The song in this is by Jeff Foxworthy. If you don't want to look it up, it goes by the song, The Little Drummer Boy, all of the time except for the middle somewhere. Look it up on youtube so that you can follow it along.
BPOV
Destination: Unknown
"You know, I think we had better go to a grocery store later," Alice commented. "For Bella."
Esme smiled knowingly. "Yes, I think we should. We wouldn't want her to go hungry."
"But first…" Alice pulled into a parking lot and drove into a front space that had just opened up. "I think we should shop for the guys first. Then we can shop for each other."
"Yes, then we can separate and Alice, you're staying with Bella," Rosalie said. She looked over at me almost apologetically. "Only because she will know what you're getting for her anyway."
Alice was out and dragging me out of my seat already. "Let's go. We have some serious shopping to do here."
And so I was dragged into a random store. It turned out to be a music and instrument store. Guitars lined the wall, amplifiers were on shelves below them, pianos, violins, cellos, trumpets, baritones, concert tubas, all sort of percussion instruments, regular drum sets. The list went on. People were looking around, playing some of the instruments sometimes.
A boy was playing on one of the drum sets and Alice started to hum the song The Little Drummer Boy.
"What is this noise I hear. Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum. This pounding in my ear, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum. It sound's exactly like an atom bomb. And I believe that it is coming from, rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, next door," she sang under her breath.
I giggled. I knew this one.
"It's Christmas morning, a day of peace, but it sounds more like war in the middle east," I sang softly. "I hear those rifle shots, the cannons roar. I just don't know if I can take anymore of this noise from this drummer boy next door."
Alice grinned. "Now there are lots of Christmas presents to give to little boys. Toy trains and boats and planes and games that don't make any noise, but if he had to have an instrument, a keyboard would be good. He could practice with his headphones; there'd be peace in the neighborhood."
The boy stopped and I laughed. "Oh, wait. What is this silence? Has he broken his arm? I really do not wish the boy any harm." He started again and I laughed harder. "But, no, I guess he was just taking a rest. I'm calling 911 to make an arrest. There's no Christmas joy with this drummer boy next door."
The boy's dad came over and took him away from the drum set, telling to stop making so much noise. Alice and I exchanged a look. I went on.
"I hear the drums go crashing into the street. His dad is screaming. Even he needs relief. Perhaps now we can finally get some sleep. And restore Christmas as a day of peace."
My eyes widened as the boy started to play a trumpet.
Alice giggled. "Oh, no. What kind of a sadistic idiot would buy a kid a set of drums and a trumpet for Christmas? This is the last straw, I'm calling my lawyer. I'm sorry, but there should be thoughts about being a good neighbor here. Talk about inconsiderate. This takes the prize. Hey, hey, you tone-deaf little yard ape, prepare to face charges."
Our little whispered song had us laughing until I was in tears.
"Sorry, Bella," Alice said through her laughter. "I couldn't help it."
"I can understand that," I said. "What are we doing here?"
"Getting some of Edward's presents. CD's are in the back," she explained.
"Oh, that makes sense."
"Let's go," she said, dragging me to the back where there were untold amounts of CDs.
I picked up a Taking Back Sunday CD and waited for Alice to get the five or six she was getting him.
"I think I'm going to get him something else besides music," I said thoughtfully. I had just gotten an idea.
"Sure, Bella," Alice said.
We paid and left, making our way down the strip.
Alice sighed. "Where…oh. Over here, Bella."
She led me into a jewelry store and I smiled.
"I'd say you're a mind reader, but…"
"It's okay, I know. I'm a genius. Who needs mind reading skills?" she said, joking. "That's Edward's thing."
"I'm glad you understand," I said, looking around. I stepped over to a glass display and my eyes stopped on a ruby encrusted hairpiece. Perfect for Rosalie.
The woman behind the counter smiled at me pleasantly. "May I help you?"
"Yes, actually," I murmured. "I think I'll take the hairpiece there," I said, motioning to it. "And that charm bracelet." Alice would like that.
"Would you like them gift wrapped?" she asked.
"Um, sure," I said. "I understand you make customized items?"
"Yes," she said. "Is there something you would like specifically?"
"Yes," I told her. "Do you have a piece of paper?"
"Of course." She reached over and took a slip from beside the cash register.
Alice walked over and smiled. "Here, Bella. Let me."
"Sure," I said.
She sketched out the key and chain easily. The key had a vine design etched into it along with the words Edward, the key to my heart will be forever yours. Love, Bella written along the front of it.
"Is that it?" Alice asked.
"Yes. Thank you, Alice," I said. "Can you make this?"
The woman looked at the sketch and smiled. "Do you want a chain with it? Or is it for a charm bracelet?"
"A men's silver chain necklace," I said.
"Will this work?" she asked, pulling one from under the glass.
It was perfect. Long enough that it could be slid under his shirt if he wanted, but also not ridiculously long.
"Yes."
"The piece will be done within two and a half hours, then," she said. "If you like, I can hold your other items until you return to pick it up."
"That would be nice," I said. "Thank you."
Alice smiled at her and we left the store. I hadn't been concerned about prices. I had enough for anything I could get. I had money from working at the Newtons' store and some that I had saved up for use on things I wanted. This was under that category.
Not much, I know, but…I have more coming, I swear!
