Disclaimer - I don't own Twilight
Under the Mistletoe
Chapter Four
Bella's POV
"What's first?" Edward asked me, peering over my shoulder at the sheet of paper in my hands. It was the list. The Christmas list for the children at the hospital. I inspected the column of toys and other items, making the quick calculations in my head of how much this was all going to cost. I grimaced when I arrived at my answer, but didn't waste my breath voicing my complaints. Edward would refuse to hear a word of it anyway.
I tried to ignore the close proximity of his body as he practically leaned against me in an attempt to see the list. I could feel the heat on my cheeks, and was grateful that he was behind me and wouldn't be able to see my face.
I cleared my throat. "Um, well, I figured we'd start with the littler kids' stuff first. You know, the toys." I turned my head sideways just a bit to grin at him. It was always the most fun buying the toys. It gave us a chance to be kids again.
He smiled crookedly back at me in understanding, and I concentrated hard on breathing. We both turned sharply when Alice cleared her throat pointedly. She watched us with her arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
"Are we going to shop for these kids or ogle at each other all day?" she hinted. I blushed, and Edward stepped casually away from me, fiddling with his hands. After a moment of awkward silence on our part, Edward spoke, as if nothing had passed between us.
"Any excuse to shop," he muttered, with a conspiratorial wink at me. I giggled, and just like that we were two best friends again, fooling around a bit and just having fun. Alice rolled her eyes.
I laughed at her. "Come on," I said. "We don't have all day. We have to pick Emmett and Rosalie up at four, remember?" The two missing members of our little posse would be returning from college that afternoon, and we would officially be a family again. Since they were coming by plane, Edward, Jasper, Alice and I had planned to drive them from the little airport in Port Angeles to Forks.
Edward shrugged, smirking. "It would do Emmett good to learn some patience." I giggled, thinking of his burly brother, whose tough appearance contrasted his boyish antics. Edward had little patience for him, but to me, he was like the older brother I never had. I adored Emmett…well, except for when he was making highly uncalled for comments about Edward and me, which had been ongoing for three years now.
Alice's mind had never strayed from shopping. "Who's first on the list?" she asked as she grabbed the paper from me before I could stop her.
"Hey! My list!"
She ignored me, her eyes sweeping the writing quickly. "Let's do Tyler first!" Alice exclaimed happily. I groaned. Of course Alice would go out of order. Every year, we went down the list in a very orderly fashion, but it looked like the newest addition to our little squad was going to change that. I figured we might as well appease her, and glanced at Edward, who shrugged.
"Fine," I allowed with a sigh. Alice beamed.
We squirmed through the crowds, Alice skipping along excitedly as she wished a 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays' to people she didn't know. I watched their bewildered expressions as the spiky-haired pixie girl danced by them with a cheerful grin on her face. Edward and I followed behind at a more reasonable pace and laughed at her antics, making jokes about how we 'didn't' know her. In truth, we loved Alice; she had personality. Despite her foolishness, she had a good heart, and I was touched that she seemed to care as much about the kids at the hospital as Edward and I did, especially when she had really only gotten involved with them a few months ago.
Eventually, Alice managed to lead us to K.B. Toys, the only big toy store in the mall. I wasn't particularly a fan of the place; there wasn't nearly as much of a selection as Toys R Us. But we would have to make do.
The Christmas theme was as obvious here as it was in every other store we'd entered. A display of stuffed, walking dogs sported Santa hats, and plastic snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. The LEGO aisle included Santa's Train, Santa's Sleigh, and Santa's Workshop, and Barbie dolls were decked out in all sorts of Christmas attire. I sighed peacefully, remembering how magical it all was to me when I was little. Even if I had managed to somehow murder every Barbie doll I ever owned.
Edward's train of thought was obviously heading down the same path as mine, because he laughed when he spotted the dolls.
I swatted his arm. "Be nice," I muttered, although even that playful contact had succeeded in sending goose bumps up my arm. My reaction only made him chuckle harder.
