I am sorry for not updating! With this site not letting me log in last weekend, it completely threw me off. I had so much school work this past week, it was crazy.

Okay so thank you so much for the reviews! Please be sure review this one.

I also wanted to point out something. Rachel is now 19. I had said she was 18 at the beginning, but her birthday passed in that time span, and now she is 19, a year older than Bella.

Disclaimer: I only own Joe, Mel, and Rachel.

R&R

Chapter 23

"Where is our baby sister. We miss her," Rachel said as she knocked once, before throwing open Edward's door. I looked up and met their eyes.

There my sisters stood with their eyebrows raised, surprise written across their face.

We all stood looking at each other in an awkward silence for a couple of minutes. After what felt like forever, I finally spoke. "This is not what it looks like."

Mel's mouth opened to say something but stopped when she heard someone walking up the steps.

"Girls did you find her?"

My eyes widen in fear. Renee was on her way up the steps and I was in my boyfriend's bed, with said boyfriend! I looked over at him. I do not think that Edward has moved since I shoved him off of me.

Fortunately Rachel and Mel could think on their feet. They then sprung into action.

I hope for my sake and Edward's that it works.

Mel closed the bedroom door. Rachel turned to us and started barking orders at us.

"Edward you go into the closet. Bella come over here."

Confused, Edward started to climb out of bed.

"Don't be stupid boy," Rachel hissed as she came back over to us. "Hurry."

Edward jumped up and ran over to the closet. With one more glance at me, he closed the door.

"Isn't it going to look bad me just being my boyfriend's room," I asked as I joined my sisters on the side of the room, opposite the bed. Mel began messing with my hair. I guess she was trying to make it look like it was messy and not from having my boyfriend run his fingers through it.

"Are you really questioning us Bella," Rachel narrowed her eyes at me.

I shook my head no.

You see Rachel and Mel were not "loose", but they did have more experience with this than me. There were a few times when I would lay in my bed and hear my parents check into my sisters' room in the middle of the night. I would listen to either Rachel or Mel give an excuse as to why the other was not in the room.

'She is in the bathroom with a nosebleed.' Which is a good one to use on Renee. Since she hated the site of blood.

Poor Charlie got the 'It's her time of the month', excuses, that caused him to close the door without further question and practically run back to his room.

"Besides Bella, it does not look bad if we are in here with you," Mel explained. "And from what Renee believes," she started, while raising her eyebrows at the closet door that Edward now stood behind. "Edward is a perfect gentleman. So of course he gave his bedroom up for you."

"It's not what it looke-"

"Are these his pants," Mel cut me off. She was pulling at the extra fabric around my legs. She then started to roll them up farther than I had them.

"Yeah. But I didn't get them the way you are thinking. Noth-"

"Shhh," Rachel hushed me. I heard footsteps right outside the door.

Renee knocked once before opening the door. "Girls?"

"Hey mom," I walked over giving her a hug.

She gave me a quick hug back. Then looked around the room, "Did you sleep in here last night?"

I nodded.

"Isn't this Edward's room," she asked, growing suspicious.

I nodded again. Afraid to speak.

"How exactly did sleeping arrangements work last night?"

Crap. I could not lie to save my life. It's a good thing Mel knew this.

"Oh was Edward one of the boys in the living room, back on the first floor? The cute one with bronze hair. Right?"

"Ye-es," I stuttered.

Renee raised her eyebrows.

Rachel looked down at her shoes with a sudden fascination. I saw her shake her head at my terrible ability to lie.

Mel just stared into my eyes. She was trying to guide me through this. With a nod of encouragement from my big sister, I began again with more confidence.

"Yeah. That was him. I hope the boys didn't look too uncomfortable. They did give up their rooms to us girls last night," I said, allowing the dishonesty to just flow right out of me. I really hope that Alice and Rosalie were not still in the living room sleeping.

"Oh they looked fine. What gentlemen to give up their comfortable beds for you ladies."

"You know I always liked Edward," Renee seemed to believe us. I think it had something to do with how convincing Mel was.

