A/N: Well… the reviews are coming in pretty steadily now, and I really appreciate it. For that reason, I decided to go ahead and update again. [ = I think I really like this chapter, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Chapter title from my third favorite song. First person to guess the artist gets a sneak at the next chapter.

Fifteen

A Thousand Miles

BELLA

"Merry Christmas, Love," Edward's words were the first I comprehended that morning, and his cool, soft lips on my cheek were the first thing I felt.

"Mmm," I murmured, straining to open my eyes. "Did you say Christmas?"

He chuckled lightly, taking my wrists in his hands and pulling me into a sitting position gently. "Yes, Bella. It's Christmas."

"You sound surprised about something," I noted, wiping her eyes with my index finger and stifling a persistent yawn. "Did I sleep all day yesterday? What time is it?"

"One question at a time is all I can handle," he grinned. "Yes. I was surprised. I didn't know you could sing. And yes, you slept all day, as soon as you were finished with all of your questions. And it's around four o' clock. Sorry for waking you. I couldn't wait any longer."

"Sing?" I asked incredulously, ignoring the other, less meaningful comments. "I can't."

"You're very wrong, Bella," he shook his head back and forth. "You were singing all night!"

"Wha-what are you talking about, Edward? I don't sing. I never have. My voice is rotten!" I protested feebly.

"You sang to me, Bella. In your sleep. It was quite beautiful, actually. Because you're everywhere to me. When I close my eyes it's you I see," he mimicked, playing with the tune I'd apparently used the night before. I knew the song. It was one of my favorites. But that didn't mean I'd been singing in my sleep… did it?

"I… I do know… that song," I admitted. "But I don't think I've ever sang before while I was sleeping… but I wouldn't know if I did. Charlie doesn't check on my in the middle of the night anymore, and he would go into cardiac arrest if Renee tried."

He flinched. "Well… I think you should sing more often," he said, crossing his legs and sitting directly across from me in the messy bed. "Like now, for example."

I laughed out loud. "Do you know how absurd you sound? I tried to sing for my parents when I was a kid. No one's ever asked me to sing. I have, however, received many requests that I never attempt it again."

His face fell at my failed shot at a joke. "That's terrible. How would you know that you're no good if you've never had a real judge? Come on, it's just me. I'll even start with you. I think I know one of your favorite songs."

Since I had known Edward Cullen, I had come to realize that there was no arguing a point with him when he got that determined look in his eyes. He was going to see this through, and I had no doubt about that. "Fine. Just a chorus or two. What song did you have in mind?"

He held up a finger to me and cleared his throat productively before beginning to sing in his sweet, lulling baritone.

Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound

He motioned for me to join him, and I took a deep breath before bursting into my cracked alto nervously.

Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd…

He fell out without warning, but, taking a leap of faith, I carried the rest of the verse a bit more confidently.

And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder....

He stood up abruptly, pulling me up behind me as we began the chorus together.

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight.

Despite my warning earlier about only singing a few sections, we continued flawlessly, dancing around the room, singing so loud that I was surprised no one heard the two of us.

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight.

The bridge into the ending had to be the most difficult, trickiest part. I should have been worried about messing up, getting off track, but spinning around in Edward's arms took all of my attention; I had no time to focus on my hyperactive nerves.

And I, I
Don't want to let you know
I, I
Drown in your memory
I, I
Don't want to let this go
I, I
Don't....

We skipped the entire final chorus, deciding, instead, to sing the ending words, the most meaningful and romantic part of the song.

If I could
Just see you
If I could
Just hold you
Tonight.

He dropped out on the last word, and I held it indefinitely, pulling him into an impromptu kiss without so much as a quick breath. He was grinning from ear to ear now. "I told you your voice was exquisite."

"Well, I don't know if I agree with that, but I do believe that singing with you has been the most enjoyable experience of my entire life," I nodded. He kissed my forehead.

"Same here. You're very feisty when you want to be, Bella Swan."

I smiled at the offhanded compliment. No one had ever referred to me as feisty before, and it meant that much more coming from the love of my life.

"Now it's time for Christmas presents," he insisted, grabbing my hand.

"No," I said automatically, withdrawing my hand. "I… you shouldn't have gotten me anything."

"Come on, Bella! I couldn't help myself!" he argued. I shook my head fervently.

"But I…" I scrambled for an acceptable excuse. "I didn't get you anything!"

"And I couldn't care less," he smiled, dragging me out of the bedroom. "Come on, love, it would be rude not to accept my gift. I've already bought it."

I rolled my eyes and followed him down the winding staircase, my soft heels padding softly against the carpeted floor. As soon as I saw the rest of the Cullens, I immediately felt out of place. There was the short, pixie-like girl that Edward had called Alice, her curly-haired mate Jasper, the tall, blonde beauty, whom I knew to be Rosalie, her short-haired, muscular mate (whom I had already become acquainted with, of course), and the "foster parents" Esme and Carlisle.

"I thought Emmett said that he and Rosalie were separated," I whispered sedately into Edward's ear. All eyes were on me now as we descended down the staircase, hands adjoined.

"That's just our cover story for the Volturi. We wouldn't want them coming after her. Especially not now, when she's so vulnerable. Emmett's a bit too protective when it comes to her…" he paused, glancing at me. "but I can't say I blame him." I wanted to know why a strong, independent vampire such as Rosalie was suddenly vulnerable, but I didn't press the issue. I'd ask him later.

I shook hands with the vampires I did not know, and hugged the ones that I did. They all whispered a chaste "Merry Christmas, Bella!" to me, and my improper attire went seemingly unnoticed.

"Okay, everyone, have a seat around the tree," Esme ordered expertly, taking her seat next to Carlisle on the soft, white couch. Edward sat in an arm chair and patted his lap. I curled into him discreetly. Emmett and Rosalie seated themselves across the room from us in a double-seated love chair. Alice and Jasper, the bubblier of the two couples, sat on the couch opposite us.

"You're going to love what I got you, Bella. I promise."

Somehow I doubted that was a promise he could keep.

A/N: Okay, so the first song in this chapter was Everywhere by Michelle Branch (the one that Bella sang in her sleep.) The one Bella and Edward sang together is, obviously, called a Thousand Miles, but you have to guess who the artist is. First one to get in right gets a peek at the next chapter first! I also wanted to tell you that real people sing in their sleep. I actually got this from a real instance. I sang this song in my sleep last night, and my little sister woke me up and told me that she couldn't sleep. lol. REVIEW!!

C.J.