Thanks to my pre-reader Bridgette and beta Jen for their advice, suggestions, and cleaning up my mistakes! See AN below.
*I don't own them
You're All I Want for Christmas
BPOV
I kissed the screen of my laptop before jumping around and screaming in joy.
I finished!
I had written my first novel.
I squealed and ran to find Edward. Looking out the front windows, I found my beautiful man shoveling a path through the snow from our front door to the driveway. I threw on some shoes and shuffled outside.
"Edward!"
His bright green eyes looked up at me with worry. He tossed the shovel and jogged to me.
"What's wrong, baby? What happened?" he asked, his hands moving immediately to my belly. I grabbed his face and kissed his freezing lips.
"Nothing's wrong, I finished!" I couldn't keep the grin off my face. I watched his expression transform from worry to relief to excitement before his arms came around me in an embrace.
"That's great, Bella. I'm so happy for you," he said, picking me up and swinging me around. I giggled when he kissed me all over my face. "Let's go celebrate. What do you want to do? Anything you want."
"I want chocolate peanut butter ice cream," I told him. He shook his head and chuckled.
"It's twenty degrees and you want ice cream?"
I nodded in excitement before kissing him deeply. He moaned when my tongue met his, making my stomach flutter. I hoped I would still get the same feeling in thirty years. I wasn't sure how long we stood out in the snow kissing, but Edward finally broke it off when he realized my state of dress.
"Bella! You don't have a coat on," he said, hitching me up and carrying me inside. He immediately took me to the couch and threw a blanket over me.
"You kept me quite warm," I told him.
He paid no attention to my words, but started rubbing my arms through the blanket. I chuckled when he knelt down on the floor and started rubbing my legs.
"I'm going to make you a cup of tea," he said, jumping up and darting for the kitchen.
I huffed and pouted. I would much rather have had his hands on me than a damn cup of tea.
Stupid, worrying, beautiful man.
My annoyance faded as I sat there warming up. The room provided the perfect spot to reflect on my happiness. I stared at the huge Christmas tree standing tall in front of the window. Edward and I had spent the day following Thanksgiving shopping and that evening decorating. I smiled, looking at the ornament he had surprised me with and remembering our moment together.
The carols rang out from the stereo, putting us in the decorating spirit. It had taken Emmett and Edward working together to get the fresh tree inside and properly placed. We had just finished stringing the lights, when Edward jumped off the step ladder. He hugged me to him, giving me an electric kiss which left me breathless.
"I need to go grab something, I'll be right back," he said. He scampered off, and I wondered what he had done that had him so excited. I began opening the boxes of ornaments we had bought earlier that day.
Soon after, he walked back in carrying something behind his back. His eyes glittered and his grin widened as he bounced toward me.
"I have a surprise for you," he teased, taking my hand and leading me to sit on the couch. He sat down next to me, placing a blue box wrapped with a white ribbon on my lap.
Tiffany's.
It was easy to recognize where the box came from, and I bit my lip in anticipation. He knew I didn't like him spending exorbitant amounts of money on me, so I assumed whatever was inside had more sentimental meaning. I looked at his face and smiled at his exuberance.
I slowly untied the bow and placed it on the coffee table. When I lifted the lid and tissue paper, I grinned seeing the gorgeous silver ornament nestled inside. I picked it up; handling it with the tenderness I would fragile china.
It was a traditional globe shape, but had intricate engravings of snowflakes bordering the top and bottom. I looked closer, observing the writing he had imprinted around the middle.
Bella and Edward Cullen
Christmas, 2011
So long as I can breathe or I can see, so long lives your love which gives life to me.
"Shakespeare," I said, running my fingers over the quote. "Thank you, Edward. It's so beautiful."
"I thought this could be another tradition. A new ornament each year," he told me, sounding a bit nervous…as if he thought I wouldn't like it?
Silly man.
"I love it."
