What we're reading in TLS ~ Holiday Edition 3

We hope your holidays have been filled with love and laughter. Can you believe 2019 is almost here?! For our last post of this year, we will close with our third seasonal rec list. So fill your glass with some bubbly, sit back and enjoy! Don't forget to leave the authors some love in the form of a review. Happy New Year from all the staff of The Lemonade Stand!

♥ Nic & Six

A Home for the Holidays by CullensTwiMistress
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9894140/1/A-Home-for-the-Holidays
Bella's roommate, Kate, offers her a place to stay during Christmas break. Unfortunately for Bella, Kate's dad is kind of hot. Attraction, UST, and a meddling daughter may just bring these two together. Rated M

Here We Are, As In Olden Days by Rinabina
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8772928/1/
Bella and Edward have been friends forever but ruth be told, it's always been a little more than that. A holiday collection of the history of Bella and Edward - Past, present and future. Rated M

I Heart the Bells by beegurl13
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7615959/1/I-Heard-the-Bells
When Edward's co-worker throws a Christmas party, he finds a lot of  things he didn't expect...hot women, huge light displays, annoying  Alice, blindfolds, jingle bell bracelets...wait blindfolds? Edward won't  ever be the same after this night.  Rated M

In Every Life (A Little Snow Must Fall) by cosmogirl7481
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9914068/1/In-Every-Life-A-Little-Snow-Must-Fall
Life happens. It passes us by in fleeting moments filled with unexpected encounters. It gives us choices to say and do the right thing. And chances to make it better, even when our choices were wrong. A short holiday story. Rated M

Matchmakers and Mistletoe by Hopesparkles
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11020080/1/Matchmakers-and-Mistletoe
They had been friends forever, and when she poured her heart out to him, he made a promise he knew he could keep. Rated M

Mistletoe and You by Harperpitt
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7653961/1/
Two little girls become instant friends, and their single parents are thrown into the game. Will their bruised hearts merge? Rated M

Sandcastles and Snowmen by Honeybeemeadows
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11774722/1/Sandcastles-and-Snowmen
Three days before Christmas, Edward needs an escape. From life. A red eye flight and rental car lead him to a beach in Mexico. He stumbles into a girl's bed for one night, but wakes up wanting forever. Sometimes, Christmas miracles aren't what we expect. Sometimes, the biggest gift comes in the smallest of packages. Sometimes, we build castles out of snow. Rated M

Swan Lake by SydneyAlice
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8740351/1/Swan-Lake
He's a lost traveler needing a place to spend the night. She's the owner of a bed and breakfast. What could they possibly have in common? A story about taking wrong turns and reaching destinations you never imagined. Rated M

The Red Coats by Ericastwilight
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9938576/1/The-Red-Coats
She loves the holidays. He loathes them. As new neighbors, they have to learn to tolerate each other. The problem for Edward is that she's irresistible in red. Can she bring the Grinch around in time to save him from a lonely New Year? Rated M

The Storm by Edward’s Eternal
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12299474/1/The-Storm
Trapped by a sudden storm, will Edward and Bella discover an unexpected gift this Christmas season? Rated M

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Pattyrose
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8837380/1/The-Twelve-Days-of-Christmas
On Christmas Eve, Edward Masen meets his girlfriend Rosalie's younger sister. The twelve days of Christmas will sure be interesting. Rated M

Time Lapse by PurpleC305
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12767086/1/TIME-LAPSE
As a photojournalist, Edward studies human emotion, but his own feelings are closely guarded. Bella hides nothing, her feelings as free and open as her heart. Frame by frame, Edward feels himself being pulled closer. But is he ready to step out from behind the camera and into life? Rated M

Walking Under Stars by Magtwinkles
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910910/1/Walking-Under-Stars
The best Christmas gifts are often the things you don't ask for, and are given to you by those who know you best. A Christmas story about finding love in all the right places. Rated M

Wanted You Forever A Carlsme Christmas Tale by LadyLibre
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9901621/1/Wanted-You-Forever-A-Carlsme-Christmas-Tale
Lonely doctor. Lovely waitress. Both longing for more and afraid to take it. Will they summon the courage to reach out for their Christmas miracle? Rated M

