Stephenie owns. Killerlashes and IAmToWait beta.

Four more chaps.

Thank you for reading. :)

Chapter 21 – Your Love is a Symphony

The weeks after my revelation moved too quickly for my liking. Since Charlie had "fired" me, I had picked up a summer class and even made a couple of friends at school. Everyone was a little surprised when I brought it up at dinner one night.

"What did you do today, Leah?" Mom asked.

"Oh, just class and lunch with Kate," I replied.

Charlie dropped his fork.

"Who's Kate?" Seth frowned.

"She's a friend from school." I shrugged.

"You've got friends?" Seth asked, Charlie snorted and Mom gave them both a reproachful look.

"I've got lots of friends!" I defended myself which made them laugh even louder. I did have friends… if Edward and Claire counted.

Well, everyone except Edward, of course. His faith in me never seemed to waver, something that would have been completely unnerving if it weren't so flattering.

If they were skeptical about my making new friends, they were downright surprised when I decided to continue my volunteer work at the hospital and the church. School had let out, so people were going on vacation. I helped to fill in the schedule with the regulars at the hospital and did some work in the church office as well. It was boring work, mostly filing and answering phones, but it let me be closer to Edward.

The more time we spent together, the easier it was to control ourselves. Though being physical with Edward was high (okay, it was at the top) on the list of my favorite things, simply being with him was number one.

Telling Edward how I felt really had been the best thing for me – for us. I knew it would open so many doors in our relationship, some good and some bad, but I also knew we both were willing and able to deal with whatever came our way.

As things with our relationship had begun to settle, it felt like everything else started to speed up. Work and volunteering, friends and family. It was enough to make a person crazy. I was just glad I had Edward to go crazy with if it had to happen.

With the kids on summer break, both Edward and Angela were scrambling around for special projects to do with them on Sundays and Wednesdays. They'd even changed their meeting times to during the day to help parents with childcare. By the second week of summer, they were both exhausted.

"These kids are driving me crazy!" Angela cried one day at lunch. I tried not to laugh at "cool, calm, and collected" Angela freaking out over a group of ankle-biters. "They're so rude these days. It's worse than youth group!"

"Oh, I don't know about that," Edward said with a sigh and pushed his French fries around on his plate. "It's like mating season at youth. Everything I turn around someone is sneaking off or touching or– "

"We get it!" I shuddered and tried not to imagine my brother or his sister being any of those kids.

"It's like their parents can't handle them so they ship them to us," Angela complained. I listened to their conversation, amused. The two youth leaders complaining about helping to shape the youth of America was funny to me.

"What are you laughing at?" Edward scowled at me and squeezed my thigh.

I shrugged and patted his cheek. "Nothing, sweetheart. You guys are just funny." He shook his head but smiled.

"I just need…a vacation." Angela sighed and looked out the window of the diner.

"Vacation sounds amazing. I can't remember the last time I had one of those," Edward said and leaned back in his chair. He stretched and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

I thought about that while we finished lunch. Edward probably hadn't had a real "vacation" since before his parents died.

"I've got to run to the bookstore, I'll see you back at work?" Edward nodded as Angela stood up and grabbed her things. "Bye, Leah."

We watched her walk away and then Edward leaned into me and kissed my head.

"I should get going, too," he said softly. "Where are you off to today?"

"I'm going to have coffee with Kate, and then we're going to study," I told him as we made our way out of the diner.

"My girl, the scholar." Edward grinned and took my hand so we could walk the few blocks back to the church where our cars were parked.

"Yeah, yeah." I shrugged and tried not to smile. It felt nice to have him be proud of me.

"Is that…Angela?" Edward stopped abruptly and pointed to the small bookstore across the street.

I followed his gaze and gasped out loud. "Oh. My. God."

It was most certainly Angela. And a boy. Well, not really a boy, more like a man. A man that worked at the bookstore. She was leaning against the counter, smiling and twirling her hair around her finger.

"Well, I can see why she needed to run to the bookstore," Edward muttered.

