The 26thand 27th

DFW was a maze, so we, Edward, Esme, Carlisle, and myself, left very early. And because we were so early and found the terminal so quickly, we had a lot of time to spare. Edward and I decided to wander the souvenir shops by the gate while we waited for Carlisle and Esme to get some coffee. Though it was early in the morning, I was already all wound up and did not need any more caffeine. I was already jittery.

Edward assured me that I would get sleep on the plane anyway. His father always brought anti-nausea medicine along. I already knew I would have to take it. A short hop was one thing. Nine full hours on a plane nonstop was an entirely different story.

They had some of the weirdest things in the shop. Every single thing had 'Texas' on it. Or the Texas Flag. Most of it was ugly or the normal souvenir stuff that everyone got for people when they were 'required' to bring back gifts. Pens, magnets, shot glasses... that sort of thing.

I nibbled on my bottom lip as I looked at some strange little wooden sculptures. They were of wolves, not that I knew why. I had never seen a wild wolf in Dallas. A coyote? Yes. Wolf? No.

"Where do you see yourself in the future?" Edward asked out of the blue. He was looking at me with an interesting expression, both curious but calm.

"Depends," I shrugged, not giving him a real answer.

"On what?"

"On when in the future," I told him truthfully. "A day from now? Sightseeing. A week from now? Being exhausted but happy. A month from now? I don't know..."

"What about a year from now?" He asked, coming to stand beside me. His hands were in his pockets, his eyes watching my hands as I looked at different things instead of looking at me.

I shrugged slowly. "Next Christmas? Well, I hope that I'm having a great time with my family... my real one. With you, Alice, and Jasper."

He sighed softly and wrapped his arms around my waist as he came to stand behind me. He set his chin on my shoulder as he looked on. "That's what I see too."

I placed my hands on top of his, "why do you ask?"

"Random thought is all," he said, kissing my cheek. I was going to probe further, but they called our flight. "Come on. We board first. We're first class."

"First class?" I asked in shock. He hadn't told me that.

"Yes, first class. I'm not flying for half a day on anything less. My parents wouldn't have done it either."

"I want to-"

"If the next words out of your mouth are 'pay for this'..." He said in the way of warning. I knew right then that I was trailing on delicate territory. Now that I knew Edward's finances, I knew that he made a good living- especially in Texas with his own business. He made about fifty thousand a year altogether, and he didn't have a ton of upkeep. He had to dry clean his clothes and fix strings. The gas was the significant expense.

But, even with the great profits, he still didn't make half of what I made a year. I think he was slightly sensitive about that. Not that I made more money per se, but I think he just didn't feel equal in that way. I felt bad about that sometimes, but there was nothing I could, or honesty would do about that.

It was just something we would have to work on together.

"I want to thank you," I said softly, taking his hand and bringing it up to my lips. "This is wonderful."

He softened slightly and pulled me into his arms once again. I lightly kissed his chin, looking into his deep green eyes. They sparkled down at me, inviting me in.

"Come on, there are my parents. Let's board."

I curled up beside Edward in the comfortable seat. Edward's parents were on the other side of the aisle, Carlisle by the window. He nudged Esme, and she pulled something out of her purse and passed it to Edward. It was two little white pills.

"When the stewardess comes by, make sure to ask for water. Drink it all up," Esme said in her gentle motherly voice. "This stuff can make your mouth cotton dry."

After we were in the air, Edward got us two bottles of water. I took the tiny pill, swallowing it down quickly in one big gulp. It tasted somewhat like salt. It was nasty. I could tell by the expression on Edward's face that he felt the same way.

"Want to watch the movie?" He asked, holding my hand gently. I nodded quickly, smiling at him. "Just to let you know, this stuff knocks me out for a couple of hours usually. So, if I fall asleep on you, don't be surprised."

"Okay," I shrugged, smiling at him. "I'm pretty sensitive to this kind of medicine. I'll probably fall asleep too."

I didn't make it thirty minutes into the movie. I heard, felt, smelt, did, nothing else but sleep the entire flight to London.

I don't know what Carlisle gave me, but apparently, it was the good stuff.

"Bella?" Edward whispered in my ear. "We've landed. It's time to go. You need to walk now."

"I don't wanna," I complained, shoving my face into his shoulder.