I proceeded to set the ornament aside so I could straddle his lap and show him just how much I loved it. It took us awhile to get back to decorating that night.
"Here you go, baby," Edward broke into my flush-inducing memory, carrying a steaming cup of tea.
I took a sip and smiled up at him. He sat down and pulled my feet up on his lap, gently rubbing them. My head fell back on the cushion as I enjoyed his touches.
"So, are you going to let me read it?" he asked. My eyes opened and I caught his crooked grin. I fiddled with my teacup and looked down.
Why was I so nervous about him reading it?
Probably because you fashioned the lead character around him and you would be vulnerably bearing your soul.
Inner good girl was making some sense.
He bares his soul to you all the time. Put on your big-girl panties and let him in.
Inner bad girl had a point, too.
Edward tickled my feet and I kicked him playfully. His hands stopped moving, resting on top of my ankles. I looked up to find his intent stare honed on my face.
"You don't have to let me if you don't want to," he said. Even though he was trying to ease my nerves, the underlying hurt in his voice was evident. I reached for one of his hands, intertwining our fingers.
"It's not that I don't want you to read it. I'm just scared you'll think it's silly or stupid," I told him. He shook his head and furrowed his brows.
"I would never find anything you poured yourself into silly or stupid," he claimed. I wished I was as sure as he was.
"Alright, I'll let you read it," I said, biting my lip. "But, I can't be around when you do," I added.
He grinned and leaned forward to kiss me.
"I love you, Bella," he said, melting my heart.
"Then take me for ice cream," I teased, making him laugh.
"Your wish is my command."
He made good on that promise. I got my double scoop of chocolate peanut butter while Edward sipped on his hot cocoa. I didn't miss the knowing glances exchanged between him and the elderly dessert shop owner. Evidently pregnant women and harried fathers-to-be were not rare customers for him in the middle of winter.
A few days later, I was putting together snacks for the boys. Alice, Rose and I were going shopping and Edward invited Emmett and Jasper over to keep him company and watch sports. He needed some guy time, probably to whine a little about me. We had been back to Marcus Volturi's office the day before to give my testimony. It wasn't the most pleasant experience for either of us, and Edward was still attempting to wheedle me into not going to Washington.
He didn't do it explicitly, but I knew he was unhappy.
It was nice to get away with the girls for the day. As soon as Rose pulled in the driveway, I rushed out the door to get in the car. I was happy Edward had put all the salt on the sidewalk because I was just an accident waiting to happen. He caught me halfway to the car, wrapping me up in his arms and kissing my neck.
"You weren't going to say goodbye?" he asked.
"Edward, we just spent five minutes saying goodbye inside," I said, laughing at him.
"No, that was five minutes of you giving me instructions on food preparation. I told you we could just get stuff delivered," he told me with a pout.
"There's no reason some poor delivery kid needs to come out here when we have plenty of food already in the house," I pointed out.
He growled and dipped me back. I moaned when his mouth crushed down on mine.
"I love it when you're feisty," he grumbled, kissing me again.
Eventually, after a couple of horn beeps from Rose, I untangled myself from Edward's arms and got in the car. I needed a lot of assistance from my girls that day. I hadn't yet figured out what to get Edward for Christmas and was desperately seeking advice, especially since I only had one week left.
"Hey, Rose," I greeted as I got in the passenger side.
"Good morning, Preggo," she teased. I put a hand over my belly and grinned. It was hard to believe I was close to six months along. "We're picking up Alice next, right?"
I laughed and nodded. Rose was going to be carting both of us around all day.
"I need help," I said, getting down to business as we pulled out on the street. "I absolutely have to get a present or presents for Edward today. I can't procrastinate anymore. I know that man has done something outrageous for me already and I don't have anything for him yet."
"We will find something," Rose assured. "Have you been snooping? Do you know what he's getting you?"
I shook my head.
