Chapter 12

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all characters, except Chloe :)

4 months later

Edward and I have been together for five months. We haven't said 'I love you' yet. I'm waiting for the right time. I do love him, a lot but I want it to be special when I tell him. When Chloe comes home from Mike's she acts different. I've talked to Mike about it but he says he doesn't notice it. I try and ask Chloe but she won't say anything. Jasper and Alice are expecting a baby boy. They were really happy. Currently it was Christmas Eve. Chloe and I were staying home tonight. Tomorrow we were going to Charlie's in the morning and then in the afternoon going to the Cullen's. Chloe and I were making cookies to set out for Santa before she went to bed.

"Ok, while these are cooking let's go get you changed." I said. I picked her up and set her on the ground. She ran to her room. When I got in there she was putting on her Christmas pajamas. I smiled and went to change into my pajamas. The oven went off and we walked back into the kitchen.

"We have to let them cool before we frost them." I said. Chloe huffed impatiently.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because the frosting will melt." She just nodded. After all the cookies were done Chloe and I watched It's a Charlie Brown Christmas while they cooled.

"Come on Chloe let's go frost the cookies." I said. She jumped from the couch and ran into the kitchen.

"Can I have the blue frosting and a snowman please?" She asked.

"Here you go."

'Thanks." And then she began decorating her cookie, ignoring everything else. Half the cookies were done when someone knocked on the door. I answered it and was greeted with a very loud and deep "Ho Ho Ho."

"Santa!" I heard Chloe exclaim then she ran to where I was. I was completely confused.

"Merry Christmas Chloe." He said. I looked closely into the eyes of this mysterious person and recognized them. They were the unmistakable forest greens eyes of Edward.

"Santa." Chloe said. "Do I get presents?" Edward or rather 'Santa' chuckled and said "Have you been a good girl?" Chloe nodded.

"Well then come sit and tell me what you want." He walked over the couch and Chloe jumped up on his lap.

"I want a Barbie, a puppy, a baby doll, books" She said in a rush but Edward stopped her.

"Whoa there little girl. Slow down." He said tickling her. She giggled. Edward looked at me and winked. Chloe put her hands on each side of his face and looked him in the eye.

"Santa I want a new baby doll, a puppy, books, and a Barbie doll." She said slowly. He laughed.

"Are you sure you have been a good girl?" She nodded.

"Ok well if you want presents you need to be a good girl for your mommy, go to bed when she tells you and don't forget to leave Santa some cookies."

"We just made some!" She said. "How do you fly/" She all of a sudden asked. I stifled a laugh.

"Well, my reindeer have Christmas magic that makes them fly through the sky."

"Can I see?" Edward chuckled.

"No you can't but if you listen real closely before you go to sleep you can hear the bells from the reindeer." She clapped her hands. I smiled. Chloe talked to 'Santa' for a little bit longer.

"Ok Chloe, time for bed." I said. She shook her head.

"Yes little missy. If you want Santa to come back and leave you presents then you need to go get some sleep."
"That's right Chloe. I have to get going anyway. Merry Christmas." Edward said. She gave him a hug then walked over to me.

"Go lay down. I'll be right there." I said.

"Wait we have to put out cookies mommy." She said running to the kitchen. I got a plate out and she picked two of her favorite. I poured a glass of milk and we set them by the tree.

"Now go lay down." She nodded and walked to her room.

"I'll wait for you." Edward said and kissed my cheek. I smiled and went to Chloe's room.

"Ok, so what Christmas story tonight?" I asked. "How about Twas the Night Before Christmas?"

"Yeah!" She said. I laughed and got the book. Then I sat next to her and she snuggled close to me. I began reading. By the time I was done she was asleep. I kissed her head.

"Goodnight Chloe. I love you." I whispered. I slightly shut her door and went back to the living room. Edward had taken off the beard, hat and coat.

"Thank you for doing that." I said. He turned around.

"I had fun. Plus I couldn't let Emmett beat me to it." I laughed.

"Would you like some cookies?" I asked.

"Of course." He responded. We went into the kitchen and I got us each a cup of milk and cookies.

"After this will you help me set out the presents?" I asked.

"Sure." He smiled. We ate our snack in silence. I would catch him looking at me sometimes.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I love your pajamas by the way." He said smirking.

"Alice picked them out. She couldn't believe that I didn't have any holiday pajamas so she made me buy them."

