A Christmas Tale
by Rat19
Follow Bella and Edward from childhood into adulthood. A story about learning to be friends, first love, second chances, and compassion. A bit drama and bit sweet, revolving around the holidays over a fifteen-year span.
Since they’re still so young, people think they exaggerate when Bella and Edward say they’ve known each other for decades. Edward always used to tell the story, but she would need to try this time.
Christmas 1998 – Frosty the Snowman
Their parents were great friends in the small town of Forks, a small dot on the Washington State map that only appeared on Google MapsTM once you zoomed in. Esme and Carlisle Cullen were the reputable doctors in the area. They had achieved their two point five kids and ‘white-picket fence’ dream and were now living an entertaining life, or as much as you could be in that little town. Bella’s parents, Renee and Charlie Swan, were the quintessential average American family, with barbecues and burgers, beer and television shows.
Even at the young age of ten, it was amazing for Bella to observe the interaction between Dr. Cullen, who was currently sipping a canned beer, and Charlie, who was listening intently to the former’s dialogue regarding his extensive stamp collection, simply nodding from time to time. In the kitchen, Esme was putting the last touches to her Christmas pudding while Renee was loudly praising her in the background.
The actual dinner, was, for all intents and purposes, a disaster. The reason why was the presence of the two monsters (or at least that’s how they appeared in Bella’s mind) - Emmett and Edward Cullen. In comparison, their younger sister, Alice, was kind of cute, and maybe in a parallel universe, they would be friends. But Bella had to keep up her guard. The younger boy, Edward, who was about her age, was shooting daggers at her.
“Oh, boys, Esme started, “I’d like to introduce you to some very good friends of ours, and their lovely daughter, Bella.”
“It’s actually Isa … bella,” she stuttered through her name.
“Mom, she doesn’t even know her own name!” Edward was smirking.
He was arrogant, conceited and much too pretty for his own good.
She was painfully shy, soft-spoken and clumsy, in action and speech.
“Edward, don’t be rude! Especially since you are going to be classmates soon.” Esme interfered. “I’d love for Edward and Bella to get better acquainted.”
While the news seemed to excite Emmett and Alice, Edward became confrontational and was fighting it. “I can’t believe you want me to be friends with this church mouse!”
All eyes were on her now.
They were all taken aback by the remark and gasped until Emmett started laughing, then Charlie, and eventually they all joined in.
Bella was the only one standing there with her beet-red cheeks, holding her breath and murmuring, “Well; I guess now I know what the Grinch looks like…”
This story will begin posting on Dec 15.
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