oOo
Edward was getting everything ready for Bella's arrival.
Mistletoe? Check.
Champagne in cooler? Check.
Candles, flowers, music? Check.
He ran a hand through his hair and scratched his ear.
Something was missing, but he wasn't sure what it was.
And then, the doorbell rang and he ran to answer it, and then Bella was in front of him, and he was just happy to see her.
"Hi," he smiled.
"Hi."
Never entirely sure on the correct way of greeting her, he placed a light kiss on her lips. Which felt fantastic.
"Come in."
He took her coat, and entwined their fingers as they walked to the living room.
Originally, he'd planned everything for the dining room, but he'd thought better of it, since there would be no dining. Bella'd come from lunch with her family, and he knew her well enough by now.
"Wow," Bella said. "You made this so… cosy."
"I did?"
"Of course! The… the flowers, and the candles…"
Her smile was beatific.
"Take a seat," he said. "Would you like a glass of champagne?"
"Yes, thank you."
"You look lovely."
"Thank you."
Bella smiled. She looked enchanting in a simple black cardigan, a grey T-shirt, and jeans.
Edward handed her a glass of champagne.
"To… to us?"
Her answering smile was brighter than the lights on the giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
"Did you have a nice lunch with your family?"
"Yes. Jackie has finally decided that she wants to study fashion design."
"That's great," he said.
Bella had told him about her sister's problems in finding out which path she wanted to take in life.
Smiling, he took Bella's hand. Her hands always felt wonderfully soft and delicate.
"What have you been doing all day?" she asked.
"I worked."
"Are you ever going to show me what you're working on?"
"Of course. Just… not yet, okay?"
"Okay."
He took another sip of champagne.
"What are you and your family doing for Christmas?" she asked.
He'd been thinking about the holidays ahead. Christmas hadn't exactly been easy for him over the last five years. He'd been a very good customer of his favourite beverage between Christmas and New Year's.
"We all meet at my parents' and exchange presents and stuff ourselves with turkey and pudding," he said.
And he got stinking drunk. Well, maybe he'd manage to keep it on an okay level this year.
"What do you do?"
Bella smiled. She tugged one leg underneath her body.
"On Christmas Eve, we usually decorate the tree and have eggnog and dinner together. On Christmas Day, we open presents in the afternoon, and then there's more dinner." She rolled her eyes. "And on Boxing Day, my parents always have a party for family and friends."
"That's nice," he said. "So you'll be quite occupied, huh?" He drummed his fingers on the table. "Guess I won't get to see you then."
"Actually," she said, suddenly getting rather shy, "I wanted to talk to you about that."
He raised his eyebrow flirtatiously.
"How so?"
"I… My family and I, we'd like you to join us on Boxing Day." Her smile made a reappearance.
For a second, Edward couldn't breathe.
oOo
Thank you all so much for your reviews for the last chapter. I'm sorry I didn't get to reply, but I read and cherish each and every one!
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