Since you guys gave me the most amazing response, and I'm a sucker for "Please update soon!", here's the next update. Totally would've held it back another day, yknow! But I love y'all too much ;)

I forgot to mention last time, but this story will be updated up until New Year's :) As I said, it's a "short" venture. And I also hope to give you guys the banner with the next update.

Enjoyy :)

Chapter song: Earthquake by Labrinth (yes, I was totally bobbing my head with it)

Chapter 2

18th December, 2012

The first thing I do after I'm done bitching about missing my flight is call daddy dearest. But it goes straight to voicemail (which I have a very strong suspicion is due to another lost charger).

"This is Charlie Swan, a single, hot bachelor from the Forks PD – DAD you don't put that in your personal voicemail message – All right, Bells! Jeesh. Okay, so this is Charlie Swan. Leave me a message. Or don't. Whatever, I don't care – Daaaaad!"

"Hey, Dad. So…I…uh…missed my flight. And…umm… so yeah. I'll just go to the ticket counter and get another ticket. It's no biggie," I rush out. "Just don't freak out and spout gray hair. I'll be there for Christmas, I promise. Love you, Dad. I'll see you in a few."

I'm so glad he didn't pick up the phone though. I'm so not in the mood for his outburst and another "just hurry up and get here already." I swear every conversation we have ends like this.

I slump back in my seat in the waiting lounge and loll my head to the side to see Edward almost pulling out his hair in frustration and shouting into the phone. It's sad he's actually wearing clothes now though.

"Tell him tha' there will be absolutely no parmesan on that chicken. I swear to Christ, Henry, if you –" "No, I don't want that either –" "THE HELL there will be that repulsive Walnut Pie on any menu! Tell the chef that I'm the menu organizer and I'll decide what goes." And with that, he cuts the line.

Menu organizer? That's what he does? I swear I try to stop the snicker that escapes me. I really do try hard.

Snicker. "So, Edward," I begin with an amused smirk on my face. "You're a menu organizer? Like… that's what you do for a living? "

"Yeah, tha'be me, and I also have a catering business along with it."

"Is the first one even a real job?"

Blame my training as an instructor for the bluntness.

He mutters, "Like I haven't heard that one before." But then he, thankfully, chuckles. "You'd be surprised at the number of people who have absolutely zero knowledge about what great food is. I just help acquaint them with the ocean of food out there other than your conventional dishes."

I hum in response. "So you're doing this out of your passionate love for food and the need to help the lost souls in the world such as myself?"

I absolutely adore the little grin that literally lights up his entire face every damn time it graces his lips. And then that twinkle of mirth in his golden-brown eyes. "I'll be the judge of whether you fall into that particular category, Miss Swan. So, what did you have before coming here? And also, what is your usual breakfast?"

Oh, Mr. Cullen, I'll fall into any category you want me to. "I had two energy bars and Gatorade on the way over." His face morphs into one of distaste. "For breakfast, I usually have Pop Tarts and Tropicana OJ." Now he looks absolutely appalled.

"Jesus Christ, Bella! You certainly need my expertise to guide you through the world."

I laugh.

"What?" he asks me.

"Nothing. I just think your accent is cute." And hot and amazing and oh so sexy.

He flushes at that but goes on to say in a stern voice, "Never, Isabella Swan, are you supposed to call a man such as myself, or his accent, cute. You can call him handsome, dashing, charming, gorgeous even, but cute? No, Miss Swan, that is just not done."

I smirk at him. "So you, Mr. Cullen, think that you have all of the aforementioned traits?"

He gives me an expression which just about screams Duh! "Well, obviously."

"Right," I laugh. "Good for you, boy, good for you." I pat his hand and stand up from my seat. If I want to make it home on time, I really need to get a move on.

And sitting next to this hunk is not helping me getting a move on. At all.

"I should probably get going now. Thanks for the laugh, I really needed it." I smile at him. "It was great to meet you, Edward." I hold out my hand for him to shake.

