A/N:

Thank you to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing; your words mean so much to me.

Thank you to my wonderful beta dellaterra, who keeps encouraging me in so many ways. You're the best.

Any remaining errors or mistakes are mine.

I do not own Twilight.

ooOoOoOoOoOoo

Chapter 10: TheKling-KlingBirdontheDivi-DiviTree

EDWARD

I generally love the Christmas season, but this year it's different. I'm up to my ears in work, and I need to admit to myself that the new position takes up much more time than I anticipated. I don't mean to complain; I love my new responsibility. It's just a bit more than I bargained for.

Demetri is very happy with me and the way I handle everything, and I believe that my coworkers are also on my side. Everyone welcomed the changes I instituted, and I continue to try to make everything more effective and less impersonal. I want the staff to be able to spend more time with patients instead of less, even if it almost seems to be impossible. Sometimes I feel that I'm drowning in paperwork, while the reason I became a doctor – interacting with people, helping them – often has to take a back seat.

With the opening night of her play less than a week away, Bella is rehearsing nonstop now, She's pale and looks tired, and she has become so thin. Bella, of course, says that I am overreacting, and that it's natural to lose a little weight when you have to dance all day.

Maybe it's just me, loving her curves so much.

As usual, I'm terribly behind with my Christmas shopping, and as usual, I was idiotic enough to choose today to do it, trying to make my way through the Christmas Eve crowd on Fifth Avenue.

Fantastic plan, I know.

The good thing, though, is that I already have Bella's gifts, so today is about finding things for the rest of my family. Mom and Ali are always the easiest to buy gifts for. Both are sweet-natured persons, and it isn't hard to find something that makes them smile genuinely. Although he may be all grown up and a lawyer, Emmett is a child at heart, happy if he receives the latest electronic toys to play with. Rose is almost too easy. I'll just ask Em which overpriced perfume or beauty product to give her, and she'll be happy. Jasper is a bit more difficult, but I rely on Ali's help to get him the right history books.

Carlisle?

A fucking nightmare.

The things that interest him are medicine and gardening, and I don't know what's new in that market to give him. So, just like every year, I pull out my phone with a sigh.

"Mom?"

"Edward, dear! How good to hear your voice! Are you okay? How is Bella?"

I smile. Sometimes it's really obvious where Alice got her exuberance.

I'm sitting in Bar 5F on the fifth floor of Bergdorf Goodman, drinking an espresso while waiting for my lobster salad wrap, a pile of shopping bags next to me.

We chat amiably, and after a few minutes, I pose my annual question.

"Mom, do you have any idea what I could get Dad?"

"Hmm. Tricky."

"Yeah." I finish my espresso and try to ignore the sudden yearning for a cigarette.

Mom and I discuss the subject for a few minutes before she cries, "Oh! I know! He mentioned this new book the other day, on neuro-something… It was by this author…. He's famous. What's his name again? Torman? Traval? Hmm… Oh, I know: Torval! Donald Torval!"

"Yes, I've heard of him. And it's a new book, you say? Are you sure Dad doesn't have it already?"

An hour later, I'm at the Strand bookstore, browsing through the medical section. I quickly find the book in question. In case Carlisle has it already, I bought him a cream-colored cardigan.

By the time I get home, it's after seven and snowing heavily. Bella left me a message that she'd probably be rehearsing until eight or nine, so I don't think she'll be here before ten. I eat a sandwich and salad, sitting in the kitchen and listening to WQXR, my favorite classical-music station. Cedric munches on his own dinner, and every twenty minutes, the radio blares with an ad for the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.

I don't actually know what I will be doing for New Year's, since Bella will be working until ten-thirty, but one thing's for sure: We will not spend it in Times Square.

Cedric follows me when I walk into the living room with my glass of Merlot. Our Christmas tree, which was delivered this morning, is standing between the piano and the French doors that lead out to the terrace. It's naked and bare, and my heart sinks a little when I realize that I will have to decorate it alone. It's our third Christmas, and the previous two years we decorated the tree together, listening to Christmas carols and drinking eggnog.

