Yeah, yeah, I still don't own anything… this is a pretty short chapter that sets up the rest of the story.
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After we returned to the house, we as a group decided to return home, and celebrate Christmas together. After getting back, Alice and me went Christmas shopping. I knew what to get my family; Matthew wanted some knew accessories for his bike, Bryan had decided on decorations for his room, and Peter wanted a book from a museum in Italy. I had arranged for that to be shipped, and it was arriving soon.
However; I had no idea what to get for my "new" family.
"Alice," I said, "What should I get for everyone? I need some ideas otherwise everyone is ending up with gift cards." She smiled mischievously.
"Get Edward some new recording equipment." She shook her head. "Rosalie just wants jewelry, clothes for me, get Jasper and Carlisle some old books," at the mention of books her nose wrinkled. I smiled at her obvious preference for fashion.
"I am thinking Esme a house to renovate. She's been talking about wanting to for awhile." I chuckled and started roaming around the huge store to find gifts. Eventually, we made our way to the front of the cashier's line and swiped our credit cards. The sales person look amazed at the immense spending we were doing.
Alice smiled, beaming a charming grin at him, and he stuttered. "H-have a good d-day ma'am…"
We both burst into laughter as we grabbed our bags and walked out.
Later on, Edward grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear, "Come with me." I smiled and followed him. We took off running, but then he stopped and asked me something.
"Close you eyes. Please, I want this to be a surprise." I closed my eyes and he lifted me up in his arms. He took off again, and a few minutes later, he stopped. He put me down, and told me to open my eyes. I opened my eyes and gasped.
I looked around, and then jumped into Edward's arms and kissed him. I pulled him tighter to me. "Thank you. So much," my voice broke. He touched his lips to mine, once, twice, three times.
"Don't cry, love," He whispered.
"I love you." I told him simply.
"I know." He replied. He sank to his knees and lay down, with me next to him. He stroked my face, smoothing my hair back.
"Bella," he started. I smiled, urging him to continue.
"What happened to Charlie, and Renée? Do you know?" He stopped as my face fell.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" he apologized fervently until I put my finger to his lips.
"I do know. Charlie…" I pursed my lips; then continued, "One of Charlie's closest friend's had a heart attack a few months after I died, and his best friend died in car crash a few days after that." I touched his face softly. "It drove him over the edge. He took a bottle of sleeping pills and took a bath.
"Renée was depressed for a long time, but she snapped out of it. Phil really helped her. They actually had two kids. Twins, named Carlie and Adam, so I have two half-siblings, and I recently found about some nieces and nephews, too." I smiled, and then sighed. "Renée died ten years ago. Phil died a month after her."
Edward leaned forward until his lips touched mine again. I grabbed his face and kept him there, deepening the kiss. When I released him, he whispered two words. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's the natural order of things. I went to her funeral. So I got to see her one last time." I tilted my head against his chest, and his arms snaked around my waist. I don't know how long we remained like that.
One Christmas Day, we exchanged gifts. Everyone met at our house, and we exchanged gifts. Suddenly though, Alice stiffened. I quickly grabbed Edward's gift, and looked into her mind. I gasped at what I saw.
A woman with flaming red hair was attacking me and the rest of my family. It was nearly impossible circumstances, at least twenty of them, with only eleven of us.
With a small gasp, Alice broke out of the vision.
"Victoria!" The vile word flew from Edward's mouth in a twisted way.
I closed my eyes. So this is how I would die.