Hey all. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays. Thanks again for taking the time to read my story! I hope you're all having a safe and happy holiday... and New Year :) Stay safe! Now onto Chapter 24...

Chapter 24

Emmett started a small bonfire in the backyard of the Cullen home. After having some of Alice's special blends of animal blood and wine, it was a consensus that a fire sounded like a good idea.

The family had always been close, but had been doing a lot of things as a complete unit over the last few months. Normally everyone went their own ways in pairs, or groups of three or four, and it was sure to get back to normal, but the togetherness that lingered after the holidays was comforting to everyone.

Jacob had returned Renesme to her righful owners and had parted ways with her a few minutes before to get some rest. She looked wide awake, enjoying a s'more that Emmett had put together for her.

"Time for a ghost story," Emmett said, looking at his niece.

She smiled.

"Don't listen to him, Nessy," Rosalie said with a smile, "He doesn't have any good ones anyway."

"How about some more of that wine," Emmett said, looking at Alice.

"I think everyone's had enough," Esme told him.

"But mom, we won't drink and drive," Jasper joked.

Carlisle smiled and shook his head.

"Edward shouldn't even be having any," Jasper said again, "He's only 17."

"How come I didn't get a sip?" Renesme asked.

"Because you're too busy with the werewolves," Emmett teased her, picking her up and turning her upside down.

"Emmett, leave her alone," Esme laughed.

Renesme struggled her way out of his grip and back onto the ground with lots of laughter.

"This is nice," Rosalie said, "I think we should really do these things more often."

"We should get another baseball game going soon," Emmett suggested.

"Not too much thunder in January," Edward pointed out.

"True. Well it's almost the Superbowl. Maybe a little pigskin game then."

Jasper nodded.

"Pig skin?" Renesme asked.

Everyone gave a laugh, "It's what they call football," Edward explained.

"Dad, can I have another s'more?"

He nodded and grabbed her marshmellow to throw over the fire.

Carlisle whispered into Esme's ear, "Come with me for an hour after this."

Esme looked at him confused, "To where?" She looked down at Masen, who was sitting in her lap, leaning up against her.

"Edward is going to look after him," Carlisle explained.

"I can't leave him," she said.

Carlisle smiled, "You don't have to if you don't want to, but it'll only be an hour."

Edward scooted toward them, eavesdropping and joining the conversation, "Esme," he started, "You've been with Masen for every single second of his life so far. Let me take over for an hour." He smiled and winked, "He'll be in good hands. I promise."

Esme looked down at her precious baby and realized that Edward was right. She hadn't really parted with Masen since he'd been born. Humans have to part with their children every night when they fall asleep. An hour wouldn't kill her.

"You don't have to, love," Carlisle said again with a smile, "I know you don't want to leave him."

"Come on, Carlisle," Jasper said, making himself part of the conversation as well, "She can't be one of those weirdo overprotective moms," then added with a smile, "Like Bella."

Bell tossed a small stick at him, "Shut up," she said lightly.

"Ignore him," Alice told her, "He's been hanging with Emmett too much."

Emmett put his hands out to the side, "Thanks sis. Don't throw me under the bus or anything."

"My Emmett's an angel," Rosalie said, with a joking tone that she even didn't believe.

Everyone laughed.

Esme leaned toward Carlisle, "I think he'll be fine here with these guys. Edward's right. I have to be away from him at some point."

"You really don't have to." He looked down at their son, who's stare was fixed on the fire in front of them.

"It's fine." She smiled, and stroked Masen's hair.

Renesme was leaning up against Edward, bundled up in an oversized sweatshirt and jacket. Her eyes looked heavier by the minute and she let out a big yawn. Bella looked toward Edward and they both nodded, knowing she was about to fall asleep.

"Sometimes I wish I could sleep," Alice admitted, "Rest the mind a little bit."

"Yeah it'd be nice to take a nap," Emmett agreed.

"Well, it's time for this one to take an eight hour nap," Bella told them. She took Renesme from Edward and said goodnight to everyone before heading inside.

"I guess that's our cue," Jasper said.

He and Emmett put out the fire while everyone began to make their way inside. Esme kissed Masen's cheeks and cuddled him close before handing him over to Edward.

"Esme, you don't have to-" Carlisle started.

"I know, I know," she cut him off, "I have to start being okay with not seeing him every single second, like Edward said."

"I'm the voice of reason these days, Carlisle," Edward told him with a smile.