I laughed and slapped him playfully. "Your mystery has been solved, you creep. Stop staring."

"Oh, you know you're curious too!" He teased me, and I pulled him away from the shop.

"Don't you dare tease her about this either," I told him.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Edward said with a smile.

I eyed him suspiciously. "I don't believe you."

He laughed loudly and pulled me closer to his side. "You shouldn't," he whispered.

"I know," I whispered back and kissed his cheek.

"Dinner at your place tonight?" Edward asked as we approached the church.

"Yeah, I'll let you know what time," I said as I unlocked my car. Since things had gotten so serious Edward and I had started spending one night a week with my family for dinner, and one at his home with just Alice. The only problem was working around Mom and Charlie's schedules.

He opened my car door and kissed me softly. "Have fun with Kate." I slid in and gave him a smile before driving away. It was always bittersweet to leave him, even though I knew we would see each other soon.

The fact that I wasn't being completely honest with Edward probably had something to do with how hard it was to say goodbye. I wasn't the best secret-keeper and it was getting more and more difficult to keep a couple of things under my hat.

"I can't decide what to get Edward for his birthday," I told Alice one night after dinner.

She shrugged."He doesn't need anything, really."

I rolled my eyes."That doesn't mean I don't want to get him something!"

She was quiet for a moment before she turned to me with a small smile."I think I know what he would like, c'mon."

I met my friend Kate at the little coffee shop down the street from the school campus. She smiled and hugged me tightly, something I wasn't quite used to yet. Kate was a tiny-but-fierce blonde whose outspoken attitude had captured my heart the first day of class; the professor paired us up for a group project, and we'd been as thick as thieves ever since. It was weird, having someone besides Edward and people I'd known my whole life that I actually wanted to talk to.

"What's Edward doing today?" Kate sipped her latte and glanced up at me from over the top of the cup.

"He's working." I ignored the glint in her deep blue eyes and followed her out of the coffee shop.

"You're not going to introduce me to him, are you? Why not? I want to meet this 'perfect guy' you always gush about!"

"Oh, honey, I just don't want you to be sad that your boyfriend doesn't measure up," I told her with a smile.

Kate snorted and pointed up the street. "Let's go get your perfect boyfriend his perfect birthday present." She gave me a small shove. "What does he think you're doing?"

I shrugged. "Studying."

"He has no idea about any of this?" Kate asked with a frown.

"No. I just…don't know how to tell him," I said softly.

"I'm sure he'll be happy either way," she tried to reassure me.

"I know." I sighed. "Here's the shop. I'll be right out." I left Kate on the sidewalk while I picked up Edward's birthday present. It was perfect, really; Alice had done an amazing job helping me.

"All set?" Kate asked once I'd stepped out of the shop.

I nodded and smiled, content and excited about my purchase. "Yep. Hey, do you and Garrett want to come out on Friday night?"

"To Quil's? To meet your friends and prove that I'm not imaginary?" Kate grinned at me.

I laughed and shook my head. "Exactly." I linked my elbow through hers and we continued on our way, taking care of some errands that needed attending to.

It was nice to have someone like Kate to help me. There were some things that I couldn't tell Edward, or anyone else for that matter, about. I didn't want to jinx anything or risk my plans falling through.

Of course, as much as I wanted to wait, I let my guilt get the best of me after dinner that night. Edward was sprawled across my bed and I'd settled myself at his feet with my laptop to work on an article for my class.

"You're awfully quiet today," Edward said softly and poked me with his toes.

I grabbed his foot and dug my fingers into the sole of it. He jerked it away quickly and I went back to my writing feeling smug. "Shh, I'm working," I scolded him.

"And you're adorable doing it. Now, tell me what's wrong, pretty girl."

"Nothing," I sighed, and closed my laptop.

Edward sat up and took the computer from me, then gently turned my face to his.

"Leah…"

"What are you doing tomorrow?" I asked quickly.

