Hello readers, this is our companion story to go with the Christmas tale: Momma Santa's Christmas Plan. We hope that you enjoy this short story, not sure on the number of chapters and they will post as they are ready, but it will be done soon.
As always all things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended in our use of her characters names and some likenesses.
HUGE thanks to the great group of gals that help to keep us readable: AWayWithWords, Jess2002 and LaPumuckl. Any mistakes above and beyond what they found belong to WeeKittyAndTAT, much like this storyline.
No One Bets Against Momma
EPOV
I was rather unsure about moving back home. Not much says less about a man who moves back home after a failure like the deterioration of a marriage. The marriage tore me apart, changed and altered me forever. It was a marriage filled with lies and deceit, and fueled by greed. A marriage that was ending in a way that was far from the beliefs of which I was raised. Instead of ending in a declaration of nullity, it ended in suicide. Between the transgressions and immoralities, the marriage no longer was recognized in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Now that I am home though, I know it was the right choice for me.
A few weeks ago my mom and dad joined me for dinner. My mom talked about her new friend and her family. I was saddened to learn she was a fairly young widow with three young kids. My mom had sneakily moved from talking of her friend, straight into asking me to play Santa. As she talked away, I saw a twinkle in her eye. I can always tell when she is up to something, but I know she only works for the good. I knew there was a master plan behind her eyes, but I had to wait it out to see what it was.
The next day I called Dad to find out what he knew. Even being on the phone with him, I could tell he was grinning as he brushed me off. It must be big if Dad knows, but he was not giving up any information. Even though I was curious to her bigger plan, I bit the bullet, sort of, and went with it.
I was enjoying my time playing Santa with the kids. I've always loved children, so this was one of the most perfect things for me to do. I notice a small family off on their own, so I moved over to them to chat a while. I frown slightly when the kids all move closer to their mom; they seem very shy. I introduce myself as Santa, but only to the mom, so not to scare the kids. When her small hand takes mine, I feel a zap. I know by the look on her face she felt it, too, because she gets a flash of color and apologizes. As soon as I hear her sweet voice, I can't help but hope this is my mother's friend. In truth, I feel this woman is too young to be a widow, but I know she isn't wearing a symbol of being married. Yeah, I couldn't help myself, even in the community center for the parish – I'm looking for a ring on her finger.
I sit down in-between the boys who start talking my ears off. I hear how they want me to bring them the new leap pads like their friend at school has. They tell me how they love to build things, and how they like to read like their mom. They tell me how much their sister likes her dollies, and how she wants a stroller to push them around in.
We end up spending about half an hour just the five of us talking. Of course, after all the other children eat, I have their attention, too. We play a few songs and they sing for me. I pass out a few small treats and a book to each of the children. By the time it is for me to leave, I've gained the trust of Bethany, Bryan and Bryce. I was working hard on their mom whose walls are standing strong, but she never let her apprehension show to her children.
I was waving to say goodbye to all the children, when some boy laughed and yelled out at me. When I asked what was so funny, he informed me I was standing under the mistletoe with Miss Swan, and therefore, we had to kiss.
I looked at Bella giving her a wink before placing my lips on hers. It was precisely that very second I knew I had to win this woman's heart. I pull back to see that her eyes seem to be dancing. I give the kids a weak goodbye, before clearing my throat to give them a good Santa send off.
The rest of my night and the next few days find me with my thoughts on Bella Swan and her children. On my first real day off, I call my mom and ask if Bella and her kids are indeed the family who was joining our family on Christmas Day. When she admits they are, I ask her to come with me to get some presents for them.
During our shopping trip, I ask more questions about Bella, her children and late husband. I'm very hurt to hear how he treated her before his death. When Mom told me about the guilt that Bella feels, I understood, it's something I know personally – all too well.
When I drop Mom off at home, I ask her how she feels about my asking Bella on a date. Right away her eyes dance with joy, and I know this was her plan in the first place. I keep my game face on allowing her to feel she got one over me. There's just something about my mom smiling when one of her plans comes together, and I didn't want to take that away. Besides, one thing about Esme Cullen a person should know is, no one bets against Momma.
