A/N: So, as of today, it's two months since I last updated. I just want to apologise profusely, as for this chapter I had terrible writers block. I know exactly how the story will go after this story, I just couldn't write this chapter.
Hopefully from now on I'll be able to update at least once a week :)
Bella:
It's Christmas!
I jump out of bed and rush over to the curtains, wrenching them open to check for snow. A white sheet covers everything, transforming Forks from a once green town to a now crisp and white town.
"Merry Christmas, Bells!" My parents sing in unison, entering my bedroom.
"Merry Christmas, mum and dad," I reply, walking over and hugging both of them. "Present time?" I ask eagerly.
They both nod and walk down to the living room, where I excitedly follow them. I love Christmas.
Once we get to the living room, I sit in the armchair while my parents occupy the sofa. Mum hands me my present, which I eagerly tear into.
"You got me a camera? Thank you so, so, so much!" I shout, jumping over to the sofa to hug both my parents.
Then, of course, I open up the camera box and take pictures of both my parents, and everything else.
Around midday, after I've taken pictures of the entire house, the Cullen family arrives. It's been a tradition since as long as I can remember for us to spend Christmas together, with us alternating which house we're in each year.
This year, however, it's even better, because it means Edward will be here.
Esme and Carlisle help my mum and dad out with preparing the food, leaving Alice, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie and me in the living room. We exchange gifts between us, all wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
Alice and I really have got a lot closer with Rosalie after the sleepover.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Edward says to me, giving me a sweet kiss.
"Merry Christmas to you too," I smile back, kissing him again.
"Guys, less of the lovey-dovey shit! I feel like a fifth wheel," Alice complains, flopping down on the sofa.
"Sorry," I say to her, though I'm still smiling at Edward.
"So, when's your due date, Alice?" Rosalie asks conversationally.
"Mid-July, so, thankfully, after the exams," Alice replies, breathing a sigh of relief for extra emphasis.
"Have you and Cowboy thought of names?" I ask excitedly.
"No, not yet," Alice sighs. "But we have decided that we don't want to find out the sex. Jazz is hoping for a boy, but I'm hoping for a girl," she adds, grinning.
We discuss the pregnancy some more before we're all called out to the dining room table. Somehow, all nine of us manage to squeeze into the small dining room, though we do have to be split onto two tables. Adults on one, teenagers (including Emmett and Rosalie) on the other.
Everyone eagerly tucks into the meal, the turkey, stuffing, carrots, peas, and potato all equally delicious.
"This is amazing, mum," I call over to the adult table.
I glance over to Alice, who's sat across from me, to see her plate almost spotless.
"Don't judge, I'm eating for two," Alice warns. "You, on the other hand…" she trails off, pointing her fork at me.
"What can I say, fast metabolism!" I shrug, smiling widely at her.
Emmett – who's already on to his second serving – just grins sheepishly.
Rosalie turns to Edward and says, "You'll get used to the insane eating eventually." Edward chuckles and holds my hand under the table, sending me a coy smile. I smile back, shuffling a little closer to him.
Once lunch is finished we have the Swan family tradition, of games. Well, Uno. Edward looks worried when we push the tables together and all gather around to begin playing.
"Um, I've never played Uno before," Edward whispers in my ear.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you," I reply, kissing his cheek.
"Less kissing, you two," My father's says gruffly, huffing. Mum rolls her eyes at him and tells him to quit being so grumpy, making me snicker.
As we play Uno I talk Edward through the basic rules, who takes great joy in playing the plus 4 cards against Emmett. Lots of laughing and loudness ensues, as it always does when we play this game. At least once we all get accused of cheating and working together to win the game.
The evening is a lot calmer, all of us gathered in the living room watching traditional Christmas films. I sit as close to Edward as possible, as close as my father will allow.
At around 9 in the evening, there's a knock on the door, so my father goes to answer it. He soon walks back in, followed by a police officer. I sit a little straighter, worried about their presence and what's going on.
"I understand Edward Cullen is here?" The police officer begins.
"Y-Yes, th-that's me," Edward stutters, standing up to face the officer.
"I'm Officer Walker. I'm here to speak to you as you're the next of kin to Elizabeth Masen. You're her son, correct?" Officer Walker explains.
"Yes. Wh-what's wrong with h-her? Is sh-she in prison?" Edward asks, moving closer to the officer.
