INEZ WAKES UP TO THE REALIZATION THAT SHE DIDN'T FINISH HER HOT COCOA FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. She groans, crawling out of bed to pick up the now frigid mug from the hardwood floor. She peers into the chocolate brown—a little less than half filled. For a split second, she wonders if it would be horrible if she just... finished the cup. She quickly pushes that thought away and trudges out of her room.

Inez quickly runs back into her bedroom, the cold air biting at her skin viciously. The heating has been broken for a whole week now. She pulls on her robe—dark green and well-loved—and continues on into the kitchen, dropping the mug into the sink. The faux Christmas tree stands neglected in the freezing living room, not a single thread of tinsel laid, no presents underneath the plastic greenery. Inez sucks in a deep breath, silence filling her ears as she looks out the window. Snow fills her vision, bright white almost blinding her. She smiles wildly.

Inez gets ready for the day like it was any other, though the calendar tacked onto her bedroom door reminds her of the date: December 25. Christmas. It's not like she hates the holiday; in fact, she's a Christmas nut when given the opportunity. But that's the problem: in the Cunningham home, there is no real opportunity to celebrate Christmas. Dad died when she was thirteen, taking all that holiday spirit with him. If it were up to Inez, nothing would have changed. But if your husband died, would you trudge through the rest of December and maintain that Christmas cheer, even if it's for your daughter? She isn't certain it was possible. Since then, Mom hasn't put in much effort into the holiday. Inez doesn't blame her, but it would be nice to have a simple "Merry Christmas" note instead of just running off to work before her daughter woke up.

The shower is extra steamy, a Christmas present to herself. Her CD player serenades Inez with Bing Crosby as she waterboards herself. Tea tree oil shampoo is scrubbed through her hair, nails scratching at her scalp as his baritone echoes through the small shower. She spends around ten minutes staring at the off-white tile, completely zoned out. Then the CD got stuck on a scratch, pulling her out of her daze. She turns off the water, instantly cold again.

Inez pulls on her fleecy robe—Christmas themed, of course, with stripes of red and green. She got it on the clearance rack in June. Praise be to the thrift store gods. She tries not to think about where else this robe has been. The less she knows, the better, and she already sanitized it to high heaven.

Her phone goes off on the fake marble counter, the ringing slightly off from the buzzing that is taking the device closer and closer to the edge. She picks it up just before the thing tips and falls. She opens it without checking the contact.

"Hello?"

"Merry Christmas!"

Inez could recognize that voice in her sleep. She smiles, pinching her phone in between her shoulder and her ear as she attempts to towel her hair off with one hand. "Merry, Christmas, Paul."

"What're you doing this fine holiday? My mom wouldn't mind you coming over to the Rez..."

"I'm spending the day with the Cullens, actually." The line goes silent for a moment. Awkward. She clears her throat. "Bella and I are driving together. She's picking me up in an hour or so. You can come over if you'd like—"

"No, no, no. It's fine." His voice didn't seem fine. "Just don't forget me over the holiday week."

Inez snorts. "In what world could I forget Paul Lahote? In what world would Paul Lahote allow me to forget about him?"

Soft laughter fills her ears. She instantly relaxes, all tension gone. "True, true," Paul responds, before a clamor erupts from the microphone. "Oh shit, sorry, I have to go, I think Embry just broke another pot, Mom's going to be pissed, I have to go—"

"Wait, another pot—?"

The line goes dead. Inez laughs a little, imagining the disorder that must be the Lahote family home. For a moment, she craves that chaos. Her holidays, when not spent with friends, are dead and dull. Two Christmases prior, she was with Riley and the Biers family. Her heart squeezes momentarily and she scrolls to her texts with him. It's a waste of time, but she still sends him a quick, Merry Xmas. She won't get a response. She doesn't expect one, anyway.

Inez wipes the condensation from the mirror, gives her reflection a quick smile, before opening the door. Cold air instantly snatches the humid warmth from the bathroom. A smell unfamiliar and unexpected wafts to Inez's nose. She furrows her brow, tucking damp hair behind her ear as she tip-toes closer to the kitchen. She clutches her phone in a death grip. If she has to use it like a weapon, so be it.

