Whitlock-Masen

A Cullen Thanksgiving Tradition

2012-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

A/N: This was our entry for the Twilight No Stress Love Fest; Holiday Edition. We hope you'll enjoy reading this as much as we did writing it.

This was our prompt:

ooOoo

Dinner

"Carlisle, would you grab the pumpkin and pecan pies? Bella, sweetheart, if you'd take the milk and sugar. Edward, dear..."

Everyone pitches in as always. Emmett, Rose, and Jasper take out the dirty dishes and leftover food, while I orchestrate the others to take care of dessert. Before too long, we're all seated around the beautifully decorated table – courtesy of Alice, Rose, and myself – coffee poured and pies sliced and handed out.

Glancing around at my family, I smile, nodding. Carlisle takes my hand in his before starting our long-standing family tradition of going around the table to give thanks.

Carlisle

Clearing my throat lightly, I wait until the conversations die down. Everyone turns to me expectantly – well, almost everyone. I find myself smiling as my eyes go to my oldest son, who is completely oblivious. Emmett kisses Rosalie's temple and whispers something that makes her laugh as he reaches down to place a hand on her swollen belly.

Without preamble, I say, "This year, I am thankful for growth in our family – both those who we will soon meet," Emmett beams at me, "and those we are delighted to know better." Bella blushes, smiling widely as she takes Edward's hand.

Alice

I try to restrain myself from bouncing in my seat. "This year, I'm grateful for finally being done with school, and for getting the coolest entry level job a girl could ask for."

In spite of my best efforts, I can't help myself and squeal, "I got a job at Claddagh Designs, working under Siobhan herself!"

Jasper laughs, squeezing my hand while the others all congratulate me. Edward grins. "Wow, sis, amazed you were able to keep that to yourself for so long."

I giggle and stick my tongue out at him for good measure, causing another round of laughter.

Jasper

Shifting in my seat, I fight the urge to wipe my hands on my jeans nervously. Esme catches my eye and smiles warmly, and words just pour out.

"I'm thankful for being able to have this wonderful dinner that reminds me so much of my mama's back home. I'm thankful, too, that Alice is finally out of school so I don't get calls at midnight from her freaking out because her computer crashed." I -oof- at Alice's elbow to my ribs as everyone chuckles. "And most of all, I'm thankful that Alice puts up with me."

"Always," she whispers, smiling.

Bella

Biting my lip, I try to ignore the blush creeping up my cheeks when it's my turn. Edward squeezes the back of my neck encouragingly. I smile, whispering, "Thanks."

Taking a deep breath, I glance around the table. "I'm grateful to be here, with you. To get the chance to be a part of your family. I still don't quite know what I did to deserve him, but... I'm so thankful for Edward, for his support and love, especially with Charlie in the hospital."

I take a wavering breath as Edward kisses my temple and murmurs, "He'll be okay, sweetheart."

Edward

Aware that it's my turn, I tear my eyes away from Bella. I can hear the stutter in her breathing and know she's trying to control herself – and that the last thing she wants is to be the center of attention.

So I draw attention to me instead.

"You all know I'm thankful for all of you. Mom, for always believing in me. Dad, for letting me survive my teenage years." My parents laugh as I offer my thanks to the rest of the family before turning to Bella. "And I'm most grateful that you never gave up on me."

Rosalie

My hands automatically go to my belly, gently caressing the bump – her foot, I think – that's protruding from it. I can't stop smiling as I glance at Emmett and see the look of love and awe on his face as he watches me.

"I'm thankful for Emmett, for giving me this wonderful gift. And for going on midnight ice cream runs when I ask, or driving across town for my favorite pad thai."

Esme chuckles and reaches over to gently pat my arm. Grinning, I turn to her and Carlisle. "I'm thankful to you for raising such a wonderful man."

Emmett

Everyone turns to me expectantly – and I know exactly what they're expecting. Joking Emmett, making everybody laugh.

I surprise even myself when my voice is gruff and intense. "Thank you so much, Rosie… for this," I gently rub her stomach where I feel our baby kicking. I look down, struggling to say what I mean. "Seriously. I can't ever thank you enough. You're amazing."

Everyone does laugh then, when I kiss my wife hard. She smiles against my lips, and I laugh when I hear Edward mutter, "Never thought someone would tame him."

"Amazing, isn't it?" Alice adds in disbelief.