"Okay well Bella hurry up and get your stuff together. We need to get home and finish decorating the tree and bake Christmas cookies," she said while leaving the room.

I let out a sight of relief.

Rachel closed the door after her. "Edward you can come out now."

Edward opened the closet, looked around cautiously before stepping out. He didn't look in our direction until he was out. When he did, we were all staring at him.

Mel and Rachel were looking him up and down. They were trying to get a read on him. I was giving him an apologetic look. I wanted so badly to go over and comfort him, but didn't dare with my sisters there.

"So," Mel being the first to break the silence. "You must be Edward," she said walking up to shake his hand. "I am Bella's oldest sister, Mel."

"Nice to meet you Mel," he said. His usual smoothness returning.

"Rachel, Bella's other older sister," Rachel said while mimicking Mel's actions.

After the little introductions we were hit with another awkward silence.

"Girls your father's in the car waiting," Renee called up the steps.

"Well we better get going," Mel said tilting her head to the door. They both left first, giving Edward and I privacy. But it was not without trying to give me stern looks as they fought back smirks.

Edward walked over to me, being careful with each of his steps. Then stopped before reaching me. I don't know if I was grateful for him not coming closer."I will see you tomorrow. Okay?" His voice sounded distant.

"Yeah," I said looking down at my feet. I turned to leave, feeling hurt. Okay I did not feel grateful for him stopping. Not one bit.

I walked out into the hall where my sisters were waiting. I closed the door behind me, not wanting him to see any traitor tears that threatened to fall.

"That was quick," Rachel smirked at me. The smirk fell when she saw my face. Mel reached over and gave me a hug.

"What's wrong Bells," she asked, rubbing her hand on arm.

I shook my head. "Later."

They ushered me down the steps. I waved goodbye to Alice and Rose, who were about to wake up a sleeping Jasper and Emmett. They looked at me with the same concern that my sisters showed me.

"I'll kill him," Alice's face growing murderous.

I shook my head. "It's not what you think. I will call you guys later."

"Okay Bells," Rose said with sympathy. "Nice to meet you," she added as she looked at Mel and Rachel.

"You too," they smiled before towing me to the door and out to our family's van. Joe was already waiting in the backseat. He stuck his head out the window and yelled for us to hurry up.

I stayed quiet the whole ride home. I sat next to a singing Joe, who was making enough noise for the both of us. Rachel kept reaching back to squeeze my hand.

Once we arrived home, I went upstairs to my room to take a shower. Joe pulled my sisters along to give them a tour of the house.

The hot water felt so nice. It cleared my head and allowed me to thing I thought about was how stupid I was.

Stupid for letting myself become so vulnerable and careless. How could I put Edward in that position? I mean it was my idea in the first place. I did not want to be separated from him. It probably made him uncomfortable. He only went along with it to make me feel better. Edward was always putting himself before others, especially me.

Then we almost get caught by Renee. Who would have no doubt told Esme and Carlisle about it. It has him completely freaked. Now he wants nothing to do with me. I could not blame him for that. He has every right to feel that way. It was just that I needed him though.

It was in the shower that I also let those tears fall. The ones I had been holding in since Edward's bedroom. When he did not take those last couple of steps to me, I realized that it was my heart breaking, rather than gratitude. All I wanted was to be in the warmth of his arms.

I did not turn off the water until it became cold.

I used the hair drier to dry my hair and then brushed it. Instead of putting it up, I let it flow down my back. It was especially wavy today.

I made sure all signs that I had been crying were gone and then opened the bathroom door. I walked into my room to get dressed. I was not surprised by what waited for me. Sitting on my bed with cups of hot chocolate were Rachel and Mel. It made me think of Rose and Alice.

I gave them a weak smile. I noticed a pair of jeans and green turtleneck sitting on my desk. Rachel. I quickly changed in my room. I didn't care if my sisters saw. I had shared a room with them on several family vacations. There was no reason to be shy around them.

