Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision. Please don't steal my original work.
Many thanks to Adaywithjake for the fantastic Christmas ideas while she's suffering from summer heat! I appreciate you, sweetie!
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." ~ Luke 2:10-11
BPOV
The holiday season was quickly approaching. I had sent some money to Gran along with a newsy letter about the school children…and Edward. I asked Gran to purchase small wood trains for the boys in my class and dolls for the girls and ship them immediately so they'd arrive in time for Christmas.
The children were ready for their Nativity play. In the true spirit of the season, Rosalie had forgiven Emmett and they were friends again. You could barely tell her hair had ever been cut.
When the crate arrived from Chicago, Rachel and I were excited to delve into its contents. The wood trains were amazingly accurate in their detail, featuring an engine, a coal car, and a caboose for each one. The dolls had the most amazingly beautiful bisque faces I'd seen. She also included a box of handkerchiefs from a rather expensive shop in Chicago. These were for Edward, as I read in Gran's accompanying letter, and she suggested I embroider his initials on each one. Gran truly was a lifesaver. She had returned all the money I sent for the gifts; telling me I should save it for my future. I wanted to hug her and wish she had come along with the crate.
Rachel and I quickly stitched up some muslin bags to place the children's gifts in as Jessica worked on last-minute alterations to the children's Nativity play costumes. Once the bags were completed, I embroidered Edward's initials onto each of the five handkerchiefs in masculine colors. I couldn't resist one in green, though. It reminded me so much of his eyes. Then I rolled them back up so they fit perfectly in the box once again.
On the last day of school prior to the Christmas break, I brought in the gifts for the children. They were thrilled. That day was more of a celebration than a day of learning. We practiced the play once more, I read them a story from a children's book, and we spent some time playing games indoors as it was rather cold outside.
Finally, it was Christmas Eve. A light snowfall had dusted the area. I didn't really know how winter worked here in the high desert. Edward explained every once in awhile; northern Nevada was inundated with snow but usually there was just a light dusting.
Esme had spoken to Rachel. I would be spending the night of Christmas Eve at the Cullen's so I could spend Christmas with them. I was excited and nervous. I would be sleeping with Alice in her loft bed. Esme had been over earlier in the day to pick up some of Rachel's delicious yeast rolls and anything I'd need for the next day.
Pastor Webber's Christmas Eve service was joyous and candlelit, helping us to truly reflect on the reason for the season. I was able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere he'd created until it was my turn to stand up and direct the children in their play.
There wasn't a cause for me to worry. Emmett looked appropriately concerned over Rosalie as his Joseph to her Mary as they struggled up the aisle to the manger, baby doll in tow. Alice was brilliant as the angel announcing the glorious birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Jasper looked her right in the eye with a sparkle. Did I see something there or was I imagining things? When the children were finished, the entire congregation erupted into applause, not just the parents of the children involved. They had done so wonderful! I gave them all hugs and smiles as they came to the back of the sanctuary to remove their costumes.
Then it was time to go to the Cullen's.
Alice began by holding my hand, but she was still excited by the play she'd just been a part of. She kept flitting between Edward and me and her parents, chattering excitedly. Edward held tightly to my hand even if it was through gloves. He was so handsome in his black hat and his black duster jacket; I could barely keep my eyes off him. I was glad he was guiding me down the street.
Once at the Cullen home and seated in the sitting room with a cup of tea as Esme and Alice prepared a quick dinner and Carlisle and Edward took care of the outdoor chores, I looked around at how they decorated for the holiday season. Their Christmas tree tucked into a corner of the sitting room was decorated with strands of cranberries and popcorn. There were gingerbread cookies in the shapes of hearts, stars, angels, and bells scattered throughout the tree – all hanging by pieces of red embroidery floss or ribbon. There were also a few salt dough ornaments that appeared to have been made by Alice, representing their horses.
Evergreen boughs dotted with pinecones were draped across their fireplace mantle in the sitting room. Evergreen garland boughs were also hung over each open doorway. I also spied a sprig of mistletoe hanging above the entryway from the sitting room to the dining room. The entire scene was very homey and made me want to stay for a very long time, even just seated right where I was.
Edward came in from outside, hung up his coat, and asked, "Do you like what you see, Bella?"
"I do," I replied. "It's beautiful. Your mother did a lovely job."
"I was just thinking the same," he said. I flushed as I caught his double meaning.
Soon, we were called to the table to eat dinner with the rest of the family. I noticed Jasper made his way into a lot of Alice's conversation. There definitely must be something there. Sitting at this table didn't make me wish to be with my own family – they were too stiff and formal – it made me wish to be a closer part of this family. With all the conversation, laughter and teasing going on around this dinner table, the only one from my family who would be comfortable here would be Gran.
After dinner and cleaning up, we played some checkers. Alice was a worthy opponent. I thought I would go easy on her and let her win a couple of games. That wasn't necessary at all; she was very smart and won games all on her own. Edward was more difficult. I think most often we took turns gazing at each other concentrating on our next move.