"No, he's being very sneaky. I've searched high and low and haven't found anything. But, I know him and his hints." I gave a frustrated sigh. "He is so exasperatingly romantic; it's hard to compete with that." Rose just laughed.
"That was a hell of a birthday present he gave you," she agreed. I couldn't help biting my lip and squirming in my seat thinking of what he had done for my birthday.
"Exactly," I said.
"Don't worry, B. We'll figure out something. You know Alice is a brilliant schemer." Rose snorted and looked back over at me. "Actually, I would wager that if you stuck a little bow on your hoohah and told him Merry Christmas while naked, Edward would be the happiest man in Chicago."
That kept me laughing all the way to Alice's house. Rose was probably right.
EPOV
"So what did you get Bella?" Jasper asked me.
He, Emmett, and I were eating wings and watching college basketball while the girls were out shopping. I had laughed at Bella that morning for being stressed out from not having all her gifts bought a week before Christmas.
Hadn't I told her a hundred times all I wanted for Christmas was her?
Having said that, I was happy all my shopping was done, wrapped, and ready to go.
"I'm not telling you," I said, taking another bite of chicken.
"Why?"
"Because, you have a big mouth. You'll tell Alice, who will then tell Bella," I told him.
"I do not have a big mouth." He was starting to whine.
"Yes, you do," Emmett and I said at the same time. Jasper pointed a wing at Emmett.
"Dude, you're the one with a big mouth. Not me. Besides, I need to get info out of this asshole," he said, pointing the wing my way. "My birthday gift to Alice apparently was not as romantic as this assclown's was for Bella."
"You got her a new sound system for her car, you moron," Emmett said, shaking his head.
"She said she wanted one," Jasper pointed out with a frown.
"Yeah, so get her one…but not on her birthday! She wants flowers and poems on her birthday," I said, before wiping my sticky fingers and face with a wet towel.
Both Jasper and Emmett gave me strange looks.
"You need to turn in your man card," Jasper muttered. Emmett nodded in agreement and shrugged at me.
"You are pretty sensitive," Emmett added. I narrowed my eyes at both of them.
"If that means still getting sex…" I broke off, seeing Emmett's glare "…I mean thanked everyday months later, then yeah…I'm sensitive. You can keep my man card. I'll take Bella's…appreciation," I said, deciding to alter my words and not get punched in the face.
"Fine, Mr. Romance. Give me a hint what you are giving her for Christmas," Jasper asked again, breaking me out of my thoughts about Bella's appreciation earlier that morning.
I was about to tell him to go google romance for idiots when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
"Hello?" I asked, not recognizing the number.
"Is this Edward Cullen?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"Officer Nick Halcomb, Chicago P.D. Mr. Cullen, your wife's been in an accident."
All the blood drained from my body and the sound of my heartbeat roared in my ears. It was as if I were momentarily frozen or paralyzed. Finally, I got the words out.
"What? Where? How is she?" I yelled while standing to look for my keys.
"Mr. Cullen, I need you to relax a little. She's alright, just scared. I need you to talk to her and calm her down. We're working to get her out of the car."
"Where are you? We'll drive while I talk," I said, trying to take deep breaths and not hyperventilate. Jasper and Emmett were both up and at my side. I knew they were as freaked out as I was.
I pushed them out the door while still talking to the officer, and Emmett took charge of the driving while I gave him the address. The officer finally put Bella on the phone. Although I was comforted just from the sound of her voice, her sobs tore at my soul.
"Edward?"
"Baby, are you okay? I'm coming. I'll be there soon."
"Rose and Alice are hurt, I think. They won't tell me anything."
It was difficult to make out her words because she was crying so hard.
"Bella, take a couple deep breaths for me. I need you to calm down."
I glanced back at Jasper's ashen face, and over at Emmett gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. Both of them were trying to call Rose and Alice's cell phones, neither one being answered. I had never been so scared in all my life.
