Chapter 7

"Would you like some champagne?" the flight attendant asked.

"Yes, thank you."

I took the glass and looked at my neighbors. In the seats around me were Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, Edward, Rosalie and Alice. I held up my glass, and they did the same. "Here's to another fantastic adventure," I said with a smile.

I settled into the luxurious seat of the plane, and I thought of how incredible my life had turned out. Me, Isabella Marie Swan, was on my way to Beijing for Fashion Week. My life had not always a bed of roses. In fact, never in my wildest dreams had I thought of becoming a model, an actress or a business woman. I owed everything I had achieved to my fairy godparents, Esme and Carlisle. They had rescued me and had given me a second chance at life. Since then my life had taken on one fantastical turn after another.

One day, Alice asked me to try on one of her designs for a school project—she's majoring in fashion merchandising. Soon I was used as a doll for her designs. I only tolerated it because of Alice. Who could say no to that little minx? She even had the boys and Rosalie trying on her pieces, and sometimes we would put on a fashion show for Esme and Carlisle. Then during junior year, she asked me to step out of my comfort zone.

"Bella, as part of my final, I have to participate in a fashion show. Since most of my samples are in your size, I need you to be one of my models."

"Alice, having you use me as a Barbie doll or dressmaking dummy or doing a photo shoot is one thing; walking on a runway in front of people is something else."

I had outgrown my awkward phase, and my body had gone through a complete metamorphosis, but the thought of all those people watching my every move was disconcerting.

"Most of my samples were designed to fit you, and the rest of the family, so it would be more convenient for all of you to model them than for me to make new samples."

"Rosalie is modelling too?"

"Yes, and I will be on stage, too. I have to model one of my own creations and introduce my line."

I stood there, chewing on my lip, thinking of all the ways this could turn into a disaster. It gave me comfort to know that the rest of the family would be in the show, too. We had always supported each other.

"It's a college show; most of the audience will be students."

"I'm only doing this for you."

Esme insisted on hiring a modelling coach to give us pointers. Tanya taught us how to strut on the runway, and how to make eye contact with a select few people in the crowd. On the day of the show, she and Rosalie spent hours on my hair and makeup. By the time they were done, I couldn't recognize myself. I kept staring at the beautiful stranger in the mirror.

Her designs had been a success and got featured in the fashion section of the Sunday paper, along with a few other students' design. The video was uploaded to YouTube, and Alice became the next hot thing. Soon, we were doing more modelling for her as she prepared her portfolio to be shown at fashion houses and leading department stores. Whenever Alice was invited to do a live show, she would ask us to model her pieces. Soon our faces were all over the city. Alice also had a line of swimsuits and lingerie, which attracted a lot of attention. I was not as tall as most models, but that didn't seem to matter.

Apparently, we made a "very wholesome group." Offers started coming in, and I had to decide between getting my degree and putting school on hold for the opportunity to make a quick buck for my future plans of starting a foundation to help foster children. When I realized how much money I could make as a model, I decided to go for it. I still intended to finish school and start my own non-profit organization, but I would get to my dream faster if I did modelling.

Less than a year later, we had done ads for Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch, and we had been featured in Teen People and Teen Vogue. We became the latest hot commodity. Since then, our careers had taken off. Several reputable agencies offered us contracts, but Esme and Carlisle managed us with an iron fist to ensure we were not exploited. They helped guide us by advising us on which offers we should accept and which were not appropriate for us, and we got to keep all our money instead of paying a commission to the agency. Their lawyer Mr. Jenks helped with the contracts.

I was told that my brown hair and chocolate colored eyes made me look like the girl next door, and both girls and women seem to identify with me. Rosalie was portrayed as the sexy bombshell, and the guys were hot hunks. Alice was often pictured with us when we modelled her designs. Over the past five years, we had travelled to Italy, Paris, and New York, doing runway shows for major designers.

Rosalie and I were not the typical tiny models, and because of my childhood, I refused to go on a diet. We were more voluptuous than most models, which opened the door to swimwear and lingerie modeling. Now I was on my way to Beijing with my family for fashion week. Christian Dior was opening an international flagship store in Beijing's Shin Kong Place, and we had been invited to the grand opening.

Rosalie and Emmett had found their passion in modelling and acting. Of course, Alice was doing what she had always wanted to do. I never let the fame go to my head. I had a goal, and this was just a stepping stone—a way to make my dreams come true. I hadn't opened my own home for disadvantaged kids yet, but I helped sponsor a group home. The home was like a ranch and housed fifty children. The older kids helped take care of the animals to make spending money, but their number one priority was to do well in school. For now, it was mostly for siblings so they wouldn't be separated. I'd hear that it was hard for foster families to take in four or more siblings, so the kids often got sent to different homes. I knew the importance of a family, so I wanted to keep children in need of a foster home together. I was grateful to Esme and Carlisle and Jenks for taking care of all the legal and administrative stuff, but it was time for me to finish my degree and start running the program myself. I also wanted to open more programs like that. I had come a long way from the scarred and scared girl I had been, but few people knew the details of my life. All that was about to change. I planned to write my life story in the hope that it could help someone. I thought about a good opening for the book.

When life gives you a Second Chance, do you have any choice but to accept? I did. I took that chance and this is where it brought me, so no matter what life throws at you, keep believing. Keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, and the rainbow after the rain. These sayings may all sound like clichés, but all of them proved to be true in my life. As I wrote those words, I had an epiphany. I'm living a Cinderella story and Edward is my Prince Charming.

~~~~~Second Chances~~~~~

Now I was about to take another chance. I was ready to take my relationship with Edward to the next level. I was going to "make him the happiest man in the universe". That night, before we went to dinner, I took Edward aside and whispered so no one else could hear, "yes."

His face lit up. "I'm ecstatic, but why now?"

I stared into his eyes and told him what was in my heart. "I did a lot of thinking on the flight. In fact, I relived my live, and I don't want to waste any more time. I want to spend the rest of my life by your side."

"You've made me the happiest man alive."

"Come."

Before I could answer or ask him where we were going, he dragged me to his room and pulled me into a tight embrace. Then he kissed me. It was the most passionate kiss we had shared. Next thing I knew, he was rummaging in his laptop bag and produced the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen. He placed it on my finger and kissed it. I cried as he recited a poem to me.

"If I were to describe my love for you with the sands of the earth,

the waters of the seas or the forces of the wind, it will still fall a long way short

If I had the ability to walk on water, mounted wings to fly in the sky,

or the ability to live in this world forever;

I would trade it all just to care for you, to be with you,

to hold you in my arms, to love you with all my being forever!"

"Edward, that was beautiful."

"I know, but I can't take credit for it. I found it on the internet."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

We hugged and kissed again. When we finally made it to the dining room. I showed off my ring. Carlisle ordered champagne and we had a boisterous celebration. I had travelled to the other end of the earth for this moment, but it was just right. I couldn't have picked a better time to say yes. I had finally laid all my ghosts to rest.

THE END

A/N

Sorry I took so long to finish this story but RL is trying to kick me in the butt. If you've read any of my stories, you know I usually write sexy stories, but I wanted to try my hand at something else. I hope you enjoyed reading this rags to riches story.

Unstoppable love – poem by Amazuo Obioha Ugboaja, Nigeria (www.)(voicesnet.)(org/displayonepoem.)(aspx?poemid=116472)