*Fiddling was had. Many, many words were added after KJ cut me loose. ;) All mistakes are mine.

Song:

"Lover," Taylor Swift

Chapter 27

I've seen pictures of Venice before. The gondolas on the water, the historic buildings, the quaint cafés, and vibrant colors of the old city have always charmed me. But to see it in person is something completely … amazing. Not only does the picturesque beauty take my breath away, but so, too, do the sounds and smells of the old city.

Excitement pushes away the exhaustion we both feel after traveling for an entire day, and I'm able to enjoy the water bus ride from the airport to the drop off point near Rialto Bridge. With the glowing lights of the city dancing on the surface of the Grand Canal and the arched bridge rising above it, the ride seems almost otherworldly. My astonishment grows when we check into our hotel. Perched on the edge of the famous waterway, our room offers a private balcony with a birds-eye view of the canal below.

I can't believe this is where we'll spend half of our honeymoon.

"So, what do you think?" Edward asks, stepping up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and placing a soft kiss on my neck.

"It's magical." I turn in his arms and peer up at him. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd see it for myself."

"I'm a man of my word, baby. I told you I'd show it to you one day."

Regardless of how tired we are after traveling all day, the soft kiss he gives me quickly turns heated. It doesn't take long before he pulls me back into our room and lays me out on the giant plush bed.

I used to think cheesy romance novels depicting physical expressions of love as soul connections, as something almost celestial, were ridiculous. They were tales for the gullible, the daydreamers and romantics, because nothing could possibly be that meaningful.

I had no idea how wrong I was.

Edward and I have always been physically compatible. Like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly in every way. Every time we've made love has been an intense experience, but being with him as his wife is something else altogether. Now that I can call him my husband, it's like the intimacy we shared before is amplified. Somehow more.

Every touch, every kiss and brush of his lips or fingers holds the promise of our future together. I know that he's only mine and I'm only his. That what we have together is the kind of soul connection romance authors write about.

He's the other half of me. My forever.

With my eyes closed, I swirl my fingertips over his chest, lazily drawing random patterns on his skin. "I think I could stay right here all day," I muse. "I say we order room service and never leave this bed."

"And not explore the city we came so far to see?"

I roll over onto my back with a dramatic sigh. "Why do you have to be so reasonable?"

Even with my eyes closed, I can feel Edward hovering over me. "Because you and I both know you'll kick yourself if you spend our entire honeymoon in bed."

Opening my eyes, I meet his heated gaze. Just to mess with him, I feign irritation. "Fine."

"But maybe …"

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe we don't have to get out of bed just yet."

We spend our time in Venice exploring the city, taking romantic gondola rides and indulging in the some of best food and wine I've ever had. We also spend hours and hours wrapped up in each other, hiding away in our room overlooking the canal.

As excited as I am to move on to our next destination in the Tuscan region, I'm sad to leave behind the romance of Venice.

"I don't want to go," I say from our balcony.

Edward steps up behind me and wraps an arm around my waist. "Then we'll just have to come back here one day." He pulls me close, pressing his chest to my back and lacing his fingers with mine. "Come on. We need to go if we're going to make the train."

With a final longing look at the city I've so quickly fallen love with, I turn and follow my husband to our next adventure.

The train ride into Florence flies by in a matter of hours, and once we've confirmed our reservation for a rental car for the days we plan to drive around the countryside, we're free to explore. And just like in Venice, pictures in books and magazines couldn't accurately convey the beauty that surrounds us.

"Edward, look!" I practically drag him toward the Fountain of Neptune in the center of Piazza della Signoria. "Isn't it beautiful?" I ask him, unable to take my eyes off the centuries-old fountain.

Of course, he's seen it before, but he smiles at my enthusiasm. "It is." He steps up behind me and wraps an arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head. "Did you know it was actually commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Francesco de' Medici I and Joanna of Austria?"

"You know I'm not the history buff." I squeeze his hand where it lies over my stomach. "That's your job."

