A/N - Happy Friday! Sorry this was late! Life...you know! Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Chapter 36 – Always

Sunday, June 26

"It's so pretty here," I said as Edward drove an hour and a half north from Seattle. We were going to catch a one hour ferry at Anacortes to Orcas Island and spend two days and two nights at a B&B in Eastsound.

"Washington views, while spectacular, have nothing on you, gorgeous."

"Aw. Thanks. But, seriously. This is incredible."

He laughed. "I'm surprised you're awake to enjoy it."

"Because I always fall asleep when you drive and drool on the seats?"

He laughed harder. "Well, there is that. But, I was just thinking about last night. How we only got about three hours of sleep."

"You mean from three to six this morning?"

He looked so darn beautiful when he smiled that wide. "Something like that, yeah."

"I think it's adrenaline."

"I think it's love."

I smiled. "It is. I love you so much. And I'm really excited to dance with you on the beach."

"Tonight? Or on our wedding night?"

"Both."

"Have to pee, yet?"

I giggled. "Yep."

"Okay. We'll stop in Anacortes."

"This city is built right on the water. It's incredible," I said as we drove into town.

Edward smiled. "I can't tell you how reassuring it is for me to hear you, a desert dweller, loving this fresh sea air."

"You still need reassurance?" I asked, a little surprised.

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"Why? We bought a house here."

"You have your jitters and I have mine."

I nodded. "That's fair."

"I didn't mean to ruin the mood, baby. I'm just saying that I'm happy that you're happy. That's all."

"I'm sorry for tearing up last night. I don't mean to. And I think when I cry, or get nervous about the wedding, that maybe you think that I'm having doubts."

"Not doubts. I think I just worry about contentment."

"Yours?"

"I'm as content as they come, Bella. Yours."

"You told me before that I'm nothing like my mother. That she left because she wasn't happy here."

Edward parked the car at a gas station and shut off the engine. "You aren't her, Bella. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to draw a comparison there."

"But, you're worried about that, though? That I'll leave you like my mom left my dad?"

"No. Bella. I know how much you love me. I know you won't leave me. I'm one-hundred percent certain we're in this for life, baby girl."

"Then what are the jitters about?"

He shook his head. "I shouldn't have said that. I apologize."

"No. You meant it, though. You always listen to me when I'm nervous. I want to do the same thing for you, Edward. Please."

"You know how you suggested Vegas for the bachelor party?"

"We don't have to go."

"Bella. I just thought, Nevada. She wants to go back down south, to the heat, to the desert. It was a stupid thought. I mean, I know you suggested Vegas because of that book and the wild list or whatever. But, shit. I sound like an ass. Baby. I don't know. I'm going to call wedding jitters on this, too, because it's such an illogical thought."

I leaned over and kissed him. "You're not an ass. You do have a spectacular one, though."

"I have fingernail marks all over it that prove that you like it."

I giggled. "Sorry about that."

"No. Don't be. I like it when you're lost in the throes of passion. It's damn hot."

I reached over and squeezed his thigh. "I like to visit Ang. I like to watch you get excited about cactuses and hot air balloons and desert sunrises. I do like the heat. But, Edward. This is home."

I looked out the window at the blue-black sea that stretched for miles, only interrupted by the beautiful islands in the distance and smiled when I felt Edward's lips on my shoulder. "I trust you, Bella."

"I know."

"I had another stupid dream about the wedding."

"Oh, yeah? What was it about?"

"You didn't show."

"Five hours of love making last night and a thirty second dream has you doubting my loyalty?"

"Stupid, huh? You want to rethink calling me an ass?"

I giggled. "Never. It's all normal, right? We just need two days of sea air to clear our heads."

"That sounds perfect."

"You know what else sounds perfect?" I asked.

"Lunch?"

"See. We're destined to be together," I said. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

"I smell barbeque."

"You are a man."

"A hungry man." He looked out the window and smiled. "There. That food truck. Dad's Diner. It's pulled pork. God. I'm starving."

"Well, how about I buy you lunch?"

"There's an offer I can't refuse," he said, winking at me. "Can we start fresh?"

"No."

He laughed. "What?"

"No. I want you to make love to me when we get to the B&B."

"I would do that regardless if you forgave me or not."

"Oh. Okay. Then, yes. I forgive you." I licked his bottom lip and he smiled. "No, wait."

He laughed and ran his hands up and down my arms. "Taking back the forgiveness already?"

I giggled. "No. I should have said that you don't have to apologize because your jitters are nothing to be sorry over."

"I don't have any jitters, anymore."

I smiled against his lips. "Me, neither."

"God. If not the wedding and all the emotions that go along with it, what the hell are we going to talk about for the next sixty, seventy years?"

"Food," I said, nipping at his lip. "Love." I soothed the bite with my tongue. "Sex."

"Mm. One more thing about the wedding," he whispered in between kisses.

"What's that?"

"I feel so lucky to be marrying you, my beautiful Isabella."

"Aw. And just for that, you're going to get lucky twice when we get to the Inn."

He laughed and broke the kiss to hug me closer to his body. "I love you."

"I love you."

"But, only twice?"

I snorted. "Twice in a row. Before we take a break."

"A break?"

"Yeah. You can take me out for dinner."

"Sounds like a plan. Do I get you for dessert?"

"After we dance."

"Mm. Sounds lovely, angel. Aren't you glad you decided to run away with me?"

"Always."