For Leibeezer...because you ask so nice. Thanks to everyone who is reading, alerted, favorited, etc. this story. It means so much to me. Please leave a review if you feel like it...Now...once again, a bit of fun and a bit of serious...
We wake up with an insistent knocking on our door. I groan and pull the pillow over my head.
"Go away," Edward mumbles.
"No can do Bro! The weather is perfect for that boat trip we've been wanting to take to the island. Now get your asses out of bed." Emmett sounds positively giddy. These guys could have been pirates.
I'm suddenly filled with excitement. I haven't been to the island in what feels like forever. This is something I want to share with them.
I get up, acutely aware of Edward watching me as I dress.
"Come on Edward! Get up. This is going to be amazing, you'll see."
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow," he states something that I know too well. Something that I'm trying to ignore.
I slowly turn around, my chest closing and I'm fighting hard to keep breathing normally. "I know." My words are almost a whisper. "But let's not think of that today. Let me enjoy this with you. It's something I've been doing my whole life and I want to show it to you."
He smiles sadly, getting up and he starts dressing. "Agreed."
Before we leave the room we hold each other for a few seconds. We don't talk. There's not much to say at this point without it turning into a full blown conversation so we take what we can get from each other without expressing words.
Jasper and I make a run to the shop while Edward and Emmett do some checks on the boat. I make sure they have a gas burner and pot on the boat before we leave. Besides the drinks I take butter, garlic and chili and when they ask I tell them to wait and see. I also buy some fresh rolls and butter them before we go.
I drop my mom's car on the way down and let my dad know we're going to the island. He's not too happy. He's never liked me going on a boat with anyone if he wasn't the skipper. He stares pensively out to the ocean for a bit before mumbling his okay. I kiss him on his cheek and he smiles. I promise to call in on the radio if anything goes wrong. I know I don't need permission but when it comes to the sea I trust my dad's judgment 100% and always take my cues from him where that's concerned.
Edward and I are sitting on the boat as we head down to the harbor. I breathe in the fresh salty air and as it fills my lungs I feel excited and nostalgic and happy and sad all at once. I turn my head into the wind and look at Edward. He has his eyes on the ocean and he is so beautiful my heart aches.
The launch goes perfect and Edward takes the helm, guiding us to the open waters. The weather is perfect and I can see other fishing boats in the distance. We make the 10 kilometer trip to the island without hitch. I'm almost jumping with excitement as we close in.
There are some fishing boats at the reef to the right hand side of the island but I take them right to the front.
"Okay guys, we're not allowed to put foot on the island and I doubt you want to swim in winter so what do you say we haul up some crayfish?"
"Bella," Edward sighs. "You know it's not season. It's illegal to take out now."
"So what, stick in the mud? Who's gonna stop me?"
"I like it! Girl's got spirit," Emmett says.
Jasper and I ready two crayfish nets with bait and drop them strategically between the bamboo. The water is so clear it's dreamy.
We have a few beers waiting it out for twenty minutes.
I go to pull up the first net but Edward stops me. "Come on Baby, it's too difficult, let me do it."
I smirk at him, swatting him away. "Edward, I was born to do this. I've been doing it since I was 14 years old." With that I give the rope one hard tug upwards, ensuring the crayfish are trapped inside and lug it up. I'm not lying, it's hard, but I love it. Up and out and we have seven crayfish. Jackpot! I look at them proudly, a smile so big my face hurts.
They cheer and I pull up the second one which only gives us two but it's enough for what I want to do.
"Come on Jazz, light that sucker," I say pointing to the gas burner, him smiling at the nickname I just gave him. He does as instructed and adds the butter, garlic and chili while I break the tails off the crayfish. I dump them in, closing the lid, take a beer and Jasper hands me a Camel.
Feet up, swaying gently with the bobbing of the boat. "Now we wait." I stare at the lighthouse in the distance.
"We used to come here in summer for weekends. My dad knew the guy and his wife that lived here those years. I loved it. In the morning for about an hour and again the afternoon we can't leave the house because the penguin colony moves from one side of the island to the other. I used to take my notepad down to the jetty over there at sunset and just sit and write. At night I used to sneak out when everyone was sleeping and come and swim in the little cove just over there. Moonlight was the only light at night. Fuck, I miss that."
"Those are nice memories," Emmett murmurs, taking another sip of his beer.
I get up from the bough and balance myself on the wooden beams dividing the fish compartments when I lose my balance. Oh no! I brace myself for the freezing cold I know is coming. Stupid wench! Why would you try and walk on the flipping beams!
I hear all three guys shouting my name as I try to at least dive in as gracefully as I can. Nothing could have prepared me for the cold ocean enveloping my body and making my legs and arms ache so badly I can hardly move them. I manage to kick a bit and my head breaks the surface just in time to see Edward and Jasper dive in after me. I feel sorry for them, this is really cold.
Edward surfaces right in front of me, grabbing me tightly to him as we both kick so stay afloat.
"Fuck Bella. You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"You okay?" Jasper asks swimming closer.
"F-f-f-fine." I can hardly speak yet they look like they're in a heated pool. Damn assholes.
We make it back to the boat and Emmett grabs hold of my arms and hoists me back up. He immediately grabs hold of my hoodie and shirt, lifting it over my head. I'm acutely aware of the fact that I'm standing in front of them with just my bra on but I'm so cold I could care less. He takes off his dry jacket and folds it over my shivering body. Oh that feels good. He's rubbing his hands up and down my shoulders.
"Your lips are blue. I think I'll call you Smurfette from now on," he chuckles.
"Go fly a kite," I joke back, managing to crack a smile with my frozen lips.
I turn around to see Edward pulling up a duffel back from one of the compartments, taking out a few big fluffy towels and a heap of dry clothes.