"It's actually a pretty interesting story. It was behind schedule. Pieces kept breaking. What was supposed to take a few years ended up taking fifteen. It's been vandalized and defaced so many times they had to install security just to keep it from being damaged again."

I look up at the shining white marble and the streams of water dancing over the imposing figure of Neptune in the center of the fountain and can't imagine anyone wanting to purposefully damage it.

"I'm glad they restored it. It would be a shame to let something this beautiful crumble."

"Beautiful things should be taken care of." He turns me in his arms and dips low, beneath the brim of my hat, to place a gentle kiss on my lips. "Cherished." His next kiss lasts a little longer and is a little deeper.

Lost in our tiny bubble among the throngs of other tourists, I let myself get carried away in his attentions.

With a satisfied sigh, he pulls away. "Come on. We still have a lot to see."

We spend hours walking around, and everywhere I turn there is something new to see. The history of the city and stunning architecture leaves me in a constant state of awe. Add to that the cafés, gelato shops, and eateries of every kind filling the air with an almost carnival like atmosphere, and my senses are in overdrive. The smell rolling out of a particular bakery makes my stomach growl.

Beside me, Edward chuckles. "You know, we can stop and get something."

I bite my bottom lip and look up at him from under my wide-brimmed hat. "Am I that obvious?"

"You've got a little something"—he swipes his thumb at the imaginary drool at corner of my mouth—"there."

I laugh and swat his hand away, only to grab hold of it. "Stop teasing me. It just smells so good."

He wraps his free arm around my waist and nuzzles my neck. "Not as good as you."

I close my eyes and soak up his attention. When he places a soft kiss behind my ear and pulls away, I look to him in question.

"If you're really hungry, I know a place across the river."

"You know a place, huh?"

He grins, pointing a finger at his chest as he raises an eyebrow over his sunglasses. "Your personal tour guide, Mrs. Cullen."

Butterflies swarm my stomach at my new name. "Then lead the way, husband."

Hand in hand we walk south, in the opposite direction of the Duomo, across the Ponte Vecchio and over the Arno River. When we reach the other side, we make a right and slowly meander down a quaint cobblestone street straight out of a historical novel.

Edward's pace slows when we reach a storefront on the left. Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco is written over the door. "This is it."

"Do I get a translation?"

"The White Boar. You'll love it."

And I do. Edward orders the wild boar ragu over pappardelle, and I have the strozzapreti with butter, which are delectable ricotta and spinach balls in a browned butter sauce. Combined with the wine, it's an experience for the senses I'm sure I'll never forget. Our visit is made even more memorable when the owner, Marco, comes over to greet Edward by name, as if he's an old friend.

"You make friends wherever you go, don't you?" I ask him when a jovial Marco finally retreats to chat up other guests.

He smiles against the rim of his wine glass. "You could say that."

I cross my arms on the table and lean forward. "Just how much time did you spend here when you were stationed at Aviano?"

He shrugs as he places his glass on the table. "A fair amount. I mean, the food alone kept me coming back." He motions to his empty plate and then his full belly. "Can you blame me?"

I giggle. "I guess not." Shifting, I sit back in my seat. "How many other"—I use finger quotes—"'Marcos' do you know around the world?"

"More than a few." He reaches across the table and takes my hand. "And I hope I get the chance to introduce you to a few more."

Our days in Florence are spent admiring Renaissance artwork at the Uffizi and Michelangelo's David and drinking Chianti from casks bottled locally. We watch the sun rise and set over one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen and meet some of the most fascinating and lovely people I've ever had the privilege to speak to. Our week in Tuscany is a life-changing experience that goes by all too quickly.

On the last night, as we're bundled up in the cozy bed in our villa, Edward seems more contemplative than usual. But knowing he'll speak when he's ready, I don't press him. Instead, I close my eyes and listen to his heart beating a soothing rhythm against my ear.

It doesn't take long before he shares what's on his mind.

