Morning! Let's begin...

Edward Cullen

"Let Betsy settle the children, Isabella. We both need to catch up on some rest before they get their second bout of energy later before church." I smiled down at her, leading her from the room and down the hallway toward the stairs.

After last night, which had been perfect in every way, I knew that there would be no opportunity to explore further intimacy with her today because I knew she would be too sore. That did not mean that I could not hold her to my body and enjoy her presence, however.

Her small frame always amazed me. The delicate way she held her arms and hands never hinted at how strong they were. Her height, being not tall whatsoever, did not deter her from reaching anything she needed, never letting it hold her back, but it was her mind that filled me with so much happiness.

She was not your 'typical' town girl. She cared none for trinkets and pleasures of the material kind. She loved – and loved with everything she had and never judged a soul.

That is why it was so easy to love her.

"Why are you standing there with such a smile on your face?"

Her voice drifted over to me, and I instantly smiled wider at the beauty before me.

"Because I am a very happy man, Isabella. I never knew that I could marry for love, have children in my life who I adore, and to have such a wife – no words can describe," I replied honestly while taking her hand in mine and guiding us into our bedroom where I pulled her closer toward me.

"Is it strange, that although weeks have passed, it seems still so unreal?" she asked with a small smile, then let go of my hand and let both of hers rest on my chest.

"It has been the most amazing two weeks of my life, Isabella, and I am so thankful that you came to me when you did and helped me heal. I do not want to think of what would have happened if you had not," I answered reverently leaning forward to capture her lips with mine.

We broke apart soon enough to rid ourselves of our clothes, and I made sure to explain to her that I was not expecting anything. I just wanted to hold her close, and she was content with that.

We both climbed into bed knowing that we would get little rest with it being Christmas and the children being here, but we were happy with that.

We spoke a little, but then drifted off to sleep.

…

I woke Isabella a little before four in the afternoon and I was so loathed to do so, but the children were now making scratching noises on the door of our bedroom like little kittens.

Nothing would keep them away and that made me smile.

"I do not want any more food," Isabella muttered sleepily, and I chuckled.

"No food, not just yet, but there are three children outside who require our presence." I smiled again when she opened her eyes to look at me.

"Call them in, I do not want to move, it is too warm and cozy," she replied with a smile, and I could not say no.

I got up from the bed and walked over to the door, making sure to scratch back at them before I opened it.

"In you come, but no jumping on the bed," I said sternly, but could not keep the humor out of my voice when they tore past me to Isabella's waiting arms.

I should have still been feeling unwell, tired, and aching, but the level of care that Isabella had bestowed upon me had left me feeling revived and such a happy man, more so now as I watched the children climb over her and hug her fiercely.

"Leave a little room for me," I finally said once I had my fill of watching my family.

"Daddy, can we go out walking after church and dinner? Betsy said that we could not build a snowman without you or Mamma and now that you are here, we can!" Charlotte asked, her tone hopeful and happy.

Not so long ago I was worried that she was too withdrawn, too unhappy, but how the times had changed.

"I am sure that after dinner we can find time to build a snowman before it darkens outside," I laughed as they all cheered, including Isabella.

Our eyes locked when she had calmed and I knew that I was where I was meant to be, with her by my side.

…

Isabella Cullen

"If you get coal dust on my dress, I will make sure the maids know who to blame," I chastised Edward lightly as his arms encircled my waist.

We had just finished building our first family snowman in the garden of the house and the children were now running around the freshly fallen snow, laughing gleefully at the feeling of it crunching under their feet.

"I will be sure to hide in the secret passageways if they find out that it was me," he chuckled before pulling me closer.

That had my attention.

"Secret passageways?" I asked, and then grinned when he nodded.

"I'll show you one that leads from the sitting room to my father's study later, but now we have to go inside before the children freeze," he chuckled and when I looked over to them, I could see that they now looked very cold – happy, but cold.

"Yes, we should head in. I think our family has had enough illness to last a lifetime," I moved a little way apart from him so that I could take up his hand in mine and then we called the children to us.

Fifteen minutes later the children were changed into their nightwear and with us sitting around the table, Esme called the room to order to tell me that she had another surprise for me and Charles.

Not a moment later not only did Alice and Jasper walk through the door but so did Rosalie and Master Emmett, looking very handsome in their Sunday bests.

"Good heavens, what are you two doing here?" I asked, getting up from my seat next to Edward and making my way over to them.

Rosalie was glowing with the babe in her belly and smiling widely, but Master Emmett looked a little unsure.

"Lady Cullen sent a letter to us yesterday and asked us to come for Christmas tea," Rosalie replied and looked at me like she was studying me for the first time.

"Well, I am glad you came. Now, allow me to introduce you to the children. Obviously, you know Charles," I grinned knowing what would happen sooner rather than later.

"Children, come and meet our guests," I said proudly, calling them over and waiting for the first child to say what I expected.

"Emmett! Where have you been? I have missed you and Miss Rosie," Charles said happily as soon as he came over, but the other two remained quiet.

"I have been busy with the plans for the farm and talking of which, would someone like to explain to me why the house has been locked up?" Emmett asked and it was Charlotte who broke through the silence.

"My Mamma does not live there anymore, she lives with us now and with Daddy," she replied proudly, taking my hand in hers, and I just watched with a small smile on my face for the words to sink in.

"Mamma? Bells, you gonna tell me what is happening here?" Emmett said in a low voice, unsure of what he had just heard.

Edward and I spent the next few minutes explaining to them what had happened with his illness and us getting wed in town, and while Rosalie was fighting keep the smile from her face, Emmett still looked a little unsure.

"Emmett, I am still your employer, and you will still have a wage. The plans are still pressing forward and in fact, the change will be a good one. I have asked Carlisle and he agrees, so please let me put an offer to you. While the Oast houses are good for workers, they will not be good for a family," I smiled towards Rosalie before continuing. "We have come to the conclusion that you would like a little more space with a little one on the way so, without it affecting your wage, we are offering you the house for your home. It has been gifted to Charles, for him to take over when he comes of age and he has finished his schooling, but that will be a fair few years ahead. And in any case, a manager needs a decent place to live," I grinned as I watched the relief in Emmett's eyes.

"Are you sure? It will not affect our money and we will have a bigger home?" he stuttered out.

"We are sure, Emmett. The house cannot be used solely as a business premises, it is far too large for that, and it needs a woman's touch, which is why we knew that you two would be perfect for it. All we need to do is work out the finer details of when you would like to move in and then we can hire another farm hand to fill the space at the spare Oast house," Edward cut in, smiling at all of us.

"I do not think that we need to talk about it, do we, Rosie?" Emmett asked her and she shook her head.

"How does the first week after the New Year sound?" she laughed tearfully.

"Perfect," Edward and I replied together.

Edward and I went to bed that night with large smiles on our faces after spending the day with our family, enjoying our first Christmas together and looking forward to our future together.

A few of you guessed about the farmhouse. I think Emmett and Rose would be great people to live there xxx