2brown-eyes reads!

Someone reached out, peeps!

A deal is in the works, and as soon as I can share, I'll shout it from the rooftops.

What I can say is that this has the potential to blow up the Cullen family dynamic.

See you soon!

AKA

I drop my eyes first.

Idiot.

I am, without a doubt, irrevocably in love with Edward, but I'm also upset with him and having a baby with him and hoping he loves me too but unsure where he stands. The latter is mostly because he still hasn't spoken.

The hot chocolate boils over on the stovetop, and I rush to it, practically salivating to have something to focus on besides the awkward that's expanding in the room. I lift the pot and move it off the burner before reaching over to turn off the gas. The flames scorch my forearm, and I'm a basketcase about to fall apart right here on the kitchen floor.

"Bella." Strong arms pull me into a firm but pliant chest, and I take a deep breath, inhaling his warm spicy scent. A soft rumbling laugh tickles my lips. "None of the million times I imagined telling you I'm in love with you has turned out like this."

I smile into his chest, so much emotion swelling inside me that I don't know whether I should laugh, cry, or kick his ass. I settle with tears—for now. One rolls down my cheek, and then another, until I'm outright sobbing into his chest.

"Shhh," he soothes, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I realize I'm probably a month too late, but it's not something I say lightly. So I hope you believe me because I'm so in love with you, Mrs. Cullen."

My tears turn to laughter because this whole thing is absurd and beautiful and a little messy too, but that's okay. "We haven't been separated for a month."

He palms my cheeks, rubbing away my tears with the silky pads of his thumbs. "I should've told you before the Gala." Several emotions flicker over his face. "Tanya and I were together for quite some time, so of course we shared sentiments of love, but now I doubt it was ever real…"

"You don't know?" It makes me sad to think he's gone through life without being able to recognize love.

"It was something we said." He sighs, his expression thoughtful. "But it didn't exist in here." He taps his chest. "My love for you does. I feel it in the thundering of my heart every time you're near."

My breath catches as his lips descend. He's slow and careful, holding my eyes, giving me every opportunity to stop him, and I don't.

I want this.

Him.

Badly.

The same heart-thumping fire that explodes every time we're this close engulfs us, and I no longer care what took him so long. I'm just happy he's here. Finally. With me. And our baby.

"Fucking hell," he mumbles, pressing his forehead to mine. "You drive me wild, wife."

"Same," I utter, my fingers locked onto his suit jacket. After prying them loose, I step back and cross my arms to keep my hands to myself. "Where do we go from here?"

"Home?" Both his brows are raised, and it's a joke he wishes he could will into reality. When I don't agree, he huffs a laugh. "Okay, I beg some more. But how about we pour up this cocoa and get a couple pieces of toast in you? I don't like you worrying on an empty stomach. It can't be good for our baby."

"That would be nice actually." As if on cue, my stomach grumbles.

"See, he agrees with me." Edward shoots me a wink, and damn he looks good doing shit in my kitchen. And the living room. Also on the powder room floor. I'm sure the bedroom, too.

Especially there.

After we're both settled at the bar, him with instant coffee and me with cocoa, he turns the full power of his mesmerizing gaze on me. "Our baby is going to be one lucky kid."

"I think so," I say, taking a sip of my cocoa so I can pretend I'm not bending to his will under the silent pressure. I'm serious. Edward's power of persuasion is like a full-blown laser beam bearing down on you.

It's almost like nothing else matters but him.

Almost.

I was asked how long they've been married yesterday, so here's the timeline…

Married… Nov 7

Bella holed up in E's place until Dec 2 (aside from the Thanksgiving sneak out) Yes, she was going stir crazy, but they spent time together… alone, in seclusion for almost that entire month.

Gala… Dec 2

So split for … about 2 and a half weeks.

Are you reading Afterglow by iambeagle? It's the only other Christmassy fic I'm following, so those who love the season should give it a look.

Tomorrow, guys, tmr :)