Another update today ... YAY!

Chapter 2

After the tree is decorated, I stand back at the switch and smile at them.

"Ready?" I ask and they all yell "yes."

I switch on the lights as they cheer loudly.

We have dinner and then I get them bathed. I read the kids a bedtime story, before putting them to bed.

"More work?" Mary asks as I head to my office. I just sigh and nod at her. "You work too hard, Edward."

"I have to, for them," I say with a smile.

I enter my office and sit down looking at what I have to do. Sighing again, I rub my face.

I wake with a startle and find yet again I've fallen asleep at my desk. Feeling like I've worked enough, I move away from my desk heading for a shower. After Mary reminds me that she has a hospital appointment and I will need to pick up the kids, I head off to work.

When I get there, I find a note saying I'm to go to the dragon's office. I knock before walking in. I go to speak as she looks up, but the large bruise on her face stops me.

"Fuck," I say knowing that when I looked Corrine over she didn't have a scrape on her.

"What?" Ms. Swan says looking confused at me.

"Your face – I'm so very sorry," I say, but she gives me a disbelieving look. "I am grateful you saved my daughter, but I'm sorry you were hurt."

I try my best not to frown when she rolls her eyes.

"How are you getting on with the new toy design?"

"It's slowly getting there. I'm finding it a little hard to meet the requirement."

"Can you show me what you have?" She asks softly.

"Give me a few minutes to get the paperwork."

I jog down the stairs and collect what I need before heading back upstairs.

I show her the problems that I have run into and she sighs. "Do think you could try and meet with them, and see if you're able to turn their mind to this one?" she asks pointing at the soft toy I came up with. "This is really good, and their expectations are a tad unreasonable."

"That they are, and I'm willing to give it a try?" I say.

"Okay, I'll set it up, and let you know what time."

I nod in agreement, and start to gather my things.

"Has the end of the month work been organized yet?"

"No," I huff.

"Okay, how about you all have the twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth of December and the first of January off, but work the rest as overtime?"

"We should have all of it off. It was our set time off and has been for years. Not many of the employees have had any time off this year."

"You all took your standard vacation weeks; only two people have not used their allotted time off," she replies right away.

"Yes, that is true, but we're also being paid less than normal."

Ms. Swan holds up her hand. "I need you all here, this is the only way around it. You'll still get these 'important' days off, but I need you all here the rest of the time."

I chuckle not that I found what she said was funny, but because it's as if things we've all had are no longer important.

"Just because they aren't what you believe in, doesn't mean they are not real or important to your employees."

"I understand that, and that's why I've come up with the idea of you all having those important days off. All I'm asking as your employer is for you and the other workers to meet me part way."

"No, it's not fair," I say knowing that we all deserve some time off.

"Your jobs will not be safe if you don't work these hours."

"Go ahead and fire us then, we'll see you in court."

Ms. Swan rubs her head. "That will not help and none of you will get anything anyway. I've offered you off the same days that are recognized as federal holidays and given you the day before one of those holidays to boot. As for taking me to court, by then it'll be too late to save anything you hold truly important."

I shake my head walking out. As soon as I'm downstairs I get smacked on the head by Rose.

"Charming, not being a dick head," Rose snarks out and I glare at her.

"That's impossible, not even Santa could be nice to her," I say and Rose rolls her eyes.

"Just shape it up and fake it if you must."

It's just after lunch time when Ms. Swan tells me that she's set up my Skype meeting. I have to go down to the Reindeer farm for it, so I head over there while eating my lunch.

I spent over two hours talking to Aro, from Volturi Toy Stores. In the end he seemed very pleased with what I had in mind and was willing to bend off his original idea. I logged off with a grin knowing that I just scored a large contract for next year with him. I walk out of the Reindeer farm and my cell buzzes. I frown seeing that I have two voicemails.

I listen to the first call and hear that Coby had become unwell during class. The very next call says that Corrine is now in the office saying she has a sore head.

My heart beats faster when I see that the calls were sent over an hour ago. I quickly make my way to the school – my heart thumping the whole time.

"Hi," I say running into the school office.

Mrs. Cope just frowns at me.

"The twins are sick, I got a call?"

"Yes, but Ms. Swan picked them up about a half hour ago," she says looking at her watch.

