Heaven in the Real World - Chapter 4 (December)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision. Please don't steal my original work. Lord knows it takes me long enough to come up with it! =)

Bella POV

I'd never given much thought to courting. In all my nineteen years, I'd never been attracted to anyone enough to want to be courted. Edward was a different story altogether. Now I was able to attend church, I sat between him and Emmett. Edward and I shared a hymnal and each time our fingers brushed, however innocently, a small smile played on his lips.

Edward came to our small home for dinner most evenings. After dinner, Emmett would usually ride out to the Hale's so Edward and I had time together, alone. Edward was very respectful of me. We talked about his reasons for coming west – to prove to his family he could build a successful career; which seemed to be my reasoning as well. Now we had found each other, we looked forward together at continuing to make a success of his business and raising a thriving family.

I knew raising a family was a tender subject with Edward. He still loved and wanted children, but was scared to take that leap of faith again. We prayed about it together and separately. The Lord was still leading us toward marriage. Along with marriage comes procreating, if that's in His will.

Sometimes Edward would bring me small gifts from the store – several pieces of penny candy, ribbons for my hair, or additional foodstuffs. He was such a kind soul.

December in Gold Run was cold with snow dusting the ground almost daily. It wasn't enough snow to put runners on the wagons – just enough to be annoying to the townspeople. Being from Arizona, I thought it was beautiful and wondrous, no matter if there was a little or a lot.

Emmett was learning all the telegraph operations like a duck taking to water. Most evenings after work he rode out to the Hale ranch to see Rosalie. That gave me time to work on my Christmas dress with no male interference. I decided I would wear it to Emmett and Rosalie's wedding on Christmas Day, which happened to be on a Tuesday this year.

On a day early in December, Emmett announced we were expected at the Hale ranch for lunch and dinner along with Edward the next Sunday after church. It had turned bitterly cold that day, so both men encouraged me to wait indoors while they readied the horses and wagon for travel.

When we were ready to go, we were all wearing our warmest clothes covered with our thickest coats. Edward placed a wrapped heated brick on the floor of the wagon where I was sitting to keep my feet warm. Edward sat on one side of me to drive the wagon and Emmett sat on the other. I was glad to have their protection against the wind. Snow spit down on us from the sky as we drove along.

Sitting so close to Edward warmed me up some even though it was still quite cold. As I watched his concentration guiding the horses through the less muddy sections of road, my love for him grew. He was confident in this. I was grateful for another gift he'd bestowed upon me – the warm blue mittens which currently enveloped my hands.

"We'll be there soon, Bells," Emmett said, his face ducking close to mine. "It's a good thing the Hale's only live a couple miles out of town and not five or ten like some families." I shivered considering that information and Emmett put his arm around me. I would've rather had Edward's arm around me, but I knew he was assuring we would get to our destination safely.

Soon, the Hale ranch came into view. The main house was the largest log cabin I'd ever seen. Emmett told me Rosalie had two brothers who helped out on the ranch. I could easily imagine five people living in the house I saw before me.

Edward stopped the wagon, set the brake, and was swiftly out of his seat. He reached up to help me out of the wagon. "Let's get you inside to Rosalie so you can warm up, love," he said. I felt plenty warm when he called me things like that, but his hand on the small of my back guiding me forward toward the warmth of the house helped me to remember we were standing out in the freezing cold.

Rosalie and her mother, Ada Hale, opened the door wide as I neared it and welcomed me inside. "Goodness, child," Ada said, "come in out of the cold. I'm sure the men will be in from the barn as soon as they get the horses settled."

I was out of my warm wraps and settled onto a needlepoint chair next to a roaring stone fireplace. Ada brought in a cup of tea from the kitchen and sat it on the table beside me.

Rosalie giggled as she sat on the couch opposite me. I looked at her and she said, "Oh Bella, I've heard the story from Emmett how you came to Gold Run posing as a man, but I can't wait to hear it from you." I told the story as best I could, adding in the part about Jessica, which made Rosalie laugh even more. I could tell she and I would become great friends.

