End of Chapter 25
"Merry Christmas, Bella," he said stepping aside, and gesturing behind him. My eyes flew open, at what I saw.
"Mom!" I cried out.
Chapter 26: I'll Be Home For Christmas (EPOV)
I was at home playing video games with Emmett when Renee and Phil arrived around dinner time. Esme and Carlisle answered the door, and Esme and Renee greeted each other like old friends. They had been on the phone for the last two weeks plotting this. Charlie, apparently, had called Renee before a couple weeks before going into the hospital asking if she might make the trip to Forks for Christmas. He knew Bella wouldn't leave as long as he was 'incarcerated', as he put it, and he wanted Bella to have one of her parents with her for Christmas. Renee eagerly agreed, and when Charlie had told my parents about what was going on, Esme immediately got on the phone with Renee, and insisted that they stay with us. They all plotted for it to be a surprise, figuring Bella could use a burst of happy after all she had been going through. I couldn't have agreed more.
So, for the last two weeks, they had everything planned out. We knew Bella planned on spending all day at the hospital, so we used that time to move all of her things from the guest room into Alice's room. Alice was excited to have Bella sharing her room with her on Christmas Eve. When we were younger, and dad was just a resident, we had a small house in Chicago in which Emmett and I had to share a room. Most of the time Alice was happy to have a room of her own, but she said she was often jealous on nights like Christmas Eve, when we could stay up all night talking to each other about what we thought Santa was bringing us.
Alice bounded into the room at that moment, and Emmett and I joined her, so we could be introduced to the Dwyers.
"So, this is Edward," Renee said smiling. "There is no mystery behind my daughters affections now. If you are half as smart and charming as you are handsome, I just might have to take you home, myself."
I blushed furiously while Emmett and Phil laughed; Emmett at my expense, and Phil in an amused yet exasperated way at his wife.
"I'm so happy you made the trip, Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer," I said as Renee hugged me and Phil shook my hand.
"Please, call us Renee and Phil," she waved me off, and then pointed at my siblings. "That goes for you guys, too."
"I hope you guys are hungry," Esme said then, "because I have made a ton of food. I've even managed to keep the boys out of the dessert."
"There's dessert hiding somewhere?" Emmett perked up looking towards the kitchen.
"None for you, if you don't go out and help bring in their bags," Esme said pointing her finger at Emmett and I. Phil motioned us towards the door, and we followed. "Alice, dear, why don't you show Renee to their room, so she can freshen up a bit before dinner. You have another 30 minutes before everything will be ready, so take your time."
Emmett and I helped Phil get their bags from the car. Phil kept us chatting the whole time about their trip, and how beautiful Montana was, and the bear he saw from the cabin they stayed over in. We carried their stuff up to their room, and I headed over to my room to burn a final copy of Bella's gift, and wrap it. I had just finished, when I heard Esme calling us all for dinner.
Esme believed in doing it up for holidays. She brought out her finest table cloth, china, and silver. There were candles and a centerpiece of poinsettias and pine. It smelled like Christmas. The stereo pumping out Christmas carols filled my ears with Christmas. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. All that was missing was Bella. My smile faltered for a moment, until I felt someone pat me reassuringly on the arm.
"She'll be here soon enough," Renee said taking my arm and smiling at me. "I wish she was already here, too."
Esme put out a beautiful spread of turkey with all the fixings, mashed potatoes, her silky smooth gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, homemade rolls, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. We all stuffed ourselves and chatted. Renee encouraged us all to retell our favorite Christmas memories. Emmett relived the year that he and I got new bikes. Carlisle had gone out and shoved the sidewalk of half our block, so we could go out and ride them in full snowsuits. Alice talked about the year she received her first sewing machine, which led Emmett and I to tease her about her earliest creations. She took our teasing in stride, and went on to explain to Renee the true disaster that they were. Apparently, Renee was a sewer, too.
Esme was next, and told us what Christmases were like when she was little. How her parents would have grand parties on Christmas Eve. She was given a new fancy dress every year, and was permitted to go with her mother to the hairdresser that day. She was allowed to come to dinner, but was made to go to bed after. Esme explained how she would sneak out of her room, and lean against the banister looking down at all the adults laughing and listening to the Christmas music. Her dad would always know she was there, though, but would just wink up at her when he passed through the foyer.
Carlisle's dad, who was also a doctor, would always work Christmas Eve, so he could have Christmas day off. He said that they would all stay up and wait for him, and once he was changed into his Christmas pajamas (apparently they all had them), the family would curl up on the couch and exchange a single gift, before settling in to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" and eat Christmas cookies that he, his mom, and siblings spent the day making.
Phil grew up without a lot of money, so he said Christmas was one of the few times a year they would get new things. He said one of his favorite memories was a year or two after he first got signed, he hit a real streak, and stayed up in the majors for almost the whole season. He had received a bonus when the team made it to the playoffs, and he saved it, and spoiled his parents and family rotten that Christmas. He had purchased a cruise for his parents, and a trip to Disney World for his sisters and their families.
