AN: Thinking of Suebee today.

I'm also thinking of today's Gingerbread House decorating party at the preschool and the Santa Train tonight. There shall be many sugared up kids in my future today. Wish me luck and lots of coffee.

Chapter 10

Carlisle and Esme Cullen were not at all what I expected. The way I thought how they would act was the complete opposite of reality.

They had those inflatable holiday decorations on their front lawn. A giant Santa was bobbing in the breeze next to a dancing penguin in a tutu and a reindeer wearing sunglasses. The multi-colored lights on their house could be seen from outer space.

Inside, the Cullens wore hideous Christmas sweaters. Esme's sweater was pink and covered in Santas. There was lace around the collar. Carlisle had a red one with a giant Santa head in the middle. The dialogue bubble coming out of it read, Ask Me About My Mistletoe.

Carlisle was sitting next to a roaring fire, but he was drinking egg nog not the amber colored whiskey I imagined in my head. It was definitely spiked. His cheeks were bright red and merry.

It was now apparent where Edward got his Christmas spirit. It was catching in this house like chicken pox or the mumps with no vaccine available.

"So I told Ed to shove it," Carlisle explained, as he spoke about Edward's father. "Junior, you should have seen how angry he got. It was amazing. It's not my fault that I'm more of a father to you than he is."

In this house, Edward was Junior. He was treated like the child they never had. This meant that Edward was completely spoiled and treated like a little prince. Esme greeted him at the door with cookies and a candy cane. My new husband was eating it up.

Edward patted his uncle's back and came over to sit with me on the couch. "I got the best dad ever with you, Uncle Carl."

"You did." Carlisle took a sip of nog. It left a white mustache over his lips. "I invited the asshole, but who knows. Elizabeth is coming."

"Cool. Is Mom bring Raoul?" Edward asked throwing his arm around my shoulders.

Carlisle nodded yes with a smirk.

"Who's Raoul, Edward?" I asked in confusion. There was a good possibility that this answer required liquor so I drank some wine.

"Mom's lover. He was her tennis instructor," he explained completely nonchalant about the situation. "Mom likes rubbing him in Dad's face. This leads Dad to bring Amber the masseuse."

"These are the same people who wanted the perfect house and gave you Moby Dick as a gift? They seem to have relaxed their thoughts on looking respectable." I squeezed Edward's hand to give him comfort, but he wasn't looking upset at all.

"Moby Dick," Carlisle snickered, causing Edward to laugh.

When Edward finally composed himself, he told me, "They were probably always like that, but I saw my parents so rarely I didn't notice. I have Uncle Carl and Aunt Esme, so I lucked out really."

"Story has it that Great-Great-Grandmother Cullen married her second cousin," Esme came over placed a tray of Christmas goodies on the coffee table. "Don't get me started on the inbreeding rumors about the Masens! Rich people are odd, Bella dear. It's amazing that Carl and Junior turned out so well."

Esme was an open book. She told all the family secrets over dinner. Her family was a bunch of dirt farmers from Kansas. Carlisle met her at a diner where she was a waitress and it was love at first sight much to his family's chagrin. I had a champion in this woman and I really liked her.

"Darling, it's just a bunch of rumors. There's no real proof," Carlisle stated, but he started snickering again. "It's just probable."

Hopefully, my genetics would be the dominant ones with any future children that I have with Edward.

Esme sat on Carlisle's lap. She patted his cheek. "Hi there, Santa."

They were adorable, as they gave each other a sweet kiss..

She turned to me. "Are you sure that you want to give me free reign with this wedding planning?"

"I trust you." I was a perfectly happy just being married to Edward. This wedding was my Christmas present to him. "I'm sure it will be beautiful."

"I knew the moment I saw her that I loved this girl, Junior. Good choice!" Esme clapped her hands. She grew serious, "Your mother?"

"She hasn't given me her new cell number. Mom is forgetful about these things. She always calls before Christmas and I'll tell her then. If she can't—"

Edward put a finger to my lips. "We'll get her here. We just need to tell your dad tomorrow."

"You have a bullet proof vest, right?" I asked with a grin.

"Oh God," Edward groaned. He buried his face in my neck.

Carlisle stood up quickly. His wife tumbled to the floor and he helped her up. "Sorry, my love! We're getting down in the dumps over nothing! We need some more old fashioned holiday fun to brighten things up! Esme, is the church caroling still happening?"

"Yes, Chelsea is going to do a rotten job. She forgot to get the hot chocolate for everyone and no cookie party afterwards! What is she thinking? She's not! Those babies will be devastated!" Esme complained and stuffed a cookie in her mouth. She chewed angrily.

"How about we fix this, Aunt Esme?" Edward stood and went over to hug his aunt. "We can set-up a cookie party and provide the hot chocolate! Then we all can sing the Christmas favorites through the town."

"Junior, my little holiday blessing!" She hugged him tighter.

Their love was a tiny bit sickening, but sweet. I bet they still pretend to be Santa for him on Christmas morning. Actually, I was pretty damn positive.

"We just need to make sure my Bella has her coffee," he explained brightly. He than stage whispered with a grimace, "Can you believe she hates chocolate?"

He than gave me a teasing smile and a wink. I really loved this man. I was becoming sickeningly sweet too.

"Bella dear, we need to fix that!" Carlisle exclaimed. "I'll pay you to drink hot chocolate. How much?"

I gave him a dirty look. "Let's just get this caroling party started."

XXXXXX

The sky was filled with stars as we walked with the New Hope Congregational Church caroling party. Edward had one arm wrapped around my waist as he sang very loudly. His voice was beautiful like angels singing and bells ringing.

His version of Silent Night was appropriate for Broadway.

However, I was told to keep drinking my coffee. It seems my singing made feral cats screech into the night sky. It scared the little children causing them to cry uncontrollably into their hot chocolate. The December air was filled with wailing and caterwauling. It was frightening.

Esme saved the day with candy canes.

That Chelsea woman looked like she wanted to punch Esme in the face.

It was completely an accident when I tripped her and she landed face first onto the pavement. Poor Chelsea had to go home. Seriously, it was an accident. I swear it was. She got in the way of my foot.

Esme rewarded me with two candy canes and a kiss on the cheek.

It was an accident. Maybe.

After the beginning craziness, it was lovely caroling again. We strolled down streets lined with houses brightly decorated for Christmas. Edward stopped singing and pulled me tighter against him, as we paused in front of a nursing home. Patients were being wheeled into the front yard and slowly shuffled out onto the porch.

He whispered in my ear, "This is so much more fun with you here."

The group began to sing, Jingle Bells.

"We need mistletoe," I said quietly.

"Ask and you shall receive." Edward pulled a sprig out of his pocket and put it over my head. "Kiss me, woman."

We kissed and the children giggled. The senior citizens clapped. It was amazing.

I heard snickering. Carlisle loudly announced, "My turn next!"

I hope he meant to use it with Esme.