Gifts and Revelations

Six weeks had passed and it was Christmas morning. Emmett had stayed the night and Rosalie was coming over for lunch. They had told my mother they were dating when Emmett unexpectedly brought her over for Thanksgiving dinner. I missed it because I was quarantined in my room with the flu that I must have caught one day while I was visiting my mom at work. They told me the through the door and I mustered enough energy to tell them they were bad liars, I had known all along.

Edward would come back every now and again to ask how I was feeling. I always lied, he always laughed.

I had only gotten to see Jacob two more times. He was gone longer than he expected to be, then I had gotten the flu, then he got the flu, and now they had gone to visit family for the holidays. We talked on the phone a couple times a week, but it was getting hard to even get through a conversation. Distance didn't do much for a relationship that hadn't even started yet. I really hoped that the New Year would be different. He wasn't coming back in town until after the first of the year.

After I got over the flu my regular dinners with mom and Edward resumed. I even cooked on the nights that my mom was working. Edward and I had developed a brother-sister type of relationship and we had a lot of fun just hanging out.

Edward laughed when I had told him about Jacob's concerns, and my responding answer. It was good to know we were on the same page. Though he didn't seem to like Jacob, for whatever reason, it had nothing to do with 'feelings'.

He did enjoy making jokes at my expense about having a boyfriend that I never saw. I just kept reminding him that Jacob wasn't my boyfriend. That would require us to see each other more than twice a month.

I heard pots and pans clanging in the kitchen so I got out of bed and joined my mother and Emmett. There was enough food there to feed ten people, but we were the only ones here. Edward had gone to spend the morning with his parents and, I was sure, to spend some time with Tanya. He was coming back for a late lunch though.

"Esme, Esme, Esme... tsk tsk. You know we aren't going to eat this much right?"

"Speak for yourself beanpole. I can take it." Emmett had a mouthful of food, but that didn't stop him from shoveling another forkful in to make his point.

"I know honey, the biscuits are for lunch, as are the mashed potatoes, ham slices, and deviled eggs. You get pancakes, bacon, and sausage for now."

"Breakfast of champions, thanks mom." I gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "So Em, since you didn't ask for my advice I am assuming that you got Rose something nice."

"We've only been dating for like two months, we don't have to get gifts yet."

I almost choked on the chocolate milk I had just taken a gulp of. My mother looked at him with a horrified expression. We were both speechless and couldn't do anything but stare at him.

"What? Crap, don't tell me I was supposed to get her something. Great, now she's gonna be mad at me! I don't know about these things, I haven't had an actual girlfriend since high school!"

I looked at my mom, "What did you get me for Christmas?" I was already going in to salvage mode.

"Well, I only got each of you one gift this year, so I bought you diamond pendant necklace."

"That's too much too soon, she'll know he didn't buy it."

I wracked my brain to figure something out. I was not going to let my best friend get her feelings hurt because of my idiot brother. Then it dawned on me.

"I've got it! I bought a new silver bracelet last week that I haven't had a chance to wear yet. It even came in a nice box. You can have that for her, but you owe me."

"Thanks, Bella. I really appreciate it."

"I know, but don't let it happen again, and always remember that if she ever says 'no gifts' you still have to get her a gift."

"Why are women so difficult? If you want something, just say so!"

The rest of the morning was spent cleaning, and setting the table. Mom continued cooking and making sure that we had everything we would need. I finished getting all of the presents under the tree and headed back to take a shower. I was feeling girly today so I straightened my hair and put on a touch of makeup. Not too much, just some loose powder, a hint of blush, a smidgen of eye shadow, and just enough mascara to make my eyes stand out a bit.

I walked in to my room and put on my good jeans again, then pulled on a tightly fitted gray sweater with a deep v-neck. It was probably designed to have a shirt worn underneath, but I didn't want to smother. From her description, it would accent the necklace my mom had gotten me perfectly. I started to look for some socks to put on when I heard a knock at my door. Rose must be here.

"Come in." I heard the door open, but didn't look up because I knew who it would be.

"So, you invited Jacob to lunch, huh?"

I looked up, "Oh, Edward, I thought you were Rose. Um, no. He's out of town visiting relatives and won't be back for another week or so."

"Then who are you trying to impress? You look good. Much better than the pajama pants and tee shirts you usually run around in." He started to grin.

"Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment even though you just basically said that I look terrible every day, except today. I wasn't trying to impress anyone, I just happen to know what my mom is giving me for Christmas and I wanted to wear something that would show it off." I supposed this was a change since he really only ever saw me lounging around the house.

"You already are."

"I already am what?"

"You're already showin' off what your mama gave you."

"Pervert." I laughed because it was kind of funny, obvious and not very original, but funny.

Just then Rosalie came bounding down the hallway. "Bella, I need to talk to you, like now."

"I'll give you ladies some privacy." Edward turned and went back down the hallway, but he looked like there was something else he wanted to say.

As soon as he was out of the room Rose shut the door.

"Oh my GOD, Bella."

