Chapter 21

I woke up to the sounds of the tropics. I could hear birds singing, insects humming and waves gently hitting the shore. I smelled the salty ocean air mixed with the tangy scent of coffee brewing. When I finally opened my eyes, I realized I was alone in the bed. I got up and padded over to the kitchen to see if I could find Edward in there. Sure enough, he had his head in a cookbook and was whipping up something for me to eat for breakfast. Still in his bedclothes, he looked better than anyone in a kitchen had a right to.

"Good morning, Love. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I did…thank you. What are you cooking?" I asked, as I wound my arms around his waist.

"Omelets. You like eggs, right?"

I nodded, "Where did you get the food?"

"Alice called yesterday and had the caretakers bring up food from the mainland to stock the kitchen for us."

"Edward, you never did tell me. What plans did Alice make you change yesterday?"

He was silent for a minute before he answered. Then finally he said, "I originally planned to take you to Isle Esme. Alice insisted on Carl Isle instead."

"Why?" I asked.

His response was guarded and I noticed that he didn't look at me when he spoke. "For one thing, Carl Isle is closer to Forks than Isle Esme. Also, it's closer to the mainland for hunting…in case we extend our stay."

I wasn't satisfied with his answer so I pressed further. "Did she see something terrible happening at Isle Esme? Was someone going to hurt me…Victoria?"

"No, Bella…nothing like that," he said with his back to me.

"Edward, tell me. We are not starting married life with you keeping secrets from me." I was clearly annoyed.

He sighed and stared at me for a moment. "Fine. Alice had a vision that I would change you on our honeymoon. She thought we should be here instead of Isle Esme, because Carl Isle is closer to an uninhabited section of the mainland where you could safely hunt without running into any humans. I told her it didn't matter where we were because I would not change you without Carlisle nearby and certainly not on our honeymoon. I told her she had nothing to worry about. She was ridiculously adamant. So here we are. It's OK…when we get back to Forks I can tell her I told you so." He laughed at his last comment.

"But what if she's right? What if that is something I wanted to happen?" I questioned.

"It's not going to happen. We are going to enjoy our honeymoon. Besides, without Carlisle…well I just don't know if I'm that strong. Now, enough about Alice and her vision."

"I always bet on Alice," I replied.

"Not this time," he said resolutely. It was clear the subject was closed when he began to ramble on about lighter topics such as the weather, today's agenda, and the menu he had planned for my dinner tonight.

A few minutes later he had an appetizing dish sitting on the table in front of me. In front of him sat a journal. "I finished another notebook last night. It wasn't as heavy as the first one. Still, you suffered more than I had ever thought you would have. How were you able to forgive me for all the pain I caused you?" He caressed my face with his finger.

"Love." I said, standing to go and retrieve a third journal from Edward's luggage. I opened to a page I thought he should hear. "I'd like to read you something. It's been ten years since you've been gone and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. You are my first thought each day and my last thought each night. I don't have to hide you from my memories anymore. I'm through grieving. "When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it's not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end." (Meyer, 2005,Twilight, Preface p.1) I cherish the memories of you now and I am so thankful that I was able to experience the love we shared. Many people will never find the type of love we had for each other. It took me quite a while to finally realize that you left because you loved me. But once I came to that realization, my heart began to repair itself. The missing piece was still there, but the open aching wound started to heal. In my heart, I have been betrothed to you, Edward. I know there will never be another man for me. You will always be the love of my life. "No one's ever loved anyone as much as I love you." (Meyer, 2008, Breaking Dawn, p.753)

He pulled me close. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" he asked, his voice and eyes both filled with emotion.

"You loved me," I said, tenderly.

The rest of our day was beautiful. Edward took me on a trek around the island and made me a picnic lunch on the beach. We spent the afternoon swimming in the ocean and lying on the sand. I wore one of the skimpy bikinis Alice had packed for me and Edward was definitely having a hard time keeping his eyes off of me. I especially enjoyed watching him try to maintain control when I asked him to rub sunscreen on my back. Throughout our day, I was playfully affectionate and for the most part, he was not shutting me down. After a delicious dinner on the patio, I told Edward that I was getting tired and wanted to start getting ready for bed.

