2brown-eyes reads!

BREAKING NEWS!

I know it's Christmas, but I'm holding onto a bombshell, and it'll explode somewhere else if I don't release it into the world.

AKA has exclusively learned that the CEO of Cullen Corp, whose lawyers are expected in court first thing tomorrow morning, has signed the divorce papers served to him by his estranged wife Isabella Swan.

Carlisle Cullen's lawyers have already been in touch, and I'll be sharing the proof as you read the news!

Stay tuned for all the latest developments as this plays out before a judge.

Alice Knows All

Soft kisses bring me to awareness, and goosebumps race down my spine. "Morning." His voice is morning gruff and everyday sexy. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Cullen."

I wish I could say I rolled over and demanded he hand over my present, but that's a fantasy in my current condition. Because as soon as my mind recognizes I'm awake, my stomach churns, and I race to the ensuite with him hot on my heels.

"Isn't there something we can do to stop this?" he asks as he holds back my hair. "Maybe Doctor Cope can suggest something when she comes by this evening."

He prattles on while I empty my stomach, and dry heave a few times, before it settles, and I can finally breathe normally again. I grab my toothbrush and paste. "I think it's just a normal part of pregnancy, and we're already asking enough by having her come here on Christmas day."

"You know I wouldn't if we could avoid it, but we can't," he says, standing behind me and meeting my eyes in the mirror. "To be honest, I like the idea of your medical care being handled here or at the penthouse instead of in the office. This town can be chaotic at times."

"I hope you're paying her well," I say after I rinse my mouth.

"Of course I am." He seems offended that I'd question his generosity. As he guides me back into my bedroom, I eye the sonogram machine that was delivered last night under the cloak of darkness. He covers my stomach with his warm palm. "Susie Cope's college fund will be fully funded by the time our little one is born."

My stomach flips in an entirely different way at the soft tone of his voice. "I hope that's on top of the actual medical bill," I say with a laugh as he settles me back in the bed.

His face scrunches in the most adorable way. "It wasn't. Should it be?"

"Babies cost about twenty thousand a piece just to be born," I say, rolling my eyes. "It's gotten ridiculous."

"I did mean an Ivy League college fund, so there's that." He gives me an adorable smirk, so I tug his hand as he goes to move away.

"I love you." The words are soft, and they make him smile.

"Right back at ya." He kisses my hand. "Now sit tight while I get breakfast ready."

"You're going to cook?"

"No." He snorts a laugh. "I scheduled a delivery for eight."

I huff, shaking my head. "Do you ever consider who's missing time with family to make sure you have breakfast delivered on Christmas morning?"

He pauses, sheepish. "Not before now, no, but I love that you think about those things. I promise to tip very generously."

"You'd better."

He nods once before pulling on his black silk robe and leaving me propped up in my bed. After breakfast, we make use of the leftover whipped cream and end up in my giant tub before finally dressing for the day.

When I enter the living room sometime after noon I come to a stop, jaw gaping. "Where did all this come from?" I ask as I scan the decorations that adorn the fireplace and the tree that sits in the corner. I turn to Edward, who's rocking that cocky smirk. "Please don't tell me you had people here doing this today, too?"

"Last night." His boyishness is infectious, so I don't put up much of a fuss when he tugs me over. "Time to open presents."

"Edward." Guilt creeps in because with everything going on leading up to now, buying him a gift has been nowhere on my radar. In fact, I didn't buy anything for anyone. "I don't have anything for you."

"There's nothing material you could get me that would mean much," he says, eyes intent on me. "I have you, and our baby. Nothing else can compare." He presses a kiss to my cheek, his soft, raspy voice causing goosebumps to race up my arms. "You're the best gift I've ever gotten, Bella, and I love you so much."

A tear rolls down my cheek, and I brush it away. Damn hormones. I catch his face between my palms, eyes boring into his. "I've never had much materially, so you could totally impress me with some of that stuff," I tell him, smirking a little. "But none of that is why I love you. I love you in spite of it."

His eyes gleam, and I'm not sure if it's just the reflection of the tree lights or if his emotions are bubbling over, and I don't ask. Instead, I press a hard kiss to his lips and release him.

"Now gimme!"

His rough chuckle reverberates down my spine as he reaches for my first present, and I sigh.

For the first Christmas in my life, I'm not worried about where I'll be tomorrow, or next week, or next month. I'm not a kid in a stranger's home, a teen on the streets, or a waitress in a diner barely scraping by.

I'm happy.

Healthy.

Wealthy.

I took a once in a billion shot at love.

And won.

The (unofficial) end!

Did it feel like the end?

What do you hope to see answered in the last non-traditional chapter?

The epilogue?

*fingers crossed*

See ya tmr :)