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Chapter 122

Thanksgiving

Edward

I could not really comprehend what kind of night I had had behind me. What a night WE had had behind! So incredibly intense. So all-consuming. So ... I actually lacked the words to express it. Love was so versatile, so different. Sometimes it was a feeling of the deepest and most intimate love and equally tender. Sometimes passionate and fiery. Sometimes wild and unbridled. Each of these states of mind I had already experienced with Bella, but tonight it was just everything! I worshipped this goddess who intoxicated my senses and confused my mind. Just by her presence.

On this perfect woman I now looked down with glowing eyes.

Yes, I no longer lay with her. However, only for one reason: I would not get up again!

It had already cost me considerable overcoming to leave the bed only briefly, in order to put wood in the fireplace. And also earlier I had gotten up very reluctantly to order her breakfast.

I leaned against the door to the winter garden, where we had spent the whole night, and looked at my Bella, while in my mind I urged the staff to kindly hurry up.

I wanted to get back to her as quickly as possible. Bella was almost lying on her stomach, from which she was prevented only by a lovely bent leg. One of her breasts touched with the tip the cushion and rubbed lightly against it with every breath. Her arms wrapped around a pillow under her head since I was no longer lying with her. The two rings sparkled in the already high sun. She had worn them all the night. Her hair a ravishing mess that covered her graceful face. She was completely naked. Except for a superfluous corner of the white sheet that lay below her shapely bottom.

With my eyes I ran over the body of my beloved.

Imagined what I could do with the different parts. How Bella would loll voluptuously under my touches. How her vital functions went out of control. How the passion made her eyes glow. How she gave herself to me completely. How she would 'repay' me ...

There was a knock at the door, whereby I noticed that I was unnecessarily breathing in a tense manner.

I smiled.

Even in my imagination, Bella robbed me the unnecessary breath.

Wearing only my bathrobe, I went to the door and opened it for the floor waiter.

Oops ... the still quite young floor waitress.

I smiled charmingly.

"A beautiful good morning!" I purred. Had there ever been a more beautiful morning than this?

I opened the door all the way so the young lady could do her job as instructed and push the serving cart into the room.

"Go ... od morning," she wished haltingly.

She was surprised. She had expected a fastidious and above all bad-tempered gentleman.

As I had ordered breakfast for Bella, I had become quite rude. Apparently, this establishment only served breakfast until 10:30 a. m., but it was already noon, so I wanted to wake Bella up. There I had to be a little clearer.

Someone had told her all about it in the kitchen, so that she would be forewarned.

But I couldn't wake Bella up if I couldn't offer her coffee. I had done that once, because we accidentally had none in the house. It had gone completely wrong. David was actually right about that.

Without coffee, Bella was really insufferable.

I chuckled at the thought.

She had been so sweet.

"Where do you want me to serve?" she asked in a professionally polite manner.

"Just leave it there. We'll help ourselves," I said, stopping in the entrance area. For one thing, I just wanted to get rid of her as quickly as possible and get back to bed. Therefore, I already had the tip in my pocket. On the other hand, the sun shone through the window facade far into the rooms.

The lady in the hotel uniform made sure that the serving trolley couldn't become independent and approached the door again. She cleared her throat.

"May I ask if you found the room as expected yesterday?" she wanted to know.

No question out of curiosity, I was surprised to discover. Considering my obvious age, she assumed that I was a playboy, a rich boy who just wanted to impress his latest conquest. Just as Bella had teased me yesterday too. She briefly went through in her mind all that she had prepared according to my detailed instructions. The many candles, the champagne, the little nibbles, the bath, the fireplace, the music. But she did not allow herself to judge me. She merely wondered whether I - a guest to whom she had to be loyal - was satisfied with her work.

I reached into my jacket again to increase the tip.

"Everything was perfect. My fiancée was delighted! Thank you for your efforts," I replied kindly, handing her a hundred-dollar bill with a grateful handshake.

In her mind she repeated the words 'my fiancée' and doubted that she had understood correctly.

I smirked appealingly and she left the penthouse.

In front of the now closed door, she unfolded the bill. I smiled while she gasped.

I took only a quick examining look under the warm-keeping plate covers before rolling the cart further into the conservatory. My angel's closed eyes twitched as I passed over the ledge on the floor, causing the dishes to jingle.

Idiot! I admonished myself, lifted the trolley and lowered it again completely silently next to the round comfy lounge. Too late! My angel was awake, raised her head a little and looked at me through the curtain of her hair with big rapturous almond eyes. She was so adorable when she woke up.

"Good morning, my angel!" I almost sang and crawled back from her legs up onto the couch again.

She turned on her back under me, ran her fingers through my hair and pulled me close to her lips.

"Good morning, my sparkling diamond!" Bella smiled at me after a very extended 'good morning' kiss.

