"Ohio."

"For the love God; I don't want to play the license plate game!" Edward complained, irritated with me. I had let him drive the big black monster to where our cabin was and he was learning that I wasn't a very good passenger. Every state I found just made him clench his teeth and his hold on to the steering wheel before sighing tensely.

I was enjoying the antagonizing, not going to lie.

"Florida!"

"Where? Where the fuck do you see Florida?" Edward whined. I smirked.

I feigned mistake as I squinted forward to look at the license plate ahead of us on the freeway. "Oh, never mind. It wasn't Florida. It was another Ohio."

"No," Edward spoke through clenched teeth again, making sure to get every syllable out very slowly and with pauses. "That is the exact same Ohio you pointed out nine seconds ago."

I blinked, acting overly surprised. "Oh? Hm. I didn't notice!"

"Holy shit," he muttered, shaking his head and sliding one of his hands down his face in exasperation.

"Both hands on the wheel!" I yelled, making him jump. He put his other hand back on the steering wheel before glaring at me.

I sat back in my seat, getting comfortable. I folded my arms over my chest and kept an eye on his driving. The quiet lasted about a minute. I shouldn't have tried the coffee this morning; it was making me hyper active.

"Let's play the word game then," I suggested enthusiastically.

Edward was more on the unenthusiastic, apprehensive side. But he grudgingly asked, "What the hell is that?"

"I say a word and you say the first word that pops into your head," I explained, nodding eagerly. When he didn't seem convinced I added, "Its fun!"

"Whatever, you start." Even though it shouldn't have, grumpy Edward was amusing me greatly.

"Cool."

"Ice," Edward said without missing a beat.

"Hey!" I complained, "that wasn't my word!" Edward rolled his eyes again and looked at me, waiting for another word I suppose.

"Bella," I chose after a second of thinking.

"High." Okay; fair enough. I deserved that one at the moment.

"Plane."

"Fly."

"Edward," I nodded; satisfied with the answer I just gave.

"Hot," Edward nodded slowly with a grin, satisfied with his own cocky answer. I couldn't disagree or anything though.

"Annoying."

"Hey!"

"Horse," I continued, ignoring his protest.

"Oats."

"Field."

"Farm."

"Barn."

"Red."

"Blood."

Shit. I really shouldn't have said that. Not to a soldier who had been in combat before and was stationed in Iraq. Especially after the letter he had sent me before, about the young man losing a leg. Well; score one for Bella. I'd officially managed to be an insensitive bitch.

I looked at Edward. I had to give him his credit, he did try to contain the hurt and haunting from his face so that it bottled only in his eyes. I felt the remorse flood into my system as he shook out of it and thought of something else to say. "Doctor."

"Carlisle," I said quietly, willing him to see the apologetic look I was giving him. He glanced my way and gave me a half smile with a shrug.

"Father."

"Charlie," I said, just as quietly. I looked out the window, not wanting to see Edward's own apologetic face right now. All the hyper had been sobered out of me; and that was saying something since three seconds ago, I would have been suspected of drug use.

"Police," Edward sighed.

"Gun."

"Army."

"Edward."

"Sexy." I smiled at his answer, shaking off the thoughts of my parents.

"This again?" I asked with a smirk.

"First of all, last time I said hot. Not sexy. They are two different adjectives completely. And second, you were the one who wanted to play the shitty game," he said in playful defense. He wasn't as irritated as he would like me to believe.

"It's not shitty!" I protested, crossing my arms again.

"It entertained you for like two seconds! Now you're back to being the Energizer Bunny!" Edward exclaimed, exasperated.

"Turn!" I practically yelled.

"Around," Edward said grudgingly, just replying to humor me. "I thought we stopped this game!"

"No, the turn is right here!" He looked away from me and hissed a profanity as he took a sharp right off the freeway. I flew towards him and managed to catch myself by grabbing the dash board.

"Yeah. I'm driving home," I decided after I let out a relieved breath that I was still alive. Edward didn't say anything; instead he stared at the road with utmost concentration and a bit of sheepishness.