Edward's eyes searched my face for something that would tell him what I was thinking, but I knew his tricks well. I kept cool until he answered. "Whatever you need me to do?" he half-asked with a smile.

"Perfect." I kissed him and stood up to stretch. "You should get going. It's late."

"I'll pick you up for breakfast then?" Edward asked and followed me downstairs.

"Sounds good. See you then," I said as I opened the door. Alice skirted past us and gave me a quick wave as she made her way to the car.

"I love you," Edward whispered and kissed my forehead. "Whatever you're worried about…stop it."

"I love you, too. Now get out of my head." I gave him a wry smile and pushed him out the door.

The whole "know everything about each other" thing did get a little annoying when you were trying to plan a birthday surprise.

xXx

"Where are we going?" Edward asked after we'd gotten our coffee from the same shop I'd just been at with Kate the day before.

"I just…I have something to show you," I said nervously as I pulled him along the street.

We finally stopped in front of an apartment building and I squeezed his hand nervously.

"Well, here we are," I said with a nervous smile.

"You bought me a building? Oh, honey, you shouldn't have." He gave me a cheeky grin and I elbowed him lightly.

"C'mon, you jerk." I pulled him up the stairs and then up to the third floor. I handed Edward my coffee while I fished around in my purse.

Edward frowned and shifted his weight. "I'm getting nervous here, Lee." I laughed and dangled a pair of keys in front of his face, then opened the door with them. Edward let me lead him into the empty apartment.

"So…this is the bedroom and bathroom. There's a little nook over there for a desk and a laundry room through there…" I showed him quickly around.

Edward nodded and then looked at me, still uncomprehending. "And you're showing me all of this because why?"

I leaned against the counter and sighed. "Because it's mine," I answered with my eyes closed tight.

I heard him take a few steps toward me and rest his arms on either side of my body, caging me between them. "Is this what you've been worried about all week?" he asked, his breath washing over my face.

"No. Maybe." I shrugged and focused on the buttons of his shirt, reaching out and touching them softly.

"You're ridiculous, you know?" He tilted my chin up to him and I made a face. Edward laughed and kissed me softly. "There's nothing to be worried about."

"I just wanted to make sure I got the place and that everything was taken care of," I explained.

"I could have helped you, though!" He protested.

"I needed to do it on my own, Edward," I said and pushed him away gently.

"Did you get everything you needed?" Edward leaned against the counter opposite of me, a serious look on his face.

"Yeah…I had plenty saved up from living at home and…yeah, I'm all set." I held my hand out and let him pull me across the space between us.

"Is this what you want?" He brushed my hair from my face.

I nodded and rested my chin on his chest. "It's what I need. I need to be on my own. It's time to grow up." I laughed softly.

"I'm proud of you."

"Shut up." I snorted and tried to push myself away from him. My efforts were futile, of course. It was no use trying to get away from him. Ever.

"I am. This is great. You'll be closer to school and you can find a job and I can come and visit…" He whispered the last part and pressed his lips under my ear.

"Oh, I see what this is about," I said softly before pulling him into a kiss.

"What?" he murmured against my lips. "I'm just thinking about all our options."

"Dirty boy," I teased before pulling away.

"I mean it, Leah. If this is what you want, then I'll support you one hundred percent."

"Thank you, Edward. That means a lot to me." I kissed him again and looked around. "So, you like it?"

"It's great," he replied and handed me my coffee from earlier. "You should tell your mom."

"You tell her," I said quickly and led him out of the apartment.

Edward laughed and kissed my head. "Not a chance, sweetheart."

"If you loved me you would!" I cried, which only made him laugh harder.

"I'd take a bullet for you, baby… but I won't talk to your mother."

"Wimp."

I did tell my mother that night, but with Edward's help. She was supportive and happy, as I'd known deep down she would be. Charlie asked when he could start packing my junk, which earned him a half-hearted glare. He just laughed and kissed my head.

I didn't have a specific move-in date so I stalled for a couple of weeks on packing and moving, choosing to take small things over when I had the chance.

