Edward

Renesmee's smile never left her face, and though he was giddy himself at Bella's presence, he didn't dare make any assumptions. They didn't touch each other, and Ness always stayed between them. He was not going to make the mistake of trying again because even if she decided to stay for one more day, she was right. She was so different from him. In a good way, but this wasn't sustainable for a relationship, was it?

She played like a child, racing Nessie to the boat, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd heard Nessie laugh this much. Bella's eyes seemed to avoid his, and he wondered if she was thinking this as well. But she had been so firm on going home. Why had she decided to stay? Wouldn't it have been a cleaner cut the way it was? She had already advised for Nessie to stop manifesting her and now wasn't this all contrary to her advice? Her showing up this way, making their party a family activity.

"I'm so glad you joined us, Bella!" Renesmee said, resting her head on her shoulder.

"Me too! This is so much fun! Thanks for having me."

He wanted to ask her if she was still departing soon, maybe spend a few hours with them…take a later flight. Edward didn't know how else to feel about this woman—other than that she was luminous and that her smile did things to his heart…things that had been buried since Rose had died.

She took pictures of Edward and Renesmee parasailing, had gotten one of them with both mouths open, and she was showing them later over lunch.

"So, now what?" Nessie asked.

"Zip lining," Edward said.

Bella blurted, "I'll take pictures."

"Don't tell me you're afraid."

She lifted her shoulders. "I have a fear of heights."

"That's okay," Nessie said.

Edward shook his head. Miss Carpe Diem here…"And what about getting out of your comfort zone?"

"I have limits, Edward. Everyone does."

He couldn't help himself and he started clucking like a chicken, and both Nessie and Bella's mouths gaped at him.

"Are you calling me a chicken?" Bella said.

"If it walks like one and clucks like one…"

"Edward! This is a legitimate fear!"

"I dare you to zipline," he said. What was she going to say? That he was acting like a child? "I double dare you to zipline."

Bella looked at Renesmee, shaking her head. "I guess I'm doing this."

After she was secured in the harness, looking down at the number of feet below, he recognized the whitish tint to her face. Bella was shaking her head, and here he was seeing that her confident exterior had diminished.

"It's gonna be okay," Nessie said, looking behind her. This was her first time, and she should've been scared but her focus was on Bella. "Don't look down. It's gonna be great!" She was released and he watched as her daughter was projected across the way.

"See? No problem!" Nessie said, waving from the other side. "You got this, Bella."

Her chest was rising and falling. "You go first, Edward."

"No way. After all the things you had me do on the ship, I'm not giving you an out."

She stepped forward, and her eyes were closed. "I don't wanna do this, Edward. I'm scared."

"I triple dog dare you," he said.

Her hands held the cords with a death grip and she muttered curses under her breath. The man lead her to the edge. "It will be fun. Trust me."

She nodded. "I trust. I trust." Her voice sounded out in a bloody scream as she traversed the distance, and he hoped that his playful goading hadn't resulted in ruining the rest of the trip.

When she landed, Nessie gave her a high five, at which she turned to Edward and flashed a brilliant smile.

This was a first for him as well, and as the trees and scenery zipped past him, the breath left his body, shooting through the air like a cannonball. When he met them on the other side, he couldn't erase the smile from his face.

"I can't believe you did it," Edward told her as they headed towards the taxi.

"You triple dog dared me! I didn't have a choice."

Renesmee took her by the hand. "That was so fun! What should we do next?"

"Well, if there are no other death-defying activities on the agenda, why don't we hang out at the beach? I don't think my heart can handle any more excitement."

They agreed, and Edward set out some towels on the sand as Nessie dipped her foot in the water. "It's warm!" she shouted. "Come in!"

Bella sprinted to her and took her by the hand, and Edward's heart felt full as he watched his daughter and Bella jumping waves and then splashing each other.

But what if…? What if Bella had no intention of taking this relationship any further? What if this was just a tease? Wouldn't Nessie be heartbroken? It just wasn't right to lead her on, but Edward decided to stop thinking so much and enjoy the moment.

