Hey guys, I'm back! First I want to apologize for making you all wait so long to finish this story. It was never my intentions, it just happened this way. I have completed both this chapter and the final chapter for anyone is still interested in finishing this story. Thank you all for your reviews that kept me going even a year later to get this finished. Without them it may have sat unfinished indefinitely. I hope these last two chapters make up for not posting in over a year.

Enjoy!

December 24

Christmas Eve

"Bella." A low deep voice caresses my ear and smooth fingers lightly trail up and down my spine.

"Mmm."

He chuckles at my inability to speak this early in the morning. "Sweetheart, we have to start getting up soon." I shake my head no.

Edwards fingers continue their path down my spine then follow the curve of my hips. Soft warm lips trace the path his fingers made causing goosebumps to rise all over my body. I'll never tire of feeling his skin against mine; the way my body reacts to his words alone.

Something about the way he was touching me, worshipping me with his lips causes a swell of emotions to run through me. It catches my breath. Unable to stop myself I whisper, "I love you."

I finally open my eyes with a gentle smile and find him staring back at me. A small smile of his own graces his features while he runs his fingers across the apple of my cheek.

"I love you." He leans in for a quick yet deep kiss. "So much."

We take a few minutes just staring at each other. Neither of us seem willing nor able to look away. The moment that passes between us; there are no words. I feel extremely vulnerable in a way. As we look into each other eyes, I know I'll never love anyone the way I love Edward.

In such a short amount of time, he has become everything. I know that there will be times we won't see eye to eye. We'll argue and fight. Our journey together as just barely begun, and there's so much to still learn about one another but I am reminded of Rose's words that night at the hospital.

"You know, not everyone needs years or even months to know if they have fallen in love with someone."

I'm thankful to have someone like her. The support she gave me to admit what I was feeling for him, despite the fear I felt of it being too fast was overwhelming. I'd be lying if I said my run in with Riley yesterday didn't hit a nerve I wasn't aware I even had. He practically laughed in my face at the idea that Edward and I could love each other already, but you know what? Screw him.

He doesn't feel what we feel. He isn't here, sharing this moment with this man. If he wants to live his life by the judgement and time tables of others, that's his choice. But there isn't anyone who can tell me who to love, how to love or when it's been long enough to be in love. I know myself and I know Edward.

This is exactly the morning I needed to shake off my encounter with him.

"Screw who?" Edward asks with a laugh.

I've got to quit speaking my thoughts. "Uh, Riley."

Edwards beautiful eyes grow confused then concern sweeps across his face. He sits up and I follow wrapping the sheet around my bare chest. "Did something happen with Riley?"

I need to choose my words carefully. I can see the barely contained anger brewing in them. "Look it was nothing. He was just being a jerk."

"What happened Bella?"

I bite my lip nervously. "I ran into him yesterday right before I came over." I pause waiting for a reaction. There isn't one. "Basically, he was trying to ask me out and didn't take it too well that we were still together. He all but laughed in my face at the idea of us being in love and told me I'd grow tired of you and when I did to give him a call." I take a deep breath. So much for choosing my words carefully.

Edward jumps out of bed and roughly pulls on some jeans that were lying around. "What are you doing?" I ask.

He pulls on a shirt and grabs clean socks from his drawer. "Edward. Look at me." Finally, he stops and glances down at me. "Where are you going?"

Scrubbing a hand over his face, he sighs heavily. "I'm paying Riley a visit."

"No!" I grab his hand and pull him down to me ignoring the sheet that falls gathering around my waist. "Please stay here. He isn't important. And he's not worth being thrown in jail on Christmas Eve."

"Who said I'd do something to get thrown in jail?"

I arch an eyebrow at him. "You didn't have to."

Edward lets out a string of profanities then rubs his neck taking in deep breaths. "I won't go-," I let out a sigh relief. "Today,"

My short-lived moment of peace is shattered again. "What do you mean?"

"I won't go today, but Riley and I are going to have a talk. Very soon." The expression on his face keeps me from arguing even though I want to object. He just isn't that important enough for me to care.

"Okay." I sigh. "Now that that is settled, come back to bed." I kiss up his arm and shoulder while softly caressing the hair at the nape of his neck with my hand.

"I wish we could, but if we don't get up many people will be disappointed." His arms wrap around my waist pushing me back onto the bed despite his words.