After Kate and Garrett joined us at Quil's for the first time it was hard to get rid of them. It was great having new friends and the two of them fit into our little group perfectly.

The weekend of Edward's birthday started with a huge celebratory dinner that my mother and I planned. We had all of Edward's and my friends over, cooked on the grill, and enjoyed the company. I thought about a few weeks back when I couldn't remember a happier time and laughed at the notion of it.

"What's funny?" Edward wrapped his arms around me from behind and pulled me against him.

"Just thinking," I told him as I watched Claire and Kate talking. Claire was showing off her nearly non-existent baby bump to everyone. She was such an exhibitionist sometimes.

"About…?"

"You, of course," I teased him.

"You know, I'm still waiting for my birthday present," he said as he turned me in his arms.

I laughed and kissed his neck. "Your birthday isn't until Monday," I said with a grin.

"But I know you got me something. And you know I'm not very patient," he muttered, pouting, and kissed me gently.

"You need to quit snooping." I pushed him away.

He followed me back into the house. "Where are we going tomorrow?"

"Edward! Just be patient, please?"

"But – Alice packed a bag for me, so I know something is going on!" He pulled me against him and kissed me under my ear.

"Stop that," I whispered. He chuckled against my skin. "You'll find out in the morning, okay?"

"Fine," he grumbled and let go of me.

"Go enjoy your party and stop trying to figure stuff out. You'll only hurt yourself," I said as I pushed him out of the kitchen. He glared but obeyed. We spent the rest of the night mingling with our friends, although we did manage to sneak away for a short-lived make-out session before he finally carted Alice home.

Edward and Alice were back at the house early the next morning. I'd told Edward to pack a bag of casual clothes and beachwear, and he'd grudgingly obliged. Alice was going to be spending the night in my room, though Mom and Charlie were on strict orders to not let her and Seth be alone together, just out of principle.

"Shouldn't I tell someone where we're going? Just in case I don't come back?" Edward asked nervously once we'd set off down the highway.

I rolled my eyes at him and held my hand out. He took it willingly enough and I rewarded him with a smile. "I'll make sure you come back."

"In pieces in your duffle bag?"

"Are you really that worried?" I laughed.

Edward shrugged. "You're never secretive, so I'm a bit nervous."

"You'll enjoy it, I promise." I gave his hand a squeeze and rested our hands on the side of my seat.

"Oh, I don't doubt that," he replied. I could feel his gaze on me and felt my skin heat up. My fingers slipped from Edward's and I grasped the steering wheel tightly, knowing that it was going to take a lot of self-control to not pull over to the side of the road and…yeah.

Edward grinned smugly and turned the radio up, rolled his window down, and rested his bare feet on the dashboard. If he hadn't had been so adorable I would have yelled at him for dirtying my car with his man-feet.

I drove a couple of hours to a small bed-and-breakfast I'd found in Sunset Beach. We were only going to be staying for two nights but I figured that was a better vacation than nothing, and Edward needed it. Hell, I needed it too.

We made good time and arrived just before lunch. Edward stood by and watched me check in and then let me lead him to our room - a quaint little suite with a beach view.

"When did you find time to do this?" Edward asked while he opened the French doors that led to a small porch.

"I've got more free time than you know," I said with a laugh, "and also a helpful little elf named Alice." He leaned against the railing and I wrapped my arms around him from behind, burying my face in his shirt and breathing him in.

"Your thoughtfulness continues to amaze me," he murmured as he turned his body to mine.

I rested my chin on his chest and smiled. "I had completely selfish motives, trust me." I smiled up at him.

He shook his head with a knowing look and kissed my forehead. "What should we do first?" Edward asked as he fingers trailed fire up my arms.

"Eat lunch?" I offered and slipped out of his grasp.

"Not what I was expecting, but okay." He gave me a half-smile and opened the door for me. We ate lunch in the shade of a large umbrella and then took a stroll down the beach until the inevitable afternoon rainstorm forced us back into the shelter of our room.