Renee was next, and I listened raptly as she spoke of her Christmases as a child, but was waiting to hear about what Bella's Christmases were like. When I realized that she was done telling her tale without doing so, I asked.
"What about when Bella was a little girl? What did you guys do?" I asked.
"Well, SHE went to Charlie's," she said with a slightly pained smile. "I got Thanksgiving, and Charlie got Christmas."
"I'm sorry," I said lowering my head embarrassed for bringing up the awkward situation.
"No worries," she said patting my hand. "I got her 80% of the year. It is only fair that I shared from time to time, and Charlie is a fool for Christmas!"
My siblings and I cleared the table while Esme got dessert ready. She and Alice had made an assortment of cookies, cakes, and mini tarts. Emmett and I eyed the silver tray greedily, until we were shot down with an evil eye from Esme. She let the Dwyers select their desserts first, followed by Carlisle and Alice. She took a couple for herself, and then relinquished the tray to my brother and I. Alice ran to the kitchen and came back with a pot of coffee.
After dinner, my parents, Alice, and the Dwyers moved into the living room, while Emmett and I were sent to the kitchen to do dishes. This was our job every year. We didn't mind it though, because we would put on a Christmas movie, and watch as we washed. I was anxious to be done before Bella got here, and Emmett sensed my urgency, and complied without giving me a hard time about it. Emmett was as big of a kid as I was about Christmas, and having Renee and Phil here to surprise Bella was the grand daddy of Christmas surprises.
We finished up at about eight o'clock, and I groaned at the fact that there was still another half an hour until Bella would be here. My mother sensed my anxiety, and encouraged me towards the piano to play some Christmas songs for the crowd.
"Nothing wrong with showing off a bit in front of the girlfriend's mother," she whispered and winked at me. I laughed and took my seat, and waited for everyone to find a seat, and began. I played "The Christmas Song", "Gleensleeves", "O Tannenbaum", and "What Child Is This". I was just playing through "Christmas Time Is Here" when I heard the sound of Bella's truck tires on the driveway. My hands immediately came to a stop, and I leapt off the bench and ran towards the front door.
"Edward, don't pounce on the girl!" Carlisle yelled out, and everyone laughed. I stood at the front door, and listened to the sound of her walking up the steps of the porch, and up to the door. I knew she was right outside, so I pulled the door wide.
"Merry Christmas, Bella," I said stepping aside, and gesturing behind me.
"Mom!" She screamed out, and ran over and dove into her mother's arms.
"Merry Christmas, baby," Renee said as she held her close. I could see Bella's shoulders shake, and then heard the sob that escaped her throat, as she continued to clutch to her mother. Phil reached out and stared rubbing soothing circles on Bella's back. Esme nodded towards the kitchen, and all of us began to follow to give them their moment.
A few minutes later, they all walked into the kitchen to find us huddled around the island eating more of the cookies and watching "A Christmas Story".
"Sorry I chased you all off," Bella said with a watery smile, her arm around Renee's waist.
"You did no such thing, dear," Esme came over hugging both Bella and Renee. "Are you hungry? I can heat you up a plate, or there still might be one cookie left."
"I ate at the hospital, but some cookies sound great," she said.
"Would you like some hot chocolate to go with your cookies?" I asked her.
"That would be great, Edward, thanks," she said giving me her smile that was just for me.
"Anyone else?" I asked as I pulled out the ingredients. Everyone said yes, and I got to work, with Carlisle's help making a big batch of hot chocolate. We encouraged everyone to move to the living room with the dessert tray, and we would follow shorting with the drinks. When we came back, Esme was on the love seat with a spot next to her for Carlisle. Emmett and Alice were snuggled up on the floor with pillows and blankets just like we did when we were kids. Bella was on the couch with Renee and Phil, with a spot next to her for me. She smiled at me as I set down the tray of hot chocolate, and patted the spot next to her.
"Thank-you," Bella said as she sat up out of her mother's embrace to give me a chaste kiss and hug.
"Merry Christmas, love," I whispered into her ear. She hugged me tighter.
"Merry Christmas," she returned.
Bella settled back into Renee's arms, yet she reached out her hand to me, so she could hold it, as well. My dad grinned as he put "It's a Wonderful Life" into the DVD player, and we all sat back to watch. My family and Bella's curled up in my living room with only the glow of the TV screen and the twinkling of the Christmas tree to light us, made me realize that I just might have a new favorite Christmas memory. When the movie ended, with all of the women wiping their eyes, and everyone smiling, we all said our good-nights, and headed up to bed.
Like every Christmas morning of my life, my eyes were open with the rising sun. I got out of bed, headed out of my room, and down the stairs. Emmett must have heard me, because his door opened as I hit the landing.
"Are the girls up?" He asked. I looked towards Alice's closed door.
"I am guessing not," I said, just as I heard giggling from inside. I walked over and opened the door to see my sister and my love huddled together giggling in a way that demonstrated that they were trying to be quiet and failing.
"Morning, ladies," I said softly. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Edward," they whispered back at the same time, which caused them to giggle again.
