Hey everyone, I am alive. Sorry this is about a week late. We got back from Vacation very late Monday night, and it has been one hell of a week. Anyways, I'm back and chapters will be up more regularly. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. Happy Saturday!

I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know

Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is…

you.

Chapter Ten: You

Edward Cullen

"I hate Christmas."

"Can't you get arrested for saying that in public?" Alice questioned, fully taking advantage of the season, decked out in candy cane tights a red dress and green jingle bells hanging around her neck.

"You know what I mean. I hate being in public until Christmas is over...people are rude." I grit my teeth as yet another body bumps into me, sending my bags knocking into my legs without apologizing. "Thanks for coming with me, Al."

"No problem."

I watched as Alice swiped a hand full of candy canes from a basket outside a child's store and sauntered off. We had been to every inch of the mall, from women's stores to mens, to department stores, and now, it was Katie's turn.

Alice had gotten her several outfits from different children's stores, spending well over my estimated amount of three hundred dollars. Emmett had mentioned casually he had invested into getting her one of those...Nintendo DS's and a few games to keep her occupied, my parents got her god only knows what.

I pulled out the crinkled list from my pocket of things she wanted, a few items already crossed off, and stared at the toy store ahead of me. Emmett was supposed to meet me here with Alice, but blew it off for plans with his new girlfriend, Rosalie. I was just happy Jasper couldn't get away from Seattle for the weekend, otherwise both my siblings would have abandoned me.

"What did you get for Bella?" Alice asked casually, when we had been looking around the store for about twenty minutes. I didn't turn to face her but kept my eyes fixed on the paint set in front of me.

"What do you mean?"

"What did you get her for Christmas?" Alice asked again, as if I were slow.

"I haven't gotten her anything yet." I heard a sharp intake of breath from Alice and turned to her questioningly. Her eyes were wide and her mouth in a hard line.

"Shame on you! You are getting her something; aren't you?"

"Well of course Alice! She's done so much for us. I just don't know what yet. I haven't shopped for a woman in...quite some time."

Alice rested her arm on my shoulder and smiled at me wickedly. "Allow me to point you in the right direction, dear brother."

I followed her pointed finger until my eyes landed on a store down the hall.

Kay Jewelers

"All women love diamonds."

It was quite a task hiding Katie's presents, because I knew her well enough to know she snoops...and does a poor job of it at that. One year, the year before last, all her presents had been neatly wrapped and tucked into my closet. It wasn't until I went to place them under the tree that I realized someone had peeled back the paper in order to see what laid behind it. Two nights later she came into my room sobbing because she was afraid Santa thought she was bad for doing it.

This year, they were going directly under the tree, the most obvious of hiding spots. Somewhere where I could see if she had been snooping, and it was impossible for her to dig into them ahead of time.

It wasn't like she had too long of a wait, Christmas was only four days away.

When Alice and I barreled into the house, the blistering cold whipping in after us, the house smelled like ginger bread.

"Daddy, is that you?" I heard Katie call out eagerly. "Come into the kitchen!"

Esme stood behind Katie, mixing a bowl of home made ginger bread cookie dough, several plates of fresh cookies laying out to cool. Shortbreads, sugar cookies, chocolate chips and gingerbreads all laid on platter after platter for eating.

"Didn't you two get busy?" I asked, swiping one.

"Hey!" Katie squealed, hands on her hips. "That plate is for my class daddy! Don't steal anymore!"

"Yeah, daddy!" Esme teased, punching my shoulder softly. I laughed, wiggling my eyebrows at Katie before finishing off the cookie bits. "I had to taste test them, to make sure they were good enough."

Katie rolled her eyes, humoring me. "And..."

"And they are delicious."

"Well duh!"

Alice and I excused ourselves from the party in the kitchen to head upstairs and wrap all the presents that would stay at my house under the tree, where we would be opening presents Christmas morning.

Alice had always been good at wrapping things, mine looked like a five year old art project, so when it came to wrapping the Christmas presents, I handed them off to her.

"It's because I'm a girl," she concluded with a smirk. "It's in our blood."

"Wrapping presents?"

"Being better at everything than boys."

"Glad to see you haven't grown up a bit Ali."

She smiled, biting off a piece of ribbon before curling it with scissors. "Hey, Edward, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Ali, what's up?"

"How did you propose to Tanya?"

My eyes shot up at her with wonder. "You already know this story Alice. You were there."