"You want to watch a movie?" Edward flopped down on the loveseat after he'd changed into a dry shirt and shorts.

"If you want to." I shrugged and peeled off my wet jeans, dropping them in a pile with his clothes and pulling off my shirt.

"Or…not?" His voice was low and I turned to him quickly, my wet hair hitting me in the face as I did. I raised an eyebrow as he lifted himself off the couch and made his way to me slowly. My hands rested over my belly trying to calm the butterflies, because as many times as we'd been together I still couldn't get used to way he looked at me.

Edward slipped an arm around my waist and his other hand cupped my face gently. I let my fingers glide over the soft cotton of his shirt until they found his skin. He stepped back and let me tug off his shirt before pressing our bodies together again. Edward bent to kiss me, but stopped short just above my lips. His eyes met mine and I gasped quietly at the look in them, a certain spark I'd never seen before.

"What are you thinking?" I cupped the back of his neck and he blinked quickly.

"Just that I could get used to this," he said softly and placed a teasing, gentle kiss on the side of my mouth.

"Get used to what?" I laced my fingers together, weaving them in and out of his hair as my eyes focused on his mouth.

"You. Every day," Edward said softly before kissing me again, more purposefully and passionately than before.

"You can't say things like that to me," I chided when he finally relented.

"I mean it," he whispered back, his hands tangling in my hair and pulling my mouth back to his.

"I hope so," I managed to say between his kiss and trying to remove his shorts. He stepped out of them and settled his hands on my waist, guiding me to the large bed. I crawled onto it and pulled him with me, situating us on our sides and moving myself as close to him as possible. Edward kissed me softly, his tongue sweeping over my lips and meeting mine in a perfect rhythm. A strong hand grasped me through my bra until I was arching against him and whimpering quietly against his kiss.

Edward pulled back and gently pushed me onto my back without resting all of his weight on me. One hand rested on my cheek while the other ghosted over my stomach and across my waist. I opened my eyes as he pushed my panties over my hips and down my legs. He met my gaze and smiled before kissing my chin. His lips moved over my skin and I sighed as I relinquished myself over to him. I ran my hands through his hair while he placed hot, open-mouthed kisses on my body - over my ribs and hipbones, under my belly-button.

Edward somehow snaked his arms underneath me and removed my bra, and then knelt back to look at me. I felt sexy and wanton under his gaze, like I did each time we were together. As he moved away from me I steeled a decision that had been rolling around in my head and pulled him back between my legs.

"Stay," I said with my arms wrapped tightly around his body. He lowered himself down and kissed me gently.

"I'll be back, I just need– "

"Do you trust me?" I asked quietly, almost inaudibly.

He eyed me for a moment before nodding. "Yes, Aladdin," he answered with a small smirk.

I resisted the eye-roll I really wanted to give him and pushed his boxers down in an effort to get my point across.

"I want you. Just you," I breathed when the final obstacle was removed and we were skin to skin.

"Leah…" Edward said my name softly, his green eyes searching mine for a long moment. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," I whispered and pulled him to me.

"I've never…" He trailed off and pressed his forehead to mine.

"Me either," I admitted. I knew it was a big decision to make and that there could possibly be consequences (in the "oops, that's a baby!" kind of way) for it, but I wanted to feel him. And I'd never missed a pill.

The truth was that I loved Edward and I wanted to give myself to him wholly, fully – heart, soul, and body.

"I've got us covered," I said with a small smile. Edward let out a breathy laugh against the skin of my neck and let his hand move between us. I trembled with anticipation and focused on him: the serene look on his face, how he pulled his lip between his teeth and closed his eyes as he drew me to him and finally pushed into me.

My breath caught in my throat and my hands fisted in the sheets as he filled me. It felt like every inch of me had been electrified, every sensation doubled as we moved together.

He whispered my name through heavy breaths while I kissed him where I could. His skin was salty and lovely, smooth under my fingers and lips. Edward gave a low groan in my ear and I felt my body tighten but I refused to give in.

