Edward
Christmas Eve is on us and I'm in a rush to make a delicious meal. It's tough being alone and having to do everything. But I invited Bella over and I want to make sure that it's worth her while.
I guess if I'm being honest with myself, I want to impress her. I don't know why I feel such a need to, but it's been eating at me since I invited her over. As soon as she agreed, I suited Ej up and we went shopping.
She is a pastry chef after all. Maybe that's why I want to dazzle her with my culinary flare. My mother taught me how to cook and I'm so grateful for it.
"Can I help?" Ej asks, just as I'm putting the roast into the oven. It's my old stand-by. A rib roast with a beefy onion marinade. And it's always yummy, yummy. The kid even likes it. So there's no going wrong there.
"Sure bud, why don't you wash those potatoes for me?"
I love having my son in the kitchen with me. I feel like it gives us more time to bond. And that's always fun.
Chit-chatting and learning important life skills at the same time is a great way to spend our precious time together.
Pretty much as soon as we're done with the prep of the meal, Bella is knocking on the door.
My face lights up like the idiot I am and I do everything in my power to calm myself down. I don't need her seeing my foolish emotions.
Ej may want a mother, but Bella is too close to him to risk any kind of relationship with her. So like any good parent, I set my personal feelings aside and put the best smile I can muster before walking to the door.
My eyes scan the gorgeous woman before me. And I can't help but react like a man. She's beautiful. Her blouse hugs her curves and makes me want to make a mental picture for later. And when I can finally focus in on her face, her bright, shining smile makes her eyes come to life.
"Good evening Bella."
Her smile is intoxicating. I find myself breaking out a grin.
"Evening," she murmurs, stepping into the house.
I'm greeted with her wafting scent as she walks past me.
"I'm so glad you could make it," I tell her.
"Me too. Tonight will be so much fun."
"Ej's in the living room if you're looking for him."
"You know me so well," she says softly, before sliding out of her coat and heading into the other room.
I hear my boy squeaking with happiness. And it's then that I know I'll be able to make it through the evening just fine. Because I have to, for Ej. Bella is like a best friend for him. And there's just no way I could ever selfishly mess that up for him.
After some giggles and music, dinner is served.
We spend some time talking about the year and how great it's been.
"You know, with opening the shop and really starting to make a name for myself. Along with meeting you two," Bella says, taking a sip of wine. "I wouldn't change a thing."
I smile and think about my own year. It's been fantastic. I miss my parents and of course they miss Ej, but it's really nice to know that I can make it on my own. "Well I'd have to agree with you. As hard as the year has been, it's also been very rewarding. It'll be nice to look back on this year one day and think about pulling through and sticking with it."
"That's a wonderful attitude to have," she comments, quietly before we both turn our attention to Ej.
"How about you?" I wonder.
He shrugs. "I miss my old friends. And Mimi and Papa. But this place is nice too. I just wish I could stay at home for school, like before."
Bella and I both crack up. My mother, who I've pretty much assumed is a saint, decided that Ej needed a little boost before we left for Ohio. And gave him some schooling. She taught him the basics of reading, writing and some math. And he always thought he was going to school. Which, I suppose if you think about it, he kind of was, but he wasn't getting the social aspect like Kindergarten gives him here.
"Wouldn't you miss your new friends at school if you stayed home everyday?" Bella asks.
Ej frowns and shrugs. "If I was home more, I'd at least have you."
I chuckle and shake my head, while Bella busts out a laugh and side hugs the little guy.
"Trust me, bud, if I could just stay home with you everyday, I would. But your dad would go broke and my bakery would go out of business. Besides," she says, turning towards him. "Schools not that bad, right?"
He shakes his head and digs into his food.
Myself, I keep eating, while imagining coming home to Bella after a long day at work. I have to admit, my mind slips into the gutter after a few moments and Ej is nowhere to be found in my head.
Thankfully though, Ej manages to pull me right back to the present. Asking what each of us really want for Christmas.
"I'm all set," I murmur, finishing up my dinner.
But Ej can't deal with that answer. He petulantly shakes his head.
"Why's it so important?" I wonder.
"I went and saw Santa," Ej says. "But you guys haven't. What did you want for Christmas?"
Yep he's mine.
"Well," Bella says, smiling beautifully at him. "I would like some new pans, a rolling pin, or even a hug from a sweet little boy."
Ej smiles adorably. "That can be arranged," he says, pointing at her. "How about you, Dad?"
"Hmm," I murmur, thinking about it. "I guess, a new tie would be nice."
"Noted," Ej mumbles, staring at his plate.
"And what did you ask Santa for?" Bella wonders.
I want to shake my head, stop her in some way, but there's no way I have time to. The words are already falling out of his mouth before I can even manage to react.
"A new mom. And some snow. I really want some snow to play in."
Bella sits there looking pretty stunned. And when her eyes meet mine, I just shrug. Because there's nothing else I can do.
But she's amazing. She snaps back to reality, rubbing Ej's back. "I'm sure it'll happen soon enough. You're a wonderful little boy and I don't know how anyone could ever not want to be your mom."
Ej smiles broadly at Bella, his eyes lighting up and hugs her hard.
She did so much more than cowardly pretend like she didn't hear his words, like I did.
"Dad, can we play a game now?" Ej asks excitedly as he pushes his chair back.
I sigh and nod.
Bella and I quickly clear the table, moving the dirty dishes to the kitchen, to be dealt with at another time. Because right now is Christmas Eve and we have so much to do.
We sit in front of the fireplace with a game of Operation, the Iron Man version, not exactly the most Christmas like game there ever was, but Ej loves it. So it's good.
The time passes and we have a great time. Laughs, smiles and light-hearted times unfold in front of us as we go from Operation to Candy Land and then finally to Battleship.
It's really a nice night.
"We're all tied," Ej says through a yawn.
"Yep, we did awesome," Bella murmurs.
"I think it's time for some movies," I say, winking at Bella. Ej is ready to pass out. I'm sure of it and fifteen minutes of a movie should send him off to sleep.
"Sounds good," Bella returns. "I'm just gonna go grab my phone."
I nod as she heads for her coat. I, on the other hand, head for the pile of movies and start digging for something good to watch.
"Oh wow." I hear Bella say from the front of the house.
I cock my head to the side, but stop myself from going to see what's wrong. Bella might've gotten a text or something and I'm going to ignore it. There's no need to be nosy.
"Oh no," she says again, this time sounding defeated.
"What's the matter?" I wonder from the living room. I can't help it. I care about her. I've always cared about her, even before any of my other emotions developed.
That's when I look at the window and see it.