Edward

Edward rented goggles and fins on their first excursion and was amazed by how Nessie took to the water like a mermaid. They snorkeled the turquoise waters, viewing the 360 degree underwater aquarium where colorful fishes of all shapes and sizes darted in and out of the coral reef and seagrass waved to them from below. Their guide led them to a pair of sea turtles, and Edward snapped photos of the creatures with Nessie giving a thumbs up. Edward had been enjoying the atmosphere, the sand between his toes, and the warmth of the water. The climate, despite its humidity, invited them to play.

His composition played in his head, providing a soundtrack to their experience. He hadn't seen Bella, but he wanted to. Ever since he'd woken up, he'd had her in his head.

When it was time to board the ship, he put his arm around Nessie and kissed the top of her forehead. This was just what they needed. Despite his reservations about taking this trip, it had helped them restore their connection. Back at their room and much needed showers, he saw that he had a message flashing on the phone. Nessie was getting dressed in the other room as he listened to the message.

"Hi, Edward and Renesmee. You two looked like you had fun today. I'm so glad, I just wanted to wish you both a very happy time and that you enjoy the rest of your cruise."

This was odd. She was wishing them well as if there was no chance of seeing her again. Was she departing the cruise?

Their next port of call had an airport, but now with a pang he wondered if she wasn't just there to fulfill her obligation onboard the ship and then leave.

Throughout dinner, he was rattled by this thought, looking around for Bella, wanting to see her again. Should he email again? Maybe it was better—more peaceful this way. All they did was argue and upset one another anyway…

He asked his steward to leave a message for her…he couldn't let her leave without thanking her properly…the piano gesture was too big and had meant too much for a simple thanks.

He wrote out the message, asking if they could meet. But by the next day when he hadn't received a response, he wondered if that was the last he would see of her.

They'd set out on their excursion, but he still had Bella in the back of his mind.

When they got back, he searched the activities that she was facilitating, finding one for the next day. Day 5-Inner Child Healing Workshop. He signed up for the last spot, with no intention of staying but rather to simply thank her in person.

He showed up to the same room where he'd donned that Goofy hat, and she had introduced herself as Feather Bella… how far they'd come since then…

Edward's gaze darted around the room, but he didn't see her. He stood by the doorway, hoping to catch her at the entrance. Her friend—the same one with the glasses who'd given the book to Renesmee—made the announcement that they would be beginning soon.

He approached her, saw that her name was Angela. "Hi, I was hoping I could speak with Miss Swan…"

"She'll be here any moment, then we'll begin."

"No…I don't want to participate, I just want to talk to her."

He heard Bella's voice from behind. "What's this? Edward, I'm so happy you made it. This is going to be so good for you!"

A few people came up to greet her, and Edward shook his head. "No. I'm not staying."

Angela glanced down at her clipboard. "But, your name is on the list."

"Yes. But I just…"

Bella held up her hand. "Well let's get started then, shall we? Everyone please find a seat."

Edward angled his body away from the tables. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Among all the shuffling and the chatter, she looked at Edward. "Stay for the workshop…and then we'll talk if you'd like…after."

He wanted to get out of there. The tables had notepads, big sheets of paper and paints, and teddy bears on them. He'd already attended a workshop of hers, and he was ready to flee the room.

Her hand reached out to his elbow, and there it was again—that static, that buzz, that energy he felt from the last time he took her by the hand. "Stay," she whispered. Bella gestured to an open table at the front, and at last he took it. As luck would have it, he was alone at the table set for two, wishing that his daughter was there.

"Welcome, everyone. I'm so glad to see you here. Raise your hand if you've attended one of my workshops on the ship."

Edward looked around and saw a number of hands go up, the majority. His hand went up, reluctantly, and he hoped there would be no partner activities.

"Very good. For those who don't know me, I'm Bella Swan. Welcome to Healing Your Inner Child. How many here know who your inner child is?" A group of hands shot up, and he didn't know for sure how to answer. "Okay, well, thank you for taking this time to show your inner child that you care…and that you intend to heal…"

Edward really wanted to run out of there. What if Bella began spouting things about bad parenting? Playing the old record about blaming parents and so forth? He didn't know if he could sit through it.

