Disclaimer: I have no claim on any of the characters from Twilight or New Moon all rights go to Stephenie Meyer.
Summary: Edward leaves Bella alone in the woods after telling her he didn't want her any more. As she is lying on the cold forest floor; Bella remembers three important things. Edward made a promise not to leave her, and Edward never broke a promise, and third it was her body, her heart, what right did he have to decide what was good for her? All in all Bella realizes that Edward was covering up his true feeling about her. All in all Bella goes to bring Edward home.
A/N: For this chapter seeing that nothing is really said about the date of birth for each of the Cullen's is unknown except for Edward who's is June 20, 1901 (Pearl) the others will be as follows:
Carlisle: September (Sapphire), Esme: April (Diamond) Rosalie: January (Garnet), Emmett: May (Emerald), Jasper: February (Amethyst), Alice: November (Citrine)
A big loving thank you to my wonderful beta TwiliteAddict without you this chapter would have never been realized. I would like to also give a HUGE thank you to Lady Tazz for helping me with Jasper's, Alice's and Emmett's gifts.
Last Time: Jasper POV
Shortly after her vision, Alice got into Carlisle's car and went shopping. She came home with more than clothes and shoes for Bella. The whole back seat was stacked with wrapped boxes. I gingerly make my way down the stairs to help with Alice's bounty from her shopping spree.
"Alice, darlin, what's going on with all the boxes?"
"They're Christmas presents, silly, after all tomorrow is the 23rd. With Christmas Eve and Christmas so close, I decided this year to go to the store and shop without thinking about what I wanted to get until I got there. This way Edward has no idea what I got everyone."
"Alice."
Before I could say anything else, Alice was shoving bags and boxes into my arms.
"Here, Jazzy, would you run these upstairs to our room for me? I have a few things I still have to wrap and I need to go talk with Esme about a few things."
My wife was stalling, she always had me doing some kind of errand when she wasn't ready to share. The only thing I had been able to get from my wife was that something even more terrifying was about to befall our family. I knew her she would come to me to talk soon. So with a sigh I headed up the stairs with the boxes and bags.
Chapter 12: Home
Alice POV
There was no holding back the smile on my face as I helped Bella get dressed for the morning. I helped her put a light blue t-shirt and paired it with a blue and black-grey flannel shirt. Bella had actually gasped in surprise at my choice of clothes for her.
"Oh my gosh, Alice. You actually got me a flannel shirt. I'm impressed."
I gave Bella a small pout. "Really, Bella, I'm hurt that you would say such a thing. Of course I would pick you out three or four flannel shirts along with coordinating t-shirts.
They are after all your comfort clothes not to mention your favorite thing to wear in the winter."
"You're right, they are. I just never thought you would let me actually wear them!"
I pouted a little at hearing Bella's words but stayed quite.
Wanting to talk about more then just clothes for once, I started with something I was hoping that Bella would talk to me about so I could gauge her mood better.
"Carlisle's going to remove your stitches today, so are you excited?"
I watched as Bella shrugged her shoulders.
"They're just stitches, Alice." She sighed before finishing, "I just wish it wasn't going to leave a scar."
I grinned at Bella before answering her.
"You're so silly, Bella. Did you forget it was Carlisle who stitched up that head of yours? There won't be much of a scar at all. No one but one of us will be able to see it."
Tapping the side of my head I grinned at Bella. "I can see the future, remember?"
Bella laughed lightly at me.
"You can only see decisions that someone makes, remember?"
Doing my best not to giggle out loud, I nodded at Bella.
"Yes, I know that, Bella. How do you think I know that there won't be much of a scar? Carlisle is very good at what he does after all. So really, Bella, there won't be much of a scar I can promise you."
I started brushing out Bella's hair when Carlisle appeared in the doorway of Edward's, and now Bella's, room.
"Good morning Alice, Bella. Bella, how are you feeling this morning?" He asked in a gentle tone.
Bella smiled softly at Carlisle as she answered him.
"I feel pretty good today. I'm a little sore, but the pain isn't nearly as bad as it has been."
Carlisle smiled softly back at Bella in return.