Christmas morning arrives and I feel giddy because I'm going to see Bella and her children again. When we arrive at her home, I'm pleased that she seems to live in a nice area. Her home looks good enough, but I can see there are a few things that need some updates and repairs.
I jump out of the car when Bethany comes out of the house without her siblings, her mom or mine. I fold the seat forward and help her get settled into the booster seat I helped Dad install this morning. There are two identical car seats for the twins: one on each side of hers. Once her shoulder strap is across and her belt is buckled, I give her a smile.
"Merry Christmas; how are you this morning, Bethany?" I ask with a smile.
"I'm fine, thank you," she replies with impeccable manners. "Merry Christmas," she follows and I give her another grin. "They're looking for Bryan's shoes and Bryce can't get his jacket zipped."
My father and I chuckle and nod just as they all walk out the door. I help to get everyone in, and buckled up. Once we're all set, my father starts to drive. I ask the kids what they had got for Christmas, and listen to their excited voices explain. I then ask Bella, who seemed to only get things that were handmade, but the smile on her face tells me she's just like me and loved those gifts the best.
When we arrive at church, we're a little late and had to split up. I got to sit next to Bella, which I was okay with. I was even happier that Bethany seemed happy to sit with her mother and me. I gave her a big smile when she said she needed a break from her brothers. I even let out a small chuckle when she tells Bella that maybe they shouldn't get any more chocolate.
Bella hums and nods as if in thought, but I see the twinkle in her eyes. I have to bite my cheek when she explains that, if the boys don't get any more chocolate today, then she won't get any either. Bethany quickly changes her mind and the Christmas morning service starts.
When we get to my parents' home, I move off to the kitchen to start on dinner. This year, oddly, my mother wanted to me to cook for her as a gift. She said it would be the best gift I could ever give her. It was just before entering the kitchen when Bella asked my mom what she needed her to do. I had to hold back a chuckle when Mom promptly tells her I'm making dinner today and she'd need to ask me. I mouth a thank you to my mom, and grin loving my mom's sneakiness.
Bella and I fall into a flirty, joking conversation as we set about making the food. The whole time my brain's trying to come up with a way to kiss her again. When she stands under the mistletoe, I leap at the chance. Again, we share what is a soft but quickly heated kiss. When I pull back, all Bella can do is stare until recognition flashes in her eyes.
"You were Santa," she gasps lightly.
I tilt my head and agree finding it odd that she didn't know this. When she bolts out of the kitchen, I feel my heart drop with worry that I've done something wrong. I follow to find her with my mom. Bella gives me a smile as she says she needs to talk to my mom, and my eyes move to my mom who winks at me.
They're only gone a few minutes when I move to find them again. When I do, they're hitting each other with pillows, but the smiles on their faces tells me this is playful not serious.
We spend some time singing and dancing around the piano. Between my father and me, we play as everyone selects a song to sing. I even got to kiss Bella again; you have to love my mom and her abundance of hanging mistletoe.
We all sit having dinner and there's something that feels so familiar about this. I just know instantly this is the life and the family I was meant to have.
"Bella, can I have a word?" I ask sheepishly.
She looks at me and then to my parents and the kids who are all walking off to the sitting room.
"Sure?"
"Sit, please," I implore pulling her to one of the seats.
"I sort of bought your kids some gifts for Christmas," I say biting my lip.
"Tis' the season," Bella laughs shaking her head.
"Okay, but I want you to hear what I got; so here it goes. I got Bethany an American Girl – Bitty Baby deluxe set along with a set of doll furniture. A train set for Bryan and Lego Farm set for Bryce. I also got each of the boys a Leap Frog Ultra Tablet. These are the things they said they wanted when I was dressed as Santa."
I feel guiltier when Bella starts to have tears running down her face.
"I'm really sorry if I over stepped my boundaries. I mean ... I could take them—"
Bella shakes her head and covers my mouth stopping my words.
"Your family is really something special, and I knew that the kids would be spoiled rotten by your parents already. I try to save up just—"
I stroke her cheek as she stops talking and takes a deep breath.
"I'm happy the children are getting what they wanted most. It doesn't matter where it came from, so thank you."
