I woke up early the next day and checked my phone. I hadn't heard from Ed like I'd expected to. Had he got back to the UK yet? I didn't know. I sighed and got up, leaving Zed snoring softly in his bed alone. I made myself a cup of tea and sat down on the armchair, with just one of Zed's jumpers to keep my modesty. I'd uploaded a photo to Instagram the evening before from the Everything Has Changed Photoshoot, tagging Ed in it and thanking everyone for making us number one. I had 3,015 likes on it. Insane. I realised Taylor had tagged me in some photos over the weekend so had a look; me and her on my wedding day, all of us girls together on the wedding day and then Ed and I on my wedding day. The comments on the latter were insane and made my eyes widen.
I still ship this. They're adorable.
She's wearing a bluebird necklace. He calls her bluebird. OMG!
Why hadn't I realised that connection sooner? That's why he had got be a blue bird necklace. Because of the nickname. It made the gift even more thoughtful. I sighed and hoped Zed wouldn't read these comments. I didn't need him worrying about anything. I opened up my business emails and was surprised to see an e-mail from Ed.
Hi Sky,
I've attached a copy of the music video for Everything has Changed. Let me know if you're happy with it and then I'll put it forward for release. Well done on the single.
See you around,
Ed
Formality, much? And 'see you around'. I frowned. He was being a dick. A Skype message opened up to say he had signed in and I couldn't stop myself. I clicked on his name and sent the message in my angry state.
'See you around', what is your problem? You've been acting weird with me all weekend
The 'Ed is typing' message came up and then disappeared. I exhaled. He wasn't going to reply. And then he did.
Sorry I've got stuff going on
Then he signed out.
At lunchtime, I headed to the airport with Zed and I had little time to be annoyed with Ed. I was going on my honeymoon. It was going to be romantic and relaxing and fun. We checked in and boarded the plane in first class. The flight took six hours, so it was still just about light when we arrived. Maui, Hawaii, was beautiful and I knew we had made the right decision. As we drove to the resort, we passed rainforests and crystal blue waters which were starting to turn orangey in the evening light. Our hotel was incredible and it would have been out of our price range, had I not been paid for my Cosmopolitan interview and show appearance (paid a stupid amount, might I add). We were only going for a week as, unfortunately, Zed's watersports job would only let him take a week's vacation in the summer. Looking at beautiful Maui in front of me, I already knew that a week would not be long enough.
Hotel Maui was like heaven. I'd never been to a five-star hotel before and I was glad that this time I was. The hotel was nestled on a cliff, over-looking Maui's southern coastline. The hotel was in a secluded area and was surrounded by greenery. After checking in, we walked through the grounds to find out suite. We passed the pool, which was large and had comfy, green sunbeds scattered around each side. There was also a swim-up pool bar for maximum relaxation. The restaurant had couples sat outside, amongst the palm trees, enjoying the evening warmth. Eventually, we found our honeymoon suite. We walked into a living room area, with cream couches overloaded with cushions. There was a terrace balcony outside, over-looking the ocean. Our white, comfy bed with a red bed-runner and matching cushions was decorated with rose petals and I spotted a bottle of champagne in ice beside the bed.
'Wow, I feel like I've won the lottery!' Zed beamed, putting down the suitcase.
'Feels that way.' I beamed back at him.
'Now... what do you say we test out this bed?'
We woke up fairly early the next day as the room was becoming warmer with the rising sun. I climbed out of bed, covering my naked body with a fluffy, white robe, and turned on the aircon.
'What time is it?' Zed grumbled from amongst the white sheets.
'It's only eight.' I replied, checking my phone. I had a text from Ed, which I decided not to read. I wanted to enjoy my honeymoon.
'It's too hot in here.' My husband said, sounding frustrated. He threw the covers off himself, leaving a perfectly carved, naked body.
'Then shall we go and get breakfast?' I suggested, trying not to look at his male 'parts'.
