Disclaimer: Twilight and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Snow fell periodically, making a mess of everything. There wasn't enough to stick to the ground and accumulate. It just became sludgy, dirty muck. The cold air made everyone's teeth chatter and caused them to frequently rub their hands together to try and thaw them out. The weather was right at the cusp, so when it wasn't snowing, it was raining.

While most people grumbled about the weather or how they figured they were in the works of catching an illness, Bella glowed. She liked the smell and feel of the cold. While everyone else saw soiled slush, she only noticed it while it was still clean and fresh. It crunched under her fake leather boots, the sound reverberating through her cheerful senses. She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck and signaled for a taxi.

She didn't have to wait long before a familiar looking, yellow vehicle pulled up beside her. The warm air inside was suffocating. It made her want to rethink the ride and just stick to walking. She un-bunched her oversized coat from under her, dug her right hand into the wool pocket, and fished out the small package. There wasn't much light, so she held the object close to her face. She just wanted to make sure she didn't squash it. It didn't hold her attention long, and she started to stare at her chipped pink nail polish instead.

"Is it ok if I roll down the window for a second?" Bella asked the driver.

He grunted his approval.

The taxi stopped at the address Bella had given the driver, and she paid him for his services. Christmas lights flashed all around. She stood on the sidewalk with her eyes closed, the cold wind cooling her clammy skin. She wasn't sure if she was hot from the ride or from her nerves. Blinking away the bits of snow in her eyelashes, she made her way up his front steps. It took her a few minutes before she could knock. His smile greeted her. His lips invited her in.

Inside it smelled like apple pie and pine. All was quiet, well except for a familiar sound. This sound brought back memories of her mother sitting at her sewing machine. After the needle tore through the fabric, she would take out her large metal scissors and cut carefully through the new design. That sharp cut made a thick ripping sound. That same sound that was now brought on by Edward, who continued to cut off her dress in a frenzy of passion.

Her dress was split up the middle before she could protest. It's not like she would have, even though it was one of her nicer ones. It was a bit unexpected by both of them.

Edward had been wrapping gifts when he heard the knock at the door. He was anticipating Bella's arrival, but when he saw her there in the snow… blue scarf wrapped around her face… coat opened revealing a shimmery silk dress clinging to her body… he lost control. He was just going to kiss her hello, but when his lips lingered on hers he tried to wrap his arms around her. It was then that he noticed the scissors still in his hand.

With the dress cut in half, he slid both the ruined dress and coat to the floor. The scissors fell as well, onto the fabric, which would have otherwise clattered on the tile.

They never made it out of the foyer. Edward's shirt was ripped over his head, his jeans and boxers bunched down around his knees. All of this was Bella's doing. They had started out standing but soon found themselves sliding down the wall. With her back against the corner edge, straddling his lap, her panties still hanging from her left ankle, Bella found herself enjoying the sounds of Edward grunting into her neck. It was the best Christmas present she could have asked for.

"Oh, Bella," Edward sighed. His knees were sore, but he didn't want to move her off his lap yet.

Bella didn't answer him. She was still catching her breath. Her head rested on his shoulder and she faced the kitchen. She had been cuddled into the crook of his neck, but found she couldn't breathe.

"Thank you for letting me unwrap my gift early. It was exactly what I wanted," Edward said while placing kisses down her neck.

Bella giggled and sat up a little, then winced. She turned and stretched to see if she could pinpoint the source of her pain, but couldn't see anything.

"What is it?" he asked. He stood and lifted her at the same time. It was a great feat with his jeans trapping his legs and Bella's shaky state. He turned her around and noticed the raw patch of skin near her backbone. "This hurt?" he asked, pressing the spot softly.

Bella hissed. "Yes, you jerk!" She turned back around and smacked his arm.

She tried redressing herself but was stuck without much to wear. "Um, I think I need to borrow something of yours." She picked up her coat and then panicked when she remembered the package. "Oh, shit!"

Bella pulled out a crumpled looking gift from the pile of discarded clothes. "Your gift," she sulked.

Edward walked over and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her below her ear and then plucked the sorry excuse for a gift from her hand.

"I love it," he said with a grin.

"You don't even know what it is," she pouted.

He went to tear into the paper, but she grabbed his hands. "It's not Christmas yet!" she shrieked.

Bella made Edward place the gift under his sorry excuse for a tree. After she was dressed in his sweat pants and t-shirt, she helped him finish his wrapping.

He watched as she placed the final piece of tape over the gaudy wrapping paper. "Bella, I have to tell you something."

"Hmm," she hummed, while trying to straighten a crease.

"I'm leaving to go visit my folks for Christmas."

That got her attention. She snapped her head up to meet his gaze. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

"So soon? But I thought… well, that is nice that you will get to visit your family."

Edward could tell she was upset. She was trying to hide it.

"It was a last minute thing. They are still pissed that I skipped out on Thanksgiving. They called yesterday, and then they emailed me a ticket this morning… I couldn't say no."

"Edward, it's fine. You should see your parents. They probably really miss you. Plus, as great as it was eating Stovetop stuffing and supermarket deli chicken for Thanksgiving… it will be nice for you to have a real holiday meal."

"I like Stovetop stuffing," Edward muttered under his breath.

Bella walked around the table and kissed him.

"Edward, I'm not mad… I'm a little sad that I won't get to see you, but you'll be back."

In the morning, Edward gave Bella a ride home. They kissed and hugged and then Bella climbed out of the car.

Before Bella got too far, Edward rolled down his power window and yelled out her name. She turned to face him.

"There is comfort in knowing... comfort in knowing I will see you again. There will always be a me and a you." Edward had no idea why he said this. Bella gave him a bright smile, a small wave, and then walked away.

This chapter came out of nowhere. I was thinking of making it an outtake or something, but it does help move the plot along…

Jess works too hard. She needs to sit back and finish The Hunger Games, so I can talk to her about it.