After getting dressed I grabbed a hot chocolate from my sisters. Then curled up at the head of the bed. Mel was at the foot and Rachel in between us. I leaned my head against the wall and took a sip of the warm liquid. I then sighed and looked up at them.

"Want to talk about," Rachel asked quietly.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know if there's much to talk about."

"Well care to explain why you were almost in tears," Mel pushed.

"Or why you were in bed with him this morning, if it's not what we think?"

"It's really not," I said defensively. They were both staring at me.

"Then enlighten us," Mel said softly.

I took in another deep breath and then let it out. I opened my mouth to speak and the words just poured out. I told them about everything that happened yesterday and early this morning. I told them about the snowball fight and getting my pants all wet. Then Edward lending me a pair of sweatpants. Also his weird reaction to when he saw me in Alice's robe.

At this Rachel and Mel smiled and exchanged glances. Their faces were as amused as Rose's was yesterday. I decided that I did not want to know.

I then told them about hitting Edward in the head with the door. I left out the part about wanting to sneak out of the kitchen, when Joe was on the phone with a girl. We had an unspoken agreement with each other. I did not want to embarrass him because he would do the same for me. My sister's would not doubt tease him with questions.

Anyways, I explained how Edward wanted to lay down after being hit and how I fell asleep next to him. Then about the power going out.

Rachel and Mel thought it was the sweetest thing ever when I told them about the piano. Also how he had written the song for me. They remained quiet when I tried to explain how loved I felt. Then the love I felt for him. The need to be with him. When I asked him to lay with me. It was what kept me calm.

I trailed off in my explanation as I remembered the feeling of being in his arms.

"Nothing happened," Rachel asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head, "We just fell asleep. Nothing had happened. We had woken up maybe five minutes before the of two you had come into the room."

Mel nodded her head as if to say she believed me.

Rachel looked down embarrassed, "Yeah sorry about just barging in."

"It's okay," I gave her a weak smile.

"So what happened after we left," Mel asked.

The little smile slipped from my face.

"I'll kill him if he hurt you. I brought my field hockey stick with me. It's in the guest room-" Rachel stood up to leave.

"No," I practically shouted.

Mel grabbed onto her arm and pulled her back onto the bed. "Easy girl."

"No, " I repeated. "Edward would never do anything to hurt me. I am just overreacting to the whole thing."

"To what whole thing," Rachel looked confused.

I took a deep breath, "Nothing. It's just that after you guys left Edward just seemed distant from me."

"Distant?"

"Yeah. I don't know if maybe I had pushed him too far with the whole sharing the bed thing. I mean maybe I was being too forward with him because it was my idea," I started to explain.

I was interrupted by Rachel's laughing. I shot her a bewildered look, while Mel gave her a disapproving one.

"I'm sorry," she giggled. "It's just that you think that Edward, your BOYFRIEND, there for making him a member of the male species, felt pressured into the situation? And you Isabella Swan being forward?" She just covered her mouth with her hand in attempt to contain her laughter.

"What your sister- and I say your sister because I want no claim to her," Mel gave Rachel a fake shove, "-is that Edward seems as much into you as you are to him. I don't think that you should feel like you 'forced' him into anything. He seems to love you a lot. And as for you being forward, well there is nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself Bella. You did nothing wrong."

"Well nothing wrong in our eyes or Edwards, but to Renee and Charlie's..." Rachel teased. Then her face turned serious, "Bella. Mel is right. You have so much to be confident about. You are smart. You have read like every book ever written and even though I call you a nerd for it, there have been times where I think it would come in handy. On top of being smart, you're extremely beautiful."

I rolled my eyes at this. It's not that I thought of myself as ugly, it's just that I didn't see myself as 'beautiful'. I think average is a better word for it. It's hard to see yourself as 'beautiful' when Mel and Rachel are your sisters.

With Mel being tall and slender. She had a slight athletic build. She plays lacrosse and tennis. Her hair came down mid-back and was brown like mine. Except she had Charlie's curls. She also had bright blue eyes that stood out.