Inez peeks over the wall to see Edward, making pancakes. He looks up, smiling softly.

"Hi, Inez."

She sags in relief and slight annoyance, sharply sighing as she drops her phone on her dining room table. She shuffles over. "Jesus fuck, Eddie, I was about to pummel you with my cell."

"I know."

"Right, right, telepathic boyfriend, yeah." Inez rests her head against his shoulder. He repositions, wrapping his cold arm around her as he flips a pancake that looks suspiciously like a gingerbread man. She looks up to him. "I'm supposed to have brunch with Bella."

Edward smirks slightly. "Alice stayed over last night, she's having breakfast with her and Charlie."

"Is she now?" Inez asks, voice teasing. "How long did you two plan this?"

Edward laughs. "Long enough to maybe be embarrassing."

Inez rolls her eyes, reaching up to hold his face still as she presses a kiss to his cheek. "You dork."

The pancakes are—annoyingly—delicious. Inez has been a human for a solid seventeen years of her life, over ten of those being spent sentient. You would think that she would be better at cooking than her ninety year old boyfriend, who hasn't had to eat food for over seventy years, would be piss poor at making a meal. But look! These pancakes are delectable. It makes Inez sick.

Edward smiles at the table, looking up at her through his eyelashes. "How is it?"

"Fuck you," Inez replies, mouth half stuffed.

"Good, then?"

"Best breakfast I've ever had. It's rude."

"You're welcome."

"You've ruined all other pancakes for me. Just so you know."

"Guess I'll have to make pancakes for you for the rest of your mortal life, then," Edward says.

"Pity," Inez deadpans.

"Pity," Edward agrees.

"Shame," Inez adds.

"Shame," Edward echoes.

"... So I'm guessing you won't tell me the recipe—?"

Edward rolls his eyes playfully, getting up in a split second, standing with his hand against her chair in only a moment. "Bella's pulling up."

Inez rests her head against his shoulder. "I'm guessing that means I'll blink and you'll be gone."

Edward laughs, kissing the top of her hair. "Merry Christmas, by the way."

"Merry Christmas."

He leans down, breath unneeded by his own body brushing faintly against her ear as he says, "blink."

Inez does, and when her eyes are opened, he's gone, the kitchen fully cleaned up as well. Smooth bastard.

There's a knock. Inez smiles, dropping her plate in the sink on the way to the entryway. She opens the door to see a rather embarrassed Bella Swan, cheeks flushed bright scarlet.

"Merry Christmas," Inez says, "how was brunch?"

"I—I'm sorry, Alice ambushed me and Charlie with a homemade meal. He didn't even care that she stayed over. I think she might be his favorite daughter." Bella walks in, taking note of the less than mediocre holiday decor. "Um, I can still eat, if you want."

"Don't worry: Eddie also sneak attacked with pancakes. I don't think I'll ever be the same. It's annoying as fuck."

Bella laughs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She glances at Inez's robe. "I'm guessing you're not wearing that to the Cullens'?"

Inez fakes shock. "Yes indeed I am, Miss Swan. This is my fashion statement. Is it shocking enough, or should I just go full nude?"

"Jesus, Inez," Bella says, falling back into one of the pillars.

"Sorry, sorry. Just turn a Christmas movie on while I get changed."

Inez applies her mascara—six times, because each try is clumpier than the last. She huffs, the tube dropping into her sink in defeat when she is able to make her eyelashes look barely acceptable. Her red lip stain is the only thing perfect about her whole mess; yes, she has a vampire boyfriend, but she doesn't want it to seem as if she's recently discovered a hankering for human blood, right?

Her dress is Christmas-y enough. It's dark red, almost burgundy, with black lace overlayed. She got it real cheap in Port Angeles, believe it or not. It pairs well with the green and black striped sweater she copped from her dad's closet while he was still alive. Black leggings hide the razor scrapes. Scuffed Doc Martens will do the trick—last time she wore heels, she broke her ankle.

