For the next year I split my time between Phil and Charlie spending more time with Phil on offseason and more time with Charlie when Leah and Seth are out of school.
When I'm with Phil I spent a lot of time texting Leah and Seth and even Sam. Jacob and Edward text me and if I feel like it I respond. They still ask me out every time I visit and I don't want to encourage them at all.
Since I am homeschooling I can work at my own pace and I will graduate a year earlier than normal so in one year.
"Hey kiddo, we have to head out in about an hour." Phil yells from the living room. He's told me he thinks I'm old enough to stay home when he's on the road but I like to go with him.
I finish packing what I want then go to the kitchen to pack some snacks.
"So Leah and Seth are out of school for Christmas break next week and the week after, I would like to go if that's OK?" I ask him even though I know I don't have to.
"Yeah kiddo that's fine. What about Christmas presents?" He asks. I didn't even think about that.
"I think I will just order online and have it shipped there." He agrees that's a good idea.
This is our second Christmas without my mom and this one is actually a little harder than last because last Christmas I will still hurt over the whole hidden letters thing. I finally forgave her with a lot of help from Phil and surprisingly Charlie.
"Oh but then what about you? I don't want you alone for Christmas. I can just spend a week there. I will go right after Christmas." I tell him and he says don't worry about it. We can do ours before or after. Now I feel guilty but agree.
Once we start driving I start looking online for presents. I get Seth an Xbox and Leah a new laptop, hers just crashed a few weeks ago and she's been flipping out about it.
I ask Phil for advice on everyone else including Charlie and Sam and Edward and his brothers and Jacob and Embry and Sam. He suggests gift cards to which seems impersonal which is fine for everyone except Sam. We've gotten pretty close and I want something more for him. Then I realize I have to get something for Phil too. Aggh!
Sam, Sam, Sam. As if he knows I'm thinking about him he texts me.
You coming for Christmas? - Sam
Yep. Will be there next Monday probably. Haven't talked to Charlie yet but I'm sure it's fine. - Bella
Cool. Can I have you at least one day? - Sam
?- Bella.-Sam
I want to show you something. It's about an hour away. Then I thought we could just hang out for the day. If that's OK with you.- Sam
OK yeah that sounds good.-Bella
Cool. Can't wait to see you. - Sam
Me too. - Bella
I turn back to my laptop and Phil asks if that was Sam and I ask how he knew.
"You only smile like that when it's Sam." He says and I blush.
The week flies by and soon I'm on a plane heading to Forks. I get off the plane and look around since I'm not sure whose picking me up when I see Sam.
"Sam!" I yell and start pushing through the crowd.
"Hey sweetie, how was the flight?" I ask and I tell him good. "I really missed you." He tells me hugging me
"I missed you too. More than normal." I admit.
He holds my hand as we work through the crowd. I don't have any luggage to get because I have enough stuff at the house now I just bring my carry on.
As we drive through to the house he tells me about his plans to kidnap me the day after Christmas, he already worked it out with Charlie and everything.
"How did you convince Charlie to let you come get me?" I ask him and he just says Charlie loves me.
When we get to the house we walk in and I'm in awe of how decorated it is.
"Hey Charlie, Sue! Did my package come in?" Charlie tells me yes, it's under Leah's bed. It better still be sealed.
I made Phil a photo book of all the best pictures I could find of me and him and some of my mom for his present but I still don't have anything for Sam and Christmas is in 2 days!
Soon Sam leaves since he's helping his mom out in the bakery for the holidays.
"Where are Seth and Leah?" I ask Sue and she tells me next door at Jacob's but they should be home soon. Sue and I have become very close, much closer than my dad and me because in my mind I lost my mom but I still have my dad. I don't mean to think like that but I do. "Sue, what should I get Sam?" I ask her and she smiles and tells me she will help me think about it.
Soon Seth and Leah come running the door asking about the package and I just laugh and tell them not till Christmas.
The next day Sue and Leah and I spend all day making cookies for neighbors and the people Sue and Charlie work with and we all go to bed exhausted.
Leah mentions that Sam's favorite band is coming to concert in Seattle next month and he can't afford the tickets so I order them and print them up and put them in a pretty decorated envelope.
Christmas morning I wake up when someone sits on my bed and I whine for them to go away, it's too early even if it is Christmas not opening my eyes.
"If you say so kiddo, I'll leave." My eyes pop open.
"Phil! What are you doing here?" I ask him hugging him and crying.
"Surprise! Sue and your Dad invited me as soon as they found out you would be here for Christmas." He tells me and I'm so happy that I get to spend Christmas with my whole family.
Phil being here just makes everything better since I'm not worried about him being alone.
We eat breakfast than open gifts and I'm so happy when Seth and Leah freak out over theirs and everyone is happy with their amazon gift card.
I get a lot of gift cards to the mall since no one really knew what to get me either. I give Phil his book and he actually cries making me cry. He tells me my present is outside and I'm confused as I follow him out.
A car! He bought me a car! He explains how he figures it would get more use here and then if I don't mind Leah can use it when I'm not here. I don't mind at all. This is so freaking awesome!
"I love you Phil!" I scream hugging him and I see Charlie look hurt. I guess I've never told him I love him.
"Thanks Charlie, for having Phil here. It's the best present I could get." Not ready for I love you yet but this seems to make him happy for now.
"Let's take the car now!" Leah says and I look at Charlie and Phil and they both say go ahead but Sue tells us not to stay gone too long. We run in to grab our purses and jump in.
"Thank you. You're the best dad ever!" I tell him then look guiltily at Charlie but luckily he didn't hear.
Once we get there I am totally nervous. What if he doesn't like the band anymore? Or what if he thinks I spent too much?
But Leah being Leah drags me up to the door and knocks and then I'm worrying about interrupting their Christmas.
His mom answers the door and looks really happy to see us both.
"Bella, Leah! Merry Christmas! Embry just left to go to Jake's but Sam is in the living room. Come on in." She lets us both in and we walk to the living room behind here.
"Hey Bella." Sam looks surprised but happy luckily and he doesn't seem to notice Leah at all.
"Hi Sam." She looks amused.
"Oh Leah hey." And she laughs and goes into the kitchen where his mom is.
"So Merry Christmas." I hand him the envelope nervously.
"Wow. Bella this… my gift to you is nowhere near as good as this. This is awesome. Thank you." He moves towards me and kisses the top of my head.
"Um you're welcome. I'm glad you like it." I tell him still really nervous.
He walks to their Christmas tree and picks up a small box and hands it to me.
"Sam this is beautiful." I tell him and he looks relieved. It's a chain with a tree and a star chain. I told him that the one thing I miss in Forks when I'm with Phil, besides the people, are the forests and the stars at night.
I hug him and hold on for a little bit longer than I normally would.
Soon Leah and I decide we should go before Sue has a fit and sends Charlie out to find us. Sam tells me he will pick me up tomorrow at 10. I ask where we are going but he won't tell me. Leah tells me she does know where he's taking me but she won't tell me.
"Bitch." I mumble and she laughs and says I love you too.
We spend the rest of the day hanging out watching Christmas movies and eating. I walk over to Jacob's house and then Edward's to give everyone their gift cards but I don't stay.
Everything is perfect. My family all together.
I should have know it was too good to last.