We had breakfast on the restaurant terrace, over-looking the beautiful ocean. Zed had decided that as we were up early, we would go for a hike. I wasn't too fond of the idea, but he promised that the views would be incredible. I slipped on my trainers, some cotton hotpants and a loose, blue vest over my bikini, and we headed off to explore the Twin Falls.
'So which way?' I asked Zed as we arrived in the parking lot, having caught a taxi from the hotel.
'Ho'olawa Li'iii'i' Zed tried to pronounce. 'Hmm, let's go that way.' He took my hand in his and we walked up the dirt and gravel pathway.
'I can't believe there's no one else here.' I said as we walked through the shrubbery.
'It's still early.' He replied. 'Besides, I like it like this. It's more peaceful and romantic.'
We walked up the path and came to a small waterfall, which had a few people splashing about in its pool. I took a quick photo and Zed carried on walking. I hurried to keep up with him.
'Aren't we going swimming?'
'There's another one, just a little further up.' He explained. 'I read about it online.'
We continued up the path for about another mile and I was beginning to get hot and sweaty. I opened my bag and pulled out a bottle of water, taking a swig. Zed walked off the path and through the trees.
'Where are you going?'
'Just follow me.'
I followed him through the trees and bushes, trying to avoid scratching my skin.
'Do you even know where you're going?'
'Does it matter?' He grinned, squeezing my hand.
'It will matter if we get lost.'
He stopped to face me and, before I knew what was happening, he scooped me up into his arms like he had on our wedding night. He kept walking and then I heard running water. Getting closer. Zed walked over a hill, with me still in his arms and then I saw it. A beautiful waterfall below, where there was a small clearing. The sun was falling on the water as it cascaded like ribbons across the rocks. Zed climbed down the boulders carefully and held out a hand to help me.
'It's beautiful.' I whispered, when we reached the bottom. I kicked off my shoes and socks, putting my warm feet into the cool water.
'Should have trusted me.' Zed said, sticking his tongue out.
'Nice to know you're still mature despite being married.' I said, sarcastically.
Zed took off his trainers, socks and t-shirt and jumped into the water before I could stop him. 'Ah, that's much better.'
I slipped off my shorts and vest top and climbed in to join him. It was cooler than the air, but because the sun was on the water, it wasn't too cold. I swam over to Zed, who was able to reach the floor. I wrapped my arms and legs around him to keep myself from going underwater. Zed wrapped his arms around my waist in return and kissed me passionately. I nibbled his lip gently and he moaned.
'Are we going to do this here?' He asked.
'Do you not want to?'
He replied by carrying me out of the water without breaking the kiss. He placed me down on the ground carefully. 'Silly question.'
Zed leaned over me, trailing kisses down my neck and down to my chest. He removed my bikini top, skillfully, running his hands over my bare breasts as he lips returned to my mouth. I let out a small moan and he smiled into the kiss as I allowed my hands to venture down to his swimming shorts, playfully running my fingers along the top of the waistband.
Twenty minutes later and we were dressed in our swimsuits again and lying in the sunshine, trying to slow down our breath. I'd never expected to have sex outdoor in public. Anyone could have seen us, but then I decided that made it more intense. Zed smiled from beside me and I moved onto my side so that I could see him.
xx-xx-xx
Zed.
I looked over at my beautiful wife in her bikini and smiled. I'd quite happily repeat what had just happened, but I didn't want to make her too exhausted. We had made love a lot since our wedding night and each time was more incredible than the last.
'So we just had sex by a waterfall.' I grinned, breaking the silence.
'I know.' She replied, biting her lip. 'I hope no one saw us.'
'I think we'd have heard them. It's too quiet in here.' All you could hear was the sound of the birds chattering away, it was lovely.
And then thunder suddenly sounded overhead. I groaned. I would have happily stayed there all day, admiring my wife's perfect body and frolicking around in the water. Obviously the weather had other ideas.
