Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
BPOV
Five years later…December 15th
"Come on Bella," Rosalie whined. I had only just entered her house and she was already pestering me. Why did I come over here again? Oh yeah. I was on a mission. "You have no other plans for Christmas. It will be better for Lexie if she comes with us. You'll have fun!"
"Rose…I don't want to impose on your brother," I said uncertainly. She had been trying to convince me to go to Christmas dinner with her brother and his wife for ages. Normally, Lexie and I spent Christmas together in Florida. Sometimes, Renee and Charlie would come by and spend time with us. But mostly it was just the two of us. This year though, Rosalie's brother and his wife were moving down to Florida and they wanted to christen the new house by throwing a Christmas dinner.
I used to always spend Christmas with Alice's family. Charlie and Renee would take me to the Brandon's house to open presents and have dinner. Alice and I would open presents together and exchange gifts, always laughing at the ones we hated. I hadn't spoken to Alice since the day I found out I was pregnant. She called every day for a year. She still calls, every once in a while. I never answer, even though it kills me every time I see her name flash across the screen.
"He doesn't mind at all! He's been dying to meet you," Rosalie persisted, pulling me out of thoughts of my old best friend. "And Lexie." She pouted, jutting out her lower lip in a puppy dog face. My one weakness. It's my version of kryptonite.
"Rose…" I said, biting my lip. I was caving and she knew it. She grinned wickedly.
"I knew you would come! He'll be so happy!" she squealed, hugging me quickly. "You'll love Christmas with us. We always have a huge tree and lots of presents and-"
"No going overboard," I interrupted.
"Of course not," she quickly brushed me off. "And then my mother cooks a huge meal with ham and spaghetti and chocolate cake that is to die for." She licked her lips.
"That is good cake," Emmett agreed from beside her. I rolled my eyes. Those two were like kids on Christmas, literally. Lexie wasn't even as bad as them.
"Ham, spaghetti and chocolate cake? Sounds delicious," I muttered sarcastically.
"Oh don't be such a spoil sport," Rosalie snapped, rolling her eyes. "So what are you getting Lexie for Christmas?" she asked eagerly.
"I'm not sure yet…I was thinking about getting her a puppy though," I informed her. Emmett jumped up eagerly.
"Get her a rottweiler! Or a pitbull!" he yelled. I rolled my eyes.
"You know I don't think my five year old daughter is going to want an attack dog. Wild guess," I said sarcastically. "I was looking at dogs and I was thinking a coton de tulear. It's a rare French breed that doesn't shed and stays about twelve pounds. Perfect dog for her, I think."
"Aw," Rosalie sighed. "It sounds adorable. Have you picked one out yet?"
"Actually…I have."
"And?"
"It's in the car. I kind of need a place to keep her for now," I said, biting my lip. Rosalie seemed to catch on but Emmett still looked confused. "Since I can't keep her at my house, Lexie would find her."
"Of course we'll take her for now," Rosalie promised.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Emmett said, holding his hands out. "I am not keeping a sissy lap dog in my house."
"You are if you want your special Christmas present." Her voice turned seductive at the end and she winked. Emmett groaned.
"Fine, we'll keep her here for now and then take her to your brother's to give to Lexie," he said.
"Good boy," Rosalie said, patting his head condescendingly. Emmett didn't even seem to mind. "Go get her, I wanna see!" she said excitedly. I laughed and went back to the car, picking up the small crate. The dog barked lightly inside. She was pure white with just a bit of brown on the top of her head and ears. She was like a little fluff ball. (Pic on profile)
"Here she is," I announced happily, opening the cage. The dog walked timidly out, instantly plopping herself into my lap. "We should name her."
"Ripper!" Emmett suggested. I rolled my eyes.
"Names Lexie would like Emmett." He nodded.
"Killer." I just rolled my eyes.
"How about Princess or Angel? Or Snowball?" Rosalie suggested.
"Too common and/or cliché…what about Sadie? I've always loved that name for a dog," I said wistfully.
"Sadie Swan. I like it," Rosalie said with a laugh.