"I know I know the artificial story, but I want the inside scoop. Do you think she knew you were going to propose?"

"Why all the questions?" I asked, placing another present in a big pile.

"Well...don't freak out or anything, but I think maybe, just maybe Jasper might propose to me soon."

"What?"

"No freaking remember, and I don't even know. I just have this...this gut feeling. It could be completely wrong," she shrugged, then smiled dreamily. "I hope not though."

"Alice, you're twenty one. You're still a student...you aren't ready to get married!"

"Uh earth to Edward, you're the one who thought I was an old hag for not having settled down yet."

"Well that was before...now, I'm beginning to think you're a tad young."

"You were eighteen."

"Tanya was pregnant, Alice."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't use that as an excuse. You would have married Tanya non the less."

"You're right, I would have. Not fresh out of high school though."

"I'm not fresh out of high school Edward! I'm twenty one! I'm not getting any younger. Maybe I'm ready to start my life, to start my own family." she blushed, looking down at one of the Barbie dolls I had gotten for Katie, stroking the box. "Maybe, I want my own little Katie."

"Now you want kids?" I asked, my voice cracking. "You've never even talked about children before."

"I've never had a cause to...but now I do. I want Jasper to be my husband, to be my kids father...he's so right for me Edward. I see myself with him for the rest of my life."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. There was no doubt in my mind the love they shared for one another. However, marriage meant a series of things. One being, Jasper had a job, a high paying one...in Seattle. The thought of Alice not being a phone call away, not popping in after class just to steal my food and have Katie paint her nails...

I swallowed a lump in my throat and her hand rested on my knee.

"Tell me what you're thinking."

I shook my head, and she waited for a long moment while I cleared my throat. "I'm thinking...I don't think I'm ready to lose you too."

"Oh, Edward," Alice spoke, her voice breaking. She climbed into my lap, throwing her arms around my neck and rubbing my back softly. "You will never lose me Edward...I will always be here for you...and for Katie. I love you both too much to let you get away! I want to be there to watch Katie grow, plus, who better to teach her about boys and girl stuff than Aunt Alice?"

I smiled down at her before she placed a quick kiss on my cheek. "You're a fantastic big brother, and even better dad...I just want to be like you Edward. I'm sick of being baby Alice. It's time for me to grow a bit, don't you think?"

"You have grown Ali, into a beautiful, talented young woman."

She blushed, wrapping another present and thanking me under her breath. It was silent for a long moment before she chucked another present into my lap.

"So, whenever you're ready to tell me that story..."

With only two more days until School ended for the break, kids like Katie had no homework and were mostly watching movies and playing around. My freshman however, had a test tomorrow. I had warned them a few days ago, listening and taking in the moans and groans with ease. It was much easier to take an exam and pass before a break than after, they agreed after I reasoned with them.

I had been working on the test key, worrying if it was too hard or too easy for about three hours when I heard a knock rattle on my door, making me jump. I glanced at the clock, nearly eleven at night- Katie should be long asleep by now.

Non the less, her small body slipped in past my door and shut it tightly, her eyes sleepy and her night gown nearly down to her ankles.

"What's wrong?" I asked her, clearing a spot of my papers for her to climb into bed with me. She snuggled up against my body and held my middle tightly.

"Can I sleep in here tonight?" she asked me quietly.

"Uh...sure...yeah, ok. What happened?" I asked, pushing everything to the floor in neat piles and climbing under the covers with her. I shut off the light and her body jumped visibly. "Are you ok, Katie?"

She nodded, coughing a little, scooting up as closely to me as she could. "I had a bad dream."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head, digging it into the pillows deeper, her hands clinging to my sleep shirt. "Maybe in the morning."

"Ok..." I mumbled sadly. I rubbed her head softly before kissing her once, turning to face the other way hoping sleep should find me.

"Ouch Mr. Cullen, a test before Christmas? Are you scrooge or something?"

My entire class looked up to see Jessica walking through the door. They studied her for a minute before turning their attention back to the test. I chuckled waving her over towards my desk.

"Better now than later. Where are you supposed to be Ms. Stanley? Skipping class?"

She rolled her eyes, sitting on my desk. "Jeez, you give a guy a little power and look what it does to him. No, Principal Cullen, I'm not skipping class, I'm only in study hall. I just stopped by to make sure you told Katie Merry Christmas for me."

"Thank you Jessica, I will."

"Good...can I have one?" she pointed to the candy canes and I grinned, handing out the bowl to her. "Be good over break, don't get into trouble."

