Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Authors Note: Thanks to all the usual subjects, esp shell379, lydiaestelle, scrapalicious1, 84gemstone, Danielle, Lauren, Deb, Cath etc. You are all awesome and thanks for your continued support.

The voting is over for the Sparkleteer Awards now, thanks so much for everyone who voted for me. There is still time to vote in the Avent Garde Awards, My Facebook Reunion is up for Best Love Story, and I'm nominated for best Novice Author and A Mother's Pain is up for Best Esme. www . twilightfb-awards . blogspot . com


Chapter 29

BPOV

We take an early night after our impromptu picnic, we make love softly, Edward taking charge and holding me close before we drift off into a dreamless sleep together.

The room is still so dark, but there is a tiny crack of light peeking through the closed curtains. The space in the bed next to me is cold. He's been gone for a while. I can't hear any noise from the shower and Edward's clothes and my satin robe are still scattered, haphazardly all around the bedroom. I glance at the alarm clock, it's almost eight in the morning and I suddenly feel bad for laying in late, particularly as Edward has worked twelve hours more than I have in the past week.

I lean over the side of the bed and pick up Edward's rather crinkled white dress shirt and slipped it on, and pulled open the top drawer in search for some underwear. I pull on a pair of baby pink boy shorts. I am about to slip into the bathroom when Edward backs into the room carrying a tray. Carrying a tray, wearing nothing more than forest green boxer shorts, slung oh-so low on his delicious hips.

"I was hoping you'd still be in bed," he tells me with a small pout.

I take a look at the fully laden tray... pastries, coffee, soft boiled eggs and juice. "I can get right back into bed again if you want?"

"You would?" he smirks.

"Absouletly. So long as I'm fulfilling some sort of naughty, and naked breakfast in bed fantasy for you?" I say, sliding back between the still-warm bed sheets and leaning back against the head board and stretching my legs out and then crossing them at the ankles.

Tray still in hand, my almost-but-not-quite-naked-enough waiter stalked over to me, his eyes dark. He sat on the edge of the bed and set the tray between us and began to pour me a cup of coffee. "I wanted to surprise you." He smiled.

"It's lovely, thank you Edward, but I wanted you to rest this morning. You've worked so hard all week. I should be making you breakfast in bed.

He shakes his head and hands a large mug to steaming hot java to me. "I like doing this for you. You deserve it Bella, and anyway, you promised to let me spoil you today. A proper date, remember?"

How could I forget? "Oh yes. Welcome to the world of dating. I'm very excited. You still not going to tell me what we're doing?"

Edward takes a sip of coffee, his eyes closing as he swallows. He licks his lips seductively as he looks back at me. "Nope," he pops the p. "Not telling. Another surprise. In fact, a day full of surprises for my beautiful girlfriend."

Now it's me who is the one pouting. "Edward," I half groan, half whine. "you know I hate surprises, please, just tell me."

"Beg all you want, love. I'm not telling. They're good surprises, I promise."

I try out the pout again, but Edward just takes a sip of his coffee, followed by a large bite of his jelly-topped pastry, eyeing me smugly. "Hrumph." – I'm exasperated.

"Eat up and then we are getting into the car for the first part of the date."

"Well, how am I going to know what to wear, if you're not telling me where we are going?" I batter my eyelashes.

"Oh, you're good... but not good enough. Jeans, pants, whatever will be fine. You might need a sweater for later though."

"Was that a clue? It's going to be cold?"

"Sweetie, you can't fool me. That's all I'm giving you..." he glares at me, mockingly. "Now," he takes another bite of his breakfast and downs his juice. "as much as I would love to sit here and watch you eat... in my shirt, I have things to sort out. So finish up here, take a shower, and when you're ready, I'll meet you downstairs ok?"

I raise my eyebeows. "Bossy today much?"

"Maybe, or maybe I just like seeing you squirm."

I reach to slap him upside the head but he quickly gets to his feet and out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving me to my own devices. I'm not really that hungry. The pastries were good, the coffee was, as always amazing first thing in the morning... but the soft boiled egg – really isn't doing it for me... perhaps if it were scrambled?

