AN: Sorry for the extremely long update. I have been busy and so has our lovely beta. This chapter is un beta-ed because she hasn't responded yet and I didn't think you all should have to wait any longer so here it is errors and all:) When/ if she does get back to me I replace this chapter with the edited one. Thanks for sticking with me and this story!

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight Bella?"

"It was quite mesmerizing. The location itself was stunning. There were fine silverwares of sterling silver and gold and rich draperies of deep red velvet with gold tassels and trim. There were marble floors and a large fountain with cherubs. Garlands made of colorful flowers not even known to this area covered each archway. Every string instrument was present and they played all night with variations of instrumentation arrangements. Though I may have looked the part, internally, I felt out of place. That was American royalty. The fellow attendees looked like something right out of the pictures from those fairy tale books with their lavish gowns and suits. I wouldn't have been surprised of some of those that I met rubbed elbows and hob knobbed with monarchy in other countries. Some of it was truly beyond words Esme, like nothing I had ever seen before in my young life." I start humming a tune I heard that night as I flitter around the room and lay across the bed with what must be a dreamy look.

"Sounds like you had quite the experience. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time Bella." She left her spot on the trunk and stood to pat my leg. "I also can't wait to see this young man come to call upon you that has you gleaming so."

I shoot up and stare at her with a questioning gaze. She simply laughs, bids me good night, and exits my room. Will he come to call on me? All we exchanged were names and a little about ourselves. I must talk to Rose about this. She has far more experience with all of this than I do. I barely sleep as my mind races with thoughts of possibilities.

The next morning finds me far too soon. There is a firm knock at the door.

"Isabelle, are you decent? I have a gift for you." Father sounds to be in good spirits this morning. I clear my throat softly before answering. "Coming father!"

I race to put on my robe and slippers before opening the door to peep my head out. He is in his usual day wear as he hands me a long rectangular parcel with a peach ribbon and a small round box in matching wrappings. I open them in haste as I try to look as happy as I theoretically should for letting him reward me like a dog that's turned a good trick. This is what Rose was talking about. I was a good reflection of him and now I am receiving gifts of appreciation; more like reminders to continue to do so. I remember the books Esme instructed me to read with female characters that acted 'as a woman should'. I look over the expensive and foreign looking dress and hat. I run my hands over the fine fabrics.

"Thank you father they are beautiful!" I say it with all the excitement I can muster.

"They were shipped from Paris. Nothing but the best for you dear."

His last words have something more to them, like double meaning. He prepares to leave as he mentions that Edward has asked his permission to call on her at the house and he assented. He was hoping that she would wear that when he and his family came this evening for dinner. Before I can process what he said he is gone with the door shut behind him. I stand there in mild shock for some time before pulling myself together enough to go on about getting ready for today. The cooks buzz around the kitchen like the task of a Thanksgiving feast in high quality lodgings is upon us. I sneak in and ask if they need assistance. They let me show them how to make my favorite desert that my momma taught me. It is a chocolate filled pastry with fresh strawberries. We made two large ones, per my request, so all of the staff could have some as well. After all the preparations are made I am left with time to think; which is always a dangerous thing. I am excited that Edward wants to see me again. We only had the chance to barely make an acquaintance. What a first impression.

"Hello? Bella? Are alright dear?" I look over to Esme with a worried look on her face and realized that somewhere in my musings of Edward I stopped walking in the middle of the hall and must be standing there looking like an utter fool.

"Hmm? Oh yes, quite."

"Well go on, start getting ready young master Edward and Dr. Cullen will be here in a few hours. You haven't much time."

We dash to my room where I find myself lost in my thoughts again. I hope Edwards up for a game or too after dinner. I would like to best him in croquet. A laugh escapes me which earns but a raised eyebrow from Esme. I look in the mirror and so my brown locks in some fashionable evening coiffure with a beaded headband. I feel like I'm much too young for something so lavish but I know this is father wanting to advertise me as potential marriage material. I bite my lip to hold in the laughter as I see Esme steeling glances at herself in the mirror. Her hands still as she realizes she been caught when our eyes meet in the mirror. She blushes furiously.

"Expecting to see anyone of particular interest tonight?" While she stumbles over a reply I get up to sit her down in the chair where I try to make her hair look at least slightly less matronly and put a little light stain on her lips.

"There, now you're ready to have quite the stimulating conversation with this man who has captivated you so." I squeeze her shoulders and leave giving her no chance to respond. As I descend the staircase the door opens.

"Carlisle how nice it is to see you again!" Father's voice actually has genuine warmth to it. "Edward how are you?"

"I am very well sir."

"Thank you for inviting us Brandon, it has been too long."

I reach the men a wait patiently for my introduction.

"Oh, Dr. Cullen this is my adopted daughter Isabelle. Isabelle, this is Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He looks at me with kind and warm eye before taking of his hat and giving a small bow.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is all mine," he says sincerely. I suppose charm, grace, and dashing looks run in the family.

"I believe you are already aquatinted with Isabelle?"

"Why yes. How do you do Isabelle?"

"Quite fine thank you."

A servant takes the hats of both Edward and Dr. Cullen and father leads them into the sitting room. They all make various amounts of small talk about and try listen with moderate interest. I try to look content that I cannot chime in as much as I would like. I speak only when spoken to like a those characters in those books. I can tell that Edward and Dr. Cullen are trying to include me as much as they can. After a while, dinner is served and we move to the dining room. Apparently, we are eating Dr. Cullen's favorite meal which turns out to be less extravagant than I expected. It is good none the less. After dinner we retire to the veranda. Esme brings me my hat to keep my fair complexion spotless. Heaven forbid I freckle. When I see father engrossed in a conversation of no importance to me or Edward I use the distraction to offer to race Edward. He accepts me challenge after I have already started running, gaining a head start. Holding my hat to my head and lifting my gown just enough not to trip, but not enough to be indecent, I run fast laughing all the way.

I don't know how I feel about Edward. He is amazing; he's witty, certainly charming, an exquisite pianist, and slightly arrogant at times. We argue almost all the time, sometimes playfully challenging each other and other times heated debates over social issues that neither of us feels the other understands. We are both too stubborn to ever back down so there are seldom ever apologies made. Usually there is so grand romantic gesture made on his part so preposterous that I can't help but to burst into an uncontrollable fit of giggles and the angers gone. Passion runs hot in our veins. We love hard, work hard, and play harder.

No matter how splendid he is I cannot myself completely devoting my mind to figuring out my feelings for him because somewhere in the back of my mind I am still pondering the mystery that is Alice. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night and walk past a mirror I briefly see a glimpse of the same solemn face and spikey hair. It's dark and only in my peripheral vision and she is always gone before I can turn to say anything or even just confirm that it is indeed her. I have decided that I will not sleep as many nights as it takes to find her and discover the answers behind these secrecies. I do not know any other way to possibly see Alice again. I try listening to the help but nothing of the such ever seems to come up. I know that if I ask them directly they will never give me answers despite how much they seem to like me, much like Esme.

A/N Please remember to review. I love to here what you think