Previously in Merely an Illusion:
Mentally kicking myself for forgetting, I carefully blended into the surroundings whilst 'another Bella' darted around the bases. I walked invisibly up to meet my illusion blending the two into one when the time was right. I soon felt Edward's tight embrace as he and my other team-mates engulfed me in hugs. I laughed into the chest of my betrothed and wondered how on earth I'd gotten away with it. Edward, being Edward, noticed my giggles and pulled me away with a frown on his face.
"Bella?" He enquired, his scorching ochre eyes blazing down at me. Well, when he put it that way…
I stretched onto my toes and quickly whispered in his ear before pulling away to see his face again. First amazement, then wonder and finally amusement flittered across his face as his booming guffaw echoed for miles around. Just then, Emmett emerged from the trees shaking his head.
"I don't know where that ball went Bella, but it wasn't anywhere near here."
My eyes flickered back to Edward's and we both broke down into happy laughter.
Chapter 9
"Morning Bella!" Emmett shrieked, pulling me into a big bear hug, "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Emmett." I laughed as he plonked me down on the floor. A pair of marble arms encased me from behind and Edward kissed me on the cheek.
"Merry Christmas, love. Excited?"
"You Bet'cha!" This was to be my first celebrated Christmas in 64 years and my first 'Cullen Christmas'. As a way of celebration, Alice had selected very nice green dress that complimented my new figure and 5 inch heels that, although I could now walk in them with no risk to myself or those around me, still filled me with dread when I wore them. Other than the heels, I was as excited as a kid on… Well I was as excited as a kid on Christmas!
My Fiancé chuckled from behind me, then moved round to take my hand in his and started walking down the stairs, which Emmett had already descended along with the rest of our family. We took them two at a time whilst the Cullens laughed at my excitement from their place at the bottom of the stairs outside the dining room which I knew was now equipped with a seven foot tree Emmett had acquired two days ago.
Everyone looked bright and jubilant that winter's morning all excited for the day's events. But Edward and I had a double reason to be excited today. At that precise moment in time I was less than 24 hours from the time I would become Mrs Edward Cullen. I was still a little apprehensive but I knew that I wanted to be tied to Edward in every way possible, and soon.
As a family we had agreed that we would begin the festivities at 10am and after the exchange of presents we would all engage in the cooking of a large Christmas dinner which we would then distribute to the less fortunate. Apparently the Cullens did it every year, a way of giving even more to the community.
"You look lovely Bella." Esme said to my left, a warm smile on her lips. Feeling as much blood rush to my skin as did nowadays I smiled in thanks glancing at the large grandfather clock in the foyer. 10 seconds, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2…1! I pushed through the door first, much to everyone's amusement and stared in wonder at the tree and sparkling presents below it. All I had before today were some shady human memories and the beautiful clarity of the room was amazing in comparison. Casting my gaze around the room, I saw 8 individual stockings, each with small presents inside, that had been beautifully embroidered with our names, Pointing toward mine, I whispered a single word to Edward, "Who?"
He smiled and pulled me toward our chair. "Emmett. He's quite skilled with a needle and thread." I stared at Emmett in disbelief, How could such big looking hands be so nimble and skilled? Emmett roared with laughter at my expression of bewilderment and the rest of the family joined in. Pouting, I went and sat on the chair, pushing Edward beneath me so I was perched on his lap. Carlisle smiled at us from the other side of the room.
"Everyone ready?" A unanimous nod went through the group, "Well then, begin!"
I started rooting through the stocking and pulled out various small objects from individuals in the family. A lip-gloss from Alice, a small stuffed bear from Emmett, from Esme an intricate white gold chain-link bracelet, from Carlisle a pen engraved with my name and Rosalie had given me a beautifully decorated handheld mirror. Edward's I saved till last, it was a small package wrapped in a silver paper. I carefully tore the paper, revealing a small crystalline heart and some paper with Edward's elegant script;
An addition to your charm bracelet,
Edward.
I looked at in confusion for an 84th of a second before connecting the dots and remembering the bracelet Jacob had given me when I graduated high school. I believed I had mentioned it once to Edward although he had never seen it… I kept it hidden in a compartment in the bottom of my jewellery box and I hadn't taken it out in the time Edward and I had been re-united. I made a mental note to wear it again soon, pulling Edward towards me and kissing him gently on the lips.
"Thank you." I murmured into the skin of his neck. Pulling back, his lips transformed into his beautiful crooked grin and I smiled back at him. Shifting round I said the same to my family and flitted round hugging them each individually. These presents I would treasure forever.
When I turned back to Edward, I saw him holding a tube of bright red lip-gloss and staring at it in horror. Rolling my eyes, I walked over and poked him. "What's up Edward? And why do you have my lip-gloss?"Thinking he'd picked up min by accident, I plucked it from his fingers then blinked in confusion as well. This wasn't mine…
"Alice? Why the he-"
"Language, Eddy! I believe you are referring to the lip-gloss I gave you." Edward nodded dumbly as I and the rest of the family looked on, "Well to be honest, I think 'Cherry Blossoms on a winter morning' will suit your skin tone plus you need to unlock your feminine side a little! Go on, I dare you to wear it!"
