Resident Adviser

by addict-writer

Bella is in her second year at UW and she ends up paired with Edward –basketball superstar– as RAs for their year. How far would he go to get her? Would she fall for his antics, knowing his history with girls? Read and find out.

89. Chapter 89: Abby's plan worked

Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine. I don't own anything you might recognize.

THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to receive such feedback!

Many thanks to my beta for all the support, honey!

This is my FB name: Cherry Bellazza Callen. There are pictures on my profile.

PS: I made a group on FB: http:/www(.)facebook(.)com/groups/274198112656668/

From now, we kind of alternate between Edward and Bella until we have only EPOV, close to the very end. He decided to open up at the end, and Bella shied away. I bet everyone loves EPOV.

EPOV

"But Mommy said to wait for her!" Abby whined when she saw me getting dressed to leave.

"Apparently she's caught up at the hospital. I can't wait. I have to be at the gym at eleven, Abby. Nana Liz is on the way," I explained, shrugging the shirt over my head.

"NO!" she shrieked. I just had to love the tantrums. "And who's Jim?" she mumbled after a few minutes.

"Jim who?" I asked frowning.

"You said you had to go to Jim."

I laughed ruffling her hair. "I said gym, as in the sports. Remember, you came with mommy to pick me up once?"

"Oh!" Her face was priceless when she realized something that was normal for anyone else. "Can't I come with you?"

"No, little bit. I wouldn't be able to look after you."

She pouted, widening her eyes and giving me that look that she had perfected after watching Bambi. I averted my eyes knowing I'd probably cave.

"I'm going to play," she muttered defeated, shuffling out of the bedroom. I felt awful to see her sad. "I wish you would be home more, Daddy," Abby whispered from the doorway. "Can you stay home tomorrow?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I watched her leave. I should have known those were rhetorical questions. After zipping the duffle bag, I realized I needed a bottle of water with me and started to the kitchen.

I stopped on the small landing; looking down the five steps into the living room and saw Abby surrounded by her toys near the couch. Dammit! It was so fucking hard to deny her something.

Sighing heavily, I decided to get my water and wait for Liz to get here before leaving and not making it any more difficult for any of us.

My foot stepped on something that was on the stairs and the next thing I knew was the floor approaching my face. Fuck, no! I tried to catch myself but only managed to twist the duffle bag and fall on it.

Fuck, my ankle hurt. And my head managed to bang on the hardwood.

"Daddy! Are you okay?"

No. "Yes." I sat up and moaned when I realized my ankle really hurt.

Looking up at the culprit, I saw a small car Ed had bought for Abby on the stairs. "Abby, we've told you a thousand times to keep your toys in one place!"

"I'm sorry. It fell when I carried them down." She shrugged her little shoulders, biting her lip. She looked the picture of innocence – just like Bella when she did something bad and totally meant it.

The doorbell rang and I tried to get up but gave up soon, cursing loudly.

"Hey! You're not allowed to answer the door!" I yelled when Abby rushed to open the front door.

"Hi, Abby!" I heard Ed. Why was he here? Where was Liz? Not like it mattered now. Apparently her little wish had come true. I was sure I had sprained my ankle or something.

I managed to get up just as they appeared in my line of view. I leaned against the wall, banging my head against it.

"What daddy bang is she talking about?" Ed asked curiously.

Just because I couldn't blame Abby, I decided to blame him. "It's your fault! Why did you have to buy her a car?" I muttered.

He looked at me surprised then saw the car still on the stairs, the duffle bag on the floor, me leaning on the wall. It wasn't hard to connect the dots.

"Did you fall?"

"More like faceplanted," I supplied. "Can you call a cab to go to the hospital? Bella has the car."

"Sure. You're okay?" It was odd to hear him concerned about me. I shrugged, letting him think whatever he wanted while I called Kyle to tell him I wouldn't make it to the gym or the game tomorrow and that I'd keep them updated.

Abby got dressed for outside alone making me wonder if I knew how to tie my shoelaces at three years old. I probably had no idea how to do it. She had a little trouble with the zipper of her jacket, but I did it for her then with Ed's help we went to the cab that had arrived in speed time. It usually took half an hour not five minutes.

On the way to the hospital, Coach called and I started explaining what had happened which was kind of funny if you thought about it. He told me to call him back as soon as I knew what was going on so he'd know what changes to make.

Ed waved his phone in front of me just as I hung up with Coach. "It's Bella. I called her."

Why would you do that? I snatched the phone and put it to my ear. "Bella?"

"Edward! What happened?" she sounded frantic.

"Calm down! Everything's fine. I think." She shouldn't be worried, especially not so far along in her pregnancy. There were two more months until the due time.

"How can I calm down? Ed said you're coming to the hospital! Is Abby okay? Oh my God! What happened?"

"Bella, chill!" I hissed. "I fell, okay?" I told her reluctantly.

"You…fell?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, look I'm pulling up now. See you in ER?"

"You bet I'll be there!" she exclaimed hanging up.

The hospital was as busy as ever. Abby clung to my winter jacket as I supported myself on Ed's shoulder, cringing every time I stepped on my left foot. Fuck. I hope it's not broken.

We finally stopped near an empty bed and I fell on it unceremoniously as a doctor came to me. It took him a second to realize who his patient was.

"Hello, Mr. Cullen."

"Hello," I greeted him. "I think I sprained my ankle. Can you see what really happened?" I asked gesturing to my leg.

"Certainly. We'll have to go to the X-ray, though."

Fuck my life. "I clearly can't walk," I pointed out just as I saw Bella rushing toward us. She looked at me shocked then at Abby then again at me. Did she think I joked when I said that I fell? She started firing questions of how it happened, if it hurt, what was wrong and so on.

"Whoa!" I put my hands up. "I just came here. The doc's going to see what happened," I explained.

Refusing to be rolled in a wheelchair, Ed helped me to the X-ray room where only the doc and I went inside. The woman working there probably shit herself when she saw me. It was amusing how everyone reacted. I tried to remember how I reacted the first time I met some celebrity and realized I hadn't gone berserk. But I had Bella as the best example of losing her head when we bumped into the blond dude after the concert. Damn. Women.

Back in ER, waiting for the results, I told Bella what had happened and she turned to Abby starting to scold her for leaving her toys all over the house.

"She lost it on the way to the living room," I tried to take Abby's side. "And it's not the first time we stumble over her toys."

"It's the first time one of us is hurt," Bella insisted.

"I just wanted Daddy to be home more!" Abby cried, snuggling in my arms.

"Wait! You put that intentionally there?" I asked shocked.

"Maybe?" she whispered, looking away. "I'm sorry, Daddy!"

"Kids' minds work in mysterious ways," Ed said amused. "I'm sure she didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"Why did you come, anyway? I thought I called Liz," I added, glancing at him, still trying to process the lengths Abby had gone to keep me home.

"She was busy, stuck at work. I am free for the moment…" he explained, shrugging.

The doc returned with the results. His face told me there was bad news.

"I'm afraid it's more than a sprain, Mr. Cullen. The shin bone is fissured."

Fuck me. "Are you sure? Do I need a cast?" Three months off the court? No fucking way!

"Yes, you'll need a cast. Something like a boot. It's not very bad so hopefully you'll have it off by February," he told me.

February? I looked at him in disbelief. Before I could panic, I felt Bella's hand on mine, trying soothe me. It kind of worked, but I knew the season was over. For me, anyway. Cast for a couple of months at best then recovery. If I was lucky, I'd be in the play-offs.

Defeated, I even allowed the doc to bring me a wheelchair to get me to cast my leg. I was acting like a baby, but it was my first serious injury that I really remembered. That time I broke my leg when I was five, was kinda foggy in my brain.

Once everything was done at the hospital, Bella drove us home. I stayed in the backseat with my leg up and Abby on my lap. All the way home, I talked with Coach, explaining my situation. He didn't seem very happy, not like I was. He reminded me that after tomorrow's game I had to tell everyone why I wouldn't play for a few months. He'd tell the people commenting the game to say I had an accident, nothing more because it was my story to tell.

This was a part I didn't like. My private life wasn't that private. I promised to talk with Charlotte on Sunday, the day after the game.

When we arrived home, I was glad Ed insisted to come with us. He helped me inside and left me on the couch but not before stumbling over a plush cow.

"Pick everything up! Now! Or I'll throw them out!" Bella demanded in that business tone.

Surprisingly Abby listened. She grabbed her oversized bag and started throwing toys in there. Ed joined her in the quest for toys. Damn, she had thousands!

The medicine for the pain made me drowsy and I managed to fall asleep as I watched them throwing toys in the bag.

I came around to something touching my face. Hoping it wasn't Cody again because he just loved to lick us, I opened an eye and was relieved to see Bella there. She was sitting on the couch and my head was on her lap. Someone could probably kill me in my sleep and I wouldn't know a thing.

"Hey," I croaked, closing my eye again.

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt?" Bella asked worried, running her hand through my hair.

"'sgreat," I mumbled. "How was your appointment with Marcus?" I wondered, just remembering about it.

"Everything's okay. I have a picture."

"Show me." I loved all the pictures of the unborn baby. And if I concentrated, I even could see a little arm or finger. Because Abby was adamant to know if she had a baby brother or baby sister, Bella asked Marcus. He seemed relived that he wouldn't have to keep his comments like the first time. When Bella announced to us that she was carrying a little boy, I wasn't sure who was happier. Abby started yelling that she knew it, while I imagined how wonderful it would be to have another man around.

"It's in the bedroom. You'll see it when we go to bed. Are you hungry?"

"Not really, not if that means you're moving from this spot," I mumbled, hugging her. I started kissing her round stomach, murmuring nonsensical words to it. "Hey, how's Abby?" I asked realizing it was quiet around here.

"She's in her room with my laptop watching some movie. She's sorry, but then again she's not that sorry for what she has done," Bella told me. "I can't believe she did that!"

I chuckled. "You should have heard her whining to me to stay home. What she did was like 'you're not staying home? Okay, I'll make you stay home' thing."

Bella snorted grabbing my arm to raise me. I leaned on my elbow and bought her head down to kiss her. Those moments were so few and so far in between. Sometimes I wished we had been careful on the honeymoon just to have a few years for us, but I wouldn't trade Abby for anything in the world.

"She's evil. Takes after her daddy," Bella murmured against my lips.

"Me? Evil?" I asked in mock-shock. "You've got the wrong person, love."

"Sure, I have! The milk guy is even more evil than you," she joked.

"Milk guy?" I echoed confused, pressing my forehead against hers. "What are you talking about?"

"The milk guy!" she exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You know the advertisement to that perfume? Axe, I think?"

"Oh, you sneaky little thing!" I shouted when I realized she was fucking with me. She'd become better at my own game. When did that happen?

"Don't tickle me!" she shrieked as my fingers went to her armpits. "You heard that I have to be careful."

"You just love to use that to get away! Wait and see. Soon, you won't have an excuse."

Just because the baby was on her side, he decided to give me a good kick in the shoulder through her tummy. We both moaned at the same time.

"Stop whining, Edward! Just imagine how it is to be kicked from the inside, have your organs punctured every now and then and your bladder pressed until you consider wearing a diaper for adults."

I knew she was serious and I shouldn't laugh, but the things she was saying made me burst in laughter.