Inez takes a quick stab at her hair, suffering through multiple failed hair styles before settling with a simple half up, half down. The hair clip is forged from one of Helen's old brooches—an intricate web of curves and lines, silver fusing with silver, embedded with dots and swirls. Inez finds it insane that she holds one of the last pieces of her boyfriend's past life, how he gave it to her as a way to keep her hair up. She tries to wear it with every special occasion.

Bella is watching Elf, Buddy refurbishing the children's section for "Santa." She sits, curled on the couch. Her hair falls down in silky sheets, blocking Inez from looking any further.

"How're you liking it?" Inez asks.

"This was one of the last movies I watched in the theater with Charlie. He cried like a baby at the end, don't ask me why—" Bella looks up, words breaking off as she gives Inez a once-over. "You look... wow, you look great."

Inez grins, twirling once on the toe of her right boot. "Think this is festive enough?"

"You'll be fine."

"Maybe next year we can match ugly sweaters."

Bella huffs out a laugh, turning off the TV as she gets up from the couch. "We should... get going."

"Yeah, yeah, just let me grab my bag. You can put your gifts in as well, when we get into the car."

Bella's truck is old and its heating is mediocre at best, but at least it's better than the Cunningham home. At least Inez can feel her fingers if she presses her hands to the vent. "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey wheezes from the stereo. Snow clings to the orange-red hood, melting as they drive closer and closer to the Cullens'. There's something very odd about being the two girlfriends of vampires, there's also something very odd about the fact that it doesn't feel odd at all, now.

"Did you get anything cool from Charlie?" Inez asks, drawing a pine tree onto the fogged side window.

"A new sweater. I think Sue bought it, actually. But, whatever, y'know, it's... pretty." Bella glances over. "What about you?"

"Mom doesn't celebrate, I think I'm headed to the Rez tomorrow, though."

"Anything from Riley?" Bella asks, hesitantly.

"Not a peep. Shocker, I know."

Bella never met Riley, but meeting Inez is—or at least used to be—like meeting Riley by proxy. Conjoined twins separated at birth, that's what they used to seem like. Though there was no blood relation, it was as if they shared a mind. Until two years ago. Until he disappeared. Christmas has lost a little sparkle since then.

Bella parks in the driveway as smoothly as she could with a foggy windshield. The cold bites into Inez's skin the moment she exits the truck, pulling her bag up to her shoulder. She shuffles across the shoveled pavement, a thin layer of ice sending her heart skyrocketing. She stuffs her hands in between her arms and sides, breathing out white puffs of hot air. Bella, of course, slips the moment her shoes grace the driveway. She grips the side of the inside of the car as she haphazardly sits on its floor in an attempt to not fall onto her back.

"Shit," Inez hisses, grasping the truck's hood as she skids over to her friend's side. "Are you okay?"

"Clumsy," Bella explains. "Obviously, ice and I are mortal enemies."

Inez laughs. "If you break your skull open outside of the Cullens', it will make your whole changing-into-a-vampire story pretty embarrassing." She holds out a hand.

Bella takes it, allowing Inez to wrap an arm around her waist so they can balance each other out: disaster paired with disaster.

Edward stands at the doorway, dress shirt thin enough to make Inez jealous of how little temperature affects him, as well as simultaneously making her feel very, very warm inside. He smirks. He knows.

"You need help?" he asks.

Inez lovingly flips him off. The action, coupled with both Bella and Inez mid-stride, sends them off-kilter, causing a sharp and icy scuffle as the two struggle to stay on their feet. Inez ends up pulling them both onto the snowy grass, a much stabler environment for the graceless. She looks up to see him laughing.

"I'm shocked Alice hasn't come to rescue her girlfriend," Inez calls out, Doc Martens crunching on the lawn.

"I'll have you know there's no universe where the journey from Bella's car to our house involves death or extreme injury. There was a chance that Bella twisted her knee, though."

"That's heartwarming," the girl responds sarcastically, tucking her hair behind her ear as they reach the steps. Edward holds out his hands, the two separating to take his help. Bella enters first, Inez taking her time as her boyfriend slings an arm around her shoulders.

"You look beautiful," he whispers into her hair.

"You don't look too shabby yourself."