"Yes, but I'll be very satisfied." I giggled when his lips find a sensitive spot on my neck.

Edward sits up with a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes and I feel my lips fall into a pout before I'm suddenly being pulled up with him. "Come on. Shower time." He throws me over his shoulder stalking into his bathroom and slamming the door shut with his foot.

"This won't get us ready any faster. In fact, it'll probably slow us down." I pretend unconvincingly to scold him.

"Are you complaining?" His voice full of teasing.

"Nope." I lean down kissing his shoulder feeling the sudden loss of his skin on mine as he sits me back on my feet long enough to undress before throwing me over his shoulder again. He steps into the shower, shuts the door and turns the hot water on. As it sprays down my back massaging my muscles, he lets me slide down the length of his already soaked body enough to able to wrap my legs around his waist. His lips captures mine in a searing kiss.

Edward turns pressing my back against the wall while kissing across my jaw and down my neck. My hands fist into his hair and I arch my back as he lavishes each breast with his tongue. After a few torturous minutes, I can't take it anymore so I adjust us to where I can sink down on him.

We start off in a slow rhythm whispering words of love to each other but soon the need becomes too much and he picks up the pace taking us both over the edge quickly.

Afterwards we each clean the other just enjoying our time together. Even though we have places to be today, and family and friends waiting for us we just didn't want to spend today rushing around. I'll be doing enough of that tomorrow cooking Christmas dinner for Charlie, Sue, Seth, Renee, Phil, Edward, and possibly the Black Clan. From what I hear my step-sister Leah, who's also married to Jake, doesn't exactly know how to cook so it's a very real possibility Charlie invited them. And it's also probable that he forgot to call me and tell me so being the kind and thoughtful person I am… I will make sure I have enough to provide for everyone.

But any more than that shows up and they'll just have to fend for themselves.

After fixing a quick lunch for Edward and I since we missed breakfast, we finally make it back to my place so I can get dressed for his parent's Christmas Eve dinner. Apparently, every year they spend Christmas Eve playing board games, card games… any game you can think of really and have a dinner. On the way over Edward tells me many stories of how competitive it gets between them all. Even sweet Esme.

"So last year, we are right in the middle of Uno Attack-."

"Uno Attack?" I interrupt him laughing.

"Have you played it before?"

"No, I can't say I have."

"Then don't hate on Uno Attack." I nod trying to stifle my laugh. He is dead serious. "Anyway, I had just laid down a reverse and-."

"What's a reverse?"

"It's where whichever way the turns are going it gets reversed and goes back to the person who laid down before you." Again I nod taking it all in just in case we end up playing this game.

"So I just threw it down and ma lays down a times two card-."

"What's that?" I interrupt again.

Edward gives me a grin shaking his head. "Maybe I'll tell this story after you've been taught the rules."

"Probably for the best." He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss chuckling.

Edward helps himself to left over cookies I had stashed in the kitchen while I change. The reindeer sweater Alice had insisted I buy during one of our many shopping excursions hangs in my closet so I grab it, a pair of nice jeans and my black boots. I put my hair up in a high bun on top of my head and quickly do my make-up. Alice will be proud, I actually put more than mascara on this time.

We arrive at Carlisle and Esme's around two in the afternoon. Esme greets us at the door. "Bella, I'm so glad you could come." She pulls me into a hug.

"Thank you for inviting me. Your home is beautiful."

"Thank you dear." She lets me go and sees Edward. "Hi honey." She gives Edward a hug as well. "They've already starting setting games up downstairs so why don't you join them and I'll give Bella the tour." She grabs my hand before Edward could object.

She takes me through the living room stopping at the couches and sits down gesturing for me to follow. "What are we-." I start to ask.

"Now that we are alone, I just wanted to talk to with you a minute."

I gulp. "Sure."

She pats my hand. "Don't be nervous, it's nothing bad." I feel myself relaxing. "I just wanted to tell you I'm thankful for how happy you've made Edward. He had a rough time after Tanya."

I cringe slightly. "Yes, I've heard of Tanya already. Piece of work, wasn't she?"

Esme smiles. "Oh yes, she had Carlisle and I fooled even Rosalie which is no easy task. Emmett was the only one who saw through her."

"Good for Emmett." I'm beginning to appreciate Emmett more and more.

