Chapter Nine
"Finally!" Alice shouts as they enter the room.
"Oh shut up, you brat!" Edward barks back with a grin.
Everyone laughs, except Bella, who is in shock at the shift in the sibling dynamic.
As they take a seat together, Jasper can't resist.
"Did we make enough noise? The girls wanted to go charging in, but Carlisle and I thought making noise was the better route," he smiles widely.
"Yes, it was quite effective," Edward scowls and everyone erupts in laughter again and Bella drops her head with a smile and a blush.
Maddie comes over to Bella with a sticky candy cane and holds up her arms.
"Bella, she's a mess. You don't have to pick her up," Alice says.
Bella waves her words away and pulls Maddie onto her lap.
Jasper passes Edward a napkin with a knowing smile.
Edward nods and passes it along to Sweets.
He settles back and plays with a strand of Sweets' hair and watches Alice and Esme talk animatedly on the far side of the room while Carlisle and Jasper finish assembling the three-story doll house. He puts his arm around his Sweets and hugs her to him briefly, feeling slightly left out as she and Maddie play patty cake in their own little world.
When the completed, pink house sits proudly next to the empty tree; Carlisle looks from Edward to Jasper, "Hey, let's step out to the patio and open my present."
"Yeah, I was going to tell you, Pops, you have to share with Jasper. Sorry, I didn't know there was a Jasper," Edward shrugs with a smile.
"No worries, dude," Jasper says standing to follow Carlisle.
"Carlisle, just one, please," Esme shoots over her shoulder as she looks through a magazine with Alice.
"Of course, dear," Carlisle says rolling his eyes at Jasper.
Without looking up, Esme says, I saw that, Carlisle Cullen."
Carlisle and Edward laugh when Jasper's face falls in fear.
Moondoggie looks to Sweets and hesitates. Something is still off between them and once again he wishes he could throw her over his shoulder and run back to their bubble.
"Go on, Moondoggie, Maddie and I are making our own fun."
He sighs and she smiles softly as he kisses her hair.
~o0o~
"Let's hit Dewey's tomorrow," Jasper says to Carlisle as they turn on the heaters along the porch.
Carlisle straightens. "That could be fun. I know Alice and Esme are plotting so we could have a free day. Dewey's would be great."
He beams over at Edward. "You up for some golf? Dewey's has indoor ranges. It's fun."
"I want to do the virtual," Jasper says plopping down in the seat next to Edward.
"Yeah, that could be fun," Edward says hesitantly.
"Wuh, you gotta ax yo' woman?" Jasper snickers with a cigar in the corner of his mouth.
Edward laughs, "You know you're way too white to pull off gangsta. And, no, I don't need to ask her, but I don't want to just abandon her either," Edward says looking down as he rolls his cigar between his fingers.
"Well, the girls are going shopping. I know Esme would love to have Bella come along," Carlisle says joining them and puffing as he lights his cigar.
"I'll ask her when we go in," Edward nods, missing her.
"Great, we can get up, eat and head out before the girls," Jasper claps his hand once to seal the deal.
"When are you heading out? I can come here or meet you there," Edward says resting his elbows on his knees and licking the end of his cigar before rolling it in his mouth.
Jasper cocks his head at Edward.
Carlisle steps in, "Edward and Bella have a hotel room. We'll swing by and pick you up, Edward."
"Why aren't you staying here? We stay every year." Jaspers says.
Edward rubs the back of his neck as Carlisle barks out a laugh.
"My God, I don't think the house would be standing come morning, and your mother would need therapy." Carlisle doubles over laughing.
Understanding hits Jasper and he begins to laugh too, "The UST fog is pretty thick today."
"Shut the fuck up, both of you," Edward laughs with them.
When they calm down, Edward lights his cigar, taking several puffs.
"How long have you two been together," Jasper asks chewing on the end of his cigar.
"Technically, seven hours," Edward says taking a puff and leaning back in his chair.
"What?" Jasper barks.
"The mistletoe …?" Carlisle asks with fascination.
"Yeah," Edward smiles as he looks at the glow of his cigar, "We've been traveling together for a while. I needed to make sure, you know, she's so young." Edward shrugs and takes another puff.
"Wow, I knew she was young but the way you two are joined at the hip, I thought you'd been together for a while," Jasper says quietly.
