Chapter 20: Romance from a Distance

BPOV

Cambridge was even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. The architecture was gorgeous and everything was covered in pristine white snow. It looked like an image straight out of a postcard.

We didn't get much time to look around, because we were exhausted. It was early afternoon, but I hadn't slept in more than twenty-four hours. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep for at least a few hours. What I really wanted was to get in bed with Edward and sleep, but that wasn't going to happen.

"You look like a zombie." Jacob pointed out as he carried my heavier bags into the room for me. He seemed to lift them as if they only weighed ten pounds instead of fifty.

"I'm tired." I said opening one of the suitcases that had my bed sheets and blankets.

"You should've slept on the plane." He added leaning against the doorframe watching me as I worked.

"I don't sleep on planes." I said even though the statement was partially true. I only slept on planes when Edward was with me, he made me feel safe. It was weird but true.

"I can sleep anywhere." He continued as I busied myself getting my bed ready. I had to sleep on sheets it was a pet peeve of mine, the rest of the room could wait. But I needed soft sheets on my bed.

"I saw that." I laughed. Jacob had fallen asleep for two hours straight, even though the seats were incredibly uncomfortable.

"Well, I'm going to head to bed. Do you want to explore the campus later?" He asked stifling a yawn.

"Let me get some sleep first. I get cranky without sleep." I replied waving at him before he disappeared closing the door behind him.

After the sheets were on the bed I stripped to my underwear before slipping on one of Edward's shirts. His scent made me feel at ease. As I looked around the room, I knew something was missing. I looked through my suitcases taking out a picture frame.

The picture showed Edward and I in front of the piano. I had brought others, but that one was by far my favorite. We were both dressed very formally. I was wearing a dark blue evening dress and Edward was in a tuxedo. It was taken by Esme before one of Carlisle's hospital parties. They had formal parties every year honoring the various charities they were involved with.

I placed the picture on the small nightstand next to my phone. The bed felt cold and lonely. A single tear escaped my eye as I thought of Edward. I missed him, and I had no idea how I was going to survive the next four months. I was happy to be in England, but I wanted him to be with me.

EPOV

After hearing Bella's voice when she arrived in England I was able to sleep a lot more soundly and comfortably. We couldn't speak long, and I hadn't told her to call me, because I knew she needed her sleep. She wouldn't have slept on the plane no matter how tired she was.

I awoke feeling refresh with a dull ache in my chest. An ache that I knew wouldn't disappear until we were together. I quickly got dressed before making my way downstairs where my mom was putting groceries away. I had slept in a lot later than I had imagined.

"We thought you weren't going to join us." My mom said handing me a coffee mug. "There's coffee in the coffeemaker."

"I didn't realize how tired I was. I didn't really fall asleep until Bella got to England." I explained as I helped my mom put away groceries. It was best to stay busy.

"What time did she call?" My mom asked.

"Just after two. We didn't talk much, because she had to get through customs and stuff. I'm actually going to email her in a bit." I finished.

"Before I forget, your dad wants you to come in to the hospital to help out. He says that they could never have enough help." My mom mentioned handing me a muffin she had baked.

"Is he trying to get me out of the house?" I inquired. It seemed like everyone main objective was to find things for me to do.

"Edward, you love working at the hospital. Besides it's not healthy to stay locked in your room." She replied with a smile.

"I just don't need people planning my life. Just because I find things to do doesn't mean I won't miss her." I pointed out. Nothing was going to change how much I longed to be with her.

"We don't want you to stop missing her. Everyone wants to help, because we love you and Bella." My mother added as I sighed.

"I'm going to head to school to the library to see if I can get some studying done. I'll swing by the hospital later and stay for a few hours." I conceded giving her a kiss goodbye.

BPOV

I woke up at about six in the evening a lot more rested than I had been when I had arrived. I had only had about four hours of sleep, but it was better than nothing. I knew Jacob was awake, because I could hear his movement through the walls. Apparently the walls weren't very thick.

I got up looking through my suitcase for sweatpants. I didn't need Jacob walking in on me wearing no pants. I started to put away some clothes as my computer turned on. I wanted to check my emails and write to Edward.

I logged in to my email account quickly scanning my emails. I squealed when I saw that Edward had written to me.

"Bella, are you alright?" Jacob asked from the other side of my door. He sounded genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, Jacob. I'm just checking my emails." I answered clicking on Edward's message.

My Love,

I sit here in the cold lonely library and all I can think about is you. I hope you like Cambridge, and I hope you are enjoying yourself. I want you to have fun and explore. I wanted to write you a beautiful love letter, but I simply suck. My words leave me when you're not here. Therefore, I decided to peruse the aisles of the library and I stumbled upon a book you once read. A book full of famous love letters. I know you read it over a year ago, but I will never forget how engrossed you were in the book. Everytime I write to you I would let a poet, writer, philosopher or even artist explain what I feel. But even their words will fall short of what I feel.

Love Letter #1 is from Nathaniel Hawthorne to his wife Sophia

Dearest, - I wish I had the gift of making rhymes, for methinks there is poetry in my head and heart since I have been in love with you. You are a Poem. Of what sort, then? Epic? Mercy on me, no! A sonnet? No; for that is too labored and artificial. You are a sort of sweet, simple, gay, pathetic ballad, which Nature is singing, sometimes with tears, sometimes with smiles, and sometimes with intermingled smiles and tears.

I love you now and always,

Edward

PS- Call me before you head to bed. I need to hear the melody and sweetness of your voice.

I felt the emotion behind his email and I couldn't stop the trail of tears from falling. Edward was the sweetest most romantic man in the universe. I didn't deserve a man like him, because he was just too perfect.

I was going to reply, but I knew I had to call him. Such a romantic gesture deserved more than just a reply. He had remembered something that I hadn't even said to him. He knew me all too well.

"Bella," Jacob called.

"Yes, Jake." I said. "You can come in." I added as I heard his footsteps before he walked in.

"The guys are heading over to get some dinner and then to buy some food. Do you want to come?" He asked as I nodded.

"Give me thirty minutes to shower and stuff. I'll meet you guys in the Dining Hall if you want." I answered as he nodded.

"I can wait for you, I still have to do some unpacking." He offered.

"It's fine, Jake. Spend time with the guys, I need to make a phone call first." I replied. I didn't feel comfortable with having him wait for me. It seemed too personal, something a guy did for his girlfriend.

"If you're sure." He shrugged reluctantly.

"I'm sure." I said with a smile as he left.

Once I heard the voices retreat I dialed Edward waiting for him to answer.

"My love." He greeted as my heart melted into more mush.

"I love you." I blurted out before giggling. "I can't believe you remembered."

"I take it you got my email." He stated and I could tell by the tone in his voice that he was smiling.

"I sure did, and you are the most wonderfully romantic person in the universe. I have no idea what I did to deserve you." I added.

"I'm just perceptive that's all." He answered. "What are you up to? How do you like Cambridge?"

"I just woke up so I haven't seen much. What I saw this afternoon is gorgeous. It looks like a Christmas postcard. Everything is covered in snow and the architecture is beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice." I explained my excitement rising.

"How about the rooms? Are they big?" He questioned.

"They're not huge, but I guess it could be worse. I'm sharing the common area with Jacob, but we each have our own room." I added the last part quickly. I didn't want him to get jealous.

"Be careful around Jacob." He warned with a slight possessive tone.

"He's just a friend, Edward." I corrected.

"To you, but guys don't think that way." He continued.

"I'll be careful." I conceded. I really didn't want to argue with him.

"What time is it there?" He inquired.

"It's almost seven, I'm about to go to dinner and then buy some food. I guess we need to find a supermarket type thing around here." I said as he chuckled.

"I'm sure you'll find one." He joked.

"What's on your agenda?" I questioned not ready to hang up just yet.

"I'm studying now, and then I'm going to the hospital for a few hours. Classes start tomorrow like they do for you." He replied. "I'll call you tomorrow when I wake up."

"I'll be waiting." I sighed.

"I love you, my angel."

"I love you, too." I finished before hanging up. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

A/N: Ever since I saw the Sex and the City movie, I've been dying to add the love letter thing to a story. It's just so romantic and perfect, and totally made me all mushy inside. For those of you who don't know what I mean in Sex and the City Mr. Big copies famous love letters into emails for Carrie as a way of winning her back. She doesn't get them until almost the end of the movie. It is by far my favorite part of the movie plus the whole proposal with the shoe. I love shoes so I'm biased.

I got carried away with inspirations and I had to post another chapter. I know nobody is complaining.

The letters I use will be bolded and italics to illustrate they are not my own. The parts Edward writes will only be in italics and not bold. The letters are actual love letters from the person I note. I will put the web site I am using on my author page.

Next Chapter: Bella explores

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