Stories at Christmas

The others all arrived in their couples, with Carlisle arriving first. When they were all sitting round the living room I ran upstairs to Bella.

"Wake up baby. Everyone's here."

She groaned as she rolled into my chest.

"Come on baby. Lunch is almost ready. You need to get up."

"Okay."

"You can sleep on the plane tomorrow baby. We'll have plenty of time."

"Come here honey."

She leaned up and pressed her lips to mine quickly before sitting up.

"Merry Christmas Bella."

"Merry Christmas Edward."

Pressing my lips to hers, I scooped her into my arms and made my way down the stairs. When we got down the stairs we sat with everyone in the living room and chatted about nothing in particular.

"Are you alright Bella?"

"I'm fine Carlisle. Just quite tired. Don't worry, I'll get plenty of rest on the plane tomorrow."

"Are you going to tell us where we are going yet? I haven't been able to pack anything because I don't know what the weather will be like."

"Calm down Alice. We'll be going south, so it will be really sunny and hot. There will be lots of swimming. That's all we're going to say."

"This will be the first time we've gone somewhere warm for Christmas in at least fifteen years."

"Don't you remember, when we were 19 we went to Florida to visit my mom for Christmas. That was only ten years ago."

"You mean when you got drunk and ran into the wall. It was so funny, you started shouting at the wall for getting in the way."

"You got drunk!"

"Hey it wasn't my fault Edward. You were out with Alice and Rose. Emmett and Jasper thought it would be funny to spike my coke. I couldn't do anything about it."

"So that's why you were sick the next day. It makes a lot more sense now. Emmett told me it was because you spent too long in the sun."

"Nope. Don't worry I got them back."

"How?"

"I told Alice and Rose. They got them drunk and filmed them running round, pretending to be on unicorns."

"How did I miss all this?"

"This was when my mom wanted to talk to you. You never told me what she talked to you about."

"She basically threatened to kill me if I hurt you. I assured her I had no intentions of doing that."

"Thank you."

I pecked her lips, pulling her closer to me.

"You're going to have to show us that video at some point Bella. I think we could use it in our favour."

"I'm sure we could find it for you Esme."

"We have a video of you too Bella."

"What?!"

"I'd like to see that."

She turned to me, glaring at me.

"You can't see that video Edward. Alice and I deleted it."

"Thanks Rose. I'll delete the video of you flirting with that boy."

"You were flirting with another guy! When was this?"

"Bella, you promised not to mention that. I'm sorry Emmett. It was an accident. It was when we were at our graduation party. Someone spiked the punch and I got drunk. I didn't know what I was doing until Bella showed me the video. Nothing happened, Bella can tell you that. She stopped me before anything did, not that it would have. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Rosie, I believe you. I guess it was my fault considering I was the one who spiked the drinks. Sorry."

"Emmett why do you spike so many drinks? I can't tell you off because I expected it and as long as you didn't get anyone drunk underage then I guess it's alright."

"Sorry mom. It's just fun to see how people react."

"Oh and Alice, I'll get rid of the pictures of you wearing the bin bag."

"You didn't?"

"I did."

"What are you talking about? Alice would never wear a bin bag."

"But she did. We were playing truth or dare with Rose, and we dared her to dress in a plastic bag. It was the only time she chose dare, which is way she rarely chooses it any more. I managed to sneak a few pictures though."

"Who knew you had so much evidence on us Bella? I never expected it."

"No one ever expects me. I've been gathering information on you all for years, just in case I needed it one day. Even you Edward."

"Come on baby. You will delete it won't you."

I gave her one of my crooked smiles and stared into her eyes in an attempt to dazzle her. It seemed to be working as she leaned up to me hovering her lips over mine.

"Nope."

She pecked my lips and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"If you're not going to delete it I won't carry you anymore today. You'll be stuck here all day."

"Emmett, if you help me move around today, I'll consider deleting one of the videos or pictures I have of you."

"Deal."

"Thanks Emmett."

She turned to me, smirking.

"Now do you believe me?"

I smiled down at her and pecked her lips.

"I believe you and I'll get you back at one point."

"I'd like to see you try."

She leaned her head back on my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Why don't you all just delete it all? You guys are adults but sometimes you act like teenagers all over again."

"Why don't you delete the video of Alice then Carlisle?"

"I don't know what you're taking about Bella."

"Yes you do. You know that video of Alice, lying in the garden with those bright yellow wellies on that she hates. I know you still have it on your computer and that you're going to use it to get out of shopping at some point."

"You know too much for your own good Bella."

"I'm just perceptive."

We shared more stories before sitting round the table and eating the food. Bella and Emmett then sat down with Olly and decorated the gingerbread cookies. We celebrated Christmas and opened all the presents until late at night. Olly had already fallen asleep and Eliza had headed to bed as well.

"Merry Christmas guys. Thanks for coming."

"Thank you for letting us, it's a beautiful home. Merry Christmas, have a good evening."

"You too mom. We'll see you bright and early at the airport tomorrow. Seven o'clock sharp."

After everyone had driven away, I sat down next to Bella as she started to fall asleep.

"Merry Christmas baby."

"Merry Christmas honey. Thank you, I had such a great day. I hope my dad had fun at La Push."

"Why don't you ring him? You might not get a chance in the morning because we need to leave by six."

"Can you pass me the phone?"

"Sure. Here you go."

"Thanks honey."

She dialled her dad, whilst I tidied the kitchen and dining room up. When I went back to Bella, she was asleep on the couch. I lifted her into my arms and carried her upstairs. She woke up slightly, when I placed her on the bed.

"Hey baby. It's okay. I've got something for you baby. One last Christmas present. You need to stay awake though baby."

"Mmmmm."

I lifted the small present from my pocket and gave it to her, as I wrapped my arms around her waist, helping her sit up.

"Merry Christmas baby."

"What's this?"

"My mom never found out if I was a boy or girl so bought a necklace and leather bracelet for when I would be born. My mom has kept them both over all these years to remind her of me and now she's passed them on to us. Considering we don't know the gender of our baby and we don't want to find out, we may need both of these. The necklace has a little pearl on it as it's the birthstone for June. It's likely our baby will be born at the end of June but if he or she isn't then I can replace it with a ruby for July. If it's a boy like you say then he'll get my leather bracelet. If it's a girl and I'm telling you it is, then she'll get the necklace."

"They're beautiful."

Her nose brushed against mine as she lightly pressed her lips to mine. Holding the back of her head, I pressed my lips to hers. I pushed her to the bed and climbed over her, my hands going to her hips, pulling her with me. Her hands wrapped into my hair, pulling me closer to her.

"Merry Christmas my wife."

"Merry Christmas my husband."

Hovering over her, she pulled my shirt off my shoulders as I pulled hers over her head. We worked together until we made love and lay in each other's arms.