Penname: Babette12
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative
Rating/Warning(s): T
Notes: A continuation of the Chapped Lips chapter

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: Christmas

It had been a month since that fateful day when I had finally spoken to the brown-eyed angel who had been my obsession for so long. A month since she had met and, more surprisingly, accepted my family in all their lunacy. A month since our first time speaking, our first date, our first kiss. Never in my life had I known such happiness. Only to now know sorrow and pain. She was leaving.

It was Christmas break and her father had purchased her a ticket to go home to visit. I knew I shouldn't be upset, I saw my family every day. She was an only child, and from the way she spoke of her father I knew she loved and missed him terribly. Only, I would have to go two whole weeks without her. I tried my best to not mope, but judging from Emmett's rolling eyes and my mother's sympathetic glances, I wasn't doing a very good job of it.

We were driving her to the airport now. That's right, all of us. I'm not really sure why seven people had to take three cars to deliver one girl, albeit an amazingly beautiful one, with her one duffel bag to the airport. I wanted time alone with her. I wouldn't be seeing her for weeks, and while I understood my family really liked her and wanted to wish her a Merry Christmas, I didn't understand why they weren't respecting my wishes to have that time alone.

We all piled out of the multiple cars and escorted her into the terminal. There was no way I was dropping her off at the curb. She had confirmed with her father that he was picking her up when her plane landed while we had made the drive. Now all I had to do was watch he walk through security, taking my heart with her, and hope I could survive the weeks until she returned.

I stood in line with her while she waited to pick up her ticket from the counter. Her father had told her it would be safer to have it waiting for her instead of mailing it. Apparently he didn't trust the US Mail, especially when billions of packages and cards were being shipped all over the country. This way she would be sure to get it.

We didn't speak much. I could see the tears fighting to break free from her eyes and knew that mine weren't much drier. We both laughed about how silly we were. We had only known each other for a month and would be seeing each other again in just two weeks! And yet we were reacting like long-time lovers being ripped apart, not knowing if we would ever see each other again. Even while we laughed, though, our hearts broke. We both knew the truth. We would probably be engaged by the end of the school year. I would be fine with getting married this summer, in fact. I guess I shouldn't have bet against Alice when she told me that I would be so much happier if I just talked to the girl.

We finally reached the counter and I heard Bella ask for her ticket. The lady helping us looked tired and harried. I'm sure she was looking forward to going home and resting. "May I see some ID, please?" she asked and Bella handed over her driver's license. "And you sir?" she asked. My eyes shot from Bella's to look at her, not knowing why she was asking for my ID.

"Um, I'm not going," I said dejectedly.

"Oh, then you're not Edward Cullen? Who is flying with you then, miss?" she continued.

I was in shock. I looked over at my family and they were all laughing. Emmett was carrying over another suitcase and set it on the stand next to Bella's bag. "Dude," he whispered when he reached me, "give the poor ticket lady your license!" I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet mechanically. I handed it over and she looked at it, then at me, then at it again before giving it back. I stood in shock, noticing Bella was as surprised as I was, as she handed us our tickets and pointed us to security.

Emmett laughed and dragged us from in front of the counter to meet up with my family, all laughing loudly like he was. My mom finally broke from them and gave Bella a hug. "Your father knows he's coming, it's been arranged for over a week." She pulled me into the same hug. "It won't be the same, having Christmas without you, but it will be better than having it with you when you are so miserable. We love you, now go have fun."

Realization slowly crept into my brain. I wasn't sending her off, I was going with her! I could sleep in the same house as her, kiss her good night as well as good morning. I could enjoy time with her without the stress of papers, tests and studying. I could ask her father for her hand in marriage.

The last thought was sobering, and I wondered what he would say. I suppose, if he was willing to allow me into his home for two weeks, then it presaged a happy answer. The smile on my face from that thought was large enough to send Emmett asking me what on earth I could be thinking about. I just thanked them all for this gift and took Bella's hand to walk to security with her.

When we were finally seated on the plane, my father having upgraded us to first class seats, Bella leaned her head on my shoulder as I wrapped my arms about her. "I'm so glad you're coming," she sighed contentedly.

"Me, too, Love. Me too," I whispered back, feeling my heart soar more than the plane did as it left the runway.


This is early, I know, but I have no doubt that I won't be anywhere near a computer tomorrow. As a result, you're getting them today. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! xoxo!