I am very, very, very, very sorry for the delay on this chapter, but it is longer then usual so hopefully that makes up for it. By the way you should probably know that updates could be slow for, well.... the year. I have the junior cert (important test) this year so that means studying every day, but I will try to write as much as possible.
Thank you to 1TwinkleToes, SarcasticLost, Lissy4692, GhettoGoat (yes only Alice and Edward know about Bella and Edward falling in love), Moonlightwriter109 (you are awesome, you make me blush, thank you), darkflame567356, OMECTWiLIGHTer, Rebeca with one C, VeronicaD13, makbeesamurai, Elizabeth Lemmont, TriGemini, Held Up By A Gun, Me , tears will fall, destiny 02, Holy Cross Baby, naley4eva2333, iloveedwardcullen12.
Check out the forum over on Twilighted, link is on my profile.
Check out the Spanish translation of this story, link is on my profile.
This story is dedicated to Gikkas for all her help and for sharing with me her impeccable knowlege on all things Cabbage Patch Kid.
READ THIS!
As a celebration of the thirtieth chapter I am hosting a once in a lifetime event, review and ask me any question regarding this story or myself and I will answer in the next chapter, no questions asked. The only question that won't be answered is when is Edward coming back for good, cause thats just cheating. But seriously guys ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
ASK ME ANYTHING!
Random Point of Interest: My laptops battery is nearly dead, Argh! and it is four a.m.
I don't own Twilight and my gummybears were eaten, that's it, nothing else, just eaten. Back away. Nothing to see here people.
Carlisle Pov
"Give that to me now Bella!", Alice screamed. "No!", Bella yelled, waving the shiny tinsel high above her head, diving under Carlisle's arm as he hung a silver bauble on the tall evergreen standing in the corner. "Now!", she called as she followed Bella, narrowly missing Jasper's as she hopped over a box of decorations.
Bella's excited giggles filled the air as Alice gave chase and Alice barely avoided slamming straight into Bella's back as she came to a complete standstill. Her eyes grew wide when she heard a soft knocking on the front door. She let out a shrill squeal before yanking open the door and hurling herself at an expectant looking Edward.
"You came! You came!", she yelled, flinging her arms around his neck."Told you I would", he murmured as he buried his head in her hair. He lifted her into his arms easily despite her height and she nestled against his chest.
I noticed Rosalie's expression was filled with envy, it had been a while since Bella had let any of us hold her.
Edward smiled warmly at the rest of us, ignoring Rosalie's furious glare and Jasper's disapproving frown. He gave Alice a quick one-armed hug as she snatched the tinsel from Bella's forgotten grasp.
"I missed you", Bella whispered, oblivious to our eavesdropping. Edward shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, most likely from guilt. "Me too", he whispered back, shrugging noncommitedly.
I knew how Edward was when he was hunting, especially human blood and there wasn't much room left for sentiment in it.
Edward's head snapped up towards me, his eyes scanning my face before turning back to Esme who was gushing over Bella's first Christmas with us. Edward nodded along, remarking occasionally as Bella played with the collar of shirt, content with his mere presence.
It was selfish I know but I truly wished he would stay, thoughts of Bella's behaviour since he had left flashed through my mind, not entirely accidentaly. Edward brow creased as he saw flashes of tantrums and sulking through my mind.
"It was bound to take some adjusting", he whispered, too low for Bella's ears. I sighed it's still going on, I informed him. Edward glanced at the quiet, peaceful child cradled in his arms. "She seems just fine". She is, now that you're here. I wrapped my arm around Esme's waist.
"Maybe it's time she learnt not to be so dependant on me", he responded coldly. Every head but Bella's whipped around to Edward.
Silence hung in the air for a long moment before anyone spoke. "Your eyes are gold", Rosalie stated from where she was sitting on the stairs. Bella heard her and stared at Rose curiously, of course to her Edward would have nothing but gold eyes.
"I couldn't let Bella see the red", he murmured quickly.
