I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
I don't love this chapter, I've been fiddling with it for days and this is finally what I have. I'm sorry if there's a few more mistakes than normal, I really didn't want tot read this chapter more than three times and got a little tired. I'm sorry
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME ART PROPOSALS FOR THIS STORY, I DO NOT GET PAID TO WRITE IT AND WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE ART MADE FOR IT. I APPRECIATE THE HUSSEL BUT ANY PROPOSALS THAT ARE SENT TO ME ARE IGNORED.
Reviews:
Laenara- You are doing amazing! In fact I had no idea that English wasn't your first language, so I must applaud you! I'm glad you like the chapter, it was kinda just a filler, I'm actually planning to post a few more filler chapters so I can get the new season written and ready, so I hope you enjoy those one too. I'm sorry it left you a bit confused, you weren't the only one and must apologize for that, it wasn't my intention and I'm sorry. I DO love your name! and now I love it even more knowing the backstory!
agabriellafigueiredo- I'm so sorry you were confused, that wasn't my intention and will try to make sure I'm a bit more clearer in future chapter! Mare is straight and by Breaking Dawn she actually has a pretty steady boyfriend, it's Cody that comes out. The purpose of the last chapter was just to give you a sneak peak of everything that's to come including, Mare having a serious boyfriend (and wondering who it could be) Cody coming out as gay and elevate to Mare's future relationship with Bella, although I left it pretty vague. I do and have always had a "pair" intended for Mare. The minute I posted this pic I knew exactly who Mare would end up with and can't wait for you to find out some day.
J- Thank you my sweet friend! as always your words were very kind and made my day instantly better! You're right Carlisle and Esme are kinda straight out of a fairytale and if I ever got stuck in one I want parents just like them. I love that you caught on to the different communication techniques they both use. you are very perceptive and I have a feeling I'm not going to get anything past you! I'm very excited to write more Edward and Mare sibling chapters because believe me I plan to put them through it and I can't wait. It's good right now but nothing gold can stay, wink wink. I don't believe Cody will break your heart too much, but she will try. Thank you so much for the amazing responds and your kindness! I was so excited to see you pop up again! I love seeing what you have to say!
KEZZ 1- Thank you so much, I love sneak peak chapters!
NailahInSpace- OH MY GOODNESS FRIEND! I'm going to try to answer all your reviews one by one, so lets GO! I love that you notice how bad Mare's grandparents and Mother's relationship and how they approached things is completely wrong! Your are so right, they should have gotten her help and they should have listened, but they didn't and it's a frustration that I loved writing! I want to give you a sneak peak in the future and let you know that Mare's mom, Sarah, does have a good ending, she's going to have to go through it first but ultimately it's the best ending I can give her. Next, I know it's hard to imagine loving someone who abused you for so long but having Mare hate her mother kinda felt like ever OC who's been abused storyline. I wanted there to be more dimension and a little more realism as people who are abused by people they love don't necessarily see it as abuse at first, sometime it takes time, and over time, Mare will see it more. Next, I took inspiration for the court case regarding Mare's medical status and who has the right to make those decisions for her from real life cases. It's so unfortunate but parents do technically have certain rights and their are many cases of parents keeping their brain dead children alive to avoid a murder charge. This almost exact case happened to my neighbor, only instead of it being her child it was her abusive husband. (fun fact...maybe not fun fact) I love that you like Carlisle and Esme's relationship with Mare, it's my personal favorite to write! and Lastly YAAA I'm so glad you're all caught up! I must bow down to you, you did alot of reading and I'm SUPER impressed, I'm also impressed with your perception. I can't tell you who Mare ends up with, but what I can do is wink. ;)
A Christmas to Remember
The first thing I register in the morning is loud arguing voices that are clearly trying be quiet, followed by harsh knocking.
"I said let her sleep!"
"It's 10:30!"
"Emmett I swear-"
"Don't you wanna open presents?" KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK
"Stop!" I roll my still tired eyes and roll over toward the annoying nocking,
"Emmett, what are you doing?" Esme's voice shouts somewhere farther away,
"You told me to wake up Mare."
"I said wait a little!" The door connecting Edwards and I's room opens as Edwards's head peeks in. He lifts an eyebrow and reluctantly I nod, a silent conversation passing between the both of us, something we've seemed to have gotten good at recently. With quick movements, Edward's at the door throwing it open to expose the small crowd in the hallway.
