Thanksgiving
The rest of the evening was wonderful and comfortable. And I hated I had to go. I needed to bake the pie I was going to bring to Thanksgiving. Edward once again complained that I didn't have to but I told him that I wanted to. He walked me to my car, leaning me up against the door to give me a sensuous kiss with hips against hips, lips against lips, and fingertips searching for anywhere to perch. By the time we were done making out I was panting and having a hard time remember why I needed to leave.
But, I think that he did that on purpose.
"I'll pick you up around eleven?" He asked, kissing my neck lightly. "Unless you want to stay."
"I want to stay but I need to cook," I complained, leaning my head back. His hand skirted around my right breast and I practically groaned in frustration. "Behave. We'll see each other tomorrow."
"Fine." He pouted as he pulled away, placing a last kiss on my lips.
Edward was good at what he did and dammit if he didn't know it.
I woke up the next morning early to bake my pecan pie. It was one of the few things I could do well. Dessert-wise anyway. While it was cooking I called to wished Charlie a Happy Thanksgiving. Then I called my mother.
"Hey, Mom," I said into the phone.
"Bella! Happy Thanksgiving," she called. I could hear laughter in the background. I was kind of grateful for that. It meant that this would be a short phone call.
"You, too. I just wanted to wish you a happy holiday," I replied, nibbling on my bottom lip as I watched the clock. I decided after my conversation with my mom I would go get showered and dressed.
"Aw, how sweet. Well, I love you honey and I'll talk to you later!"
And she hung up. Well, I was right about it being a short phone call. I still had forty-five minutes of baking time to get ready which was more than enough.
I wasn't really sure what to wear. What does one wear to something like this? Most of my clothing was too big which was a pain. I would have to do some shopping and very soon.
After a while, I decided on a pair of jeans with a comfortable pair of boots since it was chilly outside. A long dark blue sweater finished the whole thing off, the knitted outfit going past my bottom. It was baggy, but it was comfortable. I pinned my hair halfway up, leaving the bottom down. Light makeup and jewelry were next. I didn't want to look trashy around Edward's family, but I didn't want to look plain either.
I had just wrapped the pie in foil when Edward knocked on the door. I ran to it quickly, throwing my arms around his neck and giving him a deep kiss. He laughed quietly, rubbing my back as he returned it.
"You smell like pie," he commented teasingly. "I could eat you up."
"Hm, I think we'd be late. And I don't want that."
Edward frowned playfully but agreed. He took the pie and led me to his car. After opening the door for me like a gentleman, he slipped the pie into the trunk where apparently he kept the items he brought. I wasn't sure what he made exactly but his entire car smelled of pumpkin and spice faintly. It was nice.
"Is there anything I should know about your family?" I asked.
"Well, they're crazy. If they tease you about good things, they like you. Trust me, they tease everyone they love. It's always in good nature. I think that's about it."
"That doesn't give me a lot to go on." I frowned slightly.
"Everyone is like Emmett, except smaller and usually louder."
"That's scary," I mumbled.
He shrugged and laughed, "but fun."
There were about fifty cars parked in front of a large ranch style home when we arrived. It was a modest, albeit large, place. There were kids everywhere with some adults sprinkled about. Most had plastic cups in their hands, drinking something, as they talked to others. About half of the people there had wild red hair, a lot like Edward's or almost black hair, like Emmett's. The rest was fairly well mixed.
"I'll bring the in stuff in a minute," Edward explained as he opened the door for me. "I don't want the wolves to descend when you're unprotected."
"I'm so not comforted."
Edward just smiled wickedly, taking my hand as he brought me inside. Different people greeted him but he didn't slow to speak to them. He seemed to have a destination in mind.
Apparently, it was the kitchen.
"Edward!" A woman said happily as she wiped her hands on her apron. They had the same sharp nose and bright green eyes. "Hey, sweetie!"
He hugged her tightly, "Hi, Aunt Edith."
"It's been so long since I've seen you!" She pouted. "How have you been?"
"Great," he nodded his head happily. "This is Bella."
I stuck out my hand but she brought me into a hug. "Hi, darling. So nice to meet you!"
There were others in the kitchen, just smiling. There were mostly women around the age of forty, one much older and a couple younger. There was also a dark-haired man with gray at his temples and pretty blue eyes.
"I'd like to introduce everyone to-" Edward began rather formally but was interrupted by the booming voice of Emmett.
"Hey, everyone!" He shouted, his daughter on his hip. He slid her down out of his arms and she ran towards the older woman. The woman bent down and gave her a tight hug. "Hi, Ma."
