✔️Just You and I (Edward Cullen)

Chapter 34

Edward had gone overboard with the presents for Christmas, was all Holly could think as she sat beside him on the couch watching Bonnie and Toby tear into the brightly coloured packages. He'd got them everything from new clothes to toys to books, all the things Holly didn't even think to get them. But the best part about it all was the bright smile he had on his face as he watched their joy in opening them. 

They'd all come home for Christmas, the grandma snoozing in her chair by the fire and the children on the rug ripping open gifts. Holly's aunt was in the kitchen cooking dinner with the help of Esme and Carmen (who Holly had finally met and loved upon sight). Everything felt like a slice of heaven and even her uncle, who often said very little was in the garden with Eleazar and Carlisle having a deep discussion about something philosophical. Holly wasn't sure what they would do when it came time for dinner, how they would pretend to eat but it didn't matter.

As Holly watched Bonnie and Toby, she acknowledged the fact that one day would be her last chance to see them, that it was inevitable she'd eventually join Edward in immortality. That was what she wanted but it didn't make it hurt any less to spend these moments with the children, aware that one of those Christmas' would be the last. She couldn't even comprehend what they would tell the kids to explain where she had gone but in the Christmas joy, she chose not to think about it at all. 

"Look Holly!" Bonnie bounded over to her with something between her hands and sat straight on her older sister's lap to show her what it was. It was a doll with pretty brown hair just like Bonnie's, tied up in two bunches with bows on her head. It was the packaging Bonnie was struggling with and she handed it to Edward, knowing Holly was no good with such things. Edward's nimble fingers had it out and handed back to the child in under a minute and Bonnie cried in victory as she ran off with it excitedly. 

"This is the best Christmas ever," Bonnie declared and Holly smiled to hear it, turning to find Toby standing with the aunt now, contemplating a batch of cookies. It saddened her slightly to see but she understood the reality-- they didn't need her anymore but she would still always be there for them. 

Edward pressed a kiss to her head and she knew he'd heard her thoughts as he always did. The man himself handed her something gently as she took it. As much as she felt bad for him buying her gifts, she'd never deny him from doing so-- Edward's love language very much included buying gifts and she smiled her gratitude as she opened the necklace he gave her, marveling over the topaz charm that reminded her exactly of his eyes.

"Now open mine," she decided and placed the parcel on his lap. Edward began to say that she shouldn't have got him anything but she denied the claim, eager for him to open it and he did, frowning slightly at the image of them that greeted him. 

"A photo?"

"It is a vinyl," she told him, lifting it up and his eyes lit up. "I had it made for you," she turned it over to reveal a list of songs on the backside of the cardboard sleeve, his eyes trailing over them with joy-- it was all their songs, everything that reminded her of him and he chuckled to himself as he remembered the memories of every single one

"I love you," he declared and brought her face into his hands, sealing his words with a gentle kiss that had Bonnie giggling from where she sat on the rug.