I told myself I wasn't going to do this.
This chapter is originally what I was going to use as the epilogue, and then I decided against it. But today I was supposed to go ice skating with my husband and our friends, but since I have a cold and it's freezing and windy outside, I stayed home with a cup of hot chocolate and my computer. So you get your extra chapter. Think of it as a late Christmas gift from me.
I had to change it a little bit to correspond with the last chapter, though. But that's okay.
The conditions about the sequel still stand, by the way.
------
BPOV
"Annabelle will be here in a couple minutes." I said, picking the star for our Christmas tree. "Can you give me a boost, sweetie?" I asked Edward, batting my eyelashes at him. He rolled his eyes and pulled me up into his arms, picking me up so that I could reach the top of the tree. I placed the star and connected it to a light, and then Edward put me down. But he didn't remove his arms from around me.
"Merry Christmas." He said, swatting my butt playfully and then ducking his head to kiss me sweetly on the lips.
I giggled and as our kiss broke Edward cradled me against him. "Merry Christmas yourself." I whispered, earning a gentle squeeze. "I can't believe Annabelle is bringing someone home for us to meet." I said suddenly, and Edward stiffened noticeably.
"I know. She's only known the boy for three months." He said gruffly. "Why did she need to bring him across the country to meet us on Christmas? Doesn't he have family of his own? And if they think they'll be sleeping in the same room, they're crazy. I won't-"
"Shh." I interrupted him, placing my index finger against his lips. "He's obviously very important to your daughter, so please be nice. It doesn't matter what's behind the visit- we haven't seen Anna since she started at Dartmouth in September. And as for the room thing, don't worry. I set Annabelle's room up and one of the guestrooms. Annabelle is a good kid, Edward. You just have to trust her with some things." After I finished my little speech, Edward kissed my index finger and then sighed noisily, just as Cameron came into the room.
He was toting his red wagon around, like he had been for days, waiting until he could put all his presents in it. "When will Anna be here?" He asked, dropping the handle to his wagon with a loud clang. "I wanna see Anna."
I walked over to my son and dropped to my knees, ruffling his dark brown hair. "Anna is going in be here in just a couple of minutes, and she's bringing a friend with her." I explained, picking Cameron up and moving from the floor to the couch. Edward walked over and joined us, kissing me on the top of the head as he sat down.
"A friend?" Cameron asked, and I started wiping his face off. I swear, three year old boys are always smeared in something. "Like a boy friend?" His voice and expression were so serious, I had to hold back a laugh.
"Has your daddy been talking to you?" I asked him, shooting Edward a suspicious look. Cameron just shrugged and giggled, smiling at his father. "Well, yes. Annabelle is bringing a boy home for us to meet." I said, just as the doorbell rang. "That's them!" I said, and Edward scooped Cameron up into his arms and followed me to the door.
I opened the door eagerly and Annabelle immediately hugged me, and I relaxed a little when I smelled her familiar sweet perfume. "I missed you." Annabelle whispered in my ear, squeezing me one more time before hugging Edward and Cameron. A tall, blonde boy stood meekly in the doorway, and I smiled kindly, gesturing for him to come in so that I could close the door.
"Dad, Bella, this is Derek." Annabelle said, linking arms with the boy and smiling widely. "Derek, this is my dad and my stepmom."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen." He said formally, shaking each of our hands.
"Edward and Bella, please." I said, and nudged Edward in the ribs. He smiled, but I could tell he was still brooding over the fact that his little girl was bringing home boys.
Cameron, who was still in Edward's arms, leaned over and yanked on my sleeve. "Mommy, do I get to meet the boy?" He asked loudly, and Annabelle laughed.
"Sorry, Cam. I forgot about you. "Cameron, this is Derek. And Derek, this is my little brother Cameron.
"It's very nice to meet you." Cameron said seriously, extending his hand like Edward and I had done, and Derek laughed, but shook Cameron's little hand.
I shook my head and smiled at my son, who obviously took after his father. "Why don't we go into the kitchen?" I suggested. "Lunch should be ready."
We all walked into the kitchen, and I shrugged at Edward. "Not bad, right?" I whispered in his ear, referring to Derek." Edward just sighed quietly, and I rolled my eyes at him. "Be nice." I whispered in a warning tone, the one I usually reserved for reprimanding Cameron. "You guys can all just sit down, and I'll get lunch." I said, pointing towards the table as I moved towards the oven to get the chicken.
"How's school going?" Edward asked, putting Cameron's booster seat down and helping Cameron climb up into it before sitting down himself.
"Good!" Annabelle said, taking a drink of water. When I walked around the kitchen to get a hot pad, I noticed that Derek and Annabelle were holding hands under the table. "I have some really good teachers, and my roommate is pretty nice."
"What about you, Derek? You are in school, aren't you?" Edward asked, and I stifled a laugh. Obviously, Edward did not like his poor guy. At least not yet; he would warm up to him eventually.
I didn't bother to listen as the three of them, and occasionally Cameron, talking more while I finished up with dinner. By the time I served the chicken, I noticed that Derek was a little pale and Edward looked very pleased with himself. Annabelle, however, was biting her lip and kept shooting nervous glances to her boyfriend and then to her father. "Hey, Annabelle, can you help me with the rice really fast?" I asked, and Annabelle looked at me curiously as she got up.
As we stood towards the far end of the kitchen over the pan of rice, I touched Annabelle's arm reassuringly and lowered my voice. "Anna, your father is just being overprotective. Once he realizes Derek is a nice guy, he'll back off."
"I hope so." Annabelle whispered, glancing over her shoulder quickly. "Oh God, I shouldn't have left them alone together!" She hissed, and hurried back to the table. I followed behind her with the rice.
Dinner progressed better after that. Edward let down his protectiveness a little bit and when he did, I think he realized the Derek actually was a nice kid. Smart, attractive, interesting, nice, and obviously head over heels for Annabelle.
Because that's all we can ever really hope for, isn't it? That your daughter will find a boy that might actually deserve her, at least a little bit? Annabelle was a beautiful young woman, she was very smart, and the sweetest girl I knew. She wasn't naïve like I had been, and had a good head on her shoulders. Despite how Edward, Rosalie, and I all wanted to baby her, Annabelle could take care of herself.
We all have our faults, big and small. Edward is overprotective, I am too trusting, Rosalie is hardheaded, Charlie is hard to please, Renée is disagreeing, but Annabelle…she gives her heart away too easily. But judging by the way Derek was looking at her, we didn't have anything to worry about. Edward and I still look at each other with those eyes, and we've been married for four years.
And the eyes don't lie.
-----
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas treat!
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie
