Chapter Nineteen: Christmas with the Cullens

Disclaimer: Twilight is both a book and a time period just after sunset, before dark. I own neither.

~ O ~

BPOV

I was awoken by a loud shrill being emitted from my phone on my bedside table.

My first thought was that evil toasters were about to attack me.

My second thought was that Rose must have set an alarm on my phone to go off at ...6am... in the morning.

My third thought was that it was Christmas day.

My fourth thought was that my bed looked mighty toasty and comfortable.

My fifth thought was that Edward and I were spending Christmas at his parents today.

My sixth thought was that i desperately needed coffee.

As you have probably noticed, my brain loves thinking in the morning.

I stumbled out of my bedroom, stubbing one of my toes on the corner of the door frame, and headed for the kitchen. Flicking down the switch on the kettle, I looked out the window and noticed that the sun was beginning to rise.

At least I can watch the sun rise on Christmas day, right? I'm always the optimistic one.

I spent the next half an hour wrestling with wrapping paper with smiling Santa's on it as I attempted to wrap up Edward's present. Those smiling Santa's are deceiving and keep calling me a 'ho'. I may take offence to the paper.

It just gave me a paper cut. Such a lovely Christmas so far. If you're wondering why this present was not wrapped last night, it was because it's kinda hard to wrap up a present when the person it is intended for is cuddling you on your couch as you watch 'Love Actually'.

Romantic loud sigh.

After the tedious chore of wrapping was done, I decided to have my shower and get dressed, which proved to be a hassle. What does one wear when they meet the parents of their partner for the first time? Edward told me to go casual, so I guess I shall go casual?

I pulled out a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a white singlet and a woollen cardigan, paired with a long necklace and ugg boots.

Casual enough?

Those ugg boots were the best eight dollars I have ever spent on shoes. I'm totally being serious. If Alice and Rose ever found out though, they would throw out the shoes and I would possibly cry for a day and then go out and buy another pair.

Seriously, cheap shoes are actually really comfortable!

Alright Bella, moving on.

I looked at the clock in the kitchen, which told me that it was nine am. All I had left to do was eat breakfast, brush my teeth, and apply a minimal amount of makeup.

For breakfast I just had a cup of tea and two pieces of toast with honey. I couldn't stomach anything else.

Promptly at ten, there was a knock on my front door. That would be Edward. I all but flung the door open, trying to seem casual, but I'm pretty sure that I failed.

Edward was leaning against the door frame, with his arms crossed over his chest. A smirk was plastered n his face.

What was he wearing you ask?

Nothing.

I kid, I kid. I wish though.

He left nothing to my wild, dirty imagination. Edward was dressed in a pair of white shorts and a form fitted 'blue like the colour of the ocean on a bright sunny day' colour.

By form fitted I mean arm and chest hugging.

However shall I control myself in front of his parents?

"Good morning," he murmured as he stepped forward and took me into a gentle embrace.

"Merry Christmas," I replied before I captured his lips with mine.

He responded by wrapping his arms around my waist, guiding me inside and leaning me against the wall without breaking contact.

My hands found themselves knotted in his unruly bronze sex hair.

I've never appreciated the colour bronze more than I do now. Gold and silver don't compare to coming third. I got the bronze.

Edward had me pinned against the wall. His hands had now found themselves on my hips, keeping a firm grip on them.

Pretty sure we should skip meeting Edward's parents and just stay planted against the wall.

I opened my mouth to Edward and what after felt like a blissful version of eternity we broke apart, both breathing heavily; not that either of us minded.

Edward smirked. "And a Merry Christmas to you too."

When Edward asked me five days ago if we wanted to spend Christmas with his parents, I had agreed. Alice and Jasper were visiting Jasper's and Emmett and Rosalie were visiting Rose's. My mum and dad were actually in Australia for Christmas and wouldn't be back for another four days. We were spending New Years Eve with them though.

