I owe CherryBlossom016 a huge thank you and a virtual hug for her idea which is going to be this chapter. Poor Charlie needed to find his match and Ms. King happened to be single at 35 (I went back and changed her age from 25 to 35 so it would work) CherryBlossom016 has contributed a lot of other little ideas that will be in the following chapters as well :)
Since I couldn't decide I picked two songs that work perfectly for this chapter. Feels like home by Chantal Kreviazuk and Look After You by The Fray. The first one is from Bella to Edward and the second is from Edward to Bella. If you don't already know about them they are amazing.
"Ill try it then", I smile gratefully up at him and make the decision to take the photo. I take one more look behind us before we leave the house that was never home but strangely enough I feel sad leaving it for the last time.
Chapter Twenty - Part One
When Edward and I return home we are greeted by a house full of well wishers, including Charlie, Billy, Angela, and Mike who are all here to support me after my loss. We have a huge lunch in memory of Renee and I manage to cry only once. Esme hugs me and tells me that she may not be my real mother, but she is just as willing to be there for me like one, and I feel tears of happiness form. Then Charlie tells me that he will be there for me no matter what, and I am even closer to crying. Everyone has something encouraging to say and I am thankful, but when everyone but the Cullen's are gone Edward and I have a private moment up in his room, which is really what I needed all along.
"I can't believe everyone was here", I say from the comfort of his embrace.
"They all love you. But not as much as I do", he whispers in my ear before kissing me along my neck and up to my lips.
"It can't possibly be as much as I love you", I say back and he looks stunned.
"What's the matter?", I tease but I know it must be good thing, from the expression on his face.
"Sometimes you just...dazzle me", he grins foolishly as he searches for the right word.
I laugh, "You know you have a way of dazzling too!".
"Really?", he says while in the process of dazzling me.
"Yes", I reach up to kiss him again.
"You know it's only a week until Christmas", he says mysteriously when we break apart.
"It is, and I still don't have anything for you", I pout.
"I don't need anything Bella. Like I said, I have you".
"That's as bad as me using that as an excuse for having you".
He laughs, "True enough. Get me something practical as well then".
I laugh with him as he uses my line, "I can do that. But ill add my own personal touch". He looks at me like I have dazzled him again, "Hey I didn't even do anything this time!", I laugh.
"You just look so beautiful and happy right now".
"How can I not while I am in your arms? You must be rubbing off on me", I tease.
"You do not fully grasp how beautiful you truly are do you? But that's not the only reason why I love you", he winks at me.
"Then what else is there", I say a little curious.
"Well your sense of independence. You are still going to do something on your own even though your mother has provided enough for you to not have to for some time, and she would rather you be happy, aren't you"?.
"Being independent is a part of me, I think it also comes from the fact that I only had myself to rely on for a very long time. I think I know what I want to take in college anyway".
"And what's that?", he asks curiously.
I have been thinking about this ever since Ms. King got me thinking about my future career plans, "Courses on business management and owning a small business. Like administration, marketing, finance, that sort of thing".
He looks amazed and I blush, "That's great! Do you have anything in particular in mind to manage?".
"No, but I feel like it is the right path", I say honestly. It may be slightly wreck less to go into something like this without a clear idea of what I want afterwards, but I somehow know that things will be alright. It's a very open field with a ton of possibilities.
"You know if you considered running a big business instead, my father would hire you in an instant".
"I never even thought about that... wow", my breath is almost taken away at the idea of running the company behind biggest brand of medical supplies in the united states, but it also seems like a little too much, "I think ill start off small though".
"I know that you will do an amazing job at anything you try".
I grin but don't say anything for a moment. My mind drifts to other things that will be in the future and I decide to ask him something that has also been on my mind for some time, "Edward?".
"Yes?", he takes in my serious tone of voice.
"Um... this hard for me to say", I fumble.
He looks me right in the eyes, "Bella, you can tell me anything".
I take a deep breath, "It's about the five years", I pick up my necklace and watch the light reflect through it.
"Alright, continue", his arms stiffen a little around me and I start to get nervous. What if this isn't what he wants anymore? I can't keep on changing my mind when I feel like it, it has to be what we both want.
"I don't want to wait the full five years. We will be getting married after college anyway".
He laughs in relief, "I thought it was something bad. Of course I want to get married earlier, Bella. Why were you nervous?".
"I think I partially agreed to the five years because I was afraid of my mother". And it's true, at even two thousand miles away the thought of telling my mother that I was getting married terrified me. I let my fear get in the way of what I really wanted.
He turns me around so we are face to face, "Then this is truly what you want? I will wait for you Bella, you don't have to worry about that. I just don't want you to feel rushed".
I nod, "This is what I want this time, really. I could marry you tomorrow I am so ready, I just want us to be secure first, even if we aren't in college yet. Then we will be happy where we are and won't have any regrets about missing out on anything".
