Disclaimer: I own nothing.

EPOV

I walked in and sighed in relief. As I basked in Bella's presence for a moment before she approached me. Her lips were on mine in an instant. We didn't wait to go to our bedroom this time.

We were still on the floor when Bella giggled, "We didn't even say hi."

I laughed, she was right, we hadn't actually greeted each other, "Hi."

"Hi," she laughed. I knew I'd do anything for the rest of eternity to make her laugh.

"What were you writing?" I asked as we got up. Our clothes were in tatters around us. Alice wouldn't be pleased, but I didn't care.

"A few things, the process happens a lot quicker than before," she confided.

"Well I think you need to rethink your conditions, you don't sleep anymore, remember?"

BPOV

I laughed, I did remember that I didn't need to sleep anymore. I had actually given this some thought. I felt so at ease with Edward, so conditions didn't make sense anymore. I trusted him, wholeheartedly.

"No more conditions, Edward," I chuckled.

"Really?" It didn't sound like he believed me.

"Yes, really."

We went to the closet to redress ourselves. After redressing, we ran hand-in-hand to the main house.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but I could still see perfectly. It was absolutely incredible.

When we walked into the house everyone was gathered in the living room. Emmett's teasing was the first thing that greeted us.

"So it's still standing?" he managed to get out between his snickers. "I would've thought you two had knocked it to rubble by now. What were you doing last night? Discussing the national debt?" Emmett howled with laughter. If I was still a human, I'd be blushing. Everyone laughed at Emmett's innuendo.

I scoffed and started to walk away, but I should have known that would just spur Emmett on, "You gonna back down so easy, little sister. Not much wild about you, is there? I bet that cottage doesn't have a scratch. Did Edward tell you how many houses Rose and I smashed?"

"It's a little dense, don't you think, to antagonize the strongest vampire in the house," Edward warned.

Emmett scoffed, "Please."

"Bella, you remember that request I made once you were changed?" Edward asked.

It took me a second of sifting through the blurry memories, but I did remember, "Oh! Really?"

"Just trust me," Edward said.

"What?" Emmett demanded.

"Emmett, how about a little bet?" I proposed slyly.

Alice started laughing uncontrollably. Emmett was instantly on his feet, "Awesome, bring it on." I started chewing on my lip, he looked so much stronger than me.

"Unless you're too afraid?" He quipped.

This time I scoffed, "You, me. Arm wrestle, dining room table, right now."

"Um...I think Esme is quite fond of that table, maybe outside?" Alice suggested. Esme looked at her in thanks.

We all made our way outside, and we found a large boulder that would work for this little challenge.

"Alright, if I win, no more jokes or comments about mine and Edward's sex life."

"And if I win, it's going to get a whole lot worse."

I didn't even want to think about how much worse it could get. I suppressed the pang of worry I felt when Emmett placed his giant hand in mine. He was just so much bigger than I am. Edward nodded in reassurance.

"Scared?" He taunted.

"You wish," I muttered.

It was over quickly, I laughed as I beat Emmett. The boulder started cracking under the force I used to push Emmett's arm down.

"I demand a rematch," Emmett growled.

"No one likes a sore loser, Emmett," Edward said through his laughs.

Edward pulled me into him, and kissed me. I almost forgot anyone else was there, and now Emmett couldn't make anymore lewd remarks.

"Edward everything's packed. You two should get going," Alice reminded. We both heard her but neither of us stopped. I tried to pull away, but Edward pulled me back in.

"Edward?" Alice demanded. Another minute passed with Edward ignoring Alice.

She huffed, "I swear to God, if you don't stop, I'll tell her where you're taking her, Edward. I swear it."

This got his attention. He pulled away immediately.

"Amazing," Edward muttered. "How can someone so tiny be so annoying?"

Alice laughed. "It's a talent."

"So you were saying that you'd tell me where we're going?" I asked slyly.

"Not a chance," Edward interrupted before Alice had an opportunity to reveal our honeymoon destination.

"Fine," I grumbled.

"There is one thing we need to do first," Edward smiled, and I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. "We need to give you your birthday present."

"We?" I questioned.

"Well, Emmett's gift is in the car," Edward admitted. I nodded that did nothing to assuage my confusion. Edward took my hand and we ran to the garage. I had only been in here a handful of times, but this time there was a car hidden underneath a tarp. Everyone followed us, the car was some kind of sports car. A Ferrari F430, Edward tried to explain it to me, but it was to no avail. Emmett had a navigation and sound system installed in the car joking that it would keep me from getting lost. Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward marveled at the car going over all of its impressive feats. I liked the car and I was grateful, but I wasn't a car fanatic and therefore couldn't quite appreciate the performance of the car.

