Author's note: Helloooooooooo dear readers, how are you all? I'll be honest, I'm pretty nervous about posting this chapter. I really hope it works :/ Let me know what you think either way.

Chapter eleven

I controlled my breathing as I contemplated. Ten o'clock was rather late and I had limited means of getting to the hospital. It was summer, though, so it wouldn't be pitch black until I actually got there. I was unsure which buses headed that way, so made a note to get to the bus stop early enough to browse the schedule. I replied to Carlisle and let him know I'd meet him in the hospital parking lot, before informing Charlie that I was heading out later. It took a while to convince him and I'd never lamented the loss of my car more than at that moment. It sucked having to rely on public transport or other people. I told him I was going to Alice's house and worried he would see through my deception, but concern for my welfare overrode his powers of perception. He offered me a lift, but I assured him there was no need as I was getting the bus. After several promises that I would call the moment I got to the Cullen household and get Alice to drive me home, he relented.

Leaving the house at nine meant I had an agonising fifty minutes to wait. I went upstairs to change out of my work clothes and picked up the letter before leaving. As I passed the living room doorway, Charlie hailed me and I paused, frustrated by the delay. He went to the coat hanging up by the front door and rooted in a pocket, before handing me a small can. I turned it over to read the label.

"Pepper spray?"

"Don't say anything," Charlie ordered. "Just keep it with you."

I nodded and, on a whim, reached up to kiss his cheek. The affectionate gesture was more than enough to have him scurrying back to the safety of his television and I was free to go. I stuffed the can into my free jacket pocket as I stepped outside, but, before I could even leave the driveway Jacob was there, arms crossed. I only just managed to notice him before barrelling into his colossal form. What did he want now?

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

"Clearly," I retorted, sidestepping to walk around him. He was having none of it, though and blocked my path again. "Jake, what do you want?"

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"What's it to you?" I answered, impatiently.

"Keeping an eye out, remember?" he reminded, a finger tapping the skin beside his left eye.

"I'm seeing some friends."

"What friends?"

I had to admit I resented the surprised tone of his question. "I have friends besides you, Jake."

"Like who? You've only hung out with three people since you came back."

I thought for a second. "Angela," I replied, smugly. He couldn't question that.

"Angela? You mean the girl who went away with her parents last week and won't be coming back until the next holidays?"

Dammit, I cursed inwardly. How could he know that? "Are...are you stalking me or something?" I asked incredulously.

"You told me a few days ago," he explained slowly, as though talking to a dim-witted child.

Oh.

"So," he continued. "Are you gonna tell me what you're really up to or do I have to guess? It can't be anything good, seeing as you feel compelled to lie."

The emphasis on the last word was strong enough to make me wince. I wasn't in the habit of wishing unfavourable traits on myself, but being a convincing liar was definitely a skill I needed to master. Something caught the attention of his dark eyes and they lowered to my left hand. My gaze followed and landed on the letter encircled by my fingers. His jaw muscles clenched as his eyes returned to mine. There was no need to ask who it was from and I could tell he was very, very unhappy.

"You're going to...them?" he queried, the disgust and disbelief etched into his features enough to make me turn away. It felt like I was betraying him, yet I'd never promised to stay away. The way he looked at me in that moment was an image I'd carry for eternity. He stepped closer, which I countered with a step backwards. "After everything I've told you," he continued, those dark orbs boring into my skull. "After what you've seen, what you now know. Has none of it sunk in, Bella? They're dangerous, you've seen it for yourself and now you're just gonna go walking into the lion's den? I may have called you stupid before, but ignorance was on your side; now you're just being suicidal!"

"Fuck off, Jacob!" I cried, suddenly fed up of the lecturing. Every emotion I'd felt over the past week was quickly building up inside, threatening to erupt like a volcano. "Do you have any idea what I've been through? Last week I was just a normal woman, trying to earn enough cash to pay the bills and not die of boredom in this town. Now, I'm a victim of attempted rape, living in a world inhabited by vampires and God-knows-what-else! I have spent the past eight days reading this-" I held up the now-crumpled letter. "-to try and make sense of the whole God damned thing and, right now, you aren't helping!"

I was nowhere near finished, but the creak of the front door behind me alerted us to the fact that we were no longer alone. I turned to see Charlie making his way down the porch steps to stand beside me. "Everything alright?" he asked, his eyes assessing Jacob. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, Dad," I replied, my glare returning the moment I faced my "friend" once again.