Esme

As the laughter dies down, I look around me, my eyes lingering upon each of my children – both those I have born, and those who've since come to us. Finally, my gaze rests on Carlisle as I lace our hands together.

As usual, my throat feels heavy with emotion as I express my gratitude for thirty years of marriage to him. For the wonder that is our family. The miracle that is my first grandchild. Everything we've lived through – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

"Thank you. All of you. I love you."

Carlisle kisses my hand, smiling.

Eye Candy - chapter 365 - Surf

2011-12-31T07:24:00.000-08:00

Hand in hand, we walk along the beach, watching Thor play in the waves.

For the first time, we both have the day off without there being an event or closing the shop. Daisy, Cam, and Emmett are working the floor while Jasmine, Rose, and Lily attend the café.

All the kids – home for the summer – had insisted.

We talk about them, both of us proud of the choices they're making.

Cam's passion to become a vet.

Daisy, who wants to learn my job and take over.

Lily and Jasmine, who are following Rose and Edward's footsteps.

Life feels complete.

A/N: *sniff* This is it: the last chapter of these boys. Believe me, we'll miss them as much as you do. We hope that you've enjoyed their journey. We certainly loved sharing their story. Thank you again for the generous donations during FGB Eclipse, which made this story possible.

As much as we'd love to say we've got something up our sleeves for next year, we don't. Rest assured, we do have every intention of working on/finishing Marked, Wish, and everything else we've currently got in the works. We just aren't sure exactly whenwe'll be able to start posting again, so please bear with us.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy new year, full of love and laughter.

Quiet Support

2011-12-31T07:14:00.000-08:00

A/N: We still owed one last drabble arc for FGB Eclipse. Silvertwi bought one to dedicate to the lovely BMango, as a thank you and to put a smile on her lips. Long overdue, we hope this does the trick.

Thank you again to everyone who made that FGB such a success. We're still chipping away at both AXO and the one-shot-gone-multi-chapter.

ooOoo

Sighing, I stare at him, all curled up next to his laptop, fast asleep.

Edward, you goofball. One of these days you're going to knock that thing off the bed. Would serve you right for trying to pull so many all-nighters studying.

Quietly as I can, I lie down beside him. I know he's exhausted, so I try not to wake him even though I can't resist touching him. There's a slight breeze coming through the open window, but it's my fingers trailing along his side that make him shiver.

He stirs, blearily looking up at me. "Hey," he croaks.

ooOOoo

I smile and lean in to gently kiss his lips. "'Mornin'."

Carefully brushing my thumb over the bags under his eyes, I resist the urge to argue with him about the hours he's been keeping. I know why he's doing it – it'd only lead to another fight, and that's stress we can do without.

Especially Edward, who's struggling to keep his grades to the level his father expects in order to get through college.

So instead, I simply kiss him again and ask, "Can I help?"

Edward groans, curling closer to me as I run my fingers through his hair.

ooOOoo

With a heavy sigh, he looks up at me through his lashes. "Maybe? I'm stuck."

Settling myself more comfortably on the bed, I pull him so that his head's lying in my lap. Threading my fingers through his hair, I ask, "Okay. Tell me what you've got so far."

We talk for what feels like hours as he tells me about the story he's writing for class. He's got most of the details figured out, but explains something isn't right – he just can't put his finger on it. We bounce ideas back and forth for a while until he suddenly exclaims, "Oh!"

ooOOoo

I grin at the sign that something's clicked for him.

Edward, tired as he is, seems to regain some of his energy as he starts talking rapid-fire, connecting dots that previously eluded him. Where before I could see exhaustion and near-desperation in his eyes, as the paper's due tomorrow, now they're bright and happy.

"Thanks, Jazzy," he murmurs, smiling.

I chuckle. "You're welcome, sweetheart. Any time."

He sighs, closing his eyes. "Don't know what I'd do without you," he whispers.

Grinning, I tease, "You'd be lost, drowning yourself in work and coffee, and you'd never see the light of day."

ooOOoo

He laughs. "Probably," he admits as he shifts to his hands and knees to kiss me.

Minutes pass with languid kisses and fingers tangled in hair before his stomach rumbles, ruining the moment. Chuckling, I smack his ass lightly to get him to move. "C'mon, I'll make breakfast, ply you with coffee, and then you can get back to your paper."

He hums with a smile. "I knew there was a reason I loved you."

"Oh, I see how it is," I mock-grouse.