I already put the box of ornaments next to the tree, but for a moment, I think that it was silly to even buy one. We'll be with my family tomorrow, and the day after that Bella is back to rehearsing, her play premièring three days later.

"Well, Cedric, buddy, looks like it's just us bachelors," I say, opening the box. I fully expect the cat to dive right in, but he's not around. I guess he's in the bedroom, clearing my drawer of its contents.

While I'm untangling the lights, cursing them as I do so, my cell beeps with an incoming message.

"Darling, I love you & miss you. Wish I could be with you now. We'll need another couple of hours. Pease tell me you'll be awake when I get home. Need you my love, B."

I swallow.

Two years ago, in exactly the same spot I'm standing, I proposed to Bella. So much has happened since then. I'm happy and grateful that she has a thriving career… Still, I'd love to be holding her in my arms right now.

I type in my reply.

"I love you and miss you and I WILL be awake. EVERY part of me, be sure of it, little lamb. I kiss you. E."

I put on the kitschiest Christmas mix CD I can find, get myself another glass of wine and open the box of ornaments. My sister calls while I am decorating the tree and we chat for a little while. For a second, I'm surprised, because normally, Christmas Eve is sacred for Alice, and she spends it with Jasper, decorating their own tree. I eat about five of the chocolate ornaments and finish my second glass of Merlot. By the time Alice and I end the call, the tree is complete, and I feel a bit sleepy, so I lay down on the sofa for a minute, the lyrics of "I Want a New Baby for Christmas"making me grin at the stupidity of the song.

"Edward?"

Mmm… Soft lips on mine…

"Hey, baby…"

Mmm…. Hands…

Hair, tickling my neck… Her glorious scent – clean, girly, sexy…

Sweet, sweet lips.

"Edward," she whispers.

Blinking, I open my eyes, feeling disoriented for a second. Bella is sitting by my side, stroking my hair. I rub my eyes.

"Hi," she smiles. She's so beautiful. She looks like an angel. Her eyes are dark and loving and luminous.

"Hi," I murmur sleepily. I move so I can put my head in her lap. She continues to stroke my hair.

"What's the time?" I mumble.

"Shortly after ten."

"Oh. I must've been asleep for an hour…"

"The tree looks lovely."

Her nimble fingers massage my scalp as I stare up into her beautiful face. For a few minutes, we're silent, just looking at each other, and it's perfect. A flow of warm love, of trust and devotion is coursing between us.

"Do you know what day this is?" I ask, sitting up slowly and pulling her into my arms.

"Yes. Two years ago you asked me to marry you."

She gently caresses my ear.

"It's also our seven-month-and-two-days wedding anniversary," I murmur against her fingers.

"I know." I can feel her smile. "Always an important day in young marriages."

"Tradition has it that the husband gets to make love to his wife all night on that day."

"Is that so?" Bella chuckles, catching her breath.

"Did you eat?" I kiss her fingers.

"Yeah, I got a pasta salad from the deli during a break."

"How was it?"

"Okay. I'll be glad when this show is on the road though."

"I can't wait to see you in it." I press my face into her neck. "I missed you when I was decorating the tree."

"I'm sorry." She kisses my ear, and my neck, and soon, our lips merge into a soft dance.

A little later, I get a glass of wine for Bella, and another one for me. We cuddle into each other on the sofa and watch TheMuppetChristmasCarol.

I haven't seen it before, but Bella sings along with the songs, imitating Kermit and Gonzo. She's the cutest thing ever, sitting there in her red flannel pajamas that have white stars on them, singing, "This is the season to be jolly and joyous!"

She's sitting between my legs, my arms wrapped around her, my chin on her shoulder, our hands entwined. It has begun to snow again, and I kiss Bella's neck, thinking that life is pretty perfect right now.

When the movie finishes, I take our glasses to the kitchen and Bella turns off the lights before we walk upstairs, hand in hand. She shoos Cedric away from my nightstand, where he is busy fumbling with its contents.

We brush our teeth and I go to bed and open my book while Bella needs another moment to apply about four different moisturizers to various zones of her body. I only smear that stuff Alice gave me around my eyes every night, and I'm still getting wrinkles.

