Chapter 24: The Return

EPOV

I smiled as I noticed Bella fast asleep in the car. She had just finished her last final, before we had headed to the airport to leave for Colorado. She had ofcourse gotten very little sleep, and was now exhausted. She was extremely smart, but insisted on studying like mad.

I always loved spending Christmas in Colorado, because I loved to ski and snowboard. It was not really about the cabin it was about spend time with my family and enjoying the outdoors. It was about the freedom I felt when I skied or snow boarded down the icy slopes, the only thing that could compare was the feeling I had when I was with Bella.

Christmas was always a big deal in my family. My mom always decorated the entire house and cooked the dinner herself. She was not one to hire other people to do that, like most of the other people who owned houses near ours. It was a lot about tradition to us, and I really hoped that Bella would enjoy it.

"Are we there yet?" Bella asked as she opened her eyes taking everything in.

"Just about." I answered smiling at her. "We should be there in the next ten minutes or so."

"The mountains are gorgeous." Bella commented looking out the window of the car.

"The view from the house is a lot better." I commented as I pulled into the gated community waving at the guard as we passed by.

BPOV

As I looked around I couldn't believe my eyes the cabins we were passing once we had made it pass the guard they were huge. And it seemed as if they only got progressively bigger the longer we drove.

"We're here." Edward announced as he pulled behind a black Mercedes. The house was definitely not the type of cabin I was expecting. It was three stories tall made of wood and stone, with at least four chimneys, and two visible balconies.

"Edward, this is beautiful." I commented as he helped me out of the car the cold wind immediately hitting me.

Edward smiled and quickly led me towards the house away from the cold. As he opened the door I was immediately hit with the wonderful smell of home-made cookies. "We're here." Edward called as he placed our bags on the floor before helping me out of my coat.

"We're in the living room." Esme called as he led me through the beautifully decorated the house to an open living area with huge windows overlooking the mountains and a stone fireplace.

"Edward, Bella." Esme greeted giving us both a hug.

"Merry Christmas!" I said happily suddenly noticing another couple and beautiful blonde girl sitting on the couch.

"Welcome, Bella!" Carlisle said as he walked in from what looked to be the kitchen giving me a hug before hugging his son. "How was your trip?"

"It was good." Edward answered shortly his demeanor changing slightly when his eyes fell on the blonde girl.

"You remember Anne and John, and ofcourse their daughter Alexia." Esme said a bit tensely noticing her son's demeanor as well. "They just bought the cabin next door."

"Edward, it's great to see you again." Anne spoke sweetly as she gave him a hug. She looked to be around Esme's age with the same long blonde hair of her daughters. Edward shook John's hand saying something I didn't hear due to the cold stare I was getting from the younger girl.

She was absolutely gorgeous. She had long blonde hair with beautiful blue eyes and pale skin. She was taller than me, and almost seemed to look like a supermodel. "Edward!" She said gracefully standing before gliding towards him.

"It has really been a long time." She spoke completely ignoring my presence. I felt the anger boil in me as she neared Edward hugging him tightly.

"Nice to see you, Alexia." Edward said before quickly taking my hand. "This is my girlfriend, Bella. Bella, this Anne, John and Alexia some longtime friends of the family."

"Nice to meet you." I said forcing a smile.

"Girlfriend?" Alexia questioned a bit surprised.

Edward nodded snaking his arm around my waist. "Why don't you show Bella around? There's some more cookies in the kitchen." Esme suggested trying to calm the situation.

"Thanks, mom." Edward replied before leading me into the kitchen.

"Who is she?" I found myself asking as we walked into the kitchen.

"Alexia, is my ex-girlfriend." Edward responded with a sigh. As soon as he spoke I knew exactly who she was. Edward had only had one serious girlfriend before me, and she was sitting in the other room.

EPOV

As soon as I had stepped into the room I had immediately recognized Alexia. After all she had been my only serious girlfriend besides Bella. Her presence really annoyed me, because I knew exactly what she was capable of, and she was not one to give up easily.

She had moved to Europe after high school, and had attended a fashion school in Paris. We had broken up, because she had left, and had fallen in "love" with some guy in her school. I had not seen her since then, and I was not happy to see her now. It was obvious that she was here with a purpose, and I was not going to let her get in between Bella and I.

"Who is she?" Bella asked as we walked into the kitchen.

"Alexia, is my ex-girlfriend." I admitted noticing the comprehension dawn on her face. I was unable to explain anything else as Alexia walked into the kitchen.

"It's really been a long time." She said ignoring Bella who had sat down on one of the chairs by the counter while I was getting some of my mother's cookies.

"Eight years." I responded not looking at her hoping that she would get the picture.

"Far too long." She replied leaning on the countertop. "Your mom says your studying counseling. I thought you wanted to be a doctor."

"Things change." I responded walking around her and taking a seat by Bella.

"They don't change that much." She interjected turning to me smiling flirtatiously.

"I think they do." I added as Bella rested her head on my shoulder causing Alexia to roll her eyes and frown.

"Alexia, we're leaving." Her mom called from the other room.

"I'll see you around." I said with a forced half smile.

"Definitely." She replied smiling again before strutting out of the room.

"I don't like her." Bella said as soon as she had left. "She obviously still has feelings for you."

"She likes the idea of me, Bella." I corrected. Alexia was all about social status, and she viewed me as a mean of getting further in life.

"She's very pretty." Bella commented.

"She is, but you're beautiful, and you have something she'll never have." I added looking into her eyes.

"What's that?" She questioned softly.

"My love." I answered simply kissing her lips. "That will only ever be yours." I assured hugging her tightly, but the doubt was still evident in her eyes.

A/N: So the name Alexia won! So what do you guys think of her? There's definitely a lot more to come out of her. She's going to be one feisty character.

I want to thank all of you for voting and reviewing. I love hearing from you, and I really want to know how you feel about Alexia?

I plan on having the next chapter sometime tomorrow. So stay tuned!

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