'I guess we'd better head back before we're caught in a storm.' Sky sighed, grabbing her shorts.
We didn't get back quick enough. The heavens opened just as we reached the path and by the time we were back at the hotel, we were both soaked through. Not that I minded. Being soaked through meant that we had a lovely, bubble bath together when we got back. Perfect.
By Friday, Sky's skin was even more sunkissed and her eyes looked even more blue than before. She laid beside me on the white sand, tracing patterns across my stomach with her finger. It felt relaxing and I couldn't believe we only had a few days left.
'I wonder if I'm still number one.' Sky thought aloud, rolling onto her stomach. I took a sneaky look at her breasts, which always looked bigger when she was resting on her front.
'Oh, you are.' I replied with a smile, turning to face her. 'I checked this morning.'
She smiled in response. 'My number one fan.'
'The only one who gets special benefits I hope.'
'Absolutely.' She bit her lip, deep in thought.
'What is it?'
'I'm supposed to release a video today. Completely forgot.' She stretched out. 'One week won't hurt.'
'You can still do it.' I replied, confused.
'But it's our honeymoon.' She sighed. 'We're supposed to be relaxing... and stuff.'
'I like the stuff.' I grinned. 'And we are relaxing. You can still do it, which song were you thinking of?'
'I was going to cover 'She will be loved' by Maroon 5.'
I smiled, suddenly thinking of an idea. 'Come on, let's get back to the hotel. I've got an idea.'
In the hotel bar area, there was a piano and a guitar. I knew how to play some of the Maroon 5 songs on guitar, She Will be Loved being one of them. Whilst Sky was having a shower up in the hotel room, I headed to the bar area.
'Mr Benedict, how are you and your wife today?' Marco, the bartender, asked with a smile.
'We are very well thanks.' I replied, returning the smile.
'Good. I heard her singing on the radio earlier. Such a fantastic song.'
'I couldn't agree more, but maybe I'm a little biased.' I laughed.
'What can I do for you, my friend?'
I looked over at the guitar on the stage. 'I don't suppose you'd let us borrow the guitar would you? Just for the afternoon.'
'For Sky Bright, the next Taylor Swift? Of course.' He beamed. 'Help yourself. Just credit me on any songs she writes here, yes?'
'Absolutely, Marco.' I laughed. 'I promise I'll bring it back later.'
When I returned back to the honeymoon suite, Sky was sat on the balcony in a floral crop top and black skirt combo. She smiled and me when she saw me and then looked at the guitar with a confused expression.
'Zed? Why do you have a guitar?'
'Because you need music for your cover.' I replied with a smile. 'I can play the music and record at the same time.'
'No.' She shook her head and I frowned. 'I want you to sing it with me. On screen.'
My eyes widened and my heart sped up. 'You know I don't perform.'
'You're not performing.' She smiled. 'You're just singing with your wife. You'd do that for me, wouldn't you?'
Was she really going to play the wife card? Apparently so. 'What's in it for me?'
'A later dinner than normal.' She purred and I felt goosebumps across all of my skin.
'Okay, deal.'
We rehearsed a few times and then I had a shower and got changed, wanting to look decent if I was going to be on Youtube. On Youtube with a thousand hits and possibly a load of negative comments. Brilliant. I set up the camera on the terrace table and we positionned our chairs so that we had a lovely view of the ocean behind us. Perfect.
'Ready?' Sky asked, leaning to press record on the camera. I nodded. 'Hi guys, it's Sky here with your weekly cover.' She said with a smile. She was definitely getting used to the regular Vlogs. 'I'm here with Zed today and we're going to sing 'She Will be Loved' by Maroon 5, live from the beautiful Hawaii. Let me know what you think.' She smiled at me and counted me in. '1, 2, 3, 4.'
I ran my fingers over the strings and I noticed she was watching me carefully as I did so. Then I swallowed my pride and started to sing.
'Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else.'
Sky took over and my body was covered with goosebumps, as it did whenever I heard her voice.
