CHAPTER 21

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

It's a wonderful feeling (hey, yeah, yeah)

Feel the love in the room

From the floor to the ceiling

It's that time of year

Christmas time is here

And with the blessings from above

God sends you his love

And everything's okay

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Bella and Alice were just finishing wrapping presents. It was Saturday night, with Christmas around the corner coming next Sunday. School would be closing for the holiday season after Wednesday, returning back after the New Year on Wednesday, January 3rd. Alice and Bella spent all Saturday shopping before Charlie allowed Bella to spend the night since he was working late. Bella of course hid Alice's gifts from her, while Alice did the same. Charlie was down 2 officers, one with the flu, and another whose wife gave birth a week earlier, but hospitalized, so the officer had to take care of his newborn child. Charlie being the Chief of Police took over double shifts so the police department wasn't short. And because Charlie wasn't going to be home most of the time, he allowed Bella to stay over the Cullen house.

Alice was dressed in a white peasant top with ruffled sleeves, off green corduroy pants and brown ankle booties. Bella was dressed in a simple brown sweater, blue denim jeans and gray sneakers. She was tired after a full day with Alice shopping. Wednesday, once school is on break, they would check out Outlets Collection, a shopping center just outside Seattle, after spending the day at the grand mall called Pacific Place in Seattle.

"You sure Emmett is going to like my gifts?"

"Are you kidding me," Alice said holding Bella's finger in place so she could make a ribbon bow over her wrapped Christmas presents. Alice wanted to wrap the gifts. Bella could admit, Alice was the better gift wrapper. They had Christmas music blasting from Alice's record player. The song, "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by N Sync playing. Across the hall, the boys were playing video games. "I know he doesn't look like one that loves to read, but if it's sports related stories, my cousin will read it ten times over like you do with Wuthering Heights or Romeo and Juliet. He's going to love those books."

"Alice, did you take all the gold striped ribbon?" Rosalie said coming into Alice's bedroom to find Alice and Bella on the ground wrapping presents together. "Oh, you're here."

"Hello to you too, Rosalie," Bella said. Alice is so proud that Bella was done with Rosalie's attitude against her and Edward's relationship. Bella held her head high around Rosalie.

Esme stood in the hallway out of sight from Edward and Bella sitting at the island. It was 2 weeks after the almost tragic fall from the window incident. Edward did bruise his shoulder a bit from the fall and was a little sore, but still able to make it to all his basketball practices and play the game. Edward and Bella were sitting close together with 2 cartons of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. One was a low fat yogurt version of "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" ice cream and the second one was a regular version. Esme couldn't help but smile at the couple. How they were staring into each other's eyes, while feeding the other ice cream. She did hate they were possibly ruining their appetite before dinner by eating ice cream first.

"I told you that low fat is crap," Bella said, digging a spoon into her carton. Dinner wouldn't be ready for another hour or so since Esme hadn't started it yet, but Edward wanted a sweet snack.

"It's not terrible," Edward said, taking another spoonful of his low fat ice cream.

His hand was at Bella's side, just under her shirt, with a few fingers down her pants. Edward needed physical contact. He needed to feel her skin. When Edward wasn't caressing Bella's face or holding hands, his hand was on her back under her shirt, or at her side on her hip. Bella warmed as Edward caressed the skin of her waist, his fingers tickling her hip beneath the pants. Their sex lives was hard to come by these days with the constant oversight of Charlie in their lives. They were able to sneak in as many kisses as they wanted during school hours.

"I would definitely buy it again."

"Sure." Edward reached into Bella's carton for his next spoonful. Bella shook her head. "I love you." Edward leaned over and kissed Bella's cold lips. He didn't want to admit it, her ice cream did taste creamer. His was more airy of a frozen yogurt than normal ice cream. Rosalie walked into the kitchen. She flicked her teeth in disgust. Edward let out a groan before briefly turning his head to see Rosalie standing in the kitchen.