"Yada yada yada!" She winked before disappearing out the hallway. The bell rang shortly after and the student's filed out smoothly after wishing me a good holiday. Emmett appeared a moment later, wearing a hideous green colored dress shirt and a goofy grin.

"Dude, I'm pretty sure I'm getting lucky tonight. Look what Rosalie just sent me." He flashed a picture of a headless body wearing the skimpiest piece of fabric I'd hardly call it clothing and a santa hat in her hand.

"That's Rosalie?" I asked in disbelief and he nodded dumbly. "She asked if I've been naughty or nice."

"Oh god," I rolled my eyes, turning away from the screen he was now ogling with glazed eyes. "Go Jack off in your own room."

He laughed boomingly, shutting the phone and sliding it into his pocket. "Maybe Bella has something up her sleeve for you too, Bro."

"Why would you say that?" I asked with a snort, and he shrugged. "I don't know...Rose and Bella are best friends, I'm sure Bella has some kinky inside of her...deep...deep down inside of her."

"Don't think of Bella that way. She's not like that...she's..." I don't know what Bella is, but that wasn't her. Bella would be too embarrassed to allow anyone to see her looking like...that. I imagined Bella in something more expensive, more fancy. Like, silk or satin. A smooth red baby doll made of silk that went right up to the middle of her thigh, exposing enough of her to make any man go crazy with lust, but still leaving some for the imagination...

"Earth to Edward?"

I shook my head fiercely, confused as to where my mind went for a moment and embarrassed to have been caught.

"Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night. Katie had some sort of bad dream, climbed into bed with me."

He frowned sympathetically before repeating whatever I had missed while zoning. "I said I wasn't thinking of her in anyway, just that I'm sure some of Rosalie's influences have or could rub off on her."

"You and Rosalie have been dating less than a month and she's already showing you pictures like that?" I asked in shock.

"We're pigs Edward. She admits it, I admit it, but that's why I like her so much! She's the woman version of me. For once, I've met a woman who isn't embarrassed to admit she likes having sex. There's nothing wrong with sex. Sex is fucking awesome!"

We looked around the room, relieved it was empty before Emmett lowered his voice. "Rosalie knows what she likes and what she wants...she's independent, and it's sexy as hell."

"Well...good for you both...I guess."

He smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "You don't mind if she comes over for dinner at your place, Christmas Eve, right?"

"As long as you're not humping her, no I don't have a problem with it."

"Great! Thanks man!" he grinned goofily. "What time do you want us tomorrow?"

"Around five would be great."

"I'll bring some of the good stuff...you know, the stuff that comes out once Katie is sleeping..."

I laughed without humor. "Emmett, she's not a toddler anymore, she won't be going to bed at eight o'clock. Plus, Katie's seen us drink before."

"She's seen us drink, but she hasn't seen us drink."

I watched as my class began filling in and quickly shooed Emmett off. "It's not going to be like that Emmett, you can't get drunk."

He laughed boomingly, winking towards me before making his way to the door, silencing the conversation in its tracks. "Be good for my brother," he called out to the class. "He doesn't need any crap!"

"So, Edward, how do you think things are going?"

I twiddled my fingers, staring down at them. "Well sir, personally, I think things are going well...do, you?"

Mr. Banner laughed heartily, patting the desk in front of him. "Edward, I know I haven't made a mistake in picking you as my intern."

"Thank you sir."

"You know, with it being January the next time we meet, we need to start talking about times for you to sign up for your exam and such."

My ears perked up with excitement. "Really? Already?"

He shrugged. "Usually you need to set those kind of things up sooner rather than later, but we won't have you take it until May or so."

"Oh, ok...thank you sir!" I said with a grin, feeling gitty as if this could be the best Christmas present of them all. "Thank you so much!"

"Have a great holiday Edward," Mr. Banner smiled, shaking my hand. "See you on the second."

"You too Mr. Banner, see you after the break!"

I was over the moon with happiness by the time I flew through the door, looking for Bella and Katie.

"Hello?" I sang throughout the house. It smelled like ham and potatoes, making my mouth water as I grew closer to the kitchen. Katie looked up at me with wide eyes and waved, barely able to break away from her coloring book.

"Hi daddy!" she squealed.

"What're you coloring?" I asked her and her cheeks flamed red, gripping the book to her chest.

"Nothing," she squeaked, jumping out of the chair and hugging me for a second before disappearing into the living room.