Her heart raced and confused me.

Focus, Edward! Bella is a human being! She needs to eat! Namely, not you!

"Breakfast!" I pointed to the serving cart with a nod.

But Bella's eyes lingered on me, unwilling to turn away. Just as mine were on her.

"I'm hungry for something else entirely!" she stated, smiling audaciously, slipping the robe over my shoulders and spinning with me across the bed so that she was sitting on top of me.

She simply took what she desired. That was anything but unpleasant. The breakfast would not run away! Or roll away!

She caressed herself over my skin, made my body tremble stimulatingly, played with my languishing lips, wriggled herself fantastic over me.

In the meantime I thought I was hallucinating.

The sun flooded the winter garden, my skin glistened and threw the light reflections back at Bella. Through my eyes fluttering with excitement, it looked as if Bella had been sent to me in the dazzling light of heaven. Like the spawn of a perfect angel who had appeared just for me.

And I gave myself to this angel. I was at her mercy without will. With my body, my mind, my soul. And I enjoyed it with every fiber of my being until the ecstasy was unfortunately over again.

Before Bella let herself fall backwards onto the bed surface, exhausted, I quickly sat up, pulled out of her and embraced my personal goddess with my arms. I was breathing frantically and unevenly, and my heart felt as if it wanted to start beating at any moment, just to explode. But as usual, I recovered physically faster from the euphoria of love than my angel.

She leaned against me, completely out of breath, while I gently stroked over her back and wetted her shoulder with kisses.

Out of nowhere I heard a growl and it seemed to drone through the entire penthouse, if not the entire hotel.

Bella, a little startled by herself, crouched a bit and looked up at me cutely.

"With that growl, you rival any predator!" I laughed gleefully and hugged her tighter to me again.

She chuckled sheepishly.

I repositioned us a bit so Bella could get to the serving cart, but continued to sit on me.

At first, of course, she reached for a cup, into which I immediately poured her hot coffee from a thermos. She then looked curiously under the plate covers. I had ordered quite a bit, not knowing what Bella would have an appetite for. There were no rolls here, for example, but at least French croissants, bagels, fried eggs, pancakes, and hash browns. The typical American breakfast.

Had never happened in this form at our home.

"Yours are better," Bella noted in praise of the croissants, honoring my baking skills with a kiss.

Bella actually ate everything the serving cart had to offer.

I was amazed at this, but the night had been exciting after all.

Bella, on the other hand, was amazed when I presented her with a small bag after breakfast - on the way through the bedroom.

Your bathroom utensils, underwear, and something to wear.

"I'm thorough!" was all I said, and I carried her along with her toiletry bag further into the bathroom.

I let her shower alone.

It was difficult for me. I was afraid to pounce on her again, or she on me. But Bella was only a fragile human being, after all. At some point, the delicate body had to rebel from the pleasure and needed a break to recover.

After Bella, I got in the shower, but I couldn't concentrate on washing.

The glass door gave me a clear view of a naked perfect angel brushing her teeth and devotedly combing her damp hair.

I turned the water to ice cold, but it didn't help. Especially not when I saw Bella's knowing grin in the mirror.

Finally, I turned around and showered until my physical arousal had blown over.

Lasted because Bella just wouldn't get out of my head, and she kept chuckling too.

What had happened last night? Something had changed. My love for Bella had always been pervasive and inescapable, but not like today. I could hardly grasp a clear thought.

Bella left the bathroom, so I could finally wash up.

But when I entered the bedroom only two minutes later, I stood in the doorway as if enchanted.

Bella was about to close her bra behind her back when I was already with her. I took over and gently stroked over her silky soft skin.

I was very proud of myself that I could actually stay well-behaved. As a reward, I took off her bra again after Bella turned around in my arms, presented me her bosom nicely framed by black lace and clawed voluptuously into my hair ...

"You're impossible!" she accused me, smiling overwhelmingly as she did so, after we lay deeply satisfied and disheveled in bed.

"Why me?" I complained and propped myself up with my hands next to her head.

"I only got dressed, after all!" she meant.

"Do you believe me when I say I am also just a man?" I inquired.

She raised an eyebrow critically.

Before I continued to look for implausible excuses or apologies for my behavior, which had also not bothered her heartily a little earlier, I let myself fall gently on top of her and my lips immediately asked for forgiveness.

We rolled onto our sides. Caressed and kissed each other gently again and again, but otherwise just looked at each other.

For a long time we lay together like this and let our stolen togetherness fade away, until the onset of dusk reminded me that we had to leave soon.

It was already almost five o'clock in the afternoon and at seven sharp Thanksgiving dinner was to be served. If we weren't there on time, our kids would chop our heads off! Literally!

Somehow, we had managed not to fall over each other again while dressing each other very sensually.