"That's very good to hear, and if you were in pain, would you let one of us know?"
Bella nodded her head. Her eyes drifted down to the suture scissors Carlisle had in his left hand. Pulling in a deep breath, she added, "I'm ready when you are, Dr. Cullen."
Brushing Bella's hair away from her forehead, he revealed the side of Bella's forehead where a large gash had been. Then with nimble fingers Carlisle started to cut the stitches and gently remove them. As Carlisle worked he started a light conversation with Bella.
"Edward was more than willing to remove your stitches today. However, he thought it would be better if he went hunting one last time, just in case. Jasper, Esme and Emmett agreed with him. On their way back Esme thought she and Edward could pick up a few things up at the store for you."
Bella gave Carlisle a confused look before everything started to make sense to her.
"Oh, you mean just in case Victoria or the Volturi come looking for me."
Carlisle and I both frowned at Bella's words. Carlisle spoke to Bella first.
"Well, no, that was not the original reason all of us decided to go hunting again. There is a snow storm in the forecast for the next two days. Edward thought it would be best if we went hunting before the storm that way there would be no worry of leaving you alone."
Putting down the scissors, Carlisle smiled at Bella before adding, "There you go, and the scar is so faint no one will see it."
There was a faint pucker of scar tissue were the cut had been. Though the tiny scar was there, the skin over it was as smooth as it had been before.
Carlisle then tilted Bella's chin up so Bella was looking up at him.
"And, Bella, please remember that you're part of this family now. My son is alive because you exist. Never doubt how much you mean to us."
After Carlisle excused himself I took a seat on Bella's bed.
"Carlisle's right, Bella. Besides if Victoria or the Volturi were coming, I would have seen them decide. It's Christmas Eve so could you at least try and enjoy yourself?"
My words managed to coax a laugh out of Bella.
"All right, Alice, I'll do my best to enjoy myself."
I leaned over and kissed Bella on the cheek.
"Thank you, Bella, you won't regret it."
Bella then frowned at me.
"Alice, I can't afford to buy anyone anything this Christmas."
I chuckled lightly at her statement.
"Relax, Bella, while I was out earlier I picked up gifts from you to everyone. I even picked out something for Renee, Charlie and Jacob."
Taking hold of Bella's hand, I helped her off of the bed. I let Bella lean on me as I led the way up to mine and Jasper's room. Once I helped Bella sit down on the bed, I busied myself laying out the gifts I purchased for her to pick from. When it came to a gift for Rosalie and Esme I knew Bella would want to pick it out herself.
After looking at the several different choices Bella chose a dark purple rose ring and earring set for Rosalie. She told me it was because they reminded her of Rosalie. For Esme, she picked out a 24k gold heart pendant that had a diamond in its center. Around the left side going down were gemstones for each one of us starting with a pearl for Edward, a garnet gem for Rosalie, an emerald gem for Emmett, an amethyst gem for Jasper, a citrine gem for me, and the last stone, a sapphire gem for Bella. I couldn't have agreed more with Bella's choice.
Bella said she'd chosen it so Esme would always have us close to her heart.
Bella had decided for Edward she wanted to search the internet for sheet music for Edward to play on his piano. She was so excited at the thought that I couldn't bear to tell her Edward already had a ton of sheet music. Eventually, she chose three works from Claude Debussy: Valse romantique and his famous Nocturnes, and Clair de lune. I teased Edward often on how Clair de lune was fast becoming their song.
Bella then looked up at me like she wanted to say something. Knowing what she was going to say before she spoke, I just smiled at her.
"Of course, Bella, why didn't you say something sooner?"
Setting up the laptop for her, I excused myself from the room so Bella could look for something extra special for Edward.
Two hours later, Esme, Emmett, and Jasper came home without Edward. His absence went unmissed by Bella, but she continued to search the internet for Edward's gift before falling asleep. Edward came through the door an hour and a half later with a little blue bag in his hand.
Edward slipped up the stairs to hide the special gift he had picked up for Bella before slipping into Jasper's and my room to retrieve Bella's sleeping form. Once he had her cradled into his arms he gently carried her to their room to lay her in the bed.
