It's an early Christmas present for you guys! YAY!

This is now my favorite chapter. I put all of my sap into it, especially at the end. So no more angst here. Let me know what you think?

Merry Christmas and all around Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you get everything you wish for.

:)

Also... Anyone else see those pictures with Rob's new haircut? WOWZA! As much as i'll miss the old hair, this new cut is definitely acceptable. :D

EPOV

Chicago was, in a nutshell... depressing. Then again, planning a funeral anywhere you go is bound to be depressing.

Suffice it to say, I could not wait to get home to Bella. She was the only thing that pulled me through.

She didn't know it, but... I woke up early one morning and went over to see Alice. I asked her for a picture of Bella, any picture.

She didn't disappoint.

I was handed a beautiful 10 x 4 of Bella, seemingly taken by some sort of professional photographer, leaning against a chair by her elbows, hands on her chin, with a purple background.

I was so excited by the find that I wrapped Alice into a bone crunching hug, completely lifting her off the ground. She didn't seem the least bit surprised.

I kept the picture under one of the pillows in my hotel room, bringing it out and laying it on top of the pillow every night before going to sleep.

I tried not to think about how stalker-ish it might have seemed, focusing instead on the picture beside me, in hopes of being calmed enough to sleep.

But thankfully i'm going home today - meaning I don't have to settle for sleeping beside a picture of Bella.

I'm getting the real thing.

I tried calling Bella at the airport, to let her know when i'd be back.

No answer.

I then tried my home phone number. It rang a few times, making me worry a little, until finally she answered.

"Um, hello?" Bella asked in a tiny voice.

"Bella," I smiled, thankful to finally be able to hear her voice again.

"Edward!" She squealed - yes, she actually squealed.

Talk about an ego boost...

"I was hoping it would be you! I was nervous about answering, I mean, I don't live here or anything so I didn't want to just - "

"Bella," I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief though she couldn't see it. "I've told you before, what's mine is yours. I don't mind that you answered. That was kind of the whole point of me calling anyways..."

"Of course, i'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. So, i'm just calling to let you know i'll be home at around 8:30."

"I can't wait."

"Neither can I... This will probably come out sounding all mushy and crap, but.... I've really missed you, Bella. More than you can possibly imagine."

I could hear a muffled squeak on the other end, causing me to smile a little.

"I've missed you too... Umm... Would it be too creepy if I said i've been sleeping in your bed every night since you left, just because it smells like you?"

I couldn't help myself - I threw my head back, laughing so loud and hard that I think it scared the people on the phones beside me, seeing as they began to slowly inch away.

"Should I be offended?" Bella asked with a huff, which only made me laugh harder.

"God, Bella," I managed between chuckles, "I really have missed you. I'll be home soon..."

BPOV

I spent every moment away from work at Edward's place.

Laying on the couch taking deep, greedy breaths of the fabric that still contained his lingering scent.

I was beginning to feel like a creepy obsessed stalker.

He gave you the key to his place, Bella. He wants you there.

Yes, that's right. Just keep repeating that over and over to make yourself feel better.

I did try and make sure to keep the place looking nice, at least. Giving the occasional dusting and making sure the fridge and cupboards were always stocked with some kind of food.

I even decorated the place for Christmas. No big spruce in the living room or anything like that, I wouldn't feel right doing something so big without asking.

Instead I brought over a ten inch plastic tree I found at a local drug store. It came with multi colored lights and everything. I set it on the end table in his living room, the one that was next to the couch.

I also set up some white lights around the windows of the living room, and put a wreath on the outside of the door.

I hoped it would help cheer Edward up a little bit. I didn't even want to think about all that he must have gone through in Chicago, all by himself...

At least he seemed in good spirits when he called from the airport a few hours ago.

Yes, because I made a fool of myself.

Oh God! I made a fool of myself!!

What if he thinks i'm weird, that was a really creepy confession, what if he asks me to leave, to give the key back, to -

"Bella?"

I shrieked and fell off of the couch landing straight on my ass.

Right. He called a few hours ago.

"Bella??"

He came running into the room, helping me up off the floor and looking me over protectively.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"Um, you surprised me. I got so carried away trying to make everything look nice for when you got back, I didn't notice the time..."

He laughed loudly, causing me to pout in frustration.