"It's so nice to see him with someone who actually cares for him. They really weren't together that long but the short time they were, she had her claws so deep in him that he couldn't even see how much he had changed. When he was with her, he become a different person. I know he felt he hid it well but I am his mother. I know when something isn't right with my children." Esme's beautiful face showed a shadow of the worry she had once felt for her son.

Edward had really downplayed his feelings for Tanya during our talk. He told me that he thought they were serious but he made it seem like a small part of his life. Esme definitely paints a different picture. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Esme moves to stand but I reach out for her hand; a sudden urge to show her how deep my feelings run, that I'd never hurt him over takes me. "I love him. There isn't anything about him I would want to change. I mean it."

She cups my face in a motherly fashion; unshed tears glisten in her eyes. "Thank you. That's all that matters." Esme pulls me in for another hug.

"Except maybe his excessive cookie eating habit. But that's for his own good. And mine." I pull back grinning.

Esme throws her back laughing. "Believe me, that hasn't changed." We both stand and she pulls me along with her. "Now, let me show you the house." I nod trailing along with her through each room marveling at her exquisite decorating skills. Every room is different but she has managed to make all the decor flow beautifully together.

Once Esme shows me the whole house, she takes extra time to show me a few pictures from her albums of baby Edward. God, he was so adorable. "Oh, I almost forgot my cookies in the oven. I need to go check on them." With that she hurries off to the kitchen. I get up to follow but loud voices coming from the basement stops me. Intrigued, I follow the steps down the brightly lit stairwell.

The scene I walk in is quite funny. Emmett and Alice are loudly arguing and from what I can tell Emmett has been caught cheating. Jasper and Edward are standing back looking amused. She is towering over a sitting Emmett but she is so short that they are about nose to nose.

"I did not!"

"Yes, you did!"

"Look shorty, I did not hide those wilds and give them to myself! You sound crazy!"

"I saw you! I saw you when you were shuffling the cards!" Alice pokes her finger in his chest.

Rose's voice carries through the room. "He probably did. It wouldn't be the first time." I look around trying to find where her voice came from. She is sitting on a sectional couch up against the back wall breastfeeding Hali.

Emmett's jerks his head around glaring at her. "Hey, you're my woman. You're not suppose to rat me out."

"Don't be an idiot." She shoots him a despairing look, but her grin betrays her.

"Okay, okay." Jasper decides to intercede. "Let's just start this round over and let someone else shuffle."

"No damn way! I got my run fair and square."

Alice jumps in and they start arguing again. After a few more rounds of going back and forth, Emmett finally relents.

"What are you playing?" I ask.

Edward stands up and moves beside me giving me a kiss on the temple. "Phase Ten. Ever played it?"

I shake my head. "We didn't really play games or cards in my family."

"Come on, we'll start over." Rounds of protest sound off behind Edwards back. He looks back at me apologetic. "I told you it gets competitive."

"Alice seems to fit right in." I laugh when she flings Emmett his new cards so hard one hits him in between the eyes.

"Oops" She smiles innocently.

"How about I just go hold little Hali for now and I'll join you later." I move towards the couch.

He starts to protest when Emmett yells for him to hurry it up before the play for him. "Okay, if you're sure."

I nod and kiss him quickly on the lips.

For the next few hours, I spend time holding Hali, talking with Rose and helping Esme in the kitchen with the food. Well maybe helping isn't the right word. It's more like I've just been sitting at the bar snacking on delicious appetizers Esme has made. She has a vegetable tray and fruit tray with dip to die for sitting out, but the real winner is this warm bacon cheese dip with crackers and bread crumbs left over from the bread bowl.

I take one last cracker and dip it in the spread savoring the taste before I force myself to stop so that I won't get full before dinner.

"Esme, are you sure there isn't anything I can help?" I ask dusting off the crumbs from my hand.

"Oh no sweetie. I appreciate the offer but I'm almost done. All that's left is to take the turkey out and put it on the table."

"Forget it Bella, I've been trying to get Esme to allow me to help for years. She trusts no one but herself." Rose walks in smirking.

"That's not true." Esme protests but I can see the slight grin she's trying to hide.

Carlisle appears in the doorway softly humming and swaying a sleeping Hali against his chest. "She just fell asleep, should I lay her down in her bassinet?"

