Thank you, everyone for your response to this story!
I am glad you all seem to be loving my Chocolateward
and DoctorBella. This, I must tell you, is my favorite
chapter thus far in our story. I hope you all enjoy it as
much as I did/do.

Many thanks to Fran. She is a force of nature, I swear!

I don't own these characters, I just mess with their
fictional lives.

-LWTC-

Chapter 12

Thanksgiving dinner with the Cullen family was different from anything Bella had ever experienced. Between watching the siblings all giving each other a rough time, and the parents joining them, there was so much connection. Every member of the family—it seemed—had time to draw her into conversation … to ask her questions … to get to know her better.

She'd seen sappy movies where the family sits around the table, holding hands to say grace, or sharing what they are thankful for with the each other. She always thought it was kind of cheesy, but a genuinely, nice idea. The Cullen family did both. She was overwhelmed with the feeling of belonging … of inclusion.

After returning grace, Carlisle, Jasper, and Emmett began plating food for their children and wives. Edward began filling glasses with water, wine, and punch. Alice was quick to explain that the men waited on the women as a thank you for making the meal, and they cleaned the kitchen up as a thank you for getting to watch the game(s) uninterrupted. Bella laughed a little, remembering how fastidious Esme was in the kitchen the day before, constantly wiping up her spills, and washing dishes as she went along. She knew the men would only be cleaning the service and flatware, as Esme and the girls had probably already cleaned up most of the mess from cooking.

"This year, I am grateful to have lost so few of my trauma patients," Carlisle began, "and I am thankful I have a beautiful home, food on my table, and all of my family's needs are met; but that is not what I am most thankful for. The treasures I hold most dear are seated around this table. I am so very grateful to have each of you in my life.

Esme, you are my other half. You complete me in ways I cannot even begin to explain. I am so grateful that I have you by my side," he leaned down, and kissed his wife gently on the lips. There was such intimacy in their chaste display of affection that Bella could not help but avert her eyes. "I am thankful for each of my children, and my lovely grandchildren. You all fill my life with joy every day. Today, I am also thankful for family growth and expansion. Bella," Carlisle's direct address shocked her, and he looked Bella in the eyes, his own full of warmth and happiness, "you are such a special person. You belong in this family. I have come to think of you as a daughter, and it is my hope that you will be gracing us with your presence for many Thanksgivings to come."

Bella's eyes filled with tears as Carlisle walked over to her, and placed a kiss on top of her head. She cleared her throat several times before speaking.

"Th-thank you, Carlisle."

Everyone started eating after Carlisle kicked-off the giving of thanks, then each person stood to take their turn. Esme's speech made Bella's eyes prick with tears. Apparently, the family enjoyed turning everyone around the table to mush with their little speeches, except for Emmett. The man was rarely ever serious, and always had a joke to tell, but even he managed to let his family know of his gratitude for their love.

Bella felt a tightening inside of her as Edward's turn grew near. He had been holding her hand off and on throughout the meal. She would take a bite or two, and while she was savoring a bit of dressing or mouthful of yams, Edward would just pick her hand from the table, or her lap, and hold it in his own warm one. He rubbed circles into her palm with his thumb, and over the back of her hand with the fingertips of his other hand. When he wasn't actively holding her hand, Edward was leaning toward her, putting his arm on the chair behind her.

His proximity worked like a drug to relax her, as well as a stimulant to her senses. She was hyper-aware of his every movement. She began to wonder how long he had been paying such close attention to her.

Had she missed something?

They were friends, and Bella knew in her heart that she loved him. His attentions made her nervous, yet calmed her at the same time. This relationship had become a paradox, and she found herself hoping that it would not self-destruct.

As if on cue, Edward cleared his throat, and stood to return his thanks.

"This year, I am grateful that the business I started two years ago is not only still running, it has also flourished, and I am thankful to you, Alice, for helping me to make it this successful."

"Here, here," Alice raised her glass and giggled at her interjection.