She smells wonderful when she joins me in bed, snuggling up to my side. I put my arm around her and kiss her temple.

"I'm so glad I have the day off tomorrow," she sighs blissfully.

"So am I, love. We'll do nothing but eat turkey and Christmas pudding and sugar cookies."

"I want eggnog as well."

"Sure," I smile, pressing my nose into her hair and inhaling its fresh, flowery scent.

"Mmm, and presents," she murmurs, stroking her hand up my bare torso.

"Yes," I sigh, enjoying the way her fingers fondle my belly.

I think of the gift she'll receive in the morning, knowing that she'll flip out. I can't wait.

Bella is peppering my jawline with kisses while her fingers follow the line of hair above the waistband of my pants.

I close my eyes.

"I love you," Bella whispers against my neck. "God, you can't imagine how much I love you…"

"I love you," I reply. "More than I've ever loved anyone…"

Our mouths meet in a long and passionate kiss that makes our breaths increase, and our hands begin to roam each other's bodies. Soft sighs and whispered terms of endearment fill the air, skin finding skin, heart beating against heart. Bella's body is my heaven.

I'm completely under her spell, losing myself in her milky white skin, her sweet smell, her husky voice, her softness.

Our lovemaking is slow and incredibly gentle, every touch and every breath a celebration of our love. We never stop looking at each other, and it seems that our souls connect as we become one.

Bella's legs are wrapped around my waist, her hands in my hair, her eyes huge and open, a small, enraptured smile on her lips as our movements speed up but never get frantic. It's a perfect, divine rhythm, and when we come together, clinging to each other, both of us moan, "I love you."

BELLA

"I love you," Edward moans softly, our eyes never losing contact, our lips an inch apart. I tremble with pleasure, whimpering as I'm overwhelmed by an earth-shattering orgasm that seems to last forever. Edward's beautiful face gets tense as I feel his release, his hot breath washing over me while my own body keeps shuddering.

"I love you," he pants.

Our mouths meet in a wet, sloppy kiss.

"I love you…"

"I love you…"

"I love you… oh… Edward…."

Slowly, so slowly, I calm down, and Edward kisses my lips, my cheeks, my nose.

I'm happy, I'm so happy. I'm at peace with the whole universe.

I giggle.

"Huh?" Edward kisses me.

"That was incredible…"

"Mmm…" He kisses me again, tenderly, then pulls out of me so he can get rid of the condom. We can stop using them in a couple of days, and that thought alone makes me very, very glad.

Edward kisses me again, looking fabulously spent, with mad sex hair and rosy cheeks. I don't know why, but I've never felt closer to him than I do right now. Edward turns onto his back, immediately pulling me close and I settle my head on his chest. I'm sleepy, and I'm happy.

"Merry Christmas," I murmur.

"Merry Christmas, my love." He kisses my brow.

I'm completely relaxed, Edward's warmth and strength surrounding me, his familiar scent making my blithe smile even bigger as I melt into happy dreams.

When I wake, it's to the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes. Slowly I open my eyes, yawning and stretching.

"Mmm," I sigh, spotting Edward as he sets down a tray. "Morning."

"Good morning, love." He kisses my forehead, and then slips into bed next to me. I reach out to ruffle his already-messy hair. Edward purrs like a kitten, and we smile at each other for a few moments before I make a short trip to the bathroom. When I return, having put on Edward's old Harvard tee, he has set up the breakfast tray and is pouring coffee.

"Wow," I say, kissing his cheek. "This looks amazing."

There are pancakes and bacon and scrambled eggs, toast, muffins, strawberries, and a huge chocolate Santa. I move closer to Edward and kiss his bare shoulder.

"Merry Christmas, darling."

He smiles. He looks delectable, his cheeks stubbly and his hair a wild mess. Edward's soft lips mold with mine

"Merry Christmas, my little lamb."

I love how he uses that silly term from some banter that took place years ago. He always does it with a hint of a smile, always reverently, and lovingly. He wouldn't do it if he thought of me as small and helpless. I think it's the contrary. But I still love the feeling of security in Edward's arms.