I don't rush my meal, but jump into the shower and spend ten minutes under the powerful stream of hot water, washing and conditioning my hair. I'm so anxious to know what Edward has planned for us today. I'm not worried – but just a little nervous as I've never been one for surprises.

I pull my hair into a tight French braid, not bothering to blow-dry it and slip into my gray skinny jeans, a tank top and a wool emerald green knitted sweater. I get my Uggs out of the closet and apply a little mascara before heading downstairs. Edward is seated at the kitchen counter, on his laptop. He shuts the lid quickly as he sees me approach.

"Whatcha doin' baby?" I drawl, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his cheek from behind him.

"Just double checking a few things, nothing much." I feel the corners of his mouth turn up in his crooked smile on my lips. "You ready?"

"Yep." I whisper in his ear, before pushing away from him and stepping back. "Please tell me if I'm not dressed appropriately."

His green eyes rake all over my body. "You look perfect, as always."

"I love you."

He smiles sweetly. "And I love you." He gets to his feet and holds out a hand for me. I grab my purse from the counter and link my fingers with his. Edward gives my hand a quick squeeze.

"So, I don't need to take anything?"

Edward shakes his head. "only yourself. Remember, Bella, this is your weekend. Let me treat you okay... I want to do this for you... so no complaints ok?"

His expression is deadly serious. I'm going to have to agree him. "Okay." – I am hoping that my voice doesn't sounds as uncomfortable as I feel. Edward, however seems satisfied and kisses me quickly and chastely on the lips before leading me out to the car.

"You're not going to make me wear a blindfold or anything like that are you?" I ask nervously.

Edward chuckles. "No, although I wish I'd thought of that. I can if you like?"

"No, no, that's not necessary. I'll be good, I promise."

He opens the passenger of the Volvo for me and waits until I slide into the seat before he closes it gently behind me. Within seconds he is next to me, and grabbing my hand over the center console. He kisses each of my finger tips and then turns his attention to starting up the car. He is wearing a grin which is spread from ear to ear.

I watch the road, trying to figure out where we are headed. We drive through Port Angeles and Edward stops for gas, then gets back onto the one-oh-one, only heading back towards Forks again. Now I'm confused... heading towards home again? The grin on his face allows me to believe he is doing this to throw me off any scent. He hasn't mentioned that it's going to be a long drive. The road passes through the National Olympic Park. It's so pretty here. Charlie used to bring me here on trips when I was a kid. Soon there is another road, taking us off the highway.

"We're almost here."

"The National Park?"

He nods. "Yes."

"What, are we having lunch here or something?" I ask, curious as to what we are going to be doing for the day. It's not yet eleven.

"I guess you could say that." He grins again, still concentrating on the winding of the mud track, taking on the bends with ease.

I squint at the signs up ahead.

Welcome to the Sol Duc Hot Springs

"Have you been here before?" he asks.

"Never." I breathe.

Edward pulls up the car and unbuckles. I go to do the same, but his hand stills mine. "Stay in the car, just for a moment beautiful." I nod and he grins, getting out of the car and jogging into a small wooden cabin, marked Office above the door.

Several minutes later, he returns and gets into the car. I look at him questioningly and once again, he just smiles at me and starts up the car, bypassing the office. He drives down another small track and there are a number of small cabins scattered around, perhaps three hundred yards from one another, surrounded by trees. There is another short road and as large cabin comes into view. It's a spa.

"You're taking me to a spa?"

"In a way, yes. We're going to stay here tonight as well."

"At a spa?"

"Yes... oh God, you hate this idea don't you?" he looks worried.

Is he crazy? "No, no! Not at all, it's just that I've never... wow, this is incredible Edward. So are we staying in one of those cabins?"

He grins again, but this time, there is an element of shyness , his cheeks slightly pink. "No, we're staying in a suite, which is actually part of the Spa building.

He pulls up outside of the building in a reserved parking bay for The River Suite and looks at me nervously. "if you don't like it, we can go home."