The Cullen house instantly warms Inez, sending happy shivers down her spine. It smells like mulled wine and cinnamon. Christmas songs play softly through the speakers. Sounds come from the kitchen, previously unused—that is until two of the Cullens found human girlfriends, of course.

Alice hops from a chair lithely, at Bella's side in an instant, arms wrapped around her as she presses a soft kiss to her lips. Inez pulls Edward further into the house—well, as much as a human could control a vampire.

Jasper keeps his distance as the Cullens greet Inez: Esme with a soft embrace, Emmett with a bear hug with such vigor that it obviously puts Edward on edge, Rosalie with a one-arm squeeze, Carlisle with a pat on the shoulder. Inez gives the southern vampire a quick wave, a nod given in reciprocation.

"So," Carlisle says, after the lot of them were situated in the living room, "Esme and I have planned some festivities. Usually, we just spend the day recreating old Christmas traditions from our varied eras. We tried our best to incorporate yours as well—Christmas movies, new music, food..."

It's almost laughable that food is considered a tradition for Inez and Bella. Comments such as that do not allow the two to forget, for a moment, that they are celebrating the holidays with their predators.

Most of the action revolves around the kitchen, where the Cullens make the food slowly, following recipes from cookbooks with freshly cracked spines. Sun sparkling snow glimmers through the windows, the light reflecting against their skin. Christmas carols echo through the house, the speakers from the living room expensive enough to fund a whole four years of college—Inez is mostly joking.

Mistletoe is hung above every doorway. Inez notices the sprigs as she's sent to get some paper towels from the pantry. She glances over her shoulder, meeting Edward's eyes. She nods up to the plant, causing him to smirk (one of his three ways to emote.)

Inez turns, coming face to face with Rosalie. Emmett laughs.

"You've got to be kidding me," Rosalie whispers, annoyance seeping into her voice.

"Rules are rules, Rose," Emmett calls out from the counter. Inez gives Edward another sideways glance. He shrugs in agreement.

Inez goes on her tip-toes, pressing a quick kiss to Rosalie's forehead, who stands as still as a statue, not even breathing, for fear of catching her scent. Another reminder of how, even on Christmas, Inez finds herself grazing the line between continued life and certain death.

The meal consists of a turkey for Bella, a well-dressed tofu meal for Inez, and a variety of sides and appetizers that two teenage girls could not possibly finish, even if they were simultaneously experiencing absurd growth spurts. What is most awkward about the situation is the lack of food eaten by the Cullens, their plates nonexistent. They make small-talk, but Jasper keeps on staring at Inez and Bella as they pass the mashed potatoes, Emmett is looking forlornly at the sauteed vegetables, and Alice will only make direct eye contact with her girlfriend, obviously ignoring the food in front of her.

"Is this too weird?" Edward asks as Carlisle asks Bella about her schoolwork.

"This is the best Christmas I've had in a long time," Inez responds.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Eddie, you and your family are literal vampires. We have passed the threshold of "too weird" years ago."

Edward huffs out a soft laugh, resting his arm against the back of her chair.

Stomachs thoroughly filled—with only one fourth of the entire table eaten—the family moved back to the living room. The gifts were to be opened. Inez deposits her and Bella's gifts into the pile, flinging her bag into an unused corner. She settles back into the couch with Edward, picking at her nails in nervousness. She's not certain anyone has a full idea of what to get their boyfriend's family for Christmas, much less what to get them when they're all immortal beings, y'know?

"Inez, catch!" Emmett chucks a box straight at her head, Edward instantly catching it.

"Great aim," he says sarcastically as he gently hands the wrapped present to Inez, who watches as Emmett shrugs in good sportsmanship, grinning.

Inez breaks the seal patiently—one wrong move and the whole party will be in disarray. The box reveals a wide variety of organizers.

"Thought those might be useful," Emmett teases.

Inez chucks a wad of wrapping paper his way, the ball hitting his forehead with a soft pat. She presses a hand to her face to hide a very loud snort. "Sorry, sorry—thank you. I'll be sure to add it to my ever-growing yet well-meaning collection."

