Chapter 37 Edward and Family

Bella's POV

Warning- if you believe in Santa Claus, please don't read between bold (SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS)'s.

I was snuggled under a blanket against Edward on the living room couch. It was Christmas Eve and the only lights on in the semi dark room were those twinkling merrily from the brightly decorated Christmas tree.

"I used to switch the tags on the Christmas presents under the tree when I was little." I mentioned randomly. I was seriously in the Christmas spirit and I was happy I was able to spend the holiday with the man I loved this year.

Edward chuckled, the vibration of his chest moving against my ear, "What did your parents have to say about that?" he asked before I felt him flinch slightly, "I'm sorry, that was insensitive."

I looked up into his eyes and smiled genuinely, reassuringly, I couldn't ever imagine this man being insensitive, "They were mostly confused until the one year they came down and caught me." I laughed at the memory, "My dad's expression when he opened a gift to find bright pink socks was priceless!"

Thinking of my parents would always sadden me, especially around the holidays, but I realised that thinking of them didn't crush me anymore- being with Edward and the Cullen's had helped me finally start healing properly.

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Edward laughed, "Weren't you scared that Santa would catch you?" he teased, "Aren't little girls supposed to still believe in Santa then?"

I couldn't resist. I widened my eyes in shock and disappointment, pouting slightly, "You mean Santa isn't real?"

Edward gaped at me incredulously before his eyes turned pained- obviously my acting skills were better than I'd thought- and stuttered out an apology, "Bella…I thought you kn…oh…I'm sorr–"

I cut him off by laughing so hard my stomach started to hurt. Edward joined in when he realised I'd only been joking.

"That was mean." He stated when we stopped laughing, "I thought I'd just ruined your Christmas."

"The only way you'd ever ruin my Christmas would be by leaving me." I told him truthfully with a small smile.

"Never Bella, never." He whispered fiercely before dipping his head to kiss me slowly, lovingly.

"I was always suspicious of Santa, actually." I told him, albeit a bit breathlessly when we parted.

He rolled his eyes and grinned, "That actually doesn't surprise me. You're very intuitive."

I smiled, "I mean, how does one fly around the world using reindeer, climb down chimneys and deliver presents to the whole world in less than twelve hours? I rolled my eyes whenever my mom mentioned Santa. I haven't believed in him since I was five."

Edward laughed, "I remember I was eight, and it was Emmett who told me he didn't exist- Esme was so mad at him for it."

"I should've guessed." I chuckled.

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We sat in silence for a little while longer until Edward said, "We better head to bed."

I sighed and nodded but made no move to actually get up. He was right; we had a busy day ahead of us tomorrow: We were going to spend the morning together- just the two of us and then head over to the Cullen's house for Christmas lunch.

Edward chuckled and moved to stand before scooping me up into his arms and carrying me to our bedroom. I fell asleep a lot quicker than I thought I would.

*****

I awoke the next morning to soft kisses being trailed up my neck, eventually reaching my lips in a loving kiss.

"Good morning." I breathed happily when we parted, this was the first time he'd woken me up like this and I definitely wasn't complaining.

"Morning." He grinned, "Merry Christmas, love."

I couldn't help laughing softly; his kiss had made me completely forget that it was Christmas!

"What's so funny?"

His face lit up when I told him and he chuckled, seemingly pleased with himself.

"You ready for presents?" he asked me enthusiastically and I rolled my eyes.

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"You will be receiving gifts from not only me, but the rest of the family as well." He grinned, "I know, it's a terrible thought." He mock shuddered, "I mean, people actually giving you things."

I glared at him, although I was fighting a smile, "You're lucky Christmas has me in a good mood otherwise I'd get you for that. I guess I don't mind presents on Christmas." I admitted, "But that's not an excuse to go overboard!"

He chuckled and kissed me briefly, "Go and shower and I'll make us some hot chocolate."

I smiled and practically ran to the shower; I'd discovered a few days ago that the man made the most divine hot chocolate I'd ever tasted in my life! I heard Edward's chuckle follow me as I closed the bathroom door.

He was waiting for me, mug in hand, when I got out of the shower and ventured into the living room.