"Bella, honey, I wanted to do this. I just wanted to tell you before they opened the stuff."
Bella leans forward and hugs me and I hug her back kissing the side of her head.
"Come on, honey, they've been waiting long enough."
We join the others and I sit back watching each of the kids open their gifts. I have to remind Bella to open hers, and her face takes on a look of pure surprise at her gifts, before she thanks me.
As my mom and dad sit with the kids, I sit with Bella showing her what all I have set up on her kindle.
"You really didn't need to get me something, you know. What you got the kids was a great enough gift in-and-of-itself for me."
"Hush woman, let me spoil you a little, too. Besides, next year it will be different."
Bella just looks at me.
"My father taught me long ago, that you spoil the ones you love all year round. Getting really big Christmas gifts are for those of us who missed our targets throughout the year. So, I have a year to spoil you and the kids, before next Christmas. That means next year – ah, never mind, I'll still spoil you all." I wink at her as she chuckles.
"Did you reach your intended target? Or do you have a spreadsheet or something?"
"Or something," I chuckle, nodding as I pull her closer to me.
The rest of the night seems to go quickly. When it's time to leave, I offer to drive Bella and the children home on my way. I load up all of the gifts we got the kids and Dad helps me move the car seats to my car. After saying goodbye to my parents we head out for Bella's home.
"Edward, would you like to come in and see what else we got?" Bella asks sounding shy.
"Would that be okay with you three?" I ask the kids who smile as they bob their heads. "Okay, after you show me, I will bring in all this stuff and we can get it all put away, too."
I park the car and walk in with them.
"I haven't had time to clean up," Bella chuckles nervously.
I see a little wrapping paper still on the floor and there are small clutters of things from the rush this morning.
"It's fine; it's Christmas after all. Besides, you're a busy mom of three children," I mumble in her ear as I stroke her back trying to calm her. "Do you care if I help?"
She shakes her head at me, with a look of awe.
The house is not messy, but I can see the trash bag from the mess this morning needs to be picked up. I'm sure this is because of the last minute ditch effort to search for the lost shoes. I can see there are presents that need to be put away yet and a few odds and ends to straighten.
"Okay, boys, let's clean up the wrapping paper: Bethany, you help your mom put away the new clothes and books."
Bella just looks at me with a small smile, and I give her the same look my dad gets when he's not kidding. She smiles at me, and I know she's not upset by my taking charge of getting the kids to help.
The boys and I take about ten minutes, to pick up all of the wrapping paper and get the trash resorted. I take a coffee cup to the kitchen and it's spotless, so I know her house is normally tidy. After the boys and I are done, we get their jackets on. They help me bring in the things from the car and we deliver everything to the proper room. Between the five of us it only takes a short while to get the place cleared up and things put away.
Bella invites me to watch a show with them, and we end up watching Planes: Fire and Rescue. The boys really like animation films about machines and it was a gift they received today. Once the movie is over Bella puts the kids to bed. When she reenters the living room with some hot chocolate, I give her a smile.
"Did you have a good day?"
"I did, thank you. Your parents are great." Bella smiles and shakes her head. "Your mom, she ... well, she's sort of become my best friend and adopted mom all rolled into one."
I watch as she blushes and I chuckle gently.
"Sorry, but I'm planning on keeping her, you know. I'll even steal her away if I have to."
"That's okay because I'm planning on stealing her best friend and making her mine," I say moving her loose hair behind her ear.
"What if she doesn't want to be your best friend, or stolen away?"
I chuckle softly. "You do, and you will," I assure her.
"You're so sure of yourself," Bella sasses.
I grin a little. "That I am. So tell me, best friend, all about yourself. I think we should get to know each other now that the munchkins are in bed and 'rents are not here to interrupt us."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything," I respond and even to me, my voice sounds raspy.
Bella and I go through the easy questions such as favorite color, movie, book and even weekday. After a while we move on to the harder, more personal questions.
"Where did you meet James?"
Bella sighs a little. "I was out with some friends from college for my twentieth birthday. James was a charming, good looking, smart, athletic guy, and of every girl there, he asked me to dance."