Edward shrugs as his Pops smiles knowingly at his son.
"So yeah, we'll pick you up and we'll definitely call first," Jasper says, joining Carlisle's laughter.
"Fucker," Edward smiles around his cigar as he takes another drag.
~o0o~
As the men come in the house and hang their coats in the mudroom, Alice's voice carries from the kitchen.
"—and I just know we're going to be the best of friends. Sorry for how I acted earlier." Alice says lightly.
Jasper places his hand on Edward's arm, keeping him from going to Bella.
"Alice, you spent all day sticking knives into your brother. I'm not okay with that." Bella says quietly, but firmly.
"Well, I told Edward I'm sorry and he understands," Alice returns undaunted.
"Alice, I don't know you well enough to know if you're sincere, but—we seem to love the same people so I guess that's a good foundation," Bella concedes.
"He's my brother, my family. I just want us to be friends for the time you're with him. I don't want there to be hard feelings," Alice persuades.
Bella gives a small smile and steps around Alice only to look up into Edward's eyes. Her eyes dart to Jasper's then drop to her hands.
Alice turns with her and sees the men in the doorway.
"Jasper, I'm sorry for being so awful today," Alice says with more sincerity.
"I know, Babe, everything is going to be fine." Jasper opens his arms for Alice to walk into and Edward runs his hand down his baby sister's hair before walking over to a statuesque Sweets.
Carlisle's voice fills the tense room, "I'm going to get a slice of Esme's apple pie. Alice, you left Maddie in there with a plate of cookies?"
"Oh God, and you know Mom isn't going to tell her 'no.'" Alice quickly leads Jasper and Carlisle back to the living room.
When they are finally alone, Moondoggie sweeps his Sweets up and carries her to the kitchen counter and sets her down, moving her knees and standing between them.
"You okay, Baby?" he asks as he tucks her hair behind her ear.
She leans her head against his stomach, "I should say I'm sorry for speaking like that to Alice."
"Don't—she needs to hear that it's not a quick fix." He lifts her chin to catch her eyes, "have I told you how much I love that you are in my corner?" he smiles and gives her a peck.
She begins playing with a button on his shirt. "You're not mad?"
"No, she said some awful things Sweets, and if she weren'tfamily this day would be playing out differently. I get why she's upset, but how she has behaved toward you, in particular, is not easy to get past. You have a right to feel what you feel."
He watches her slender fingers rolling the button with her other hand resting on his stomach. She is one of the strongest people he's ever known, quietly tough and tenacious. But, with her small frame and delicate features, she appears so fragile. He guesses that's what he picked up on first, she seemed so breakable that he immediately wanted to wrap himself around her and protect her from the world. It wasn't until later that he realized she was definitely the stronger of the two.
Alice seems to have underestimated Sweets as well. He smiles at her with pride; his girl was quietly badass.
"I'm sorry she threw so many hurtful things your way today." He murmurs into her hair pulling her close.
She wraps her arms around his back. "I don't care about me. I know it was intended to hurt you, and that I do care about."
They still, each caught in their own thoughts.
"I couldn't do it," Sweets finally whispers into his collar.
"What Baby?"
"I couldn't step off the porch. I—I put on my coat and walked to the porch, but I couldn't take the first step down." She shook her head leaning away from him.
He rested his hands on her thighs, "I'm glad. If you would have left, it would have destroyed me."
She nods her head and then shakes it. "You're not getting it."
He lifts her chin, "then help me understand, Baby."
"I couldn't take that step," she shakes her head.
He waits.
She lets out a huff, "you told me to leave—in anger," she holds up a hand to him and continues, "warning bells were blaring and still, I couldn't take the step."
He shakes his head.
"You were angry at me and I couldn't remove myself from the danger." In frustration she hisses, "I-can't-protect- myself-from-you!" She begins to shake uncontrollably. "I know now, you can hurt me and I will stay and take it because I can't bring myself to leave you," she begins to cry quietly.
He slides his hands off her thighs and steps back. After a moment, he clears his throat.
"You think I could, or ever would, hurt you? I know why you feel the need to protect yourself, but—my God, Sweets, am I in this alone?"
"Wha—what?" her eyes shoot up to meet his hurt glare.
