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This is unbeta'd. All mistakes are mine.

PLEASE READ: Some of you read Chapter 28 and noted that Edward's parents didn't seem to know who Bella was. That was purely an oversight on my part and has been fixed. I modified parts of 28 elsewhere, too. So it may be worth skimming if you read it before 10am central yesterday (1/16).

Word Prompt: Knife

Sunday, 25 December


I woke up to the sound of the heater kicking on. I was burrowed underneath my new comforter, and to say I was glad I'd bought it would be an understatement. It was warm and soft, and I'd slept like a baby.

I stretched, feeling all the muscles in my body burn in that delightful way only a good night's sleep can bring, and readjusted my pillow, tucking my arms beneath my head. I looked out the window. There was still a trace of snow outside, and even though I knew it wasn't supposed to snow, I still felt a hint of disappointment. There was something magical about the idea of a white Christmas.

I knew by the still lavender, grey morning that it was early, but it didn't stop me from reaching for my phone. I wanted to wish Bella a Merry Christmas. I knew I couldn't call her – not that early – but I could at least send a little message letting her know I'd been thinking about her when I woke up.

After punching it in, I clicked send, smiling at the way my chest felt equal parts tight with nerves and happiness. I showered and got dressed. My parents were set to arrive mid-morning, and I still had to throw the breakfast casserole together and prep a few other things.

If there was one thing my mom made sure I knew how to do, it was cook. She and I had spent hours in the kitchen, talking and cooking dinner when I was in high school. The fact I was sort of a loner and a self-proclaimed research geek, meant I was home a lot. She always told me if all else failed, make breakfast. Even for dinner, it was still a good meal, and it was hard to mess up bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

So, as I stood in the kitchen, knife in hand and Christmas music playing softly in the background, I threw together a breakfast casserole, complete with bacon, onions, hash browns, and cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. With that in the oven, I turned my attention to getting the ingredients for the afternoon meal prepped, just like mom had asked me to do.

The intercom buzzed, and I pressed the button to let my parents up. With the door ajar, I quickly went back to the kitchen to check on the casserole and to get the pancake batter ready.

They walked in, cheerful and all smiles, dressed nicely.

"Merry Christmas," I said, wiping my hands on the towel I'd tucked in my back pocket, and kissed Mom on the cheek and gave Dad a one-armed hug.

"Merry Christmas," they both said.

They shrugged off their coats, and while Dad hung them in the closet, Mom made her way into the kitchen.

"This smells amazing, Edward. What's cooking?"

I grinned. "Breakfast casserole. Oh, and pancakes," I said, reaching for the bowl and giving it another good mix.

Mom grabbed an apron, while Dad watched from the doorway.

"You want some coffee, Dad?"

"That'd be great, Son," he said, reaching out to take it as I handed him a steaming mug.

While Dad sipped his coffee and read the newspaper, Mom and I made quick work of getting breakfast on the table. Once it was ready, we sat in my small dining room, hands clasped, and said a prayer of thanks.

After the breakfast dishes had been cleared and the kitchen had been returned to proper order, I excused myself and went back to my room to check my phone. It was close to noon. I was disappointed to see that Bella hadn't responded to my original text. I thought about sending her another one, but that seemed a little… well, a little too much. I figured when she had a free minute, she'd respond. Setting my phone down, I went out to the family room and opened presents with my parents.

~*WS*~

"Hey, man," Emmett's voice boomed as he walked inside my apartment and smacked me on the back. "Long time no see."

I laughed. "No kidding."

I stepped aside and let Rose and the girls pass through. The girls were all squeals and giggles at the sight of me, and as I pulled them both in my arms, I couldn't help but laugh with them. While Christmas was for everyone, there was nothing more special than seeing the joy and excitement of little kids.

"So, tell me what you got from Santa," I said, settling the girls on my lap, one of each leg on the floor.

"I got a Pink Nintendo DS!" Emma shrieked, digging in the pocket of her coat to show me.

"I got one, too," Suzie cried, equally excited and digging in her own pocket for hers.

It was a race to see who could show me first, and as they shoved them both in my face at the same time, it took both me and Rose to get them to settle down. I made them each show me how to play whatever game they had in there. It was cute watching them get so excited.

"Should we do presents before dinner or after?" I asked, turning to Rose.

She looked at the girls and decided we could hold off for a bit. "They seem content to play their games for now. Let's not disturb the peace."

"Good point. You guys want something to drink? We've got beer, wine, iced tea, water…"

"Beer for me," Emmett said as he leaned back in his chair.

"I'll take a glass of wine, if it's open," Rose said, standing to help.

I waved her off and got their drinks, as well a beer for me, and topped off Mom and Dad's. We all sat around talking while the turkey cooked in the oven.

"So, what's been going on, man? You were gone to Seattle a lot longer than you expected," Emmett said, swallowing a mouthful of beer.

"Yeah, the trip got extended. What I thought would just be a down and back, ended up being really productive. A couple people from the team came out and did some work with the team that's already there. Our combined efforts looks really promising." I smiled. I still couldn't believe how lucky we'd gotten with that little catch in that journal article.

