Time to hear from Edward...

I don't own Twilight or its characters; they belong to Stephanie Meyer. This is just what they got up to in my mind.

I was fairly certain Bella was asleep by now, but I continued to stroke her soft hair and just enjoy lying with her, her body warm next to me, her soft legs intertwined with mine. I rested back against the headboard of my bed, closed my eyes and mouthed a silent thank you to any deity up there that things had gone well with Bella.

She'd been understandably mad at me when we started to talk. I'd been expecting her to be angry, I deserved that, but when she got upset, my heart broke even further, if that was possible.

I meant what I said though, I took comfort from knowing we both wanted to be together. We weren't together out of habit or routine, we were choosing each other, and that felt good.

It felt even better when she parted my shirt, leaned down and kissed my chest, her soft lips spreading warmth to my whole body.

I'd wanted more, needed more, but I didn't push. I sat still and let her set the tone for our physical contact. I reveled in every move she made before lulling her to sleep, knowing she, like me, probably hadn't had a good night's sleep in over six weeks.

I smiled at the memory of Bella's face when she read my college letter. I was thrilled to be transferring and moving home, and I knew Bella felt the same. It would have been so much harder to get back together and repair the damage I'd done if I was almost 2000 miles away.

I stretched my back slowly before wriggling free from under Bella's chest. I couldn't sleep yet, I was too pumped from the day and being back home, oh, and it was Christmas Eve, and I was still a bit of a kid at Christmas time.

I dimmed the light and pulled the covers up to Bella's shoulders before dropping a kiss on her forehead. She didn't stir as I almost fell over the open suitcase on my bedroom floor. I hadn't bothered up to unpack, good job my bedroom hadn't been turned into a gym yet like Dad joked about many times in the past.

I padded softly downstairs, being particularly quiet because if I woke my crazy excited nieces and nephews when they'd finally all gone to sleep, I'd be pretty unpopular with the whole house.

I wasn't expecting to see anyone, I just wanted to savor being back in my childhood home, with my family. I poked my head into the family room. The tree lights were the only illuminations, twinkling away, throwing the pile of presents into bright light, then shadows, then light over and over again. I looked at the decorations on the tree, momentarily sad I wasn't here when it was decorated. I'd missed out on so much, which was all part of growing up and moving out, but it didn't mean I liked it.

I carried onto the kitchen, secretly hoping for another slice of pie before I returned to bed, where Bella was waiting for me. I smiled at that thought. I'd spent more nights than I cared to admit wishing she was with me, and now she was upstairs, in my bed. I couldn't blame her for still being hesitant, but we'd get past that. I knew in time we'd be fully back together and stronger than ever.

I clicked on the kitchen light, squinting momentarily at the brightness as I walked on auto-pilot towards the fridge. As I opened the door, I smiled at the Cling wrapped pie.

I licked my lips and set about warming a large slice in the microwave before adding a dollop of cold whipping cream. Just as I was about to take my first bite, I heard a familiar voice.

"Up looking for Santa, are you?" My dad was wearing checked lounge pants, a plain, gray T-shirt and a big smile.

"Nope. I've got all the presents I could wish for already, nothing Santa could bring can top my Christmas." I answered, sounding a little smug as I shoveled warm pie into my mouth to stop myself from saying anything more.

My dad nodded at me, opened the cutlery drawer for a fork, and then joined me at the breakfast bar, pulling up a stool and helping himself to my plate of warm pie.

"I think your mother feels the same. You've made her Christmas." He loaded his fork with pie. "And mine." He took a bite as I smiled at him.

"Because of Bella or Seattle?" I asked somewhat cautiously.

"Because you're happy," he informed me matter a factly.

We continued to eat in a comfortable silence until all the pie was gone, which wasn't very long; I'd missed my mom's cooking.

"You've made some big decisions lately, son." He commented as he pushed away the empty plate and looked at me. "Just be sure you made them for you … not for your family, they have to be for you."

I scoffed. "I did it for me, trust me. I've learned my lesson; I'm going to appreciate Bella this time."

My dad nodded. "I'm glad. Your mom and I are very fond of Bella. That's not to say you can't live your own life and make your own decisions, but I'm pleased we'll see Bella around the house again. Her family … " he shook his head and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. "I know they try, but I always felt like when she was with you, you made up for their absence, but then when she didn't have you anymore … " he shrugged.

I swallowed, ashamed again at the heartache I'd put Bella through, put us both through.

"Did you know Emmett serviced her car at the start of winter? He did it while she was in class …" my dad continued as I frowned.

"No. Did she know?"

"No, we didn't want to interfere, we tried to help subtly. Your Mom dropped money in Bella's tip jar when she wasn't looking, Alice ordered the odd takeaway to the wrong address, we just made sure we looked out for her."

"Thanks, Dad." My words didn't seem adequate for my family's actions, they'd looked after Bella when I couldn't. When I chose not to. "I had no idea."

He merely shrugged and nodded like his actions and words were no big deal. "We didn't want her to see our help as pity, we just wanted to show her some kindness. You know your Mom loves to help people and we felt if we couldn't help you, all the way in Chicago, we could help Bella. Your mom and I, Alice, Emmett … all of us, we were so worried about you, Edward."

I nodded, this wasn't exactly news to me. "So I heard. That's why you sent Emmett to Chicago to play detective on my life?"