"I'll do it." Rose carefully lifts Hali out of his arms and walks into the living room to lay her down.

"So, Bella how do you usually spend Christmas Eve?" Carlisle asks as he moves behind Esme and wraps his arms around her.

"Well, normally I'd be driving down to Forks to see my dad and get my shopping done for dinner tomorrow. Nothing special. My mother lives in Florida now with my step-dad Phil so the stuff we did when I was a kid kind of stopped since then."

Esme moves around the bar and sits beside me. "What did you do with your mother?"

I can't help but my smile thinking back to the night Edward and I were sitting on my couch and I shared these same memories with him. "Well one thing we did was make cookies then we'd each pick out a Christmas movie, although she'd pick the same one every year. I can probably quote all the words from The Christmas Story."

"I love that one!" Esme chimes in.

"Well my favorite was White Christmas." As the words come out for some reason, it strikes me as funny. I used to idolize the sister, Judy. I even told my mom I wanted to take dance lessons so I could be just like her. As to which she patted head and told me she'd rather I not go around breaking all my bones.

"What's so funny?" She asks as they both start laughing as well.

"I wanted to be a dancer." I start to laugh even harder as I remember myself dressed up as Judy as a kid on my bed attempting to dance and then falling off my bed.

"It's funny you wanted to be a dancer?" Bless them, they are so confused but they are laughing anyway. I try to talk but I've started laughing so hard the tears come.

"Bella can't walk across flat ground that's what funny about it." Edward strolls in laughing apparently catching the end of our conversation. He pecks me on the head and sits down beside me. I nod as I try to calm myself but it's no use. It's just one of those times when once you start laughing, you can't stop.

Soon we are all caught in a fit of laughter.

"Ma, I'm hungry!" Emmett comes in grabbing the dip sitting in front of me the crackers looking at us like we've lost our minds. "Lay off the eggnog." He shakes his head walking out and an uproar of laughter begins again.

"That was delicious Esme. Seriously I haven't ate this much… ever." I rub my stomach feeling stuffed.

"Yes, it was all amazing Esme." Alice says. A round of compliments from everyone choruses causing Esme to blush.

We all help clean up and Esme stacks piles of leftovers in containers on the bar in rows ready for us all to carry them home. After the clean-up is done and we drag Emmett away from the food, everyone gathers around the tree while Carlisle plays Santa. Soon there is a pile of wrapping paper laying in the floor while we all are admiring the gifts they got. I got an amazing pair of shoes from Rose and Emmett, a new dress from Alice and Jasper, and a beautiful tote bag from Esme and Carlisle. It also all matches. Clearly they coordinated.

And I love it!

Edward receives a sweater from Alice and Jasper because Alice can't resist getting the ones the she loves clothes. He only gets money from Emmett and Rose. According to Emmett and I quote; he's hard as crap to buy for. Like I hadn't figured that out. And from his mom and dad a beautiful new coat that looks like it costs more than all of the coats I own combined and something else but apparently he had been given that present early.

For some reason, I'm the only one who seems surprised by that. Before I can question it, everyone piles into the basement and the game playing commences. Christmas music plays over the speakers but it can barely be heard of the boisterous noise coming from everyone. Turns out Uno Attack is freaking awesome. And the best part is that Edward sits down beside me so any chance I get to hit him with the times two card, I take it. After four or five times in a row of making Edward hit twice he's got half the deck in his hands. He's definitely getting irritated and it's so sexy.

"Okay Emmett you know what I need you to lay down to win this game, so be a good boy and do it for me." Esme mockingly coos at Emmett.

"Hell no." He snickers.

Carlisle smacks him on the back of the head. "Language in front of your mother."

Mother? I look questioningly at Edward. He leans over and whispers. "Emmett hasn't seen his parent's since he was twelve. They kicked him out and moved somewhere over seas."

"What? Why did they do that?"

"No one knows. It all worked out for best though because they weren't good parents. There was a lot that happened to him. He also stayed hungry more times than not." Edward seems hesitant to go into too much detail. Now his eating habits makes more sense. "Since he was my best friends my parent's just felt it was right to bring him in and raise him."

"That's so cool of them. But now I know what you mean by it being weird with him and Rose."

He shrugs. "Yeah it was but like I said once it happened it just worked." I turn my attention back to Esme and Emmet.