"Charlie, I-"

My dad held up a hand to cut Jacob off. "Look," he said. "I know you two have had your disagreements lately and I'd normally let you sort it out amongst yourselves, but Bella's had a hard time recently, Jacob, as you know, so I think it's best you leave."

As much as Jacob wanted to argue-which was evident in the repetitive clenching and unclenching of his fists-he knew there was nothing he could do. From what I could gather, explaining to Charlie that the Cullens were a trio of bloodsucking monsters wasn't exactly an option.

"Fine," he grunted, throwing a last unreadable look my way, before turning and jogging away.

I felt a comforting hand rest on my shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Thanks, Dad," I said.

"Anytime, Bells," he replied, before returning to the house.

My incensed mood following the angry confrontation managed to subdue my nerves during the bus journey, but the moment the gleaming white stonework of Forks Community Hospital came into view, those nerves jumped right back into the driving seat. It was happening, it was really happening. I, Isabella Swan, was about to talk to Carlisle Cullen-doctor, pillar of the community and vampire. This was a very bizarre state of affairs, indeed.

I checked the time on my phone the moment I stepped off the bus. There were still twenty minutes of his shift remaining, so I took a seat on the bench beside the bus stop located opposite the hospital parking lot and decided to call Charlie. I could hear the relief in his tone as my voice filtered down the line and wondered if he'd been waiting by the phone the whole time. Our conversation was very brief and I was left with nothing to do but wait.

Those twenty minutes stretched on for what felt like hours. Every time I checked my phone, only a couple of minutes had passed and I started to get twitchy with impatience. The rising anticipation was almost unbearable as the seconds slowly passed. Eventually, the clock on my phone screen read 10:02 and my heart leapt-although, I couldn't tell if it was a joyful leap or fearful. I watched the entrance doors like a hawk, ready to jump to my feet the second I caught a flash of gold. Time suddenly seemed to speed up, the minutes flying by as 10:01 became 10:08 in the blink of an eye. I reasoned that, although his shift ended at ten, it didn't necessarily mean he would fly out the door immediately.

10:10-still no sign. It was okay, I reasoned, only ten minutes late.

10:15-no need to panic, perhaps he was stuck with a patient.

10:20-a patient in dire need of assistance.

10:25-several patients in dire need of assistance?

10:32-maybe my clock was wrong.

At quarter to eleven, my heart sank as I considered the possibility that he wouldn't make it. I thought back, wondering if I had got the time wrong. Opening my text message folder, I skimmed through the one from Carlisle. Nope, it definitely said he finished at ten. Then again, a doctor's hours were never set in stone, were they? It was an occupational hazard that no free time was guaranteed, so I contemplated texting him to check he was still available. Then I decided against it, as, if he was busy, he wouldn't have chance to check his cell and, even if he did, I didn't want to pester him. But one little text wouldn't hurt, would it? It was only to see if he was still alright to meet, after all. I hesitated as the indecisive battle wore on, but cowardice was starting to reign supreme.

I locked the phone screen as I stood up and turned to check when the next bus was due. I had a ten minute wait, so turned to sit back down when my eyes caught sight of something that froze my limbs. There he was, gliding towards me with graceful, determined strides. The black coat shrouding his frame billowed around his ankles as he approached, before halting at the edge of the sidewalk opposite. We watched each other expectantly, neither of us seeming to want to make the first move. I could literally feel my heart thudding against my breastbone as my eyes fixed on each of his features in turn. The recent knowledge made me view him in a completely different light. It seemed so obvious now-the marble skin, those hypnotic, golden eyes and that sweet, exquisite fragrance. Jacob had called it sickly, but I begged to differ. It was fresh, invigorating and so enticing, like a crisp Autumnal afternoon following a rainy morning.

Our silence stretched on as we evaluated each other. Someone would eventually have to crack and, as the individual who initiated the meeting, I felt obliged to be the one to do so. I took a few steps forward, my grip on the letter tightening as I took in the air to speak.

"I..." I started, my voice barely above a timid whisper. "I don't...um...I don't know where to start," I finished. I knew how silly it sounded, but it was the truth. A million questions had plagued me since first reading the letter, yet, the moment I had the opportunity to gain answers, I forgot every single one.

Carlisle nodded, before replying. "How about," he began and I subconsciously held my breath. "Getting out of the road?"

