Hey, guys! I am so surprised with how much love this fic has received so far, and I hope you guys stick with me. Here is another chapter, and just so you know, in about five chapters, we will be meeting up with the events prologue again.

Thanks to Kyla713 for looking this over and being amazing. Also, thanks to my girls.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 2-

Three years of talking led to us being absolutely comfortable with each other about everything. I don't think we ever kept anything from one another, we were that close. I knew all of her quirks, what made her laugh, sad, mad. Just as she knew what got to me, what made me click, and she always seemed to know just when I needed her.

We were odd that way, but I loved it.

I had just come out of one of the worst surgeries of my career, and the first time a patient had ever died on my table. It wasn't just any patient, either... it was an eleven year old boy that had so much life to still live. It all seemed so unfair. But Bella knew, somehow. She knew I'd need someone.

My phone pinged with a text as I made my way down the hall and into the surgeons lounge just outside of the OR.

B: Can my best friend in the history of ever spare five minutes for a phone call? ;) I have some news. Good news, great news! Promise!

I chuckled, pulled up her number and pressed call.

"Hey!" Bella said, excitement clearly showing in her voice.

"You should know by now that I will always have time for you, Bella," I said, finally smiling.

"Well...I figured my Edward could use some pick me ups, so want the news?" she asked, while I stupidly nodded my head, even though she couldn't see me.

"So, as you know, I've been applying to graduate programs all over... and I got an acceptance to one, along with an invite to visit the campus." She sounded so happy and excited. "So, I need some hotel recommendations around northwestern in Chicago, Edward."

My heart was pounding. This was everything I have wanted over the past three years; to be able to meet the girl who had grown to be my best friend, and so much more in my heart, even if she didn't know it yet. I doubted she ever would know... as long as my fears kept a hold on me.

"Really? Northwestern? I am so proud of you, B!" I jumped up, overjoyed with happiness. "And there is no way you are staying in a hotel by yourself. No way at all. You are gonna stay with me. Saves a broke college student money, after all," I said, laughing.

"Are you sure? You wouldn't mind a girl being in your apartment, causing messes?" she said, a giggle followed shortly after.

"Not at all. Email me your flight info and such, and I will pick you up and everything. I really am happy and excited for you, and so damn proud!"

I wished then that I could hug her, could have seen her face when she opened that acceptance letter, since we had talked about her choices for months and where she wanted to go. Ever since she found out I lived in Chicago, she'd become dead set on making her way to Illinois. We'd made plans over the last three years to finally meet face to face, but something would always come up. Like my work, or her dad's health. But now that it was finally happening, I was overwhelmingly happy.

"Well, I'll be going during my spring break, so that's a week to sort things out. But I'll let you know my flight details and such. I hope this news made you smile. I had a feeling it was gonna be a shit day for you."

"Thanks, Bella. You always seem to know."

We hung up shortly after as I walked out of the lounge to do my night rounds before heading home, excitement taking over due to the fact that I was finally going to get to see her in less than two months. My mind was immediately hit with all of the places I could take Bella, and all the fun I hoped we would have.

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Two months later, I found myself waiting at the airport for her flight to land. I was more than an hour early, but I wanted to beat the traffic and be there on time. My hands were shaking in nervousness as I stood there, watching the arrivals board, hoping that somehow her plane would wind up early.

The first time I saw her walking toward baggage claim, I swear my heart wanted to jump out of my chest. We'd exchanged pictures of each other numerous times, but nothing beat the first time she noticed me walking toward her at the baggage claim carousel. Her eyes grew big, her smile radiant, as she ran towards me, colliding into me, giving me the best hug of my life.

I crushed her to me, swaying side to side, completely happy that I finally got to see her, feel her, talk to her face to face instead of through her stories, the phone, texts and emails.

Finally, I looked down at her and kissed her cheek. "So, safe flight?"

She nodded and hugged me again. "It feels so amazing to finally meet you face to face! I've been waiting for this for the last few years. I can't believe we're here."

I grabbed her hand and her bag, leading her out towards parking. Once in my car and buckled up, I turned to her and asked if she was hungry. She shyly nodded, a soft blush graced her cheeks. As I drove, I realized how right it felt to have her there, and we had only been face to face for less than twenty minutes so far. But it was right, and it was perfect.

We decided we'd go back to my place and order in. Exhaustion was setting in on her, and she wanted a shower. Once back at my apartment, I showed her the spare bedroom, the bathroom and let her get settled while I went about ordering us some chinese, hoping she wouldn't mind what I had ordered.

Thirty minutes and a fresh, happy Bella later, our take out showed up just as she sat down on the couch. I handed off the chopsticks and plates to her as I sat beside her. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable at all.

Eventually, we started talking again once Bella had her share to eat.

"So...I was thinking of writing something based off us, our friendship and fanfiction. What do you think? Cheesy?" she asked, looking at me, smiling.

"No, I think that is kind of cool, though. So, what would be your pairing? Hermione and Draco this time?" I asked, curious.

"Nope," she said, and looked down at her lap. "Draco and Harry." Her eyes went back up to my face, waiting for my reaction.

"Why that pairing? Not that I have anything against slash." I shifted so that my body was fully facing her.

"Well, you are my best friend, Edward. That means so much to me, I want to keep that part for us. So, I think if I made it a female/male pairing, I'd make it more personal, know what I mean? If I make it slash, I'm just basing the way we met on the fic, not on us. I don't know, my reasoning is stupid, I suppose."

I shook my head no, and moved her a loose strand out of the way of her face. "I understand, Bella, and I say go for it. You know I love anything you write." I honestly did; she had yet to really disappoint me with anything she posted.

"Good, then. Not like you had much of a choice. I kind of already posted the first chapter of it right before I boarded my flight." She laughed, and took a drink of her beer.

I quickly checked my email, and sure enough, there was a new story from her in my email. I eagerly clicked it open, noticing that she had dedicated it to me.

"Thank you, Bella." I moved to hug her to me, wrapping her in my arms.

Yawns eventually pulled us apart. I told Bella to head on to bed, that I'd clean up, and that I had a lot of plans for us over the week.

I cleaned and locked up before heading down the hall to my room. Bella was standing outside her door as I walked pass.

"Goodnight, Edward. Thank you for letting me crash here."

"Anytime, Bella. You are always welcome here," I told her before opening my door.

I went in but then turned around, curious about something. "Hey, Bella?"

She opened her door and peaked back out. "Yeah?"

"I've always wondered, but have been too afraid to ask. Why hasn't my age put you off? I thought for sure when I first messaged you that you would tell me to leave you alone."

"Twelve years isn't that drastic, Edward. Plus, hasn't anyone ever told you that age is just number?" She smiled and closed her door.

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I hope you guys enjoyed! Thank you for reading!