Welcome back to Bella...

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 was spooning me from behind, his chin on top of my head, his whole body molded to mine at every point possible.

I pushed back, trying to wake him as he groaned loudly and pushed his body towards mine.

"Wake up," I chuckled as I turned to face him, and he finally stirred and rolled onto his back with another groan.

"Edward?" That was his mom's voice as she knocked again, louder this time.

"Yeah?" He replied.

She must have taken his reply as a sign to come in because the door creaked open and she stepped inside.

"Ummm, oh, sorry." She stumbled, taking in the sight in front of her, Edward on his back with his shirt hanging wide open and me lying next to him.

She hid her shock and smiled. "Ummm, yeah, the kids are getting restless. They're threatening to come up here and wake Uncle Edward, and, well, I thought that might not be the best idea so I said I'd wake you and…"

"It's okay, Mom." Edward saved her from any further embarrassment as he continued. "Just keep the little devils at bay for a few more minutes, we'll be right down."

Esme smiled and nodded. "Good. Great. See you soon. Oh, and Merry Christmas, both of you!"

"Merry Christmas," we both returned as she softly closed the door and I buried my head in Edward's chest, more embarrassed now than the first time Carlisle had walked in on us asleep.

Edward kissed to top of my head, his lips lingering in my hair. "Fuck, Bella. I've missed you so much. I don't need any presents under that tree, just you. Always you."

I lifted my head, so my face met his. "That's good...because I kind of didn't get you a present…"

He chuckled. "I figured. Besides, you're all I want. Merry Christmas, Bella."

"Merry Christmas, Edward."

After that, we got up and ready swiftly, believing Esme when she said the kids would storm in on us at any minute.

Once we were dressed, I appreciated the Cullen's love of heating and keeping a warm house even more than yesterday. Edward was wearing worn jeans and a white V-neck, layered with a fresh checked shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. Yum! His forearms were on show, and I certainly made up for lost time by checking them out.

When we were both ready, we walked down the large spiral staircase and followed the noise to the living room.

I stood in the doorway listening to Christmas carols that were playing softly in the background, trying desperately to impose a calm influence on the hectic room.

I watched Petey, who was busy counting. He'd reached 2 minutes 18 seconds and was still going as Rosalie tried to explain to him that she didn't literally mean he could start opening presents in five minutes exactly.

Sophie was counting the presents under the tree, getting distracted by her brother and starting over again several times.

Jasper was trying to get a photo of all the kids in front of the tree, but two of them were too busy trying to see if Rudolph had eaten the carrot they'd left.

Alice was adjusting Emily's Christmas cardigan as the little girl squirmed, and Jasper called for them to smile for the camera.

Edward had gone ahead of me and was now hugging his father and wishing him a Merry Christmas, before turning to his mom. She held his face, commented on how happy he looked, and then drew him into a hug.

As I watched them, Carlisle approached me, giving me a huge smile and a hug. "I told you Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without you," he whispered in my ear as I reciprocated his heartfelt hug.

I watched as Edward was attacked by over-excited kids, all bouncing up and down when they saw him and all speaking at the same time.

I watched as Edward walked to Emmett and hugged him. They spoke before embracing again as Esme smiled across the room at the two of them. Carlisle patted Edward on the back before clapping his hands together and announcing that it was present time.

I was still in the doorway, but I caught Edward's eye and nodded for him to join me. I left the room, walking down the corridor and around the corner to the kitchen where we'd been reunited yesterday.

"What's up?" Edward asked, his smile wide and eager, his eyes bright and questioning.

I reached out and ran my finger over the bare skin of his chest that his T-shirt didn't cover.

He froze for a few seconds before meeting my eyes, his smile becoming impossibly wider.

I took a step closer to him as my other hand ran up his bare forearm to his elbow.

"Edward…" my voice was more breathy than I expected, but I was desperate to connect with him, to feel him again.

"Bella, we don't have to, I'm not going to rush you…"

I couldn't wait any longer; I closed the gap between our bodies, silencing his words as my lips met his eagerly.

He groaned as we connected. Within seconds, he'd pressed his body up against mine and was walking me the few steps backward until my back hit the wall.

I moaned, my hands finding his unruly hair, his finding my waist, his cool fingertips creeping under the hem of my top, stroking the bare skin covering my hip.

"Christ, Bella ... I don't deserve you," he grumbled into my ear, his body covering mine from head to foot. I could feel him ... right there …

I groaned as he returned his mouth to my lips and our eagerness resulted in a breathless, teeth clashing, hands grabbing, moaning kiss that he suddenly stopped.

"We should stop," he whispered, running his hands through his hair as I smiled up at his flustered expression.

I bit my lip and nodded to him. His thumb teased my lip free before he dropped a softer, calmer kiss onto them.

Petey was already calling his Uncle Edward frantically from the living room. Surely he hadn't opened the Scalextric set yet?

Edward grabbed my hand and smiled as I pulled him back towards the living room.

"Wait … " he called. When I turned back around, he smoothed down my hair and straightened his own shirt before we returned to his family.

This time, walking into the living room, I knew I'd actually get to see the kids dive into their presents.

I knew Carlisle would give Esme some posh handbag or purse that would make her squeal in delight.

I knew I'd offer to help Esme with dinner and she would never accept my help.

I knew I'd get to see Petey open his Scalextric and see Edward try desperately to tone down his competitiveness when he got to race.

I knew the kids would lose their tiny minds when they were released outside later to burn off some energy … in the snow.

I knew Emmett would eat at least ten roasted potatoes, probably more, as he tried to break last year's record.

I smiled as I looked around the room, catching Edward's eye. He looked so relaxed, like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders, like he was whole again.

Which was exactly how I felt too. We had each other, and we had a family.

He strode towards me and casually slipped his arm around my shoulders, grinning at me as I looked at the stockings hanging by the fireplace. All were stuffed to the brim with presents peeking out the top.

Including mine.

There was my name, next to Edward's, right where I always wanted to be.

This is where this story completes but there are two future takes coming up.

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.