Don't own Twilight.

14. Home for the Holidays

Skye

I woke up but didn't open my eyes as I curled into Edward's cool body. He sighed and wrapped his arm around me before kissing my forehead. I placed my mouth to his chest and gave him a quick peck. His skin was smooth against my lips. The hair he did have, was baby fine and soft. Further proof that he was only seventeen when he was changed.

When his hand began moving slowly down my back it caused me to smile. And when he grabbed my backside I giggled.

"Was last night not enough for you?" I purred.

"You know me."

I laughed and opened my eyes. I looked up and he was watching me.

"Bonjour, Belle." (Good morning, beautiful.) He smiled when our eyes met.

"Bonjour, beau." (Good morning, handsome.)

"You slept well," he smirked, "didn't even dream."

"What can I say. I was a little worn out."

"Poor baby," he pulled me on top of him. "Next time I won't work you so hard." He caressed my behind.

"Um hum, sure you won't." I teased as I lay my head on his chest.

I didn't say anything more as the things he'd said last night raced through my mind. Something wasn't adding up and it was bothering me.

"You're awfully quiet this morning." He remarked breaking the silence. "What are you thinking about?"

I was blocking him. He always knew something was up when I did that purposely.

"You know what I'm thinking about."

He let out a deep breath.

"Babe, you have nothing to worry about. As soon as I speak with the Council, she'll be out of our hair."

"That's not what's concerning me at the moment. Well not the only thing."

"Well what's bothering you?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I feel like there's something your not telling me."

"Why do you say that?" He looked away.

"Well for one, you can't look me in the eyes when you talk about this girl. And it isn't like you to let a strange vampire around me or the kids. Especially a newborn vampire, so what makes her so different?"

"She's not around here and she won't be coming around here either. There's no reason for her to." He said playing in my hair.

"You know what I mean, Edward. Don't be coy with me." I sat up and straddled him.

"I wasn't, baby. I just think you're reading too much into it is all."

"What are you hiding from me, Edward? What's going on with you?"

He looked at me.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to help a young, frightened girl."

I looked into his face and knew he was lying to me. He'd never lied to me before that I knew of and now he was doing it for some young girl he'd just met? It didn't make sense and it frightened me.

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

Eddie stopped feeding me the brownies he'd made for the kids and scooped me off the counter-top. He stood me up and kissed me quickly before cleaning the crumbs off my face. Our morning discussion had not been forgotten but was settled for now. I wanted to focus on the holiday and not fight. Besides, if he said it was nothing than I needed to trust him. Even if he was hiding something.

"Pierre will be here in few with the kids," he said.

His telepathic ability had always been stronger than mine, it reached out a lot further.

"Well our little break was fun while it lasted." I smiled. "Thanks for lunch."

"Thank you for breakfast." He licked his lips and raised a brow.

I slapped his arm.

"You're incorrigible."

"And you wouldn't have me any other way." He smiled.

"Perhaps..." I stretched and puckered my lips.

He laughed and kissed them sloppily, coating them with his venom.

"Eww, Eddie!" I complained, wiping his slob off with a paper towel.

He laughed and went to open the door.

The kids came barreling in and headed straight for the kitchen. My dad followed behind with Stevie in his arms. He and Eddie shook hands and Stevie reached for his daddy. He smiled and took the baby from my dad.

"Guys, put those brownies down and come say hello to your mother and me before you take another bite!" Eddie demanded.

The three of them walked back in the foyer looking chastised.

"Sorry," EJ said. "Hi Mama…Dad."

"Well hello, did you guys have fun with your Grandpere?" I asked.

They all broke out in grins as wide as the Mississippi.

"Yes, we had a lot of fun," JR said.

"Well good. Can you tell him thanks?"

"Thanks, Grandpere!" They perked up.

"No problem. I loved having you guys." He smiled.

"Alright, now you can go," Eddie said and they shot off again. "And save one for Etienne." He shook his head.

