Author's Note: Here we go, back to Bella's point of view and picking up where Chapter 1 left off. Thank you for your kind reviews! This chapter was so much fun to write. I debated posting the reunion in Edward's POV but also thought Bella covered it well with hers. If a few reviewers want EPOV I might post it as a bonus chapter.
We stood outside together, locked in an embrace, and sharing kisses until I started shivering from the cold. Edward was the one to break our silence. "Bella." He smiled and nuzzled my nose with his. "I was really hoping that you would like your present and come back to me. I know it's wrong of me to want to have you, but I need you. Come inside and warm up with me. I have a surprise for you."
I released my legs from their tight grip around him and went back to a standing position. He laced my fingers with his and led me into the house with a huge grin and a sparkle in his dark eyes. I felt the most relaxed I had in months, since even before he left. I just knew that everything was going to be alright. There was still the slight anger and anxiety, but I knew that we'd get to them in time. I was not going to let them ruin today's perfection.
When Edward opened the door to the house for me to step inside, I gasped in shock. There was a warm fire burning in the fireplace, with stockings carefully hung a few feet above it. There was sparkling garland wrapped around the stair rails and doorways. In the middle of the room, just beside the couch, was a massive tree covered in colorful glass ornaments, with several wrapped presents sitting under it. There was a large, fluffy plaid blanket on the back of the couch and there were snacks and festive items sitting all over the place, including strings of hand cut paper snowflakes dangling from the tall ceiling. My eyes were huge. "You did all of this? By yourself?" I asked, amazed.
"By myself. For you, Bella. I love you. I have so much to say, so many apologies to give, but I wanted to start by offering you what I hope will be a relaxing day at home, with me, where I can show you how much I love you and celebrate the miracle of you still choosing me after everything I put you through. Would that be alright?"
I wasn't sure what to say. I stood on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around Edward, and kissed his lips again. He happily kissed me back and wrapped his arms around my waist. I couldn't stop the tears falling from my eyes. Edward pulled away from our kiss and guided me to the couch, in front of the warm fire. He sat down and pulled me into his lap, covering us with the blanket. He held me tightly, but not tight enough to hurt me. We sat together for a while as I cried, warm and so happy to be in his arms again. He brushed his fingers through my hair and gently rubbed my back until I was ready to say something.
"Edward." I managed to say, quietly. "This is beautiful. It's a lovely surprise. I missed you so much. I have been so scared. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Please tell me that you realize now how much I love you. Did you really mean everything in your letter? You're here to stay?"
"I'm here to stay, love. I swear it. I will not leave you again unless you make me and even then, I won't be far. I don't deserve your love and forgiveness, but I'm so glad to have it. You are my entire existence. I will never lie to you like that again. I've also learned my lesson about doubting the word of my family. They are very sorry Bella; they miss you too."
He kissed me passionately and ran his hands up and down my arms and shoulders. When I needed to breathe, he held me close to his chest and placed kisses all over my face and in my hair. It was clear that he didn't want to let me go and I was perfectly happy to stay in his lap for eternity. After a while, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the blanket and the loving embrace of Edward's arms around me, I fell asleep. I hadn't slept this well in months. For once, I didn't have nightmares. I could sense his presence right there with me, keeping me calm and relaxed.
I woke up around noon, laying on the couch in the Cullen's living room, still warm and happy. I didn't see Edward right away, but I could hear him in the kitchen, so I didn't panic for more than a brief second. I stood up to use the bathroom and when I returned to my seat, he greeted me with a huge smile, a kiss on the head, and a plate loaded with pancakes, bacon and chopped fruit, with a side of hot chocolate. "Trying to fatten me up so my blood will taste better?" I asked, returning his gorgeous smile.
Edward laughed, a sound I had missed so much. I happily accepted his offer of breakfast. For a vampire, he sure knew how to cook. "Esme helped," he said. "I called her last night and told her my plans for today, hoping that you would still want to see me. She was thrilled to talk me through how to make you breakfast. She deliberately didn't pack up most of the kitchen items because she knew I'd be back. Apparently, everyone knew but me." He shook his head and looked down a little.
After quickly swallowing the bite of pancake on my fork, I asked, "I want to spend today enjoying the fact that you came back, and that you love me. No serious topics. But will you tell me about your family? How are they?"
"They're your family too, Bella. I was too much of a jackass to realize that when I left." I tried, but failed, to hide my giggle at Edward cursing, even if it was a word every 9-year-old knew. He smiled a little and continued. "They are in New York. We have a house there that we haven't visited in a while. The whole family sends their love, especially Alice and Esme. They actually helped me with your gift a little. It seems that Alice had a vision as they were packing, after I had already left. She knew that I'd be back at some point. Alice left the photos and the box for you. Esme tied the bow and had it sitting on her desk. They can't wait to come back home to Forks if that's something you'd want."
"Are you kidding?!" I asked. "I'd love to see them. I miss them so much. I want them to come back! I know I said no serious talks right now, but I want you all to know that you cannot leave me again. I missed you all so much. It was awful. Especially you." I said as I placed my hand on his arm.
"I know, love. I missed you terribly. I was barely surviving. I wouldn't interact with anyone. Last night is the first I've spoken to my family, other than a few texts and a brief call from Alice yesterday, since I left. We won't leave you again. They only stayed away from you because I insisted that they do. If I were to even try, I'm pretty sure they would form a line to kick my ass."