"I'll carry you once we get out of the airport. Come on, love," he said, pulling me up. He grabbed my carry on, which was all that I brought with me because it was big enough to hold all that I needed, and his own before pulling to his side. I stumbled along beside him, barely alive.

"Next time, give her half," I heard Carlisle say with a small laugh. "Once she gets a bit of nosh in her she'll feel better."

"Want to eat something?" Edward asked quietly in my ear. His lips were right against my skin, soft and smooth and so warm.

"No, cuddles and sleep," I muttered. I felt his chest rumble against my side, and I turned into him slightly.

"Then we'll get you home and into bed. It's midnight here anyway. We should get some sleep and go out in the morning. Sound good, my love?"

I didn't say anything. I just nodded. Once we got back in the car, I fell asleep again.

When I finally woke up, it was morning. Early morning, probably around seven. I felt... odd. Not really refreshed but very awake and aware. I rubbed my eyes, looking around.

The room was old fashion. The bed was quite large, wooden four-poster with a canopy. The walls were done in rich golden colors. There was only one door, and I could only assume that it was to the other parts of the house, but there was a big dresser with my two bags on it. There was only one window with a box seat. In one corner there was a bookshelf.

I nearly jumped when I saw Edward sitting in a chair. He was reading in his sleep pants, chewing on his thumbnail as he did. He was so deep in thought.

"You okay?" I asked, slowly sitting up. He smiled slowly as he shut his book.

"Fine. I've been up for a while, and I didn't want to bother you. You seemed so tired. How are you feeling now?"

"Slightly confused. Hungry," I shrugged. He chuckled softly.

"Not surprised, at all. Breakfast should be ready in a little while. My mum always has it ready at seven thirty."

"Where am I at?" I asked. I sat up slowly and realized I was just in a tee shirt and panties. Edward must have undressed me.

I liked that thought a little too much.

"This used to be my room when I lived here. My parents have redone it some."

"Did you sleep with me?" I asked, biting my bottom lip.

"Yes," he smiled. "My parents don't mind though my mother made several cracks about 'keepin it down while you practice baby makin' he said in his thick pretend southern accent. I giggled even though I blushed.

"I hope you told them that I can't make any promises."

"I told them that they're lucky they're on the other side of the house," he smiled wickedly. "Made her shut it real quick."

"You're bad," I teased him.

"Which is why it's a good thing they're across the house," he said, crawling onto the bed with me. He hovered over me, smiling down at me. "You are so beautiful when you sleep."

"You're beautiful all the time," I said back breathlessly. He blushed a furious color as he bit his bottom lip. Slowly he brought his hand to my cheek.

"I love you."

I turned my face to kiss the center of his hand, "I know. I love you, too. And I mean it. With all my heart."

"I know," he replied back softly, the mood suddenly very heavy.

But thankfully someone knocked on the door. "Mr. Cullen? Breakfast is ready," a soft English accented voice said. It wasn't his mother, that's for sure.

"The housekeeper," Edward said, answering my unspoken question. "Ms. Cope. Come on, let's get you dressed. I know you have to be really hungry. You didn't eat anything yesterday besides breakfast."

As if to answer Edward, my stomach growled loudly.

"There you two are!" Carlisle said brightly from behind his newspaper. He was wearing a pair of reading glasses pushed far down his nose. "I was beginning to wonder if you had survived the night."

"Alive and well," I smiled in return.

"And hungry," Edward added as he pulled out a chair for me. Esme came fluttering out of the kitchen, carrying something to the table. A moment later a woman with flaming red hair came with a tray full of things. It looked like a tea service. "Morning, Mum."

"Darlin!" She said, kissing his cheek softly. Carlisle stood and pulled out a chair for Esme which she took gratefully.

So, that's where he got it from. Good manners must have run in the family.

"Tuck in," Carlisle said, putting things on his plate. There looked to be eggs, toast, and sausage along with some fruit. "Tea, dear?" He asked me kindly.

"What kind?" I asked slowly. I knew tea was a whole other game in Europe.

"Irish Breakfast?" Edward asked his dad. Carlisle nodded, pouring himself a small cup. "It's good, just a little strong. Want me to make it for you? The proper way, I mean."

"Please," I said, pushing my cup his way.

And like he did it every day, Edward made me a little delicate cup of tea with lots of milk and sugar. It made me smile to see him like this. "Here, try it. If you don't like it, I can go get you something else. I know Mum likes green tea and there will be coffee and milk, I'm sure."