"Those kids can eat. It's a good thing Josephine went shopping before they came up," Dad said and we laughed.

"We know." I smiled and hugged him. "Hi, Daddy."

"Hey, baby. I hope you've rested up. You're gonna have a house full soon. What time your folks coming in, Edward?"

"They should start staggering in soon."

"That's great. How bout a hunting trip tonight? We could meet you half way…say in Ascension or St. James."

Eddie smiled. "I'm sure they'd like that."

"Great, and bring the kids. They've been trying to get me to take them all day."

That seemed to have Eddie rethinking his decision.

"We'll see," he said.

"Aww come on. You know they'll love it. And maybe we can get a baseball game going."

"Oh yeah! Did I hear someone say baseball?" Em's deep voice bellowed from behind us, interrupting the conversation. "Count me in, Pierre." He shook my dad's hand.

"Uncle Em!" The kids came running from the kitchen and Stevie squirmed in Eddie's hands. He laughed as they piled on him.

Rose shook her head as she entered the house.

"Hi, Aunt Rose!" They laughed from Em's back.

"Hello, babies. Lord, Emmett, do you have to be so juvenile?" She teased and winked at me.

"Hush woman, can't you see that I'm playing with the kiddies," he said tossing Lisette in the air as she squealed.

"Hey, Rose." I hugged her.

"Hey yourself, beautiful. You're positively glowing." She smirked. "Is Santa bringing you another special gift this Christmas?" Her brow rose.

Eddie looked at me, with dare I say...hope. I rolled my eyes. We had enough children right now.

"No," I said for the both of them. What was it with Rose. If I even sneezed, she thought I was pregnant again. I know I only got sick when I was, but there just might be dust in the room, you know? "I just haven't lost my tan yet. But thank you, you look beautiful as well."

She grinned, said hello to my father, then looked at me again. "So, where are we staying?"

"You're here first. You pick."

"Get the one with the big tub in the bathroom," Em said as he settled in to play the newest PlayStation. He put on the 3D glasses and turned the console on. "Shit, this is cool! Babe, this would be the perfect Christmas present." He hinted.

"I'll keep that in mind." She rolled her eyes, but I could see in her head that she had already bought him one. "Honey, the bags…"

"I got 'em. Just let me play one game," Em said.

She huffed and walked pass the Dior luggage to Eddie. They hugged briefly then she reached for Etienne and he leaned out for her.

"How's Auntie's baby? You're getting so big." She cooed and pinched his fat little thigh gently.

"What the heck are you feeding him, Skye? He's a big boy."

And he was. He could pass for two, maybe even three and he wouldn't be one for another nine days.

"Nothing special. He's completely weaned, so he eats regular food and drinks the blood Eddie brings him. He's just gonna be a big boy. He takes after PJ." I ran my hand through his wild hair. It was just like Edwards. It refused to be tamed.

"Indeed he does. He's as cute as a button." She kissed his nose and he smiled showing off his deep dimple. She smiled back and pulled him into a hug. "I miss you guys."

"We miss you too, Rose." I smiled.

"We need to visit more often."

I laughed. They were here almost every month. "Well you know your always welcomed."

"Thanks."

"So we'll see you guys tonight then? We'll have a bonfire, play a little baseball. It'll be fun." My dad's voice brought me back into their conversation.

"We'll be there, Daddy," I said.

Eddie looked at me.

"What?" I asked silently.

He exhaled sharply and my dad looked at him puzzled. "Okay then, Angel. I'll see you later, honey."

"Kay." I kissed his cheek and watched as he walked to his Jaguar.

I turned to Eddie as I shut the door.

"What's up with you? What's the big deal?"

"I don't think you and the kids should go hunting with us tonight."

"Why not? I want to play baseball and the kids want to hunt."

"Well, for one thing Colin will be with us. We still don't know how he'll react to you."