"Are you breathing, Bella? Close your eyes and think about the babies. Take another deep breath."
I kept up my mantra as we sped down the streets. We were only about five minutes away when Bella started talking more coherently.
"They're telling me they are about to cut some part of the car and it's going to be loud. Don't hang up, Edward!" she pleaded.
"I won't, baby. I'm right here. Keep talking to me."
Her voice was drowned out by the screeching sound of metal being cut. My heart was beating out of my chest and I felt caged in the vehicle. I had to get to her.
"Edward? Edward, can you hear me?" she yelled as the background noise softened.
"I hear you. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. They are about to pry this open and get me out. My boots that you hate were caught. I think they saved my feet though," she rambled, obviously still scared and in shock. I would buy her a thousand pairs of those ugly boots if they saved her feet from being crushed.
We were approaching a traffic jam and knew the wreck was near. Emmett pulled over to the side of the road and the three of us were out and running as soon as he stopped.
"We're close, Bella. I'm almost there."
I kept the phone to my ear as I ran, listening to my angel's voice as they finally pulled her out. The medical staff was trying to take the phone from her and she was arguing with them to keep it. That's the scene I found when I reached her.
"Bella!"
She was sitting on a gurney with EMT's surrounding her and looked up when she heard my call. She dropped the phone and burst into more tears when I finally got my arms around her. I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent, oblivious to the surroundings for a moment as my heart began to beat normally again with her in my embrace.
"Sir, we need to assess her injuries."
I didn't want to let her go, but she needed to be treated. She whimpered when I pulled away, but I held her hand and stood close.
"I'm not going anywhere, angel. Let them look you over, alright?"
She nodded, her eyes red-rimmed from her crying. I took a glance around, sighing with relief when I saw Rose sitting in the back of the next ambulance over, Emmett by her side. Jasper suddenly ran up to us.
"Alice has already been taken to the hospital. I'm taking Emmett's truck," he said quickly. I nodded.
"Go! We'll be right behind you. Be careful driving, Jasper," I said, worried about him driving in his state.
He was running toward the truck before I could finish my sentence. I turned back toward Bella, who was answering questions as they evaluated her. It was a relief she didn't seem to have any major injuries. There were a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious.
"Bella, I'd still like you to get looked over at the hospital. I want Emily to do an ultrasound and make sure the babies are alright," I said. She nodded.
"That's fine. They are moving around quite a bit right now," she said, rubbing her hand over her belly. I placed my hand over hers and kissed her lips.
I called Emily first and asked if she could meet us, before calling my parents and telling them what happened. I looked back at Rose's car as they loaded Bella into the ambulance, shivering at the sight. It was hard to believe any of them made it out of there. I swallowed a lump in my throat, wondering about Alice. They still hadn't given us any information as I got in with Bella and we sped off toward the hospital.
Bella was immediately carted into an ER room and further evaluations showed only superfluous injuries. She had calmed down enough to start begging me to go find out more information on Rose and Alice. I was hesitant to leave her side, but also needed to know what was happening.
"I'll be back in just a minute," I told her, kissing her once more before heading toward the door.
I found Emmett and Rose in the next area over. Her head was bandaged up, and I could see the bruises on her face likely from the airbag. She burst into tears when she saw me.
"Edward, I'm so sorry. I didn't see the car in enough time. They hit me from behind before I could even warn Bella and Alice it was coming," she sobbed. Emmett put his arms around her again, trying to calm her down.
"Shhh, it's not your fault," he said to her softly. I walked up and held her hand.
"Rose, Bella is alright. She's a couple doors down," I told her.
"What about Alice? She was the first one they got out of the car," she asked.
"I'm not sure. I'm going to find out information now. I'll let you know, okay?"
She nodded and Emmett's eyes met mine for a second.
"Tell Bella I'll be in to see her soon," he said.
"I will. I'll be back with information as soon as I can," I told them before I took off again.
