A/N: Hey! sorry for the wait! I just want to thank everyone for the reviews. I also want to thank everyone following this story. This is not BETa'd by the way so any mistakes are mine. I have written 2 more chapters after this and currently writing another.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and safe holiday!
ENJOY!
Chapter 24 Merry and Bright Part 2
BELLA POV
"Did we get everything?" I asked Edward as we walked up the steps to his parents' house. I had
a pot of the chili in my hands. Edward was getting the other two pots out and we would have to come back for the gifts.
"Yeah, I sure as fuck hope so." He muttered
"Edward! It's Christmas Eve!" I said. Could he not cuss on Christmas?
"So?" He gave me a grin.
I shook my head, trying not to grin. Seeing that sexy man of mine walk up the steps, reminded me of last night. Man it was incredible. I hated that I wasn't in control the whole time like I planned to be. Nonetheless, I was satisfied and so was he so that's all that mattered.
"Bella." I looked at him he was now standing beside me.
He gave me a smirk. "I know what you're thinking."
I blushed not being able to help it. " Bella, it's Christmas!" He said in a mocking tone.
"Shut up." I laughed.
He giggled then went serious. "Just go in."
I nodded and opened the door. Esme had the foyer decorated of course, there were many lights and a huge snowman to greet us. Edward and I made our way to the kitchen. I was a little nervous of Alice for some reason. I really didn't want there to be tension between any of us but things are. I haven't spoken to Alice since that weekend and I don't think Edward has either.
I also didn't know if She and Jasper were back together, or what was going on with that situation but I really hoped things wouldn't be bad.
"It smells good in here." Edward said as we entered the kitchen. Only Esme was in there and she was stirring a big pot of soup.
"Edward! Bella!" She said as she let the big spoon go and ran to us. She gave each of us a peck on our cheeks.
"Ma!" Edward exclaimed. Esme rolled her eyes and then turned her attention to me. "You are just glowing!"
I smiled back. She had called me after the whole showdown that weekend to again apologize to me she told me she would never forgive herself for her actions. I told her that was in the past and we should focus on the future.
Edward had helped me sit the pots of soup on the bar and he said he be back with the gifts.
"I've got pictures! "I said. She excitedly screamed.
"Where are my glasses?" She then went all over the kitchen looking for her glasses. "Found them!"
I handed her the sonogram pictures and she looked at each one entirely while I saw the tears in her eyes.
"So beautiful" She said as she looked over them once again.
"May I?" I heard a soft voice from behind Esme. It was Alice of course, she looked nice, all dolled up but her eyes looked sad. I pulled at my leggings and tunic I was wearing.
Esme gave me a look as if to ask my permission, I nodded my head yes.
Esme gave the ultrasound pictures to Alice who looked at each one the same way with tears in her eyes. When she was done she handed them back to Esme.
"I'm going to show Carlisle." She left the kitchen asking if I watch her soup I nodded.
I thought maybe Alice would follow her but she didn't. "Bella."
I nodded toward her. "Alice." She was smiling at me and I smiled back.
"I'm sorry, I know that doesn't mean much." She looked so nervous and I had never seen her nervous. She twirled her fingers together, and kept fidgeting something Alice didn't do. She was very nervous.
"Look, have you ever since you was a little girl dreamed of what your life would be? " She asked me while looking up to the celling. Of course I had at one point in my life, dreamed of going to school, getting married, and having babies. After my mother died, I didn't think about that stuff anymore just getting out of Forks and away from Jacob.
Although, I guess I did get my dream sort of, I'm going to school for my bachelor's, I'm married, and I'm having a baby. It might not have come the way I thought it would but regardless it did happen.
"I have." I answered her.
She looked at me with her piercing blue gaze the same as her father and Emmett's. "I've always wanted to marry the love of my life and have babies." She said with a cry. "Meeting Jasper gosh Bella I knew he was the one the moment my eyes found his. " She had teared up at this point.
She quickly wiped them away. "When we were married, we talked about all the things we wanted. I even agreed with him about waiting for a baby while we focused on us for a little while. We have been married for 2 years but together for 3. So a few months ago, when we started trying I thought I would finally feel complete. I mean having a child with the man I love. I'll admit I was disappointed each time my period came."
