The Letter

Part Fourteen

Alice hovered near Bella. "At least three hours before the event, you'll need to shower. I should be available shortly after that, though you'll need to shave every inch of your lower body."

Edward groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alice, that is too much information."

Bella leaned toward him and whispered, "Do you think she'll believe me if I say that my camera stopped working when she tries to FaceTime me later?"

"No, I won't. Besides, I put your fully charged iPad in your bag. You can use that so I can guide you through your makeup and hair."

"I could hire someone." Edward shrugged when Bella glared at him.

Alice rolled her eyes. "She's uncomfortable, as it is with me helping her. She'd be ten times worse with a stranger, besides I already looked. All the ones I'd recommend aren't available."

Bella tapped her watch and cocked an eyebrow. "We need to head out. I'm sure we have everything I need for our date."

"Not just a date, the first date Edward has had in over a year." Alice grimaced when Edward gave her a look that would make most people cry. As siblings, it only stung a bit. "I mean one that they have photographed you with!"

Bella looked at Edward and realized he wouldn't meet her gaze. It seemed there was some truth to his sister's statement. It hadn't been quite that long for her, but almost.

Their first few happy endings would be probably short. She chuckled at her thoughts, earning a questioning look, but she kept her lips zipped.

They had a thirty-minute drive to the nearest helipad where they'd meet the helicopter and pilot Edward arranged. It was enough time to find out a little more about Edward. She knew from what she Googled, and some from his family. Now she wanted to learn more about him from the source. Sometimes people put out a portrayal that wasn't real.

Maybe some parts of the mask were real, but she had a feeling Edward had a few roles he played. She wanted to know the real Edward and all the talking they did the night before hopefully softened him up for the deeper stuff.

The things that made him tick.

Why had it been over a year since he had a date? Why had he closed himself off to his employees? She understood why he hadn't talked with his father in so long, but everyone he came across? Did he have a vice most millionaires do? Extreme sports? Fast cars, fast women? What are the things he hid from his loved ones?

She wanted to know every part of him. Good and bad.

"Are you ready to go?" Edward's father, Carlisle, joined them in the living room. The rest of the family, other than Alice, were enjoying the game room.

"As soon as Alice takes her stylist hat off, sure?" Edward smiled as his father patted his shoulder. "Do you have everything you need?"

"The gift for your mother arrived while she was in the shower." Carlisle pretended to wipe imaginary sweat off his brow. "Thanks for making those calls."

"Giorgio owed me one," Edward answered simply. "Charlie said they'd be here around six for dinner. There will be a shift change with the security I arranged at seven. I'll text you and Charlie their photos and names as soon as they confirm with me."

"We'll be fine, son." Carlisle squeezed Edward's shoulder. "Take care of business, enjoy your party, and then come join us tomorrow for some much-needed time with all of us."

Edward could only nod, a little choked up at the thought of making plans to spend time with all of his family.

"Yo! Sis, why are you still here? I thought Edward had to go to work." Will made a face and grabbed Bella's bags. "He has important work to do."

To Will, that probably meant elf business. Edward having a family was easy enough to explain, even elves had a family. Christmas elves weren't born, they were chosen.

Edward and Bella shared a look. After this was all over, they would need to sit down with Will and tell him the truth. Would that take away some of the magic of Christmas from him?

"Our helicopter ride is running a little late, but we should be fine as long as we leave now." Edward gave his father a one-armed hug and called out to the rest of the family. Several voices told them their goodbyes and to hurry back.

Less than ten minutes later, Bella missed the warmth of a houseful of family. All those voices, loud and plentiful, full of affection. The scents are associated with a full house, a melody of perfume, cookies, and something sweeter.

She loved the holidays.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked after he confirmed with the driver of their destination. They had to leave his rental with the family since Jasper had only secured one car. They planned to go to Candy Cane Lane, a neighborhood that decorated and lit up their yards and houses, that night.

"Yes, it's time to continue our game of twenty questions from last night. I think it's my turn."

Edward wondered why the smile on her face had looked a little sad for a few moments. "All right, you've already used all your passes."

Bella crossed her arms over her chest. "So have you."

He swallowed because that sad little smile was gone, replaced by a look of mischief. With a wave of his hands, he asked her to proceed with her little game.

"When was the last time you had a happy ending?"

Without missing a beat, Edward matched her pose and replied, "This morning in my shower."

The driver, a young man of twenty-one, had to clear his throat, eavesdropping wasn't something he could avoid in such close quarters.

Bella poked his arm twice. "No fair! I had no time in mine."

He laughed, ignoring the blushing young man who kept chuckling under his breath.

"It's my turn. I won't bother asking the same question since I know it wasn't recent."

Bella stuck out her tongue.

"Does my wealth bother you?" Edward had relationships with a few women that were mostly indifferent to his wealth and others that wanted a part of the pie. It rarely bothered someone.

Bella looked out the window for a few moments. "At first, yes. I dated a not-nice one back in California, an entitled prick that kept getting worse with every zero added to his bank account." She turned to look at him, her eyes softening. "I looked into how your company treats their employees, and how much you donate every year to several causes, and a few that aren't publicity stunts. It doesn't bother me. You're smart and you give credit to those who helped achieve your goals. Plus, there's the rumor about you going around."

Edward shrugged. "There must be more than a rumor. Which one are you referring to?" He knew of one that had a large pool going around amongst the "elite" and even his employees. How the rumor started, he had yet to find out.

She shook her head. "No, you asked your question. Now it's my turn."

Edward sat back and waited. He already knew what she'd ask.

"Is it true that you intend to reach billionaire status in the next year and then give more than half your fortune away after?"

Edward replied without hesitation, "Yes."

AN: This fic keeps getting derailed. These two need to spend some alone time not surrounded by family. Off to Seattle. Thanks for reading.