"Sweet. Looks like you've been busy since you got back." He waved his hand around, indicating all the decorating that I'd – well, Mom – had managed to get done in the two days she'd been there.

"Yeah, well… it's been an eventful week and a half."

Emmett looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed. A quick glance at Rose revealed a quirked eyebrow and weird glint in her eyes. Mom and Dad sat back, smiles firmly in place, and waited for me to fill in my best friend and his wife.

"What's going on?" Emmett asked, his eyes dancing around the room.

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. He was going to think I was completely insane. He knew me better than anyone else, and I had never been in so deep… ever.

I told him how I'd run in to Bella, explaining who she was, how we knew each other and had dated ten years ago, how we'd talked through a lot of stuff, that we'd spent pretty much all our free time together the week I'd been there.

Emmett tipped his head up, and I just shook my head. "Don't even go there, Em."

He had the sense to look a bit chagrinned, but not really. He couldn't help himself.

Rose, on the other hand, was not nearly as kind.

"Wait. So, you dumped this girl ten years ago?" Rose asked, her eyes narrowed menacingly? "And she took you back?"

When she put it like that it sounded terrible. "I guess if you're being completely blunt and factual, that's how it might seem-"

She held up her hand. "I'm pretty sure how it seems is how it was." She snorted and shook her head. "I cannot wait to meet this girl. She's either amazing or completely stupid."

My spine stiffened. "Hold up, Rose. First off-"

Emmett put his hand on Rose's knee and gave it a slight squeeze. "Rose, baby," he said, his voice firm but gentle, "that's enough."

She looked at him, her cheeks pink and her eyes intense. "I was just… how do you know she's not just trying to get back at you for hurting her? I don't want to see you get hurt, Edward."

I knew her overly harsh assessment had come from a place of love, but it still stung. Bella wasn't there to defend herself, and I sure as hell wasn't going to let them think anything of the sort about her.

"Because she's not like that. She's… well, she's amazing. I know I don't deserve another chance with her. I messed shi-stuff up," I said, glancing over at the girls. "But I'm not the same person I was back then, and what she and I have is special. I'm not going to let distance or whatever other obstacles come up to stand in our way. I'm all in. As ridiculous as it sounds, especially with it only being like 2 weeks, but I just know. Deep down, I know she's it for me."

I finished my impassioned speech and knew every word I'd said was the truth.

"And with that, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if she responded to my text."

When I got to my room, I was relieved to see the flashing red indicator on my phone. I picked it up and smiled. She and I had managed to exchange a few texts throughout the day, but there really hadn't been much of a chance to talk. She and Sue were cooking for Charlie, as well as Sue's entire family.

IS: Things are crazy here. The house is full of people, and it's impossible to get away. Maybe we can talk late tonight?

Even though the gathering at my place was small, it was still a lot. I couldn't imagine having close to twenty people in my home, much less cooking for them.

EC: Sounds intense. We're gearing up for dinner and then some presents to open with the girls. I'll text you when we're done. Have fun tonight, B.

I waited a second before I set my phone back down on my nightstand, in hopes she might respond, but she didn't. I had explained who Em and Rose were, as well the girls, and told her they'd be over for dinner. After the exchange I'd just had with Rose, I wasn't sure it was such a good idea to introduce Bella to them. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or put on the spot, but then again, these were my friends. I needed to figure out how to go about it, without all the drama.

A sound at the door startled me, and I turned to see Rose standing in the doorway, a contrite expression on her face.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off like that," she said, her arms folding across her chest and then dropping down by her sides.

"It's okay. I know you meant well, but Rose, Bella is important to me. I have never felt the way I do about her for anyone. I don't have a label for it, but I can tell you this – it's real.

"Like I said, we've got a lot of time to make up for, and we still have baggage to discuss. What I didn't say out there, is that she's coming here on Wednesday and will be here through New Years Day. We're trying to make this work, and I want it to, so bad."

God, did I ever. I had successfully managed to push aside a lot of my fears about the distance and all the barriers that we would likely face, but they were there, under the surface.

Rose nodded her head. "So, do we get to meet her?"

"Are you going to be nice?"

Rose grinned devilishly. "Of course."

I glared at her. "I mean it, Rose. She's important."

"All right. I get it. Yes, I'll be a perfect angel, and I'll make sure Em doesn't hit on her."

We both laughed at that and walked back to the living room.

~*WS*~

I yawned and glanced at my phone. Bella had sent a text saying everyone had decided to stay for games, and she didn't know how late she'd be. She didn't want me to wait up, but I was anyway.

After dinner and presents, we'd all hung out for a bit longer, but the girls were tired and on the verge of a meltdown. So, they'd all left around nine o'clock.

By ten-thirty, everything had been cleaned and put away. I'd even managed to grab a quick shower before climbing into bed, dog tired.

I tried to read, but I couldn't concentrate. I didn't realize how badly I wanted to hear her voice, and the fact she was unavailable to me just sucked. A ball of disappointment settled in the pit of my stomach as Christmas Day came to a close.

By the time my eyes closed and I drifted to sleep, I still hadn't talked to her.


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