Summary: What the first Christmas for Charlie after Renee took Bella away.
As Always Thank you Alice for editing, And StoryMaster for the Idea. And My brain for all the awesome it provides! :) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays My awesome Friends!
WARNING: You have been warned! Tissue ALERT!
I tried training my mind to just think of this day as just another normal ordinary day, not a holiday. All the garland, lights and trees lite up in windows around town, didn't help meto forget this day, this holiday. I missed them both, but more thananything I just missed my little girl. I nod my head to my father as hecomes in the living room, "No work today, son?" Shaking my head, silentyet getting the point across. Head bowed only for a second no need toupset mother, or agitate father with my worries, my feelings. Oh Renee,why did you have to leave? I would have done anything for you,anything. Breathing evenly, only to falter but restraining my self fromsighing loudly. I stare blankly into my glass...for a moment I can'teven remember filling it. My mother had refilled it as she moved aboutthe house as she began her traditional Christmas meal...trying to restore some sort of normalcy, "Turkey and fixin's my darling boy. It istradition. If only our little grand baby could have come." Her saddened tone only one of the many reasons made me come crawling home to be here with them, the only family I have left. I wasn't the only one missing the loves of my life, well Renee yes. No one would say anything to me, but none took Renee leaving as anything, but a housewife wanting out. Did I bore her, was what I gave not enough? My friend Billy had invited me to his home, I declined. He had twin girls to watch over, to play with, to wake up early and open presents with...If only Bella could be here now. She would be walking around following her grandparents or even playing at my feet as we braided Barbie's hair, a gift from me to her. I could feel my head becoming heavy on my shoulders, wanting to bow under the pressure, to curl in on my self. My father's hand on my shoulder brings me out of my daydream daze, looking up into his face I realize he's trying to smile...to comfort me. Trying to smile, keeping up a facade of some sort of happiness is all I have done throughout the long, long day, (And the day wasnt even half over, the clock chiming noon was another sign.) Some sports special is playing loudly on the television. I'm sitting on the couch, staring through the TV as though nothing is playing out in front of my eyes. I just want my baby here, with me. No matter how much I begged Renee,she wouldn't bring Bella back or even come back herself. I begged into the phone, literally begged her to come home. So many times I had broken down Asking, hoping, wishing she would change her mind and bring my daughter and her home. shifting on the couch, My mothers soft fingers pat my head only to kiss my father's cheek and she makes her way back into the kitchen. Living the father life from the phone is never what I wanted. I wanted it all, the wife and the kids. Maybe not this young but now that it's here, or rather there I want it. I need it. It's what I live for. That chubby baby who sleeps, crawls, talks, and walks around me like I am the best thing in her life.
Grunting from my father has me focusing on the TV, "Touch down!" The tv erupts in cheers and boo's and my fathers foot hitting the floor roughly, I grunt in unison with him, trying to contribute. His head turns to me nodding, I must have made him happy or at least amused him. Mothers humming and the turkey filtering the house smells Heavenly. It sidetracked my mind for a moment, when I stand empty glass in hand heading into the kitchen to see if mother has any use for me. Knowing she didn't, and wouldn't with my cooking skills null and void. My large boots shuffling on the carpet into the kitchen thudding louder than I was expecting, almost lulling me into false comfort of earlier times. Of my small Bella running in-between my feet as I walk, Almost tripping me. Standing in the entryway between the kitchen and living room, Standing a bit to longer then I had thought My mothers smiling face was staring up into mine only mere inches away, startled. My fingers loosen dropping the glass at our feet. "Oh darling, are you alright?" Her fingers rub my cheek for a moment, she turns away for a moment only to hand me a dust pan and broom. "You go sit down, it was an accident after all!" Her finger-pointing to the figure of my father behind me, I begin my clean up. This day seems to never want to end. Tossing the glass pieces into the trash can, setting dust pan and broom back in the closet. "Dont be so hard on your self Charlie, I wish I could take the pain away." Her voice dripping with grief just as her tears well up. pushing them away, "Now dinner is almost finished, Set the table for your mother." Her smile infectious, my lips turn up minutely for a moment at least. The phone rings loudly, "Hello Swan residence...Oh yes dear, he isn't home because he is here...Oh really, That's wonderful...Yes, that was very kind of you to do..hold on." Her voice has picked up, almost jovial. "Charlie phone is for you darling."
"Thanks ma." Taking the receiver from her hand, as she smiles widely at me. "Da...da..." Renee voice in the background encouraging her to talk into the phone, "Isabella say daddy, Daddy loves you baby," Isabella's giggling stops, "...Da da, I ove oo..." ((I love you - for those not fluent in baby talk)) My cheeks hurt from the smile plastered on my face, tears welling up in my eyes as she begins speaking gibberish into the telephone loudly. "Hi Bells.."