"Speaking of bladder. I've gotta pee," she muttered and pushed against me until she got up and wobbled away. "Oh, the crutches are next to the couch if you want to get up."

Fuck me. I wished I could have talked the doc out of them, but I knew I needed them if I wanted to move around on my own. How did I manage when I was five? I wondered idly. They probably carried me around or had me on bed rest. I had to ask.

Just not to have to get up, I called Cody. All those man nights had trained him to get me what I wanted from the kitchen.

He appeared next to me the second after I called his name. "Hey, boy." I scratched his head making him close his eyes. "Bring me the juice, will you? I have to take another pill."

He rushed out. I craned my neck to see him opening the fridge's door. I've done good, I thought to myself.

A throat clearing attracted my attention to the stairs where Bella stood there smirking at me. Fuck. Busted. I threw her my best grin wishing she wouldn't be upset I used the dog as my waiter again. Just then Cody came to me with the carton with juice in his mouth, juice dripping to the floor as his fangs had went through the carton.

"How about you clean after him?" Bella asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Uh, sorry," I mumbled, grabbing the carton from Cody and putting juice on the couch and me in the process. I was eyeing the wet spot near my crotch when Abby appeared next to Bella, tugging at her hand.

"I'm hungry, Mommy."

"We're going to start dinner soon, okay?" Bella whispered trying hard not to laugh.

Abby realized I was awake and skipped to my side stopping abruptly right before jumping on me. "Did you pee?"

I could feel my face burning. "It's juice," I explained.

"It's okay, Daddy." She patted my hand giving me a small smile.

"Abby, this is juice. Cody bit through the box."

She nodded, but I could tell she didn't believe me. Turning to look at Bella then back at me with her lower lip between her teeth, Abby gulped before meeting my eyes. "I'm welly sorry, Daddy."

"Oh, it's okay, baby." I picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Now, you'll have to put up with me every day for three months. Can you do that?"

She nodded vigorously, hugging me around the neck. "Does it hurt? You shouldn't have falled."

I grinned. "It's fallen, not falled. You shouldn't have fallen," I told her. "I'm sure you didn't mean for this to happen." I kissed her head before turning around ready to go and change my pants.

After grabbing the crutches, I stood on the good leg and sighed, wondering if I could hop to our room. It was complicated to maneuver the crutches. I had no idea where to put my hands or elbows.

Thankfully, Bella came to me and put my hands were they should be.

"How do you know this?" I wondered, focusing on keeping my equilibrium.

"I broke my leg once when I was still in Phoenix with Mom."

"Really? You never mentioned it," I said shocked.

"As you said before, I wasn't aware we had to share all our bruises and bumps. I'm going to start dinner. Will you manage?"

"I guess. If you hear something crash, it was me getting reacquainted with the floor."

After making it safely to our room and changing my pants with some difficulty, I went to the kitchen. I wasn't allowed to help with anything.

The next day, I switched off my phone just knowing it would ring every five seconds once the commentator would say why I wasn't on the court. The whole day, I watched cartoons and played with Abby, and once she was in bed, Bella joined me on the couch to watch the game.

"Who are you playing against?" Bella mumbled, snuggling into my side.

"Indiana. We'll probably win. The new guys are very good," I explained.

Once the game had started, I tried not to sulk. I never liked to stay aside while my team played.

"You know something?" Bella got my attention. "I'm kinda happy you have some time off. You look really tired, Edward."

"Well, that's my job." I pointed to the TV. "I love what I'm doing."

"I know that, but it's too much for you. Practices, games, press interviews, and above all an extra excited child."

"And a pregnant wife," I added, squeezing her to my side.

"I'm a pain in the ass, I know," she admitted, kissing my cheek. "I realize that some things I want are weird or too much, but you know…I like to blame the baby."

"Of course, or the hormones."

It had been such a long time since I last watched a game that I simply couldn't just look. The first break came quickly and all I wanted was to be there, not to watch it from home. I wanted to kick my feet, but that would be childishly.

What's the good part in me staying home? I wished I knew what Bella had meant by that.

At my insistences, Bella closed her phone too because people usually called her if they couldn't reach me.

"Think positive. You'll be home for Christmas and New Year." She patted my arm, beaming.

"I already promised to stay out of the Christmas game. But I think you just want me to entertain Abby while you do the cooking."

"You guessed," she giggled. "Oh, when is Emmett coming?"

"Fuck, no!" I groaned. "I forgot about him. Can't he stay at a hotel or something?" I wondered loudly. I wasn't ready for Emmett and his antics.

"No, Edward! He's your brother and he's coming with business here. You won't even know he's around," Bella told me encouragingly.

I snorted. "He's more like a bother," I joked but sobered quickly when she narrowed her eyes at me. "Fine, fine. He can stay here. He should be here on Monday. Let us pray he won't extend his vacation for the entire Christmas holiday."

Bella bit her lip, looking in her lap. It was the very same look Abby gave me after I had fallen. Fuck me. Emmett was staying!

"No! What did you do, Bella?" I moaned.

"I thought it would be nice to extend the invitation to Rose and the boys for Christmas since Emmett was here anyway. Are you mad? I thought you missed them too." She looked like a child caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

"I'm not mad, love. Just…" I ran my hands through my hair. "I'm not sure how much of Emmett I could tolerate right now."

"Edward, there's only a week until Christmas, which it's a time to be around family and you know? Forgive and forget?" she teased, pinching my cheek.

"Forgive? Maybe. Forget? Not likely. All that embarrassing stuff he did to me. All the times I ended up in ER because he was just playing!"

"Stop complaining. I'm sure every sibling has…animosities towards another sibling."

"Animosities?" I echoed her amused. "I'm sure Emmett was most likely like this: he's little, he's new, he's stupid. Great. Let's have some fun."

"When would you stop insulting yourself? You're not stupid, and I'm sure you weren't stupid back then either," she said sternly. "But I'm sure that right now you'd say something stupid whatever the subject was because you're upset for not playing."

She understood. Of course, she always did.

I sighed heavily and leaned my head on her shoulder closing my eyes to block the TV noises and the sight of my foot on the coffee table.

Once the game was over and Chicago Bulls had won with a respectable difference, we went to bed.

"I'm not ready for tomorrow," I grumbled after getting under the blanket.

"You have to do it. Where are you meeting with Charlotte?"

I chuckled knowing she hated her full name. "Probably here since I can't walk anywhere. Why?"

"I wanted to do some shopping and didn't know what to do with Abby."

"I'll be here. Don't worry."

It felt like I had just fallen asleep when someone shook me awake.

"Daaaddyy!"

No. One more hour, please. I tried to feign sleep, but my evil daughter started jumping on the bed. My leg didn't like that and neither did the other parts of my body so I grabbed her leg making her fall on top of me. It was a bad move. She punctured my stomach, thankfully not something else.

"No jumping on beds," I mumbled, hugging her to me. Maybe she'd snooze with me.

"Mommy said to wake you. She just left."

"Great. Let's sleep," I encouraged her, keeping my eyes closed.

"Breakfast! Mommy said you'll make pancakes!"

"Abby, please, stop screaming. I'm right here," I groaned, finally opening my eyes. She lay sprawled on my stomach grinning up at me. "What pancakes do you want?" I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from her.

"The mouse ones. Will you? Please, Daddy!" Abby twined her hands making her lower lip tremble. She was a great actress.

"Now that you said please, I have to, right?" I asked, taking her off me and dropping her on the floor.

After taking the crutches I hated so much, I started making my way to the kitchen with Abby on my heels.

My phone was on the table, but I ignored it and started on my duties, going to get a pan and the pancake batter. I never got it right so I stuck with the already prepared one, just adding the egg and cream. It was difficult to make the normal pancakes, but the ones with Mickey Mouse's face were even more complicated. That was only Bella's fault. She had created one by mistake when three pancakes mixed together. Abby loved that and of course, she demanded it again.

"Hand me a plate," I told her when I saw the first round was done. Not getting an answer, I looked around and didn't see Abby. But thanks to Cody, I knew where she was. He looked to something under the table, his head cocked.

I decided to play along and put the pan aside, clearing my throat. "Hey, Cody! Did you see Abby?"

He barked once wriggling his tail.

"Okay, don't help me. I'll find her. Abby? If you don't want Mickey, I'll eat him with lots of chocolate syrup. You don't want Mickey?" I asked again louder, seeing her under the table, but not giving her away. "Suit yourself then. I'll start with the left ear. Yummy."

"Mickey's mine!" she shrieked.

"Be careful!" I shouted when I saw her getting up, but it was too late. The bang was loud and it almost hurt me.

As if on cue, she started crying and I took her from under the table, putting her on the chair looking at her head. "Where does it hurt?" I kept touching her scalp, unsure where she bumped it.

Her small hand touched the forehead and sure enough there was a red line. Fuck.

"Shh. Let's put something cold there." I turned to search for a spoon when Abby grabbed my sleep pants. "I'm just here." I pointed to the silverware drawer.

With her hand still clutching my pants, I managed to grasp a teaspoon and righted myself by her side before I could fall and break something else. After pressing the cold teaspoon to her bruise, I stroked her head.

"Does it still hurt?" I whispered after a few minutes.

She nodded as her tears kept falling. As if it wasn't enough to feel desperate and unsure of what to do, my phone started ringing. Bella must have turned it on.

"Hello?" I asked, tucking it between my ear and shoulder to still be able to inspect Abby's bruise.

"Edward! We need to talk! What kind of accident is everyone talking about? You should have told me immediately!"

"Dammit, Charlotte! I don't have time, okay? You can come over and we'll talk?" I added quickly before she could make my ear bleed.

"I'll be there in twenty." She hung up muttering.

Fuck my life. I groaned putting the phone next to me on the table along with the teaspoon.

"Some pancake? It will make you feel better," I told Abby. She nodded, sniffing. "But first, we need to blow that little nose."

By the time Charlotte arrived, everything was under control once again. She nearly had a litter of kittens on my doorstep when she saw my leg. I ushered her inside before she woke up the whole neighborhood with her shouting.

We sat on the couch and talked while Abby ran around the room, forgetting about her bruise. Because she didn't get enough attention, she tried getting it by doing all kind of forbidden things until I shouted at her for trying to climb on the couch from behind.

"Sit here." I patted the couch between Charlotte and me. "Abby!" I hissed, dragging her there. "Calm down."

"She's full of energy," Charlotte noted.

"This is nothing, sadly. It can be worse," I told her, pointing to my leg with a grin. "Anyway, what were you saying?"

"That you have to talk about this."

"Can't you make a press release? I can't actually go anywhere. And no, I won't allow any papz around my family," I added forcibly when she opened her mouth. "Charlie, look, you can tell everyone what happened. I'll make sure to go out sometime in the near future…to buy the Christmas tree and there will be someone to take a photo?" I suggested, raising an eyebrow.

"That sounds like a plan. Make sure to do that soon. Where would you go?" she asked, scribbling something on a notepad.

"Somewhere where they sell trees? I dunno!"

"Okay, okay."

"And no talking and nothing else. Just a picture of me. And me alone. Understood?"

She nodded seriously. "When do you think you'll be okay again?"

"Around March or April. Hopefully."