My eyes widened in astonishment. "Huh?" I was completely thrown by the suggestion. Then a distant light caught my eye and finally tore my gaze away from the creature before me. Turning my head to the right, I saw headlights fast approaching and it suddenly clicked. "Oh!" I hurried to the sidewalk and was surprised by what I saw when my pupils returned to Carlisle. The ghost of a smile graced his lips. Then I realised just how unafraid of him I was in that moment. I'd expected to be paralysed with fear, but there was only slight apprehension running through my body as we stood only metres apart. My typical gaucheness had obviously managed to ease some of the tension.

"I apologise for my tardiness," he said. "There was an issue with a patient."

I nodded, my eyes falling to the ground. I may as well have been a mute for all the conversational stimulation I provided. What was wrong with me? This was a waste of both our time if I wasn't even going to talk.

Carlisle picked up on this. "Isabella, I know this is difficult. Are you sure you're ready?" he asked kindly.

"No," I declared as my head whipped up. I had to snap out of my silence, before I screwed this up completely. "I mean, yes, I'm ready," I answered, irritated by the nervous squeak still present in my voice.

"Very well. Do you mind if I put my bag in the car first?"

"No," I replied, watching as he strode over to the Mercedes parked a few feet away. When he returned, he stood back in the same spot he'd just vacated.

"Is there anywhere in particular you would like to go? Although I understand the choice of a public place," he looked around. "This area does not provide the greatest opportunity for us to speak freely."

I understood his concern. Ours was to be no idle conversation and, even if nobody managed to hear what we were saying, they might still wonder why Dr Cullen was having such a lengthy chat in a parking lot with a young woman. "Should, um, we just go for a walk or something?" I suggested. "I mean, I'm not too sure what's around here, but..." Even to me, I sounded so timid, it was pathetic.

"That sounds agreeable," he acceded, motioning with a hand for me to lead the way.

I started strolling and he fell into step beside me. I noted the courteous distance he kept between us and wondered if my body language was making me seem more terrified than I actually was. Again, I was stuck on how to begin. I wanted to slap myself, but knew that would do little to convince Carlisle I was mentally prepared for this meeting. Thankfully, he decided to release me of my burden.

"I must confess," he remarked. "I was surprised to hear from you. Given how close you were to Alice, I had assumed she would be your first choice of contact."

"Yeah," I replied. "I thought about it. I considered all three of you, actually. In the end, though, I chose you, seeing as you were there that night."

He nodded and we let a moment of silence pass as we each remembered. A flashback of when Carlisle slammed the man into the ground, before looking up at me crossed my mind and I gave an involuntary shudder. If he noticed, he gave no sign of it. After a few more minutes of quiet I finally decided to bite the bullet. "So," I said. "A vampire, huh?" The subtle tremor to my voice betrayed the nervousness beneath the attempted humour.

"Yes," he conceded with a sigh. "Again, I must apologise for the way I revealed myself. It would've been the last thing you needed."

"Well, you stopped him, at least," I offered, wanting, for some reason, to alleviate some of the guilt he carried with his words.

"I'm just relieved I got there when I did." His gaze, which had been fixed straight ahead so far, slowly swivelled to land on me. "And I am sincerely glad you are alright."

I met his eyes for the first time. They were a rich topaz and brimming with goodwill. It was nigh on impossible to match them to the dangerous black irises that had haunted my nightmares. Were it not for the conversation we were having, I might have dismissed the previous week as a bad dream. After a moment, our gazes broke apart and my eyes returned to the ground.

"So, I imagine you have thousands of questions lined up," he remarked. "Where shall we begin?"

Of all the questions to reach the forefront of my mind, the one I asked was probably the most trivial of all. "You didn't run track in college, did you?"

Carlisle let out a quiet chuckle, also a little surprised by the query. "No, I did not. Speed is one of our attributes. Although it saved the lives of you and your friend, it was a careless action on my part. I thought I may have gotten away with it, but you were far too perceptive. When you asked, I was forced to use the first lie I could think of."

"Is that why you weren't hurt by the car, either?"

"Yes. It would require a lot more than a fast car to take us down." The sentence was said without arrogance, just simple truth.

"I guess I should thank you again. You've saved my life twice, now."

"As I said before, there's no need."

"Why were you there that night?" It wasn't until the words left my mouth that I realised how ungrateful it sounded. "Not that I don't appreciate what you did or anything," I quickly added. "I mean, I really, really do. I was just wondering."

