25

Bella stretched, her body aching from hours spent on the beach with her family and friends. Not to mention the hours of lovemaking with Edward. She was sore, but in all the right ways. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had something, or someone, to live for. Edward was everything she wanted for her life. She just worried what kind of life they could have together.

"Sweetheart, we need to get up," Edward murmured, pressing the full length of his body against hers. "Come on, my love."

"I'd rather spend the day here," she groaned, reaching behind her, and placing her hand on his bare hip.

"Tempting," he growled, nipping at her shoulder. "But we have a plan to put into action."

Smiling, Bella shifted so that she was laying on her back, her head lobbing to the side. "Are you sure you want to marry me today?"

"I wanted to marry you yesterday." He spoke softly, truth behind every word. "And the day before and the day before that."

"Why?" she asked, breathlessly.

"Because you're beautiful." Kiss on her shoulder. "And smart." Another kiss on her neck. "And sexy as hell." Edward pressed his lips against hers. "And I want everything with you."

Bella's eyes filled with tears. "I want everything with you, too."

"I love you."

"I love you more," she giggled and scrambled out of her bed. "Now, let's get moving. We have a lot to do today."

Half an hour later, they had showered, dressed, and were sitting at the table in the kitchen, enjoying the oatmeal and fresh fruit Bella had put together for them. She had taken her meds and packed enough for a couple days, knowing she probably wouldn't be back soon. Not if everything went as planned.

"Good morning!" Esme sang, almost dancing into the kitchen.

Carlisle laughed as he followed, his eyes meeting Bella's, his cheeks turning bright red. She almost laughed. It wasn't like it was the first time he had slept over. Hell, they practically lived together. Bella couldn't help but wonder if her father's illness, and now hers, had stopped them from taking their relationship to the next step.

"How are you feeling?" Carlisle asked, sliding into the seat next to Edward, who looked slightly uncomfortable, especially seeing as Carlisle was only wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants. It was almost enough to make Bella laugh.

"Fine," she chirped.

"Any headaches, weakness in your hands or legs?" he pressed, causing her to sigh. "I'm just asking!"

"I feel . . ." Bella shook her head ". . . like I always feel. Tired, sore, but good. Better than I have in a while."

"Good, good." Carlisle nodded, accepting the cup of coffee Esme held out to him. "You know, I have some time available this afternoon, if you want to run some tests."

"Just what I wanted to do today," she quipped, sliding out of her chair, and picking up hers and Edward's dishes. She placed them in the sink and turned and looked back at Carlisle. "We have an agreement. Tournament first, tests after."

"I know, but—"

"No buts!" she interrupted, giving her sister a look, knowing that Esme had put him up to pressing her to forget her obligations to the PV. Bella sighed. "It's important to me, and to Edward." She paused. "Especially if this is his last tournament for a while."

Esme's mouth fell open as she looked from her to Edward. "Is she saying what I think she's saying?"

Edward nodded, picking up his glass of orange juice and chugging the last of it. "I'm taking a break."

"Wow. That's a big decision," she said, quietly.

"Nah." Edward stood up and reached around Bella, placing his glass in the sink. His hands settled on her hips. "Easiest decision I've ever made."

Bella smiled. "We'd better get moving." She looked at Esme. "Are you stalking me today? Or going to work?"

Esme rolled her eyes. "I'm going to check in on the store, but I should be there by noon. Do you have your meds?"

This time, Bella rolled her eyes. "Yes ma'am. I'm a good girl."

"I know you think I'm annoying, worrying about you like this," Esme sniffled. "But I can't help it."

Pulling herself out of Edward's grasp, she took the two steps toward her sister and pulled into her arms. "I'm sorry. Just don't give up your life for me, Essie. I need you to live for me, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," she murmured, returning the loving embrace. "Love you, sis."

"Love you too."

Bella slipped her hand into Edward's and led him out of the kitchen, where they picked up her overnight bag and gave each other a look before leaving the house. Guilt filled Bella, knowing their decision to get married today, rather than wait to have a huge wedding would anger her sister, but her heart knew they were making the right decision. She needed someone to live for, and Edward was that person.

—BDBH—

Half an hour later, Bella parked her jeep outside of the Hawaii Health Department. Edward quickly climbed out of the passenger side and hurried around to open the door for Bella, which had her laughing. Always so chivalrous. He slid his arm around her waist and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Are you sure you want to do this today?"

Bella nodded. "Nothing I want to do more. Are you having second thoughts?"

He smiled. "Hell no, sweetheart."

"I love you," she whispered, her voice trembling and tears filling her eyes. "I love you so much."

"I love you more," he echoed, his lips pressing against hers.

Knowing it was pointless to protest on who love whom more, Bella kept her hand in with Edward's as they walked across the parking lot and inside the building. Once they found which office they needed, they headed down, thankful that they had gotten there first thing and there wasn't a line. Edward held the door to the office open for her and followed Bella inside and over to the counter. An older woman with dark black hair with specks of gray woven throughout came out a room in the back, her dark eyes brightening as she smiled.

