Disclaimer: I own nothing but the storyline. All characters belong to the wonderfully talented Stephanie Meyers.

This is my first story. I have read lots, reviewed many, and have decided to try my hand at writing. (My penmane previously was Trysh. I decided to change it when I made the decision to publish my little story ;) ) I am going to try to keep up a regular updating schedule, usually once a week (barring writer's block when my muse is PMS'in lol)

Thank you so much to my wonderful beta, bethviolet, for encouraging me to continue. If it was not for my family and friends, this would have sat in my mind for much longer.

I appreciate all reviews, and will do my best to respond to them.

And now...on with the story. I hope you enjoy it!

It Began With a Lie

Chapter 1

Isabella sat at her vanity table in her bedroom brushing her long mahogany locks. Her husband should be home soon and she was planning what she hoped would be a surprise. She looked at her reflection critically, making sure her makeup, while minimal, was perfect; her soft hair lay against her back, curling slightly at the ends. She had a beautiful midnight blue, knee length dress. Even though the dress was conservative, it made her feel very feminine. She had decided to go barefoot since she had worn her heels all day at work. It was her home after all, and she deserved to be comfortable.

Once Bella was satisfied with her appearance, she decided to lay the dinner table. A silver candelabra, a wedding gift from a relative of her husband's, already sat in the middle of the table waiting to be lit. She took out her best china and silverware and laid them out. Dinner started with a simple spinach salad with nuts and berries, followed by Chicken Cordon Bleu with roasted asparagus, and rice pilaf. Dessert was his favorite, chocolate cheesecake with sliced strawberries on top. A bottle of Prosecco sat chilling in an ice bucket next to the table, and the wine glasses from their wedding were the finishing touch.

Bella had hoped that this intimate setting would put a bit of spark back in their relationship. Lately, with work taking up a lot of their time, their love life had taken the back burner. Both of them were very ambitious, trying hard to get ahead while they were young. Bella was a proof reader at Trebled Clef Publishing House, trying to make her way up the ranks. She loved reading the manuscripts that were submitted (she had to proof read them and weed through them before sending them to the editors for final approval). Even if the stories weren't that great, Bella would read them until she was finished. The things that went through a person's mind! These were the deepest desires and dreams of these people. She owed it to them to give it her all. Her work was impeccable, and her boss loved her. She was fair, and that got her farther with her co-workers than some of the ass kissing that took place there. The love of her life, he was hard at work trying to prove himself at Cullen & Cullen. They were a prestigious law firm, handling mostly family law. Their clientele consisted of the most respectful families in the Chicago area.

Bella had grown up in a small town in Washington. Forks. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone and they ALL knew everyone's business. That style of life wasn't what Bella wanted. She loved her hometown, but she longed to belong to something bigger. And the only big thing in Forks was the gossip mill.

She studied hard, and won a free ride to Washington State University; UDub. She majored in English and minored in music, having always found music to be the words of the soul. She played the piano and after her most stressful days at work, finding that she could lose herself in the notes; daydreaming about what she'd read that day. Her only other hobby to speak of was reading. Even though she read all day, she could find solace in the classics. When they had looked at this house, Bella was immediately sold, primarily on the fact that there was a library with a huge fireplace. She spent many nights curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book, while her husband worked late on his cases.

Bella and her husband met shortly after graduating college. She had been out running, and he had literally bowled her over while horsing around with his friends, tossing the football back and forth. He was running backwards and since Bella had her earphones in, she couldn't hear him approaching. He knocked her over and then swept her off her feet. They were married a year later, just before moving to Chicago. They have been married for close to 3 years (in December), supporting each other as they both tried to establish their careers. Bella was adamant about that. Career first, followed by family. Her parents had her young, and they were not prepared for it. Bella's mother, Renee, was a college student, and her father, Charlie, had just graduated from the police academy, as per his grandfather's request. They were both happy, free spirited people, neither prepared for the responsibility of having a child.

Charlie decided to apply to the local police department, while Renee stayed home with Bella. Soon, Charlie began to change. The job made him jaded. Even though Forks was a small town, seeing what crime did to the victims and their families not to mention the offender's families took its toll on the young man. Renee, having spent all her time with a young Bella, kept her free spirit. She reveled in it! It wasn't too long before the arguing started. Renee wanted more from her life, she hated Forks and how wet and overcast it was! She longed for the sun, for warmth, and the ability to come and go as she pleased. Charlie started taking over the care of Bella as well as trying to support his young family. He was finding more and more that Renee was dropping Bella off with their elderly neighbor; taking off for parts unknown. She would return home late at night, once Bella was in bed, secretive smile in place. One night, when Bella was 2, Charlie came home once again to his elderly neighbor watching his little girl, Renee nowhere to be found. He had finally reached the end of his rope. He was telling her tonight that this could not continue any longer.

