Here is the ninth chapter. Chapter 10 is going to be a couple of days, because I want it to be extra long. Please remember that I did not create the characters. Also, REVIEW!

The next couple of months flew by. James was no longer a problem, at least not that I knew of. Every once in a while Emmett, Jasper and Edward would gather together and talk, and I'm sure it was not to talk about the weather. I was still sexually frustrated. Edward kept saying that he didn't want to push me, but, honestly, it was the other way around. I wanted it and he kept backing away. If I could only tell what he was thinking, why he was pulling away from having sex with me, I might understand.

During the week, Edward and I fell into a routine. We went to school, went to my house and did our homework, I cooked dinner for myself, and Charlie and Emmett while Edward went home. Edward and I hardly had any time alone during the weekdays because Charlie generally came home right when Edward and I were finishing our homework. On Friday nights Charlie generally went to Black's or the Clearwater's to watch whatever game was on TV. Emmett and I invited our friends over for dinner, a movie and some games. The six of us would generally end up crashing at our house.

Charlie often grumbled about finding Edward in my bed and the two of us wrapped around each other. But, given the fact we were always fully clothed, he couldn't complain too much. Though Charlie got along fairly well with Edward, Charlie said he reserved the right to give any boyfriend of mine glares. I have decided that my father was just a little crazy.

Saturdays I would spend with Edward at his house. Alice and Jasper were generally there as well. It was nice because I ate dinner over there, which meant I didn't have to cook. Sundays I reserved for homework and housecleaning. I honestly don't know how Charlie and Emmett did laundry before I moved in. They would let it pile up for weeks. They would probably buy new underwear before cracking open the washer. Doing the laundry took me almost all day. I cleaned the kitchen, the dining room and the living room, but I made Emmett clean the bathroom. I threatened him with Charlie's cooking if he didn't clean it. The threat worked pretty well. It was sparkling on every Sunday.

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It was a Thursday night. It was almost the weekend, which always gets me excited. Not only was in almost the weekend, but we only have 6 days of school left before winter break. True it means the weather has gotten colder and has been snowing on and off (ew!), but it also means that Christmas is coming! We had a little over two weeks before the big holiday.

That night, I had made chicken enchiladas for dinner so I could get Emmett to stop begging me for "non-taco Mexican." Charlie was acting a little weird. He kept moving his food around his plate, but rarely took a bite. "Dad, what is up with you?" Emmett asked.

Charlie looked up at us. "Well, as you know, Christmas break is coming up in a couple of weeks. On Monday, Renee called at the station and said she wanted the two of you in Florida for Christmas."

Emmett and I looked at each other, then at Charlie. Neither one of us had any contact with our mother since I moved to Forks. Renee was an unspoken name in our house. "You mean, the woman who was going to kick me out of the house, wants to spend time with us?" I asked.

Charlie nodded. "I told her it was up to the two of you. You are no longer children. You are both 18."

"I'm not going," Emmett stated. I agreed.

"Good. I'll call her back and let her know you two are staying here."

That simple, yet emotional (for me) conversation quickly solved our winter break vacation plans. I was surprised that Renee even thought about having Emmett and me for Christmas. She hadn't even seen Emmett in at least five years. It was hard to imagine what was going through Renee's mind when she told Charlie she wanted her children in Florida. Neither Emmett nor I thought of her as our mother.

After dinner Emmett and I washed all the dishes. I had firmly stated I wasn't going to be cooking and doing all of the dishes. So, Emmett was recruited. I do have to admit, less dishes are being broken since I wasn't in charge of drying and putting away. I just had to wash, rinse and place in the rinse sink. We were just finishing cleaning the kitchen, when my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID. "Hey, Alice. What's going on?"

"We are going to have a holiday party a week from Saturday. So you better be ready for that. The six of us are going to sleep over here, exchange presents, play games, sing carols and all that fun stuff. So…keep that day free."

"Yes, Alice. Emmett and I will come bearing presents. Let us know if you want us to bring anything else.""

I heard some muffled voices on the other end. "No, you can't talk to her because I am talking to her." Alice was quiet for a moment; I couldn't make out whom she was talking to. "Since when does boyfriend trump best friend, Edward?" more mumbling, Edward must be telling her something. "Bella, you're boyfriend is being a royal pain in my ass. I will talk to you tomorrow. Edward, you can freaking call her on your own cell phone. Bella, see you in math?"