I chided myself for packing such exciting underwear for Bella, which made the whole thing much more difficult for me. At the same time, I congratulated myself for exactly that.

I struggled to tame the mess of her hair without hurting her unduly.

An unsolvable task!

So, I pulled her into the bathroom and washed her wild mane anew. I put her on the washstand and stood between her legs while I started a new attempt. This one succeeded and so after drying I also tried to braid Bella a gorgeous braid.

After all, today was a holiday. I would have succeeded far better if Bella had not distracted me by her mere presence. Not to mention her kisses. Or her fingers. Still, she looked beautiful. As always.

We packed up our things, I checked the last embers in the fireplace, and stood at the door with Bella in my arm.

We silently said goodbye to this spot that had bestowed us bliss beyond measure.

On the way back to Saco, Bella leaned against me, as much as the car would allow. We chuckled together about some things from yesterday and felt just relaxed.

Holding the bag in one hand, which also concealed the Christmas gift for Carlisle, and my angel on the other hand, we walked toward our front door.

"Your children are arguing!" I stated tonelessly, still stopping before the three steps.

Bella sighed disillusioned.

"About what then this ti ... wait a minute! What do you mean 'your children'?" she interrupted herself and stood on the bottom step with her hands pressed into her sides.

I chuckled.

"MY kids don't argue!" I retorted, and she stuck her tongue out at me.

"And the rest are just watching the two of them, or what?" she then wanted to know.

"They're making bets on which one of them wins," was all I said, kissing her as I pushed her on toward the door.

The harmless bickering died down as we entered.

I had to admit, I hadn't really thought about Jake and Leah for the past thirty or so hours, let alone anyone else but Bella, but the way we walked in the door, I realized I had missed them both. Since their trip to the lake, I had seen them every day.

They immediately came to meet us and hugged us warmly in greeting, even before we could take off our jackets.

I asked about Marcus.

We had invited him and his family, but Evelyn Carter apparently felt that one should not disturb a strange family at such a traditional family celebration. I didn't need to ask about Becky. She had told that she would spend the holiday with her grandmother, as she does every year. But both would be here for breakfast tomorrow morning.

I helped Bella out of her jacket, and we went into the living room.

My whole family was there as planned and now welcomed us as well.

I was still a little surprised at how readily everyone had agreed to help when I was planning Bella's kidnapping.

The food was ready in the kitchen, which Esmé had helped the children with. The house smelled like a 'delicious' meal.

For humans at least delicious. I found these smells by far not as repulsive as before, but delicious was undoubtedly different. Jasper was probably right. With time, many things became bearable. I gathered from Jake's thoughts that Sonya had also come by in the meantime, as promised, to see how things were going in the kitchen. Emma had probably also had something to say about it. Leah and Jake went to David and Sonya's house for a meal yesterday after school. Esmé and Rose went to the supermarket to shop for today's feast, which Bella couldn't do because of my abduction. The kids were out with their friends in the evening and Jazz had then played chauffeur at night. Carlisle had brought Becky home this afternoon, because Leah and Jake were already at work in the kitchen. Alice had decorated the whole house beautifully. Bella had wanted to do that yesterday, but somehow she hadn't gotten around to it. And Emmett had lent a hand, by supervising everyone and giving clever, mostly useless advice.

The dining table was invitingly set and decorated.

Of course, only for the three humans among us, but there would be a place for everyone at the table.

"How was your trip? I want to know everything!" Alice demanded jitterily.

I pulled Bella in front of me into my arms and held her hands so that BOTH rings could be seen without further ado.

Everyone had known that I wanted to present her with my mother's ring and now everyone was smiling happily. Fortunately, my angel had no idea how valuable this piece of jewelry was. Otherwise, she would never have accepted it. However, the material value did not matter to me. To me, because of the connection with my birth mother, he was the most precious possession I had. Right after Bella and the children, of course. And only Bella was worthy to wear it.

Instead of talking about yesterday, Esmé first asked everyone to sit down at the table, otherwise the food would get cold. So we sat down, but Alice had barely touched the cushion when she asked again.

Carlisle reprimanded her with an educational look, and she quieted down.

For now.

Esmé asked that, as tradition dictated, we all take turns to give Thanks.

A nice idea, which we gladly complied with. We all had something to be Thankful for. For our family, the friends and the joy we had found so unexpectedly here in Saco.

Esmé expanded on this Thanks with the prospect of our family growing larger and larger as Leah and Jake one day had children of their own.

Emmett also added for himself that he was grateful to David. He had allowed him the use of his motorcycle whenever David did not want to drive himself.

I thanked the Lord for the three angels of my life. And for my soul, which he had not taken from me when he let me become a creature of the night.

By now I believed that I, too, had a soul. A completely soulless being could not, in my opinion, be capable of the emotions that came over me at the mere thought of Bella, Leah, and Jake.

