Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

AN: Thanks to my beta, toocute24

Chapter 14

EPOV

Bella dozed for most of our flight. She had her head resting on my shoulder, surrounding me with her scent. I turned my head and breathed her in, unable to help myself…or the tightening in my pants. I turned away from her and leaned my own head back, closing my eyes.

It had been so long since I had a woman in my bed. Now I wondered if I ever would again. Bella was my wife, but I wasn't sure she would ever really be mine. Something that I was extremely worried and sorry about.

Just as we were preparing to land, she stirred and sat up, blinking her eyes. "Are we there?"

"Almost. Once we land, it's just a short boat ride to the island."

"Exactly where are you taking me, Edward?" Bella looked almost frightened.

"Relax. We're going to an island off the coast of Brazil. We need to talk without interruption. It's time that we get to know each other as adults. Don't you agree?" I really hoped that she wanted this too.

She nodded her head and I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe we could at least become friends.

~~LWaC~~

I watched as Bella looked around the house. It was spacious and allowed in lots of light.

"Edward, this is beautiful. Who's is it?"

I cleared my throat and smiled. "It's been in the Cullen family for years. I thought it would be a nice place for us. We can relax, talk, and get to know each other. We're married now, Bella."

"I know we're married, Edward. You don't need to worry. I want this to work as much as you do."

We looked around the house some more and got settled in. Bella was in the kitchen rummaging through the fridge when I found her some time later.

"What are you doing?"

She turned to look at me. "I'm hungry. I thought I'd make some dinner."

"You can cook?" I asked in surprise.

She chuckled and turned back to the fridge. "Yes, Edward."

I watched as she began pulling things out. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the mouth watering aroma of fried chicken and potatoes. It wasn't long before Bella set a plate in front of me.

"Thanks, Bella." I dug in and moaned as the flavors hit my tongue. "This is awesome."

Bella giggled and then dug into her own plate.

BPOV

Listening to the sounds that Edward was making as he enjoyed my food was doing something to my body. I tuned him out and turned to my own dinner. We sat in relative silence and ate. Once we were done, Edward offered to clean up.

"Um…are you sure you know how to load the dishwasher?"

He laughed. "I may have had a different upbringing than you, but Mom did teach me a few things." He started stacking things up as I watched. "Why don't you go in the living room and relax. I've got this."

I shrugged and left him alone in the kitchen. This was a whole new Edward. I curled up on the sofa and thought about the man I'd become familiar with and the one that was currently cleaning up after dinner. He may have looked like Edward, but he sure as hell wasn't acting like him. I looked down at my left hand, at the diamonds that glittered there. Everything was changing. It was time for me to grow up and change too.

When Edward finally joined me in the living room, I decided it was time to ask him about the one thing I had been wondering about.

"Can I ask you something and have you give me a completely honest answer?"

Edward cocked his head to the side and looked at me. "Always."

"Did you really have a flat tire on the night of our rehearsal?" I waited with baited breath for him to answer.

"I knew you didn't believe me." Edward sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at me. "Yes, Bella, I was changing a flat."

I closed my eyes in relief. "So you weren't...?"

"No, Bella!" Edward reached out and grasped my hands. "Look at me, please." He was silent until I met his eyes. "I was not and will never be unfaithful to you. When I placed that engagement ring on your finger, I made a promise. I plan to keep that promise until my last breath. If our marriage stays as it is now, I will still be faithful."

I nodded but didn't say anything. I didn't know him well enough to believe him. With looks like his, I was sure he had the women lined up to hop in his bed. He's your husband, Bella. No one is hopping into bed with anyone. My inner pep talk only spurred on more concerns.

"Edward, I'm not going to have sex with you."

"I know, Bella. I don't expect that…not now anyway." Edward grinned at me. "I'm aware that we aren't going to have a 'true' marriage right away. Let's just take the next two weeks and get to know each other. Whatever happens, happens. No pressure, okay?"

I nodded in agreement and felt myself begin to relax. "I'm going to turn in. I'll see you tomorrow."

Edward nodded. "Goodnight, Bella."

"Goodnight."

~~LWaC~~

I woke with the sun shining on my face and the breeze billowing the curtains. I smiled in contentment until I realized that I was on my honeymoon. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but given how much we usually argued, I was worried that Edward and I would be spending our time here fighting.

Deciding not to worry about it, I got out of bed and put on my bikini. After wrapping the skirt around my waist, I left my room in search of breakfast. I had just sliced up the last of the fruit when Edward walked in.

"Morning."

"Morning," I said as I placed the fruit in a bowl and then moved to wash my hands.

"How'd you sleep?"

I smiled and poured myself a cup of coffee. If he wanted to do the small talk thing, then we would. "Great. You?"

"Like a log, but I always do when I'm here." He poured himself some coffee and got a bowl, adding some of the fruit to it. "So what would you like to do today?"

"Relax in the sunshine. Work on my tan." I looked over at him. "I would like to get to know my husband."

Edward smiled and nodded, but didn't speak.

So that's what we did. For the first week we were on our little island, we got to know one another. We swam, we lay in the sun, and we enjoyed just being. No drama, no threats, just...us.