Chapter 18 Futuretake

In my life, I never once thought I would be walking over the cobbled streets of Paris, shopping at a tiny outdoor market for our dinner. The experience is something special. Something so incredible that I screamed out loud when Edward surprised me with it.

Maryland:

I smile brightly at my mother, trying to show her a brave face, but honestly I'm more nervous than anyone else sitting at the table.

My father looks downright furious! Yes, he's quite upset that his baby girl is married. And while we were in California there were plenty of phone calls to express just how irate both he and my mother were, and still are.

But Edward and I held out hope they would expand their minds before we agreed to come home for a visit.

"Isabella, I just think your antics were foolish," my mother declares as we sit down to a meal. She shakes her head in a way that makes me feel like a meek child.

I nod and accept her words, because honestly she's right. Oh, how I acted was foolish. If I wasn't as lucky as I'd been I could've been hurt, or worse. I trusted a stranger on a whim. And while I want to give her every ounce of respect she deserves for being such a great mother to me over the years, I think she should also understand that I married Edward because of the connection I felt with him.

"Your mother's right, you acted like a damn imbecile. And you," my father says, turning to Edward, "you preyed on my generous, beautiful and impressionable daughter."

"Dad," I mutter.

"Don't talk back, young lady!"

I sigh and Edward wraps his arm around me before clearing his throat. I close my eyes tightly, waiting for my knight in shining armor to come and rescue me.

"I understand where you both are coming from. And I must apologize. We acted rashly. We were both very caught up in the moment, and while we wish we could go back and do it all over again, so you two could've been a part of the process, it's simply not possible. I just...I hope that you can see the love we have for each other and accept us," Edward tells them calmly.

I knew there was reason why I love this man. I smile up at him.

He winks back and my father slams his hand down on the table.

Dad storms off into the other room, while my mother sits and frowns, downing her sweet tea,which I assume has been spiked for pleasure this evening.

"Not even a ring on your finger, what is this world coming to," she mutters, shaking her head.

"Mrs. Swan, Bella has a ring, a beautiful one in fact, she just doesn't feel the need to wear it all the time."

"And what about you?" she asks. "Look at you, parading around without one, too. You disgust me."

"Mother, the reason why I don't wear it, is because I never needed a ring to marry Edward. Why should I wear one now? After it's all said and done. Is that what you want?" I wonder. "Is the presence of a mere ring, what you need to see?"

She huffs.

I reach for my purse and pull out the ring that Edward surprised me with. It's what one might describe as ostentatious. Pretty much right up my mother's alley. I slide on the stunner of a ring and hand Edward's to him, he does the same and we sit back, waiting for a reaction.

But one doesn't come. I just see my mother, sitting there, gaping like a fish at the piece of jewelry on my hand.

"My goodness Charlie, look at this. She does have a ring," my mother shouts, still gawking.

"I told you my daughter wouldn't marry without a diamond," my father hollers back, not even bothering to lumber back down the hall.

I look up at Edward and roll my eyes.

The rest of our visit is much like the first night here. A lot of tension and more frowns than I can count. But towards the end, there's a little more understanding than when we arrived.

My father even asks when we'll be back, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

We promise we will be back soon. And he smiles. Which is rare on its own. Even more so after the week we just had.

We head to the train station, hand in hand. Smiling as we walk through the crowds of people, finding the right train to get us back home. When Edward bends and smiles at me.

"You packed extra clothes, like I asked you to, right?"

I smile and nod. I didn't end up needing them, but it was sweet of him to care and suggest it.

"Good, because we're headed to Paris from here," Edward tells me plainly, like it's an everyday thing to say.

I gasp and nearly scream trying to contain my emotions.

"What?"

"Yes darling, we're headed to Paris," he says with a smile.

And I just about die, right there in the train station.

The whole trip getting overseas is a blur. I'm fairly certain that I don't believe him until we land and the stewardess actually announces that we're in Paris…

Paris, France.

"Any luck finding something good, doll?"

I turn and see Edward coming up behind me.

I smile, knowing my red lipstick is firmly in place and feeling that boost from my aunt run through me as I hold up my basket.

"Oh, this looks good. Chicken?" he asks, pawing through the ingredients I've collected so far.

"Yes, indeed. What do you think?"

"I think anything you make is delicious."

It's a Sunday evening and we've found that Paris damn near shuts down, so we're trying our hand at fixing our own dinner. It should be fun. And we get to do it together.

We get back to our little rental apartment and starting fixing a spread. First on the menu is fresh bread. The delicious smell fills the small kitchen. Then the chicken and sautéed potatoes with a creamy butter sauce. Everything is very French, or at least that's what I'm trying to do.

Edward is chopping and mixing where I direct him, and we're both smiling.

Dinner is absolutely delicious, much like everything else we've had since we've been here.

And the glass of wine after dinner is even better.

We hold hands and enjoy the view from our balcony, staring out on the Parisian city streets and the gorgeous sunset, as we discuss all our adventures. We've seen and experienced so much over our time together, but we are excited for more.

"This is perfect," I say, making note of everything I see for later when I have a free moment to write. I am compiling notes to eventually put together a book of all the places life has taken me.

"That it is, beautiful. That it is," he whispers, before kissing me softly.

I sigh into his kiss and revel at the feel of his lips. This is the life. The sweet taste of dessert and wine melt between us as our tongues dance together.

"I love you," he declares when we finally pull apart.

I smile, looking up into his handsome eyes, feeling my breath catch, still not fully believing that he's all mine. "And I love you."

"C'mon, let's head to bed," he suggests, taking my hand, leading me back through the French doors and into our lovely bedroom.

I follow his lead, letting him show me the love that we have blooming between us, and soak in his heart, humor, and tenderness.

The next morning I dawn his shirt. I stretch and make myself a cup of coffee before tip-toeing out to the balcony to enjoy it.

I sit out here with my notebook, pen and coffee, reflecting on my journey so far. Getting to explore the streets of Paris with my husband has been a one of a kind experience, and I know I'll ever forget it.

I'm looking forward to more of our travels, though, and to see exactly where life continues to take us. And I will carry on documenting them in hopes of sharing them some day, with the world.

A special thank you goes out to Midnight Cougar! She's a wonderful friend and a fantastic Beta. I couldn't ask for more.

Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, and enjoyed this story. It's been a lot of fun. I hope to see you soon! :)