Sorry for the long wait again. But here is the next chapter. Hope you like it. In this chapter, Christmas day ends and Boxing Day begins. It's just a chapter filled with Edward and Bella interacting with the family. Enjoy!
Christmas at the Cullen's Chapter 10
We're running through the forest. Well, when I say we, I mean Edward is running through the forest while carrying me on his back. We are headed towards our meadow, me wrapped in warm clothes, with extra blankets in the bag pack Edward had in his hands.
When Edward had suggested us going to our meadow, I'm pretty sure my face lit up with excitement, which Edward had smirked at.
"Bella?"
I had hurried to get changed, only tripping once in the bathroom, having a 'human moment', before heading out, into the snow. I used to hate the cold and wet, but now, I've grown quite fond of them.
"Bella?"
I was so lost in my thoughts I hadn't heard Edward calling my name.
"Edward, sorry was lost in my thoughts." I say, trying but failing to hold back my blush. Noticing this, Edward grins, and then replies.
"Don't worry, love. But we are here now." He says, making me realise that I was now standing in front of him instead on his back.
"Oh" I say, giving him a small, half smile, which he then kisses of my face, quickly, but thoroughly. He then proceeds to lead me into our meadow. I had always thought that our meadow was beautiful, but coated in snow, its beauty is amplified.
The ground was concealed with several inches of snow; the trees had a thin blanket of frost, giving them a silvery look disguising our meadow as a winter wonderland. Long, narrow icicles trickle downwards, off the glittering trees. Any flowers which were visible were covered in frost, icy droplets hanging off their leaves. The sky above was clear for all to see, showing off the stars, letting them shine. The moon lit up the meadow, bright enough that we did not have any need for the torch Edward had packed.
"It's beautiful" I say, practically speechless.
"I know" I turn to look at him, only to find him already looking at me, resulting in of course, me blushing. I bring my attention back to the meadow, to find a double camping bed, placed in the middle. How I did not notice it before was beyond me. Confused, I turn to ask how this got there.
"Alice" was Edward said, knowing I would understand the meaning. Edward takes my hand and leads me into the meadow, helping me as he snow was so deep, I'd probably get stuck. He takes me over to the camping bed, and takes out the 2 blankets he packed. One goes over the bed, while another he wraps around me. We lay one on the small bed, in a comfortable silence. Despite being surrounded by snow, I'm quite warm. I lay there, thinking of the day, and how great it had been. Eventually, I drift asleep, quite peacefully in the arms of my Edward.
I wake up, realising that I was far too comfortable to be on a camping bed in our meadow. Sitting up, I notice that I'm in Edward's room, but there's no Edward. Smelling the distinct scent of burnt pancakes, I quickly brush my teeth and hair and venture down. At the stove, there's Emmett, covered in flour from head to toe. Giggling, I ask;
"Emmett! What on earth has happened in here?"
Looking up at me, he gives me a sheepish grin.
"Well, Bellsy, since Edwards off hunting, I thought I'd make you breakfast. I don't know where I went wrong." He trails off. Well, now I know where Edward is.
"Let me have a look, Emmy" I say, walking over to the pan. Peering inside, I can see big pieces of egg shells, burnt to a crisp.
"Em, next time, try taking the egg shells out, and how long did you cook it for? Actually, don't worry. Come on; let me show you what to do."
20 minutes later, Emmett had been able to make a stack or 6 edible pancakes. The pancakes were perfect; they had the correct amount of fluffiness and everything. Ignoring my protests, he makes me sit down and eat while he cleans. I know he can clean up 100 times more quickly than I can, but I really dislike being babied. After he had finished cleaning, he leaves to go play on his Xbox. Or PlayStation. I don't know. I place my finished plate of pancakes and place it in the dishwasher.
