Thanks to my team and all of you, always.

While the temperature in Forks is similar to what I've experienced in Rhode Island, it's the weather that always puts a halt to my plans.

Sometimes literally.

Sneaking in time for my shooting lessons proves difficult over the next few days. Edward's days are filled as he busies himself fixing cars and trucks for the town, and when he's not busy, the weather decides this would be the perfect time to open the skies and turn on the blustering wind.

Three days into our weather-induced quarantine, Edward knocks on my door to tell me he may have another way for me to remain prepared for any unwanted company. In addition to some other security measures he's put in place for us here, I wonder what else he has in mind. Unable to tell him no, I grab my boots and slide my rain jacket on, knowing I should ask him what exactly his plans are, but I don't bother.

The way he reaches his hand out in the rain for me to grab tells me his word is enough for me to trust.

We walk together towards his cabin in silence, the rain spitting sideways as we make our way across the grass. This first week of November has absolutely made me wish my cabin had a fireplace for the upcoming winter. Luckily, I see through the slicing rain that Edward is making great use of his. It's perfect for a night like this, especially since we haven't been able to spend any time outside in front of the fire at night.

I wonder if the heat of the fire will be as hot as the one he sears into my hand as we head inside, wiping our feet on the mat in front of his door. He takes my jacket, hangs it on the hook near the door as I head straight for the source of heat coming from his living room. His cabin is larger than mine, an extra bedroom off the side of the living room that comes in handy on days like today.

"What exactly did you have in mind?" I ask him once we've taken a few minutes to thaw ourselves in front of the fire. He motions towards the spare room, and I follow his lead as he answers.

"Knowing what to do with a gun is a great skill to have," Edward says over his shoulder. "One you may need if you truly think he's going to come here for you."

"Thanks to you, I'm getting better each day." I smile, reaching for his hand to pull him back to me before he steps into the room. He's momentarily caught off guard, but not enough for him to ignore the way my hands pull him by the neck of his shirt down to me.

I don't know when I'll get used to his lips on mine, and I hope I never do. If the fire didn't warm me before, his kiss now does, the way he wraps his arms around me and presses me against his body, making me forget what we are doing here in the first place.

Like always, Edward eventually remembers where we are and the unspoken way he shows me he's moving slowly with us, moving at my pace with my comfort in mind, as he pulls away with a disheveled smile. "You've improved; I'll give you that much." I laugh and pretend to look offended. "But it's the minutes between having your hands on your gun and his arrival that has me thinking you need to know how to keep yourself alive during that time."

I eye him carefully, uncomfortable at the images of me rolling around with my husband while reaching for the gun that always eludes me when I think of these scenarios. It always seems just out of reach, just beyond my grasp, and at this point, it doesn't surprise me that Edward has thought of this as well. "What are you thinking?"

"I'll spare you the trip and save you the money from taking the class in town and teach it to you myself." At this, he walks into the spare room and flips on the light switch so I can see the way he's transformed this small space into a home gym. Just as I'm eyeing the equipment he has lined up against the wall, he answers every question I have running through my head. "Self-defense."

I can see it myself. I can see myself taking out my revenge on the punching bags he has hanging in here. I can see my feet landing blow after blow as I kick every last hold my husband has over me goodbye.

And I know who will be with me every step of this process.

I turn to Edward after I've accepted this new path we're about to walk together. "How do you know all these ways to protect myself?"

DUN DUN DUN

See you tomorrow!