"I could never have regrets about marrying you too soon, but if it means that much to you that we are settled first then we will do that. Making you content is always my first priority but I can assure you that we will be happy were we are".
"Happier then right now?".
"Even happier", he whispers and lightly kisses me.
"I don't know if that's possible but I can't wait to see", I tease and he kisses me lightly again.
Chapter Twenty - Part Two
A week later...
Christmas morning comes at goes in the Cullen household. Rose, Emmett, Jasper, Angela, and Mike came in the morning with their families. Alice and Esme loved the idea of having one giant Christmas morning, so in the spirit of the holidays everyone agreed to come. Charlie and I were invited to spend the night before, so we had a quiet Christmas Eve before the busiest, but the happiest Christmas morning I have ever had. Everyone was just so happy to be together in one place celebrating the best time of year. Alice really outdid herself with the gifts, and Esme did with the decorating of the house and the tree; it was truly a magical Christmas. Near noon a snowball fight was suggested by Emmett and we played girls against guys; much to Alice's delight we won and she playfully bragged about for the rest of the day. Edward left on a 'Special Errand' about half an hour ago so I sit with Alice and Rose until he returns. My mind drifts to last night, where I sneaked into Edward's room so we could have our own celebration.
-
Flashback...
Late Christmas Eve I have once again surrendered myself to be Alice's life size barbie doll. She is helping me with the first part of my gift to Edward. This part of it actually never occurred to me before but she insisted that he would love it so I reluctantly agreed; I tell myself it will be funny to see his reaction at the least. As the red paint on my nails dries she applies glossy red lip gloss and a Santa's hat, arranging my wavy hair around it. Paired with my red silk night nightgown I think I must look completely ridiculous, but she assures me that I don't. Just before I go out the door she throws red glitter up in the air and it falls down on me, I glare over at her and she giggles and waves before I sneak down to Edward's room. He is watching T.V as I come in, but it is soon forgotten.
"B...Bella...You look...A..Amazing!", I have never seen him at such a loss for words, ill have to thank Alice tomorrow.
"I'm glad you think so. Merry Christmas Edward", I smile as seductively as I can and climb into his bed with him. He kisses me with as much passion as the day we played the piano. After a few minutes he pulls away. My Santa's hat has long since fallen off.
"As much as you must know I want this", he says in between kisses, "Your father is down the hall", kiss", And Alice is such an early riser", kiss, "Especially on Christmas morning", he laughs, "But seeing you dressed up like this is treat enough".
"Do you want your second part now or tomorrow", I say, not the least bit disappointed. If it doesn't feel right now then we will just have to wait until it does.
He thinks about it through a few more kisses, "I think I would like it now, you can have both yours tonight too if you like. Things will be busy enough tomorrow morning".
"OK. Ill be right back", I quietly slip from the room and back in time for him to grab a neatly wrapped package for me.
"Your turn Bella", he hands me my first gift and I carefully open it. It's a CD so I automatically go over to the player. I gasp when I see what is set up in front of it and the CD is quickly forgotten. It's a brand new easel made with light wood, complete with paints, brushes and every size of canvas. Upon closer inspection I see that he has also added a sketching pad, pencils and a carrying case for it all.
"Thank you!! It's perfect Edward! Oh I can't wait to use it all!", I run over to him and hug him, he spins me around as he laughs in happiness with me.
"I'm glad you love it. I've been wanting to get you your own set for awhile but I needed Christmas as an excuse", he puts me down on his bed and sits down beside me,"The CD has the song on it, but we an listen to it later ", he chuckles again at my reaction to the art supplies.
"Open yours now", I say passing him his gift. He doesn't take his eyes off me until all the paper is off, then he looks down and his mouth hangs open in surprise. I got him a dark leather notebook with 'Edward' embellished on the front. The surprise is on the inside though, "It's so you'll remember me when you teach all those beautiful girls. And it's a place to put all your teacher notes", I joke on the first part.
He opens it up and I see the picture I put of me on the front page. I got Alice to take it for me after she had fun with my make-up and hair; she acted like me willingly letting her do that was a gift in itself. Below that I wrote my name in fancy lettering and the words, 'Two hundred things I love about you'. He turns the first page in awe, "Bella this is extraordinary!", I see the first and second entries, 'Your special smile' and 'Your emerald eyes'. I laugh to myself when I think of how much fun I had on the other 198 pages.
"You like it?", I ask but I can already tell he does by the expression on his face.
"I love it, thank you so much Bella", he leans over to kiss me still clutching onto the book.
"I made sure to leave enough room for real notes", I laugh.
"This will be my most cherished possession besides you", he looks over at me with one of those special smiles and I blush. Then he pulls me closer and I lean against him.
-
"Bella? Hello", Rose says and snap out of my reverie, "Come on Bella, I bet it's something for you", Rose says to my being so distracted. I shrug.
"I can't believe nothing happened last night", Alice says a little sadly and I laugh.
"Believe me it almost did. But he is determined to make sure everything perfect", I think back whist fully again to the romantic night we had anyway.