A few more questions and agreements later, she was gone. I slumped on the couch trying to keep Abby still while making a puzzle. My patience was short, but I tried to not get angry when she wove her hand through the half made puzzle.

"I'm back!" Bella called from the hallway. I hadn't even heard the door opening.

"Fuc- Finally!" I yelled back.

"What happened? Was she too much?" Bella asked laughing as she came into the room.

"Are you kidding?" I moaned. "I have ten more white hairs in my head."

"Don't be dramatic, honey. This is how she is every day, believe me." Bella leaned to kiss me then Abby. "What's this?" she asked concerned. Crap. The bump.

"There was a small accident with the table," I explained. "She's okay now."

"Why would you allow her under the table? Does it hurt, baby? Where were you, Edward?"

"Uh, remember what Bob told you? Not to leave me alone with her unless you're sure I can do it…just so you won't accuse me afterwards?" I reminded her, which was a bad move.

"Edward, I trust you to be able to take care of your own kid for a few hours!" Bella shouted. "One time you get hurt, another time she gets hurt! What next?"

"Bella, we were playing. She was hiding," I explained looking at Abby who seemed preoccupied with her toys. Yeah, thanks for sticking up to your dad, kiddo. "If I knew she'd get hurt, I would have taken her out from under the table."

"She's still too little to know the danger of hitting herself so you have to make sure she's out of the danger's way! Did you at least put some ice on her bruise?"

"I pressed a teaspoon there so she wouldn't get a bump."

Bella huffed and started looking at Abby's head again. I probably wouldn't be alone with her until I proved that I can take care of her.

"So what did you do besides this?" Bella asked, dragging Abby on her lap.

"We had breakfast. I made the Mickey pancakes then Charlotte came and we talked. Abby ran around and tried to demolish the living room, we tried – and that is the key word – to make a puzzle then you arrived." I shrugged. "You? Did you find everything on the list?"

"Did you give her chocolate or something?"

"Syrup for the pancakes," I told her. "Maybe it was too much?"

"If it was as much as you put on yours then it definitely was too much for her." Bella laughed. Maybe I was going to be forgiven quicker than I thought. "I got what I need for cooking for Christmas. We still need to buy a tree and a new decoration."

"Are we keeping that as a tradition?" I wondered.

"Yep. This one has to be from here since you wouldn't be gone."

"Don't remind me!" I moaned. "I'm already waiting for our dear family to start calling."

"You should have called them and tell them what's going on," Bella reproached. "They'd be worried sick. I bet Esme would come here with the first plane."

"Bite your tongue."

"That huwts!" Abby told me, folding her arms over her chest.

I chuckled. "It was figuratively speaking. I won't hurt mommy."

She didn't look convinced but turned her attention to Bella, telling her what we'd done from her point of view.

Just like predicted, everyone called worried and it took me hours to explain that I was okay besides the broken leg. Mom wanted to come over, but once I passed the phone to Bella, she managed to convince her that we'd manage. Thank God.

On Monday evening I was pleading a stubborn Abby to eat her dinner while Bella was in the shower when the doorbell rang. Of course, the dinner was forgotten.

Somehow, Abby arrived faster than me at the door, but I blamed the cast on that. Lucky the door was locked. When I opened it, I came face to face with Emmett.

"Hey, bro!" he greeted me, hugging me.

"Emmett! I thought you weren't coming," I said surprised. It was almost seven PM.

"I dropped by to the company I'm going to buy from then came here. Hey there, little one!" He scooped Abby up much to her delight.

I was left with his wheeled suitcase as they disappeared around the corner to the kitchen.

"You hungry?" I asked, catching up with them.

"Damn, you weren't joking!" He whistled looking at my leg. "You got him good, Abby-bee."

"Hey!" I shouted. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"Says who?" Emmett asked mockingly. "Did you say anything about food?"

"Yes, we have meatballs with sauce." I went to grab him a plate just as Bella returned.

"Emmett! I thought I heard your voice!" she exclaimed going to hug him.

"Bella Boop!"

I ended up with Abby in my arms while my idiotic brother tried to suffocate Bella. He whispered something making her blush, which was a thing I hadn't seen Bella do in some time.

"Okay, Em! Quit embarrassing my wife. Weren't you hungry?" I tried to distract him.

"I'm always hungry, bro! But it's so much fun to see her blush."

Bella took Abby from me, avoiding eye-contact. What the hell had Emmett said now? I wanted to strangle him.

"No, no! I want Uncle Emmett!" Abby shouted turning her arms to him.

"He's eating," I said putting a plate on the table. "Which you should be doing as well."

"No! Don't want!"

"Then Emmett won't stay with you. He'll leave. He doesn't like kids that don't listen. Do you, Em?" I asked, giving him a pointed look.

"I always like when everyone eats." He nodded seriously. "And you, little one, have to eat to grow big."

"Big like Daddy?" Abby asked, looking at me frowning.

"Yes. If you don't eat, you'll be small like that always," Emmett said dramatically. "You don't want that, do you?"

Abby bit her lip then reached for her plate. Wow. Suddenly, I realized what a good parent my brother was. I had pleaded her to eat for half an hour, and he had done the impossible in a few minutes. I was a little jealous.

Once we were all eating, Emmett told us a little about his business in the city, about his family, about things at home, and in returned we shared a little of what we were doing too.

"Rose's coming, right?" Bella asked suddenly, looking up from her plate.

"On Saturday, the twenty-fourth, because she's a little busy. I hope she can keep up with the kids on the plane," he said worried. "They were too young the last time we visited."

"Don't worry, if there's anyone to have it under control it's Rose. I'm sure," Bella assured him.

Emmett gave her a skeptic look. "Actually, it's not like that. At all." He sighed. "Since they're boys and she they're mama…it's like they can do no wrong in her eyes, even though she knows some things are bad. But I'm sure I'd do the same if we had a girl." He looked at Abby, and I could tell he wanted a girl too.

"Are you trying?" I blurted out.

"It's too soon or something like that." He shrugged. "I told Rosie that when she thinks she's ready to try again. I'm game. Though, I don't blame her for not wanting to try. The boys are too much."

"I guess not everyone is lucky to have a girl without even trying," I chuckled. "And I'm not speaking of us," I added when Emmett scowled at me. "Bob."

"Oh, don't remind me!" he moaned. "And Mom's on my neck because she wants a granddaughter from me. I kinda said some bad things, but…honestly! Leave me alone! It's up to Rosie, anyway."

"Right," I muttered. "Let's not talk about luck and Mom. She had twins and to top that…you were a pair."

"I know, that's part of what I told her. Anyway, what else is new here?"

"I love pre-school!" Abby exclaimed beaming at her uncle. That turned out in a detailed explanation of her first day of pre-school and then the highlights of it. Somehow, she had missed telling everyone about this on our trip to Seattle in the summer.

Emmett asked if he could put her to sleep and we eagerly agreed, knowing we wouldn't be seeing him for at least an hour or two. It was getting more and more difficult to make her sleep.

"Do you think he would mind sleeping in a room where a crib is? Maybe we shouldn't have put the crib up," Bella said worried.

"Don't worry, love. He has a bed there. A big one at that. And if he doesn't like that arrangement, the couch is his."

We settled in front of the TV. Bella was munching on some chocolate bar while I was fighting to keep my eyes open when Emmett appeared in the doorway. It couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes.

"Do I have to do it?" Bella asked, licking melted chocolate off her fingers.

"Do what, Boop? She's out like the light."

"Are you joking?" I asked shocked. "Abby's asleep? Already?"

"Uh, yes. What's so odd?" he wondered.

"It takes hours to get her to sleep. She must have tricked you," Bella muttered, shaking her head and getting up. "I'm going to check."

Emmett came to sit next to me. "So, how are you, bro?"

"I'm good, ya know?" I shrugged. "Everything's great, actually."

"I guess Alice wasn't joking when she said you'd start your dream life here. You have the whole deal."

"Without the white picket fence," I joked.

"That's the last thing you need. Dog, two point five kids, great job and of course, Boop."

I groaned. "Can you please stop calling her that? I don't even fucking remember what happened. Was I even there?"

"Yep, you were," Bella answered returning. "She's asleep indeed. You're in charge of getting her to bed while you're here, Emmett," she told him seriously before sitting on my lap.

I wrapped my arms around her, tucking my head against her neck. "Care to share that story? I feel like I'm missing on something."

"It was in first year, right?" Bella looked at Emmett who nodded. "You had probably won a game or something, I don't know. I wasn't following the games." She shrugged. "All I know is that somehow I got dragged into this drinking game and ended up on the outside court with you guys."

"Ah, I remember! Jazz dared you to shoot!" Emmett exclaimed then clamped a hand over his mouth. He was going to put Abby back to sleep if she woke up.

"Yes, that's right," Bella agreed. "And you followed because you wanted to see 'Swan embarrassing herself', your words not mine." She smirked at me. "Anyway, Jasper showed me how to shoot, not like it was rocket science. The ball had to go through the basket."

"And she threw the ball toward the hoop, caught the edge and the ball went back to her. She tried to catch it but she hurt her finger. Middle finger!" Emmett laughed.

"Then you had no right to laugh at me for breaking said finger before the last game in college!" I accused her. Ah, what wonderful memories from that hotel room here in Chicago.

"Apparently, I hopped around, clutching to my finger screaming 'boop' thus the horrid nickname," Bella finished the story I had no recollection of.

"Are you positive I was there?" I probed.

"Yes, Edward! You were just unobservant of me."

I snorted because I always observed her. I was hyper aware of her, even back then. "I beg to differ," I mumbled. "I might have been too drunk at the time, though," I allowed with a smile.

After saying goodnight to Emmett, we went to bed, but not before making a small plan of what we'd do the next day.

Once Emmett's meeting would be over, he'd come back and take us tree shopping. We had decorated the tree in the Eve the previous years, but I knew that we'd do it sooner this time.

While he was gone, I called Charlotte to tell her I'd go tree shopping soon if she still wanted to make sure people saw my leg, not like I really cared. But I had taken the time to search the Internet and saw some stupid comments that were far from the reality.

It turned up Emmett couldn't escape early and that left only us. I didn't like Bella driving while pregnant but I had to suck it up.

We went to the tree park we always went and I knew that if there was someone to take pictures, they'd knew it was me even though I had a woolen beanie tugged on my head. Like always, it was Abby's choice so we nearly froze until she found the perfect tree.

"I think this is perfect!" she said excited, pointing to a tall tree.

"Uh, do you think that one would fit inside the house?" I asked carefully. Why do they sell such huge things?

"But I want that!" she whined.

I took her in one of my arms, showing her a more reasonable tree. It was a little taller than me and with many branches. It was perfect.

"But, Daddy!"

"Abby, don't make a scene. We can look at another one, but I think we've seen all of them, baby."

"The big one!" she insisted.

"This one is just great," Bella said from my side pointing to the one I had seen. When Abby opened her mouth, she went on trying to make her cave. "If we buy that big tree we won't fit in the house." It was kinda true.

"You can choose what tree decoration we buy this Christmas," I told her knowing that would distract her.

"Really?" Abby asked, her green eyes sparkling. "Now?"

"After we buy the tree and get it home."

The trip to the mall was a disaster waiting to happen. Bella tried to keep Abby close to us but she loved to run to the windows and look inside, while I struggled to keep upright.