I look at him incredulously. "Are you crazy? This is perfect Edward. Really. You have obviously gone to a lot of trouble... but it's really great." I tell him as i unbuckle my seatbelt. In a flash, Edward is around at my side of the car, opening my door and offering me his hand. He pulls me out and gets a large holdall-on-wheels out of the trunk and two black garment bags... you know, the ones that suits and dresses come back from the dry-cleaners in...

Somehow, he manages to pull both the holdall, carry the clothing bags AND wrap and arm around my waist as he starts towards the main entrance of the rustic building. It's two storeys high and there are a lot of large, glass windows. Rustic, yet modern with just a hint of luxary.

We walk into the lobby and are greeted by an over friendly looking, very bright white toothed woman,. "Good morning, welcome to The Springs, how may I help you today?" she beams.

"We have a reservation for The River Suite for tonight, the name is Cullen." Edward responded, his voice as soft as velvet. Bright-white-toothed lady nods and turns to her computer. Her long and very obviously acrylic nails tap sharply across the keys. "Of course, welcome, Mr and Mrs Cullen. I have your key right here. The suite, as requested is ready for you early, and everything you required if all set for you."

"Thank you," Edward replied smoothly.

It takes me a moment to get that the woman assumed that I am Edward's wife. I'm not about to correct her. It sounds good, almost like it rolled off her tongue naturally. Mrs Cullen. Bella Cullen... Mrs Isabella Cullen... Cullen-Swan... Swan-Cullen. No, I can't hyphenate. That's just... weird.

"Bella?" his lush voice breaks me out of my beautiful daydream of walking down the aisle towards Edward, wearing a long white flowing gown... oops. His fingers interlock with mine and he takes the key from the front desk and slips it into his pocket. "You ok?"

"Sure, sorry, just thinking, that's all. I'm a little... overwhelmed. " I lie.

Toothie chuckles. "I will have your luggage carried up for you. But if you head along the hall and take the stairs to your left, it will take you right up to the suite. I hope you enjoy your stay."

She's far too happy. Edward nods in thanks and takes my hand, entwining his fingers with mine and leads me towards the stairs. It's only a small slight of fourteen steps, leading up to a large handing area. There is a door to the left and the carpet is thick and feels comfortable, even under my thick soled boots.

"Here we are, would you like to do the honors?" Edward whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my spine, his warm breath on my neck heating me. He presses himself into my back, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist as he hands me the key.

I slip the key into the lock and turn, the door opens easily onto a large sitting room with mismatched furniture. Plaid throws are covering the backs of the large couches and a battered looking oak table dominates one end of the room, surrounded by eight solid looking chairs. To the other side is a reasonably sized open-plan kitchen with... what the fuck... an aga. Wow.

"Edward," I breathe as we take a step over the threshold and into the large room. He is still behind me, his chin resting on my shoulder. "This... this is..."

"Cool huh? There are three bedrooms, one on each side of this space, then another room like this one and there is decking all the way around the outside – like a sort of balcony. Two bathrooms also."

"Incredible." I murmur, trying to mentally pick my chin up off the floor.

"You wait till you see the view." Edward breaks away for a moment and heads to the corner of the room and tugs gently on a cord, causing the venetian blinds to raise, letting the mid-day sun into the room. From the second story, I can see everything. The green trees, the rolling hills, the snow-topped mountains and there, right in front of me, the Sol Duc River.

"I'm... lost for words. This is amazing." I turn to face him and flatten my palms on his chest.

His arms once again engulf me, pulling me fully into his chest. "I'm pleased you like it."

"I love it, Edward. And I love you so much." I pulled him down for a kiss which quickly becomes heated. Edward breaks our embrace, leaving me almost panting. I can't help but pout.

"Later, I promise, but they will be up with our bags any minute now, and also I wanted to take a walk to the springs before your massage."

"You booked me a massage?"

"Yes, I want you to be totally relaxed this weekend.

"I may end up falling asleep on you if you make me relax too much."

He leans and kisses me again. "Oh baby, don't you worry, I will make sure that the last thing on your mind will be sleeping.


Until next time...