Chapter Five
They reach Bismarck, North Dakota late afternoon. Sweets sees a pool hall and they take a few hours to fleece the locals. He sits at the bar nursing a beer as he watches her charm a roomful of men. To the younger guys she's a sweet little sister who likes to tease. To the older men she is the daughter figure who touches their arm and praises them. By the time she's done working the room, she has half a dozen men willing to take a pool cue to anydrunken bastard who reaches for her. It's quite amazing to watch.
The first time he watched her play pool he had wondered if she was fleecing Dunny, Bob and himself. However, her smile is more planned with these men. The pitch of her voice more practiced. No, after watching her this second night, he knows he has the real Sweets and everyone else has a stranger that looks a bit like her.
It's late when they leave the pool hall over three hundred dollars richer. They take turns with warm showers and eat pizza in bed watching A Christmas Story.
With lights off they snuggle down under the covers. Moondoggie gave up and got a room with one, queen-size bed instead of two doubles. Who was he kidding? He wants her in his bed as much as she obviously wants to be in it.
~o0o~
Sweets takes great pride in paying for their gas on the way to Wisconsin. But he finds that's not all she's been buying.
She has taken to keeping cinnamon mints with her, and moving close to him when she's talking. When he squirms, she just laughs. He also finds green and red wrapped Hershey Kisses everywhere, in his coat pocket, on the dashboard, perched on top of his quarter pounder at lunch.
As they get back on the road, she pops in a CD of Christmas songs. She giggles every time 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' plays and when 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' plays, she makes him sing the male part. It's a good thing he's seen Elf so many times.
When they pull into Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it's a bit early. They check-in and do a little shopping for Christmas presents. While Moondoggie buys cigars for his pops she picks out two scarfs for his mom and sister. He notices how relieved she seems now that she is not facing his family empty handed and wonders how long she's been worrying about this.
They drop their shopping bags in their room and walk to The Tavern Grill for a light dinner and stop by the bonfire in the park near their motel. They stand wrapped in each other by the fire; sipping hot chocolate from the same cup and watching the carolers in the gazebo perform. Moondoggie sways them to the music while his Sweets sings along.
After the little concert, the couple walks back to the motel holding hands. He pulls their joined hands to his mouth for a kiss and then tucks them into his warm jacket pocket. She smiles brightly, understanding better what his little kisses mean.
~o0o~
Christmas Eve awakens cold and icy. Sweets isn't sure traveling with icy conditions is a good idea but Moondoggie know that his heavy truck can get them down the road.
Much to Sweet's horror, they hit black ice an hour into the morning drive and slide off the road. But Moondoggie just puts it into four-wheel drive and pulls back onto the highway.
She reaches over and pats his thigh with pride and relief. He captures her hand and brings it to his lips before letting their entwined hands rest between them on the bench seat.
~o0o~
They pull into Chicago after dark.
Moondoggie is bone tired and road-weary from battling the icy conditions.
Once in their hotel room, he collapses face down on the bed.
"Moondoggie, how about we nap for a couple of hours and then have a light, late dinner," She suggests taking off his boots.
He rolls over and holds his arms out and she climbs on the bed to fill them.
"You told me you always wanted to go to a candlelight service. Do you want to do that tonight? There'sa beautiful, old ornate church that has midnight mass with a candle service and a full choir. I think it has a pipe organ."
You're not too tired?" she asks.
"No, with the nap I'll be good to go." He says with a yawn.
"Then, yes, it would mean so much to me," she says softly.
"Okay, then help me up so I can go to sleep.
~o0o~
They walk up the steps of St. Clement for the Midnight Mass. Moondoggie watches her get lost in the beauty and grandeur of the ornate church. They find seats to the side where they can see the choir loft clearly. As she looks around the church, he slips his hand to rest on the inside of her knee, rubbing small circles with his forefinger.
Sharing the prayer book and hymnal, he understands now why his mom and pops always shared their book. There is something beautiful about having your voice mingle with the one you love while saying holy words. He wonders if his family is atMidnight Mass in their church across town.
