Chapter Forty-Seven: Edward

December 25, 2022

Cambridge, England

My wife loves Christmas. Every year she goes all out, decorations up November 1st and holiday cheer until mid January. Though I thought it would be too sentimental for her, year after year she's proven me wrong.

My girl loves to celebrate.

We've had Christmas decorations up for almost two months, but Christmas morning, I wake to a next level winter wonderland.

Bella was up into the early hours of the morning, keeping me out of the living room as she cut out snowflakes and stars, hanging them from every surface in our flat. She even managed to find fresh evergreens she's woven into garlands and wreaths.

"When did you get these?" I ask her, reaching out to pinch the all to real leaves.

"Last night!" She says, delivering me a cup of hot chocolate. I set it aside, unable to consume that much sugar in the morning but knowing it's part of her traditions.

"Where did you get them?" I ask, turning to her. Bella plops on our sofa, mug in hand, Santa hat perched on her head.

"The university's botanical gardens," she says offhandedly. I snort, shaking my head. Of course.

"Aren't they closed at night?"

She sips her cocoa.

"Babe, you of all people should know I can scale a fence."

I stare at her.

She stares back.

"Babe. You're 20 weeks pregnant."

She waves me off. "It was fine. Doesn't the place smell amazing?"

Before I can answer her, there is a knock on our front door before it opens, my parents letting themselves in.

Bella jumps up, greeting my mom with a hug. As much as I want to fuss about Bella pulling stunts like this, I don't want to ruin Christmas with an argument.

So instead, I let it go, turning to my parents to offer them hugs.

"I have cocoa!" Bella says, rushing to the kitchen. Dad looks alarmed as mom settles on the sofa, smiling after Bella.

"How festive!" She cries.

Bella comes back with two mugs for mom and dad. "Carlisle, I hope you don't mind, I made you some herbal tea. I heard you say you don't eat sugar?" She asks, sounding slightly unsure. Dad reaches out, taking the mug and giving Bella a warm smile.

"This is perfect, thank you."

Bella looks relieved, and my heart squeezes a little knowing that even though my wife is wild and crazy and forcing sugar down our throats this morning, her compassion and consideration for other people is still alive and kicking.

I sit on the sofa, and Bella comes over, curling into my side. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and press a kiss to the side of her head as she settles in with her mug.

"How is your hotel?" Bella asks my parents. They start talking about it, but I tune them out, my mind on the roundness of Bella's stomach against my side. Next year, we'll have our child here for Christmas. My mind swirls with all the possible images and scenarios. Would we have a boy or a girl? Would they look like Bella or me or a blend between us? Would they have Bella's giggle? Would they have my patience?

I honestly can't fucking wait to find out.

"Babe," Bella giggles, her hand coming down to wrap around my wrist. I blink and look at her. "You're tickling me."

I smirk. I know my wife, I know she's ticklish only one spot and I'm currently not rubbing it. Her code means I'm turning her on, so instead of continuing to rub her belly, I let my hand drop, biting back a heavy sigh.

I can't wait to meet my child.

Thankfully, Alice and Jasper arrive, shifting all of our focus. Bella gets up to get them cocoa before she insists on playing santa and handing out the gifts.

I feel bad because both my parents and Alice and Jasper only have a small handful of items while they have brought a pile for Bella and me.

We let my parents open first, and mom is absolutely delighted with the delicate charm bracelet we got her. I can see the little charm for the baby already clipped on there as she pulls it out of the velvet box.

"It's perfect," Mom cries, immediately clipping it on. Dad pulls out the elegant frame Bella managed to find with the picture of her sonogram in it. Below the photo, the frame is etched with, I love you, grandpa.

Dad looks up at us, and I'm surprised to see tears in his eyes. "Thank you," he says, his voice thick. Bella hops up to give them both a hug.

"I figured you could have a pinch of us back home, at least until we can get more back to you," she says, one hand on her belly. My parents are both beaming.

Alice and Jasper are next, and both of them love the gift Bella managed to swing them.

"I know you guys talked about learning how to rock climb," Bella says, leaning into my side. "This guy is elite. He's trained Navy SEALS how to ice climb," Bella explains. "He's got a flexible schedule, so call him when you are ready to set something up."

"Bella, this is awesome!" Alice says, jumping up to come over and hug us. "We've been dying to get out there and learn. It sounds like he's a great place to start!"

When Alice sits back down, everyone looks at us expectantly. Bella needs no further prompting. She tears into our pile of gifts, pulling out piles of baby things. It's when she pulls out the first onesie that she just loses it.

"Alice!" She cries and laughs at the same time. "Oh my god." She's clutching it too close for me to see it, and I reach out, gently taking the onesie from her.

It's grey, with a little duck holding a knife and the words I'll duck you up! around it. I choke on my laugh. It's so wildly inappropriate for a baby, but it's so us.

Bella collapses into my side giggling and I can't help my own chuckle. I look over at my sister, who looks satisfied as hell.

"Thank you," I say, shaking my head. I let out another laugh. "It's ducking perfect."