Bella

"What time is it?"

Edward was taken aback, and Bella found herself a little off balance, since this whole time, she'd made an effort not to study his lips or imagine how soft they would feel on hers.

She hadn't thought Edward was capable of fun, but now it was a beautiful thing to see him revert to a child-like state.

"Time?" he asked, as if she was a grown-up pulling him through a mirror, forcing him to join her back in the boring, adult world.

"We're on a schedule. And…"

"I'm kissing the teacher," he said, laughing. "Sorry," he said, clearing his throat.

"Don't be sorry. It was nice. It's just that we have a few other things to do, and…"

"And you probably shouldn't be kissing one of your students."

"Maybe not, but it's okay. Let's go to the next one. We have about 20 minutes until we have to meet back."

His eyes were still on her lips, and she wanted to give in to them.

"What is this? Sing Happy Birthday?" Edward asked as she led them to the food court and sat down at a table.

"Yes, now you sing first and then we have to go to another public area, and then I have to sing to you."

"Can we skip this one?"

"No. Why?"

"Because it's embarrassing."

"It's embarrassing because your grown-up self tells you that you care what other people think. But why? You're never going to see them again."

Bella looked down at her watch. "Come on, Edward. If you're uncomfortable with the Happy Birthday song, you can sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. How's that?" She smiled as he laughed.

"I'm not singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

"Okay, then, pretend it's my birthday and sing. It doesn't matter to me if you sing it good or bad, just as long as the words come out of your mouth."

The words came out quietly at first, and she hissed at him to sing louder, but his eyes darted around, and she noticed he was gaining quite a lot of attention. Other passengers joined in, which gave him more confidence. Edward's voice sang full and strong, in perfect pitch, and people cheered and applauded. Bella stood and curtsied. "Thank you, everyone!"

Edward's smile turned to surprise when Bella met his lips with her own. She hadn't meant to do that, but she'd been so caught up in the emotion of it and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Edward!"

They pulled apart, and the other passengers' attention returned to their own business.

Kissing him had become like an addiction, and her heart raced as she imagined how it would feel just to lose herself in him.

"Let's go!" she said, trying not to get carried away. "We have to move to another area of the ship, and then it's my turn."

He was quiet as he followed and said, "You don't have to sing to me. We're not going to win anyway, and I wouldn't make you do it."

"You're not making me do it. The point of all this is to get out of our comfort zones. Do the unexpected. Be happy, enjoy fun."

"I see. Do I get to kiss you after?"

Her smile grew as he met her lips. "I'll allow it."

They seemed to have missed the point of the following activities as somehow or another their lips ended up meeting again and again until the timer went off on her watch.

"We have to go," she said. "This workshop is supposed to be over soon, and I still have to give the closing speech."

Bella wanted to hold Edward's hand, and it appeared mutual as they walked side by side, the backs of their hands brushing against each other. When they arrived back at the class, she found that there was only one couple who still hadn't made it back, and the others were busy at the Lego station or doodling on the dry erase board. It warmed her heart to see how nicely this group of adults had taken to the activities. This was why she saved this activity for the middle of the cruise, to give people the opportunity to be a little less uptight with the agenda.

She handed out two trophies that said "Inner Child Winner" to the first couple to complete the activities, and Angela handed her the last stack of papers to pass out.

"Alright, everyone, I want to thank each and every one of you for attending today, for honoring that small urge inside yourself and indulging it. I have one last thing. You will each receive a list of agreements. We're going to recite them together, and then I would love it if you signed it at the bottom, and remember that your relationship with your inner child is not just for one afternoon. It's like any other important relationship in your life. Play often, revisit, and write letters, and continue to heal. It's a process. When you do this inner child work, you become a happier adult.

"Everyone, hold up one hand and let's read them together. Number 1. I agree to laugh when I find something funny, even when it's inappropriate—especially if it is."

This garnered many chuckles as the group read along.

"There you go. Number 2. I agree to not be so serious all the time," the group read, and her eyes darted to Edward, who kept his eyes on the paper. Yep, it was going to take more work, but at least he was on the right track.

Bella continued reading, "Number 3. I agree to feel my feelings. So, whether you're sad or happy, you will not tell yourself that it's not okay to feel them. You will simply honor it, express it, and let it go."

A few hands shot up. This was always the agreement to be challenged. She pointed to a woman at a back table who she hadn't heard from this whole workshop. "What about if it just isn't appropriate to do that?"

Bella nodded. "Then silently acknowledge how it feels in your body, and then allow it when it is. This applies to all of these because I understand we live in a grown-up world and we still have to play by the rules, but that doesn't mean that we get to shut down our feelings. Alright, everyone, number 4…"

Edward lingered, which she was quite happy about and the group lined up and thanked her. Many voiced how grateful they were and how they felt like children again. One lady even winked at her, gesturing toward Edward and saying that they looked like a nice couple, which startled Bella. It was one thing for the other participants to see Bella and Edward steal a few kisses, but a couple?

"Yes, that…was not planned."

"Even better!"

Angela was collecting the materials off the desk, glancing over at the two of them, and Bella knew her friend was just waiting for the moment when they were alone to get the details.

When Edward was the last person, Angela made an excuse to leave, and he met Bella's eyes with a vulnerability that still caught her off guard. Edward was as handsome as the devil, and her heart thumped that they were in the room alone.

"Thank you. That was surprising."

She smiled. "I take it that it was surprising in a good way."

He nodded, and she imagined that his pride prevented him from affirming it out loud. "So, would you like to go get lunch?"

