The List

Chapter 18: 13 Days

A/N Just a reminder, this story is rated M and not for younger readers.

BellaPOV

It had been the best weekend of my life. And if our honeymoon turned out to be even a fraction as nice, it was going to be the best honeymoon anyone had ever had. Our honeymoon. Edward was planning it as a surprise for me. After the weekend, I was finding surprises a little easier to accept.

There were a lot of reasons why our time together this weekend had been so special. I couldn't wait to get home and look over my list - quite a bit had been crossed off, including some things I never thought would be before I was changed, or at least married. Of course our developing physical intimacy was incredible, mind-blowing, even.

But there were three things that made the weekend particularly special to me. First, Edward had trusted himself. Maybe for the very first time. Edward had trusted himself not to hurt me. That meant Edward was starting to believe in himself, starting to believe that he wasn't the monster he used to insist that he was. Whenever I thought of it I wanted to take him in my arms and pull his head into my chest and stroke his hair and...just...hold him. I was so damn proud of him.

Second, Edward's surprise for me had demonstrated optimism. Even in the midst of the whole crisis with Victoria, Edward was planning for a time when we would have the luxury of a relaxed vacation away. Edward was looking forward to a time when we would just be 'us'. Edward said he always knew we'd have our happy ending. How far we had come since his insistence that it would be better if we weren't friends.

Third, Edward and I had talked this weekend, a lot. We had both shared some concerns that had clearly been weighing on our minds. Listening to Edward's thoughts and sharing my own - I really felt like we were partners. Like we were in this thing together. He was on my side and I was on his. For the first time, I realized that was the whole point of marriage. It was about having a soft, safe place to land. And being that for someone else. And making your way through the world with someone at your side. This way of thinking about what a marriage was all about dispelled any remaining hesitation I once had about getting married. Now I couldn't wait. Thirteen days never seemed so long.

I thought about all this while I rested against Edward's chest on the ferry ride back across to Port Angeles. Neither of us spoke much. It was a comfortable silence. I think we were both regretting the end of the weekend and trying to hold on to the last moments of it. I had no idea how I was supposed to go back to spending any time apart from Edward over the next two weeks.

As we passed out of the Port Angeles town limits, I was overcome with the distinct impression of time running out: the end of our weekend was nearly upon us, all the others were able to intrude upon our little bubble, the realities of saying good-bye to my family and finalizing wedding plans required my attention, and the second half of Edward's dare was about to begin.

The second half of Edward's dare: I dare you to agree that, after next weekend, there will be no more...nudity or...orgasms...until after we're married.

Why the hell did I agree to that again?!

Especially now that I knew what he could do to me! God. Just thinking back to that night was enough to.... Great, I thought as I tried to inconspicuously readjust myself in my seat. I could feel the dampness on my panties.

I looked over to Edward. As he steered the car through the drizzly roads back to Forks, he seemed to be absentmindedly humming along to the classical music softly filling the car. God he's just gorgeous. And somehow all mine.

He must've known I was looking at him but if he did he didn't acknowledge it. I was just as happy for that. It allowed me the opportunity to really study him without the embarrassment of the blush that colored my face any time he caught me doing so.