Rachel was also tall, but shorter than Mel. She was also the curviest out of the three of us, but still was athletically built as well. Rachel ran track and played field hockey and softball. She kept her hair short at her shoulders. It was also brown, but was pin straight. Her eyes were brown, but not the muddy color of my own.

"Isabella Swan don't you dare roll your eyes at me," Rachel snapped.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"That's okay," she smiled.

"Since Edward did not feel pressured and I apparently was not being too forward, why did he react the way he did," I questioned.

"Simple," Mel responded. "He is freaked out."

So was I, but yet I didn't try to avoid him. I sighed, instantly feeling bad for thinking this. He has every right to be freaked out. It was not a good first impression to make of oneself.

"I hate that he feels that way," I muttered and leaned my head down on my knees.

There was a sudden flash of light come from where Rachel was sitting. Mel and I looked over to see her moving a camera back in forth in her hands.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "I accidentally hit the button."

We sat in silence for what felt like forever after that. Then Mel said that we should probably get downstairs and help with decorating the tree. It was already eleven-thirty in the morning. We filed down the steps and into the living room.

Joe was sitting on the floor untangling lights. Charlie was opening up boxes of Christmas ornaments. Renee was walking back into the kitchen with empty mugs. She was humming along to the radio, which was playing 'nonstop' Christmas music.

Mel and I had followed her into the kitchen. On the table there were measuring cups, mixing bowls, and the ingredients to make cookies. Every year Renee went all out for Christmas, but she seemed even more cheerful this year. I think my sisters being home had something to do with it.

"Need any help mom," Mel asked.

"That would be wonderful," Renee smiled at us.

She then gave us jobs to do. Mel was put in charge of mixing together the first part of the recipe; the eggs, butter, sugar, and vanilla. It was my job to gradually mix in the flour. All three of us would be putting the dough onto the cookie sheets.

Renee turned the radio up louder and started singing to it as she worked on preparing lunch. She ended up making grilled cheese sandwiches. Mel had soon joined in on the singing. Every so often she would lean over to me with the spoon she was using as a microphone, and hold it up to my face. I could not help but laugh at her and even sang along to the chorus on a few songs.

By the time lunch was ready, we had the first batch of cookies in the oven baking. Mel and I brought the grilled cheese sandwiches and cups of apple juice, into the living room on trays. We were going to eat in here and help put up the rest of the ornaments. I had grabbed my camera to take any pictures that capture such an entertaining event.

Putting up ornaments was never a dull event in the Swan house. It did not disappoint this year either. There was always and argument between Mel and Rachel about who gets to put the angel on top of the tree. Every year Joe would drop and break one of the ornaments. You would think that I would be the one to do that, but I have never broken one. I have knocked over the whole Christmas tree before, but surprisingly none of them broke. After all of the arguing and destruction, Charlie would always mumble under his breath about doing the decorating himself.

I had told Edward all of this. I remembered his musical laughter when I told him about knocking over the tree. I had tripped over one of the wires to the lights and had fallen right into the painful pine needles. I let out a sigh as I thought of Edward.

Everything will be okay. I reminded myself. Just give him time. He's freaked out right now. He always gave you time.

"Bells we are getting ready to take a picture in front of the tree," Joe called me back to reality.

I groaned at the thought of a family picture. We took one every year in front of the Christmas tree. Renee would insist that everyone wear either a Santa hat or and elf's hat. She would then take the horrible photo to be made into an ornament for next year's tree. At least the picture was only on display once a year.

Mel placed an elf's hat on my head. I looked up to see her and Rachel wearing matching ones. They gave me and encouraging smile before we joined the rest of our family. Joe and Charlie were twins in Santa hats. While Renee was wearing a headband with reindeer antlers.

I shook my head. If we were going to be cheesy and embarrassing, at least we were doing it together. I could also be grateful that we were not wearing matching, holiday sweaters. I cringed at the image I visualized. Yes very thankful for no sweaters.