"I often go for walks at night and hadn't left home that long before I came across you. I heard the first signs of struggle before I'd even reached the road you were on and immediately rushed in to help, but wasn't aware it was you until I got close enough to pull him away. That was when control of my anger started to slip. Of course, I would have intervened no matter who it was, but seeing you in such a position...it was..."

His sentence trailed off, leaving me stunned by the words and the emotion behind them. He seemed genuinely upset by what had happened and I wondered what the main motivation of such a reaction was. It was a choice between the fact that he'd already witnessed another in a similar situation, as stated in his letter, or, as he'd just insinuated, that it was me in that position. I didn't realise we'd stopped walking until Carlisle was facing me. With a quiet intake of breath, he spoke again.

"You see, we have become rather...protective of you, Bella. Your friendship with Alice plays a large part in that. We may not have known you very long, but I can identify a good soul when I see one." He was looking me square in the eye when he said this and I was close to believing he could actually see through my pupils, past the retinas and down into that deep hidden place where souls resided. After subjecting me to several moments of scrutiny, he turned away and we continued walking. "These past three years are the first we have lived amongst humans for any prolonged amount of time and it was partly for Alice that we decided to do so. From the moment I met her, it was obvious she found isolation from humanity difficult. She's such a vibrant, sociable creature and the moment we settled here, she wanted to immerse herself into the community. Within a week she'd managed to get the job in the dress shop," He looked at me and smirked. "Fashion and people: her idea of heaven. Whilst I was undoubtedly happy for her, it wasn't without a certain degree of concern. She has a big heart, but doesn't always offer it to the right people. Not everyone is as accepting as you and she has endured some unpleasant encounters."

I tried to imagine the idea of anyone not liking Alice-it seemed impossible. She was kind, ever helpful and not once had I ever caught her in a foul mood. She was like an inexorable ray of sunshine. Then I remembered the small-mindedness of little towns like this, something Mom had been all too happy to gripe about. Obviously, not everyone fit the stereotype, but a large percentage of people here did, meaning isolation was an occupational hazard for newcomers-especially if you were considered a little "out there", a category the Cullens most definitely fit into. Generally, acceptance only came after several years of keeping your head down and doing all you possibly could to fit in. I was the exception to that rule-being the daughter of someone who had spent most of his life here gained me automatic acceptance.

Anger started to build, before being overtaken by incredulity at myself. I was defending the "blood-sucking"-as Jacob called them-vampires from the mean old townsfolk, when it should have been the other way round. I had spent the past week terrified of being in the presence of a Cullen, but it seemed that a few minutes in Carlisle's company was enough to reassure me. I began to wonder if I should have actually answered some of Alice's calls that night-it might have saved me a huge amount of anxiety. The more I thought about Alice, the more a much stranger emotion grew. Of all the feelings I had expected to experience during this talk, guilt wasn't one of them. But, that was exactly what I felt as I kept thinking about the beautiful little pixie. After hearing everything Carlisle said about her, I thought back to her eagerness to initiate regular contact with me, as well as the hopeful glint in her eye when she introduced me to Jasper. All she wanted was a friend, someone to talk to and, as I had never seen her hang around with anyone else, it seemed I was the only one willing to offer that. If Carlisle was feeling bad for what had happened, just how wretched must she feel?

'Bella, I am so, so sorry...'

'Please pick up. I need to talk to you...'

'Alright, I know you're scared and I completely understand. I just want to know you are okay...'

That pleading tone had near enough screamed at me from the phone's screen and my stomach twisted. I felt awful, like I had done some incredible wrong by ignoring those pleas. Somewhere deep down, I knew my reaction to the revelation of their identities was justified, but it didn't make me feel any better about myself in that moment. What a turnabout in opinion this was. I'd come here for answers, but ended up making myself feel like I was the bad guy. I covered my face with my hands, before running them through my hair. "Oh, God," I groaned.

"Isabella?" Carlisle called gently, brows furrowed with concern. "What is it?"

"Alice," I explained. "I had so many missed calls and texts from her after the attack and didn't respond to any of them! She could have been going crazy with worry for all I knew, but I was too busy having a nervous breakdown in my bedroom to think about it."

"She understands-we all do."

I stood there, hands hooked around the back of my neck as my eyes stared at the landscape ahead. Moisture started to build up along the bottom lash line and I couldn't believe I was about to start crying.