Esme glares at him. "Lay it down Emmett."

"How do you know I have what you need? Cheating Ma?" A cheshire grins spreads across his face.

"Of course not. I just know you. And I can tell when you've been snooping at my cards and when you have what I need." She grins smugly.

"Look I have no idea what you need." He raises his hands in surrender.

She glares. "Lay it down or you get tofu next year while everyone else gets turkey."

"Come on Ma, that's not fair!" He grinds is jaw then throws down a red seven changing the color from yellow.

"Yes!" Esme lays down a red two, her last card, and does a victory dance. She smacks a kiss on Emmett's cheek. "I was only kidding but now you get two turkeys next year."

"Yes!" He follows Esme in victory dance grinning. "Now who's the real winner."

Hours pass full of games, food, and laughter. My heart is so full of love I have for these people I'm beginning to think of as family that it almost saddens me when Edward says it's time to go. I check the time on my phone. It's a quarter past midnight.

"We played for that long?" I ask astonished.

"Yep. It's like this every year." Edward laughs.

We gather our things and the tower of left overs Esme made us and head to the door telling everyone goodnight. I give everyone a hug but I can't find Rose. "Where did Rosalie go?" I ask.

"We decided to stay the night so she went upstairs with the baby to sleep a few hours ago."

"How did I miss that?" I ask sadden I won't get to tell them goodbye.

"Probably because you were too busy kicking butt." Emmett grabbed me in a bear hug.

"Alright put her down." Edward comes up behind wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Everything in the car?" He nods yawning. "Alright."

"Bye dear!" Esme says and gives me one more hug as we are walking out the door as well as Carlisle.

"Thank you." He whispers in my ear.

"For what?" I ask confused.

He glances at Edward and winks at me. I smile understanding his meaning now.

Eventually we do make it out to the car and carefully drive back to his house. I thought to pack a bag so I could stay with him and head to Forks early in the morning. Looks like we won't be getting much sleep.

Edward expertly carries all the bags of presents and food as I run ahead and unlock to the front door. I flip the living room light on while Edward scoots around me to sit everything down on the dining room table. Together, we put away all the containers of left overs and leave the gifts on the table.

I clear my throat. "So, your mom and I had an interesting talk?"

He glances at me while getting a drink of water. "You did? About what?"

I hesitate. "Tanya."

His eyes slightly narrow. "What about her?"

"She just told the story with a bit more detail I guess."

"What does that mean?" Edward sits down the glass and crosses his arms.

I clear my throat again reaching for his water and taking a long drink. "You just didn't let on how much she seemed to mean to you. Or how much she affected you."

He sighs running a hand through his hair. "I just didn't think it was important. It was a while ago, and I've moved on. She doesn't even cross my mind anymore. Why would I play up something to you that means nothing to me?"

I shake my head. "You're right, I'm sorry. Please forget I brought it up."

He moves to wrap his arms around me. "No, I won't. You brought it up for a reason."

I lay my head on his chest. "I guess I just wanted to be sure there wasn't any feelings left there. She hurt you but people can still care about people who hurt them."

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience."

"Possibly." I whisper.

He puts a finger under my chin forcing my eyes to meet his. "Is it something I should be worried about?"

"Of course not!" I fling my arms around his neck hugging him to me.

"Then please believe me when I say there's nothing to worry about." He kisses my forehead.

"I do. Hundred percent. Can we do be done now? I don't like fighting."

He chuckles. "Yes, we can and this wasn't a fight."

"Close enough."

We detangle and Edward goes back to his room so I head out to the living room sitting down on the couch and stare at the tree. Somewhere behind me I hear Edward walking around. The living room lights turn off and the lights shining from the Christmas tree shine proudly from their corner.

A pillow lands beside me and I look up to see Edward undressed holding a blanket. He holds his hand out to me and I take it allowing him to stand me up. He strips me out of my clothes and boots, lays down and pulls me with him covering us up with large warm blanket he grabbed from his room.

His lips touch the back of my hair and I sigh contently. "I love you."

I close my eyes savoring the warmth of his body pressed up against mine, the feel of his chest moving with every breath. "I love you too." And together we fall asleep peacefully on the couch watching the Christmas lights, giving me a piece of my childhood back.

Except it means so much more now.