"Jasper did the sweetest thing for ours!", Alice suddenly perks up.
"Alice, please. I so do not want to hear it for the hundred millionth time!", Rose says desperately but she laughs.
I wouldn't mind knowing what was so sweet but, knowing Alice she would probably start going into the details; it's most likely a good thing Rose stopped her. I look over at the front door again and Rose playfully rolls her eyes. Edward finally comes in the door a few minutes later followed by Ms. King.
"Ms. King! I didn't know you were coming!", I jump up to greet her.
She comes over to give me a hug, "Please call me Natalie when we are not in class, and Edward kindly invited me as all my family is in New York".
After I give Natalie another hug for coming I jump into Edward's arms, "You didn't tell me!".
He laughs, "It was partially a surprise, I know how much you love to talk with Natalie. She was also alone this Christmas so we had to do something about that".
"Oh my god! I have to show her what you got me!", I jump out of his arms as fast as I jumped into them. Natalie laughs sweetly and follows me upstairs.
"Edward told me of your engagement, I don't think he could have held it a second longer either".
I laugh, "We are pretty excited, but in no rush".
"I am so happy for you two. Ill never forget the day that you walked into that class and changed his life, it was like watching him become unfrozen after so long".
"He often refers to that day as the day he started living", we reach Edward's room, which has become just as much mine with the amount of time I sleep here and the things of mine lying around. I show her my easel set up beside Edward's and her reaction is almost the same as mine.
"A Klopfenstein easel!! Oh my goodness! And the paints!", she jumps up and down in excitement.
"I am guessing they are expensive?", I laugh a little at her reaction and she only looks at me with a sly grin before changing the subject.
"Do you have any of your immediate family coming Bella?".
"Just my Dad. He should be coming soon with his friend", I walk over to the window to see if they have arrived yet and coincidentally see them just getting out of Charlie's car, "Oh! They're here, you have to come and meet them". We come down the stairs just as Charlie is assisting Billy inside the front door. Natalie and I go over to them and the look that is passed between her and Charlie is unmistakable.
I fight a huge smile while introducing them, "Dad, Billy this is Natalie our art teacher at school. Natalie this is Charlie Swan and his best friend Billy Black", my Dad and Natalie shake hands instantly while gazing at each other.
"It's very nice to meet you Natalie, do you want to sit down and talk?".
"I'd love to", she says sweetly and they go over to sit on one of the sofas. Billy chuckles to himself before wheeling over there as well.
Edward comes up from behind me and wraps his arms around me, "They look quite happy together".
I look up at him suspiciously, "Were you planning that?".
His grin betrays him, "I just thought they had a lot in common. They are also only six years apart".
"Well at least Billy is entertaining himself", I look over to see that he is chatting with Angela's father, "Because I don't think Charlie will have a spare moment".
He laughs, "I think they will be good friends after tonight. Did Natalie like the art set I bought you?".
I narrow my eyes at him, "She said it was called something I can't even pronounce, that must mean it was very expensive".
He grins, "Nothing is too expensive for my Bella".
His response softens me and I turn around so I can kiss him. He responds by pulling me closer and deepening the kiss; everyone around us seems to fade away. When I vaguely hear Alice announce that dinner is ready I let my foggy mind dissolve that fact for the moment. Charlie, who is apparently not as distracted by Natalie as I thought, speaks up.
"Bella, Edward that is enough", he says sternly but I can hear a bit of laughter in his voice. He knows that my embarrassment will be enough punishment. We finally pull apart, laughing and sure enough I can feel myself blushing. Then Edward takes my hand and we follow our friends and family into the dining room. Even with the leaf of on the already large table it is a tight squeeze, as there are at least 25 people here. Edward and I sit near the head of the table, where Carlisle and Esme are sitting. After everyone has been served he stands up and lightly taps his wine glass to get every ones attention.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate with us. It's the time of year for being thankful and we have many things to be thankful for. This has been the happiest my family has been since that tragic day and I owe it all to the constant friendship and support we have recieved from all of you. So let us have a toast to new and old friends and the happy future we have to look forward to among each other's friendship and love", he raises his glass and a soft tinkleing noise fills the air as everyone else toasts. Edward holds my hand under the table throughout the whole dinner and I look around with a feeling of warmth at all the people that I have come to love in such a short time:
Carlisle and Esme, who I think of as nothing less than my parents now. Emmett, Jasper and Mike as my best friends and brothers. Rose, Alice and Angela as my best friends and sisters. Even their parents ,who are scattered around the table, have made me feel welcome in one way or another. Then there is Billy who is like the uncle I never had, Natalie who I look up to as an role model and last but not least my father, who I look up to as the perfect Dad. It is pretty hard to imagine that this time last year I was lonely and alone and all I wanted was a strong family and someone love me. Now I have all that and more. Tears come to my eyes when I let the overwhelming feeling of love and security wash over me.
END OF PART ONE