At first I got strange looks then, some people realized who I was…unfortunately. After that, I tugged the hat almost over my eyes and tried to keep pace with Abby.

She kept begging us to buy different toys she saw but we told her we were there to buy an ornament for the tree. Thankfully, Bella and I were great at talking through glances. She'd take Abby to the bathroom or somewhere later and I'd go and buy what she had seen.

"But I want the horns!" she whined, pointing to the reindeer antlers. They were interesting actually, going on the head of someone. I wasn't sure if they sold such small sized antlers but it was worth a try.

"Abbs, you should tell Santa that," Bella told her. "Maybe he'd get you some?"

"Where is he?"

"Laponia," I explained.

"North Pole," Bella said louder, throwing me a glare.

What? It was true. Kids were misinformed about the North Pole shit.

We finally found a promising store with decorations for the Christmas tree. Bella seemed happier than Abby to be there.

After looking around, we bought a big white globe with a snowflake painted on it, some new tinsel and lights to put on the house, at Bella's insistences. I had no idea who'd put them there. Probably Emmett would sacrifice.

"Should I take her to the bathroom?" Bella whispered to me as we left the store.

"It would be best, yes," I agreed.

"Look!" Abby yelled. Right in front of us was the customary Santa listening to kids. I wouldn't do that, not even for a thousand dollars. "Let's go! I haf to tell him what I want!" She tugged on Bella's hand making her laugh.

I followed them, wanting to see that. The queue was short and before I knew it, Abby was on some unknown man's lap telling him what she wanted for Christmas. Poor guy. He nodded – just like he had done to the previous kids – and reached for the red satchel at his feet. I had to give it to him. He looked genuine and if I ever believed in him, I'd have thought he was the real deal. Maybe it helped that he was old and his hair and beard were naturally white.

He gave Abby a big lollipop making Bella cringe. I knew she kept her away from them.

"Hey, look here!" I waved to Abby, while taking my phone out to take a picture. "Smile."

She threw me her killer smile, clutching to the lollipop. Then she broke in a run and squealed as she reached us.

"Look what I got, Mommy!" Abby shouted, jumping up and down. "Can I eat it?"

"Not now, but after lunch you can have a little," Bella said amused. "Why don't you come with me to the restroom? We'll meet daddy at the car."

"I wanna go with Daddy!"

"You should go with mommy. I'm sure you need to go too, right?" I questioned, knowing it had been a few hours since we left and she'd been out in the cold.

After thinking for a little while, Abby nodded and grabbed Bella's hand. I went to the antlers first. It turned out they had every size and because I knew everyone would want what Abby had, I bought three small sized and a big one for me.

Just as I was trying to find the store with the doll Abby had seen, my phone rang. Emmett. I didn't want to answer, but it was a good idea I did answer anyway. He asked if it was a good idea to be dressed in Santa. I agreed knowing the kids would love that. The only thing he needed was a white beard, which I promised to buy.

Finally finding the store with the doll, I started browsing and bought the doll along with another two dolls – a boy and a small one – and accessories at the insistences of the saleslady. Where would I hide this from Abby?

Before leaving, I bought the beard and went to the car where Bella was strapping Abby in her seat. Quickly, without being seen, I stowed everything in the trunk and joined them.

Seeing that Abby was in a mood and not wanting to be strapped, I offered to stay with her in the backseat.

Emmett was already home having set the tree up.

"Thanks," I said when I saw it.

"You're welcome. Should we decorate it?" he asked taking Abby in his arms when she ran to him with her lollipop.

"You can help me carry everything from the garage," I suggested.

"Me too! Me too!" Abby begged us.

"Of course, you too. I don't think I can carry anything besides myself," I joked, pinching her small nose.

After a few trips to the garage, everything was in the middle of the living room. I put the new ornaments on the couch and leaned into Emmett.

"Make sure she's distracted. I have to get her present to my room," I whispered.

"Fear not, little bro," he said seriously. "Abby, let's go outside and see where we should put the lights."

He didn't have to tell her twice. She was by the front door in seconds, pulling her boots on. I went back to the garage to grab the present from the trunk. While I was struggling to keep the crutches in my hands and carry the huge box and bag, Bella appeared next to me.

"Let me help," she offered amused.

I scowled, but accepted her help. We stowed them at the bottom of our closet then joined Emmett and Abby outside.

Emmett was already on a ladder with an end of the lights while Abby was holding the other end and giving him directions. It was a funny sight. When Bella tried to take the lights from her, she got an annoyed look from Abby.

"Just catch them on the end of the roof!" I shouted to Emmett.

"I'm trying, but they keep falling. Do you have something that could keep them still?" he asked, looking down at me.

"Uh, no. I'm sure you can catch it on something," I insisted.

He climbed down shaking his head and giving Bella the lights. "I'm going to your garage to search for something," he muttered disappearing around the corner.

"Moron," I grumbled, leaning the crutches next to the ladder and before Bella could stop me, I climbed up there hissing as my leg hurt a little when I put pressure on it. Of course, there was the edge of the stove pipe that would keep the lights in place.

"Give 'em here!" I told Bella leaning to grab the end in her hands.

After fastening the wire of the lights in place, I climbed down just as Emmett appeared empty handed. I had told him that I didn't have anything. His eyes widened when he saw the lights there.

"You do the other side," I said sternly. With my instruction on where to hang the lights, he was done quickly.

Bella brought a plug close to the kitchen window and once the lights were plugged in, the house looked quite nice. It was the first year we actually used lights. Everyone did this besides us. We finally joined the dark side.

After lunch, Abby insisted we should decorate the tree, but Bella told her to nap for a few hours because the tree wasn't going anywhere. We should have expected her to appear back in the living room after nearly an hour as hyper as always.

Bella inserted a carols CD in the player and we set to work. Abby put globs on the lower brunches while we worked on the taller ones.

"Abby, be careful!" Bella cried out when the red globe fell from her small hands.

"It's okay," Abby told her after inspecting the fragile glass ball.

When Jingle Bells started playing, she seemed to forget about being careful and skipped from the couch to the tree, singing. The last globe she hung fell from the brunch not being actually hung. I made to catch it as it tumbled on the lower brunches. Thankfully, I got it before it met the floor.

"Why don't you take a break?" I suggested. "You can sing and jump while we do this."

"Sure." Abby nodded and kept jumping and singing loudly.

As The Little Boy Who Santa Claus Forgot started playing, I tried not to think of my past but it was a little difficult. It wasn't entirely true because I remember getting presents, but they handed them to me, never even telling me about Santa Claus. At school I really didn't get who that guy was, and only when I went to the Cullens I understood who that Claus guy was. And Emmett and Alice still believed at nine years old.

"Is it true?" Abby whispered attracting our attention to her. She had stopped jumping and was listening to the lyrics. "Santa forgot someone?"

I swallowed thickly realizing she wanted me to answer since she was looking at me. What could I tell her? That some kids don't know about Santa's existence?

"It's just a song, baby," Bella told her glancing at me. "Santa never forgets about anyone. Some kids might think they were forgotten, but they aren't. The world is big and Santa has to circle it to give everyone their present."

"Santa was just late, right?" Abby asked.

"Yes, honey." Bella smiled, ruffling her hair.

Another happy song started and she seemed to forget as she started jumping and singing again.

"It's good you live in a house. The neighbors would have thought the building was falling if you lived in an apartment," Emmett joked.

"Actually, it kinda happened one time when she got a cold last spring," I said. "I had a game away and Bella had to work so Abby stayed with Ed and Liz for a few hours since she wasn't allowed at pre-school."

"When I went to get her, I found her already dressed and ready to go. Apparently the guy living under them is insane and came to their door complaining of the thumps and screams. You know, Abby's never quiet," Bella explained. "That guy wanted to call the police for disturbing him. I mean seriously. She's a kid."

"Did he call the cops?" Emmett asked laughing.

"No, Ed talked with him. It's good they're sort of friends since he helped him with something some time ago, but still…" Bella shook her head watching Abby as she jumped up and down. "Why don't you relax for a little while? I bet you're all wet," Bella suggested.

"Can I have the sucky thing now?" Abby wondered.

"Only a little," Bella promised.

What sucky thing? I shared a confused look with Emmett then looked after Bella. She returned moments later with the lollipop. Oh no! As if she wasn't agitated enough. Now she'd be on sugar high.

At least she was quiet while eating, but we were so engrossed in decorating the tree that we forgot about her. Only when she went to Bella telling her she had sticky fingers, we realized she had eaten the entire thing.

"Holy shit! Did you eat all of it?" Bella shrieked. "Abby! Why would you do that?"

"It was weally good," she answered honestly, licking her fingers.

A look at the clock told me it was only five in the afternoon. It was going to be a long night.

"You said bad word!" Abby told Bella with her hands on her hips. "Oh!" She frowned when her fingers stuck to her blouse.

"Abby!" Bella groaned. "Let's go to the bathroom and wash your hands."

"That's nothing," Emmett told me amused. "You should have seen Rick after sticking his hand in the melted chocolate Rosie wanted to put on the cake. And when she saw him, she chased him around the house. He left a trail of chocolate every fucking where."

"Ouch," I muttered. Then I burst in laughter. "Remember when we ate all the frosting on the cake Mom had baked for Alice?"

"Oh, damn. My ass still hurts," Emmett mumbled, rubbing his ass. "You were lucky to get off easy."

"Easy?" I asked in disbelief. "I had to do the laundry, and you know I hate the washing machine!"

"Right, because you're…weird."

"Thanks," I grumbled snatching a yellow ball from the box and hanging it on the tree.

"Anytime." Emmett grinned at me, slapping my back. "Alice was really upset," he added as an afterthought.

"You think? We ruined her cake, Em! Her little princesses had parts of the body missing and the frosting was gone! I'm surprised, Mom didn't spank me too."

"She was just walking on eggshells around you. And it's not like she broke my ass…after two slaps she started shaking her hand at me and kept yelling." Emmett shrugged.

Because I was immature, I stuck my tongue out at Emmett. He scowled, showing me the finger.

"Can I put the top?" Abby asked as she came to a skidding halt at my feet.

"Sure, little bit." I grabbed one of the two tops we had and handed it to her.

"No! I want the angel!" she moaned.

"Okay." I raised her in my arms while she clutched the angel to her chest. Once she was on my shoulders, she grabbed the top of the tree and tugged it to her. "Easy!" I shouted when it leaned. Poor tree. I moved closer leaning forward. "Can you reach it better now?" I asked unsure, not seeing a thing.

"Yeah!"

With a little help from Emmett, the angel was in place and the tree had survived. For now.

Once the tree was full of decorations we relaxed on the couch. Emmett was recalling the old Christmases while I tried to ignore him.

He was in the middle of recalling one of the few deeds I had joined him in where we had eaten all the jelly from a few jars leaving jelly on the walls so Mom would believe they were full when Abby came to me. She had been quiet, admiring the tree from every angle.

"Yeah, Abby?" I asked as she kept patting my knee.

"Play, Daddy?" she wondered, pointing to the piano.

"Now?" I moaned.

"Phleasee!"

Complying, I sat at the piano. It had been a long time since I last played. Probably the previous Christmas was the last time I played.

