A/N: The overwhelming response was that everyone wanted more, so I'm giving you more! I don't have a set schedule for updating, but I will try to update about once a week.

Chapter 2

Waking up groggy, I reach across the bed in search of Bella's body but find only cold sheets. I roll over and bury my face into the pillow she slept on and groan loudly. I know she stayed for a while because I woke up several times to cuddle her body closer. Her scent lingers on the pillow and sheets, reminding me that last night was not a dream.

Today, I have to face reality though. I don't know exactly what is going on with her, and there is a distinct possibility that last night was a one-time thing. As disappointing as that is, she did say she wanted me—has wanted me for a while—last night. I'll have to put my frustration aside and let her lead wherever this is going.

I throw on some pajama pants and a T-shirt and make my way downstairs. Bella is sitting at the kitchen table with Esme when I enter, both women nursing cups of coffee.

"Good morning, Edward," Esme greets. "The coffee's still hot."

"Thanks," I reply, noting how Bella is keeping her back turned to me. I know I have to try not to read into every miniscule interaction and act normally around her, but it's easier said than done. I'm not exactly sure I even know what "normal" is.

I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a bagel from the counter, bringing it all to the table where I sit down across from Bella. "Morning, Bella." I keep my head bent over the bagel as I spread some butter on it, trying for nonchalance with my greeting.

"Morning," she returns.

The women go back to their discussion of last night's Christmas party, with Esme imparting the latest gossip about our small town's residents. I tune them out while I eat and drink my coffee, other than sneaking glances at Bella across the table a few times. God, she's beautiful. Even first thing in the morning, she's the most alluring woman I've ever seen.

I only catch her looking at me once, but it's enough. She's quick to hide her face behind her hair. If nothing else, at least I know that last night had some effect on her.

Gathering my dishes, I stand up and move to rinse them in the sink before placing them in the dishwasher.

"Will you be around today, Edward?" Esme asks.

"I'll be home in the afternoon. I actually have an errand to run this morning."

"Okay, that sounds good. Your father will be home later, and we were planning to keep things low key tonight. We'll probably just watch some Christmas movies after dinner if you want to join us."

My eyes shift to Bella's momentarily, and I see her nod her head minutely. "Sounds great. I'll see you ladies later, then."

I shower quickly and get myself ready for the day. As much as I hate last minute shopping—or shopping, in general—I have one more gift to purchase today.

I steer my car down to the small shopping area in town, but head away from the large retailers that will be packed to the gills on Christmas Eve day. I know exactly where I'm going.

Buy The Book is a small book store set away from the other retailers, and it will have just what I need. I don't know the exact title that I want, but I know I will find it here.

The bell above the door jingles as I walk in, and immediately I get lost in the scent of old books. This place sells a mix of new and used books. I've never been disappointed when I browse in here. As expected, there are only a few customers milling about. A woman I recognize approaches me as I start down the aisles.

"Edward, it's good to see you," Mrs. Cope says. Shelly is old enough to be my grandmother, and just as sweet as if she were. She and her husband have owned this place for years. Some days, I don't know how they keep it running with the competition from large chains and the internet, but it seems they have a good deal of support from our small town.

"Hi, Mrs. Cope." I greet her with a kiss to her cheek. "You look lovely, as always."

"Such a shameless flirt," she says with a smack to my arm and a blush on her cheeks. I give her my best crooked grin. Shaking her head, she asks, "What can I help you with today, dear?"

"I think I'm just going to browse for a bit, if that's okay. I'm looking for a gift, and I have a feeling I'll know it when I see it."

"You go right ahead, and holler if you need me." She leaves me with a pinch to my cheek.

I make a beeline for the Classics section and start browsing through the used books. It doesn't take me long to stumble onto the perfect gift: a three volume, leather bound collection of Shakespeare's works. Placing it on the table behind me, I continue browsing, although I'm fairly certain I won't find anything better.

I spend about half an hour looking over the shelves, finding a few new editions for my own library, but nothing to beat the gift I've selected. I take my selections to the counter where I find Mrs. Cope saying goodbye to another customer.

She looks over my purchases and sighs. "You found my hidden Shakespeare."

"Indeed, I did. You didn't think you could hide it from me, did you?" I say with a quirk of my eyebrow.

"I'll never understand how you're still single, dear," she says, patting my hand. "Such a handsome face, and the intellect to back it up … You sure I can't get you to change your mind about my Jessie?"

I laugh and shake my head at her. "You know as well as I do that Jessica and I would never work." I've known her granddaughter for ages, and the girl doesn't have an intellectual bone in her body. She's sweet and would never harm a fly, but I'd be bored to tears, and Mrs. Cope knows it.

"Can't fault an old woman for trying. You'd make a wonderful grandson."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cope. But, the books are actually a gift for a special lady."

She rings my purchases up and hands my credit card back to me. "Well, she's a lucky young lady, then. I hope she's good to you, because you, my boy, are one of a kind."

I smile and thank her again, taking the bag with my purchases before making my way back to my car.

I return home after stopping for a few other errands—including another pack of cigarettes, because lord knows, my stress isn't going to lessen as long as Bella's in the house. Dad's in the living room, while Bella and Esme are in the kitchen. I run up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and toss my purchases into my room.

It's late in the afternoon by the time we all gather in the living room with mugs of eggnog and bowls of popcorn. My dad lights the fireplace, while Esme and Bella go through the extensive selection of DVDs, finally settling on Christmas with the Kranks. I'm happy their selection isn't something sappy and overplayed. I have a feeling this has something to do with Bella's mood.

Esme and my father settle down on one of the two couches, so I make my way next to Bella on the other couch, bringing a blanket with me.

"Care to share?" I ask with a quirk of my eyebrow, holding up the blanket.

She gives me a small smile before answering. "Sure, thanks."

I try not to be too obvious about sitting close to her, but figure it's somewhat acceptable since we're sharing a blanket and a bowl of popcorn. The blanket gets tossed over both our laps. There's still a respectable amount of space between us, and I place the popcorn bowl half on my leg and half on hers as the movie starts.

About forty-five minutes into the movie, I'm tired of holding the bowl that neither of us is eating from, so I move it to the coffee table along with our mostly untouched eggnog. As I sit back, I pull the blanket up further and move my body closer to Bella. I'm not at all surprised when I see her shift her body and snuggle up under the cover, moving closer to me.

Her hand lands on my thigh, and my entire being unwinds at her touch. I cover her hand with mine and squeeze gently before lacing our fingers together.

As the movie plays on, our bodies inch closer to one another. There's no funny business—just being at ease and relaxing with each other. It feels like it was meant to be this way. Her body is a perfect fit against my side. My arm wraps comfortably around her. The skin of her side feels like silk under my fingers.

Which is exactly why I should have known it was too perfect to last.

When the doorbell rings at 5:30 on Christmas Eve, both Bella and I both tense up. My dad gets up to answer the door, and the voice I hear causes me to suck in a lungful of air. One look at Bella has me believing she's not breathing at all. Her body is frozen solid and her fingers are digging into my thigh.

"It looks like we have an unexpected visitor!" my dad announces happily as he walks back into the room.

Jasper follows him around the corner, and I feel like my world just came to an end.

"Well, isn't this cozy," he sneers in Bella's direction.

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