I drew a bath for myself, hoping that Edward would join me. Of course, he turned me down, saying that he didn't think that was such a good idea. When in fact, I'm sure he knew it was an exceptionally great idea. I didn't pressure him to get in, but asked him to keep me company while I bathed. He sat on the marble edge of the tub and talked with me as I soaked in the water. Then I turned on the heat…I lathered myself with soapy bubbles, trying to look sexy as Edward spoke to me. I could see his eyes start to smolder as they followed the movements of my hands. I turned and asked him to wash my back and then to wash my hair. When he finished, I stood and turned the showerhead on to rinse all the bubbles from my skin. He swallowed audibly, taking in the sight of my wet body and held out a fluffy towel for me to step into. I smiled to myself, knowing I was starting to wear on his resolve.

While drying my hair, I heard Edward showering in another bathroom. I considered going to him, but thought better of it and continued on with my original plan. After drying my hair, I padded into the bedroom, and lit dozens of the small tealight candles I had found earlier. When he came back into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, I was sitting on the bed waiting for him with the hairbrush in my hand.

"Edward, would you brush my hair again? It felt so good last night." I smiled at him sweetly, holding out the brush to him.

He sat beside me on the bed, brushing my hair gently. When he stopped I stood to face him, letting my towel fall to the floor. I looked him in the eyes and pushed him back on the bed, pressing my lips to his.

He pushed me back slightly, "No, Bella. We can't."

"I say we can." I traced my tongue across his jaw to the hollow beneath his ear. He shuddered slightly.

"No. You're too breakable. It's not safe yet. "

"Mmm," I said, planting soft kisses down his chest. "It's never been safe for me to be with you and yet here I am." I lay on top of him, letting my body melt right into his. My fingers wove through his hair and I kissed him until I had to let up for air.

He was breathing hard when he flipped me onto my back. He rose up on his palms, and looking me in the eyes, said more firmly, "No, Bella…"

"Edward, please. I'm your wife. It's our honeymoon. Don't shut me out," I begged.

His face looked pained, as he considered the risks. I ran my hands over his back, unraveling his towel while I nibbled on the skin of his chest. "Please, Edward."

He made a small growl and with an intensity I wasn't prepared for, he brought his lips down onto mine and kissed me so sensuously I felt like my heart would beat right out of my chest. Electricity flowed through me as his hands memorized my body, igniting sparks wherever he touched. Our breaths were coming in ragged pants, and when I finally thought I couldn't possibly handle much more passion, he took me.

When our breathing had just about returned to normal, we lay facing each other. I felt completely and utterly loved and adored. It was truly one of the most spectacular, intimate moments of my life. I knew this was the perfect time for me to give myself to him fully. "Edward, take me now." I said, gazing at his exquisite face, running my finger softly across his cool lips.

He laughed, huskily. "You are the greedy one tonight. Are you sure you're ready so soon?"

His honey sweet breath blew across my face, intoxicating me, drawing me closer to him. "I've never been more ready." I continued to stare at him while I pushed my long brown hair aside and stroked my neck.

He rose up on his elbow, recognizing what I was really asking for. He shook his head disapprovingly and said, "No, Bella..."

"It's time, Edward. I'm ready. Take me," I said, longingly.

"Are you…sure? I...I'm not certain if I'm strong enough to stop. Carlisle should be with me when…" His topaz eyes told of the confusion he felt inside.

I kissed him passionately, with abandon and he did not push me away. "Change me."

He stared at me for a moment, then cradled me in his arms and slowly bent towards my neck. Lifting his head and looking me in the eyes, he said, "I love you, Bella…more than you'll ever know."

"And I love you." I smiled, and touching his face I said, "See you in forever."

He kissed me gently on the lips, slowly gliding his mouth across my jaw and down to my neck. I could feel him shaking, but as nervous as he was, I was not. This had been something I had wanted for so long…the moment I had been waiting for. I knew there would be pain, Edward had warned me of that. But I knew at the end of that pain, there would be Edward. I felt his cold lips linger on my neck kissing me softly.

"Forever." I heard him say. Then, I felt his teeth on my skin and the burning began. This was my beginning…our beginning of forever…after all these years.

The End

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