Happy holidays!

I wrote this for a Countdown to Christmas two years ago I think. I found it awhile ago, and wanted to post it for ya'll to read this lovely holiday season.

-Next week I'll be posting an Edward & Bella Christmas one/shot. (Let's just say there's a blizzard involved...;)
-The week after will be for my Sergeant Masen fans. I'll have an outtakey-one/shot thing with the whole gang celebrating Christmas for the first time.

And then, I guess we'll go from there! I hoped I could get a Alice and Jasper one in there too, so I'll work on it!

I smiled for the first time in weeks, I had smiled before, of course but it wasn't the kind of smile that reached my eyes so that if people truly looked at me they would see that I was not happy.

My name is Rosalie Hale, I am 27 years old and married to Emmett Cullen, so yes I am Rosalie Cullen but after two and half years of marriage I had still not gotten use to not using my maiden name.

The light, yet seemingly harsh December winds whipped across my face and I knew my cheeks were rosy from it. Emmett and I were spending the day with his family and their spouses. Tonight was Christmas Eve and we would all spend that separately. The thought made me sigh.

Today my mother-in-law Esme had planned a day of family bonding. That was a bad way of wording that because it made us sound like some Full House or Seventh Heaven episode but it was pretty much what we were doing. She had arranged a visit to a horse stable and then a sleigh ride before the girls would go inside and make cookies and other sweets while the guys wrapped presents at the last minute.

After that she said we could just go outside and frolic through the snow like we were six again. This seemed fun to me, I hadn't built a snowman for years or even made a snow angel.

Then we go to Christmas Eve mass together before parting ways to spend the rest of the night intimately and quietly with our husbands and wives. To most women this sounded perfect, and it did last year. This year it didn't sound bad…up until the intimate cozy part with Emmett. I'm not crazy, or maybe I am, but I was not looking forward to Christmas sex.

"Jasper!" Edward, Emmett's brother yelled. The three were brothers and Alice, Bella and I had married into the family. "We all know you went to the fucking ranch camp when you were 12 but would it kill you to wait for us dammit!"

Alice and I giggled while we looked ahead up the snowy path to see Jasper actually restraining himself from going much faster. Alice rolled her eyes and urged her horse forward. The women were given the beautiful Clydesdale horses that were light brown with the white fur on the bottom and the guys were given various other ones.

We were trailing through the forest that was covered with snow, but only lightly so that it was sparkling and breath taking. Red cardinals flew by chirping happily as if to accent the Christmas joy. The smell of pine reached my nose, tickling it with its special scent.

Edward was the middle child. Him and each of his brothers teased each other like they were going to die tomorrow but Edward was the one who always started it, though my husband could always be heard laughing the loudest.

But not lately.

The two of us were in deep with complications. He was a successful business owner at the age of 28, owning a construction company that had been booming lately. I was a middle school English teacher and our jobs alone were creating much tension. When he wasn't working I was figuring out lesson plans and correcting papers, when I wasn't he was working.

Each of our jobs irritated the other. But that was not all. He didn't look at me like he did when we were dating. He didn't whisper into my ear after making love, he didn't tease and flirt with me and when he did it was hallow. He complained about me having too many friends that were men.

Our issues went on for awhile, they were typical things I guess, though money was never our concern. Sometimes we fought; well more than sometimes but it wasn't like it used to be. Now we were arguing to take our frustrations out on one another, yet that was so hard to admit while yelling.

Apologizes rarely came any more. Our first fights I had said sorry after thinking about it and he would forgive me without emotion and never offered apologies of his own. I wondered where the man I married was. Emmett was always one to laugh, he was my giant teddy bear and I love him to death and can't picture myself anywhere else. Now he infuriates me and not in the passionate way it used to be.

"Rosie Posie," Emmett called from behind. I stiffened a little bit on the uncomfortable saddle before turning back to see him ride up next to me looking handsome on his black horse. He was a man of much muscle and I always found that attractive as well as his black hair that was now trimmed of its curls.

As I looked at him I could see the arguments we had had in the past. I had pleaded with him not to cut his curls, the next day they were gone and I believe it was simply to annoy me. The most recent one we had on what he was wearing. I would not allow him to come in sweats and a sweatshirt; I made him dress in darkened jeans with a grey sweater under a black cashmere coat along with a grey and red scarf.

Fashion had always been my thing; it intrigued him before. Now I was fought off by my efforts to make him look as dashing as he could be.

"Yeah?" I asked him as he rode up next to be, having little difficulty with his horse at all.

"Will you make those mint frosted snowflake cookies today?" He questioned me with a goofy smile. I sighed under my breath and wondered why I had been expecting him to tell me I looked hot on a horse like Jasper had to Alice.

"I will see what I can do. I was leaning towards the lemon flavored this year," I said, my lips turning up a bit but because of habit.