Carlisle looked at the clock on the mantel and proclaimed it was time for bed. Alice headed up to her loft first after receiving kisses and hugs from her parents, Edward and me. The rest of us spoke in low tones for approximately a half an hour until Esme went up to check to make sure Alice was asleep.
Then they brought out the family's Christmas gifts and placed them under the tree. Carlisle and Esme had assured me I didn't need to get them anything, but I slipped my gifts for them, Edward and Alice under the tree as well.
Carlisle and Esme told Edward and me "good night" soon afterward, hugging us and then heading off to their bedroom. Edward and I were alone.
One kerosene lamp was still burning in the sitting room where Edward and I were standing. He gently took me by the hand and stood with me under the mistletoe. I know I was blushing from the heat I felt on my cheeks.
"Bella," Edward said softly as he held both my hands in his, "I want to kiss you under the mistletoe. But I think if I start kissing you, I will never want to stop. I want our first real kiss to be on our wedding day so that I don't ever have to stop kissing you."
I looked up at him and opened my mouth to say something, but he continued, looking at me earnestly, "Please say you want to kiss me just as badly."
"Yes, Edward." He pulled me into a tight hug. Then he released me a bit and kissed my forehead before moving down to kiss just the corner of my mouth. Then his mouth moved down my neck to my shoulder through my dress. His path of kisses had turned into a burning hot trail of desire.
He seemed to come to his senses. "Bella, I didn't mean to disrespect you. You are so tempting to me; it feels like you almost set my body on fire."
I let out a shaky breath. "I don't feel disrespected, Edward. I think, though, we should be careful about being alone together any longer."
"I know you're right," he replied with a sigh, his forehead up against mine. "Good night, sweet Bella. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Edward," I said and then turned and went up to the loft to sleep with Alice. It was a long time before I could get to sleep that night. My mind kept replaying Edward's soft but urgent kisses and the fact he was in the same house, sleeping close by.
The next morning, Alice was very excited to get to all her gifts, but Esme reminded her there were chores to be done before then. Carlisle, Edward and Alice headed out the door to tend to the horses and any other chores that needed done while I helped Esme get breakfast on the table. She had made some special cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and bacon, along with hot tea and milk for Alice.
When Edward returned from his chores, he gave me a winning smile along with a wink and sat beside me at the dining room table. He squeezed my hand during the family prayer. Occasionally he would allow his hand to reach down between us and he'd thread his fingers through mine for a brief moment, then he'd continue eating.
After breakfast and clean-up, we gathered in the sitting room again. Carlisle read the account of the birth of Jesus to us from the Bible before we opened gifts.
Carlisle and Esme both exclaimed I did not need to get them a gift, but were truly appreciative of the personalized brass door knocker for their front door I gave them. I gave Alice some ribbons for her hair. I told her she could always share with her dolls if she already had them. Edward was very appreciative of his handkerchiefs. He, of course, used handkerchiefs every day, but he'd never had personalized ones.
Edward gave me a pair of combs with sparkling blue stones to hold my hair back on the sides. Alice explained, "Because Edward wants you to wear your hair down. He likes it better that way. And I helped pick these out!" Goodness – out of the mouths of babes!
The rest of the day was spent eating too much good food. Esme was an excellent cook making all the traditional favorites of turkey, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, all accompanied by Rachel's yeast rolls. There were apple and pumpkin pies for dessert, along with sugar and gingerbread cookies. I felt like taking a nap halfway through the day, but managed to stay awake with Alice's constant activity.
By the time Edward escorted me home later that evening, I was totally at peace. I'd shared the celebration of our Savior's birth with a wonderful family and I felt truly loved and desired by Edward.
EPOV
Pastor Webber liked to have a church fundraiser during January. This year, his idea was to have women of the church make up lunch baskets or boxes and then men could bid on them.
I got confirmation from Bella one day that she was going to have a basket in the social. It seemed from the gossip I got wind of at the general store, the women were going to mark their baskets or boxes in some way so their men would know how to tell them apart. Bella assured me she would do the same, but she wouldn't tell me how exactly she would do that.
As for the food she'd put in her basket, I didn't care if everything was made by Rachel. I just wanted to spend extra time with Bella. The men who were successful at bidding on the basket or box of their choice were able to spend uninterrupted time with the woman who made that very thing – all under the watchful eyes of the pastor, of course.
The Sunday of the box lunch social arrived. Bella was wearing that beautiful deep green dress again with the lace at the neck and the cuffs. After the service, the women had arranged and rearranged all the boxes and baskets on the long table set up at the back of the sanctuary for this event, so unless a man had a prior conversation with his wife, there was no way to tell whose was whose.
The bidding began and it appeared most men had joined in those previous conversations I'd imagined with their wives, being able to pick theirs out easily. Most lunches were going for the asking price of five to six dollars apiece; some a bit more when it was obvious the lunch contained enough for an entire family.