It was around four thirty when Renee shooed us all to our rooms to change. We would be going to the six o'clock mass at a local church. The Swans have never been big into religion, but we did go to church every Christmas Eve. Renee believed it was a good way to celebrate family and the holiday itself.

"That turtleneck is really nice, but change out of the jeans," Rachel called before I entered my room. "Put on the skirt that's hanging up behind your door, as well as the leggings on your dresser. Who ever picked them out has excellent taste in clothes."

Alice. I smiled at the thought of the pixie. I also remembered that I said I would call her. I went into my room and grabbed my phone off the charger. I dialed her number. She answered after the second ring.

"Bella," she exclaimed. "Are you doing okay? How are you holding up? What exactly happened Do you need me to come over there?"

"Alice," I broke in. "Calm down. I have been better, but I am hanging in there. I feel like I sort of overreacted to something that happened before." I then launched into a summarized version of what I told Mel and Rachel.

"Oh wow," Alice said when I was done. "That is probably why Edward has been moping around here. Whenever we ask him what's wrong, he mumbles nonsense about him being stupid and letting her down-"

I had stopped listening to what she was saying. Edward had felt as if he had let me down? I did not want him to feel guilty. I never wanted to do that to him. She had also said he was moping.

"Bella?"

"Sorry Alice," I apologized. "I have to finish getting ready for church. I will text you later."

"Okay. That's cool," she replied. "I am here for you if you need it."

After hanging up with Alice, I peeled off my jeans and slipped into the skirt and leggings. I grabbed my brown boots out of the closet and slid them on. Then grabbed my coat, hat, scarf, and gloves off of my dresser and headed down the hall to the guest bedroom.

On the other side of the door I heard music blaring. I knocked loudly. Rachel answered with a curling iron in her hand. She was already dressed in a black skirt and a red blouse. There were long gold chained necklaces hanging around her neck and down the front of her top.

"Hey are you guys almost ready," I asked.

"Almost. And so are you," she smiled before grabbing my hand and pulling me in.

Mel was at the mirror putting on eye liner. She was dressed in black dress pants and a white turtleneck. Her hair was flowed down her back in perfect curls.

"Sit," Rachel commanded.

After twenty minutes of hair and make-up, we were on our way to church. Service seemed to drag on. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I have had such an emotionally draining day, that I just want to go home and sleep.

I was very relieved to get home and change into sweats and a camisole. I took a small dose of cold medicine to help knock me out. I do not normally do this, but tonight I needed it. I crawled into bed when it was only eight o'clock. I was too tired to stay up any later. Despite twenty minutes of tossing and turning, I eventually fell asleep. It was not the most comfortable night of sleep, -that one came last night- but it was a long rest.

********************

I opened my eyes the next morning to a bright and slightly crowded room. Rachel and Joe sat at the end of my bed. Mel was sitting at my desk. She looked to be bent over looking at something next to it. The only thing there were my boots and gift bags with Edward's Christmas gifts.

"Finally she's up," Joe shouted out the door, to I guess who ever was down stairs.

"Morning," I mumbled.

Mel sat up straight and smiled, "Morning. You are lucky you woke up when you did. I was not sure how much longer I could hold Joe back from jumping on you to wake you up."

I shot Joe a glare before turning to Mel, "Thanks. What time is it?"

"Eleven," Joe exclaimed. "We have been waiting for you to get up so we can open presents. Now come on." He grabbed onto my hand and pulled me out of bed.

I could not believe I slept in so late. I had gone to bed early. It was also weird that I had woken up this late on Christmas. Usually Joe, Rachel, and I are up at seven and trying to get Mel and our parents up. It's been that way ever since we were little.

"Isabella Swan. Come on," Joe said impatiently pulling on my hand. He dragged me all the way downstairs and into the living room. Charlie and Renee were already sitting on the couch.

"Well good morning sleeping beauty. Merry Christmas," Renee smiled.

I gave her one back and sat down in Charlie's chair. I then found a pile of gifts lying next to the chair with my name on them. By the time I had opened half of mine, Joe had all of his unwrapped. Paper was all over the living room floor. Joe was given a trash bag to clean it up.