The priest speaks of the birth of Christ bringing freedom from your past and ushering in hope for your future. Moondoggie pulls her close with those words. He feels hope for the first time in many long years because of his Sweets, and if it was God that sent her to him, he was man enough to thank him.
During the candle service, he can't take his eyes off his Sweets.
She is luminous.
Shebelongs in candlelight.
After the final prayer, the priest gives a few announcements and strangely thanks the congregation for not stealing baby Jesus from the manger this year. Sweets nudges him to see three teenagers giggling and elbowing each other.
They stop by the nativity after leaving the church.
"Look how cute the donkey and cow are. They're smiling at baby Jesus." She squeezes his hand.
"I think they're just glad he's still on the job." He taps the manger with his knee causing the baby to rock, "Hang tough, lil' dude," he laughs.
"Moondoggie," she laughs as she swats him, "that's just wrong."
"What, I was just hoping he's not abducted on his birthday," he gives her a cheeky grin.
She smacks him softly again. Turning to face him, she slips her hands slyly into his jacket pockets and tugs him closer.
"You know, I've heard that a kiss on Christmas is blessed by baby Jesus himself," she whispers as she lifts her face to him.
He smiles lovingly at her, "Let's head out, you little temptress."
She huffs as he tows her toward the line of cabs.
~o0o~
"Oh God, I don't know if I can do this." Moondoggie groans as his hands tighten on the steering wheel.
"Moondoggie, Dunny called them and told them we're coming. We need to do this. As the preacher said, we'll put the past behind us and move forward with hope."
"Priest," he cuts his eyes over to her.
She sticks her tongue out and smiles. He chuckles softly and relaxes back against the seat.
"If it gets too bad, we'll leave, I promise," she squeezes his hand.
"Okay," he huffs out.
"K," she smiles.
They pull up a drive that opens to reveal manicured lawns and a three-story mansion, decorated tastefully for the holidays.
He helps her out and grabs the bag of presents from the back.
He catches Sweets out of the corner of his eye, frozen; staring at the house.
He rubs the back of his neck, "yeah, I … I come from money," he says sheepishly.
"No Moondoggie, you come from people," she says in awe.
He turns to follow her view, and sees his parents standing on the front porch, hugging each other with tears streaming down their faces.
Seeing his pops crying gives him hope.
Sweets squeezes his hand and begins towing him toward the house. She steps back as both parents embrace their son. There are muffled words of love and forgiveness before he pulls back to face his pops.
"My God, son, forgive me. Please forgive me," his pops sobs out as Moondoggie pulls him into another hug.
"I'm sorry too, Pops," Moondoggie chokes. They squeeze each other with love and forgiveness and then awkwardly pull apart.
Moondoggie grabs Sweet's hand and pulls her into the group. He notices she has been crying, too.
"Mom, Pops, I'd like you to meet my Sweets, Bella Swan," he beams down on her, "Sweets, this is Mom and Pops, Carlisle and Esme Cullen."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," Sweets says sweetly as Moondoggie wraps his arm around her.
Moondoggie smiles as his mom pulls Sweets in for a hug as his pops says, "Please, call us Carlisle and Esme and come inside. We usually have better manners."
Sweets smiles at the older version of Moondoggie and slips her arm in the crook of his, "That's all right it's a special occasion."
"Yes, yes it is," Carlisle smiles down at the sweet miracle that brought their son back to them.
Sweets smiles back at her Moondoggie as he wraps his arm around his mom's shoulders, who in turn pats his cheek adoringly.
The large foyer echoes the glad sounds of people excitedly catching up while coats are discarded.
Once in the spacious living room, Moondoggie begins to look around expectantly.
"Where's Alice?" he asks as he looks towards the staircase.
Esme speaks up first.
"She doesn't live here," Esme begins.
"Come on let's all sit and get comfortable," Carlisle says as he ushers them to the grouping of winged back chairs and love seats.
Once seated with Sweets, Moondoggie looks to his mom to continue.