Bella blushes as she shakes her head.
"I had a few boy friends in high school, but nothing big. James was the first guy to take an interest in me at college."
"Really?" I ask in shock. I mean, Bella is a very beautiful woman, and I find it hard to believe no guy would've tried to win her over.
"Yeah, I was shy and where I'm not ugly, my friends were what all the guys thought was HOT."
I tilt my head and Bella jumps up heading to the bookcase. She comes back holding a photo album.
"This was me," she smiles pointing at her picture.
I chuckle a little, seeing Bella looks almost the same as she does now, but it's clear in the photo she was really shy.
"This was my friend Rose," she points to a tall blonde who looks like a model. "This is my other friend Alice."
I smile looking at Alice. "Alice is my cousin," I say right away.
"I know," Bella says with a smile and I look at her. "I met your mom through her."
I nod and then frown a little. "Shoot," I say rubbing my face
"What?"
"About nine years ago, Alice asked me to come and meet her best friend – it was her birthday. I had just started my job, and I didn't want to ask for time off to go to some college party. I'm more than sure it was you I was supposed to meet that night." I shake my head thinking back on how stupid I was to have not gone.
"Edward, it's fine."
I turn and look at her.
"I would've asked you to dance. I would've stayed by your side the whole night," I say stroking her cheek.
"But then I wouldn't have had Bethany, Bryce and Bryan. As much as James hurt me those last years, I love my kids and deep down, I know that my loss and pain were worth it."
I nod at her, because her words are true. I let out a sigh and decide to push for more information. "So, he danced with you that night and got you a drink, what happened next?"
"We started dating; it was good at first, but I—" Bella stops and blushes.
I tilt my head at her, silently asking her to finish. "I wanted to wait until we were married. James had sex before and didn't really understand why. I get it, I do, and it was my religion – my beliefs. He even explained it's different for a woman than a man. Women can wait for their wedding day where men are seen as odd if they do. Besides, James was twenty-four so—"
"I was twenty-eight," I interrupt quickly and she looks at me.
"I waited until I was married. I wanted to give that part of myself to the woman I was to spend my life with. I wanted the same from her, and thought that was only fair to give the same in return."
Bella nods at me in agreement, and I know she felt the same way deep inside.
"Carry on," I coach and Bella nods clearing her throat.
"He asked me to marry him on my twenty-first birthday. It took just over a year to get everything planned and set up. It came as no surprise that I became pregnant with Bethany so soon. It was just after she was born that things changed. His mom Mary was critical about my parenting. She hated that I was working, saying a woman should be in the family home. However, there was no choice, with James spending more than what he had coming in, I had to work. When Bethany was a year old, James was drinking most every night. I really thought it was just a beer, at dinner, but now looking back I know it was much more. Things got harder when he lost his job. Mary was often making comments that always made us argue. I just wanted him to take my side, tell his mom that he lost his job and stop lying. She never knew he got fired—"
Bella stops talking and I move closer to her.
"I found out I was pregnant," Bella chuckles. "We had sex once in a six month period, and that was enough to knock me up. I was working so much and trying to spend time with Bethany. Between all the work and house upkeep, I just didn't have time for James. I know that made me a bad wife."
I shake my head at her. "No—just no, Bella, you were clearly doing more than your share." I kiss her head and close my eyes. I wish James was still alive, so I could show him what a husband and father is meant to do.
"Bethany was becoming more and more upset about me working so much. Mary was always so angry, and James was just in a bad mood all the time. I was becoming afraid of him, of what he would do, but I still kept working the two jobs, so we could survive. When I was told about the car accident, my mind went straight to Bethany that I never even asked about James. When I found out that not only did I lose James, but my parents; the guilt of not being there—worried him about him—set in. To top it all off, Mary started to say she believed I cheated on James. She was telling anyone who'd listen that the babies I was carrying were not his. There was so much going on and I went into premature labor.
"Your father was not only my doctor, but my birthing partner. He really is the reason my boys are alive today."
I pull her closer to me and kiss her head. "I wish I had been here for you."
Bella lays her head on my shoulder. "I had Esme and Carlisle."
I kiss her head again and just hold her close.