"What?"

"I was talking to your brother last night and he was telling me that he had a lot of work coming up and that he would be, like, really busy over the next few weeks. I was just listening and not saying anything, just letting him go on, when he started complaining that we wouldn't get to spend much time together."

She was acting very agitated and pacing across the floor. She finally decided to sit down on my bed, but never stopped talking.

"So I was telling him it was okay and I didn't mind. I thought that was going to be the end of it, but then he said 'I know you don't mind, but I do. I love you. I mean, uh, I love spending time with you. That's what I meant.'"

"Okay... So what did you say."

"I told him I had to go, and hung up the phone!"

"Rosalie! Why did you do that?"

"I didn't know what to say! Was I supposed to ask him if he really meant what he said the first time, or was I supposed to act like nothing happened, or was I supposed to put myself out there and tell him that I loved him? What?"

"Well, do you love him?"

She flung herself back on the bed and sighed. "Yes."

I laughed at her tortured expression, "Then, Rosalie, you need to tell him. I know Em and if he said he loved you that's what he meant. He probably didn't mean for it to come out and was trying to back track to make sure he didn't scare you off."

"Really, you think?"

"I know. Us Swans are notorious for hiding feelings. Now let's get in there and eat. Hey, do you guys want to go see a movie tonight or something?"

"Sure that sounds good. We can ask Edward too, I don't think he has plans. You look really good by the way."

"So I've heard."

Lunch was fantastic and we all ate way too much. We had all finished and were sitting in the living room having some wine when my mom started passing out presents. Rosalie loved her bracelet (thank goodness) and I threw Em a wink when she hugged him. He smiled back and mouthed 'thank you' before he widened his eyes. A smile spread across his face and he pulled back to cup her face and give her the most tender of kisses. My guess was that she had just told him she loved him and that was his response. I smiled at the two of them.

"Disgusting isn't it?"

Edward had come to sit by me on the floor and was reading the directions to the shaving cream heater that my mom had given him. According to her it was something he had mentioned once. Of course he objected to taking it, but she wasn't going to hear of that.

"Very much so. I hate it when people fall in love. " I raised my voice and said loud enough for them to hear, "They should get a room."

Emmett looked at me over Rosalie's shoulder and asked, "Can we use yours?" He took her hand and started leading her down the hallway before she finally pulled him to a stop, laughing the whole time.

"Hey, Edward, we're all going to see a movie in a little bit. Do you wanna come?" Rose didn't notice the hesitation in his answer.

"You should bring Tanya, of course. I still haven't gotten to meet her officially yet." Why did I do that? Why didn't I just let him say no like he was obviously going to?

"I'll have to see."

I was relieved that I hadn't talked him in to it. He didn't seem inclined to come, so that was good. I didn't think I wanted to see them together just yet if I was by myself. The last time we were all together I had a date and she stayed scarce. Third wheel I can handle if it's with Em and Rose. Fifth wheel I can't do.

"Bella, can I borrow a coat? I left mine at home."

"Sure, let's go look in my closet and see what we can find."

Rose dug through my closet until she found my pale blue Ralph Lauren parka.

"So how are things going with Jacob? Are you even still talking to him?"

"Yeah, once or twice a week. He sent me a text message this morning wishing me a merry Christmas."

"Do you think you guys are going to keep dating when he comes back around?"

I sighed, "I don't really know. I mean I really started liking him, but now I'm a little relieved that nothing got started. I don't know if I'm just scared to get back in a relationship now, or what."

"Or because you are still in love with Edward?"

I spun around and faced her. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me. You can lie to yourself all you want Bella, but everyone sees right through you. The only person that doesn't is Edward and that's because he's too busy pretending he's not in love with you too."

"Rose, you are way off the mark on this one. Just let it go, it's not gonna happen."

I was hot under my cheeks. I didn't like it when people made those kind of assumptions, especially my best friend. Why can't two people just be friends? Just because we had a history didn't mean that it was bound to repeat itself.

I put on the necklace my mom had given me and it was perfect. It was a tear drop shaped solitaire diamond pendant on a platinum chain. It had to have cost her a fortune because it was at least two karats, but probably more. I had never owned anything like it in my life. Just as I was admiring it in the mirror my mom came in the door.

"Hey girls, you be careful tonight, their calling for a chance of snow. If it gets too bad make sure you get home as soon as you can. I'm leaving and I don't want to have to worry about you all being out in a storm too."

"Where are you going?"

"A lady never tells, Bella. A lady never tells." She gave me a devilish grin.

"YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!"

"Not exactly, just a friend that is lonely on Christmas. But enough about me. See you girls later." With a grand wave she left the room.

I couldn't believe she was seeing someone. I knew that she had been kind of going out with a guy, but I didn't know it was 'holiday' serious. I thought that I would feel different, but I was nothing but happy for her. Emmett made his way in to my room and gave Rose a hug.

"It's time to go, you two have been back here forever. Bella you're riding with us, Edward is gonna meet us there."

Great. Just what I needed.