The Christmas Book

Chapter Four – How?

Deciding he was in way over his head, Edward called his Aunt Esme. "Edward?" she asked worriedly. "Is everything all right?"

How did she know? Was it parental instinct that had them guessing to their child's turmoil? Was that the reason why he couldn't bond with the little girl— because she wasn't his? He refused to believe that, he loved Alyssa and would do anything to keep her safe.

"I, um, I brought her to a bookstore," he started and continued to explain what had happened.

"Oh, I know the bookstore you're talking about," Esme said softly. "It was one of my favorites, when Lydia owned it. I loved the coffee and pastries. In fact, Alice and Jasper have been there, too. I thought it closed because the owner passed last year."

"There's a sign out front that says it's a grand-reopening."

"That explains it," she replied.

"What do I do?"

Esme laughed. "Nothing, Edward. She's talking to someone and that's a good thing."

"What if she doesn't talk to anyone else but me and this woman?"

"Hmm," she offered. "According the store's website, the new owner is Lydia's granddaughter and she used to be a teacher, maybe that's how she knew how to talk to her and have Alyssa respond."

"I don't want her retreating again," he whispered.

Esme sighed. "This isn't going to happen overnight, despite what you're seeing. The woman simply helped her and maybe she has a way about her that speaks to children. That's not to say that Alyssa would respond the same way the next time you bring her by."

"Should I come back here?"

"What I think you should do is talk to this woman, ask her what you can do to help Alyssa."

"All right, I can do that."

"Good, now quit hiding in the restroom and go find the owner," she hissed playfully. "Goodness, she's a pretty one."

"Mom!" Edward cursed the day he finally relented and allowed his aunt to fix him up on a blind date. It had been a disaster.

"What? I'm just pointing out a fact. Don't tell me you didn't notice?" Edward's silence was enough of an answer for her. She laughed and said that she'd see him the following day and hung up.

When he returned to the two girls, he found Alyssa looking over a book with a pink icing-covered lip. He smiled as he made his way over; needing to make sure that what he was seeing was real.

"How's your cupcake, cupcake?" he asked softly as he sat down beside her. Alyssa giggled and offered him a bite of the brightly colored pastry. He growled playfully and took a big bite, moaning at the taste. "That is so good."

"Bella makes them," Alyssa said. "They're yummy." She rubbed her tummy twice before eyeing the confection and taking a monstrous bite. That was the little girl he'd seen when he used to visit. He took a deep breath, keeping his emotions in check.

Edward nodded in agreement and sipped on his drink while trying to find where Bella was, knowing that she wouldn't be far. From the corner of his eye, he could see that she was helping a customer at the cash register, though she glanced several times at Alyssa until he sat beside her.

"What do you have there?" Edward asked, watching Alyssa flip through a book.

"The Night Before Christmas," she explained. "Bella said it's good, but Mommy or Daddy never read it to me. I was too little, maybe?"

Edward could only offer a shrug. "I could read it to you, Alyssa." The dark haired girl seemed to think about it, biting the corner of her mouth. She nodded after a few moments.

"Yes, please, Uncle Edwerd."

Thank you.

"How are my best customers doing?" Bella asked as she approached their little table.

"Good!"Alyssa said softly. "Can I get this book, Edwerd?"

"Of course, you can," he said with a smile. "Why don't you keep eating while I go pay for your book?"

Alyssa nodded happily, losing herself in another big bite of her cupcake. How she could fit so much in such a tiny mouth, Edward would never understand.

He smiled up at Bella and rose to his feet. Once at the cash register, he asked what he'd been dying to inquire about, "How did you do it?"

Bella sighed and looked into his eyes. "I recognized the signs," she said. "I'm guessing she's not in pre-school."

Edward shook his head. "All the spots were taken in the area when it was time to register. She lost her parents earlier this year and it took time to go through all their paperwork. It was my fault; I had no idea what I was doing once I had her in my care."

Bella laid her hand over his and squeezed it gently. "She needs other people around her, not just you. It'll just make it easier for her to retreat into herself."

"My aunt watches her while I'm at work," Edward said.

"But she doesn't talk to your aunt, right?" Edward shook his head, waiting for an explanation. "Was this who she stayed with right after losing her parents?" He nodding, remembering how his uncle Carlisle and Esme thankfully managed temporary foster care of Alyssa while he traveled from Africa. "At first, she didn't talk much to you, either?"

"The first two months, she barely said a word to me," he replied softly.

"She's gotten used to it," Bella offered. "She talks to you since you're around more, but even if your aunt is with her a lot, too, she's used to the idea of talking to no one but you. It doesn't help if you answer for her, either."

Edward's back shot up. "What the hell does that mean?"

"You were going to answer for her earlier."

"Yes, I don't want her to get embarrassed."

"And I understand that," Bella replied gently. "Look, I don't mean to step on your toes, but if you keep answering for her, she'll never talk to anyone else, much less other children."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"If she doesn't verbalize, like for instance, if she wants something, you need to prompt her to ask for it or at least verbally confirm that she wants it."

"And if she refuses to answer or ask?"

"Then she doesn't get it."

"But…"

"Within reason, of course," she stated. "I found a way for her to get what she wanted without making her embarrassed. There are ways to work around her fear." Edward nodded, remembering how Bella had Alyssa count how many marshmallows she wanted. "It might not always work, though. Are there other children around?" He shook his head. "Why don't you bring her by tomorrow afternoon at three? We have a group of kindergarteners coming in for story time."

"I'll ask if she'd like that." Even though he had to work, he could change his schedule if need be. He'd have to check with the office to be sure. And he was on vacation in two days for the next month and a half. If not the following the afternoon, maybe he'd be able to return on another day.

Bella nodded and proceeded to ring Edward's purchases up, only realizing that her hand was still in his. She smiled gently and pulled her hand back.

"Can I see?" Alyssa asked. Edward looked down into those big blue eyes and quickly picked her up. "Let me pay."

"Sounds good to me," Edward teased. "Where's your wallet?"

Alyssa giggled. It was one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard. "I don't have any money!"

"Then how are we going to pay?" Edward asked, frowning.

The little girl in his arms looked thoughtful for a few moments before she answered. "You and Daddy always said my kisses and hugs were like treasures. How about some of those?"

Bella's heart melted at Alyssa's words. "One kiss and hug would pay for your cupcake."

Alyssa's face lit up. "See Uncle Edwerd." Edward held onto Alyssa as she knelt on the counter, wrapping her thin arms around Bella's neck. She whispered something into Bella's ear, causing her to blush. As Alyssa pulled back, she smiled softly, her eyes wide with excitement. She turned to Edward and grinned. "Now it's your turn to pay for your hot chocolate with a kiss."

It was Edward's turn to blush.

AN: Betaed by kyla713. Aww, a little matchmaker, lol.