"And now," she sighed dreamily, "Edward is courting you! I didn't know if he'd ever find someone to settle down with again. Losing his wife and child was terribly difficult for him. When will you be married?"

I looked at Rosalie and Ada and said, "I don't know. We haven't discussed a date. I figured I would move into the boardinghouse once you and Emmett marry. I know it will be tight financially for awhile as Emmett foots that bill, but hopefully I'll find work soon to pay my own bills. Then hopefully Edward and I will be married later."

Rosalie said nothing, but looked at her mother meaningfully. The subject was changed then as the men came in from outside, joined by Levi and Rosalie's older brothers.

Once the men warmed up by the fire, we all moved into the dining room to eat lunch. Ada had prepared a lunch of delectable pot roast with vegetables along with mashed potatoes.

Conversation around the table was lively and I was interested in the varied topics converging on this particular afternoon. I liked Levi immediately. He was warm and affable. He reminded me a lot of my pa – even down to his mustache.

Suddenly, Rosalie spoke up, "Edward, did you know Bella is going to move to the boardinghouse on Christmas Day once Emmett and I are married?" She looked him right in the eye and I almost dropped my fork when she said, "Do you know the kind of unsavory characters who sometimes frequent the boardinghouse?"

I couldn't chance a glance at him to gauge his reaction. I couldn't look anywhere but my plate. I couldn't swallow and could barely breathe. If I'd been sitting on the same side of the table as Rosalie, I would've stepped on her foot in a polite sort of manner to let her know her line of questioning wasn't acceptable.

"Yes, Rose," Edward said as he sat beside me, "I know the type of men who frequent the boardinghouse. If you've forgotten, I've eaten most of my meals there for the past three years."

"Of course," she said quietly.

Levi changed the subject to some new horses he was breaking and the next cattle drive he'd be taking in the spring. I felt as if some air had been let back into the room so I could breathe and eat once again. As I picked up my fork to take another bite, I felt Edward's hand ghost over mine in my lap for a brief moment. My pulse picked up immediately. He would take care of me somehow.

During the afternoon, several games of checkers were played as well as cards. Rosalie and I worked on sewing and quilting projects. I knew Edward's home already had some lovely quilted items, but they hadn't been made by me and the ones he had weren't going to last forever.

By the time a wonderful dinner of steak, baked potatoes, and green beans was served, Levi noted the snowfall had increased. It appeared we would be spending the night at the Hale ranch as it wasn't safe for the horses on the road with the blowing snow.

After dinner, I helped Ada and Rosalie clean up the kitchen and dining room as Emmett and Edward helped Levi with bedding down the animals for the night in the storm. Rosalie and I also made up two small beds in the guest room for Edward and Emmett. I would be bunking with Rosalie in her larger bed for the night. She hadn't mentioned anything else about me moving to the boardinghouse, so my earlier shock at her outburst had worn off and I was enjoying getting to know my new sister-in-law.

During the night, dressed in one of Rosalie's warm nightgowns, I watched the snow fall in earnest outside her window as I listened to her even breathing. The rest of the house was quiet. Just watching the snow was making me cold. I got out of bed without waking my soon-to-be sister-in-law and slipped into a robe and beaded moccasins she called her "house slippers." I was going to go downstairs and see if a fire was still banked in the massive stone hearth.

Not knowing the Hale house that well, when I was almost to the bottom of the stairs, I stepped on a creaky one and silently cursed. That would be just like me – waking up the entire household. I stood perfectly still at the bottom of the stairs for a couple of minutes, but there was no other movement in the house.

Feeling satisfied I was the only one awake, I moved toward the fireplace. I sat on the raised hearth and warmed myself with the banked fire. I could almost be lulled to sleep, feeling as warm as I was now, when I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. I pulled my robe tighter around myself before I looked up to find who had discovered me here.

Edward was on his knees before me momentarily. "Bella," he said as he looked into my eyes with concern, "could you not sleep?" His hands found mine in my lap and held them gently.

"I was looking at the snow falling and became chilled," I honestly answered him back.