Just as I entered the hallway, my parents were rushing toward me. Mom was frantic.
"What happened? Where are they?" she asked. Dad's hands rested on her shoulders, trying to keep her from losing it.
"Mom, please calm down. Bella and Rose are already hysterical enough," I said. She took a deep breath and nodded. "I don't know what is happening with Alice yet. Dad, can you help me find out some information?"
"Yes, I'll go find out. Esme, why don't you go in with Bella and I'll be there in a second. I'm going to go find Alice," he said. I took my mom's hand and led her into Bella's room. She rushed to Bella's side, and I felt better knowing someone was there.
"Mom, can you stay here for a minute? I'm going to go with dad. Emily should be here soon to do the ultrasound," I told her. I looked at Bella. "Rose is alright. She got knocked on the head, but she's talking and alert. Emmett wanted me to tell you he would be here to see you in a minute."
"What about Alice?" she asked.
"I'm going to find out now," I told her.
I walked back out, seeing my father at the information desk. He was talking with another doctor when I approached.
"She's in surgery, Edward. Come on, let's go up there and see what's going on," he said.
We got on the elevator and adrenaline started rushing through me again. I prayed with everything in me that she and her baby would be alright. It would kill her if anything happened to her child after what she'd already been through.
When we got off the elevator, I immediately saw Jasper pacing in the waiting area. He looked up and rushed toward us.
"They won't tell me anything. I'm losing my fucking mind," he said. Dad put his hands on Jasper's shoulders and pushed him down into a chair.
"I'm going to go find out what's happening. Stay right here," he said. He looked toward me and I nodded, knowing he wanted me to stay with Jasper.
Dad took off and I sat down. Jasper leaned forward, his head in his hands. I didn't have the words to comfort him. I'd never felt so useless in all my life. I fretted and fidgeted for who knows how long, until finally dad came rushing back toward us. I slapped Jasper's back and we both stood as he approached.
"She's going to be fine," he said. Both Jasper and I let out audible exhales and I felt like a ton had been lifted off my shoulders. "They repaired a broken rib, arm and leg…apparently her left side took the brunt of the impact. But, she's already in recovery."
"What about the baby?" Jasper asked, sounding relieved. Dad smiled and gripped his shoulder.
"The baby's just fine."
Jasper actually let out a sob of relief from my dad's words. He sat back down and rubbed his hands over his face, hiding his tears. I was a hair's breadth away from crying myself. Eventually, he looked back up at dad.
"Can I go see her?" he asked.
"Yes, come on. I'll take you back."
"Tell Alice I'll be up to see her soon, alright? I'm going to go down and let everyone know she's okay," I told them. Jasper just nodded, eager to go see her. I smiled at my dad and turned back toward the elevator.
When I walked back in Bella's room, it was a lot more crowded. Rose and Emmett were both there with my mom. Emily had also arrived and was in the middle of the ultrasound.
"The babies are just fine," Bella said, grinning and reaching her hand out for me. Everyone moved aside to let me through.
"Yes, they are perfect," Emily said, wiping the gel off. "But, I want you to rest completely for the next couple days. They've had enough excitement to last them for awhile."
Bella nodded and I leaned down to nuzzle her face. I would have her wrapped in my arms in bed for the next few days. We thanked Emily for coming and I turned to them all as soon as she left.
"Alice is going to be alright. She's in recovery. They had to fix a broken rib, arm, and leg, but the baby is fine," I told them. Rose burst into tears again and I was surprised to see my mom tear-free as she hugged Rose in comfort. Bella smiled, but I brushed away the few drops that escaped her eyes.
It had been the scariest day I could remember, but at the end of it everyone had come out relatively unscathed. The officer who had initially called me showed up later to check on everyone, letting us know the driver who hit Rose from behind had been under the influence. Rose's car had taken the brunt of the impact and was smashed into the car in front of hers, but there were no other serious injuries. Thankfully, we had all been lucky that day.
