Though it seemed like it had taken forever, the book tour was finally here. Bella and Edward slept through the majority of their early morning flight from Seattle to New York City and felt refreshed by the time they got to New York. Edward's publisher got them a room at the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Manhattan because of its closeness to Rockefeller Center where Edward had several in person interviews set up, including the Today Show.
Since they had four days in the city, Edward spent the majority of his days doing his in person interviews and radio shows, with Bella behind the scenes watching everything with baited breath. Bella always felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to fall, even though Edward showed no sign of having any issues, even when people questioned his attack or why on his latest book he was finally going by his real name Edward Cullen, instead of his pen name of James Laurent.
Even when they walked around Manhattan at night, enjoying meals at restaurants and shopping along 5th and Madison Avenue, Edward was completely fine. It was what they had both wanted - normalcy. When Robin Roberts interviewed him on Good Morning America and asked about his attack, Edward didn't flinch, even when she she surprised him to tell him that the third attacker was finally arrested the day before in Vancouver. He just thanked her for the information and admitted he was relieved to know these men couldn't hurt anyone else and he'd be happy to move forward with his life.
In fact, Bella felt so comfortable while Edward was being interviewed, that she took a few minutes to corner the next guest Chef Bobby Flay and they talked about his favorite meals he ever ate and he even invited them to dine at his restaurant GATO later that night.
When they got back to their hotel after dinner that night, Bella couldn't help but literally skip into the suite when Edward opened the door.
"You seem especially chipper for someone who has been up since 5am." Edward tossed his jacket onto the nearest chair and sat down to take off his shoes, something he hadn't done since they left the hotel that morning and his feet were aching. "I could pass out right now."
"I know we've been going non-stop for three days, but today was just epic. I met Bobby Flay, baby!" Bella exclaimed excitedly as she threw herself down on their bed. "I feel sad now, like I didn't eat at enough places here. We'll need to come back. I literally have a list on my phone of all of Bobby's favorite meals in New York City."
"I'm sure we can come back one day soon." Edward began to peel of his clothes, his body tired from such a hectic day. "What's the schedule for tomorrow?"
Bella stepped over to the desk and fished out her iPad which had their complete schedule on it. "We have Live with Kelly and Ryan tomorrow morning, then we have a flight to catch to Los Angeles at 12pm. It will be nice to be back on pacific time."
"Yeah, I felt bad that I wanted to call Carmen yesterday morning, but it would have been 6am there. I did some breathing exercises and worked my way through it," Edward admitted reluctantly. Bella went to him and kissed him gently on the forehead as he sat on the edge of their bed. "What if we come back before Christmas? We can see the tree at Rockefeller Center and do all sorts of touristy things that all the locals think are overrated?"
Bella held out her pinky finger and Edward wrapped his around it eagerly. "Deal," Bella declared as she kissed him once more and then began organizing them for the morning. She sorted out their clothes for the day, making sure his suit for TV was presentable. She also had some more comfortable clothes in a carryon for him to change into before they left for the airport. By the time Bella turned to climb into bed, Edward was already fast asleep.
!***!
The flight to Los Angeles was very uneventful, which was good for both Edward and Bella. They each caught up on some sleep, watched a movie and arrived at the Four Seasons just after 5pm. They enjoyed a quick dinner at the Italian restaurant on site, and went to bed early that night.
Of course, they were up early the next morning and their schedule was beginning to wear on theml. Edward had an interview scheduled with the local news station, KTLA, as well as an appearance on Ellen and two separate interviews, one for Vanity Fair and another for Los Angeles Magazine. It was during these interviews, which were both held at their hotel, that Bella was able to get away and do the final planning for their day at Disneyland. The concierge at the hotel even helped her arrange tickets and travel to the park so that Edward wouldn't know where they were going.
In fact, it was the next morning, after had Edward finished a Reddit AMA, where he was asked a lot of questions by fans etc.. about his attack, his book and his life, that they managed to get the rest of the day free and the car arrived to pick them up at the hotel at 10am. Edward was eager to know where they were going, but Bella promised him that it would be worth the wait. It wasn't until the driver pulled up to the drop off spot at Harbour Blvd that Edward realized where they were.
"Are you kidding me?" he shouted, the excitement clear in his voice. Bella handed him a black baseball hat with a white Mickey Mouse embroidered on it, in an effort to hide his identity a bit since he had been on TV so much in the past week. "This is awesome."
"It's been hard to surprise you with anything, ever," Bella said with a laugh as they worked their way over to the entrance to Disneyland, a visit to California Adventure would have to wait for another day, she thought to herself as she handed their tickets to the cast member and stepped into the park. "I figured it would be good to bring you back to one of your happiest moments before the attack deserve it. You've worked so hard that you should enjoy that you can get back into the general public without fear anymore."
"God, I love you." Edward swept Bella into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips before grabbing her hand and dragging her down Main Street like a kid in a candy store. They rode all of Edward's favorite rides from Jungle Cruise to Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. They ate tasty, but horribly unhealthy, food like corn dogs, churros and turkey legs. They even found a delicious treat called Churro Toffee that Bella was determined to make a recipe for since it was so addictive. Edward let her know that he had no qualms about being a taste tester for her, if she needed it.
