My Christmas present to you guys! An ultra-long set of drabbles, for each of the Cullens and Swans. (They do actually relate to one another, thanks.) I'm posting an update on a load of stories today, and have written new one-shots. They'll be posted today, in a sort of Christmas post-a-thon.

Merry Christmas, guys. Hope you have a good one!

Becky x

Date: 25th December

Characters: All

Stimulus Word: Christmas

Bella.

As I chop the vegetables and cook the potatoes and meat, my mind is on other things. I stare out of the window, my fingers seeming to move of their own accord. I see a bird, high above, and it makes me wistful. What I would not give to be able to fly like a bird; to fly, high above everything, away from my troubles… I'd never have to come back here, back here where it hurts so much.

As I look away, my eyes catches on the bird that I have just finished stuffing. Dead, motionless, utterly devoid of meaning. The flightless bird.

"You're swimming now, but Swans were meant to fly…"

Sometimes, I hate him.

Edward

I watch her.

I sit in the tree, utterly still, and watch her. I have to hold on tightly to stop myself from flying back to her. I watch as her gaze soars with the birds that fly across the grey sky, and then flickers to something unseen.

Her gaze is pained as it moves from the window, and my dead heart breaks.

That was me. I did that. But I'm only going to make it worse—for both of us—if I re-enter her life.

But I can watch from the sidelines, and I do. I whisper words to her sleeping form through her upper window as, hours later, she dreams.

"Merry Christmas, love…"

Sometimes, I hate myself.

Esme

Edward never did show. We opened presents and laughed and sang cheesy songs as Rosalie played the piano… but it was an elaborate façade, really. There was no real meaning to it.

If I was still human, I'd have been crying. As it was, I had no choice but to smile and go along with it.

Sometimes, I hate my son.

Alice

I saw Edward going back. I was so happy, I truly was… I thought he'd finally come to his senses. But I should never have gotten my hopes up, because it only hurts more, now that I know the truth. I should have Seen that he wasn't going back to her, just going back to spy on her. But I was too naïve, too trusting. As always. I'm with Jasper now too, because the emotions downstairs are too much for him. Edward has ruined Christmas for all of us.

Sometimes, I hate him.

Rosalie

Edward is making everyone unhappy, and he's not even here. In this elaborate act that we put on, he is the key. He is the reason that we do not often fight; the peace-maker. We haven't fought now, but that's only because the whole family is so subdued. I'd rather we fought, because we were excited and lively than… than this. It's like a parody, but it's not funny. Not in the least bit funny.

I miss Edward.

I'd never tell him that, but he knows. Of course. It's hard to keep secrets from him. That's why I made no secret of the fact that I envied Bella, because he would know. And that's part of the reason he left. He thought that the envy was tearing apart the family, too.

Sometimes, I hate Edward.

Carlisle

I have to stay home today, but my mind keeps drifting back to my work.

We sit in the large, open living area. I hold Esme as she tries to stop herself from breaking down into tearless sobs. Alice is with Jasper, and even Rose and Emmett are subdued. This is his doing. My son is the one who has brought all of this bad feeling, this despair, down upon my family.

Sometimes, I hate Edward.

Jasper

The emotions are so tense, everywhere I turn. I had to leave the room because of them. It's a bit better up here, like the emotions are diluted, but it's not much better.

Hatred would be the main one I can detect. Ruefulness and sorrow and boredom would be the next few. But the sheer amount of hatred currently projected at Edward is stunning.

Mostly because it's so universal; everyone feels the same.

I'm ashamed to say that I agree with them.

Sometimes, I hate him.

Emmett

I'm so bored. There's nothing here without Edward. Really, I can't be bothered with this. There's no-one to annoy, or laugh at. Edward was that person. But now he's gone, the spoil-sport.

Carlisle won't even let me go hunting, because apparently we should, "All be together at Christmas."

So much for that.

Sometimes, I hate Edward.

Charlie

Bella serves up the food, but she still looks the same. Lifeless. I choke every time I see her listless expression. I'm considering phoning Renee, actually… she knows Bella better than I do. She's better qualified to look after her.

I can't help but blame the one who made her like this in the first place.

I always hated Edward Cullen.