I looked her over skeptically before shrugging, looking for Bella.

"Hi there."

I turned to see Bella coming from downstairs, holding out a shirt of Katie's. "We got a little messy making dinner, I figured I might as well throw it into the wash."

"You didn't have to do that you know," I said, unable to hide the smile that appeared anytime she did. She blushed and shrugged, throwing it over the chair and walking a bit closer.

"It was no problem."

I opened my arms awkwardly, unsure if it was what I really wanted or not, but non the less she filled them easily, hugging me close to her. Her hair smelled fresh and was soft on my cheek, her heart beat could be felt through our layers of clothing. I'm sure she could feel mine as well.

"I missed you," I whispered honestly and felt her breathe heavily against me. "I missed you too Edward. How was your day?"

"Good. Long. Let's talk about yours instead."

She shrugged, keeping her head against my chest. "Just a typical day."

"You have to work tonight?"

She sighed, nodding her head. "Yes."

"Tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Just a day shift. I'll have time to stop by tomorrow night."

"And you work Christmas." I stated sadly. She nodded with a frown. "The evening shift anyways."

"Come for dinner?"

"Maybe," she winked with a smile. She went to pull away, but I grabbed her arm, swinging her back into me with a quick kiss. She accepted it, pushing herself into me and matching my slow and uneasy pace. She pulled away first, leaving me with puckered lips and closed eyes.

"How do you feel?" she asked softly.

"Good...really, really good."

Isabella Swan

It was Christmas Eve and my shift felt never ending. It wasn't today we had to worry about, hardly anyone came in during the day. It was tonight, with all the parties and drunk drivers that they would need back up. Thank the lord it wasn't me on tonight.

Rosalie had specifically asked for the day shift, knowing she would want to be off for the night and requested I had the same shift, being the angel she was, and was currently on her lunch break, leaving me alone in the ER.

Not much of a responsibility. I took advantage of the quiet time and called up my mother, who yet again, 'just couldn't seem to make it here for the holidays.'

"How come you never come here dear?" She asked, chewing something through the other end.

"I've told you mom, I can't just get up and leave work. It's only my first year and I don't have much vacation time I can use. Plus, I'm a home health aide. Remember?"

"Oh right, the little girl with cancer. How is she doing?"

"Great," I answered quick, taking a sip of my coffee. "She's adorable."

"And she has a father...or a mother..."

I rolled my eyes, she knew she had a father, a young father who was barely twenty six. A young attractive father who was close to my age and had a lot in common with me. She knew, but she needed ammunition to start up a new conversation.

"A father..."

"Oh thats right. What was his name again? Edgar? Edmund?"

"Edward."

"Edward! That's right!" She said excitedly. "How is Edward doing?"

"He is doing well. We get along fine. I'm actually going over there tonight for dinner with his family."

"Oh, really?" I could hear her smiling through the phone. "A meet the parents type thing or.."

"No. I've already met Dr. Cullen and Mrs. Cullen. They've just invited me over because, well I've become sort of part of the family over the past few months."

"Oh, well isn't that sweet," she cooed.

Rosalie turned to corner, looking me over with raised eyebrows. I held up a note quickly, with pleading eyes; HELP ME!

Her eyes widened with a smirk before she loudly called out. "Wrap it up chatty kathy, this is work not a social event."

I held my thumb up to her before breathing heavily, feigning being upset. "Mom, I've got to go. Busy day."

"Oh ok dear, well give me a call later please if you can. Tell Edward hello! Merry Christmas hun, a package is in the mail for you."

"You didn't need to."

"I know, but you're my daughter and I love you. Now go before you get into trouble. Hugs and kisses!"

The line went dead and I smiled, shutting off the phone. "Thanks Rose."

"Welcome, hey you're coming tonight, right?"

"Of course," I said, dragging out another sip of coffee. I tried not to let it bug me, Rosalie being more a part of the family than I was, but it did. I was the one who introduced her after all, I was there first, and now she's checking to make sure I'm going to events?

Don't be petty Bella, she was only asking.

"Oh good, what are you wearing? I have a feeling it's a tad less dressy than Thanks giving, you know? It being so late at night and everything. Emmett told me a pair of jeans was fine, but you know him, he's a bit casual that one."

"Yeah...I don't know, I was planning on a pair of jeans and nice shirt. We won't get there until around eight anyways."

"I think I'm spending the night at Emmett's tonight," Rosalie said with a wicked smile.

"Wow, Rosalie. Seriously?"

