Chapter 65

Esme adjusted Carlisle's tie and completed his outfit with a top hat. "You look sexy," she smiled, wanting to keep the mood for him as light as possible.

He smiled, and kissed her, then lead her far enough away from him so he could admire the way she looked in her outfit. Esme playfully did a full turn and smiled at him.

Carlisle brought her back to him.

"You're sure about going?" She asked, lingering inches from him.

"I'm sure," he said, "Thank you for asking."

They shared a long, intimate kiss.

A quick double knock at the open door caught their attention.

"Sorry," Edward said from the doorway, wearing a very authentic looking costume, "I was just checking to see if you guys were ready to go."

"We're ready," Esme said with a smile.

When they didn't part from each other's arms, Edward said, "I'll meet you downstairs in a few."

Carlisle tilted Esme's chin toward his face again and kissed her again.

"I'm ready," Masen said from downstairs, "And I call riding with Emmett."

Esme pulled herself from Carlisle, "You said he could go?"

He smiled, "You said it was up to me, right?"

She smiled back, "Yes. I just didn't know what the final verdict was."

"He kind of had a point about the bed time thing," Carlisle laughed, "There's really no reason to keep him from going. And I think we got Seth Clearwater the go ahead also."

"Where'd Masen get the costume?"

"Alice," he told her, then admired her some more, "You're so beautiful Esme."

The look in his eye could not be mistaken. Their recent agreement for some alone time had been put on hold after the events occurred with Charlie and Gianna.

"We should tell everyone we'll meet them there," Carlisle laughed, "But I wouldn't want to ruin your costume."

Esme could tell he was serious. "It only takes a second to throw it on.. or off."

Edward reappeared at the door, "We're going to meet you guys there. I suggested we all pile into the Jeep," he smirked, "You'll have to take your own car because there's not enough room," he began to leave then added, "And Masen's already in the car, so you're good." He disappeared as quickly as he came.

They looked at each other and laughed a little bit.

Carlisle looked at his wife's flawless outfit, "I don't want you to have to get ready all over again. You look amazing." No longer than a second after the sentence left his mouth, Esme's dress was on a hanger on the door frame, and she was back in his arms.

He smiled, and Esme kissed him. Carlisle pulled her close and felt her take his hat off and toss it onto a chair in the corner of the room. Neither of them cared about being a few minutes late to the party.

Emmett pulled the Jeep up to a large, old mansion after following Alice's directions.

"We're here!" she exclaimed.

"Whoa," Masen said, leaning forward in between the two front seats, "That's awesome."

They piled out of the Jeep and walked up the set of front steps between a set of pillars. Music could be heard pumping from inside.

Each of them grabbed boxes full of things to add to the set up that Alice and Emily had been busy putting together over the course of the last few days. There were some picky foods, bottles of typical human wine, their homemade wine blends, and tons of soda and water.

Alice and Jasper lead the way and entered the beautiful estate with the rest of them close behind. Bella looked around at everyone, and thought they looked like royalty from centuries ago. There was a certain mystique she loved about a masquerade theme and thought it was particularly fitting for their family.

The main room was dimly lit and set a perfect mood for the party. Chandeliers decorated the ceiling above them, and the lighting fixtures looked as if they were from a long time ago. About half of the quileute tribe was present. Renesme politely, yet eagerly, asked if she could go join Jacob.

Edward and Bella looked at each other and they both nodded. He decided not to fight against the start of their relationship anymore. Renesme hugged him tightly, "Thanks for understand Dad," she whispered and kissed his cheek.

Jacob was across the way at the DJ table, talking with Seth about what to put on next. Edward and Bella watched as Renesme hurried over to him, and the two of them looked hesitant, but enjoyed a very quick kiss. Jacob immediately looked over at Edward.

Edward was pleased by his thoughts, all centered around hoping he wasn't being disrespectful and even more so hoping it would not start an arguement. Edward decided to smile and wave, which seemed to ease Jacob's mind.

"Wow," Bella said to him.

He pulled her to his side, "I might as well go with it, right?" He smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

Bella smiled, glad that he was dealing with it a lot better.

Emmett and Rosalie greeted Paul and Rachel. The four of them made their way to the table of goodies. Emmett and Paul both helped themselves to a beverage of choice.

Masen decided to go to the DJ table, since Emmett had gone to talk with Paul.

"What's up Mase?" Seth said, "Want to help me pick out songs for the night? That's kind of the job I got stuck doing."

"Yeah, I'll help," Masen said eagerly.

Seth began showing him how to work the equipment, and the two of them had a blast picking songs and trying to mix certain ones together.

Charlie and Sue greeted Bella and Edward. Bella had asked Edward to keep tabs on her father's thoughts becaus she was still leery of what he was actually thinking about the situation.

"Hi Bells," Charlie said with a smile. They shared a long hug. Edward and Sue looked at each other and smiled. When they parted, Bella hugged Sue and Charlie shook hands with Edward.

