And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

December 25

~~~Bella~~~

I yawned and opened my eyes, smiling at Edward draped over me. His face was buried in my neck, his arm wrapped around my body, and his leg tossed over both of mine. I knew it was going to take some time for him to believe I wouldn't leave again, so I didn't mind his sleeping position… he needed the security.

Besides, anytime I had a naked Edward pressed against me, I was a happy girl.

I knew I was taking a chance with my heart, handing it over completely to him, but knowing how it felt without him, I had to risk it all. He wanted me to be with him, to be a part of his family. It was the greatest gift he could have given me, and I only had to trust that it would never be taken away.

I was a little nervous about spending the day at his parents' house. Esme's letter to me had been apologetic and endearing, but there was always the chance she was simply appeasing the rest of her family and didn't truly mean her repentant and thoughtful words. I was determined that no matter what happened, I would fight to remain by Edward's side. He would have to order me away before I ever left him again.

He shifted in his sleep, releasing a small moan and tightening his embrace. I smiled, wondering what he dreamed about. He had kept his promise last night, picking up where we had left off on the couch before his family arrived.

I bit my lip remembering the way it felt with his mouth on me. When he asked to taste me, he really meant it. I had never felt anything like that before.

The things he could do with his tongue.

Wow.

Amazing.

Unbelievable.

My entire body shivered and my toes curled just from the memory of it, and I wondered how soon before he would do that again. He should have a warning label attached to him cautioning users of his addictive properties.

Users?

No.

I would be the only user… ever. Nobody would ever touch my Edward again, except for me.

I shook my head and laughed at myself.

Where were these possessive feelings coming from?

Since I had made the decision that he was it for me, I was going to make sure I was it for him.

My hand traveled up his arm, rubbed his shoulder, and trailed down his back. He made a sound against my neck, and I held back from chuckling out loud. When my fingers reached his butt and squeezed a little, he started to wake up.

"Naughty girl," he mumbled, his fingers already roaming.

"Mmm," I hummed as he sucked on my neck and pressed himself against my thigh.

His leg that had been pinning both of mine to the bed suddenly nudged them apart.

"Good morning," he said roughly in my ear. "Are you ready for one of your Christmas presents?"

"What's that?"

Ahhh, his fingers!

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the way he stroked me up and down.

"First my fingers."

He slowly slid one inside me.

"Then my tongue."

He licked a path up the slope of my neck.

"And last my dick."

He pressed into my side again, making sure I felt how hard he was.

"Three orgasms before breakfast… does that sound good?"

I mumbled some type of consent, since I was no longer able to speak understandable words.

Edward Cullen sure knew how to give gifts.

~~~*~~~TDoC~~~*~~~

After my three servings of orgasms straight up, I showered and hurried downstairs to bake some cookies to take with us. They told me yesterday not to bring anything, but I didn't want to show up completely empty-handed. It was going to be awkward enough that I hadn't gotten anyone any presents.

Let alone the fact I was the newly-reformed, previously homeless person in love with the beloved Cullen son.

I had to bring something.

I baked several dozen butterscotch oatmeal cookies, frequently slapping Edward's thieving fingers away. After wrapping them up and changing into my most respectable blouse and slacks, Edward and I were on our way.

"You're awfully quiet over there," he said, reaching for my hand as we drove.

I was definitely nervous, yet I also felt excited. It felt like maybe I really had found where I belonged… with who I belonged.

My family.

I squeezed his hand and smiled. "I'm happy to be with you. I guess I'm counting my blessings." When I glanced back out my window, I realized we weren't going in the right direction. "Where are we going?"

"We have to make one stop first."

"We're going to be late."

"Nah, there's no set schedule. We have plenty of time. It won't take very long anyway."

For some reason, I didn't picture Esme being as casual about timing as Edward implied, but I held my tongue.

We pulled up in front of a deserted strip of shops, everything closed for Christmas. I recognized the bookstore as the one he and I had visited a few days ago. I looked over at Edward, who had a huge grin on his face.

"Nothing's open today," I said, wondering what was going on.

He didn't say a word, just got out of the car and walked around to my door. He opened it and held his hand out for me to take. "Come on. I have something to show you."

I took his hand and walked with him to the front door of the bookstore. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a set of keys with a red bow attached to them, placing them in my hand.

