Disclaimer: As per the usual we don't own it.
Authors' Note: Bemylullaby here! :D Well, it's Christmas time and Bella's headed home. For the record I love this Christmas song, I think it's amazing and extremely fitting. :D
"A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
My God I thought you were someone to rely on, Me?
I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore me apart
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special"
- "Last Christmas" by Wham!
Bella POV:
Our plane touched down at SeaTac airport and I felt that familiar tightening in my stomach. The moment I stepped off this plane, my life would be changing.
I would be walking away from Edward only to walk towards Jacob, with my sights set on ending things with him. I was a different person, he was a different person. In a few short months in the real world, my whole perspective on life had changed.
"So, you'll call me as soon as you get to La Push?" Edward asked, pulling the bag I had resting on my shoulder higher up so it wouldn't fall. We walked slowly into the terminal.
"Of course, but you swear like we're not gonna pass each other up on the freeway or something. Who's picking you up?"
"You know I'm not exactly sure. All I know is someone is picking me up." Edward smiled, grabbing my hand in his, pulling me close to him.
"Edward." I picked my hand up which was currently intertwined with his. Our fingers fit so tightly and perfectly together.
"Yeah?"
"Everything will work out, right?"
"Of course, la mia vita, of course." He brought my hand up to his lips, brushing a soft kiss against my knuckles. "Now, let's go face the real world. The sooner we face it, the sooner we can be together."
He went to let go of my hand, but I hung on little while longer I didn't want to let go, just yet.
"The chief picking you up?"
"Yeah, he's supposed to. Apparently he took an early day and is coming straight from work. So he'll be in his uniform and in the cruiser," I sighed. "Welcome home."
Edward chuckled.
"Oh, the joys of being the Chief of Police's daughter."
We continued walking through the terminal, our fingers tightly intertwined together. Our conversation light, avoiding the moment that was to come.
We reached the top of the escalator that would take us down to the baggage claim area and Edward stopped, yanking my arm towards him. Enveloping my body in his arms he held on to me like it was the last time he would see me. I could feel his heart beating softly in his chest. I didn't want to let him go.
"You promise to call me when you get to La Push?" Edward asked, pulling away from me.
"Of course, silly, we went over this already. As soon as I walk into my dad's house and get settled I'll call you."
"Okay, be careful, please?"
I laughed. "Who do you think I am?"
"Bella, you've told me the stories of all the scars on your body. You're prone to accidents; you'll manage to hurt yourself somehow. Please, just be careful, I want you to come back to me safely."
"Okay, Edward-" I paused shortly to look at him. Memorizing the green in his eyes, the way his lips turned up when he smiled. Everything that was about to happen during this trip home was going to be worth it because of him. "I'll be careful, I promise."
"You better." He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on my lips, pulling away before I could deepen the kiss.
"Do what you have to do and when you come home to me, I promise there'll be more of that." He tapped his finger against my nose and smiled.
"Alright," I whined. "Let's do this."
I nodded my head, adjusted the bag on my shoulder and took a step onto the escalator. As I descended down, leaving Edward behind me, I scanned the crowd for my father. Immediately I spotted Jasper and Alice leaning against a wall, wrapped up in each other.
I couldn't help but miss Edward already. It was bittersweet considering that I was coming home to see my boyfriend, yet I was missing the other guy.
"Bells!" I stopped dead in my tracks. It was Jacob's voice.
I turned around and saw him, waving one arm wildly in the air, the hand clutching tightly to a bouquet of flowers.
What was he doing here? I thought Charlie was gonna pick me up. Why was Jacob here? I wasn't prepared to deal with him just yet.
My phone vibrating in my pocket alerting me I had a text message. I smiled when I saw the sender.
Edward.
I quickly opened it and the smile that was on my face turned to a frown.
Charlie, huh?
As I walked over to Jacob, I turned to my left where Jasper and Alice were standing and saw Edward approaching them his bright, crooked smile gone, as Alice gave him a hug.
I watched the two of them share a few words, before Alice turned her head towards my direction. She waved, and I quickly returned the gesture.
"Bells, you're home!" Jacob exclaimed, as I reached him.
"I am."