The day after that I realised that I did not have anything to give them on Christmas. Even though Edward, being Edward, told me that they wouldn't mind, I had panicked and ended up tripping over an apple that had rolled off of the coffee table.

I did not severely hurt myself though.

I decided to buy, upon Edward giving me suggestions, a cupcake recipe book for Esme and a year's subscription to the only other medical magazine that Carlisle doesn't already have a subscription for.

He must get a lot of mail each month.

Which I was insanely jealous of. I never get personal mail.

Mind you, after I told Edward that fact, he proceeded to send me three letters and a postcard in the mail.

The postcard was of my restaurant.

I do not know how he had that made, or even when he took the photo.

But none the less, it was ever so romantic.

"Ready to go?" Edward asked me. I nodded and bent down to grab the bag of presents. I straightened myself back up to find Edward right behind me.

He didn't even wait for me to acknowledge him before he hastily brought his mouth to mine in a forceful passion.

Honestly, we're not going to get anywhere.

When we had finally reached Edward's Volvo at the bottom of my driveway, he held the door open for me. Such a gentleman.

After twenty minutes we arrived at a magnificent, large house surrounded by beautiful green oak trees. The house was wonderful! Edward's parents certainly had an eye for houses.

We pulled up into the driveway which turned into a roundabout. Edward shifted the gear into first and put on the handbrake as he parked directly outside the front door.

Edward took off his seat belt, got out of the car and disappeared from view. A few seconds l later my passenger door opened. Edward offered his hand to me.

Such a gentleman, I repeated in my head.

He placed his left arm around the back of my waist as he guided me towards the front door. Upon opening the door I gasped out loud.

The entrance was amazing! A winding marble staircase on the left led to the second floor. The walls were a soft cream colour with dark mahogany polished wooden floor boards. Artworks and photoframes were lined up along the walls. In the middle of the room stood a man and a woman.

Esme and Carlisle.

Big internal sigh.

Esme was dressed in a simple black pencil skirt and a deep purple blouse. Her rich, caramel coloured hair framed her face. By her side stood Carlisle. I hoped that Edward looked that hot when he was that old... but bronze hair instead of striking blonde.

Edward had inherited his emerald green eye colour from Esme.

Suddenly Esme pulled out a shiny silver camera out of Carlisle's pocket and snapped a picture of Edward and I.

She then laughed and ran up to me, pulling me into a massive mother-like hug.

"It's finally nice to be able to meet you Bella. I've been hounding on Edward ever since I saw such a dramatic change in him... all for the better of course. Who knew it would take him over six months before he brought you to me. Silly, silly son of mine."

I giggled. Carlisle came forward.

"It's a pleasure to meet you dear. Edward, here has been keeping us updated, sometimes out of force by Esme," Carlisle smirked... like Edward.

Esme slapped her husband's chest lightly.

Edward led me on a tour of the house, which ended up with us making out on his bed in his old room.

Thank god Esme is one of those mothers who knock before they enter.

That may have been slightly awkward if she didn't knock.

"Christmas lunch is ready my dears," she stated before she floated away from the door, without opening it.

Edward and I walked hand in hand down the marble steps and Edward led me into the dining room. The table was full with a Christmas turkey, cranberry sauce, assorted vegetables, stuffing, roast potatoes, a cucumber salad covered in balsamic vinegar and garlic, and Christmas crackers. There was also a variety of drinks from water to juice, milk to Coke, beer to wine.

Esme might have also put out a full bottle of tequila.

Is she trying to get me drunk?

Don't be paranoid Bella.

After stuffing ourselves silly, we made our way to the lounge room with a glass of white wine each. The Christmas tree took my breath away. It reached as high as the ceiling, intricately decorated with baubles and tinsel that looked as though it had been placed there by professional tree decoraters, if there was such an occupation.

Esme must have caught on to what I was looking at.

"I decorated it myself," she whispered.

"It's magnificent, tremendous," I murmured.

Esme took my hand in hers and smiled at me before guiding me to the vacant space next to Edward on the sofa. She then sat down next to Carlisle on the other sofa and wrapped her legs underneath her.