I noticed that all of our luggage had been placed in a different car. Edward explained that we would be headed to Alaska first, and from there we would be flying to his surprise location. It was bittersweet leaving Forks and the Cullen's.

Edward had said that it would be quite a while before we could safely return.

Despite my initial hatred, Forks was my home. It was where I met Edward, where I found a family. Where I had broken my parent's hearts for the last time, where I had died. Forks would always be my home.

We had agreed that the rest of our would stay behind for about a year, to avoid suspicion, and Edward and I were free to jet-set to undisclosed locations. Since I had met Edward there was very little time we had spent together alone without constant fears looming over us. Now we were free to do anything, except return home.

I tried not to focus on the sadness I was leaving behind me, but I would always carry the regret about how everything had played out, even though I knew there was truly no other way. If I hadn't been turned when I had, I'd be dead right now.

Edward and I took off. Throughout the car ride, he kept at least one hand on me, either intertwined in my hand or resting on my thigh. I traced patterns on Edward's hand and occasionally just watched him, to take in his beauty. His perfection was overwhelming. Sometimes he would catch me watching him, and he would laugh the sweetest laugh I had ever heard. Edward had been partially right, all of my senses had become amplified, and that included my love for him. But even before he had turned me into a love-sick fool, something out of a corny romance novel, and now it was so much worse. I wanted to say all kinds of cheesy and disgustingly sappy things to him. I wanted to laugh at how much he had changed me, at how much love he had brought into my life.

"What are you think about, my love?"

I was sure there was a goofy, stupid-looking grin on my face just thinking about Edward, I wanted him to know how he held my heart in his hands like I held his, but from smirk on his face, I think he knew.

"It must be a really heady thing to have my heart in your hands," I muttered.

"You should know, you've held mine for quite some time now," he said slyly. If my heart still beat, it surely would have been fluttering.

With the way Edward drove, the drive took a little over a day. It was a little weird never having to stop to eat, to stretch, to anything really. We spent half the time in comfortable silence, the other half laughing and teasing each other, there were no words to describe how right everything felt.

It felt like my heart could burst at the amount of love I felt for Edward, I had read many classic romance novels during my human life and none of them did this feeling any justice. My old mind hadn't been capable of holding this much love. My old heart had not been strong enough to bear it. Maybe this was the part of me that I'd brought forward to be intensified in my new life. Like Carlisle's compassion and Esme's devotion. I would probably never be able to do anything interesting or special like Edward, Alice, and Jasper could do. Maybe I would just love Edward more than anyone in the history of the world had ever loved anyone else. I could live with that.

Edward explained that we were stopping in Denali, Carlisle wanted to be polite and introduce me as their newest member of their family. On the journey to Alaska, Edward explained the Denali's history, and Tanya's previous flirtation with Edward. I curbed my jealousy, I knew I was Edward's and Edward was mine.

They were waiting to greet us as we pulled to their house. There were 6 vampires, Edward had only told me about 5.

His eyes narrowed at the sixth vampire.

We quickly got out of the car, but Edward kept his arm wrapped around my waist to keep me close to him, like he was trying to protect me from an unknown danger.

"Edward," the older male vampire with dark hair greeted. He looked like the patriarch of the group. "It's nice to see you again."

I didn't miss that everyone's eyes were on me. Edward remained tense, holding me as close as he could. I could feel the scrutiny of their gazes, it was most obvious from the strawberry-blonde, she looked like she was appraising me, if I was correct this was Tanya. But I could tell by their gazes, that no one quite knew what to make of me, or of the way Edward clung to me.

"And who might this be?" The same vampire spoke again. Edward kept his hostile gaze on the other male vampire.

"Bella," I responded after Edward didn't. My voice broke him out of his hostile stupor.

"Apologies, everyone this is Bella, my mate and wife," Edward announced proudly and then continued by introducing me to everyone. The one who had been appraising me was indeed, Tanya.

"A lot has changed since you were here last, Edward," Tanya said, slightly shocked. "You got married? Were our invitations lost?"

"We kept it small, immediate family," Edward chuckled, but I could still see the antagonism in his eyes.

"Oh, and this is Laurent," Eleazar introduced us to the sixth vampire, the one who had been subject to Edward's hostility.

"I know," Edward said curtly. Laurent eyes darted between Edward and myself like he was trying to reach some conclusion.

We all reconvened in the Denali's living room. Edward went on to explain what had happened since the last time he had been here. He didn't get into specifics, just a brief synopsis, I felt like there were things Edward was intentionally leaving out.

"Your wife is a very powerful shield, Edward," Eleazar commented as he watched me intently. I was getting a little uncomfortable about the constant watchful eyes.