We tuck into our breakfast, chatting easily about the day that lies ahead. It has been snowing all night, and the railings on the bedroom terrace have about two inches of white fluff covering them.

"That is pretty," Edward says, pointing outside with his pinkie while he feeds me a piece of chocolate-chip muffin.

I don't let his finger escape, swiftly tickling it with my tongue. Edward's eyes grow imperceptibly darker, and his Adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallows. I suck a little for good measure until he pulls his finger away, replacing it with his lips. He tastes like coffee and chocolate, humming softly as he cradles my face in his hands.

It's the perfect Christmas morning.

We'll be visiting Edward's family for the traditional late lunch, so there's still time before we need to leave. We only get out of bed to retrieve each other's presents, and once we're ready, the whole bed is littered with gift-wrapped boxes and packages. Cedric joins us after his own Christmas breakfast of chicken with lots of gravy. He loves the gravy. Now he's very interested in the ribbons, and he has fun digging his little claws into the wrapping paper. He's getting a red snuggle sack and a little candy cane that's filled with catnip. When I tell him about it, he looks at me with big amber eyes before he continues to toy with our presents.

"You first," I say, handing Edward a small box.

"Absolutely not. You." He gives me a flat package, which feels like a book.

I slowly open it. It is a book, a frayed brown notebook, full of creases and wrinkles. It even smells old and dusty.

"What is it?"

"Open it." Edward watches me intently.

The first page of the book is filled with neat, spidery handwriting, and the second shows a sketch, but I can't quite make out what it's supposed to be.

"Hamlet," I read aloud. "A bloke who can't make up his mind."

Slowly, it dawns on me.

"No!"

Edward beams from ear to ear.

"No!" I squeal.

"There was an auction at Christie's," he shrugs. "I would have bought you his shirt, but that wasn't on sale." He smirks lopsidedly.

"Oh my God! This is real?"

"That's what the certificate says."

"This is LaurenceOlivier'snotebook?"

Edward takes the book from my hands and leafs through it.

"Only the first two pages are written upon, but I thought you'd like it…"

"Like it? It's wonderful!" I throw my arms around Edward's neck and smother him with kisses. It may look like an old notebook, but to me, it's a treasure, and Edward knows it.

"Do you need to sell the apartment now?" I mumble against his lips, and Edward laughs.

"No." He kisses the side of my mouth. "To be perfectly honest, I expected it to be much more expensive." He ruffles the hair at the nape of my neck and nudges my nose with his.

"It's invaluable, Edward. Thank you." I kiss his stubbly cheek. "Thank you so much."

I then urge Edward to open his own gift, an antique specs case, which has him grinning like a kid. There are more presents; books and a pair of Manolos for me; a fountain pen and sheet music for Edward; plus DVDs, perfume and little trinkets. I also knitted Edward a sweater during breaks and waiting times during rehearsals. I'm not great at knitting, but the pullover has become rather nice, if I say so myself. I called Sue numerous times for help, which she happily gave, and the result is a cream-colored cable-knit sweater with a large shawl collar. Edward tries it on immediately, smiling and parading in front of me, making me laugh.

"You're looking gooood, mister," I giggle. "Especially the pajama and sweater combo. Sexy."

Edward throws himself on top of me, and we kiss and giggle until Cedric has had enough, leaving the bed with a loud and indignant meow while I wrap my legs around Edward's hips, the gifts momentarily forgotten.

"Mmm," he murmurs. "This sweater is really soft and warm…" He kisses me, his tongue stroking over my lower lip before he gently pulls at it. "But do you know what's also soft and warm?" His hand runs under the t-shirt I'm wearing, making a direct path to my breast.

"Well," I sigh, gasping slightly as he begins to play with my nipple. "I know what is definitely not soft…" I tighten my legs around him, needing to feel his hardness press into me. Edward moans softly.

"You're a little vixen, do you know that?"

But he doesn't let me reply, his lips and tongue devouring me while my hands work on the removal of his pretty new sweater. Edward's body always excites me, and it does so now. I love to feel his weight on me, to let my fingers meander through his hair and to hear the sounds he makes as he moves inside me. Wrapping paper crinkles beneath us and ribbons stick to our sweaty skin while we find our fulfillment.