"Oh, okay. I just wanted to have those again." He shrugged before calling Edward to wait up. I sighed as Carlisle took his spot.

"Want to show these city folk how to ride a horse, Rose?" He asked me with a bright and cheery grin. I loved my father-in-law like my own.

I laughed. "I am city folk," I pointed out.

"Well then this should be interesting," he winked before kicking his horse with his heel. I laughed before putting pressure into my own horse's side and racing to catch up with him, going around Emmett, Edward, Jasper and Alice to keep up with him.

I had to hold on to my wool red hat to keep it from flying off as we raced down the path.

"Hey! I'm supposed to be in front!" Jasper called out from the distance before everyone was racing to get to the front laughing and yelling at one another, even Esme was yelling things at the ones in the front.

By the time we got back to the stables I was breathless from laughter. My eyes were leaking with moisture out of amusement. I had come in right after Jasper and Carlisle literally one pace behind me.

"Beat ya," Bella said with a goofy, love struck smile as Edward rode up next to her. He laughed and leaned in to kiss her on the lips and fell off the horse.

Despite out differences Emmett and I were the ones that were laughing our asses off as Edward groaned and got up slowly, wiping the snow off his ass.

After our horses were back in their stables we went for our sleigh ride along a beautiful frozen lake. Emmett put his arm around me and pulled me close, I looked up at him, not hiding my confusion; he simply shrugged with an innocent smile. Part of me guessed it was because we were the only couple not cuddled up together but I didn't want to be thinking about that, it was Christmas and I wanted to enjoy it.

"Emmett," Jasper said, getting his attention away from me. I sighed quietly and laid my head on his shoulder, "Did you errr…buy the um w-r-a-p-p-i-n-g p-a-p-e-r?"

Oh. Yeah, the guys thought we didn't know they were wrapping our presents so late.

Emmett nodded and gave him a look that told him to be quiet.

"You know we can spell, honey," Alice said, as if she were talking to a three year old, her eyes gleaming.

"Then can you just…ignore?" He pleaded, looking defeated by her skill of reading.

"Sure babe," she winked before snuggling her cold face into his jacket, he let out his breath looking relieved and Emmett silently chuckled.

Our sleigh ride went on for a little longer with cheery conversation with the entire family laughing at past memories and looking ahead to the new ones. When we got back we each thanked the stable owners and went to our cars.

I sighed as I opened my door to the large silver jeep and climbed in, surprised that Emmett had not even bothered to open my door and help me in. Usually he would do that in front of his parents but I suppose this is what had happened to us.

Emmett pulled out after Edward's Volvo where Edward and Bella were visibly laughing like kids. I smiled a little for them, they were always so happy and shouldn't I have that to?

Emmett's large hand gently took mine that was rested over the console; I stiffened and gave him a look of confusion but didn't pull my hand back, yet. He sighed and looked out the windshield before glancing at me with unhappy eyes.

"Rose, about tonight…" he started. My face scrunched up a bit, the Christmas sex talk…

"What do you want me to say, Emmett?" I asked him with a little misery after he had said nothing.

"What do you want me to do? Are we going to keep playing this game?" Emmett questioned, his tone like my own.

"I'm your wife, if you want to I will, it's Christmas and I'm not entirely sure I want to fall asleep lonely." I said, avoiding his gaze on me and distracting myself with my jeans.

"Let's not fight today," he proposed, I nodded and then turned my gaze at the snowy landscape flying by. I felt my throat tighten as tears fighting their way to the air. I had never realized how unhappy I truly was till now.

After that we got to the Cullen's large home that I compared to a 17th century mansion it was very Victorian age and it's decorations raged from rooms the old court of England or to a 22 year old bachelor pad.

The guys ran to Carlisle's study, quite literally. They were hiding our gifts there I presumed. My sisters and Esme went into the kitchen where Esme had bought anything we could need for baking cookies or other treats.

She turned on the radio and let the Christmas songs flow through the kitchen as we each began our own work. I tied my hair back into a tight pony in the back of my head and started the mixture for my snowflakes.

Alice started the work on her cute little snowmen next to me while Bella and Esme looked all over the kitchen for some of the cutters.

"Rosalie, what is up with you and Emmett?" She asked me, making me stop and turn to her. Her tone was sympathetic and concerned but she was blunt with her questioning.

"Work stress," I answered with a shrug before going back to beating my dough.

"You said that the last two times I've asked," she pointed out, focusing on her rolling clearly picking up that isn't would be an eye to eye conversation.

"That's what it is though," I answered while wiping my bangs away with my elbow.

"Rose, I work at the same school you do in the same grade," Alice was one of the American History teachers, "and Jasper is a partner in a broadcasting company. We are the alike but Jasper and I are so happy." I closed my eyes for a moment, irritated with her but knowing that I shouldn't be.