"So, everyone, we're going to take a few deep breaths, then we're going to get our serious adult business out of the way…and then we're going to play."

He'd kept up. When Bella prompted them to write in the journal…who I always wanted to be, she timed them for 2 minutes, and then told them they could go back to it. She then directed them to start a new page and asked them who you are, and timed them for another 2 minutes to free write. She then asked them to address that inner child as if he/she were a true smaller version of themselves standing before them, in the form of the teddy bear. Finally, she instructed them on a new page to him or her, how to be more child-like and how to consider further about going back to who they wanted to be.

"I have a question," one person said.

"Yes?"

"What if I'm just not that person anymore? I'm an adult now and what if I can't make that connection?"

"If this class didn't appeal to you on some level, you wouldn't be here."

Edward wanted to say it hadn't appealed to him at all, but instead he listened to the man's response. "My wife made me come."

"I see. When we resist, then we have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves…as well as the what and the why we are resistant to it. So, if you're content with who you are now, and you think none of this applies to you, I'm going to ask you to write a letter to yourself. Pick an age, a memorable one, where you see yourself as a child and wish you could go back to…or maybe there was some conflict or unfinished business."

"I had a great childhood. There's no point. I grew up, I live a great life. End of story."

She smiled, but she didn't look convinced. "Congratulations. Then maybe you can simply write a letter to your adult self, say whatever you want, and then stay and play."

The man sighed, appearing very much how Edward was feeling.

He was glad when that part was over, but they were asked to pair up and handed a sheet of paper and a pencil. Next, they were taking part in a 2-part activity. First up, a scavenger hunt.

"Anybody remember this? Approaching complete strangers and asking them for something on a list? I can see that most of you have done this before, and if you haven't, you're in for a treat. There is a prize, and as we're all adults, I'm sure each one of us has either a phone or watch in your possession. This ship is over 1100 feet with 10 decks, and I'm asking you to collect 10 items and meet back here to receive the next set of instructions. A few rules: When you approach someone, you have to say that you're on a scavenger hunt. To be fair, each player should contribute an equal number. 10 items means 5 each. The team who completes all tasks first wins!"

Hoots came from the tables behind him, and while Edward didn't relish the idea of approaching complete strangers, he was also happy to be excluded from the activity. He remained seated as everyone was provided a clipboard, a list, and a canvas bag for to collect their items.

"Edward? Are you ready?"

"I guess I'm sitting this one out," he told her. "My partner's not here." He wished, at that moment, that his daughter had been.

"No worries," she said with a smile. "Angela?"

Angela approached them. "I'll stay to verify their lists and give the next instructions, Bella. You go with Edward."

Bella looked from Angela to Edward. "If that's alright with you, Edward, I'll be your partner."

Edward smiled as he felt excitement well up. "Fine," he said, trying to add a grudging tone.

"Come on, it will be fun."

"You're playing?" a man asked Bella, pointing to her and then to Edward. "That's not fair."

"What? I'm not allowed to have fun? No worries. I am excluded from winning any prizes, and I didn't make up this list, so neither Edward nor myself have any advantage."

They agreed reluctantly, and Angela set the timer as excited chatter rose around the room. "Alright boys and girls, ready, set, go! Be back here in one hour!"

Some of the pairs took off, running, and Bella laughed. Edward walked by her hesitantly.

"Are you disappointed that you don't get to win, Edward? Or are you willing to play for the fun of it?" Her brow shot up, and she was issuing him a challenge.

"Let's do this."

"Okay, let's do this."

They'd scanned the items on the list, and she pointed to the 3rd item. "A paper cup," she said. "Let's hit the food court."

"Bella, I just wanted to talk to you…about the matter of the piano…"

"Later…and really, there's nothing to talk about."

"I just wanted to thank you."

She smiled but her pace picked up as they strolled the deck. People were looking at them as they hurried past. "The only thanks I want, Edward, is that you're taking advantage of it."

"No…but it means so much…"

"I get it. But this is about you. And what you need. That's what this workshop is about."