She quickly wiped her tears away and I turned the stove off the soup looked done and Esme hadn't returned. "These past few months have been stressful, I kept telling myself not to worry about getting pregnant during all that." She waved her hand but I knew what she meant, Benji, the drugging, the lockdown.
"It was stupid Bella, It was like a switch in my brain that couldn't be turned off. Especially after Angela getting pregnant and then Bree, very dear people close to us I just grew jealous. So when Jasper and my old doctor said I needed to take a mental break I didn't like it. I didn't agree with it."
I was a little confused at that point because I had thought Alice did agree with it. "I didn't want to look crazy." She continued. "So, I told them we would take a break, but no I didn't mean it. I guess my husband did because he stopped touching me. That did things to me Bella, I felt worthless, I can't even tell you how I felt. I just started drinking and smoking pot trying to numb the pain."
I nodded. "I knew you was self-soothing, I wanted to do something but honestly I felt your actions were justified to a point." I added. Not everything she did was excusable.
She nodded hearing my words. "I mean the whole Benji thing."
"Fuck him." Alice sneered. "He deserved whatever he got with what he was going to do."
Both Alice and myself had been told what Benji planned to do. He was going to take Alice and give me to that man I saw that night at Midnight Sun and my wedding, the one who was scaring Jessica. Thank goodness they was both dead. I didn't know how they died but I knew they was both dead. Benji especially, I remember hearing James talking about the house in Russia blowing up or something. I also remember seeing it on national news. If I had to guess the other guy died there.
I wasn't stupid, I knew my husband went to Russia, I could put one and one together. I again was just thankful they was gone.
"You may be glad he is gone, but all those years with him? It had to affect you at some point."
Alice nodded. "I just can't wrap my brain around why? Like, I don't care that he is dead fuck him but why?"
I nodded, I thought the same thing about my father and why he did these things. Neither Alice or I would get answers.
"You guys were in each other lives, for a long time. He may have been your bodyguard but he was also a friend."
It had hit me while saying that, what Edward meant all those months ago about getting close to people. That I shouldn't be friends with anyone lower than me, or along those lines and I did it anyway. I told him I wasn't going to feel safe or secure around people I didn't know. So I made friends with Zafrina, James, and Jessica. I felt I had become acquainted with Laurent. I was slowly liking Ms. Cope more she had that grandmother vibe but she still kind of got on my nerves. He was trying to protect me from getting hurt and I just now realized what he meant However, that didn't change how I felt or if things would be different with them now. I honestly couldn't see not talking to Jessica or James or Zafrina.
Alice didn't say much more on the Benji subject as she went right back in to finish her story. "So, Halloween night is when I think I broke, Jasper attacked me when I got there." She smiled reflecting on the memory. He literally did, making out with her on the car.
"I thought maybe he was ready to go back to trying. I was wrong and became so insecure that night, I got wasted." I nodded. I'll admit she was an handful that night.
"I've been angry ever since, insecure, that when I decided to go to a different doctor I went for a different opinion." She teared up shaking her head.
"I'm sorry Bella, for the things I said about you. That was totally wrong of me. I didn't mean anything I said."
I gave her a come on look. "Usually when people are mad the truth comes out." I said.
Alice's eyes were big as saucers. "I didn't mean anything mostly, I felt ganged up on so I started saying things. I'm jealous of you if anything. Edward was right." She sniffled and wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry Bella, truly, I would like to make amends, if I can." Her blue eyes glassy with tears. Was she truly sorry?
"I've been talking to someone, well you know the doctor Allistar?" I nodded. "Anyways, it's not like I can go to a real therapist." She waved her hand. "He's had some training though, so it's the best I can get."
"Well, I'm glad that you are trying to get some help." I said.
"Yeah-" She started to say when we heard the front door open. I heard Emmett's booming voice but two sets of footprints. Then I heard a soft laugh belonging to Jasper. I think Alice did too, because she started freaking out.
"You okay?" She was sort of shaking.
"I didn't know if he would show." Alice pushed her hair behind her ears. "I'm going to touch up my makeup." Before, she left she came back to me. "I'm sorry truly." She said putting her hands on mine.