After Alice's renewed prompting, we shared some of yesterday, but the night and the entire penthouse belonged only our own memories.

The meal seemed to taste good to all three humans. Especially the two predators. Of the turkey, which I had thought was much too big, nothing was left. Likewise, one looked for remnants of the sweet potato casserole or the pumpkin pie in vain.

I had never seen Jake and Leah so full, and with their tummy troubles they amused the whole family, while Carlisle just shook his head.

Afterwards, they didn't even want to snack on a small licorice candy cane. Which they then fetched, however, about half an hour later.

The twins still performed the traditional Wishbone pulling. They held the fork leg of the carved turkey and pulled on it until it broke apart. Whoever got the bigger piece was allowed to make a wish.

Leah won and Jake pouted.

"A car!" she answered cheekily to my question about what my princess would like.

Jake perked up even before I chucklingly denied the request.

That's all we needed!

But she had not meant it seriously and only wanted to annoy Jake.

At Renée's, it was customary to take a walk together after the opulent feast, and Bella didn't want to skip that custom just because they weren't with her. The overcrowded twins needed a little - two-legged - exercise quite well, too, and so we headed off into the woods.

There we also met David and his family with flashlights. He had gotten to know this ritual with Renée when he lived with them for a while during the end of his studies and had adopted it into his own family.

Since Thanksgiving officially ushered in the Christmas and Advent season in this country, Sonya on this day apparently always unwrapped the first Santa Claus statue who was enthroned by them in the living room. Day after day, more and more decorations would follow until the house was transformed into a winter wonderland on Christmas Eve.

This had made Emma realize that Christmas, and therefore presents, were getting closer. She skipped happily through the forest, held by the hand between Carlisle and Esmé so she wouldn't fall, singing Christmas carols to herself. Gradually, everyone joined in and was soon degenerated into a veritable chorus. The first snowflakes actually fell.

Well, they didn't stay down yet, but I kissed a little flake from the tip of my angel's nose.

Back home we played 'charades'.

Alice and I came up with all sorts of things that we tried to bring to our teams in our own way.

That has always been the task of both of us in this game. Alice would otherwise see it through her gift, and I would hear it in everyone's thoughts. Alice still didn't have any visions in the company of the wolves, but Jake meant we shouldn't take that chance.

My team, consisting of Bella, Jake, Leah, and Carlisle, was behind, but we quickly caught up. However, it was not enough for victory. We swore revenge.

Next year.

Afterwards, everyone spread out across the sofa, and we watched the first Christmas movie of the season together.

That's what the twins had been arguing about when we got here.

Jake felt that 'Christmas Vacation' with Chevy Chase was the ultimate Christmas movie and therefore there was no reason to discuss it at all. Another Christmas classic that he would let stand was 'Die Hard'.

Leah, on the other hand, wanted to see 'It's a Wonderful Life,' which she now accomplished with the help of her turkey wish.

Emmett had lost his bet against Jazz as a result.

By the end of the movie, all my angels had fallen asleep.

It was a very contemplative and beautiful evening with the whole family. Traditional, as not only I liked it in principle, but also Esmé. All these decades we had paid no attention to any holidays or birthdays. They came and went. Every year. For the rest of eternity. Only now - with Bella and the kids in the midst of our family - were any of us looking forward to the still so insignificant holiday the U.S. had to offer. Carlisle would not be volunteering at the hospital for Christmas, the holiday coming up next, so the other doctors could be with their families. This time he wanted to be with his family. Esmé was already thinking about where the Christmas tree would be best displayed. Alice was busy collecting the extensive decorations she desired. Jazz and Em were responsible for ensuring that everything would eventually be placed and hung exactly as Alice envisioned. Rosalie was also involved, as her technical know-how would play a key role. To tell my favorite sister that she should not exaggerate, I could save myself. She wouldn't listen to me, and everyone was just looking forward to Christmas.

After my family left and my angels were all sleeping peacefully, I picked up the bag that was still by the stairs.

Very gently, I took the book out for Carlisle.

It was a real treasure. The $2,000 it had cost was a joke. The book would certainly fetch a six-figure sum at an auction. And Carlisle would have a heart attack from the excitement. Or a nervous breakdown. Or both. Even as a vampire! What I hadn't told Bella yet was that Carlisle was related to Tommaso Rangone. In a manner of speaking. His great-granduncle on his mother's side. He had owned one of the few editions of this work as a human being and had shown an interest in medicine even then. Only Carlisle's father had other plans for his son.

I put the book - carefully wrapped - in one of the drawers in Bella's dresser so it wouldn't get damaged.

Immediately, I crawled back into bed and immersed myself in the closeness of my very personal Christmas angel.

Thank you for reading!