"Daddy! Come on!" Nessie called out.

Bella's arm waved him forward. "Come on! The water is amazing!"

He couldn't resist. He left their belongings on the sand as well as his worries there with it. This was life, right here, right now. And he was going to live it.

Later when it was time to return, he still wondered if Bella had only postponed her flight and was still going to leave, but he held the question in his mouth. The last thing he wanted was to poison this memory. The perfect day. Wasn't this the most ideal scenario?

Her wet hair was slicked down and stuck to the back of her shoulders, Renesmee's nose and cheeks were red, and they'd all gotten their share of the sun. But, he didn't make any assumptions as they headed back to this ship.

"Do you want to join us for dinner?" Nessie asked.

Bella exhaled. "I think after a nice shower, I'm going to lie down for a bit."

"Oh…okay. Can we meet later?"

She smiled. "That would be nice. If that's okay with you, Edward."

His brows shot up, as they'd not had the chance to speak privately, and he told himself he would stop assuming. "That's fine." Though he said it casually, his heart was waiting to burst. But, this was dangerous territory. If she wasn't in it for keeps, this wasn't a game she should be playing.

They boarded, and Renesmee hugged her again. They parted ways, and she promised she would text him. And he really hoped she would.

Bella

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun. She'd canceled her flight, and allowed herself to play, because who was she if she didn't practice what she preached?

She adored Renesmee, and the dynamic with the three of them. And Edward…his smile…his lips, she wanted him. It was something that became harder and harder to ignore. She was glad that Nessie was there because they might've just spent the whole day doing God knows what, and as appealing as that sounded, she wasn't going to allow herself to go there.

As tempting as it had been to go dine with them, she really did relish the idea of some alone time, giving her a moment to let the water cleanse her body and her spirit.

She needed to check in, to make sure she was doing what was right. That her actions weren't hurting anyone. They'd had so much fun today. How could it be wrong?

She'd ordered room service, and Angela followed with a smile as Bella sat in her robe and dried her hair with a towel.

Her friend sat on the bed with a knowing grin. "How was it?"

"It was amazing."

She squealed. "I knew it!"

"I can't do this anymore, Angela. As fun as it was today, this is a very vulnerable time in Renesmee's life, and I could be doing her so much harm by staying."

"That's based on the idea that you would be leaving."

"The truth is…I don't know. Edward and I are strangers. We have chemistry, obviously. But what about Renesmee's mother? Whatever happened left a lot of pain for him, and he still has to deal with that. Otherwise he couldn't possibly engage in a new relationship."

"Uh…heal thyself."

"What does that mean?"

"You say that you've forgiven Jacob, but I think you're afraid of having another relationship. But, you can't assume that Edward will be like him."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Jacob is in my past."

"Yes. But you're scared, and you won't admit it. It's already been 5 years since the divorce, Bella. Why haven't you been in any other relationships?"

"Because, I'm not an easy pill to swallow, in case you haven't noticed. Not a lot of men out there who can take on all this!" she said, smiling and gesturing to herself.

"Yeah, you can say what you want. But I've known you since high school. I remember."

"What does that even mean, Angela?"

"It means that you may be holding yourself back. Besides, what is it you tell people all the time? To live their lives without any insistence on the outcome. Why don't you just see what happens?"

Bella sighed. It was always hard having her words dished back to her. She was right, though. And she wanted to spend time with them. Both of them. But the idea of being alone with him sent tingles down her back.

"I saw that! You are smitten, Bella." She rose from the bed. "Now, I'm going to call his room, and you're going to talk."

"You don't have to do that."

"Oh, yes I do."

Bella held up her phone. "I have his number."

Angela pointed and giggled. "Of course you do."

"Wait, where are you going?" Her friend was wearing a little black dress. "Have you met someone?"

"Maybe."

"That's interesting. This is a family cruise. Does he have kids?"

