We find a place near our hotel for dinner, and Edward asks me the questions I've sort of been dreading. "How are you feeling about the zipline course?"
When I hesitate and take a huge bite of my burger instead, he laughs. "I know you're not a fan of heights, but you like the adrenaline. How can I help you? Do you want to see some videos from the course's company?"
I nod. "That might help, but you know those will be edited to look great. Can we look for them on YouTube when we get back to the room?"
"Of course. I think I know what to do." Edward polishes off his BLT and flags down our server for the check. "I'm going to treat you like one of my sailors."
"I already don't like this idea."
He laughs again. "Trust me. You'll get a good night's rest and eat a decent breakfast tomorrow."
"I don't think I want to eat before this adventure." I grimace, suddenly pushing my plate away from me.
"You'll want something in your stomach if you hurl." Edward smiles softly. "Trust me. You'll be fine, but if you watch the videos and don't want to do it, we won't do it."
"Thanks. Okay, let's go." I slide the check away from him and slip enough cash in to cover everything. "Show me my doom."
Once we're back in our room and we've changed into pajamas and brushed our teeth, Edward and I watch numerous videos of random people on the ziplining course. It looks like a lot of fun, even if Edward booked us for the Extreme course with a 25-minute hike and five ziplines.
"I'm in. It looks like fun, and they obviously go through a whole safety session with the group before you do it." I shrug, and Edward laughs.
"All right, fill out the waiver, and I'll email them off before we get some sleep."
**BoU**
After a small but hearty breakfast, Edward and I are on the way to the course, and I start to get cold feet. We're both dressed appropriately in comfortable hiking clothes and sneakers, but I'm starting to sweat in anticipation. Once we're checked in, Edward pulls me over by some picnic tables to wait for our group to be called and to see how I'm feeling.
"I'm fine. It's like when you go on the free-fall ride at the fair or something. You want to do it, but once you get up there, it's intimidating." I wrap my arms around his waist and hold on for dear life.
"You're shaking like a leaf." He pulls me away and looks into my eyes, "We don't have to do this."
As I'm about to answer, they call our group number, and I smile. "That's us. Let's go."
We're in a group with a few other people around our age, and we all get fitted for harnesses and helmets before we get the safely talk. It's simple enough, and I'm just scared enough to really be paying attention.
Our guide Liam is ushering us into the back of a pickup truck so we can be driven to the foot of the hiking trail. "Okay, folks, remember the hike is approximately 25 minutes, and then we'll be on five different lines over 200 feet in the air. We have a side-by-side speed run, so those of you in smaller groups can race."
I try to smile at Edward, but I can feel that it comes out looking like Tina Belcher from Bob's Burgers. "I'm fine."
"Oh yeah? Why's it all high pitched like Ross from 'Friends'?" Edward grabs my hand and smiles. "We're having an adventure, and if you die, at least, you'll have gone out knowing you had an amazing orgasm last night." I can feel my cheeks flush as I bury my face in his shoulder.
"I'm going to kill you," I mumble into his sweatshirt.
"At least, you're distracted." He drops a kiss to the top of my head just as the truck comes to a halt.
The hike is fine. It's a hike; it's not something I would willingly choose to do … ever. When we reach the summit, the leader starts to get everyone set up, and as we get closer to going, I'm feeling more excited and confident.
"This is the last time I'm going to ask you. Are you sure you're okay? You can still walk away." Edward is looking at me as the woman before zips away.
"Actually, I'm good. I'm excited. You'll take my picture, right?" I ask excitedly as the instructor gets me hooked up. Edward pulls out his phone and snaps a photo of me.
"I'm so proud of you. I'll see you over there."
The next thing I know, I'm pushing myself off the ledge and propelling over a canyon through the air. It feels like I'm flying; like I'm free. It's amazing, and I love it. I glance over my shoulder, and I can see Edward watching me. I know I couldn't have done this without him.
When I reach the other side, an employee gets me unhooked, and as I wait for Edward, I know, with my heart racing, that this is the moment.
As he comes hurtling toward me, beaming and hollering at me, I laugh, opening my arms as soon as he's released from the line. Edward scoops me up, and we hug for a moment before the employee tells us we need to meet up with the rest of the group.
Edward sets me down and begins to pull me after him, but I stop him. "What is it?"
"I told you I'd share my feelings when I was ready," I blurt out.
He's breathless. "Here? Now? Bella, we have to catch up—"
"I'll make it quick. I love you. That's all. I just love you." I smile, and when he stops breathing for a few seconds, I almost panic. Except this is Edward, and I know what we're about now.
He steps over and caresses my cheeks. "I am so in love with you, Bella Swan. More than I could possibly explain on this mountain side. But, so help me, baby, if you don't move your ass and get on the next zipline so we can get off this mountain so I can show you how much I love you—"
"I'm going!" I run away from him, laughing as he chases me toward the group, spending the next two hours flying through the air and whispering our love to each other every chance we get.