A/N: Some of us think that people who don't want to prioritize a relationship have sad, empty, "half-lives". Let me assure you, my life is full and wonderful, and the idea of being in a relationship repels me. Different strokes for different folks. ;)

Technically, they'd been together a year.

A year ago, Bella had returned from Israel, and they'd finally talked about what they wanted. Love, after all, was just an emotion. It was an amazing, humbling thing to love someone. Love had the tendency to color everything else in life.

Bella didn't like to talk about the time she spent alone in love; when she thought her love would forever go unrequited. Her life then was shrouded in darkness, with the only points of pure light being the time she spent with him. The light of loving him was always dimmed when she remembered she was reveling in that love alone, because he wasn't hers. Her excitement over her job, her full and happy life, got turned down several notches. It wasn't that she didn't feel those good things. She was happy with her friends, eager about work, and looking forward to a brilliant career. Yet her heart broke over and over again, even when he wasn't right in front of her.

Over the last year, though, Edward had gotten to see her embracing this new facet of her life she hadn't planned for herself. He knew she had her moments of doubt and uncertainty. She'd seen all the ways tattoos and love could screw a person over; the horrible things people went through for love; the way it could make them blind to the bad things. He did his best to prove to her every day that it was worth it. What they had was beautiful, and while love didn't guarantee one person was good for another, he and Bella together were stardust.

The last year had been a revelation for both of them. Edward had never been in the beginnings of an adult relationship. In a lot of ways, he'd never been in a relationship in the classic sense-the work of figuring out how two people with two very different lives fit together. He and Tanya were together before they knew very much about the people they were going to be and the lives they wanted to lead.

It was more of a challenge than Edward expected. He'd always defined himself as part of a unit. He'd never been just him-Edward Cullen and his life.

In an ideal world, he'd have figured out he and Tanya were a bad match years before. They'd have divorced-hopefully amicably-and he would have had time to figure himself out as a singular entity before he met Bella. But the world insisted on being what it always was-complicated.

But that was another way Bella was good for him. Young as she was, she was also firm in her own beliefs. He had the tendency to get too serious about them. If she'd wanted to be married the day his divorce went through, he gladly would have agreed. Bella had insisted that balance was as much about space as it was about inclusiveness. She still lived with Jake and Embry. She made it a point to see her friends both with and without Edward there. She encouraged him to have a life outside of her.

After all, Bella had pointed out, this was not only the first year they were together, but it was his first year apart from Tanya. He needed at least some room to really reconfigure his life.

"And if you figure out that I'm not what you want, we'll know sooner than later," Bella had said, trying her best to be grown up about the idea.

He'd pulled her close to him and kissed her neck. "While not impossible, it's about as likely as the Pope declaring himself an atheist," he'd said.

Grudgingly, he'd come to appreciate the space Bella insisted on. It was nice being able to reorient himself. He'd taken a trip to England, where his father was born, with his father and brother. He'd gone to New Orleans on his own-both things he'd wanted to do for most of his life and hadn't gotten around to because Tanya had never made the time. At home, alone on the nights Bella wasn't with him or he with her, Edward had time to think.

Edward had filled his own apartment with things he liked-his sofas, his art, his books on the shelves. He had more red meat in his fridge and freezer, because he liked red meat more than chicken and fish. He had to get used to the idea of telling Bella when he went out with his friends on his own rather than asking if they had anything going on.

But it had been a year, and he wanted to start to think about his and Bella's life together.

He didn't know if she realized the date. Bella wasn't a romantic. She wasn't the type to go for arbitrary anniversaries. And really, Edward wasn't that guy either. Not romantic enough that he thought they should make a production of it. Just romantic enough that he wanted to recognize the time, celebrate the love he'd never known existed.

It wasn't exactly difficult to get her to stay over. However, he didn't mind staying at her place. He liked the novelty of having to be quiet. He and Tanya hadn't exactly had even the typical college experience of trying to get it on without alerting the roommates, seeing as they were married in a home of their own. Edward liked to play a game. Whenever Bella shushed him, he made it a point to try and make her scream.