"Oh, sorry. Have you been waiting long?"

"No, ma'am," Edward said, placing his hand on the small of Bella's back. "Just walked in."

"Oh, good," she laughed. "Thought I was slacking for a moment. My name is Sue Clearwater. What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to apply for a marriage license," he said, causing her to smile even wider.

"I can help you with that." Sue motioned for them to come around the counter, which they did. She gestured to a couple chairs on the other side of her desk, and once they were seated, she shifted so her attention was on her computer. "I need your ID's."

"Of course," they mumbled together as they pulled them out of their wallets and held them out to Sue.

She took Edward's first, smiling as she reached for Bella's. Her smile faltered just slightly as she looked at Bella's. "You're Charlie's daughter, aren't you?"

"I . . . I am," she stammered. "Did you know him?"

Sue nodded. "Charlie and my late husband, Harry, worked together at the Sheriff's office," she explained. "Harry was killed in the line of duty almost ten years ago. Charlie . . ." She smiled sadly. "He really helped me a lot during the first couple years. I had two kids to raise, and I hadn't worked in a long time. Charlie, well, he helped me find a job, someone to help me with my kids." She paused, wiping a tear off her cheek. "I was saddened to hear that he passed."

"Yeah," she murmured, unsure of what to say. Bella had never heard of Sue or Harry Clearwater. Made her wonder what else about her father she didn't know.

"I've, um, I've heard that you are sick," she added, tilting her head to the side.

"Hmm," she hummed, unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry. It's none of my business," Sue groused, placing their IDs on the desk, and turning back to the computer. "Now, let's get this going for you."

Edward reached over and grabbed her hand as Sue asked them the standard when and where of their wedding details. While Bella could tell she was trying to be discrete, Sue kept peeking at her, like she was going to die right in front of her. It was frustrating and annoying, yet she couldn't be upset. Sue was just one more person who appeared to care.

"Okay, I think that's about all I need," Sue said, sliding their Ids back across the desk before laying their marriage license in front of them. "It's good for thirty days. Just sign the bottom and have your officiant sign it, and you can send it in. We will mail you the official copy. Any questions?"

Bella and Edward shared a look before shaking their heads and signing the bottom of the license. They grabbed their IDs, shoving them back into their wallets, and standing up.

"How much do we owe you?" Edward asked, holding out his credit card.

Sue frowned before saying, "Twenty-five."

She processed his payment and gave him his card back. Then, reaching out for Bella's hand, who gave it tentatively, she said, "If you need anything, let me know."

"Thanks," she mumbled, pulling her hand back.

Edward slid his arm around her waist and led Bella out of the office, down the hallway, and outside. They climbed back into her jeep, but Bella didn't start it.

"Are you okay?" he asked, placing his hand on her knee.

"He touched so many lives," she whispered, trying to keep her tears from falling. "He was . . . he was . . ." Shaking her head, she looked over at him. "I wish he were here to walk me down the aisle."

"Me too," Edward said, quietly. "Would he have liked me?"

"Not at first," she laughed, shaking her head. "But once he knew the real you, he would have loved you."

"You think so?"

Bella nodded. "As much as he could have loved any man wanting to marry me."

"That's fair."

Starting the jeep, she smiled. "Phase one done. Now, just gotta wait till later for phase two."

"Followed immediately by phase three in my hotel room," Edward snickered, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I love you."

"Love you more."

—BDBH—

Bella and Edward arrived at pit half an hour later, finding a large crowd already starting to gather. Sharing a look, they grabbed their bags and headed inside, unsurprised to find Alice and Jasper waiting at the entrance for them, a mixture of annoyance and relief on their faces.

"Sorry, we're late," they said together, laughing.

"He's slow," Bella added, raising an eyebrow for him to challenge her.

Edward snorted. "Yep, totally my fault all right."

"Whatever," Jasper scoffed, grabbing Edward by the front of his T-shirt and pulling him inside the pit. "We're up in twenty minutes, dude. Or did you forget?"

As Jasper dragged Edward away, the latter swearing he hadn't forgotten about their match, Alice shoved a smoothie into Bella's hands, laughing, "Something tells me you're going to need this, Swan."

"Thanks, Peanut," she said with a smile.

"That's what I'm here for." Alice hooked her arm in with Bella's and gently led her inside. "Now, don't worry about anything, Swan. You focus on taking brilliant photos, and I will take care of everything for tonight."

"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, pulling Alice to a stop.

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms in front of her as she smirked. "I'm talking about you and Mason tying the knot, of course."

Bella's mouth flopped open. "How did you know?"

"Oh, please," she snickered. "You and I have been besties forever, Swan. Now, like I said, you just focus on your job, and I will take care of everything else."

"Peanut, I . . ." Bella trailed off as Alice waved her off and took off down the beach. "Son of a bitch. So much for keeping this on the downlow."