I took a long sip. He was right. It was strong, but nothing I couldn't handle. "No, this is good. Thank you."

I ate like a mad woman. Once I started, it was hard to stop. I was just so hungry. And it tasted so good. And when it was all said and done, all I wanted to do was take a shower.

I felt nasty. Stupid airplanes.

Edward noticed me scratching the back of my itchy head. His hair was pretty wild, and he needed a shave, badly. Though, if he didn't want to, I wouldn't have minded. I just wanted to run my fingers over it to see what it felt like.

I got lost in a little daydream that involved dirty things when I felt Edward take my hand. "We're going to get ready for the day. Do you have any plans?" He asked his parents.

"None today. We're going to rest. Tomorrow or the next day we're going to see your grandparents, and your Uncle Liam is coming, so you have to go," Carlisle informed him. Edward frowned.

Grandparents? Edward hadn't said anything about his other set of grandparents or an Uncle Liam. I could only assume it was Carlisle's brother. Or maybe his uncle as well. I would have to ask Edward.

"No way I can get out of it?" Edward asked.

I thought it was rather odd since Edward was so big into family. They must have been something else if he was trying to avoid them.

"No," Carlisle sighed heavily. "They've been asking about you anyway. It would be polite to drop it for tea. Don't worry, we won't be staying long."

"If we must," Edward sighed, placing his hand on my back. "Shall we? Today is yours. We can do whatever you like."

"Sightseeing?"

"Sounds great. Let's shower and get going. Have a good morning," he said to his parents before taking me back to the bedroom we were sharing. It seemed like the entire house was like his room. Very stately. I couldn't wait to see the outside.

"Why don't you want to see your grandparents?" I asked him, pulling out some clothes so I could change in the bathroom.

"Because they're not very nice people," he sighed. "They make Renee look like a saint, honestly. They had a fit when my father married my mother. Called her Colonial white trash. Now they just refer to her as the American whore. I was hoping to skip a visit to them because they'll just love meeting you." He gave me a small smile. "I don't care what they say. It won't change the way I feel. I just don't want you to go through that. Horrible people," he muttered under their breath. "Honestly, I just want to see my uncle."

"Oh," I answered, not knowing what to say.

"We won't stay long. I'd say you could just go out on your own, but I know it would just be worse the next time they came around if they found out you were avoiding them. I figure it should be like a band-aid. Rip it off all at once, you know?"

I nodded, picking up my clothes and such. "I'll shower first."

"Can we shower together? Honestly, my parents know I'm a grown up. We'll conserve water," he said softly. I giggled and nodded my head, even if I was blushing. He wasn't for once.

Somehow we actually behaved. I got dressed and blow dried my hair while Edward shaved very carefully beside me. I had never seen him do it before and it really interesting actually. He smiled at me when he noticed, and I smiled back, going back to my work.

I decided to put some makeup on, wearing a comfortable sweater with my leather jacket and gloves. It wasn't terribly cold, but it was chilly enough for them from what I got from reading Carlisle's paper.

I slipped a camera into my purse, along with some of the money I exchanged and credit cards. I also put my guide book and journal in there.

"Oh, one more thing!" Edward said quickly like he forgot something. He pulled a little blue card from his pocket. "My parents got these for us. They're good for our entire visit."

"What are they?"

"They're London Passes with travel."

"And that is?" I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Gets you into all these things free. The big things. Like the Zoo and London Tower. A lot of museums. Saves a load. You can use them as well on any public transport. Very handy."

"How thoughtful," I said, taking the card from him and looking at it. "Remind me to thank them."

"Trust me, I already have," he said, chuckling. "It's kind of pricey to begin with, but if we go to all the places I want to take you it will come very much in handy as I said. Probably will save us hundreds. Anyway, I know I said today is your day but you said you wanted to go sightseeing so I know the perfect thing we can do-"

I put my hand on his mouth to stop him from rambling. He smiled at me innocently. "I am in your competent hands."

"Okay, well then. We should hurry. If we do, we'll make it to the first tour."

"Tour?"

"Oh, Edward!" I squealed like a little girl as I took several pictures, several of probably a hundred I had already taken. "This is amazing!"

We were taking a River Thames Cruise, and I got to see so many things that I had always wanted to see. There were things that I didn't even know I wanted to see until then. Like The Shakespeare theater- the globe, the Millennium bridge... and so many other things.