"What should it be?" I asked her, cracking my fingers.

Cocking her head to the side and tapping her cheek, Abby looked lost in thoughts.

"Don't hurt yourself," Bella joked watching her amused.

"White Christmas." I was surprised she managed to say it without destroying the words.

"Sure thing," I agreed and ruffled through the pages I had stacked on the piano.

"You don't know it?" Emmett asked shocked.

"Em, it's been years since I played. Really played," I reminded him. "Here it is."

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

Abby started clapping and dancing as Bella and Emmett joined me in singing. That made her stop and turn to Emmett.

"No, Uncle Em! You sing howibly!" she cried out making me burst in laughter. "Let Mommy and Daddy sing."

Emmett looked scandalized before tackling her to the ground and starting to tickle her. Abby escaped and clambered on my lap, clutching to my shirt.

"Uncle Em is mean!"

"Is that so?" I asked trying to hide my smile.

"Yes." She nodded seriously. "Santa won't come to him."

"Why?" Emmett shouted. "I want Santa!" he whined. Such a big baby.

"You're mean and now you're on Santa's nighty list."

"Naughty," I corrected her grinning at my brother. If Santa actually existed, I was sure that Emmett wouldn't have gotten a thing in his life at how mean he was – intentionally or not.

"Sing more, Daddy!"

I found The Twelve Day of Christmas, a song I had forgotten about. Firstly, I wanted to tell her about the meaning of the days, but I didn't remember all of them.

"Do you remember the story of the twelve days?" I asked Emmett. Dad had told us once, but it had been a long time since then.

"You get no answer from me," he huffed.

"1 is for True Love refers to God, 2 is for Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments, 3 is for French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues, 4 is for Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists, 5 is for Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace, 6 is for Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation, 7 is for Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments, 8 is for Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes, 9 is for Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, 10 is for Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments, 11 is for Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles and 12 is for Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed."

I stared at Bella, surprised she knew all of them. I remembered only about the drummers, the love and pipes.

Abby looked a little dazed by all the new information and I started singing before she could ask anything.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

.

.

.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

I should have known I'd remember the meaning of the days by reading the lyrics. As I continued singing, Abby left my lap and started dancing until Bella decided it was enough and it was bath time. After an hour of crying and whining, she was finally in bed. Emmett took his duty seriously as he closed the door of her room in our faces before going to read to her probably.

"Alone," I sighed in relief, falling face first on the bed. "'m so fucking tired."

"You better sleep well now, cuz soon we have to be up at all hours of the night," Bella reminded me lightly.

"Fuck me," I grumbled, closing my eyes.

"Now?" she asked innocently as she climbed on the bed. I felt her small hands running down my back and bit back a moan.

Would it be too much to ask for a massage? I had to try my luck. "A back rub?" I murmured, turning my head to look at her.

Bella smirked evilly at me. What did I get myself into? "Only if you promise to rub my feet later."

"Anything," I promised, already imagining how good it would be to have loose muscles.

After a little shuffling, she settled on my ass and started rubbing my shoulders. Fuck! It felt amazing. My joins were popping as the muscles loosened making me relax. As she went lower with the massage, I started guiding her to the parts that hurt.

"Oh, right there!" I moaned. "Yes! Christ, this feels so good."

"Shh," Bella hissed between giggles as her fingers dipped in the small holes above my ass then she trailed her hands up again.

"A little to the left," I mumble. "The other left, Bella." I laughed when she went to my right side.

"Oops! Here?" she whispered. "You're so tense."

"I haven't done my daily routine exercises," I told her. "Maybe I should try doing it."

"You mean carrying Abby wouldn't be exercise enough?"

"I can't carry her now," I grumbled. "Yessss! There. Ah, it feels sooo damn good."

"Edward, be quiet. Emmett might think something else," she chided me.

"But it feels so good," I complained, moaning again when she hit a wound up spot.

"Do you want a reason to moan? I'd give you one. Just say the word," Bella whispered sultry in my ear, moving her hands to my chest and brushing my nipples earning a load groan from me.

It wasn't a good idea to do this with Emmett mere feet away, but her hands felt amazing on my warm skin.

"Keep doing that," I encouraged her hoping to stray her wandering hands from waking Toto.

"Doing this?" Bella whispered right into my ear as one of her hands skimmed over my stomach and into my pants.

"Holy fuck," I moaned loudly writhing against her hand that cupped my dick and squeezed. Being trained to react at her touch, it hardened quickly. "Shiiit," I hissed as her nails dragged around the sensitive skin when her hand left my pants and returned to rubbing my back. "Bella," I begged. My now steel hard dick pressed uncomfortably against the bed.

"Is this better?" she asked between giggles as her hands squeezed the skin between my shoulders. "You're still wound up."

"You think? I wonder why," I muttered sarcastically.

She kept rubbing my back but started grounding into my ass making small noises and earning loud noises from me. If she kept doing this shit, I'd probably embarrass myself and come in my pants. The friction between my dick and the pants, combined with the mattress under me was bringing me closer to the edge. It didn't help that she grounded her hips into my ass, either.

"Bella, stop," I pleaded her. "Please, I can't…"

Surprisingly, she stopped and climbed off my body. Oh no! Please, God, don't let her stop for good. Not now.

"Lose the pants," Bella ordered me quietly as she took her clothes off.

Yes! I restrained myself from fist pumping. With a little difficulty, my pants were on the other side of the room along with my boxers.

Lowering my back to the bed, she climbed on top of me again but this time it was a thousand times better as she sat on my hard dick. In no time, we found a perfect rhythm and got lost in each other. Once we came together, all I could do was roll over and drag the blanket over us.

The next morning, I woke up alone and tangled in the blanket. After a short detour to the bathroom, I hopped my way to the kitchen.

Bella was at the stove fighting with Emmett over something. He insisted she should do something while she waved the spatula at him. I tried to be sneaky but they heard me. Fucking crutches.

"Bro! Your woman is insane!" Emmett shouted. "She's going to bake three different types of cookies!"

"So?" I asked confused.

"So?" he echoed me surprised. Then he turned to Bella. "What the hell is wrong with you? You prefer to stay here and bake rather than…" he trailed off, waiving his hands around.

"It's relaxing," Bella told him annoyed.

"Relaxing?" Emmett asked in disbelief. "If I didn't know you two weren't fucking like rabbits, I'd blame you, bro. But if last night is any confirmation that you still got the groove…" He snickered. "You still fuck and moan as loud as you can."

"Fuck off, Emmett!" I grumbled, feeling my ears turning red. We shouldn't have done it with him in the house.

"But I understand you. Pregnant women can be horny as hell."

"EMMETT!" Bella yelled slapping the spatula over his arm. "Shut the fuck up!"

"Yeah, just keep your trap shut," I insisted.

"Thewe wewe many bad wowds."

Fuck me sideways. I closed my eyes wishing Abby wasn't right behind me. Maybe it was a hallucination.

"I think you owe her about ten bucks," Bella snapped at Emmett turning back to whatever she was cooking.

"Don't listen to Uncle Emmett," I told Abby. "He's just crass."

After breakfast, we were lucky to be Emmett-free when he left to talk with his partner. I tried to stay around Bella and help her, but eventually I ended up in Abby's room playing with her.

When Bella announced to us it was past lunch time, I was surprised. I guess time flied if you played with toys. After eating I convinced Abby to take a nap.

"You don't have to do this," Bella insisted when I started washing the dishes. "Go!"

"No way. I'm clearing your area here so you can start the cookies," I said seriously.

"You know that I won't allow you to eat any until Christmas, right?"

"You will," I said with a huge smile. She gave me a pointed look. "I can always make you," I sighed dramatically.

"Edward, if you try to steal one cookie, I'd break one of those crutches over your back!"

My eyes widened and I raised my hands in defense. Stupid pregnancy. I couldn't even joke with her.

"Can I at least wash these?" I waved my hand to the dishes.

"Whatever," she mumbled and turned around to leave.

"Hey, I said I'd help, not do it all!" I shouted after her.

"I have to pee! Do you want to hold my hand?" she asked amused.

"Oh, right. I mean…okay. Go, pee," I said flustered.

I loved washing the dishes, but the toweling part was annoying. I preferred to let them dry naturally. Bella needed her space so after washing everything, I started drying the plates.

"EDWARD, GET HERE!" I heard Bella yelling from what sounded like our room.

With my heart in my throat and as fast as I could, I arrived there only to find her fuming and not in danger.

"What's up?" I grumbled.

"What's up?" she shrieked. "What the hell is Cody doing in here? He's banned from our room! He's back at my shoes!" she yelled.

"I might have left the door open?" I said uncertain.

Cody looked up at me then back at the shoe at his feet. Damn, it was the pair she liked. I was in deep shit.

"Edward! Stop staring like a moron and get him out of here before I kill him! I've had it with his chewing period!"

"Bella, calm down. He was over this. You know," I told her.

"And then he had toys to chow, but no. He liked my shoes." She groaned, shaking her head.

"Come on, boy. She's quite scary when she's pregnant," I whispered to Cody just as a hand collided with the back of my head. Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have said that out loud.

She stormed out of the room, barking a "what?" to someone. I turned ready to tell Emmett to tread carefully only to see Abby with one of her overstuffed animals in her hands watching me worried.

"Is Mommy okay?" she whispered, coming closer.

"Mommy's upset because Cody chewed her shoes again," I told her, stroking her hair.

"Again?"

"Apparently. Come on, Cody. You're banned from our room." I grabbed his collar and dragged him as best as I could out of the room. "You should go back to sleep. We didn't mean to wake you, baby," I said to Abby after pushing the dog down the stairs.

"Yeah." She nodded and went back to her room. If she hadn't been tired, she wouldn't have agreed.

When I reached the kitchen, Bella had cleared the washed dishes and was working on rolling the dough for the cookies that had been in the fridge while we ate.

"I'll be more careful," I mumbled going to stand behind her.

"Everyone goes crazy when a holiday is approaching. It's tradition," she muttered, sniffing. "Dammit! Why am I crying?" she groaned.

"The hormones," I joked, kissing the back of her neck.

"I'll blame the hormones if you have a black eye by the end of the day," Bella said lightly.

"Hey! I just want to help. What did I do besides involuntarily allowing Cody in our room?" I asked incredulously. Maybe it was Emmett's fault for starting the day with a fight.

"There's still so much to do! It's gonna be like Abby's first Christmas. I'm going to panic."

"I can't help you with cleaning this time, but I'm sure that between Abby and me, we can make bad ass cookies." I threw her a grin.

"Would you?" Bella asked in relief, turning in my arms.

"Of course. Please, don't stress over this. You can't stress," I insisted, rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Emmett will help you, I bet."

We worked on the first round of cookies until my brother returned, at the same time as Abby woke up. Speaking of synchronizing. After a snack, I worked on the cookies with Abby while Emmett helped Bella with the general cleaning.

"I want the star, Daddy."

"We already made a dozen stars. Here, take this heart." I passed her the plastic form.

"The star!"

Knowing she'd whine until I listened to her, I gave her the star while I used the heart on the dough. We had made too many gingerbread men, and now we decided to try other forms, not only men. Bella had made so much dough that by the third round, I was growing tired. Not Abby though, so I allowed her to do whatever form she wanted while I put the baked cookies on the cooling plate, loading the tin with a fresh round.