Alice, trying to lift the tension in the room skipped towards Edward with a large cardboard box tucked under her arm. "You can help us decorate", she stated cheerfully, thrusting the box at Edward.
Edward rifled through the box until he found the angel at the bottom. Her skin was ivory porcelain with deep brown hair and ruby painted lips. Her white dress flowed softly and her wings had a soft velvety feel. Esme had had that angel since she was a child and had always dreamed of letting her own son place the angel atop the tree. Bella stroked the angel's wings delicately and Edward looked up at Esme quizzically.
Esme nodded slowly, biting her lip and Edward pulled Bella up onto his shoulders "you want to put the angel on the tree Bella?" he asked, knowing full well that she'd love to. Bella giggled slightly as she reached up to the tip of the tree and placed the angel on the top, wobbling slightly before Edward put her straight.
"Pretty", Bella commented with a nod of her head, making it final.
"Very!", everyone chorused after her.
Esme rushed upstairs, taking only a moment before joining us again with lumpy paper wrapped bundles tucked under her arm.
"I thought we might start a new Cristmas tradition, now Bella's here", she suggested nervously, handing out the parcels, her ands shaking slightly.
She seemed somewhat bashful and buried her head in my chest as we all tore open the parcels and each pulled out a thick handknitted jumper, plain and in a different rich colour for everyone.
"You don't have to wear them", Esme mumbled, embarassed.
"Look Edward", Bella exclaimed, fingering thick wool fabric "mine's red, isn't it pretty".
Edward nodded in agreement before pulling his own bottle green jumper over his head and leaning over to kiss Esme on the cheek "thanks Mom".
"Yeah thanks Mom!", everyone chorused as they pulled their own jumpers over their heads. "You're the best Mom!", they chorused again.
I pulled on my own which was a deep blue and thanked Esme by squeezing her hand gently.
"Don't go getting all emotional", Alice exclaimed, struggling to fit her arm through the narrow hole of her own canary yellow jumper "there's plenty more traditions to be made".
Rosalie Pov
"Touchdown!", Emmett yelled, jumping up and down as the commentator wailed that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish had scored again.
"Emmett", Jasper sighed "Do you even know who you're supporting?".
Emmett grinned "the winning team o' course". Edward rubbed his forehead in exasperation, we had been listening to Emmett roar with enthusiasm every time either team got a touchdown and it was getting on everyone's nerves. Except for Bella of course, who cheered along with him.
"Dinner's ready", Esme called from the kitchen. Bella raced inside eager for this legendary thanksgiving dinner she had been anticipating for days and we followed at a leisurely pace, the food was a mere decoration to the rest of us.
Laid out on the pristine white table cloth was a turkey of average proportions, roast potatoes surrounded the turkey and a large bowl of mashed potatoes sat beside it. There were all kinds of vegetables and there was a gravy boat full of a rich brown substance. And laying underneath a teatowel was a pumpkin pie which Bella proclaimed to be 'yummy'.
I wrinkled my nose at the less then appealing sight of what looked to me to be mush. We sat down and watched as Bella wolfed down three helpings of everything. Eventually when she finished we all helped Esme to pack up the remaining food and carried it down to the homeless shelter nearby.
The battered old men and worn out women did seem appreciative for the food and Bella enjoyed listening to tales of the forgotten homeland and other such stories.
As we walked home, listening to Emmett whine about how he'd missed the game and Jasper argue that either way it was the team he supported, I noticed the bright smile spread across Bella's face as she sat upon Edward's shoulders, telling him all about the books she'd been reading with Jasper.
I bit back a growl, furious that he could just swoop back into Bella's life as if nothing had happened. I fought with myself not to remark on Edward's absence, knowing it would only prove to wipe that euphoric smile from Bella's face.
I consoled myself with knowing that though Edward was here now, at this very moment, I would be here always and I, unlike him would miss nothing of Bella's life.
Jasper Pov
"This is for you Jazzy", Bella said shyly, handing me a clumsily wrapped parcel, tied with plain string. Pulling the string I found two hand carved chess pieces, the king and queen.