I eagerly took it from him and cautiously took a sip, careful not to burn my tongue.

"Mmm." I moaned, "Damn this stuff is good." Edward smiled almost smugly.

"You didn't spend too much on me, did you?" I couldn't help asking, timidly as I stared at the brightly coloured parcels under the tree.

Edward grinned, "Don't you know it's rude to ask the price of your gifts." He teased and I rolled my eyes.

"Okay okay, I'll stop complaining." I was looking forward to opening the gifts now, although I wouldn't admit that to him.

Edward sat down and pulled me down so I was sitting sideways on his lap.

In all, he'd got me thoughtful, useful gifts that just proved how well he knew me. I'd got him a couple of things as well, including an apron- as a joke- that said 'kiss the cook'. He'd laughed appreciatively at that one.

"Thank you for my gifts." I said sincerely, looking around at various books, CD's and other goods littering the floor. It made me feel so touched that he'd made an effort in not making me feel uncomfortable with gifts that were too outrageous. All I really needed from him was his love.

"You're very welcome." he smiled, "But there's one more." He leaned forward and grabbed a tiny gold box still left under the tree- I hadn't even noticed it- and gave it to me.

I gasped when I saw what was inside and I looked to him as I fingered the delicate object. Edward was smiling at me as he reached out to touch the base of my neck where the end of my mom's gold necklace laid.

"I hope you like it." He said, "It's something I wanted to give you for awhile. For your chain."

I smiled widely and tossed my arms around my neck, "It's beautiful, thank you."

He gently took the stunning diamond, heart pendant from the box- I noticed how the many facets seemed to glimmer in the light- and lovingly attached it to my necklace. I felt tears come to my eyes and Edward gently ran a finger over the skin under my eye. I could tell he understood the emotions causing my tears.

"I love you. You have my heart." He said, smiling a little.

I chuckled softly at his bad joke and leaned in to kiss him passionately, communicating with my lips how much I loved and appreciated him. How had I ended up with such a wonderful man?

*****

"Merry Christmas Bella!" Alice sang as we were led inside the house. She was in a fantastically good mood.

"Merry Christmas." I chucked as I watched her bounce across the living room to rejoin Jasper on the couch.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Alice." Edward commented dryly from next to me, making me giggle.

"Sorry big brother." She said with a grin, "Merry Christmas."

The rest of the family joined us then and we all exchanged hugs and well wishes, as well as receiving more presents- which of all of them I loved- but Emmett's had to be noted above the rest:

"You didn't." I groaned as I unwrapped one of my brother's gifts to me and held up the pair of lacy blue underwear, turning bright red.

Alice grimaced, "Mine are yellow. He gave underwear to everyone, Bella, don't feel alone. Even mom and dad. The guys got boxers."

I couldn't help laughing and shaking my head. Only Emmett.

"It was meant as a joke." He defended himself but then grinned cheekily, "How you use them is not something I want to know…and of course Rose got something more…extravagant than all of you." He boasted and I made a pretence of covering my ears and shuddering.

Then I heard Edward groan and laugh from next to me as he too opened his gift to find a pair of boxers with red apples all over them. His eyes were sparkling with amusement when he lifted them to show the room.

"Sexy." I teased him, causing a small amount of colour to touch his cheeks.

I saw Esme roll her eyes at our antics and stand, "Maybe we should go and eat lunch." She shot an amused look to Emmett, shaking her head as we followed her to the dining room, laughing and joking the whole way.

I saw Edward smirk when I opted for some grape juice to drink with our dinner and I couldn't help rolling my eyes, "I still have that ruined shirt, by the way." I said with a chuckle, "And I can't believe you're going to remember that night every time we have grape juice."

His smirk immediately disappeared and he bent his head to whisper in my ear, "It was the night I met you." He murmured, "I'm going to remember it forever."

I turned to face him with a smile and a quick kiss before we threw ourselves into the conversation around the rest of the table.

I sighed happily. This is where I wanted to be. With Edward by my side and a warm, crazy family that would give something as strange as underwear to me for Christmas, because I finally knew now, how it felt to be loved. The sunrise in my life had risen, and I hoped it would stay up forever.

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