Hi.

Thanks again for coming back to this story!


Edward sighed as he kicked off his shoes and fell back against the familiar comforter. As much as he had enjoyed Europe, he was glad to be home. There was nothing quite like the well-worn comforter of his childhood bed, or the smell of his mother's famous Mexican Chilli.

He'd had a fantastic time touring Europe. Bella had directed him to all of her favourite spots in the cities he'd visited, but he'd be lying if he didn't admit that his favourite part of the trip was his final three days. He'd casually mentioned that skiing was something he'd always wanted to try one evening on the phone with Bella. When she had told him about the cabin her family had in the Alps, Edward had joked that, one day, they should go together and Bella could teach him to ski. She had been quick to suggest that he take the cabin for the weekend. A swift call to the housekeeper there and an hour later, Edward was on his way to Switzerland.

The skiing lessons Bella had arranged for him were fantastic. He'd never had so much fun before. The only thing that was missing to make the weekend perfect was Bella herself. But she'd promised him, on one of their nightly calls, that the next time Edward was in Europe, she'd make some time to hit the slopes with him.

So, naturally, Edward had immediately called to confirm his attendance for next year's UK convention.

"Edward, your sister will be here any minute, are you coming down?" Esme called up.

"Be down in a second."

He pulled out his phone to fire off a quick message to Bella.

Back home safely in Texas. I hope your dinner's going well. Talk soon. Xx

Bella and her father were having dinner with the Australian Prime Minister and his wife, so Edward slid his phone back into his pocket, not expecting a response any time soon.

He jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen, not wanting to keep his mother waiting. "Is there anything you need me to do, Mom?"

"No, sweetheart. Would you like some coffee?" she asked, setting a steaming mug in front of where Edward stood. He inhaled deeply, savouring the smell.

"Thanks, Mom." He shot her a sweet smile as the doorbell rang and his phone vibrated in his pocket. Esme excused herself to answer the door as Edward pulled his phone free.

Bella's name flashed on his screen. He'd changed her contact to simply Bellawhen he'd landed back in his home state. His mother had a nasty habit of snooping, and the last thing he needed was for her to see Isabella - HRH The Princess Of Wales flashing on his screen. Edward hurried to unlock the phone to see what she had written before his mother could finish at the front door.

Glad to hear you landed in one piece. Dinner is BORING! The guy only wants to talk golf with my father, and his wife is so dull. I'm hiding in the bathroom. Xx

She'd attached a picture of herself, in said bathroom, and Edward chuckled slightly as he saved it to his phone. She might have been hiding, and her pose definitely showed that, but she also looked absolutely stunning in her emerald green dress. He was absolutely taking that image to bed with him later.

He was interrupted from his staring by the sound of his mother and sister approaching the kitchen. Not yet ready to share news of Bella with anyone else, Edward quickly turned off his phone and hid it in his pocket. He wouldn't put it past his little sister to try and run off with it if she thought he was hiding something.

"Hey stranger, how's Hollywood?" Angela asked, skipping over to plant a kiss on Edward's cheek. He turned around to squeeze her into a tight hug.

His little sister was seven years younger than he was, and even though she had been an adult for a few years now, he couldn't help but think of her as much younger. She'd always be his baby sister, no matter how old she got.

As Angela pulled back, Edward's eyes found those of the blond standing just behind her. He groaned slightly as he remembered that he had agreed to meet with Angela's friend Tanya when he returned. Angela had been trying to set the two of them up all year and Edward had finally caved to her wishes just before he left for the UK.

It didn't take long for Angela to notice that her brother's eyes had wandered. Sadly, she didn't catch the look of horror on Edward's face when he realised what was going on.

"Edward, I'd like you to meet my friend, Tanya. I thought you guys could get to know each other a little before your date."

"Hi, Tanya. It's nice to meet you." Edward plastered a fake smile on his face as he stretched out his hand to shake hers.

She was definitely not his type.

He turned back to his coffee hoping that his sister wouldn't make this too awkward for him.

"It's really nice to meet you," Tanya drawled. Edward could see her moving round the kitchen island so she was back in his line of sight. And she was twirling her fake blond hair around her fake fingernail. "I'm looking forward to our date." She fluttered her lashes at him and Edward cringed.

"About that. I'm so sorry but I don't think it would be appropriate for us to go on a date," he started, slowly.

All six female eyes flashed to his face.

Damn.

This was not what he wanted at all.

He blushed slightly under their scrutiny and lowered his head to rub at the back of his neck.

"Why not?" Angela snapped. "You agreed to go on a date with Tanya. You can't back out now."

"It's really not good etiquette, Sweetheart," Esme chimed in from her position by the stove.

"I… um. I sorta met someone while I was in Europe," he hedged.

The eyes on him were now blazing.

"You met someone? What, a fan? Where?" Edward recognised the tone in Angela's voice. She was gearing up for an explosion.

"It's complicated. But I like her. And I think it would be hugely disrespectful to her to go on a date with someone else. I'm sorry, Tanya."

"You're sorry? You just met this girl like two weeks ago. She can't be that important to you already. Who is she? Does she live in Europe because I hate to break it to you, Bro, but that's never gonna end in a serious relationship and it's certainly not a good excuse to blow off someone who you agreed to date before you met her!"

"Angela," Esme warned. She could also see the tension building in her daughter's body. Angela might have been the darling daughter of the family, but she also had a record for throwing some truly epic tantrums.

"Look, I really am sorry," Edward addressed both his sister and her best friend. "I don't want to say too much right now and jinx this but the woman I met is special. I like her. Yes, she lives on the other side of the world, but we are both in positions where we can afford to travel and see each other. I want to see where this goes. It might crash and burn spectacularly and if it does," Edward turned back to his sister, "you can be first in line to say 'I told you so.' But, until then, I don't feel comfortable dating other women."

"I can't believe this, you're unbelievable." Angela stormed away from the room, slamming doors for good measure, with Tanya trailing behind her. Edward waited for the slam of the front door before he turned to look at his mother.

"You think I'm wrong?" he asked, trying to make out the curious look on her face.

"No. No, I don't. I think you're hiding something," she told him, raising her brow, "but I think you were right. If you truly like this girl then you're right not to date other women."

"Thank you," Edward sighed.

"I also think you need to be careful. Long distance relationships are hard work. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I won't, Mom." Edward finished his coffee and approached his mother. "I promise, I know what I'm doing."

Esme did not look reassured.

"She's worth it. I know she is."

Esme stretched up to press a kiss to Edward's forehead.

"As long as you're sure, Sweetheart. I worry about you."

"You wouldn't be a mom if you didn't." Edward smiled, wrapping her up in his arms.

As much as he missed Bella, it was definitely good to be home.


Thanks again to Dooba and Duckie who keep me inspired.

And thank you all for reading