"Alice helped", she muttered, a blush spreading over her cheeks.
"I love it", I whispered, wrapping one arm around Bella and hugging her gently, deliberately turning my head away from her neck as I did so.
"And this is for you", she said, handing a similiar wrapped package to Emmett. Inside was a book of sports; 'American Football for Dummies'. "Rosie helped pick it out", Bella said proudly as Emmett glowered at his wife.
Alice's present was a bright tie-dyed scarf that Alice proclaimed to love but wrinkled her nose at once Bella's back was turned and muttered that 'tie-dye was so out'. But I could clearly feel Alice's genuine gratitude.
She gave Rosalie a painted clay mound with Bella's hand print firmly marked on it and Bella scribbled underneath. Rosalie hugged her tightly and whispered her thanks, putting Bella's present in the pile designated not to be returned.
She proudly handed Carlisle a lumpy parcel which held three teddybears which Bella had made herself at 'Build A Bear'. "That's Dr. Teddy, thats Daddy Bear and that's Nurse Snuggles", she informed him pointing to each one individually.
"This is especially for you Mommy", Bella whispered, handing Esme a small parcel and wrapping her arms around her neck, burying her face there in embarassment. Esme carefully pulled out a heavy gold locket which inside, held a picture of Esme and Bella hugging.
"Thank you sweetie", Esme murmured softly, crushing Bella to her chest and rocking her slightly in her arms for a moment before releasing her.
"And this is for you Edward", Bella announced proudly, presenting a worn yellow blanket to Edward, the sort given to new born babies. I recognised it immediately as Bella's 'blankey'. She didn't use it often but she cherished it dearly. "For me?", Edward whispered, Bella nodded, resting her cheek against his for a moment, Edward tentatively raised it to his face and inhaled what I was sure was a heavy waft of Bella's scent. He stroked the soft fabric for a moment before gently murmuring his thanks.
"Now time for your presents Bella", Alice announced, skipping forward and thrusting a carefully wrapped parcel to Bella, who ripped it open immediately. Out she pulled a thin blue slip of paper and a pair of small gold earrings, real earrings.
"No way Alice!", Rosalie said immediately "There is no way she is getting her ears pierced!". "I agree with Rosalie", Carlisle said sternly "there is no way my little girl is getting her ears pierced".
"But she'll look so adorable", Alice whined as Bella stood, oblivious to their argument.
"No!", Carlisle said finally and snatched the earrings from Bella's fingers.
"Fine", Alice huffed and snatched another present from behind her. At our incredulous looks she shrugged and said in an all knowing voice "Hello, psychic".
She presented Bella with a baby Cabbage Patch Kid with big brown eyes and a soft pink bonnett. "Thank you", Bella squealed with delight as she snatched it from Alice and hugged it to her chest.
"Alright, alright", I sighed, shoving a gaudy pink box at Bella which she ripped open immediately, revealing the complete boxset of all the Harry Potter books, the order of the phoenix was even signed.
"Will you help me read them?", she asked, her big brown eyes swimming with anticipation, like I would refuse anyway. "Course", I mumbled quietly, surprise shooting through me when Bella wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me to her.
I patted her head gently, taking care to use the right amount of pressure.
Bella danced over to Emmett, holding out her hands expectantly, which Rose scolded her for. Emmett dropped a square box into her hands and Bella stumbled slightly before steadying herself and opening her present.
Bella's face was comically confused as she held up a box containing all you would ever need to be the perfect vampire; make-up, fangs, cape, the works.
"Thanks?", Bella said slowly and Rosalie rolled her eyes at Emmett and muttered for him to grow up.
She moved then to Rosalie who handed her a box similiar to the one I gave her, she kissed Bella's forehead as Bella hugged her in thanks. I was sure she was beginning to wonder what the big deal with this Harry Potter was, now that I'd given her the books and Rosalie the dvds.
"Ooh, you're going to love them Bella", Alice squealed "that Cedric Diggory is a real dish", she giggled. I growled playfully and pulled Alice onto my lap, only a little annoyed over her crush on Cedric Diggory, he was after all only a fictional character.