I smiled to myself as I had a vision of what he did after he pulled the blanket around her. Edward placed a kiss on her forehead before moving and placing his lips gently against hers.
All things considered I thought Christmas morning went rather well. Rosalie remembered her manners and thanked Bella for the rose ring and earring set. Esme was over-joyed with the heart pendent with a precious gem for each one of her adopted children. Carlisle was honored and touched by the sterling silver stethoscope cuff links Bella had chosen for him, with a blue sapphire stone in the center of each stethoscope.
Once all the paper and bows were cleaned up, Edward sat down at his piano and started to play Green Sleeves, followed by a little Chopin, Bach, and the sheet music Bella had gotten him for Christmas. Emmett was careful not to hug Bella too hard in his joy over his gift of an Xbox game of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jasper gave her a polite thank you with a small smile at the leather bound book that she had found to give to Jazz. The book was titled: The Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War.
When it came to finding a gift for me, it was easy. One word: Prada.
Bella scolded us for making to much for her to eat for breakfast. Even though Bella was almost completely healed physically, we all were wondering how she was doing emotionally.
After an hour of watching Edward stare at Bella and she at him, it became clear to all of us they could use some alone time. So my family and I left. I knew that this was going to be good for the both of them. They both needed to heal one another.
Bella POV
I didn't know what to expect for my first Christmas with Edward's family. I was grateful that my clumsiness hadn't gotten me in trouble so far. The last thing I needed was a repeat of my birthday. Once all the excitement of gifts and presenting me an oversized meal was over, happy couples began leaving the room. Before long, only Edward and I remained.
Suddenly, Edward had a blindfold over my eyes before scooping me up into his arms and heading off to another room in the house.
"Edward, what's going on? Where are we going?"
I could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke.
"You'll see in just a second."
I didn't my best not to let my nerves get the better of me before the blindfold was thankfully whisked from my eyes.
A smaller tree than the one that was in the living room, twinkled in the dim light in front of me. It was modest and decorated very simply. It was still beautiful to behold.
"Edward, this is beautiful, but why are there two trees? I didn't see anything wrong with the tree in the living room."
Edward gave me one of his lop-sided smiles that melted my insides as he spoke.
"You're right, the other tree is fine. There are two trees, love, because the one in the living room is the family's tree, while this tree is ours."
I brought my eyes up to meet with his liquid gold ones.
"Our tree, are you serious, really?"
He smiled at me again.
"Yes. I thought it would only be right for the two of us to have our own Christmas morning together."
Our own Christmas morning. I had never really thought about it. My thoughts soon drifted to the other gift I had gotten for him in secret. Well, I was sure that Alice knew about it. I could only hope that her thoughts were guarded enough so Edward wouldn't know about it. I wasn't even sure he was going to like it.
We both ended up trying to speak at the same time.
"Bella, I got…"
"Edward I…"
The action caused a giggle to break free from me and a small chuckle from Edward.
Smiling at him I said, "You go first, Edward."
"Ladies first, Bella, remember?"
I smiled at the memory of the day in biology class when Edward and I were doing slides on flat worms.
"I did go first, this morning with your family. So now it's your turn."
"As you wish, love."
I watched as Edward pulled out a big square black velvet box and gently handed it to me.
"I had been afraid that it was too soon for these, but Carlisle and Esme didn't agree with me."
After hearing Edward's words I really was nervous. The box however was too big to be holding a ring. That thought alone helped me to relax. Gently I started to pull at the ribbon and bow on top. Once the ribbon was gone I smiled tentatively at Edward as I slowly pulled open the box.
Inside were two matching silver and diamond burettes, in the center of each one lay the Cullen Crest.
"Oh, Edward their beautiful, but I'm n…"
Edward stopped me from saying anything else.
"Shhh…you are very much a part of this family, Bella."
There was desire shining within Edward's eyes, but there was still a small sliver of doubt living inside me.
Finding my nerve before it ran away I spoke, "I have something I wanted to give you."
"Bella, the sheet music you gave me was enough. You didn't have to."
"I know I didn't, but I wanted too."
Pulling out the slender blue box from its hiding place tucked inside my knee brace, I handed it to Edward. My cheeks reddened in embarrassment as I did so.
