First and foremost, I (Kasi) am very sorry for not posting yesterday. Real life has been rather stressful for the past few weeks and has caused me to get a little behind. I'm doing my best to get caught up and I am sorry to you all for letting you down on posting and having to wait. Nikky, I'm very sorry especially to you, because I hate letting you down. My intention is to get a bunch of stuff done today, so wish me luck.

Chapter 14

"IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Is yelled loudly in my ear, making me jump a little.

"Emmett, ear drums," I say rubbing my ears.

"When the snow man brings the snow," he sings out with a chortle walking away.

Looking at my watch, I groan, it's only six in the damn morning. Lying back, I rub my face.

"Here, Edward."

Looking up I see Bella standing there, with a cup of coffee. As I sit up a little to take it, Bella's hand begins to shake.

"Breakfast is almost done," she stammers. "Emmett wanted to wake Rose, but I told him he had to wait until I had it all ready to serve." She babbles on and for some reason she is really flustered.

Laughing lightly, I take the coffee from her. "When did he get you up?"

"Err ... um, what time, uh, half past five."

Groaning I go to apologize, but she smiles and waves me off. "It's okay."

Looking her up and down, I see she's still in my t-shirt, only now she has sweatpants on too. For some unknown reason, she looks really flushed.

"Are you cold?" I ask sitting fully up.

"I was a little," she says. I stand as she shakes a little.

Wrapping my arms around her, I run my hands up and down her back as I look down at her.

"I've got a hoodie, if you want to put it on."

Bella bites her lip shaking her head. "No, I'll be okay." She pulls out of my arms. "I better get back in the kitchen," she states and her eyes drop to my body. Her face becomes even more flushed as she almost runs away.

"Jesus, Edward, tell me you are planning to put some clothes on."

Frowning, I turn to Rose.

"Holy hell, Edward, you're hung like a horse!" Rose says looking at my groin.

Looking down at myself, I'm in shock. No wonder Bella acted so odd, I only have boxers on and my morning wood is standing tall, proud, strong and in full salute. Fuck! No wonder she ran out of here like she did.

"Ah, fuck ..." Rolling my eyes and rubbing a hand over the scruff of my chin. "I better get dressed," I say before walking out feeling like a fucking moron.

After taking care of my predicament, shaving and showering, I get dressed before going down to the kitchen. Emmett and Rose are already eating, but Bella seems to be waiting for me.

"I made you plate," Bella says as she points to it.

"Thank you," I say.

Sitting down, Bella joins me and we start to eat the delicious breakfast she cooked.

"Can I have more, Bells?" Emmett says with a mouth full of food.

"No," she states and Emmett stops and just looks at her. "If you can't speak, without showing everyone what's in your mouth, then no you can't have more."

Emmett swallows and I hold back my chuckle. "I'm sorry, now please may I get some more?"

"Emmett, she's not your mom, just take some," Rose says with a huff.

Emmett grins and grabs another plate full, and sits back down.

"See, I thought Em wouldn't want more food, and just wanted to open all his gifts," I say.

Emmett stops mid bite and shakes his head. "Na, the presents will still be there and this can't go to waste."

Bella shakes her head and Rose and I both laugh.

"He needs a whole paycheck just for a weeks' worth of shopping," Bella tells Rose.

Rose smiles nodding at Bella, but continues to look at her and something seems to pass unspoken between them. To my surprise, Rose winks at Bella.

"Okay, I am ready to open my gifts," Emmett says before burping loudly.

"Emmett!" we all yell together.

"What?" he asks looking at us. "Just be glad that didn't come out my other end, huh?"

Rolling my eyes, the girls get up and walk out chuckling as they shake their heads.

As soon as they're all the way out of the room, I slap the back of Emmett's head.

"Could you at least try to be a gentleman?"

"I could try if you could try being a man of today."

Raising my brow at him, he continues on.

"You know learn to do that cave man shit, dragging your woman to your bed, being demanding. Like making her bend down and get on all fours for you."

My mouth falls open as I look at him. "What part of your brain thinks this is okay? Please, Emmett, find it and switch it the hell off," I say walking away as he laughs.

I hand out the gifts to each person, Emmett having clearly the most.

My eyes go to him as he acts just like he did when he was a child opening them all as fast as he can.

"Thanks, Rose, this is beautiful."

Turning, I see Rose has gotten Bella the dress that I saw at the mall. Swallowing, my eyes stay on her as she picks up one of the gifts from me.

"A laptop, Edward, this is entirely too much."

Shaking my head at her, I smile. "No it's not, just take it, Mina."

A box with my name on it catches my eye and I pick it up seeing it says, Love, Bella. Looking at her to see she's holding up a knife set and I frown just looking at them.

"Who got you those?" I ask.