Bella passed out her gifts—Inez knows what she got her, since they had carpooled to Port Angeles and she saw how Bella kept on flitting her eyes between her and a locket. Still, her heart jumps when she sees the necklace. The pendant is oval, with four places for pictures.

"Holy shit," Inez whispers. "Bells..." She pulls her into a hug.

"I didn't put any pictures in, sorry."

"Do I look like I care? This is perfect, no need to apologize."

The rest of the presents go smoothly—though Inez kind of fuzzes everything out until she's able to hand out her gifts. Nerves wrack her body as she passes out the wrapped boxes. She goes back to messing with her fingers, glancing up at the Cullens through her—very clumpy—eyelashes.

Jasper tears the encasing first, the first to see the jerseys.

"I know you already have baseball jerseys, but I got these embroidered with your names."

"Oh, Inez, this is so thoughtful!" Esme exclaims, leaning over to give her a swift hug. "Thank you, my dear."

Inez blushes scarlet, "you're welcome. And—Eddie," she gives him the finale present. "This is for you."

"Favortism," Emmett whispers.

"My apologies for spoiling my boyfriend, not-even-brother-in-law."," Inez jokes, settling down next to Edward, eyes glued to the tiny box.

"I'm certain I'll love it," he whispers, leaning closer.

"No spoilers!" Inez exclaims.

"I don't need to read your mind to know that you'll always understand me."

"Just open the present, you softie," Inez responds.

He takes out the bracelet with gentle fingers, turning it over in his hand.

"I got Kaleen to teach me how to crochet—this is the sixth bracelet actually, the rest went straight into the trash."

(That was a flat-out lie, she couldn't seem to be able to throw away the messes that she created.)

Inez clears her throat, and continues, "I made it blue and gray because those are really the only colors I see you wearing, and I tried to make a matching one, but that didn't work out, so this bracelet is one of a kind." She makes jazz hands—immediately regretting it, because what the fuck was that, Inez Cunningham, do better.

"Thank you," Edward says, the bracelet already on his wrist (very fast vampire, her mind reminds her.) "It's perfect." He pulls her into an embrace.

"Liar," Inez jokes, "but you're welcome."

The box he gives her is around the same size. She narrows her eyes. "How easy will it be for me to lose this?"

"Quite easily, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on it."

"Thank you for the sincerity."

It's a bracelet, much more expensive than what Inez had made for Edward. A diamond tennis bracelet, to be exact.

"Holy shit," Inez whispers. "This is too much."

"No, it isn't."

"I beg to differ, this is—on my wrist now." The diamonds glimmer against her skin. Edward grins, causing her to roll her eyes. She mock-pushes him away. "Dork."

The moon is covered by thick, dark clouds. Snow had recently started falling again, swarming the windows. Alice assured Inez and Bella that they were going to be able to drive home safely, but the former wasn't completely certain of this specific vision. Besides, if all else goes to shit, she can just call Paul and ask him to carry her back home. That's the perk of having a werewolf as a best friend.

Music fills the Cullen house, Esme having turned the volume up to dance with her husband. Slowly, all the couples joined, leaving only Edward and Inez sitting on the couch.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" plays from the speakers as her boyfriend gets up, holding out a hand. He takes her fingers in his and presses a kiss to her wrist, right above the bracelet—right on her pulse point.

"C'mon," he says.

Inez allows him to pull her up into his arms, resting her hand on his shoulder as they begin to slowly turn about.

"I'll be home for Christmas," Bing Crosby croons. "If only in my dreams."

"Merry Christmas," Edward whispers.

"Merry Christmas," Inez whispers back.

Inez rests her head on his shoulder, watching the rest of the family spin about. She smiles, fully content. Merry Christmas indeed.

author's note!

HOLY FUCK. 

THANK GOD  I GOT THAT DONE

THAT'S 3879 WORDS. HOLY SHIT.

i wanted to get this out much earlier, but the story kept on going haha. i hope y'all enjoy the first introduction to inez ! 

by the way, bella and alice are together in this universe, not only because edward and jacob both have love interests (inez and kaleen my darlings), but also because they're so sweet to write!

comments and votes are ALWAYS appreciated <3333