We continued down a dirt road before I directed him on the right turn to take. Edward slowly pulled the truck into the short driveway and parked right next to Carlisle's truck. I smiled calmly as I took in the lake.

The cabin was about 25 feet away from the small sand beach and water. We had a fire pit right in the middle of the grassy yard. Our dock was straight ahead of where Edward parked. We had our speed boat lift in with the boat covered and secure. Carlisle also bought two new jet-skis last year that had a double lift next to the speed boat.

After Edward and I grabbed our bags, I gave him a short tour of the cabin. It was much shorter than the one I gave of the house. When you first saw it, it looked like just a large hallway. There was a small, open closest when you first walk in to your right and then a pantry on the left. Following that wall you arrived at the long counter that served as our kitchen with the sink, microwave, and fridge, along with other things.

There was a table with six chairs across the space from the far end of the kitchen, right next to the bathroom. Also next to the bathroom was the entrance to the first bedroom. On the other side of the table was the entrance to the second bedroom and then a few feet after that was the third and final bedroom. Opposite of the third bedroom was where one of our futons was set up. It had several large windows on the wall that viewed the small deck with picnic tables and of course, a view of the lake.

At the end of the cabin were two couches – one of which was also a futon – and a coffee table in the center. There was also a TV that sometimes got more than four channels. And there was a door that led out to the deck. We had three doors including the one in between the fridge and first futon.

"Ready for a day on the water?" I grinned at him, showing him which bedroom he got.

"You know I've never water-skied or tubed, right?" Edward asked as he plopped his bag onto the bed. I grinned mischievously.

"Which is exactly why Esme will be giving you the skiing lesson while I watch from the boat and laugh my ass off."

I left him to go and get my swimsuit. Carlisle was already on the dock getting the boat ready and Esme was raking the sandy beach. Both of them were already donning the aquatic wear so I figured we didn't have much to do today. I put on the bikini that Esme gave me for Christmas last year. I knew it fit, so I was opting not to look in the mirror and talk myself out of walking outside with it.

By the time I gathered a cooler of snacks and drinks along with some towels for each of us, Edward was already outside with Esme, getting a crash course on skiing. I walked onto the dock with the cooler in my arms and Carlisle took it easily from me to place in the boat.

"I bet it'll take him six tries to get up," Carlisle mused with an amused twinkle in his eyes. He loved driving when someone was trying a new water sport. He found it all very amusing. That could be where I got it from.

"I don't know; he's got a lot of upper body strength. I'm going to say four."

"I win, Edward and you are going early morning fishing with me tomorrow." The confident smile fell off my face as I groaned. Getting up with Carlisle at 5:30 in the morning in the middle of the summer was not exactly my idea of fun.

"Fine," I grudgingly agreed and shook his hand.

"You ready, Es?" Carlisle called after he gave me a life jacket to give to Edward.

"I think we're good!" He nodded and I jogged off the dock to give Edward the life jacket while Carlisle winded the dock down.

Esme was already wading in the water to help him get started. I handed the red life jacket to a very shirtless Edward. When I saw that he was giving me a quick once over I blushed and looked down, tucking my hair behind my ear as I did. I was surprised that I didn't feel self conscious per say. . .more nervous on what he thought of what he was seeing.

"I like that color on you," Edward said lightly as he put the life jacket through his arms. I looked back up from our feet to catch a glimpse of his. . .eight pack? An eight pack? Seriously? Inwardly I sighed in exasperation.

Real funny, God. Real funny.

"Thanks," I said, trying to sound just as casual as he did. "Try not to swallow a whole gallon of water when you don't get up," I warned, changing the subject before he could say anything else.

"I always get up," Edward grinned cockily with his crooked smile. I rolled my eyes. Idly I wondered how something so crooked could be so. . .nice, for lack of a better word.

"Whatever you say," I said dismissively in a sing song voice before turning to go back to the boat.

Turns out, contrary to what Edward thought; he doesn't always get up.

