Chapter Song- Then: Brad Paisley
A kiss to my cheek awakes me. I look into Edward's and feel at home. "Merry Christmas, Love." He told me as he peppered more kisses along my jaw. Life with Edward was much better then I ever thought it could be. This year has held more loss then I could ever imagine, but I also gained so much more then I could explain. The loss of someone is always hard, but the memory of them will live on forever.
I got out of bed and put on my university sweater. We were planning on moving after the New Year, to somewhere that didn't hold so much in it. "I'm ready now Edward lets head downstairs." Edward took my hand and led me down to the living room which was pilled high with Christmas presents. "I thought we had everything we needed, what's with this? I mean what more can be given?" I asked Edward as we took a seat on the loveseat.
He smiled at me and answered, "Bella, few are for us. The rest are for Missy and Jacob. Your right we have almost everything need, hell this seems a little bit ridiculous even to me. Missy has never had a real Christmas before and this is the first year Jake is a member of the family. I want them to feel welcome and I honestly don't think they will accept anything unless it is a holiday. Hell, you remember your birthday, she refused to accept the DVD we bought saying she didn't need it."
"She's a lot like I used to be Edward. She feels that we have given her so much and there is nothing else she needs. We are probably the first family she has ever known, and she feels that our love is good enough for her. In response to what you are going to say next, I am fully aware of the fact that she deserves the best, and you might be able to get her to accept it. For now though, don't push her. She's only human, and she'll come around eventually." I told him smiling. I always hated getting presents from the Cullen's until I finally realized that their generosity was passed on because of love and acceptance. It took me long enough.
I heard Esme cooking in the kitchen and smelled the smells of Christmas permeating the room. Evergreen from the tree, apples and cinnamon from the kitchen, and burning wood from the fireplace caused me to sigh and sink deeper into Edward's arms. His own manicured smell mixed with the smells of the house and I started to doze even though I had just woken up. I felt safe in his arms, like nothing could ever touch me again. The only way he could hurt me is by leaving me again.
"Love, stay awake. Everyone else will be down here soon." I grumbled and nodded, turning away from him to look up the stairs. I saw the messy red head of Missy followed by Alice and Jacob. Alice and Jake seemed to have had quite the night, judging by the big, content smiles on their faces.
Missy was a friend that Edward brought home shortly after the attack. She was apparently the only one who kept him sane while he was going through his mental war. She was also the one who told Edward about Tanya's cheating. After all she did live the same apartment as James. It's funny how small the world is. Edward's best friend was my attacker's next door neighbor. Too bad she didn't see me get brought in, then it would have ended a lot faster.
Missy fit in well with the family, and I was almost sad that we didn't have another Cullen boy for her. There was always Seth from the reservation, but he was still a little young and immature. Plus, he wasn't quite family.
"Now all we need Rose and Emmett. They are going to take forever I'm guessing," commented Alice as she bounced up to the couch.
"Wrong, little sis, we are right here. Who can pass up presents?" Boomed Emmett as he appeared at the head of the stairs, followed closely by Rose.
"What Emmett means is we are anxious to join the family on a very special day, right Emmett?" Rose shouted at him. Got to love how strong her mommy sense is.
"Uh, sure thing Rose. I'm going to go grab mom and dad from the kitchen." He yelled as he tore down the stairs and into the room behind me.
Soon after Emmett bolted into the kitchen, we were gathered around the tree. I looked into the faces of my family and couldn't help but think that we were incomplete. True we had gained some new family members in the past year, but two were missing. Charlie and Jasper would never grace us with their presence again. I felt tears well up in my eyes and looked at my families faces. They all had an expression similar to how I thought mine might look. Happy, but sad at the same time. The only one who looked purely happy was Missy, and that's because she only knew my father for a few months and had never met Jasper. It's too bad, he would have loved her.
Edward got up for the couch to grab a present from under the tree and handed it to Missy. "Here you go, this one is from Bella." I wonder why we are still doing the whole pick one gift and everyone watches you open it. This will take forever.