"Me," Emmett pipes up. "I though since she spends a lot of her time in the kitchen, and the lady said all chefs have them," Emmett tells me making me shake my head.

Looking back at my gift, I open it slowly. Unable to help myself, I let out a small laugh seeing the Build-A-Bear Workshop box. It's the brown bear dressed in a party dress—the same bear I helped her make—and it was for me. Holding it to me, I take out the birth certificate to see what Bella named her. Swallowing, I see it says Mrs. Cullen. My eyes go back to her and see she's holding the Bear—Mr. Cullen—I got her.

"Thank you," she mouths looking really happy with it.

Looking around, I see everyone is done opening gifts.

"Okay, Emmett, you have one more gift," I say standing up. Placing a blindfold on him, I walk him outside and to the side of the garage.

"This is just to show how proud you've made me these past months, and I hope it will keep you working hard." With that I take the blindfold off, showing him his custom decked out truck.

"Oh for real, this is mine?" Emmett yells and I bob my head.

"Okay, come on, we need to go somewhere," Emmett says looking around. Placing a smile on my face, even though I know he'll end up taking off with Bella.

"You drive safe with Bella," I say.

My eyes go to Emmett then to Bella, then land on Rose who's gone back to looking uncomfortable.

"I have to get showered and dressed, and still cook dinner. Why don't you take Rose, and pick up Alice and Jasper, that way they both can drink?" Bella says quickly.

Shaking my head to argue, but get cut off by Rose and Emmett talking. "That sounds good," they both say and I look to them.

"I need to check on my house anyway. Turn off the lights, feed my cat and all that," Rose says giving me a pointed look.

Nodding, I'm in a sort of shock and before I know it they are in the truck and it's starting.

"Sorry," I say but Bella shake her head.

"God, no I feel sorry for Rose. Emmett's music is kind of shitty," Bella laughs and I nod agreeing with her.

"Plus you know, he'll be like this 'my wheels, so my rules'. I would be stuck in it for the next few hours, listening to some crap he thinks sounds good."

"You've got a point," I say, tilting my head toward the house. "Shall we?"

She nods and holds my arm as we walk inside.

With Bella helping me, we get the paper all picked up in one go. All the gifts are sorted and Emmett's is in his room. Rose's stuff is on the sofa in the den.

"I'm going to get dressed for the day," Bella says.

Looking at her as I pick up my stuff, I can't help but smile seeing her hugging Mr. Cullen. "I'm just taking this lot to my room."

Walking out of the living room and up the stairs, we part ways at the top.

Deciding to change, I put on the new shirt and watch, Emmett got me. My new bear—Mrs. Cullen—Bella gave me, is in its new place, the center of my bed. Picking up the CD and movie Rose had gotten me, I take them to my office placing them on the shelves where they go.

Walking back down the stairs, my eyes go to Bella's pile on the sofa. Rose got her the dress, which means the cookbooks, and knife set were from Emmett. "Odd gifts to get your girlfriend Emmett," I say out loud, but to myself.

"I was thinking that maybe we should put the soup on, and get the roast in the oven," Bella says. She walks in wearing jeans and a top, while cuddling Mr. Cullen. "After that, if you'd like we could watch a movie together."

"Sounds good to me, Mina," I say.

Bella and I walk together getting both lunch and dinner going before walking back out to the living room.

Bella sits right next to me, and I pull her legs over my lap. "I'm glad you like him," I say as she hugs Mr. Cullen to her.

"I do, I love him, it's the best gift ever," she says smiling which slowly turns to a worried look. She stops and just looks at her bear. "I know getting you a teddy bear was silly, but I just couldn't think of anything else."

"Oh, no worries, love, I really like it."

Bella turns her head and looks at me through her eyelashes. Our eyes are locked and the feelings are intense between us. We both jump when her cell phone rings.

"It's my dad," Bella says picking it up with a smile.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hi, Bell's ..." Bella's sitting so close to me I can hear the deep voice of her dad. "Got your text, what's wrong?" he asks sounding a little worried.

"I just wanted to say Merry Christmas," she says with a smile.

"Is it really Christmas there?" he asks sounding tired.

"Yeah ..." Bella trails off.

"Well shit, I had better call your mom. Is the house okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," Bella says looking down.

"What do you mean, 'think so,' has something happened?"

"It was fine when I left yesterday."

Her dad lets out a sigh. "Bella don't be harassing your mom, she has to work."

"I'm not. I stayed at a friend's house last night. I'm spending the day with their family."

"Bella, you can't be leaving the house for days like that!"

Rolling my hand into a fist at the tone he took with her, I'm angered over the way she is nothing to them both.

"I'm going home tonight. I set the heating to come on ..." Bella pauses for a few minutes and I look at her as she hugs Mr. Cullen even closer. My heart breaks for her, because I know this hurts her.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas."

