oOo
The doorbell rang soon enough and while Esme hurried off to get it, Carlisle handed out glasses of sherry to Edward and Bella.
"Don't worry, Edward," he chuckled. "I can guarantee you it's a surprise you will like."
Only seconds later, a young girl stormed into the room, her blonde curls bobbing as she threw herself on Edward, who was sitting on the sofa.
"I haven't seen you in ages!" she squealed, kissing his cheeks.
She was dressed in a mini skirt and UGG boots, and they were not the fake ones that were on Bella's feet. Bella watched the spectacle next to her for a few seconds, too dumbstruck to say anything.
Rosalie and Emmett had entered the room as well, greeting Carlisle and chatting easily. The girl was meanwhile tickling Edward's side, and Bella was beginning to boil inwardly, when Edward finally groaned, "Okay, that's enough, Vera. You're killing your old uncle here."
Bella's smile grew from ear to ear.
Vera! His niece!
"Vera, meet my Bella," Edward said.
"Hi, I'm Vera. It's good to meet you, Edward told me tons about you!"
"Hello, Vera. Yes, um he told me a lot about you, too."
Edward chuckled, shaking his head and rubbing his eyebrow.
He got up and greeted his sister and brother-in-law, and Bella followed suit. Rosalie kissed her cheek in greeting, which surprised Bella slightly. Emmett shook her hand and grinned a dimpled grin. He reminded Bella of a big boy with broad shoulders and a happy-go-lucky attitude.
Conversation was animated and relaxed once everyone was sitting down at the table that Esme had loaded with little delicacies. There were cucumber and salmon sandwiches, scones and petit fours, and of course, Bella's cake, which earned her endless compliments.
She was sitting between Edward and Vera, and while everyone else was discussing the upcoming spring season at the Royal Opera House, Vera addressed her.
"Edward told me you're studying Linguistics? It sounds exciting."
"Oh, it is, but it is a lot of work, and I sometimes feel like my head will explode. I never thought it'd be so scientific, you know."
Vera smiled, and it made her whole face light up. She was extraordinarily pretty, with large, blue eyes and a cute, upturned nose. She didn't seem conceited though. Bella could smell that kind of girl a mile away, and Vera was not.
They talked about Bella's degree courses, and Vera had question after question, having just started studying journalism. She was full of fun and anecdotes, but seemed also serious about her career, listening to Bella with big eyes. They progressed to other topics, finding that they shared a few favourite authors – as well as some least favourite ones.
Bella was always aware of Edward's presence next to her, and he would sometimes touch her pinkie with his. It was not noticeable to anyone else, but to them, it meant a lot.
As the afternoon wore on, and Vera and Bella talked a lot more. Bella considered the possibility of them becoming friends. She was certain that Vera and Jackie would get along, and Alice would like her too.
"Hey." His breath was warm on her neck and she could feel his nose by her ear. "I'll call us a cab, okay?"
"Yeah, okay."
"We should get together soon," Vera said.
They had already exchanged phone numbers.
"You're not stealing my girlfriend," Edward joked with a growling undertone.
"Don't be silly." Bella kissed his cheek.
He was rather silent on their way home.
oOo
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