oOo

She was to meet Stefan at a café in Tiergarten, the city's largest park. It was located by a pond, and since the sun was out, it was filled to capacity with people enjoying the warmer temperatures after one of the longest winters, ever.

Edward had written that things were going well at the museum, and Bella smiled as she swung her shopping bags to and fro, looking out for her ex-boyfriend.

Stefan was already there, getting up from a table by the water once he saw her. He was smiling, and Bella smiled back. He hadn't changed at all. Almost as tall as Edward, he was completely different in type: His blonde hair was coming to his chin and he was wearing tan leather pants and boots with a tight-fitting black sweater.

"Bella!" he welcomed her with open arms, kissing both her cheeks. "You look so pretty. It's great to see you!"

"Wow, you've groan a beard," she chuckled.

"Well, a goatee," he grinned, which made her remember so many different things. Above all, what an easy-going fellow he was – a complete contrast to her, the sensitive wallflower. At least, that was how she saw herself.

"You've become even lovelier," he said as they sat down. His eyes were clear and blue, always, clear and blue.

"Thank you. You look very well yourself."

"So, what've you been doing so far? Where's your boyfriend?"

His arms on the table, he was leaning forward and listening. The sun was in his face, and he was squinting his eyes.

"We only arrived yesterday. Oh boy, that hotel is something else." She shook her head as she thought of the luxury and lavishness.

"How come you're staying there?"

She knew him well enough to know it wasn't meant to be derogatory, he was just being curious. He knew that Bella would normally never be able to afford anything like the Ritz Carlton – let alone choose it.

"The museum pays for it. They've been after Edward for a while."

A young waitress stopped by their table to take their orders.

"So…" Stefan continued to eye her with a well-known glint of amusement. "You never told me you're dating Edward Cullen."

Bella felt her cheeks get warm and she chewed on her lip for a moment before answering.

"Well, we didn't talk in a long time, did we?"

"Isn't he like, fifty?"

It was said with lightness in his tone, but she could hear the seriousness behind it. Stefan had always been protective of her, always aware of her precarious self-image.

"He's forty," she replied. "And it doesn't really matter."

Stefan nodded. "You look very happy, Bella. Very… sparkling."

"Uh, thanks."

They both laughed. Their drinks arrived and for a couple of minutes, they were silent, sipping their coffees and watching the goings-on around them. Birds were singing and the squealing of children filled the air.

"And… is it okay for him? That we're meeting?"

"Of course. He's at the museum right now. The exhibition opens on Saturday."

They fell into an easy conversation, chatting about Bella's studies and Stefan's job as a press consultant for Charité Berlin, the city's biggest hospital. He was seeing a girl from work, and Bella could tell from his smile that it was serious for him.

It was nice talking with him, and despite their history, there was zero weirdness. It was only when her phone rang that Bella noticed almost two hours had passed.

Edward's face appeared on the screen of her phone, making her heart jump happily.

oOo