"I thought you said Emmett's parents were dead," I blurted out before I had time to really think about what I was saying. I clamped my hand over my mouth quickly, blushing red.
"You told her I was dead!" The very proud southern woman asked her hands on her hips.
"No, I didn't!" Edward said, bringing up his hands defensively. "I said you weren't around anymore. I'm sorry. I mean, they live in Florida now."
"That's right," she nodded her head, smiling brightly. Her hair was the exact same tone of red as Edward's, her skin bright snow white and lovely.
"Bella, you should know," Edward turned to me with the most serious expression I had ever seen, "the good die young. Evil is everlasting. Memaw is never going to die."
Emmett burst into laughter as the old woman came over and slapped Edward on top of the head, a smile on her face the entire time. "If that's true you're going to join me. Both of you. You little heathens."
Edward laughed evilly before getting smacked on the shoulder. The older gentlemen smiled the entire time, rolling his eyes. "Would you three behave? Honestly! We've got guests."
"Ah, Bella's okay. She already knows we're heathens," Emmett said.
The woman, with one more jab to the ribs to Edward which made him whimper with laughter, came over to me. "I'm so sorry for my rude children and grandchildren. I'm Elizabeth and this is my husband, Ed. And who might you be, my dear?"
Bridget, who apparently had been quiet too long decided to jump in at that exact moment. "Bella is Edward's girlfriend!"
The tiny woman pulled me into a hug while Edward's aunt Edith gave him another hug. I heard Emmett go 'hell yeah! Go Eddie!' in the background.
"Ah, and she's so beautiful, Edward!" Elizabeth said, smiling brightly.
"Memaw, she's right there. She can hear you. Perhaps you should talk to her." He smiled. Edward leaned over and pressed a kiss on my cheek. "I'm going to get the stuff from the car. I'll be right back. I tried to defend you but the wolves have seemed to have gotten you."
"Did he just call us wolves?" Another woman said in the background. She had dark hair like Emmett. "Hi, I'm Evelyn. Apparently, you helped out with my daughter yesterday."
"Yeah. We had a great time." I smiled. The woman led me away from the group and to a stool around an island in the kitchen. They all gathered around like I was something interesting.
I was so going to get Edward when he got back. He shouldn't have left me alone.
"So, how long have you and Edward been together?" Edith asked.
"We've been friends for a couple of months but we just started dating. When he found out that I was going to spend Thanksgiving alone he invited me along. I hope that's okay."
The group of women awed. "Of course! We would have been mad if he hadn't."
"How did you meet?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"We have mutual friends. Jasper, Rosalie's brother, and Alice."
"How serious is it?" His Aunt Evelyn asked, a devious smile on her face.
"Stop volleying her around like a tennis ball and Lyn, behave," Edward said, carrying in a huge box with my tiny pie on the very top. "And here we are. Two hundred of my mother's famous pumpkin cheesecake mini tarts and an amazing smelling pecan pie made by Bella. Where would you like to put them?"
"Put it in the dining room with the rest of the desserts," Edith said. "I've got to get back to work!"
"Anything I can do to help?" I offered.
"No, no! Lets us! We've got it!" Elizabeth said. "Edward, go take her around and introduce her to everyone."
I almost ran out of that room, that's how grateful I was. Edward nodded his head towards another door on the other side of the kitchen and I followed behind him.
"When the hell did you have time to make all that?" I asked him in a whisper.
"I woke up at five in the morning," he said with a shrug. "They're easy to make. There are just a lot of them."
"I would have helped," I told him. He placed the box down on a table filled with desserts of all kinds. And I do mean all kinds. Edward pulled me into his arms and kissed me lightly.
"I know."
"OH! Who's the hot babe?" A thick southern voice said from behind us. It was a lovely woman with dark eyes and matching hair, a wicked little crooked smile on her face like Edward's. She had spiked short hair and was almost punkish with her dark makeup.
"Hey! Esther! How are you?" Edward said, bringing the woman into a hug. "Es, this is my girlfriend Bella. Bella this is my Aunt Esther."
I think someone was trying to make up for the old fashion name with the wild outfit and hair.
"Wow. Lots of E names," I said, shaking her hand quickly.
"Edward didn't tell you? Mama took to the letter E and just ran with it," she said in her thick accent. "She's Elizabeth, Daddy is Edward Sr. Then there is Eleazar, Edith, Esme, Eleanor, Emily, Erica, Evelyn, Evangeline, me and Emmett. Mae is the only one that did another E," she said, nodding her head towards Edward.