"I am thankful for my family. You guys have been an encouragement for me along the way, and have helped me to remember … especially of late," Edward looked pointedly at Esme and Rose, "that the only thing that can cheapen Grace, is to believe it isn't enough. I'm through with believing that I am not good enough. Thank you, family. Thank you all for putting up with me while I got my sh-crap together," Edward turned toward Bella and reached for her hand on the table once again.

"I am thankful for bad directions, missing information, empty gas tanks and long routes. They brought you to my store, Bella. I am so grateful that I met you last May. You have become my best friend. Honestly, knowing that you are going to come and have coffee with me every morning, and sample my new creations … it's become my reason to get up each day. Knowing I will get to see your lovely face. I'm thankful for every step in life that led you here. Thank you for being my friend."

Bella gasped softly, and her eyes flew open wide as Edward drew her hand toward his mouth, and placed a light kiss on her knuckles. The second half of his speech felt like a declaration. He hadn't come out and said anything overtly romantic, but the expression in his eyes while he spoke coupled with all of his touchy-feely attention, culminating with that kiss on her hand … it all shouted to her.

Without consciously deciding to, Bella stood to her feet. Her eyes were locked in conversation with Edward's. Their surroundings seemed to fall away, and the air around them suddenly felt charged with static. Every ounce of her lonely heart was offering itself to him through her eyes. Edward leaned in, and pressed his lips against her forehead, and wrapped his arms around her. Bella tilted her head up to look at him again, and reached to place a trembling hand against his cheek.

The moment was shattered suddenly when Nathan and Annie started bouncing in their seats, and chanting in unison.

"Bel-la's turn! Bel-la's turn!"

Throats were cleared all around the table; the adults laughed, and Edward sat down as Bella blushed profusely and bit her lip.

"I never thought much about what I didn't have. I mean, I think about the loss of Uncle Charlie and Aunt Sue all of the time now, but I didn't sit around thinking much about what I was lacking in my life. I accepted it, you know? I was sort-of content. My needs were met, I had a nice house, a great education, an amazing job," Bella's smile faltered, and a tear fell down her cheek.

"But then I met Edward and Alice … and the rest of you. Suddenly I was surrounded with everything I had ever really hoped to attain in life. I had a best friend, and kids to dote on, who call me 'Auntie.' I had a reason to keep a cell phone that had nothing to do with someone else's emergencies. You all took me in, and have made me a part of your family. I can never tell you how much that means to me. Thank you."

Bella sat down and took a sip of wine as the family started talking once again, allowing her a moment to regain her composure. Looking across the table, she made eye contact with Esme, who was wiping tears from her own eyes. The two women smiled at each other fondly, and mouthed 'thank you' at the other, then laughed at themselves.

Edward tried not to feel wounded that Bella had not addressed him directly as he had her, knowing that this was a sudden turn in their friendship. He hadn't exactly prepared her for the fact that he was going to, all but declare himself to her. He honestly hadn't planned to do that, but once he opened his mouth, the words just tumbled out. He kept shooting sidelong glances at her, and looking for opportunities to claim her hands. He couldn't wait for dessert to be finished, so that he could try to get her alone, and talk to her.

-LWTC-

Bella was stuffed. She doubted she had ever eaten so well at a Thanksgiving Dinner. The food and the companionship were all amazing, and her heart was as full as her belly. Edward had been hinting all through dessert that he would like to talk. Between the mulled wine, and the tryptophan coursing through her system—and the fact that she had already worked an eight hour day, before making her way there—Bella was exhausted. There was so much to process; she knew she just needed some time. Besides, a discussion right now would probably be a mistake, given her almost inebriated condition. She was hoping for divine intervention at this point, because she truly didn't want to wound him with a refusal.

While Edward, Jasper, and Emmett went downstairs to watch the last quarter of the football game, Bella remained with the rest of the family, watching 'It's a Wonderful Life.' At some point during the movie, she fell asleep along with the kids, in a near-perfect replication of Edward's position that morning during the parade. Alice couldn't help herself, and took a picture of the sleeping group, thinking to herself that the two pictures were like bookends of the day.

-LWTC-

So, how are we feeling?
*huggles*

Are any of you reading the entries to the Naughty or Nice Contest?
I have been enjoying them very much! You should go check them
out. /u/9688446