I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed him while he pushed himself deeper. His hands rested beside my head as he lifted himself over me. My hands roamed his chest and snaked around his waist to the small of his back, pulling him closer.

I tried to tell him I loved him, to say his name, to tell him how good he felt, but I couldn't. I was too overwhelmed and too taken with him to say anything or form coherent words. So I settled for quiet moans and whispers, let my hands tug and touch and hoped he knew what he did to me.

When he lowered himself to his elbows and started whispering things in my ear, the coil that had wound itself so tightly in my body started to ease. Edward covered my mouth with his own but it was too much to contain, too much to hold in. My cries echoed throughout the small room as he continued to move inside me. Stars danced behind my eyelids as words fell from his lips with no rhyme or reason to them. I listened and drew him closer, pulling him to the edge with me until I felt the rumbling groan vibrate through his chest and against mine. It fell from his mouth as he collapsed with his head on my shoulder.

"I love you," I finally managed to say after a moment of heavy breathing and hands and fingers finding special, lovely spots to touch. He chuckled softly and kissed my cheek, then my lips.

I let my head fall back against the pillows and my eyes close, feeling absolutely euphoric. We didn't move for a long while and it took me a moment to understand why.

It was going to be a shame to ruin those pretty hotel room sheets.

Laughter bubbled from my chest and through my lips before I could stop it. Edward joined me, our giggling shaking the entire bed.

"Some things really need to be thought through a little more," he said through his laughter.

"We have to sleep here!" I smacked him lightly. Edward winced and pulled away. "Don't move!"

"We'll call down for new sheets or something," he said with a shrug.

"Take me to the bathroom." I wrapped my arms and legs around him.

"Woman, I'm weak. I can barely stand," Edward complained and rolled us quickly.

I kissed him and slid off the bed and into the bathroom. He followed me and I started the shower, then pulled him into the tub with me.

He laughed and pushed me against the cold tile with his hands on either side of my head.

"Is this my birthday present?" he asked quietly and ran his hand down the front of my body.

"Part of it," I replied with a smirk. "Now, help me out here?" I asked before handing him a bottle of shampoo.

He grinned and took it from me, then did as I asked. His fingers massaged my scalp, taking their time as they lathered the soap. By the time he'd finished all I wanted him to do was press me up against the cold tiles.

Sometimes it was nice to know each other so well.

And I was pretty sure I'd never go to a salon for a wash again.

xXx

Later, as we sat on the porch dressed in fluffy robes, we planned out the next day and decided that we would most definitely leave the room.

Absolutely.

Maybe.

No, we would. We had to. People would start to worry and it was kind of unhealthy. I mean, we had to leave the room. Plus, we'd driven all that way and there was plenty to see in the state park.

So we planned a hike, some beach time, and a fancy dinner. But all I really wanted to do was spend all day in bed with him while we matched movies and made love until we couldn't breathe.

There wasn't enough time to do that, though, so we took our hike and went for a swim. We showered (together) and dressed for our dinner. Edward pulled me to him in the elevator and kissed my neck softly. I tried to push him away but he held fast.

"That dress is amazing." His breath was hot on the exposed skin of my neck and I shivered against him. It was a bright, almost electric-blue strapless number with a flouncy skirt that I'd borrowed from Kate especially for the occasion. She insisted it looked great with my skin tone so I agreed and took it, having no idea how Edward would react to it.

I was pretty happy with the end result.

We spent dinner wrapped up in a little bubble. Well, we tried to anyways. It wasn't until the waitress poured us both full glasses of red wine that we decided we should start paying attention and stop staring deeply into each other's eyes.

Okay, that was an exaggeration. But we really didn't want the wine and Edward was too polite to send it back. He wouldn't let me "accidentally" spill the glasses either.

"When are you going to give me my present?" Edward clasped his hands in front of him and smiled serenely at me.

"Didn't I just give it to you in the shower?" I smiled seductively and watched the tip of his ears turn pink.