"I'm sorry, Bella, I can't help it," Edward said solemnly after a moment, draping his arm casually around my shoulder. I noticed that he carefully made sure that the rest of our bodies weren't touching. "You were just so cute when you were little."
"I don't know what happened," Alice teased, popping up on my other side and copying Edward's arm. I stuck my tongue out at her.
The first song we heard resounding throughout the store was 'Jingle Bells'. I blushed and giggled nervously at the memories I had of this song. In first grade, we had sung it in our winter show, and I had been dressed as a snowflake. I was supposed to walk to center stage with a few other kids…the costume had ripped…I tripped over it…and Bella meets floor. That was the last school function I ever participated in.
Edward chuckled and squeezed my shoulder, knowing exactly what I was grimacing for. "You're still bent up about that? It was first grade," he pointed out. His eyes twinkled as they laughed at me. I slipped away from his arm, glowering at him.
"It was the whole school Edward," I complained. "Emmett never let me live it down." Even today, Emmett couldn't resist cracking a joke whenever he heard the song. I tried not to let it bother me, but Emmett's booming voice was hard to ignore.
Alice rolled her eyes and walked away from us, heading for the next aisle. A few seconds later, her voice floated towards us. "Hey guys, I think I found it. Stop staring at each other and come here." Face red, I trailed behind Edward to where Alice was successfully holding up and thin, long box, a proud grin on her face. The object was a race car track, the new one that Tyler had been begging his father to buy forever.
I inspected the box. It was large, and nearly as long as Alice was tall. Apparently, it came with two cars, a complicated-looking track, an engine, and batteries.
I grimaced. "Should I ask how much it is?"
Alice snickered.
With a smirk, Edward said, "I wouldn't. It doesn't matter anyway, seeing as you're not the one paying for it." He reminded me rather pointedly.
I sighed. "Fine." I pictured Tyler's face splitting into an irrepressible grin as he tore wrapping paper away to reveal his dream track, and it was more than fine. Maybe the Cullens' money did have some advantages. I allowed myself to smile reluctantly at Edward and Alice.
"That's the spirit!" Alice grinned, grabbing the racecar track from Edward, and bounding off again.
"You'd think she was a kid getting these toys," Edward muttered.
"That's Alice," I sighed, and Edward chuckled.
"Let's catch up to her before she scares anyone alright?" He watched in amusement as Alice started chatting animatedly to a startled woman, who was struggling to keep a hold on her two young boys. They were complaining as we neared, whining loudly about how they wanted some toy or another.
Alice eyed them disapprovingly and bent down so that she was able to look into their faces. She indicated the track in her hands. "Did you know that this track is for a little boy who is in the hospital right now, and won't be home for Christmas?" she asked casually, although her eyes bored into them. The woman seemed thoroughly puzzled and a little worried. I shrugged at her sheepishly, hoping to convince her that Alice was harmless.
The boys seemed entranced but disconcerted by this strange girl. They glanced at each other with wide eyes, and then looked back at Alice. "How will Santa give him presents?" One asked anxiously. He looked a little older than the other boy, whose lip quivered.
"Santa is going to make a special trip to see him," Alice assured them. "But he doesn't get to come here and see all these toys. He doesn't get to be with his parents all the time." She glanced pointedly at the mother, whom the boys had been pestering insistently moments before.
The boys glanced guiltily at each other, and then at their feet.
"Who's the boy?" One boy eventually asked.
Alice smiled. "His name is Tyler. He's probably about your age. He likes cars."
"I hope he feels better in time for Christmas," the younger boy mumbled.
"Gosh, I would hate being sick on Christmas!" the other boy exclaimed.
Alice hopped up and nodded fervently. "Me too." She glanced at the mother and grinned. "Merry Christmas!" She giggled delightedly and snatched mine and Edward's hands, yanking us off. I'm sure we left a very bewildered little family staring after us.
"What in the world was that?" Edward demanded when we had gone down a few aisles and were out of earshot. He looked disapproving as he stared Alice down.
