Return to Forks
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Fairytale of New York.
Chapter 19: Christmas Day.
A/N Time for a change in POV. It's not Bella or Edward. It's Alice!! YAY!! lol
Alice POV.
I haven't seen Edward since he left last night to see Bella. I wanted to ask him what happened as soon as he stepped inside the house, but Jasper insisted I give him some space. I heard him come in around two-ish, which I think is a good sign. It obviously means that they talked and sorted things out. . . Right?
I really hope so. They are the most perfect couple but both are so stubborn and will let the slightest obstacle mess up a great relationship. I know that if that happened between Jasper and I, I wouldn't give him up without a fight.
"Merry Christmas, Alice, darling," Jasper whispered in my ear. I was so absorbed in my thoughts I had even heard him enter my room.
He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt instantly safe. There's something comforting about his strong arms around my body. Maybe it's because he's so huge compared to me. I feel snug and secure in his arms. There's no better place than here with Jasper.
I snuggled into his chest and breathed him in. It's a mouthwatering, musky, manly smell with a hint of his lemon shower gel. Mmmmm. . .
I don't know how I ever got so lucky to meet him. It was just after Emmett started going out with Rose. She invited all of us out one evening to meet her cousin. Edward was there with Jessica, and Rose was there with Emmett, obviously. I was sitting alone when he walked in. He was perfect. I remember I used to dream about my one true love and it was as if Jasper walked out of one of my dreams.
There was this instant connection between us, and as silly as it sounds, I truly believe it was love at first sight.
I remember the first thing I said to him. "I've been waiting for you."
He hadn't seemed confused or scared when I'd told him that. He'd simply nodded his head and said, "I'm sorry, miss."
The rest is history. He's the most gentle and loving man I know. He is so aware of other people's emotions and always knows what to say to make a situation right again.
"Alice? Don't you want to open your presents?"
"Presents!" I squeal and jump out of bed. I hear Bella's truck pull into the drive too.
"Bella's here. Let's go." I drag Jasper out the door and run to greet Bella. I stop dead in my tracks with the sight before me. Bella with her arms wrapped tightly around Edward, kissing him sweetly on the lips.
Awwwww! They made up. I think I'm about to burst with joy. I'm quivering with excitement, I can barely contain the scream building up inside me.
"AAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Edward, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!!!!!!!! I COULD KILL YOU!!!!! HONESTLY, HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE TOLD ME THAT YOU AND BELLA WERE BACK TOGETHER!?!!" I was panting after that because I'd said it without pausing for breath.
"Whoa! Calm your head, Alice. We wanted to surprise all of you," Bella laughed.
I narrowed my eyes at her, but then something sparkling caught my eye.
"Edward! You didn't? OH MY GOD!!!" I rushed over to them and hugged both of them.
"No, Alice, I didn't," Edward replied.
I pulled away from them and let my disappointment show. I crossed my arms and pouted at them. Jasper, Emmett, and Rose came in then. They were all overjoyed about Bella, and Emmett and laughed at me when they heard about our misunderstanding.
Bella's family – including Charlie – arrived soon. We had decided to gather and exchange our gifts, and then we would all have dinner.
We gathered in the living room, most of us taking a seat on the floor. We thought it would be easier to exchange gifts as couples. Edward and Bella had bought theirs weeks ago. I don't know what would've happened if they hadn't sorted things out. Of course, I had bought them separate gifts after their argument, still hoping they would be together for Christmas.
They had bought us two tickets for a weekend away to a Civil War camp. We could spend the weekend living like the people during that time. Jasper loved it because he loves history and has a special interest in the Civil War. I loved it because I love the clothes during that time.
Rose and Emmett got us gift vouchers for our favorite shops in town. I'm sure I'd get more use out of it than Jasper. We could use the shopping time as some quality time together. They also got me a new karaoke machine and karaoke CDs. I will have to put it to good use tonight.
Carlisle and Esme had given us each a photograph of us two together. It was taken last Christmas. We were standing on the porch. He was staring down at me while I was staring up at him, both of us with a look of pure contentment on our faces. It was a really beautiful picture because it had just started snowing when it was taken.
We thanked each of them for the gifts and we in turn were thanked for our gifts.
"Dinner time!" Emmett yelled. That man is always thinking of food. His stomach is a bottomless pit. He just keeps eating and eating and eating. Nevertheless, I love him just the same.