We were on the fifth round when Bella dropped by.

"How is it going?" she asked. "Mhmm, smells so good in here."

"I think you shouldn't do any more cookies. Those are more than enough," I said before checking the oven.

When I heard her breath hitch, I tried to stifle my laughter. Bella was so easy sometimes. Hoping Abby was still engrossed in her carving cookies, I shook my ass a little. I expected a moan from Bella, not a hand slapping my ass.

"Behave, kid!" she hissed.

"Are you going to spank me if I don't?" I had no idea where that came from. We stared at each other for a minute before bursting in laughter.

"Daddy, you'll burn the cookies!" Abby protested.

She was right, of course. They smelled.

"Do you need any help here?" Bella asked her before pursing her lips and glancing at me. "Are you watching her while she's on the chair, here?"

"Duh."

The door opened and Emmett appeared there, raising an eyebrow at us then huffing. "What are you doing here? I'm working my ass off there and you…" he trailed off, glancing at Abby.

"We're making cookies, Uncle Emmett. You?" Abby asked sweetly throwing him a blinding smile.

I tried to stifle my chuckles, pressing my face in Bella's shoulder. She elbowed me in the stomach and bent to take the tin out of the oven.

"Well, I helped your mommy clean the house," he finally answered.

"And the windows?" Abby asked worried. For some odd reason, she loved to spray the windows then clean them with the cloth. It would be good as long as it lasted.

"I was just going to ask your mommy where she keeps that stuff."

"I'll show you!" she squealed and jumped off the chair before any of us could react.

"Abby!" I shouted at the same time as Bella, but she moved faster and grabbed her arm turning her around.

"I told you to stop doing that! What if you fell and cracked your head?" Bella yelled. "I told you to ask one of us if you want down."

Abby bit her lower lip looking about to cry. She turned her teary eyes to me, but I wasn't about to soothe after Bella scolded her. After glaring at me, she went to Emmett and hugged his leg.

"I dare you to pacify her," Bella hissed turning to the cookies and taking them to the cooling plate.

It didn't take long for Abby to start crying when she realized no one was on her side. Upset, she left the room, shuffling her feet.

"Walk normally!" Bella exclaimed, earning a hiccup from Abby.

"Well…" Emmett mumbled looking between us. "Heck, I never thought I'd see you so authoritative."

"Don't hurt yourself with such big words," Bella muttered. "It's your fault!" She turned to me.

"What?" I gaped at her.

"You put her on the chair!"

"So she could reach the counter. I can't see the future to know that she would have jumped from there," I said annoyed. "And she just wanted to show Emmett where you keep the cleaning stuff."

"Edward, don't you take her side! Abby knows she's not allowed! If you allow her once, she may think it's okay to do it again when we're not paying attention!"

"Guys!" Emmett shouted. "Take a breath. Every kid does shit like that. Remember, I told you how we watched Rick jumping on his head from the back of the couch."

"I don't care if you allow your kids to hang upside down from the ceiling, but Abby knows the chair climbing is off limits!" Bella snapped.

Knowing she shouldn't get upset, I sighed and cleared my throat. "Okay. It's my fault," I admitted. "I'm going to see what she's up to now…"

To my amusement, I found her in the living room, in the corner, petting Cody and talking to him. She knew she had done something bad and punished herself. Hoping she hadn't seen me, I grabbed the camera that was on the coffee table and took a picture of them. She looked up at me, but didn't come.

I sat on the couch and switched the TV on, flipping through channels. Every now and then, I looked behind me and saw her still there. Bella usually kept her in the corner for five minutes, not half an hour.

Emmett joined me some time later. "Bella said we would wash the windows tomorrow," he whispered.

I nodded and looked back at Abby surprised by how long she had been there. She was so quiet, unlike the Abby I knew. She was rocking on her feet and biting her lip. I knew that look all too well.

"Hey, do you need anything?" I asked.

She looked toward the kitchen where we could see Bella banging around then at me and nodded slowly.

I grabbed my crutches and went to her. "Yes? I'm sure you're forgiven by now."

"I need to pee." She was too adorable.

"Follow me," I whispered, hating that I couldn't carry her to the bathroom.

When we were in the hallway, Bella appeared in the kitchen's doorway. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Toilet. She's punished herself and stood in the corner until now," I told her proudly.

"Daddy, now," Abby whimpered.

Bella's eyes widened and she whisked Abby up and rushed to the downstairs bathroom. I went after them but as I reached them, I realized it was too late.

"Why did you hold for so long?" Bella groaned, looking at her soaked shirt.

"You were upset. I'm not allowed to talk," Abby mumbled, looking down.

"Peeing is important, baby. You have to tell us beforehand next time, even if you are punished," Bella insisted.

"But you won't listen," she kept mumbling.

I gave Bella a pointed look because that was true. When Abby was punished and she tried to talk to us, she cut her off.

Sighing, Bella told me to take Abby to her room and wash and change her while she did the same in our room.

*RA*

Saturday, the twenty-fourth, Emmett went after Rose and the kids while we prepared the dinner for that day and the lunch for the next day.

Bella was going over the board again with everything, and I was trying to reason with her when Abby distracted us coming in the kitchen with her arms around Cody's neck.

"I want to leave cookies for Santa tonight."

"Do you think he can eat all that? From every house?" Bella asked amused.

"That's why he's so big. And he has to feed the reins."

"Reindeer!" I corrected her. "You have a point in that," I added.

"And the little green people."

"The aliens?" Bella asked shocked. "What do aliens have to do with Santa, Abby?"

"No, Mommy! The gnomes."

"The elves!" I wheezed, leaning over the chair, trying to stop laughing.

"Yeah, that." Abby nodded seriously.

"Okay, okay. You can put milk and cookies on the windowsill."

Abby nodded then her eyes widened. "But we don't have a tube for smoke!"

It was futile to stop laughing. "A horn? No, we don't, but Santa uses the window or door nowadays," I explained.

"He's a modern Santa?"

"Something like that," Bella answered, fighting a huge grin. "Oh!" Her hand went to her belly making my laughter die. "I'm fine. I think your brother doesn't like laughter."

I chuckled and kissed her forehead then touched her bulging stomach, rubbing my hand over it. The baby seemed wide awake and his small foot followed my hand all over her stomach.

"Edward, can you stop that? He seems extra agitated."

"Maybe you should chill. Go and watch TV with Abby while I finish dinner," I suggested.

"Are you sure?" she whispered.

I finished boiling the rice then checked on the chicken legs from the oven. Everything would be done by the time Emmett returned.

"Don't run!" he yelled closing the front door. "Shoes off."

Right. And he was surprised when we scolded Abby. I was surprised at how good he was at this.

I had enough presence of mind to put the pot on the table because when the kitchen door opened, a little someone rushed to me.

"Uncle Edward! Wow, it wasn't Photoshop!" Rick exclaimed, staring at my leg.

The pictures of us shopping for Christmas had hit the news the same day they took them.

I laughed, ruffling his hair. "Your cousin is trying to kill me," I joked.

Dinner was eventful. Rosalie told us about the adventures of flying with two disobedient kids. We told them about what Abby had said earlier. Rick and Nick quickly agreed that Santa should be fed.

I couldn't help but pay more attention to the boys. Hopefully, ours would be more obedient, but if Abby was the way she was…I feared what a boy would do. And to fuel my panic, Liz seemed to always find stories of how I didn't listen to them every time we met. In the beginning, she said I was really quiet and obedient, but that seemed to have been a lie. Could I have been good and bad at the same time? There must have been something I did to angry them, but they didn't mention any of those things until they heard we were having a boy.

"Did you hear me?" Emmett snapped his fingers in front of my eyes.

"What? Sorry, I was miles away," I said.

"I was asking if you know what you wanted to do on New Year's night."

I looked at Bella and shrugged. We hadn't discussed that far. Not even the Christmas plans were confirmed until early this morning when Sylvia agreed to join us.

"Well, could we go out? There must be concerts here…" Rosalie suggested.

"And the kids?" I wondered. "Not that I could walk," I added.

"Oh, right," she mumbled, sighing. "We could stay here then."

"If you want to go out, you should go. We'll take care of them," Bella offered. "Practice." She laughed.

"That's so nice of you!" Rosalie exclaimed. "I'd appreciate it, Bella."

That being settled, we tried to convince the kids to go to bed. They wanted to wait for Santa.

"He won't come if you are awake," Bella told them sternly. "In the morning, you'll find presents under the tree."

"But I want to see Santa!" Abby whined.

"He's shy," Emmett blurted out making all the adults stare at him as if he had gone crazy. Santa is shy? Okay…

"If you don't go to bed, he won't come. Remember what I told you?" Rosalie inquired. "He doesn't like naughty kids."

"Mommy, I'm sorry for jumping off the chair!" Abby shouted, clutching to Bella's leg. "I won't do it again."

Bella laughed, taking her hand. "I know. Let's sleep."

A little more coaxing later, they were fast asleep. After much debates, we decided to let them sleep in Abby's room.

"Should I dress up?" Emmett asked after a couple of hours of talking.

"I bought the fake beard," I pointed out.

"Fine, fine," he grumbled. "But you guys have to go to bed too. All of you," he said looking at his wife.

"Is Santa shy?" I teased him earning myself a punch in the shoulder.

"That's a present less for you, fucker!"

I rolled my eyes and bid them goodnight then took Bella to our room.

"Think the kids would suck it up?" I wondered.

"As long as they don't come to us to tell us Santa came."

"Ew, Bella!" I groaned, trying not to get sick. "Right now, the only Santa I can picture is my brother…so please…no weird words."

"It's not my fault you have an overactive brain, honey. Santa came down the horn," she giggled.

"Bella, for the love of God!" I whisper-shouted.

She kept mixing words until I thought I might get sick. Not even ten minutes after we finally settled on the bed, there was a bang from the living room.

"What the hell is he doing?" I muttered.

Bella slapped my stomach. "It's Santa, you moron!"

The door next to our room banged to the wall and three distinctive shouts ricocheted in the house as the kids rushed to the living room.

"Emmett is a tight sleeper so they may not want him in there," I whispered just as I heard Abby yelling for us.

"Let's hope so," Bella murmured.

When we arrived in the living room, I saw the piano stool turned upside down and the window open. Had he…? Maybe arriving through the window had been too much.

Emmett was dressed in the customary red coat, red hat, white beard and to my surprise his stomach was huge. A pillow probably.

"You'd have made the ideal Santa, love," I whispered to Bella.

"Jerk," she hissed, stepping on my good foot making me yelp and attract their attention.

Nick was hugging three boxes to his chest as he shuffled to Rosalie. She shook her head, helping him. Then it was Rick's turn to step closer to Emmett who was crouching near the tree.

"Have you been good?" Emmett asked on a gruff voice.

"Yep!" Rick nodded wildly.

"Is that so, mommy?" Emmett asked Rosalie trying to hide his grin.

"You can say that," she answered.

"Well, then you deserve something nice. Here, Ricky."

After taking his presents from Santa, Rick offered him some biscuits which Emmett took quickly, thanking his son.

"You know Santa," I started when I realized Abby was yet to go to him. "The boys should have allowed the lady to go first."