"Well, Jazz thinks he's ready and I trust his judgment." I looked in his face. "And so do you, so what's this really about?"

He sighed.

"I sort of told Ashley, the girl, that I'd take her hunting today."

"You what?" I growled and everyone looked at me. "She hunts humans!"

"No, she wants to try our way of living...eating...hunting. When your dad mentioned the hunting trip, I thought it would be a good idea to just take her when everyone else went. We could all watch her as a group."

I huffed.

"What happened to just calling the Council for her?"

"Love, she has to hunt and I would prefer that she hunt our way and not hers while she's here. That's all."

"What are you two talking about?" Em asked gesturing toward the kids with his eyes. They were all watching us.

"Edward's little stalker," I said and walked out before my temper got the best of me.

"Skye, would you wait a minute." He followed behind me as I went up the stairs to the bedroom.

"Skye…" he shut the door. "It's not that big of a deal."

I turned to him so fast that he had to blink and move back.

"Then don't take her."

He sighed.

"She needs to hunt and I'd rather she hunted animals, than her natural prey of choice." He caught my eyes. "You know how we get when we hunt, newborns especially. They have a one track mind. They only think about one thing. Blood. The source doesn't matter."

"I'm not staying home."

"You're being unreasonable. I could take her hunting, back to Sid's, and meet you and the kids at the game. You can't go hunting with us anyway. Colin will be there."

"Jazz said..."

"Jazz thinks Colin is ready to come around you, not hunt around you. It's two different things and you know it."

"Fine, do what you want, Edward."

He rubbed his forehead roughly. "I'm not bringing her to the game. I'm taking her back to Sidney's and you and the kids can meet me at the field."

"Whatever."

"Angel, I don't want to fight with you. I don't want you upset with me."

"Too late."

I got up, straightened my clothes and went downstairs to play the gracious host. Just then the doorbell rang. Carlisle, Esme, Jazz, and Alice had arrived.

Edward

I sat on the bed staring out the window. I really wanted to hit something. I took a much need breath, closed my eyes and tried to clear my head. When I opened them I stood up. It was going to be a long fucking day.

Skye was standing in the doorway watching Carlisle and Jazz unload the rental as I descended the stairs.

I went to stand next to her as Esme and Alice came in. They both hugged us and took in our body language. Skye was trying to be as far away from me as she could without being too obvious. But she was pissed and her anger was radiating off of her.

"Alice filled us in," Mom said. "How are things going? Is everything okay?"

I shrugged not really wanting to get into it at the moment and she squeezed me harder.

I hugged her tighter then she released me and went to the kids.

"Mama Esme! Where's Papa?" JR asked.

I smiled when she picked him up and peppered his face with kisses. Alice stepped in front of me causing me to look down. She had just finished whispering to Skye. She hugged me.

"Ahhh, my favorite, and most stubborn brother."

"Don't start with me, Alice. I should've gone with my original plan and kept my mouth shut until I could get rid of her. I told Skye and it's just been one problem after another." I whispered.

"Because you only followed half of my instructions. I also told you to give the girl the boot. And you only told her half the truth."

"She's got enough truth for now. I can't handle her knowing anymore truth. She's acting like she doesn't trust me."

"Because you're lying to her and she knows it! You don't think she knows that you're keeping something from her."

I rolled my eyes and looked up to find Skye watching us.

"What's going on with you two?"

Alice looked at me.

"Nothing, Alice is just being her normal nosy self. Can't mind her own business."

"Have you seen something, Alice?" Skye asked.

"No, nothing of importance. But as I was just telling my brother, I have a feeling about her and I..."

"Enough, Alice." I warned and Skye turned to me.

"You've seen her though?" Skye asked.

"Yes, I've seen her." she said.

"Will the Council take her in?"

"I have no idea of knowing that. I may be able to get a better idea once Edward asks them."

"You haven't asked them yet?" Skye said in a huff.

