The Denver Paranormal Society

Chapter Four – Haunted Christmas

"It's going to be fine, Bella," I whispered, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. She allowed herself a moment, leaning against me fully. I reveled in her warmth, the subtle scent of black cherries in her hair and cinnamon from baking earlier.

"I can't help it," she said, pouting. I slid my lips along her cheek before lightly nibbling at the tempting pink curve. "Edward." She said that with need, but the undertone was part plea, too. I sighed, knowing it was for the best that she wasn't distracted.

We had five people joining us for Christmas dinner and it was Bella's first time hosting a holiday party. The turkey was resting on the counter nearby, the cranberry sauce and gravy were simmering under her watchful eye; yet it wasn't the upcoming dinner with our guests that were making her nervous.

It was the uninvited ones.

She said it happened almost every year. Spirits from miles around, from different eras and all walks of life would come to see her. Most of them have no idea why or who she is, only that they come to talk to her, and somehow, they're more at peace when they leave her, even if she couldn't get them to crossover.

"Have you seen or heard any in the last hour?" I asked, popping a stuffed mushroom in my mouth. She slapped my hand when I tried for another one, pushing me away from the appetizers she'd made. It wasn't easy staying away from the kitchen while she cooked all day. The whole house smelled amazing. I had spent most of the morning unpacking the last of her boxes, since it was obvious she would never get around to it.

I was neat and tidy. She left chaos wherever she worked.

She had lost many of her things in the explosion and fire that Kate had caused months earlier. Thankfully, she had some things stored at Charlie's and her former roommate's place. She was a bit of a procrastinator and had things scattered just about everywhere. That included a suitcase full of clothes from a trip she'd taken to Vegas the year before. She was so bad about finishing something that she had twelve current art projects she was working on and four books.

I didn't mind her chaos; in a way, it made me feel useful. It wasn't that she needed someone to take care of her. She was capable of doing that well on her own. It was the fact that I enjoyed doing things for her.

"Not a peep," she said, her brow furrowing as she stirred her gravy. The doorbell rang and she startled.

I offered her a smile. It was a little late for dinner, the weather made it hard for everyone to drive over, so we let our families know we were starting later. Suddenly, I was nervous. I hadn't exactly done things by the way of tradition. I should have asked Bella's father for her hand in marriage.

Bella rolled her eyes as if she knew what I was dwelling on. "He's not going to give you a hard time," she said, throwing me a smile a second after. "I don't think."

"Thanks a lot, sweetheart," I muttered as I made my way over to the front door. It seemed that everyone arrived at the same time. Just as I took Dad's coat, Charlie and Sue, a woman he'd been dating for a few months, pulled up in a truck behind my parents.

"Damn, it's cold out there," Charlie said as he wiped his boots on the mat just inside the house. He allowed the door to close behind him, before taking a long sniff of the air. "God, I love the smell of good cooking in the air." He grunted when Sue elbowed him in the gut. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Dad decided to save him and whisper in his ear as Esme led Sue toward the kitchen. "You made it sound as if Sue doesn't cook well," Dad said, offering Charlie a pat on the back as he groaned.

"I haven't dated in years," Charlie muttered. "Half the time, I put my foot in my mouth, the rest, I'm trying to figure out what to say so I don't sound like an idiot."

"I'm sure it's fine," I reassured him, hanging up his coat and Sue's. "You've been seeing each other for a while now, so that has to mean something." Charlie nodded when I noticed someone missing. "I thought Billy was coming with you."

Charlie shook his head, smiling brightly. "No, he got a bit of a surprise yesterday morning. His girls, Rachel and Rebecca, dropped by unannounced with their kids and spouses."

I laughed. "That's great. I'm sure he's having a great time."

"It was the strangest thing. Rachel had a sudden urge to see her father, and so did her sister." Charlie's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't think that had something to do with Jacob, do you?"

Bella hadn't told anyone but Charlie that Jacob had remained behind as a spirit after his passing. She was even more reluctant to share that he was an Angel of Death. I didn't blame her. How do you tell someone you care about that their son helped the dead walk into the light?

"I have no idea," I said with a shrug. Since Bella hadn't told him about Jacob's new occupation, I wasn't about to. Two shrieks came from the kitchen that had me running toward Bella in a flash. "What's going on?"

