I've never been so nervous to meet someone's parents. Like, I could throw up I'm so nervous—or that could be the headache that won't go away. I just want Dr. and Mrs. Cullen to like me, and I'm terrified they'll be upset their son has fallen in love with a pregnant woman. What if they think I'm just after his money? He is a successful doctor, after all. Or what if they think I just want a baby daddy?
Shit.
This is absolutely nerve wracking, and I still have a few minutes before we leave.
"Are you sure I look okay?" I ask, looking in the mirror by the front door again.
Edward comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me as his lips press against my neck. "You look stunning, beautiful. They love you already, so stop fretting."
I sigh. "I'm eight months pregnant, and you're not the biological father. What if they think I'm using you?"
He shakes his head. "They don't. You have a successful career, and you were prepared to be a single mom. They think you're amazing—just like I do. Now, let's head out, okay? Where are the cupcakes?"
"Fridge."
He kisses my cheek before going to grab the box while I wrap a scarf around my neck and pull on my coat. The forecast is calling for some snow, which makes me happy. It won't be much, but I don't care. There's something so special about a white Christmas.
We head out to Edward's car and start the twenty-minute drive to his parents. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but when the trees clear and their house comes into view, I'm awestruck. It's massive and modern, mostly covered in windows.
"Holy crap, Edward."
He chuckles. "Yeah, I know. It's a bit much, but Mom designed it as her dream home."
"It's gorgeous!"
"My mom will love to hear that. Are you ready to meet them? They're waiting by the door already," he says as he pulls up.
I see them through the glass, holding each other as they watch us. Edward grabs the cupcakes and the bag with gifts, and then gets my door for me, holding my hand as we walk up the few steps to the front door. When we walk through, his mom instantly steps forward and wraps her arms around me, surprising me.
"Oh, it's so good to finally meet you, Bella," she says warmly as she pulls back. She's smiling brightly, and I'm struck by how much Edward looks like her. Same hair, same eyes, same nose. "You're glowing."
I feel my blush spread across my cheeks. "Thank you, Mrs. Cullen. Your house is so lovely."
"It's just Esme, dear, and thank you. This is my husband Carlisle."
He steps forward, embracing me gently. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Bella. Edward has told us so much."
"Good things, I hope," I say, and they both laugh.
"Great things," Carlisle says.
"It's really great to finally meet you both. Merry Christmas. I brought cupcakes; they're red velvet."
Edward holds up the box, and then hugs his parents before we follow them into a living room. It's gorgeously decorated with a massive tree by the back window. The backyard view is absolutely breathtaking too. They have a creek running through the woods and a beautifully intricate gazebo.
"Dinner will be ready soon," Esme says, motioning for us to sit down. "So, Bella, Edward told us you're an editor. I bet that's fascinating!"
I nod, taking a seat while Edward puts the gifts under the tree. "I mostly work on historical fiction and non-fiction. It's great. I can work from home, which will make it easier once she comes."
"And what do we call her?"
"I haven't told anyone her name yet, in case it doesn't fit. I'm worried she'll look nothing like what I picked. I've been calling her my tiny human."
She laughs softly, nodding. "I like that. You're due soon, aren't you?"
"Less than four weeks now."
"I'm going to be forward, but may I?" She holds her hand out tentatively, and I quickly take it, pressing it to my side where the tiny human is kicking. Esme grins. "Oh, she's active. Alice was like that. Edward had me terrified because he hardly moved at all. I'd make Carlisle check his heartbeat."
"I bought a Doppler to listen to her," Edward says, looking like a proud father. "She has the most beautiful heartbeat."
"I'm sure it sounds like every other heartbeat." I laugh.
"I have to thank you, Bella," Carlisle says. "Edward has never been happier. You and that little girl are all he talks about."
I smile. "We think he's pretty special too. You both have raised an amazing son. I mean, not many people would share their dinner with a pregnant stranger."
They both laugh, and Esme says, "We've heard the story. I raised my son right, let's just say. If he'd turned you away, I would have smacked him upside the head."
"It was your recipe, so thank you for teaching it to him it. She loves when he makes it."
She grins. "Good, because I made it tonight."
"That's what smells so amazing! You're amazing, Esme. Thank you."
"I know it's not a traditional Christmas dinner, but I knew you liked it. It should be almost done, so I'm going to check on it."
When she leaves the room, Carlisle asks Edward about his work, and Edward asks the same. Carlisle mostly does volunteer work now, but used to be a trauma surgeon. He spends most of his time in a free clinic and does some work on the reservation.
"Do you know Billy Black?" I ask. "He lives there, and he's a good friend of my father's."
Carlisle nods. "The name rings a bell. What a small world, hmm? Now, Bella, tell me more about you. Are you close with your parents? Do they live close by?"
"My father and I are extremely close; he's always been my rock. He's the chief of police in Forks, so if you get a speeding ticket there, just let me know." I laugh softly.
He chuckles, nodding. "That's good to know! And your mother?"
"She lives in Florida. We've not been that close since I moved in with my dad when I was sixteen. My mom's a little … flighty, I guess you could say, while my dad, Charlie, has always been there for me."
He nods. "I understand. Tell me about your little girl. Are you ready for her?"
"Well, I have all the stuff, but I don't know. Can you really be ready for something you've never done?"
"True. Esme and I were a bit lost with Edward, so we thought we were ready for Alice. They always say the first one is good and tricks you into having more. That couldn't be more true. Alice was our wild child. Nothing could have prepared us for her. While Edward rarely cried, Alice always screamed."
"God, I hope she's like Edward then."
"She will be," Edward says, smiling. "She's going to be perfect."
Carlisle looks at his son lovingly and smiles when Edward rubs my bump. "Thank you, Bella."
I cock my head. "What for?"
"For giving us our son back. After Kate … he changed, but it's amazing to see him with you. I often wondered if he'd ever give his heart to someone else, but it seems he was waiting for you."
"She changes everything," Edward says, grinning.
I don't own Twilight.
Thank you, Ashley for prereading and Alice's White Rabbit for beta'ing!
