A/N: Hello! Welcome to The Christmas Wish. This story will only be about ten chapters and the final one will be posted on Christmas Eve.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to push religion off on anyone, this is just a story.

Chapter 1-Resigned

He puffed on the cigarette, letting the narcotic fill his lungs slowly. He could feel it flow down his windpipe and relished it. Looking around, he familiarized with the other smokers as they all puffed on the drug wrapped in a white cylinder case. All enjoying the same feeling as the nicotine took effect.

He smirked when he remembered his conversation with his mother earlier today. She had told him that he was killing himself with that habit. He just shrugged and replied that he was dying anyways; what more could smoking do? Being a mother, she began lecturing about how he has given up on life and he has so much to live for.

Right mother. I've been diagnosed with stage-three prostate cancer. The doctors are not optimistic. I have SO much to live for.

He took another draw and blew it out slowly. Irony was a bitch. He spent his entire life thinking he'd get lung cancer and never suspected it would be something else that took him down.

At first, he was all about fighting. He did not want to succumb to a disease that has been proven cured. After all, every cancer has been beaten at least once. With the support of his friends and then-girlfriend Bella, he began chemotherapy and turning his life around.

Then she broke his heart.

Shaking his head, Jasper's thoughts strayed to the night he found out. He had arrived at her place earlier than expected, the treatment going so well, and heard noises inside. He broke in, worried she was hurt and discovered her on all fours with his best friend Edward standing behind her and pounding into her.

Only after it was done did they notice him.

And Bella had the gall to look ashamed.

Without a word, Jasper turned and left. Bella came groveling to him later, begging for forgiveness. She said that his disease was so intense and he was so focused on it that she felt neglected. Edward was paying attention to her and that was what she needed at the moment. Jasper pointed out that he always saw the attraction between them, and they both agreed that they were not in love, nor had they ever been. They ended it amicably, but Jasper never wanted to see that lying, cheating bitch ever again.

Edward, however, was another story.

They had been friends since seventh grade when both tried out for the basketball team. Although neither made it, a friendship was born and the two were inseparable. They did everything together. They even went to prom together, forgoing dates and winning prom kings. College didn't slow them down either. Edward majored in music and Jasper in history, but they spent every weekend together. Jasper was there when Edward's girlfriend Tanya moved away and Edward helped Jasper meet the beautiful, shy Bella.

He couldn't believe Edward could betray him like that. Edward was nonchalant, saying that they fell in love and that it happened. He wanted to continue to be Jasper's friend, but asked him to focus less on his cancer treatments and more on their friendship. Jasper's response was his right hook connecting with Edward's jaw.

Now, four years later, at twenty-seven, Jasper is alone and dying. He had given up after Bella and Edward's betrayal, preferring the company of his dog to humans. He continued to work as a history teacher at the local high school and did occasionally go out with his colleagues. But as for friends or dating, he was done.

He stopped chemo, figuring that without Bella and Edward, there was no point.

He coughed a bit as he finished the cigarette and then wrapped his scarf closer. Christmas break began soon and he was looking forward to the time at home. He planned to buy all of his groceries at once so he could hole up in his house and not come out for the world. He wanted to forget all about the holiday. It was for celebrating life and God was taking his away. Why should he celebrate?

Taking one last look at the overcast sky, he shrugged and stepped back into the building just as the students returned from lunch.

Later that night in the comfort of his home, Jasper strummed away on his guitar. While his passion for music was not as intense as Edward's, he enjoyed the comfort that a guitar brought. There was something about creating music that thrilled him. And it was the only thing he enjoyed now.

He was brought out of his musings by Smokey, his Malamute. The dog's blue eyes shone love as he licked Jasper's hand, asking to play. Jasper laughed and rested his guitar against the couch before patting Smokey on the back of his head.

"Come on boy," he said. "Let's play."

Smokey barked enthusiastically as Jasper headed to the basement. He had set up a doggie playground down there. There was an area to run, fetch, and sleep. Smokey loved his haven but avoided it recently, sensing that his master was not well.

Jasper's cancer was in remission but came back once the chemo ended. He didn't care. He was beyond caring. His mother pointed out that he should take care of himself for Smokey, if no one else. He agreed that point, but had made other arrangements.

Smokey will be quite happy with Heidi, the head secretary at the school. She has always loved Malamutes and often asked about him. I hate leaving Smokey, but it's for the best.

The two of them played with each other for three hours. They were both soaked by the time they finished, collapsing on the floor with exhaustion. Jasper laughed as Smokey licked his face repeatedly. He knew something was wrong with his master and didn't want to lose him.

After regaining his breath, Jasper sat up slowly and stretched. He noticed one section of the basement needed painting and he made a mental note to stop at the paint store tomorrow. Now that it was officially Christmas break, he had all the time in the world.

The face on his watch read 11:30. He decided to drink a tumbler of scotch before heading to bed. He had trouble sleeping lately and the scotch helped knock him out.

Jasper stood up and walked to the stairs. As he climbed them, he felt something strange inside his torso. After taking one more step, a sharp pain shot through his body and he fell on the stairs, his chin hitting the carpeted concrete before he lost consciousness. He could hear Smokey barking as the darkness descended on him and he tried calling out, but his mouth was filled with blood.

He was found two days later, Smokey by his side.

A/N: Thanks for reading!