"No, I can't ask them over the phone, love. We have to have a meeting. I called for an emergency meeting. I'm waiting on everyone to respond. It's the holiday's and everyone's scattered about the globe."

She shook her head and walked toward the kitchen.

I looked at Alice and narrowed my eyes at her in warning. "Stay out of it."

0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0

Jazz and Carlisle walked in the house with Carlisle and Esme's luggage. They flit it up the stairs to the room and was back down before we made it to the living room. I hugged my father and brother and inquired about Colin.

"He's doing very well, Edward. You'd be proud of him." Carlisle informed me before showing some of his memories over the past months.

"I am proud. But are you sure he's ready to be around Skye? Her dad wants to hunt and play a little baseball tonight."

"Oh, I don't think she should be around when he's hunting. He's not that strong yet."

I looked at Skye who just walked back into the room.

"He should be fine at the game though. Being outside will help disperse her scent."

"I was just telling her that I thought she should sit the hunt out and just come to game." I looked at her and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Yes, I think that would be for the best. He's just not there yet."

I nodded and broke eye contact with her. She'd heard it straight from the horses mouth. Now she knew that I wasn't just being an ass.

"So how'd he like the cabin?" I asked Jazz as he approached.

"He likes it. Loves the lake too. He was swimming when we left," he said.

"Thanks for doing this. I know you and Alice are ready to travel, live your lives, again."

"No problem. We have forever to travel to places we've already been to a dozen times, in different era's."

"Jasper Whitlock!" Alice scolded.

"What? It's true. Besides, you can to go to Milan and Paris to spend up my money any time. Hell you don't even need to leave our bedroom anymore. I wish I could've drained the ass that thought that online shopping was great idea."

She huffed and we all laughed.

"Well thanks again," I said.

"Sure, I was happy to help. And C's family now." We did our handshake and man hugged. "Now, tell us about this Bella look alike."

I closed my eyes and hoped she didn't hear it. But of course she had.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~0

"Come again?" She asked Jasper.

I squeezed Jasper's hand so hard I heard his bones snapping in his fingers.

He jerked it back.

"Owww, what the fuck, Edward!"

"You just couldn't mind your own fucking business, could you?"

"What are you talking about? Fuck this is my throwing hand! It'll take all night to heal."

"What did you say, Jasper?" She asked again stepping between us.

I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Oh fuck, you didn't tell her? He didn't tell her?" He looked at Alice.

She smiled and shook her head. She knew this was coming and she let it happen.

Jazz looked at me and raised his eyebrows. "Maybe you should ask Edward."

She turned toward me with the question in her eyes. "Well..."

"The girl, Ashley, she...she looks like Bella."

There was a long silence.

"I knew it. I knew there was something. I knew you were lying to me!"

"I didn't lie to..."

"Shut up!" She yelled at me and I was taken aback. "Everything that comes out of your mouth about that girl has been a god damn lie."

"Skye..."

"I said shut up! Don't you fucking talk to me. I don't want to hear your voice." She grabbed her keys and started toward the door. Then she stopped abruptly and started to laugh. But when she turned around tears were in her eyes. "That's why you've been going out of your way to help her, isn't it?" She shook her head then continued. "Ten years and four children later... Will I ever be good enough for you, Edward? Will you ever love me as much as you love your precious Bella?"

And with that she walked out the door.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~0

My heart fell into my stomach and I couldn't move. I just stood there watching the door as everyone watched me. What had I just done? What was I going to do? And how could she not know that she was my life?

I stood there until my mother touched my shoulder.

"Edward, honey..."

"I'm fine." I lied.

"Okay, but maybe..."

"I'm fine!" I said a little rougher and headed toward the stairs.

Alice was standing there looking at the ground.

"Edward, I didn't see her responding like that. I'm sor..."

I stopped and looked at her.

"If I lose her, I'll never speak to you again." I said pushing past her.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~~0