Thanks for bearing with me. I had a snow day on Wednesday (yay!) but I got absolutely nothing done (boo). One week of school left until spring break, which I will be spending in Florida for MLB Spring Training. Be still, my heart. What about you guys? Any fun vacation plans?

…..

The weeks started to really fly by, and I was finally spending my summer the way I had planned: having fun. Between days at the beach, nights out, and plenty of lazy mornings with Edward, I was more than happy with the way I was spending my time. I had never been the type of girl to get so invested in a boy, and be so tied up with him, but with Edward, I was quickly learning that this relationship was different. I felt myself blossom in his presence, and I craved his comforting touch. I felt complete when we were together.

Of course, I also loved the way Edward meshed with my friend group. I knew that he and Jacob still didn't see eye to eye, but they were back to being friendly. I hope that they both have realized that I want them both in my life, just in different capacities. And with Rosalie and Emmett still attached at the hip, we also had another couple around.

I was too realistic to believe that life could ever really be perfect, but even I had to admit that right now, life was pretty damn close to perfect.

That realistic part of me also realized, however, that things couldn't stay this level of almost-perfect forever.

…

"So, what are your plans when school starts up again?" Emmett asked, sipping his scotch. We had just finished a delicious meal with Rosalie, Emmett, and my mother and stepfather, and I scrunched up my nose at the mention of reality.

"It's summer, Emmett!" I cried, shoving his shoulder jokingly. "Don't kill my high!"

Rosalie rolled her eyes at me, taking a drink of her own drink. "School starts again in six weeks, Bella. It'll be time to wake up before you know it."

I just pursed my lips at her, knowing that she was right. "No one ever wants summer to end," I pointed out.

"Well, I've got my plans figured out," Rosalie said, smiling slyly. "I'm going to be doing my internship at Sotheby's in New York City instead of Boston! I just got the confirmation yesterday."

"Wow, Rosalie, congratulations!" I said genuinely. Everyone else joined in, and Emmett kissed her on the cheek. "I'm guessing Emmett living there sweetens the deal, right? It's great that you could work this out."

"Thank you," Rosalie said graciously, grinning like a fool at Emmett. "And yes…Emmett being there was definitely a deciding factor in me making the last minute switch. I'm just lucky they let me do it. But I can't wait to be working in the city. I love Boston, but it's definitely my college town. I'm excited to be getting to experience my internship somewhere else, especially New York!"

"What about you, Edward? Do you know what you're going to be doing?" My stepfather asked, lighting up a cigar. My mother gave him a reproachful look, but it was short lived and she was looking at him with stars in her eyes again in another split second.

Edward glanced at me quickly, but then refocused back on my stepfather. "Well, nothing as exciting as what Rosalie has planned, I'm sure," he said, smiling. "But the Tuck School of Business will keep me busy, and I'll be doing my internship in the spring, right before graduation. I don't interview until September, and then I'll find out where I'll be placed for the internship in November."

I felt myself becoming more disengaged from the conversation as worry suddenly set in. I'd had my education mapped out since I was in high school; I've always had it planned out. I knew exactly what I would be doing during my senior year at Brown, but suddenly I wondered how I was going to fit Edward into that plan.

He would be swamped with schoolwork, interviews, and preparations for his internship. Plus, I knew from experience that it took nearly three hours to drive from Brown to Dartmouth, and vice versa. That hadn't seemed like a big deal before, when I had occasionally visited Jacob or other friends in the past. But now, I wanted to be spending a lot more time with Edward than I had with friends. I wouldn't be happy only seeing him once or twice a month, for just a night out partying. We've been spoiled all summer, getting to spend endless amounts of time with each other with no school or work to distract us.

I had never done a long distance relationship before. The boys I had dated in college had all gone to Brown with me, and I had always dated close to home in high school or over summer breaks. Three hours wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't easy, either. Especially when we would both have full course loads and other obligations on our plates.

I knew this was something that we had to talk about, but I was dreading it, because I didn't want to have to face reality after this dreamy summer.

…

"All that talk about school got me thinking," I said, resting my chin on Edward's bare chest. It was after midnight, and the night breeze drifted into my room and made me curl up closer to Edward, seeking warmth. "What are we going to do when school starts?"