We all socialised for almost an hour, with Carlisle reminiscing about the time when Edward was twelve, he cut himself whilst trying to cut up a banana.

"He thought... he was dying... so he began to write... up a will," Carlisle laughed and struggled to get out the words due to his fit of laughter.

I burst out laughing at that point.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it off. I kept that will," Edward pouted.

We all exchanged gifts. Esme and Carlisle both seemed to genuinely love the presents that I had bought them.

I smiled widely.

They had gotten Edward a large pack of thirty rolls of thick, large, 4ply toilet paper. Esme winked at her son when she handed it to him. Edward groaned.

Was this some sort of running joke?

"Look inside one of the toilet rolls," Esme told Edward. I looked at him with a confused look.

Edward gazed through the clear wrapping until he found what his mother must have put in there.

His eyes widened.

"Nothing, my love," he told me when I asked what it was. I pouted but didn't question him further. He would tell me later if need be. I trusted him completely.

For me, they bought me a simple silver necklace with a small sapphire stone in it, my birth stone. They also presented me with a coffee mug with writing on it. The writing said:

Bella (is more than - that math symbol) Edward.

I laughed. Bella is more than Edward.

Carlisle and Esme then excused themselves to allow Edward and I to exchange our gifts privately.

I pulled out the last present from my bag and gave it to Edward.

His eyes widened in joy as he began to unwrap it.

Note to self: Buy Edward bubble wrap. I'm sure he'll enjoy that.

"Oh wow! Thank you so much Bella. This has to be one of the best presents I have ever received. I've always wanted this!" Edward exclaimed as he held up the complete 'Friends' box set of all ten seasons.

He quietly cried in glee as he began turning over box set and reading the information.

"Thank you beautiful. I love it so much," he murmured as he kissed my lips briefly.

"It was no problem," I replied.

Edward smirked. "Time for yours, gorgeous."

I hoped that Edward did not get me something too expensive or else I may feel horrible.

Edward pulled out a small box from the back of the elaborately decorated Christmas tree. He held it up to me and I took it gingerly.

I glanced at Edward and raised my left eyebrow.

"Open it," was all he said.

I did as I was told.

I gasped.

Inside lay a beautiful white gold charm bracelet. The charms varied from being a normal gold colour, white gold and a sort of bronze colour of gold.

Edward extended his left arm and asked, "May I?"

I nodded, unable to say anything.

He carefully took the bracelet, unclasped it and let is slowly slide around my left wrist. He fastened it up again and kissed the inside of my wrist.

Small tears began to fall from my eyes. Edward brushed each individual one away with his thumbs.

"Each charm represents something important to you. The 'S' represents Smeraldo, the lioness represents Rose, the tiny pixie wearing dainty shoes represents Alice, the knife represents Emmett, the cocktail glass represents Jasper, the book represents you, love, and the piano represents me. The crystal heart between the book and piano represent our love. I have also included a spider charm and a remote charm."

I giggled, still crying.

Edward continued to talk to me, this time a whisper. "I love you with all my heart Bella. Thank you so much for the present. I know that you're thinking that what you gave me wasn't enough, but it was. You also gave me you. I love 'Friends' and plan to watch every last episode, as long as you're by my side. This has been the most memorable Christmas ever and I hope to share many more. I love you."

This was the point in which I think I began to actually cry. "I love you too, so much," I managed to choke out.

Edward leaned towards me and kissed me under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

Out of the corner of my closed eyes, I saw a flash of light.

Esme took a picture.

~ O ~

AN: LONGEST CHAPTER YET! Last Friday night I went and saw 'Tomorrow When the War Began'. For those of you who have never heard of it, it is the first book in a series by John Marsden which has just been adapted into a film and released in Aus and NZ. They're an Australian book series, set in Australia too. Too bad it has not been released internationally yet. If you have not read the book series, I highly suggest them! My twitter account is xxtwilight7xx. Review your favourite line or part. It's much appreciated.