"Yeah. I'll talk to you then," I smiled.

"Edward is going to call you right when we hang up. Yes, Edward, because I need my phone. I happen to be dating someone as well. Bella, love ya, see you tomorrow." I just laughed at her as I hung up.

Emmett looked at me, with his eyebrow raised. "We are going to the Cullen's a week from Saturday with everyone. Bring presents." My phone rang again. "Night, brother bear! Hi Edward!"

I grabbed my backpack and started walking to my room, with my phone on my ear. "Yes, Edward, I know that your sister is strange."

"Why can't I ever just talk to you without my sister butting in?" Edward asked, jokingly.

"It's not my fault I am dating you and friends with her. Plus, she called me before you called me. So she had dibs on me talking to her first," I responded, smiling. "You're just going to have to deal with the fact I talk with other people, silly."

I heard Edward take a deep breath. "Can I ask you something serious?"

"Sure."

"What do you want for Christmas?"

"I don't want you spending money on me. So, something simple."

"Bella! That doesn't help me. What do you want?" Edward asked me again.

I sighed. "Fine. How about a CD of you playing the piano? I know you've given Esme one. That is what I want."

Edward groaned. "There has to be something else that I can get you. Can't I spend a little bit of money on you? Please."

"No."

EPOV (I know! SHOCK!)

"Why can't I spend any money on you?" It wasn't the first time I have begged and pleaded with Bella to let me spend money on her. She left Alice buy her clothes and only complained about the long hours she was forced to spend in dressing rooms. If I bought her anything, even something as simple as paying for diner or a movie ticket, Bella freaked out.

"Cause I can't get you anything as nice as you could get me. Can't you just get used to the fact that I just want to be with you? That is all I want for Christmas. You."

"You already have me, Bella."

I heard her groan in frustration. "I have to go," I heard her whisper. "Charlie just came in and gave me the time's up sign. Miss you. See you tomorrow."

"Good night, love."

Bella was being infuriating. I wanted to give her something very special for

Christmas, but she wouldn't let me because she refused to let me spend money on her. What is wrong with me wanting to spend money on my girlfriend? I thought that girls wanted their boyfriends to spend money on them, to shower them with gifts.

After my conversation with Bella, I started pacing around my bedroom. I knew what Bella wanted me to give her. What she wanted would be easy for me to give. I also knew two things I wanted to give her. Both of those things I would need help with. I smiled. I was just about to make Alice's day.

I walked out of my bedroom and walked down the hallway. Though I knew Alice was going to talk to Jasper, I was hoping she was off the phone with him. I desperately needed her help. I knocked on her door. "WHAT?" she yelled.

"It's me."

"Go away," Alice stated.

"Fine. I guess I'll just go shopping by myself on Saturday. No sweat off my back." I started walking away from Alice's door. Within seconds I heard her door slam open.

"Where do you think you're going, mister?" Alice said. "You can't go shopping without me. It's against the rules."

I smiled. Alice was so easy to con into helping me. "One, it's not against any rules and two, I was going back to my room because you told me to go away."

Alice bounced over to me, grabbed my hand and pulled me into her bedroom. You could tell it was her room. It screamed Alice. She pulled me until we reached the bed. "Sit. Tell me what you want to shop for. Clothes? Shoes? A new bedspread?"

I laughed. "No, you are way off. I want to get Bella a Christmas present. A necklace, but will need some help making sure I choose the right sort of thing. So you will be the one to make sure it is classy enough, yet toned down enough for Bella not to freak. But I will have the final say."

Alice started bouncing up and down on the bed, so excited over the fact of going shopping, especially going shopping for jewelry. "Will you promise not to tell Bella? I want it to be a surprise. Plus, I promised her I wouldn't spend any money on her."

"Of course I won't tell her. I want to be able to see her face when she first sees it! I can't wait! Edward, this is so exciting. Do we have to wait until Saturday? Why can't we do it tomorrow after school?"

"Because tomorrow after school, I am hanging out with Bella."

Alice beamed at me as I got up and walked out of her room. I just needed to start planning my other gift to her. It would hard to arrange the second gift I wanted to give her. It had to be perfect, to be special. Also, I had to plan everything so I wouldn't end up getting killed.

Let me know what you think Edward is talking about. I'm sure you guys will guess! Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter.