Thanks so much to everyone who has engaged with this story. I value all your reviews and opinions and like that so many of you are along for the ride.
I don't own Twilight or its characters; they belong to Stephanie Meyer. This is just what they got up to in my mind.
Edward guided me inside, his hand instantly warming my back despite the fact that my top was wet from the snow. It was only then I realized how cold and damp it had become while we were outside talking.
"Good Lord, you two!" Esme squealed, hastily closing the oven she'd been looking in as she turned to us.
"I didn't know you were out there, you must be frozen." She looked more shocked about our state than the fact that we'd been outside, together.
"We got a bit carried away," Edward told his mom, "... talking," he added when her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Right. Yes ...well ..." Esme looked unsure about what to say, but she smiled, then tried to tamper down her grin as we stood in a slightly uncomfortable silence. I saw the moment she spotted Edward's arm around my back and the way we stood so close together. "Well …" I could hear the hopefulness in her voice.
I don't think I'd ever seen Esme so lost for words. She folded and unfolded the dishcloth she was holding as she spoke. "That's good. And ... I don't know if this is going to be awkward for you two, but I don't think Bella will be driving anywhere anytime soon." She turned from looking at Edward to me. "I'd never forgive myself if I let you out in that snow, dear."
I smiled at her motherly concern and nodded. "It's coming down rather quickly out there, I think there'll be plenty for the kids to see in the morning."
"That's okay, Mom. We, ummm, Bella's going to stay for a bit anyway," Edward told her, his arm draping around my shoulder to add emphasis to his words.
"Oh. Okay. I see. Well ... sure, I mean that's great. Really great." She smiled widely and looked like she wanted to say more, but she changed the subject instead.
"How about you two get some dry clothes on, and I'll have this cherry pie hot and ready when you come back."
"Thanks, Mom," Edward told her, thanking her for more than just the food.
"We need to find you something dry to wear," Edward mused as we left the kitchen.
"I have my gym bag in the car, I should be able to salvage something from there," I told him.
Edward headed upstairs while I raced back out into the snow, grabbed my duffle bag and returned to the welcome warmth of the Cullen's.
I didn't quite know what was happening. Only a few hours ago I'd approached the house resigned to the fact that it would be the last time I'd see these people in my life. Now I was ... what was I doing?
I used the downstairs bathroom to change into a pair of fresh leggings and a t-shirt, but I didn't have a sweater in my gym bag. I tidied my hair in the mirror and smiled at my reflection. My face had thinned out recently, but now it looked, well ... merry and bright. My eyes were shining like Christmas lights, and back in the heat of the house, my cheeks were flushed red like Santa himself. It was really quite fitting as I felt the Christmas spirit wash over me for the first time this season.
Edward wanted us to be a couple again, not because it was the easy option, not because we were already together, but because he missed me. Us. He had other options, and yet he still wanted me.
When I left the bathroom, Edward was waiting outside the door for me. He was now dressed in loose-fitting, pale denim jeans, and a red and black checked shirt.
He was resting one leg against the wall, waiting. When he saw me, he kicked off from the wall as he held out one of his gray hoodies. I thanked him and slipped it over my head as I took in a deep breath, smelling Edward's scent on the sweatshirt.
He caught me and chuckled. "You have the real thing now, remember?"
He wanted me back.
He still loved me.
While we clearly had a way to go before we were completely comfortable with each other, this was still the best Christmas present I could have dreamt of.
I leaned forward and slowly rested my head on his chest in a tentative hug. Checking he was real. Checking that he was really here.
He pulled me closer and held me, his arms locked together around me, holding me close. We didn't speak; we just listened to the Christmas songs and muffled voices coming from the living room. I felt his warm chest rising and falling under my cheek. I felt his arms, his strength, enveloping me and keeping me warmer than any sweater could.
Edward kissed the top of my head with a contented sigh before he rested his chin on the spot he'd kissed and squeezed me even tighter. I don't know how long we stayed like that, unmoving in his hallway. We didn't move from our stance, even when Esme came past with a hot pie in her hands and a soft smile on her face.
Finally, I withdrew, missing Edward's hold immediately. I told him I was going to put my gym bag in the hallway, with my shoes and coat. I needed a minute to process that this was real.
Edward tucked a strand of hair behind my ear with soft affection and nodded.
Once I'd deposited my bag and took a few minutes to compose myself, I found Edward in the living room, in a strong bear hug with Emmett while the rest of his family watched.
When Emmett caught sight of me over Edward's shoulder, he dropped out of his hug with his brother and came striding over to me.
"Thank fuck…" he slapped his big bear hands over his mouth. "Oops, sorry kids, I mean thank goodness, my brother has seen sense!" He scooped me up into a heartfelt hug, my feet leaving the ground in his enthusiasm.
"Give him shit though, yeah?" He whispered in my ear, making me chuckle as he lowered me back to the floor.
"Don't worry, he's not off the hook just yet." I chuckled at Emmett.
"Seriously, though…" he started, lowering his voice. "He was a miserable fuck without you, I know he's being genuine, Bella."
"Thanks, Emmett." I smiled at Edward's brother, pleased I'd get to see him regularly again.
Carlisle was now clapping Edward on the back and saying something I couldn't hear, while Alice and Rosalie approached to hug me and every child in the room was looking thoroughly confused.
"This is so good," Esme announced loudly, enveloping Edward in a hug. "I'm so relieved you're not a drug addict!" she announced loudly as he chuckled. He straightened up from their hug just as she caught his eye "Were you though ... before?" she checked, with jest in her words but seriousness in her eyes.
"No, Mom!" Edward reassured her. "I'm studying medicine, I know more than most what that stuff does to you."
"Good. When the time comes, you can tell your nieces and nephews all the horror stories, but right now, I'm in a particularly festive mood. Carlisle, dear, we should break out the board games."
A collective good-hearted sigh echoed around the room as I just watched.
Watched the smiles on everyone's faces.
Watched as Petey picked up a present from under the tree and shook it, trying to figure out what it was.
Watched as Carlisle walked to the sideboard and started calling out the names of some favorite games, deciding by popular opinion, which one would be played first.
Watched as Edward caught my eye from across the room. His gaze made my stomach ache, his presence made my skin tingle, and once he'd moved closer, his touch reminded me how good it felt to be wanted by him.
I watched as Esme served up the warm pie and fresh cream and the whole family gathered around the dining table as Wham sang about last Christmas.
I smiled; I wasn't so bothered about last Christmas, I could finally look forward to this one.
I breathed it all in. All the love in the room from the whole family. I knew Edward and I still had a lot to work out. I had plenty of questions to ask him, but right now, surrounded by family, Christmas songs and Christmas magic, I was happy to just sit and process everything that had happened tonight.
"Bella? Are you playing? Come and join my team!" Alice shouted over.
"I'd love to," I replied.
ooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooo
"Jeez, I thought those kids would never fall asleep!" Emmett flopped down on the sofa, throwing his arm around his wife's shoulders as he relaxed with a contented sigh.
"Don't get too comfy." Rosalie patted his thigh. "We have a car full of plastic crap and batteries to unpack."
"Ugh. Seriously? This Santa guy has a lot to answer for." Emmett grumbled as Jasper agreed with a nod of his head.
"We'll all help," Carlisle started as the whole Cullen clan agreed and began to move.
"Before you do there's one present I want to give out tonight." Edward turned to me, making my eyes widen in confusion.
Everyone paused and stayed in their seats.
Edward looked around the room nervously, his gaze hovering over his parents' faces before he stood and pulled an envelope from his back pocket. He sat back down facing me, looking worried.
"Merry Christmas, Bella. I'd have given you a proper gift, but I didn't know if ... you know …" he trailed off and shrugged before handing me the envelope.
"I know I have to earn your trust again, so hopefully, this will help."
I took the paper he was offering as everyone in the room watched in silence. I could tell they didn't know what this was either.
As I opened the envelope, I saw the heading on the paper first, University of Washington, Seattle Campus, Pre Med Program. Next was Edward's name followed by confirmation that his request to transfer to Seattle had been successful and he could start the new semester with them in January.
I looked up at Edward, wide-eyed. "You transferred?"
"Yep." He was trying to gauge my reaction.
"You ... when? Wow!"
"I applied for a transfer to Seattle, I'll still study medicine," he added hastily, glancing in his parents' direction. "The first year of the two courses are so similar, they both cover the basics before we pick our specialties and I've transferred before the work placements start so everything will be fine," he explained.
I vaguely heard Esme squeal in delight, but I was busy making a fool of myself.
I leaped forward into Edward's arms. Unfortunately, not his waiting arms, because he wasn't prepared for my move, but he did manage to steady us as my body slammed into his in a fierce hug.
Edward's gesture was what I unknowingly needed to show how serious he was. To show he wants me. And us. And he was prepared to work and make sacrifices for our future.
"Even if you go to a different college, it still gives us this year together, and I figured if you do end up there like you always planned, we'd be together. Maybe you can dorm your first year to get the full college experience, and then we can get a place together…" he stopped himself, realizing what he'd just said to me, and in front of his whole family.
I settled back into my seat. Christmas Eve or not, I didn't feel right sitting on his lap like a kid chatting to Santa.
"Edward, I don't want you making this sacrifice for me ... I don't want you resenting me…"
"I won't. I did it for us. It's the least I could do."
"But what if I'd moved on?"
"Then I'd have had to win you back, and I couldn't do that from Chicago."
He was serious.
"Plus, I kinda missed some of these guys, so it's a win-win." He shrugged and grinned around the room.
"I ... I'm thrilled," I replied seriously.
Edward leaned forward and squeezed my hand. I could see the look in his eyes, he wanted to lean further forward and kiss me, and I didn't know if it was our situation that was stopping him or his assembled family. Instead, he held my gaze for a fraction longer than usual before turning away.
"Dad, I hope you're not disappointed in me, I know Chicago's your alma mater and Emmett made it work there but … I had to ... I can't leave you all…"
Carlisle smiled fondly at his youngest child. "Edward," he chuckled, "I could never be disappointed in you." His tone was so heartfelt as he stood and gestured for Edward to do the same. He enveloped his son in a hug, which ended with a couple of back slaps. "You've learned what's important in life. I'm proud of you," he told Edward before turning to me and nodding.
Esme was on her feet, almost pushing her husband out of the way in her eagerness to hug Edward herself. She clapped her hands together, her happiness spilling over as she laughed and hugged her youngest son. "Edward, we had no idea you were planning this. You're really moving back? Oh, this is the best Christmas present ever!"
When Esme finally released Edward, she turned to hug Carlisle, whispering to him while Emmett stood to offer Edward a hug. "I'm really pleased for you, bro. I think you've made a good decision."
"I had some help." Edward smiled affectionately at his brother as they parted.
Emmett grinned. "Besides, Chicago isn't all it's cracked up to be. That steak wasn't half as good as Sue's cafe." He softly punched Edward's arm before continuing. "Now you'll be here to help with stuff, like emptying half of Target's toy aisles from my car." Emmett covered up his emotions with jokes, but I could tell he was pleased to have his little brother closer, and not just for odd jobs.
Everyone else piled out the room, ready to unload Emmett and Alice's cars and play Santa Clause for the night, but Edward and I hung back in the living room.
"Are you sure about this, Edward?" I held up his letter, clinging onto it as proof that Edward wanted us to work and he was prepared to show it.
"Of course."
"But you must have applied for a transfer weeks ago."
"I did. But, I knew in order to be accepted by Seattle I needed full attendance in Chicago. I couldn't come back here and miss classes; I had to finish the term with good grades." Edward stood close to me and rubbed his hands up and down my arms in a comforting gesture.
"That's why you missed Alice's birthday." I mused as he nodded.
The whole family had been so worried about Edward when he didn't visit for his sister's birthday, that Emmett phoned me to see if I'd heard from him. I knew he hated contacting me and picking at my open wound, but it was so unlike Edward to miss a family function. But now I understood. He did it for us.
"This is date stamped yesterday," I stated, once again looking over the letter.
"Yeah, I knew about a month ago that a transfer would be approved if I kept up my attendance and grades, but it wasn't confirmed until term ended that I had secured a place in Seattle. I wanted to have the letter before I told you. I want you to know how seriously sorry I am, how I would do anything to help you move on from this, to help us move on ... together."
Edward held my hands sincerely, his thumbs stroking my palms lightly as Emmett crashed into the room, wolf-whistling as he approached us.
"Hey, you two, grab a bag!" Emmett thrust a full Santa sack at each of us and started barking instructions about where to put the contents.
Once the bulk of the work was done, Edward and I left the others to ready the house for the tornado of excited kids that would hit it early tomorrow.
Edward grabbed my hand, intertwining his fingers in mine so effortlessly I could almost forget he hadn't done it in weeks. His hand was warm in mine, but his smile was even warmer.
His eyes met mine, and he nodded upstairs, silently questioning me.
I nodded back to him, returning his grin as he stood, and I followed.
Always following him, always wanting to be with him. And now I knew he wanted to be with me, too.
Thanks to Frannie Walsh being beta for this chapter, RebAdams for being my pre-reader and M-Sparkle for the great banner. All mistakes are mine as I'm often adding to this story up to the last minute. Thanks to anyone who has rec'ed, reviewed and liked this story so far. Please let me know your thoughts!