"I don't know. It's just not the same as it was before. I feel like we are in high school again and I'm the girl he's been with for so long that he just doesn't want to break up with me because of the attention and we have no classes together and only argue when we pass each other in the halls. My marriage is not the one I would have dreamed of." I vented to her, ashamed his family was so intoned with our problems.

"Ha," Alice chuckled while shaking her head. I looked her at her with a raised eyebrow. She met my face and stopped laughing before rushing to explain, "I meant the high school comparison, isn't that just life though?"

"Do what you need to make yourself happy," Alice said with a smile. I smiled back before focusing my attention, knowing what I needed to do tonight.

We baked for a couple hours and laughed over our women's talk. Christmas was a time for all of our memories to come pouring out about growing up and what we did every Christmas Eve and listen to Esme's stories about her sons.

Then we ran around outside.

I don't have to go into how epic that was.

Finally, we left to go and get ready for mass at our respective homes. I slipped off my clothes as soon as I was in our bedroom and slid into my v neck flowing maroon dress and slid the black camisole over it.

Then it was on to my hair, while Emmett got ready I pinned and clipped my hair up while curling and twisting here and there before doing my makeup and slipping on my black high heels.

We drove off once more, Emmett wearing a black sports blazer with a collared work shirt that was the same color as my dress. I smiled a little, laughing silently; we hadn't matched since our honeymoon.

The bright Christmas lights decorated the neighborhoods as we passed by them, candles lit and the moon shining on the snow brightly, the Trans Siberian Orchestra was playing the Christmas canon over the radio and it felt like Christmas. This is was what it was about, the feeling of joy from the holidays.

We parked at our church and got out of the car and merged into the crowded parking lot. Emmett put his hand on my lower back and led us through the cars. Most people were arriving at this time as well, smiling happily and laughing with family.

The two of us got inside and we sat by our family, Esme and Carlisle were also matching though they were gold and black. We slid into the pew and listened as the choir sang songs.

I focused my mind on readings the lyrics of the songs as the service went on. I took comfort from the glory of God and remembered that He was with me; I just had to meet him half way for help. And I was willing to do that. I prayed for the courage and the patience to make it work because I loved Emmett and I needed this to work.

After church was over we hugged everyone goodnight and wished each other a joyous Christmas before going home. Emmett and I cooked our meal together, not daring to say anything, but I found it was a comfortable silence not an angry one. When we sat down at our table across from each other I stood up and went over to my box of treats from earlier.

I came back to the table with my mint snowflake cookies. I set them on the table, a small smile on my face. Emmett looked at them and a grin spread over his face, he dropped his fork and reached to snatch my hand as I brought it back. I smiled widely at him.

If life was as simple as making mint snowflake cookies then why are we arguing about anything? Why am I not trying everything to see his grin?

We held hands silently through dinner, enjoying it while I smiled down at my food.

Then we opened each other's presents by our decorated Christmas tree. There wasn't that much because neither of us had time to shop this year but I was happy.

"I will go out and make sure our lights are working." Lights around the town were a big deal. If I was being sarcastic it might be funny, but I wasn't. You'll be laughed at if you don't have any or they aren't working.

"I'll be in," I said looking over at our bedroom, suddenly nervous once more. He nodded before setting down his eggnog and going out the door.

I took a few moments to gather myself and stop my heart from racing but I was shaking as I slid out of my dress and into my ivory lace panties and flowing matching tank top. I removed some of my make up but left my hair up. I lay in bed with the lights off but soft candles lit throughout the room.

All I could hear was Elvis's 'Blue Christmas' on the radio in the living room and then I heard the door open and Emmett step out of his boots and his footsteps following. He was loosening his tie and pulling it off as he walked into the darkened bedroom. I felt his gaze on me where I was on the pillow and looked up to see him shedding his clothing.

I took a deep breath as he got onto the bed and climbed by me. Instead of laying on me like I had assumed he would he lied next to me and wrapped his warm large arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to his body.

"Rosie," he said quietly, I looked at him in the darkness.

"Are you sure?" He questioned me, bringing his free hand up and brushing a stray of hair out of my face.

"I don't want to make you unhappy, not on Christmas. I have made you miserable the rest of the year and it breaks my heart, I'm miserable because of it. Please tell me the truth," he urged after I had not answered. I trembled lightly.

"Emmett, love me. Please just do this. Let me remember why I love you. Remind me how special we are together." I said in barely a whisper, squeezing my eyes shut.

"I will," he promise before shifting his weight. I braced myself for his weight.

He rolled on top of me but hovered on his elbows knowing full well he could crush me without being careful. He kissed my forehead and whispered something lowly before his hands glided down to my silk covered sides and his lips met mine.

