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Portland, Oregon
December 25
12:12 pm

"So what's your family like?" I ask, dipping a fry in ketchup. "Just so I know what I'm getting myself into."

Edward takes his time thinking, then settles for, "Normal, I guess."

"I'm not familiar with normal. Explain."

"Parents are still married. My dad retired a year ago, so he spends his time bugging my mom." This makes him smile, which makes me smile. "I have an older brother, Emmett, who's an aggressive gluten-free vegan. I also have a younger sister, Alice, who's married and has a kid on the way."

"You were right. They sound pretty damn normal," I muse. "First time being an uncle?"

"Yep. I'm pretty excited."

He grins and it's so boyishly fucking handsome, it makes me feel sick. Or maybe that's just my bitch of a hangover.

"That's cool," I tell him. "You're like, all cute and shit about your family."

He looks amused as he pushes the sleeves of his sweater over his forearms. "I guess."

"It's a good thing. I promise. I didn't mean that to sound so… whatever."

"It's fine," he says, breathing out a laugh. "What about your family?"

"What about them?"

"What are they like?"

I shake my head. "This is about you, not me. All that information was necessary because I'm the one who's crashing your family's Christmas."

"For the millionth time, you're invited, not imposing. Besides," he adds, "I'm curious."

We stare at each other in silence. Part of me wants to peace out because talking about my family is a huge fucking no. But the other part just wants to get this over with and tell him everything because he's looks so interested.

"Fine," I sigh. "Let's see… my dad split when I was fifteen and moved to Seattle. I see him like, two or three times a year, but that's mostly my doing. He doesn't really make an effort."

"You mentioned some of that last night," he replies with a small nod. "What about your mom?"

"She's a functioning alcoholic who moved to Florida two years ago and got remarried to some dude named Phil. He's good for her, I think. I mean, she sounds happy when we talk. But that could also be the booze. Who knows."

"That sounds rough," he says quietly, never taking his eyes off my face, like he's hanging on to my every word.

I look away, busying myself with tearing my fries in half. I know his eyes are still on me because I can feel them. Talking to him about my family didn't make me nearly as uncomfortable as I thought it would.

"It's whatever," I mumble, shrugging. "I should seriously shut up. Hangovers make me vulnerable. I don't even know why I told you all of that."

"Well, I asked. I don't mind listening."

"You were probably expecting the good-on-paper version. Not the real one."

"Real is better," he says simply, holding my gaze.

I swallow, not sure what to say to that or how to take it. It's crazy to me that I've just opened up to this stranger. I've known him for, what, two days? He already knows more about me than my roommate. The urge to crack a joke or say something to ease the tension is overwhelming, but for once, I say nothing and just let the moment pass.

Edward must sense my unease, because he pulls out his wallet and throws some cash on the table. "So. What do you think?"

"About?"

"You wanna spend Christmas with my family?"

"Okay." I cross my arms, but keep a small smile on my face. "As long as dinner doesn't consist of tofurkey, I'm in."

Forks, Washington
December 25
5:43 pm

It's almost six when we finally arrive in Forks.

The town is fucking small. Like blink and you'll fucking miss it small. But there's a certain charm to it that makes me feel warm.

Edward slows in front of a house, pulling into the driveway. It's smaller than I was expecting. The front porch is draped in garland, and the rest of the house is decorated in white lights.

"I'll get our bags later," he tells me. "If that's okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

We exit the car and I follow behind him. He glances back just before he walks in, and I'm suddenly nervous as fuck.

"Wait, wait, wait," I say, grabbing his arm to stop him from opening the door.

He turns around, brows pulled together. "Yeah?"

"What if they hate me?"

"They're not going to hate you."

"Okay, but I'm," I lower my voice, "kind of an asshole. And I'm nervous. And the catch is that I need alcohol to not feel nervous, but if I'm drunk, I say and do inappropriate things. Like kiss you, apparently. And I don't really want to make a fool out of myself again and—"

Before I can say another word, Edward's lips are on mine, sufficiently shutting me up. His mouth begins to move slowly, lips soft but insistent. I feel his hand cup the side of my neck and his breath on my face. His bottom lip gently grazes my top lip and his grizzly cheeks are rough against mine.

He slows the kiss, pecking me twice before pulling away, but keeps his head close to mine.

I catch my breath.

"I hope that was okay," he whispers.

I nod dumbly. "It was more than okay."

"Did it help you calm down?"

"Definitely not calmer, but you did help me forget whatever the hell I was talking about." I blink a few times, body still buzzing. "I'm still not completely convinced you aren't going to kill me, but you're one hell of a kisser. Just thought you should know that."

He grins down at me. "Well if you weren't such a good kisser, I would have to kill you."

"Should we stop with the murder jokes?"

"Probably. Just until we're no longer in front of my parents."

"Sounds like a plan."

I know it's no longer Christmas but like I suck at updating so just don't hate me please.

Thanks for reading.

Much love for Kimmy and Vickie.