Not knowing what else to do, I decide to go and find Esme. I knew she was not in the house; otherwise Emmett would be in deep trouble for the mess that was in the kitchen. She maybe in her garden, I think. I was right. Esme was sitting in the middle of her flower beds, on a wooden bench. Sensing that she came out for some quiet time, I turn to head back.
"Bella! Are you ok dear?" I turn back to see Esme looking at me, with a loving, but somewhat sad expression.
"I'm ok. Are you? You look sad." Esme pats the seat beside her. Sitting down, Esme wraps her arm around me.
"The holidays remind me of my human life. Of my son I lost. It reminds me of what could have been. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, but sometimes, the 'what ifs' eat away at you." she trails off, hugging me closer. Not knowing what to say, I hug her back, giving her as much comfort as I can.
We sit there, for how long I don't know. Suddenly, an idea pops in my head.
"Esme, what would you say to looking at some wedding dress ideas, just you and me? Like a mother daughter morning?"
Esme's face lights up, with what I hope is excitement.
"Oh I would love to dear! I'll go get some wedding magazines and you go sit yourself on one of the sofas in the lounge. I'll be there in a min." Smiling widely, she carries me to the house at vampire speed before I even notice we're moving. Just as I sit down, she enters the room at normal speed, a stack of bridal magazines in one arm, and a glass of apple juice in the other. Smiling, she passed me the glass of juice and sat down on the sofa opposite me. Spreading the numerous magazines on the oak coffee table, she says;
"Well, let's get started!"
After 3 and a half hours of careful thought, we had gotten over 5 pages of notes of little details of things I may like or wanted on my wedding dress. Looking through the bridal magazines, it was clear to me that a big, poufy dress was not my style at all, which Esme agreed with. We found that I like some lace designs, and that I was not a big fan of clusters of gems or crystals on the bodice. I really enjoyed the time with Esme, and I could tell she did too.
"Esme, I think that once a month, we should spend an afternoon or day together, like today. Maybe gardening if the weather is nice or something. Like a mother-daughter day?" I suggest nervously, hoping she'll say yes. My nerves were for nothing because as soon as I had finished talking, her mouth had formed into a wide grin. Esme let out a very Alice-like squeal, before hugging me tightly.
"Oh yes Bella! I'd love that! Eeep! I can't wait! Oh Edwards home dear, go play, and I'll start planning for the next afternoon, love you!" she sprints up the stairs at vampire speed, leaving me staring, shocked after her. I've never seen Esme that excited before. It made me feel warm inside to know I caused that excitement. It took my brain a few seconds to catch up with her words, but it finally did. Edwards home! I head into the kitchen, to see my love enter at human speed through the glass doors. Grinning, I walk up to him and give him a chaste kiss, wanting to do more, but thought better of it, since he was covered in mud and grime.
"Hello my love, you look absolutely ravishing today." He says, his grin getting wider as my blush appears. "What's happened in my absence that has got Esme so excited?" he asks the curiosity clearly present in his eyes.
"Well, she was a little upset earlier, thinking of her human life, so I asked her to help me find some ideas for my wedding dress. Since I enjoyed the afternoon together so much, I suggested having an afternoon together every month, doing something, like a mother-daughter afternoon or day. She was quite excited by the idea and so am I" I explain as quickly as I can, really wanting him to have a shower so I can kiss him properly. I look up as Edward to see him beaming at me, as if seeing the sun for the first time in years. He leans down and kisses me enthusiastically, but carefully as to not get my clothes dirty. After an unmeasurable amount of time, he breaks away to let me breath.
"Love, that's probably one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for Esme. Especially comparing it to a mother-daughter type bonding day. She's ecstatic." He explains kissing my cheeks as the blush reappears at his words of praise. I simply kiss him again, before taking his hand and heading towards his room. When we entered his room, I keep a hold of him; get the outfit hanging off the wardrobe door, left for Edward to change into (courtesy of Alice) and lead him to the bathroom door.