"Well, I'm glad my embarrassment annoys you," I sighed, crossing my arms while trying to ignore the way my heart was pounding out of control at finally seeing Edward again - and hearing his beautiful laugh.

Focus, Bella. You're upset with him.

"I'm sorry, love, really. It's just that... that the lovely red on your cheeks fit nicely with that green sweater you're wearing," he chuckled, reaching over and pinching a piece of the fabric between his fingers.

"That's not funny," I huffed, stomping my foot angrily to make him more aware of my annoyance.

"Did you really just stomp your foot?"

"You're such a jerk," I growled, grabbing his face between my hands and pulling him in for a kiss. He smiled against my mouth, wrapping his arms securely against my waist.

After a minute we both pulled away at the same time and pressed our foreheads together.

Already we're so in sync with each others movements.

I love that.

"It's great to be home," he whispered, flashing my favorite crooked grin.

"You can say that again."

"I like what you've done to the place."

"Oh, you noticed," I smiled, biting my lower lip nervously.

Please don't be mad...

"I like it," he chuckled, clearly taking note of my self consciousness. "I probably should have put something up myself, but... I like what you've done better."

"Really?"

"Silly Bella," he sighed, rolling his eyes dramatically.

I eyed his suitcase in the entry way - it was unzipped, and there was some sort of picture sticking out.

"What's that?"

He turned around to see what I was looking at, then quickly turned back.

"Umm... a picture."

"So I noticed. Of what?"

I began to walk over, curiosity getting the best of me.

"You," he sighed.

I stopped, and turned around to look at him.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you."

I wrinkled my nose up in confusion, causing him to grin.

"Hey, you had my bed I had that picture..."

"Oh God," I groaned, pulling the picture out as my face turned ten shades darker.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked quickly, probably assuming the worst.

"I'm going to kill Alice," I growled, tossing the picture back inside his bag and crossing my arms. "She knows I hate that picture. I look like an idiot."

"You do not look like an idiot, Isabella," Edward snarled, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it tightly, as if signaling me to turn around. I did.

His nostrils were all flared up, and I swear I saw flames dancing in his eyes.

"You're beautiful, the most beautiful woman i've ever seen. And I won't have you talking down on yourself, okay?"

I cringed, relenting to him by giving a slight head nod.

"You know I can't refuse you."

His features softened then, the flames burning out into tiny little embers.

"Good," he grinned, taking my hand and leading me away from the suitcase. "Now, let's see what it is I smell coming from the kitchen."

"Nothing special."

"With you, Bella, everything's special."

"Such a charmer," I grinned, trying not to show the fact that I was now a pile of goo in shoes at his words.

"Bella," he gasped, noticing the tray I had set out on the kitchen counter. "You baked cookies?"

"Um, yes," I blushed, suddenly finding the fabric on the sleeves of my sweater very fascinating.

"They smell delicious," he groaned, quickly walking over to grab one off of the plate and tossing it into his mouth. His eyes rolled back into his head as an odd purring noise came from deep within his throat.

"Are they okay?"

"God, Bella, they're amazing," he grinned, picking up another. "Where did you learn to bake??"

"Well, Alice helped a little..."

"Send her a fruit basket for me," he said with a mouthful of cookie, causing crumbs to fly all over.

"Will do," I laughed, crossing my arms and enjoying the wonderful sight before me.

He polished off another six cookies before belching into his sleeve - trying to be polite i'm assuming - and grinning dopily.

"Sorry," he mumbled sheepishly, running a hand through his hair. "I haven't had much good food in... well, a really long time. I'm used to fast food."

"Typical guy," I giggled as he walked over and wrapped an arm around my waist, leading me into the living room and settling us down on the couch by the tree.

"Guess i'll have to do all the cooking."

"No complaints here."

"Hey, how about tomorrow I cook you a Christmas dinner? Like a big glazed ham or something..."

"You don't have to do that for me, Bella..."

"I know that, but I want to. You deserve a nice home cooked meal every once in awhile."

He got an odd far away look in his eyes then, making me worry a little that vulnerable Edward would come out again. But instead he just reached over and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"You truly are amazing, Bella. You're more than I deserve."

"I could say the same about you," I replied, clutching him to me tightly.

"Bella, I... I..."