"I'm not even sure that you're going to like it."
Edward gave me another soft smile as he spoke.
"Bella, I shall love and cherish any and every gift you give to me simply because it came from you."
Taking the box gently in his hand, Edward removed the gold ribbon from it before he slowly pulled the box open. I watched in silence as Edward's eyes widened at the sight at what lay inside. A sliver ID bracelet, with a silver and gold chain, on the front was inscribed: Edward, We Are One Forever, on the back there were only two words.
Love, Bella.
"Bella, I'm at a loss of words as to what to say. No one has ever given me anything like this before. Thank you."
For the sixth time today I could only smile at him.
"It's about time you're the one who is speechless."
Edward held the box out toward me, silently asking me to help him but it on. Once the bracelet was clasped onto his right wrist, Edward leaned forward to place the two burettes in place on the left side in my hair.
"They suit you. The lights from the tree along with the burettes only enhance your beauty."
My breath hitched in my throat as Edward leaned toward me. My lips ached to feel his against them again. The second our lips touched the sliver of hurt was swept away by my wanting of him. There was an instant spark before the fire took hold. I had missed this, missed us. Edward's lips seemed to have the same wanting as mine did. The need to breathe was lost as I gave myself to the heated bliss that Edward's lips fed to me.
I eased our kiss enough to take a breath while not breaking it. I had felt passion from Edward like this only twice before. Once when he had given me to Alice and Jasper, as we ran from James. The other time had been a few months ago when he had left me, taking my heart with him. This kiss was fiercer as if he needed it in order to survive. I wanted to move closer to him, but there was no way for me to move him on my own. As if knowing what it was I needed, Edward's body relaxed more and moved backwards. I moved with him until I was straddling his hips. Ours lips never broke their frantic movements. The brace on my knee and ankle were forgotten, the only thing that mattered was the two of us.
I moaned softly as I relished in the feeling of the coolness of Edward's marble skin beneath my warm hand. Edward moaned in answer to my gentle moan. I was hyper aware of how tight the front of his jeans had become. His erection was being held off by the simple fabric of his jeans. It was inches away from my hidden valley that was shielded by its own fabric barrier.
My arousal must have been what gave me away. Edward broke the bond our lips had made so fast that both of us lay there panting for a bit before he spoke.
"We can't, Bella. We can't go any farther then kissing. Not until you're changed."
What? Well I hadn't been expecting him to say that. Was he finally giving into my wish to be like him or was he just biding time? I had a whole speech planned out, but the only thing I said was:
"Okay."
He started to pull away until I objected.
"No, wait, can we just lay this way for awhile? I just want you to hold me."
There was a part of me screaming to remember that he wasn't forgiven yet. Another part was telling the other to shut the hell up. Right now I didn't care if I hadn't forgiven Edward all the way or not. The only thing I cared about was that I was home.
I smiled at the feel of Edward's hands combing through my hair. I sighed as I lay against Edward. I was grateful for the fires that they had lit to warm the house. It made lying with Edward like this comfortable.
"Bella, I think Alice is right. It's the holidays, I know you've talked to your mother, but you should call Charlie and let him hear your voice."
I could only guess that me calling Charlie had been the thought that Alice had used to hide my latest gift from Edward.
"He'll just try and talk me into coming home."
Edward continued his gentle treatment of my hair as he spoke.
"And if going home is something you chose to do, then I'll go back to Forks with you, no strings attached. Of course it would mean that Alice and Jasper would be coming too as well as Carlisle and Esme."
"You would move back to Forks with me?"
"If that is what you want, then yes, I would."
"Can I think about it, the calling Charlie part, and the going back to Forks part?"
"Take as much time as you need. Just promise that you will think about it."
"I will. I promise."
Before I knew it I found myself drifting to sleep within Edward's gentle arms. It felt good to be home.
A/N: Wow, sorry for the late update. Life has been busy for me. I hope you enjoyed!
Songs played during the writing of this chapter: Valse romantique by Debussy, Green Sleeves, Clair de lune by Debussy, Because You Live by Jesse McCartney and Breathe Me by Sia.
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