"I'm glad you like it. I thought this would be a good way to start the trip. Of course, a lot of these we can visit in person. Today if you'd like. And you know, they have night cruises as well. Maybe we could take one tonight and look at the city. It's totally different in the dark."

I bit my lip, loving that idea but there was something else I wanted to do. "I want to cross something off my list tonight if that's okay."

"Of course it is. You don't have to ask me," he said, rubbing his hand down my back. "What would you like to do tonight?"

"Can we go out dancing?" I asked quietly. A giant smile spread across his lips.

"That would be wonderful! Of course."

After we finished the cruise, we went to one of the London Bridges tours. There was actually a couple. We decided we would do the rest after we had lunch.

Edward took me to a classic fish and chip shop. He sprinkled malt vinegar all over his, food which I made fun of him for. He forced me to try it, and of course, I liked it too. He, then in return, made fun of me.

I guess you never know until you try something.

We then went on the other set of London Bridge tours. I was a bit sad that I didn't get to take some of the pictures I wanted, especially of the jewels because of some of the policies, but it was okay. It was worth it just to see them.

After the London Bridge, Edward showed me Buckingham Place and told me not to bother the guards. He said it was a very touristy thing to do. I wouldn't have anyway.

"Did you come back to London often after you moved to Dallas?" I asked as we rode on a double-decker bus.

I was in geek heaven. Everything was so cool.

Edward shrugged, putting his arm over my shoulder. "Up until I finished college, yes. I'd visit at least once a year for a month or so. After that, not so much. This is the first visit I've made since my parents moved back into my great grandparents' estate."

"Great grandparents?" I asked, urging him to keep talking. I wanted to know all about him.

"Hm, my dad's grandparents on his father's side. My grandparents hated it when they gifted him the house. They had cut off my parents and expected his parents to do the same. My great grandmother was a great old lady, very feisty. Told Grandfather to sod off and that he was a stupid inbred git."

"Inbred?" I raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled, "my great grandmother's first husband was her cousin. She had my grandfather by him. It was a forced marriage and not very happy from what I understand. He died 'in the war,'" he said, using air quotes, "and she remarried. She outlived him and remarried again. She outlived him as well but didn't get remarried. She was ninety after all when he died."

"Ninety?" I breathed. "Wow."

He laughed quietly, "she lived to be something like a hundred and seven years old. Amazing if you ask me. I wouldn't want to live that long. Especially if that meant living without the people I loved."

"How old are your grandparents? They sound kind of-"

"Out of date," he finished for me. "I'm not totally sure. I know they had my father in their thirties. He's in his early fifties. Somewhere close to ninety?" He shrugged. "They have a very dated view of the world. They're extremely prejudiced."

Edward patted my hand gently and stood. "Enough of this kind of talk. Let's go see something fun. Want to take a Ferris wheel ride?"

"That sounds like fun," I said, respecting his quick subject change. I could tell he no longer wanted to talk about it and I wasn't going to force it.

It just wasn't some Ferris wheel ride. It was actually the London Eye, and it was terrific. I took so many pictures. While we were on it, his phone began to ring.

"Mum?" He said right off. He rolled his eyes but chuckled. "Mum wants to know if we'd like to come home for tea?"

"For tea?" I said, confused.

"Afternoon tea." He rolled his eyes at me but smiled. "She wants to give you a real British experience. If we did that we could go home, have tea, and then get ready for tonight. We could go out to dinner and then go dancing?"

"That sounds like fun," I agreed.

He brought the phone back up to his ear. "Yes, Mum. We will. How long till it's done?" Edward smiled at something his mother said, chuckling quietly. His accent was growing thicker and thicker the longer we were out. And sounding the most British I had ever heard him, Edward said, "right, Mum. We'll be there in a tick. No, we'll catch the tube. Bloody hell, Mum. Yes. We will." He laughed loudly, taking the phone away from his ear and rubbing his forehead before bringing it up quick. "We'll be safe. I promise. Bye."

I laughed at his exasperation expression. "Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them."

"Isn't that the bloody truth?!" He said, laughing as he threw an arm across my shoulder. "Now, let's get back for tea before Mum calls me again, and we have to have that conversation all over again."

Bella is crossing London off her list and next chapter she'll cross off even more!

If you're enjoying this story still, please let me know! We're over halfway done now.

Thanks for reading!