"Happy Birthday." he whispered in my ear as he hugged me from behind. His arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace, and I twisted around in his grip to face him.

"Thank you," was all I had the time to say before I found his lips pressed against mine. My heart suddenly started to swell with passion as I grabbed his hips and pulled his body as close as possible to mine. The kisses grew more and more rough as I let my hands explore his perfect body. His hands did the same, working their way from the side of my face down to my waist. Then he hoisted me into the air and my legs locked around him, straddling his thick torso. He carried me across the empty study room and pinned me against the wall, his hands on the walls on either side of me. The only thing holding my up was my leg muscles. His lips gradually moved down to my neck.

"Jacob," I sighed, tangling my fingers in his long, dark hair. I could feel the smile behind his kisses when I said his name, and I closed my eyes in satisfaction as he made his way down to my collarbone. Then, just as it was about to get good, my passion dulled to nothing. I was completely calm. Jacob placed me back on solid ground; I could tell his excitement was gone, too, by the tranquil expression on his face. There was only one logical explanation for this. I turned to face the entrance, and there in the doorway was Jasper, standing completely still.

Awkward.

"Uhh… come downstairs." He kept it short, then quickly turned around and left in a flash, probably out of embarrassment. I felt my face flush a deep shade of red as I looked up into Jacob's eyes. He looked back down at me with a smirk.

"Busted." He stated bluntly, and laughed. I shook my head and laughed, too. If that boy ever got embarrassed, it would be a sign of the apocalypse.

"Nessie!" a high-pitched, female voice called from the bottom of the stairs. It was Alice. "Come on!" I grabbed Jacob's hand and pulled him out the door and down the stairs behind me. A smile grew on her face at my arrival, and she snatched my free hand when I reached her.

"Close your eyes!" she commanded. I followed her orders, and she tugged on my hand as soon as my eyes were shut. I started to walk, and she led me through multiple doorways to the family room. I felt both Jacob's and Alice's hands slip out of my grip, and I stood still and alone in the darkness until I got more orders from my little aunt.

"Okay… open!" she told me with excitement. I opened up my eyes to find the room decorated with banners that read Happy Birthday, with balloons and confetti covering the floor. The coffee table was surrounded by presents of different shapes and sizes, and the whole family was scattered around. Carlisle and Esme stood in a corner, trying to keep out of the way, while Emmett lounged in the recliner with Rosalie on his lap. Jasper stood in the door frame with his arm around Alice's waist, and my mom, dad, and Jacob shared the couch.

"Wow." I stated, taking it all in. "You shouldn't have..."

"Oh, we didn't." Emmett cut my off, "This was 100% Alice." I should have known. She shot me a toothy grin and waved to me from across the room. I giggled at her enthusiasm.

"It looks like you're got some gifts to open, dear." Esme acknowledged, motioning toward the table of wrapped boxes and gift bags. I traveled over there, trying my best to look delighted. I loved birthday celebrations almost as much as my mother did. I plopped my butt onto the floor and sat Indian-style as I opened every present one-by-one. Esme made me a scrapbook of the family over the past 18 years of my life, with photos going back to when I was small. Carlisle got me a ring that was unbelievably gaudy with the Cullen crest on it, and to my surprise, I loved it. Jasper and Alice bought me an acoustic guitar, which Alice had sparkled up with rhinestones. I thanked them graciously. Jasper had been teaching me some songs on his old thing, and I was glad to finally have a guitar of my own. He was my favorite uncle ever, and we shared a bond that even I sometimes didn't understand. Jasper keeps to himself most of the time, but we somehow manage to understand each other on a whole different level.

"Now we can work on some duets." He mentioned. I agreed, and then continued to open my gifts. Emmett and Rosalie gave me 30 dollars in cash, and my parents got me some classic novels, which happen to be my favorite. I love old stories. Then there was a card from Jacob. I opened it up, and there was a note written inside that looked more like chicken scratch. I struggled to read it, but eventually got the whole message. It read:

Mmm… 18 years old. You know what that means??

You and I can do whatever we want because it's finally legal!

*winkwink* :)

I've got a surprise for you tonight that I think you're gonna love.

Happy Birthday! Love with all of my heart, your Jacob.

XOXO

I smiled up at him from where I sat. His eyes glimmered with love as he gave me a sexy wink, and my insides nearly melted with desire. I still haven't figured out how he does that. I quickly recovered, then looked around at my family with a bright grin.

"Thanks, all of you." I received a variety of hugs, you're welcomes, and happy birthdays. Then everyone dispersed among the house, except Jacob, who stretched himself out on the sofa and closed his eyes. His head was smushed against the arm of one side, and his legs hung over the other arm as a result of his freakish height. I made sure the room was empty before I climbed on top of him and lay so that the fronts of our bodies were connected and we were face to face. I pressed my lips lightly to his, and he opened his eyes to look at me.

"Are you seriously tired?" I whispered, kissing him lightly a second time.

"Yeah," he murmured with a smirk on his face, "and I also thought that it would be a good idea to take a nap so that I'd have enough energy for tonight." He took his arms and wrapped them around me, his hands resting on the small of my back. I dropped my head into the crook of his neck and kept it there, keeping my whole body still so I could focus on his breathing. His chest moved up and down, moving me with it. This relaxed me, and pretty soon I became drowsy. I closed my eyes, and it wasn't long before I fell asleep in his arms.