So, everybody loves Esme, and is glad that Bella seems to be accepting
her as a mother figure in her life. I'm glad we can all agree that she is
in need of family to help heal her wounded heart.

So much thanks to Fran. Big, puffy hearts for you, hon!

I own nothing, but the Christmas tree my hubby bought while I was at
work yesterday evening, and the window decorations that he surprised
me with, and made me smile HUGE!

-LWTC-

Chapter 9

"Uncle Edward," Annie crawled into his lap, yawning as she snuggled against him, "why does the parade have to start so early?"

"Have you learned about the time zones yet, in school?"

"What are time zones," Annie asked as she started to play with Edward's earlobe. The child had been fascinated since her infancy with earlobes—specifically those belonging to her father, her grandfather, and her Uncle Edward. Edward chuckled softly as he squeezed her into a hug. She continued to rub, tug, and knead his earlobe as her eyes began to roll and her eyelids to droop.

Aaron and Nathan joined them a moment later, as they climbed onto the sofa, each snuggling into a side and rubbing the sleep from their eyes, and trying not to fall back to sleep. Edward was the only adult member of the family who still liked to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every year. It reminded him of simpler times when he was a child. Since returning to Michigan, it had become his tradition to watch it with his niece and nephews, allowing their parents a little time to sleep in. The kids generally slept through the first hour or so of the parade, but Edward always made sure they were awake to see the balloons as they floated their way across the large television screen.

Edward had not slept very well the night before, having tossed and turned with images dancing through his brain of that near-kiss with Bella. He still couldn't decide whether he wanted to kick Jim's ass or shake his hand for the timing of his intrusion. Edward was no fool. He knew this was dangerous territory. He and Bella had not discussed their feelings with each other, and that kiss could have backfired badly.

Sitting there, surrounded by the warmth of three small bodies, and the soft sounds of their snoring, Edward also succumbed to slumber.

The familiar sound of a camera clicking, accompanied by the distinct digital imitation of a camera's shutter, awakened him sometime later. Esme and Alice stood together in the archway between the dining room and the living room with indulgent smiles on their faces. Esme's 30mm Canon™ Rebel was clicking away at the adorable scene, and Alice was clicking buttons on her iPhone like mad.

"If you post that to Facebook," Edward whispered, trying not to awaken his brood, "before I approve the shot, I will wring your neck. I promise you."

"I'm not posting it anywhere. I'm sending an SMS," Alice grinned devilishly as she pushed 'send.'

"You didn't," Edward groaned softly.

"Oh, I did, Edward dear," Alice giggled maniacally at the incoming message, thus awakening her daughter, "I most certainly did."

Annie woke with a start, and her little knees collided rather unfortunately with her Uncle's nether regions, causing a loud groan to escape him. Nathan and Aaron were startled awake as Edward took his arms from around their sleeping forms to move Annie swiftly, yet gently from his lap, and excused himself from the room. He grunted and muttered as he made his way to the bathroom.

-LWTC-

That is the cutest picture ever! I'm saving it as my wallpaper. (B)

I thought you might appreciate it. Happy Thanksgiving,BTW. (A)

Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well. What is everyone doing up so early? (B)

Edward always gets up and watches the parade with the kids. This year, all four of them fell back to sleep. I couldn't resist the shot. (A)

I'm glad, but what are you doing up? Since dinner isn't getting started until so much later, I would have thought that you would be taking advantage of that early morning quiet to wish the hubby a Happy, and give him something to be thankful for! 3;) (B)

OMG! Did you really just say that? LOL Don't worry, I always give him plenty of reasons to be thankful. ;) (A)

Maybe you should come help my brother out, Dr. Swan. He just took a tiny knee to the groin. (A)

Ouch! Get him an ice pack, Ali. (B)

Poor guy, they were all sleeping so peacefully. Snapping that picture woke him up, and my giggles at your naughtiness woke up Annie, who was sleeping on his lap. I think he might need a hand with his owie. *wiggling my brows* (A)

So, Edward likes to keep the kiddos company while they watch the parade? (B)

More like, Edward drags the kids out of bed and makes them watch the parade! LOL He never outgrew the floats or the balloons. I'm not too sure that he hasn't outgrown Santa at the end. (Nice subject change! Just remember that you brought it up… this time!) (A)

Yeah, yeah. For some reason, my mind is naughty today. Ennywho… gotta go. Looks like another set of stitches. (B)

See you later, girlfriend. Don't have too much excitement today. XO (A)

Yeah, that'll depend on how idiotic the community at large decides to be today. (B)

Sutures are better than burns from exploding turkeys that people try to deep fry from a frozen state! (A)

This is true. Thankfully, that last one only required three stitches. Two hours ago, there was one that required minor surgery. I can't break HIPPA, but let's just say the guy was an idiot. (B)

I can imagine. Dad has told us all sorts of crazy stories from the ER over the years. The holiday season always lent to the best ones. (A)

-LWTC-

I am SO hungry, but I don't want to spoil my appetite for the feast. I was too busy to eat at lunchtime, and now it is 2pm. I know I should eat, but I want to have room to pig-out on the spread. *whining* (B)

If you don't eat now, your stomach will protest at being so full later. Eat something small, Bells. Don't they sell half sandwiches or side salads in the cafeteria? (A)

Ali, be real. I have not bought a lunch in over four months! Edward always packs me plenty to eat. (B)

So, EAT! That is an order from your future (A)

SIL-in-law? Isn't that a bit repetitive? (B)

And wait just a second … Are you crazy? Alice, didn't I just tell you to DROP IT? *reaches for her angry eyes* (B)

SIL-in-law because I am his SIL. Don't get pissy with me, Lady Jane. Es-mom may not have pressed the issue with you yesterday, but I know you. Something more happened than just his giving your ass a swat. You will spill. (A)

Whatevs. See you in a few hours. *off to do rounds* (B)

-LWTC-

"No! The kids can watch the rest of the parade on their own. This is more important right now," Alice grabbed Edward's arm, dragging him back into the dining room where Esme and Rose sat, nursing cups of coffee and tea. The men had gone out to get some firewood. The women sent the children back into the living room to finish the parade after the family ate their standard Thanksgiving Day breakfast of monkey bread and sausage links. The women of the family wanted a word with Edward, and he was unsuccessful in his attempt to escape.

"So, you bent her over your knee, and spanked her," Esme asked with a teasing grin and arched brows.

"Aw, dammit! I didn't think she would actually tell you."

-LWTC-

Last time through, someone tried to point out to me that surgeons
don't work in the ER's doing stitches and the like … and that is true
for the most part. HOWEVER, we are talking about western Michigan,
here, which is largely economically depressed, and has a lot of very
small communities. Hart, for example, is the seat of Oceana County.
This whopping 'city' is home to about 1,500 residents.
In such small communities, many doctors do a lot of multi-tasking.
In Bella's case, she prefers to take a shift in the ER once a week, both
to keep her diagnostic skills sharp, and to be a part of the 'heartbeat'
of the hospital. She wants to stay in touch with the basics of medicine,
as well as her specialization.

*hops off her soapbox*

Thank you all for your response to this story!
*huggles*