His voice was more serious when he replied. "I won't apologize for being a concerned father. Edward, you can't drop off the radar like that again, ever, you just can't." He dropped his head into his hands as if he was trying to control his voice and his emotions. "Your mom ... she ... she wouldn't be able to cope with it again. We work through things together in this family, okay?"

I nodded, stunned into silence by the sincerity and forcefulness of my dad's words.

"I mean it, Edward. Your mom didn't want me saying this to you, she's just so pleased you're here and staying, but I think you should know she was beside herself. And then, when you broke up with Bella, she was so worried, you were so ... different … you looked and sounded worse every time we managed to talk to you ..."

"Dad, I'm sorry … I …"

"No, Edward, we know it wasn't all you. We probably should have intervened when we knew how unhappy you were. We talked about it, but you're learning to spread your wings, we wanted to respect that and give you space." He then looked up at me. "But having said that, I think you've made a really smart decision."

I smiled affectionately at him. "I appreciate your concern, Dad. I'm pleased you're okay with me moving back."

"Okay? Son, we're delighted! Emmett's right, Chicago isn't all that. I think you should start a new Cullen trend. Seattle all the way." His grin was infectious, and I could see the truth in his words, see how happy he was.

"Dad, you're getting soft in your old age!" I elbowed his arm, gently teasing him.

"I am," he admitted freely. "When Emmett left for Chicago, and then Alice, we still had you at home but when you left …"

His voice trailed off leaving a lot unsaid.

"I hate the thought of Petey and Sophie going so far away. I know full well they might, but, as you've shown, Chicago shouldn't be their only option. Besides, by the time they go to college, there might be more little grandkids in the family."

"Bella's still forgiving me for my monumental mess up, I think we'll be taking one step at a time for a while, Dad."

"Sounds sensible," he agreed. "So, I guess my home gym will be on hold for another year or so?"

I laughed. "Yeah, I was hoping to live back here while Bella finishes school, then we'll see if she wants to go into dorms or if we move in together."

"Son, you're always welcome here. You know I hate the damn gym. That room will always be yours, for as long as you need it."

"Thank you," I answered sincerely. "I know moving back home isn't exactly progress, but I want to focus on getting Bella and me on track and making sure I settle into Seattle. Then, in six months or so Bella and I will be able to make plans together."

"You two better not have eaten all the leftover pie!" Emmett butted in as he came bounding into the kitchen, looking wide awake and overexcited, much like his own son had all night.

He clapped me on the back as he walked to the fridge. "I can't sleep, it's Christmas Eve, man!"

My dad smiled at his oldest son's exuberance as Emmett rattled around in the fridge, talking to me as his head disappeared from sight. "What are you even doing down here, Eddie? Bella's in your bed again at long last, and you're here!"

"Errr … " Jeez, he had no shame.

"Edward's here because he's a gentleman, aren't you, Edward?" My dad looked at me pointedly, but before I could answer, Emmett scoffed and answered for me.

"Sure. Edward's here because Bella is, rightly so, still pissed at him."

I groaned and ran my hands through my hair, not overly pleased my love life was the topic of conversation.

Again.

Emmett joined us at the breakfast bar with his own plate of pie, half-heartedly batting away my fork when I attempted, and got, a piece of it. Dad then joined in, and we all ate more pie, sitting in contented silence.

"I was pleased with Mom's present this year, now wonder-boy turns up and trumps my handbag and perfume with 'Mom, I'm moving back to Seattle,' and suddenly my present seems pretty lame." Emmett joked before stuffing his mouth full of more pie.

I elbowed him, getting an elbow back as we also fought over the last forkful of pie. I let him get it, considering I'd eaten a plate full before he got here.

"Emmett, Christmas isn't about what's under the tree, but who's around it," I informed him, sounding rather smug at my Hallmark sentiment.

Emmett scoffed. "Is that your way of telling me you didn't get me anything for Christmas?" he asked me good-humouredly.

I laughed "No, you were the easiest to shop for … I was tripping over Chicago Alumni merchandise in every damn shop."

Emmett clapped me on the back as he stood to take our plates to the dishwasher.

"We all know you gave the whole family the best gift earlier, just don't expect my kids to agree. Petey's wanted a Scaletrix for months, he's gonna lose his tiny little mind!"

Emmett looked like the one about to lose his mind. He loved treating his kids and worked hard to be able to afford it.

I laughed. "Bella's not going to let me beat Petey is she?" I mused.

"No." Emmett agreed. "And you should let her win every argument for about the next year after what you put her through." I groaned. "But ... you'll move past this, I've no doubt," he added, squeezing my shoulder as he walked back past.

"Thanks."

We all left the kitchen and headed back upstairs. There was definitely a special feeling in the air tonight, I'm pretty sure it was a combination of being back with Bella, being home, and Christmas Eve. The special feeling, the quiet of the house and the twinkle of the tree lights all made me smile as we reached the top of the stairs and each went our own way.

Once Dad was gone, Emmett pulled me back and whispered. "Whatever you do, for God sake don't wake the kids! They fell asleep listening for Santa, they will hear anything..." He finished his ribbing with an eyebrow wiggle, confirming to me that he was implying what I thought he was implying.

He chuckled as he walked off and I rolled my eyes at his words.

Back in my room, I slipped into my bed as Bella moaned softly and her hands found my body in her sleep.

"Merry Christmas, Sweetheart." I kissed her forehead, pulled her closer to me, and sighed contentedly before falling asleep myself.

Thanks to Frannie Walsh for 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.