"There's something else," Edward whispers later as we lay with our naked bodies entwined.

He moves away and reaches under the bed, pulling me close again, his chest pressed against my back. He places a box in front of me. It looks a bit worn, and for a second I think it might be another antique. Edward kisses my neck. I gingerly lift the lid off the box. Inside is a tattered teddy bear in a red sweater.

"It's my old Pooh," Edward says. His voice is soft, and his breath is warm. "Or rather, Edward Bear."

"You named the bear after yourself?" I giggle.

"No. I completely forgot about it, but Mom reminded me. In the books, Winnie-the-Pooh is his nickname. His real name is Edward." Another sweet kiss on my neck. "So we have the books now, and the bear."

I turn around and kiss him, love welling up hotly inside my chest.

I think I need to get Esme a huge bouquet of flowers one these days, for raising this man.

=====oOo=====

Christmas lunch with the family is splendid as always. Everyone is in high spirits, relaxed and happy. We drink eggnog and sing every verse of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with Edward accompanying us on the piano.

Esme's cheeks glow with bliss at having her children and grandchildren surrounding her. Carlisle seems pretty laid-back as well, pouring out port and sherry, patting Dale's back while they discuss something to with medicine.

Gifts are exchanged, and Lily claps her hands and jumps up and down when she sees what we are giving her – a racy sports car for her vampire Barbie and Ken dolls. Little Anna sits on my lap, and I must admit that I am much more relaxed around her than I used to be. She waves her pudgy little arms and keeps saying "Bedda, Bedda!" while she points at me. She also enjoys sucking on the sleeve of my dress, leaving it wet with baby drool.

I can feel Edward's eyes on us, and it's as if we are sharing this little secret. Small, intimate gestures connect us all the time and make my heart flutter. Edward's palm resting at the small of my back, my fingers brushing a strand of hair off his brow, his finger drawing small circles on my knee...

I notice how Alice looks at us a few times, and she smiles when she realizes that she's being watched. I know she is happy for her brother, and I want to get up and hug her.

I'm talking to Emmett when Esme joins us, sliding one arm around my waist, joining into our laughter about one of Em's asinine jokes.

"Bella," she says. "I can't wait to see you in the new play. Really, I'm excited!"

"Oh, I hope you'll like it. I love it, but all the dancing is almost driving me crazy," I laugh.

Emmett chuckles, his dimples making an appearance.

"I'm looking forward to it too, Bella. Will there be chorus lines with hot dames kicking their legs?"

At precisely that moment, Rose appears and gently slaps Emmett's arm.

"Just sayin'," he grins and kisses his wife, who wraps her arm around his neck.

Wow, I hope Edward and I will be like that twenty years from now, with three kids and…

"Did Edward give you Edward Bear?" Esme smiles, while Rose and Emmett have their moment.

"He did," I sigh. "and it's so cute." I wish I could tell Esme the real reason behind the gift, but I know this would be really premature.

Instead, I kiss Esme's cheek.

"Thank you," I whisper.

Later, when everyone is relaxing in the living room, lazy and full, sipping Emmett's lethal Christmas punch, Alice plops down on the sofa next to me.

"Ugh," she sighs. "I'm never going to eat anything again."

"It was so good though."

I lean back and watch Edward, sitting on the floor and looking sexy as hell in his new sweater as he plays with Lily and her new Barbie car.

Alice is looking at me again when I turn back to her. She has this glint in her eyes that she gets now and then.

"What?" I smile.

"You look beautiful, Bella. Different."

"What do you mean?" I say, feeling a little self-conscious. "I know I lost a few pounds. Edward won't stop harping on it, but –"

"That's not what I mean," Alice says serenely. "You sparkle, Bella."

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A/N:

Thank you for reading and please leave a review if you liked it. Reviews are for me what honey is for Edward Bear, and I always love to hear your thoughts!

Pics for Edward bear and the sweater Bella knitted are on my profile page.

See you next week!

xoxo

hp