A/N: … sigh.
I know. I know. Life is… lifey.
"'It's the most wonderful time of the year'," Edward sang, hands on his hips as he stood back to admire his handiwork.
It was Thanksgiving weekend. The turkey was long gone, and they'd made it through Black Friday unscathed. It was Saturday and time to deck the halls.
Luckily for him and his relatively newfound holiday spirit, Edward's sister Alice and mother were all about the holiday season. They were just as eager as he was, and this weekend was reserved every year to turn the home he'd grown up in into a winter wonderland. These last few years, his mother and sister had been giddy to have his holiday spirit and, more importantly, his height on board to do their bidding.
"'It's the most wonderful time of the year'," he finished, holding the last note with his hands held wide.
"Jesus Hillary Rodham Christ, now I know why the hospitals are hopping on holiday weekends." Emmett came into the living room, throwing himself down on the couch and glaring at his brother. "I'm contemplating violence at this point."
"What are you caterwauling about now? It's after Thanksgiving."
"But it's still not December." Emmett slouched, resting his head on the back of the couch. "Have you ever considered that you're ruining my holiday spirit? I mean, I love Christmas. You know I love Christmas, but you've got me cringing at carols."
Edward's smile fell. He tilted his head, considering his brother's words. It was true—Emmett was always like a big kid at Christmas. "That's a fairly decent point."
Emmett raised his head, his big grin telling Edward he knew he had won. "Cool, but I'll let you make it up to me."
"Wow, you're generous."
"I know."
"What do you want?"
"Bro. I'm begging you. Married folk like me have to live vicariously through single people like you. Please. Learn to rebound right."
Edward blinked, his face a mask of innocence. "You want to play basketball?"
His brother ignored him. "It's bad enough you're surrounded by some of the hottest people on the planet, and you almost never dip your toe in that pool. But the rebound… You know, it's good for both of you. Go in for the easy sex, not just because, hey, sex is awesome, but it makes her feel beautiful again—you know what I mean? It's like…psychology."
Edward snickered. "You were really magnanimous back before you met Rosalie, weren't you?"
"Hey, man, I never had any complaints. Well. At least not about the sex." Emmett waggled his eyebrows. "But for serious, ending a relationship always messes with your head, always. You have the power to show this woman that she really is desirable, and her ex is a twatwaffle for not recognizing what he threw away. It's psychology," he said again. "Neither of you needs to do the sweet stuff. I mean, for fuck's sake, Edward. You took her on a second date and held her hand?"
The corner of Edward's mouth twitched. He and Bella had gone to the movies on Wednesday. The energy between them had been so strange and electric. He had no earthly idea what the movie was about, as he'd spent the whole time resisting the urge to touch her, just touch her. He'd snapped halfway through and twined their fingers together. His brother had not understood what could be so great about holding someone's hand.
"Have you ever considered this is the kind of rebound I need?" Edward sat on the couch one cushion away from Emmett, waving a hand at the ceiling. "Hollywood is so fucking weird, man. So many relationships—my relationship—was more about power and success…status. I don't know. It's intense being even tangentially associated with all that. Maybe I need something that's sweet. Maybe I need to remember how nice it is just to hold someone's hand. To connect with someone."
Emmett grunted, his nose wrinkled as if he smelled something foul, but he nodded. "I…guess I can see that." He looked thoughtful. "Thing with that is, you have to be careful."
Edward might have made a crack about him not needing protection to hold someone's hand, but the seriousness on his brother's face gave him pause. "What do you mean?"
"The nice thing about an actual rebound is it's usually uncomplicated. You get in…and in, and in." Emmett made a lewd gesture with his hips and Edward rolled his eyes. "And then, you get out. Maybe you get a booty call sometime later, but it's not, you know, intimate. You get to know a person well enough that you get thrilled holding her hand…that's developing feelings territory. And that's, you know, that's fine. But you're just getting out of something. She's just getting out of something. Bro, you don't even live here."
Edward had to admit, it was a fair point.
A/N: Shorty chapter! Chapter 6 imminent. And then 7. Then maybe an epilogue. Then… back to One Right Thing!