"To be fair though, I am named after both of my grandfathers," Edward shrugged. "Edward Sr. and James Edward."
Esther laughed, "I don't think any of us kids have children with a name that starts with E. First or middle. Or grandkids. And we didn't marry anyone with an E name either."
"Got sick of it?" I asked.
"Damn straight," she laughed. "So, Edward treating you right?"
"He's the best," I assured her. Edward smile and wrapped a gentle arm around my back.
"Aw! That's great, Eddie. Just great. I'm proud of you."
"Proud of me?" He laughed. "Why are you proud of me? It's not like I won the Olympics. I got a girlfriend. Not that Bella isn't worth her weight in gold, it's just-"
"Dude, give it up!" Emmett shouted from behind us. "You've eaten shoe leather. Stop while you're ahead."
"You know, for once I think you're right," Edward said, nodding his head while a wild blush spread across his cheeks.
"For once?" Emmett snarked. "I'm right all the time."
"In your dreams."
"Okay! You two! Stop it," Elizabeth called as she walked out with a huge platter of what looked like sweet potatoes. "Everyone get into the den. We're about to start."
"Are your parent's coming?" I asked Edward quietly as we walked towards another room. People were everywhere. Literally.
"No," Edward whispered sadly. "They're in the south of France right now, apparently. I don't want to know what they're doing. But, I'm sure you'll meet them soon enough."
I would have replied but when we walked into the den I was floored. The entire room was filled with tables covered in massive amounts of food. On the first table, there were plates with forks and knives along with napkins. After that there was meat. Lots of meat. There was a couple of roasted turkeys, fried turkeys, and what appeared to be Cajun turkeys. There were roasted chickens, several of them, and a couple of buckets of fried chicken. There was roasted beef and sausage. There were even hamburgers and hot dogs, for the kids I assumed. And then there was stuffing, at minimum seven trays, all of which were different. There was macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and enough sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows to feed a village. Green bean casseroles and broccoli casseroles were there as well. There was every kind of vegetable I could think, cooked in every way you could think of. And at the very end, there was an entire table of different kinds of bread.
"Okay!" Edward Sr, said, clapping his hands together. "You guys know the drill! Food in here, drinks in the kitchen, dessert in the dining room. We've got tents outside so everyone can sit. Before we eat we have someone who'd like to say prayers."
Bridget, just as pleased as punch, said her little prayer just as loud as she could and when she was done everyone clapped and laughed. Especially when she asked if she could eat dessert first directly after.
"Your family is big, but I don't think we need this much food," I whispered to Edward. He chuckled and nodded his head.
"We don't. But, what we do is we have to-go containers, like from a restaurant, and everyone makes one filled with dinner stuff and another filled with dessert before they go. That way everything is taken care of and Edith doesn't have to store it at the house and everyone has leftovers for a couple of days. Plus, everyone has used foil pans so the clean up easier."
"That's pretty smart," I agreed. "Everything looks so good."
"There was a reason I was chunky," he chuckled. I looked around and no one was really overweight. Emmett was huge, but not because he was fat. Edward noticed and said, "everyone can eat and eat on this side of the family and stay thin. I got my father's genetics on that part, I'm afraid."
And apparently, the cooking gene was on the McCarty side of the family because everything tasted amazing. And when Edward said that Thanksgiving was the only day he really let go and ate, he meant it.
He had at least three plates. But, in all fairness, I had two and I kept stealing bites off his. And that wasn't including dessert. We shared a giant plate of different things. Cakes, cheesecakes, tarts, puddings, jellos and like seven different types of pie including pecan, blueberry, cherry, apple, pumpkin, and peach. And I think there was even a plum pie. I wasn't sure. And there was a cobbler.
My thighs were growing by the jiffy. Not by the second, but by the tenth of a second. Or at least I think that's what a jiffy was.
"I'm miserable," Edward complained, leaning against me underneath the tent outside.
"I can't imagine why," I snickered, kissing his forehead as I rubbed his cheek gently. He chuckled, rubbing his nose against mine.
"Hey, Ed! Come help us with the equipment," Emmett called to him from across the table. I hadn't even realized that anyone else was there, I was so much in my own world. Edward sighed, nodding his head as he stood slowly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
Rosalie remained seated, looking beautiful and uncomfortable as she crossed her legs and sighed. I felt instantly uncomfortable as well but I couldn't think of a good enough excuse to get up and leave.
