Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative

Rating/Warning(s): M

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Word Prompt: Shore


I felt the tremor run through my entire body as my feet settled into the sand, staring out at the endless waves and watching them crash against the cliff. The approaching storm was darkening the sky above me, but my eyes wouldn't leave the water.

I used to love this beach; the smell of the salt water, the sound of the waves, the feel of the breeze. When I used to come here with him. He'd instilled the love of the sea inside me, and yet, had also ripped it away.

Long fingers slid between mine and I closed my eyes, not needing to see a face to know the feel of those hands, nor the body now pressed against my back.

"How long this time?" I whispered, feeling his lips against my hair.

"A little less than twenty-four hours."

My eyes pinched closed more tightly at his soft reply, feeling him wrap our arms around me and pulling me closer. "It's never enough."

"I know, baby. But it's the best I could do," he murmured against my skin as he kissed down my neck. "I'm only here for tonight."

I pulled my arms from his, turning in his hold and finally looking up at him. "I can't do it."

"Yes, you can," he said, tightening his arms around me as he gazed into my eyes. "We'll do it together."

His lips met mine in a slow, sensual kiss while he swept me into his arms and began walking toward the water. I heard the sloshing around his legs as it began surrounding him and my body began to shake again, my chest tightening in panic.

"I can't, Edward. I really can't."

"I've got you, Bella. I'm not letting go."

Slowly, I felt the cool water surround my feet, thighs and hips, and tightened my hold around him. My face buried into his neck as my knees submerged as well, my heart and breaths racing. I hadn't set so much as a toe in this water since the day he told me he was leaving me, unwilling to awaken the memories of that day.

"Please marry me," he whispered against my temple and I felt the tear slipping down my cheek and onto his shirt.

"You know I can't say yes," I replied regretfully, finally lifting my head to look at him. "I want to experience being your wife before I become your widow. And you can't promise me that."

"My service is up in six months." His eyes pleaded with mine and I gently traced my fingers along the back of his neck.

I pressed my lips gently against his and then rested my forehead against his. "Come back here in six months, and then I'll give you my answer."

x-x-x-x-x

EPOV

Leaving her behind asleep in that bed was more difficult that any other times previous. We were heading back overseas, and I had no idea if I would see her again before my six months was up and I could return to her for good. Daybreak was just beginning to filter through the window, the previous day's storm completely dissipated and the peeking sun cast a soft glow on her skin.

"I love you, baby," I whispered against her hair as I leaned down to kiss it, and then grabbed my jacket from the chair and walked out.

The six months passed like years, and by the time I set foot on US soil again, it felt like a foreign country to me. I needed to find my way home.

Which brought me back to that beach, looking out across the sand for any sign of her. The sun was setting over the water and the beach was all but completely deserted, with the exception of a man in the distance playing frizbee with his dog. I'd never come to this beach to find her not there, and I began to fear that perhaps the wait had just been too long.

As I turned to leave, I heard my name called out by a distant voice and I turned my head toward it. And that was the moment I felt my heart stop.

Her figure began walking toward me, and as she came closer, I watched the few loose tendrils of hair framing her face moving with the breeze. She hugged a huge flannel jacket around her and stopped a few feet away from me. "If you still want me, then yes."

My breaths resumed and I closed the distance between us, clasping her face in my hands and kissing her firmly. Her arms unfolded and slid around me, pressing herself against me and gripping my shoulders with a soft whimper. I pulled back to see tears streaming down her face and then looked down between us to find her swollen stomach pressing against mine.

"There hasn't been a single moment in the last four years that I haven't wanted to say yes. I know I have been completely selfish in asking you to wait, I was just so scared that you wouldn't come back," she cried, lifting her hand to lightly caress my cheek. "I love you, so much. And I would like nothing more than to be your wife when our daughter is born."

"Our daughter?" I responded, unable to keep the smile from my face as she nodded and I sealed her lips with mine.

I'd found my way home.