"So …"

"So?" I lift my head and lay my arm across his chest, resting my chin there.

He draws his hand between us, settling it low on my belly. The warmth of his palm seeps into my skin and into my bones. But it's the look in his bright green eyes—uncharacteristic uncertainty—that stirs the butterflies in my stomach.

"I know we talked briefly about this a while back," he begins, his voice just a little shaky, "but I was thinking … when I get back from Balad, maybe we could talk a little more about expanding our family."

I take a breath, afraid that if I open my mouth too quickly, I'll babble about how a honeymoon baby would be perfect. As much as I'd love that—and as impossible as it is at this point—now is not the right time. And the fact that he's asking me to wait until he's home from his deployment tells me he's thought this through.

With a shaky voice of my own, I ask, "You want to wait until you're back to discuss it, or are we discussing it now?"

He licks his lips and swallows. There's a hint of a hopeful smile on his face. "Maybe we discuss it now and then put the plan into motion when I get back."

"I think … I really like the sound of that," I admit softly.

"Yeah?"

I can't fight my smile. "Yeah. I'd love to make a baby with you, Edward."

He watches his finger as he trails it along my cheek and across my lips. "Another little boy with your gorgeous smile." His warm, earnest eyes meet mine. "Or maybe it would be a girl this time?" he says with a whisper of longing in his voice.

The vision of a beautiful little girl with his bright green eyes, wild hair, and a personality that lights up the room flits through my mind.

I smile into a kiss against his lips, pulling back to meet his burning gaze. "I can't imagine anything more perfect."

Our return flight home feels like it takes forever, and I'm sure it's because two weeks is the longest I've ever been apart from my children. The only solace I have is knowing I'll see them the morning after we arrive in Phoenix.

"I know you'd rather they come home the night we get back," Edward said when I whined about missing them. "I miss them, too. But you're going to be happy for that night to sleep. Trust me; jet lag is a bitch."

And when we finally land in Phoenix, I have to concede that he was right. I barely have the energy to walk from our gate to baggage claim where Rose is waiting for us.

"Welcome home, guys," she says, grabbing me in an enthusiastic hug and swaying us back and forth. "How was your flight?"

"Good."

"Good but long," Edward clarifies, kissing Rose on the cheek. "And thanks for picking us up."

"Oh, it's my pleasure," she says, releasing me and looping her arm through mine. "I want to be the first to hear all about your trip. I'm selfish that way."

I snort a laugh and lay my heavy head on her shoulder as we walk to the luggage carousel. "Don't ever change, Sis."

The boys are over the moon excited about the soccer jerseys we brought back for them. They're even more excited when we surprise them with a planned trip to Disneyland.

"Are you serious?" Jacob shouts as he pulls the set of Mickey ears out of the gift bag we handed him.

Seth, meanwhile, is jumping around like the crazy, wild child he is. "I can't wait! When do we go? Are we leaving tomorrow?"

Laughing, Edward grabs ahold of him and pulls him onto his lap. "Not tomorrow. It'll be in a couple of weeks. I need to finish up some things at work and set up the new guy who's taking my job, then I'm all yours for three whole weeks."

The smile I wear is genuine, but at the mention of his time left at home, my heart squeezes. The moments we have together before he leaves are numbered. All too soon, the man I've pledged my future to will be on a plane to Iraq.

I know we'll survive it … I'm just not sure I will.

"You never cease to take my breath away."

I catch Edward's reflection in the mirror as I slip an earring into my ear. "Oh yeah?"

"Definitely."

I eye him from head to toe as he walks into our bedroom. Wearing dress slacks and a button down shirt under his blazer, he's breathtaking in his own right. "You clean up pretty good yourself, Lieutenant Colonel."

He wraps an arm around my waist and nuzzles my neck. "And you smell fucking edible."

I close my eyes and sigh, reveling in the moment. "Can we just stay here tonight? I don't think I'm in the mood to share you."

