"I love your decorations, Mrs. Cullen, simple, classy, yet very festive-looking. They remind me Nana Swan's house around Christmas." Bella said, touching the garland made of crocheted snowflakes lightly with her fingertips.

"Thank you dear, and please call me Esme. I know it's been a while, but I see no reason why we should revert to those stuffy formalities. In fact, this is an excellent opportunity for us to get re-acquainted, wouldn't you agree?" she asked in a remarkably calm and collected manner. If meeting her newest grandson had left her distraught, she certainly wasn't showing it. She was the perfect hostess in every sense of the word.

"Pull up a chair and I'll put the tea kettle on," she suggested as she bustled around in the kitchen.

"Don't go to any trouble on my account. You can heat the water in the microwave as far as I'm concerned. That'll do just fine."

"Nonsense, Isabella! I'll have it ready for you in a few minutes. I might even try a cup myself. I could certainly use something warm and soothing," she said, shakingher head. "It just drains me, this weather, you know…"

"Snow is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. I'd never seen more than a few flakes on the ground until I moved to Forks at seventeen."

"Oh, that's right! You've actually told me that before! I believe it snowed that very first time Alice brought you over here for a visit. Your father wouldn't let you drive on your own, so Alice and Carlisle had to go pick you up. Do you remember?"

"I do," Bella nodded, "I feels like it was yesterday, but it was actually almost a decade ago," she marveled with a small smile.

"Has it really been that long? Well, now I feel really old."

"Please don't. You haven't aged one bit."

It was true, Edward's mother, looked exactly how Bella remembered her from the handful of times she had met her in the past. No frown lines, no crow's feet, not even a gray hair amongst the auburn locks on her head.

Whoever her hair colorist was, he or she, was doing an excellent job, award worthy really. Her hair shone like caramel coated candy when she shook her head, laughing.

"That's kind of you to say, but not very accurate. My brain insists I'm a teenager, but my joints beg to differ. But enough about me. Let's talk about you. You've certainly changed since the last time I had the pleasure of having you over for a visit."

"Please don't remind me… That was 20lbs ago," Bella mock groaned. "I was scrawny and awkward; a bonafide bookworm and quite tomboyish too. "

"You used to be this slender and delicate a wisp of a girl, who was just a wee bit uncoordinated. Now look at you, all grown up. I must say the change is quite drastic."

"I suppose I've filled out some, haven't I?" Bella blushed pulling the blanket snugger around her. Then she realized her mistake. Where was her head at, really? Her weight gain and recently acquired curves was so not a topic she wanted to discuss with Edward's mother.

Ironic how ten year ago she had prayed for her boobs to grow a cup size or two, and now she wanted nothing more than for them to stop growing. The expanding of her waistline was becoming a major source of discomfort, but not an unexpected one. The sudden growth spurt in her chest area on the other hand, had come out of left field.

Bella bit her lip, berating herself for not thinking before she spoke.

Esme seemed to sense her inner turmoil. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It was meant as a complement. You've grown into a stunning young woman!"

"Thank you! Its just… I don't feel stunning at all, at the moment," she grimaced. Better not stray too far from the truth. "I've been out of shape for a couple of months now. Hate it, but can't really do anything about it at the moment. Let's leave it at that."

"That's alright, I understand," Esme hurried to assure her with a hint of something indefinable in her voice. "These past couple of years must have been tough on you. You probably don't remember, but we were at the funeral, me and Edward. I didn't get a chance to talk to you, but… I'm terribly sorry for your loss! We all are…"

Jacob… A million thoughts raced through her mind at once. Her friend, her confidante, her shoulder to cry on…

It didn't hurt to think about it anymore, in fact quite a few days had passed since she last though about it - about him. That didn't make it any easer to talk about though. Even though their marriage had been a disaster, she still missed her friend.

Of course, her husband's passing was so not what she had had in mind when she had made those comments about being out shape. Yet, she wasn't about to correct Esme's wrongly made assumption either.

She realized had to say something, though, and managed to squeak out a muffled,"Thank you".

She must have sounded choked up, because Esme stopped what she was doing, put the tea cups and the spoons down, and turned around with a concerned expression on her face.

"I know how it is to lose someone close, someone so young and filled with spirit."

"Then I hope you understand, when I say I don't want to talk about it." Bella lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.

"Of course. Let's talk about something else," Esme said simply, her voice unreadable."The tea water will be ready soon. Do you want Cinnamon, Chai, or Earl Grey?" she asked taking a jar off the shelf above the sink.

"I…I'll have Cinnamon, please. And thank you, for making me tea and for being so understanding."

"You needn't thank me for common courtesy dear," Esme responded, bringing the kettle of hot water over to the kitchen table. "Come, sit down! It's tea time! Do you take it with sugar, like I do?"

"No, just milk for me." Pulling out a chair, Bella carefully rearranged the blanket around her before she took a seat.

Her caution didn't not go by unnoticed. "Are you still feeling cold? Should I fetch you another blanket?"

"A little, but it's alright," she indicated with her hand that Esme should remain seated. "I think the tea will do the trick."

Truth be told, she wasn't even that cold anymore. She had no intention of losing the blanket, though. The term 'security blanket' had never seemed more fitting.

"You think the boys will be alright on their own?" Esme asked, filling the cups with the steaming water.

"Alone? Three grown man and two little boys, I think they will manage… Although, I must say it does sound like a herd of elephants is having a party down there."

"It's the trampoline," Edward's mother answered knowingly, as if that explained everything.

"You got a trampoline down there? I didn't know they made those for indoor use?"

