Rosalie and Ben come over for dinner and a gift exchange since they leave in the morning for her parents in Rochester. She couldn't get off today, but they're staying there until New Year's. Emmett said she's nervous because they weren't the most understanding about her moving across the country, but she promised to make the trip before she moved here.

I hug them both before going into the kitchen to finish up dinner. Rose follows me while Emmett entertains Ben in the living room.

"Damn, Bella, you're going to make me gain ten pounds." She laughs, looking at the copious amount of cookies and other baked goods on the counter.

It's a good thing this isn't a tiny kitchen, let's just say. She grabs one of Emmett's misshapen trees and cocks her brow.

I sigh. "I let Emmett help. He sucks at cookie cutting, just so you know."

"I'll keep that in mind. So, what can I help with?"

I shake my head. "You're a guest. Just enjoy your evening with Emmett. Wine is in the fridge," I say as the doorbell rings again. "I wonder who that is."

Emmett meets me in the foyer, looking sheepish. "Sorry, I forgot to mention I just invited Edward about an hour ago. He asked how you were, and I figured since he's alone, might as well have him come over too."

"Yeah," I say quickly as I open the door and smile.

Fuck, he looks good.

He's wearing my favorite red and black flannel and jeans that are perfectly worn. His beard is trimmed but longer again since he shaved before my failed transplant. I just want to greet him with a long kiss, but with Emmett beside me, it's not exactly possible.

"Hey, come on in. It's good to see you."

"You too, sweetheart." He smiles and goes to shake Emmett's hand. "Thanks for having me over."

He goes with Emmett into the living room while I head back to the kitchen and find Rose with a smirk and a glass of wine.

"Is it awkward being around him and Emmett?" she asks quietly.

"More like frustrating," I say, grabbing the knife to finish chopping up vegetables for the salad. I'm not paying attention as I tell her how hard it is to hide my feelings and suddenly feel a sharp pain on my thumb. "Ah, fuck!"

Blood pours quickly from it, dousing the carrots as Rose grabs the closest towel and wraps it up, holding tight pressure. Seconds later, Emmett and Edward rush in, probably expecting the worst.

"It's just a little cut," I say as Emmett takes my hand from Rose and moves the towel as he frowns.

"Little but deep," he says. "You'll need a few stitches. I have a kit here if you want me to take care of it. Hey, it's like you're a kid again. Edward, I've had to give her stitches four times. She's still a klutz, but it was worse when she was younger."

I narrow my eyes. "I'm bleeding out, and you're making fun of me?"

He chuckles. "You're not going to bleed out from this cut. Can you walk or are you going to pass out on me?"

I'm a little woozy from seeing the blood, which absolutely makes me want to throw up, but I roll my eyes and pull my hand from his. "I'll be fine. But, uh, the salad will not have carrots in it, I'm afraid."

"I think we'll live," Edward says. "Are you sure you're okay? You're pale as a ghost."

"I have a … problem with blood—a faint and throw up kind of problem."

"I'll finish up in here, Bella," Rose says as Emmett leads me away, and Edward follows.

What a wonderful way to start Christmas.

Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.