"Hey Eddie, what are you doing in here?" Emmett smiles,
"Listening to you yelling." He answers, annoyed. Emmett smirks before looking past Edward and back to me,
"Hey, you're up, perfect." He steps into the room, a big goofy smile on his face, "Santa came, come open up presents." I turn over to snuggle more into my warm blankets,
"I shouldn't have presents." Suddenly Emmett launches himself at the bed, his body weight slams down and something underneath me cracks. I sit up looking down at Emmetts guilty face.
"Are you kidding me!" Alice stomps into the room, "I picked this bed set and you go and break it." Emmett looks up sheepishly,
"Get off!" I kick him away at the end but It feels like I'm kicking solid rock and for a second Emmett doesn't move. After a second he takes pity on me and slowly rolls off onto the floor.
"On Christmas too." Alice growls bending down, her head disappearing under the bed, "Emmett you broke the bed!"
"ESME!" I shout, only to have the woman appear seconds later,
"You're up?" She smiles looking around at everyone in the room,
"Emmett broke the bed!" Alice shouts,
"Emmett!" She steps into the room,
"Esme, you said I could sleep in," her frown turns into a smirk.
"Well since you're up, "
"UGGG" I throw myself back down, my pillows squishing underneath my back. Maybe if I stay very, very still everyone will go away. I do just that and instead, find a large hand grabbing my ankle to yank me to the end of the bed,
"Emmett!" I fight against him as he quickly maneuvers me into his arms, "Put me down!"
"Santa came!"
"Careful!" Esme calls after us as Emmett begins bounding down the stairs,
"I'm going to burn you alive." I push at his chest, but Emmett's just too strong,
"With words like that, you'll end up on the naughty list next year." I roll my eyes while pushing harder at Emmett's arms when a familiar chuckle enters my airspace,
"Aright Emmett you can put her down." The minute my feet touch the ground, I push Emmett away and turn to Carlisle,
"You said I could sleep in." Carlisle turns towards the large decorative clock on the wall and frowns,
"It's 10:34" It's that late? Well, I was up late reading,
"I wanted to sleep to an even number." Carlisle smiles and reaches forward tucking me under his arm,
"I don't even think Esme would allow that today," I open my mouth to reply when my arm is seized and I'm dragged out of Carlisle's embrace,
"Wait, don't look yet." Alice gets behind me, her cold hands coming to cover my eyes,
"Alice," I whine, I really just want to go back to bed and sleep. Christmas was a big affair when I was younger, but when it became just my mother and me it was just another day, yes there were gifts often small and mostly just what I needed but for the most part it was a day of relaxation.
"Stop squirming,"
"I don't like not being able to see where I'm going." I groan aggravated, however, once Alice has marched me far enough into what must be the living room she removes her hands and I'm stunned into silence. The tree that Esme put up so carefully is covered and surrounded by presents, so many I don't think even the Christmas I had as a child can compare. Both large and small boxes wrapped in different colored and pattered paper sit under the tree and blossom out at least two yards. Meanwhile, the tree, so beautifully decorated with both expensive glass ornaments from different luxury brands and the handmade ones Emmett and I only made yesterday are hidden by different colored envelopes.
"Mare's stopped talking, that must mean she's seen the tree," Emmett's voice comes up right behind me,"I'm right! There's more than last year." I turn with a frown
"This is ridiculous." Alice grabs my arm and drags me to the couch,
"Hush, come open your gifts!" She pushes me back and plops down right next to me. I watch as everyone else files in quickly, and it's then that I notice everyone is wearing the same Christmas PJs as me, even Carlisle, Edward, Emmett, and Jasper. The same pink satin set with candy canes,
"When did you guys change?"
"Right before you woke up, Ow," Emmett admits only to be smacked by Rose.
"Cute right?" Alice exclaims and I can't help the smile,
"I guess."
"Alright." Esme stands, "Let's start gifts,"
…
As it turns out most of the gifts are for me, and one by one as each is placed in front of me I feel a weird sense of guilt and anger build up. One because I didn't ask for any of this and two because I didn't get them anything. Carlisle must notice the look on my face because he gets up from his spot scoots Alice down to sit next to me and pulls me close,
"I see that look on your face."
"I only asked for a candle," I whisper back,
"You didn't think that would really work did you?" I shrug, letting Carlisle tuck me into his side,
"What is that little mantra you repeat?" I roll my eyes but Carlisle just rubs my shoulder "Come on what is it?"
