Author's note: It's been sooo long since I've updated, so a big heartfelt apology to you all for leaving you hanging.

I'm estimating that there will be another five to ten chapters left before I wrap things up here. Then as promised I will begin working on a re-write to fix some of the plot holes and errors.

Please read and review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does =(

As Christmas drew nearer the first snowfall of winter came in the form of a blizzard causing slight chaos in Seattle. The roads became too dangerous for most to navigate causing schools city wide to close their doors earlier than normal for the holiday season.

Thankfully this year I had gotten my act together and completed my Christmas shopping with plenty of time to spare and with my unexpected time off work I got roped into helping Alice fine tune her wedding plans, which were almost set in stone.

It was hard to believe that in a few short months I would have two married best friends, one with a baby on the way. Alice kept up her tirade of unsubtle hints directed at Edward and I about finally taking the plunge much to our amusement. She got more brazen as days went by but was easily distracted by the sudden appearance of Rose's adorable baby bump.

Overnight Alice turned from wedding obsessed into clucky and downright baby mad much to Rose's annoyance who was not taking pregnancy so well.

Morning sickness was kicking her ass and Emmett was copping the brunt of her bad moods. Still he took it all in his stride knowing full well that her hormones were going to be out of control in a few months and that this was just the easy part.

Early on Christmas Eve morning we all packed up our cars and made the three hour drive to Forks. We all managed to wrangle time off to stay through to see in the New Year with our respective families, so I was looking forward to a long break.

By the time Edward pulled into the Charlie's driveway, Renee and Phil had already arrived. It was still a little strange to me that they were staying here over the Christmas break this year, but at the same time I was thrilled that after all this time plus their divorce, my parents were able to rekindle their friendship.

"Bella!" Renee cried running out to meet us, "How are you honey?" She tucked a few errant strands of hair that had escaped my pony tail behind my ear, examining my expression in the process.

"I'm great Mom" I assured her, she looked concerned and I guess I couldn't blame her.

Seeing my sincerity she beamed pulling me in to hug me tightly before rounding on Edward giving him the same treatment.

"Now come on inside, the rest of the family's been waiting for you" she tugged on my arm pulling me up the porch steps. Phil emerged and began to help Edward with our bags.

"Hi honey" Sue greeted me with a kiss on the cheek while Charlie who normally settled for a quick one armed squeeze, pulled me in for an Emmett style bear hug.

"It's good to see you kid, you look happy, healthy."

"I am Dad" I grinned, "Look at you old man, you've been hitting the gym haven't you?" I tapped his much more muscly looking arm.

Charlie had always been pretty fit and in shape, but he was looking, well a little buff.

He blushed beet red, reminding me exactly where I picked up that trait from, "Uh well a little" he admitted. "Got to keep up with the new recruits" he grabbed another beer and headed back towards the living room where no doubt he had been watching some kind of sporting game before I arrived.

"He was feeling a tad threatened" Sue whispered, "You should see some of the young men that have just joined the force." Winking at me she turned back to the bowl of cake batter she was mixing.

Renee whistled lowly, "There must be something in the water, seriously I'm considering purposely committing a minor traffic offense just to get closer to one of those fine…"

I coughed, choking on the sip of water I had just taken, "Well thanks for that Mom."

They both giggled, "They're not as good looking as your Edward is though honey. Right Renee?"

"Mmm hmm no arguments there, he's a very sexy man Bella. If I was single and ten years younger…."

"Geez Mom, please don't go there" I interrupted her before she took things too far, I spotted a bottle of gin, half empty sitting on the bench. Ah well then that explained a lot, they were obviously feeling very merry this morning causing my Mom's brain filter to be severely malfunctioning.

"And really Mom only ten years younger, what are you a cougar now?" I teased causing them both to laugh hysterically.

~o~o~o~o~{}~o~o~o~o~

After an hour or so of listening to my Mom and Sue become increasingly inappropriate as the gin took its toll I decided I would be safer to brave the living room and interrupt the male bonding time that Edward, Charlie and Phil had been enjoying; blissfully unaware of the debauchery going down just a room away.

"Hey kid, good timing" Charlie dragged his eyes away from the television and stood up stretching his legs. "You can keep Phil company while Edward and I head out to grab some more firewood."

Edward smiled reassuringly and followed Charlie out of the room shrugging on his coat.

"What's that all about?" I questioned when they were out of earshot. Somehow I don't think firewood was the real reason as to why Charlie wanted to talk to Edward alone.

Phil shrugged, "Charlie's probably just checking in with Edward, making sure he's treating you right."

I narrowed my eyes, looking at Phil suspiciously. I was certain there was more to it than that.