"Well I like them." He said standing up and holding out his hand. I took it and we walked to the living room. It didn't take long to set out the gifts. We cuddled up on the couch.

"Has Chloe still been acting differently?" He asked.

"Yes. I don't know what it is but I am going to ask Mike again. But it is only when she comes home and I notice she gets sadder when she has to leave. She used to like going to Mike's but recently not so much."

"Yeah that might be a good idea to talk to Mike again." He said rubbing my arm. I noticed that it was midnight. I looked up at him.

"Merry Christmas." I whispered before placing a soft kiss on his lips. He responded by deepening the kiss.

"Merry Christmas to you too." He responded when we pulled apart.

"I should get going." He said.

"You could always stay here." I suggested softly. He smiled.

"Are you sure?" I nodded.

"I have some clothes I left in my car. I'll be right back."

"Ok." I said. He smiled and kissed me chastely on the lips then left. I put the cookies away. I ate one of the cookies for Santa and bit into the other one. After that was down I left a small light on in the kitchen for Edward and then went into my bathroom to brush my teeth. I brushed my hair out too. When I got back into my room Edward was standing there in pajama bottoms and no shirt. I walked around to my side of the bed. Climbing in, I buried myself under the blankets.

"Are you cold?" Edward asked chuckling.

"Very much." I replied. He got in also and pulled me close, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Goodnight Edward." I said yawning. "Merry Christmas." He kissed my forehead.

"Goodnight Bella. Merry Christmas." As I was falling asleep I thought I heard Edward say "I love you." But I could have been mistaken.

"Wake up! Mommy wake up!" I woke up to Chloe bouncing on my bed.

"What Chloe?" I asked sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"Santa came!" She exclaimed. Edward sat up next to me.

"Ok let's go." I said. She clapped her hands and jumped off the bed then ran down the hallway. Edward and I stood up and walked to the living room. Chloe was waiting impatiently by the tree picking up all the presents.

"Let's see which ones are for you." Edward said kneeling down next to her. I smiled and sat next to him also.

"Here you go Chloe." I said handing her some presents. She began tearing the paper off. A big smiled formed on her face as she opened each present.

"Chloe we are having breakfast at Papa's so we need to get you dressed.

"But I want to play with my toys." She said.

"You can play until I am done getting ready then you have to change." She nodded. I stood up and Edward followed me. I got to my room and Edward sat on my bed.

"What?" I asked. He just smiled. I looked through my closet. Finally I decided on jeans with a red blouse and black flats. I took a quick shower. When I came out Edward was reading one of my books.

"Enjoying the book?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled.

"This is a really good book." He said. "You look great." I blushed.

"Thanks." I replied as I hid my hair behind my face. I felt him push my hair away.

"Don't hid your face." He whispered. "It's beautiful." And then he softly kissed my lips. I went back out to get Chloe and get her all ready. My phone rang just as I went into her room.

"Hello."

"Hi Bella."

"Hi Mike."

"Do you have any plans today?"

"Uh, yes I do. Why are you asking?"

"I was going to ask if I could pick up Chloe and she spend the night tonight." I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Why are you asking me this now?"

"I uh, don't know actually. I didn't think it would be a problem."

"Well it kind of is because I was going over to my dad's this morning and then going to Alice's parents' house."

"Well what if I pick her up from Charlie's before you go to Alice's"

"Fine. She is coming home tomorrow morning. No more last minute stuff." I said emotionless.

"Ok thanks Bella. I'll pick her up at one."

"Sure whatever. Bye Mike." I said and hung up.

"Who was that Mommy/"

"It was daddy. He is picking you up later on today." Her smile disappeared. I sat her on her bed.

"Why don't you want to go to daddy's? I asked. She didn't answer.

"Chloe, can you please tell me."

"I don't like Lauren." She said not quite pronouncing the name correctly but I knew who she meant.

"Why? I thought she was your friend." I said. Chloe shook her head. I didn't ask anything more. I finished doing her hair and then walked out to the living room. I was really mad and Mike and I had to find out why Chloe didn't like Lauren anymore.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked standing up and immediately walking over to me.

"Nothing. Mike called and is taking Chloe today after lunch so she won't be coming with me to your parent's house. Oh and I might have found out a small reason as to why Chloe has been acting weird. It has something to do with Lauren."

Sorry for the cliffhanger :) I will update as soon as i can. Please review and tell me what you think. :]