It was hard to be mad at him when he was relaxed and being so open and honest with me. Edward had never dared curse in front of a lady before yet here he did it twice in a few minutes. I liked this change in him. "I was a mess too. I could hardly hold myself together. Nothing made me happy. I haven't smiled like this since you left. I didn't even feel like myself"
"I know, I'm so sorry. I had no idea, or my resolve would have crumbled, and I would have been home so much sooner. You are the center of my universe, Bella. I'll spend the rest of eternity loving you, caring for you, spoiling you if you'll let me."
"Is that why you made me such a nice breakfast?" I asked, picking up a strip of bacon to eat. He smiled my favorite crooked smile and laughed softly, watching me happily stuffing my face.
I had barely eaten since he left, and I certainly hadn't tasted anything this delicious or even cared what I was eating. Edward had made a ton of food, but I managed to clean my plate. I was unable to hold back a loud burp and I quickly buried my face in my hands. I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry, but I was red all over from embarrassment.
"Your compliments to the chef?" He asked, laughing. "Don't hide, Bella. I love seeing you blush. You're human. In many countries, a good belch is a compliment, so that's what I'll take it as." He smiled and pulled me back up on the couch into his arms. I buried my face into his chest in shame. I just got my perfect vampire boyfriend back and one of the first things I did was burp loudly. At least it wasn't a fart. I couldn't help but laugh at the thought. I tried not to, but I just couldn't stop laughing.
"What is it, love?" he asked, amused. I shook my head against his chest and kept laughing. "I'll start tickling you if you don't tell me. I can tell it's a good thing. I wish I could read your mind."
"Don't tickle me! If you do, I might actually do it."
"Do what?"
My face flushed an even deeper red. I could not look at him. "I was just thinking I'm glad it was only a burp." He started laughing so hard that it was echoing off the walls. He put his cold finger under my chin and lifted my head to look at him. I was still giggling, and his laughter set me off even more. We were building off of each other's energy and just couldn't stop. We held each other, laughing, for a long time. It felt so good and went a long way towards erasing some of the pain I'd felt over the last few months. Every time one of us would stop laughing and look the other in the eye, we'd both start again. I had tears running down my eyes and could hardly breathe. My face was so red. I could feel it.
"You do fart in your sleep you know." He said when we'd mostly calmed down. Did Edward Cullen really just say the word "fart?" What kind of weird alternate universe was this? I couldn't be embarrassed because it was just so freaking funny to hear him say it.
"You said fart. What's gotten into you?"
"I'm sorry m'lady, did I offend your delicate sensibilities?" He asked with a smile.
"No. You're talking like a normal teenager today. It's weird but I like it. It's like you finally let loose a little bit."
"Well before I left, Rosalie had a few choice words for me and some really detailed thoughts about exactly how she felt about me. I've been reflecting a lot on myself and how I've treated you as well as my family while I was waiting to hear your decision. I wanted to come snuggle in bed with you so badly and profess my love for you right then but wasn't sure if you'd still want to be with me. I decided it was best to let you decide to come to me, but anyhow, Rosalie told me that I needed to take the giant stick out of my ass. The rest of the family agreed with her in their thoughts before they could block me, even Carlisle and Esme, my own parents, Bella. I guess you could say I've finally realized that they are right." He said, still smiling, but shaking his head a little.
"So is Carlisle trained to perform the ass stick removal surgery?" I could barely get the sentence out for laughing, and we were off again, both holding each other and laughing until I couldn't breathe. I was gasping for air, but laughing as soon as I could get any, making the gasping worse. It took us a while to calm down yet again, but I was having so much fun. We needed this.
After a few minutes, Edward asked "Would you like to call him on speakerphone and ask him together?" And we were both taken by fits of laughter. This was officially my favorite day ever. My old fashioned vampire finally decided to enjoy himself and live at least a little in modern times and I was loving it.
Edward picked up his phone after we had calmed down and dialed the number to the house phone at the Cullen's New York house. He placed it on speakerphone so I could hear as well. "Hello?" asked an unsuspecting Carlisle. I was consumed by a fit of giggles that I tried very hard to silence. Edward snorted.
"Edward, Bella, is everything OK?" I was the one to pull myself together first.
"Carlisle! I miss you all so much. I hope that you'll be home soon! Edward and I got back together this morning."
"Congratulations, Bella! That's the best news. We've all been waiting and hoping that everything would work out!"
"Thank you, father!" said Edward, still smiling. "I was thinking about everyone's letters to me and your thoughts from before I left as well. Bella and I wanted to call and ask you to please come home to Forks if you'd like. We also wanted to ask if you've found the instructions to perform the surgery I need."
"What surgery son?" Carlisle asked, curious. I could hear Alice laughing loudly in the background. She must have had a vision of our decision to call Carlisle.
"The one that I finally agree is needed to remove the giant stick from my ass." He asked. I was done. I was crying laughing again. I could hear several family members on the other end of the line losing their composure as well.
"Well, son. It sounds like you may have solved that problem for yourself." Carlisle said, laughing. "Merry Christmas, kids. Bella, we're very sorry for leaving you like we did. We look forward to the chance to make things up to you. You are very much a member of our family too. You have our promises to not leave you ever again, even if Edward replaces his stick." He said with a laugh.
Edward wished him a Merry Christmas and ended the call. We collapsed together still in fits of laughter. Edward wiped away my happy tears. The Cullens were coming home to stay! Edward was back, and he was all mine, sans the stick in his ass, I was glad to be rid of that part. I started laughing again. I was never going to stop laughing today.