I ended up with some nice presents. I had received a printer for my laptop, a new book, a gift card to the local book store and one to the clothing store Dare in Port Angelos, and more film for my camera.

After we finished exchanging gifts and giving the appropriate thanks, I headed upstairs to shower and dress. I had picked out a pair of jeans and a pink and green polka dotted baby doll top. I walked down the steps to the smell of a turkey baking in the oven. It was about one thirty in the afternoon now.

I walked into the kitchen to see Rachel, Mel, and to my surprise, Alice, sitting around the table talking.

Alice noticed me at once. "Merry Christmas Bella!" She ran over and gave me a hug. "What an excellent outfit you picked out for yourself." She had grabbed my hand and had me turn in a circle.

"You must be rubbing off on her Alice," Rachel laughed. "It's amazing. After living with us for eighteen years, Bella managed to avoid such good fashion sense. Four months with you and she shows great improvement."

"It's a gift," Alice smiled. "Bella is doing very well."

"Uh how about we stop talking about me like I am not here," I muttered.

"Do not worry Bells, we do this because we love you," Mel giggled.

"Don't get me wrong Alice, I love that you are here, but I thought that you guys were going to your Esme's mother's house today?"

"Oh we are. I just wanted to stop by and say hi and wish the Swan resident a Merry Christmas."

"Did he come with you," I asked. Alice knew who I was talking about.

She shook her head no. "Carlisle had finally gotten him up when I had left the house. He did not get to bed until late."

I just nodded in response.

"You will see us tomorrow Bells," Alice tried to comfort. It was true. We would all be gathering at the Cullen's house for our own Christmas celebration with each other. I just wanted to see him today.

Alice stood up and wrapped her scarf back around her neck. "See you guys tomorrow." She gave me a hug and flashed a smile at my sisters.

"I like her," Rachel said after Alice had left. "She seems like a good friend. Full of energy."

"Yeah she is," I agreed.

I got up from the table and went into the living room to find it empty. My guess was that Joe was in his room playing his new video game and Charlie was upstairs showering. Renee had just walked back into the kitchen to finish making dinner. We usually eat early on Christmas, but today I think we were eating earlier. Something about football game being on.

"Bells want to watch one of the movies we got this morning with us," Rachel asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. I had nothing else to do. "Sure."

"Okay do you want to watch 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2'?"

"That's fine."

For the next two hours, I spent my time watching a movie with my sisters. The movie was not as bad as I thought it would be. Usually movie makes of books are not my favorite. Or when it's a sequel, but this movie was good. I actually stayed up during it.

The rest of the day passed uneventful. Even with my sisters here, I sort of felt like I was not really there. We had dinner around four thirty. There was a football game on at five that my family, excluding Renee and me, wanted to watch. During that I sat on the couch and read my old copy of Pride and Prejudice.

I decided to head upstairs to my room when I learned that another game would be coming on after it at eight. It would be best thing to do considering the mood I was in. I did not want to rub off on anyone else. I went into my room, turned on my stereo, and laid across my bed. I grabbed my phone off the charger and checked for any new text messages or calls. I had a couple of texts from Angela and Rosalie wishing me a Merry Christmas, but none from who I wanted. I responded to the messages and shut my phone off. I closed my eyes and hummed along with the music.

I must have fallen asleep. When I opened my eyes, my room was silent and dark. I also had a blanket covering me. I looked over at my alarm clock and it read twelve thirty. I climbed out of bed and made my way over to my door. I opened it and looked out to see the rest of the house dark. The only light came from beneath the guest room door.

I closed my door and crept back to bed. I was about to pull the blankets back down when I heard a tapping noise at my window. What in the world?

I walked over to it cautiously. I peaked around the curtain and saw a figure sitting on the branch outside my window. I was about to scream, when the figure leaned in closer and I saw who it was.

Edward.

He was perched on the branch outside my window like he was a monkey or something. There were so many things wrong with that. First of all he's in a freaking tree. Second of all he's in a tree high off the ground. Third of all it's freezing outside. What's most wrong is that he is outside my window.

