Chapter 3: Christmas

The months went by in a blur. Before I knew it, it was Christmas time. Edward and I had bought our family's gifts in Paris. All I needed was to buy him something, but it was easier said then done.

But there was something more important than that.

Not long after our return from Paris, I had made a discovery about my power. Carlisle told me it was very unique, and I had to learn to control. We realized that I really only had one power, but it was complicated. To put it in simpler terms, I could copy others power.

The only reason I had picked up mind reading so fast was because of my strong bond with Edward. I found out that this 'sense' that I had was really the developing of Alice's power. It started with my 'senses' then became flashes, and then I started seeing real visions. Not long after that, I started reading other emotions, it wasn't until two weeks before Christmas that I could fully control peoples emotions. I could tell the others were jealous, but I let that pass because I had to concentrate more on Edward's gift.

Of course, Alice wanted to help, but I never let her. My excuse was that this was something I had to do alone. But without her help, I didn't find his gift until Christmas Eve. Talk about last minute.

On Christmas morning I was reading a book called 'The Bird's Christmas Carol' while Edward played his piano. Christmas music flowed through the house, but it was interrupted when Alice burst through the door yelling, "IT'S TIME FOR PRESENTS!!!!"

I brought my hands up over my ears, trying to block out her obnoxious screaming. Edward did too and the music stopped. Alice started skipping around singing, "Present time, present time," she left the room skipping around the house.

Soon, the entire family was downstairs, Alice still skipping. Carlisle and Esme looked annoyed. Emmett and Rosalie I had to try not to laugh at them because Emmett's hair was a mess, and they were averting each other's eyes. Jasper was shaking his head at his wife's behavior.

As Alice continued, we got more and more irritated. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "We heard you the first time!"

Apparently, Edward had enough too because we both had said it at the same time. We looked at each other and laughed. Alice stopped and glared at us, then huffed, "Fine," and took at seat next to Jasper.

Carlisle and Esme gave us our gifts first. I opened that one. They gave us an ornament with a picture of us kissing on our wedding day. Beneath it were the words...

Our First Christmas

Edward and Bella

2007

Jasper and Alice and Rosalie and Emmett all got the same gift too except theirs had their names and the year of their first Christmas on it.

I smiled and stood up and gave Esme and Carlisle both a hug. "Thank you," I told Esme. She smiled, and I returned to sit next to Edward.

Edward decided to open the gift from Rosalie and Emmett. I was very surprised, though, when I saw him pulling out some papers. I looked at them from his side and immediately grabbed them from his hands.

"Ownership papers? To what?!" I yelled, turning my gaze on them. There were both smiling and Emmett waved his hand, signaling for me to continue. Edward an I both continued to keep reading and soon, I found what I was looking for. Of course, we both flipped.

"A YACHT?!?!" We stared wide at our siblings, who were both smirking widely.

"Aw, come on. You know you want one..." Emmett coaxed. I rolled my eyes.

"Just..." I sighed, put a hand on my forehead and closing my eyes, "no comment. No comment at all." Emmett grinned triumphantly, leaned back on the seat.

Of course, Alice and Jasper had gotten a private jet from Rosalie and Emmett. But that was no surprise at all. They also gave Esme and Carlisle a private cabin in the Poconos.

Alice and Jasper's gift I was much more happy with. They got Edward and I tickets to see 'Phantom of the Opera' in New York. They gave Emmett and Rosalie tickets to see 'American Idol'. I'm sure that was more for Rosalie's pleasure then Emmett, but Emmett would enjoy the three days alone with Rosalie. I could tell by his thoughts. Alice and Jasper gave Carlisle and Esme tickets to an Andre Rio concert in Germany, I was sure they would enjoy that.

Finally, it was time for Edward and I to give our gifts.

For Rosalie, we gave a Prada bag that started out black and faded into brown. She looked like a lost puppy had just found its owner. For Emmett, we got him a watch with diamonds around the clock. I could tell he enjoyed it.

For Esme, a silver locket with a picture of the Eiffel Tower on it. Inside was an image of the entire Cullen family, including me. She looked as if she was about to cry as she hugged me. For Carlisle, an oil painting of the Arc De Triumph. He clearly liked it, because he put it in his office right away.

For Alice, I bought her a red wood jewelry box that had her name incrusted with diamonds. Of course, she had seen it, but she said it was even more pretty in when she held it. Finally, we got Jasper a book called 'Paris: Past and Present.' I knew he loved history, so I thought he would like it. He clearly did.

When all the gifts had been opened, we all retreated back to our rooms, well, most of us. Emmett and Rosalie decided to finish what they had started in privacy and disappeared.

Once back in Edward and I's room, we sat down on the black leather couch and I snuggled up next to him. He kissed my head. After a few moments of silence, I murmured, "I guess it's time I give you my present."

He chuckled. "I have been wondering about that, you know. Alice was defiantly not happy about not being able to help."

"She got over it, though," I pointed out as I got up from the couch and was back in a flash with my present. I handed it to him as I nestled back to his side and rested my head on his shoulder. He tore the shiny silver wrapping off and gazed wide-eyed at my gift.

It wasn't the easiest task to pull off, but I managed. I had made Edward a scrapbook of us from the time after the war with the wolves, to when we left for our honeymoon. I could tell tears would be in his eyes if possible. I gave him a small smile.

"Oh Bella..." he gasped as he opened the book to the first page, where it read 'Merry Christmas. I Love You.'

"You like it?" I asked timidly.

He turned and looked at me, his forehead resting against mine as he shifted his position to face me and put down his gift. "I love it. Thank you, love." He pressed his lips softly to mine.

As he pulled away, he breathed out, "And now for my gift."

I looked at him quizzically. He smiled and led me toward the doors that led to the balcony. Before opening the door, he covered me eyes.

We stepped into the winter breeze and he uncovered my eyes. Right below us on the balcony was the most gorgeous car I had ever seen. It was a dark blue, Edward identified it as an Audi. Of course, Rosalie had fixed it so it would go extra fast.

"Edward..." I murmured, at a lost for words.

"Look up," he whispered, I complied and smirked. Hanging above us was some mistletoe, I looked at Edward and stood on my tippy toes, my lips hovering his.

"Merry Christmas," he muttered, before his lips came crashing on mine.

I love the holidays.

I will be doing a oneshot songfic about the scrapbook's contents. I will be informing you when it is done. As of now, the song is 'Things I'll Never Say' by Avril Lavigne. Tell me if you have other suggestions. Happy Holidays!!