Castle Cullen

"Well, now I see where you get your eating skills from woman," Bella whispered into Alice's ear. She had always wondered if the little pixy had some sort of tape worm, due to the fact that Alice often packed away more food than she seemed to actually weigh. Five hours into a Cullen Christmas dinner, and Bella now knew that compared to the rest of her clan, Alice was a light weight.

"Hardy har har har Bells. How's about you try eating some of the food my mother slaved away all day making for you," Alice giggled back, gesturing to the mountain of mashed potatoes Bella had been pushing around her plate for the past 30 minutes.

Bella had eaten until she was full, and then she eaten some more. She ate until she feared her stomach may have actually been on the verge of bursting. There had been turkey and beef wellington, squash and risotto. Hell, there was even lasagna and pizza. This was not just a Christmas dinner; this was as if the Cullen's were trying to sustain themselves for an entire year with just one meal.

Ding.

"Oh, that must be the pies. Bella dear I hope you like pumpkin it is Edward's favorite, though we do have pecan, apple, cherry, and key lime. Oh, and of course the cheesecakes too," Esme chirped, before fluttering off towards the kitchen. She had been nothing but a flurry of energy the entire evening, darting off to the beckon call of various dings and buzzers. She was most definitely Alice's mother.

Bella wondered if perhaps the Cullen's were not actual humans. Maybe they were government created cyborgs. That would explain the endless energy, unquenchable hungers, and boundless kindness these people seemed to possess.

Yet oddly enough, even amongst all the chaos and chatter of the Cullen's, Bella felt at ease. In any other place as hectic as this she would of undoubtedly been hit with one panic attack after another. It was impossible to feel anything but welcomed with these people, be them human or not.

"Wow that all sounds... just wonderful…really, thank you so much for... everything."

"Isabella love, don't feel obligated to eat more then you want to," Edward smiled, taking in the now greenish ting of Bella's skin. "You will not offend anyone here.. trust me."

"Yeah Belly..." Emmett mumbled between gulps of food, "We love left-overs in this house."

"Um, I can't imagine left-overs last very long here," Bella snarked back to Emmett. She had taken right to him after the initial shock of his massive frame had worn off.

Edward was relived with how the night had progressed. In fact, Edward was downright shocked with how smoothly things have gone. Bella had not once appeared uncomfortable. She had not even touched the bracelet he had given her. And, what was even more astonishing to him was the welcoming his family gave him upon his return.

Edward had expected his father to rain down fire and brimstone upon him the second he walked in the door. Taking the Benz was as good as committing suicide in the Cullen household. When Carlisle quietly whispered in Edward's ears, asking "How is she," Edward had automatically assumed the 'she' he was asking about was the car. "I know, I am sorry Dad, She is totally fine I promise. I garaged parked her, I checked the oil. No eating inside..." When Edward saw his father's eyes cloud in confusion he wasn't sure what to expect.

"Don't be daft son, not the car. Isabella. How is your Bella. Why the hell would I give a damn about a piece of moving metal?"

Edward had been chewing his father's words over and over again the entire night. He was finding he really did not know the man as well as he thought he did. Or, perhaps, Isabella had somehow worked her magic on him as well.

"Yoohoo there dreamer," Jasper interrupted Edward's ponder. "You know you sure ain't a guest in this house, you could always... oh I don't know maybe go help your poor over-worked mother and put your girlfriends mind at ease."

He always knew what to say. "Right. Of course, Christ I'm a mess tonight dude," Edward jumped up, sending one lingering glance towards Bella. She was still happily bantering away with the Ogre and his Medusa bride. "I'll go lend Mom a hand," Edward announced to the table. He was promptly ignored by all, expect for Bella whose face broke out in a heartwarming smile.

In the kitchen, Esme was pulling pie after pie out of the four large ovens that lined the side wall. This kitchen really was better than even most commercial grade ones.

"Mommy let me help you," Edward smiled.

"Mommy?" snorted Esme, "Since when am I Mommy again? Not that I am complaining, but son you really are a new man aren't you?"

"Well, I just, I just wanted to thank you mom. You know, for smoothing things over with the old man. It could have been much worse."

Esme pursed her lips together, and rolled her eyes at her son. "You know you are way off the ball here little one. Your father is all bark and no bite. And, by the way, I did not say a single word to him. Nor did I ever hear him utter a word other than how much he hoped you and Isabella were safe and sound."

Edward hung his head slightly at his mother's warm chastisement. Mama bear was hardly ever one to yell. She would rather lecture with love just as she was doing right now. Her words were soft but the meaning was clear. She was tired of how Edward saw his father, and she was right.

"I'm sorry mom. I real am... pleasantly surprised by him. By, everyone really, and how well Bella is fitting in."

Esme snorted slightly, "Dear, the woman did not even have to try. I see our little family growing by two very soon if you ask me," She sighed in contentment, "This truly has been a glorious Christmas."

Together, the two of them moved each pie onto a long shiny red and silver platter. Edward topped the apple and cherry with ice cream while Esme pulled out the cold ones from the fridge. It was silent and peaceful, but that usually was the way things went with Esme.