Bella and Rose were released that evening, while Alice got to go home two days later. I'd kept Bella on almost complete bed-rest the next few days, catering to her every need. She was going stir crazy before too long, plus she was upset because all the gifts she'd bought on their shopping trip were still in the crushed car. She was pleasantly surprised a couple days later when Rose and Emmett showed up to deliver the gifts which were salvageable.
In the days leading up to Christmas, it was difficult for me to leave Bella's side. I clearly had not gotten over the accident scare, even though she seemed to have no ill effects at all. It was almost as if she'd forgotten it had happened. She did force me away a few times when she had secret conferences with Rose or my mother. She wanted her privacy for wrapping gifts and holiday planning.
Despite everything that had happened, I counted my blessings. Bella, Alice, and Rose were all fine, as well as the babies. Although I was eager to spend Christmas day with all our family, I was happy Bella and I had the night before all to ourselves.
"Baby, this is terrific," I told her, taking another bite of the ham she had made. She'd been in the kitchen all day, making dinner for the two of us and cooking things to take to my parents' house the next day.
"Thanks, I'm glad you like it," she said, smiling over at me. The lights from the candles on the table sparkled in her eyes.
"So, we're opening one present tonight and then the rest tomorrow, right?" I asked. She laughed at my eagerness.
"Yes, I always liked the sneak peak on Christmas Eve," she said. She looked down at her plate for a minute. I was about to ask her what was wrong when she started talking again. "My dad always made Christmas fun for me. This is the time of year I miss him the most."
I put my fork down and reached for her hand. She gave me a small smile.
"He would have loved you," she said. It warmed my heart that she would say that. "He would have been happy that I'm so happy. I only wish he could have seen his grandchildren."
"I think he will," I told her. "I'd like to think he's up there somewhere watching and proud that his kids are settled and starting families of their own."
She seemed pleased from my thoughts about her father as we finished our dinner and straightened up the kitchen. We moved into the living room and I placed another log on the fire. After we'd each chosen one present to give the other, I put on some music. The carols floated around the room, setting the cheerful mood.
"You do like your Christmas music," she commented with a giggle. I sat down beside her on the couch, pulling her close and inhaling the scent of her hair.
"Yes, I do. I admit I'm like a little kid this time of year."
"I like it," she said, snuggling into my side further. She laid her head back against my shoulder. I brushed an errant strand of hair from her face and nuzzled her cheek, humming along with the tune playing on the stereo.
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful…but the fire is so delightful…and since we've no place to go…let it snow, let it snow, let it snow," I sang softly in her ear, enjoying the huge grin on her face.
"I love your voice. Have I ever told you that you can make me tingle all over just from a few words?"
My heart thumped from her confession.
"You have the same effect on me, my angel. Thank you for saying that though. That's the best gift I could ever get," I told her.
"Well, I hope you like this one, too," she said, handing over her wrapped present for me. I gave her a squeeze before releasing her from my embrace.
"Here's your Christmas Eve gift," I said, handing it to her. "Should we open them together?"
"Yes, let's do it at the same time."
We both tore into our presents with vigor. I opened the box and found a bound copy of her novel inside. My hand stroked the pages with care. I knew how much it meant to her to give it to me and how much it meant to me that she was letting me see this part of her. I lifted it out of the box and smiled over at her.
"It's the first copy. It hasn't been edited fully yet, but I wanted you to have it before anyone else. I…ah…wrote a dedication for you," she said nervously.
I flipped it open, turning the first few pages until I found her words to me.
To my husband, my love, my Edward:
I became alive the day I met you, and every day since has brought me more joy than I've ever known. You are my light, my air, my warmth. You hold my heart and my soul in your hands, and I trust you will never let them go. This novel was inspired by you, and although my character could never come close to the real thing, I do hope you find parts of yourself in him.