"If we could skip out on it, I would, but … yeah, I need to go. Everyone's going to be there tonight. It would be bad form for the guest of honor to skip his own party."

"Fine," I say with a sarcastic sigh, pulling out of his arms and stepping over to the closet to slip into my heels. "But we don't have to stay late, do we?"

He holds out a hand to me and I take it. "Nope. Dinner, maybe a speech or two extolling my extraordinary leadership with the accompanying SLPs, of course, then—"

"SLPs?"

"Shitty little plaques. I have a collection. I'll have to show you some time."

I snort a laugh. "I'm sure they're fascinating."

He grins. "Something like that."

"Okay, so after we eat and you get your shitty little plaques, then …"

"Then we get our asses back home." He pulls me to his chest and wraps both his arms around me. "Baby, we have a kid-free house tonight, and I definitely want to take advantage of it."

"Then lead the way, Vamp. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can come home."

"I like the way you think."

The farewell party at the Officers' Club isn't as informal as the previous events I've been to on base, but it's not a formal thing, either. Everyone is dressed nicely, dinner and drinks are served, and as Edward said there would be, a couple of speeches are given … along with commemorative plaques. Some of his squadron members gift him with going away gifts. He receives no less than three sand wedge clubs.

"Being in the sandbox is no reason not to keep up your game, Cullen," shouts one of the men I recognize from the ball last year.

Later, Ben and Peter each give him wrapped gifts with a whispered warning to open them at home.

"Why at home?" I ask Angela and Charlotte as I watch Edward tuck the packages under the table.

Charlotte looks my way and smirks. "Trust me, you don't want to open those here with the higher-ups watching."

"And one of those has something in it for you," Angela says, bumping her shoulder to mine.

I laugh, but the good humor I'm feeling wanes a little bit as I watch Edward with his men. The way they go from laughing to solemnly recounting their time together is bittersweet. I know how much he's enjoyed his time here at Luke. It has to be so hard to build relationships, solid friendships, knowing you'll be moving on in such a short period of time.

"How do you guys do it?" I ask them, still staring at my husband.

Charlotte loops her arm through mine. "You just do. You love them and support them and remind them you're here waiting for them."

Angela grabs my other arm and lays her head on my shoulder. "And you lean on us to help you get through it. The first deployment is always the hardest. You'll have your family here while he's gone. And you have Alice. You have us. Not everyone has that kind of support. We won't let you down, Bella. You've got all of us to help you get through it."

"So, what did you get?" I ask from the doorway as he peeks into the gift bags.

He reaches into the first bag, pulling out a black bundle of fabric and holding it up. He snickers and turns it around to show me.

SEXUALLY DEPRIVED FOR YOUR FREEDOM is emblazoned in bold white letters across the chest of the soft, hooded sweatshirt, along with the Air Force emblem.

"I have no doubt Angela had some input on these," he says, still chuckling.

"These? There's more than one?" I ask, looking over his shoulder as he reaches into the bag and pulls out another black bundle.

He hands me the other hoodie. "Unless they expect me to waste away to nothing while I'm over there so that one fits me, it must be for you."

I take it with a grin. "I'll be sure to thank them for thinking of me." I curl up beside him on the bed. "What did Peter get you?"

He reaches into the second gift bag and pulls out a box, chuckling. "Of course, Nasty would be the one to get me something like this." I snort a laugh as he holds up the fleshlight. He tosses it on the bed beside him with a sigh. "It's not like I can even take it with me, but I guess it's the thought that counts."

I push aside the box and empty gift bags and crawl over him, straddling his lap. "Does that mean I need to make sure you've got a steady supply of lotion in the care packages we send?"

"You can." His grin widens. "Gotta keep Rosie Palmer and all her sisters soft and hydrated."

"I promise you'll have the softest hands in the desert."

His hands land on my hips as his smile fades from his face. "As nice as that sounds, we both know it's just not the same."

"No, I guess not," I say softly.

"Nothing can replace the feeling of having you in my arms, Bella."

I press my forehead to his and close my welling eyes. "I'm really going to miss you."

"I'm not gone yet. So, let's not waste any time." He uses his weight to roll us over so that he's the one looming over me. "Or the empty house."

You are cordially invited to a
Change of Command Ceremony

Lt. Col. Edward A. Cullen

Will relinquish command of
309th fighter squadron to

Lt. Col. Micheal Dennis

Friday the 2nd of May
Two thousand and eight
At eleven o'clock in the morning

Reception to follow

Edward's change of command is on a warm and sunny day in May. Inside the hangar, the plane Edward has flown since he took his place at Luke is parked behind and to the side of a low stage, and rows of chairs are set up for the members of his squadron to observe the ceremony. Aside from the boys and me, everyone is dressed in uniform. And there's no denying the buzz of excitement in the air.

From our place in the front row, the boys and I watch as Edward and a few fellow officers take the stage where he's commended for a job well done. Following the others' speeches, Edward delivers his own, thanking his squadron for the honor of serving with them.

I briefly wonder if I'm the only one who hears the slight rasp in his voice.

When the first sergeant brings out the guidon flag and hands it to Edward, I'm unprepared for the surge of emotion I feel.

If not for his assignment here at Luke, we likely would have never met. My life would have never changed so drastically. I wouldn't have found my new happiness.

That chapter of our lives is closing, and the next one is beginning far too soon.

Tears well in my eyes as I watch him pass the flag to the general.

"I relinquish command." After Edward salutes and steps to the side, the new commander steps into my husband's place, accepting the symbolic flag and assuming his command of the men and women of the squadron.

After exchanging a salute with the new commander, the general turns to the crowd and announces, "I present to you senior officer Lieutenant Colonel Michael Dennis."

With those simple words, Edward is officially relieved of his duty at Luke Air Force Base. And once all the speeches are given and the ceremony is concluded, he finds us in the crowd. He's smiling, but behind the relief I see in his eyes, there's also an underlying sadness.

"Hey, guys," he says to the boys as he opens his arms to them.

"You okay?" I ask softly, fully understanding the conflicted feelings he must be having, handing over the group of men and women he's worked with for the past two years.

So many emotions flash across his face. But he pushes away whatever threatens to cast a shadow over the day and smiles down at the boys. "I'm more than okay. I'm great now. And I'm all yours."

"Hey," I say from our bedroom doorway. "Both the boys need new swim trunks, so we're going to run to the mall."

He looks up from what he's reading. "Do you want me to come with you?"

I shake my head as I walk toward him. "No, I've got this. The last thing I need to subject you to is clothes shopping with them. Besides," I say, pointing at what's in his hands, "you look engrossed in whatever that is."

He sighs and tosses the binder on the bed. "I'm just going over my packing checklist to make sure I don't forget anything."

Pushing away the sinking feeling in my stomach, I nod. "Do you need me to pick anything up for you?"

He grabs me by the waist when I'm close enough and tilts my chin up, placing a kiss on my lips. "I just need you to hurry home."

Our trip to JCPenney is painless enough. We're in and out in less than an hour. So quickly, in fact, the boys convince me to reward them for their stellar behavior with a stop in the food court.

"Come on, Mom." Seth grabs my hand and tugs me toward the center of the mall. "The least we deserve is a pretzel."

"The least, huh?" I ask with a laugh.

"Yes. And maybe some cheese dip. Oh! And lemonade!"

While they're both enjoying their treats, I scan the stores in the distance. When my gaze lands on a familiar specialty store, the wheels in my head start turning.

"Hey, boys?" They both look up at me. "How do you feel about making one more stop before we go home?"

Jacob sighs and Seth groans. I get similar grumbles of "Do we have to?" from both of them.

"But it's for Edward," I add.

Their eyes meet across the table, and I can see them having a silent conversation. It doesn't take long for first Seth and then Jacob to nod and turn to me. "Okay," my oldest says for both of them. "If it's for Edward, we're in."

