We both have a lot going on today to get ready for the holidays, so there will only be two updates. Blame Snickers. You already know she's responsible for everything.
Since CPW decided to leave me alone for the day, I own Twilight. She can try and take it back from me later.
Chapter 21
EPOV
I'm pretty sure Alice her 'friend' heard us, but I didn't give a shit. Bella had been right that we needed some time alone to ourselves and thankfully, because almost everyone in our family, with the exception of Emmett and Jasper, hated criers, they avoided us.
Well, they did avoid us until about ten o'clock at night when my mother came knocking at my door.
"Edward... are you and Bella coming out soon?" she asked, her voice somewhat timid, which made me suspicious. I could hear a gentle tinkling sound, which meant Snickers, the devil cat, was with her. She was probably sitting out there sharpening her claws and perfecting her evil glare or plotting world domination.
"Yeah, we will be out in a few," I said as I looked over at Bella, curled up on her side with a satisfied grin on her face. "Bella is just having a hard time being away from her family. You know how it is."
"Yes, we do understand, Edward. This is why we have a surprise downstairs for Bella." I froze and glanced at Bella who had a look of pure horror on her face. There could be nothing good about this surprise, especially if my dysfunctional family had something to do with it.
"Just give us a few minutes, Mom," I called out as Bella and I didn't move, listening for the sound of her footsteps, or the tinkling of the stupid cat, as they walked away. It didn't take too long, and once we figured my mother was out of earshot, we turned to each other, my old bed sheets pulled up under our chins, both of us silent and suspicious.
"Whatever has happened in the last few hours can't be good."
"They are your family. How much trouble could they get into?"
"A whole hell of a lot. Have you not been paying attention the past few days?" I asked with a laugh as I sat up and pulled my boxers on awkwardly before climbing out of bed. "Come on, put some clothes on and let's go figure out what is going on. Then hopefully I can sneak you back into my room and we can have a repeat of earlier. I'd really like to spend the rest of the night diddling your skittle."
"You're an idiot," Bella grimaced, but stood up and began putting on her own clothes. I wanted to stay in bed, I really did, but if we didn't get up then my family would be even worse to deal with.
Once we were dressed and looked presentable, we descended the stairs and found Jasper and Emmett standing at the bottom of the stairs singing Mele Kalikimaka in perfect harmony. Bella and I looked at each other confused and then they parted to reveal a palm tree that was crudely decorated in lights and a few old or broken ornaments.
"Merry Christmas," my family said in perfect sync as Bella's eyes grew wide and she was suddenly speechless. Without saying a word, she suddenly dropped like a rock, sat on the stairs and this time I thought her tears might be real. "What's wrong?"
"She's from Arizona, not fucking Hawaii!"