Chapter 2
When I opened my eyes, it dawned on me: today was the day. It had been a month since I had received my acceptance letter and, in that time, I had raced stressfully through the long list of tasks I had to complete in order to move. It had been a chaotic month crammed full with sleepless nights, endless packing and last minute worries but in the end it had been worth it.
I moved through the mornings activities thoughtlessly, concentrating on one thing. In exactly twelve hours I was going to be living in my dream place.
Time seemed to fly by and before I knew it I was sitting in one of the uncomfortable blue chairs, my worn bag resting on the chair next to me, twisting my fingers anxiously. My mother sat to the left of me, her legs crossed together, one hand resting on my thigh and the other in her lap, entwined with Phil's.
"Mom, I'm going to go grab a coffee; either of you want anything?" They both shook their heads and, as I retreated, I could feel their eyes burning into my back. They had been over-loving this past month as if they were scared to let me go.
I sighed once I had reached the food mall, and slowed my brisk walk to a stroll while I looked for some place good to grab a drink. By the time I had smelt the food drift towards me, my stomach began to grumble and I gave up. I probably wouldn't be able to eat when we were up in the air anyway. Or more accurately, keep it down.
It wasn't long before I managed to find somewhere I was familiar with: TGI Fridays. Charlie used to take me here when I was a kid for some father and daughter bonding time. We used to order the same thing every visit, a pizza to share and a chocolate ice cream sundae for dessert. We would have exactly two cokes each and on the way back, Charlie would stop and let me choose a magazine or a new book. It was our monthly ritual, and now, more than ever, I wanted to feel that connection, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Pushing the dark blue wooden doors open, I walked to the server booth and stood waiting for someone to find me a table. I was waiting for what seemed like ages before a waitress made her way over to help me, right as the doors opened behind me. I glanced behind me. It was an older couple, arms wrapped around each other, smiling, love so deep in their eyes it made me feel like I was intruding a private moment.
"Yes, how can I help you?" The server brought me back to reality, making me blush at being caught staring.
"Erm … a table for one-" The server look contrite.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am but we can't allow tables for one at the weekends as we are so busy-" Before she could finish, a musical voice cut her off.
"How about a table for three then, please?" I turned to the voice, shocked but he wasn't looking at me, staring instead at the flustered waitress. His eyes were burning intently as he looked at her from under his lashes, eyes smouldering. She stuttered incoherently before nodding trace-like and leading the way through the restaurant.
"Tha-thank you." I blushed and he laughed.
"Don't mention it. Our Son would be upset if we let a beautiful lady such as yourself go without food." I blushed and he grinned. God, if his son were only half as fit as him, I would probably be charged for molesting him. He was so charming, I'm not surprised that he managed to make the waitress say yes to him. I think I would have acted as the table had he asked.
He pulled the chair out for me, "Thank you".
"You're welcome, Bella." Shock flitted across my face as I was momentarily stunned that he knew my name, but when he nodded at my wrist as he sat down, I understood. I was wearing the bracelet that Jacob had given me when we were twelve that had my name engraved on a plaque of silver stitched on to it. I literally hadn't taken it off since the day he tied the perfectly formed knot because, one, it was so beautiful that I couldn't bring myself to lose it, and two, the emotion behind it had melted me; it was one of the sweetest things a boy had ever done for me, ever.
"Bella, oh-my - what a pretty name." The woman exclaimed as she a bottle of wine. My cheeks stained red.
"Thank you …" I trailed off and smiled apologetically at her.
"Esme," she completed. That was an old-fashioned name but there was something about it that made it modern and perfectly fitting for her. I didn't know whether it was the fact it was soft and motherly, or something else, but whatever it was the name was completely fitting.
"You have a very nice name." I complemented making her laugh.
"Thanks, dear, but yours is so much nicer. Bella Cullen has a perfect ring to it." Confused, I stared at her.
"Excuse me?" The man laughed now and I realised that I had all but forgotten he was there – quite an achievement really considering that he was sex personified.
"Oh, do excuse my wife, always jumping ahead of herself. It's nice to meet you, Bella. I'm Carlisle, Carlisle Cullen."