He gave me a hug and leaned in for a quick kiss.
"Here, I bought these for you." He stretched his hand out for me to take the flowers.
"Thanks," I said with a smile. "Where's my dad?"
"I offered to pick you up. I wanted it to be a surprise. That whole story about taking an early day was just a story."
"Oh, well…that's good."
"Come on, Bells. Let's get your bags. I thought we could stop off at the Italian place in Port Angeles you like so much."
"Bella Italia?"
"Yeah, that's the place. Oh and I'm warning you now, someone is going to come by tonight and kidnap you. I wasn't supposed to tell you, but I didn't want them to freak you out," Jacob said, walking over to the carousel where the luggage from my flight was starting to come down.
"What do you mean someone is going to kidnap me?"
"Well, Embry and Quil miss you. They thought it was a great idea if they organized a bonfire of sorts for your homecoming."
"In December?!"
"Yeah well, it's Embry and Quil, they mean well. Kim quickly talked them out of it, though. Instead you're getting a small gathering at Paul and Rachel's new place." Jacob's voice sounded a little irritated at the mention of Paul and Rachel.
"Paul and Rachel-"
"I don't wanna talk about it, Bella." He leaned forward pulling one of my bags off the carousel. "Just the one?"
"Just the one."
"Alright…" Jacob set the bag down, pulling the handle up so he could roll it, then he took my hand in his. "Let's get this party started."
The ride to Port Angeles was quiet. We spent the entire drive running around different subjects. Every single one dying before it even started.
Dinner at Bella Italia just made me miss Edward more. Jacob spent the entire dinner reaching for my hand across the table, brushing his fingers against my hand. It felt weird, I felt like I was cheating. Yet, all that time when I was with Edward it didn't phase me one bit. I felt like I belonged with Edward someway, somehow.
Jacob set my suitcase down in my room. "Alright, Bells, I'll let you get situated and what not. Your dad is going straight to Paul and Rachel's after work, so you won't see him until then."
I nodded. "Okay."
Jacob kissed me and started to walk out of my room.
"Hey, Jake!" I called out.
"Yeah, Bells?"
"Um…" I looked down at the floorboards, stuffing my hands into the pocket of my coat. "I wanted to talk to you about something, when you get a chance."
"Of course, Bella, we have all this time together. I'm sure we can fit sometime in."
The sooner the better.
"Okay."
Jacob turned away and left. I needed to talk to him, I couldn't keep up this charade much longer.
I pulled my cell phone out of my purse, scrolling down my contacts, looking for Edward.
It rang a few times, before he answered.
"Hey, I was starting to get worried about you."
I laughed.
"I'm sorry, Edward. Jacob decided he wanted to stop in Port Angeles for dinner."
"Oh…"
"Yeah, listen, apparently there's this big welcome home party going on tonight at Paul and Rachel's…"
There was a loud knock on my door.
"Who's that?" Edward asked.
"It's most likely my kidnapper." I got up, shuffling towards the door.
"Kidnapper?"
"Yes, for my secret welcome home party I was trying to tell you about…" I started to open the door and screamed when I saw the person standing on the other side of the door.
"Edward, I've gotta go. I'll call you later."
"Um, sure, yeah, Bella. Have fun." Before I could even say anything, the line went dead and the sound of the dial tone echoed in my ear.
I threw my phone behind, praying that it would land on my bed.
"Paul!" I threw my hands around his neck, practically jumping him.
I missed Paul.
"It's good to see you too, doll face," he chuckled, trying to support my weight.
I slid down his body and smiled. "I'm so glad it's you."
"Jacob can't keep a secret can he?"
I laughed. "We're talking about the same Jacob Black, right?"
"Yes, the same Jacob Black. This was supposed to be a surprise."
"I know and I appreciate the lovely gesture. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Do you know what I had to do to be the one to pick you up tonight?"
"I'll bet a lot. I'm sure Kim wanted to pick me up."
"Oh, hell did she, she claimed she needed girl time. Whatever, I won in the end. Now, come here and give me a proper hug, kid." Paul outstretched his arms out.
"Paul, it's sooooo good to see you," I sighed, leaning into his body and wrapping my arms around him. "You give the best hugs."
