Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing.

Christmas break came a lot quicker than Bella would have ever thought and she was on pins and needles about meeting everyone else. She had met Tyler's parents and Reid briefly although she doubted that he remembered. It had all been years since the one time after the tournament when she and Renee had managed to scrape enough to fly out to Ipswitch. Bella could not help feeling somewhat inadequate. She knew that it would not be the easiest of meetings that is for sure and certain. She couldn't help fearing that they would find her lacking and that they would try and bar her from Tyler's life.

She knew that Tyler simply was looking forward to having her there and in his home but she also knew the reason for this trip. She held no delusions about how things worked over there. If Caleb didn't like her she knew that there would be trouble. However, Bella also knew however that Tyler would not let her go with out a fight. For that reason alone she was willing to make this rather awkward trip to meet the rest Tyler's rather unusual family. Bella couldn't help thinking all these things as she packed for the trip to the rather

Cold, snowy and beautiful winter wonderland that was Tyler's home town and she was certain that she would humiliate herself horribly in dealing with all of the ice and slush.

Just as she was thinking about the trip she felt her phone vibrate in her jean pocket. She smiled as she noticed the name on the screen. "Hey Ty, please tell me that you're not calling to let me know that there has been a change of plans?" Bella let out a sigh as she heard a chuckle from the other side of the line. She knew that he didn't deserve to have the phone answered that way but the plan for her arrival had already changed on more than one occasion. The plan may require her repack if it changed too significantly. Bella did not want to have to repack since she had already finished packing. Bella had made it her goal to relax some before leaving for the airport in the morning.

Bella had packed jeans and button down tops with sweaters and several skirts to take with her along with supplies for bathing. She was not about to find herself unprepared for any kind of function that she may have to attend while there. The only thing that she did not have was a formal dress and she was not about to go and try and find one at this late point in the planning process. She had even carefully set aside money from each paycheck at Newton's to buy Christmas presents for everyone. For each person who would be present she carefully and thoughtfully found something. She had even asked Tyler what he thought of her selections to make sure that she got something appropriate.

Tyler chuckled at the note of irritation in his intended voice. He knew that she did not like ever changing plans and this had turned into one. Finally, Tyler decided that it was best to calm her down. "Bella, thankfully no I am not calling because there has been a change in any part of the plans. I just wanted to let you know that I love you very much. I know how nervous you are about this but I know it will be fine. I love you and so they will love you. You are quite possibly the most amazing woman on earth. I cannot wait to pick you up and bring you here."

This brought a smile to the petite girls face as she realized once more just how important this was to her beloved. She knew that this would not turn out to be just another trip. It was possibly the most important one that she would make. She smiled at the thought of seeing the magnificent home again. The last time she had visited Tyler's home it was the summer after they turned 13. She loved the old fashioned home and extensive grounds. They had spent most of their days in the garden area and out by the woods. She had been more than a little pleased that she got to keep him to herself for most of that time. This time she would be spending her time with the other people in his life.

After Bella hung up from her phone call with Tyler she proceeded to go and check a see how far Charlie had gotten on his packing. She grinned when she found that he had actually finished his packing as well. Bella took her time and made her way down with her bag and Charlie's so that they were ready by the door. She went into the kitchen and made some coffee since they would need to get going in order to make their flight out.

Charlie assisted her in putting their bags in the car and soon they were on their way down the interstate towards Seattle.

When they arrived at Sea-Tac International they had to wait and check in their baggage. Once that was done they had to go through security which was worse than she would have expected due to the holidays. Finally, they approached the waiting area at their gate and wait for the announcement to board their flight.

Meanwhile in Ipswitch Tyler found himself pacing back and forth waiting to pick up Bella and her parents. It was not going to be the easiest of holidays but he knew that in order for things to work this had to happen. It had been 6 hours since Bella had sent him a message saying that they were getting on the plane from Seattle and that meant that they would be here any minute. Just as Tyler had thought that he saw a plane land and come in to dock at the terminal where he waited.

His heart began to race as he watched for Bella and Charlie to get off of the plane. He kept watch over those coming through the gate and into the seating area disappointed each time that it was not Bella. It was then he caught sight of soft, chestnut colored locks making their way towards him. He had finally spotted her as she was a couple of rows of chairs away from him.

Bella wore a large, impish grin on her face as she showed up in front of him. Tyler shook at his girl who seemed intent on making the most of their time together. It would seem that she had been intent on surprising him as she came up. Tyler shook his head knowing that this meant that she had been trying to keep him from seeing her coming until she was right in front of him. Suddenly Bella's arms were around his shoulders as she placed a soft kiss on his lips causing Tyler to turn red from the roots of his hair down through his neck.

Tyler was spared the necessity of responding as Renee came over from another gate finding the teens. "Parents in the area", she stated the obvious meaning that they did not need or want to witness any displays of affection. The two teens nodded as they went to the baggage claim where they were to meet up with Charlie and Phil.

Once they found Charlie and Phil in the baggage claim and got their suitcases they made their way to Tyler's Hummer and proceeded to the Simms's home. The ride there was quiet but reasonably comfortable to all involved. The quiet was only broken by the radio playing classic rock music. As they pulled onto the private street where the manor was located Tyler punched in the entrance code and the gate opened letting them pull into the drive way.

As soon as the car doors closed the looked up to see Glen and Rose Simms come out onto the porch. As they approached Bella could feel their eyes on her taking in the appearance of the girl who apparently was to become their daughter-in-law. Their faces were neutral until Bella arrived right in front of them and she found herself swept in a hug first by one and then the other. Greetings were exchanged and they were escorted into the sitting area on the main level of the house.