Everyone burst out laughing, bar Alice, who looked slightly put out that we didn't appreciate her gifts.
"Fine! Laugh! But you don't get my other gifts!" She shrieked, grabbing her presents from the pile under the Christmas tree. At this we stopped laughing and Esme looked disapprovingly at us and Alice.
"Alice, don't' be so selfish. T'was only a little joke." Then she turned to us. "I think we all need to apologise to Alice. She thought she was getting very nice presents for everyone and we ridiculed her choices."
With us all abashed, there were murmurs of "Sorry Alice" from the 7 offenders. Sniffing indignantly, Alice accepted our apologies then Esme suggested that she distribute her larger presents first. Alice's bubbly personality was immediately restored as she gave her presents out. From Alice, the presents were distributed clockwise, with Emmett falling last. My presents had been specifically selected for my siblings and parents, each of which had been acquired using the money of Alice-Rose. Although, none of them were particularly serious. I mean, what do you get vampires ranging from 70 to 300 years old? They were as follows;
Alice- A lucky Cornish pixie statue likened to Alice's being
Rose- A flour baby
Esme- A doll's house ready to paint and decorate
Carlisle- A toy doctor's kit
Jasper- Drama lessons so he can learn to control his feelings
Emmett- A Super-Ted outfit. I'd always envisioned him as a sort of "Super-Ted Cullen…'
Edward- Well Edward's was special… and rather funny. I had it worked out with Alice beforehand. I left the room before I had given Edward anything, claiming I needed to stretch my legs. Alice also left a couple of seconds later and wrapped me up in the hall. She then picked me up and carried me back in and placed me before Edward, saying; "Bella, told me to give this to you as she needed to hunt quickly. She'll be back soon." She had then plonked me roughly down in front of Edward who began cautiously unwrapping 'the gift'. When he first glimpsed my face he fell back laughing, causing everyone to crowd around said present. Excepting Alice, of course. The others also thought it was hilarious, especially as I tried to get free from the wrappings.
I think the most beautiful and yet also the strangest present given that day was what Emmett gave Rose. After distributing his presents for us all, he turned to his wife and looked solemn.
"Dear, sweet, Rose. I scraped my mind for months for an idea of what to give you but I, unfortunately, emerged fruitless. This was all I could do. I hope you enjoy it." He stood up and walked to the centre of the floor. He cleared his throat in a useless gesture, before closing his eyes. Then he began;
"I like trees.
Trees are green
And if you don't stand under them in the blaring hot sun,
You will need Sun-screen.
I like leaves.
Leaves are green
And in the autumn,
They remind me of Hugo Horton.
But Don't ask me why,
Because I couldn't say
Though it has something to do
with Alice and a tellytubb-ay.
I like Flowers.
Flowers are… green.
They can be pretty,
except when they're pink,
but they always let off
an almighty stink.
I like grass.
Grass is… well, it's also green.
Sometimes, I think that lawnmowers
Can be rather mean.
I like bushes.
Bushes are… guess. Yeah. Green.
Particularly of the Rose kind
but sometimes when I'm gardening they prick me in my behi-
I like nature.
It is often seen,
by Horticulturists and gardeners.
Hang on… aren't they the same thing?
I'm pretty sure.
It is often seen,
by Horticultureenlist, horticullentourists, horti-cull-Tuuur- easts.
Overall, I think that nature is
Very green."
He finished looking again into the eyes of Rosalie who looked so touched that I believed, if she was human, she would have been crying at that point. She engulfed Emmett in a soft embrace.
Although I thought it was rather touching Emmett had written this poem for Rose, I couldn't understand how such a strange present could make the 'ice-queen' become so emotional. Confused, I asked Edward. He smiled, as if realising how strange it might look to an outsider.
"The thing is Bella, last year he gave her a sock, yes one sock, not even a pair, and the year before he gave her a bag of frozen peas. Emmet's not very good at buying presents." Looking down at the sheep shaped tape-measure Emmett had given me this year I felt I could understand that.
I watched the happiness of my family, paired off together and looking like nothing could ever split them apart. Rose was encouraging Emmett to repeat the poem, Carlisle was using a toy stethoscope against Esme's chest and pretending to be shocked when there was no beat. Esme was giggling at his expression. Alice and Jasper were staring lovingly into each other's eyes intensely, so I felt like I was intruding by looking at them. As i turned back towards Edward, I was aware of two things happening simultaneously; Alice's eyes glazed over slightly and Edward stiffened beneath me.
"No!" He yelled, putting me on the floor and running to Alice before shaking her violently, "How long Alice? Why didn't you see earlier, dammit?"
Jasper pushed Edward away from his sobbing wife and growled at him.
"What is it Edward?"
He turned to Esme and answered in a cold whisper. "The Volturi are will be here in 2 minutes. They want to kill us all."
---
And that is all I will say.
Thanks,
Rebecca.
[Update on Friday, hopefully. Otherwise it will definitely be next weekend.]
P.S I would have posted this on Saturday, but FF wouldn't let me. I also apologise for spelling or grammar mistakes, my beta reader is taking ages to get back to me…
