Fran waved her sparkly red keyboard over this story and
I kept fiddling … up through this morning, so any and all
mistakes are entirely my own.
So glad everyone was excited about all of this! LOL
It was really a sweet plan on his part, made all the more
endearing by the fact that the Cullen women threw
themselves right into the planning. Too bad not all
families are so supportive, right?
-LWTC-
Chapter 26
Christmas Eve dawned dark and early for Bella. She had volunteered to assist Esme in the kitchen in preparation for next day's feast. She couldn't keep the silly grin off her fact as she went about her morning routine. She dressed comfortably for the day in a soft pair of stretch denim jeans, layering a tank top, a tee shirt, and a Henley, topped with a flannel shirt that Edward had left behind the other day. It still smelled like him, and she couldn't keep herself from burying her nose into the collar to breathe in his scent.
Bella donned all of her appropriate outerwear, and laced up her boots as her mind drifted to her time in England, and the tender way that Edward had wooed her. He had showed her what love looks like from half way around the world. His generosity, compassion, and willingness to lay himself bare to her were the things that she cherished the most about him.
As she drove to CC&C for her breakfast date, she was practically vibrating with excitement. Every facet of her heart and mind were wide awake, and thrumming with anticipation. She tuned her radio into SmileFM, and listened to for King and Country sing about the Baby Boy, humming along, and found herself in a more festive mood than she could remember emoting in her thirty-five years.
Edward woke up early that morning—which is saying something, as the man usually woke around four am. He was so nervous and excited about the coming evening; he felt he could hardly contain himself.
Walking into the shop well before his usual time, he set about his daily tasks of grinding beans, and calibrating the steamer temps. These chores hadn't kept him busy enough, and he was virtually vibrating with anticipation. After he re-sanitized the glass display case, and set out the remaining chocolates from the previous day in their designated 'reduced price' spot, he went into the kitchen and began to mix the ingredients that he'd set aside the evening before. He melted the chocolate in his large double boiler and quickly molded a gross of his Christmas Cheer Nog-Rum Balls, and the ever-popular Dark Chocolate Covered Candy Canes.
This year he was also making a large cauldron of 'Christmas Crack' that sold out daily. It was his least time consuming, and highest profit margin creation. How difficult is it to take a large amount of fresh made, movie theater, style popcorn, and coat it with handmade white chocolate? It surprised him how many people came in and ordered large amounts of the stuff to be picked up today for their holiday celebrations. He'd had to schedule two extra people today for manning the cash registers so he could be freed up to make all of the chocolate that was on order. Alice was also coming in to assist him today.
All of her baked goods had been made the evening before so they could focus on the large amount of orders to fill. At least Edward had wisely anticipated the quantity of peppermint candies that he would use throughout the month, and had made over fifty pounds of the stuff during the first week of December. Today he would be making fifty pounds of pre-ordered Christmas Crack as well as the forty pounds he anticipated selling to his in-store customers. Thankfully, his cauldron would make thirty-pound batches, so he only had to do this three times.
At six-thirty in the morning, after Edward had his entire mise en place, he heard the most beautiful sound floating from the store; a soft giggle, accompanied by the voice of an angel, his angel.
"Alice," Edward beamed, "I'm tak-"
"You're taking your break," Alice grinned knowingly. "Go!"
Edward tossed his apron to the side as he practically ran from the kitchen and scooped his Princess into his arms, kissing her soundly. There were a few catcalls from his employees and lots of giggling from the teenagers that were seated in the dining area, sipping their coffee. Bella blushed a bright crimson and buried her face into his neck. Laughing, Edward spun in a circle, and declared his love for all to hear.
"I am eternally in love with this woman," Edward stated loudly, so that all in the store would hear. There were more catcalls and several people applauded as Edward threw his head back and laughed at Bella's embarrassment. "You're not ashamed, are you, Princess?"
"Stop teasing me," Bella mumbled against his neck, "or else I might decide not to say yes."
Edward stopped spinning in his circle and put Bella down, steadying her on her feet before letting her go. He stared into her beautiful umber eyes, slightly bewildered.
"Yes to what?"
"Oh, um …" Bella bit her lip and groaned as she squeezed her eyes shut, and covered her face.
"Bella?"
"I just … I meant … Ugh!"
Tears welled up in her eyes. Dammit, she thought, I make it over a week playing this game, and fumble on the day? She turned away from him, berating herself and wishing like mad that she could grab the words out of the air and eat them.
"How long?"
"Don't ask me, please."
"How long have you known, Princess," Edward turned her face toward him with a finger under the chin.
"When you told me it was a friend Alice thought of as a brother," Bella admitted in a warbled voice as the first tear spilled over, tracking down her cheek.
"How?"