My mother had Bella in a tight bear hug, tears in her eyes. Sue stood beside them fanning her face with a hand, her bottom lip quivering.

"What is going on?" Charlie repeated, concerned and slightly scared. It was the tears; a woman crying was a man's kryptonite.

"Hi, Dad," Bella managed to say from my mother's strangle hold. With a huff, my mother moved and wiped at her eyes a handkerchief she always carried with her. Charlie's narrowed gaze roamed over his daughter, and after his scrutiny, he turned to me and glared.

"Care to tell me why my daughter is wearing an engagement ring, Edward?"

"Dad!"

Charlie lifted a hand and didn't even look at her. "I'll deal with you in a minute. First, Edward and I are going to have a talk."

I swallowed deeply, watching Bella roll her eyes. Her gaze left her father and turned to meet mine. She smiled and shrugged, mouthing, "Only child." Of course, that explained everything.

"Daddy," she whispered, putting those baby browns I loved to work. "I love him." Charlie sighed, his shoulders sagging under the power of her stare. She was good. If we had girls, I'd never win against them. "I'm going to marry him." Charlie nodded. "And we're going to have children." Did she really need to add that?

"I knew this was coming," Charlie grumbled, and then, his frown turned into what I could only call a shit-eating grin. "Had you going there, huh?" He wiggled his eyebrows, clapping my shoulder a little too hard. "You didn't knock her up already, did you?"

I choked on a cough as Bella nearly screamed, "Oh my God, Dad!"

"What? It's a legitimate question."

My mother agreed with Charlie and turned to Bella. "Are you two going to give me another beautiful grandchild?" Everyone in the room stilled at the seriousness in her tone. "I love Hayley so much and miss her every day. I don't want you to think we're pressuring you to have children right away." I could hear the sincere concern in her voice.

Bella offered her a smile, taking Mom's hand in hers. "We decided we wanted try right away." Mom's answering smile seemed to light up her face. "We're going to need some help. We need to get married soon."

"So you did knock her up?" Charlie muttered, but yelped when Sue elbowed him again. "I mean, I'm happy for you two, son." He clapped my back again with his hand, but it hurt more than the first time. I was barely able to keep the wince from my face.

"Dad, leave Edward alone," Bella said while still talking with my Mom, her back turned.

Charlie grumbled, "She has eyes in the back of her head, I swear. You'll never get away with anything." Sue laughed and led Charlie to the dining room. I was thankful for the reprieve and went to help Bella in the kitchen.

"That went better than I thought," I said as she hurriedly handed me a plate full of appetizers. Even as she turned to grab something else, she slapped my hand away from the mushrooms. I couldn't help but smile. Charlie was right. "You're going to make a great mother."

She gave me a brilliant smile. "They'll never get away with anything."

"Not one thing, considering I sure haven't since we met."

She took the plate from my hands, placing it on the counter so she could wrap her arms around me tightly. "I love you," she whispered, peppering my jaw with small kisses.

"Good to know," I said softly. She laughed, pushing me away by my stomach. I chuckled and grabbed her again. I cradled her face in my hands and watched as her bottom lip trembled with anticipation. Our lips met halfway, soft and tender as we sampled and tasted.

Time seemed irrelevant at times like that, and if it weren't for someone clearing his throat, we would've gone onto the inevitable conclusion; to bed, after everyone left, of course.

Bella growled as she stood in front of me protectively. It wasn't our parents or Sue that stood beside us but another Angel of Death. One we had never seen before. "What do you want?" she asked as her hands clenched into tight fists. I tried to calm her with my strength as I ran my hands down her bare arms. Her stance didn't waver, but I felt the tension of her body ease slightly.

The angel was taller than I was by at least three inches. His hair was dark, cut military short and dressed much in the same way as Jacob had been when we last seen him on the third bridge. Suit, tie and a long trench coat— these angels meant business.

"Jacob asked me to deliver a message," he said, bowing slightly. "My name is Demetrius." Bella nodded, refusing to take his hand that he held out. He smiled as if he understood why she wouldn't dare touch him. There was an ancient sadness in the dark depths of his eyes at her dismissal. I couldn't keep the shudder from moving down my spine.

"What's the message?" she asked. One of her hands reached for mine along the small of her back. I took it and hoped it helped ease her further, and it certainly helped me.