"Listen," Carlisle commanded and his voice compelled me to obey. I suddenly noticed he had taken a step closer, but it didn't bother me. That, more than anything told me my disconcertion about vampires was passing. "You have done nothing wrong. Anyone in your position would have reacted the same way, if not worse. It shows a tremendous amount of courage to decide to speak to any of us again, knowing what we are. You needed space and time to think, so we gave it to you, expecting nothing in return. The only thing Alice worried about was your safety, but speaking to Charlie a few days later alleviated her fears."

"Yeah, he mentioned that," I remarked, before taking a couple of deep breaths to compose myself. "I'm sorry," I muttered, wiping the unshed tears from my eyes.

"Don't be," he comforted. "However, I find it a marvel that you show such concern for Alice, when it is we who should be worried about you."

"Can..." I hesitated, honestly a little scared at what the answer to my upcoming question might be. I licked my lips and swallowed the lump in my throat before trying again. "Can I see her? I mean, does she want to see me?"

"Of course you can," he replied and the relief I felt was indescribable. "Would you like to see her now, or is it too late?"

I checked my phone quickly and the fact it was almost midnight held little sway over me. There was no chance of sleep for a while yet. I nodded at him and we turned to start slowly retracing our steps. Silence prevailed for the majority of our journey, until I suddenly felt compelled to return to the interrogation. Now that the angst was slipping away, my curiosity needed sating. "Carlisle, I have some more questions, if that's okay. If you don't want to, though, I understand."

"Fire away," he said.

"Okay," I braced myself. "Your letter said you first met the Quileutes about a century ago, so, can I ask how long you've been a vampire?"

"Certainly." He took a moment to think before answering. "Well, I was transformed in the sixteen hundreds, so, that would make it almost four hundred years, now."

I skidded to a halt as my jaw fell open. Four hundred? Carlisle actually smiled at my reaction as I gawped in disbelief. A century was one thing, but four-that took some dealing with. "Seriously?" I asked, trying to process the notion. He certainly doesn't look it, I thought and was immediately grateful I hadn't actually said those words aloud. With a brisk shake of the head, I regained my senses and started walking again. "So, why Washington State?" I asked, needing something else to occupy my mind.

"The weather," he said. "And the general landscape. Too much concrete limits the wildlife."

His comment confused me at first, but my eyes widened when comprehension dawned. "Oh." I thought of the truce between the Cullens and Quileutes. Could I ask? I was terrified, but knew I had to for my own peace of mind. "Jacob mentioned a truce arranged between you and the tribe when you first came here. That you only feed on...you know...animals."

"That is correct," he stated, but there was a subtle edge to his voice that meant he guessed where this particular line of questioning was going.

"What..." My voice shook when I spoke. I needed to know, so why wouldn't my throat let me find out? I pushed through, forcing the words out. "What did you do before?"

"Exactly as I do now," he replied.

"You mean, you've never..." I couldn't finish the sentence; the hope was almost too much to bear.

"I have never fed from a human, nor do I ever intend to do so."

I tried to suppress the surge of elation that spread through me. "What about Alice and Jasper?"

"Neither has done so since living with me. I cannot, however, account for their lives before then. I can promise you, though, that nobody in Forks, or anywhere else for that matter, has anything to fear from any of us."

We reached the parking lot and I was feeling better than I had in quite a while. I wondered if Jacob was aware of Carlisle's past. Would it raise them in his estimation if I told him, or were the tribal prejudices so deeply rooted that nothing would change his opinion of them? I'd have to talk to him about it sometime soon. I followed Carlisle to his car and waited for him to unlock it before climbing into the front passenger seat. I considered cross-examining further, but felt I had learned enough for one night.

Carlisle drove just as fast and elegantly as his cousin and that thought brought a new query to mind. Clearly I hadn't learnt enough just yet. "I take it you and Alice aren't really cousins."

"No, we're not," he chuckled. "It's an easy cover story. Given some of our more unusual physical attributes, it helps explain some of the similarities between us, such as the eye colour and pale skin."

"But, what about Jasper?"

"We tried in the past to pretend we were all siblings, however, he and Alice had difficulty presenting their relationship as anything other than what it truly is. I doubt anyone who sees them together would be fooled into believing their love for one another was familial."

I'd seen them together a couple of times, so could definitely attest to that, but talk of physical attributes brought the next question to my lips. "What makes your eyes the colour they are?"

