Sorry for taking so long with this chapter everyone! It's longer than the others (and is now my favorite!) and my laptop charger was only working every once in a while so just as I'd start to make some progress, I'd get shut down. But it is finally here! I hope you like it. =]
I had no idea where Carlisle had planned on taking me for our honeymoon, all I did know was that we would have to board a ship, and that he was driving at a ridiculously human pace that simply felt like torture to me. After contemplating a bit, I decided that I would have to shamelessly flirt to drag this secret spot out of him. Grasping his hand, I spoke, "Carlisle, love, would you mind telling me where we're headed?" I slyly batted my lashes and giggled.
I was going to make him crack. I could feel it.
"Nice try, Mrs. Cullen, but my lips are sealed."
Damn. Time to really turn it up.
I leaned over to him, resting my head on his shoulder, and "accidentally" had my free hand brush his knee. I whispered into his ear, hoping to turn up the charm. "So, honey, I bet that you spent a lot of time working on the arrangements, what hotel did you say we were staying at again?"
"I didn't." He smiled, clearly pleased with himself. Well, now I couldn't even narrow it down by the hotel chain. I huffed playfully, and slid back into my seat. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and grinned. I was hoping to hold out, but my need to be close to him got the better of me and I managed to slip my hand back into his.
"You really don't want to be surprised? It would mean a lot to me, you know." He had found my weak spot, whether it was intentional or not. I would do whatever was in my power and beyond to ensure Carlisle's happiness, and if my being surprised made him happy, then so be it, I would be surprised. However, I would continue to let the battle of guessing rage on in my head. And even if I figured our destination out, I was a better liar then he would've cared to think. I had to lie the entire span of my first marriage. Charles Evenson, I wanted to spit at the thought of his name, and venom filled my mouth, even though I had hunted just hours before our drive. I couldn't focus on this, I couldn't let the memory of Charles ruin my high spirits, and I wouldn't let myself give his "soul" the satisfaction of having my wrath. It took every ounce of my self control to keep from fuming, but I knew that Carlisle would find my sudden state odd if I continued to let my primal instincts take over. And so I gradually brought myself back into the giddy state of a new bride.
Bouncing up and down in my seat, I finally tried to play the guessing game. Let's see, we were heading south of our home, so New York was out. I figured Carlisle would take me to a big city full of bright lights. But truth-be-told, I was hoping for something smaller. Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit cities like New York and Chicago, but I didn't want to be distracted; Carlisle deserved my full attention. We were officially together in the eyes of the Lord. (Well, apart from consummating the relationship. But that would come later.) I gently placed my head against the window and smiled. Astounded by my abrupt end of questioning, Carlisle peeked over at me.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be? I've got the greatest man in the world all to myself."
"And I have the most amazing woman." Life couldn't get any better. I closed my eyes and basked in the happiness that absolutely filled me.
"What are you thinking about Esme, dear?"
"You. I keep waiting to find out that this is a dream and that I've really been asleep these past six months." We both chuckled when I said "asleep". It took some time to get used to not needing the rest, but now the notion of sleep was absurd to us.
"Ah, my love, it is I who would be dreaming, as I do believe that I'd never met an angel before you." He always spoke so lovingly that I've wondered what I'd done to deserve such a marvelous soul. And with that, I slowly slid over next to him, grabbed his jaw and turned his face to mine.
"I love you." I whispered right as I pressed my lips to his. He was pleasantly surprised and returned the favor. As we broke apart, he noticed a sign on the side of the road.
"We're almost to the docks." Oh great, I forgot that we had more travel ahead of us. Carlisle brought our car to a stop and stepped out to speak with -I presumed- the owner of the docks. He and the man walked back and the owner kindly placed our luggage (Which I had no part in packing) onto one of the boats. Carlisle took a stroll over to my door and opened it. He took my hand and kissed it as he escorted me towards our vessel. I managed to catch the owner walking by and I whispered to him.