I simply nod, not waiting to ask how and why they were handed over to that woman. I run all the way back to work and jog up the stairs to her office.

"Sorry, I was sick," Corrine says as I burst through the door. I swallow seeing that Ms. Swan is only in a girdle and a skirt as she's putting her shirt on Corrine.

"It's okay, honey, it wasn't your fault. Oh, look your Daddy is here."

I remove my eyes from Ms. Swan's body when Coby starts to cough. I move to him feeling his head, which is very warm.

"I've called Doctor Cullen – your brother, he's on his way in, but he thinks that it's just a cold or the flu."

I look up at her and nod. "Thank you, Ms Swan."

"It's Bella – why don't you call him to come to your home."

I nod, and start to worry about how I can get them home.

"I'll drop you off at your place; the last thing they need to be is out long in this cold."

I watch her almost in shock as she puts on a light weight jacket, picks up her car keys and then the kids' bags. "Are you ready?"

I nod and pick up Corrine. I take Coby's hand, but he staggers a little. I sigh moving Corrine to one side and trying to pick up Coby. I always carried them like this before, but now they are too big for it.

"If you hand me Corrine, I can carry her. If you'd like, that is?"

I swallow before kissing my baby girl on the head and passing her over. I take the bags from her, and pick up Coby. We walk down the stairs and load into her car.

When Ms. Swan—Bella—starts to drive, I call my brother. I tell him Ms. Swan is bringing me home and to meet us there instead of work.

She pulls up outside of my home. I frown, not realizing until now that she knew where I lived, without my telling her.

"I know where you live, because it's on your work information," Ms. Swan says as if she read my mind. "And again, it's just Bella."

I look at her as I pick up Corrine. I pass her my sick daughter before picking up my son.

"You said to Doctor Cullen that Ms. Swan was driving you home," I nod and shrug a little.

"I'll try to call you Bella if it means that much to you."

She gives me a smile and I walk into the house, heading to the kids' room.

"They share a bedroom?"

"Yes, for now they do. I've tried to put them into their own rooms, but they didn't like it. So for now, they have a playroom and a bedroom."

"It must be nice to grow up with your sibling."

I look around at her and frown not getting what she means.

"There was only me, growing up," she says again as if she could read my inner thoughts. "I hope they feel better soon. Let me know if you're not coming in tomorrow."

Just like that the kinder woman is gone again, leaving the dragon in its place. I don't even face her, but I do hear her leave.

"Daddy, I feel sick again," Corrine says and promptly throws up all over Ms. Swan's shirt.

"Edward?" Carlisle says walking in.

While I clean the mess, he looks them both over and says they have strep and a cold. He tells me to make sure they drink plenty of fluids and gives them each a dose of antibiotics. Before he leaves he tells me to call him if I need him or Esme to help me.

I spend most of the evening and night with them, and by morning their temperatures are down and Corrine has stopped puking, but I still take the day off. By the next day they both look better and I'm more willing to leave them to head in to work.

"Edward, the dragon wants to see you," Rose says before I can even get my jacket off.

I sigh and head upstairs and knock on the door.

"I take it that Coby and Corrine are better today?"

I nod, as I sit down.

"I thought you were going to call me if you weren't coming in yesterday?"

I frown and tilt my head at her.

"Before I left, I asked you to call if they were too ill for you to come in."

"That was the first sick day I've had off."

"But you weren't sick," she says looking at me.

Before I can speak she shakes her head. "Here are Corrine's clothes. I had them dry cleaned for you." She hands me over the clothes.

"I could've washed them," I say knowing there's no way I can afford to pay for dry cleaning.

"They were left here and it would've been rude if I had not gotten them washed. I've never had to wash out vomit, and it took all day yesterday to get the smell out of my carpet." She says pointing to where Corrine was sick.

"She's just a child, she never meant for it to happen," I huff out.

"Why are you so mad?" she asks.

"How did you get my kids?" I ask instead of answering her question.

"The school called, looking for you. I had asked if it was important and told them I could get a message to you. The main line wasn't working and you were on the Skype line, so I thought it would be best just to pick them up. I was trying to help you."

I sigh and nod at her.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Owe me for what?"

"For the dry cleaning, picking up my children, watching them for an hour and driving us home?"

"Nothing."