I nodded, "I forgive you, it just might take me some time." She nodded as she went to walk out the room.
"Alice!" She quickly turned. "Thanks for the baby gift." She nodded and left the room. I turned back to the soup. It was done, and I didn't know what Esme planned to do with serving. She had been gone awhile, so I put my pots on the eyes of the stove to warm them up. I had defrosted them earlier at home and all they need was a warm-up.I was stirring when hand came around to my waist and kiss on my cheek.
"Hey." That sexy voice said.
"Hey. Where have you been?" He moved away a bit, so he could see my face.
"Well, I went and got the gifts and put them under the tree, and then saw Ma and the old man crying over the sonogram. Then I came to find you and heard Alice talking so I was being a creeper and heard some of it."
I nodded." She apologized, I just hope she was sincere." I said as I went back to stir.
"I heard, I still haven't forgiven her though." I gave him a look.
"What?" He said as he picked up a ladle and stirred the other soup Esme had on the stove.
"Nothing, I guess." I didn't really know why Edward wouldn't forgive his sister, but I wasn't going to worry about it right now.
"I don't forgive easy Bella, so it'll take me awhile." He said.
I nodded, "So, you think your mother forgot about the food?"
He smirked, " I know she did."
"Should we tell them it's ready? Or bring it in?" I asked.
"I think she is going to put it out on the bar, so everyone can get there fill."
I nodded as I turned all the eyes on the stove off and turned towards Edward giving him a kiss.
"Mm.. wanna go upstairs?" He said against my lips. I hit him in the chest. "Are you serious?" I hushed out. Like I was really going to fuck him in his parents' house.
He let out a laugh. "Not really, well sort of."
"Edward!" I whispered yelled. He just laughed and then I heard heels click against the floor.
"Bella, I am so sorry, leaving you alone so long." She went to the soups and checked them and declared them done. I waved my hand at her apology.
"Esme, What are these two?"
"This is Christmas Tortellini and Spinach Soup, and this is an Italian style vegetable soup."
I nodded, I figured it was some kind of veggie soup since there was meat and beans and stuff in in it.
"I shouldn't have made any vegetable soup then, This is a lot." I said.
"Oh no, Bella, Emmett eats a lot, and whatever is left over we can spilt it among households."
She then looked at Edward. "Help me serve?"
He nodded, but I don't think he really wanted to. I followed behind them with the pot, I received a glare from Edward but he didn't say anything.
"Come on everyone, it's ready!" She shouted as she had the bar all decked out with places for the pots, it was surrounded by a bunch of Christmas cranberries, and other items.
When Emmett came into view, I couldn't help but laugh he was in a bright green suit, and he was walking all suave. I put my hand on my mouth trying to keep the rest y giggles from coming out when Jasper came out following him in a red one. Emmett saw me and then put his hands on his hips and started walking like a model pose.
"Oh sister, don't be jealous you couldn't pull this off." I kept laughing and Emmett laughed with me.
"Were we suppose to dress up?" I asked laughing holding my stomach.
Emmett held his hand to his chest and looked at me in shock. "Of course!" Then he started laughing.
"That was nice guys for real, thanks for giving me a laugh."
"Well, no problem Bella boo and little Edward, Jasper's my date so we dressed alike."
Esme held her hand to her chest. "It's a boy?" Tears pooled in her eyes.
"No, I mean we don't know yet."
"Yeah Ma, I just call it little Edward, because I'm pretty sure it's a boy." Emmett said.
"I'm sure of it." Edward said and looked at me with nothing but pure love in his eyes. It was an incredible feeling to feel now. I thought I would never feel any love, I thought I was destined to be miserable for the rest of my life. I never thought Edward and I would get to this spot, but we did and I was never more thankful.
I smiled back and Emmett looked at us in disgust. "Ugh! Come on, honey let's go eat." He said as he grabbed Jasper's arm who laughed.
Edward poured me a bowl of the Christmas Tortellini which is what I asked him to. It looked really good and I was willing to try it. He said he was definitely getting my chili and some of his mom's soup. I would come back if I wanted anymore.
