Hey, guys! I hope you all like this update to She Gave Me Words. Thank you all for taking the time to read, review and favoriting. Honestly can't thank you enough.

Thanks so much to Kyla713 for looking this over, as well as Packy and Heather for pre-reading.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 3-

Over the last few years, it had become habit to check my phone every chance I got, usually within the first few minutes after I woke up. It was no different now that Bella was there. I stretched and tried to listen to see if she was up and about yet, but all I heard was silence. The traveling must have taken a lot out of her.

I grabbed my phone, powered it on and checked my email. Surprisingly, I had a notification of a new blog post from Bella.

Monday, March 31st. 7:08am

You know, I've written for many fandoms, ever since I was about fifteen years old, but none have been as special to me as the HP fandom.

I often find myself questioning what is the point? Why post? Why write? And I think I've found the answer to that question, finally. Even though, ages ago, I had an inkling to what the answer was all along.

It's the friendships you make and never knew you really needed. You tell yourself that the reason you write, the reason you post your work publicly and don't get paid for it, is really for yourself, for your own enjoyment. But, to be honest, I think that is only part of it. I post to make people happy, to know that someone besides me loved my words.

But I have a new reason for posting, or I have for awhile now. I finally got to meet that reason after three years of getting to know Ecullen. I got to see one of his smiles after he opened an update to a new story I posted. I got to see his eyes shine the brightest green when he met me at the airport. It made my day, night, life.

Just like you all do, he makes being in this fandom worth it.

So thank you, all of you, for taking the time to read what I post. I don't think you ever will know how much it means to me.

B

I sat my phone down, my insides yearning to burst out of me. I sat up, rubbed my face, and my smile grew bigger. I couldn't wait to show her around Chicago, and give her more of my smiles, which she seemed to love. I loved her smiles just as much.

Dragging myself out of bed wasn't as hard as it usually was. I was suddenly over-excited for the day and couldn't wait for Bella to get ready and face the day with me. I had plans, lots of plans. Of course, the tour of Northwestern came first.

I knew from previous conversations that she preferred tea to coffee, so I set about making her a cup. Unlike her, I needed my coffee. It was a must-have if I was gonna survive the day.

I set about heating up a few pans for eggs and bacon, cringing when they clanged as I pulled them out of the cupboard below.

"Good morning." I heard the softest, sweetest voice say. I turned around and smiled at Bella. She was dressed in jeans and University of Washington hoodie, her hair tied up.

"Good morning, Bella. Hope you slept well."

Bella nodded, a soft smile adorned her face. "I did, thank you. I may never want to leave that bed behind. It's too comfy!"

I laughed as I put the eggs and bacon into their respective pans. "You're welcome to stay however long you want."

We set about eating our breakfast, conversation was easy and light. Never had I felt so incredibly comfortable with someone as I did with her. She asked about our plans, and confirmed her appointment time at Northwestern. We figured taking the car into Evanston, which was just outside of Chicago, would be easier with how much we wanted to get done that day.

I couldn't help but sneak glances at her while I drove into the city. Her eyes would grow huge as she watched the scenery pass, excitement taking over.

"Shouldn't you be used to huge skyscrapers and crappy traffic?" I asked, joking.

"You'd think so. Seattle is notorious for its crap traffic. But I love skyscrapers. I love seeing a tall building, looking as if its going to pierce the sky. I used to tell my dad that I bet you could see the whole world if you got to the top of a skyscraper. He'd laugh and smile." Bella had a smile on her face as she told me her little story, and I had the sudden urge to grab her hand and hold on to it.

It took ages, but eventually, we found a spot close to Northwestern's campus. I pointed out things I remembered from when I was there as we got out of the car and began walking to where we needed to go. It had been years since I set foot on to the campus myself, but in a way, it still felt like coming home.

I told Bella I'd be happy to wait out in one of the cafes on campus as she did her tour and met with an adviser, but she insisted I accompany her, actually grabbing my hand and pulling me along with her. Her eyes took in everything that the guide was telling her, pointing out specific dorms for grad students, labs and cafes and what not. I could tell she was growing more and more excited the further into campus we went. When it came time for her to meet her adviser, again I insisted on waiting, so I sat outside the advisor's office while Bella met with him. A short time later, she came out full of smiles.

"So, Miss Swan, you think you're ready for Northwestern?" I asked as we sat down for some lunch inside one of the cafes.

"I think so. I'm really excited, Edward! I can't believe I'll be a grad student soon." I loved seeing Bella so animated.

"If you don't mind, we could hit the pier, maybe look around? And then go to dinner? I'm sure you're exhausted after the day you've had."

She shook her head. "Nope, I am up for anything and everything. You need to show me all of what Chicago has to offer if I am to move here soon. "

It did something to me - I don't know what - whenever she mentioned moving to Chicago. I felt warm, happy. I also felt cheesy for feeling this way, but I wasn't going to ignore it.

We left Evanston and began the drive into downtown Chicago and made our way to Navy Pier. Though she might not have expected this to be our first stop, she was happy with my choice.

Bella decided she wanted us to explore the pier first, checking out the stores as we went, eventually stopping into a coffee shop to warm up and relax a bit before heading back out. I managed to talk her into getting on the Ferris Wheel with me. She clung to my hand harder the higher we got. I told her little stories to keep her mind off of the height, but once we made our final descent, she wanted another go, so we bribed the attendant for one more ride. That time, she actually looked out at the skyline when we got to the top. Another smile of hers that I would never forget.

"What do you say to one more stop before dinner, B?"

She nodded and wrapped her arm through mine. "Lead the way, wise one," she said, smiling.

I shook my head and led her to Garrett's popcorn, telling her that it was a must have, and that once she had it, she will want more. It took her a good fifteen minutes to finally choose what she wanted. She ended up getting her dad some, as well.

Bella took my arm again as I led her to my car so we could put our purchases in there while we went and enjoyed dinner. I decided to take her to Riva for our first night, figuring the good seafood would remind her of Seattle, and she'd enjoy her experience.

After the waiter dropped off our drinks and appetizers, Bella asked, "Your comment last night...about your age? What brought that on?"

I sure as hell wasn't expecting that and almost choked on my drink as I took a sip. "I don't know, honestly. I think I was looking for validation that you didn't think our friendship weird, or my age making you uncomfortable. I guess I just wanted to know if it put you off."

"Never, Edward. Never could you put me off. There is something about you that tells me I am with who I need to be."

She left it at that, and I didn't want to read too much into it, but it gave me hope that maybe in time, we could be so much more than we were.

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Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read.