Fran betas. Dani, Ariel, and Gemma preread. YOU ROCK.
I wake up the next morning way before the time Edward and I had agreed on. I stretch in bed, my new sheets cool and comforting on this cloudy morning beneath my opened bedroom window. Even though I've only been here for a handful of days, I feel as if my body has already aligned with the environment around me. I wake up at my leisure; the days of being ruled by an alarm clock, another thing of the past. Some days I listen to my body and sleep in, but most days, like today, I'm usually up a little after the sun has risen over the cabin and the wide expanse of forest greens.
As I'm rinsing out the last of my morning coffee, I decide to venture along the trails again for my morning walk. I love this part of my routine as I'm acquainting myself with my life - and each day, I find something new to love. Something new to appreciate.
And a part of me will always regret the years I spent trapped with him. Fear kept me away from this place, away from the freedom I've found here that is the perfect solution I need to bandage old wounds.
But then again, another part of me wonders if I needed to go through what I did with him in order to truly appreciate this newfound respect for life. Maybe if I had escaped sooner, this place wouldn't have been something to call my own. Maybe Rose wouldn't have had the chance to meet Emmett. If she hadn't met Emmett, our connection here never would have happened.
I try to think of an alternative route in my head, but the only place my heart can think of is here. No matter where I go, all paths lead me back to my quiet cabin in the woods.
And when my eyes land on Edward as he walks out of his own cabin and offers me a warm smile, I can't help but wonder what role he plays in this new life of mine as well.
"You ready?" He asks as I approach the back patio of his place. It's unavoidable as his cabin sits near the path I walk every morning. He casts his eyes over the lake, quiet since, well, let's face it - since I'm not swimming in it at the moment. I think my being here is the most action this lake has gotten in years. Edward moves to take a sip of his coffee, reminding me he's asked me a question.
I look down at my attire, shrugging at my exercise leggings and a plain white tee. I'll have to do a quick sniff test when I'm back alone in my cabin. "I think. Let me go grab my things."
"Take your time." He answers with a smile, his eyes back on me for a moment before he looks back at the lake. "I'm in no rush."
"Me neither."
The words come easily from my mouth, and when they do, so does the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Baby steps. She's getting there!
As we near 1K reviews, I've been thinking of ways to celebrate hitting that milestone with you all. And since you're the ones reviewing to make this celebration even possible, you tell me.
How would you like to celebrate 1K reviews? Let me know!