"Really, am I the only one in this?" he holds his hand up taking his turn to speak. "You think you're the only one that can be hurt? The unconditional love of my family was ripped out from under me. The people who have hurt me the most are sitting in the next room. For eight years I've closed myself off, protecting myself. Dunny and Bob have been home base and I trust them, but I can't open to them completely." He shakes his head and lowers his voice, only increasing the intensity. He takes a deep breath, "but with you—with you, it was like breathing to open up. Don't you think that terrifies me? If you had taken a step off that porch you would have gutted me. Bella, I have as much to lose in this as you do," he finishes incredulously.
"Moondoggie—I'm sorry—please" she jumps off the counter, he catches her and she wraps her legs around his waist.
He buries his face in her neck and her hair makes a curtain, closing them in as they cling to each other.
"I'm so sorry, Moondoggie," she whispers.
"I know, Baby. Hush, we're okay. Shhhh …" he whispers against her ear.
When she finally calms, he walks her back to the counter and slowly sets her down. He pulls away enough to move the hair from her face.
She looks up at him with round, soulful eyes, "I'll never take that step, Moondoggie," she vows.
He smiles tenderly. "Baby, I'll never give you a reason to, I promise. I love you," he whispers.
She smiles shyly, "K".
His smile widens and he nods, "Okay."
Panicwashes across her face. "They must be missing us, how long have we been in here?"
He begins to laugh quietly. "I really don't give a fuck," and laughs louder when her mouth drops open.
He moves over, wets a paper towel and returns to stand in front of her. He begins to wipe her blotchy face.
"I'm not sure what just happened, but I'm glad we talked it out," he says softly kissing her nose.
"Me too," she smiles, "I'm…"
"Don't say you're sorry." Motioning between them, he adds, "I know this is new and scary."
She nods, "It's like free falling and I keep waiting to hit the ground."
"I'll be your bungee cord, Baby," he coos.
She barks out a laugh, "God, that's cheesy,"
They both still and smile at each other.
"We'll figure this out together as we go,"
"Together," she repeats, placing her cool hand on his cheek.
"We good now?" he whispers before he gives her a lingering kiss.
"We're great now," she smiles against his lips.
~o0o~
"Bella, Edward, would you like some cake or …"
Esme's voice fades, causing everyone to look up and follow her line of sight.
Alice sees Bella's blotchy face and huffs next to Esme.
She covers Maddie's ears, "is it because I was a b-i-t-c-h?"
Bella looks up to see everyone staring at her. She catches Jasper's eye and gives him a reassuring smile.
Edward speaks up, "no, it's because I was a b-a-s-t-a-r-d."
Bella gasps and smacks his chest with the back of her hand, "Noooo."
He catches her hand and kisses it, then smiling at his mom he adds, "I would love some of the lemon pound cake. It's been a long time since I've had a slice."
Carlisle interjects, "Well, I'm not going to leave you two alone if she's going to come back looking like that."
"I'm fine, Carlisle, I promise," Bella says as she pulls her Moondoggie's arm tighter around her.
Esme smiles as she slides a piece of the cake onto a plate. She looks up just in time to see Maddie smack Edward's chest and wag her finger at him, "No, bad doggie."
Bella giggles and pulls Maddie into her lap. "No, Maddie, he's a very good Moondoggie," She hides behind the little one, giving her a squeeze.
The room settles with a tentative peace as the family is diverted from dangling emotions by desserts and talk of tomorrow's activities.
Jasper plugs his iPhone into the Bose system and a playlist of instrumental music begins to play, blanketing the room in a quietly festive mood.
Maddie hops down to play with her doll house while Carlisle comes around with a carafe of coffee.
As he tops off Edwards mug he says, "Es, we're planning on going to Dewey's tomorrow. Do you and the girls have plans?" He smiles at Bella with his son wrapped around her, so pleased to have two daughters now.
"Why aren't you going to BolingBrook, they have indoor simulators, don't they?" Alice cuts in.
"Dewey's is a bit more fun, Sweetheart. It has a sports bar and a lot more in the way of simulators and indoor driving." Jaspers smiles and pats her thigh from his seat on the floor near Maddie and the doll house.
"But BolingBrook is a bit more exclusive," Alice counters, "Our wedding reception was held there," She adds for Edward and Bella's benefit.
