WitFit Challenge, December 2011
Disclaimer: All fictional characters mentioned are property of their owners
A/N: Actual Christmas means I can't get Mistletoeward out of my head. Here's more of lil' Edward and Bella. They're 10 here, making Christmas traditions.
Word Prompt: Chimney
A single word meant to inspire immediate thought. Write what your imagination dictates.
The first time Edward realized he was in love with Bella Swan was the first time they watched White Christmas together.
They were sitting side by side on the faded green sofa in the den while Renee baked cookies in the kitchen. The fireplace was lit and crackling gently in the small room. The woodsy plumes of smoke spiraled up the chimney and out of sight. The house smelled like gingerbread and the clattering of baking sheets and Renee's less than polite swearing were subtle background noises to the film. Bella was braiding a friendship bracelet that was pinned to her pant leg, threads sprawled in her lap like spaghetti.
Edward tried to watch the movie, but spent more time watching her fingers tie knots and switch colors as she wove her way through the bracelet.
Every now and then, she would point and sigh. "I love this part."
His eyes would shift to the TV with a roll since he knew this movie was for girls. All of it. There was no part that would appeal to him. Except maybe the tall, goofy guy. He was kind of funny.
Edward nodded and chuckled when he was supposed to while Bella swooned and sighed at all of the songs. He was about to start knotting thread at random to have something to do when the two main actors sat at a piano together. Suddenly he was transfixed.
They reworked a song together, hands overlapping on the keys, his arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind and the audience was supposed to know that they were in love.
His eyes shifted sideways to Bella, who was watching with a stupid, pretty grin on her face.
Love…
Bella sat with him at the piano all the time. Her bony shoulder was always up against his, her feet kicking petulantly at his shoes as he tried to reach the pedals. He played better when she was there watching him and he liked to show off.
The song on the screen ended but he kept his eyes on Bella, hoping she wouldn't notice.
He knew his parents were in love. He knew because they were his parents and they were married. He'd seen them dancing around the living room when Frank Sinatra came on the stereo. His father kissed his mother on the cheek when she cooked or was at her desk. They held hands sometimes too.
Bella's parents were in love, but in a different way than his parents. Charlie grabbed Renee from behind and hid his face in her neck. Sometimes they held hands under the table at dinner.
Was that was love was? Little traditions?
He and Bella had lots of traditions and each one was his favorite. If they were late to the bus stop he'd carry her bag as they ran. They watched movies like this on Saturdays when they hung out. She'd sit with him on the piano…
And still there was that thing in his chest. That thing that made his heart speed up and slow down when she was around. The spark on their skin when he touched her on accident. It made his ears burn sometimes.
"Ok I'm bored," Bella announced, throwing the thread from her fingers and pressing pause on the remote. "Let's go play outside."
Edward smiled to himself and stood up to turn off the TV.
"Okay."
A/N: Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute! I'll be posting my special Christmas entry (just because I want to) tomorrow (more of this 'Ward) but until then… HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! Your support for this venture over the past month has been astounding. Enjoy your day and know that I send all of my happiest holiday wishes to you! xx