I'm so sorry it's taken me a while to update. I got pretty sick for a few weeks but I'm better now. I hope the chapter makes up for it. It's my longest one yet.

R&R :)

Enjoy!

December 23

The next morning Edward and I lay around his house enjoying breakfast together until I get a call from Alice wanting to get together. I'd rather stay here but it has been a while since we've hung out so I tell her sure but hang up on her loud excited squeal.

"What was that about?" Edward smirks at me. I throw my feet into his lap and lay back on the pillows on the couch.

"Alice wants to hang out today."

He raises an eyebrow. "Today huh?"

"Yep."

He nods and looks down at the book in his hands.

That was weird.

An uproar of laughter on the tv catches my attention but I keep watching him out of the corner of my eye. He's acting weird this morning. When ten more minutes go by without him turning a page, I sit up and lay my hands in my lap patiently waiting for him to look at me. After a moment he glances up over the rim of his book. "What?"

"What's got you deep in thought?"

His eyes move back to the book and he shrugs. "I'm not, I'm reading."

"You haven't actually turned a page in ten minutes." I point out.

Swiftly and dramatically he turns the page of the book. "Better?" He asks. His voice dripping with sarcasm.

Crossing my arms, I arch an eyebrow. "If you hadn't of turned back a page it would be."

He snaps the book shut throwing it onto the coffee table. "What are you? The reading police?" He growls but a smile spreads across his face and he lunges for me.

I laugh as he ruthlessly tickles my sides. "What are you? Ten?" He tightens his hold on my sides and throws me over his shoulder. "Edward!" He starts walking towards his room. "What are you doing? I have to go get ready?"

He ignores me and I pound on his back until he throws onto his bed. "She can wait thirty minutes." He says shrugging out of his shirt.

"Just thirty?" I ask teasing him and pulling his shirt over my head as well revealing my bare breasts. He slowly looks down and then smirks sexily. I bite my lip to keep from moaning.

"An hour." My lips curve into a smile as he leans over me pushing me down onto the bed. Soon my smile falters and I bite my lip again trying to control my moans as Edwards lips works their way from my neck lower and lower until he successfully clears my mind of anything but him.

Alice crosses her arms and taps her foot at me as I kiss Edward goodbye and close the door behind me. The grin playing on her lips turns into a beaming smile and she hugs me.

"You two are so cute. Almost as cute as Jasper and I." She winks teasingly.

"Sure, almost." I say patronizingly. She rolls her eyes getting in the car backing up before I can get my seatbelt on. "Woah, in a rush?"

She looks at me with wide eyes. "Uh yeah. It's been a whole week since I've been shopping!"

I groan. "I should have known you'd want to do that. Couldn't we eat lunch and see a movie instead?" I beg.

She purses her lips contemplating. "No." I sigh. "But we can go and get our hair and nails done! I've been wanting to do something different before Christmas anyway."

I narrow my eyes thinking about the lesser of two evils. "Okay." I hesitate. "But I'm not getting anything waxed." I warn her. She wanting to argue but instead she bites her tongue and agrees.

When she pulls out her phone to make an appointment, I let my mind wonder back to what I'm going to get Edward. This is important. It's our first Christmas together but I have no idea what to get him still. It's driving me crazy. My phone chirps drawing me from my thoughts and I look down at it.

E- I love you.

My heart swells as I grin widely at my phone. Those three words are all I need. Then it hits me. I know what I'm going to get him!

B-I love you too.

Relief courses through me and I feel almost giddy with excitement.

"What's got you so happy all of a sudden?" Alice asks.

"Nothing." I smile at her.

"Okay, now it's getting creepy. Spill."

"I just figured out what I'm going to get Edward for Christmas."

Her eyes light up. "Really? What is it?"

I shake my head. "Nope. It's a secret."

She pouts. "Please."

"No."

"Okay, I get it." She surrenders.

"Thanks." I sigh in relief.

After our lunch she pulls into a small but very luxurious looking building. I'm a little intimidated and pull at my clothes anxiously hoping I look presentable enough.

"Stop. You look fine." She says as she walks ahead of me.

I trail in behind her in awe as she walks in like she owns the place. A small petite women is standing behind the counter smiling friendly. "May I help you?"

"We have an appointment for 1:15."

She nods. "Name?"

"Alice Brandon and Bella Swan."

The women smiles widely. "Aw yes, you wanted the whole package right?"

"That would be us." She smiles at her.

Whole package? What package? How much is that?

I tug on Alice's arm pulling her to the side. "One moment." I say to the older women. "How much is 'the whole package' Alice?"

"My treat so it doesn't matter." I start to protest but she cuts me off. "Did I let you pay for lunch?" I nod reluctantly. I wondered why she was being so easy about it. "Okay then. I asked you to come out today, I suggested we do this so I'm taking care of it. Please?" She asks.

"Okay. Thank you." I hug her.

Before I can blink we are being whisked away into identical chairs right beside each other. Alice immediately knows what she wants to do with her hair but I need a minute to think. When I look over they're already lathering her hair up. My stylist waits patiently for me make a choice but sees I'm struggling so she offers her input.

"May I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"What if we shortened it a few inches and darkened it a little. Your hair is very beautiful, I don't see a need to change much unless you're just wanting something completely different."

I smile genuinely happy with her suggestion. "I like that. Let's do it."

My hair sways down to the middle of my back as I walk down the sidewalk to my truck. I'm acutely aware of it considering how much lighter it feels. My once hip length hair is almost to my shoulders and it's just weird. She cut off more than I anticipated but I really like it. She also darkened it with a little bit of red mixed in and added a little product to bring out my natural soft waves. It's different but no so much that I don't recognize myself. I'm pretty sure Edward will love it.