Edward's confident attitude quickly dissolved into frustration. The first time he yelled "hit it!" and Carlisle started the boat I'm sure he thought he would easily get up. He didn't even almost get up. Not even close.

Carlisle was driving and I was lounged across the back of the boat with my sunglasses and soda in case I would need to spot. I laughed to myself. It'd be awhile till I had to worry about watching him up. Esme was on her tip toes in the water where Edward was, giving him some more tips and telling him what he was doing wrong. She was doing a lot of talking.

I suppose you could say that I was up for a large laugh today. By the forth try he almost got up. This time he fell into really awkward and painful looking splits. Carlisle winced for him while I laughed really hard. He popped out of the water, his skis floating in various directions, coughing out some water. Carlisle drove in a slow circle around him so he could get the rope again.

"For the record," I stated when we were close to wear he was floating, tapping the water out of his ear, "that was like two gallons." Edward scoffed and rolled his eyes as the boat drifted away from him.

It was all funny until Carlisle reminded me that Edward has just passed four tries and suddenly, he was the one laughing. I liked fishing with Carlisle, don't get me wrong, but not at the ungodly hour of 5 AM. There are a number of things I would rather do than expect to be coherent that early. Like say, get a Brazilian wax.

"Alright, let me just show you how it's done," I decided loud enough so that they could all hear me. I stood up from the warm leather and took off my sunglasses. Then I hopped off the back of the boat into the cool water. I came to the surface quickly, gasping at the coldness of the water.

I swam out to where Edward was while Esme swam to get on the boat. "Give me the life jacket," I demanded mockingly.

"I was taught what to do in combat; not how to water ski," Edward complained whilst he unbuckled the life jacket. I slipped into it and adjusted the size before getting the skis situated on my feet.

Ignoring his excuse, I nodded at Carlisle to start the boat. "Watch and learn," I taunted. Carlisle started the engine and started to pull. Fortunately for the point I was trying to prove, I popped right up on them.

I smirked to myself. I let go with one hand and turned my head to wave back at him. Then I did all the little tricks I could think of just to show off a little bit. He stayed treading in the water until I dropped a ski and balanced on the one. I let go of the rope when I was close to where Edward was floating.

"Combat; not water sports," Edward justified simply. I rolled my eyes and threw the life jacket back to him.

Edward got up the next try. And I do sincerely believe it was because of my amazing teaching skills. Or maybe the fact that I had already lost the bet and Carlisle was going a little slower and helping him more. Whichever it was; doesn't mean I didn't laugh at the look of concentration Edward had as he figured out how to stay on the skis. He didn't end his ride as gracefully as I did, but he did okay.

"It took you five times to get up; I don't know why you're so smug," I told him as we both carried a ski back to the garage behind the cabin. He was walking with a very satisfied expression, like he had just ended global warming. You'd think that's what he did if you saw his smile.

We had our usual bonfire that night. Meaning we set the lawn chairs out and roasted s'mores. And pyromaniac Carlisle entertained himself with making sure the whole lake would know we were having a fire.

I went to bed early – thought 11:30 doesn't really count as early I guess – because I knew what was ahead of me the next morning. And the next morning came way too quickly for my liking.

Carlisle came into my bedroom and started poking my head like a three year old. I groaned and rolled over, burying my head in the warm, comfortable blankets. He leaned over and continued to poke. I burrowed further under to shield myself, still groaning and making unintelligible grunts. Finally he won the battle and I grudgingly got out of my small heaven to get dressed.

I threw on a black hoodie to reflect my grumpy mood and a pair of old jeans. My hair was a rat's nest so I put it into a sloppy bun on the top of my head and braved outside of my room. Edward and Carlisle were at the table each scarfing down a piece of toast. Edward was also wearing a pair of jeans and a zip up brown sweatshirt. His eyes were just as droopy and groggy as mine, so I didn't feel like the ugly step sister at least.

"Alright! Let's go fishing!" Carlisle said enthusiastically after his toast was finished. Just to complete his perky statement, he clapped his hands together, making me jump, and rubbed them with anticipation.

