Author's Note: Ha! You're going to love this chapter? I'll say no more. Read on.

Dislcaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 44

Edward's Point of View

"Hello?"

"Hey, bro!" Emmett's voice answered cheerfully. "How come you never call anymore?"

I sighed as I leaned against the front counter of the clothing store. "I've been busy. What do you want?"

"Would you like it wrapped, sir?" the cashier asked flirtatiously. She was batting her eyelashes.

I resisted the urge to grimace, and smiled forcibly instead. "Yes, thank you."

"What?" Emmett asked, confused. "Thank you to what? Where are you?"

"I'm a bit behind in my Christmas shopping," I replied as I watched the girl wrap it neatly in silver wrapping paper. "So I'm doing that right now."

"A bit?" Emmett laughed. "Dude, Christmas is tomorrow. You're shopping for presents on Christmas Eve?"

I smiled. "Is that a problem?"

"Whatever," Emmett said. "You're coming over to spend Christmas with us tomorrow, right?"

My smile faded. "No."

"You're coming," he said firmly. "Even if I have to drag you over myself."

"What was the point in asking me if you were going to make me?" I grumbled as I handed over my credit card.

"I was just wondering if I had to force you to come, that's all," he said. "Besides, Rose made me do it."

"Here you are," the girl said, handing me the bag and credit card. She smiled at me brightly. "Have a nice day, and come again soon."

I suppressed a wince again. "Thank you." I walked out of the store quickly, vowing never to come back in here again.

"Looks like that girl was flirting with you," Emmett commented. "Right?"

I ignored him. "I was just planning to drop off the presents and leave. I have a lot of court cases to look at."

"You can spend one day with your family," he said dismissively. "Do I have to drag you over, or will you come quietly?"

I didn't reply.

"Come on, man," he said. "There's going to be a lot of food and desserts, and we can all open the presents together under the tree. Like old times. Besides, everyone's going to be there, unlike last Christmas, when no one had time to come."

"You can live without me."

"Edward Cullen…" Emmett began in a warning tone.

"What's the point anyway?" I asked, my voice lowering. "Not everyone's going to be there."

Emmett knew exactly whom I meant. "I'm sure…she's busy. And she's all the way across the country. She can't exactly come to join us overnight."

I sighed. "Is there any point in arguing?"

"No. Will you come?"

I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes briefly. I really didn't want to do this. "Where?"

"Over at the Swans," Emmett answered happily. "We're spending the whole day together, so come early. Around eight, maybe?"

The Swan mansion. Even worse. I did not want to spend a day at the place where she was raised. Especially if she wasn't going to be there.

"I'll be there," I said in resignation.

"Good," Emmett said, pleased. "We'll have fun, I promise. See you tomorrow, Edward."

I merely grunted before hanging up. I sighed as I entered a joke shop.

I paused when I saw a blonde wig and a princess get-up. I grinned. Would Emmett like his Christmas present?


I set aside the huge bag that contained everyone's presents and finally sank into bed. I felt exhausted.

Christmas Eve or not, it was the same to me as any other day.

Before I turned out the lights, I glanced at my bedside table to see the twin rings. Like always, I stared at it wistfully before sighing.

Would I ever see her again? Was she planning on never coming back?

Jasper was probably right. I should move on. Too much time had passed for me to make any difference in our rocky past. She was gone.

Yet…why did I feel so pained to even think about forgetting about her? I felt as if I had been waiting for something these past eight years. Something that was totally separate from wanting her back in my life.

I still remembered those words she had said to me as we went our separate ways. It still haunted me in my dreams, making it even more impossible to forget. But I was just relieved by the fact that I could still hear her voice and see her face, even in my dreams. Otherwise, I would have gone insane from the fact that I needed to see her.

Tonight, I felt different, somehow. Looking at the twin rings that once belonged to her, I felt as though she was closer to me.

Of course, that was a bunch of nonsense. She was all the way across the country, and there was no way for her to get here overnight.

Then, why…why did I feel so warm and comforted inside…when she wasn't even near New York?


I trudged out of bed reluctantly and turned on the shower. I really didn't want to go over to the Swans, but I supposed it was inevitable. After all, they were family friends, as well as in-laws.

