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The next morning, they stayed in bed until ten, ordering breakfast from room service.
It was when Edward came out of the shower that she noticed his tense expression. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair stood in wild, damp tufts. Bella watched him from her spot in the middle of the large bed as she brushed her hair.
"I really don't mind relocating with Stefan," she said. "I can come to the museum with you."
She had suggested it last night, aware that Edward wasn't exactly happy about her meeting up with her ex-boyfriend.
"Really," she said, climbing out of bed. "We can meet him together, maybe on Monday, if it bothers you."
Edward was standing in front of the wardrobe, stepping into a pair of black dress pants. She wrapped her arms around him and leant into his broad, warm back.
"It doesn't bother me," he mumbled unconvincingly. "Or should it?"
"Edward." She placed a firm kiss between his shoulder blades. "He's a friend, nothing more. We've been separated for almost three years, and there are reasons for that. If it makes you happy, I can not meet him at all…"
"No, no." Edward turned around in her arms. He looked a bit sheepish, and a bit ashamed. "I'm sorry. Of course, I trust you. You should meet him." Bending down, he kissed her softly on the lips.
"Are you sure?" She searched his face.
"Yes." Another kiss. "I'm just a silly old fart, you know that."
"Silly, yes." She smiled up at him, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes. "I love you."
"And I love you."
"Give me a call when you're finished?"
"I will," he nodded. "You're my tour guide, remember?" He gave her bottom a playful squeeze, and the mood was back to light and easy.
.
An hour later, Bella set off to visit the Jewish Museum and the French Cathedral. She bought postcards and little souvenirs for everyone back home, and a book on the city's most important buildings and works of art for Edward.
She still didn't feel entirely good about meeting Stefan. She wanted to see him, yes, but only because she liked and respected him. It was painful to know that Edward couldn't see the situation in a more relaxed way.
Maybe it would have been better to meet Stefan at a later date, to ask Edward to accompany her. Bella had considered it, but had overruled the idea because it had seemed too odd.
Maybe the idea hadn't been too silly after all, it might have given Edward the chance to see that Stefan was absolutely in the past – that he, Edward, was her presence.
And, hopefully, she thought as she climbed the stairs out of the tube, her future.
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