"Neither did I. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if it was, in fact, meant to go outside. It has a metal frame with a trampoline base and a harnesssuspended by ordered it online a few days ago. It arrived yesterday, but it didn't stay in the box long, he couldn't wait to put it together."

"Aww, that's nice of him! I bet they'll have loads of fun using it."

"Sure lots of fun, but also lots of bruises, tears and scraped knees… and I'm not necessarily talking about the two youngest ones in the herd."

Bella couldn't help but snicker. "Ha, well in that case you can add sore backs to that list."

"I found this adorable Castle-shaped play tent, that would have been so much more age appropriate, but they were out of all colors, save pink. And God forbid any Cullen boy would have to play with a toy that isn't manly enough."

"But isn't Elliott's favorite toy a pink, plush elephant in a tutu? I saw him carrying it around as recently as this morning."

"Ah, yeah, Ellie the elephant. He loves that toy, pink lace and all," Esme smirked, but then her smirk faded into a frown. "Does Anthony have something like that; a toy or a teddy bear that he cuddles at night, something that keeps the monsters under the bed at bay? I know he had practically nothing with him, save for the clothes he wore, but Alice mentioned something about a stuffed… tiger, was it?"

"A well-loved, tiger striped, stuffed bear, actually, but whatever you do don't let Tony hear you call it a bear. As far as he is concerned it's a big, bad, scary tiger." Bella said pulling her tea bag out of the cup.

"Here," Esme hurried to push a saucer across the table. "So this tiger, does it have a name?"

"Nope, he just calls it Tiger. I bet he'd show it to you if you asked him. It's a good icebreaker."

"I thought hot cocoa would be a good icebreaker, but he didn't fancy it all that much. Judging by his reaction, I'd say he hasnever tasted anything of the sort before. I just wanted to cry when I saw how skinny he is. How could any mother allow for… for something like that…" she trailed off, not able to form the words.

"I know…I know…" Bella agreed with a shake of her head. "I'm surprised he turned down the hot chocolate. The little guy has a sweet tooth for sure. He loves ice cream and cookies... In fact, I bet one batch of homemade cookies is all it would take for you to get in his good book. Don't tell Edward I told you that, though. We're supposed to err-.. I mean Edward is supposed to establish healthier eating routines for Anthony."

"Ah, but it's Christmas, surely there is no harm in making a few exceptions, right? I've made tons of cookies and Christmas treats." As she spoke she rose from the table and fetched a plate of cake from the refrigerator.

"I know you said you didn't want anything, but are you sure I can't tempt you with a slice of a slice of my iced fruit cake."

"It looks delicious…but I think I'll have to pass, for now," Bella all but groaned as her stomach churned from the sight and smell.

"You really should try and eat something."

She forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, I know, but I doubt I would be able to stomach anything at the moment. I'm still a bit shook up."

"That's understandable. Just let me know if you change your mind and I will fix you a sandwich or something."

"You're being awfully nice to me. Not that you haven't always been nice to me…. Ugh…I mean, I feel like I'm crashing a family reunion. I'm sure you have a lot on your plate at the moment."

"Don't be silly!" Esme fired off a blending smile. "One more houseguest will hardly make a difference at this point. Besides, I'll willingly admit that I'm being extra nice because I have a favor to ask."

Warming her fingers on her tea cup, Bella eyed at the woman across the table suspiciously. "What kind of favor are we talking about?"

"I know you're supposed to hitch a ride, with Emmett when he goes off to Portland to pick up Rosalie."

"Yes, I'd like to try and get to the airport there instead of waiting for Sea-Tac to reopen. However, I'm still waiting to hear whether or not Rose managed to snag a seat on the flight she was on hoping to get on."

"She made it. She texted me half an hour ago letting me know that she has landed safely. Apparently many travelers are showing up late due to unusually bad traffic, which in turn has been very fortunate for those waiting on the standby lists. Alice will be boarding her flight any minute now, and Jasper is next in line."

"Alright then, I'm ready to leave whenever Emmett is. The sooner, the better. I realize it would be unwise to try and make the trip tonight, but hopefully we can be on our way at the first sign of light tomorrow morning."

"I'm not sure that's enough time for the weather to clear. I understand that you have plans for the holiday. Maybe you could put them off a day or two?"

"Is that the favor?" Bella asked. After a pause, the other woman nodded in turn.

"Please DON'T encourage either one of my sons to get out on those roads again in this weather. Carlisle and I have managed to secure accommodations for everyone. I'll gladly pay double-triple- the price for those hotel rooms, if it means that all my children will stay off the roads for another day or two, until the storm has passed."

"There are no other people I would rather spend my Christmas with than Edward and Anthony, but my mom leaves for Europe come boxing day and I really, really want to see her before she leaves."

"But you mother wouldn't want you to risk your life on those icy roads. Talk to her. She'll tell you the same thing I'm telling you, that it's not worth the risk," Esme said smiling grimly. "In fact, why don't you try and Skype her later. Emmett can help you set it up. I know it's not the same as seeing her in person, but it's better than nothing."

"That's… actually not a bad idea. If the weather allows it of course."

"So, you'll postpone your trip?"

"Esme, I promise, I'll think about it. I won't be going anywhere tonight and I certainly won't be forcing anyone to drive if they don't want to. I could always try and get another rental car and drive myself. I'll sleep on it and then we'll see what the weather is like in the morning."

"Fair enough… You're more than welcome to stay as long as you like. Now tell me more about my grandson. I hear he has a bit of a temper…. "