After the finishing touches were made, and the coffee try gathered, Edward turned to make his way back to dining room.

"Son," Esme quietly called, stopping him before he could leave. "I... I know she has been hurt. Be careful with her, yes. But, don't be afraid to be yourself either... it's you that she needs not some watered down version of it, trust me I know what I am talking about."

The tone in her voice and clouded expression of her green eyes told Edward there were some stories about his mother that he did not know. Tales, he probably never wished to find out. He also had a strange feeling that Esme was not just talking of pure and innocent things. She was alluding to his dominant side. It seemed that his entire family knew of things about himself that even he had not realized. Edward wondered if he had somehow awoken in another dimension.

"Mom, are you talking about what I think..."

"Edward, dear, maybe you should just talk to your father, or if you can't muster that one, call your uncle. I was wondering if you would ever come to us with this... " She smiled slightly at this continuing on, " I was surprised that Emmett and Alice came around first." She was talking more to herself at this point then to Edward. "We had always said we would wait until you kids, IF you kids came to us with questions...'let them discover who they are for themselves' Carlisle would say. But with you, I just worried so much because... well I knew who you are and I see you fighting it for some reason."

Edward's head was spinning. Life had been rather boring and unsatisfying up until Thanksgiving, but now it was confusing as hell. Exciting but confusing.

"Mom, I... wait, what?"

Esme smiled that know it all smile moms have, shook her own head clear, and kissed her son on the cheek. "Don't worry about it. Just, you know maybe talk to my brother... I know Emmett has the number." And, with that, Esme left Edward standing mouth agape. He could hear her making some crack about how Edward's help only made her take that much longer- warning Bella to keep him out of her kitchen.

It took a few minutes for him to pull himself together and rejoin the group.

Only Bella seemed to notice that Edward was not in quite the same jolly mood as he had been before. Sure, he still talked and joked in tune with his fast mouthed family, but his eyes were telling a different story. There was something heavy weighing on him, something that caused little worry lines to appear above his bronze brows. Bella hoped and prayed that it had nothing to do with her. She didn't notice it, but she started roll her thumb over the beaded bracelet Edward had given her. The

Another four hours later and Bella was having hard time keeping her eyes open. The massive dining room table was now covered with remains of a slew of board games, all of which either Emmett or Edward had won. To say these two suffered from a severe case of sibling rivalry would be a massive understatement. They had now moved on to more manly competitions, and were currently engaged in a cut throat battle of guitar hero. Carlisle had excused himself after only one game, but Esme was still knitting in the corner, occasionally mock scolding her boys. Rose had gotten herself a front row seat for the action, insisting on beating the pants off of who ever won the battle. Alice and Jasper had vanished off together, no doubt looking for a dark corner to steal some kisses in.

It was all so overwhelmingly normal, exactly the kind of warm and fuzzy family holiday Bella had always imagined having, the opposite of a normal Swan Christmas. Feeling sedated by both food and happiness,Bella allowed the soothing thumping of the boys game to lull her off to sleep. That is until she felt two soft cold hands rubbing on her arms.

"Bella dear," It was the soft sound of Esme's voice. "Will you be sleeping in Edwards's room tonight, or should I make up one of the guest rooms?" She asked the question so nonchalantly, as if it matter not at all to her which answer she heard.

But Bella's eye immediately flew open. She had no idea how to answer that question, and it seemed that Edward hadn't heard it asked at all. He was still strumming away on his plastic guitar, a big goofy grin plastered on his face.

"I, um, well Mrs. Cullen..."

"Esme," She corrected

"Esme, whatever is easiest for you I am fine with."

"Silly girl, there is no trouble either way. How about this, I will make up the first door on the right up those stairs over there. But, if you don't set foot into it tonight... well you won't be breaking my heart." Esme patted Bell's arm and made her way up the stairs, calling out "Remember boys, no matter how old your sister is... she is still going to wake us up at the butt crack of dawn to get her presents."

"Damn pixie," Rose muttered. "Alright boys, I need my beauty sleep.. Em? I'll see you shortly right?"

Without taking his eyes off the screen he answered, "Of course baby doll, don't forget your journal."

Bella wondered what he was talking about. But, her mind was much to occupied with its own worries to linger on Emmett's encrypt message. Where was she going to sleep tonight?

"yeah, yeah, you should talk, but I won't forget. Love you. Night Eddie... " She laughed. "Good luck trying to beat this doofis here."

"Good night Rosie... and um thanks for before," Edward shyly stated. He had never really called Rose Rosie before. It did not go unnoticed. "Oh and, could you show Bella to bed. Either to my apartment, or to the guest room." He turned to look at Bella's big questioning eyes. "Go where you feel the most comfortable love, I will come kiss you goodnight either way... though I do have my own personal preference," he winked.

Edward wanted her in his bed desperately. Yet, he needed her to make the choice without any pressure from him, so he willed his eyes back onto the tv and picked back up into the game.

"Um, Rose," Bella's small voice spoke up..." lead the way to the apartment please."