A/N: Well, here it is. The chapter you've all been waiting for. However, I decided to break in down into two parts, so this is the first half.

Anam, you are totally awesome. ;)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers own Twilight.

Chapter 22. Confrontations-Part 1

(1 Day Before Christmas)

Today was the day that I was going to confront the people that caused me so much hurt many years ago.

You see, every year on the day before Christmas, the Cullens host a party for their closest friends and their families. So since everyone I need to confront is going to be in the same place, Edward and I chose this night to let everything out in the open.

The best part of this plan is that nobody knows I am going to be there. They don't even know that I'm Edward's girlfriend.

They are all in for a BIG surprise.

After getting ourselves and Riley ready for the evening, we head on over to the Cullen's house. When we pull up the driveway, there are already a few cars here.

As we get out, Edward picks up Riley and we walk to the front door.

"Would you like to stay in the parlor until I come and get you for the surprise?" whispered Edward.

"That sounds like a good idea. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they see me." I giggled.

Edward opens the door and we all walk inside. I stay in the parlor while he goes into the living room with Riley in his arms. I could hear Edward and everyone else talking.

"Mom, Dad, everyone. It's good to see all of you." he greeted. "Where are Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice?"

Esme replied, "They got stuck in traffic, they should be here any minute now." After she said that, they all heard the front door open and a bunch of footsteps walking towards the room.

Since Edward was the closest person to them, they all walked over to say hello, but they all stopped short when they noticed the child in his arms.

Emmett asked in his loud voice, "Dude, who's the kid?"

"This is Riley. He's my son." said Edward.

"Your son?" they all asked.

Edward nodded at them and said, "He's actually kind of my step-son. He's from my girlfriend's first marriage. Her husband passed away earlier this year in a car accident, so I've taken over the role as his father."

"Where is your girlfriend? Didn't you bring her with you?" questioned Alice.

"She's waiting in the parlor. I wanted to wait until everyone got here before I introduced her."

I could hear his footsteps before I could see him. He had a very cheeky grin on his face. He grabbed my hand and led me out into the living room. As soon as I walked in behind him, I turned to everyone in the room and said, "Surprise!" I smiled as every person in the room seemed to be stunned into silence.

Carlisle was the first to break the silence in the room. "Bella, sweetheart, it's been such a long time since I've seen you." he said with a hug and a smile. "You're Edward's girlfriend and the mother of this child?"

I smiled and looked at Edward and Riley. "Yes, I am. Edward and I have been dating for a little while now, and like he said, Riley is from my first marriage."

Carlisle smiled warmly at me and asked, "Since you were married, I assume your last name is no longer Swan?"

"No. I go by Isabella Hunter now. You may have heard my name before." I looked around at everyone as I said, "I own the largest publishing company in the country."

Alice got a huge smile on her face and said, "You're that Isabella Hunter? I've heard that name before, but I never thought it could have been you."

"Wait, does that mean you've been in Chicago this whole time?" asked Rosalie.

"Yes. I moved there as soon as I could after I graduated highschool. To make a long story short, a friend helped me move and gave me a place to stay and a job while I went to college. Over time, that friend and I got closer and we eventually got married and had a baby." I explained.

"Wait, you said your last name is Hunter? Isn't that the last name of the guy that went to prison for kidnapping you?" asked Jasper.

I huffed in annoyance. "First of all, James didn't kidnap me. He was the only friend I had after all of you had abandoned me, and I was staying with him during a break from school to get away from all the hurt I was feeling. Secondly, yes, I married him. He was a good man that loved me and our son more than anything else in the world. I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for James, but I'll explain that more later." I noticed Riley beginning getting a bit restless in Edward's arms. "It looks like someone is getting hungry. Will dinner be ready soon?"

I had looked at Esme when I had asked that, but she didn't look at me when she answered. She just got up and told us she'd go and check on the food, and walked out of the room. A minute later, she came back and announced that dinner was ready.

After we had all sat down and began to eat, Alice decided to make some conversation. "So, Bella, how did you and Edward meet up again?" she asked, curiously. "Did Edward know where you were all this time?"

"Actually, no, he didn't. Apparently, Edward was scheduled for an appointment with my husband James to see about getting his book published, but before they could meet, James was killed in a car accident. Since James left his company to me and I had taken over his position, all of his clients were given to me. One day, I was working as usual, when my assistant Carmen informed me that my client for the day had arrived." I chuckled at the memory. "I think we were both pretty surprised when we saw each other."

"Yeah, I was pretty shocked when I realized who she was." said Edward with a smile.

"Aww. That's actually kind of romantic." said Alice. "Well, I'm glad you two found each other. You both seem to be very happy."

I looked over at Edward and we both grinned at each other. "Yeah, we're very happy." I said.

After the meal was over, we all walked back into the living to talk some more. As we sat down, Edward leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Have you realized that Mr. and Mrs. Hale and Mr. McCarty haven't spoken a single word to you so far?" I realized that he was right, and when I looked over at them, they both turned their heads away from me.

"Don't worry about it. They may not have much to say to me, but I have some things to say to them later." I whispered back to him. He nodded at me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

The sound of a voice clearing caught our attention and we both looked to where the sound came from. Carlisle was sitting next to Esme with an odd look on his face. It looked like a cross between confusion and worry. "Um, something has been bothering me since before we sat down to eat. Bella, when you were talking to Jasper, you mentioned something about people abandoning you and that if it weren't for your late husband, you wouldn't be here tonight. If you don't mind me asking, what did you mean when you said those things?"

I was surprised by his question. I knew that he didn't know about my failed suicide attempt, but I always had a nagging suspicion that he didn't know anything about my best friends leaving me when I needed them the most. His question confirmed that I was right. Carlisle was innocent in all of this, but I felt really bad for him because he was about to find out how cruel his wife and his friends were, not only to me, but to their children as well.

I stood up and looked around the room at everyone before I looked back at Carlisle.

"I really hate having to tell you this, Carlisle, but you don't know your wife and your friends as well as you think you do."

A/N: I know. You probably hate me right now for leaving you hanging, but I think this chapter is better off being written in two parts. I promise you will get the second half tomorrow.

I had a bit of trouble writing this chapter because I'm not used to having so many different characters talking in the same chapter. I wasn't sure how this chapter would turn out, but I think I did okay.

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