Before any of us could say anything, Abby strolled to Emmett with her hands on her hips, then she stopped and pointed a finger to his chest. What the hell?

"You're a stalker!" she screamed.

"I'm sorry?" Emmett asked amused.

"Yes, you are! You stalk everyone so you know if they were good or bad, if they sleep or not!"

Bella turned into me, masking her laughter into my shoulder. Well, what could I say? Abby was our girl one hundred percent.

"Actually, the elves make sure if you were good or bad," Emmett told her seriously. "I just call the shots."

Abby huffed and turned to look at us. "Is it true?"

I nodded and shook my head at the same time being on the edge of bursting in laughter.

"But I know you were a good little girl, so you get a nice present," Emmett whispered extracting something from the red sack.

Abby looked at the wrapped presents in his hands then at him before taking a hold of his beard.

"NO!" I shouted. "You're hurting…"

"You're a fake!" she yelled.

"Santa," I whispered under my breath.

"Dad?" Two sad voices said from my right.

Good one, Abby, I thought to myself.

"Look, kids…" Emmett said sorrowfully. "I thought it would be nice…"

"Give me the cookies back!" Rick demanded. "They're for the real Santa!"

"Uncle Emmett is horrible," Abby cried coming to us.

I picked her up, leaning on the wall behind me and hugging her tightly. What should have been a nice surprise turned out in a huge fucking disaster. Bella tried to calm Abby, but it didn't work.

We ended up taking her to bed with us, while Rosalie took her boys to the guest room leaving Emmett in the living room. I tried many times to go and check on him knowing how bad he must feel, but Abby had fallen asleep clutching my pinkie.

"I'll go put the presents under the tree," Bella whispered in my ear.

"See if Em is okay," I whispered back.

She nodded and after making as little noise as possible left with the presents.

I must have fallen asleep waiting for Bella to return because when I woke up, there was light coming through the window. And my chest was wet.

No please. Maybe she hadn't peed. Yeah, right.

"Abby?" I whispered.

A small sniff and then watery eyes met mine. She was crying. But why?

"What's wrong?" I asked worried.

"Uncle Emmett stole Santa's clothes. Did Santa even come?"

"Why don't we go and see?" I suggested. "And no tears, okay?" I wiped her cheeks before sitting up. "Do you need to use the toilet?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"You guess?" I chuckled and helped her up.

When we reached the living room, we found everything as last night. The only change was Bella snuggled into Emmett as they were both asleep on the couch.

Abby tugged at my hand. "Why is Mommy hugging Uncle Emmett?"

"Abby, Em tried to do something nice, to help Santa."

"Look! He weally came!" she said excitedly once her eyes settled to the spot under the tree.

She tugged me after her, probably forgetting it was more difficult for me to walk. I sat with her next to the tree.

"Mommy, wake up! Santa came!"

I slapped my cheek quite hard, regretting it when it started throbbing. Bad words. Or maybe it was just my dirty mind?

"Go, wake up your aunt and cousins." I didn't have to tell her twice.

Once she was probably jumping on their bed, Bella and Emmett opened their eyes. They joined me on the floor and I asked Em if he was okay.

"It's cool. I guess I should have been quiet," he said, shrugging. "What gave it away?"

"Your eyes. That's what she told me," Bella explained. "But Santa brought presents even though you tried to steal his role."

After reuniting under the tree, we started massacring the wrapping paper on our presents. The kids' reactions were priceless. When they were finally done, Rick was wrapped in his Superman cloak, Nick was wearing his Cars pajamas and Abby was wearing the antlers headband and admiring her new dolls.

Rose was looking through the cookbook Emmett had gotten her with a sullen look. He was reading on the back of the new seat covers for his car.

After many debates with Bella, I decided to buy a new car – a bigger one since soon we'd be four and going somewhere for the holiday meant more bags. The car was going to arrive some time in January. What I hadn't told Bella was that I wasn't going to sell my beloved baby. We've been through too much in my car.

"I guess I've been naughty," Bella mused looking at the small box in her hand.

"Maybe it's a ring? Maybe Santa is asking you to marry him?" Rick said enthusiastically.

"Hey, what am I here? Chopped liver?" I said mock-hurt.

"Yes, Mommy!" Abby shrieked. "Can you marry Santa? We'd meet him and tell him exactly what we want!"

"Do you mean you don't like your presents?" Bella asked.

"They're nice. We'll have to move to the North Pole!"

"Abby!" I shouted outraged. "I'm your father!"

"We'll visit you." She smiled at me.

Bella leaned to kiss my cheek. "You know, I'd say yes probably."

"Bella," I moaned snatching the box from her hands. "This reaches the limit of naughty. You don't get any present!"

"But Daddy, that's from Santa!" Abby shouted.

Between the two of them, Bella had her present back and opened it carefully. The kids hovered, watching with battered breaths.

"Holy shit!" Bella shrieked and lunged at me, hugging me tightly. "I love you so damn much."

"I do what I can," I whispered against her lips.

"What's that?" Emmett asked finally finding his voice after the whole marrying Santa fiasco.

"The keys to the Volvo!" Bella screeched. "My Volvo."

"That's probably temporarily. Until his leg is better," Rosalie muttered.

"Nope. I'm getting a bigger one!" I told her smirking.

"God forbid, no!" she shouted. "If you get a bigger ego the poor girls would have to move."

"We have the car," Bella answered joyously. "This is yours." She put a big rectangular box in my lap.

"What's this?" I asked surprised.

"Don't ask me. I haven't met Santa," she told me wearing a huge grin.

Narrowing my eyes at her and wondering what she could have gotten me, I carefully ripped the wrapping off the box. It wasn't a box after all. It was a guitar case. This time, my wide filled with shock eyes met her sparkling brown ones. Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth as she started chewing it.

My hands trembled as I opened the box. Guitars were my guilty pleasure. I still loved to strum on my old one. But I also knew how expensive a guitar was.

Once the case was open I gasped and whipped my head around to stare at Bella. This was utterly absurd. It must have been at least six grand.

"Bella," I choked out.

"And the rest of us," Emmett quipped.

I turned to look at him but my tears blinded me. This was the first truly expensive present I received. My presents to them faded in comparison to this.

"Jazz picked it because he knows guitars," Rosalie explained softly, mindful of the kids that were engulfed in their own presents. "He said it's a Ferder? I think."

"Fender Classic," I corrected her, trying to grasp what they all had done. "Just you?" I asked.

"And the parents – both – including my Dad, and Bob and Sylvia," Bella told me. "Do you like it?" she asked curiously.

"Like it?" I asked in disbelief. "It's fucking perfect! And I love you so fucking much." I hugged her tightly, kissing whatever spot I could reach. "You too guys. Thank you so much," I told Em and Rosalie.

"It's shiny." I leaned away from Bella, just a little, to see Abby staring at my present. "Can I touch it?"

"No," Bella said putting Abby on her lap.

"Sure you can," I said rolling my eyes at Bella. "Just carefully." I took Abby's hand and ran it over the strings creating a few sounds.

"Wow." She repeated the motion then stopped and grinned at me.

Christmas brunch was more fun than I thought. The kids seemed to have forgiven Emmett and insisted he should wear the Santa cloak while I ended up with the red hat.

When the doorbell rang announcing to us Sylvia had arrived, I had totally forgotten about the stupid hat and opened the door. She burst in laughter, slipping past me.

"What's so funny?" I wondered forgetting about the customary greeting on the holiday.

"Edward, red clashes with your hair!"

"Oh, crap!" I shouted, taking the hat off and stuffing it in the back of my jeans, running a hand through my hair. "Sorry about that."

"Oh, no, don't be. It was funny, reminded me of a very young Santa," she teased me. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," I said back.

"Here. I must keep my promises even though you don't play…which is really unfair." She offered me a round container. I stared at it surprised.

"Cake?" I asked dumbly. "Holy fuck! I forgot about the game last night!" I shouted, slapping my forehead.

"You didn't watch the game?" she cried out. "You don't get cake."

"If you had seen the madness around here…you'd have forgotten too. Trust me, Sylvia."

"Oh, right! Emmett and Rose are here. I missed them. Where's everyone?" she asked finally started taking her winter clothes off.

"They're in the kitchen setting the table while the kids are napping thankfully."

Just then Cody came out of the kitchen sniffing around and when he realized we had guest, he started barking then rushed to us.

"No!" Sylvia shouted, going behind me.

I grabbed Cody just as he was about to rise on his back legs. "Down. Sit," I insisted.

"Cody?" Bella questioned coming out of the kitchen. She stopped when she saw us. "Sylvia!"

"Hi."

I let them greet each other and went back to the kitchen with Cody in toe. I pointed to his corner sternly and slumped on a chair.

"Thanks for helping us," Rosalie grumbled carrying plates with appetizers to the table.

"My leg hurts," I said annoyed.

"Take something and make yourself useful!"

When Bella and Sylvia stepped into the kitchen, Rosalie seemed to have forgotten about her problem, but after the initial greeting she started complaining about me not helping, about Emmett not having a sense of fashion.

"Oh, I was so shocked to hear the whole hospital talking about you coming in with a broken leg!" Sylvia exclaimed. "My shift started late that night. Of course, I didn't believe them. Then you didn't play on the game next day, your phone was off and to confirm the rumor, soon there were pictures everywhere of you Christmas shopping with a cast on your leg."

Damn. She could rival Alice with all the talking. "Yeah, well…" I shrugged.

After the kids woke up, we sat down at the table. Obviously they didn't even go through the appetizers without getting bored and started running around the kitchen. Right before the turkey, Abby disappeared to the living room and reappeared grinning and with smudges of chocolate around her mouth.

"Are there any cadies left under the tree?" Bella asked amused.

"I don't know," she answered seriously. Probably expecting Bella to be upset because of her stunt, she crawled in my lap and sat there for about two minutes before sliding under the table.

It seemed their favorite place since Nick was there also. What could be so fascinating to stay under the table?

It was really funny how Bella and Rosalie raised the tablecloth and asked if anyone wanted turkey. The kids came out, but after every bite they went back to chew. That reminded me of Cody and how he turned his back to us when he ate.

We told Sylvia about the fiasco from the previous night, and after laughing she told the kids that Santa had dropped by at her place too. That trick was so smoked, but it always worked with children. The second the words were out of her mouth, all three of them were out from under the table looking a little like some mongooses or maybe the Chipmunks.

After getting their presents, they went to the living room forgetting about food. Until after dessert we didn't even know we had kids. It was so quiet.

I loved Christmas. If I knew presents did the trick, I'd have done it a long time ago.

When we were done, we moved to the living room with a cup of hot chocolate. Right before Sylvia left, Rosalie made plans for New Year's night to meet with her. I knew that staying home would be great too. The kids would be asleep for at least four hours by midnight.

Just as expected, New Year's Eve was as lazy as it should be. Rosalie and Emmett left around six after making the boys promise to behave and listen to us.

We stayed with them and watched some Disney film until it was bedtime. Rick pleaded us to wake him, and we agreed knowing we wouldn't do it. He'd probably be cranky if we woke him up after only four hours of sleep.

By nine o'clock we were dressed in our pajamas and in the living room watching live concerts from around the country, or how the other countries had celebrated. I had always loved the Sydney show.