Edward rinsed the soap from his hair and turned to me with a smile.

"Want me to wash yours?" he asked as he beckoned me forward.

I raked my eyes over his body and shook my head. Edward shrugged and went to turn off the water, but I stopped him. "What are you…?"

"Relax," I said softly, running a hand over his chest. I kissed him softly and outlined the tattoo over his heart with my fingertip.

"Leah…" His voice was soft, like he was forcing the words to come out. Making the protest come to life though we both knew he wanted it.

"Hmm?" I hummed against his belly button and he shuddered under my touch as I fell to my knees in front of him. I looked up at him with a small smile. He reached down and brushed my hair from my face as water splashed on me from the steady stream.

"Carry on," he whispered and leaned his head back against the tile.

Success.

"Well, yeah. I mean, I guess you did…" he frowned, and unfolded his napkin, then set it in his lap.

"You're cute when you're frustrated." I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Yeah, yeah. Get off me, woman. I don't want to make a scene."

I pouted but relented so we could finally order dinner.

Dinner was a quiet event of forks clinking and small talk about what we'd done that week.

Edward let me know that Jessica was back at youth. She'd been placed with a foster family while DCF investigated her parents. He told me she seemed happy and healthy and my heart warmed as he spoke about Jess and the other kids.

I told him a little about school and some faux articles I'd been writing and how I planned to use him as a piece. He laughed until he caught my glare and realized I was serious. I promised to write only good things, but he just smirked and went back to the heavenly peach cobbler the waitress had suggested.

We sat for a moment after dessert was finished while we contemplated coffee. After a moment, Edward frowned and stood up.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I watched him.

He looked down at me, his eyes raking over my fancy dress and then smoothed his hand down the front of his dress shirt. "This is weird." He made a face and held out his hand to me.

I took it, though completely confused, and stood up with him. "What are you talking about?"

Edward didn't say anything. He simply opened his wallet and dropped some bills on the table, not even bothering to look at the bill. "C'mon, we need to get out of here," Edward said as the tugged me out of the restaurant.

I followed him, still confused and a little hurt at his calling my romantic dinner plans weird. "Edward!" I cried and pulled on his hand. "What are you doing? Will you tell me what's wrong?" I gave an exasperated sigh as he turned to me, his expression completely blank.

Edward shook his head and took two steps toward me.

"This isn't working," he muttered and eyed me again, much like he did in the restaurant.

My heart constricted at his words and fear gripped at my chest. What wasn't working? "What- how?"

I didn't have a chance to get anything out before the world was literally turned upside down. Edward had lifted me off my feet and thrown me over his shoulder before I even had a chance to protest. I watched the deck of the restaurant disappear and turn into sand while Edward walked quickly. He stopped for a moment and I realized he had kicked off his shoes.

Edward set me down and bent quickly to remove the black heels I'd put on before he picked me up again.

"Christ, Edward! What is wrong with you?" I tugged at his shirt but he didn't answer. He kept walking, like a man on a motherfucking mission.

It wasn't until I felt the spray of the surf that I finally realized what he was doing.

"Don't you dare!" I yelled over the sound of the waves.

"Sorry, pretty girl." He laughed and I braced myself for the impact of the waves.

I came up sputtering in waist-deep water.

"I can't believe you did that again!" I cried as I pushed my hair out of my face. Edward laughed a reached for me but I pushed him away. "Stop it! You've ruined my dress."

"It was worth it," he said with a shrug, ignoring my protests and pulling me flush against him. The material of my dress floated up around us as I relented and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"What'd you do that for?" I frowned against the salty skin of his neck as he moved us into deeper water.

"Your efforts for this weekend were valiant, grasshopper. But this…this fancy dinner and dress clothes…"

"I know, I just wanted to do something nice for you."

"I know you did. I love it. I love you."

"I love you, too. But…you're going to have to buy Kate a new dress," I told him, gesturing toward the sodden blue material for effect.

"Totally worth it." He grinned and I nodded in agreement.

It would always be worth it.