****** 3 months ago ******

"Are you ready yet?"

I sighed, looking at the huge pile of clothes Alice bought for this trip and the small space I had to pack it in. "Not yet, Edward. I mean have you seen the stack of stuff Alice wants me to bring along?"

"Love, I will help you if you would only request," he sighed impatiently for something like the tenth time.

That would be like quitting, and I, Bella Cullen—wow, that's still new—do not give up. That was for the old Bella. The one that did not feel that she belonged with her angel, but now we match. We are as close to equal as could be hoped. He, of course, was still stunningly perfect and I, as usual, was still imperfect, but now my flaws are much reduced and mostly tolerable. Sure, being a vampire wasn't all hunky dorey, but I looked as though I belonged next to him.

Sure, I was being superficial, but when your own inadequacies are removed, everyone would brag a little. With less tripping plus a lack of blood to stop the embarrassing blushing every time something happened, being turned into a vampire was definitely enough to make me happy, but without Edward, it wouldn't have been quite the same.

These few weeks after the change were enough to ensure anyone's happiness. It was getting hard to imagine anything before this pure bliss. This time, just being with him like this, it's magical. And now Alice has to go and plan this "vacation." I don't want time off from this. I never want to leave.

He knocked on the door yet again to try to make his way into our spacious closet where I was surrounded by very large mounds of bikinis and other pieces meant to show as much of my pale skin as possible and broke my reverie. "Do you need help? Let me in, please Bella. I need to see you."

"Believe me, I'd like to come out, but Alice gave me strict orders, and she'll come with us if she sees me coming out there and showing you what I have in this bag. I don't think you want your sister tagging along with us on our 'getaway.'" I'm glad he couldn't have seen me doing those air quotes, but they are deserved. I still feel like there's nothing to get away from. Since we moved to a quaint little cottage in the Yukon close to the Kluane National Park Reserve Esme found for the two of us, Edward and I have gotten to be together more than I could have ever imagined possible before getting rid of that pesky sleeping thing.

I love our home. It's close enough to a great animal reserve while being far away from the tourists and other humans we might encounter somewhere else. It also had the advantage that we were close enough to the rest of the Cullens that we can take quick road trips over to see them, but it's far enough away that if we have other things to do that don't involve them, they won't be involved.

All of the "kids" were given strict orders from Carlisle to stay away from us, unless we specifically called for them or they called us at least one day in advance. Edward and I both appreciated this close distance. It gave us time to figure some things out, and after the transformation, I needed a lot of time to figure things out.

I shoved a few more expensive barely-even-there sets of bikinis and another pair of jeans and flip-flops into the already crammed suitcase and forced the zipper closed. "I think I'm done now Edward," I said as I shoved the overly-full bag through the piles and closer to the door. I quickly put the rest of the piles neatly into their drawers and opened the door to see his glorious face, eager and waiting for me. Only me.

I jumped into his arms and kissed him deeply. Against my lips I felt him smile and begin to chuckle. "That was unexpected, and yet totally enjoyable," he paused and held me out at arms-length. I struggled to get back to his angelic face, but he only laughed and set me on my feet. He looked at my overstuffed bag and seemed a little overwhelmed. I felt the need to explain come over me.

"Ok, so I know it looks like a lot but if we really are going to some unknown tropical paradise for multiple weeks, I need to be prepared!"

He chuckled, and nodded to himself. "You really have been spending too much time with Alice haven't you?"

I snorted, and sat on the edge of our luxurious pillow-top king bed. Yet another reason I did not want to leave.

"You know I'm only teasing, my Bella. You know when you pout like that, it's the most adorable thing I've ever seen."

"Not helping Edward," I huffed.

He only laughed again and tossed my bag onto his shoulder. "Are you ready to go on your new honeymoon?" he asks me.

I mumbled an affirmative and follow him into his brand new Lexus.

As I shuffle into the passenger seat, he dazzles me with his smile and says, "Let's go then!"

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AN: So.. there ya go! first real chapter of a first story! Let me know if you want anything added or have suggestions! yay exclamation marks!!!