Brushing his lips to mine, he murmurs placatingly, "Not the only reason."

"Good. I love you, too."

Eye Candy - chapter 364 - Alma Mater

2011-12-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

Before Edward, I never closed the shop. Now, it's closed again as we drive toward Cornell to help Cam move into his dorm.

Following the familiar winding roads, I wonder where the time has gone. Edward, humming beside me with a hint of a mischievous smile on his lips, is obviously remembering the times he and I shared out in this part of New York.

The mere memory brings heat to my cheeks and reminds me that when we return home, we'll be alone – truly alone – for the first time in eighteen years.

Before I realize it, I'm humming, too.

Whitlock-Masen

A Cullen Thanksgiving Tradition

Eye Candy - chapter 365 - Surf

Quiet Support

Eye Candy - chapter 364 - Alma Mater

Eye Candy - chapter 363 - Era

Eye Candy - chapter 362 - Celebration

Eye Candy - chapter 361 - Private

Eye Candy - chapter 360 - Passing

Eye Candy - chapter 359 - Confidence

Eye Candy - chapter 358 - Judo

Eye Candy - chapter 357 - Outlet

Eye Candy - chapter 356 - Cope

Eye Candy - chapter 355 - Grounded

Eye Candy - chapter 354 - Explanation

Eye Candy - chapter 353 - Fight

Eye Candy - chapter 352 - Memory

Eye Candy - chapter 351 - Ring-bearer

Eye Candy - chapter 350 - Story

Eye Candy - chapter 349 - Change

Eye Candy - chapter 348 - Congratulate

Eye Candy - chapter 347 - Swimming

Eye Candy - chapter 346 - Gratitude

Eye Candy - chapter 345 - Homework

Eye Candy - chapter 344 - Ice Cream

Eye Candy - chapter 343 - Chaperone

Eye Candy - chapter 342 - Movies

Eye Candy - chapter 341 - Girlfriend

Eye Candy - chapter 340 - Help

Eye Candy - chapter 339 - Burial

Eye Candy - chapter 338 - Odin

Eye Candy - chapter 337 - Show-and-Tell

Eye Candy - chapter 336 - Incredulous

Eye Candy - chapter 335 - Grow

Eye Candy - chapter 334 - Birth

Eye Candy - chapter 333 - Appreciate

Eye Candy - chapter 332 - Seduce

Eye Candy - chapter 331 - Relax

Eye Candy - chapter 330 - Party

Eye Candy - chapter 329 - Cousin

Eye Candy - chapter 328 - Triumph

Eye Candy - chapter 327 - Rock

Eye Candy - chapter 326 - Sleepless

Eye Candy - chapter 325 - Introduce

Eye Candy - chapter 324 - Homecoming

Eye Candy - chapter 323 - Name

Eye Candy - chapter 322 - Sure

Eye Candy - chapter 321 - Initial

Eye Candy - chapter 320 - Precious

Eye Candy - chapter 319 - Déjà vu

Eye Candy - chapter 318 - Ready

Eye Candy - chapter 317 - Decision

Eye Candy - chapter 316 - Hopeful

Eye Candy - chapter 315 - Anxious

Eye Candy - chapter 314 - Thorough

Eye Candy - chapter 313 - Discuss

Eye Candy - chapter 312 - Wonder

Eye Candy - chapter 311 - Sublime

Eye Candy - chapter 310 - Rapt

Eye Candy - chapter 309 - Barbecue

Eye Candy - chapter 308 - Interact

Eye Candy - chapter 307 - Spring

Eye Candy - chapter 306 - Litter

Eye Candy - chapter 305 - Impatient

Eye Candy - chapter 304 - Vet

Eye Candy - chapter 303 - Shell-shocked

Eye Candy - chapter 302 - Descry

Eye Candy - chapter 301 - Christmas Day

Eye Candy - chapter 300 - Silly

Eye Candy - chapter 299 - Perfect

Eye Candy - chapter 298 - Christmas Eve

Eye Candy - chapter 297 - Tradition

Eye Candy - chapter 296 - Life

Eye Candy - chapter 295 - Disbelief

Eye Candy - chapter 294 - Take

Eye Candy - chapter 293 - Desire

Eye Candy - chapter 292 - Harbor

Eye Candy - chapter 291 - Admit

Eye Candy - chapter 290 - Work

Eye Candy - chapter 289 - Normal