I threw open my curtain and window. "Are you crazy," I hissed at him.

Edward was shivering a little bit. "I think so, but not for the reasons you are probably thinking of."

"Then what reasons," I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Uh- would it be alright if I come in," he whispered. He glanced down at the ground and then back up at me.

I moved out of the way for him to come in. "Of course."

In one swift motion, Edward was standing in my room. I had backed away closer to my door to give him room. He still stood at my window.

"Bella I am sorry for a number of things that I just don't know where to begin."

"Edward you don't hav-"

"Let me ," he spoke quickly. "I am sorry for just showing up here, but I tried to call and got no answer."

"Yeah. I shut it off and fell asleep," I explained.

"This much I assumed," he replied. "But I would understand if you were ignoring me. How I acted yesterday morning," he ran his fingers through his hair. He was looking at his feet. Edward Cullen looked nervous. "I mean how dumb could I be to do that to the girl I love," he mumbled.

I looked at Edward standing on the other side of the room. He was still muttering an apology that I was actually not listening to. All I could do was take in his rejected looking form. He thinks that I am crazy for not realizing how special I am to him, but it goes both ways. I am extremely lucky to have him in my life, but yet he does not see that.

I began to walk over to where he was standing. He was so focused on what he was saying that he did not even notice me.

"Edward," I interrupted him. He stopped and looked up at me. His expression held surprise that I was standing so close to him. "Just stop," I whispered.

I watched as his expression became tortured. He did stop talking though.

"You have got to stop shouldering the blame for everything," I continued. "You accuse me for not seeing how special I am, but what about you?"

"But-" he started.

I cut him off before he could complete his thought. "Edward, you mean the world to me and I think you need to start understanding that."

It was quiet for a minute. I looked at Edward in the dark and it looked like he was thinking about something. Then all of a sudden he looked up at me and smiled. He walked over and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I will try," he quoted me.

Then I felt his lips on my own. My hands instantly found his hair and deepened the kiss. That familiar light headed feeling that I always get returning. Edward was taking my breath away. I had the best Christmas gift yet. I had returned to the comfort of his arms

"How long can you stay for," I asked him when we finally pulled apart for air.

"I have until Alice texts me," he breathed heavily. "She is covering for me."

I nodded and then headed to my door. Not wanting to be away from him I held onto his hand and he walked with me. I turned the lock on my doorknob. We were not going to do anything more than what we did two nights ago, but I wanted to avoid a repeat of yesterday morning.

I then dragged him over to my bed. I gently pushed him down and then curled up against his side. He cradled me in his arms. Tucking my head under his chin.

Playing with my hair he asked, "How was your Christmas, love?"

I smiled at the word. "Perfect now."

I felt his musical laughter shake the both of us. "I am very glad to hear that."

"What about you?"

"Perfect," he replied. "Do you want one of your gifts now?"

I sat up and turned to look at him. I was leaning on his chest.

"One of them," I raised my eyebrows.

"Yes. One of them."

I decided to give him a hard time and shook my head no. "Do you want one of yours?"

Now it was his turn to be surprised. "One?"

"Yep." I did not give him a chance to answer before I got off the bed and walked over to my desk. I grabbed a gift bag and made my way back over to Edward. I climbed into his lap.

"Fine. Here's yours," he said while handing me small box.

I immediately protested. "Edward, I did not spend much on you so I don't think that you should giv-"

"I did not spend dime on this," he explained. "So just open it Bella."

I sighed defeated. Edward flipped on my night stand light and I pulled the lid off of the box. What was inside made me gasp. It was a charm. It was a diamond heart with a sapphire heart in the middle of it.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

"I am glad you like it," he said before kissing my hair.

I looked up at him, "Thank you. I love it."

"Your welcome. It was my mothers. It was one of the things I had received after she died."

"It must mean a lot to you," I whispered.

I felt him nod his head. "So do you."

Tears were beginning to form in my eyes. I quickly wiped them away.