"Relax Edward," Alice said distractedly. We had reached the dress-up aisle and she stared down it with ogling eyes. "Wow, come on Bella, we didn't have half this stuff when we were kids!" She grabbed a bright pink hat with a wide brim and an array of feathers on top and popped it on her head. She topped it off with a light pink, very fluffy, scarf.
Posing, she asked, "How do I look?"
I laughed. "Wonderful, Alice. Like a princess," I humored her.
Edward snickered. "Like a cream puff, you mean." Alice stuck out her tongue at him.
"So who wants dress-up stuff Bella?" she asked me eagerly.
I took a quick look through the list. "Megan and Emily," I read. "And Nicole wants a Barbie doll. They're at the end of this aisle." I nodded my head towards the shelves of various Babies, grimacing. I was glad Alice was here, so I wouldn't have to pick out all this stuff. She knew far better than I what little girls would want, since I had tended to avoid this particular genre when I was young.
"Good plan; bringing her, I mean," I said gratefully to Edward. I had been slightly vexed when I found out that Edward and I wouldn't be alone, but now it looked like Alice was earning her keep.
Edward grinned at me.
Alice seemed totally satisfied with her solo work as she flitted along the shelves of a variety of dresses, most of which were princess themed, skirts, funky hats and scarves like the ones she was still wearing, and those terrible heeled shoes with the fat, plastic jewels glued to the top. I had tripped more than once walking around with those dreadful things on my feet.
At last, Alice approached us with her findings. The hat and scarf were gone, and in her arms were a boxed set of an assortment of plastic jewelry, a pair of plastic heels, a violet Pretty Princess dress, and a crown.
"Megan likes the accessories better, and she already has a dress," Alice explained as she handed over the shoes and jewelry. "And Emily likes the whole princess theme, so the dress works too." She looked pleased with herself.
I smiled, relieved. "Great. You're awesome at this, Alice."
She laughed and winked. "Oh, I know."
……….
Hours later, Edward, Alice and I were seated at the food court, inspecting the assembly of a wide variety of bags at our feet. There were at least a dozen, and their contents spilled over the edges. I caught a My Little Pony set before it tumbled to the floor.
"I'm not wrapping all of it this time," I declared, glaring at Edward.
Alice smirked. "We paid for it," she shot back.
"Alice!" Edward and I hissed at the same time. I glanced at him, thankful that he was sticking up for me. He smiled back, and my heart ached as I caught the tenderness in his eyes. I longed to go to him, to wrap my arms around him and never release him. Forever, with Edward.
I squashed my feet firmly together before I made a fool of myself leaping at him. Alice was watching me pitifully, and I was distracted as I recalled her comment.
"You know I offered to put in my half!" I protested, slightly embarrassed that we were even having this conversation.
Alice looked appropriately remorseful. "I'm sorry, Bella, really. You know I was just kidding. I didn't know how badly it would get to you."
"It's ok," I sighed, shoveling a bite of pizza into my mouth. I swallowed and looked back at the list, which was on the table by my plate. I inspected who we had left to buy for, and winced when I realized that only Mandy was left. I had purposefully saved her for last, knowing what Alice would bring up when we got to her. There was only one thing that Mandy wanted. I was by no means planning to deny her, exactly, but I still wasn't sure how I was going to appease her. How could I explain to Edward what she wanted? I had no idea how to bring up the topic with him.
"We've got Mandy left," I gulped. I flashed a glance at Edward, and he seemed to tense. I wondered why, but I looked down at my pizza quickly, with no time to really inspect his stance.
"What does she want?" Alice asked cautiously. I was surprised that she finally seemed to have accepted my unwillingness to broach the subject. Her eyes were wary as I looked up at her, as if bracing herself for an explosion. Well, as long as she was going to behave, no explosion would be necessary. I half-smiled reassuringly at her, and she relaxed. But she was still waiting for my response.
I stared at the blank space next to Mandy's name. "Um…" I shifted in my seat.
