A Very Cullen Hanukkah
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. The Cullens are also clearly not Jewish. I just know there's a billion Cullen Christmas stories out there, and thought it would be fun to make them Jewish. I am also not a writer. This is going to be horrible. Bear with me please. Also, I'm not exactly sure when this is. It would be after New Moon, but before Eclipse. But I'm not sure that would actually make sense. Again, bear with me please.
Chapter 1
Edward and I sat down at our usual lunch table. Angela Weber and Ben Cheney were discussing what they should get each other for Christmas. Jessica Stanley listened in on their conversation, occasionally throwing in her input, though looking sullen. That was probably because she was alone for the holidays. Eric Yorkie, Tyler Crowley, and Mike Newton were informing each other of their winter break plans. And Lauren-well, she just glared at me. I never learned why exactly she hated me so much.
Alice was rattling off a list to Jasper of exactly what she wanted for the holidays, but she was speaking so fast I couldn't understand what she was saying. Jasper nodded, and Alice whispered something in his ear, giggling. Edward must have read her thoughts and shook his head. I looked up at him, and mouthed "What?" but he just waved one hand carelessly and looked away. I didn't dwell on the subject. Edward seemed to be concentrating on something, but I had no idea what.
All of the sudden, he turned to me with a curious expression. "What are you doing for the holidays?" he asked.
I did a double take. "Huh?"
"The holidays? Do you have any plans?"
I hadn't thought of the coming holidays at all. I'd never been very religious. And I hadn't known the Cullens were, either. "I-I don't know, Edward. I don't think I really had any plans. Why?"
He looked relieved. Where was he going with this? "How would you like to celebrate Hanukkah with us?"
It took me a second to understand what he said. The Cullens- Jewish? My expression must have been as bewildered as I felt, because Edward's face fell. "You don't have to, if you don't want," he said, disappointed.
Of course I would want to! I wouldn't want to spend any second away from him. "No, no! I just wasn't expecting to be invited to… Hanukkah. I just had no idea you were… Jewish."
Relief washed over his face again, and his beautiful golden eyes lit up. Chuckling, he explained. "Oh. In her former life, Esme was Jewish. This year she wanted to celebrate Hanukkah, and we all agreed."
"Alright, Edward. I'll come. But I don't know much of anything about Jewish traditions…"
He smiled my favorite crooked smile, and my heart thudded faster. He laughed again. "Don't worry, love. However, celebrating the holidays entails a certain subject that I know you won't want to discuss…"
Oh, no. I knew exactly where he was leading.
"What do you want as a holiday gift?"
As he spoke, the bell rang for next hour. Saved by the bell. Or so I thought.