This is quite literally the happiest I had seen Carlisle with Edward around. Needless to say that regardless of my somewhat hazy state...I was incredibly confused.

"I hope you know this is all your fault," I told Edward irritably after I covered my mouth due to a large yawn.

"How is it my fault?" Turns out Edward was just as grumpy in the mornings as I was. Great. Perky Carlisle, grumpy Edward, and pissy Bella. Someone was not going to make it off the boat when we returned.

"If you would have gotten up on the fucking skis earlier I would still be sleeping," I snapped. The microwave beeped, just to finish my statement properly. I poured the steaming water into my traveling coffee mug and let a bag of tea seep in it.

"I would have told you not to bet on me, had I known," Edward grumbled, pushing his chair away from the table and standing up.

"Pardon me that I assumed your athletic ability was just a little better than that sorry display yesterday," I retorted, walking the opposite direction of him to get to the door.

"Athletic ability? Water skiing isn't about being athletic," Edward was one step behind me, slipping on his tennis shoes the same time I did.

"Are you saying that I'm not athletic?" I questioned. Edward merely raised a challenging eyebrow at me while cocking his head to the side. I leaned in closer to him and poked his chest with every word. "Because let me tell you something, buddy."

"What?" He continued to challenge. I narrowed my eyes as he began to smirk. "What would you like to tell me?"

I came out blank. What was I going to tell him? I wished I wasn't carrying a scalding beverage; otherwise I'd splash it in his face. "I'm more athletic than you. So ha," I finished lamely. I opened the door and walked outside, Edward still only a step behind me.

"Well I guess I can't argue with that logic," Edward retorted sarcastically.

"You're right; you can't," I agreed snobbishly.

"I happen to enjoy sleep too you know!"

"Evidently not a high enough value to you though," I sassed, irritated. I was quite positive that no one in the world held sleep at a higher level than I.

"You're a pain in the ass, Swan," he muttered, only loud enough for me to hear.

"Get used to it, Masen," I snapped. I hadn't sounded this sassy since I was nine. More like snotty really. But it was 5:32 in the fucking morning. The sun was barely up!

"Anything wrong?" Carlisle asked cheerily as I stomped down the dock into the boat. His perky mood just pissed me off more.

"Ask him. He seems to have a problem with his ass," I said sweetly, turning to glare at Edward who was shaking his head and stepping into the boat.

"Am I supposed to deny it?" Edward asked me grumpily with a nice little mix of sarcasm.

"I'm not the issue here," I snapped whilst Carlisle backed out from under the awning.

"You're right. Perhaps we should go with a more fitting synonym. Like maybe. . . problem."

"Takes one to know one," I retorted smartly. Carlisle started the engine and we began to travel across the water. Therefore not allowing Edward to respond to my amazingly clever comeback. I totally won that argument. I sipped my tea smugly as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Pissy always beats Grumpy.

Fortunately for Carlisle, the higher the sun got in the sky, the better Edward and I behaved. We only bickered for about an hour into the fishing trip before Carlisle scolded us and we were told to play nice.

It ended up being a pretty good morning after that. We had a really good breakfast that Esme (who got three extra hours of sleep) made for us. This was after we got the limit of fish to eat. After a light lunch, Carlisle and Esme drove to the town in search for some good sweet corn to cook on the fire for dinner tonight.

Edward was taking a shower and I finally had a moment of peace. I went out to the hammock that we had hanging between two trees next to the beach. I laid back on it horizontally so I push myself with my feet.

The past five days had been absolutely nonstop for me. Edward got here and we spent the day together. I went to state for two days and placed 2nd. Then we went up to the cabin with Edward, where I spent even more time with him. And that brings us to today where I'm finally allowed a break and can think for a couple minutes.

I don't know what I was expecting when I invited Edward to spend his leave here. I know I must have had some sort of idea on how he would act or what he would look like. But all of that is just blank now. I wouldn't be able to tell you what I was thinking two weeks ago.