Weather With You by MagTwi78
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9951830/1/
Long days are spent swimming in the river with your mates, and trying to catch the eye of the cute boy from out of town. It might be a hundred degrees in the shade, but we'll still wear silly paper hats and eat a big, hot, roast dinner. This is Christmas in Australia, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Rated M

Willow by Aftrnoondlight
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6795048/1/Willow
First place winner in A Christmas to Remember contest - A quaint small town. A horse named Willow. Two lonely lovers. These are the ingredients of a DIVINE holiday romance. Rated M

Uplifting Spirt by OhGeeFantasy
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10842334/1/Uplifting-Spirit
Uplifting: morally or spiritually elevating; inspiring happiness or hope. When everything around you seems to be falling apart, do you follow the downward spiral or do you fight and persevere? Rated M

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

The Lemonade Stand has spent so many years bringing you the best the Twilight fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you even MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE, and now we're lucky enough to share previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

For this Sneak Peek Saturday, we're thrilled to feature the newest story from a reader-favorite, bicyclesarecool, author of Useless Things and the out of this world fic, Dark Thing Make a Myth of Yourself.

banner by bicyclesarecool

Vacation Town

by

bicyclesarecool

Summary: Reeling and traumatized from the death of her father and her subsequent move across the country, Bella finds herself in a popular vacation spot--in the off season. Here, she meets Edward, a boy dealing with his own ghosts, who she can't help feel drawn to. Their tentative relationship grows as they learn to face their fears and learn that things might not be hopeless after all.

~0~0~0~

I've been dabbling with this story for a little over a year now. It was actually one of three stories I was messing around with, and "Useless Things" ended up being the one I pursued (obviously). But I kept coming back to this one. I'd been listening to a lot of music--the top two inspirations were the songs "Vacation Town" by the Front Bottoms and "Grown" by Soccer Mommy. This thing is definitely heavier than what I usually write but...ya girl can't resist a happily ever after.


“I’ve been thinking about it,” Edward says as he takes them down the main aisle, knowing where he’s going now. “You being afraid of cars, it’s not very practical.”

This time, Bella’s laugh is surprised. “Yeah, duh, it’s not practical.”

He shakes his head. “It’s just, you’re so young. Too young to be so afraid of something like that.”

She glances at him to find his eyes on her already, and hates the way his words settle around her. Something about the fact he thinks of her as being...too young rubs her the wrong way.

It’s why she feels the need to tell him, “I’m not that young.”

And while her age may say otherwise, nothing else about her is young. The whole childhood thing was tenuous at best at best.. It was hard when your parents were always fighting and when your mom finally leaves, you take over the cooking and the cleaning and the holding it all together. Not that she minded, the whole being-a-kid thing was never really her scene.

Edward looks at her as if he’s trying to decide if he believes her.

She hates that it even matters to her.

Remember to put bicyclesarecool on alert so you can follow along with us!

What were reading in TLS ~ Holiday Edition 2

In between all your holiday baking and last-minute dashing around for gifts and whatnot, take a moment for you and dive into this holiday filled rec list. We know there’s one that will make you want to stand under the mistletoe! We hope that you are enjoying this compilation of holiday stories as much as we are. (Remember this is the second of three.) Be sure to take a moment and let the writers know where you saw them featured and leave them some good cheer in the form of a review.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

♥ Nic & Six


A Christmas Restoration by A Cullen Wannabe
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6565965/1/A_Christmas_Restoration
When single Mom, Bella, took her children to Colorado for their visitation with their father, she never dreamed she would find something unexpected in a winter storm. Can Edward heal Bella's wounds and restore her faith in men, love, and herself? Rated M

All I Want For Christmas by KitsuShel
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7681441/1/All-I-Want-For-Christmas
All alone for the holidays, Bella receives the perfect gift this Christmas. Rated M

Christmas With the Cullens by BlueIsSoul
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4695668/1/Christmas-With-the-Cullens
Ever since she can remember, Bella Swan has spent her Christmas with the Cullens. This Christmas its time to sort out those Edward related "complications". But what happens when Edward has a new introduction to make? Rating: M

