Chapter Six:

I'm woken up with a bump as we land in Philadelphia. I don't know how, but I've managed to sleep basically the entire flight. I yawn and stretch in my seat.

"Are you back with us now, sleeping beauty?"

I turn to look at Riley and smile. "I obviously needed that." I look at the watch on my wrist, and then realise it won't even be the correct time. "Was I asleep the whole time?"

"Basically. I've been so bored!"

I laugh. "So you've been doing your puzzle books the whole time?"

He frowns. "You know it's sudoku!" I know it annoys him when I make fun of his sudoku puzzles, then he grins. "I even got some help on one from that hottie over there." He jerks his head to the front of the aeroplane, where one of the flight attendants is standing.

I snort and then place my hand over my mouth. "Trust you."

The plane finishes taxiing, and I take a quick look out of the window. There aren't any other aeroplanes around, but I can see a couple of cars a little further down from the plane. I undo my seatbelt and stand up. "We aren't near the terminal?"

Riley turns and looks at me. "No. We can't go into the terminal if we don't want you to be spotted."

I blush. "Oh."

We walk to the front of the plane, and one of the flight attendants opens the door and curtseys. I shake her hand. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Your Highness."

I step out onto the staircase and squint against the midday Pennsylvania sun, I look down and find our bags on the tarmac. I walk down the steps and wait for Riley at the bottom. As I'm waiting, I look beyond the plane to the cars waiting further up and see a head of blond hair walking towards me that I haven't seen for quite some time, but know I'd recognise it anywhere.

I smile as he comes to stand beside me. "Hello, Carlisle."

He sweeps me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. "Hello, Princess." He lets go and I roll my eyes at him. He grins and then his eyes soften. "Bella." He puts his arms around my shoulders. "It's so good to see you."

I lean against him. "It's good to see you too." I sigh. "Thank you for this."

"You know it's no problem. But I'd never say no to your father."

I laugh. "I know that feeling."

Riley finally makes his way off the plane and joins us on the tarmac. "Carlisle. This is Riley Biers, my private secretary. Riley, this is Carlisle Cullen, my Godfather."

"Sir." He nods at Carlisle. "It's nice to meet you." They shake hands.

"Don't go calling me 'Sir' the whole time you're here."

Riley looks confused. "Senator. Cull-"

Carlisle cuts him off and grins. "Carlisle is just fine."

Riley smiles, and then looks at me. "I'm used to not having to be formal with Bella, but forgive me if it takes a while."

Carlisle smiles at Riley and then looks to me. "Shall we go?"

I look towards the cars, and then nod. "Let's go home."

Carlisle smiles warmly at me, and starts walking towards the cars.

Home... at least for the next month.

xoxox

About an hour later, we turn into the driveway of a beautiful house, what I'd be tempted to call, mansion. There are steps leading up to a porch that wraps around the entire bottom section of the house, along with lots of windows all around. It appears to have been added to at some point, with more modern parts seeming to be along the side and out the back, however, the entire building is stunning. We reach the top of the driveway and the car stops.

"Your home is beautiful."

Carlisle opens his door and steps out of the car, I turn to do the same and find the door already open and Riley standing there waiting. "You didn't need to do that."

He shrugs. "Maybe not."

I smile at him.

"Interior design is one of Esme's passions." Carlisle says with a smile, he opens the boot of the car and pulls out some of the luggage. Riley goes to help him. "I'll get this in a minute, let's go inside." He walks up to the front door and opens it. I stay by the car, suddenly frozen with anxiety. "Bella?"

I gulp.

"Come on. Esme doesn't bite." He winks at me.

I walk to join him and we enter the house, I have a quick look around and it's even more beautiful inside. It seems to be all open plan downstairs, with glass windows along the back wall, with a huge back garden. The sitting room is made up of plush couches and there's a baby grand piano placed in the back corner of the room. I'm pulled out of being nosey, by what I have to assume is Esme joining us. She smiles warmly at me.

"Bella. This is my wife, Esme." Carlisle goes to stand beside her and puts his arm around her waist. "Esme, this is Bella."

"It's so lovely to meet you," She pauses for a moment. "Your Highness." A smile tugs at the corners of Carlisle's mouth after she says this.

I smile, and shake my head. "There's no need for formalities. I'm not here on any official business. You can just call me Bella."

She smiles and then comes to me and hugs me. I hug her back, and suddenly feel like I'm being hugged by my own mother.

I pull back, startled, and smile at her.

"It's lovely to meet you too. Thank you so much for agreeing to let me stay here for a while."

"It's not a problem." She tips her head slightly to one side. "I'm sorry for what happened."

Riley walks in the door at that moment, and saves me from having to talk about it and Carlisle introduces him to Esme.

"Bella, do you want me to get the suitcases?"

I go to answer him but Carlisle beats me to it. "No, don't worry. I'll get them. Esme will show you to your rooms."

Riley and I follow Esme up two flights of stairs, she stops at the first door and opens it. "This will be your room, Riley. There's a bathroom at the end of the hall, but you'll have that to yourself because Bella has her own in her bedroom."

He smiles at her. "Thank you, Mrs. Cullen."

She scoffs. "Esme is just fine, dear." She turns to face me, and then walks to the furthest room, and opens the door. "This is your room, Bella." We walk inside, and it is beautiful. There is a king sized bed in the middle of the room with purple covers and lovely cushions decorating the top. There's even a window seat, looking out over the back garden.

"This is lovely. Thank you."

She smiles at me. "Like I said, you have a bathroom in here, so no need to share, and the only other room up here that's used is my office. So it will just be yourself and Riley." She comes to hug me. "We want you to feel at home here, Bella. So please, treat this like you'd treat your own home."

I feel tears pricking my eyes and have to look away. I swallow past the lump in my throat. "Thank you."

Esme kisses my cheek, and Carlisle walks in with my suitcases and places them on the floor. "We'll leave you to get settled." They leave and close the door behind them.

I sit down on the bed, and suddenly remember I haven't let my father know that I'm here. I turn on my mobile phone, and wait for it to wake up after being turned off for so long.

Arrived safely. Talk to you soon. B x

The response arrives a few seconds later. Talk to you soon. Love, Dad. xx

I place my phone on the bed next to me and let the tears I've been holding back fall down my face, letting the homesickness overtake me. I place my hand over my mouth to try and quieten my sobs.

The next month can't come soon enough.