"This is from the both of us Bella", Esme said, gesturing between herself and Carlisle. Esme handed Bella a plain envelope that Bella took warily. In it was eight tickets to Disneyland, scheduled for a week before Bella's next birthday. It didn't escape my notice the meaningful look Carlisle threw Edward, clearly conveying that he wanted him to be there too.
Bella's shriek was I was sure, heard all across the state, informing everyone of our impending trip to Disneyland.
"Bella", Edward said softly, recalling her attention. Bella whipped around and bounced over to him happily "Yes?", she asked sweetly. "My present", he mumbled shortly and had I not known better, I would've said he was embarassed.
He gave her a square flat case to her, and it was quite obvious from the shape what it was. Bella found it to be a cd, full of Edward's own compositions. Edward had wrapped his arms loosly around her shoulders, hugged her gently and whispered, though fully aware we would hear, that it would help her sleep.
As they hugged Edward's eyes met mine over Bella's shoulder and Edward's unspoken words were made clear; it would help her sleep, without him.
Edward Pov
"No!", Bella shrieked "No!", Don't go", she wailed, clinging to my pants leg "Don't go!".
"Bella", Rose reprimanded as she attempted to pry Bella's fingers from my leg without hurting her.
Bella gazed up at me through a haze of tears, her eyes blotchy and her lips swollen from crying. She shook her head, tightening her grip on my leg.
"Bella let go", I instructed her, hoping she didn't hear how weak my voice sounded.
She shook her head again and buried it against my leg, her tears soaking through the thin fabric.
I sighed and leant down, pulling her hands from me and setting her down a foot from me, ignoring her struggles. "Stop it Isabella", I commanded, her body stiffened instantly, she wasn't used to that tone or the use of her full name.
I bit my lip hesitantly before speaking again, cursing myself as I did "You will stop behaving this way immediately", I said sternly, my tone demanding obedience.
"P...please don't go", she whispered, fighting back her sobs.
I sighed softly and bundled her into my arms "I have to", I murmured before hugging her tightly to me and kissing her forehead. I set Bella back down on the ground, trying to ignore how her lip trembled and her shoulders shook. All the while reminding myself that she was crying because of me, because of my actions.
Esme, in a feeble attempt to soothe her daughter laid her hand on her trembling shoulder, only to have Bella shrug her off and rush upstairs, slamming her bedroom door as she went.
Rosalie opened her mouth to remark on my behaviour, on how I was huting Bella and hurting our family but I merely ignored her, turning on my heel and out the door.
As I was stepping into my volvo I spied a slight shake of the upstairs curtains and looked towards Bella's room, where sure enough she was peering out from behind the curtain.
"Goodbye Bella", I whispered to myself, waving sadly at the child at the window, who disappeared as soon as she realised I had seen her.
I sighed and sat myself in my car, reminding myself over and over that it was for the best.
Review Please.
READ THIS!
As a celebration of the thirtieth chapter I am hosting a once in a lifetime event, review and ask me any question regarding this story or myself and I will answer in the next chapter, no questions asked. The only question that won't be answered is when is Edward coming back for good, cause thats just cheating. But seriously guys ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
ASK ME ANYTHING!
So I gave you some Edward action, even if he did leave again. Did you like the presents? By the way can anyone think of names for Bella's puppy and pony? I was thinking Lady and Tramp but let me know if you can think of something better, which I'm sure you can.
And I am very sorry if I got any of the holiday things wrong, let me know if I did. We don't have Thanksgiving in Ireland so I was kinda threading blindly, I was just lucky my mam and dad used to live in America, sadly before my time.
Review and get a free limited edition cd of Edward's compositions. Only while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply. Lol.
Today's Advertised Story
A Clean Break by Daddy's Little Superstar
'I sat there, staring at the indicator, how could this of happened' Bella swan moves out after she figures out she is pregnant, but where will she go? kinda ooc, please r&r'