Chapter Fifty-Eight: Edward
December 25, 2023
Chicago, Illinois
Bella wakes me up by pouncing on me. I gasp, the air rushing out of my lungs as I struggle to get out from her sudden weight.
"Wake up!" She cries. "It's Christmas!"
"Fuck," I groan, rolling over and getting her to fall off me. "Remember when you used to wake me up with blow jobs on Christmas?" Really, that only happened once. Every other Christmas has been exactly this.
She snorts.
"I could sit on your face if you like," she offers. "Your mom has Spawn, so I'm sure we have a few minutes."
I'm actually pretty damn tempted. I open my eyes, looking over at her.
She laughs, slapping my arm. "You and I both know we've not had proper time alone in a while and I'm due for a good scream," she says, arching a brow. "I cannot guarantee I'd be quiet if I sat on your face right now."
I snort and lay back.
"You're right," I say, yawning. "But for the record, I'm not opposed to being woken up that way."
She giggles. "Noted."
I reach for her, and she comes into my arms, stretching out along my side as I tuck her back under the covers. "Merry Christmas."
She leans toward me, pressing a kiss to my throat. "Merry Christmas."
In an unexpected turn of events, she actually lays still while I hold her, but just when I think she might go back to bed and in turn let me get another hour or so in, she's wiggling in my arms.
"Get up. Everyone is going to be here soon and I want to make sure we get good spots."
I frown. "What are good spots for opening Christmas presents?"
Bella rolls her eyes. "Duh, the spots by the tree. Come on!"
She hops out of bed, tugging me with her. I motion for her to go on as I stand, stretching. I head to the bathroom then back to the bedroom to grab a robe and slippers. I head downstairs in my parents house to the formal living room where a magnificent tree is set up, stuffed to the absolute brim with gifts. "Christ," I groan, looking over the tree. "That better not all be for Birdy."
Dad chortles as he passes me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "Merry Christmas, son."
I look at him. "Merry Christmas."
I follow him into the kitchen, pouring myself a cup of coffee. Mom's designer kitchen is well stocked, and I sip the pure Italian roast, nearly groaning. Man, I missed good coffee.
I head to the living room to see Bella setting up a spot on the sofa. She's got Duckling with her, and I see my daughter reaching for Bella's top with a demanding look on her little face.
Must be feeding time.
I head over, settling on the sofa next to Bella as she pulls her top up, shoving her boob right into our daughter's mouth. I glance around, looking for my dad, but it's not like he's never seen a tit before. He's a doctor, and I know nursing doesn't bother him.
I do wonder how Bella will feel about nursing in front of our friends though.
She's pretty open about nursing in front of family, friends, and strangers alike. Mostly, it doesn't bother me. Only when I see people harassing her about it has it been an issue for me.
Bella leans back on the sofa next to me, and I lift my arm up around her shoulders, taking another sip of coffee.
"Lemme," Bella says, motioning with her head. I bring the cup to her lips, helping her take a small sip. She's been off coffee since she got pregnant, though now she'll take a sip every now and again. I know she's dying to stop breastfeeding just to get back to drinking coffee by the gallon like she used to.
"How the hell are we getting this all back home?" I ask, eyeing the piles of gifts. Bella looks at me before looking at the gifts.
"Esme already has shipping ready."
I roll my eyes. Of course.
At that moment, I hear the front door open, and I look up to see Alice and Jasper, as well as Rose and Emmett step in, followed by Charlie.
Immediately, Alice and Rose race into the living room, and I'm shoved out of my seat as the girls fall completely over Bella and Birdy.
I stand, shaking my head as they all start crying.
I turn to Jasper, Emmett, and Charlie and grin at them, offering each one a hug. We haven't seen Rose and Emmett since we left LA. It had been a damn miracle they had been free to join us in Chicago for Christmas.
"Hey, man. Look at you," Emmett chuckles, smacking a beefy hand against my chest. "Married, getting your doctorate, and now a DILF? What can't you do?"
Jasper snickers next to him and I roll my eyes. "Whats a DILF?" Charlie asks, stepping over to us. I give him a quick hug.
"Nothing, Charlie."
Next to Bella, I hear Rose mutter something, and Bella slaps her arm, causing Rose to burst into laughter.
I don't want to know.
"It's good to see you, son."
I turn my attention to Charlie and smile at him. "You too, Charlie. How have you been?"
We spend a few moments catching up before Bella pops up between us, pulling Charlie into a one-armed hug. "Dad," she says, squeezing him. "This is Birdy Roe." Bella holds up our daughter, and I watch Charlie's face as he takes her in. His brown eyes soften, his mustache twitches, and I could swear I see a tear build in his eye.
"She's gorgeous," he sighs. "She looks just like you did, Bells."
Bella grins, looking at our daughter. "Yeah, those cute Swan genes are strong."
Charlie snorts.
"Come on in, Charlie. We're just about to start presents."
He nods and follows us inside. I take a look around the room, at all the people who I love gathered here, and my heart warms.
There really is nothing like the magic of Christmas.