"What are these?" I asked.

"They're for you. Open the door."

Did he arrange for some private Christmas day shopping?

I had no idea what was happening, but I opened the door, and we walked in. I turned around and stared at him with curiosity.

"Merry Christmas," he said.

I glanced around for a hidden present or something to clue me in.

"Edward, what are you talking about? I don't get it."

"This is the second part of your presents. You—actually we—are half owners of this bookstore. You and Laura are going to run it if you'd like."

I needed a crane to lift my jaw off the floor. I shook my head trying to process his words.

He bought me a bookstore?

I wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Should I be thankful? Angry? Flattered? Upset? Happy?

We stood there just staring at one another for a few minutes.

"Bella?" he asked softly, like he was trying to call a cat out of a tree.

"You… bought… me… a… bookstore," I clarified slowly.

"Yeah?" An undertone of fear was present in his voice.

The man was so ridiculously infuriating and sweet at the same time. He never did anything halfway… that was for sure. I didn't know if I wanted to conk him on top of his head, or strip him naked and pull him down to the floor. I looked around at all the beautiful shelves of books and bit my lip. It was perfect. It was small and intimate, close to the house, and already carried a vast collection.

But…

"I can't accept this," I said. "It's too much."

He walked over and hugged me. "I knew you were going to say that. It isn't really possible for me to return it, though, so I hope you'll reconsider. In fact, why don't you just hold off on any decisions until after you get gift three?"

Gift three?

"What? Did you buy Texas and rename it after me?"

He chuckled and squeezed tighter. "No, but I'd try if that was what you wanted."

I shook my head. I had no idea what to do with this man.

~~~*~~~TDoC~~~*~~~

"Ho, ho, ho!" Emmett shouted, opening the door when we arrived.

I was immediately snatched up in a bear hug, and I frantically handed over the cookies to Edward before they were smashed.

"Put her down, asshole!" Edward shouted.

Emmett set me down with a grin before grabbing Edward and putting him in a head-lock.

"My cookies!" I cried, grabbing them back from Edward's hands.

The two of them cursed like sailors and wrestled around on the ground for a minute. I could only stand to the side and gawk.

"Victorious!" Emmett jumped up and raised his arms in a V over his head.

"You cheat," Edward muttered, taking a bit longer to get to his feet.

"I absolutely do not cheat. It's not my fault you are weak and scrawny," Emmett said, turning to me. "Did I hear something about cookies?"

I smiled warily, but was saved by Rose before he got to the stash.

"Bella, come with me. I'm sure you've had enough of these idiots."

I nodded and followed her to the kitchen. As we passed through the house, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. Everything was elegantly decorated, yet it wasn't overwhelming. It was almost welcoming in its perfection.

Esme greeted us when we walked in, and my heart beat fast as I held out the cookies for her.

Please let her accept them… me.

She gave me a warm, but apologetic smile, taking the cookies and setting them on the counter.

"Thank you, Bella. They look terrific," she said. "Would you mind if I spoke to you privately for a moment?"

I shook my head and looked at Edward, who had trailed us to the kitchen and stood behind me. I let him know it was fine and followed Esme into another room. She patted a spot next to her on a loveseat, and I sat down. I forced myself to breathe, and kept my shaking hands on my knees for support.

"You read my letter?" she asked softly.

I nodded and met her eyes. "Yes."

"I guess I wanted to pull you aside and assure you I meant every word. I'm very sorry for the things I said at Edward's that night. There's no excuse for my behavior. At the heart of it, I was worried for my son. That doesn't make it acceptable, though. I don't expect you to forgive me easily, but I hope one day you will." She placed a hand over one of mine. "My Edward loves you so much. I was blind not to pay attention and see it. You love him, too?"

"Yes, more than anything."

She smiled and then shocked me by pulling me to her in a hug. "Oh, honey. I'm just sick for saying those things. I know I can't erase them from your mind, but I will spend every day making it up to you. Welcome to the family." She pulled back and had tears in her eyes. "Okay, I've kept you captive long enough. You better go find Edward. I need to get back to the kitchen and make sure everything's in order."

She chuckled and stood, walking toward the doorway.

"Esme," I called out. She turned back toward me. "Can I help?"

Her answering smile could have lit ten rooms.