"Oh we won't do anything!" she tisked and I raised my eyebrows. She giggled nervously before shrugging. "Okay, maybe we will. But that's just how we are. Plus, have you seen his ass? I'm surprised I've lasted this long."

"You're disgusting."

"No Bella, I'm comfortable with the fact I love sex. You'd love sex if you knew how good it was too."

My cheeks blushed red. "I've...had sex before."

She snorted. "Yeah, ok Bella."

"I have!"

"When?"

"A few years ago..."

She raised her brows. "A few years ago? You had sex a few years ago?"

"Yes."

"And you haven't had it since?"

"I have some self control, Rosalie."

"Honey that ain't self control, that's impossible! You're a virgin. There's nothing wrong with it I guess, It's just the truth."

I blew air, pushing up my bangs before settling back into my chair.

"Looks like Edward could be your first though, huh?"

"Rosalie, it's not like that...not yet anyways. We're not even dating..."

"Technically maybe not, but you sure act like it."

"He hasn't asked."

"Would you say yes?"

"He hasn't asked," I mentioned for a second time.

"That wasn't my question."

"Yes, I would most likely say yes if he asked."

"Let him know that then Bella."

"What am I going to say? 'By the way Edward, if for some reason you asked me out, I'd say yes!'? That's stupid."

"No, don't do it like that, but it is ok to ask what you two are...I mean you've kissed, multiple times, am I right."

I nodded.

"You hold hands, both of you light up when you see the other."

I waited, looking down at my hands.

"Maybe its time to figure it out Bells."

It was closer to eight thirty by the time we got to Edward's house that night. Black ice lined the streets along with a fresh blizzard blowing through that nearly sent us off the road twice.

"Are you ok?" Edward asked, running a hand through my hair to create shivers down my spine.

"Yeah, it's just getting kind of bad out there. Hopefully the plows will come through soon."

"Hi Bella," I heard Katie whisper from the living room. She was wrapped up in Emmett's lap, her nose running and chapped.

"She's got a bit of a cold," Edward said with a frown. "Perfect for Christmas, huh?"

I sighed. "Poor thing. Hi Katie, how are you feeling?"

She held a thumbs up with a weak smile before sniffling again. Emmett handed her a cookie which got a smile out of her but she declined. "I've had a hundred today."

"Make yourself at home," Edward said, close to my ear. "I'll get you something hot to drink. Tea? Or hot chocolate?"

"Tea would be great," I smiled. "I'll come with you."

Sensing my tone, his ears perked up and he extended a hand out to me. I noticed how his thumb ran over my own as we walked to the kitchen. His lips were moving, talking about something but my mind was far away.

We turned the corner and he grinned down towards me. "What do you think?"

"Huh?"

He laughed, pouring some tea into a mug for me. "I said The Rockettes are preforming on television tonight, Katie loves them so we planned on watching it, you don't mind do you?"

"No..no of course not."

"Are you sure you're alright Bella? You seem off."

"Off? No, I'm not off...I'm completely...on."

He looked me over before bursting out laughing. "Long day?"

"Something like that."

He leaned down and brought his lips to my own quickly. "I'm sorry you had a rough day."

"It's ok...hey, Edward?"

"Yes?"

It was now or never. Rosalie's words kept reappearing to the front of my head, making my palms sweaty and mind dizzy. She was right though, I had the right to ask at least.

"W-What are we...exactly."

"What are we?" he asked slowly.

"Yeah, are we...um...I mean, because we like...kiss and everything, so I guess I was just wondering...w-wh-"

"Oh. oh." he said, nodding. "I'm sorry if I've confused you Bella."

"I was just wondering. I know it's complicated."

"You know I have feelings for you," he said diplomatically, and I nodded. "I'd be a fool to say I don't feel things for you...you're amazing and talented and, so much more."

I blushed.

"It's just, I'm trying to do things right. You're the first person I've cared about this way in a long time, I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me, Edward."

He paused for a minute. "What do you want to be, Bella?"

"I uh...well, I was thinking we could...be...dating?"

He smiled crookedly, kissing my cheek gently. "Then, I guess I should ask."

"That would be, nice."

"Would you like to go out with me then?" he laughed. "I feel like I'm fifteen."

"I'd love to Edward."

Let me know what you thought! Update will be coming around soon. Thanks again for reading. Song I think everyone knows, 'All I want for Christmas' by Mariah Carey. Thanks again!

~WorkingOnAMiracle