"Are you warmer now?" he asked.

I looked at him shyly and replied, "Yes, with the fire…and you holding my hands."

"If you are agreeable," he said, "I would like to talk about what Rose mentioned earlier. I know it was distressing to you."

"A bit, yes. But if I need to live at the boardinghouse for awhile, I'll make do, Edward."

He looked at me so earnestly then. "Do you not understand my feelings for you? I don't want you living at the boardinghouse. I want you to be with me." He paused for a moment, and then continued, "Emmett and I talked tonight. If you are agreeable, I would like us to have a double wedding ceremony with Emmett and Rose on Christmas Day."

I could barely see now that my eyelashes were busy blinking back tears. "Ummm…" I started out eloquently.

"Bella," Edward said, still on his knees before me, with my hands still enveloped in his, "I want to share every moment of life with you – every today, every tomorrow. Please, love, I would be honored if you'd marry me on Christmas Day. I want to marry you sooner than later."

I began nodding and finally a "yes" slipped out. His arms were around me and he was twirling me around and around until I was dizzy.

"I want to wake up the entire house with my happiness," he breathed into my hair, "and I wish tomorrow was Christmas!" Then his lips were on mine. His lips continued down my neck and suddenly I was warm – much too warm.

"Edward," I said and that seemed to stop the descent of his lips at the top of my robe. For that I was grateful. Not that I didn't enjoy every single one of his kisses, but we shouldn't be doing this here – not like this.

"You're right," he replied with a sigh, "we should get you back to bed." He released his arms from around me, took my hand and walked me over to the staircase. "Watch that second stair," he said with a wink, "I hear there's a squeak."

I attempted to cover my giggle as I made it up the stairs without a sound. I turned around at the top of the stairs to see Edward had watched my ascent. I gave a little wave to him and then was safely once again in Rose's room. I slid between the covers, doubtful she even knew I was gone.

The next morning after a hearty breakfast, we were on our way. The snow had stopped sometime during the night. Other than it being bright and cold outside, the road was clearly defined. I took full advantage of the warm brick at my feet and the body heat of the men on either side of me. Once we started out, the horses seemed to want to hurry to another warm stall, so we wasted no time in getting back to town. The general store and telegraph office opened a little later than normal this particular Monday morning, but other than that, it was a normal day.

Days flew by between then and Christmas. There was baking to be done, my dress to be finished now it was going to be my wedding dress as well, and packing to be done. Emmett was mostly on his own these days in the telegraph office as he only called me for questions. I was busy cleaning our small home so he and Rose could start fresh.

Suddenly it was Christmas Eve. Emmett took the last load of my belongings to Edward's living quarters above the store. When he returned, I was a little panicked.

"What's wrong, Bells?" he asked.

"It's just difficult for me to believe after tonight, I won't be coming home with you any longer," I replied.

Emmett came over and hugged me before sitting down to the simple stew I prepared for dinner. We'd decided to keep things simple tonight with just us. Tomorrow would be stressful enough. "Aww sis, Edward is a good man. You know I wouldn't let you marry anyone I didn't have the utmost respect for. I'll be just down the street."

"I know," I half-whispered, "It will be strange."

He grunted in agreement and dug into his stew. We ate quietly, pondering our own thoughts.

After dinner, we brought out our Christmas gifts to each other. I made Emmett and Rose monogrammed pillowcases for their new bed. I didn't think he would find the gift special, but when he hugged me and he wasn't his usual boisterous self, I knew he was thinking of the momentous step he was taking as well.

Then Emmett was away from me, getting something stored underneath his bed. He was back in a couple of moments. "Sit down," he asked. I did so.

He lay what looked like a lot of money on the table in front of me. I looked up at him in surprise.

"Bells, you know I'm done with gambling. Before Pa died, he showed me where he hid some money on our ranch in Arizona. He said it was for our future. If Pa were alive, he'd most likely be giving it to you now, when you're getting married," he said.

I swallowed, getting teary-eyed thinking of Ma and Pa, and then asked, "How much is there?"