Missy opened the dress and gift card I had gotten her. With the new mall in Port Angeles, shopping was easier. "My god Bella! I love it, but serious five hundred dollars? That is way too much."
"Honey, not at this store. You may be lucky to get two outfits, complete with shoes."I gave her a hug; I knew she would love it. Plus now we could go to New York together and I wouldn't have to worry about her feeling uncomfortable.
"Emmett, Edward, why don't you sort the presents and we can go one at a time from there." Esme smiled at me. She must have read my mind.
About an hour later the tree was buried by a mountain of wrapping paper. Jake and Missy were still working on their piles, while the rest of us watched. I received the usual, new phone, clothes, writing supplies. Missy had already revealed a Best Buy, a new wardrobe, and a semester of paid tuition. Jake's was similar, only instead of piles of new clothes he received parts for his late model rabbit, and a new Blazer to work on.
"Guys, this is too much. Seriously, what am I going to do with this stuff? I don't even know how to use half of it." Missy commented.
"Girl, you need to learn how to accept gifts more graciously. We are family now and this is how family treats one another, at least this one. You should have seen Bella's truck after her first Christmas with the Cullen's, she could barely see out the back." Thanks Jake, way to comfort her. I knew he was uncomfortable with all the generosity too, but he wasn't about to show it. He was too proud.
Missy was on her last package and I can honestly say it was the one I was most worried about. It was a new car, a Mustang. I knew she wouldn't react the way we wanted her too towards it.
"Guys, why the hell is there a car key in this box? This is way more then I need, with you paying my tuition and the scholarships you helped me get I can afford one now." Missy nearly yelled.
"You want to see it?" Edward said excited. He and I went shopping for it together and I knew he couldn't wait to show off the fully loaded, gorgeous piece of machinery. I thought it was beautiful myself, but I preferred my new Silverado more.
"Ugg, sure whatever. How am I going to afford the insurance on this thing?" Missy whined as she headed towards the door with us following behind her.
"O well we can pay that too." Edward said flippantly, which only made Missy angrier. I knew this was a bad idea, why did I take part in this?
We got to the front porch and immediately Missy's eyes went to the black piece of sex appeal. "O my God!" She squealed and started bouncing, that was not the reaction I was expecting. I never knew she wanted a Mustang.
"I take it you like," said Edward. "You have the keys take it out whenever you are ready."
I smiled at him, and noticed everyone else had gathered around us. What the hell is going on I thought to myself. At that moment the clouds seemed to break apart, and the sunlight shone directly onto Edward and me.
Edward kneeled down, "Bella, I know we haven't had a picture perfect story book romance, but I want you to know that I love you. Please, give me the chance to make you mine forever. Bella, will you marry me?"
Tears started to fall freely from my eyes as I answered him, "Of course. I love you too!"
With that he swept me into his arms, to the cheers of the family. This was the perfect way to end a terrible year. I know New Years is still in the future, but I don't see how anything else can go wrong. I am surrounded by my loved ones and nothing will ever change that.
I may have lost a lot this year but I gained so much more. I won Edward back, I made a new friend who I view as a sister, and above all I learned that true love can conquer all. I hope in the future I can look back at this time together and smile. I know that life gets hard sometimes, but it is only as hard as you make it out to be. I know that I will be forever in their hearts.
Story End Notes- So ends FIYH. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The companion piece called Forever Torn is now up. It is all from Edward's point of view and is the same story while being completely different. Missy is a main character in Forever Torn and I couldn't help but add her in here. Please go check it out; I think that you may enjoy Edward's side of things. Also I am looking for a BETA, if you are interested please send me a PM. My stories will be so much better once I can finally get some help editing. I am horrible at it, because I have little to no patience. There should be sequel to this story up sometime soon, I am thinking about writing a different story called Come Back to Me, which takes place after Eclipse. It is about Bella leaving to find herself, meets up with some interesting characters along the way.
Thank you everyone who has reviewed, added, and read this story. You guys are amazing!