As he was getting Bella ready for bed, he found it strange that Renee's hair brush was not in its regular place. She used to brush Bella's hair for hours, and always had it in the same place so it could be found at a moment's notice. He went into their bedroom to see if it was on her dresser bureau, only to find that it was completely cleaned off. Panicking, he pulled open the drawers; empty. Her side of the walk-in closet; empty. Her shoes were gone too. He went into the kitchen to find a note pinned to the fridge. It was not a long note, just enough to say she had had enough and was running off with a "new friend". Renee was gone, leaving Charlie alone to care for a 2 year old Bella.

Once Bella was in bed for the night, Charlie sat on the porch, on the top step; his forehead resting in his hands. He had no idea what to do! He was trying his best to take care of his family. He needed help. He didn't know who to call, where to go. He had to work. Bella deserved the best upbringing he could afford. He sat staring off into space for a long time, trying to figure out the best path to take. Finally, he decided to give his friends Harry and Sue Clearwater a call. He asked if he could possibly drop Bella off in the morning while he went to work. He promised he would find more suitable arrangements, but Sue wouldn't hear of it. They would take care of Bella whenever Charlie worked, and as a cop, there were night shifts involved too. They were his best friends.

The next step was filing abandonment charges against Renee. Since she didn't believe in marriage, that was one mess he could avoid. Unsurprisingly, Renee did not contest Charlie getting full custody of Bella. Even if she had shown up for the hearing, he would have refused visitation on the grounds that she would constantly leave Bella with a neighbor while doing whatever she pleased. Once that was taken care of, it was just Charlie and Bella. The Clearwaters became an extended part of her family and she loved them dearly. Their children were a couple of years younger than Bella, but she loved them like a sibling. She had a huge cheering section when she graduated high school, and they were just as proud of Bella as they would be their own son and daughter.

Even though Bella had a loving family, she did not want the same thing that happened with her to happen to their children. She waited. She wanted to be prepared. Now it seemed that her patience was finally paying off. She had just been promoted, and would have the luxury of working from home most days if she chose. She was no longer a proof reader, reading all manuscripts and then passing them along. She was now a junior editor! She was brought into the office as soon as she arrived at work and was told that she had impressed them with her attention to detail and her commitment to the company. Jane, one of the junior editors she was close with, was moving back home to Michigan to be with her ailing mother. Although Bella's heart went out to Jane, she couldn't help but be excited.

Bella was one step closer to her ultimate goal. She wanted both a career and a family. Since she had the freedom to work home, she could take care of their children and still earn an income at the same time. She hadn't really wanted for anything when she was younger, but she wanted better for her children. This was the real meaning behind this romantic evening. She was going to sit down and talk to her husband about their options now that this door had been opened.

At 6:30, she was glancing at her watch and was beginning to wonder where he was. He was always home by 5:45 at the latest. She hadn't received any texts or calls from him saying he would be late. Normally, she worked until 6:00, but they had let her leave a little earlier to celebrate her hard work. She called and it rang until his answering machine kicked in. Now she was worried. She called his office, and it went through to their answering service. Everyone was gone for the evening. She sent numerous texts, and even called his best friend. He didn't answer either. By 7:00, the ice had melted, dinner was dry and ruined, and the cheese cake was a puddle of goo.

Finally her phone rang at 7:15. She jumped to answer it, noticing it was her husband's number.

"Jake. Where are you? Are you ok?" She babbled into the phone, relieved that he was safe.

"Jake. Jake. Are you there?" She shouted. "JAKE!"

Over the line was the most horrible thing she'd ever heard. Her husband somehow had pocket called her.

"Oh Vicky! You feel so good baby!"

Bella's world crashed around her feet.

End Note:

Show of hands, who thought she was already married to Edward? ;) I apologize if this chapter was kinda "smooshed" together. I tried FOREVER to add the extra spaces that were on my original copy. I'm not sure what happened! If I can figure it out, I will change it at a later date.