"We have come to understand that spirits flock toward you during the holiday. We'll take care of them."

Bella cocked her head to one side, confusion foremost in her features. "They do, but there hasn't been one all day."

Demetrius nodded and smiled. "Then we have been doing our job."

Bella's eyes widened. "You're crossing them over before they reach me?"

He nodded and Bella's relief was palpable. "Jacob wanted you to have a nice holiday," he said, winking before he left with the sound of fluttering feathers. Was that the sound of the unseen wings of an angel?

Bella blew out a sigh of relief.

"Who the hell was that?" Charlie said from the doorway of the kitchen. My eyes widened at the implications of what he'd just seen as Bella swayed and sagged against me.

Shit.

~oOo~

"She's coming around, son," Dad said as Bella stirred on the couch beside him. "Hand me the cup of water."

Confused, she looked around until her eyes settled on mine as I stopped from pacing.

"I'm sorry." She must have seen the worried look on my face. I felt so useless whenever she had her fainting spells. They happened too often and I was determined to have her do a barrage of tests immediately. I still hadn't been able to perform any while she was talking or seeing a spirit.

"What's going on, Bells?" Charlie asked from where he sat at one end of the couch. As I sat on the coffee table in front of her, I took her hand for comfort. "Who was that guy?"

Bella and I shared a look, nodding, I hoped it would give her the courage to continue. We decided to tell the others of the group after the holidays about Jacob, but this was Charlie and he had the right to know immediately.

"Would everyone but Charlie leave us for a few minutes," I said to my parents and Sue. They all nodded and made their way to finish prepping for dinner. I helped Bella to sit down and asked her take another drink of water. The time would allow her to gather her thoughts. She gave me a small smile of appreciation.

"Is something wrong, baby girl?" Charlie asked, his fingers caressing her cheek softly when she placed her cup on the table. The worry in his expression had Bella taking his hand in hers.

"Nothing is wrong with me," she whispered. "I swear. I've never felt better and I'm stronger than I used to be. It's just you caught me by surprise in the kitchen."

"Because I could see the ghost," he offered. "I've always been sensitive to them, but before I went in there, I swear I could feel that you were anxious about something."

"It wasn't a ghost," Bella stated.

"What else has the capability to disappear like that?"

Bella smiled sadly and wrapped her other hand around his. "He was an angel of death, Dad."

"No," he gasped, shaking his head. So many emotions passed over his face in a matter of seconds. "You said you were fine."

"Calm down," she whispered, kissing his cheek. "Please, calm down, Daddy." At the sweet affection in her voice, Charlie nearly melted into her arms. "I'm fine. I'm so happy with Edward and how everything seems to be working out."

"There's a 'but' in there, I can tell," he said, the crack in his voice made his daughter whimper softly and she held him close.

"Only those who will die in the next six months can see them," she whispered. As Charlie stiffened in her embrace, I could see the way she trembled as she said the words. "I can see them because of my gift, but you and Edward can see them because you may die soon." I heard the quiver of her voice and knew tears accompanied her words. I ran my hand down her back, a fruitless attempt to soothe her.

I had thought that, if something happened to me, at least she'd have Charlie with her. To keep her from falling apart. Now it seemed that whatever was supposed to happen, would likely take away many of the people she cared for.

I'd been ready to face death if it came for me, but now, I was determined to fight against my fate. Whatever it was that threatened to tear me from Bella would have a war against them.

"Edward, too," Charlie said hoarsely, his dark eyes meeting mine over his daughter's shoulder. I knew he was thinking along the same line as I was. Bella wouldn't survive if she lost us both.

"We'll figure it out," Bella said firmly, pulling away enough to wipe her eyes.

"We will," Charlie stated as he squeezed her hand. "Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

Bella squirmed under his gaze. "Jacob is one of them." Charlie nearly choked as he tried to say something. "They're not the bad guys, Dad. They're just here to guide lost souls home."

"He's the reason you know about the six month thing," Charlie determined on his own. "It was a warning. How long ago was it that you first seen him?" he asked me.

"A little over a month," I replied.

"Tell me everything," Charlie said. "We'll figure this out together."

~oOo~

Despite Bella's fainting spell, and the message from Demetrius, the rest of the night went well. Dinner was a success. Everything was so delicious that both Sue and Mom asked for some of Bella's recipes.