I love you forever,
Bella
It took me a minute to find words in return. She was hugging the journal I gave her to her body and I wrapped myself around her again.
"Thank you. It's impossible for me to tell you how much that meant to me," I started, rubbing my face against hers. "You're it for me…my world. You're everything."
I wasn't nearly as poetic as her, but she seemed to like what I said anyway. Her lips molded to mine, expressing the feelings between us that could never properly be put down on paper. Our slow kisses continued until I realized I hadn't shown her exactly what her gift was. I pulled away reluctantly and looked down at the journal in her grasp.
"Did you see what this is?" I asked. She looked down at it and opened it up.
"It's a journal for our babies," she said softly, her eyes gleaming as she looked up at me. I nodded.
"Yes, I thought it would be nice to record our memories of them, of us, of our family when they're young so they can read it when they grow up. I've already started," I said, flipping to my entry.
I had written about a memory Bella had told me involving her father, Emmett, and a burnt turkey at Thanksgiving. She laughed as she read it and looked back up at me with tears in her eyes.
"He really will be a part of their lives," she said, smiling at my inclusion of her father.
"Yes, that's what I was going for," I replied. She hugged me again.
"Thank you, Edward. This means a lot." She stayed quiet for a minute; the only sounds in the room were the carols and the fire crackling. "Do you believe in heaven?" she asked.
She was thinking of her father again. The scare of her accident had left my mind reeling in thoughts of our mortality also. I hugged her tighter to me, as if my embrace could ward off anyone or anything that might threaten to take her away.
"I'd like to think there's a heaven. I know that one lifetime with you would never be enough."
Her breath hitched and she turned her head toward mine again. Her fingers brushed over my lips as our eyes locked onto each other.
"That's the sweetest thing you've ever said…and that's saying a lot," she told me, smiling.
Her hands wrapped around my neck and she pressed herself to me. Our sweet and gentle kisses turned into hot tongues and moans when she climbed up on my lap. My hands roamed up and down her back before moving down to squeeze her perfect ass. She had taken to wearing yoga pants daily for comfort and every single curve was on display for my greedy eyes and hands. She moaned even louder into my mouth when I pressed her down on my hard cock.
"Make love to me here, Edward. With the fire and the tree lights," she said against my lips.
I slowed my kisses and placed my forehead to hers. She was so beautiful, her chest heaving slightly, her lips swollen, and her cheeks pink. I grasped her, lifting her off my lap and placing her on the couch next to me. I took my time taking her clothes off, attending every inch of her with light kisses and touches.
I quickly shed my clothes and lay down next to her, so we were facing each other. I had a feeling she wanted intimacy as much as I did that night, although we had to be more creative with her burgeoning belly. My hand slid down her thigh before lifting her leg over my hip. I kissed her deeply while placing my leg between hers and guiding myself into her. She was wet and tight as I slowly entered her.
"That feels so good," she whispered.
"You feel amazing," I told her.
My mouth returned to hers, our tongues dancing in time with our bodies. I gently slid in and out, savoring every moment we were connected. I lost myself in her taste, her smell, her touch.
"I love you," she said, breaking our kiss and panting.
I felt myself getting close and began thrusting more quickly, moving my fingers down to bring her to climax. It only took a couple strokes of my thumb and she clamped down around me, moaning loudly as she came.
"I love you, Bella," I said, my own release following seconds later.
We stayed wrapped up in each other for hours; soft kisses and touches accompanying the twinkling lights and dying fire.
Our first Christmas together was a great time with family and friends, but nothing compared to our private party for two the night before. It was another tradition I wanted to keep.
For as long as we both shall live.
AN: Does a frightening experience make one more apt to be truly thankful for what they have?
Sorry about the delay of this update! Real life, editing, and my other fic got in the way. I will try not to have such a time lag before the next chapter is posted. I had a couple readers ask if I was abandoning this story. This answer is absolutely not. It will complete. There are around four or five chapters left.