Thanks to the darlings I have in my life. They've been there for me and gotten me through some tough times. Nic and Sri, thanks for reading and keeping me honest to these frustrating characters. Iris, thanks so much for not only turning these over so quickly, but for being an objective opinion when I needed it.
Thanks reviewers. I tried to respond to all my reviews. If I missed you this week, it's likely because fanfic was being a dick and cocking things up.
Pack up
Don't stray
Oh, say say say
Oh, say say say
Wait! They don't love you like I love you
Wait! They don't love you like I love you
"Maps" ─ The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
July 2
By the time Jeremy and I figure out how we're going to separate, Edward's in the air. I send him a message anyway.
Edward,
I have so much I want to talk to you about, too, but I agree that over email isn't the way to have this conversation.
Ride safe. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Bella
I want to tell him I broke up with Jeremy and that he was the reason why, but maybe it isn't fair to dump that all on him while he's on vacation with his friends.
July 3
Bella,
I'll be in London August 15. My parents are picking me up from the airport. I'll be jet-lagged, but do you want to meet up? We could go see The Order of The Phoenix.
Oh, yeah. Amsterdam's great. I may be having too much fun!
Edward
July 3
Edward,
Yes! But are you going to fall asleep in the theater? We can see it on the 16th, if you want to get caught up on sleep.
I'm glad you're enjoying Amsterdam. Send pictures!
Bella
July 11
Bella,
I just cycled through the Arc De Triomphe like a motherfucker! I just cycled to motherfucking Paris, France!
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system…
(But seriously. 533 km in a week!)
This place. I'm still speechless.
I won't fall asleep. That's what the plane's for. My flight gets in just after midnight, and I've got some stuff to do during the day. Do you want me to stop by your office when I'm done?
Edward
July 12
Edward,
I can't believe you're doing this! It's inspiring.
For sure stop by my office. Are you thinking 6:00? I'll buy tickets as soon as they're available, but by then, the movie will be a month old. The lines were crazy last night for the first showing!
Bella
July 12
Wait! Did you see it already?
-E
No! I just drove by after work.
-B
Okay. It's a date, then. Hey, promise me you won't go see it with anyone else, okay?
-E
Of course not. So long as you won't watch it with anyone while you're away.
-B
July 13
Why would I? You're the only one I want to watch Harry Potter with. Do you want to do dinner after the movie? It'll give us a chance to talk.
The next leg of our trip starts tomorrow. I'm going to hit my first big climb. I think it may be a while before I'm online again. I just mailed you a postcard.
-E
Dinner after the movie sounds great! Best of luck! By the time you get this, you'll have done it!
-B
July 19
Hey, Edward! You should've arrived in Lyon yesterday. I just want to make sure you're okay.
July 20
Bella! Sorry. We took an extra day, because the weather was shit. Are you online now?
-E
Yes. I'm working late. Someone cocked up this project and then quit.
-B
"Cocked up"? Great phrase!
-E
Yeah. Well, the cocksucker put us in a terrible position, and I can't even fire him!
-B
Bella, I swear that if you say "cock" one more time, I'm going to have to leave this conversation and find a moment alone.
-E
To grab your cock? Come on. Don't be a pussy. ;)
-B
...Edward?
-B
...Edward?
-B
Did you really just leave this conversation?
-B
July 21
Look, you were warned. I don't think you have any idea what that does to a guy when it's been a while and he's sharing a tent with two other dudes.
We're taking our time on the last stage (mountains), and we're hoping to take a side trip to see a leg of the Tour De France.
I'll likely be offline for a couple of weeks. As soon as I find an internet café in Bordeaux, you're the first person I'll contact. (Just don't tell my mom that.)
-E
August 7
Made it!
I can't believe this is nearly over. I fly home next week. My legs are dead. We're really happy with what we did and even happier we're done!
I have so many pictures to show you, but by the time they load, I'll be home. I'd way rather show you in person. I'm sending you this one, though. We took it in a town we passed on the way to Bordeaux. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, but maybe I'm biased. It seemed fitting.
I won't be online until I'm home. I'll be at your office at 6:00 sharp. I can't wait.
-E
The picture takes a while to upload. The file name, "Bellac, France," tells me where it was taken. I search the internet for pictures while I wait. He's right; it looks like a fairytale.
I flip back to the program I'm opening the picture in.
It's a picture of Edward standing in front of a road sign. His head covers most of the C so it reads "Bella." Edward's laughing, and he has one hand pointing to the sign and the other over his heart.