"I want to apologize for being so cold to you."
What?
I looked up and Rosalie was gazing right at me, a slight frown on her face. "It's not you," she said in what I guessed was a reassuring voice. For her, anyway.
"Oh, okay."
"I've been extremely tired lately. I work so much and then there are Bridget and Emmett to deal with when I get home. I don't feel like I can get a break. When I'm tired, I'm a bitch."
"Oh," I breathed, blushing slightly in embarrassment.
"Bridget speaks very highly of you."
"She's a sweet little girl," I smiled.
"Edward is quite smitten with you. Jasper and Alice are both quite pleased that you two are a couple now. It seems they think you two are perfect for each other."
"I enjoy his company," I answered truthfully. "He makes me happy."
She smiled almost privately and looking down, rubbing her knee gently as she thought something over. "Edward is my nephew, but he's my friend as well. Emmett cares for him a great deal. He was very sad as a teenager. Very closed off."
"He's told me," I breathed. "Parts of it anyway."
"He's changing. We've seen it since the concert. I will ask you one thing: don't jerk around with his emotions."
"I won't," I promised her quietly.
"Good. Because if you do, I'll jerk you around," she smiled at me teasingly. I laughed, looking away as I pursed my lips.
"I think I could take you."
"I doubt it. Rosalie's a mean one," Emmett said, kissing the top of his wife's head. It took me a moment to realize what he was holding. It was a large nerf machine gun. Edward was holding one as well.
I guess he wasn't joking.
I snickered, rolling my eyes as he winked at me. "Come on, woman," he said to Rosalie. "I am taking you down."
"I don't think so, Ginger," Rosalie said, standing up. "Your freckled ass is going down."
"My ass isn't freckled," Edward muttered as they started to go in the large field behind the tents. He helped me stand, handing me another gun from his back pocket.
"Bella would know," Emmett commented and I flushed. Edward pouted out his bottom lip, his cheeks flushing.
"You know. I haven't spent much time staring at it. It's on my to-do list," I said as I walked past Emmett, keeping my chin high up in the air. Emmett sputtered and Rosalie laughed loudly.
"Bella, I think I'm going to like you. You can make Em speechless. It's a miracle!"
"Well, the holiday is all about miracles," Edward said, grabbing me around the waist and kissed me deeply. He put his lips next to my ear. "I didn't see that on the list."
"Oh, I'm totally putting it on there."
"Alright!" A male I didn't know shouted from in the middle of the field. "Here's the deal: keep shooting. Play nice. Don't hurt anyone ON PURPOSE. Play fair and have fun!"
"Last year," Edward whispered in my ear, "Emmett changed into a kilt and nothing else besides Scooby Doo boxers. He even painted his face blue. He gave the full Braveheart speech. He was the first one everyone took down. I'm so glad he didn't do it this year. I think it's too cold. Last year it was like seventy outside."
"Thank God for cold fronts," I muttered. Like six people around me responded 'amen.'
"Hey! I look good," Emmett said with a giant frown.
"You've got chicken legs and a furry back," Rosalie said with a straight face, rolling her eyes.
"This isn't going to end well," Edward whispered in my ear again.
Oh boy, and he was right. Someone ended tying Emmett to a pine tree, I suspect Rose and Edward were on it together, and the kids were now using him as target practice. It was awesome. Emmett was taking it all in good fun.
When we were worn out we gave our guns to the kids and plopped down in the tent with mulled cider and another plate of dessert. Rosalie propped her feet up, a small smile on her face. Bridget ran up to her before hugging her tightly.
"Where's Daddy?"
"Tied to a pine tree in the backyard. Why don't you go check on him?"
And you know that a family is special when the kid doesn't even bat an eyelash. She just nodded her head and took off.
"So," Rosalie began, smiling in my direction, "Alice and I are going shopping tomorrow. She said you were coming over tomorrow anyway. Would you like to join us?"
"Sure. What time?"
"Four in the morning."
"Jesus! Are you serious?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. She smiled and nodded.
"It's Black Friday, baby. Best deals in town. I save up for the entire year so I can do all my Christmas shopping tomorrow."
I looked over at Edward and he shrugged. I rolled my eyes. He was no help at all. I bit my lip, thinking about it for a moment. It would be good to get in close with Edward's family and Alice would be there to keep things from getting awkward. I supposed it was almost ideal.
"Sure, I'd love to. I have a few things I'd like to buy anyway."
My family is all J.
Emmett in scooby doo boxers.
Thanks for reading!