Hi everyone! This chapter was even more fun to write than the last!!
Thanks a million to everyone reading this story and thanks a billion to Unofficial Cullen, twilighter611, Paigeyx3Popcorn, bluebaby3296, YankeeDiva, almost perfect007, BSF16, dancingdiva0501, AllisNelly, prettibunn13, Fudgie-chan, magically dorky, twistedtwilightride, Twilightfan000001, Moge- and Viper003 for reviewing! I love your support!
I just wanted to share with everyone prettibunn13's suggestion that Edward and Bella were riding a 'rollercoaster of love'. It made me laugh. A lot. Thanks so much for that! Lol.
Bon Appétit!
Three French Hens
Tuesday the Twenty-Third of December
I walked down the stairs early this morning humming 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. I ate breakfast over Charlie's note (which informed me that the 'Carnie gang' were coming over for dinner and that I should be home before five), I got dressed and was on my way to The Sullen Cullen in no time.
Twenty minutes later (because I'd dawdled) I was standing beside Edward as he worked the carousel.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey," he said, turning to look at me, "I won't be long here; the kids will all be gone in about ten minutes."
"Why? What happens in ten minutes?" I asked.
"Santa Claus happens in ten minutes," he answered with a grin.
I laughed. The ten minutes went by quickly and when all the kids had gone, Edward led me to visit 'Santa'. I almost didn't recognise Emmett underneath all the padding and beard, but when I heard him say, "What can I do ya for?" to a little boy who was seated on his lap, I laughed.
Suddenly I felt a pair of hands reach up from behind me and wrap around my eyes, making everything turn black.
"Guess who?" came the high pitched voice from behind me.
"Alice," I said smiling and turned to face her.
She grinned at me and then suddenly moved two metres to the left – just underneath the awning of a tent – and indicated that Edward and I should follow. I looked at her vacantly until Edward pointed to something just above Alice's head. Mistletoe. I rolled my eyes as Alice gave a defeated sigh and came back towards us.
"Is all my work going to waste?" she asked, pouting.
"I hear Emmett and Rosalie have been appreciating your hard work," I joked. Alice turned to Edward.
"It's the twenty-third," she said.
"I know," Edward said in a voice filled with dread.
Alice gave him an apologetic look.
"What's wrong with the twenty-third?" I asked.
Alice suddenly smiled wickedly, "Every year on the twenty-third of December Edward gets a visit from Brigitte," she'd said the name with an exaggerated French accent and winked at Edward as she said it, "and her two sisters Madeline and Emilie."
Edward groaned, "Have you seen them yet, Alice? Maybe they won't be here this year..."
Alice laughed, "Oh but Edward! We will be sure to meet with you next year, oui?"
Edward glared at her.
Just at that moment I heard an unmistakeably French accent call Edward's name.
He groaned again and spun around. I spun too and was met with a gorgeous girl with straight auburn hair and bright blue eyes.
"Hello Brigitte," he said unenthusiastically.
She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek, "It has been far too long," she said in a sing-song voice. Edward just nodded. Brigitte turned to me, "And who is this, Edward? I hope you have not been cheating on me!" she smiled a beautiful smile.
Edward grimaced and linked his arm around my waist to pull me closer as he said, "Brigitte, this is... my girlfriend, Bella Swan."
I snapped my head around to look at him. He just smiled widely as he leant down and whispered in my ear, "Go with me on this one, please?"
I gave him a subtle nod and turned back to Brigitte, "It's nice to meet you," I said, holding my hand out for her to shake. When she didn't take my hand, I awkwardly drew it back.
"Edward's told me a lot about you," I lied, smiling as best I could.
"Oh," she said haughtily, "he has told me nothing of you."
It was my turn to grimace. I looked over at Alice who was speaking to who I assumed were Brigitte's sisters. One had brilliant red hair and looked to be about eleven, the other had dark – almost black – brown hair and dark eyes to match, she looked a little older than me. Alice led them over to introduce us.
"Madeline," she indicated to the smaller red-haired girl, "and Emilie," she indicated to the taller brunette, "This is Edward's girlfriend," she unashamedly took great delight in saying it, "Bella Swan."
They politely shook my hand, but did not smile.
Suddenly, someone who had to be the girls' mother called for them.
"We must go," Brigitte said, "I will surely see you around Edward." She walked away and blew him a kiss. As soon as she was out of earshot, Edward smiled at me sheepishly.
"I'm sorry," he said, "but you think that was bad." He looked at Alice who laughed.
"Oh Edward! What a tortured love we have, my heart barely beats when I am away from you-"
Edward's glare turned Alice's imitation into a fit of giggles. I laughed with her.
"It isn't funny," Edward said grumpily, obviously trying very hard to contain his own smile.
We walked around the carnival with Alice for a while, mostly making fun of Edward and his French 'soul mate'.
Later in the day, Brigitte had found us again. Edward immediately took my hand and Alice smiled.
"Can I speak with you Edward?" Brigitte asked.
"Sure," Edward said, remaining stationary.
"Alone?" Brigitte added looking more than slightly irritated, but trying to charm smile him at the same time.
He looked at me and reluctantly let go of my hand and moved off to the left to talk to Brigitte.
Alice and I stood, trying to guess what they were saying. Mostly I just laughed at Alice's ridiculous imitations.
"I love you with all my heart and soul Edward. Move to France with me. All I want for Christmas is you!"