Why was it that he wanted to kiss her so badly? That she had managed to break through the wall of hostility he'd created. No, he didn't agree with all her beliefs and assertions. No, he wasn't crazy about taking part in a silly scavenger hunt. Yet, he very much liked that she was there, within reach, that her warmth was there, that no matter what he threw at her, she continued with a smile. Yes, he very much wanted to tell her that his lips wanted hers at that moment. With a giggle, she took off in a sprint towards the small restaurant that served Chinese food.

"We're on a scavenger hunt. Can we have a cup?" She showed the man behind the counter the list and he nodded.

"Bella…"

She handed it to Edward to put in the sack. "Your turn, or do you want me to find the first 5 and then you? Or no, maybe we should take turns?"

"Bella…I…" His eyes darted to the list. She was focused on her task.

"It's true we can't win, but we at least have to try," she said.

"A ping pong ball," Edward said. "Okay, that's the sports deck."

Their eyes met, and he was taken by the shine in her eyes, but her gaze darted away. She bit her lip. "Race ya!"

Before he could process, he saw she was several feet away, and he turned around to head back toward the elevator.

When he entered, he encountered Nessie, Joseph, and his mom. Edward was out of breath.

"What are you doing?"

Edward held up the list, wishing the elevator could go faster. He desperately wanted to beat her to the ping pong tables. "Scavenger hunt."

"Fun!" Joseph's mom exclaimed.

He mused at how Nessie would be thrilled to know that Bella was his partner. Yet, he didn't dare bring it up to her. When the doors whooshed open, he spotted the ping pong tables over 50 feet away. But as he ran towards them, Bella emerged from the door beside them and quickly swept up a small, white ball.

"Got it!" she said with a victorious smile.

"Hey! We're supposed to be a team."

She handed him the ball and he dropped it inside the bag. "We are…I'm just quicker than you."

They found the remaining items, in competition with the other couples and also with each other. Angela smiled at the two of them when they returned, verified the contents of their bag, and then handed them the next list. "Now go!"

Edward looked at the list. They now had to perform actions. With a list of 10 things to do, they either had to alternate or both perform each action.

"Number one. In the fitness room, you will find a jump rope. Jump rope 10 times while your partner counts."

"Okay, we've got this. let's go," she said. She was barely out of breath by the time she got to the 10th.

The next activity sent them to the theater to grab a container of popcorn and stuff their mouths full with kernels. Edward nearly choked, and Bella patted his back and gave him water.

The 3rd activity was a water balloon toss, and he found that little Miss flawless perfect Bella couldn't catch one to save her life, ending up a wet mess. He especially liked how the wet white linen top clung to her skin.

And by the last activity, Bella kept her hands behind her back as Edward had to feed her grapes, yogurt, or ice cream.

"What's the point in this activity? Feeding you?" Edward asked.

"Does there have to be a point? Now come on. Haven't you ever had someone throw food and you catch it in your mouth? It's all in fun. Or do you want me to feed you?"

"Nah. I've got this."

Bella chose the grapes, and he noticed how she didn't rush to chew and swallow, rather savoring the flavor as she did at dinner time.

"Your inner child is taking a long time to chew."

"Edward, we're not going to win anyway, so why not just enjoy?"

He couldn't stop thinking about it. There was one thing he would really enjoy right now. Swept up by Bella's yummy noises and the temptation of her seated there with closed eyes, chin held up invitingly—this seemed much more of a flirtation, and Edward couldn't help himself.

Instead of grapes, he met her mouth with his lips, placing his hands on her cheeks. She made a noise at first, but then her fingers curled around his neck, her lips quickly molding to his. The electricity buzzed through him as she pressed herself closer and he threaded his fingers into the silk of her hair.

"Ooooo!"

Their eyes darted open to find that a man and his wife, one of the competitors, were now pointing a finger at them.

"Unfair advantage!"

Bella smiled, her skin now pink and flushed. "Don't worry. Edward here isn't winning anything either."

They rose, and the couple rushed off. Suddenly, in no hurry to get back, he offered her his hand, and she took it. That was when he decided that what he had won was much more valuable than any prize.

A/N: I'm still playing catch up, and thanks to my beta as well as to the readers, followers, and reviewers. Stay tuned for part 2, and thanks for reading and following!