"Did you foresee my stupidity?" I joke.
He laughs but his gaze is still worriedly looking me over. "No, I didn't. We just know enough to know that being on the ocean sometimes requires a backup plan. Come here Baby."
I climb over the beams to where he is. "Fuck, you're freezing. We need to get you out of that pants as well."
I look back at Emmett and Jasper and start undoing my pants.
Edward throws a towel at Jasper. "A little privacy please." They turn around laughing.
I find myself in an oversized sweat pants and a long sleeved Billabong top with a beanie pulled over my head. The socks Edard forces me to put on are way too big and I know I must look really stupid.
Emmett and Jasper confirm this when they turn around and burst out laughing. We're all laughing. It feels good.
I turn my back on Jasper as he puts on dry clothes, ogling Edward as he does the same. He's lifting his eyebrows at me as I lick my lips. I shake my head, trying to shake the thought of jumping him right here out of my brain.
The crayfish couldn't have been done at a better time. It's hot in temperature and chili hot as well which warms us from the inside out. Emmett has decided to skip the boat back and is drinking a Coke while we have another beer.
We take a slow trip back and at the harbor I discover the fisherman were lucky that day. Boats laden with yellow tail is laying around in the harbor bay waiting to be pulled up the slipway.
"Hey Emmett, go past the red boat, Major Dad, over there," I point.
He slowly pulls up alongside Harry's boat. He's surprised to see me on someone else's boat besides my dad's.
"Hey Harry. Good day it seems."
"Great day. Wish there was time to make a second run but with the waiting here it doesn't look like it."
"Throw over a yellow tail there. I'll sort you out when I see you."
He laughs. "Buy me a beer." He grabs a nice sized yellow tail and throws it over.
I introduce everyone and they chat a bit about the work on the deep sea which Harry is also familiar with.
Our house is on the way back from the harbor and I ask them to stop there quickly so I can grab some clean clothes.
My dad inspects me walking in and I explain to him what happened. He sees the boat outside. I tell him we're going to braai a yellow tail and he suggests we do it at our house. I want to say no but I know better. I've been spending so much time down there and I've never hidden my friends away from my parents. I also know that the guys will want to meet my parents.
I jog out relaying the info and they are stoked to be spending time at my house. I grab the fish and they promise to be back in about two hours after cleaning the boat and showering.
"Did your dad say anything about your attire?" Jasper asks.
"Yeah, he did actually. I told him you threw me overboard."
His face turns from smiling to worried to horror. I laugh. "Gotcha!" I shout walking towards the house.
"I'll get you!" I hear behind me.
I give the fish to my little brother who goes about gutting it. I check to see if there is enough wood at the braai. My mom asks me what the guys drink and we go up to the liquor store quickly to buy some beers. I grab a bottle of apple sours as well.
By the time the guys get there I'm a nervous wreck. I'm not sure why. I've had friends over for dinner with parents a million times. They are well brought up and you can see they come from good families. I know my parents will like them. I just don't know how to handle the Edward thing in front of them. Do I show them what he means to me? Or do I act like he's just a friend? I decide on the latter.
As I let them in I see each one brought something. Jasper is actually carrying a citrus salad which looks divine, Emmett has a bottle of whiskey and Edward is holding up a bottle of Bellingham Grand Cru, my mother's favourite wine. I dimly remember chatting about wine on our first night and I am touched that he remembered.
I lead them out back to the braai and introduce them. Emmett hands my dad the bottle of whiskey and Edward gives my mother the bottle of wine. I lead Jasper through to the kitchen to put his salad down.
A little while later we are comfortably chatting away outside. The guys and my dad are talking fishing stories and my mom and I roll our eyes at some of them, knowing how fishing tales are exaggerated. I start relaxing and after a while I get up to refill some glasses while the smell of yellow tail braaing fills the kitchen from outside. It's a heavenly smell.
I'm in the lounge at the drinks counter when I feel two very familiar hands grip my waist from behind. Edward playfully plants a kiss on my shoulder and I move away slightly.
He moves next to me, helping me with the drinks. "What was that?" he asks quietly.
I sigh. "Edward, my parents don't know what's going on here. I haven't told them anything. I don't think now is the right time."
He looks surprised, shocked, hurt. I want to take it back but I don't. "Are you embarrassed about us?"
"No Edward. No." I look at him and I don't know what to say. "I'm not embarrassed. God, if I could I would scream to the world that you belong to me."
"Then why don't you?" He's angry. I can see he's so angry with me right now. I don't blame him.
"Can we please just get through this night and talk about it later?" I ask irritated. I can't do this now and besides, I have the right to make up my mind on how I deal with my parents don't I?
We take the drinks out and somehow we manage to stay civil for the duration of the evening. I see Jasper giving me a questioning look at one stage. He knows something is up. Luckily my parents don't notice anything.
To my surprise the guys jump in to do the dishes after dinner. My mom and I stand staring at them in the kitchen. She's had a bit too much wine, same as me.
"I could get used to those three gorgeous asses in my kitchen," she whispers jokingly.
"Mom, please," I roll my eyes at her.
They say on the boat there is no one that cleans up after them so they're used to it. It's sweet. I think my mom is in love with all three of them.
We have another drink with my parents before Edward announces that they're heading home. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know if I should assume that he wants me to go with him or wait for him to ask. I wait, but he doesn't ask and I feel tears stinging my eyes.
They bid my parents good night and I walk out with them. He still doesn't say anything.
I'm awkwardly moving from foot to foot as he gets in and starts the bakkie. Emmett gets in next to him and Jasper jumps on the back.
"Thanks for the evening," he states almost detached. Jasper and Emmett greets somberly, now fully aware that this is much worse than it looked like inside.
"Good night," I whisper as he reverses. I turn around and head inside before the first of the tears run down my face.