"Bell's I'm tired and been up all night. I'll call you later, Merry Christmas."

Bella takes the cell away and I don't think, just react by pulling her onto my lap.

"Mina," I say hugging her close to me. "You can't go on like this, it's breaking you."

Bella sniffs but shakes her head. "It'll be fine, I'll be at college soon. Money will be tight so I won't be able to come back home during the breaks anyway."

Shaking my head at her, she covers her open mouth with her hand to hold in her sob. After a few moments she has regained her calm.

"They were great parents, Edward, when I was growing up, they were always there."

"What changed?" I ask.

Bella shrugs. "Mom got offered another job. At first Mrs. Cope came over to watch me. One time when I was sixteen she didn't turn up, and I was able to handle it. It was only two nights a week, so they said they trusted me to take care of things. Then she got more shifts and it went to three, then four then ten days. Now, she's hardly home one day a month."

Nodding, I kiss her forehead. "What about your dad?"

"Not sure. He's always been a truck driver for as long as I can remember. I think after doing it for almost twenty years it's taking a toll on him."

Letting out a hum, I push her hair out of her face.

Bella sighs. "I think they feel as if they missed out, on their youth. They've spent more time apart then together in their marriage, which must be hard. Before you tell me they have a responsibility to me too, I know that. Where I will never do the Cat in the Cradle thing, I can see why they want and need this. By closing their eyes and ear off to me seems, to make it easier for them. I just wish it didn't hurt so much."

Shaking my head at her, she continues before I can say anything in response.

"Edward, I've never been in love—so in love that, that person comes before everything else—but I can imagine how it would be."

"But you're their child, a part of why they are so in love with each other." I just look at her.

Bella frowns. "You've stayed single mainly because you didn't want Emmett to be introduced to a string of women."

Nodding in agreement with her words, but keeping my frown in place.

"When he leaves for college, you will date more and finally look for your one, right?"

Gulping, she has no idea I've found my one, in her. "If I did, it wouldn't be at his expense," I tell her. However my brain carries on silently. "Fact in point of why you haven't made a play for her nor told him!"

"Then we will have to agree to disagree," she says and I nod.

"I'll check on the soup," she says but leans toward me kissing my forehead. She swallows as she blushes, but before I can say or do anything she's off my lap and walking out of the room.

I jump up taking Mr. Cullen and follow her.

"You forgot, Mr. Cullen," I say moving to her.

She giggles, but takes the bear and hugs it close before placing it down on a chair. She bends down taking the roast out of the oven. After turning it and adding a few things, she places it back in.

"We're good to go, the soup is done. The roast is doing nicely, so we'll have time for that movie if you still want to?"

"I want to," I say. "Get Mr. Cullen."

She picks it up and I slide my hand into hers and link our fingers.

She giggles as I pull her to the living room. "Would you like to dance?" I say out of the blue.

"What? I've never danced before," she says but doesn't look like she dislikes the idea.

"I'll keep a hold of you and make sure you don't fall," I say moving us to the entertainment center.

Clicking on a song, I place Mr. Cullen down before pulling her into my arms. Running my hand down her arm, I kiss her hand before putting it on my shoulder. Clasping her other hand in one of mine, I place my other hand one at the base of her back.

"Just look at me," I tell her as we begin to move. Within seconds we're moving in sync with each other to the melody of the song playing.

She giggles smiling happily as I spin her around the room. "Are you having a good day, Mina?" I ask.

"I am," she smiles up at me, biting her lip.

Hearing the front door open, I know the others have arrived and our alone time is now over now. "Thank you for the dance," I say bowing a little.

Keeping a hold of her hand, I kiss it and wink at her.

"How's your cat?" I ask Rose as she walks back into the living room with Alice.

"She was good," she says but the fact that Alice is bouncing up and down distracts me immediately.

"You two spent Christmas eve together?" she screeches and I roll my eyes at her.

"Enough, Alice," I say curtly to her having heard this enough.

"You know you love Rose, you would never have asked her to marry you if you didn't."

Before I can say anything Bella cuts me off.

"You asked Rose to marry you?" Bella asks, looking at me in shock.

"Not like that, it's a long story," I say not really wanting to relive it.

Bella just looks at me. "I'll tell you later," I tell her seemingly pacifying her for the time being.

We all make our way back to the living room, and I hand Alice and Jasper their gifts as they hand out the ones they brought.

"This is for you, Bella," Alice says handing her a massive gift bag.

Bella opens the bag and starts pulling out a mountain of clothing. The clothes are all nice, but they look like they will make her look a bit older than she is. Looking to Jasper who smirks and winks at me.

"Thank you, Alice and Jasper, these are lovely," Bella says smiling as she hands them each a small gift.