They didn't attack; for once it was a gentle kiss, though I felt something in it, that feeling that makes me tingle. I pulled my hands up and placed them on the back of his head, a little sad I was unable to run my hands through his boyish girls. Mere moments passed before we were both urging for more, our instincts taking over as our lips pressed harder to another.

We tangled together, moving perfectly, though each of us was fighting for that dominance. I arched up a bit and he pressed down. I felt my core beginning to heat already from the friction of his hard chest against my small form. His tongue slipped in my mouth and I groaned, pleased this had not changed. I felt his hard on grinding against my thigh making me moan.

His hands traveled upwards slowing making me shiver as he withdrew from my mouth and went to savagely attack my neck with his lips. I held onto his neck and gasped as he bit lightly on my skin and took a firm hold of my breasts at the same instant. I cried out as he grunted and fondled the mounds of flesh.

He let his hands momentarily travel from my breasts down to my panties. His mouth traveled down my neck my breasts while he hooked his thumbs in my panties and slid them down; I used my feet to kick them off. He pushed some my top away, giving him complete access before his mouth took my nipple into it and he sucked and twirled it in his mouth while his left hand did the same with my other nipple.

This left me wetter and panting. I held his head to me until he removed his weight from me and kneeled up, lightly pulling my top over my head. I raised my hands to help him.

Before I could bring my arms down he was in the exact same position as before and his lips were quickly traveling down as his hands fondled my breasts once more.

Then he began kissing them in scattered places. Then his tongue trailed between them and I scratched on his back with my nails. He took my neglected nipple into his mouth again and sucked on it. Hard. So hard I could feel the sensation from the tip of my toes to my head.

I looked up at him as he released me from his month and let his hands massage them gently between his finger tips. I wiggled and rubbed my legs together as he looked at me just before I brought my eyes down.

In the darkness I could see this was making him happy, connecting with me once more and it was making me happy too. I chided myself for leaving all the pins in my hair.

He sensed this and made quick work to pull out all the items that were making my scalp ache. I felt my curled hair fall and frame my face.

"I always thought you looked so beautiful with your hair down." I blushed and looked down. He brushed his hand against my cheek like a feather and I shivered once more.

I felt his hard on rub more persistently against my thigh and though I wanted to do something for him, something told me he was ready for me, just as I was ready to receive him. By now I was rubbing my legs fiercely to creation any friction. I whimpered and he chuckled before moving his hands down to open up my thighs. I was reluctant for the friction to stop but his large warm hands guided them wide open for him.

Sweat was on our bodies as he plunged into me. I was taken aback by the feeling and cried out. I let my nails big into his biceps as he concentrated on pushing into me hard. I felt it everywhere in my body as we pushed against each other and I gasped, my breath leaving me. My core coiled tightly and I squeezed around him.

He grunted out and I arched my body up so he could get even farther in. I groaned, I was so close and with one final thrust I came… and fast. He came right after me and we trembled out our orgasms together, feeling the ecstasy as a couple.

My hand fell to the pillow as I gasped for air and got my breathing to level out from gasps to slightly labored. Emmett rolled off of me and pulled our white comforter up.

"Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…" The beautiful melody of the familiar carol filled the silence. I smiled in the darkness. The carolers were here, singing in the most beautiful harmony.

"Fall on your knees…oh hear the angels voices. Oh night divine. Oh night when Christ was born…" The most powerful refrain on all types of voices, sounding so angelic reached our ears of my favorite song Oh Holy Night.

"Oh….night….divine….." Emmett wrapped his arms around me just as the song ended and he pulled me close to him. Like he needed to hold me close after such a song that sent goose bumps on your arms it was so angelic.

The carolers outside went on to sing the other popular carols. I looked up at Emmett; tears had reached my eyes from the powerful song.

"We'll be okay," I whispered to Emmett, feeling at peace with the world while listening to Silent Night.

"Yes angel, we'll be perfect." I snuggled into his chest, smiling against it, touched at his words.

"Merry Christmas, I love you." I whispered to him, he said he loved me too, and we meant it.

I dozed off slightly but not completely, because I just wanted to enjoy the feeling of his arms holding me like I was the most fragile, treasured thing in the universe.

"Thank you God for this women lying in my arms, this angel. You sent her to me for a reason and now I know what that is. I am sorry for all the times I pushed her down and thank you for not allowing me to break her wings or shatter her halo." Emmett was sure I was asleep I'm sure as he whispered this prayer. I squeezed him closer to me, holding him and never wanting to let go.

One holy night is what we needed. This wasn't done. It wasn't over. But I had my husband back and I was back as well.

From then on, I started to wear my hair down every day.

I would love to know your thoughts! I know it wasn't peppy, and I don't even know how I got the idea, but it was one of those times where you just have to get it out and see where it goes(:

Hit me up on Twitter for more updates! - (2carm2carm2)