I do not own Twilight.
SunflowerFran betaed, but all mistakes belong to me.
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"Oh my God," Bella groaned. "I am so full." Turning her head, she managed to place a sloppy kiss on Edward's lips. "Everything was so yummy!"
"Yes, it was," Jackie squealed, throwing herself on the couch next to Edward. A second later, Vera followed her. The two of them had become friends since they'd first met at Carlisle's birthday party a month prior.
Edward's behaviour with them was adorable: he was much like Emmett, a big brother to tease and who would tease back.
Jennie plopped down by their feet, still wearing the large red bow that Jackie had adorned her with. Pookie, who was wearing reindeer ears again, sat down next to her. The dogs had become friends, as well.
Emmett and Ro joined them, followed by Carlisle carrying a tray with eggnog. He and Edward had had many talks about Carlisle's drinking habits, and Edward's father was living a much healthier life now. When asked whether it would be okay to serve alcohol at the joint family Christmas, Edward had said that he would be good. He couldn't avoid being in a normal environment forever.
Esme, Renee and Charles came into the living room as well, and everyone gathered on the large sofa and chairs in front of the fire and the enormous tree.
Bella declined Carlisle's offer of eggnog, opting, like Edward, for the alcohol-free variety.
Edward's fingers found hers while everybody chatted and laughed.
"You know what?" he whispered against her temple.
"What?"
Looking at him, she was once more overwhelmed by how beautiful, and how much better he was looking. His green eyes were sparkling and mischievous.
"I have a surprise for you back home."
"Oh, yes?"
"Oh, yes."
Their lips met in a tender kiss. That is, until Vera hollered something about them getting a room, and everyone burst out laughing.
Later that night, Esme sat down next to her son and kissed his cheek.
"I'm so proud of you, darling," she said softly.
Instead of huffing, which used to be his natural response, Edward smiled softly and kissed her cheek.
"I love you, mum."
"I love you too, sweet boy."
.
It was almost midnight when they returned home, both of them yawning after a long day with presents and too much to eat. Jennie went to her basket in the living room, seemingly just as exhausted as her humans.
"You go on upstairs," Edward told Bella. "I'll join you in a second."
Bella looked at him quizzically, but nodded her head.
Edward was a little nervous as he crept into the laundry room, where he'd been hiding something behind the dryer.
For a second, it made him think of other things he'd hidden in the past, and he had to swallow, once more overcome by guilt.
But he quickly composed himself and followed Bella upstairs. He could hear her in the bathroom. He set down the gift on the bed and raked a hand through his hair.
It only took Bella a minute to emerge from the bathroom, looking cute in dark blue pyjamas.
"Hey." He stretched out his hand and pulled her on the bed with him.
"Another present?" Bella's eyes were twinkling.
"Unwrap it," he murmured.
Biting her lip, she pulled off the ribbons. She gasped when her eyes fell upon the hand-crafted journal with her initials on the front.
"Open it," Edward urged on.
The picture of them in Wales fell into her hand. It had been taken last New Year's Eve. They were both smiling happily, enwrapped in each other.
Edward pulled her close, ghosting his lips over her cheek, her neck, her collarbone, inhaling her scent.
"Yeah, I though we might go there again for New Year's," he whispered. "You know, to make some new memories…"
Their lips met in a tender kiss, and Bella's eyes were slightly moist when she looked at him.
"I think I'd love that very much."
And with that, they sank into another, much longer kiss.
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