a/n Please note that all WitFit entries are unedited. No beta. I don't own Twilight.

***This takes place a year after chapter 6, Reluctant.

Word Prompt: Cordial

Audio-Visual Challenge—Imagined Image: Link on my profile.

I watched the falling snow powder the front yard from the living room window. It shimmered slightly from the Christmas lights lining the eaves. The egg nog I was sipping was giving me a buzz and making everything beautiful and aching. My other hand clutched my cell that I was determined to return to my purse upstairs and ignore the steady texts coming through. I let the egg nog and Sinatra's Christmas Waltz lull me further into my melancholy.

This was the first holiday I ever spent away from my parents and the Cullens and while there was a hint of regret to be away from my family, I couldn't ignore the sense of relief I also felt. I may have only needed more space from one person but he coated every inch of my life back home. The only thing he touched in New York was my mind. It was painful our friendship had reduced to an occasional email or phone call but it was necessary for me. He was upset I wasn't coming home for Christmas and my mom told me Emmett broke the news to him. I knew it was a chicken shit move for me to not tell him myself but I wasn't ready for the guilt trip he'd surely give me. I'd explain myself later. Probably in an email. In the new year.

Maybe.

Angela was cleaning up the dining room with her mom and aunts. I offered to help but they wouldn't have it. Her family welcomed me into their home and did their best to include me in their traditions. Angela was always so stylish that I never figured she'd come from a lineage of ugly Christmas sweater wearers. She had five she rotated through the years and since I refused to purchase one, she gladly lent me one of hers to wear. The three-dimensional, stuffed Rudolph sweater wasn't too bad over my black leggings and boots but it was still comically awful. I'd never known anyone to actually participate in the seasonal party uniform.

A little body flurried through the room and tackled my legs. It surprised me and my cell dropped as I reached for Angela's niece, Kate, steadying myself from her impact. It was either the phone or my egg nog and there was no way I was letting go of that comforting, holiday elixir.

"Katie, you need to be careful," Angela said, walking into the room in her nutcracker-ballerina sweater. "You almost knocked B down. She's not too steady on her feet."

She held back a full on smirk but I knew she was probably keeping track of how much egg nog I ladled through the night.

"Sorry B," Kate pouted. "I just wanted to tell you we have the pies out. I helped make one."

I knelt down to meet her hazel eyes. "You did? Well that's the one I want."

Her smile threatened to split her face from pride.

"We got to run to the store, baby girl, but you'll save us a slice," Angela asked, ruffling her hair.

"Okay," she sang and disappearing as quickly as she came.

I moved to pick up my cell but Angela scooped it up quicker.

"No way. What is this doing down here?"

"Nothing. It's doing nothing. I haven't done anything."

She looked at me suspiciously and glanced at my cell as it lit up.

"What does it say," I asked meekly.

"Nuh-uh. You can wish him Merry Christmas tomorrow. You'll only get weepy if you start now." She turned to walk upstairs but I couldn't resist.

"Ang, please." She turned to look at me and I saw the friendly pity there but I didn't care. "What does it say?"

She weighed telling me or not but sighed her resignation. "The same thing he's been saying. He misses you and wants to talk to you. Happy?"

I tightened my mouth to keep it from trembling and shook my head.

"I know. You're killing me, B. I'm hiding this upstairs and you're not getting it back until morning."

I didn't trust my voice so I just nodded and sipped my egg nog. I heard her telling a passing relative that pie was in the kitchen before she ran up the wooden stairs. The house was full of laughter and music, love and warmth, but the loneliness still lingered. I could imagine how depressing I would have been alone in my apartment. Alice had left for her family home in Oregon a couple of weeks ago and Angela crashed with me practically every night until we came to her aunt's in Chatham two days ago. She was babysitting me and I loved her for it.

"Okay, nog lushy," Angela said, bouncing down the stairs. "We need to go to the store before they close. The guys need more beer and clearly we need more Makers so my mom can whip up another batch of egg nog for you."

I met her in the foyer where our coats were hanging. "Is no one else drinking it?"

"They are but you're the biggest fan in the house." She took my cup, placing it on the entryway table and held out my coat. "No worries. My mom's thrilled you love it."

"It reminds me of Esme's, Edwa-"

"Ah ah ah," she stopped me. "What did you tell me the rule was during the holiday?"

"Voldemort," I grumbled, slipping on my jacket.

"Right. Voldemort. Now, zip the lips. Zip the coat. Let's go."

I threw my arms around her neck, pulling her roughly into a tight hug. "I love you, Ang."

"Okay, B," she laughed and hugged me back. "We're going to get you some more nog. No need to seduce me."

She linked my arm when I was ready to brave the cold and we dashed to her father's car. She made sure I was in safely before running around to the other side. I may not have been celebrating with the family and loved ones who owned my heart but it wasn't just the egg nog determined to warm my soul this holiday.