Good Morning, Loves!

All mistakes are on me.


Chapter Forty-Two: Bella

December 9, 2022

London, England

Edward keeps glancing at me.

It takes all my self control not to smile. He's probably right to be suspicious; I don't have the best track record with his parents. It's true that Esme sometimes scares the hell out of me, and Carlisle… well, I've never really gotten close to him. I figured he, like my own dad, was just the stoic kind.

Edward glances down at me, and the humor bubbling in me is almost too much.

Despite how overwhelmed I get by the pair of them, I'm actually really excited to see Esme and Carlisle. I've gotten a new appreciated for family recently, and I'm determined that this time, I'll really let myself be in the moment with them. Now that we can't see our family as easily, every little second seriously counts.

Edward glances at me again, and I can feel him getting ready to ask, when I see Esme through the crowd coming through the arrivals gate.

"Esme!" I call, waving over the crowd. Esme lets out a shriek that startles the people in front of her. She pushes past them as I rush around the barricade to hug her.

Her hug is fierce and warm and though it's still a little overwhelming, I revel in it.

God, she feels like home.

"Bella, Sweetheart, look at you! You're absolutely radiant!" She gushes, pulling back from me to take me in.

"You too, it's so good to see you," I tell her, honestly feeling it. Esme's eyes fill and she yanks me back into her arms.

"It's been far too long," she says, squeezing me. I smile. It's been about six months, which is usually how long we go between visits, but she's right, this one feels longer.

"Mom, we need to move."

Esme and I break apart to see Edward and Carlisle trying to usher us to the side. Esme wipes at the tears from her eyes, shaking her head.

"They can go around us," she huffs.

Despite that though, we gather their things and move out of the way. When we've pulled off to the side, I turn to Carlisle.

"It's good to see you," I say, throwing my arms around him. He stiffens in surprise, before gently hugging me back.

"You too, Bella. How have you been?"

He lets me go far quicker than Esme, and I smile at him, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"I'm great," I tell him, because honestly, I can't remember anything ever being wrong in my life in this moment. "How have you been?"

Carlisle smiles. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm fine."

Esme grabs my attention before I can ask him more. "Oh Sweetheart, you are just glowing! Look at you! Carlisle, look at her!"

I grin at her, soaking up the attention. Beside me, Edward coughs lightly.

"Should we get to the hotel?" Edward asks.

"Yes, let's go so we can settle in," Esme says, glancing back at her husband. He gives her a tired smile and she turns back to me. "You're staying with us, right? At the hotel?"

I nod as she winds an arm through mine. "Yeah, we'll be in London a few days," I tell her. She lets out an Alice squeal and I grin at her.

"Wonderful, I can't wait to hear absolutely everything!"