"Our diet," he explained. "Feeding on animals gives them the yellowish-brown shade, but those who feed on humans have red eyes. The longer we go without sustenance, the darker they get."

Did that explain his eye colour when he stopped my attack? I hoped so, as it would help lessen the monstrous image they had helped create of him in my mind. It turned out that that was, in fact, the case and, as we got closer to his home, I learned more and more about him and his two companions. I'd found the Cullens intriguing the moment I saw Carlisle in the hospital, but getting the answers to my questions didn't lessen it in the least. If anything, it only fed my curiosity. Now that the fear was gone, I was enthralled by the idea of actually being in the presence of a vampire. And he was a safe vampire, to boot. I was pretty sure I wouldn't have been so happy about the situation were he interested in human blood. I moved on from that train of thought before it got too weird.

The house was just as I remembered it, although it felt like a lifetime since I had last been there. The dwelling was dark, save for the golden light illuminating the porch and I wondered if anyone was actually home, but Carlisle assured me Alice would be there. I exited the car before he parked it in the garage and led me through the front door. Anxiety returned as I realised how close I was to seeing Alice again. Carlisle had assured me she would want to see me, but what if he was just trying to make me feel better? What if my silence had been taken for rejection and she no longer wanted anything to do with me?

After hanging up our coats, Carlisle led the way towards the lounge. I heard soft piano music travelling down the wooden staircase, just like before and wondered if it was CD or someone actually playing the instrument. When we got to the foot of the stairs, I realised there was another staircase beside it that led downwards. I followed Carlisle's descent and we came to another sitting room, but, where the upstairs lounge was spacious and minimalistic, this one was smaller and much cosier. The only observation I managed to make was of the fireplace located opposite me, before my eyes graced the petite figure stood by one of the sofas. She was perfectly straight and still, ankles together and hands clasped in front of her. Her expression was neutral and I feared the worst until her eyes eventually met mine, revealing a well of remorse and uncertainty. She didn't hate me.

I couldn't stand it-sadness had no place on that exquisite face, so, before I could even think, I rushed forward and enveloped her in an embrace. I didn't care what she was or did; she was my friend and had never done a single thing to hurt me. I would never doubt that again.

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry," she repeated over and over again. "I'm so sorry about what happened. I wish I could have stopped it. I should have been there with you; I could have stopped him-"

"Shh," I soothed and she went quiet, her arms around my waist tightening.

I wasn't sure how long we hugged for, but when we eventually broke apart, the room was empty, save for the two of us. Alice's eyes glistened as though she had been crying, but no tears were present and I randomly wondered if vampires were even capable of crying. Her lips curved in a watery smile and she looked me up and down.

"I thought I told you that green isn't your colour," she scolded.

I laughed, before hugging her once more.

We were settled on the sofa when Carlisle eventually returned, followed closely by Jasper. I was surprised by being presented with a small tray containing a mug of coffee, a small jug of milk and a bowl of sugar. I was surprised, but Alice explained she had bought a few bits of food and drink in case my visits became a regular occurrence. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness, before adding the milk and sugar to my drink and settling back into my seat to enjoy it.

My visit turned into a relaxed Q & A session as they attempted to answer every single question I could come up with. I learnt so much that evening it was impossible to remember it all, but a few interesting points were:

Vampires don't sleep.

They cannot consume anything other than blood.

Sunlight doesn't turn them into ash.

Garlic has no effect on them, other than offending their enhanced sense of smell.

Holy water is no more likely to burn them than Evian.

There wasn't a single coffin anywhere near their house.

It was three am when I eventually left the Cullen household and Alice drove me home, meaning I had kept my promise to my dad. She offered me a ride to work and asked if I wanted to meet for lunch the next day, both of which I immediately said yes to. As I climbed into bed at quarter to four, I marvelled at the day I had just lived through. Words couldn't even begin to describe it. My shift began in seven hours and I would be exhausted throughout, but I couldn't bring even a single part of me to regret it.

A/N: There you go, folks! I really hope you enjoyed it. Now, whilst I make every endeavour to bring out regular updates, there may be a few weeks' delay for the next chapter as I will be a very busy girl. That's right, I'M GETTING MARRIED AND HONEYMOONING IN NEW YORK! Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. Anyway, if I can update before then, I shall, otherwise I shall speak to you all again in a few weeks :)