That morning, the morning of their non-anniversary, Edward woke Bella with kisses and a song. He liked to sing to her. He really didn't know why. It was something that came naturally; as though just seeing her brought music to his life.

"No New Year's Day to celebrate. No chocolate-covered candy hearts to give away." He nuzzled her neck, kissing up to her throat, her chin, along her jaw. "No first of spring. No song to sing. In fact, here's just another ordinary day."

Her eyelashes fluttered open, her sleepy look tender as she focused on him. "You think I don't know what today is?"

He kissed her then, and he didn't stop kissing her for a long while. They weren't kisses meant to lead to anything. He doubted he'd ever be tired of touching her, but this...this was good, too. Just enjoying the feel of her mouth moving with his, her sigh against his lips, and her fingers in his hair.

When he pulled back, they were wrapped in each other's arms, just staring. Happy.

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" he asked after a few minutes.

She sighed, stretching her arms out, drawing his eyes for a moment down the lines of her body, covered though they were by the night shirt she wore. "Where wouldn't I go?" She looked at him, smiling as she reached up to run her fingers along his chin. He'd figured out a long time ago how much she loved his stubble. "I don't know that I have a list. I really never got the chance to travel. My list of places I've been include the Pacific coast, Arizona, Vegas, and Israel."

He balked. "Really?"

She poked him in the belly several times, teasing. "We've had this discussion before."

"Have we?"

Her expression grew more cautious as she nodded. "You were telling me about all the places you planned to go."

With his wife, she didn't add. Edward grimaced and shook his head, ducking to kiss her once. "I don't care about that list anymore. I want a new list. One for us."

Her fingertips played at the sparse hair on his chest, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, the places we will go? My dad got me that book when I graduated from college."

"What's the first thing that comes to mind? If you could go anywhere."

"With you?"

His grin spread wide over his cheeks. He loved the idea, the possibility of traveling with her. "Yes, with me. You and me."

"And if I said I wanted to go to Disneyland?" she asked, waggling her eyebrows playfully.

"It's the mouse ears, right? You want to see me in the mouse ears?"

Bella put her hands up on either side of his head, imitating mouse ears. "I think I want to see if you scream on the roller coasters."

He fixed her with a look. "You really want to go to Disneyland."

"I've never been."

He quirked an eyebrow. "How is that possible? Didn't you live in Southern California?"

"For a bit. You do remember the part where I said we never had a lot of money? Disneyland was out of control even then."

"You really want to go to Disneyland?"

"Yes, but I'm not limited to that." She scooted closer to him so their heads were on the same pillow. "Where do you want to go?" Her cheeks tinted pink and she ducked her head almost shyly. "With me."

"Hmmm." He let his hand travel the lines of her back, pressing the shape of her shoulder blade against his palm. "I want to learn to flamenco dance in Spain."

"Uh huh. You think I'm going to get dressed up with fan and that thing in my hair, don't you?"

"No," he lied. "But I do want to dance with you again." She'd fallen in love with him after they danced all night, and he wanted the benefit of dancing with a woman he loved.

"In Spain."

He shrugged. "Anywhere."

"Where else do you want to take me?"

"Oh, no. It's your turn."

"I want to see the Great Barrier Reef," she said after a few moments thought. Then she laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I'm just picturing you in snorkeling gear."

"I've never been snorkeling. Australia, hmm? I hear they have awesome spiders."

She shuddered. "You love me, right?"

He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. "As it happens, I do."

"Then if we ever go to Australia, you'll make sure all the spiders are gone, right?"

He laughed. "Of course, princess."

~0~

They emerged from Bella's room an hour later at the sound of raised voices. Edward wasn't surprised to see Alice and Jasper there. What was surprising was that Jacob and Alice were in some kind of face off. Alice could be a little frightening when she was upset, so Edward found himself edging to where Jasper and Embry were standing, watching the carnage.

"Like it isn't bad enough you stepped on my proposal, now this?" Alice demanded, shaking a finger at Jacob.

Edward should have known. Alice and Jacob had been at odds since Jacob stepped over her elaborate proposal to Jasper by proposing to Embry.