Edward was quiet for a moment, running his hand over my bare back gently. He pulled my comforter up over us and hugged me closer before speaking. "I dunno, Bella. What do you think? I'm going to miss seeing you every day, fucking you every day…"

I rolled my eyes and smacked him on the chest, but I knew I shared those same feelings. "Be serious, Edward," I said. "I love you, and I want to be with you as much as possible when school starts again. But how are we going to work that out? I don't know what to do. All I really know for sure is that I love you. Help me figure out the rest."

"Maybe I could do my internship in Boston, or even Providence, if that's possible," Edward suggested.

"But what about before then," I asked. "Your internship won't start until at least January, and we still have that whole fall semester to worry about."

"I'll drive to you every other weekend, and you can drive to me the other weekends," Edward said, scooting up so that we could both sit up in bed and face each other.

I nodded, playing with the ends of my still-sweaty hair. "That's a lot of driving, though," I said honestly. "I want to figure something out too, but I'm trying to be realistic. I don't want there to be kinks in our plan that result in a fight or us not being able to see each other later on, when we're actually back at school and in the thick of things. I want this to work out."

"So do I, babe. We'll figure it out," Edward promised. "I don't mind driving, but now that I think about it…gas prices suck, and that might be an issue. It's not huge, but if I'm running low on money one weekend, I probably wouldn't be able to make the trip to Providence and back."

"I know you won't like this, but let me at least offer," I said, raising my eyebrows at him. "I would be more than happy to help you with gas, especially if it means I would get to see you more often."

"Thank you, Bella. If it means getting to see you, I won't turn that offer down. But let's try and see if we can figure something else out first before resorting to that."

I nodded, thankful that he was at least considering my offer. I loved him, but Edward could be so stubborn about money and letting me pay for things, and it drove me crazy. I wanted to share with him what I have, but he sees it as charity instead and views that as a bad thing. I know it's a point of pride for him, but I wish he would stop treating the money situation like it is shameful.

"What about the train? I know it takes forever, and sometimes the prices suck, but at least we could still do schoolwork during the trip, and that way we would have less to do when we actually see each other. Or, we could meet in between. Boston is close enough to the middle for me, and I wouldn't mind driving a little extra on my end. The drive would only be cut down to two hours instead of three, but it's better than nothing. We might be able to make that work." Edward said, lighting up slightly. I could tell the gears in his head were turning, trying to figure out logistics.

"That might actually work," I said, thinking it over. "I mean, not every time, because I'm going to want to see your place and have you show me around your favorite haunts in Hanover…but Boston isn't bad. Plus, we have the townhouse in Boston that we lived in when I was little, so there's always a place for us to stay." I could feel myself brightening, and I was praying that we could actually make this work.

I was too invested in this for it to not work out due to distance. I found myself changing, for the better, as a direct result of being with Edward. He is making me more grounded, more in touch, and I appreciated it. It's easy to get lost in this world, where money is everything and nothing at the same time. Growing up in this lifestyle has made me spoiled and a little out of touch, but I feel myself losing some of that childishness now that I'm in a serious relationship with someone like Edward.

I like the idea of growing up because of him, and I want to grow old with him, too. It's still scary to me, to be feeling all of these intense things, but I'm slowly getting used to it. Being in a new relationship is always a little scary and exciting, and that's part of the fun. Before, I've always focused on that fun, passionate stage of relationship. But now, I'm looking forward to the future- my future, with Edward.

Meeting Edward signified the beginning of a change in my life, and I can only hope that he'll be by my side for the rest of whatever life has in store for me.

…

This chapter was much more on the logistic side of things, but this is stuff they needed to talk about and figure out before the rest of the story could progress too much further. I want to be realistic and include real world things in this story, even though this world is nothing like mine lol. I spend way too much money at Sephora for a girl whose only income is waitressing on the weekends. PLUS I make more than minimum wage, so NO tips. It's nice at times to have a steady check but…taxes. And minimum wage, as most of you know, sucks even before taxes.

I'm done with my rant. Thank you all, as always, and I love each and every one of you. Please read and review!