"Of course I do. Now come on, let's get going before Embry and Quil start fighting." Paul let go of me, only to grab my hand.
We walked outside and slowly started down the street.
"So, you and Rachel have your own place now?"
Paul smiled. "Yeah, it's Quil's old place. Since moving into Quil's house, he didn't have much use for it. Apparently it's more useful if Rach and I have it."
"Well, I was glad to hear that you were still alive. How did Jake take it?"
Paul laughed, "Oh, Bella, I wish you could've been there. Rachel and I sat him down, with Billy playing mediator and told him. He nearly lunged across the table, trying to choke me. Let's just say, I didn't hang around the house for a few days after that."
"How did Billy take it?"
"He wasn't happy at first, but he's excited now. We're getting married in March; you should try to come up. Rachel isn't happy that she's going to be super pregnant, but she's the one that didn't want to have a cold wedding."
"I'll bet," I chuckled. "How is she doing?"
"Good, morning sickness is kicking her in the ass, but she's doing really well." I could detect the happiness in Paul's voice. While he may never admit it to Jacob's face, I was positive that he was excited about the whole situation.
We stopped in front of Old Quil's house, well now Rachel and Paul's house.
"Brace yourself, Bella." Paul walked ahead of me and opened the door.
The moment I walked in the door I was bombarded but a sea of yelling and hugs.
"Isabell-la!" I turned around to see a much taller Seth Clearwater.
"Holy hell, Seth! Look at you!"
"What can I say? I've been working out." Seth winked at me, flexing his arm muscles, before giving me a hug. "I've missed you kid."
"As I've missed you, Seth."
"Let go of her." The sound of Quil's voice echoed from behind me.
"Yeah, quit hogging, Bella." Embry added.
Next thing I knew I was thrust in between the hug of Embry and Quil.
"Bella sandwich!" They both yelled.
"Ouch, guys, you're hurting me." I managed to squeak out.
"Sorry, Bella," Quil said, pulling away from.
"Yeah, sorry, Bella." Embry sighed, letting go of me. "We really did miss you, Bella."
"I missed the two of you too." I offered them a smile and continued to look around at everyone who was there.
Crammed in Paul and Rachel's house was everyone who was someone in my life. Well, that is my life here in Washington.
Jared and Kim were hanging low in the corner, smiling at me. I noticed Kim struggling to keep Jared back with her. I was sure that he was dying to attack me just like Seth, Quil and Embry had. Of course there was Seth, Quil and Embry standing right in front of me, huge smiles on their faces. I noticed Rachel sitting on a chair, her feet resting up. She looked tired and I wondered how much she'd actually done for this surprise welcome home party. I saw Charlie and Billy huddled on the couch, their attention turned towards the TV. I heard the faint humming coming from the kitchen, which probably belonged to Sue Clearwater. Seeing as she had a tendency to hum or sing as she cooked.
Then there was Jacob was leaning on the wall right in front of me, pass the three musketeers, a stupid smile on his face, whispering quietly to Paul.
There was just one person I was curious to see show up.
"Hey, Jake my mom wants to know if you'll run down to the store and pick up another box of…" Leah started to say, walking into the living room and straight towards Jacob. She stopped the moment she saw everyone looking at me, and groaned. "Oh, Bella, you're here. Welcome home."
If that wasn't the fakest "welcome home", I'd ever heard.
"Thanks, Leah."
"What did you need, Lee?" Jacob asked, pushing himself off of the wall.
"Oh, nothing, Bella's here. I'm sure you don't wanna leave to get something from the store."
"Oh, no it's fine, I'll run out. What do you need, Lee?"
"Really it's no probably, Jay, Emily said she'd call Sam if you couldn't go."
"Only if you're sure, Lee."
She smiled at him. "Positive, Jay. Spend time with Bella, we all know how you miss her so."
Leah turned back around, heading back into the kitchen. If I would've been here a month or so ago, I would've ripped the damn smile off of her face. But considering things were different now, I wanted to welcome anything Leah and Jacob could, would've had with open arms. It might make things easier in the long run.
Christmas Day, the next day.
I couldn't help but notice the egg shells everyone was walking on around me today.