"Hehem," Edward coughed from behind us.
We spun and tried to look serious.
"What did she say?" I asked.
Edward frowned, "She told me that I could have any girl in the world and that I shouldn't let myself be unhappy in order to keep another happy."
"What did you say?" Alice asked.
"I said that even if that were true, I'd be much more than happy with Bella," he replied simply. I blushed despite myself. Alice noticed but didn't say anything.
"Well then, you two just need to be more convincing," Alice said, "if it looks to her like she really is getting between you, than she'll get ten times worse."
I rolled my eyes at Alice who dashed off to find Jasper. As soon as she was gone, Edward slung his arm around my shoulders.
"Well then," he said, "If we need to be more convincing, let's brainstorm. What do couples do?"
I laughed at his mock-serious tone. I pretended to think really hard.
"Well," I said, "Studies have shown that ninety percent of couples who eat ice cream on the first date have a long and happy relationship."
Edward laughed, "And eighty percent of couples that end up marrying have been through a ghost train together at least once. Experts say the fear induces sexual tension."
"Ninety-five percent of all couples say that that most romantic moment in their life was their first kiss with their partner-"
"Of which eight-five percent happened under mistletoe."
By now we were both in hysterics, I didn't stop laughing until we reached the ice cream stand, Edward asked me what flavour I wanted.
"Whatever makes you happy," I battered my eyelids.
He laughed and ordered me a peppermint choc chip. How did he know? I mused.
We walked the streets, hand-in-hand, eating matching ice creams and envisioning pathetic romantic situations.
We reached the ghost train.
"Shall we?" Edward asked, bending down slightly and bowing his head, offering me his hand, "Me lady," he said as I took it.
I managed to control my urge to yelp in surprise for the most part of the train ride, but just as I thought I was safe a vampire, covered in blood, popped out from the wall in front of us. I screamed.
Edward laughed beside me and pulled me closer, "Don't worry," he said in the deepest voice he could manage, "I won't let anyone suck your blood," he paused, "Except me! Muhahaha..." he made to bite my neck, I laughed and moved my head so that our lips were almost touching. At that moment the ride seemed to have stopped and we were in the sudden bright light of the outdoors again. We squinted up at the sun and I laughed, "Maybe you are a vampire after all," I said.
He smiled as we got out of the cart and continued on with completing our 'couple stuff'. We saw Brigitte and her sisters around a few times, but every time we spotted her, Edward would pull me into him and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. I couldn't say that I wasn't enjoying it.
By the end of the day, when all that was left was me and the Carnies, I was exhausted. I checked my watch, it was four o'clock. I got a lift back to Charlie's with Edward and the others and told them we were having my famous lasagne for dinner. Emmett seemed the most excited.
We got home and before I could tell them to make themselves at home, they were sprawled in the lounge room, flicking between channels and arguing about seating arrangements.
I set into the kitchen to start dinner just as Esme was telling me how nice it was that Charlie had invited them over – she was thrilled that she got a day off from cooking.
I grabbed the utensils and turned to find Edward watching me.
"Is this another couple activity we should take part in?" he asked me, "Cooking together?"
I laughed. He did help me cook dinner so that, but the time Charlie was home at five o'clock, the lasagne was cooked and served.
"Bon appétit!" I said, handing around the plates.
"You didn't have to cook Bella," Charlie said, taking a plate.
"Well if not me, than who?" I asked.
Charlie grinned sheepishly, "I guess you have a point," he said, taking a bite of the lasagne.
It was a good night. The Carnies were so easy to get along with – I'd never laughed so much in my life. Edward sat beside me, acting just as charming as always. He acted just as he had all day today and I wondered whether this meant that we were more 'couple-y' than I thought.
Near to the end of the night Emmett said (in what he must have thought was a whisper), "You know, the crazy French chicks aren't here, so you can stop pretending to be in love." Unfortunately, everyone on the table heard his comment. Those who knew the story behind this roared with laughter – Alice beamed. Even Rosalie managed to smile. Those who did not know the story immediately demanded to be told. And so Alice didn't hesitate in explaining the predicament Edward had gotten us into that day. I blushed. Edward squeezed my hand under the table and winked at me.
As the Carnies were collecting their things to head home, I yawned sleepily.
Edward noticed and laughed, "Thanks for today," he said, "I really enjoyed pretending to be your boyfriend," he grinned.
"And I enjoyed being your girlfriend," I said with a smile, "We should do 'couple stuff' more often," I made air quotation marks with my hands, before realising the implications of what I'd just said. Oops.
Edward just smiled and kissed me on the cheek, "Maybe tomorrow?" he asked as he stepped out the front door.
"Sure," I grinned, watching him walk away.
"Goodnight Bella!" he said as he opened the door to the car.
"Night Edward!" I called, waving.
I waltzed back in under Charlie's scrutinising gaze, "Did Edward Cullen just ask you on a date?" he asked me, folding his arms over his chest.
I went to say no, but thought back to what Edward had said.
"Maybe," I answered Charlie, confused.
He just laughed, "Get to bed," he ruffled my hair.
"Night Dad."
I was sound asleep in no time. I sincerely hoped that when I woke up I would not discover this entire day to be just a dream.
Thanks for reading! What'd you think? Don't forget to review and let me know! Only two chapters left! Happy Christmas Eve Eve everyone! Lol.