Disclaimer: All Twilight names, places and characteristics belong to the talented Stephenie Meyer. I just play with her toys.

Authors note: Just a few chapters to go! Enjoy!


Eric was staring at me. I waved my hand in his face, trying to snap him out of his trance. Was it possible that he was in shock?

Would he notice if I just slipped away?

I leaned in and looked into his eyes. Slowly, I lifted my hand and flicked him directly in the centre of his forehead.

"Hey!" He squealed and frowned at me.

"What?" I asked innocently.

Eric looked at me with complete surprise, he blinked repeatedly and sighed.

"You quit?"

I nodded.

"Really?"

"Yes," I whispered, "I don't want this anymore, I was talking to Edward during the week and-"

"Edward? You're quitting because of Edward? We're going home today, Boo, that's over,"

Pain stung my heart.

"I know it's over," I agreed with him, "But Edward's helped me to understand that I can do better for myself and Marcus was right, I'm nothing but a whore,"

"You're taking the word of that asshole?" Eric chuckled in reference to his definite ex-lover.

"More Edward's word than Marcus. He's going to be a Doctor, Eric, how fucking awesome is that. I could be anything," I grinned, actually a little excited with my choice.

Eric laughed.

"Aww, Bella Boo, you couldn't be a doctor, sweetie. You hate blood," He stroked my arm and we burst out laughing together.

"You know what I mean!" I giggled, "The porn industry is all I've ever known because I fell into it by accident and fell in love with the money. I want to see what else I'm good at. You're not mad at me are you?"

Eric stopped laughing and he smiled warmly, shaking his head at me and then threw his skinny arms around me.

"No, I'm not mad. So I've only got one client now, it's no biggie," He shrugged, "You're still my best girl," He grinned.

We hugged again and pecked each other on the lips before heavy rain began to fall on the streets of London. We hurried inside and into the elevator.

We walked along the hall in silence until we reached my hotel room door, I was already pulling Edward's shirt off.

"We need to meet downstairs in an hour," Eric smiled and sprinted off down to his own room.

I watched him leave and quickly went into my own room. Edward was laying on his back, still fast asleep. I threw the shirt on the floor and wriggled out of the sweatpants before crawling back into bed beside him. I took thirty seconds to gaze at his sleeping face.

My eyes were closed for only a minute or two when the alarm sounded. Edward whacked the button on the digital clock with his fist and slid his warm arms around my naked body and pulled me tight against him.

"Mmm, best night's sleep ever," He mumbled with a lazy smile.

Edward had no idea that I'd ever been gone.

That's exactly how I wanted it.

"It was," I whispered and kissed his lips tenderly.

He pulled a face and licked his lips.

"Morning breath," He covered his mouth.

I laughed softly and pulled his hand away from his mouth, planting a lingering kiss upon my favourite lips.

"I don't care," I insisted, brushing his messy hair away from his eyes.

"Mmm, if you insist, sweetheart," He chuckled and pulled the sheets higher over us, his warm, naked rolled on top of mine and began his gentle assault on my neck with his lips.

"Uh... Ah! Edward, we can't," I stammered, almost melting against him, "I have to leave for the airport in an hour,"

Edward stopped kissing me and we sighed together.

-BS-

After taking a perfectly innocent shower together... Well, almost innocent, I was packed and waiting in the lobby for Eric with Edward. I looked far more presentable then I had a few hours ago. I was comfortable in my skinny jeans and converse, perfect flight wear.

Edward's arm was draped over my shoulder, his fingertips continuously stroking my arm. It was both soothing and causing my skin to break out in gooseflesh. It was also a recurring reminder than in another hour, Edward and I would be saying goodbye.

"Are you sure you want to come to the airport?" I asked.

"Absolutely," He murmured pressing a gentle kiss to my temple before motioning that he could see Eric checking us out at the reception desk.

Eric checked us out and wandered outside after the bus boy with our bags with a clear wiggle in his step. It's what he did when he was trying to entice a male. It just made him look like he was dancing.

Edward and I held each other tightly while he did. His arms tight around my shoulders and my hands clinging around his waist with my face buried into his shirt which smelt more like me now than him.

I felt Edward's head move and his chin on my head, he sighed quietly and mumbled.

"The car's ready,"

I nodded and we reluctantly seperated and went to meet Eric in the car.