Carlisle shook head and went over to say goodbye to Masen, "Be good for Edward, Masen." He brushed back the little bit of hair that decorated the top of the baby's head, then kissed him quickly.

Masen stretched his arms out and put them on the side of Carlisle's face and gave one of his quick baby giggles.

"Love you, buddy," Carlisle said to him. They both watched as Edward walked inside with Masen.

Carlisle held his hand out and smiled at Esme. She placed hers in his, "Where to?"

He threw her quickly onto his back and raced off miles and miles away from Forks. Wind rushed through their hair and Esme closed her eyes, enjoying the mid January breeze. When she opened her eyes, the two of them were standing before what looked like a forrest of ice sculptures. There were two giant snowmen that started at the beginning of a trail of untouched snow.

"Wow," Esme said, "Those are amazing."

Carlisle nodded and grabbed her hand. The glow of the moon gave the shapes of ice a distinct, shimmery glow. It made them seem alive.

They continued walking, past Santa Clause, iced Christmas trees and a few other wintery figures.

"What is this place?" Esme asked, "This is great. The artist did an amazing job."

Carlisle smiled, "You'll know in a second. And you can thank the kids."

The next ice sculpture was of Alice and Jasper, with Rosalie and Emmett on the opposite side of the trail.

Esme laughed, "These are so, so... cool."

Edward then stood across from an icy Bella and Renesme, and last but not least there was Esme and Masen.

"Wow," Esme stated again, "They're done so well. They look exactly like us."

Carlisle laughed, "This is my favorite."

"They all made these?"

He nodded.

"So amazing," she touched her own face, then the baby's with another appreciate laugh. She faced across from where her icy twin stood at Carlisle. He was standing in the same pose as his ice statue. Esme laughed again, "I can't tell who's more handsome."

"The statue was done pretty well," he joked, picking her up only an inch or so off the ground with a warm smile. "You don't know where we are, do you?"

She looked around and was embaressed to say no, but shook her head.

"The landscape's a little different with the snow and ice," he grabbed her hand and lead her around a bend to a small house.

Esme smiled as they entered.

"I did a little redecorating," he explained.

"Dr. Cullen, are you trying to romance me?" Esme asked.

He smiled wide and looked down at the floor, "Possibly."

Esme looked at a graceful nine square bookcase in the corner of the room, "That's new. I really like it."

Carlisle guided her toward it, "Look at some of the pictures on it." He flicked on a small lamp that sat on top of it, illuminating the corner of the room just enough to get a good look. Several framed pictures of Masen decorated the boxes, as well as a few with their baby with Esme. Above the book case on the wall was a large, multipicture frame with pictures of their family members, most of them holding Masen in each photo.

"These are so nice," Esme told him, "I don't even remember half of them being taken. I love every one." She turned and hugged him, "Thanks."

"You're welcome," he said, "Alice was the main decorative inspiration, so be sure to thank her more."

"I will. They're so great."

"They are."

Esme touched the side of his face with her hand, "I think you're more handsome than ice Carlisle."

He laughed briefly and put a hand over hers, "I'm sorry I pulled you away from Masen."

"Don't be silly," she told him, shaking her head.

"I did want to get you alone for a minute or two," he admitted with a smile.

She smiled back, "Well, you got me."

Carlisle's smiled didn't fade as he brought his lips to hers. Esme's hands lightly grabbed the collar of his shirt and she kissed him urgently back. He guided her toward their bedroom, as Esme quickly slipped out of her winter clothes. He took his time, kissing her neck and shoulders, lightly grazing her skin with his teeth each time.

Esme worked at the buttons on his shirt, before he tore it off himself, sending a few buttons scattering across the hardwood floor. He made his way back to Esme's mouth and she heard his belt buckle hit the floor next. She pulled his hips to hers, that were now only covered with a pair of black boxerbriefs.

A grunt escaped his throat and he pinned her down, throwing the bedspread to the side and sliding his wife beneath the covers, so her head rested comfortably on the small stack of pillows.

She wrapped her legs halfway around him and looked into his beautiful golden eyes, as he waited with a look of lust and love for her to give him the go ahead. Her hands slid to the band around his waist, touching his well defined abs on the way. She let out a little laugh as he twitched at her touch.

Carlisle put a hand gently on the side of her face, and she kissed his thumb gently before closing her eyes and waiting for his next move. To her pleasure, he wasted no time, as the two of them enjoyed each other in the comfort of their own private home.