I'm also sure he's going to love his present I'm currently holding. It may have taken a while for me to think of it but it's perfect.

Despite the cold air and the snow I was pretty happy with how today turned out. Just as I reach my truck I hear my name. "Bella!"

I turn to see who it is but their voice is familiar and definitely a man. I spot blonde hair and then the rest of Riley's bodies appears from behind some cars. He jogs up next to me smiling. "Hey." He hesitates before pulling me into a hug.

I try not to seem uncomfortable but I am. "Hi Riley. How are you?"

"Not to bad. And you?"

I hold up the bag. "Great. Just last minute Christmas shopping."

"Fun." He smirks. A smile spread across his face and he tugs on the end of my hair. "I see you changed your hair. It's beautiful."

I take a slight step back so my hair can slip out of his fingers. He notices. "Thank you. Alice drug me to do it today."

"Kicking and screaming?" He chuckles.

"Something like that." I'm trying to keep my face polite and friendly but I have a feeling he's working his way up to say something I won't like.

"So listen," he starts. Here we go. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner later?"

"Oh, I'm sorry I can't."

He shrugs stepping closer. "It's okay, anytime you're available is fine with me."

"I'll talk to Edward."

He looks confused until he realizes what I mean. Looking down, he shakes his head slightly. "You're still with him?" Riley looks back up frowning.

"I am."

"Why?"

He starting to irritate me. "Because I love him."

He scoffs. "Love him? You've been together, what? A few weeks?"

"This isn't really your business." I cross my arms glaring at him.

He raises his hands up in surrender. "Okay, fine. Let me know when you get tired of him. Because you will." He smirks then walks off.

I bite my tongue to keep from yelling a few curses at him. Jackass.

I continue to glare at his back until I can no longer see him. Roughly yanking the door to my truck open, I hop in and sling my purse into the passenger seat. Suddenly I remember his present and carefully lay it in the seat.

By the time I get home, all thoughts of Riley are gone and I lay everything I need out to wrap Edwards present. Humming to the Christmas music in the background, I finish it and gently lay it under my little tree next to the other few gifts I have.

For the next couple of hours I spend time cleaning but it's not that bad since I haven't been home much lately. Edward calls me for just a minute asking me if I want to go over to his house. Before I can answer I hear Emmett in the background.

"What about this one?" He asks loudly.

"Shut up." Edward growls.

"Is that Emmett? What are you doing?"

"Emmett needed help finding something so I said I'd help him. Listen why don't we meet at my house around seven?"

"Sure. That's sounds great."

"Alright, I see you later. Love you." He hangs up before I can even utter the same words. That was weird, but then again he was acting weird this morning too. Maybe some cookies will help. Before I know it, I've made three different kinds: chocolate chip, peanut butter, and white macadamia nut. When I'm done he's got two tins full of cookies, beside the three... okay five I ate. I might need to throw in a little cardio a few times week after the holidays if I keep eating like this.

Oh well, it was worth it.

Glancing at the clock I realize I'm going to be late if I don't hurry. The soft burgundy colored dress I pick out flows to my knees and I throw on a cute pair of thigh high socks and my ankle boots. Keeping my hair down, I try to touch up what the stylist did, grab his cookies, my purse and then I'm out the door again.

When I arrive, I see a note on the door that says come in. Curiously I open the front door, and hang up my coat.

"Edward?" I call out.

"In here."

Following the sound of his voice, I find him standing in the dining room. The room is dim and the table is candle-lit with two plates sitting across from each other. It's beautiful.

"What's all this?" I step forward and giggle when I see a pork chops on each plate. "Pork chops huh?"

"I do believe I made you a promise. It's not spaghetti tacos but I think they'll suffice." He smirks and wraps his arms around my waist. He pulls back looking at me funny then runs his fingers through my hair. "You cut your hair?"

I nod. "You like it?"

"It's beautiful. And so soft. Perfect to run my fingers through." He leans in to kiss me but the tin I'm holding pokes his chest. "What's that?" He asks looking down at the tin of cookies.

"Oh, I made you some cookies." His eyes light up. Maybe cookies is all he wants for Christmas.

"What kind?"

"Chocolate chip, peanut butter and white macadamia nut."

I lift the top to show him one. "Forget the dinner I'll just have these." He reaches in for one but I close the lid on his fingers.

"No sir. You made a beautiful dinner and we are going to enjoy. Together."

He pouts. "Just one?"

I narrow my eyes but lift the lid. "One." He reaches and pulls out two. "Hey, that's not one."

He stacks them on top of each other. "Now it's one." I laugh rolling my eyes. Edward finishes them in a few bites and then kisses me getting chocolate on my lips.

I lick my lips and his eyes follow the movement. "Yum."

He steps forward but I move around him place the cookies on the bar. "Okay, let's eat. I'm starving."

In no time both of our plates are empty and I'm sitting back against the chair running my stomach. "Definitely going to add cardio."

"Huh?" He asks.

"I said that was delicious. Thank you."

"Your welcome." He smiles. "Now can I have the cookies?"

I chuckle. "Go ahead." Eagerly he grabs the cookies and then my hand and pulls us to the couch in his living room.

We cuddle and snack on the cookies watching another Christmas movie. Several times though I catch him staring off into space but when I ask him about it, he shoves a cookie in his mouth and acts like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

I feel he's hiding something from me but I don't want to ask. If he wanted me to know or if it was a big deal he'd tell me.

Right?

I watch him eat yet another cookie happily and I smile shaking my thoughts of any doubt. He looks over grinning then leans in kissing me until I'm breathless.

It's not until later that night when I'm on the verge of falling asleep do I remember what he said last night. Please say yes. Yes to what? My heart does a leapt but I'm too far gone to dwell on it.