"What do you want Rosalie?" Edward said, turning his attention back to Bella. Bella gave him a small smile.

"Sorry to burst your love bubble, but I'm helping Mom make dinner tonight for my Home Ec class." Rosalie went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.

"Why don't we finish this upstairs?" Edward said standing up. He gave Bella a kiss before standing up.

"You two are not allowed in your bedroom alone," Rosalie said.

"Ok Mother, I wasn't going to my bedroom to be alone with Bella. Bella loves the library," Edward said putting the tops on their ice cream cartons. Esme walked into the kitchen.

"I hope you two aren't ruining your dinner appetite."

"No way Mom," Edward said.

"Never Mrs. Cullen. I can't wait for dinner."

"It's Esme Bella, please call me Esme."

"Right, sorry Esme."

"Come on Bella," Edward said, taking her hand to leave the kitchen.

"Are we just going to ignore the fact that Bella's father shoved Edward out of a window and nearly killed him?" Rosalie asked.

"He didn't shove me!" Edward cried out.

"Pushed, shoved! Same thing. You could have died!"

"Broken a leg. Maybe an arm?"

"This is not funny! How could you allow them to stay together mother! She was in a mental hospital! She's crazy!"

"She is not crazy!" Edward yelled.

"Oh yes, because sane people go to mental hospitals! How do we know she won't crack on us? Attack us like her father tried to kill you! She's crazy!"

"Rosalie!" Esme yelled. "You are never call Bella crazy in this house ever again! Apologize now!"

"I will not."

"It's fine," Bella said. "Let's just go to the library."

"Do not ever call her crazy again!" Edward said, stepping up into Rosalie's face. Bella pulled on Edward's arm to force him back a bit.

"Or what?" Rosalie asked.

"Or I will…"

"Edward! Rosalie! Enough! You will not speak to each other like this in my house! You are family!"

"Family!" Edward and Rosalie said in disgust. Edward huffed.

"Apologize to Bella and Edward right now Rosalie," Esme said.

"Why should I Mom?"

"Because you are sorry for you cruel words towards Bella. And because I told you to apologize. Now apologize to Bella and Edward, Rosalie or you are grounded for more than 2 weeks."

"Wait, I'm grounded?" Rosalie asked.

"Yes for 2 weeks. Now, apologize Rosalie! Or it will be a month."

"Sorry.."

"Mean it., Rosalie Lillian Hale Cullen." Rosalie sighed.

"I am sorry Bella," Rosalie said looking into Bella's eyes. "I am sorry Edward," Rosalie glared. Bella could have sworn Edward's eyes were blazing as his nostrils flared.

"It's fine," Bella said, gripping Edward's hand. "Right Edward. It's fine."

"Do not ever call my Bella crazy again." Edward pulled on Bella, taking her with him as they walked out the kitchen and away from toxic Rosalie. Esme sighed as Rosalie stormed away to her bedroom as well.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Rosalie, I left the other wrapper paper and ribbon downstairs. This is my own supply that I am sharing with Bella." Bella shook her head off her flashback. The first time she witnessed Edward and Rosalie going at each other. It was scary. Over dinner, there was so much awkward silence. Bella would grab Edward's hand every time he tensed up at Rosalie's snide off hand comments. She tried to reduce the stress, but Rosalie wasn't letting up.

"I just need a little gold ribbon to finish up my wrapping," Rosalie said.

"Well, if you just joined us early then maybe…"

"Alice, just give me some damn ribbon."

"Sorry, Bella and I used the last of it on Edward's present. Here is some red," Alice said.

"My wrapping paper is red polka dots! I need a gold ribbon!"

"Check downstairs. There might be a roll down there! I am sure I saw plenty of green and white too. Or how about go buy your own ribbon." Bella chuckled.

"Gosh, you are such a…" Rosalie started to get mad.

