Good Morning, Darlings!

We loved seeing your sock photos on Facebook yesterday!

We also have a batch of Christmas Cards that will be hitting the post office today! If you'd like to receive one, make sure you PM us or send Ariel a message on FB.

Thank you so much to Fran for Beta work, and to Gemma and Pamela for pre-reading!

Chapter 3: It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

December 3, Friday

Seattle, Washington

Bella

This time of year is always tough. I love Christmas; the celebration of joy, hope and love, but the traffic is terrible, and for some reason, emergency room visits tend to skyrocket.

Tis the season to be a dumbass, apparently.

Even the pediatric ward in the ER where I work gets busier. Kids are coming in with broken bones from slipping on ice, seasonal colds, and flu, and of course, the cold air that makes asthma flare-up. Most of my days, there aren't extreme emergencies, for which I'm grateful, but it doesn't mean I'm not busy.

I head home after another twelve-hour shift, and I'm more than ready to stuff my face with whatever food I can reach before crashing on my sofa. It's my favorite place to pass out, and it's the place I've been dreaming of for the last four hours.

After fighting traffic, I make it back to my apartment, dragging my ass upstairs. On my way, I see my building manager putting up some twinkling lights in our lobby, and I stop to admire them. They really are so beautiful.

Seeing the lights brightens my spirits. Though I'm still exhausted, I head to my apartment a little happier.

When I finally get through the front door, I immediately shed my clothes, kicking them into a pile before heading into my room. I grab a baggy shirt an ex-boyfriend left years ago and pull it on before heading to the kitchen. I grab a frozen dinner from the freezer and toss it into the microwave before retrieving my phone from my purse. I have a few texts and one call. The texts are mostly from Alice, asking for advice about wedding details, and I promise myself I'll answer her once I'm stuffing my face. I hit the voicemail and turn to lean against the counter.

"Hey, Bells. It's dad." He pauses, and I smile. He's so awkward on the phone. "I, uh, I was wondering what your plan was for this year. I know we talked about you coming to Forks, but I want to know what you're thinking now that we're closer. Give me a call. Love you."

I've never heard my dad leave a non-nervous voicemail. It makes me want to smile, just a little bit.

I don't bother deleting the voicemail, hitting the call button right away. Dad picks up on the second ring.

"This is Charlie."

No matter how many times I tell him he doesn't have to answer the phone like that—caller ID is a wonderful invention—he never listens.

"This is Bella," I say in a mock-serious voice. Dad snorts.

"Smartass," he grumbles. I laugh.

"Hi, Dad. I just got your voicemail."

Dad grunts. "Do you know your plans?"

The microwave beeps, so I turn to pull out my meal. I drag it onto the counter with my fingertips, letting the steam billow out while I go get a fork. "Yeah, I just talked to Alice yesterday. She and Jasper are running a Toys for Tots drive through the school. She said there are some bigger item things that no one's been able to supply. I thought I might chip in."

I wrap my nuked dinner in a towel and pick it up. I grab a beer on my way, resting my phone between my shoulder and ear before flopping myself down on the sofa. "But the drive ends on the seventeenth, so I was going to come out for a couple of days, drop the toys off, help her with some wedding things before heading back here. I've cleared my schedule, though, from the 21st until January 2, so I'll come out then."

Dad's quiet after my long rant. "Okay," he says slowly. "So, should I expect you sooner than the 21st?"

I jab my fork into my lasagna. "Yeah, I'll stop by when I drop off the toys. I might end up crashing on Alice's sofa, but I'll let you know."

He clears his throat. "Well, your old bed is still here, whenever you need it."

"Thanks, Dad. Anything I can bring you from Seattle?" I've already bought him some new fishing equipment that is sitting on my floor in the living room, waiting to be wrapped.

"I'll let you know, Bells."

We talk another minute or so before I hear my dad starting to get antsy. I let him go with a promise to bake him some of my famous, pumpkin apple bread the next time I'm in town.

When I'm off the phone, I stuff a massive bite into my mouth, happy that talking on the phone gave me time to let it cool down. I would have absolutely burned my mouth given the opportunity.

I look at the texts from Alice again. One about flowers, the other a list of toys still needed for her toy drive.

I smile as I imagine the kids that will get blessed with toys this year. I can't wait to play Santa.

Tomorrow, lets see your favorite holiday decoration. Is it small enough to sit with you while you read? Is it so big you have to stand a block away to photograph it? It can be in your home, your community, wherever!

Again, if you'd like to receive a Christmas Card, just reach out to us! We can't wait to send them!

See you loves tomorrow!