We all made our way to the dining room, Alice had yet to join us, but I wasn't worried she would make it down soon. Esme handed Carlisle different soups for him to eat he took my chicken noodle and I held my breath, I don't know what is with me and this man but it was like I was afraid of his opinion. Granted, I didn't see what Edward saw and considered this man to be a monster. He was like this father or grandfather I was trying to impress or something.
"Damn Belly, this is the shit." Emmett said as he licked the bowl of soup.
"You made this?" Carlisle asked as he slowly ate his chicken noodle, I nodded.
"It's exquisite, divine, it's like all the flavors the ingredients of the carrots, thyme, and chicken just melt in your mouth." He said as he ate.
I smiled, it felt nice to be complimented, I don't know if Edward agreed, because he was giving his father a look.
"Damn I'm going to get some more, shit is the bomb." Emmett said as he left the table.
We all continued eating, It was a little quiet, I could hear all the slurping.
"Hello Everyone." Alice said as she made her way to the table, I looked at Jasper and he stopped eating. I guess he forgot about his wife because he honestly looked like he didn't know she was here. He did know, but like I said he probably forgot.
"Alice." I said first I wanted it to be known there was no tension between us.
"Bella." She smiled as she sat down near Carlisle. She was away from her husband obviously, I guess she thought wouldn't be welcomed if she sat beside him. She looked at Jasper and kept biting her lip. "Jasper."
He looked up and looked at her. "Alice." He then went back to eating, and now there was tension.
Edward acted like nothing was going on and just kept eating. I dug that shut everyone out and pretend there's nothing wrong. I wish I could do that.
"I'm back honey poo." Emmett said as he had two bowls of soup in his massive hands. He then noticed Alice at the end of the table.
"Oh hell no, look this is my date tonight so you can find another one." Emmett joked grabbing Jasper. Alice smiled, "Okay Em, I understand. I will not mess with your man tonight." Alice finished giggling although it sounded like there was some hurt in her voice.
Jasper looked at her but didn't say anything. I felt Edward's hand on my lap and I turned to him. He was smiling back at me but then his hand traveled up my thighs. I gave him a look but he kept going. He kept eating and no one was paying us attention. Everyone talked among themselves, until my husband's hand made his way into my leggings and rested outside my panties. I gave him a what the fuck look while he smirked at me and pulled his hand out.
After everyone had their fill of soup and was full we made our way to the living room. Apparently it was tradition for Carlisle to give out gifts but since he was under the weather Esme was going to do it. She handed out some small gifts to each of us which contained a bundle of gift cards to different places. Emmett handed us envelopes of cash said he didn't know what else to get.
When it was Alice's time, she gave everyone clothes, she had given her mother a spa day and I had to cringe at the thought of the last time there was a spa day. She bought Edward different suits, and she had designed some of them. When it was my time, she had gotten me some maternity clothes, pjs, and underwear. I didn't pull out the underwear of course but I thanked her for everything.
She also handed me a box it was for the baby she said. After I opened it, the tears instantly fell, it was a handmade blanket that was probably the softest blanket I had ever touched. I went to her and gave her the biggest hug mumbling my thanks.
"I'm glad you like it." She had tears in her eyes as well while she hugged me back.
I noticed Jasper looking at us with smile but I'm not sure why he suddenly changed it when Alice looked at him. Maybe they would be okay? Maybe he was still hurt. I hoped in time they would work it out.
Edward also was staring, but his expression didn't give anything away. Edward had handed out envelopes of money as well for the men anyways. He told me any other gift wouldn't work so I kept my mouth shut. Although, I had gotten his brother and brother in law something. I did get Esme and Alice some boots I had found along with some scarves and a package deal to get their hair done. I also had gotten them gift certificates to La Perla.
I didn't know what to buy people that had everything. If they didn't like it then they could buy what was needed. I tried my best anyways, I only hope what I gotten Edward he would like when we would open presents tomorrow at our house. There was a few more gifts passed around from Esme cookware, and she must have been on the same track as me and gotten me a La Perla gift certificate which had Edward smirk and me blush red.
I noticed Carlisle out of the corner of my eye nod to Esme and she handed him a folder. Edward tensed beside me when he saw it. It was obvious he knew what was about to go down.