"They can afford this,"
"We can afford this."
"They want to do this,"
"We really want to do this."
"It's okay to feel the way I do,"
"It's okay to feel the way you do."
"Learning to accept these things takes time,"
"Learning to accept these things takes time," Carlisle whispers back to me.
"Still."
"Tell you what, anything you open that you don't want or can't use, I'll take it back,"
"Promise?"
"Promise"
…
As much as I would like to admit I don't want, need, or like any of these gifts, it's impossible. Everything is so well thought out and calculated. Everything and I find myself losing my voice with certain gifts. One of the first gifts I open is a small square box. Inside is a small ring with a delicate black stone carving, when I bring it closer to look a small silver lion sits over the small black stone. I've seen this before...Everyone in the family wears this symbol, in fact, when I look at Alice, I see the same stone in the middle of the chocker right around her neck,
"Its the family crest," Carlisle says after a second,
"It's a ring." The conversation I had with Carlisle in Italy when I told them about the ring my coach gave me, "You remembered."
"I remembered," I slip the ring on,
…
Rose and Alice have me open gift after gift of luxury clothing brands, but it's when I get to a box with Edwards's name on it that once again stops me, my hands hovering over the open gift. A mint sweater with pearl buttons sewn on the front. I turn to Edward,
"The sweater.." I trail off, my eyes filling with tears. I blink them quickly away,
"Esme knitted it, I just told her what it looked like." I turn to Esme whose smile is soft and sweet,
"In one night?" Edward nods,
"I hope it looks like the one your mom got you." This time one tear fall, and I'm quick to wipe it away,
"It's perfect."
…
I struggle through the next few boxes. Theirs books and a few nice notebooks and stationary pieces, and then Esme hands me a large box with an envelope from the tree,
"This one is from Carlisle and I, open the box first." I comply taking my time, feeling slightly overwhelmed, and the feeling only grows when I pull the paper away and catch a glimpse of the box underneath. I feel my breathing hitch and swallow a lump in my throat, because under all this wrapping paper is a pair of Jackson Ultima skates. I look up to both Carlisle and Esme. I have no words instead letting my mouth hang slightly open.
"I..I.."
"Open the card." Carlisle prods gently,
"I swallow the persistent lump with semi-shaking hands and open the card. It's a yearly pass to the ice rink, I didn't even know Forks had one. My hands are fully shaking now,
"Marceline sweetheart, you don't have to go, but I do hope you keep both," Carlisle tells me gently. I reach up and cover my eyes because this time I can't stop the tears. I know skates..these...these are expensive, these you have to earn...I've done nothing to earn these.
"I've never had Jackson's before," I whisper wiping the last of my tears away,
"I was told they were the best." I nod,
"They are."
…
When we get down to the last few remaining gifts everyone starts to open, it's amazing what gifts everyone gets. Clothes from only the best brands, expensive jewelry, gaming systems...wait until Emmett discovers the PS4 in ten years. Old books, and new house wear, I try my best to listen to everyone, but my eyes keep glancing around at all the gifts around me...this is too much...I don't know how-
"Mare?" I look up completely lost in my own thoughts to notice that everyone has finished opening their gifts and now has their eyes on me,
"Yes?" I swallow.
"There's one last gift," Esme holds out a rectangular shaped box,
"More?" I almost stutter out,
"Just one," Carlisle confirms. I hold out my hands letting her pass the box over and hold for just a second, then carefully tear it open to reveal a plain brown box. I lift the lid and smile,
"Paper," Thank god, I couldn't take another sentimental gift "I can use this for scho..." I stop because this isn't blank paper...it never was,
"Mare?"
"Adoption papers?" I whisper looking up from the words typed on the sheet on top only to find that everyone has snuck away, leaving just Carlisle, Esme, and me.
"This doesn't mean that you have to call us mom and dad. We could never replace your mother, sweetheart, instead, it means that you're ours and that you're wanted."
"Wanted?" My vision blurs,
"We want you more than anything in this world, Mare. We love you," Carlisle reaches forward holding Esme's hand in his, "But if this is too much for you, honey, you don't have to say yes, whatever you decide, you won't hurt our feelings." I take a shaky breath, looking down at the documents in my hand.
I feel a cold hand on my wrist and look up to see Carlisle in front of me, his gold eyes bright
"Wow," I mumble. Carlisle's smile is gentle, sweet and ever patient.
"What do you say honey?"