I tried to push those negative thoughts out of my mind. If Edward saw me upset he’d do his damnedest to make me feel better and that would most likely involve something sexual. “I’ve got to get ready, she’ll be here soon.” I squeezed his shoulder. “Have fun fishing.”

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the assault I was about to be faced with. I possessed no weapons to protect me from Edward’s nefarious plans.

I smirked at him as he lay sprawled across my bed reading my copy of The Iliad. “Alice is picking me up in an hour for a shopping trip,” I said as I went through my drawers picking out something that she wouldn’t deem offensive. I grabbed an emerald green flowy top and my nicest pair of jeans.

His arms wrapped suddenly around my waist and I hadn’t even heard the bed move. “You two have a wonderful time, love. I have some things to take care of anyways.” His lips brushed along my jaw and worked their way to mine as he turned me roughly around and kissed me feverishly. “Til tonight,” he said brushing his fingers down my throat and flung himself gracefully out the window.

It took me more time than I’d care to admit to get my body under control. His words lingered as I tried to imagine how I was ever going to make it until our wedding night.

I managed to be showered, dressed, and fed before Alice honked her horn impatiently.

We headed to Seattle. I’d been banned from there by both Charlie and Edward until recently, because of a rash of serial killer-like slayings. I found myself actually looking forward to some time in a big city. Forks was bearable because of the Cullens–and a little part of me admitted–because of Jacob Black, but I needed a dose of a big city from time to time.

She led me to Bliss Spa and I found myself in a whirlwind of manicures, facials, massages, and rounding it all out-a new more grown up hair style. Fun, fun. Alice seemed to enjoy each treatment more than the last. Once our toes and finger nails were sparkling with corals, and red in her case, and my hair had been sufficiently chopped off into an edgier layered cut with long side swept bangs, we were on our way to…