"I met Victoria when her car broke down. I pulled over to help her."
I feel a blush come across my face, remembering how starstruck I was by her.
"I had seen her in different guys' magazines, so when she asked me out, I said yes right away. Our romance was hot and heavy. Now looking back on it, I think I was more in love with the idea of been married and settling to have a family than actually in love with Victoria. When I learned she aborted our babies, because she wanted to stay thin, it killed me inside. Like you with James, I didn't know she had problems; hers was with drugs not booze. I swear I tried to help her, to repair the broken trust and hurt. She promised that if she became pregnant again, she would have it, but she didn't. It hurt so much and I couldn't stand to look at her anymore. I filed for dissolution with the church, and legally in court for a divorce. She passed away before anything was finalized, but according to the church, my marriage to her never existed.
"It still bothers me that when I was told of her death, I didn't feel anything. I mean, there was this emptiness inside of me, but it was the loss of my children I felt the most. When I had to identify her remains the guilt hit me. I often felt like it was my fault, that maybe I didn't love her enough or the right way. I still can't understand why she never asked someone she claimed she loved to help her get off drugs. I will never understand why I wasn't enough or good enough to have a family with."
I feel Bella run her hand though my hair and I let out a sigh.
"Moving on to a happier subject—do you like being a teacher?"
Bella kisses my shoulder and I feel her smile. "I love it. Working with kids is something I always wanted to do."
Bella and I take turns talking about our jobs, which make us laugh and smile.
I watch her wipe her tears of laughs as she chuckles, telling me stories from her class.
I want to kiss her on the lips. It's like I'm drawn to her. I can't fight the pull anymore, and I move forward kissing her lightly.
"I thought you needed mistletoe to kiss me?"
I chuckle shaking my head at her. "Bella, I plan on kissing you a lot more. I can't go around with mistletoe all year, but I will if you want me to."
I smile as Bella moves to me touching her lips back to mine. My hands run up and down her back as she threads her fingers through my hair. I move to lay her flat, and everything goes quiet and dark.
"That was some kiss – it blew my fuses," Bella says and I chuckle shaking my head.
"You check on the kids, and I'll see if I can fix it. Is the power box in the basement?"
"Utility room off the kitchen; there's a flashlight in the drawer right here," she tells me leading me into the dark kitchen.
She takes one flashlight and heads off to the kids' room, after showing me the breaker box. I can see that nothing is tripped, so I move to the front door and look out. I make my way back into the house to see Bella lighting some candles.
"It looks as if the whole street is out," I sigh griping my hair. "Do you have anything that needs power running right now?"
Bella shakes her head as she puts a few candles in safe places. We move back to the living room.
I feel a chill run down me as Bella shivers. "Is it me or did it just get really cold?"
I open my arms. "Come over here, honey, I'll keep you warm," I say and Bella smiles.
"Hold that thought," she says jumping up and walking out the room.
She comes back a few minutes later with a couple of quilts and some pillows. She sets them down and snuggles into my side as she places one of the quilts over us.
Bella and I sit kissing and chatting. When she tells me my parents are keeping the kids on New Year's Eve, I jump at the chance and ask her to spend it with me. She agrees which leads us to another round of soft kisses. As the sky outside begins to lighten, we continue to talk.
We both jump a little when we hear three sleepy voices making their way to us.
"Mom, there's something wrong with the lights."
"The power is out," Bella replies.
"It's been a long time since I did an all-nighter," I say and Bella nods.
"Would you like to join us today?" Bella asks as her kids walk in rubbing their eyes.
"I would," I say with complete certainty, knowing I'd rather be with her and the children than anywhere else.
A/N: The second chapter is written and sent off to the beta, so the next chapter will post soon. there won't be many chapters, but we wanted to give the original one shot a full story feel, which needed to be done outside of Esme's POV. We really hope that you all enjoy this, and stay tuned there are a LOT of things to come from WeeKittyAndTAT this year. There are currently five things in the works that will be posting live soon. See you soon with more, and if you have anything you'd like to see us touch base on with this story, let us know right away, so we can take care of it. (((HUGS))) thanks for reading and reviewing, have a great day!