Everyone situated themselves comfortably with the adult sitting in various overstuffed chairs in gold and blue while the teens at on a soft love seat. Coffee was brought out by the Simms's cook and they began the round of small talk that was to be expected. The Dwyer's and Swan's remarked that their flights had been relatively smooth and uneventful. Rose Simms seemed to be going out of her way to almost make this as easy and smooth of a meeting as possible which both surprised and pleased Bella.

Next, they discussed where each would be sleeping and were shown to their rooms. It was as they got up to go to see their rooms that Bella noticed that their bags were already gone. She looked over at Tyler who just nodded indicating that their suitcases had already been taken care of and were in their rooms. Bella was the last to be shown to her room which was on the second floor and the third door on the right.

Bella was astounded as she walked in the room was decorated just as she would have had it. It was done in black and white with soft, blue accents and next to the queen sized bed was a table with the book she was reading and an alarm clock with a black lamp with a shade over it in black and white swirls. Her cell phone also sat on there charging. She then noticed that attached to the room was a bathroom that was completely private. Her jaw dropped to the floor practically at seeing this. It was like a dream as this was a luxury that she had never had before.

It was then that she turned and faced a very nervous looking Tyler. Finally looking up at her he asked, "Do you like it?" At Bella's smile all of his nerves fled, swiftly away. He knew that she liked it and was pleased that she was not going to fight him on at least this one occasion. "I want you to feel comfortable and at home here. After all this is as much your home as it is mine now. Someday this will be our home and I hope that you can be okay with that." This got a very shy smile from Bella who thought that just maybe this trip would go better than she had hoped.

Suddenly, Bella was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of Tyler's cell phone going off. She rolled her eyes knowing that she would have share and play nice. His friends were likely to call and start asking to get to meet her. Little did she know that she would not get the luxury of meeting them one on one but she would be meeting every one at once? "Hey, let me check with her and I'll call you back. Do you need a ride?" There was a pause Tyler waited for whoever was on the other side of the line to say something. Finally she heard Tyler say, "Okay, I'll call you back later."

Tyler hung up the phone before Bella could piece together what the conversation had been about. This caused her to ask, "What was that about?" She knew that whatever it was it meant that Tyler would be taking off most likely. That was not something that she had planned on since she had only just gotten in.

"How do you feel about going out for a while?" Bella looked at Tyler questioningly, raising her eye brow wanting a little more clarity before responding. She would be fine if he meant that they would be going out for say something to eat. Bella detested plane food which she normally refused even when it was offered. Unfortunately, that meant that all she had on her stomach at the moment was coffee and Diet Coke.

"That was Reid. Everyone is getting ready to go to Nicky's and they'd like us to come." Bella chewed nervously on her lower lip as she considered what he had just said. It would seem that she would be getting the initial meet and greets out of the way a lot quicker than she had initially planned on. Nodding her head in the affirmative, Bella said "Just give me a few to freshen up so that I don't look like I just rolled out of bed."

Tyler left Bella to get herself ready and went to call Reid back and let the others know that they would be coming over as soon as Bella got ready. He then proceeded to let the adults know that they'd be taking off for a while and would be back at a somewhat reasonable hour.

Half an hour later, Bella walked down to the sitting room a found stunned looks on the faces on everyone in the room. Tyler's eyes looked as if they might actually fall out of their sockets and he wore the biggest grin Bella had ever seen on his face. Her parents and Phil looked stunned at seeing their daughter taking the time to doll herself up. It was not something Bella did every day but had started to do more and more lately. Rose and Glen Simms nodded approvingly as they realized that she looked very much like she belonged with their son.

She had taken her time to wash up and brush and straighten her hair. She had then but on a pair of dark washed Sevens, which fit her like a glove. There was no missing the curves of her legs, but and waste. For a top she wore a black and white argyle v-neck sweater which gave just a hint at cleavage but displayed nothing. On her feet she wore black ballet flats which would allow her to hopefully not fall and make a fool of herself. She had kept her make up light and natural accenting her eyes with mascara and adding just a hint of blush and strawberry flavored lip gloss.

Five minutes later Tyler and Bella pulled up in front of another large manor house and a blond boy came rushing out with a sour look on his face. Jumping into the back seat he began to grumble, "It's about time you made it here Baby Boy. I was about call and ask Caleb if I could catch a ride with him." The boy looked like he might continue but he caught sight of Bella hung his head slightly which Bella only caught sight of in the rearview mirror.

Tyler chuckled, "Reid this is Bella, my betrothed. Bella, this is my best friend, Reid Garwin." Bella nodded in understanding as she looked to see that the blond was observing her quite carefully from the back seat. Tonight she would probably receive this same look a dozen or more times and she mentally prepared herself for that reality as they began to drive out of the long driveway onto the main road.

The blond seemed to take a long time in appraising her before saying, "It's good to finally meet you and dang Baby Boy it's no wonder you've kept her all to yourself." Bella couldn't help smiling softly as the blond finally took his eyes off of her. It was apparent that she at least met with Reid's approval and she was glad for that.

Relaxing a little into her seat, Bella smirked into the rearview mirror saying "Charmed I'm sure." With that they continued on until they pulled into what appeared a rather old and somewhat smoky bar. This surprised Bell somewhat slightly but she shrugged it off as she followed Tyler and Reid into the infamous Nicky's.