December 25, 2022
7F
I closed Bella's door with a soft click and made my way back to my apartment as Edie prattled on. Esme took a break in her daughter's flow to ask me her question.
"Who were you talking to when you first answered?"
"Bella."
"Your neighbor?"
"You seed Princess Belle?" Edie asked.
"I did see her, but she actually goes by Cinderbella."
"Does she now?" Esme teased.
"She does. I just found out the other day."
I heard a bit of shuffling on the other end before Edie's voice faded to the background, so I knew Esme was off speaker. "So, why were you in her apartment at 7am?"
"I fell asleep there last night."
"Edward Anthony Masen. Two days ago, you didn't even know if she still lived there, and now you're having sleepovers?"
I rolled my eyes at being full-named by Esme. "It wasn't intentional. She lost her dad last month. She was going to be alone for Christmas, which is also her birthday. Since I was alone too, I asked her if she wanted to spend the holiday together. She had planned to cook dinner so she invited me over. I had Chinese delivered last night and we hung out. After dinner, we started watching Harry Potter and fell asleep on the couch."
"Is she everything you built her up to be?"
"She's better, Es. We've both lost our parents, so I know what she's going through now. She doesn't seem completely freaked out by my upbringing, and she's seen my act, so no weirdness there. Now, I just want to get to know her."
"I'm glad Bella is as special as you hoped she'd be. Be safe and have a Merry Christmas, Edward."
"You too, Esme. Give my best to Carlisle and his family. I'll see you when you're back in the States for a belated Christmas."
"I expect Santa to have been busy while we're away."
"Of course. Bye."
I hung up and wondered what I was going to do until noon, since there was no way I wasn't showing up early.