"I just think, for tomorrow, Dewey's has the fun we need," Carlisle says with some finality.
"Oh, well …" Alice begins, affronted.
Esme diverts, looking from Alice to Carlisle, "We're going shopping. There are several pieces that are being introduced early at some of the boutiques. We're going to the Magnificent Mile and get a jump on next session's looks."
Alice steps back in, "Oh, the men could meet us at Les Normades for dinner?" she claps her hands and squirms in her seat. "I'll make an online reservation tonight and confirm it in the morning," she adds.
"That sounds like an excellent idea," Esme smiles looking over at Carlisle for his approval.
"That will be a perfect end to the day," Carlisle nods.
Bella gets up to retrieve two more cookies to go with Edward's coffee.
"Bella, we'd like you to join us," Esme says with a fond smile.
"Oh, I don't really need anything right now, but thank you for the invitation," Bella says dunking Moondoggie's cookie before handing it to him.
She and Moondoggie feel the room still and look up to see all of them staring.
"What?" Edward says.
Jasper speaks up with a sense of awe, "I thought that was the stuff of myths and legends."
"What?" Edward asks again and scowls at Carlisle as he takes his place next to Esme and they both laugh quietly.
"…the non-shopping female, as rare as a unicorn. How did you find one?" Jasper smirks as Alice smacks the back of his head.
Edward sits back, throwing his arm around Bella before answering. "I don't know, but she's maddening in her refusals at times. He hugs her to him as they all laugh quietly.
"How about I keep Maddie while you shop," Bella asks looking from Alice to Esme.
"Are you sure? We'll have so much fun," Esme pouts.
"Thank you and I'm sure we would, but I'd enjoy the afternoon with Maddie." Bella smiles toward the little one who has begun to move in circles with the music.
Alice stops Maddie before she falls down. "Well if you don't mind, I'm sure she would love it. She tires half way through and then we really have to jump through hoops to keep her from a meltdown." She shrugs and continues, "andwith the stores we're going to, you probably wouldn't find anything anyway.
Edward and Jasper sit forward in their seats at the jab, but Bella answers with a laugh, "Yeah, there's not much of a call for sequins at a soup kitchen. I'll be here in the morning when you plan to go shopping," she finishes, looking at a concerned Esme but not allowing herself to lower her gaze.
"I was hoping we could all have breakfast together," Esme says, looking around the room.
Carlisle gives Jasper a wink, "You better make that a brunch, Es."
Jasper and Carlisle share a quiet laugh as a confused Esme asks why.
"You two are worse than a couple of girls," Edward fumes only making the two men fall into a full boil.
"Edward turns to his mom, "Don't mind them, Mom, they're just messing with me."
"Oh, well, would ten o'clock be too early?"
"No, that would be perfect."
Alice and Maddie leave the room for one more bathroom trip and Esme begins to gather the dishes from around the room.
"Let me help, Esme," Bella says as she begins picking up Moondoggie's plate and mug.
Moondoggie grabs her hips and rests his forehead against the small of her back before releasing her to go on her way. When he looks up, Esme is smiling at him with tears glistening. He smiles as she blows him a kiss and follows Bella into the kitchen.
"Dude, you are so whipped," Jasper shoots across the room.
"And what, you're not. I've seen how you look at my sister."
"Yeah, and I've seen her drop his balls into her two thousand dollar handbag," Carlisle adds with a snicker.
"Yeah, well, if you weren't her father, I'd tell you just what your little girl does that keeps me happily relinquishing them to her."
"Hey," Carlisle spits out as Edward and Jasper double over laughing.
"And what would that be, dear?" Alice says from behind Jasper.
Carlisle and Edward burst out in a new round of laughter as Jasper jumps.
"You two can go to …" Jasper belts out over the laughter until Maddie makes her presence known by wrapping herselfaround her daddy's leg.
"Aww, Maddie," Jasper says picking up Maddie, "let's pump up the music," shoulder checking Edward on his way to the iPoddock.
Carlisle wraps his arm around his giggling daughter as Katy Flower's "Pretty Girl Rock" begins to fill the room.
"Uh, Uh, Uh… Pretty girl …Uh, Uh, Uh," Maddie shouts and squirms in Jasper's arms until her dancing legs make contact with the floor.
