Merry Christmas Eve, and this might answer something everyone wants to know!
The engine is as silent as the cabin of Edward's car as he navigates the freshly plowed road. Our fingers are laced on the console between us, but there's a heaviness in the air. It's new and unwelcome, yet I don't know how to fight my way through it.
"It's okay," Edward says softly, his fingers twitching against mine. "I get it if it's too much, but can we not let it ruin our last few days?"
I push out a relieved breath. "I don't want things to be weird."
"Me either." He glances my way, smirking that pretty smirk. "Then allow me to show you around town, Miss Swan."
He lifts my hand and kisses the back before dropping it and opening his door. I didn't even realize we'd parked. Instead of checking out my surroundings, I can only watch him as he jogs around the front of the car.
He's so damn pretty.
"My lady," he says, opening my door and taking my hand. "Welcome to Volturi Valley."
I take his hand and stand, slowly trailing my eyes from his happy, smiling face to the town around me. Quaint buildings line the street, all decorated for the Christmas season. Snow piles line the sidewalks, and various shaped ornaments hang from the light poles. Up ahead is a town square with a huge tree decorated in the center. All of this is nestled among a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.
"It's beautiful," I say, my eyes going back to Edward.
"It's okay." He shrugs, hooking my fingers around his elbow. "But nothing compares to you."
"Edward," I breathe, yearning stabbing me in the gut.
"Shhh." He presses his finger against my lips. "I'll stop. I don't want you to feel pressured, but I need you to understand how serious this is for me."
I kiss his finger and grab his hand. "It's serious for me too."
"Good." He nods once, breathing deeply. "Then, let's have a look around."
The next little while is spent exploring. We start at the end of the row and move from one store to the next. Each one is unique and offers a nice selection of trinkets and unique gifts. I end up purchasing a few things for my friends and something for my mother.
We end up ordering a pizza at a small Italian café and sit at a table by the window so we can watch the sleepy little town bustle about. "You wanna head into the General Store next?" Edward asks, tilting his head toward a corner store across the way. "We can grab some groceries and supplies."
"Sounds good." I shove the last bite of pizza into my mouth and wash it down with Pepsi. "I've had a wonderful time today."
"Really?" He swells with pride. "I'm glad we were able to make it down here. It's definitely worth the visit."
I eye the three slices of leftover pizza. "Do you want to get a to-go box?"
"Nah." He waves me off. "If it's cool, I'd like to leave it with Jane." He nods to the lady behind the counter. "They donate their extra pizza to the needy each evening."
"Wow," I say, touched. "That's amazing."
"It really is." Edward stands, holding out his hand to help me from my seat. Once we're ready to go, he turns toward the counter. "Add our leftovers to the daily haul."
The plump older woman smiles. "Sure will, Edward. Merry Christmas."
The walk to the General Store is brisk, as the sun is close to setting and the wind is picking up. Edward places his arm around me and pulls me tightly against his side. Everything about him is kind and caring. Every move he makes is with me in mind.
A bell rings as we enter, and a little old man stands from his rocking chair behind the counter. "Edward, my boy," he says boisterously. "I hope you had enough supplies. I tried to get Marcus up before Christmas, but the snow kept on a coming."
"It's fine, Aro," Edward responds, rubbing my hands to warm them. "I still have plenty of food left. I'm glad you suggested I stock up."
"I might've had insider knowledge." His twinkling gaze shifts to me. "And you must be Bella Swan."
"Uh …" I'm unsure what to say. "I am, but how would you know that?"
"Oh, that's an easy one, little lady," he says, smirking at Edward, who looks just as confused as me. "Alice called and asked me to stock the place up. She said she had a friend coming who needed some space. Just as I was gathering supplies, lo and behold, in walks Edward. It felt like fate to me, so I let it do its thing." He shifts his eyes to our still connected hands. "Looks like it worked."
Edward returns the nosy old man's smirk, while I stand there too stunned to respond. "It more than worked, Aro. Miss Swan might very well be the love of my life."
"I take it you got rid of those other two interlopers?" he asks, lifting a wrinkly brow. "They smelled like trouble to me."
"You always were perceptive." Edward chuckles, nodding. "Yeah, we got rid of them."
"Looks like my job here is done." The old man beams, brushing his hands together. "I can die a happy man."
Hehehe. Not Alice but meddling Aro from Volturi Valley, who has known E for, we can presume, a long time. He knew Bella would be safe and secure up there with him.
See you one more time :)
