Thank you for all the birthday wishes! My team read this, polished it to look brand new...and then I went and added and changed things just now. Needless to say, all mistakes are mine!

In the months Isabella has been in Port Angeles, there is one thing that doesn't surprise her: the inhabitants of the city sure know how to have a party.

She had gathered weeks ago, from watching the preparations, that tonight was going to be big – and most likely, unforgettable.

She also noticed that while Edward should have been the one most ready to celebrate the first anniversary of The Lost Key, it was the guests of the pub that had been most excited.

'Oh, Edward, you have to have this!'

'Oh, Edward, you must have that!'

'Edward, have you ever tried it? It must be served at your celebration!'

Isabella had enjoyed listening to all of their suggestions over the last few weeks, even offering a few of her own from back home. It wasn't much, but Emmett had put it into consideration as he gathered the necessary products. Edward had remained polite to them all, simply nodding or agreeing with whatever someone had thought of, but of course, he had declined to elaborate on anything further. He never shared what he preferred the night of the celebration, instead choosing to be a spectator to his own accomplishments.

"You don't have anything in particular you want for yourself?" Isabella had asked him one night after the pub had closed for the evening. He had shaken his head with a shrug, bringing his drink to his lips.

"It's not my party," he replied. "It's for them." He pointed a roving finger to the empty tables still littered with remnants of an entertaining evening.

Isabella laughed with a shake of her head, her hands motioning around. "They wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

She tried to remind him on several occasions just how instrumental he had been over the last year in Port Angeles, but he never listened.

So, she isn't surprised when she walks into The Lost Key on the morning of the celebration to Edward's absence. Emmett is there, as is Rosalie and some of Edward's other trusted acquaintances, and Isabella is quick to offer her assistance for tonight's event. She counted stock with Emmett several times and listened to the live band practice amongst themselves before the doors opened. She had wanted to stay off her feet as much as she could before her shift started; she had splurged on a pair of black cross strap heels for the occasion. She knew her poor feet would suffer the next day, but Isabella had shrugged it off and purchased them anyway. She had also gotten a new dress, but nothing she wouldn't be able to wear again. That was the justification she used when she had originally bought the dress. She could wear it to other celebrations when she decided to go back home to Forks.

Whenever that day was.

There is a palpable buzz in the air throughout the day, not just inside The Lost Key, but also outside on the sidewalks and in the streets. The Lost Key had become a landmark in the city for more people than Isabella could count, and within an hour of opening its doors, Edward's guests are determined to make him realize it.

She watches him within the swarms of people, his dark suit standing out amongst the rest. Unconsciously, she runs a hand down her dress, the emerald green rayon slippery as real silk beneath her fingertips. Her sleeves are capped short on her arms, and the buttons trailing down the left side of her body remind her of one of her favorite dresses she left back home in Forks. It's the buttons left undone on the side of her leg, the ones exposing a slim, untouched thigh nearly high enough to see the laced top of her stocking, that makes her feel liberated tonight.

As the band plays and the food and drinks are passed around the pub, Isabella catches Edward's eye as she serves drinks behind the bar. He had asked her earlier if she had wanted to work the floor this evening, bringing drinks to the people in their seats or wherever there was room for them to stand, but she had declined and remained where she felt most comfortable. He had no doubt in his mind she would be able to keep up with the steady volume of requests; she had proven herself invaluable to him over these last few months. She breaks her gaze with him when someone asks for another drink and smiles warmly at the man before fetching his request. Edward can't bring himself to stop staring at her, and eventually, he brings his drink to his lips when he realizes he's been falling into that pattern more frequently.

It has taken him weeks to admit to himself the pull he has towards Isabella. Even when he reminds himself of his position regarding her working here at The Lost Key, he finds himself seeking ways to be in her presence for even the most trivial reasons.

It comes as no surprise to him when his feet lead him to her several drinks later in the evening.

"It's you," Isabella says to him, though it's almost too loud to hear another person talk above the singing and cheering from the crowd.

Edward leans closer to her on the other side of the bar to hear her better, contents from a glass splashing on his arm as two guests clink theirs together above his head. He looks up at the commotion, then looks back at Isabella with a loud laugh. "What did you say?"

The timber of his laugh sends a tingle through her body again, and she almost forgets what she was thinking. "They're not here because of your pub. They're here because of you."

"Their drinks have been on the house all night," Edward laughs again, finishing another drink. Bella has another poured and waiting. Uncharacteristically, he reaches across the bar and taps her gently on her temple. "That's why they're here."

She tries to pretend the flush that appears on her cheeks is because of the heat; there are more people here than usual tonight, and even with the doors opened, the air is sticky and uncomfortable. But she's been here long enough to know the temperature of the room isn't the reason she's suddenly wishing for fresh air.

"Won't you allow yourself even a little happiness?" She asks of his modesty.

"I'm a very selfish man, Isabella. My happiness usually means someone else isn't."

"Well, look around. Does anyone here look unhappy?"

"Not tonight," Edward replies, giving in to her wishes as he looks around them. He points a finger in her direction. "You're included in that, you know. You look nothing now like you did the day you walked in here."

Isabella shakes her head at the memory. "How did I look that day?"

He tosses his drink back, placing the empty glass on the bar. "Angry. Lost."

He watches as she lifts her chin higher in the air. "And now?"

"Now?" He feels the room sway beneath his feet and reminds himself to thank Emmett for choosing only the best for tonight's occasion.

Edward forces the room to stop spinning for just a moment as his eyes meet hers across the bar. "You're so beautiful it fucking hurts to look at you, Isabella."

See you soon!