Morning! And so another week begins. Hopefully, it's a good week for us all.

Isabella Cullen

"It must be at least ten feet tall, Mamma!" Charlotte giggled as she pulled us into the large living room, her long ringlets bouncing and swaying with each step that she took.

Yes, Charlotte had begun calling me Mamma as soon as we walked into the house, and although it frightened me a little at first, it warmed my heart and even more so when Henry copied her.

We all laughed at her impatience as she waited for Edward and I to clean up after our long day of travel, but we hurried the best we could, and when she could wait no longer she all but dragged us to the great room to see the new Christmas tree.

Greenery had always been brought into the home in the winter months, for a little color and life, but the Christmas tree was a new development in our changing times.

Prince Albert, my new cousin, had brought the tradition with him when he came to this country and of course, if it was what the Queen and Prince were doing or having, others must follow suit!

"It is actually twelve feet tall," Carlisle boasted as he teased one of the branches to hold another candle on it.

"And there are sweets on it and toys!" Henry giggled when Edward reached down to pick him up.

"So there is, Henry, but who has been good enough to have them?" Edward asked, and they all shouted and laughed together while he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Well then, if you have all been so good, I think you should be able to open one present tonight." He grinned and the children's voices grew louder.

Once the children were calmed and sat down by the tree, Carlisle gave them a choice of which present to open, and I just hoped that they liked what they had been given. I had always made something for Charles and my parents, but this year Edward had insisted that it would be good to buy the presents because there was little time between business dealings and being out of the house.

"I have a new baby dolly!" Charlotte cried out happily while she opened a long box and reverently removed the doll and stroked her hair, just as I had done when Edward gifted me a similar doll not too long ago.

As soon as I saw the doll in the shop front, I knew it was meant for Charlotte, just as much as Edward knew my doll was for me and I'd snapped it up instantly.

Henry and Charles both opened up similar sized presents, not too big and not too small, and both were very pleased with their new toys.

"And this one is for you, I have been told that it is very good," Edward handed me a small packet and when I opened it, I could not contain my gasp as I looked lovingly at the red leather-bound book by the Charles Dickens.

A Christmas Carol.

…

The children insisted that I read from my new book at bedtime, and it would be the new routine that we would have for the future.

I would read to them – one chapter a night – as we sat by the small glowing fire in the nursery, and I could not be happier.

"Isabella, Henry has drifted off to sleep. I think it is time that the others follow him, or they might sleep all day tomorrow and miss more presents and food," Edward announced as he chuckled by my side and the moans from the children told us that they did not want to miss out on tomorrow.

We tucked the children into their beds and wished them a good night before walking to our own room.

And then the nerves hit me.

I knew what was expected and what would be happening, but I was nervous and excited at the same time.

We had agreed that we would wait until Edward was better and we were home, and that was obviously tonight.

Even though we had not spent a night apart since we were wed, I knew tonight would include something completely different to our reading and talking.

"Would you like me to help you undress, Isabella?" he asked softly just after he stoked the fire and walked over to where I was stood in the middle of our room.

It was strange that although we had not spent a night apart since we were wed, I was nervous about him seeing me so undressed at last.

"Erm, yes. Yes please," I replied through a stuttering breath, feeling him stand behind me.

"There is no need to be nervous, my beautiful girl, I promise you that. We love each other and that should be celebrated," he whispered, and I felt him unbutton the top of my dress, then he kissed my neck in such a way that made my body tingle all over.

All too soon my dress piled at my feet on the floor, and I felt the need to try and cover myself, only Edward would not let me.

"You truly are breath-taking, my love," his was voice soft and reverent as he came to stand in front of me.

"You are still dressed," I muttered, feeling very uncomfortable like I was on show.

"Would you like me to undress?" he asked, and I nodded shyly at his request.

He started off slowly by removing his jacket and then his tie, and I was in awe when he started to unbutton his shirt.

I had seen more of him when he was ill, but he had been pale and covered in pox that time.

Now, now he had color and although he had lingering small marks that would scar, I felt like they added to his character.

