So here's the next chapter in celebration of the fact that we didn't die this 21.12.12 (I know right? I was shocked too *snickers*) Thanks sooo much for all the love and support you guys! This is turning out to be an amazing almost-Christmas already. You people rock so hard! xoxo

And you guys better go check out the amazziinngg banner made by Kassiah for this fic which can be found on my profile. Seriously, don't let her work go waste. It's pretty damn awesome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Enjoyy :)

Chapter song: Jingle Bell Rock (yeah, that one)

Chapter 3

Boy, would I love to accompany him.

"I don't know, Edward… I really wouldn't want to intrude." Not to mention that he's practically a stranger. Not that I can't hold my own, I'm quite strong mind you, but still… If Dad gets to know I travelled across the country with someone I met at the airport, there'd be hell to pay.

There's a twinkle of mischievousness in his eyes as he replies, "I'm fairly good at reading between the lines, you know." He smirks as he pushes his backpack further up his shoulder.

I chuckle. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely, and what I read between your lines, dahling, is – 'You're a stranger, but you're so fucking irresistible. So I'll just make you ask me a hundred times before I finally relent.'"

He looks so proud of himself on having 'read between my lines' that I can't hold in my laugh and next words. "You're so freakin' cute, Edward."

"I officially take back my invitation," he deadpans.

"Okay, sorry," I drawl, lightly punching his bicep. I sigh, ready to give the 'I'd love to but I can't' explanation. "Look, I'd really love to go on a road trip. Honestly, I would. But… I barely know you… and I just don't think it's a good idea. Besides, my dad would be pretty pis –"

I'm interrupted by the ringing of my phone. On checking the caller ID, I see that it's Dad.

"Hey, Dad," I sigh.

"You missed your friggin' plane?!" he howls, and I immediately move the phone away from my ear.

"Yeah, look, it's… it's… I-I, uh – "

"Did you at least get another ticket, Isabella?" Ooooo, he's pulled the Isabella card.

Charlie=super angry. Me=super scared.

I haven't seen my dad in almost two years, and he'll be heartbroken if I can't make it before Christmas for all the decorating part he just adores. I look up at Edward, torn, and he quirks an eyebrow and points to the watch on his hand.

Here goes nothing.

"Yeah, Dad, I got a ticket. There weren't any available for right now, but I got one for –"

I whisper to Edward, "How many days to Seattle?"

He grins so big at me, looking almost giddy, and holds up three fingers.

My stomach goes flip-flop at that, but I simply nod and continue talking to Charlie, "– three days later. I'll be there on the 22nd or 23rd. You enjoy your greasy, diner food until then as much as you can, old man."

"I can't wait to see you, Bella." And that right there is when all doubt vanishes. I have to go see my daddy no matter what; Edward is just an added bonus. "Just hurry up and get here already."

I roll my eyes at his typical words and patent goodbye. "I will. Bye, Dad. I'll see you soon."

"Love you, baby."

All the time I've spoken to Dad on the phone, not once has he said the words "goodbye". It's always been something or the other, but never those words. And I love it.

As soon as I cut the line, Edward's pushing me toward the counter. I laugh at his excitement and in less than ten minutes, we're heading to another terminal to board for San Francisco.

Oh, Life, I love how you turn out sometimes.

While we wait in the lounge, I get to know him a little better. I now know that he's twenty-six, born and raised in London, but relocated to US in his early twenties at the insistence of his American mother. He's done management from the Oxford University (I spluttered my Coke all over him on that one), and is now working as a menu organizer (insert snicker) and handles his family catering business.

I also manage to choke myself (in a rather unladylike way) when he tells me that his catering company was one of the many that worked for the Royal Wedding. Yeah, the wedding after which now the Duchess of Cambridge is preggers. This man sure has connections.

"So what were you doing in New York?" I ask.

"I was here for my cousin's wedding actually." He rushes to change the subject, which I doubt is on purpose though. "Enough about me. Tell me something about yourself."

"Well, I've always lived in Washington, and then I moved here when I got into NYU on a dance scholarship." He gives me a congratulatory clap on that, and I blush. "I teach jazz at DancingDays."

"Wait up. So you teach dance and you're a student? Wow." He honestly sounds impressed, and that's something that really touches me.

"Yup. Dance is my food, water and air," I say proudly.

"Good to know you're such a passionate woman, Miss Swan." He checks me out from head-to-toe very non-subtly and lets out a low whistle. "Definitely a dancer's body you've got there."

Cue blissful Bella. I knew all the dancing would pay off someday.

I give him a once-over as well and then grin, loving what I see. Muscled legs barely hidden by Bermudas, a toned stomach hidden only by a tan leather jacket, wide shoulders that make me want to lick them from one end to the other, and fingers that make a part of my anatomy clench rather painfully, but in a good way. As I reach his face, I can barely keep my senses around me on seeing that crooked grin in place, his golden eyes smoldering, and his hair sticking out in every direction.

God help me these three days.

"Definitely not a foodie's body you've got there," I say, my throat dry.

He laughs loudly. "What can I say? I do my fair share of gyming."

Ungh. Edward covered in sweat… Edward doing pull-ups… Edward wiping his neck with a towel… Edward in the shower… Edward –

"This is a boarding call to the passengers flying Virgin Airlines flight number 6-1-8-9-0 from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York to San Francisco International Airport." And then there's a repeat.

I shake myself out of the daze and get up. "Let's save something to talk about on the flight. Don't want you getting bored of me just yet," I tease, gathering up all of my stuff.

"Oh, I doubt that'll ever happen." The intense look is back in his eyes, and I don't know what to make of it. I've never mastered the fine art of reading people, anyway.

"Right," I say, clearing my throat. "Shall we?"

"After you, milady." He extends his hand forward, bowing a little for good measure.

Oh, you British men, you'll be the death of us women some day.

We check-in and head to the flight. As we're about to step into the airplane, I turn around.

"Don't make me regret this, Edward."

I can hear his breath catch, and then a soft smile spreads across his features. "Not on my life, Bella."

Leave me a few words on your thoughts about this chapter, people! And for the readers of The End, The Beginning, I'm working on the chapter. But well... I had no idea it would turn out to be this exhausting to keep up 2 stories. I'll update it this weekend though :)

Till the next time!

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