"Merry Christmas!" Emmett softly yelled out as he ran across the room and leapt onto Alice's bed. Both girls squealed and rolled out of the way of Emmett's belly flop.
"Merry Christmas," they both laughed as Emmett pulled each one under an arm hugging them to him.
"Let's go start coffee and breakfast," I said holding out my hand. Bella untangled herself from Emmett and hurried across the room to give me a kiss and take my hand. When we got downstairs, I plugged in the tree while Bella walked over and turned on some Christmas music on the stereo just as Emmett and Alice bounded down the stairs behind us.
The four of us got to work making coffee, cutting up fresh fruit, and making pancakes and bacon. Our parents and Bella's wandered into the kitchen just as we were about done. Once again, we set the dining room table with the good china and silver. Everyone quietly ate their breakfasts not wanting to be the first one to break the 'when are we going to open presents' silence. I looked over at Emmet, and he was practically turning purple trying to hold it in. I elbowed Bella, and nodded at Emmett across the table from us, and she snorted. His eyes shot up, and he glared at her, which caused her to shift into a full on laugh. Everyone was looking from Emmett to Bella now, stifling their own laughter.
"OK," Carlisle said through a laugh, "let's clear these dishes so these kids don't have to wait for their presents any longer."
Emmett and Alice leapt out of their seats and started collecting everything and carrying them to the kitchen. Everyone else pitched in, and it didn't take long to clean up after our meal. Soon we were all gathered around the Christmas tree, the kids sitting on the floor, and the parents sitting on the couches behind us. We were hard at work sorting through and handing out presents to everyone. I could see Bella smile when she realized that my parents had gotten her parents a little something, and was further surprised to see presents marked 'To Mom' and 'To Phil' 'From Bella'. She turned to look at them with a confused face.
"We were waiting to open them on Christmas," Renee explained. Bella smiled and kissed her mom.
Once all of the presents were disbursed, we all tore into our loot. Only the sounds of ripping and 'Thank-you's were heard. Occasionally, we would all pause to watch special gifts being opened. My siblings and I paused in our unwrapping to watch Carlisle give Esme his annual present, always a small box. Esme gasped as she opened the pale blue Tiffany's box. Carlisle reached in and put the new necklace around her neck, and clasped it for her. Nestled at her throat was a platinum 'X'. In all four hollows of the necklace sat a diamond.
"I saw this and it reminded me of us," Carlisle started to explain. "I saw one diamond for me and each of the kids, then the way the platinum almost seems to wrap around them, like you wrap us in your love and support every day. I love you, Esme. Then, today, and always."
Esme had tears streaking down her face as she took my dad's face in her hands and kissed him soundly. I looked away to give them their privacy, and noticed that all the women had silent tears running down their faces. Emmett gave Alice a hug, and I pulled Bella to my side.
"May I give you my gift now?" I whispered to Bella, and she nodded. I reached behind me and grabbed the case that I wrapped in the funny papers. Bella laughed when she saw it. I watched with rapt attention as she opened it and stared at the case reading what I wrote on it. Her eyes lit up and flew to mine, and then opened the case reading the song list on the inside.
"Oh Edward!" She squealed.
"What is it?" Renee asked.
"Edward recorded songs for me!" She squeezed me tighter, and then pulled back giving me a chaste peck. "Thank-you, Edward."
"You're welcome, love" I said softly to her.
"Can I give you my gift now?" Bella asked meekly.
"Please!" I said my eyes lighting up. He eagerly snatched up the box, and started ripping the paper off the box, as I laughed. He opened it to see it stuffed with paper, and narrowed his eyes at me.
"I guessed that you were a shaker. I had to throw you off!" Bella said with a glint in her eyes, and a coy smile on her face.
I pulled out all of the tissue paper and saw the two books sitting in the box. I smiled at the book of quotes realizing she was gifting me something tangible to remind me of the moment we both realized that we wanted more than friendship from each other. The other book was a plain black Moleskine notebook that was pocket sized.
"Open it," Bella said. I did as she asked and my mouth fell open at the pages of blank staffs.
"Bella," I exhaled in reverence.
"So when the music comes to you, you can have something near to make note of it," she said.
"I love it! Thank-you!" I said pulling her into my arms and nuzzling her neck with my nose as she giggled.
"Merry Christmas, Edward," she said gazing up at me.
"Merry Christmas, Bella," I answered. Yep. Definitely one for the books.
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A/N: Back to our regularly scheduled program. :-) I hope you all enjoyed Christmas with the Cullens, Dwyers, and Swans as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sorry, if I made anyone cry. I know I was crying writing the Bella/Renee reunion moment. Thank-you so much for all of your reviews! They do make me smile!
A lot of you asked about Bella's necklace from Charlie. There is a link to what it looks like on my profile page.
The contest I am a judge for, "Love for the Unloved", opens today. Come over and write up some loving for your favorite B-list Twilight characters! Profile is here:
Reviews are sitting by a lit up Christmas tree with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
