I do not own the characters, they belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 4

As the days passed, I found myself growing closer and closer to Edward and his mom. I was beginning to settle in and make this my home, after all I didn't know how to get back or if I even would. I began helping at the hospital with Edward and his family. There were small moments where I would feel eyes on me, when I looked up, I would catch Edward staring at me. I would always feel a heat on my cheeks and occupy myself with something. I was infamous in the hospital for my awful handwriting. Usually, it was doctors with the chicken scratch, but here it was me.

"Now look, I never said my penmanship was anything great," I laughed as we walked home. It was just a few days to Christmas and the city had that feeling. I guess it didn't matter the year, the feeling of Christmas was always strong. "I love Christmas!"

"It is a special time," Mrs. Mason agreed. There were a few street lights coming on, after my encounter at the store I was nervous to go back to the boarding house by myself but I had to be brave. "Will you be ok getting back on your own?"

"I'll be fine," I lied putting on my best smile.

"We're close enough to our house, why don't you walk her back son?" I felt a heat rise on my cheeks. I tried to protest but they went unheard.

"It's not an issue, Miss. Swan," Edward said, we bid our goodbyes to his mom and kept walking. "Are you ok, Miss. Swan?"

"I'm fine," I said lying again. I was so nervous that I could barely breathe. I had never been affected by a man in this way before. "So, Christmas…"

"It is coming, just a few days away." It seemed he was trying to keep the conversation going as much as I was. "I guess you're missing your family, huh?"

I motioned for us to sit on the swing that sat on the porch. "I do. My mom and I would just have dinner then read A Christmas Carol together. When I was little, she and my dad would do different voices to entertain me," I got a warm feeling just thinking of it. "We exchanged a few presents, but it was nothing big."

"I hope you'll enjoy Christmas with us, since you can't spend it with your family," we sat in silence for a few minutes, before he grabbed my hand and held it with both of his. "You are very welcome here and wanted."

"Thank you," I said staring at our hands. If we were in the present time, I would have reached over and kissed him. However, I knew that wasn't how it was done here. "I should be going inside."

"Right," Edward got up first and opened the door for me. Grabbing my hand once more, he again planted a kiss on it. "Good night, Miss. Swan."

"Good night," I said and watched him walk away. He was just at the fence when I found myself running back to him. "Edward!"

"Yes, Miss. Swan?" I put my hands on his cheeks and kissed him. This wasn't right for the time, but it was dark, and no one was around. I felt his arms snake around my waist and pull me closer to him, my arms around his neck. I felt the world fade away, like an old movie. We were standing and a light was shining on us; Just us. "Miss. Swan, that was…"

"I'm sorry," I said looking at the ground. "I should go…"

"Miss. Swan," he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to him. "Bella, I'm not sorry. I'm grateful you did that because I've been wanting to all night."

"Bella? Is that you?" I groaned internally at Esme's voice. I knew she hadn't seen us but she ruined the moment. "Dear, you're going to catch a cold! Come inside!"

"Good night," Edward said giving me a small smile. "Bella." I was flying on cloud nine as I walked up the steps. Esme pulled the blanket she was wrapped in closer to her as she waited for me.

"Come on in, it's chilly tonight," she said putting her arm around my shoulder. I hid my smile, as hard as it was, I knew it wouldn't be a good thing to know that I kissed a man that wasn't courting me. "Are you hungry? I can cook something for you."

"Oh, I'm good, thank you! I think I'm just going to head to bed," I said as I faked a yawn. Truth was, I couldn't sleep no matter how tired I was. Was he feeling this way too?

-0-0-0-0-

When Christmas arrived, Edward and his mom came to the boarding house and celebrated it with the many guests that were there. Cider was passed around to those that wanted it, or there was hot chocolate. I happily chose the hot chocolate and thought about my mom. When I was little, my dad had to work late and she let me stay up to wait for him. As we waited, we drank hot chocolate and sang Christmas carols, very badly.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward said coming up to join me by the fireplace, lightly touching my arm. "Are you ok?"

"I feel like you ask me that a lot," I joked with a smirk. I could feel Tanya's eyes on us as she sat on the couch, trying to stay in conversation with a few others. If only she knew. "I am fine, I promise."

"Bella, Edward, come join us!" Reluctantly we both walked toward Esme who had called us. "Bella, are you enjoying yourself in town?"

"I am! It's definitely not what I thought it would be like, although I truly didn't expect to be here." I looked down in my cup, just wanting someone else to say something. "I am very happy to be here with all of you lovely people!"

"And we are happy to have you," Dr. Cullen said then turned his attention to a few other men in the room.

"I'm sure you know I am," Edward whispered low enough so only I could here.

I feigned shock before giving a small chuckle. "Mr. Cullen…"

"I could use something from the kitchen," he said getting up, I waited a few moments before following his direction. I didn't expect him to be in on this whole secrecy stuff. I walked into the kitchen only to be pulled into a dark spot.

"Edward…" I whispered, my hands on his chest as his arms were wrapped around my waist. "There's quite a few people out there. We could get caught."

"I like this living dangerously," he said before planting kisses up and down my neck. I pulled his face up and pulled him to mine. After a few minutes, I pulled away from him. I knew someone could walk in at any moment. Edward put a strand of hair behind my ear and gave me a quick last kiss. "Miss. Swan, as much as I would like to keep this secret thing going… I think we should stop."

"Oh, yeah, I understand…"

"No, I don't think you do," Edward laughed. "I would like to begin courting you."

I grabbed a couple glasses of cider to keep up the pretense that we had gone into the kitchen for something. "I think that is a great idea, Mr. Cullen."

"Ah! Just in time!" Mrs. Mason said giddily coming towards us. "We were about to sing Christmas Carols! Edward, will you please play?"

"You play?" I asked with a small smile.

"I do, but I will pass. We have something we'd like to announce," Edward grabbed my hand and held it with his on his chest. "I have begun courting Miss. Swan."

"Ah! Congratulations!" Mrs. Mason gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, "I am so happy about this!"

A/N: I really hope y'all are enjoying this story! Please leave a review and let me know!