"About twelve hundred dollars, when I counted the other day. I thought we could split it, since we're both starting on our future at the same time."

As Emmett split the money evenly, I put my hand on his arm and said, "I'm proud of you, not gambling this money when you knew where it was all this time."

He smiled cheekily and continued counting. I knew my portion would get to Edward in the morning. That's how things were done in this day and age. Knowing Edward, he would attempt to spoil me silly with most of it.

As I went to sleep that night, I thought about how truly blessed I was – I had the best brother in the world, the most wonderful fiancé, and an exciting future to look forward to. It was almost as if it was heaven on earth.

Edward POV

I was nervous as a first-time groom, even though this was my second marriage. Looking at Emmett beside me at the front of the small church wasn't helping as he was nervous as well. When he brought over the wedding/Christmas gift before church this morning, I could barely stand upright.

He explained their parents kept this for them for their future. The future Mrs. Edward Cullen was going to get spoiled on part of those funds and she didn't know it yet. But then again, perhaps she did – I made no secret about the fact I liked to get her things. There was no way we could make a trip now in the middle of winter, but perhaps in the spring, we could make a delayed honeymoon trip to San Francisco. Marcus and Aro would watch the store for me. They'd probably get a kick out of it.

I needed to stop my wool-gathering as there was a small commotion at the back of the church when Ada Hale arrived and was escorted to her place of honor by her two sons. Our pastor had agreed to perform the double wedding ceremony prior to his Christmas sermon.

Soon, Bella and Rose were walking down the church aisle on either side of Levi Hale. Since he and Bella met during our visit earlier this month, they were quite taken with each other. I was glad Bella had someone to walk her down the aisle since her father wasn't able to do it.

Bella was a beautiful, glowing bride in her sapphire blue dress she'd created from the fabric and notions I'd brought her on Thanksgiving. There was a small amount of white lace around the collar and cuffs and pearl buttons marching down the front of the dress, ending at the waistline, from where there flowed a full skirt.

Levi was kissing Rose and Bella on the cheek and then Bella was on my arm. We repeated the age-old vows and then I was allowed to kiss her in front of a sanctuary full of witnesses as the bright winter sun streamed through the stained glass windows.

As we took our seats in the pew to listen to the sermon about the Savior's birth, I held Bella's hand tightly and smiled at her often. She smiled shyly up at me as well. I'm certain the sermon was wonderful that Christmas Day, but I don't recall a word of it. All I could think of was my wonderful wife sitting beside me, holding her hand.

After the sermon, Marcus and his wife invited the wedding party and their family to their home for a late Christmas lunch. Of course, Aro and his wife attended as well. It was full of family, friends, and a lot of good-natured joking. Instead of the traditional pies, wedding cake was served for dessert.

As Bella and I made our way home, loaded down with leftovers, it began snowing again. It was just as well as the store would be closed for the next two days to give people the opportunity to spend with their families – and to give Bella and I time to spend alone with no interruptions.

When we finished placing the leftovers in the kitchen, I caught Bella around the waist and danced her around the kitchen, humming as I did so. Her head fit naturally on my chest, where it felt it belonged.

"I should go stir up the embers in the fire so it will warm up in here for you, love," I said. She looked at me shyly.

I got the fire roaring again in a matter of moments and then said, "Perhaps you'd like to rest after our busy day?"

"But it isn't even dark outside!" she exclaimed.

I took her hand and drew her into the – our – bedroom. I led her over to the bed, where she stood beside it stiffly. I let go of her hand and went over to one of the windows and pulled down the shade. "But it's getting darker," I said, teasingly with a smile. She smiled from beside the bed.

Then I went around the bed to the other window. I saw she had turned to silently watch me. I pulled that shade down as well. "And darker," I affirmed. She giggled nervously.

I came back around the bed to stand beside her. "You are so beautiful," I told her, truthfully and honestly, as my hands weaved through her long hair and my mouth gently kissed hers.

"I trust you," she replied as my body covered hers on the crisp, white sheets.