"A shield? The ones I have met are so different," Edward looked at me in awe, his were the only eyes that I didn't mind being on me.

"What's a shield?"

"It's why I couldn't read your mind, even before when you were a human."

"Very powerful indeed," Eleazar commented, "There's something else, but I can't be sure with her shield."

"Eleazar can sense abilities," Edward explained before I could ask. I nodded in understanding.

"I wonder if she's immune to all our powers," Kate pondered. She approached me quickly.

"Don't," Edward snapped and got up to defend me, but Kate's hand was on me in an instant. Edward tore her hand away from me.

"What? What can she do?" I wanted to know what power could solicit Edward's protective side so quickly.

"You didn't feel anything? That should have knocked her on her ass," Kate sounded a little insulted.

"That wasn't necessary, Kate," Edward growled with his teeth clenched. I placed my hand on Edward's arm, he calmed at my touch, and he sat back down.

"No, was I supposed to?" I asked honestly.

"Kate can conduct a powerful electric current all over her body," Eleazar explained. "Yes, she's quite powerful, Edward. I'd love to see how her power develops."

"Develops?" This was all a reminder of just how new I was to this world.

"At first, it was just in my palms, now I can radiate it all over my body," Kate explained that time. "Try to envision the shield, project it, that's how you develop talents."

I nodded and then looked back to Eleazar, "Wait, you said there was something else?"

"Yes, I can't be sure your shield is too strong, but I suppose we'll find out eventually," Eleazar concluded.

"Super self control?" I grumbled. Even though Edward laughed, I could tell his guard was still up. Edward kept his eyes on Laurent, while Laurent had his eyes on me, like he couldn't quite figure me out, I felt a shiver down my spine.

"No, it's something else. It's nothing I've ever seen," Eleazar confessed. Edward eyes flickered at Laurent, I assumed he heard something in Laurent's thoughts he didn't like, but he was trying not to give away his own unique talent. From what I had heard, the Cullen's were relatively close with the Denali's, so there was no reason for secrecy. I deduced that is was the newcomer, Edward had said that they had met before, but from his reaction to Laurent I was pretty sure it wasn't a pleasant interaction.

"Very powerful indeed. You shouldn't let her out of your sight, Edward." This was the first time I had heard Laurent speak, and I didn't like the threatening undertone of his words.

Apparently, Edward didn't miss the menacing insinuation either.

"Let's go, Bella." He gripped my hand tightly, if I was a human it would have been painful.

"Edward, I have no allegiance with James. I tire of his ways. I wish you no harm," Laurent spoke again, this time there was no underlying threat in his words. Even with the absence of a threat, I knew that there was something off in this whole interaction, there was something that no one was saying. Everyone was just watching their interaction, their eyes volleying between Edward and Laurent.

"Will he come after her?" Edward demanded. I wasn't sure who exactly he was talking about, but my focus was on figuring out what had triggered Edward's abrasive demeanor.

"I don't know," I heard the sincerity of Laurent's words. Edward nodded solemnly. I felt bad at our quick goodbyes, but I saw the urgency in his expression.

I didn't question anything until we got into the car and driving off. On the way here, Edward had been driving fairly fast, but now there was a determination in his speed, like he was trying to get us as far away as possible. This time there was a tension in the car that I didn't understand. And another difference from the way here, he kept both hands tightly on the steering wheel.

"Edward?"

His eyes flickered at me, which let me know that he heard me, but he didn't turn his head in the slightest.

"Edward?" I asked more forcefully, he finally turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry, love. I just want to get us out of here as fast as possible." His knuckles were turning white against the steering wheel.

"Why? What just happened?" I was completely perplexed at Edward's response.

He sighed, "Please don't be upset, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to concern you," he paused for a moment and then continued, "The night I played for you for the first time?"

The memory was fuzzy but I did remember, I nodded signaling him to continue.

"The nomads I told you about, they ran into my family while they were playing baseball. They were intrigued by our lifestyle, and they wanted to know how we maintained a permanent residence-,"

"That's why we left so quickly," I interrupted, it started making sense. Edward's abrupt change in demeanor changed that night, how he insisted that we needed to leave.

He nodded, "I stayed with you, but Jasper thinks they caught your scent. James, he's a tracker, he likes the thrill of the chase. Laurent was telling the truth, but I still want to get out of here. I'm sorry for my omission."

"You mean, your lie?" I corrected with an eyebrow raised. I couldn't really be angry with Edward, I knew he was trying to protect me, but I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me a little.

"I'm a vampire now, why would he still want me?"

"I don't know, there was something he was keeping from me, like he knew I was in his thoughts."

