A/N: Welcome
I have been a reader here for years and years. I have had ideas for stories in my head and finally decided to put one down.
This story is finished, I will post weekly.
All characters belong to S. Meyer
All mistakes are mine
Chapter 1
"Alice"
"What?, I want you to come with me, as my plus one, besides, Jasper can't come, he left for L.A. this morning, he won't be back in time".
"I can't just pack up and leave the country with two days' notice".
"Bella, you're a nurse, you practically make your own schedule, can't you switch around with someone? Plus, you work too much, you never take time off, you deserve a little vacation time".
"Well that I won't argue with, but being your plus one to your cousins wedding isn't exactly the dream vacation I'm thinking of".
"It will be great, you'll see. My parents will be there and they love you. I know you've never met Rosalie before, but we grew up together, practically sisters. Please Bella, I have a really good feeling about this".
"oh, put those sad begging puppy dog eyes away", I tell her laughing.
"I mean, no promises, I'll have to see if I can switch three shifts with someone".
Alice does a weird little clap while bouncing in her seat.
"This is going to be so much fun".
"If I can switch with someone".
"Anyway, thanks for bringing lunch, but I gotta get back upstairs". I say as I get up from the table in the courtyard to throw away by trash.
I hug Alice and let her know I'll text her later.
XXX
"Welcome to the Island and to the Seafire Resort".
"Thank you".
Alice and I get checked into our room, an absolutely gorgeous room with perfect views of the Caribbean Sea.
"Oh my God, this place is beautiful", I stated while Alice lays back on the bed she chooses for herself.
"I know right, Rose chose well, this is the perfect place for a destination wedding".
"Tell me more about your cousin Rosalie and her fiancé, Emmett isn't it"?
"Yes, like I said, we grew up together, same age and all, our mothers are sisters. She is an attorney. She met Emmett a few years ago, he owns a gym".
"They live in Seattle right"?
"Yes"
"Well, what is on the agenda for the rest of the day"?
"Honestly, not much, I'm planning on heading to the pool, gotta soak in the sun while I can".
"Well you go ahead, I can't get fried my first day here, you have seen me, right? This skin screams Washington state", I say laughing.
"Well, that's what they invented sunblock for".
"Oh, I plan to leave here with a tan, I just want to ease into it. I think I'm going to take a walk around the resort, get a little lay of the land".
"Ok, meet you back here later? We can head downstairs for some dinner and drinks".
"Sounds good".
I grab my sunglasses, book and head out. This island is stunning, there are tropical plants and flowers along the pathway. Every so often, winding off to an alcove are romantic cabanas or comfortable looking lounge chairs.
I find an empty cabana and pull out my book.
"Excuse me ma'am".
I look up to find one of the resort waiters.
"Can I interest you in a cocktail"?
What the hell, I order something frozen and fruity. The don't worry about how many calories I'm drinking kind of goodness you crave while at the beach.
With my drink in my hand, my book splayed on my pulled-up knees, I can't help but take a deep breath of salty sea air and just exhale.
When was the last time I even felt relaxed?
God, I feel like all I ever do is work and sleep. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. Being a nurse has fulfilled me more than I ever thought it would, but the things I see and do every day in ICU, sometimes just leaves my faith in humanity, shattered. Other days, I am overwhelmed with relief for a life I know absolutely nothing about.
But for the next several days, I want to let all of that go. I am in a beautiful place, here to celebrate what I'm sure will be a beautiful wedding.
XXX
I'm sipping on my drink, struggling to focus on reading for pleasure whilst in paradise, when I hear a few guys laughing and teasing each other, clearly somewhere close to my hidden cabana.
"Listen little brother, you need to get out more. How are you ever going to find a woman if all you do is work and sleep huh"?
"Em, come on, ladies love pilots, right"? The self-depreciating tone coming from this guy surprises me. I strain to listen as they must have sat down on the bench next to my cabana.
"Edward"
"No Emmett, look, I know I've been a little closed off since I've been back, but things are settling down. I really love my new job and the team has welcomed me with open arms, made me feel at home. The transition to stateside is just a little more intense that I expected. Going out every night, looking for a meaningless hookup, I don't know man, it's just not a priority right now".
At this point, I'm left feeling really awkward for eavesdropping on this brothers' conversation. To make matters worse, I heard the guy say Emmett. Wait, isn't that Rosalie's fiancé's name?
I don't make a sound, terrified I will be caught, even though it was never my intention to catch this private conversation.
"Alright, alright, message received loud and clear". Emmett says with a laugh.
"I'm getting married bro, you can't blame me for wanting to see my little brother happy for once".
"I appreciate your concern, and I am still shocked Rose puts up with your ass", he laughs
"But I am very happy for you both, you got lucky man".
At this I hear what I imagine is the standard half hug, back slap thing all guys do together, then Emmett laughs.
"You know what they say about weddings right"?
At this I hear the other guy half groan, half laugh in obvious exasperation with his brother, this however, doesn't deter Emmett in the slightest.
"Women eat this shit up, get all sentimental, dreaming about when they will find Mr. Right. I'm just saying, there's a single bridesmaid, that Victoria is a real ball buster", he says with a laugh.
His brother just laughs, as not to encourage this any further, then I hear, "Get out of here man, aren't you supposed to be meeting up with Rose at the spa"?
"Oh yeah, couples' massage", Emmett says all suggestive.
If I didn't know any better, I would have pinned Emmett as the younger brother.
I didn't hear the others reply, but I hear Emmett talking as he walks further away, saying he will see him later for drinks before dinner.
I continue to keep quiet, making sure my presence isn't revealed. After a few minutes of silence, I assume the other guy has walked away. I take a deep breath and turn the page of my book. When I look up, I lock eyes with deep green and I simultaneously jump.
"HOLY SHIT"!