"No, she's not in prison. She's actually in hospital; she was in a car crash." Edward stares at the officer in horror, not really knowing what to say.
"What are her injuries? Which hospital is she in?" Carlisle asks, jumping up and putting a comforting arm around Edward.
"She's in Seattle, in the Harborview Medical Hospital. At the moment all I know is that she's broken a leg and is currently in surgery for internal injuries," Officer Walker explains.
"How was the crash caused?" Edward suddenly asks.
Officer Walker considers him for a moment, before opening and closing his mouth as if at a loss of what to say. Or maybe he doesn't want Edward to know what happened.
"She was drunk, wasn't she? She was drunk and she was driving, and now she's in hospital. This is just…typical," Edward mutters bitterly.
"Yes, that's what happened," Officer Walker admits, albeit reluctantly.
"You do realise she's done this before, right? She had to pay a $600 fine and a driving ban of a year. Since that was less than a year ago, she shouldn't have been driving anyway," Edward seethes, pacing around the living room and growing more and more agitated.
"We do know that, and she'll be punished accordingly," Officer Walker replies smoothly. "Do you want to see her?" he adds.
Edward scoffs at that, shaking his head defiantly. "Of course not. She'll survive, and as soon as she's out of hospital she'll be straight into prison for maybe a year? I'm better without her in my life."
I'm shocked at Edward's cold words, despite the fact they're completely understandable. He's been living here for just over three months now, and not once has his birth mother tried to contact him.
"Are you sure about this? You don't want to see if she'll be alright?" Esme asks, walking over to pull Edward into a hug.
"I'm certain. She's already ruined Christmas enough times in my life," Edward says firmly.
Officer Walker nods, looking a little awkward in the living room.
"Here's our number, call and let us know what happens," Carlisle offers the police officer. Edward glares at his father, which Carlisle just shrugs off. "You'll thank me later."
My father sees out the officer, and re-joins us in the living room. Edward still looks angry as he sits next to me, so I hold his hand in what I hope to be a reassuring manor. He leans over and kisses my cheek, whispering a 'thanks' in my ear. I smile back, snuggling a little closer.
Shortly afterwards the Cullen's decide to leave, due to the recent events. Whilst my parents are saying goodbye to Edward's, I pull him with me into the kitchen to say goodbye to him properly.
"You sure you don't want to see your mother?" I ask him, hugging him tightly.
"I'm positive. Esme's my mother now, and she's been more of a mother to me in the past few months than my birth mother ever was," Edward says, squeezing me tighter before pulling back a little.
Slowly he leans down as I reach up on my tiptoes, and press my lips to his. My fingers thread through his hair and massage his scalp gently as his large hands rest on my hips.
"Edward! We're leaving now!" Esme calls out. We break apart, both of us groaning.
Just as I'm brushing down my hair Edward reaches forward and pushes a strand behind my ear, placing a more chaste kiss on my lips.
"I love you," he whispers, hugging me once more.
"Love you too," I reply.
We walk over to the front door where everyone is waiting and receive knowing looks. I just shrug, hugging Edward once more before his parents pull him away and into his car.
I watch the car drive away before finally retreating back to the living room, to my parents.
"Oh, to be young and in love," Mum sighs as I sit down in the armchair.
"Mum!" I whine, glancing over at her.
"What!" she chuckles. "It's true! You and Edward are completely besotted with each other."
My Dad grunts in annoyance at this information, so I roll my eyes at him.
"He's not taking away my baby just yet," Dad huffs, crossing his arms.
Both Mum and I chuckle at his typical behaviour. When I head up to bed I check my phone, seeing a text from Alice and Edward.
Goodnight, sweetheart, I love you :) P.S. sorry if I got you in trouble with your dad ~Edward xxx
I giggle at his text and reply telling him I love him too and tell him my father just gave me the typical hassle.
Jazz asked me to move in with him once the baby arrives! Ahh! I love him soooo much :D ~Alice xx
I'm so happy that Cowboy is so accepting of her pregnancy. Secretly, I think he was thrilled when he found out.
When I go to sleep that night, I fall asleep happy with everything that's gone on.
I just hope everything with Edward and his birth mother is ok.
A/N: Thoughts on Edward's reaction to his birth mother? :O
Review please! :)
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