Do You Hear What I Hear by LyricalKris
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13139009/1/Do-You-Hear-What-I-Hear
Edward had a lot on his plate as a broke dad trying to do right by his  daughter. He wasn't looking for love. But with a child's Christmas wish  and a little help from Santa and his elves, the magic of the season  might reach him yet. Rated M

Memories of Christmas Past by Eternally Addicted
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7601747/1/Memories-of-Christmas-Past
Bella and Edward dated in high school.Tragedy occurs forcing her to move away from Forks. Six years later another tragedy brings her back. What happens when on Christmas Eve with the Cullens, she sees Edward for the time since she broke his heart. Rated M

Mistletoe and Wine by evieeden
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5583176/1/Mistletoe-and-Wine
Bella is all alone in Seattle this Christmas. Can an old school friend give her some festive cheer? Rated M

One Christmas Eve by pattyrose
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13139405/1/One-Christmas-Eve
"She and I are way too opposite. We would've never worked." Better watch  what you say while the magic of Christmas Eve swirls all around you. Rated M

One More Christmas by Anhanninen
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10859853/1/One-More-Christmas
Conceding defeat was never in Bella's plans, but things change during the fight for your life. She's counting down the days but has one last wish, which Dr. Pretty Eyes plans to fulfill. With a little of his Christmas magic, Bella may just find a reason to fight again. Rated M

Operation: Merry Christmas by nicnicd
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5785448/1/Operation-Merry-Christmas
When Bella, alone for Christmas, bumps into a shy and quiet coed outside of her dorm will her negative outlook on the Holidays change? Rated M

Our Wreath by Edward’s Eternal
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10904058/1/Our-Wreath
Edward is lost without the woman he loves. Will a silent caller be the miracle he's been hoping for? Rated M

Perfect Gifts by SueBee0619
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10904468/1/Perfect-Gifts
A breakup, a cancelled trip, and disappointing gifts should add up to a disastrous Christmas… until they don't. Sometimes it's the person you don't know who ends up knowing you best of all. Rated M

Scrooge by kitchmill
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9953080/1/Scrooge
Ever the Scrooge, Edward Cullen has no interest in celebrating Christmas. Will his attitude change when he finds a young woman down on her luck? Rated M

Secret Santa by MeteorOnAMoonlessNight
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13145544/1/Secret-Santa
Depressed over thinking she'll be fired before the holidays, Bella  decides to get drunk at the company party. Woken the next morning by  Rose texting her to look at Facebook posts from the night before, she  realizes exactly how drunk she got—and it's bad. She and Santa were very  naughty, but the worst comes when Bella realizes exactly who was  playing Santa. Rated M

The Christmas Present by beegurl13
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8830995/1/The-Christmas-Present
Edward is Bella's best friend. He's also hopelessly in love with her.  When Bella lands her dream job...in California...will he finally tell  her how he feels, or will he let her go and hope that someday she'll  return to him? Will Edward's Grandma take control and force them to see  what they've been missing? A Christmas-y tale of secret love, big dreams  & breaking hearts. Rated M

The Christmas Ship by Alisa Pearce
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11679078/1/The-Christmas-Ship
Hedge fund manager Edward Cullen didn't make the Forbes list this year and thinks he's a failure, just like his father and teachers in small-town Forks always told him. Only one person ever believed in him, but he left her behind to chase his fortune in New York City. Can a festive Seattle tradition bring magic and love back to his life? Rated M

The Naughty Elf by Twilly
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7638612/1/The-Naughty-Elf
Santa believes there's no such thing as a bad elf. Bella's been fired from nearly every toy shop. How can Santa get her in the right position when everything out of her mouth is so very dirty? Santa, elves, chocolate starfish and phasing reindeer. Rated M

The Spirit of Christmas by RosieRathbone
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11608522/1/The-Spirit-of-Christmas
"Bah, humbug", the famous words of Mr. Scrooge, and this year stubborn Ebenezer is coming in the form of Edward Cullen who lives in regret and no longer experiences the same thrill of the holidays like he used to. But with a little help he is determined to change what went wrong and start again. After all, 'tis the season to be jolly. Rated M