"He has a five year old, and is divorced. In fact, he and his wife have joint custody, and tonight his daughter is with the mama."

"Oh…I see."

"Okay, be safe, Angela."

"I will…and I'm not going to have any expectations of the outcome."

"Good girl."

She hugged her friend. "Now you…do the same."

Bella looked at her phone, browsed the pictures of Nessie and Edward, the selfies they'd taken, and a pang struck her. What had she done? She'd all but cemented this role in their lives. Had she just made the biggest mistake? She remembered Angela's words, and sent a text.

Edward met her on the upper deck, and Bella smiled, her eyes closed as her head pointed in the direction of the full moon, willing its energy to fill her.

"Hi there."

"Hi."

She found him there alone. "Nessie?"

"Is passed out. Cold."

"I see." She tried not to be excited at the thought of it being just the two of them. There wasn't a part of her that didn't want to be near him. She held out her arms, and he didn't hesitate as he braced his arms around her. "Hugs are my favorite things." His chin rested on her head.

"What about kisses?"

"I love those too."

His eyes met hers, and as his lips brushed hers, she felt herself falling as he deepened the kiss, heady with the scent of sandalwood and spice, and the muscles that pulled her in close.

"Edward…I'm scared."

"Me too."

"I don't want to hurt either of you."

"Shhh." He kissed her again, and she pulled away from him.

"Don't shush me. I'm being honest."

"Then don't hurt us."

She hugged herself, pressing her fingers tightly around herself. "It's not as easy as all that. You are a wonderful dad, Edward, and Nessie is…a dream. But, I can't help thinking that I could just ruin this all for the both of you."

"Why?"

"Because we're so different."

"Opposites attract."

"Yeah, but it's more than that. I don't think either of us are ready for a relationship."

"Who says it has to be a relationship?"

"Well, it would be different if Renesmee wasn't involved. I can't stand the thought of hurting her…or you."

She remembered Angela's words. Stop insisting on an outcome.

"I think for now, the best thing would be to not get emotionally involved."

"Uh…it's a little late for that."

"Can we be friends? We can still meet and hang out but without the entanglement of romance."

"Bella, I…" He stopped himself and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't do this, go around and pick up women…this is…what you and I have is…unlike anything I've ever experienced…not even with Rose…"

"See? Rose? Is that your wife? I know nothing about you. And you know nothing about me."

"What do you want to know?"

"What happened to her? She died, didn't she?"

"A drunk driver hit her head on. She was driving home from getting party supplies for Nessie's third birthday."

Yikes.

"Is that what you wanna know?"

"I want to know all that. But I also want to know that you're ready to let her go." She grabbed his hand, holding up his ring finger.

He looked at his hand, and stiffened. He backed away as if she'd just taken a bucket of water and poured it over his head. He took his hand and hid it behind his back. "I guess I'm not. You are right, Bella. This is a mistake."

As much as she tried to tell herself it was, it was even more painful to hear him say it.

"Okay, maybe it's too soon for us. But we can still be friends?"

He closed his eyes. "I don't think so."

"Edward, this is for the best. And besides…what about Nessie?"

He turned on her then. "Well, I guess this is just another way that I traumatize her. Thanks to you. You should have just left. Why didn't you?"

Oooh, these words stung. "Edward. I like you both a lot. I just think that…"

"Bella, you were right this whole time. Neither my daughter or myself should be insisting on you. And that was my mistake."

"Edward, please?"

He walked away from her, and as he left, the hole in her heart grew larger.

On her drive home from the Portland airport, she told herself that it was for the best. She was supposed to send them those pictures. But, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Angela had been right. Bella hadn't faced her own demons. She still had some work to do on herself.

A/N: Don't give up on them! There is always more! Also, I'd like to thank my amazing beta Edwardsfirstkiss for her help. I am so grateful to her as well as those of you reading, following, and reviewing. I know the updates aren't as frequent as I would like, but until "real life" gives me more time, I'll more than likely keep this pace. Please stay with me and check back for updates, and I'd love to hear from you!