He looks up at me with an I'm-a-lost-man-in-the-big-bad-world expression on his face. I know this expression 'cos I've given this to my dad and Paul innumerable times. "This is it?" he says.

My smile instantly turns sad and I feel the strangest urge to just wrap my arms around his neck and never let go.

"Yeah, I guess, this is."

He nods in resignation and gets up, while I drop my hand with a sigh of defeat.

"I'll never forget this particular airport. It was truly a pleasure to meet you, love." And then he kisses the back of my hand.

And then I die.

Well, not really, but I do a little swoony thing in my head where I transfer to Edward-land. And it's some place in London, 'cos you know… that's where he gets the looks, accent, and etiquettes from.

"Y-you too," I stutter. I give him a quick hug and then I'm off with a wave of my hand.

Oh, Life, why you gotta get in the way every damn time?

I go to the ticket counter with a drag in my step and a frown on my face. "I want the first flight out of NY to Seattle. Preferably United, and if not, then something else that's cheap."

The man behind the counter clicks away on the computer and then turns to me with a smile. I smile back and reach for my wallet. Now I can finally go home.

"We don't have any…cheap…tickets available until the 23rd, ma'am."

What I want to say: Then why the fuck were you smiling at me, moron?!

What I do say: "How much are the tickets for a flight out today?"

He clicks away some more. "The cheapest I can get you is $899 for a round trip."

"What?" I screech. Shit! I can in no way afford that right now. My monthly rent is coming up, my car needs servicing, and I need to buy new shoes and dance gear for an upcoming show. "Is there absolutely nothing cheaper than that? Maybe a flight tomorrow or day after?"

"No, ma'am, there isn't anything else." And the bastard is still smiling at me.

I scowl at him. "Okay."

I huff and stomp my way through the mass of people and to the little Starbucks in the terminal. Everything, and I mean everything from the cups to the straws, scream 'Christmas Time'. I absolutely adore Christmas, don't get me wrong, but I can't really shake off the bitterness when I just missed my flight and failed to get another ticket.

I think about Edward, and I think about how I should've at least taken his number.

Maybe I'll add him on Facebook… Or maybe not, that might come off as too desperate.

Still lost in my own thoughts, and after I've had my fill of caffeine and chocolate, I go back to the ticket counter, hoping against hope that someone cancelled.

"O'right. Just give me a ticket to San Francisco, please."

My feet come to a sudden halt on hearing that voice.

I'm still staring at the back of Edward's head in shock when he turns.

And then he gives me that crooked grin. Yeah, the one that can melt your heart and make you drop your panties in two seconds flat.

"Well, hello there, stranger," he says, sauntering over to me. The way he walks, I can't think of a word other than 'saunter', no matter how weird that makes me.

"Hi, Edward." I can't hold back the gigantic grin that spreads across my face. "I didn't know your final destination was San Fran?"

"Actually, it's not." Now he's standing right in front of me and I can smell him quite easily. Let me tell you, my eyelids just almost fluttered close while I took in a deep breath. "I'm going on a road trip from San Fran to Seattle since no tickets are available and I need to get there before the 22nd. Also, I figured that'll be much more fun."

A road fucking trip to Seattle? Boy, this guy just became the top candidate on my "People I'd Like To Bang" list, now having surpassed Ryan Gosling.

"That sounds amazing, Edward," I say excitedly. "I've always wanted to go on a road trip. Anyway, when are you leaving?"

"My flight's leaving in an hour actually. What about you?"

I cross my arms and huff. "Ugh, don't remind me. I didn't get a ticket."

He gives me this intense look, and I flush under his gaze, unable to tear my eyes from his warm onyx orbs. "Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to accompany me?"

Who likes Britishward and dancing Bella? Let me know what you think of it, lovely readers!

Your reviews=awesomeness

Till the next time *kisses*