Carlisle had ordered a large table to hold all seventeen of us. The guys had moved it into the garden. Eating Christmas dinner in the garden wasn't the most practical idea but nowhere else in the house had enough room.
It had started snowing so we wrapped ourselves up in all our warm clothes. I'm sure we looked like a crazy bunch of people, eating dinner outside in coats, scarves, gloves, hats, and heavy boots. Esme, Renée, Emmett, and Edward helped carry out the food. Emmett, Renée, and Bella's aunts had made a feast. There was so much food.
We all tucked in before the food got cold. Everyone was laughing and having fun, and pretty soon, we were singing Christmas carols.
After dinner, we went inside. I could barely move I had eaten so much. Emmett, the bottomless pit that he was, was the only one with room for seconds.
"Guys you know what would be awesome right now? A karaoke competition. Couples against couples. It can be like America's Got Talent, you know. We can have three judges."
"Aodh and I can do that," Seamus, Bella's cousin volunteered.
"Aye, we wouldn't be the greatest singers. Crows sound better than we do. Emma can be the last judge."
"YAY! I'm so going to be Sharon. You can be Piers, Seamus. And Aodh, well you have to be The Hoff!" We all laughed at that.
"Can I be Jerry Springer, even though I have to sing with Ma too?" Eibhlin asked.
We all thought that a good idea.
"Who's going first?" Jasper asked.
We stuck all the names in the hat – Emmett & Rose, Me & Jasper, Bella & Edward, Carlisle & Esme, Kathleen & John, Eibhlin & Mrs. Dwyer, and Renée & Charlie. Okay so they weren't a couple anymore, but they were still really good friends. Bella and Edward were picked out.
"I have the perfect song for them to sing. Emmett told me what he was getting you, Alice, for a present, and he asked me to buy a few karaoke discs," she said and started rummaging through the CDs until she found what she was looking for. "Aha, found it."
She went over to the machine and put in the CD.
Eibhlin stood in the center of the room and started her act.
"Welcome to Forks, Washington, ladies and gentleman. I'm Eibhlin Dwyer. We are live here tonight from the Cullens living room and let's introduce our judges. Emma Murray, Seamus Murray, and Aodh Murray."
The judges waved when their names were called.
"Our first couple singing tonight are Bella Swan and Edward Cullen."
Everyone cheered when Edward and Bella took their place in the center of the room. Renée pressed play button, and the music started. Edward needed words because he didn't know them, but he quickly picked up the tune.
(Edward - bold print. Bella - Italics. Underlined - both of them.)
It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you
Got on a lucky one
Came in at ten to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So Happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true
The song started slow but it picked up after the first two verses. An Irish jig instrumental started, building up towards Bella's part.
They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me
You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night
The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day
You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last
We were all laughing at the last part. This song was so perfect for them because Bella and Edward would never dream of insulting each other like that. Edward nearly choked when he had to call Bella a slut.
The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day
I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you
I thought that part of the song was really sweet, and I loved how their voices sounded together. Edward's deep, almost husky voice went perfectly with Bella's sweet singing.
The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas Day
When they finished we all clapped. Emmett cheered the loudest.
"Yeah! That's my little sis."
Time for the judges' opinion.
Emma went first. "Wow, I love you guys. You sound perfect singing together, and you're both so cute."
Aodh went next. Doing a very good imitation of David Hasselholf. "That was awesome, you guys. The best I've ever seen. I loved it, the crowd loved it. You're going to Hollywood, baby."
Seamus went next and put on an English accent. "I thought it was okay. You didn't dazzle me. It was pretty average."
Everyone booed him when he said that.
"Well I loved it, really, but I'm in character," he defended himself, and we laughed.
"Okay okay okay. Jasper and I are next okay?" I asked. Like they had any choice in the matter.
I put in the CD and let the music start.
A/N I hope you enjoy it. I couldn't help but add the bit of silliness lol. I adore the song Edward and Bella sing and really really wanted to have it in this story somewhere. I'm so happy because I got a laptop for Christmas so I no longer have to wait forever for my PC to start up and whatnot.
P.S I have the started the sequel to Wasted Time and the first chapter is up. It's called A Distant Memory. Please check it out.
Happy Holidays people!
Helen =]