Edward pulled back, and stuck both hands into his hair tensely, looking really conflicted about something.

"There's something I... want to say, but..."

He groaned and leaned back into the couch, digging his fingers into his scalp.

"Edward what is it? You're starting to worry me..."

He sighed harshly, removing his hands and clutching the sides of the couch.

"Nothing. It's nothing."

He picked up the remote for the television, turning it on and sighing again.

"I think It's A Wonderful Life is about to start on channel four."

"Okay..."

He glanced over at me and winced, clearly not pleased with whatever look was on my face. He wrapped his free arm around my shoulder, pulling me closely into his side. I rested my head against his shoulder and tried to concentrate on the movie.

As the credits came to a close and the ad for the local news came on I took a glance at the clock.

10:59

Holy crow, the movie was that long?! I guess with commercials...

"Bella," Edward whispered. "Are you awake?"

"Mhmm," I nodded, nuzzling deeper into his shoulder.

"It's getting late. Would you like to go to bed?"

I glanced up at him. The glow from the lights on the tree made him look like... well, like a multi colored angel. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"I'm fine right here."

"As you wish," he chuckled, probably wondering what in the hell I was smiling about.

I turned back to look at the TV, pretending to watch it. That went on for about six or seven minutes.

Then Edward sighed and shifted a little bit. I looked back up at him. He had the conflict in his eyes again.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes," he sighed, nodding slowly. "Yeah..."

I cocked my head and raised one eyebrow questioningly at him. He pulled his arm away from my shoulder and leaned his elbows on his knees.

"Would you be... opposed to exchanging gifts a little early?" He asked, furrowing his brows in concentration and risking a few quick glances at me, trying to gauge my reaction.

My face flushed and my mouth began to open and close with no sound. I probably looked like a sick fish.

"I... um... sure... if you want," I croaked, tugging nervously on the sleeves of my sweater.

"Good. Okay. Good."

He turned off the television and tossed the remote on to the end table beside the tree, bringing a hand up to his hair nervously.

"Alright," he sighed, turning to face me with a look of serious concentration on his face. "Would you like to go first?"

My eyes widened and I began to do the fish thing again.

"Guess I go first," he chuckled, placing a second hand into his hair. "Okay. Ummm... Okay. Well, it's not so much a gift as... okay. It's... damn it," he huffed, closing his eyes in frustration.

"What is it?" I asked curiously, quickly reaching up to pull his hands out of his hair, holding them both in my own in an attempt to calm him. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I love you, Isabella Swan," he sputtered out, so quick that I almost missed it. "And so my gift is my heart - it belongs entirely to you now. I love you."

The fish thing started up again as his words slowly sunk in.

Love.

Love.

Edward Masen is...

in love...

with me?

ME??

"You... you mean.. you actually..."

"Oh God, I knew this was a stupid idea, I should have just gotten you those damn earrings or something," he growled, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

I just couldn't take it anymore.

I released his hands and grabbed hold of his hair, tugging it to pull his face over to me to place a big fat kiss on his lips.

His eyes widened in surprised before his hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me so close I was practically sitting on his lap. I pulled away to look him in the eyes and smiled.

"Damn it Edward, you stole my idea," I whispered before pushing my lips back to his.

"Hmm?" He mumbled, gently pushing me away so he could speak. "What do you mean?"

"I'm giving you the very same thing," I grinned, my heart beating so loud and so hard I could swear he was able to hear it. "I love you. I love you, Edward."

"You do?" He asked in disbelief, making me roll my eyes.

"Are you kidding?"

"I... I wasn't sure, I was... I've been driving myself crazy over this," he laughed. "I almost didn't say it. I was this close to buying you some earrings."

"I almost got you a neck tie!"

We both doubled over in laughter at our own self consciousness, riding off the high of finally getting those three little words off of our chest. It took a few minutes before we were able to control our chuckles.

"We're quite the pair," Edward smiled, leaning back against the couch with a contended sigh. I moved over to sit right beside him, leaning my head against his shoulder and wrapping an arm around his waist. He placed a kiss on top of my head, causing my already huge grin to grow larger.

"Merry Christmas, love," he whispered, wrapping both arms around me protectively.

"Merry Christmas," I yawned, cuddling into his side. He began to softly hum that tune i've missed all week, quickly easing me to sleep.