DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.

Chapter 25

Edward's POV

We pulled up to the hotel valet and exited the car. I took Bella's hand as we walked to through the doors into the lobby. Her face lit up. I could tell she was impressed by its grandeur. I'd been to Seattle a few times and the appeal it had before paled in comparison to now. I was here with Bella, the love of my existence. This weekend for me was the final frontier, so to speak. I wanted her in my life forever and I knew spending time with her, away from Forks, away from our past, we could finally move toward a future together. Alice had made all the arrangements but I wonder to what extent she told Bella—did she know about the Suite? Would she object if she did? I guess at that point there was only one way to find out.

Alice approached us with our key cards. "Here, these are your keys. I made sure you had a room with a window and a great view. My room is two doors down from yours so Bella I will be in to help you get ready in 15 minutes. Sound good?"

We both nodded in assent, not wanting to jostle the good mood Alice was in. I knew better than to interrupt a plan of hers midstream. Bella smirked back at Alice and then looked up at me.

"Edward, will you be sure to set your watch so I know when my 15 minutes are up? I don't want to be late for Alice's primping party."

Alice looked a bit dejected but snapped back. "Bella don't give me any lip, you know we're pressed for time and if I left you to your own devices you'd never presentable and on time." I laughed a little too loud and Bella flashed me a look of death.

"Don't get all huffy Alice. I'll be sure to send her to you on time." She grabbed Jasper's hand and stomped toward the elevators. We followed shortly after her but she caught the first one so we had to wait a minute. "Edward, will our bags be in our rooms already? I didn't see the porter."

She said rooms not room. Hmmm. Guess she doesn't know. Dammit Alice. "Yes, the bags should be there love."

We arrived at our floor and we walked toward the room. I slid the key through the slot and opened the door. It was a beautiful suite. The main area had a large couch and matching chairs set around a table and entertainment area. The accent furniture was dark wood, Queen Anne style with curved features. The colors were neutral with touches of gold and red; a regal combination. The bedroom was to the right and the balcony was beyond the seating area. The view looked spectacular. You could see the Space Needle straight ahead. "Look Bella. That's where we'll be dining tonight."

She looked around and then out the window to the view I was referring to. "Wow. Edward this room is beautiful. The view is amazing. I know you travel in style but this…wow." She smiled in awe of the space. Then you could see the light click on. "Um, Edward, are we sharing this room?"

I smiled with as little guilt as possible on my face. "Actually Bella. Yeah, if you are ok with that?" I am not sure if she expected me to answer so bluntly. I walked over and plopped myself onto the couch. Her eyes bulged out of her head but then she relaxed. "Alice said the hotel was booked and they only had the suite left…and she thought since I don't actually sleep that you would take the bedroom anyway."

"I don't mind at all. As long as you don't mind? She blushed a little. I could tell she sensed the intimation of us sharing this space, but how close would she want me to get? I knew I wanted to hold her tonight. "Of course I don't mind, I will probably just read a book or watch late night programming."

I wasn't a fool. I understood the possibilities. I have always wanted to be closer physically with her. The only thing that held me back was the fear of hurting…or even killing her. Over the last few weeks I read more about our kind and our physical reactions to intimacy. Carlisle even gave me some books as well as his research material he'd written years ago. I started to understand where and when I would be able to gauge my temperament so I would be able to maintain control. I knew that if I were to be with Bella as a human I would have to take very strong precautions. Although, if Bella was still inexperienced…God that never occurred to me…was she still a…? Stop thinking like that Edward it won't matter if she isn't. Our venom was only effective if it reaches the blood stream. Not that I expected something to happen this weekend, but I had to be sure, just in case. I even hunted earlier this morning to be sure I had all my strength and practiced a little self-relief before I returned. I practically ground a 100 year-old fir tree to sawdust just thinking of her in that way.

I noticed the time and could hear Alice's thoughts from the other room. She was already bugging me to get Bella on her way over. I stood up and walked over to her. She was now standing by the window looking at the view. I reached for her hand. It was so warm. I could feel and hear her heart start to beat faster. I turned her to me. Every time I looked at her I was more and more engaged by her loveliness. "Alice is waiting. You'd better go or she'll have my head. I'll stop by to get you in an hour."