"Fireworks are awesome," I found myself talking, probably trying to keep Bella awake. She had slouched so low on the couch and her eyes kept dropping.

"Yeah," she mumbled.

"We should get out and watch them at midnight. Billy's dad said he bought some."

"Yeah."

"Bella, don't fall asleep!" I insisted. "You can sleep after midnight."

She started laughing. "Damn, we're getting old. I mean…staying home and trying to stay awake. I remember that I used to lose nights or go to bed around two AM just because I knew I should sleep."

"Or that an exam was the next day," I added chuckling.

"Hungry?" Bella asked, getting up.

"A little. Need help?"

"Nah. What would you eat? I feel like cold turkey sandwiches."

"Sounds good, as long as you keep the yucky stuff away."

"With chocolate and mustard and ketchup. Yummy!"

"Bella," I groaned. "I'll make mine, thank you."

We worked in silence and I tried not to look at the gross stuff she added in her sandwich. After grabbing a beer from the fridge, we went back to the TV.

It was past ten now and they were showing us New York and the ball.

"I never got the ball," Bella mumbled. "But I like to see it open." She giggled.

I shook my head amused. "It's a very old tradition."

The time passed relatively quickly between watching TV and answering phone calls or text messages.

"Holy shit! Look, Edward!"

I jumped having dozed off. "Huh?" After opening my eyes and focusing them on the TV, I realized why Bella sounded so excited. Figures. Jovi was singing in NY. "Lower," I muttered when she upped the volume and started singing along. "Bella, the kids are sleeping."

"Why do I feel like the irresponsible parent?" she mumbled lowering the volume.

I shrugged trying not to laugh. I knew better than to say "Because you are," knowing her hormones would take that to her heart.

"Is this a new song?" I asked, listening to the lyrics. They sounded amazing, so real.

"No! Don't tell me you don't know it," she moaned.

There's something about you

I want to rescue

I don't even know you

So what does that mean

Maybe I'm cynical

I'm painfully logical

You're tragic and beautiful

And that's good enough for me

You're looking for a hero, but it's just my old tattoo

Tonight I swear I'd sell my soul to be a hero for you

Who's going to save you

When the stars fall from your sky

And who's going to pull you in

When the tide gets too high

Who's going to hold you

When you turn out the lights

I won't lie I wish that I

Could be your superman tonight

"It's sad, but I don't keep up, love." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "So?"

"It's called Superman Tonight. It's a few years old!"

"Okay, okay."

"It was played that night," Bella whispered. "At the concert you took me."

I groaned, squeezing my eyes. I felt like an asshole. "I don't remember," I mumbled. "Sorry."

The song turned into In These Arms and I had the urge to dance with her as lame as it sounded. Bella was surprised when I stood and helped her up too. After wrapping my arms around her waist, I started swaying making her laugh.

"You're crazy, Edward."

"But you love me," I teased her, nuzzling her jaw. She smelled so wonderful.

"For some unknown reason." She kissed my cheeks, hugging me to her. "Is your leg okay?"

"Don't mind it," I told her.

Close to midnight, we stepped out with two glasses and a bottle of champagne. Our neighbors were shocked to see us home, but we explained why we were home and that it was better than staying outside in the cold for hours.

"Don't forget about the wish!" Laura reminded us.

What wish? What more could I wish for when I had everything I wanted. Maybe just…Bella putting up with me for the rest of our lives.

"Ten seconds!" Bella squealed pulling me out of my thoughts.

We counted together, while Mr. Brandon worked on the fireworks. I wasn't sure he was allowed but it would be fun.

"Three! Two! One!" We shouted. I popped the cork out and was about to pour it in the glasses we had when Bella grasped my head behind the ears and slammed her lips to mine.

"Happy New Year, sweetie," she whispered before shoving her tongue in my mouth. I held her tightly to me trying not to drop the bottle and glasses.

"Happy New Year, love."

The fireworks started exploding all over the sky and it was the best feeling staying there with Bella in my arms and watching the sky erupting in colors.

I poured champagne in our glasses, just a little in hers. After sipping a little from the delicious drink and talking for a little while with our neighbors, we stepped back inside.

Cody was in the corner of the kitchen looking scared. Every year he got scared of the fireworks. Poor thing. I tried to make him move from his corner but luck wasn't on my side.

Bella had gone to check on the kids and I joined her when some minutes passed. They were awake and asking who was shooting us. After some talking and explaining to them it was just the fireworks, they were finally asleep again.

We went to our room since there was nothing interesting on the TV, anymore.

"I'm not tired," Bella told me, sitting on the bed.

"Me either. What do you want to do?" I asked sitting next to her with my back against the headboard.

She giggled. "Do you know where the Scrabble is?"

"Have you lost your mind?" I joked. She looked serious. "You really want to play Scrabble? Now?"

"Yeah. What's so bad about that?"

"Nothing," I muttered and went in search of the game. On the way back to our room, I grabbed the bottle of champagne and some water for her, along with some chips.

Bella started laughing when she saw me. I hopped my way to the bed not having taken my crutches.

"Hey!" I grinned falling on the soft mattress.

"Hey, yourself." She ruffled my hair. "You brought me champagne! How thoughtful!"

I hugged the bottle to my chest. "This is yours." I thrust the bottle of water in her hands.

"Dang."

I laughed and leaned to kiss her.

We started playing and I lost horribly. I blamed the booze on my lack of words.

Growing annoyed, I grabbed the instructions and looked through them. We could play Scrabble BINGO. When I suggested that Bella said that staying home on New Year's night was enough to make her feel old, but I insisted. We had to write two words of seven letters and extract words from the satchel then say BINGO when we created both words. It sounded fun.

I finished the bottle of champagne and it became more difficult to find words. When Bella said she had to go to pee, I stole her paper to see what words she had, but she returned too quickly and scolded me. Next time she used the bathroom, she left with her paper. Drastic measures much?

While waiting I decided to go to the kitchen in search for some food. I found the bottle of wine we had started at dinner and grabbed that along with the leftovers.

"You're going to be so hangover in the morning!" Bella reproached me.

"I'll sleep it off," I protested and took a gulp of the red wine. "It's your turn."

We continued to play and I used to stupidest words until Bella protested making me pull up my laptop and search Thesaurus for smart words. It was better with my crappy words because now I started losing all over again. Letters like Z, K, B, H were so seldom that by the time one was out, Bella had won.

"I think we should go back to the original game," I whined.

Not that I had more luck when we returned to playing Scrabble. I downed the last drop of the wine and let the bottle on the floor next to the other one after writing another lame three-lettered word.

As dawn broke, we heard keys jingling and hushed voices enter the house. Unsure if we'd wait up, we had given them a set of keys.

"Why didn't you tell me that we could write shit?" I asked Bella after reading her choice. FUCK.

"I thought it was obvious. You started it by writing 'suck'," Bella said amused, jerking her toe into mine.

"Watch this," I threatened her. My letters worked perfectly on one of hers. Under C, I added LIT and beamed at her feeling too fucking drunk to care I was acting like a kid.

"Wanna see my last letters?"

"But I won!"

Not having it, Bella wrote another word above K. She matched my grin when our eyes met. I looked down to see the word COCK staring back at me.

"Such dirty words, Mrs. Cullen."

There was a small knock on our slightly open door and Emmett's head pocked inside.

"You're awake!" he exclaimed then saw what we were doing. "And playing…Scrabble," he added in disbelief.

"It's harder than you might think," I announced to him.

His eyes widened. "Are you…drunk?"

"Maybe." I shrugged, plying the board and aiming it to the satchel only to miss and all the pieces to end up all over the bed. "Fucking shit."

"I always saw you as the responsible parent," Emmett mumbled.

"Are you shitting me, bro? Do I look responsible?" I asked shocked. "Bella's the adult."

"Yeah. I have two, soon three, kids," she said amused, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my forehead.

Rosalie appeared next to Emmett and took in the scene in front of her before bursting in a fit of giggles.

"Am I the only one that didn't drink tonight?" My brother asked annoyed.

"I didn't," Bella whispered, raising two fingers. "But I'm pregnant."

Huffing, Emmett turned on his heels and left. Rosalie giggled some more before telling us to be good and leaving.

"I'm not drunk," I grumbled. "I'm just buzzed."

"Sure, sweetheart. Why don't you sleep?" Bella suggested.

"Join me. The kids should sleep for a couple more hours."

After cleaning the bed, we snuggled into each other and fell asleep. It felt like I had just closed my eyes when someone was shaking my shoulders. My head exploded and I regretted drinking so much.

"Daddy! Cody needs out!"

Holy fuck! If she kept shaking me I'd throw up. I sat up and the churning in my stomach decided to bubble up. I shouldn't be sick, I had eaten. A lot. I pushed Abby out of my way and sprinted to the bathroom, falling awkwardly in front of the toilet.

I hadn't thrown up because of alcohol since that stupid party in college. It was just as awful as I remembered. This time the door was open and Bella came to me. I tried to push her away but she locked the door and knelt next to me, stroking my back.

"In sickness and in health," she whispered, handing me a bottle of water.

I rinsed and spat venomously in the toilet then flushed it. "If I drink so much again…"

"I'll make sure to stop you in time. I didn't think. I'm sorry," she whispered kissing my neck.

"Why are you apologizing?" She was too much.

"You ate," Bella said after a few minutes.

"I know, but a bottle of champagne and half a bottle of wine was too much. Still."

"Go back to bed, I'll bring you something for your head." She kissed my forehead and walked me to the bed.

"Don't let Abby back in here. I don't want her to see me like this," I mumbled. "And turn off that light."

"That light is the sun," Bella giggled, but went to shut the curtains. Thank God.

The next time I woke up, I felt almost human. My mouth was dry and felt like being stuffed with cotton, my eyes stung and a dull ache pounded in my head. Once I brushed my teeth thoroughly and showered, I went in search of everyone.

"Morning, sunshine!" Emmett shouted from the couch when I was passing the hallway.

"Hey," I mumbled and went to the kitchen for coffee. A strong, black coffee.

"You're awake!" Bella said surprised. "How are you feeling? Do you want coffee?"

"You read my mind," I mumbled again. "I'm okay, I guess."

"You can go join Rose in the guest room. She is avoiding loud sounds and bright light." Bella giggled.

After grabbing my coffee, I looked to Emmett who was playing with the kids. No. That was a no from the start. Kids were loud, and Emmett was louder. So I continued my way to the guest room.

"Emmett, go away!" A lifeless Rosalie muttered.

"It's me. Your buddy in sufferance," I joked. The room was wonderful, so dark and quiet. I fell next to her on the bed and groaned, closing my eyes.

"I'm not drinking ever again in my life!" Rosalie promised.

"That's a promise no one can keep. I mean look at me." I pointed to my chest. "I promised that in college and here I am, back at square one."

"The difference between us, Cullen, is that I have limits and I know when to stop. Last night…I guess I just wanted to relax." She shrugged. "Don't argue, because I know how many times you got drunk after the games in college."

I scowled and drank from my mug. When she realized what I had there, I shared the coffee. Soon, the mug was empty and somehow we fell asleep.

How many of you love Edward? He's still that crazy boy we love, even though he's a dad and husband.

Review, please. Next, we'll hear from Bella and the birth of the newest addition to the Cullen family.