Presents were opened under the glow of a fire and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree Bella and I had decorated a week earlier. We gave my mother two of Bella's photographs she had admired during one of her visits. She loved them and already had a place for them in her office back home. Dad and Charlie were ecstatic over season tickets for baseball.

"Now that presents are out of the way," Bella said, smiling brightly. "We need to discuss wedding plans." Dad and Charlie groaned. "We don't need anything big, something simple would be best, since we would like to be married by the end of February."

"What?" Mom said, looking truly horrified. "That isn't enough time to pull a wedding together."

Bella smiled. "Time is of the essence," she stated, rubbing her stomach.

Everyone's eyes widened, even mine. I thought she was joking the other night. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Pretty sure," she stated. "I won't know for sure for a couple of weeks, but I'm usually not wrong about these things."

"Sometimes a woman knows," Mom offered, a wide smile on her lips and tears in her eyes for the second time that night.

A grin graced Bella's face as her gaze landed on her father. "If we can pull it off by February, Sue won't be showing, either."

His eyes went wide, his ears turned bright red along with a few splotches across his face. "How did you know?" he sputtered. Sue giggled beside him.

Bella tapped her head. "Can't keep a secret from a physic, remember?"

"I can't believe this," Charlie said, and then, ended up laughing. "Well, I guess it shouldn't surprise you that I asked Sue to marry me."

"Nope," Bella said softly. "I'm so happy for you." She launched herself into her father's arms, crying softly. "I'm going to be a mommy and a sister soon."

I rose to my feet and joined Bella on the couch, still in shock, but happy. Dad looked at me and then at Bella, raising a curious eyebrow. He gestured toward the kitchen and I joined him as Mom fluttered around Bella. My soon-to-be wife was in good hands.

"How far along does she think she is?" he asked the second we were away from curious ears.

I felt my face and the tips of my ears heat under his knowing eyes. "A few days, at most."

"So this knowledge is based on her gift?" I nodded. "Bring her by my office. It's time we give her a full exam."

"She won't do anything to put the baby in danger," I indicated. "I won't, either."

"Understood."

If she was indeed pregnant, and I had no doubt she was, it would mean she would no longer be able to join me during investigations. That conversation would not go well, I was positive of that.

~oOo~

The weather didn't permit the family to leave the house. Charlie and Sue stayed in one of the guest rooms while my parents took the sofa bed in the living room. Bella waited for me in our bed, so I walked to my dresser to find another one of her Christmas gifts.

"What do you have there?" she asked.

"As if you don't already know?" I teased.

Her smile fell. "That bothers you, doesn't it? That I know some things before they happen."

I sighed and joined her in bed. "Not as much now," I stated honestly. "It was one of the reasons I took so long to ask you to marry me. You knew it was coming and I didn't like that I couldn't surprise you. I realized recently that it shouldn't matter. I may not be able to take you by surprise but I can still love you as you are."

She smiled and started to tear open her gift. "I don't see everything. I did know you had one more present for me, but not what it is." Her eyes met mine. "I try not to look when it means so much to you, if that makes sense."

I kissed her nose and whispered, "Good."

She laughed and gasped with she saw the infinity diamond necklace we once saw downtown. "Oh, I love it." Turning, she lifted her hair so I could slip the jewelry on. I placed a kiss on her shoulder and whispered how much I loved her. Her fingers clasped around the pendent, studying it.

She went eerily still all of a sudden, turning to look me in the eyes. Her hands grasped my face as she sat on my lap.

"I need you to make me a promise," she whispered. Something in her voice made me answer quickly.

"Anything."

"Promise me that you won't linger if something happens to you." Her chin shook as tears started to form in her eyes. I shook my head. "No, Edward. You promise me that you won't stay behind. Hayley is there, waiting. If I do lose you, I can't have you haunting me. It will kill me to see you that way. I want you at peace. Please, promise me."

I wiped at the tears that fell along the pale curves of her cheeks. I hadn't thought about what would come after, if something should happen to me. Only that I had to make sure she was going to be all right.

"Promise me," she whispered. "Please, please." Her forehead rested against mine as she cried softly. "Please, Edward."

I felt the pad of her thumb wipe away one of my tears as I whispered. "I promise."

It was a lie.