I frown at her, more than sure she'd have expected me to pay for it all.

"It's fine really; I chose to do this. I picked up and took care of the children, to help you out. I did not pack up the dirty clothes, so I took care of them. I offered the ride, without a motive. What makes you think I did all of that to then force you to pay me for it all?"

"Why do you speak like that?" I ask, she always speaks so formally.

"It's how I was raised. Now, are the others in agreement about the upcoming holidays? And by the way, we need to step up the pace on production. We have many shipments to get out before the end of the year."

I hold my face over the fact the slightly strange, friendly woman has yet again been replaced by the unfeeling dragon once again.

I hear Rose's voice echo in my head about being charming.

"Have lunch with me?" I say and she looks at me.

"Why?"

"So I can thank you for looking after my kids."

"There is no thanks needed, repay me by making them," she says pointing at the window for downstairs, "see that having the three days off, is the best choice for all."

"I will, and I will make them agree, if you have lunch with me."

"Fine," she grunts out.

I give her one last smile, get up and walk out the door.

As soon as I am downstairs, I call my sister-in-law Esme asking her if she could make me a picnic lunch. I'm very pleased that she says she can.

It's a few hours later when she walks in with it, and I smile thanking her.

"Operation Scrooge has started," I say as the other workers chuckle and I make my way up to the office. I knock on the door and hear her say to enter.

"Hi," I say giving her a big smile.

"What?" Ms. Swan asks looking at me.

"It's lunch time," I reply.

She looks to her computer and sighs. "Sure." She stands up walking to me, when she's in front of me I frown. I'm clearly a foot taller than her, and she didn't seem this small the other day.

"You weren't that small before?" I say stupidly.

"I've taken my heels off," she says looking up at me.

"Oh," I say looking at her stocking-covered feet.

"Want to eat on the floor or table?" she asks.

"Floor," I say knowing that it will put us closer.

She moves to the open side of the floor and takes a seat, and I follow.

"So, is your family coming to visit for Hanukkah?" I ask as I start to unpack the basket.

"I don't have any family to come and visit me."

I look up at her and just like her voice sounded, there's no emotion showing on her face.

"I'm sorry," I say knowing it's the polite thing to say.

She shrugs her shoulders. "Beside my grandfather, no one else was really a big part of my life."

I swallow unsure about her lack of feeling on this topic.

"Do you celebrate Hanukkah?"

"Not any more; not since I left the boarding school I attended."

I press my lips together unsure how to reach her on another level. She seemingly keeps shutting down each topic I try to speak to her about.

"So, how long did you attend boarding school?

"For six years."

I nod, knowing that asking her questions is not getting me anywhere.

"I think I miss school. When I was there, I hated it, but now I think those were the best years of my life," I chuckle. "You know what I mean?"

"No, not really. I hated school. I really hated the boarding school I attended. I'm glad schooling is all over with and wouldn't go back even if you paid me."

"Did you have many friends?" I ask.

"Some, not many."

The fact that she didn't have many friends doesn't surprise me.

I hand her a plate. "Okay, dig in," I say having brought everything out.

I watch her take a little of everything.

"I'm surprised with this town being so small that I haven't seen you outside of work."

"I see you and the kids most weekends, and some evenings, too. You passed by me Monday when you were in town."

I frown at her trying to work out how that was possible because I'm sure I haven't seen her in town, ever.

"I don't look like this on my down time," she says like that would make a big difference.

"Can I ask where you were, when you passed me?"

"In Whitlock's Grocery store, in the produce aisle."

I hold a neutral look on my face knowing now she's lying, she never shops in there.

"I'm sorry for being rude and not acknowledging you, but I don't remember seeing you."

Again she shrugs, but says nothing.

"Have you always wanted to run a company?"

"Yes, this was my grandfather's company. I loved him dearly and he used to bring me here when I was younger. He always let me watch him make toys."

For the first time I see her smile.

"Have you always wanted to design toys?"

"Yes and no," I answer. "I wanted to design whatever I thought of, but it just so happens that the place where I live has a toy factory."

"You are very good at toy designs. Aro was raving about you after your meeting; you did well."

I bob my head in thanks and we carry on eating.

"What were your parents like?" I ask after a few minutes.

"Why do you ask?"