Awareness dawned on my face as he laughed silently, his shoulders shaking lightly. I once again went red this time a deeper beetroot shaded. "Oh, I, um, I …" I didn't know what to say.
Esme smiled guilty. "Sorry, dear, I didn't mean to embarrass you, but you would suit my Edward so much you wouldn't believe it. You're exactly his type, not that you would know that from looking at his type, but you are, believe me, and you are so matched to him in personality, you would not believe it!" Gushing, she leant forward with an eager expression in her beautiful eyes. I just nodded letting this kind, yet slightly crazy, woman have her fun. If she wanted to believe me and her son were meant to be, then who was I to kill her buzz. Here she was eating a meal with me over a romantic night with her husband.
"Oh, okay, that's cool." I giggled falsely.
I was saved from saying any more as the food arrived and the conversation was steered in another direction – a much safer one at that.
"So, Bella, why are here all alone tonight? Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, you don't have to answer if you would prefer not to, but I'm simply curious. What's a nice young woman like you doing in an airport alone without any luggage?" Carlise asked gently as he pulled a knife and fork from their holder and began twisting his tomato pasta around them hungrily.
From anyone else, this question would have seemed intrusive and rude, but from Carlisle, the question was soft and, in a way, comforting, like he actually wanted to know rather than he was asking because he felt he should. It made a welcome change from normalcy.
"My mom and stepfather, Phil, are sitting around somewhere with their luggage – mine has already been shipped over to England – so I decided to come somewhere for some dinner. It's been a long day and, as my last here, I decided I needed some kind of treat. I won't get many chances to come back over here until I at least get settled and get a job, earn a bit of money, you know?" They nodded like they did know, but judging by what they were wearing they could easily afford the plane ticket back and forth. "They're only staying a few weeks before they come back here and then, I'm on my own."
Esme and Carlise listened intently as I explained to them what I planned to do when I graduated and, with a little prodding from them, they listened as I explained what happened with my dad. They listened as I regaled tales of my father and of Jacob back in Forks.
By the time I realised my phone was buzzing, I was pulled out of an oddly happy stupor. I realised that I'd finally told someone everything and, much to my surprise, I felt a whole lot better. I never realised that the expression 'a weight off my shoulders' was actually true.
"I'm so sorry, but I'm going to miss my flight so I have to go. Here, let me just get my purse …" I flipped my phone closed after a very frantic call from my mom informing me we had ten minutes until gates closed and began rooting through my bag to find my purse. With a flush, I realised I was presuming that they would mind me not paying for them. I wouldn't mind because they had been amazing for me, but I didn't have enough cash on me to cover what I thought the bill was going to cost.
Before I could stutter an excuse or an apology out, Carlisle held his hand up. "Bella, tonight is our treat. We only get to meet truly amazing people once in a blue moon; and for your company tonight, we'll be forever in your debt so allow us to at least repay you a little." He continued, cutting me off as I opened my mouth to protest countless times.
I gave up. I was going to miss my flight, and for once, I didn't have it in me to argue.
"I can never thank you enough for this, and, I'm so sorry to be rude, but I'm going to have to go now because my flight's about to leave." Esme stood, as did Carlisle, and walked round the table to me. She wrapped her slender arms around my shoulders and held me tight in her comforting embrace.
"Thank you, Bella, for showing me that there is someone who is perfect for Edward; I had almost given up hope, but now I have it again, we'll just have to see where fate leads us. If we cross paths again, I hope it will be permanent; if not, I hope you have a good life and remember how much of a special person you are. Bella Swan, you are truly one of a kind." Placing one motherly kiss on my cheek, she stood back and allowed Carlisle to step in her place.
Like Esme, I only reached Carlisle's shoulder so I rested my head on him as he wrapped his arms around me saying goodbye.
I waved lightly as I walked from the restaurant, feeling light-headed until I got out into the bright lights of the airport when reality, like the bitch it is, slapped me across the face. My flight was about to leave and I had to get on it. I started the sprint across the crowded space hoping to all gods up there that I got there in time.