"Where are Carlisle and Esme?" Sue asked.

Bella and Edward looked at each other and smiled. "They'll be here soon," Edward told her, trying not to grin.

"Well, I'm going to get a beer," Charlie said, "Would you like anything?" He asked Sue.

She nodded, "A glass of wine. Thank you Charlie."

He excused himself from the group and made his way to the drinks.

"I feel like every time he's at one of these things he has a beer to control his nerves," Bella said to Sue, "I hate that we make him so on edge."

"Oh, that's not the case Bella," Sue said, "We don't really get out a whole lot, so when we do it's fun to have a few social drinks." She smiled.

Edward knew Sue believed this to be true. She wasn't just saying it to make Bella feel better.

Leah, Jared and Kim entered the party, and a gust of wind caught everyone's attention as they entered. A majority of the people at the party had to do a double take, even the Quileute boys. Leah looked stunning. She wore a medium length black dress and had grown her hair long, past her shoudlers, which was now styled perfectly around her face. She carried an extravigant mask on a stick that, at the moment did not cover her face. The make up choice of dark eye liner and lavishly colored eye shadow was perfect and almost made her look unrecognizable.

"Wow," Edward said, turning to Bella, "Look at Leah."

Even Sue looked as if she didn't recognize her, as she made her way over to where they were standing. Charlie appeared again with their drinks, also looking stunned at her appearance.

"Hey," Leah said. Her voice was neither warm, nor confrontational.

"Wow, Leah," Sue said with a smile, "I've never seen you get so dressed up. You look very nice."

She managed a half smile, "Thanks."

Charlie, Edward and Bella all followed with similar compliments that seemed to either annoy Leah, or make her feel uncomfortable. Bella had guessed a little of both. She remembered what it felt like to be the new girl in town that everyone stared at like some spectical, so she didn't blame Leah if she felt the same way.

They noticed everyone talking to Leah as she made her way over to a table full of finger foods, purposely ignoring Sam and Emily as they chatted with Jasper and Alice.

Moments later Carlisle and Esme walked in, noticing Charlie, Sue, Edward and Bella near the front of the overly extravagant room. Sue and Charlie waved. Bella stared as they approached them, both looking like royalty, the same way she had thought as the rest of them walked up to the party before.

"How are you?" Esme greeted them, hugging Sue and then Charlie.

"We're fine," Sue said with a smile, "Nice costumes."

"You guys, too," Esme said, "I see the guys have matching hats."

Charlie smiled and tip his hat in their direction.

Bella couldn't help but laugh. She made eye contact with her father and they both smiled at each other. She was glad to see him joking around.

"Charlie's fine," Edward whispered in her ear.

Bella gripped his arm and nodded thankfully, knowing Edward was reading his thoughts as she asked.

Esme looked around at the crowd, and then to the clock.

"Oh, people are still getting here," Sue assured her.

Esme laughed, "You knew what I was thinking, huh?"

"I think you were definitely the last to arrive," Edward joked.

Carlisle and Edward exchanged a look, and both of them couldn't resist a smile.

"Oh, stop," Sue said, smiling at Edward.

"Where's Masen?" Carlisle asked.

"At the DJ booth with Seth," Edward told him, pointing.

They looked as Masen bobbed his head to the music that was playing. Esme smiled, glad they had allowed him to come.

"I'm just going to go see him for a second, "Carlisle told them, "I'll be right back."

He headed to the back of the room and greeted his son with a hug, "Having fun, bud?"

Masen smiled, "Yeah!" He screamed over the thump of the music.

Carlisle smiled, "Hi Seth."

"Hey Dr. Cullen," Seth said, "Thanks for letting Masen come, because then they let me come, too."

He smiled, "Well, you're welcome."

"Hey Leah!" Seth called to his sister, "Leah!"

Leah turned and made her way toward him. Carlisle's eyes widened, as everyone's had earlier. He wouldn't have recognized her had Seth not said her name. As Leah approached, her gaze fixed on Masen's and at that moment, the scowl that was almost permanently on her face disappeared. Her mouth hung open slightly, and the world around her was a blurred mixture of colors and noises. Random moments of her life flashed before her eyes, and quickly lead her to the moment she was experiencing now, like a movie in fast forward. A weight seemed to be immediately lifted off of her shoulders and she suddenly felt light as a feather. Not matter how hard she tried to fight it, she was happy. She had become so content with being miserable, that the feeling was almost brand new to her. She felt flawless and perfect, and thought the same of the boy standing before.

Carlisle stared at his son's dazed expression. He looked like he had been hit by a truck that was made of chocolate kisses and stuffed teddy bears carrying hearts. His eyes were locked with Leah Clearwater's and at that moment, Carlisle knew what had just happened.

Seth looked toward Carlisle with almost a scared expression on his face. Leah had imprinted on Masen.