that try and take advantage of me, even from you. He deserves better than what you give him."

Carlisle's eyes were wide, but he wasn't looking at me.

I turned to see Esme and Edward standing behind us. Edward was focused on me, and I could see him ready to swoop in and pull me away.

Esme looked directly at Carlisle. Her face was neutral, but her tone was biting.

"You couldn't just leave it alone, could you Carlisle? You continue to crash down a path based on the past. It needs to stop, and it needs to stop now."

"Esme, now is not the…"

"Excuse me." I couldn't handle another verbal barrage. I slipped past Carlisle and through the crowd.

Not Pulling Any Punches

For a full 15 seconds, I did nothing. Completely stuck to my spot. Mouth incapable of moving. Head aching in the wake of the explosion. In retrospect, those 15 seconds were wasted time. It gave the impression that I didn't know which side I was on, but that wasn't in question.

In those 15 seconds, my mother touched my arm, and looked me directly in the eye. "I'm sorry, Edward."

She turned back to my father holding out her hand. "Give them to me, Carlisle."

He didn't say a word. His hand was in his pocket, subtly fingering something. My mother urged again. "They are mine to do with what I like, darling. I chose to loan them to our son's lovely girlfriend on a very important night. You will let me have them back now."

Silently, he pulled his hand out of his pocket and reached across to place something in my mother's hand. Of course, by now, I knew it was the earrings. And I was livid that he had somehow managed to take them away from Bella.

Before she turned on her heel to disappear into the sea of designer labels and shallow conversations, she pointed to my father and said, "You would do well to remember why you gave these to me."

My father stood in front of me with one eye brow cocked and his head tilted in anticipation.

I walked closer to him so that I didn't need to raise my voice, not wanting to cause a scene.

"You've spent years showing me how disappointed you are in me. I just wanted you to know. The feeling is mutual."

There is so much more I wanted to say, and as much as he deserved my anger. Bella needed me more.

EN: Whew…yeah…you guys thought something was brewing, but not quite like that, eh?

Since we are being evil, and leaving you with a cliffie – we'll throw you a bone. Give us reactions to the night so far, what you think happens when Edward finds Bella, in return, you'll get a hint as to what happens next chapter…

You got it – the night ain't over yet.