"I refuse to properly kiss you, unless you promptly shower and change." I hand him his clothes and smile sweetly at him. He just smirks at me, probably thinking that my refusal was half hearted, which was completely true. While he showers, I go sit on our bed and continue re-reading Wuthering Heights. 2 minutes later, I hear the shower go off. 15 seconds later, and I was suddenly straddling my vampire fiancé.
"Am I clean enough now, love?" he asks, teasingly.
"I think you'll do" I say, smirking. Before he can reply, I lean in and capture his lips, keeping them busy. It soon turns into a full blown make-out session, which was cut short at a knock on the door.
"Eddie and Bellsy! Come down! We are all bored so we are thinking of playing 'I've never'! Get your asses down here before I set Alice on you!" Emmett booms out from behind the door. I pull away from Edward, smiling slightly. He, on the other hand looks really put out.
"We have all night Edward. Come on, it may be fun" I say, giving him a few kisses to encourage him.
"Fine", he growls out, trying to look annoyed but the happiness in his eyes making that impossible. I simply laugh and head downstairs, with Edward in tow. All the Cullen siblings were sitting next to their mates, in a circle on the floor, with a gap big enough for me and Edward to sit in. I end up sitting next to Alice, while Edward is sitting next to Emmett.
"Okay. 'I've Never' is a game in which you each hold all your fingers up. Someone says something like; I've never kissed a guy or whatever. If you have done that, you put a finger down. If you haven't, well then it stays up. Last one with any fingers left wins. Oh and Bella, after the game, your lunch will be ready. So, Emmett, you start, then Rose." Alice says, not pausing to take a breath at all. Shaking of the shock, I turn to Emmett.
"Okay, well, I've never kissed a guy!" he says, making us girls groan, and put one finger down.
"Come on Em that was a rubbish go" Rose says, before starting her turn.
"Just to even the playing field, I've never kissed a girl, making all the guys groan in turn. It was now Jaspers turn.
"Well, I've never worn a bikini" He says, looking pointedly at Emmett. Alice and Rose put a finger down, but I don't. Emmett does though!
"Emmett, when!" I ask, surprised.
"I lost a bet to Jasper, on a baseball game. So he made me go to the school we were attending, dressed in an extra small bikini. Was not fun" he said, pouting at the memory. I just shake my head at their antics, knowing my eternity was definitely not going to be boring.
"Bella, why have you never worn a bikini?" Asks Alice. I roll my eyes.
"Alice, you're asking me, the person who hates attention, why she has not worn an outfit, made to attract attention." I say, giggling. She realises what she'd said and giggled along with me.
"Don't worry. I'll get you in one for your honeymoon." She grins. I sigh, knowing there is no arguing with her. "Okay, my go. I have never had sex on a musical instrument" she says, grinning. Only Rose and Em put a finger down.
"Where?" asks Jasper.
"Eddie boys piano" Emmett says, before slapping his hands over his mouth. Oh, crap. Edward will not be happy. Quickly turning to Edward, I grasp his face between my hands, looking into his now black eyes.
"Love, we can get you a new one, and we will get them back. Remember, wedding soon. Emmett's jeep won't be safe then." I say, kissing him once. My words seemed to have worked, as his eyes were now dark with lust. I smile at him before sitting back down, with Edwards arm around my waist. Emmett is looking at us, seeing if I had meant what I had said. I grinned at him smugly before starting my turn, not missing his quick look of horror.
"Okay, my go. I've never died my hair purple" I say, recalling an old story Alice had once told me, of how her, Rose and Jasper were victims of Emmett changing their shampoos with hair dye. Edward was lucky he was out when it happened, otherwise, he would have had purple hair too.
"Bella!" Jas, Alice and Rose groan out, dropping a finger each. I simply giggle and turn to Edward, signalling his turn.
"Okay, I've never tried to get drunk before" He says. Only Emmett and Jasper put a finger down. Not surprising at all.