Jasper comes to stand next to Edward and Carlisle and wraps his arms around Alice caging her in while Maddie goes in circles bobbing her head and chanting "Rock, Rock, Rock."
Edward leans over to Jasper, who's rocking Alice to the music, "She's like a little drunken midget."
Alice gasps and smacks his shoulder while Carlisle and Jasper nod and snicker in agreement.
Alice pushes away from Jasper and holds Maddie's hand while they sway back and forth.
"All eyes on me when I walk in …" Bella and Esme come strutting in and join Alice and Maddie. Esme stands to the side clapping and bopping her shoulders to the beat, but Bella begins leading Maddie in choreographed movements, wagging fingers, flipping hair, pausing and bouncing with a hand on the hip.
As the men join Esme in clapping, the three dancing girls begin repeating, "Don't hate me cuz I'm beautiful."
As the song begins to wind down, Alice picks up a dizzy Maddie and continues dancing with her as Bella sings "You're beautiful" to Maddie who puts her little hand on Bella's cheek each time.
When the song shifts to the sweet tunes of Jonsi's, "We Bought a Zoo," the room erupts in clapping and Maddie again runs in circles clapping and hugging Mama, Grandma and Aunt Bella.
Bella gives the little one an extra squeeze as emotions well up inside her. She quickly moves to bury her face in Moondoggie's chest and feels his strong arms cage her in—safe.
"Can you tell me?" he whispers in her ear, while he watches two waltzing couples move to the sweet tune; his Mom and Pops, and Alice and Jasper with Maddie wedged between them.
She lifts her face to look in his eyes, "She is surrounded by so much love; your family is sooo beautiful," she says as she moves to his side to watch the couples.
"Yes, yes they are," he says as he takes her hand and leads her to dance with the others for the last bit of the song.
They waltz quietly to the gentle song and a tender healing washes over the family. As the song comes to an end, they take turns hugging each other.
Maddie yawns and lays her head on her daddy's chest and Edward takes that as his cue.
"Mom, Pops, I guess it's time for us to head back to the hotel. We'll be back for brunch at ten," he says as he wraps his arm around Bella.
"Aww, no, already?" Esme says as she pulls her son into a hug.
Carlisle moves around them to gather his new daughter into his arms.
"We'll be herein the morning, Mom," Edward soothes.
"I just got you back," She pouts.
Edward just hugs her tighter.
"Thank you for bringing him back and for making him so happy," Carlisle says to Bella before releasing her.
Carlisle and Esme switch places and the hugs continue.
As Esme pulls away, Jasper moves to give Bella a hug. As he pulls back from the hug, he wraps his arm around Alice.
"This is yours—please," Alice pleads as she holds out her hand.
Edward wraps his arm around Bella's waist as they all look at her offering.
"Are you sure?" Bella whispers.
"Positive, please forgive me, Bella," Alice whispers sincerely.
Bella takes the little baby Jesus in her hand and brings it to her heart.
"Thank you," she says before looking at the whole group, "this has been the most wonderful day, thank you for sharing it with me."
Edward pulls her back to his chest, "Thank you for sharing it with both of us. It's been the best Christmas I've had since I walked out that door."
Esme lets a little sob escape and Carlisle cradles her in his arms rocking her gently.
"Oh for Pete's sake, they'll be back again in a few hours," Jasper declares in exasperation.
Alice giggles first and Carlisle and Edward soon join them. Esme and Bella smile at each other.
"Tomorrow," Carlisle says.
Esme smiles, "Tomorrow."
"Morwow…"Maddie chirps drowsily.
Edward walks Bella toward the door and the hugs begin again.
With Alice in his arms, Edward whispers, "Thank you for accepting Bella, Alice. She's means so much to me."
"I know, Jasper helped me see what a sweetperson she is, and Maddie is an excellent judge of character," she giggles quietly.
He gives her one last squeeze before releasing her to Jasper and taking Bella's hand to walk out the door. The same door that just a few hours ago seemed too terrifying to approach.
Carlisle and Esme stand on the porch, watching them go, very much like they watched them come hours ago.
As Edward maneuvers her to the passenger's side, Bella slyly runs her hand up Moondoggie's thigh.
"Moondoggie, you gonna take me to bed now?" she breathes.
He shakes his head at his little minx and lets out a growl.
"You best buckle up, little girl."