Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. I'm just playing around in New Moon with Rosalie.

Well, it's Saturday somewhere...

What Have We Done?

Chapter 38

We emerge from the truck and shiver against the cold. And I cannot speak for Bella, but I feel lighter than I have since...

Well, since before we knew she existed.

Bella stuffs her hands in her pockets as we head toward the tree lot entrance. "Have you ever done this before?"

"No. Usually Ali... uh, someone else in the family selects the tree."

"It's okay." She looks away. "You don't have to avoid talking about your family. You must miss them a lot."

"Not as much as you might think. I mean, of course I miss Emmett and Esme because they're just... them. But I cannot tell you the last time I had an opportunity to be truly alone. It's rather refreshing."

"Even though you have to deal with me?"

I put my arm around her, startling us both. "I think I'll survive."

Before us is an assortment of lush evergreens in every possible shade and size. The Swan residence is a closet compared to the houses I usually occupy, but I determine to find something beautiful. With Bella already a high school senior, this may well be her last Christmas with Charlie.

And considering everything that's happened this year, they could really use some holiday cheer.

Bella blinks at the array of trees. "I didn't know there'd be so many."

"Picking the right tree is a delicate science, or so I've been told." I scoff at the memory of Alice's lengthy thoughts on the subject. "Almost like picking a wedding dress."

"A fashion reference?" Bella shakes her head. "Did you forget who you were talking to?"

A bark of a laugh escapes me, causing nearby shoppers to look our way. Bella covers her mouth, but I can see the mirth in her eyes. "My bad," I reply.

For the first half hour or so, Bella and I hardly pay the trees any attention. I mean, I've been living in one for the past week, and she's a desert-and-dirt girl at heart. But the atmosphere itself is intoxicating, reminding me of everything worth loving during the holidays:

The bouncy carols playing on the PA system.

The excited salespeople who only get to do this once a year.

The cheery children sipping hot cocoa while their parents debate branch density.

And the hopeful look in a brown-haired girl's eyes as she strolls along, looking to make yet another choice.

"So how do I do this?" she asks. "What does Al... I mean, how does Alice usually go about it?"

"Her system is so elaborate and whimsical I don't even think she understands it." I caress the branches of a nearby eleven-foot Virginia pine. "But she did say that... oh, crap."

Bella looks at me. "What?"

I wince, hating myself for not thinking this through. "When, uh... when we lived in Forks, she placed a permanent embargo on spruce trees."

"Why?"

"Because they have the sharpest needles," I mutter. "And she didn't want you to cut your finger."

"Oh." Bella's cheeks redden, and she turns away. "That... that was nice of her."

"Yeah. So we know to stay away from those."

"Right."

The mood between us cools a bit but hasn't yet soured. So I hurry to the first non-spruce I see, refusing to dwell in the past. "What about this one?"

Bella shakes her head. "Too wide. And way too tall."

"Fair enough." I walk to another one nearby. "This one is a lot smaller."

"It really is." She shakes her head. "It's like that poor little Charlie Brown tree."

"Maybe it just needs a little love," I say, quoting the blanket-toting kid from the cartoon.

"Maybe we all do," Bella murmurs, moving on to the next tree. "This one is nice."

"It's an eight-foot Balsam fir."

Bella leans in and inhales. "That smells amazing."

"You wanna get it?"

"I think..." Her nose wrinkles, and she releases a loud, sloppy sneeze. "I think maybe one a little less fragrant."

"Or maybe one you don't stick your whole face in."

She rolls her eyes, and I laugh as she heads in another direction, assessing the offerings as she goes.

"Too short... not enough branches... not enough color... too belongs-in-a-horror-movie... ooh!" Bella stops in front of a gorgeous Fraser fir. "This one is perfect."

"These are my favorite too." I take a deep breath, the familiar aroma soothing my soul. "Ah, but it's an eleven-footer."

"Crap." Bella frowns. "Do you see another one like it?"

I scan the opposite end of the lot, my keen eyesight reading the tags with ease. "Bam! Found one."

"Really?" Bella's eyes light up. "Go claim it before someone else does."

"I'm on it!"

I stop short of using vampire speed and power-walk across the lot, grinning like an idiot when I reach the desired tree. I'm just about to flag down a red-vested tree lot attendant when the sound of a familiar voice reaches my ears, making my frozen skin crawl.

Damn. I should have known this would happen.

Hmmm... I wonder who this could be.

Thanks for reading—see you Sunday! XOXO