I lifted up my hand slowly, desperate to feel the skin on his chest and a little of the hair he had there. I wanted to touch all of him. I just did not know where to start.

"Do not be afraid to touch me, Isabella. Everything I have is yours, including my body," he whispered to me with his tone soft, almost hypnotizing.

I gave him a shy smile and leaned in wanting him to kiss me as he had done so many times since we were wed.

Our lips met and my breath shuddered out through my mouth when his hands fell to my hips.

"Oh, Isabella, I do not want to rush this, but may I please rid you of this corset? As pretty as it is, I would so wish to see you as God intended," he asked sweetly.

Then our lips parted, and I found myself mute and nodding again.

He walked behind me and with a simple tug of the string, I felt the pressure on my middle release and a minute later, he managed to take it off completely and it, too fell to the ground.

"Will you join me in bed, my love?" he asked, holding out his hand to me and I took it nervously with a small smile.

He pulled back the feather-down covers of the bed and moved the warming pan so that it was on the floor on his side.

"Isabella, before we — erm, yes — before we go further, I would just like to make it clear that if you are uncomfortable at any time, please tell me to stop and I will. I do not want you to feel pressured in any way to please me, especially if you do not like it or you are in pain," he whispered again.

"I will be fine, Edward. I am a farm girl and I know what to expect and I know that any pain will not last long," I replied in a tone that hopefully matched his and eased a little of my fears.

With that all said, he sat down on the bed and pulled me gently to him until I stood between his legs.

"I love you, Isabella, so much," he said as our lips touched.

We kissed for a short time before he started to lean back, and my body followed him until I was lying on top of him.

He rolled us carefully until he was above me, gazing at me like I was his moon and stars.

"I would like to touch you, Isabella. May I?" he asked, his voice thicker, deeper, than what it was normally.

"Yes," I whispered and rested my head back into the mattress. I relaxed as much as I could while his hands felt my hips.

"You are truly perfect, Isabella. How did you ever agree to be mine?" he asked through a chuckle, and it made me relax further.

"Because you are mine, too," I replied simply.

Our touches were slow and caressing while we took our time ridding ourselves of the rest of our undergarments – our breathing was not. Our breaths were labored while we sought out each other's mouths and skin.

There were several moments when I felt him up against my body, but after the first few times, I learned to just feel, instead of panic and feel embarrassed.

It was normal and natural, not anything to shy away from and most of all, it was us, loving one another.

"You were made for me, I swear," he murmured against my lips as he hovered above me and cradled my head in his hands.

I felt a tear trickle down my face as I took in the expression on his face. It was pure adoration, and I hoped that mine mirrored his.

"I want to love you, as a man loves a woman, complete and whole," he said, and with one final nod from me, I felt his manhood finally push against me.

"I will be gentle, and I will try to pleasure you," he gritted out and then I felt it, it pushing against me, fighting my body in a way I would never fully be able to describe.

My fingers purchased themselves on the tops of his arms, and I winced with each passing moment as he pushed further in, breaking my virtue.

The stinging and stretching pain continued the whole time he moved, and I tried to relax, but it was beginning to be too much.

"Slower, please," I whimpered out into the dim room, and he stilled instantly.

"I am so sorry, my love," he whispered and kissed my tears away, but did not move any further.

The pain dulled, and did not disappear completely, but I did will him to move again.

He pulled away slightly and I flinched when his hand moved from my face to down there.

"It is pleasurable, I promise," he said in answer to the shocked look on my shocked face and I did not fully believe him until he touched me.

It was true, I did find pleasure in his touch, but the pain of him in me was a little too much to truly enjoy it.

I clung onto him a little harder when I felt a strange, heated pressure building up within my body, but he pleaded with me not to back away from it and just before he moved much further, my legs started to shake and a feeling of exaltation washed over me causing me to call out his name unexpectedly and then he called out mine, stilling his hips a little before collapsing on top of me, holding me close.

"My beautiful, beautiful girl. I wish I could measure the love I have for you and show you. You are my life, my love, my everything," he said tearfully when he finally looked up into my eyes and kissed me passionately.

He was my everything, too.

So sweet! More to follow later!