Most families had situated themselves around the pews or floor to begin eating their lunches. Finally, only one basket remained. I looked over at Bella; she seemed frozen in place but was chewing on her bottom lip. I looked at the basket. There was a small quilted heart looped to a thin deep green ribbon hanging from one of the handles. This had to be confirmation this basket was hers. I wanted to talk to her, but I knew I had to bid.
The pastor started the bidding at three dollars. I confirmed that bid immediately.
"Five dollars," said a voice behind me. I turned around. James Smith. What was he doing here? He was a spotty church attendee at best. Now he's here, bidding on Bella's lunch?
"Five fifty," I countered.
James looked me right in the eye and said, "Eight dollars."
Certainly he was kidding! "Ten dollars," I said. I was waiting for him to back down and tell me he was bluffing.
By now, we'd caught the attention of some of the congregation and they were looking on with wide-eyed fascination. I knew many of them had seen Bella and me around town, courting. It wasn't a secret. We weren't sitting in the same pew at church yet, but we weren't married either. My family sat in the pew behind Eli and Rachel Cope and Bella sat with them.
James looked over at Bella, who looked promptly horrified. He then said, "Twelve."
There was no way I could let him win this lunch with Bella, no matter what it cost me. I looked at Pastor Webber for guidance. "Fifteen," I ground out. That was a lot of money for one lunch in this day and age.
"Sold!" Pastor Webber crowed. James stormed out of the church, letting the door slam on his way out. I paid the pastor, and then made my way to Bella and her lunch basket.
We sat down on one of the pews near the front of the church and Bella spread out the offerings on a small blanket. "Thank you, Edward," she said as she briefly touched my hand in passing.
"I couldn't let him win; I hope you know that," I replied. "Besides, I was hoping most of your free time was mine."
She blushed and said, "Of course."
We joked and teased each other while we ate, just like any normal time we were together. She told me that even though she may not have made most of the items in this lunch, she did put them together. She did inform me, though; she made the apple pie all by herself.
It was an excellent and filling meal – I was almost groaning by the time we made it to dessert. I did want to show Bella I was appreciative of the pie she made. She carefully cut two slices and placed them on our empty lunch plates. I picked up my fork, sliced into my piece and indelicately shoved the bite into my mouth.
Right away, I knew something was wrong. This was not how apple pie should taste. It tasted like apples and too much…salt. Once the salt hit my taste buds, there was no getting away from it. I'd never been the ocean, but it tasted like I'd swallowed a gallon of salt water. I tried to manfully chew this bite and swallow it without grimacing. I needed to get outside to the water pump and rinse this taste from my mouth.
"Edward, does the pie taste all right?" Bella asked.
I just couldn't break her heart. "Yes, it's fine," I managed to choke out. "I'll be right back." With that, I was out of the pew and out the back door of the church in a moment. I could not get to the pump quickly enough.
After running what seemed like gallons of pure water down my throat, I returned to the church and the pew I was sharing with Bella. She had packed up the remains of our lunch and placed them back in the basket. I looked at her. She looked ready to cry at any moment.
"Do you want to go?" I asked. She nodded and got up to follow me out of the building. Some of the other congregants were still in the sanctuary and some had already left.
We were walking toward the boarding house when I chanced a look at Bella. A few tears were making tracks down her beautiful face. What had I done? "Bella, what is it?" I asked, clearly concerned.
"You could've told me about the pie, Edward. I took a bite of my slice while you were gone. It was absolutely horrible. Couldn't you just be honest with me?" she said.
"Bella, I'm sorry. I should've been honest. I wanted you to know I appreciated the fact you made me something. Am I ever going to do anything right when it comes to women?"
"You do a lot of things right. In fact, you're very sweet. But don't tell an outright falsehood to a girl if her baking is disastrous."
I promised I would never do that again in the future as I took her hand as we continued walking. Bella mentioned something about Rachel not labeling larger canisters in her kitchen which were used frequently. She felt that's where she went wrong in her pie-making.
I told her, "You're still the sweetest girl in Virginia City."
"Now see, Mr. Cullen, this is where you end up being totally wonderful," Bella said with a smile.
We were coming up to the boarding house now. James Smith was getting up from a rocking chair on the porch, getting ready to go inside, almost like he was waiting for us.
He sneered in our direction, "So, Miss Swan, still seeing the sheriff, I see."
"Yes," Bella replied.
"Well, let me know when you get tired of him and want a real man," he said.
"James," I interjected, "might I remind you, I'm standing right here and will not be spoken about in that manner. I am twice the man you are and your supervisor."
"For now," he said and then stalked off the porch and down toward the main street in town.
I said to Bella, "I will stay with you until Eli and Rachel get back. I still don't trust James. I've received information back on Eric and he checks out fine. I've heard nothing back on James."
I stayed with Bella in the sitting room of the boarding house until Eli and Rachel made it back from the church. I didn't want Bella alone with James. There were a couple of other guests in attendance who were not church-goers so we were not alone.
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