"She was married five years ago. They met at a mixer on campus. Jasper was a TA at the time. It was a beautiful wedding," she says as she sweeps her hand toward a wall of frames.
"Now he's a professor at the University of Chicago and she has an upscale, couture clothing shop called Charming Things." Her face lights up as she adds, "They have a precious little two-year-old angel named Maddie." She finishes with a sweep at another set of pictures on the piano.
"Wow, so much has changed. I've missed so much," he says with grief.
"But you're back now, that's the main thing," Carlisle smiles sadly at his son.
"Are you going to stay for a bit?" Esme asks carefully.
Moondoggie glances at his Sweets, "I …I don't know what our plans are, but we're here for today. Will she … they be coming by today?" he asks keeping his gaze on Sweets who sits stiffly next to him.
"They have Christmas with Maddie in the morning and come over for an early dinner around three. Would you like a drink? I have some hors d'oeuvres to set out," Esme adds brightly.
"Water would be nice, Esme, thank you. Is there a bathroom I could use to freshen up?" Sweets asks as she stands.
"Of course, dear, in the hall off the foyer," Esme says as she swishes toward the kitchen.
"I'll be right back, Edward," Sweets says patting his shoulder.
Carlisle watches his son who has his eyes glued to Sweets' retreating form.
"Son?"
"Something's not right, Pops," Moondoggie says shakily.
"Then go after her and make it right," he smiles knowingly. She's the one, isn't she?"
Moondoggie smiles shyly back, "yeah, yeah she is."
"Then go get her." Carlisle urges.
~o0o~
He doesn't turn when he hears the door open or when he feels her nearing him and the nativity in the foyer.
"It's a nice nativity, she comments, "so realistic."
"Not since the bike ride," he says looking straight ahead.
"What?" she stills at his tone.
"Youhaven't called me by name since you got off my bike. Why now, Sweets?" he asks stiffly.
"I … I don't know," she whispers dropping her eyes.
"Not good enough, Sweets … Why?" he growls out.
"You have your family now, you'll be okay. I … I'm glad you'll be okay now," she smiles up at him as a tear rolls down her cheek.
He doesn't look at her as his tight jaw twitches.
He doesn't move but to run his finger over the baby in the manger. He picks it up and slips it into his pocket.
"Edward!"
"No, Sweets," he growls as he spins her around and pins her to the archway leading to the dining room.
"Who am I to you?" He wants to shake her.
He watches her eyes for the truth.
"You're my Moondoggie." She sobs out.
He relaxes his hold on her and pulls her into him.
And you're my Sweets" he rests his forehead on hers, running his hand down her hair.
"I'm going to have to call you by your name sometimes," She says softly.
"I know, but that's not who I am to you.
I want …
I need to be your Moondoggie. I want to be your man.
You're the answer to my great 'Why' Sweets.
You're why I get up in the morning, why I smile through the day, why I see a future. You are my future.
You're it for me, Sweets. You're everything, and I love you," he breathes out as he places the baby Jesus in her hand, encasinghers in his own.
"Moondoggie," she whispers, "you've become my home, my family." A small sob escapes as she continues, "I love you so much it hurts to think of a moment without you."
"Then stay with me, Sweets. Tell me you'll stay with me," he closes his eyes and shakes her softly.
"Mooooondoggie," she waits. When he looks at her, her eyes are glancing up.
"Moondoggie, look … mistletoe."
He looks up.
"Remember, it's all in, Sweets," he challenges.
"Yes, please," she sighs, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He growls as he pulls her flush against him. He tugs at her hair, gently tilting her head back. Cupping her face with his hand, he gazes heatedly into her eyes seeing the love and longing he's been waiting for.
"I love you, Sweets," he breathes out as his lips cover hers.
He wraps her tighter, pulling her closer as her mouth opens for him. He groans as his tongue slides along hers.
Tasting,
Feeling,
Claiming.
Her whimper almost makes his knees buckle.
Slowly, so slowly, he pulls back with sweet kisses of promise.
"I love you, Moondoggie," she whispers.
He rocks them gently, "I love you, Sweets. Merry Christmas, Baby."