Carlisle coughed and then began to speak. "I was going to wait until my death." I heard Alice gasp and Emmett look down. "But, I think I rather give them to you now." She handed each of us a folder, I didn't know what could possibly be in it and I was sort of afraid to open it.
When I did it was a lot papers and other things I didn't fully understand when I first looked at it. Taking another glance at it I noticed I was now owner of an villa in Italy? What the fuck why?
I heard gasps and cries from everyone in the room. Edward was probably the only one who was still acting the same. I was just in shock and couldn't believe someone had given me a villa in Italy! She also handed me another that was labeled Baby Cullen. Opening it apparently on my child's 18th birthday he or she would have a house in Michigan. I looked at Edward who was staring at me. He hadn't uttered a word but took the folder from me and read its contents.
"Daddy.." Alice started wiping her tears, Jasper then came to sit beside her and hold her hand. I smiled, maybe things would be okay for them.
"I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, some of them inexcusable." He looked towards Edward. I really wanted to know the history with these two like the full history but I could wait. Edward's face didn't give much away but he was giving his father his full attention.
"I know this doesn't make up for anything I've done, but for now at least I know you will always have a place to go."
I looked around the room, everyone was trying to hide their tears except Edward. His gaze was glassy and unreadable.
"I'm not very good at this, but I just want to say I'm proud of all of you. I'm happy that each of you found someone in your lives that you cannot live without." He looked at Alice and Edward then Jasper and I. "Em, I hope you find someone as well." He said to Emmett.
"Eh pop, I think I'm destined to be single forever." Emmett chuckled but I saw the hurt behind his eyes.
"No, my boy someone will knock you off your feet soon." Emmett sighed. I don't think Emmett really wanted to talk about his relationship at the moment.
After that, Esme brought out different pies for dessert and coffee to drink. She brought me cider of course since I couldn't drink coffee. Things seemed a little tense and I didn't understand why but it was mainly coming from my husband.
When we left to go home, things were quiet in the car. I didn't really understand why Edward was acting weird, granted I wasn't dumb I knew there was history between his father and him. Bad history anyway, would he ever tell me?
When we pulled into the garage, he was still silent and opened my door for me.
"Thank you." I said as I climbed out, he gave me a small smile. I rubbed his face with my hand, then his eyes bore into mine. "Are you okay?" I asked him.
"I—II" He cut off and then let go of me. He paced around the garage for a bit while I just stared at him.
Obviously, there was something going on, he was dealing with something but since he wouldn't open up I couldn't tell.
"My father used to play mind games with me all the time. He would test me and I had to make a choice. If it wasn't the right one, well let's just say it wouldn't bode well for me in the end."
What the fuck? Wow. Maybe Edward and I childhoods weren't so far off?
"So, right now my mind is thinking is this all a set-up giving us these houses and being nice is it a test?" Edward finished pulling out his hair.
I didn't like that. "Hey!" I walked to him "Stop that!" I grabbed his hands from his head and pulled them to me and kissed them.
"Bella." He started. "I never thought I would be able to show how I felt, because I never thought I would feel again." I smiled. "You and the baby you're both my life, I'm thankful for everyday with you." He leaned down to kiss me and I kissed him back.
"I'm scared of being a father." He said after out kiss was over.
"If it makes you feel any better I'm terrified as well. But, together we can do this." I smiled.
He laughed " We make quite the pair don't we?" We both laughed then before we exited the garage and headed upstairs. We made love in the shower and then decided to open presents.
Edward bought me a diamond necklace and bracelet set that he told me not to ask how much it was. He also bought me first edition books of some of my favorites, a charm bracelet which was my favorite so far because he had added charms to it including a rings for being married, both of our birthstones and he said when the baby would come he would add another. There was also a book charm, and E and B one and a house.
He had also bought some gender neutral clothes that made me swoon. Anything involving the baby, made me swoon. I had gotten him some suits of course, a book that I made of how much he meant to me which earned me getting ate out. I also got him some daddy shirts that I thought were funny. I also bought him a watch with our wedding date engraved on it. It was hard to buy for the man that had everything.
We spent the rest of Christmas being with each other, making love, talking. What really kept me swooning was going to sleep and waking up with my husband's hand around my stomach. I was so content and happy in my bubble that I wasn't prepared that it could bust soon.
