The Perfect Summer

Chapter 1: Surprise

It was the second day of summer and I had no idea where I was.

Seriously. Edward was driving in his usual way: too fast. And he wouldn't say where he was taking me.

"Are you ready?"

His perfect voice never ceased to amaze me.

"Does it matter if I'm ready?"

He chuckled and then he was lifting me out of the car. He walked a short distance, but of course I couldn't tell if he was walking or running. The movements were both so easy and natural for him, it could have been either.

Suddenly, I was on my feet and light was streaming into my eyes as Edward took off my blindfold.

"We're at the airport." I said, confused.

He chuckled again.

"Yes."

"And why are we here?"

"Come on, you'll see." He told me, taking my hand and leading me forward.

We walked into the airport and, as usual, everyone stared. I couldn't blame them. If I saw someone as perfect as Edward walking with someone as ordinary as me, I would stare too.

But, for once, I wasn't paying attention to them. I was still trying to figure out where my boyfriend was taking me.

"You know I hate surprises." I grumbled.

It was true, but all Edward ever did was surprise me, so I guess I should be used to it by now.

His only response was to smirk and walk up to the counter.

I watched dejectedly as he procured two plane tickets from the pocket of his jeans.

"Any luggage?" The woman asked.

"No." He told her.

I glanced at him. Where were we going? And how long would it take?

"You can wait over there." The woman told him a little too warmly.

I wrinkled my nose.

He smirked.

I interrogated him as we sat down in the waiting area.

"Will you please tell me where we are going?" I asked without much hope of an answer.

"No, but I promise you'll like it."

"How do you know?"

"I do. And I asked Alice."

I didn't need to reply. Alice Cullen was Edward's adoptive sister. As vampires, most of the Cullens had "gifts". Alice could see things that happened in the future.

"Then why don't we have luggage? And where does Charlie think I am?"

"The luggage question I will answer later. Charlie knows where we're going. He thinks you'll like it too."

"Does everyone know about this except me?"

He smirked annoyingly.

I sighed and gave it up. He would tell me when he was ready.

I looked into his eyes, which were golden today. Probably in anticipation of the human-filled airport. He didn't want any accidents.

The Cullens were vampires, but in an attempt to be better people, they only fed off animals. I loved Edward's family as much as my own, and they loved me the same.Well, except for Rosalie, but Edward said that she was just jealous of my humanity. Which, if I had anything to say about it, would not be an issue in the future.

"Flight 217 is now boarding." Said a generic voice over the intercom.

"That's us." Said my godlike boyfriend.

He held my hand as we went through security and boarded the plane. He sat down in the window seat, and I sat right next to him.

He smiled my favorite crooked smile and asked,

"Still guessing?"

"Yes." I scowled.

"Just wait. You'll love it. I promise."

I just laid my head against his cold shoulder. It was amazing how I once took that term literally, when he was avoiding me like the plague, and now I was savoring the coolness.

I thought of what we must look like. His perfect body was cradling my incredibly frail one. I felt my heart start to race and my cheeks instantly flamed up.

"What is it?"

Edward was used to my frequent blushes, but he couldn't always tell the reasons behind them.

"Thinking of how lucky I am to have you."

"You're not as lucky as me."

I snorted. He was always making me seem much more than I was.

"It's true. No man on the planet is luckier than I am."

Then he stiffened.

"What?"

I hoped it wasn't me.

"That man to the right is thinking vulgar things about you."

I sighed. Edward was very protective of me. Especially since James.

"Edward, forget about it. As long as he doesn't actually do anything, he's completely harmless. And it's not like I'm going to leave you for him." I rolled my eyes.

He loosened up and apologized.

"I'm sorry. It's just so frustrating."

"Don't worry about it."

I kissed him on the lips to prove that I wasn't leaving him.

We spent the remainder of the flight talking about what the rest of the Cullens were doing over the summer. Esme had driven up to Alaska with Alice and Jasper the day before and Emmett and Rosalie were preparing for their trip to Africa in the fall. I honestly did not understand why they needed to prepare now. They were leaving in August, under the pretense of going to college, and it was only May. But that was Rosalie for you.

Carlisle had remained in Forks to work in his beloved hospital. It had taken him close to two centuries to overcome his thirst for human blood, but now he was able to work without limitations in the emergency room.

As Edward was telling me about his family's friends in Alaska, a voice came over the intercom,

"Please put on your seatbelts and prepare for landing."

We did as we were instructed, and I noticed the sun streaming in the other windows. Edward's had a shade pulled over it.

"Um, Edward?"

"Yes Bella?"

"Sun?"

"I've got it covered."

I felt the wheels touch the runway and wondered, once again, where we were. The voice came over the intercom again,

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Jacksonville, Florida.