"I thought you were kidding. Come on. The guy proposes to the girl. That's the way the world works."

Even Edward palmed his forehead at that remark. "Oh, babe," Embry said under his breath, shaking his head.

"Hey, genius. You're engaged to another man," Alice said, exasperated as all of them. "You're supposed to understand convention has nothing to do with anything."

"Whoa, okay." Bella stepped up to her arguing friends, putting a hand on each of their stomachs and pushing them apart as she stood between them. "What's going on here? What are we arguing about?"

"You," Jacob and Alice said together.

Bella blinked. "Wait. What?"

Jacob pointed an accusatory finger at Alice. "She came over here to ask you to be her maid of honor."

"What is wrong with you?" Alice cried, stamping her foot. "It was supposed to be a surprise."

"Surprise! I've known her longer," Jacob said, pointing at himself. "She's going to be my maid of honor. Just because you had to pick the wrong date-"

"The date actually has some meaning to us," Alice said, gesturing between herself and Jasper.

"Oh, my God. Stop," Bella said. "What is going on?"

"Seems Jasper and Alice picked the same date Jake and I did. To get married," Embry said. "Which one would think would be a problem because they couldn't go to each other's weddings, and they're good friends." He said the words, looking pointedly at Jake, as though reminding his fiance that he'd forgotten that fact. "But they're fighting over you instead," he finished, looking at Bella.

"Oh." She looked to Alice. "And you came over to ask me?"

Alice wrinkled her nose, pouting ever so slightly. "He ruined it. I had this whole thing planned out. A proposal. You propose to your bridemaids." She put a box in Bella's hands. "Here."

Edward watched, bemused, as Bella opened a small box to find a Ring Pop inside.

"I was going to get down on one knee and everything," Alice said with a sigh.

"Oh, honey." Bella tucked Alice under her arm and laughed. "You never do anything halfass, do you?"

At that, Jacob finally looked sheepish. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoiled that for you." He grimaced. "Just, when we told you we set the date, the first thing you said was we have to change it. Like it was a forgone conclusion."

Alice frowned. "I was just startled about it; that's all. I'm a little bit stressed. You know, if we didn't do it February tenth of next year, we'd have to put it off for a whole other year. But that only leaves me a few months to plan. That's so little time to do all the things I want to do. This is the first thing, and already it's gone wrong." Crossing her arms, Alice sat on the couch with a huff.

"Why February tenth?" Bella asked.

Jasper walked over to stand behind Alice. He put his hands on her shoulders. "It's the day we met."

"And what is it for you?" Bella asked.

Jake sighed. "The day after my vacation time kicks in at work."

Edward had to cover his mouth with his hand to hide his amusement this time.

Jasper cleared his throat. "You know, sugar, maybe it's a sign. You're right. It's too soon, and next year is too far. Maybe it's time we give ourself a different important date to celebrate."

"No." Jacob rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. He looked to Embry and extended a hand. "You wanted a more meaningful date. I was just kind of in a rush to marry you." His lip twitched. "You know. Gotta strike while the iron's hot. Before you come to your senses."

Embry wound his arm around Jacob's waist. "Jackass," he said affectionately.

They shared a quick kiss before Jacob turned back to Alice. "Take February. Plus, Em is right. I want to be there."

"Who says you're invited?" Alice asked, but it was obvious she was teasing. Everyone smiled.

"So, are you going to be my maid of honor or what?" Alice asked, turning her attention to Bella.

"What if I want my proposal?"

"Ah, maybe I should leave that up to your boyfriend." Alice winked at Edward.

Edward had to work to keep his smile down. The idea of proposing to Bella had, of course, crossed his mind before. He reached out and took Bella's hand, giving it a squeeze.

It would happen some day. He was sure of that.

How funny that Bella's friends were at the same spot in the journey of their relationships. Despite him being the oldest of all of them, he and Bella were at the newest stage. Still, Edward could hardly begrudge them that. Today, he had an answer to the first of many questions about their life together-the places they wanted to go. It was enough.

For now.

A/N: Step, step, steppin'.

Where's a good place to celebrate New Year's? (Don't say NYC)