~~~*~~~TDoC~~~*~~~

"Emmett, would you sit down!" Rose yelled.

We gathered in the living room after the early dinner, and Emmett played Santa Claus handing out presents. He had more energy than anyone I'd ever seen.

"Almost done, Rosie. Just a couple more left. Yes… here's another one for Little B. and one for Dad. I think that's it," he said, dutifully taking his seat next to Rose.

Edward had his arm around me as we sat on a sofa and shook his head at his brother. Alice winked at me from her spot across the room. I was shocked at the pile of gifts in front of me.

When did they even have time to shop?

"So, are we going in reverse age order?" Carlisle asked, making everyone laugh.

I was still floored from Carlisle pulling me aside earlier in the evening. He made sure I knew the family was frantic when I left, and that I mattered to them all. When he told me how happy I made his son, I really felt like I was part of the family.

I snuggled into Edward, enjoying the dynamic around me. I'd never seen anything like it.

"Whatever, old man! Kids get to go first," Emmett joked to his dad.

"It's alphabetical order, like always," Alice claimed.

"Reverse alphabetical order," Rose said with a grin.

"As the newest member of this crazy family, it's up to Bella," Esme announced, looking over at me with a smile.

Edward's arm practically crushed me, and my heart fluttered. I knew I was probably blushing bright red.

"Um… reverse age, I guess," I said softly. I bit my lip and laughed when all of the kids grumbled.

"I love you already," Carlisle told me, before ripping into his presents.

I watched with glee as the wrapping and bows flew into piles everywhere. Each person took their turns, and I got to admire the funny and thoughtful gifts.

"I can't believe you bought me this!" Alice shrieked at Emmett, holding up an anatomically-correct doll.

"Em used to draw penises on all her dolls, whether they were boys or girls," Edward explained.

"She was only four, and I had to have the birds and bees discussion!" Esme cried.

The whole family was laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes. I watched and listened with amusement as the gift unwrapping halted several times and old stories and inside jokes were told and explained to me.

I'd never felt like I belonged anywhere… until now.

When it was my turn, I tore into the gifts with as much enthusiasm as everyone else. I ended up with enough clothes for ten people, tons of books, and even a cell phone.

"I think that's all," I said, pushing aside the mountain of paper.

"Not everything."

I furrowed my brow at Edward, wondering what he meant. He cleared some space on the floor in front of me and knelt down.

"Bella, my life changed the second your eyes met mine over a vat of mashed potatoes," he said with a grin.

I giggled in response, still not sure what he had up his sleeve.

"You are my soulmate… of that I'm sure. I know we haven't known each other long, but I do know you're the one for me. I've always been searching for meaning in my life, for something more. Never have I been sure of my path until now. Until you."

He pulled out a small velvet box, and realization flowed over me. I tried to remember to breathe, but it was hard. My eyes blurred with tears as I stared down at the exquisite diamond ring.

"I love you. I will always love you. Would you consider officially making us a family? Will you marry me?"

Every wall I'd built as a defense from my past came crashing down.

He wanted me and I wanted him. He was all I ever wanted.

"Yes," I said, not able to hold back my sob.

As soon as he slipped the ring on my finger, I flew at him. We landed in a pile of wrapping paper, ignoring the applause of the rest of the family.

All I saw was him.

"I love you." I sealed my statement with a kiss.

His eyes shined as I looked down at him.

"You have to accept the bookstore now, Mrs. Cullen," he said.

I could only laugh while the rest of the family asked each other what he meant by bookstore.

I never knew twelve days could change someone's life so dramatically, but my new life really started this day.

I never wanted to look back again.

AN: Wow! These twelve days flew by.

I again want to thank Pam, Julie, Kaia, and Stephanie for all pre-reading they did.

Big, huge hugs and wet kisses for Perry Maxwell and Bookishqua. They had to deal with my anxiety and tendency to procrastinate pretty much each night for the last twelve days. If you haven't read their stories yet, I highly recommend you do. Their profile links are both under my favorite authors list.

I've had a lot of requests for story continuation and/or futuretakes. I'm considering it and will probably come back to it at some point after my AH WIP Fated Love is finished. Let me know if you have requests for outtakes or if you'd like to see these characters again in the future.

Thank you so much for all the reviews and love for this story!

Have a safe and happy holiday season and Merry Christmas :)