Chapter one- A man with a Santa suit

I felt like I should be in one of those twelve step programs. "Hi my name's Bella Swan and I hate Christmas." It wasn't always this way, in fact, when I was a kid I loved Christmas. As I grew older though, I started getting more and more cynical about it, especially after my parents died. They were the type of people who went all out for Christmas, decorating the yard and baking cookies for all the neighbors.

It was too commercialized now and nobody really cared about the spirit of the day anymore. It was all about sales and presents. I usually spent the month of December holed up in my apartment as much as I could since it was practically impossible to go out without being slapped in the face with the fact it was Christmastime.

Unfortunately for me, my best friend and roommate Alice was determined that I would join her and her boyfriend Jasper at a local bar tonight. I tried begging off, saying that I had too much work to get caught up on while praying that she would just give it up already.

"Please Bella? Please?" She turned towards me, her eyes pleading. "Jasper's brother's in town for the holidays and he doesn't know anyone."

I groaned loudly, "Alice you promised me no more blind dates. I want to meet someone on my own."

Alice meant well, she really did, but she was a bit pushy at times. She had set me up with several men who were "perfect" for me. Yeah, not so much.

First there was Mike Newton, who was so boring that by the end of the night I wanted to run through the restaurant waving my arms wildly just for some excitement. Then she had tried to pair me with Jacob Black, he was very good looking and sweet, but he just seemed more like a buddy than anything romantic. There were numerous others but they're hardly worth mentioning.

"This isn't a set up, I swear. It's just some friends getting together and having a few drinks."

At last I gave in, we both knew I would eventually. "Fine, but I reserve the right to leave if I feel it resembles a date in any way."

Grabbing my hand and shaking it up and down before I could back out she squealed. "I promise we're going to have so much fun!"

She filled me in on the details before leaving to get ready at Jasper's house. I lounged around for a couple of hours just watching TV. I finally picked myself up and hauled myself to my room. Searching through my closet I started to reach for my standard little black dress but stopped myself. This wasn't a date and I wanted to make sure that message came across loud and clear. Instead I went to my dresser and pulled out my nicest jeans, I still wanted to look nice after all, and paired it with one of my rock t-shirts and my chucks. I never really bothered with makeup so after straightening my hair I was ready.

I took a cab to the bar so I could drink without having to worry about how I was going to get home and it didn't take long before I had arrived. It was dimly lit inside but I spotted Alice across the room jumping up and down, waving at me from a booth.

Making my way through the crowd I suppressed a sigh at being forced into meeting Jasper's brother. I knew I had to at least be sociable to the guy, it wasn't his fault that I didn't want to be here. I was enveloped in a warm hug from Alice when I reached the table.

Laughing at her exuberance I hugged her back before she turned to the booth. "Bella, you know Jasper," I nodded to him then diverted my gaze to the other person sitting there, "and this is his brother Edward."

I was stunned speechless for a minute. The man sitting in front of me was gorgeous. He had the messiest hair I had ever seen, and it was this weird shade of red that almost looked copper in color. His jaw looked like it was sculpted out of marble and his eyes were a startling shade of green.

I realized that I was staring and cleared my throat. "Hi Edward, it's nice to meet you." I mentally cringed at being so inept.

"You too, Bella." He smirked at me, he even made that look sexy. My panties were in danger of being ruined and I just got here. "Have a seat."

He scooted over and I slid in next to him. I could feel our thighs touching under the table and this strange current was passing through his leg and traveling straight to my nether regions.

The waitress came and took our drink orders and we all settled in. The conversation wasn't stilted at all, in fact it seemed like we had all been a group for a long time. I learned that Edward was just finishing medical school and would be moving to Seattle soon for his residency in pediatrics.

As the evening wore on I grew more and more comfortable around him so when he turned and asked me to dance I readily agreed. He led me out onto the floor just as a slow song started playing. He pulled me into his arms and I could feel every inch of him pressed against me. His hands rested against the small of my back, mine automatically wrapped themselves around his neck while we swayed side to side.

I noticed him glance down at my lips several times while we moved across the dance floor.. I wondered if he could feel the current that seemed to ebb between us.

Once we were back at our table the conversation somehow turned towards my aversion of the holidays.

"Let me get this straight, you hate Christmas? How is that even possible?" He asked with a look of shock on his face. Alice and Jasper were beyond being surprised by it anymore.

"I thinks it's too commercial and everyone is just out looking for the best deals." I defended.

"But, everyone's so much nicer at Christmas. Helping people in need out, things like that." Edward advocated.

"People should help all year long not just during the holidays."

"I agree, but even if that's the only time people think about helping out don't you think it's still appreciated?"

I could see his point, but this was one of my stronger arguments for my side and I didn't want to give in too easily. "But what about the other eleven moths of the year when people just turn a blind eye?"

