CHRISTMASTIDE

17. All I Want For Christmas is You

"Bella?"

Edward blinked, setting down his gym bag as he shut the door. He wasn't seeing things.

Bella was definitely in his apartment on Christmas Eve.

She was definitely in a skin-tight red dress, with a Santa hat on top of her head.

She was definitely in sexy heels, with her hands on her hips as she waited for him.

She was definitely in his place, and she was definitely the one who had lit the red and white candles around the living room.

He frowned, stifling a sigh. He was still hurt by the exchange yesterday evening, and really didn't want to deal with her. He was fully prepared to spend Christmas alone for the first time in his life, and yet here she was, gazing at him expectantly. "Bella."

"I loved all the presents," she said firmly, refusing to allow her voice to shake.

Edward didn't bite, keeping his face blank and his tone measured. "Did you?" he replied coolly.

"Yes," Bella said, trying to ignore the iciness in his voice. "You really went above and beyond the call of boyfriend-duty. You put so much thought and care into this whole Twelve Days of Christmas, and I'm sorry I made you think I didn't appreciate it."

His eyebrows rose in disbelief. "You're sorry?" he repeated. "Are you saying you were wrong?"

Her jaw set as she realized he was testing her in an annoyingly passive-aggressive way. "Yes. Yes, I am."

"You were wrong about what?"

"I was wrong about you," Bella said, her voice finally shaking with the emotion that now threatened to bubble over at the words, that stupid vulnerability called love was finally getting in the way. He was never going to let her forget this. "When I first met you, I thought you were kind of a jerk and immature. I was worried we were never going to work out because you would screw it up somehow…But then you did this, and you did it with unconditional love and I don't get it," she laughed, shaking her head. "I really don't get it, but..." she trailed off, shrugging helplessly.

Edward's gaze softened, and a sigh escaped his lips. "Bella, listen-"

"Let me finish," she said, sharper than she intended. She inhaled deeply, trying to resist the urge to go run. "I don't get your devotion to me. I don't even understand what exactly we have going here, but I know it's real," she flinched as her voice cracked on the last word, but still, she carried on, needing to get it all out.

"I know you love me without reason or any common sense, and I don't understand it at all, but," she lowered her head, keeping her eyes on the ground. "I feel the same about you. I…I love you," she said softly.

A huge smile came upon Edward's face, then. That was all he needed to hear. Brutal honesty in regards to their relationship. "I love you, too. And thank you," he murmured.

"You're welcome."

He sighed, taking a step towards her. "Bella..."

"Quiet," Bella said, finally looking up at him. "Now it's time for me to give you a gift," she placed her phone on the dock and pressed the play button before walking over to Edward, her eyes on his coyly. "Santa Baby," she sang quietly, grinning at the faintly stunned look on his face, "Just slip a sable under the tree, for me," she ran her hands down his chest, clutching at his shirt. "Been an awful good girl...Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight..."

Edward couldn't help the smile that crept on his face as she led him to the couch, continuing to sing. He glanced around the the room, a laugh escaping him.

Bella had carelessly thrown tinsel and garland around the place, making it look more like a mess than actual decorations, and he loved her all the more.

"Santa Baby, I want a yacht and, really, that's not a lot," she glanced over her shoulder at him, giving him her best bedroom eyes. "Been an angel all year, Santa Baby..."

If this was her way of apologizing, he wasn't about to complain.

"So hurry down the chimney tonight..."

"Listen, Bella-" he tried again, chuckling.

"Santa Baby, forgot to mention one little thing-" she pressed her hands against his chest, shoving him back onto the couch. "A ring," she smirked, straddling his lap. "I don't mean on the phone," she finally giggled, and he laughed, leaning up and kissing her softly. She pulled away, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Santa Baby..."

Edward grinned, running his hands over her thighs. "Apology is definitely accepted," he whispered as she started to move her hips against his, her hands undoing his pants.

"So hurry down the chimney tonight," she sang softly, kissing him. "Merry Christmas, Edward."

He kissed her again, pushing her dress up her hips. "Merry fucking Christmas, Bella."

She laughed faintly, pulling him into a deeper, slower kiss. "You're so classy. Hurry down the chimney tonight..." their lips met again, and she gasped as he pressed his hips against hers. "What did you get me for number twelve?"

A faint blush of embarrassment came upon Edward's cheeks. "Well, I was actually going to be super cheesy and give you me for Christmas, but you kind of upstaged me, here."

She grinned, kissing him softly. "Edward..."

"Hurry...tonight," he finished the song for her breathlessly, his lips meeting hers as whispery vocals began to fill the room. "What did you really get me for Christmas?" he murmured against her lips.

"It's at my place. But I'll give you something a bit early..." Bella kissed him again, sighing as he ran a hand down her arm. He leaned up, pushing her into a deeper kiss. Reluctantly, she pulled away. "Okay, we have exactly three hours until dad wants you over for Christmas dinner."

Edward grinned, running his hands over her hair. "Did you bring the handcuffs?" She smiled knowingly, glancing at his bedroom, and his grin grew. "Oh yeah!" He jumped to his feet, bringing Bella with him, and started to carry her to the bedroom just as she began to sing again.

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose! And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows like a-"

"Bella, you're so not singing that when we're in the bedroom."

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true oh
All I want for Christmas is you