"I'm trying to get to know the town's new arrival."

"I'm not the town's new arrival."

"I know you have worked here for four years but—"

"I've spent every summer in this town from birth until I was ten. Then I lived here year round for two years. After that I was back to coming every summer, until I moved back here four years ago, when my father passed away," she says cutting me off. "So I'm not the town's new arrival in anyone's standards."

I tilt my head trying to work out why none of us knew her, or even heard of her until four years ago when she became our boss. Her grandfather was Gabriel Swan and the older people here knew him. He passed away ten years ago, and for ten years before that he had stepped down from running this place. For those years, his brother-in-law, Mr. Webster ran the company for him.

"I am sorry, maybe if you talked about your parents, I'd remember you more?"

She looks thoughtful. "Well, my mom was unpredictable at times; other times she was very OCD. Near the end of her life she was just plain odd." She looks at me shaking her head. "She had taken to wearing gloves all the time. She wouldn't let me eat anything that wasn't from her greenhouse. She was always muttering that someone was watching her. One time she even had a fight with a bush, because she thought someone was hiding in it.

"My dad… I'm not really sure about him. He hated this town and everything it stood for. There wasn't much love lost between him and my grandfather, so it's quite doubtful that any of this information would help you."

She looks down at her hands and I watch her twist her napkin.

"Besides, I know you."

I raise my eyebrow at her.

"You're Edward Cullen, the second son of Edward and Elizabeth Cullen. You have an older brother Carlisle, who followed in your father's footsteps and became the town doctor. Your best friend, and mother to Coby and Corrine, was Tanya Denali. You met Tanya at school and became friends with her from first grade. You were the star of the football team, and were in most of the geek groups, too. You left and studied at college for four years, but came back home getting a job here."

My mouth opens and closes as I'm stunned that she knows all of that. "How did know all of that?" I ask feeling unsettled.

"I told you, I've been here for many years, seen and heard a lot."

"Then you know that Christmas is a special time for this town?"

"No, I was never here the last two weeks of December; I always spent that with my father."

I sigh rubbing my head which is starting to get sore.

"What did you and your dad do?"

"When?"

"During Christmas?" I say getting annoyed that I'm having to explain everything to her.

"I'm Jewish, but to answer your question, nothing. He worked and I stayed home with a sitter until I was fourteen, after that I was alone."

I frown just looking at her. "Why were you there if he had to work?" I ask feeling a little disturbed by this information.

"It was his scheduled time with me."

"But he didn't spend time with you?" I say stupidly.

"Maybe it's better to say it was the only time he was in America."

I swallow a little. If all of this is true, I can see why she wouldn't celebrate the holidays. However, it still doesn't mean she should take it away from others who do.

"What do you normally do?" Bella asks turning my own question to me.

"Well, it's my turn to host dinner, so my parents, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, his girlfriend Rose, Alice and her boyfriend Jasper, will all be at my place along with the kids and Mary. Mary is the nanny who helps with the children." I smile leaning back a little.

"Coby and Corrine get me up at around six. I sit with them as they open what I have gotten them. After that we'll get everything tidy, and get washed, change into the new pajamas. We make Mary breakfast in bed, and take it to her around nine; she never sleeps later than that. The kids will play games, while Mary and I will make a start on lunch. By twelve everyone will have arrived, and we all share our family gifts. We'll have lunch, and then the kids will open their gifts from Santa. We all help make dinner and clean up before everyone heads home around eight."

I look at Ms. Swan who looks a little sad.

"Sounds like a magical day."

I nod at her in agreement, because the holiday is always wonderful.

She looks down at her watch and then back up to me. "Thank you for lunch, but I should get back to work."

I look at my own watch seeing that it's only been twenty minutes. "We should still have half an hour at least."

"Yeah, you still have the rest of your lunch time, I just need to get on with work."

I pull my brows together, but before I can say another word she's already up and looking through the mountain of paperwork on her desk.

"All right then," I say lowly.

"I'm sorry, this needs to be done, and I don't usually take a lunch."

I look at Ms. Swan but her head is down. I shake my head knowing this is going to be a lot harder than what I first thought. I clean up the picnic mess, and leave her office without saying anything else.

A/N: So what are your thoughts? There will be another eight chapters posting before January 1st. Happy holidays!