February 22, 2012

“We’re going on a river cruise?” I asked as Edward led me to the terminal where a large boat, or very small ship, was docked.

“We’re exploring Europe,” he replied with a smile. “Twenty-three days going down the Rhine, the Main, and connecting to the Danube. We’ll stop in cities along the way, touring museums and visiting wineries.”

“I’m not old enough to drink.”

“You are in Europe,” he said with a wink.

We joined a queue, waiting our turn to check in. Since there was plenty of time I started to people watch. Edward stood behind me, his arms around my waist, and watched me look around at our future shipmates, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. I knew he was hearing something amusing.

“What?” I asked, trying to see if anyone was looking at us specifically. It only took a minute to see that everyone was. “Why are they staring at us?” I whispered.

“Because we’re so young. Some are amused that we’re doing this for what is obviously our honeymoon. Others are annoyed, afraid the upstarts will make a ruckus and destroy their peace and quiet,” he said in my ear as he pushed me forward in line. “Still others wonder what on earth we could possibly find interesting in be surrounded by people as old as them. They don’t know you like old things.”

“Good thing, since I married a geezer,” I teased. The man in front of me heard and snorted a laugh.

“He has no idea I’m old enough to be his father,” he said. Tilting his head he listened more intently. “Make that grandfather.”

“You can discuss the second world war with them,” I offered.

“Nah, most of these guys were in Vietnam. They’ll be shocked to find out how much I know about that conflict.” He took another step forward, pushing me along. I didn’t want to admit I was still a little sore from this morning’s activity, but I knew he could tell. The clothes I wore covered all my bruises, except one just below my ear. Thankfully it was quite pale.

When it was our turn Edward handed over his black credit card and our passports. “Yes, Mr. Cullen, we have you in the Explorer Suite,” the attendant said with a smile as she handed us our room cards and a receipt for Edward to sign. “Your luggage will be delivered to your room, and you have priority boarding. I hope you and your wife have a lovely journey.”

“Thank you,” Edward said, giving her his trademark smile. I snickered when she looked dazzled.

We finally reached our room, and it was exquisite. Decorated in a modern style with sedate neutral colors, it oozed serenity. “We’ll have to be discreet so we don’t annoy our neighbors,” Edward said, pointing out how thin the walls were.

“It’s a good thing the bed is in the center of the suite, then,” I said, walking from the veranda to wrap my arms around him. “How long before we can try that out?”

He snuggled me close. “I don’t know. It would shock the poor stateroom attendant to walk in and find us so occupied.” Looking over my shoulder he asked, “Why don’t we check out the scenery from the verandah?”

That’s where we were when our luggage was delivered. The attendant also brought us a schedule of activities, our seating assignment for dinner, a bottle of champagne, and a tray of fruit. It had been a while since I’d eaten, so I snagged a strawberry or five. Edward agreed to have him open the bottle for us, and he poured with a flourish. It seemed that Edward had taken a course in wine tasting, since he knew how to smell it, but I couldn’t believe he thought it tasted any good. He handed me a glass and I suppose it was good. I didn’t have much experience with these things, and it honestly tasted more like rotten fruit.

“I guess I don’t have to worry about you becoming an alcoholic,” he teased when I scrunched up my nose.

Sitting on the verandah we watched the hustle and bustle of the dock. Edward pointed out a few of the sights of Amsterdam that could be seen from where we were sitting. I sipped on some water, wishing there was more than fruit in the cabin.

“Hello!” an older woman’s voice called. We got up and leaned around the edge, peering over to where the other suite was. A petite, white-haired woman was waving to us. “I thought I heard voices. My name’s Vickie and my husband is Jimmy. We’re celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary. I’m glad we’re next to the young folk. All the old people think we’re troublemakers.”

Edward was grinning ear to ear. “Hello Vickie. I’m Edward, and my wife Bella.”

“Well, aren’t you two simply adorable? Newlyweds?” she asked. When we nodded she shook her head. “Why would you want to hang with the nearly dead?”

We both snorted a laugh. “We’re both studying ancient literature in college. Bella has always wanted to tour Europe, and this seemed to combine the best of both,” Edward told her.

“I hope you really are trust fund babies, because you can’t make a living with that.”

“I’m a trust fund baby, Bella isn’t,” Edward told her. “I’m also pre-med.”

“Doctor, huh?” she said, eyeing him up and down. “Well, Bella, I hope you’re good in bed because there are a lot of girls who’ll want to compete with you for him.”

I gasped a laugh, shocked by what she said, but when Edward said I was the best he ever had I smacked him. “I’m the only you ever had!”

He nuzzled my neck. “Hmm, see? The best. The only one worth marrying, so the only one worth having.” I rolled my eyes at him, but had to agree.

“Vickie!” a man shouted from in their cabin. It had to be Jimmy. “You leave those young kids alone. They have better things to do than entertain a couple of has-beens.”

“The only thing that has been is our sex life,” she shouted back.

“That’s because you’re out on the verandah, woman! Get in here, and we’ll do things those kids don’t even know about.” Edward’s entire body was shaking as he tried to contain his laughter. Both of us lost it when Vickie let out a squeal of excitement, waved and ran off.

“Let’s go to the observation lounge,” Edward said, pulling me back into the room. “There are some things I really don’t want to hear.”

“Oh, come on,” I said, pulling in the direction of the bedroom. “How about we give them a little competition?”

“Hmm, I like your idea much better,” he said, whisking me up and depositing me on the bed in an instant.