Author Notes: Here's another chapter. I know I don't concentrate on Bella and Edward's relationship a lot but I really, really like how I'm doing it and that's all that matters. Also I'm sick so most of this chapter was written while I was falling asleep several times. I probably won't update until I'm better. It's very hard for me to concentrate so enjoy this chapter :D

Chapter Twenty-five

Snow hit the back of Bella's head and she turned around and saw Emmett there grinning. It was Christmas and several inches of fresh snow had fallen through the night. Carlisle was stuck at home until the roads cleared so he could go to work for a few hours then come home for dinner now that Bella was old enough to stay home alone, the vampires could hunt as a family.

Bella chased after Emmett and tried to hit him but he used his vampire speed and abilities to move out of the way just in time for a snowball to hit Edward in the face as he came out of the house. Bella gasped and covered her mouth as Emmett howled with laughter at his shock face.

"Oh my god, Edward!" Bella exclaimed. "I'm sorry! That was meant for Emmett!" Edward glared at his brother and chased after him as Emmett laughed. Bella watched and shrugged then went in for some hot chocolate. She removed the wet clothing and went to the kitchen to see Carlisle and Esme getting too close and comfy for being in the kitchen and didn't notice her. She grinned.

"Mom! Daddy!" She said as if shocked. They jumped and turned around, looking as if they got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and if they could blush, they would be red.

"Can we help you, honey?" Esme said straightening up her clothes and hair.

"No. I just came in for hot chocolate." she went to make some chocolatey goodness, "And to start dinner. Daddy, the roads are clear now." Just then Carlisle's pager went off and he glanced down at it and frowned.

"Excuse me, my darlings." He said and went to his office. After several moments he came back to the kitchen donned in his Scooby-Doo scrubs and wearing a long sleeve shirt underneath the short sleeved shirt. "They're shorthanded in pediatrics. Some of the doctors came down with the flu. I'll be back tonight." He kissed Esme tenderly.

"You should take Edward with you." Esme said thoughtfully. "That way I can finish up the surprise." Carlisle grinned. They had been working on a surprise for their son, keeping it a secret by thinking of other things and telling Alice not to spill the beans or she'll have her credit cards taken away for a month.

"Great idea, love." He said and went outside. "Edward?" He called and his son jumped down in front of him from the roof. Carlisle didn't even blink. "The hospital is short handed, I was wondering if you wanted to help me." Edward glanced at his attire.

"Pediatrics?" He asked. Carlisle nodded as Edward got smacked in the head with a snowball hard and actually stumbled a bit. Carlisle caught him and glared at Emmett, but this time it was Jasper and Emmett was handing over a hundred dollar bill. "I'll come." He said and went inside to get ready.

"Boys!" Carlisle started scolding his sons and they look sheepish. He went over and held out his hand to Jasper. Making bets on hurting other family members is strictly forbidden and if caught the money they bet with is taken away. Jasper groaned.

"And I was gonna buy Alice that new purse she's been wanting with it." He lied smoothly as he handed it over.

Carlisle gave him an exasperated look. "I know for a fact, you already got that purse." He said and Jasper hung his head. "Go to your room Jasper." Jasper started walking towards the house when Carlisle spun around and swatted him hard on his bottom, causing him to jump and cover his butt with his hands.

Jasper turned around shocked, "What was that for?!" He asked.

"For lying," Carlisle simply said. "Now go." This time Jasper ran. Emmett looked as if he was going to run and had his hands protecting his bottom. Spankings were rare in the Cullen household. The last time he got one was shortly before Bella joined the family. "Emmett… just go inside." Carlisle sighed and followed his son inside. "Oh and Emmett? No video games for the rest of the day." Emmett groaned and plopped down on the couch next to Rosalie who was looking at a fashion and beauty magazine.

"I guess I'll have to make my own entertainment." he said and kissed Rosalie on the side of her neck, nibbling. Rosalie squirmed and whacked him in the head with the magazine.

"Aw…" He pouted and folded his arms, then got up and went to his room to pout. Rosalie went back to her magazine, but felt bad and chased after Emmett.

Bella felt cold arms wrapped around her as she cut the carrots up for her own little Christmas dinner. She looked up and saw Edward. "Hey." She said as she continued to chop the carrots up.

"Bella, Carlisle wants me to go with him into work for a few hours." Edward said. "Want to come?"

"I'm working on my din-" she sliced her finger just then. "Ow!" She looked at her finger and saw that she had cut it pretty deep, probably would need stitches. Edward grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her finger as he took her to Carlisle's office. He sat her down and dug around in Carlisle's medical bag and finally came back with stuff to clean and stitch her finger up. Edward worked as flawlessly as his father as Carlisle watched.

Edward bandaged the finger up lightly and kissed it. "All better." He said, and Bella blushed. "Let's leave the cooking to Esme and you can have fun with us at the hospital." Carlisle could tell she really didn't want to come, but she didn't want to leave Edward on Christmas. Ever since becoming close, boyfriend/girlfriend close, they never wanted to be apart for more than what was necessary.

"Well…" She said thinking it over.

"We probably won't be gone long, just until the night shift starts." Edward said. "We'll be back in time for dinner and open presents."

"Aw, alright!" Bella caved and Edward cheered in victory. Carlisle just laughed at his children. Bella doned on her shoes and coat while Esme cleaned up the mess and promised that dinner would be ready for her when she returned.

"Dr. Cullen!" Someone said urgently the moment Carlisle stepped into the pediatric floor. "Oh, good! Your son is here. We have a mild emergency." Carlisle looked at the young nurse.

"What's the emergency and why is it a good thing Edward is here?" He asked and Edward tried not to look mortified.

"The Santa that was supposed to be here flaked out, we need a replacement." her eyes drifted over to Edward and he shook his head frantically.

Somehow, and he wasn't sure how, he was conned into playing a hospital Santa and Bella was laughing at him and his costume. He was quite displeased, but the look on the children's faces made it much better for him to bear it. Bella took many pictures with a camera a nurse lent her.

"You know, Edward, I just thought of something." He turned to her and she leaned closer, "These pictures would make great Christmas cards next year. Just think what the Volturi might think." She laughed and he groaned. He didn't want the Volturi to see him dressed as Santa.

Soon the presents were all passed out and Edward changed into his normal clothing. He escaped to Carlisle's Office with Bella and pulled her down on the couch with him and held her close, kissing her softly.

"Bella?" He murmured softly. Bella looked at him and ran a hand down his cold face.

"Yes, Edward?"

"Marry me?" Edward asked and Bella sat up staring at him, not sure how to react to the question.

To Be Continued…

End notes: A marriage proposal! What will Bella say?! Looks like you'll just have to wait! And why yes, Carlisle did swat Jasper's bum for lying!