I nodded, my thoughts were racing, but I remained silent. It was slightly my way of punishing Edward, he still couldn't hear my thoughts, and I knew it drove him crazy to sit in the silence with my thoughts unknown. He was so used to being able to discern everyone's thoughts and reactions, but he couldn't do that with me. He released his tight grip from the steering wheel, and placed it in the console palm facing up.

"Bella?"

I turned my head to him, "Hm?"

"Are you terribly upset?" I could tell was worried, and I instantly felt guilty, I had caused him enough worries for one lifetime, possibly longer.

"Maybe I should be, but I'm not. I guess I understand the intent," I acquiesced, placing my hand in his still lingering hand.

"You're too good for me," Edward whispered. "Much too understanding."

"You're too good for me," I countered.

"Agree to disagree," Edward chuckled as he took my hand and kissed the back of it. I liked that the Edward's affection hadn't toned down once I was changed, I was slightly worried that he would pull back once we were no longer under the constraints of time, but it didn't seem like that was the case. We were still treating every moment like it was precious, I hoped that never wore off.

Edward was concerned about me being on a plane filled with people, so we hunted beforehand. I didn't completely ruin my clothes this time, but I still ruined them enough to warrant a change of clothes.

The plane ride was a quiet one. Edward and I were seated next to each other, I laid my head on his shoulder and traced patterns up and down his arm. The scent of the other humans didn't bother me as much as I expected, it was more of a scratchy feeling in the back of my throat, but it was more than tolerable.

Edward had timed our flight so we landed at night. It was mesmerizing driving through the streets of Brazil. Edward kept glancing at me to make sure I was okay with the crowds of people in the street. It was amazing watching the nightlife of Rio.

"Edward, I'm fine. I promise," I said for the dozenth time.

"You're incredible, there is absolutely no reason you should be this controlled," he whispered his praise as he continued to watch me in fascination.

"I barely notice it, everything's so fascinating," the wonderment was clear in my voice.

The driver pulled us into a dock, there was a small boat waiting for us.

"We're not staying in Rio?"

"Just passing through," he concurred.

"Will you please tell me where we're going?" I chuckled.

"You'll see," he excitedly teased.

It took 10 minutes before I could see the soft lights of the island.

"That's Isle Esme, a gift from Carlisle and Esme," he explained. I hadn't realized Edward's extreme generosity was a learned trait.

"Carlisle gifted Esme an island?" I asked in disbelief.

"My gifts don't seem so bad now, do they?"

We were walking up to the house, when Edward scooped me up in his arms like he had the night of our wedding.

"You know I can walk right?" I laughed. "And you've already carried me over the threshold."

"You can never be too thorough," he lightly snickered.

Once we were inside, I noticed the piano in the living room. It looked brand new. The whole place looked incredible. It matched the motif of the Cullen's house back in Forks, with the same light, open, and airy feeling. It was absolutely breathtaking. I could make out every grain of white powdery sand on the beach and the smell of the salt air that lingered in the air. I could stay here with Edward forever, for all I knew we were going to spend the next year here, Edward had been keeping our plans under lock-and-key.

"Do you like it?" Edward asked as we looked around.

"I love it," I declared, still taking in the beauty of the island and the house.

"See surprises aren't all that bad."

I begrudgingly murmured, "I concede, for now."

"Finally," he said. I very gently pushed him away, and this time he did slightly move, but he still took my arm and pulled me back into him.

We spent a week basking in each other's presence while trying to contain all of our destruction to one room. I also spent quite a bit of time trying to develop my gift. I was now able to sense the shield and stretch it a few feet. Even when Edward was under the shield with me, he couldn't hear my thoughts. I wondered if that would change as my gift developed.

It was a strange feeling, my human life was over, but I had never felt more alive, more like I belonged.

While the housekeepers were here we stayed indoors, but it looked like she was scared of us.

"Does she know about us?" I asked Edward.

"She suspects," Edward shrugged, it was nice to see him so at ease. There were times where it looked like he was lost in a sad recollection, even without telling me I knew he was thinking about everything we had left behind in Forks, the good, the bad, and the tragic. It was difficult to think about my parents and if they were okay, but I trusted our family and Jake to take care of them.

"Since we're going to be inside today, I had an idea, could you teach me to play?" I nudged my head to the piano.

"I'd love that." The excitement in his voice made me smile.

The photographic memory was helpful, so it wasn't too difficult to pick up.

"You're a natural," Edward complimented. I scoffed, I was doing okay. I had heard Edward playing many times, each time served as a reminder at how truly impressive he is.

"You're much better than I."

The journal was sitting on the top of the piano, I grabbed it and started writing something new. I noticed Edward watching me.

"What?" I laughed at his intent gaze.

"Nothing, it's been a while since I dug around in there," he humorously admitted.

I had just finished writing, so I handed it to him, "Go ahead."