oOo
Edward was ridiculously happy. Bella had agreed to go to Wales with him for New Year's Eve. They were sitting in her bed, chatting and kissing and drinking coffee.
"Wait a second," Bella murmured against his lips and climbed out of the bed.
"What are you –"
She grabbed something from the coffee table and returned to him.
"Your Christmas present."
She pecked his lips with a small kiss.
"Thank you. I hope you didn't spend a lot of money."
He was aware of the fact that Bella was struggling to make ends meet. He was also aware that she was proud of her ability to support herself.
"I made it," she said softly. "I… I hope you like it?"
Curious, Edward unwrapped his gift. He gasped.
It was a self-made calendar with photographs she had taken, showing various places and things that were significant for their relationship: the park they'd first taken a walk in, the front entrance of the National Gallery, a selection of vegetables, symbolising Edward's attempts at cooking. There was the Gate Vegetarian Restaurant, Chocolate Heaven, Bella's loveseat…
"Oh, Bella. This is incredible."
He browsed through the pages again, before he put his gift on the side so he could pull her close.
"Thank you so much, my love."
"You like it?" she whispered against his lips.
"I love it. Thank you. I'll hang it in my studio."
"Really?"
She sounded excited.
"Absolutely."
He kissed her again, revelling in the sensation of her soft, sweet lips and the way they were in perfect harmony with each other.
When they had to part for breath, Bella put her head on his shoulder. He couldn't believe how quickly they were getting so close and how natural it felt. They were at ease with each other, almost as if they'd known one another much longer than they actually did.
"Are you looking forward to seeing your family?"
"Yes, sure. There's actually something you could help me with."
"Hmm?" She smiled warmly and passed her toe up and down his leg.
"I had most of my presents wrapped at the shops, but I got this bracelet for Vera, and it's in a round box. How do you wrap something that's round?"
Bella looked up at him with huge, dark eyes.
"You're impossible. Your paintings sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds, yet you can't wrap a gift?"
"Well, I could. But it would look like shit."
"Okay." She placed a smacking kiss on his chest. "Let's have breakfast, and then I'll show you."
.
Later that afternoon, they said goodbye once more in his car in front of Bella's parents' house.
Since Bella would be spending the night, they weren't going to see each other later.
"It's just… I promised Mum I would help with the preparations for the party…"
"It's okay, love." He pressed another kiss on her lips. "Completely okay."
"I'll call you before I go to sleep…"
"I love you, Bella."
"I love you, Edward."
His heart was light as he drove back home to get the presents for his family.
oOo
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