Thank you for all of your love and support throughout the years. Thank you to the veteran readers and the newest to the WOT family. I hope that with my rekindled fire for the love of Twilight that I will be able to finish strong and do this story justice.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, the wonderful mother of it all Stephanie Meyer does. I just own this storyline in all its beautiful chaos.

Chapter 33

Bella

The week is finally over and tonight is the Gala. I'm a little bit nervous and very excited at the same time. The week almost seemed like it went by in a blur. As I sit here getting the finishing touches on my hair and makeup, a sense of dread comes over me. This will be the first time in 6 years that I will be confronted with all of the Cullens. The nervousness is much worse than when Edward first brought me home to meet his entire family. I must admit that though I am looking forward to seeing them, I am not looking forward to the memories and emotions that come along with the territory. It took me a long time to get myself under control and I can't fall apart at the seams due to a family that I am no longer a part of. I should've set up a session with one of my long time friends and former Domme for extra assurance and focus.

Though I am sure that I'll be able to handle things fine, I still have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'll become overwhelmed. When Edward left me, his family left me as well. I had never felt more secure and loved than when I was with them. They welcomed me into their family with open arms, and for a young girl with no mother around and a father who works around the clock, it was a blessing. I remember feeling hollow after running to the house the next day to find that there was no sign that they had ever been there. As I fell to my knees, the overpowering agony of not only a lost love, but a lost family engulfed me and dragged me into the darkness. I don't even remember many things from the next couple of months after that. It was as though I didn't exist and couldn't without them. Once I got myself together, I vowed that I would never allow anyone to do that to me again.

"Voila. You look beautiful Bella. You are going to knock their socks off bitch!" Demetri's voice snaps me out of my nightmare on elm street flashback. I smile brightly at him; he is hilarious and I love him. He has been my hairstylist for 3 years now and he is the only man I know that uses the word bitch as a term of endearment. Maybe a couple of sessions with me could get rid of that potty mouth. He wouldn't be able to form the word 'bitch' with a gag ball in his mouth. A boisterous laugh escapes my chest as I envision Demetri on all fours bent over my whipping bench. The actual thought of it is absurd. I really am cracking up. I thank Demetri as I embrace him before heading out the door. Sliding into the driver's seat, my phone vibrates and I see Rose's name pop up on the screen. I set the phone on the dock and her voice surrounds me in the enclosed space.

"Guess who's coming to dinner?", she asks as I pull out of the space and head towards home. Rose loves to play mind games at times but with everything going on today, I am not in the mood.

"Rose, have you called me to name Sydney Portier movies or is there an actual point to this call?" I catch a red light and look at the phone screen willing her to get to the point.

"What is your fucking problem today Bella? Did a dick crawl up your ass or what?, she says with a snarky tone as only Rosalie Hale can do.

"I'm sorry Rose. I'm being a complete bitch. I'm just out of sorts. Tonight's the Gala and I'm dreading seeing them after so long. It's all a bit daunting. Forgive me Rosie." I always knew how to get back into her good graces. Rosie was a nickname that her father graced her with and that I benefited from when I saddened my eyes and made my lips pout.

"Bells, you can't allow them to get you all worked up like that. You don't need them and you haven't for a long time. You can do this. You are such a different person from the girl they once knew. You're Isabella Swan, you're strong, independent, successful and in control." This is why I love Rose, she knows how to calm me in a way that no one else can. I take a deep steady breath that I realize I had been holding in the entire time and relax into the seat.

"Thank you Rose. I think I got a bit hysterical. It's funny how the old me still lies in there somewhere. I really needed that. Now that my crash and burn is over, to what do I owe this pleasure?" I smirk and she laughs.

"Well Ms. Swan, since you were hell bent on ruining my fun with the guessing game, I'll just come out and say it." She takes a long pause and I check the phone to make sure she's still there. "I finished earlier than expected and flew home last night so I could come with you to the Gala."

"What? You're here in Seattle? Are you serious Rose? That is great!" I can feel the dark cloud lifting as my own personal angel swoops in to save me.

"That's right baby girl, so get your ass home. I'm on my way now and I'll meet you there in ten." With that she hung up and I hit the accelerator anxious to see my best friend.

This has got to be the biggest fundraising event this season here in Seattle. As our limo pulls up outside of the Seattle Symphony, I can feel my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. Rosalie is chatting away on the phone with her creative director discussing the look for her new couture boutique that will be opening in Paris. The exterior of the symphony is adorned with large montages of some of the kids I mentor as well as collages of the many schools our programs run through. I feel my heart swell with pride, not for myself, but for these extraordinary kids who let me have a first look into who they are.

Laurent opens our door and Rosalie steps our first on the red carpet. She continues to prattle away on the phone as though walking on a red carpet is the everyday norm for her, but then again, she's had a lot of practice. As I step out of the limo, I double check my clutch to make sure my speech is secure. The last thing I would want to do is wing a speech tonight. I don't think my mind could take the pressure especially with everything I'm facing tonight. As we walk up the carpet, we are accosted with photographers who are enamored with me and Rosalie's gowns for the evening. Rosalie is dressed in a red satin draped sweetheart tulip gown that flows into a split down the middle just above her knees in the front and pools to the floor on the sides and back. She is wearing all Harry Winston creations— ruby and diamond wreath necklace with matching earrings and cuff bracelet. Her hair is pinned in a sophisticated yet messy Grecian style with a knot sitting low at the back of her neck. Her shoes, of course are crystal encrusted peep-toe Christian Louboutins. I have no doubt we will be in the style section of many papers, not for my being honored, but for Rosalie's designer status. Leave it to Rose to come as a support system and steal the show; that's just Rosalie—glamorous and captivating. We both pose for a few pictures together in front and then make our way up the stairs into the building.

The interior is majestic to say the least. It has been transformed into something spectacular. Gone is the normal look of steel and cement; it has become something soft and romantic. Floral arrangements of creams, yellows, and pale pinks serve as centerpieces for tables that are adorned in tailored cream linens with gold embellishments with matching china. The candle-like lighting casts a warm glow over the area reminiscent of intermission at the opera. Glasses made of the finest crystal and gold plated silverware and chairs that are draped in cream with gold stitching and gold satin sashes tied in a bow at the back finish off the individual tables. The Stroum Grand Lobby is one of the most architecturally beautiful lobbies I've ever seen. Every time I've been to the symphony, I make sure I take in the view from the curving windowpanes of the promenade that overlook the Seattle city lights and Elliott Bay. The floor of the lobby has transformed into something magical. On the far right is the orchestra area with a raised partition equipped with a black Concert Grand Steinway piano. The middle of the front area has a glass podium with floral arrangements of pale pink and cream roses in large crystal vases on each side. To the far left is the area for the silent auction that will be taking place all evening. There is a first edition of the Bronte Collection up for auction that I must have for my library. The entire main area in front of the main tables is the large polished wood dance floor. I slip over to the silent auction to place my bid for those beautiful Bronte books and that's when two voices spoke my name in a way that I hadn't heard in what seemed like ages—Esme and Carlisle Cullen.

As I turn, to no surprise of my own, there they all are- Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, soon to join them Alice and then Edward. I clear my throat, taking a breath and dropping my bid into the box before turning to face them, cool and poised exterior, as they begin to greet me the Cullen way, with warm gentle hugs and genuine smiles of fondness, Edward's eyes locked on me as though he didn't see me less than 24 hours ago.