"I'm starving, when can we eat something?" Emmett calls out.

"Yes, give me ten minutes to cook the rolls," Bella says shaking her head as she moves back to the kitchen.

Picking up the wrapping paper, I walk into the kitchen. "Hey, this is your day too. Just tell Emmett to shut it," I tell her as I put the paper in the garbage can.

"He's a growing boy," she states and I chuckle shaking my head.

"He's a pain in the ass when it comes to food."

Bella bites her lip, but lets out a small sniggering sound. "So you and Rose, huh?" she asks making me groan.

"Rose grew up in a state home. She was pushed from family to family her whole life, until she was eighteen. After she aged out, they all abandoned her. Rose and I sort of fell right into the hate, but tolerate relationship. After a while she became friends with Alice, and then she was around me a lot. Two years ago, she was engaged to some jerk named Royce. She was, or at least thought she was, in love with him. She found out she was pregnant only days before she had a miscarriage. I took her to the hospital and even called Royce, but he never answered." Letting out a breath, I rub my head and continue. "After the doctor told her she lost the baby, she just wanted to go home, so she signed herself out. I drove her home and helped her in the house. When we got inside, we found Royce fucking some girl. I couldn't just leave her, and since Emmett was staying with Paul that night, I ... she ... we went to a bar.

"I know I should've stopped her, but I could understand her wanting to drink. She got hammered and I got drunk right along with her. At the end of the night she started crying asking why no one wanted her. She was just so upset she didn't want to be forty and alone. I was so drunk, I blurted out a proposal of sorts. I said if were both single at forty, then we would marry each other. She looked at me and said yes. I still think it was the booze talking in both of our cases, but no one has ever let us live it down."

Bella looks at me sadly then to the kitchen door. "So that's why Alice is always going on?"

"Alice doesn't know that Rose had a miscarriage, or the reason behind her and Royce's break up. Rose is quite a private person."

Bella looks at me with worry more than likely wondering why I told her, but I told her so she knows the whole story. So she would get why there was a pending marriage bond. Plus, I also wanted to let her know there's nothing between Rose and I.

"That was sweet of you," Bella says squeezing my arm.

"Maybe, but I know we'll never get married. I think Rose just says things about it to wind me up," I say staring down at Bella as the oven dings.

"The rolls are ready," I say moving to get the serving bowl for the soup.

Bella and I carry everything into the dining room. Alice and Jasper take their seats, Emmett sits between Bella and Rose, leaving me to take the seat between Bella and Alice.

"Oh, this is so good," Alice says and I hum in agreement with her.

"How are your parents?" Rose asks softer than she did at Thanksgiving.

"They're okay, I think," Bella replies.

"Have they called you?"

"Yes, I spoke to my father. My mom's still working, so I'll call her tonight."

Rose just looks at Bella and for once I can see Rose hates the way her parents treat her.

"What did they get you for Christmas?" Alice asks.

"I haven't seen them for a few weeks. They'll come home before too long and I think we'll do the gift thing then."

Letting out a long breath as my anger increases, because I know there's really nothing I can do about it the now. I'm not sure if they will ever listen to anyone about what they're putting this girl through.

Looking around the table I see everyone shares my deep concern over this girl.

Clearing my throat, to get the focus off the sadness and anger. "I was thinking we should play some games and sing some songs?"

Everyone turns to me and smiles nodding in agreement.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Emmett says and every one agrees.

Dropping my hand under the table, I slide it to Bella's lap and clasp her hand. As I glance up at everyone, the only person who seems to have noticed is Jasper. Shaking my head at him, he gives me a pointed look as if to say tell them, but again I shake my head knowing Bella has enough going on right now. Besides I want her—all of us—to enjoy this day together.

The rest of the night is spent with us having fun. Bella seems to be my partner in all of the games, which made them all the more enjoyable. At the end of the day, Emmett drove Alice and Jasper home. When he returned he loaded up Rose and her stuff and asked if he could spend the night there to get an early start in the morning on repairs. After confirming this was okay with Rose, I allowed it.

Bella on the other hand was made to go back home, so I took her. After I checked over her family's home, I made the decision there was no way I was leaving her alone, in that house to feel abandoned, so here we are on our way back to my house.

Once we arrive I tell her to get changed. We decide to watch a movie on the television. Here we are lying on the sofa together, with her in front of me. She's hugging her Mr. Cullen bear, and I'm hugging her. When I wake early in the morning, the television is still on, but the sound is low. I can still feel the soft breath of Bella's face against my chest. Sometime in the night she turned and is facing me. Looking down I can see the look of happiness on her face, though she's sleeping. Mr. Cullen is on my chest like a baby would be and her hand is on his back. Unable to help myself, I kiss her head and pull her closer and go back to sleep.

A/N: So what did you think of their Christmas celebration?