'I drove for miles and miles and wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow I want more.'
I joined in for the chorus, enjoying the sound of our voices together in perfect harmony.
'I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved.'
Sky shot me a beautiful smile, which almost made me lose my concentration as I started the next verse.
'Tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore.'
I returned the smile to Sky as she took over.
'It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along, yeah
My heart is full and my door's always open
You come anytime you want, yeah.'
I joined her again for the chorus.
'I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved.'
I nudged her with my foot, playfully, as she began to sing the next bit, closing her eyes and putting her all into it.
'I know where you hide alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are.'
I took a deep breath and hoped I wouldn't screw up the big note.
'I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls
Yeah
Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful.'
By the end of the song, I was comfortable singing with my wife by my side and it just came naturally.
'I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain, oh.
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved'
The song finished and Sky reached over and stopped recording. I put down the guitar and then Sky held up her end of the bargain. Perfect.
xx-xx-xx
Sky.
Before we knew it, it was the last full day of our honeymoon. Soon we would be heading back to reality and part of me wished that we weren't. The feedback from mine and Zed's duet was mainly positive and I couldn't help but smile when I read the comments about how 'fit' or 'sexy' he was. I completely agreed of course. That and the photo I shared on Instagram of us loved up by the beach were causing loads of gossiping on my social media pages. It seemed to have caused an uproar for the 'Sky and Ed shippers though.' Ed had left me two voicemails and had sent me around ten texts I hadn't looked at yet. I'd even lied to Zed when he asked who it was, saying that it was just Darcy trying to organise a meeting for when we got home.
'So I was thinking that maybe we should go paddleboarding.' Zed announced to me as I laid out my towel on the sunbed by the pool on that last day. I had a cocktail by my side and I was enjoying admiring Zed in his black swimming shorts, his tanned six-pack on show.
'Paddleboarding? With my track record?'
He ran a hand through his hair and I couldn't help but notice the two girls around my age swooning from the other side of the pool. I took off my sunglasses and glared at them. They gasped and got out their phones, recognising me. Nice.
'You'll be fine.' Zed said with a reassuring smile. He leaned over and kissed me softly on my lips. 'I wouldn't let anything happen to you.'
'But what if I fall in and you don't catch me quick enough?'
'Please?' He asked with his puppy eyes. I felt guilty then because we hadn't actually taken part in any watersports whilst in Hawaii and I knew he loved it. Our days were spent on hikes, exploring secret coves and waterfalls, or lounging by the pool or on the beach or making love... He hadn't been surfing or sailing or kayaking or paddleboarding.
'Okay.' I gave into the guilt. 'But if I die, you need to take care of Sally and Simon.'
An hour later and I was sat (whilst Zed stood) on a paddleboard, which was strapped to my foot. Our instructor kept on referring to me as Nervous Nellie, and I was sure that wasn't quite helping matters. Sure, he and Zed had tried to get me to stand up on my paddleboard on the flat water, but they had given up. I was happier sitting down and I was probably faster too. I looked back at the bay, feeling nervous. We were so far out, what if we were swept out into the sea, never to be seen again?
'Alright over there, Nellie?' The instructor called out to me, stopping the discussion he was having with a woman who had clearly done this before.
There was a ripple in the ocean beside me and I froze. 'Zed.' I croaked out. 'There's something over here.'
Stood up on his paddleboard, he paddled over to me, the instructor close behind. 'I don't see anything.'
I looked at the dark patch of ocean underneath me, which had been lighter a few moments previously. Something was down there and moving. Then I realised what it was.
'Oh my god, is that a whale?!' I called out just as its body came to surface four metres away from me, its tail coming down with a splash. I held on tightly to my paddleboard, trying not to fall off from the impact.
'Would you look at that!' The instructor called out, happily. 'A Hawaiian humpback whale!'
Zed grinned at me from beside me. Maybe paddleboarding wasn't so bad after all.