"Edward," Bella sighed, "I spent the whole summer with the woman, and I'm pretty sure I heard her whole life's story. She never once mentioned a Garret and Kate before that afternoon. I may be socially awkward at times, but I'm more Leonard than Sheldon."
Edward laughed in spite of his disappointment.
Leave it to my Bella to make me laugh after spoiling such a big surprise.
Deciding to make the most of this blunder, he sank to one knee, and pulled the ring out of his pocket, where he had been carrying it since he picked it up from the jewelers. He'd had it sized and cleaned after his father retrieved it from the safety-deposit box last week.
"Princess," Edward took her left hand, kissing her ring finger. "I've been waiting for you my whole life, even when I didn't know it. When you walked through those doors," he inclined his head toward the front of the store, "my life suddenly came into focus. You stood there, looking at the chocolates and the pastries, but I wanted you to see me.
When you looked at me for the first time, I was entranced—lost to you. My heart tucked itself away inside your chest through that beautiful gaze, and now, the only time I can feel it beating is when I hold you close in my arms. Stay there with me forever, love. Be my song, my heartbeat … be love, and life, and meaning to me, Princess, and I promise you'll never be alone again. Marry me; marry me tomorrow—and for the rest of my life, please?"
Tears flowed freely down Bella's cheeks as a beatific smile shone brightly on her face. She began to nod and couldn't stop, as she threw herself into Edward's arms. She ignored the ring as she squeezed him tightly to herself.
"Yes, Edward," she kissed him, "I'll be your song and heartbeat." She kissed him again firmly. "I'll be your meaning and love and life. You're already mine! I'll marry tomorrow, and forever."
Edward kissed her deeply once more before pulling back and refocusing on the ring. He stood up and pulled her to stand once again, before taking out the box to show her his grandmother's ring. It was a beautiful solitaire, set in platinum with vine-like scroll work on the band, and several, smaller diamond chips embedded in the design.
When Bella looked at it, she gasped, and stood in stunned disbelief as he slid it onto her finger. She had never seen a ring like it before and was thrilled by its loveliness. She felt it was an honor to wear a Cullen family heirloom.
"Well, now that the cat is already out of the bag," Alice piped up, "I think we should plan on doing your dress fitting this afternoon."
"What?"
"Edward, this will save me a headache in the morning."
"Where is Katy?" Bella broke in.
"What?"
"Why?" asked Edward and Alice simultaneously.
"You said you had already gotten a hold of 'her' friend, and she was going to be the Maid of Honor. So, where is she?"
"She's at her Aunt's house, here in Pentwater."
"Well, then call her and have her meet me at Mom's house, Alice."
"Princess, am I going to get to see you at all this evening?"
"Of course, love," Bella grinned like a loon, "but Katy makes the best Yorkshire Puddings, and we've always talked about how much fun it would be to do holiday baking together. This is our chance." Bella stood on her tiptoes and kissed her fiancée deeply before batting her lashes and asking for a thermos and mug of coffee for the road.
Edward tried to frown at his disappointment that Bella was going to skip out on their breakfast date, but he couldn't even pretend to be upset right now.
Bella had said yes … and tomorrow, she was going to say 'I do.'
This Christmas was going to be the best, ever.
-LWTC-
How are we feeling?
I know some were worried that our Bella was honestly clueless
while others were concerned that she would ruin the surprise.
The surprise was blown a little, but I think her enthusiastic "yes"
took the sting out of that, don't you? LOL
*huggles*
Several of you asked me to link you to the Christmas stories I am
reading. Guess I should go ahead and link you all!
Mechanics and Mistletoe by tufano79
s/12756048/1
Summary: Bella is driving in a snowstorm back to her hometown
for Christmas. Along the way, her car gets stuck in a snowbank.
Edward is a tow truck driver and pulls her out. Can an uptown
girl fall for a guy with grease on his hands?
A Christmas Tale by rat19
s/12759871/1
Summary: Follow Bella and Edward from childhood into adulthood.
A story about learning to be friends, first love, mistakes and
forgiveness. A bit of drama and a bit sweet, revolving around the
holidays over a fifteen-year span.
Will You Love Me Tomorrow by CiaraShayee If you decide to read these too, tell them I sent you, and review! ;)
s/12760231/1
Summary: When tomorrow is never promised, and love can easily
be lost, sometimes the only question you need to ask is 'will you
love me tomorrow?' A Christmas tale of homecoming, holiday
cheer, and finding love where you least expected it.
Don't forget to check out Twilight Fanfiction Pays it Forward's new blog. Each month, it helps to promote a new author, a great fic that needs more attention, a classic that everyone loves, and a new venture by a beloved author. If you are just starting out, and need help with editing, or advice on a character, or you just need someone to be a sounding board, make contact! Frannie Walsh on FB, her group, Twilight Fanfiction Pays it Forward, also on FB, or the blog; Picficsofthemonth. blogspot. com.