I looked past my usual suits in the closet, and stared blankly at my casual clothes instead. I realized that I'd never seen them before. Alice must have sneaked in and filled up my closet with her designs.

I picked up a random hoodie and peered at it. Sure enough, Fashionista's logos were embroidered on the back of each clothing.

It was Christmas, and I needed a break from those suits. So I got on dark, skinny jeans, a casual tee, and a white hoodie. I glanced at the mirror. I looked presentable enough, but I felt like one of Fashionista's models with so many logos on me.

Still, I had to admit that she really was very good. Her designing style was very simple, yet stylish, and it was perfect for young people.

I swung the huge bag that contained the presents over my shoulder carelessly before exiting the house. I threw it in the backseat of my car, and I started the engine. I glanced at the clock before driving away. Seven-thirty.

I drove slower than my usual speed, wanting to put off the gathering as long as I could. But to my disappointment, I arrived exactly at eight.

Sighing as I parked next to Alice's familiar Porsche, I got out and dragged the huge bag with me. I felt like Santa Claus.

Judging from the cars, everyone else was already here. Of course, though on time, I was still the late one.

The front door was unlocked. I let myself in and heard low voices coming from the living room. The whole mansion smelled of delicious aromas of food.

"Did you hear something?" I heard Alice ask suddenly. "Do you think Edward's here?"

The door leading to the living room opened, and the next thing I knew, I was attacked by a pixie.

"Merry Christmas, Edward!" she chirped happily. "You look nice!"

"Thanks," I grumbled, trying to walk with her still attached to me. I made it to the decorated Christmas tree in the corner, and laid the bag next to all the other stacks of presents. "Hi, everyone."

"Edward," Carlisle greeted me from the sofa. Esme got up and hugged me.

"Hey, bro," Emmett said from an armchair. He was already munching on homemade muffins. Rosalie sat on one of the arms next to him. She waved at me, grinning widely.

"Edward," Charlie nodded. "How are you?"

Renee smiled at me as warmly as always. Like I'd never hurt her daughter in any way and made her run off to California.

"I'm fine, thanks," I said. "Alice, get off."

Alice finally let go of me and looked up at me, grinning. "Did you get me a good present?"

I shrugged before sitting down on an empty armchair. She pouted. I finally noticed who was missing. "Where's Jasper?"

"He's upstairs somewhere," Alice said dismissively. "He claims he has a big surprise for everyone, but I bet it's just a load of wine for the Christmas dinner tonight."

I smiled slightly as I leaned back. "You should talk nice about your husband, sis."

"I do," Alice said, settling back down on the floor, and helping herself to some muffins. "But he's been keeping something from me these last few days. So I'm mad at him."

"Ooh," Emmett sniggered. "Maybe he's finally getting tired of you. Perhaps he has a girl hidden up in his old bedroom?" He laughed as he dodged her bad kick.

"That's not funny," Alice scowled.

"Aw, come on, Alice," Emmett crowed. "It was just a joke. Besides, you know Jasper would never do that. He's not an idiot, unlike this brother of ours right here." He winked at me.

I smiled ruefully. "True."

Renee laughed suddenly. "It's a bit ironic how Emmett said that. I mean, it's true." She nudged Charlie playfully, giving him a knowing look.

"What?" Alice blinked. "You mean he has a girl up there?"

Right on cue, there came a loud thump from upstairs, and a shriek of laughter. The laughter belonged to a woman.

Everyone except Charlie and Renee froze. Alice's eyes were wide.

"Who's up there?" Esme whispered. "You weren't serious…?"

"Come here!" Jasper's voice echoed loudly throughout the house. "You little…"

The laughter got louder, and there were footsteps hurrying down the staircase. Suddenly, the door opened, and a familiar scent rushed into the room.

The young woman with mahogany, long hair was laughing freely and uncontrollably as Jasper tried to tickle her from behind. She straightened up, still laughing, and looked around with bright, chocolate eyes.

I froze, recognizing her.

Bella was back.


AN: OH! HA! CLIFFIE! I told you that you were going to love this chapter. Heh. And hate me. Reviews if you're anxiously waiting for the next chapter! Which should be all of you.