Edward and I were very agreeable in our letters, we complimented each other well. . .I thought, at least. And now that he was here, I was realizing the connection even more. I was normally a very private homebody. I craved time to myself, and when I spent so much time with someone, I always needed a break where I could just be alone and not out doing something. But with Edward, I hadn't needed that break yet. Me sitting out here right now wasn't a break. A break was at least a six hour away period and a night in my own home alone.

Maybe the reason I hadn't needed more space from Edward was because of how excited I was for him to come. And I still was excited to have him here. Maybe I wouldn't even need my break this month, because I knew that after he leaves, I wouldn't see him again for awhile. That could be the whole reason that I'd wanted to spend so much time with him. But I think it was more than the reminder of him leaving. With Edward, I wanted to be around him whenever I could.

The rock of the hammock was soothing my jumbled thoughts and I was enjoying it. I let my eyes close for a few seconds and listened to the water and sea gulls squawking. They opened again when I heard the loud and protesting squeak of the door opening.

Edward came out and walked over to the hammock, aided by my inviting smile. "Mind if I sit?" he asked. I scooted over to my right to make room for him to answer his question. He laid back and settled into the hammock, his feet taking up the rocking motion immediately.

"Sorry I called you a pain in the ass," Edward apologized. His tone made it clear that he wasn't really sorry, but more making sure I wasn't upset about it.

"Sorry I questioned your athletic ability."

"Whatcha thinking about?" Edward wondered, turning his head to face mine. I adjusted mine as well so that we were facing each other. I smiled, never getting tired of his eyes.

"Why do you ask that so much?"

"When we wrote letters, you always told me everything you were thinking, or at least that's what it seemed like. Now I wonder what you're thinking, just like I did when I'd ask you a question on paper. To be honest, it's kind of concerning me a bit, staying here and not knowing how you feel," he explained. Most guys shied away from eye contact for too long. I was the same way actually. But Edward kept his eyes locked on mine while he was talking and I found that I couldn't look away.

"Fair enough. I was actually thinking about how much I like having you around," I admitted, trying not to cryptic, but not wanting to really spill the mess of thoughts.

"I'm glad," Edward smiled slightly before looking past me to the lake. I let him think, noticing the small furrow above his eyebrows. I looked at his hair, still damp from the shower. He didn't have a floppy hair style but he had just enough hair for me to want to run my hand through it.

"You know, I'm not really good with words. Writing letters is one thing but being near you is totally different. I just wanted to tell how happy I am to be here, with you." I looked into his serious eyes and just stared for a little bit before I felt myself give him a small smile.

"I'm happy to be with you too, sexy ass," I teased, smiling wider.

"You know you love it, snicker doodle," Edward smiled crookedly.

"When did I acquire that name?"

"13 seconds ago. And come to think of it, I actually like it."

"Of course you do," I rolled my eyes endearingly. Edward chuckled quietly under his breath.

We sat there in peace for a little bit. Neither of us speaking, the only sound other than the occasional speed boat passing was the creek of the swinging hammock. I looked out at the lake and beach before turning back to face him. He was closing his eyes contently. They opened when he sensed my eyes watching him.

"I caught way more fish than you this morning," he bragged with that childish smugness.

I leaned over and flicked his temple lightly. "Owe," he whined, bringing his hand up to rub it soothingly.

Yeah, it was good to have Edward here.


Have I hope with your heart?
She's such a teaser, she's such a star.
Give me a reason or gimme a chance.
Am I alone in your heart, or am I alone...?
It tears me apart.
Am I alone?

Doing all I can do, just to be close to you.
Every time that we meet, I skip a heartbeat.
Always up for a laugh, she's a pain in the arse.
Every time that we meet, I skip a heartbeat.
Heartbeat, Scouting For Girls


-Sorry this chapters late. In my defense...I did write it in September. My beta (who is still just great...) took a little longer. To make it up to you I'll post another on in just a few days.
-I don't have much to say...thank you to all of you who have recommended my story! It means a lot to me (:

-Follow me on Twitter (2carm2carm2) for my grumbling and sarcasm...well and updating schedule and chapter teasers...but mostly the sarcasm.