Leave it to Seth to have the last word, though. "But can we get dessert?"

Our week at Disney is nothing short of blissful. To see Edward with the boys, all of them so happy and carefree, is enough to make me wish I could steal him away and forget he has to leave us at the end of the month.

But for now, together with the magic of this place, I try not to think about what happens when we go home.

"Again! Please?" Bouncing around us, Seth grabs Edward's arm and tries to tug him back to the line for the Orange Stinger. "We have to do that again!"

"Again? Once wasn't enough?"

"No. That was so much fun. And look," he says, pointing at the short line, "we can get back on super fast, too."

Laughing, Edward looks my way. "You game to get on this again?"

I look over at Jacob. "Jake? Do you want to ride it again?"

He shakes his head and looks up from studying the park map. "No. But can we get a churro?"

"Yeah, we can do that." I turn to my husband and overly excited son. "You two go ahead. We'll check the map and see what Jacob wants to do next … as soon as we find him a churro."

With a kiss and a promise to meet them at a bench near the exit, I watch Edward and Seth get back in line.

Thankfully, it doesn't take us long to find a cart and get Jacob his churro. With the sweet treat in hand, we find a bench close to the exit of the swings.

"Are you having fun?" I ask him as we sit.

"Yeah," he says around a mouthful of sugary dough.

"Do you know what you want to ride next?"

He's quiet for a moment before he asks just loud enough for me to hear, "What do you think Edward would want to ride?"

His question gives me pause. "I'm not sure," I say slowly. "Why don't you want to pick what you want to do?"

He shrugs. "He's going to be somewhere not fun for a long time. I thought it would be nice for him to pick what we do next."

With tears in my eyes and so much love in my heart it feels like it may burst, I wrap an arm around my son's shoulders and pull him into a side hug. "You're one special young man, do you know that?"

"Mom," he whines, but he doesn't pull away.

"Don't. Just … give me this moment, okay?"

"Yeah," he says with a sigh. "Okay."

And as we watch the people passing, hear the sounds of laughter and absolute joy surrounding us, one distinct and familiar voice rises above the others.

"Edward, I feel like I'm flying!"

Even over the noise of the crowd I can hear Edward's responding laughter. Like all the other moments of the past week, I close my eyes and file it away for when I need happy memories to get me through the rough days I'm sure are coming.

Eventually, a smiling Seth drags an equally happy looking Edward toward us. "Did you see me, Mom?"

"I did," I reply with a smile. "Was it as fun as the first time?"

"Uh huh." His bright eyes travel to the line once more. "Maybe we can—"

Edward gently jostles his shoulder. "Come on, Seth, we told Jacob he could pick the next ride." He turns his attention on my oldest. "So, what's next?"

Jacob looks up at Edward, squinting against the harsh glare of the sun. "Whatever you want to ride is okay with me."

"Whatever I want, huh?"

My son stands from the bench and tucks his copy of the park map into his pocket. "Yeah." He shrugs. "As long as we're together, I don't care what we do."

Edward loops an arm around Jake's shoulders and pulls him close, briefly closing his eyes and quickly kissing the top of Jake's head. "I love you, kid."

A/N: Anyone else ready to book their trip to Italy? Gah! That's a dream vacay right there. But only if I can have an Edward as my personal tour guide. ;) And sweet Jake. He's grown up so much since this story began. *sigh* I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

FFN still isn't sending out emails, so to hear from you by way of a review so I know people are reading would be fantastic.

I had a reviewer ask about the Eras Contest I was pimping last week. If you search for the contest by author in the drop down search bar on FFN, type in: The Eras Contest Reputation 24. We currently have five entries and will be accepting more through September 2, 2024. And if you're a writer—or have thought about dipping your toe into the writing waters— we'd love to read your words! Write for us! And if you're not a writer, be sure to show the authors some love and read and review and be sure to vote for your favorite when the time comes.

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Lots of love
~Sunshine