"Sadie it is." I picked her up, cradling her against my chest like a baby. "Hey Sadie." She panted in response.
"Can I hold her?" Emmett asked excitedly. I laughed, handing Sadie over to Emmett. He held her on his lap and scratched her gently under my chin.
"Let's get a puppy Rose," Emmett said. She rolled her eyes.
"You always want what Bella has. First you wanted a baby when she had Lexie and now you want a dog since she has Sadie. You need to come up with your own ideas. Maybe we can get a cat," she suggested. Emmett and I shuddered.
"No cats," Emmett said firmly. I had to agree. I hated cats. They just weren't for me. Rosalie looked at our identical expressions and sighed.
"Honestly, you two are too alike for your own good," she muttered. She glanced up at the clock.
"Hey Bella shouldn't you go pick up Lexie from her play date?" she said. I looked up- it was almost five.
"Oh yeah. Thanks for this guys, it means a lot." I kissed Rosalie's cheek, then Emmett's. I patted Sadie one last time. "Be a good girl while I'm gone," I told her, kissing her furry forehead.
I turned and walked out, but not before hearing Emmett yell, "Rose I think she peed on me!" I was in stitches by the time I reached my car. I climbed into my Toyota Prius, much older now, and took off towards the address Angela and Ben had given me.
Lexie's best friends were a set of twins named Mike and Molly. They were her age and Angela and Ben Cheney are their parents. They're a few years older then me, but we get along just fine. Mostly it's just us talking while the kid's play or whatever. They're from near Forks. I never told them I was from Forks at all.
Usually, Mike and Molly came to my apartment to play, but I had to hide Lexie's gift, so Ben and Angela were taking Lexie for me. They apparently had a friend in from home- he would be staying with them through Christmas, maybe longer if he liked it. If he enjoyed Florida he was going to find an apartment. Mike and Molly would be turning six in February. Lexie's birthday wasn't until March.
Rosalie and Emmett lived closer to the school then I did, so normally I would stop by there every day. Even though we were all done with school, we had stayed close friends. I don't think I could ever stop being friends with them, especially since Lexie considers them an auntie and uncle. She loves them and so do I. She hardly knows her grandparents; she doesn't know her father and I have no sibling. They're the only family we have.
I hadn't dated much since I had Lexie. First of all, who wants to date a woman with a baby? Very limited options there. I had dated one guy, Mike Newton, for a while, almost a year. He said he loved me but I could tell he didn't care about Lexie at all. He saw her as more of a nuisance and he didn't love her. So I dumped him. I couldn't love someone who didn't love my baby. She was my whole life, the only person who has stuck with me through even the toughest times. She loves me unconditionally and that's all I can ask for. Mike was bitter though. He blamed it on Lexie. He left, but angrily. I hadn't seen him much since.
I pulled into the driveway of Angela and Ben's house. There was an unfamiliar silver Volvo in the small space in front of me. I parked and hopped out the car, making sure any evidence of the puppy was hidden. I stepped up the small three steps to their door and knocked. After a moment, Angela answered, looking slightly frazzled.
"Hey Bella," she said happily.
"Hey Angela," I replied.
"The kids are in the living room. You can go ahead in," she said. I stepped inside and she shut the door behind me. I took a few steps towards the living room. I could see someone holding Lexie. His back was to me. He was wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt, his bronze hair messy and disheveled. He looked so familiar.
"Your eyes are just like mine," Lexie said, her voice awed. She reached up and gently traced the shape of his eyes. He laughed a very familiar musical laugh. No. It can't be, bronze hair and green eyes. Could it be a coincidence? Lexie noticed me then, frozen in front of her, mouth agape.
"Mommy!" she sang, smiling broadly at me. The man in her arms turned around. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no. It's not possible.
"Hello," he said in a voice like velvet, flashing me a crooked grin. "I'm Edward Masen."
Ho-ly shit.
A/N: First cliffhanger of the story! Yay! There is some major foreshadowing in this chapter. I hope everyone likes this because I am having a ball writing it. And thanks once more to my ah-mazing beta Independant Mind aka Catt! Without her this story wouldn't be half of what it is today. REVIEW!!
