It was close to nine by the time Carlisle and I finished
wrapping our presents. We both were pretty awful. After going through a full
roll of wrapping paper, all of it crap, Carlisle drove to a nearby Walgreens
and cleaned them out of gift bags and tissue paper.
That was significantly easier, thank you very much.
Placing our bags underneath the tree, Bella, Rose, Carmen,
and my mom were all at Bella’s dining room table, laughing and gabbing away. “I
think that security is going to be called,” Carlisle deadpanned. “Your cackling
can be heard in the lobby.”
“Stop it,” Bella giggled, holding her side. “I think your
cursing the wrapping paper could be heard throughout the hotel. How long did
you wait before you crumbled?”
“I know where you live, Isabella Marie,” Carlisle warned.
“Are we ready for tomorrow?”
“Almost,” Rose replied. “There’s one more thing that I need
to get and I’m picking it up tomorrow morning. Bella ordered a delicious
feast.”
“But, I’m making my famous spice cookies and homemade egg
nog,” Mom smiled. “I wanted to do more, but Bella said that we needed to enjoy
Christmas and not work during Christmas.”
“It’s true. The past few months have sucked. Not gonna lie,”
Bella said, sweeping her mess of curls into a ponytail. “I want us to bond as a
family, because that’s what we are. A family. No cooking, no stressing, just
talking, having fun and exchanging gifts.”
“But, part of the Christmas experience is the cooking and
the stressing,” Mom laughed.
“You can do that next year, Elizabeth,” Bella replied,
hugging her. “This year, let me spoil you all. Okay?”
Mom kissed Bella’s cheek and got up stiffly. Rose helped her
to her feet and guided to where Carlisle and I were standing. Mom looked up at
me, wary and unsure. I pushed my anger behind me and I hugged her. “I’m looking
forward to your cookies, Mom. They were my favorite.”
Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Maple Glaze
Eggnog
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