A little more interaction with the Cullen clan, as it was the first thing that came to mind with this prompt. Hope you enjoy.

Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative

Rating/Warning(s): M

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Word Prompt: Champagne

Bella made her way to the front door of the Cullen house, muffled voices and music audible from the outside. A week before, she had been blown away by the volume of what she had assumed would be subdued, quiet church-going people, but after Christmas, she was quickly made aware that was far from the case. They were good people and obviously cared deeply about one another, but she didn't think the word "quiet" existed in their vocabulary as a whole, outside of church.

And New Year's Eve was apparently no exception.

She knocked on the front door, and when no one answered, she began searching each side for a doorbell button and pressed it twice.

"I got it!" a loud voice called out and the door swung open, revealing Emmett on the other side. "Jingle Bells! You're here!"

Bella laughed and rolled her eyes as he pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. "You realize that after tonight, that name really has to go, right?"

"Oh don't you worry. I'll come up with something else by the end of the evening," Emmett replied with a grin, setting her feet back down on the ground. "Come on in. Edward's around here somewhere. Hey, beanpole, you still indisposed?"

Okay, so maybe Emmett's volume would still take some getting used to, Bella thought while he helped her out of her jacket, her ear ringing from his yelling for Edward right beside it. Yet, aside from Esme and Carlisle, Rosalie and Emmett were among her favorites within the Cullen family. While everyone had made her feel very welcome there for Christmas, they hadn't treated her like a newcomer at all. It was as if she'd been part of their family for years rather than hours, and that feeling hadn't dissipated. It was unfamiliar territory for Bella to be so comfortable with anyone, but Emmett's hug hadn't felt strange, nor did the ease with which he teased her. "Thank you, Emmett. I really didn't need my hearing in that ear anyway."

Emmett only laughed as he hung up her jacket and returned to her to guide her into the living room. "Hey, where's Edward?"

"I'm right here, Emmett," Edward replied from behind them and Bella turned to face him, smiles gracing both of their expressions. "Good evening, beautiful."

"Hi," Bella replied softly, stepping toward him and into his waiting arms.

"Hope you remembered to wash your hands," Emmett teased and Bella laughed into Edward's chest.

"Emmett," he growled and secured his hold around her. "You said you'd behave tonight."

"This is me behaving, Eddie boy. It is just way too much fun to watch Bella blush," Emmett replied with a laugh and tugged lightly at one of her long curls.

"Oh good, you're finally here. Maybe Edward will stop moping now," Rosalie chimed in and Bella turned to look at her. "So glad you're still putting up with him. Happy New Year, Bella."

"Happy New Year, Rose," Bella answered, giving her a one armed hug while keeping the other secured around Edward's waist.

"I wasn't moping," Edward mumbled and was met with a scoff from Rosalie. Everything was exactly as it had been at Christmas, and she found some relief in that. Their relaxed, teasing demeanor was something she enjoyed observing the last time, and she'd hoped it was just their natural way of being.

Rosalie leaned toward her and whispered, "He was moping," and her wink set Bella's mind to rest. It was just who they were naturally.

"Come on, my mom is in the kitchen and is anxious to see you," Edward said, taking her hand in his and leading her away from his laughing cousin.

As they moved down the hall, Bella hugged closer to him, resting her head against his arm and curling her free hand around his elbow. "You were moping, weren't you?"

"Maybe a little," Edward replied with a chuckle, and kissed the top of her head. "I missed you. And by the way, have I mentioned that green looks really good on you?"

"Is it too much?" Bella whispered, glancing down at the deep emerald colored dress she wore and then back up to him.

"No, definitely not. You're just lucky I'm surrounded by my family right now or else nothing would save you from my wicked intent," Edward remarked, grinning before meeting her lips with his.

"Who says I wish to be saved?" Bella replied with a smile of her own, squeezing his hand.

"Bella," Edward groaned, drawing in a deep breath before they reached the kitchen doorway and murmuring in her ear, "Not fair."

Esme's face brightened as they entered the room, wiping her hands on a dish towel and hurrying toward them. "There she is. How are you, sweetheart?"

"Good, thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Cullen," Bella replied as Esme hugged her firmly.

"No need to be so formal, Bella. You can call me Esme," she said, placing her hand on Bella's cheek. "There's plenty of food and whatever you'd like to drink. Please help yourself."

"Thank you, Esme," Edward joked, earning a light slap on the stomach from his mother.

"It's still 'Mom' to you, young man," Esme scolded light-heartedly and returned to the stove, muttering "children" under her breath.

After a couple flutes of champagne, Bella felt herself relaxing even more, able to join in with the conversations surrounding them at the dinner table and afterward in the living room. Even in the presence of his family, Edward still couldn't seem to keep himself from touching her in some way, whether it was his hand on her knee or his fingers lightly tracing along the skin of her neck, with his arm draped behind her on the couch. It appeared to be a family trait, she was noticing more in that visit, even with those only married into it. Each couple was extremely affectionate with one another, regardless of how long they'd been married or dating. So it didn't feel odd for her to lean into Edward's side or even share an occasional kiss, and no one else seemed to find it out of the ordinary, either.

"I love you," Edward whispered softly in her ear just before midnight and Bella turned her gaze to him, closing her eyes as he pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'm so glad you're here tonight, baby."

"I love you, too," Bella replied and giggled when he began nuzzling her cheek and down to her neck. "How much champagne have you had tonight and are you going to be okay to drive?"

Edward shook his head and hummed in response. "Nope. You'll have to carry me home and take care of me all night."

"All part of your master plan?" Bella teased and he nodded, his laughter vibrating against her skin. "You're an expert manipulator, Edward Cullen."

"Thank you," Edward mumbled unabashedly and lifted his head, smiling at her.

"Do you really think you need to resort to such measures for me to go home with you?" Bella asked in a soft whisper, brushing his lips with hers and he eagerly responded.

"Can't wait another minute until midnight for that?" Emmett remarked, sitting down beside them and pulling Rosalie down onto his lap.

"Emmett, shut up. Let them enjoy it," Rosalie admonished and then brought her gaze to Edward and Bella. "It's sweet."

"Okay, everyone, it's time," Esme announced and all eyes turned to the television, watching the ball make its final descent to ring out the year, into the new one.

Voices echoed through the room, counting down to one, and a chorus of "Happy New Year!" filled the air. Edward's eyes met Bella's and he stroked her cheek lightly with his fingers.

"Happy New Year, baby," he whispered and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Bella smiled as he pulled away and nodded. "Yes, it is."