Still Dawn: The Saga Continues

chapter 25, presents

CHAPTER 25: PRESENT'S

I watched anxiously as Edward reached over and took the present from Alice's hand. I shared a nervous glance with Carlisle and turned back to watch as Edward opened his present. As he removed the last piece of wrapping paper, his jaw dropped open. He turned to look at me,  

"Bella, where did you get this?" he asked, now staring back at the framed photo.  

"Well, with Carlisle's help I managed to track it down" I paused "Do you like it?" Edward looked at me in shock,  

"Like it?" he asked "Bella, I love it, its the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me" he smiled "Thank-you" he cried, enveloping me into a hug "Thank-you so much"  

"Don't forget to thank Carlisle as well" I reminded him "I wouldn't have been able to find it without him"  

"Thank-you Carlisle" Edward said, his voice filled with emotion. Jasper must have picked up on his mood as suddenly I was filled with so much happiness and gratitude, that I felt as if I was going to explode.  

"You're more than welcome son" Carlisle nodded, a wide grin across his face, telling me that he too had felt the effect's of Edward's emotion's "But really, it was all Bella's idea, I just pointed her in the right direction"  

I looked at Edward again, who was now sitting in awe, gently stroking the glass, framing the photo of his Mom with him as a young boy. It hadn't been easy to find. I had wanted it as our anniversary present, but I hadn't found it in time. The photo itself was very old, it had been taken in 1911, when Edward could have only been 9 or 10.  

"What is it?" Ness asked inquisitively, making her way over to look at what Edward was holding in his hand's.  

"It's me and my Mom" Edward smiled at her "This is the only photo we ever had taken together" he noted. Before looking at back in my direction "I still can't believe you found it"  

"So, you're happy then?" I asked "only, I was worried that you might think I was interfering or something?"  

"Bella, nothing you do could ever be classed as interfering" he laughed, glancing back at the photo once more.  

"OK" chimed Alice, "Can we get back to the present's now?" she asked, reaching over for the next nearest gift  

"Actually-" Esme interrupted "Can we put it on hold for 10 minute's, I need to get the bird's in the oven"  

"Fine" sighed Alice, shrinking back down into a seated position "but be quick please!"  

"We'll be as quick as we can Alice" I laughed getting up from my seat and making my way out to to the kitchen with Esme,  

"I'll help!" Emily called after us, before following us into the kitchen.

After we had managed to get the 2 turkey's, the duck and the 2 chicken's in the oven, the 3 of us headed back into the living room, Alice, Nessie and Claire started getting excited at the prospect of opening more present's as soon as they saw us. Some of the wolves had gotten restless and had taken off into the garden to run about. Jake headed out to bring them back in. I took my seat back next to Edward who was still clutching his present and staring at it.  

"You really like that don't you?" I asked him, a slight smile spreading across my face, looking at him now it was hard to believe I was so nervous about giving him his gift. He seemed so happy.  

"It's the third best thing I've gotten in my life" he smiled  

"What are the other 2 then?" I asked