"Okay, my go. I've never dressed up as a gorilla for school." He says, smiling cheerfully. Jasper and Edward place a finger down.
"Explain" is all I can say, without bursting out in a giggles.
"Well, love, me and Jasper bet Emmett he couldn't eat an entire bag of apples. We lost, so this was our punishment." I stifle my giggles and give him a chaste kiss. He smiles at me, before looking towards Rose for her turn.
"Okay, I've never ate a bag of apples." To my surprise, everyone, except Rose, put a finger down. Deciding I didn't want to know, I looked at Jasper for his turn.
"I've never had a fit over a torn article of clothing" he says, smirking at Rose and his wife. She and Rose both put a finger down.
"Come one! Eddie and Bellsy still have loads left!" Emmett exclaims, childishly.
"Alright. I've never waited for my wedding night to actually have sex" Scowling at them all, me and Edward both put a finger down, satisfying Emmett.
"I've never gotten asked to leave a store before, for any reason." I say, knowing Alice will have to put a finger down. To my surprise, not only her, but everyone par me and Edward did. Seeing I was confused, Alice whispered in my ear;
"Extreme public changing room PDA" Oh. Okay did not need to know that. I blush a bright red and look at Edward, reading for his turn.
"I've never rode a horse" Edward says. Only jasper and Alice put a finger down.
"I've never tried shark" Emmett says, resulting in only Jasper and Edward putting a finger down.
"I've never been forced to have a manicure" Rose says, making me, Jasper and Emmett put a finger down. Wow, the things they do for their wives, its sweet, in a way.
"I've never convinced my teacher to give me a higher grade." Everyone put a finger down at that one. I remember my old English teacher, who gave me a C- on a paper on Jane Austen. After I convinced her to re-read it, I got the grade I wanted.
"I'm out" says Jasper, wrapping his arm around Alice's waist.
"I've never played strip poker." Alice says making Emmett and Rose put a finger down, no surprise there.
"I've never watched 'The Notebook'." I say. Alice, Rose, Emmett and even Edward put a finger down.
"I've never dyed my hair intentionally" He says, making me, Rose and Alice put a finger down.
"What colour Bella?" asked Alice.
"Purple, Renee thought it would look good on me and it washed out in 5 washes. I wasn't bothered." I say, remembering that distant day. I couldn't tell the difference when it was done, as Renee just placed it over my natural hair, so it didn't show much, if at all.
"Well, me and Rose are out. It's just you two." Says Alice. Uh-oh. I really didn't want to be in the last 2.
"Ok. I've never properly played the piano" I say, watching a finger go down. He looks at me, scowling. I know it was a cheap shot, but I didn't know what else to say.
"I've never lived in Arizona" He says, smirking at me. I let a small smile out at his teasing behaviour, before putting a finger down.
"I've never been over 100 years old" I say, smirking back at him, watching his scowling expression. He puts a finger down. He has one left, while I have 4 left. I knew not to get cocky just yet, as I may ask something which he hasn't done.
"I've never drank alcohol before" Like that. I keep my fingers up, laughing at the expression of disbelief on his face.
"I've never drank a single sip of alcohol. Okay, my go, I've never used any dazzling skills to get what I want" I say, barely holding in any excitement at the fact I won against Edward. I was quite proud of myself.
"Alright love, you win. Well done" He says, kissing me for a couple of seconds. When we break away, the rest of the family congratulate me, before Edward whisks me away to the kitchen, where there was a plate of chicken in a creamy, mushroom sauce. I must remember to thank Esme later; she must be with Carlisle at the minute. I sit down and the kitchen island and practically devour the plate of food, with Edward sitting next to me, playing with my hair while I ate.
Thanks for reading! Also, just so you know, that in my story, Alice foresaw that Bella wanted to pick out her dress the traditional way, with help from all the mums and such. Please review, as I would like to know what people are thinking of my story, or if there's a way in which you think I can improve
Thanks again, twilightwritinglover1 x