"Excuse me, sir; do you know where this boat is set to go?"
"Doctor Cullen has sworn me to secrecy." He winked at Carlisle. I smiled. Carlisle knew that no matter how much money I had in my pocket, he could easily double it to have the promise kept. I thanked him anyway and continued onto the dock. Carlisle smirked with satisfaction; he'd thought of everything.
Pulling me into his arms, Carlisle carried me the rest of the walk to the ship. I nuzzled my head into his neck, and smiled against his skin, we both laughed; he was always very ticklish! "Okay, I officially give up on guessing now!"
"Good, we can just enjoy our now; not our later; but just live in this moment." He set me down by the ships rail, and headed to his post to sail. I marveled at how skilled he was with steering, and how he didn't even need to watch his hands. It seems as though I'll never get used to his abilities. I managed to break the spell that he held over me just long enough to dash up to his side as we steadily left port.
"Carlisle, this is absolutely beautiful." I said as I was in complete awe of the stupendous sunset before us.
"But not half as beautiful as you are." He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I rocked back on my feet, letting my weight rest against his chest. The cool crisp breeze grazed our cheeks and my arms that were free from my yellow sundress. The sky had become such a striking blend of reds, oranges, and purples that if it were possible, I may've cried from the mere thought of this painting on the horizon. Carlisle set his head on top of mine and kissed my hair softly, and there we stood, for the rest of the night.
As morning came, Carlisle had to move back to his post. "We'll be there soon, love, I promise!" Finally! I couldn't take not knowing our destination anymore! Not half an hour had passed and I saw what appeared to be a mound of land in the distance, and it was completely surrounded by the water. I couldn't recall any islands in this area. Where were we going? Was it to that island? Carlisle took note of my confusion. "You'll understand everything, don't worry." As we began to get closer, Carlisle instructed me to cover my eyes. I did as I was told and soon felt the boat slow to an eventual stop. I could hear Carlisle's steps as he worked to secure our boat in place. I felt two arms lift me up and set me back down again. Carlisle kissed my cheek, and spoke. "Open your eyes."
I took in the gorgeous scenery around me. The trees were so green, the water so blue, and the sounds of the happy wildlife was abuzz. "Carlisle, what is all of this?" I then became very panicky; I'd forgotten that I was sparkling. "Carlisle, what if someone sees us?!"
"Esme, love, everything's fine." He hugged me, and whispered. "This is your surprise. This my dear, is Isle Esme."
"Carlisle, you can't be serious! My own island? Really?"
"Yes, this is all yours. It's all private."
"Oh Carlisle, This means that we can be out in the sun!" I was astonished. I immediately slipped off my sandals and took his hands. He gracefully spun me around and around on the wood of the dock. I let go of his hand and ran for the island. I felt like a child again as I danced around in the sand, relishing the warm feel between my feet. I giggled as I twirled and my dress fanned away from my skin. I stopped as I realized that I wasn't alone in my laughter. Carlisle was watching me from the harbor, with an enchanted look on his face. I raced back to where he stood and engulfed him in an embrace with a strength that almost knocked him down. I snuggled him as we held each other close.
"So does that mean that you like your gift?"
"I love it Carlisle, it's beyond perfect! I just wish that I'd gotten you something."
"You've given me your love Esme, and that's all I'll ever need to be happy."
"Carlisle, je t'aime."
"Je t'aime aussi, ma chérie."
"Pour toujours?"
"Pour toujours."
Writing this chapter was great. It was so much fun to play around with Esme when she first sets foot on the island!
I wasn't quite sure how to end this chapter, but I liked the idea of them speaking in French to each other. It's a very romantic language and they're both intelligent individuals, so it just fit the story naturally for me. If you don't speak French, this is the translation-
"Carlisle, I love you." "I love you too, my darling." "Forever?" "Forever." =D
The actual honeymoon will be the next chapter. I'll try to get it done as soon as possible! Thanks for reading everybody!