They hit up the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain like they were little kids. Bella could barely keep up with Edward and certainly couldn't keep up with all the souvenirs he was buying, including a few more Christmas ornaments for them to put up on their tree that year.
"We have to make our way over to New Orleans Square again," Bella declared as it began getting a little later in the day.
"You want beignets again?" Edward laughed as Bella slapped him on the shoulder.
"Um no, we have dinner reservations. I figured we should eat something somewhat healthy today, so I got us a reservation at the Blue Bayou." Edward led them across the park to the restaurant that was part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. "Have you ever eaten here before?"
"Not yet," Edward admitted happily as they went inside and were quickly seated, with a view of the boats on the ride. "I will gladly come back for the ambience alone though."
Dinner was a much more relaxed event than Bella expected. Though the food was very pricey, Edward chose a filet and lobster meal with a very fancy dessert, it was nice to just relax for a little bit.
"This is so nice," Bella said as their waitress cleared their table of their dinner plates. "We've been on the go so much since we left Seattle, it's just great to relax a bit and enjoy ourselves. How are you feeling about all of this?"
"Overwhelmed," Edward said simply.
"Not in a bad way, I hope." Bella was suddenly nervous. Even though Edward seemed to have a great time throughout the entire day, he seemed much more quiet now that they were sitting down in a dark restaurant enjoying their meal.
"Not in a bad way at all," Edward sweetly reached across the table and grabbed Bella's hand, stroking it softly to soothe her worries. "It's just crazy how far we've come this year, ya know?"
"Yeah, it is crazy. It was only Thanksgiving when you drove to help me out in the snowstorm and it's been less than six months that you have been talking with Carmen. You've had so much progress in healing."
"What about you?" Edward questioned with a laugh. "This hasn't all been about me. Sure, I've had some stuff to overcome, but you managed to get a book deal for a recipe book all while working for me, and I know I can be difficult. We've come a long way in our relationship too. Heck, you are almost all moved in."
"Which reminds me…" Bella began to say as Edward put his finger over her mouth to silence her.
"No work or moving talk. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow, deal?" Edward offered Bella his pinky finger and she laughed as she wrapped her finger around his, but she couldn't close her finger all the way like usual. Sitting on Edward's pinky finer was the most gorgeous emerald cut diamond ring Bella had ever seen. Her mouth fell open in complete shock.
"Oh My God!" Bella exclaimed as Edward slipped from his chair and kneeled down in front of her, the ring tightly held between his shaking fingers.
""Isabella Swan? I promise to love you forever - every day of forever. Will you marry me?"
"Oh My God!" Bella shouted as she jumped up from her chair and began nodding her head furiously.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes," she yelled as the entire restaurant, and some riders on the passing boats, broke into cheers and began clapping for the couple, who kissed quickly, a bit embarrassed by the scene they had created.
As they sat down, their waitress arrived with the dessert Edward had ordered, complete with two glasses of champagne, a creme brulee and some madeleines for them to share. Bella looked down at her hand, admiring the ring Edward had slipped on her finger. "Could you have imagined yourself proposing in the middle of a theme park restaurant a year ago? This is crazy."
"This ring has been burning a hole in my pocket for most of this trip, so this couldn't have happened at a more perfect time."
Edward and Bella toasted with their champagne and enjoyed the rest of their dinner before agreeing to head back to their room to celebrate alone. Bella called the car service which their concierge had arranged and as made their way down Main Street, stopping to shop while waiting for their ride, Edward couldn't help but pull Bella into the Jolly Holiday Bakery.
"I heard they had decent cinnamon buns here," Edward said with a laugh as their approached the counter. "Not as good as my fiances, but decent. I think I'll grab a few for breakfast tomorrow morning."
"Or a midnight snack?" Bella answered with a sly grin as Edward kissed her and then ordered their treats.
"I like how you think Future Mrs. Cullen. Let's order two more buns, just to safe."
"No need to worry, Edward. I will make you cinnamon buns for the rest of our lives, within reason of course. But first, when we get home we are throwing out that stupid contract and NDA you made me sign, Mr. Cullen," Bella mocked as they took their bag and left the store with enough sugar to keep them awake until they got home to Seattle.
"Yeah, I was a bit of a dick on first day wasn't I?" Edward said as Bella nodded her head profusely. "I will admit one thing… Bella, it has absolutely been a pleasure to be with you."
Good Morning Sweet Friends! I'd like to thank you all for taking this trip with me as I wrote the first story I've even attempted in like 9 years. Will I write more? I have no idea. I've had some other story ideas pop up in my head and I've scribbled down notes, but I haven't written a chapter. I like to get at least half through a story before I start posting, otherwise you may be disappointed as I don't finish something. Believe me, I am known for not finishing things. Come check out my half done powder room if you don't believe me LOL
Regardless, thank you for reading, reviewing, recommending etc... Every single review and comment had made me smile, even if it wasn't positive. At least you felt something to comment. I'm off to make Tonga Toast for my husband (It's a Disney french toast because yes, I am a Disney person LOL if you couldn't tell) and we're going to take it easy this Father's Day. I hope you all enjoy the chapter with a cup of coffee and are able to relax for a bit. We deserve it. You deserve it. Take care of yourselves folks! You can always find me on twitter coldplaywhore. I'll see ya around.