The entire morning my father was grinning ear to ear, even as he took the time to shovel the driveway out. The way he was looking at me was skeptical. Then when I stepped foot into the Clearwater house and Kim saw me she wouldn't stop giggling. Emily kept looking at me with a huge grin on her face. I swore every time Rachel looked at me she had a tear in her eye.
As for the boys, well they all sat around giving Jacob a hard time and making crude jokes every time they passed me.
Something was definitely going on.
Dinner was over and awkward to say the least. Leah spent the entire night glaring at me, like she wanted to rip my head off. After dinner, I carefully slipped away outside to call Edward.
Pulling my jacket tighter around my body, I dialed Edward's number.
"Bella, Merry Christmas!" It was Rosalie that answered Edward's phone.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Rosalie. How are you guys doing?"
"Good, we just finished up with dinner. The boys are in the kitchen cleaning up everything, because it's tradition. They girls cook dinner, the boys clean up. They always break something too."
I laughed.
Was it horrible for me to wish I was with them rather than being here with the people I'd grown up with?
"I can only imagine," I sighed.
"Last year, Emmett broke Esme's glass serving tray. Oh, it wasn't a pretty sight."
"I'll bet. Not that I don't want to talk to you, Rose, but..."
She interrupted. "No, I understand. Let me enter the war zone that is the kitchen and see if Edward can't escape."
I heard Rosalie's heels clicking against the flooring in the Cullen's house, followed by loud yelling.
"Hello?" Edward's voice came on the line.
"Edward..." I said softly. I couldn't explain the rush that overcame my body at the sound of his voice.
"Bella! Bella! Merry Christmas, Bella!" I could hear Emmett's voice yelling in the background.
"Shut up, Em!" Edward yelled.
"Let me talk to her," Emmett argued.
"No, I'm talking her, she called me," Edward yelled back. I could hear rustling of the phone.
"Bella?!" Emmett yelled.
"Em, you don't have to yell," I chuckled.
"Sorry, Iz, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Em. How was dinner?"
"Delicious, I love Christmas!"
"More than you like Thanksgiving?"
"Hell no! I love Thanksgiving! Food and football, it's the perfect holiday."
"Of course it is, listen, Em I don't mean to be rude but...."
"You wanna talk to the Edski, I understand. Here he is, I'll see you tomorrow right?"
"Right, I'll be there in the afternoon."
"Sounds like a plan, Merry Christmas, Bella."
"Merry Christmas, Emmett."
There was some more shuffling of the phone and some muffled arguing.
"I'm really sorry, Bella," Edward said.
"It's okay. I miss you guys, it's only been a few days, but I already miss you guys..." I paused and took a deep breath. "I miss you, Edward."
"I miss you too, la mia vita. God, do I miss you," Edward breathed deeply into the phone.
"How was your Christmas?"
"It was eventful, as always. Emmett ate all the food. Alice tried to pick at her presents. Jasper broke the plate this year. At least it was the platter like Emmett did last year."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"How's your Christmas? How was that party last night?"
"Eh, the party last night was awkward. It was good to see everyone, but some of it was awkward. Leah was there and throwing me the dirtiest looks. Today though everyone is acting so weird around me. I don't know how to take it. Really, I don't wanna be here with them, I'd rather be with you guys," I admitted.
"Bella?" The door behind me creaked open and Paul peaked his head out.
"Hold on, Edward," I said into the phone before turning my attention towards Paul.
"Yeah, Paul?"
"Everyone is looking for you. Why are you sitting out here by yourself?" Paul asked.
"I'm on the phone." I waved my phone out.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry, Bells. Well, don't stay out here too long, it's cold and everyone is looking for you."
"I won't be much longer, tell them I'll be right in." I flashed him a smile as he turned around and headed back into the house.
"Sorry about that, Edward," I said, returning my attention back to Edward.
"It's okay. Remind me who Paul is again?"
"Paul is one of my best friends here. He's the mature one out of the group. He's the one that's dating Jacob's sister, the one who's pregnant."
"Got it, I remember now. Well, I should head back into the kitchen and let you get back to your Christmas," Edward said, his voice sounded flat.
"Right..."
"Thank you for calling."