She breathed a sigh. "Yes. I would love to dine with you."

"But no arguing."

Her face fell and a frown took over her lips. "Alright. If you say so."

They tried a different restaurant—this time one that served seafood, and he pulled the seat out for her and gestured for her to sit.

"I take it you're enjoying yourself," she said.

"I am. A lot more than I thought."

"Cruises and vacations are such great ways of reconnecting with yourself."

"Yes and actually Nessie and I are going on the excursion at St. Croix."

Her mouth dropped open. "Fun!"

"Well, would you like to come with us? I mean, I'm sure it would be fine with her."

She loved the idea of hanging out with Edward and Renesmee. But… "I actually have plans to leave tomorrow."

"Why?"

"It's just been a long year, and I miss home. I kind of just need some time to get back to myself."

"Oh…"

"Yeah…that's a very nice offer. I'm sure you two will have an amazing time together."

Bella had a busy life; she had her book to write, videos to film, and plans to make. Even this one month respite she was giving herself was less than the rest time she recommended for others.

Things became stale after that, and he only asked her surface questions. He'd taken this hard. And as tempting as it was to join Edward and Renesmee, Bella just didn't have it in her. It took a lot of energy to keep up with him, and though he was good-looking and appealing, she yearned to crawl back into her shell.

They parted ways after lunch, with no kiss, and Edward walked away, hands in his pockets. As he did, Bella wondered if she had made a mistake.

Angela was shocked when she relayed this to her back at the room. "Are you nuts, Bella?"

"Of course I am. You know that."

"You have this adorable, charming man with a daughter who worships you! What are the chances of that? And he wants to spend time with you?"

"It would never work out."

"You don't know that."

"He's very low vibration, Angela, you know that. I just can't go there anymore."

"Wow. What about taking chances, and having fun, and all the other things you preach? Why are you letting him get away?"

"What about that other woman at the restaurant? And he still wears a ring."

Angela rolled her eyes. It was a flimsy excuse. "Oh please. His daughter was trying to manifest you. I don't know who she was, but I doubt there was any romantic connection."

Bella knew Angela was right. She also knew that a big part of her wanted to go and run into Edward's arms and listen to him as he played his music and do all the magical things at the next port. But, she shook her head.

"I wanna go home. I've been traveling for a year. I just want to be by myself."

"You still can! Just stay for the rest of the trip. It would be good for you."

On a very deep level, she didn't agree. "I don't think it's right to start something I can't finish. It's not just Edward… " The idea of hurting Renesmee ran too deep.

"Bella…" Angela stopped herself.

"I know you're my friend and that you care, but I'm doing what's best for me right now."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Well, you are the expert on you…so, shall we go to the lido deck and have a drink?"

That sounded like a great idea. So much of her work was play, and she loved that about her life. Bella couldn't wait to move on to some rest.

Edward

He trudged back to the room, wondering how it was that he was hurt. That this woman who he'd actually opened his heart to had shut him down so quickly. It couldn't be because he had a daughter, could it?

He went back to his stateroom and changed into swim trunks, and the high he'd had all day had effectively disappeared. It was like Bella had taken it with her.

Renesmee ran to hug him when she saw him arrive at the sun lounger. "Daddy!" She hugged him, wetting him with her cool skin. "How was it?"

How was it? It was fun. But was it fun because he thought he'd made a connection?

"I had a good time."

She clapped. "Yay! What's wrong?"

Edward was not going to tell his daughter that her idol rejected him. But what had he been expecting? I mean, the whole point of speaking to Bella today was only to thank her for what she had done, allowing him to compose. He shouldn't have expected anything else. He felt like a fool even extending the offer. Besides, this cruise was about spending quality time together—just him and Nessie. None of his plans were to include Bella Swan. Besides, she was very high maintenance. Who could be that positive all the time? No, she was right. This was for the best.

The rest of the day, he tried to keep his attention on Renesmee as they sang karaoke at the lounge, as they took turns going down the slide, as they ate ice cream and told each other knock, knock jokes.

Bella was leaving. And Edward wouldn't see her again.

It was okay with him. It would be fine with Nessie. It had to be.

The next morning, he sat at the piano, for the first hour sulking about Bella leaving, but when he allowed himself, a melody began to seep through his fingers. The cleaning lady appeared, and he darted out of the lounge with music in hand, exhilarated by this new composition, even if it wasn't as happy as the other piece; it was still an expression of himself.

They were supposed to depart the ship, and Edward had reservations for parasailing and ziplining. Excitedly, the two got off the ship, and he reminded himself as Renesmee giggled that this is how it should be. Just him and her.

But, as they headed toward the car that read Parasailing tours, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Hi, there!" Bella said, and Edward sucked in a breath at the sight of her. She wore a large sunhat, glasses, and her hair had been tucked away. Wearing shorts and a flowy white top, she looked like the rest of the passengers. Oh, maybe she wanted to say goodbye. Of course.

"Bella!" Renesmee said, hugging her. "We're going to parasail! Do you want to come with us?"

Edward dreaded this. "No, honey…she…"

"Actually, I decided to stay and play. Is it okay if I join you both?"

Renesmee jumped up and down. "Yay! Yes, yes, yes!"

Bella was staying, and Edward felt that hope stir from the pit of his being. "Yes, we would love that. Party of 3," he told the driver.

Bella bit her lip, and as the driver opened the door, Edward gestured for her to enter.

Party of 3. He had no idea what this day held for them, but he couldn't wait to see.

A/N: Thanks so much for following, reading and reviewing. Stay with me for more, and check back for more. :)