Dana playfully pushed Edward away when he wouldn’t give her up. “What’s wrong, Cole?” she asked. Even though Cole and Edward were not biologically related her oldest son was almost his carbon copy. It was eerie. He already had girls calling at all hours of the night for him. Not that he cared. He liked girls, but he just wasn’t interested in spending his free time pining for them, well not yet anyway.
The twins were hanging off their older brother. They looked exactly like Cole and Edward. All of her men were funny, relaxed, considerate and sweet, in her mind they were each the perfect man. They all had their own personalities and tastes, but she was beyond happy her boys took after their father in the way they treated people with kindness.
“Mom, you guys aren’t going to get in trouble, are you?” Cole asked. He was very protective of his family. His family was the most important thing in his life. No one messed with or badmouthed them without Cole jumping in to take care of it.
She smiled warmly at Cole. “No sweetie, I told you we planned this so we could have a family vacation. We’ll be leaving you guys with Tyler and Connor in an hour so we can make our interview. Then we have a small book signing and a meet and greet for the studio at four, then I believe your father promised to take me out tonight.”
Edward smiled and kissed her lips quickly. “Yes, I did.”
“Then we have to shoot a scene early tomorrow morning. We’ll meet you guys at Busch Gardens then we will have the rest of the night and next two days together.”
“That is if everything goes according to plan tomorrow.” Edward added. “Then the film should be done and we’ll be off to Europe for a month. We have a few book signings scheduled, but other than that we’re all yours, guys.”
“Why do you guys do everything together?” Tristan asked suddenly.
“Yeah, this is mom’s twentieth book and your fourth with her,” Caleb added.
“Yeah, and this is the third movie you’ve done with Mom.” Tristan pointed out.
“Also, you guys are always together when you’re not working on separate things, with friends or with us. You don’t act like a normal married couple at all. Aunt Amy and Uncle Tyler aren’t like this and Aunt Deana and Uncle Chris aren’t either. Well, Uncle Nick and Aunt Jamie are exactly like you. You’re always happy and kissing. Has it always been like this?” Caleb asked Cole.
Elizabeth answered. “It’s because they’re madly in love, Shorty.” She reached over and messed up his hair.
“Yeah, but why? Why hasn’t Dad written a book by himself? Mom isn’t like that she does other films without Dad. So why doesn’t he write by himself?” Tristan asked while he tried to smooth out his short hair.
Edward stepped behind Dana and wrapped his arms around her waist. “That’s because I enjoy writing with your mother. I don’t have as much fun when I write by myself. Your mother does films on her own because she is a very talented actress and I enjoy watching her movies and we do movies together because we love working with each other. And, my young sons, I am absolutely head over heels in love with your mother, which is why I can never get enough of her. Now have I answered your questions? You need to hurry because Deana is going to be joining you soon and taking you out to eat and a movie tonight. So move your butts if you want to squeeze a few more rides in.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Cole said. His kissed his mother and father goodbye and took off with the twins and bodyguards on his tail towards Splash Mountain. Elizabeth followed after them at a leisurely pace. She wasn’t in a hurry to wait in line for an hour. Her brothers would save her a place.
“Now, where were we?” Edward asked, pulling Dana against him.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m confused,” Zack, their newest bodyguard said. He was a retired New York Police officer and came highly recommended. He was a nice guy and in a lot of ways reminded them of Brett.
“What is it?” Edward asked while he kissed the tip of Dana’s nose.
“I wasn’t aware you had any engagements booked this evening. I need the information so I can coordinate with Tyler. Actually, I didn’t know about any of the book signings. Is there a list I can see?”
Dana pulled away from Edward. “I’m sorry, Zack. I didn’t get a chance to tell you. We finished the book tour when we stopped in California a week ago. We tell the kids we have a book signing when we want to have a night to ourselves. Elizabeth is old enough to understand. She doesn’t have a problem with us having time to ourselves, but the boys don’t. This is really our second honeymoon, and well," she shrugged, "we didn’t want to be apart from the kids for that long so we decided to make it a family trip as well. I apologize for not telling you sooner.”
“It’s my fault. I asked Tyler to tell him and I don’t think he’s gotten a chance,” Edward said as he leaned down to press a kiss to his wife’s neck.
Zack chuckled. “No, I completely understand. I was married for twenty years before my Jenny passed on. With five kids I know exactly where you’re coming from.”
“Than you, Zack,” Dana said. Edward released his hold around her waist and took her hand into his.
“Shall we?” he asked. He looked at Zack. “When we get to the hotel you can have the rest of the night off. The kids are all set. They’re each carrying a phone and have a tracking device is in each of their Claugdah rings.”
“Not to mention the two heavily armed bodyguards and Deana,” Dana added.
“I think Deana is the most dangerous one,” Edward said teasingly earning a playful slap.
They began walking towards the exit. They passed vendors, happy families, and kids wearing Mickey Mouse ears. Men and women stopped to stare at them, but they didn’t seem to notice. They only had eyes for each other. Gawking fans became part of the scenery years ago.
“Excuse me? Mrs. Pierce, can I have your autograph?” a woman asked nervously. She chewed on her bottom lip anxiously as she waited for Dana’s reply.
“Of course, who do I make it out to?” Dana asked, smiling warmly as she took the pad of paper and pen from the blushing woman. That’s one of the things that Edward loved about her, she made time for everyone and never made anyone feel bad. She enjoyed meeting her fans and getting to know them. That hadn’t changed over the years and it still surprised her when someone wanted her autograph. It never went to her head. She was still his down to earth Dana and he absolutely adored her.