"Open yours. It's not going to compare to this, but.."

"I will love it," he assured me.

Edward reached into the bag and pulled out a black and white covered scrapbook/photo album. I looked away, nervous about whether or not it would be enough. I felt his eyes on me, waiting for me to meet them. When I did, he gave me a smile before opening the book.

Inside were an assortment of pictures. There were of course pictures of us. Ones that had been taken at my birthday party and ones I had taken while we were hanging out at my house and at his.

There were also a lot of pictures that included Rose, Alice, Emmett, Jasper, and Joe. I even threw in one that Edward had taken of a sleeping Emmett and Joe at the lunch table. They had both decided to stay up all night playing video games. When he saw the picture he laughed.

Renee had even convinced me to add some of my old pictures in there. Nothing too embarrassing. I put in a copy of the one from Halloween, where I was dressed as a witch. There was also one of Joe and me at the beach. We were both sitting inside a sand castle we had made. The next picture was of me crying because Joe had sat on one of the castle walls. Edward smiled at these.

The picture that was the last one, or at least I thought it was the last one, was one of Edward by himself. It was a picture I took of him at the meadow. This one had been my favorite. He had been laying in the grass and was talking about how twilight was the perfect time of day. His eyes were closed and he was so calm and still. Edward's hair was all over the place, but that was the way I liked it. The light was hitting him just the right way that I could not help but snap a picture. He had just stopped talking and was smiling.

"That one's my favorite," I said into his shirt.

I felt his finger under my chin, pulling my face up. He kissed me softly on the lips.

"Thank you. I love it," he spoke against them. I nodded my head in response.

Edward was about to close it when he realized there was a picture behind the one of himself. I had no idea what the picture was. The last one I had put in was his. Edward flipped the page to see a picture of myself. I let out a gasp.

It was a picture of me from Christmas Eve. I was sitting on the bed with my head resting on my knees. I had been looking to the side at nothing in particular. I was not looking directly at the camera. My hair was loose around my face and my eyes were open wide. I had been thinking of Edward at the time. It was hard to tell if I was deep in thought or suffering great sadness.

The only explanation I could think of was Rachel and Mel. I must have been what Rachel had 'accidentally' taken a picture of. Mel this morning was the one to slide it into my book when she was bending over at my desk.

"Beautiful," Edward whispered.

I looked up to meet his eyes. They were burning with so much emotion. There was worry for my possible sadness. As well as adoration, passion, desire, and most importantly love.

"This one is my favorite," he said as he leaned down to kiss me again. I closed the book and stuck it down on the floor next to the bed. I felt Edward lean back and bring me down with him. I hovered over him this time as he trailed kisses down the side of my neck. I pulled his face back up so I could meet his lips again.

"I love you," he spoke against my lips.

"I love you too," I said when we finally pulled apart.

I leaned into his side and curled up again. I felt him stroke my hair as he hummed my lullaby.

************

It was around five in the morning when I heard Edward's phone beeping. He groaned before sitting up, while bringing me up with him. Edward pulled the phone out and flipped it open. He had one new text message. I read it over his shoulder.

Carlisle is getting up for work in like 20 minutes.

You know how he does room checks in the morning.

(Thank you Emmett)

Oh and tell Bella I said hi.

-Alice

"Bella, Alice says hi," he joked sleepily. Then let out a sigh before starting to stretch.

I sighed too. "I guess you have to go."

"Unfortunately," he started to stand up.

I tried standing up too, but was still too tired. I swayed a little and fell back onto the bed. Edward let out a small laugh before picking me up and tucking me under the blankets. He kissed my forehead.

"Sleep my Bella. I will be back in a few hours," he whispered to me. I nodded my head, already falling back to sleep.

How was it? Did you like it?

Let me know.

Please review!

Love,

Jane

*I am sad to say that the typed draft I had of hide and scare has been lost. I had let my niece play some game on my lap top and I do not know if she managed to get into my files but I cannot find that file. I will try and find it or type it up again. Wish me luck.*