Fifty-Five
B
Despite it being the beginning of December, the weather is relatively cooperative for a six-hour road trip. Sure, it's chilly and windy, and we're getting a bit of freezing rain, but the drive isn't terrible.
When we stopped for gas at the start of our journey, Edward made sure to stock up on cliché road snacks. He spent a small fortune on candy, chips, and things like beef jerky at the convenience store, and we filled thermoses with coffee and hot cocoa. We certainly won't go hungry or thirsty, that's for sure.
My guy insists on making the trip a fun one but still won't tell me where we're going.
When he's not asking me to feed him an endless supply of candy or singing along to Christmas music, Edward is busy making plans for the upcoming holiday.
"Do you want a real tree for the house? Or artificial?"
I pass him a Twizzler. "Growing up, we always went with a fake tree. It was just easier to maintain, and Rose has allergies, so we didn't have a choice these past couple years. I think we should go all out, considering it's our first official Christmas together."
Edward hums in agreement. "Alice was telling me there's a farm nearby where you go and cut your own. They have a whole winter wonderland festival with a craft fair and Santa."
"That sounds fun. Do you have any decorations for the house?"
Edward's smile grows strained, and he explains that he hasn't really celebrated Christmas since his divorce. "When Jess left, I purged the house of any trace of her. I didn't want any memories of her, so I threw everything out." He squeezes my hand. "Afterward, it seemed pointless to decorate just for myself."
I frown. "Did you at least spend the day with your parents?"
"My dad takes my mom out of the country for the holidays. I've spent the past few Christmases at Rebar with people looking to drown their sorrows."
Tears spring to my eyes at the thought of him spending one of my favorite holidays alone. Plying people with drinks, and then returning to a cold and empty house. He didn't have anyone or anything.
I choke on a sob, and Edward is quick to pull over on the side of the highway and hit the hazard lights.
"Baby," he coos, taking my face in his hands. "Don't cry."
"You were alone. On Christmas." I weep.
"It is what it is." He kisses my tear-stained lips and pulls back with a smile. "But now I have you, and things will be different."
I cover his hand with mine and lean into his touch. "You'll never be alone again, Edward. And people are going to have to find somewhere else to spend their Christmas because Rebar will not be open."
He swallows thickly, and his green eyes sparkle with emotion. "I know, baby. Please don't cry and don't feel sorry for me. It's part of my past, but you are my future."
"I love you."
Edward kisses me again. This time deep and passion filled. "I love you, too, Bella. More than my life."
Eventually, we get back on the road, and the mood lightens. We spend the next couple hours making grand plans for our first Christmas together and doing a lot of online shopping.
Based on our many purchases and thanks to express shipping, the house is going to put the North Pole to shame when we get back from vacation.
We're going to hold off on picking a theme for the tree and make a day out of it after we visit the farm.
"What's your favorite Christmas movie?" Edward asks.
"Any of The Grinch films. I love them all."
He chuckles. "That explains the lawn decorations you picked out. Maybe we can watch one after dinner tonight."
I check the GPS and realize we're about an hour away from our destination. Loomis, Washington.
"Are you going to tell me now?" I ask, fighting the urge to google.
Edward shakes his head. "Nope. We're almost there, but we have a couple stops to make along the way."
Our first stop ends up being a small diner for lunch. The place is nothing fancy, but the food is delicious and the service excellent. After we're filled to the gills, we take a walk up the strip mall to a small grocery store. I'm equal parts shocked and curious when Edward starts buying enough food to last us a month.
He deflects my questions, pays for everything, and refuses my help loading all of his purchases while I warm up the car. And then we're on the road again.
I remain quiet, taking in the scenery as we leave civilization. Edward navigates the car down a long and winding dirt road, squeezing my hand tightly.
"We're here, baby."
My eyes bulge when we pull up to a massive cabin in the middle of the woods.
He jumps out of the car and rushes to open my door for me, pulling me out.
"Edward, what is this?"
"This is our cabin for the week. Our friends and family will be here in four days to celebrate you."
"Really?" I squeal and swat his chest. "I thought it was going to be just the two of us. No one said anything."
His smile turns cocky. "I may have threatened everyone. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I knew once you saw the cabin, you would question why I chose something so big."
"Everyone will be staying here?"
"Why do you think we picked up so many supplies?" He opens the back passenger door, revealing a crate full of alcohol.
"I don't know."
Edward tells me the code for the lockbox and instructs that I go take a tour of our temporary home while he unloads the car. I offer to help but don't put up a fight when he insists.
The cabin might as well be a mansion, with a master bedroom that's bigger than the entire apartment I shared with Rose and another five bedrooms. A slew of bathrooms, a den with a wet bar, and a giant living room. I'm pretty sure I'd sell my soul for the kitchen alone.
As grand as the house is, the sprawling back yard complete with a fire pit surrounded by swinging benches is my favorite. I can definitely see us spending a lot of our time out here if the weather allows.
Edward finds me on the deck, taking in the view of the surrounding forest and lake. "So, what do you think?" he asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I think this is perfect and exactly what we need." I hum and lean into his embrace.
"I unpacked all the perishables and put our bags in the master. Did you check out the balcony?"
I shake my head, and his mouth latches onto the skin of my neck, biting and sucking on my pulse point.
"We should take advantage of the private hot tub," he grits out.
"I forgot to pack a bathing suit," I mumble, pressing my ass into his arousal. My body hums with anticipation, craving a repeat of this morning, and I know he'll deliver.
"There's no need for one. We're in the middle of nowhere, baby." Edward grunts and cups my breasts. "I could fuck you right here and no-one would know."
"Edward." I gasp.
"But it's too cold for that. So, let me take you upstairs. I already started the spa."