My tiredness caught up on me and I fell asleep during the car journey. Edward held me safe and tight in his arms. I rested against his chest and fell asleep to the gentle thumping of his heartbeat. I wasn't sound asleep, there was a slight part of me that could hear a few words of his and Eric's car conversation.

"You're going to miss her, aren't you?"

"So much that it hurts,"

Those were the main words I caught. Through everything that I had done, everything I had put Edward and I through; he was hurting anyway because I was leaving.

I felt it too.

I shifted in Edward's hold, managing to hide my face enough to let a single tear escape me and allowing me time to compose myself.

Some time later, I felt Edward gently shake my shoulder to wake me. I blinked and found myself greeted with Edward's red, blotchy eyes. Almost as if he'd been crying.

I truly hoped he hadn't and perhaps Eric had accidently poked him in the eye.

I looked out of the window and saw Eric walking through the door to departures with the suitcase trolley. Edward gently placed his warm hand on my cheek and turned my head to look at him. No words could be said before his lips almost crushed to mine in a desperate kiss. I was in great danger of sneaking my hands up his shirt before he pulled away from me.

"Are you ready, Bella?"

"As I'll ever be," I responded in a just audible whisper.

Edward escorted Eric and I into Heathrow Airport. I left his side for just a few minutes to check in with Eric. I stared at my passport photo and hardly recognised the girl looking back at me. The Bella in the photo had big hair, dark, smoky eyes and plump, purple lips. No doubt I was wearing killer heels on my feet that day too. Today, I had flat, straight hair, no make-up and I was comfortable. I felt comfortable and I looked it too. I smiled to myself and handed my passport for inspection.

I was a better Bella.

I think I was a happier Bella now too.

Eric passed me our boarding passes and I shoved them, with our passports into the back pocket of my jeans. I made my way back to Edward while Eric watched our bags disappear through the carossel, he often worried that airlines would lose our belongings, even if it had never happened.

While we waited, Edward and I simply held hands, our fingers interlocked and squeezing together every few seconds.

Eric sprinted his way over to us and clapped his hands together.

"Boo? It's time to go through security, babes," He smiled and pointed to the barriers just a few metres away. I sucked in a breath and nodded.

"It was great to meet you, Cullen," Eric grinned brightly and hugged Edward, to Edward's very clear surprise.

"You too," He chuckled and waved his hand as Eric walked off towards security.

Almost together, Edward and I both sighed.

He took both of my hands in his and swung them from side to side. Edward stared down at the floor and my eyes watched him. I don't know how long our arms performed their little swinging game, but soon Edward dropped his arms and took out his phone.

"I'm not losing touch with you again, Bella," He murmured and filled in my name on the Blackberry contacts, leaving me to fill in the rest.

I inputted my cellphone number, apartment number and address, email address and for some reason, my birthday.

I think I was just trying to drag these last few minutes out.

I used Edward's phone to quickly call my own so I had his number. I felt the vibration in my pocket and hung up.

"I have to go," I looked into Edward's green eyes sadly, pushing his 'mobile' into his jacket pocket.

"I know," He nodded and cupped both of my cheeks. I closed my eyes and felt our lips just touch warmly and tenderly for a second until my lips felt cold again.

"I love you, Bella," Edward whispered.

My mouth fell open in a 'oh' shape and I blinked repeatedly.

My mouth stayed open like a fish and I prayed for words to come out.

Words.

Any words!

I could hear Eric behind me, calling for me to hurry up and I could feel my emotion building inside me. I took slow, gradual steps away from Edward but neither of us stopped staring into each other's souls as I did.

"I'll never forget you," I told him... well... more screamed at him actually.

I tugged at my hair frustratingly and turned away into security, allowing them to scan my clothes.

I passed through easily and I turned around to see Edward waving at me in the distance. I smiled and waved my fingers back at him. He buried his hands into the pockets of his jacket and smile crookedly at me. I could see his eyes becoming red again.

One of us had to turn away.

It was only me first because Eric put his arm around me.

"C'mon, girl. You need a liquid breakfast, my treat"

I didn't say anything, I let Eric turn me away from Edward and I fought the urge to look back at him.

Instead I stayed quiet until we reached a bar in the airport and I muttered into the Irish coffee that I suspected I'd paid for.

"He loves me,"

"What!" Eric screeched.

"Edward said he loves me," I repeated.

Eric's eyes lit up, his feet were banging on the floor tiles and his hands frantically clapped together like a seal.

"What did you say?"

Tears began to flow freely down my face.

"Nothing,"

Oh how I wish I had.


Until next time

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