Chapter 36: Edward's Surprise Part I

BPOV

Christmas was fast approaching, and I found myself constantly decorating or shopping. I wanted to have the perfect Christmas and I couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. I was looking forward to just spending a quiet Christmas at home with Edward and Abby. Carlisle and Esme were coming over in the afternoon along with everyone else. My parents were not going to be able to make it, but they would be coming down a few days later.

It was a few days before Christmas and I found myself in the kitchen making gingerbread dough and icing. I wanted to build a gingerbread house with Abby, and I needed everything to be done by the time I picked her up from school.

I had fallen into the role of a mother very easily. I got up every morning with Edward waking up Abby and helping her get dressed. I made them both breakfast before Edward went off to drop her off and go to work. The entire role of caring for her seemed natural. She was like my daughter.

I turned up the Christmas Carols singing along as I moved through the kitchen.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,

And since we've no place to go,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

It doesn't show signs of stopping,

And I brought some corn for popping;

The lights are turned way down low,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

When we finally say good night,

How I'll hate going out in the storm;

But if you really hold me tight,

All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,

And, my dear, we're still good-bye-ing,

But as long as you love me so.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

I smiled to myself as I thought of Edward and I curled up together by a fireplace while it snowed. It didn't snow much in Las Vegas, very rarely and never enough for what I wanted. I couldn't wait until it was cold enough to curl up with Edward under the blanket. His warm body keeping me warm and toasty.

My daydreams came to a stop as I heard the phone ringing. "Hello," I said as I turned off the oven.

"Hi, love." I heard Edward's velvet voice saying.

"I was just thinking about you." I teased leaning against the counter.

"Really?" He said in an amused tone.

"I was thinking about how much I would want you to warm me up with nothing but your body." I purred. Edward and I shared phone calls like these from time to time. I found that they always made my day that much brighter.

"You can count on that, my Bella." He answered. "I'm taking you out to dinner tonight just the two of us."

"What about Abby?" I inquired as I noticed I had to pick her up in two hours.

"My parents are picking her up. There's a dress in our closet. In a white box. Alice and Rosalie helped me pick it out. There's matching accessories as well. Be ready at seven." He said as I felt my heart beating loudly.

"Is it a date?" I asked.

"We'll have the whole night, my love." He assured me before he hung up. I was on cloud nine. I had no idea where we were going or anything.

I made sure the oven was off and that the gingerbread dough was cooling before rushing up the stairs to see my dress. I felt so stupid for not seeing it. He had it in our closet, and I hadn't been observant enough to find it.

I found the white box with a huge silk purple bow near the back of my closet. I picked it up taking it to our bed. I felt my hands trembling as I pulled the string and lifted the box top. The dress was gorgeous. I gently lifted it out of the box the soft purple silk falling down. I had never seen such a delicate and beautiful dress.

Before I was finished admiring the dress I heard my doorbell ring. I knew it had to be my two best friends. I put the dress on the bed rushing downstairs to get the door.

"So what shoes did he get?" Rosalie asked before even greeting me.

"You guys knew?" I asked as Alice laughed.

"Yes and no. We knew he wanted to take you out, but we do not know where you're going or what he bought." Alice cleared up as Rose was already halfway up the stairs.

"I open the box." I warned as I followed her up stairs to finish discovering my gift.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me." I complained.

"We wouldn't be good friends if we did, Bells." Rose pointed out as I sighed.

I took the shoe box opening it slowly before it fell out of my hand. "What is it?" Alice asked as I stayed in total shock.

I couldn't believe what Edward had done. I knew he was well off, and could afford it. I had seen his bank account, but the fact that he had spent so much money bothered me. I didn't deserve so much. I would've been happy with just him.

"Look at these shoes, Rose!" Alice cried taking them out of the box. The shoes were beautiful. They were black satin Manolo Blahniks with a bow on the front. They were gorgeous, and way too expensive.

"Edward definitely has taste." Rose sighed leaning against the pillows.

"He should give Jazz a few pointers." Alice added as I stared at both of them.

"I can't accept these, guys." I complained as they looked at me with dumbfounded expressions.

"And why not?" Rose asked.

"That's too much money." I explained.

"Can he afford it?" Rosalie asked knowing the answer.

I looked at her sighing. I knew he could. Edward had more than enough money for those shoes and hundreds more. I just didn't feel right, I felt bad for taking it.

"Bella, stop being such a brat and take the presents." Alice ordered. "Now get in the shower and get ready."

"What are you my mom?" I asked pretending to be mad.

"No, I'm your best friend." She stated. "And that gives me just as much right." She finished hitting my behind and sending me into the bathroom.

I pouted as I removed my clothing and getting in the tub. Part of me was super excited about the dress and the shoes. The part of me that wanted to know where we were going and why. There had to be a reason. As I settled into the warm water I closed my eyes. It was Christmas, I would let him spoil me just this once.

EPOV

I was counting down the seconds until it was time to head home. Well, I wasn't technically going home, at least not yet. I was going to my parent's rented apartment to get ready there. They had moved into it after Bella had been fired, making it clear that they would no longer do business at said hotel.

I got up grabbing my suit jacket and heading out. I made sure my office was locked waving at the secretary in the front before jumping in my car. The apartment wasn't that far away, it less than a mile from the Strip, but I had to take my car since I had driven from home in the morning.

I arrived at the building going up to my parent's place. "Daddy!" Abby said as soon as I walked in.

"Hi, Princess. Are you having fun with grandma?" I asked as she nodded.

"We were going to finger-paint." She said which explained why she was wearing a white apron.

"Finger-paint?" I asked as my mom nodded.

"I bought her an easel set and paint." She explained as I forced a smile. Finger painting was not exactly the best idea in the world. I didn't want it to get all over the walls and furniture.

"Maybe we should save it for home." I suggested. "When you can do it in the backyard."

"But daddy?" She whined as I kissed her forehead.

"It's fine, Edward. I'll watch her." My mom chimed in as I put her back on the floor.

"Are you sure?" I inquired. I knew Abby could get out of hand when she got excited.

"Positive, now go shower and get ready." She ordered in her mom tone.

"Yes, mom." I said going into the bedroom as Abby giggled at my predicament. I had about an hour and a half before I had to pick Bella up.

BPOV

The dress, the shoes, the hair, everything was perfect. I stood in front of the mirror putting on my dangly silver earrings. "You look gorgeous, Bells." Alice complimented making one last adjustment to my hair.

My hair was picked up half way with a silver barrette. My makeup was done very simply, accentuating my features. Rose had done a great job with the makeup giving me just the right amount of sexiness.

"It's all your doing." I replied giving them a hug as the doorbell rang.

"We can only work with what's already there." Rose assured me. "Now go get the door, well let ourselves out once you guys leave."

"Thank you, girls." I said giving them each a hug and rubbing Rose's swollen tummy.

"Have fun!" Alice said with a wink as I carefully walked down the stairs to open the door for Edward.

I was extremely curious over what he had planned. I hated not knowing, and the suspense was eating me away. I smoothed the dark purple silk of my dress before reaching for the door knob.

A/N: No surprise just yet, well besides her presents. Anyway there are links to the dress and shoes on my profile under What Happens in Vegas (near the end). I was able to see said shoes in person, and all I have to say is that I almost died. They are gorgeous! I just can't afford them, not even close. I do hope so to, one day.

Next Chapter: Edward's Surprise Part II

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