"Here is some leftover gold ribbon," Bella said, holding it up for Rosalie. Rosalie rolled her eyes but took it. She went to walk out the room.

"You could say thanks Bella!" Alice said. Rosalie shook her head. She slammed her door.

"You're welcome!" Bella yelled. Alice chuckled causing Bella to smile. Rosalie could be heard letting out a scream. "Is she forever going to be a bitch to me?"

"Rosalie was born on her period." Bella chuckled. "She gives the term Ice Queen a whole different level. But it's not cool. I'm going to tell Mother…"

"Alice, please don't. It's fine," Bella said.

"No, it's not. You are in Edward's life. Forever. She needs to get over herself and accept it."

Bella noticed snow falling on her way back in Alice's bedroom after getting ready for bed. She smiled.

"Is that snow?" Bella asked.

"Oh no! Why didn't I see that?" Alice yelled. "If it sticks, we can't go shopping tomorrow!" Alice whined, even though Bella was done with her list after all day today. She might pick up a few extra gifts for her father for being nice about ungrounding her and letting her spend nights with Cullens. Alice had already changed into a white PJ top with hot pink VS "PINK" booty shorts. Bella was dressed in an old pink t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Alice groaned when Bella appeared in her PJ's. "How are you supposed to turn Edward on in those!"

"Alice, that's your brother!"

"Well, when you say twin that does make it yucky!"

"Hey did you see the snow?!" Edward said coming into Alice's bedroom with snowflakes sprinkled in his hair.

"Yeah." Edward knew how much Bella loves snow. Too young to remember snow in Forks, being in sunny states like Florida, California, and Arizona, Bella never got to see snow in person. Forks isn't a very snowy city by any winter standards. It will rain more than snow, especially that constant drizzle during the wet season, but every now and then, the area gets hit with enough snow to blanket the town and shut down the streets. Tonight looks like the beginning of one of those days.

"Wanna go play in it?" Edward asked.

"Of course!" Bella rushed to slip on some boots.

"I guess I can get Mom to open the shop for us. We are supposed to receive some nice dresses in stock tomorrow. Maybe we can find your dresses there tomorrow for the Yule Ball." Alice had some ideas already for Bella's dresses to wear, she just needed to see Bella in them.

"Yeah sure! That's fine!" Bella yelled racing out the bedroom behind Edward. Both happy to have fun in the snow. The first time Bella saw snow was in Seattle during the winter last year. It was so beautiful, even from being inside a mental hospital. She pulled her hair into a messy ponytail. Edward held his navy blue winter jacket for Bella to slip on. He loved this jacket to keep his core warm and comfort when temperatures drop. Edward knew it would be great for Bella.

Edward and Bella jumped to play in the snow. Emmett, Jasper and Alice joined them with Esme and Carlisle. It was a massive snowball fight. Couples vs couples. Rosalie was being anti-social, though watching them from the balcony while sipping on hot tea. During a break, to reload and make more snowballs, Edward turned away only to get a snowball in the face. Alice, Jasper, and Emmett hollered, as Bella got him good.

"You are supposed to be on my side!" Bella chuckled. Edward chased after her. Bella loved how Edward dragged her around on a sled. Alice and Bella were able to sneak up behind Emmett and get him good, while Jasper and Edward got the girls back in honor of the boy code. Esme and Carlisle went back inside to make hot chocolate and cookies when the kids are done playing.

Bella was giggling as Edward tried to dump snow down Bella's pants. She was able to tackle Edward to the ground and pile snow over his face. Edward looked up as Bella sat there, straddling his waist. Her face was blushed, very red cheeks and nose. Edward placed his hands at her hips.

"You done?"

"Almost." Bella grabbed another handful of snow and dropped it into his face. Edward chuckled. She leaned down and kissed Edward.

"I love you," Bella said.

"I love you more." Edward cupped Bella's face and kissed her. Edward and Bella were kissing passionately as snow was falling around them.