"Oh, for goodness sake, just let me see it!" Alice exclaimed, swiping the paper away from me. She registered the blank spot immediately, because she looked up at me with raised eyebrows. I shrugged sheepishly.
Edward sighed. "Do I get an explanation too?" he asked, looking at me. I blushed, and stared at my lap.
"It's sort of complicated…" I began.
"We have time," Edward interrupted me. I twisted my fingers together nervously. My eyes happened to stray to my watch, and I abruptly realized that, no, we didn't have time.
"Oh shoot!" I jumped out of my seat and started grabbing the bags, gulping down the last bit of pizza on my plate hurriedly. Edward and Alice watched me in confusion.
"What?" Alice asked.
"It's four o' clock." I told them. They stared at me, not apprehending. I rolled my eyes. "Emmett, Rosalie," I hinted. We should have left the mall a few hours ago to make sure we made it in time. Oh well. Too late now.
Alice's eyes widened. "Oh."
"Whoops," Edward snickered. I was sure he was imagining with glee the sour expression on Emmett's face as he was forced to stand around in the rain, waiting for us to come get him. There were no indoor facilities at the small airport in Port Angeles. I giggled at the picture my mind conjured.
"So," I said with a mischievous gleam in my eyes. "Who votes on leaving Emmett stranded for a few more hours?"
"Emmett deserves it," Edward agreed. "But I doubt Rosalie would appreciate it." Hmph. The gentleman in Edward always ruined my schemes. He was no fun. And I loved him for it.
"Besides," Alice added. "Jasper's waiting too. We still have to go all the way to Forks, get him, and then get to Port Angeles."
"Since when were we getting Jasper?" I asked. As far as I was aware, that hadn't part of the plan.
"Since I said so," she declared. I rolled my eyes.
"Come on, it will take hours at this rate." Alice grabbed the remaining bags and piled some into Edward's arms, shouldering the rest.
"Not with Edward's crazy driving," I muttered.
He smirked at me. "See, it comes in handy sometimes," he defended his speeding, winking. Me heart pumped erratically, and I looked away.
We threw out our food and sped-walked through the mall. My short frame struggled to keep up with Alice's pace, despite her smaller body. I latched onto Edward's hand to keep up, letting him pull me along. He squeezed my hand and I felt the electricity whipping up my arm. I longed to satisfy the burning, and feel his arms around me, but I was afraid. What if he said no? Would the rejection harm our friendship?
I was quiet on the drive home. Edward was at the wheel, so I had an excuse not to engage him in conversation. Alice was in the back, murmuring to Jasper on her cell phone.
I felt like I was in one of those stupid kid drama television shows. I had never watched them, but I got the gist of the overdramatic, unrealistic stories. I had laughed down at them, but I wondered now if maybe they possessed a spark of truth.
The truth was that I loved Edward. I loved him as a best friend, but also as something more. I wanted to spend forever with him. Three years ago, the notion of falling in love had seemed ridiculous to me. And then I realized and gradually came to understand how essential Edward was to my life. I wasn't right without him. I wasn't whole.
Every time Alice said anything on the subject, she was right. I wouldn't admit that to her, but that didn't alter the truth in everything she said. Edward and I had been made for each other. Destiny, fate, whatever. It was true of us.
Oh, how I wanted that kiss on Christmas Eve.
Author's Note - Sorry about the late update, and the shortness of this chapter. I was going to add in what was going to happen when they picked up Rosalie and Emmett, but then it would end up being too long. So, you'll just have to wait for next chapter.
I'm writing three stories right now. Under the Mistletoe, Someday You'll Know, and the novel I'm writing with the help of my school librarian. That's a lot of work. My plan is to get one chapter out for each story every week (There's only two left for this story). Essentially, that's like three chapters a week if I had been writing one story. Sorry updates won't be coming so quickly anymore.
One last thing! Are any of you even reading this note anymore? Lol. Anyway, I wrote a BD missing moment oneshot featuring Edward and Renesmee if you want to check it out. It's called Music for Renesmee. :)
Thanks for the reviews! Eleven! Can you do it again?