This Christmas Wish by MidnightLove87
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9953048/1/This-Christmas-Wish
Snow is falling and days are slipping by like sand through your hand. Edward finally takes time to stop and savor life, what happens to his perfectly laid out life when his son's Christmas wish sends him through a loop. Rated M

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

The Lemonade Stand has spent so many years bringing you the best the Twilight fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you even MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE, and now we're lucky enough to share previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

My first week as a TLS Admin, we had a discussion about the classics. When I admitted I hadn't yet read There is a Light by belladonnacullen, I heard the collective gasp and pearl clutch of my fellow admins through the computer screen. So I dove right in and read it straight through. Yes, my kids had cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that day - but I regret nothing! There is a Light was everything and more, and when I heard that belladonnacullen had a sequel in the works based on her Babies at the Border Compilation contribution, I went full-on Hunger Games, volunteering TLS as tribute to spread the word about the continuation of this Edward and Bella's epic love story. It is our pleasure to feature this Sneak Peek Saturday with one of our fandom faves, belladonnacullen.
~LayAtHomeMom

banner by Yourvixen

It Never Goes Out

by

belladonnacullen

Summary: Seven years after Bella and Edward’s long-awaited happily ever after, the world has other ideas. Bella and Edward face their worst fears, but will they be able to face one another?

xXxXx

There is a Light was a story about what might really happen if a much older, very moody guy fell for a teenager. It was a weird riff on Twilight, mixed with many references to The Smiths - the band I was in love with as a kid. Somewhere in the middle of There is a Light, we hear Bella thinking:

“Now it should be clear why I doubted myself for so many years. I had an affair with a rock star that burned brilliant and bright, like a shooting star. Like all shooting stars, though, it burned as brightly as it did because it was falling from the start, because it was being torn apart before our eyes. 

I loved Edward Cullen without reservation. He was the light of my life. He was my launching point. He took a girl and made her a woman, and then betrayed that woman completely. You shouldn’t love someone like that forever, but sometimes you do despite yourself. 

For so many years I saw that love as a weakness. I saw it as a disease. I tried to exorcize the feeling I’d buried deep inside, but in the end I admitted it was impossible.”

There is a Light was a story about a woman that was brave enough to admit that she was still in love after decades, even though most of the people close to her thought it was a mistake. It Never Goes Out is the other half of that song lyric from The Smiths, and hopefully it will be the other half of Bella and Edward’s story.

Edward tried valiantly to hold onto that happily ever after at the end of TiaL, but the death of a friend made him see that in order to hold onto Bella he’d been holding himself back. Then the world changed and it impacted each member of the Swan/Clearwater/Cullen household. This is the story of how they all attempt to deal with these changes. Will they grow apart? Can Bella accept something in Edward that she never bargained for?

I’m not going to lie; Edward’s actions in It Never Goes Out make me SO nervous. I’ve been angry with him in this new fic, but I’ve also grown to love him so much more: seeing him as a teen, then as an aspiring punk rock star, then randomly meeting the kid that would change his life. He makes me alternately sad and swoony.

“Fault found its home in me. It always had; it always would. It was born into me and flowed through my veins. Sometimes it made me soar and sometimes it dragged me so far down I couldn’t imagine getting up again. It’s why my mom locked me away, it’s why they’d hooked me up to electrodes - to try to kill the faulty piece of me that had been fucking up from the beginning. 

That inborn unworthiness is why I’d written a poem when I was a kid asking my parents to love me despite who I was. Back in the early days I’d screamed the words into the mic. Then when we recorded it for The Masens demo, Alice suggested a quieter take. Jasper tapped out something swinging and slow, and like a lullaby the words fell from my lips. The same words rippled out into the air around me that night, like my thoughts come to life. An octave higher, hesitant yet plaintive, the truth was sung sweetly, drifting on the damp breeze from the bay. Someone was using my words, asking my parents to like me for the person I was, imperfections and all.”

That was from June 1989, behind an amphitheater on Long Island. Have you read TiaL? Do you know who was singing his song?

It Never Goes Out will begin posting on December 20th. I’m a slower writer these days, so I’ll update as frequently as possible. With characters I love this much, I want to make sure I get it right. I hope you come along for the ride.

~BDC

Be sure and put belladonnacullen on alert so you can follow along with us!