"Tell you what, let me try and convince you. I bet I can make you like Christmas again. I bet I could do it in…" he tapped his chin in thought before continuing, " twelve days. Like the twelve days of Christmas. You have to do what I say and really try and enjoy yourself."

Alice and Jasper had stayed pretty quiet up until this point but Alice started bouncing up and down in her seat and clapping her hands. "That's a wonderful idea. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner."

I was still feeling the effects of my last drink and definitely wouldn't mind getting to know Edward better so I agreed. I wasn't worried that he was going to change my mind so why not spend some time with him. I gave him my phone number and address, and we set a week from Monday as the start date before we parted ways with an awkward half hug.

The week flew by and by the time the following Monday came around I was excited to see Edward again even if it was because he thought he could change my mind about Christmas.

He had called me earlier today to make sure I was still willing and told me what time to be ready. I asked him what to wear and he told me it didn't matter. I was ready by the time he knocked on the door.

He was dressed casually in jeans and a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up on his forearm.

"So you ready for your first day of Christmas? " He asked with a wink. I think I might have melted a little at the sight.

"Sure, what're we going to do?" I wondered aloud.

"It's a surprise, but I think you'll enjoy yourself."

We headed down to the street where he stopped at a silver Volvo and opened the passenger door for me. "Your sleigh awaits milady."

I giggled at his corniness as I slid into the leather seat. I noticed a couple of garment bags hanging in the back seat, but didn't give it much thought.

We drove for about twenty minutes before he pulled into a parking lot behind a large stone building. Looking around me I couldn't find any clues to tell me where we were. Edward came around and opened my door for me before opening the back door and grabbing the garment bags out.

"Now remember, you promised me that you'd go along with what I want to do."

I was a little apprehensive about what he had planned but nodded my head anyway. We entered the building and he stopped in front of the ladies restroom. "Go and put this on and I'll meet you back here in about ten minutes, okay?" He asked handing me one of the garment bags.

Going into the restroom I hung the bag up in one of the stalls and slowly unzipped it. Inside was an ornate Mrs. Clause costume complete with a snow white wig and cap, even little half glasses. I gulped wondering what was going on, but I had promised so I quickly changed.

Reentering the hallway I spotted Edward, at least I assumed it was Edward, leaning against the wall. He was dressed as Santa Clause. He had a long curly white beard and even had something stuffed into the front of his shirt to give him a large belly.

"Ready, Mrs. Clause?" He asked me while holding out his arm to me.

"Are you going to tell me what we're doing now?"

"We're at one of the local group homes. They are having a Christmas party and needed a Santa and Mrs. Clause. The kids are looking forward to our appearance."

I had never been around kids too much but I had heard that you never let them see your fear, so I swallowed down my nervousness.

Once we were down the hall I could hear voices raised in excitement while carols played in the background. Pushing open the doors Edward grabbed his stomach and started bouncing it up and down.

"Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" He shouted.

The kids all screamed in excitement and started running towards us. They seemed to range in age from around six to twelve. Edward was so patient with them and they each took their turn sitting on his lap and telling him what they wanted for Christmas. The staff at the group home had already found this out and had the gifts waiting to be distributed by us at the end of the party.

By the end of the night I was over my apprehension and had to admit that I had thoroughly enjoyed myself. The kids were all busy playing with their new gifts when we exited the room. We stopped quickly to change back into our clothes before we headed back towards my apartment.

When we were standing outside my door I turned to face Edward, fiddling with my keys. "I had a lot of fun tonight. I was a little doubtful at first, but I'm glad you made me go."

"I had fun too. You were great with the kids." He seemed as reluctant for the night to end as I was so I invited him in.

"I really shouldn't. I'll see you tomorrow for another adventure. Okay?"

"Sure." I noticed him glance down at my lips and licked mine in anticipation. He started leaning closer to me. I closed my eyes and stood on my tip toes to meet him.

When our lips touched for the first time I felt butterflies start beating against my abdomen trying to break free. It started out slow and chaste but morphed into more when he ran his tongue across my lips begging for entrance. I opened for him and he slowly twined his tongue with mine. My hands had somehow made their way into his hair and twined themselves in his locks. He pulled away after placing a couple of small pecks on my swollen lips.

Slowly opening my eyes I looked up at him. His face was flushed and he had small little grin on his lips. "Wow."

I simply nodded, tell me about it.

He grabbed my keys from me and unlocked the door. Pecking my lips once more he dropped them in my hand.

He leaned in and whispered right in my ear, causing me to shiver. "Get some sleep, I'll call you in the morning." Then he turned and walked away.

Getting ready for bed later that night I relived the whole evening and found myself actually excited to see what tomorrow would bring. The twelve step program I had entered was not the one I was expecting, but for the first time in a long time I could almost see myself enjoying Christmas.