Chapter 49 – Hand-me-downs

Bella

I was so tired after the party at the Cullen's that I fell asleep in the car. I didn't remember Edward lifting me out of the car and bringing me into the house. And I certainly didn't remember how I had gotten into my nightgown. I had been too dead to the world to even know if Edward liked the surprise I had arranged, while we had been at the party. Some of the officers who had been watching the house had been more than happy to help me out.

I really wasn't awake yet, as it was only six o'clock, and I was trying to pull the pillow up closer to me. I was reaching down to get a better hold when I realized I wasn't manipulating my pillow at all. My head shot up to see Edward grinning back at me, obviously enjoying being groped by me while I slept. I flushed bright red and sat up, not yet realizing my nightgown had slid down my shoulder again, giving Edward a show.

"Merry Christmas to me!" Edward snickered, and I looked down to see I was uncovered. I quickly resituated my gown, vowing to get some that stayed up better. Edward groaned, and I was not sure if he was more pleased or frustrated. "You're killing me, Bella."

"I hope you enjoyed that sneak preview, because that's all you're getting until our wedding night," I giggled, as we slipped into each other's arms.

"By the way, darling, how did my wardrobe end up over there?" he asked, grinning and pointing to the antique cabinet he had bought for his coats to clear the closet for easier passage. "Last I recall, it was downstairs in my apartment."

"I had a little help from some friends on the police force. Besides, the closet in here is kind of full, and you needed someplace for your clothes, didn't you?" I asked innocently. "You'll also find the rest of your clothes folded into Poppa's chest over there," I pointed to the large antique chest of drawers that had been Poppa's since he and Grammy had first gotten married. Edward pulled me into a tender embrace, and I could tell he was happy. "I hope you like my surprise. Merry Christmas, Edward. I love you, more than you'll ever know."

Mom and dad were due to arrive early to share Christmas morning with us, so we had to hurry to get dressed. Christmas morning in the Swan household usually consisted of mom trying to pretend Santa had been there, so I wondered how she was going to pull it off this year. She had always claimed that he had left a huge mess of Santa's Magic Dust everywhere while delivering our gifts. Superfine sparkly gold dust would be dropped everywhere Santa had been…from the fireplace, past the cookie plate, and all over the tree and gifts.

I had actually believed her until I was almost eleven, because of the way she had fussed and ranted about having to clean it up. Then, one day, I found the tube of gold glitter, and her ruse was blown. When confronted, she had just shrugged at me and shook her head, but it never stopped her from continuing to do it. Some traditions just died hard. I was looking forward to using it on our kids someday.

I was just straightening up my room when the doorbell rang. Edward answered it, and I heard my mom's voice from the living room as they came in. "Merry Christmas, Edward, you look absolutely radiant. Engagement must be good for you!" she said warmly.

I heard her coming up the stairs after Edward and dad went back out to bring in the rest of their luggage and gifts. "Good morning, Bella. Merry Christmas," mom called, as she walked into my bedroom. I was just finishing making the bed when I turned around to see her reaching for the wardrobe. "This is beautiful. Is it new?" she asked, as she grabbed the handle and opened the door.

There were just some looks parents could get on their faces you wished you never had to see, but at the same time, you wished you had a camera rolling to capture. This was one of those times. Seeing Edward's clothes in my room had stunned her momentarily silent. She had to realize it was going to happen eventually, but it didn't mean anything was happening…yet.

After composing herself, mom simply closed the wardrobe and turned to me, smiling tightly. "I need a big cup of coffee, how about you?"

"Sounds like a good idea, Mom," I smiled back at her and headed down to the kitchen. I was sure there would be questions to answer later, but for now, I really just wanted to enjoy the day.

Dad and Edward had brought in the rest of their things. Dad was loaded down with bags, heading for the stairs to go to the guestroom, when I stopped him. "Dad, we've made the apartment into our best guestroom, so why don't you and mom stay in there where you'll have more space?" I winked at Edward, and he grinned.

"Here, Charlie, let me help you with those." Edward grabbed two of the suitcases and led mom and dad toward the open closet door into the apartment. Both were looking questioningly over their shoulders at me, as they followed Edward through the closet.

Edward and I started breakfast, while mom and dad settled in. Dad came out and sat down at the table, a faraway look in his eyes, as he watched us working.

"Bella, honey, you look so much like your Grammy when she was younger. Love suits you, you know," he smiled wistfully, and I noticed he was holding an old journal. "I remembered this the other day and though you should have it now. There's an envelope in the back addressed to you."

He handed me the book, and I sat down across from him for a minute to look at it. As I turned to the back of the book, I noticed a small envelope pressed into the binding. Inside it was a letter and a picture of me and another little boy, neither of us more than five years old. I was holding a bouquet of red roses and grinning, both of us with our front teeth missing. I removed the letter and read the words my grandmother had written just for me.

My precious Bella,

The day this picture was taken, Laurant Dubois, the little boy next door, decided you two were going to get married. He was so sure you were the one, and he followed you everywhere trying to kiss you! The roses you're holding in the picture are from the rosebushes Poppa planted for you when Renee told us you were on your way into the world, and we just knew you'd be a girl. Laurant begged me to let him make you a bouquet from them, so you'd love him forever! I really began to doubt your love for him, though, when you punched him in the stomach for stealing a lick off your ice cream later that day after your "wedding," even after he gave you the red roses that signified eternal love!

My beautiful girl, whether you do grow up to marry Laurant Dubois, or go on to find someone just as handsome as he was without his front teeth, please know that Poppa and I will always be watching over you. You're so much like your father and your Poppa - strong, stubborn to a fault, and so very bright. And you have a heart like no child I have ever seen before. The man who is lucky enough to win your hand is in for a lifetime of love and happiness. Your father was our pride and joy, but you were our life, and you brought life to us in ways we never imagined possible.

Upon your engagement to this wonderful man, your father will be giving you something special from Poppa and me for your wedding, and I promise you that Poppa and I will be there, even if we're not still in this world. I know God is good and would allow us to come. Remember Him, Bella, He's watching over you, too.

Always, my little love,

Grammy

Dad had gone back into the apartment and returned, standing beside me now with a box in one hand and a handkerchief in the other pressed to his nose. "Allergies," he muttered, as he blew his nose and wiped his eyes.

"Yeah, Dad, I know what you mean," I grinned at him, as I was wiping the tears from my face. He sat the satin box in front of me and motioned for me to open it, mostly because he was too choked up to speak. I lifted the hinged lid to find a spectacular strand of real, lustrous pearls, and there was a pair of beautiful matching earrings to go with it.

When dad could finally speak, he said, "The day after that picture was taken, your Grammy and Poppa went and bought these for you for your real wedding. I think they knew they wouldn't be here in person to be with you on your wedding day, so they wanted you to have something from them to let you know they were with you and loved you so much, Bells."

Dad was barely able to finish his sentence. Edward came over and pulled dad into his arms. "Thank you so much, Charlie, I promise to spend the rest of my life making your daughter as happy as she's made me."

I wrapped my arms around my two favorite men, and mom came in and joined the group hug. We were all getting teary-eyed, and for Charlie Swan, that wouldn't do. Embarrassed by all the emotions he normally kept in better check, my dad declared, "Okay, enough of this feelings business. I'm starving. Let's eat!"