"You knew I would. Merry Christmas, Edward."
"Merry Christmas, Bella, can't wait to see you tomorrow."
"Ditto," I said with a smile. "Call you tonight?"
"I'll be waiting," he said.
"Goodbye, Edward."
"Goodbye."
I sighed, pressing the end call button. I needed to talk to Jacob and I needed to talk to him soon. I missed Edward so much and it killed me to be away from him. I'd spent the past few months leaning on him for everything. Not only because there was something about him that pulled me towards him, but because in a dorm with two other couples we naturally grew close; escaping the lovey dovey couple stuff together.
When I walked into the house everyone was sitting around the living room.
"Bella..." Jacob said, coming up from behind me, his hand placed against the small of my back.
"Yeah?" I turned my head to look at him.
"Bella, I want to give you your Christmas present now," he said with a smile.
"Jake, we should wait for everyone else to get their presents."
"Oh no, go ahead, Bells, we don't mind," Charlie said from across the room, a huge smile on his face.
Looking around the rest of the room everyone else's attention was towards us. I had a feeling this so-called Christmas present wasn't going to be your normal run of the mill present.
"Fine, go ahead. You better have not gone overboard, Jake," I said. I walked over to the nearest open spot on the couch, which just so happened to be next to Kim.
"Hi, Bella," she squealed.
"Kim," I replied a bit skeptical on the way she was acting.
Jacob took a deep breath as he stood right in front of me, his hand thrust deep into his pockets. "Bella..."
"Jacob..."
"In the beginning I didn't know what to get you for Christmas. I spent hours on the phone with Kim talking about possible things I could get you, but everything we came up with didn't seem to fit. Nothing screamed 'Bella's perfect Christmas gift'. Then I found it and I knew it would be perfect." Jacob took one of my hands in his. "Bella..."
"Yeah?" I was getting a little nervous. The entire room was quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was all too eerie and frankly a bit scary.
"Bella..." Jacob pulled the other hand that was in his pocket out and got down on his knee.
Holy fuck.
"Bella, I know we're young and everything, and we've got our entire lives ahead of us, but I've always known it was you. You've been there for me my entire life. There isn't a childhood memory that I have that doesn't include you. You are the one I want in my life forever. Marry me?"
I think my mind stopped processing when he said those last two words and flipped the black velvet box open. I think my heart stopped when I realized that the ring sitting in the bed of velvet was the ring that belonged to his Grandmother, who gave it his dad to give to his mom, the ring that was meant to be for the one.
I looked at him blankly and couldn't find the word to say how I felt.
Jacob was right when he said there wasn't a childhood memory that I had that doesn't include him. Being in California opened my eyes to a whole other world out there. I couldn't do this, I came home with plans to break up with Jacob, not get engaged to him.
Just as I was about to say "no" I made the mistake of looking up at everyone around us. Billy and Charlie were in the corner beaming with happiness. The two of them had been waiting for this day since we were still in diapers. Quil, Embry and Seth were being immature and cracking jokes amongst themselves, but I could see that they were proud of Jacob. Even if they were thinking he was crazy for settling down so young. Leaning in the doorway of the kitchen was Emily and Rachel who were standing there with smiles on their faces and tears running down their cheeks. Then there was Kim, who was bouncing up and down in her seat next to me, Jared behind her trying to calm her down.
Looking around at everyone who mattered in my life, noticing how happy they were, I realized I couldn't say no right now. We were young I could use the excuse that I wanted to wait until I graduated until we got married. I would have to slowly pull away from Jacob and break the news to him that I wasn't ready, that he deserved someone else. And I would have to tell Edward that things between us would have to be put on hold for a little bit.
I couldn't break the hearts of everyone around me, right now.
Later, yes.
But right now, on Christmas, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Looking Jacob straight in the eyes, I put on my best smile. "Yes."
He slid the ring on my finger and enveloped me in a hug. "Merry Christmas, Bella."
"Merry Christmas."
What the hell did I just do?
*ducks and hides* Please don't kill me.
There's a purpose..there's always purpose...but things can be sunshine and roses ALL the time.
Until next week...at least hopefully next week. *nudges katie* (That's a hint sweets)