Author's Note

-Page Break-

I entered the Swan house early in the morning. It was Christmas Eve and I had run into Charlie at the diner just the day before. He had asked what I was planning on doing for Christmas and not wanting to lie to the father of the girl I'm in love with, I answered truthfully. I was going to be home alone, most likely ignoring that it was a holiday. I'm assuming this must've had some emotional effect on Charlie because the man instantly invited me to join him and Bella for the evening of Christmas eve. I had no objections, this would only give me further time to prove to the Chief how perfect I was for his daughter.

I had ahead of time packed a bag in my car, I don't think the chief checked the weather report, but there was going to a blizzard tonight and I knew there would be no way I would be able to get my car to move. Knowing Charlie, he would let me stay, so I had to be prepared and a simple lie would keep Charlie from thinking anything suspicious was occurring.

Isabella led me inside her home. "My dad's still at work, but he said to make you feel welcome when you showed up." She turned around and kissed me. My arms found themselves wrapping around her waist keeping her close to me. She pulled back just slightly and smiled up at me. "Welcome."

I chuckled lightly, Isabella was truly something different, she was just magnificent. I couldn't be happier that something seemed to have changed within her. She wasn't the same crying girl that I had come across in September. It seemed my influence on her had been greater than I ever thought it could be. "What are you making?" I questioned as she took my hand and led me into the kitchen.

"Ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, green beans, steamed broccoli and a little bit more. I have some bread in the oven and I have the ingredients for some hot chocolate to accompany the angel cake I made." Isabella responded as she turned to face me with smile wide and bright. "You seem to have really made some impression on Charlie, Rik. When he came back from the store yesterday he told me to make sure I had enough food for you. He also told me if it was possible Jacob and Billy would be joining us tonight as well. With the way the storm is picking up, I'm not sure it's going to happen."

I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the countertop as I watched Isabella work around the kitchen. "Jacob is your old friend from childhood, correct? The hormonal teenage boy?"

Isabella turned and rolled her eyes at me. "He came to the hospital a few times. Long hair, he was pushing his dad in the wheelchair."

I remembered him clearly, he came towards the end of our time at the hospital. He held onto Isabella's hands too much for liking, it was as if he was clinging onto them for his life. Isabella couldn't see the way he looked at her, she was too oblivious of the boy to care that he was in love with her. The thought of him being here in the same house as her and me was making my hands twitch with the overwhelming need to claim Isabella… again.

"You okay, Rik?" Isabella questioned as she looked at me curiously and I could practically feel her worry for me. It was something entirely new for me to feel, no one had ever worried for me the way Isabella does.

"I'm fine, Isabella." I replied I smiled at her and it helped ease the worry in her eyes. "Do you think the Blacks will make it through the storm to join us today?"

Isabella shrugged, "I think so. Jacob's sisters weren't able to come down for the holidays this year, so it's just the two of them. Billy is my dad's best friend so when he heard the girls weren't' coming he instantly invited them over. I think they might get here before the storm gets too bad. Are you going to be okay with them here?"

I tilted my head curiously at her. "Why wouldn't I be okay? Are you trying to say that I can't behave myself around two strangers?"

Isabella sighed, "I'm stating that I know you well enough to know that you're possessive and protective of me. I'm not as ignorant as you believe I am, Rik. I know very well that Jacob holds more than friendly feelings towards me. I would rather not have to explain to my dad why his best friend's son is being held up by the throat by you."

I laughed, I couldn't help it she really was far cleverer than I gave her credit for. "I'll behave." I paused for a moment watching her turn away back to the food. "Just as long as that boy behaves himself as well. You're right, I am possessive, and you're the one person in this world that matters to me. You are my weakness and I will do whatever is needed to keep you safe. Especially from teenage boys who can't keep their hands to themselves."

Isabella turned to me and smiled, she was beautiful when she smiled. "I don't think you're cut out for high school, Rik." She commented not removing her eyes from me. "There are more than a few hormonal teenage boys there. I think the fact that I've been ignoring Edward and his family has made it clear to everyone that I've moved on from him. But no one really knows that I've moved on with you. Therefore, to the minds of the teenage boys in this town, I'm single. Can you really handle that?"

I stood straight and walked towards her, I moved my hand to rest on her hip bringing her in closer to me. My other hand travelled up from her hip to rest in the back of her neck. I pulled her in for a kiss, something that I enjoyed immensely. Kissing Isabella was something unearthly, each time it felt like the first and each time it poured my scent over her own. I pulled back and smiled as she was out of breath. Her hands were gripping onto my shirt tightly as she tried to steady herself. "In order to not shrink the population of this town, I will take to kissing you just like this every time someone stares at you for too long."

I used my hand to brush the hair out of her face. Slowly moving my hand to tilt her chin slightly upwards so she was looking at me. "Every time I kiss you, every time I have you in my arms, my scent is washing over you. It's silently letting everyone know that you're mine and I am yours."

Isabella frowned, "Are you trying to state I'm some sort of possession? A prize to be won?"

I smiled and shook my head, I knew this would be something she would ask eventually. "I am not claiming you as a possession. I am not using you to prove to that pathetic excuse of a vampire how stupid he is. You are mine because you are the only person who I see as my equal. I'm possessive because until I make you like me anyone can take you away from me. You, Isabella, are the only being on this earth that is keeping me here. If you're taken away, I will have no choice but to go on a murderous rampage until I get you back. I'm claiming you as mine, not because I think of you as a possession. But because I know that you are my reason for being alive."

Isabella nodded, "I love you too, Rik."

I chuckled and kissed her lightly. "Where is that mutt of yours?"

Isabella rolled her eyes. "You can act as much as you want Rik, but I know you like Rex. He's upstairs, I gave him a shower earlier, and he kind of took a nap on my bed."

"How is he supposed to protect you if he's sleeping? I came in and he still hasn't come down to check if it is an intruder. If I were an intruder, I could've hurt you by now." I replied, I smirked as I saw her roll her eyes at me again and get back to the food.

"Rex seems to already know it's you when you arrive. He knows you wouldn't hurt me so he wouldn't have to come downstairs." Isabella replied as she pulled out the bread from the oven and set it down on the counter. "Sometimes I wonder if he likes you more than me."

I laughed as I could tell she was telling the truth. She was truly considering whether or not her dog liked me more than her. "Don't exaggerate, Isabella." I moved to allow her more space to cook. "Have you seen that pathetic excuse for a vampire?" I questioned curiously, I asked her this every day, I needed to know if he was around her, because I knew he could potentially physically hurt her.

"No, I haven't seen him." She replied making sure to emphasize the word seen. "But Rex was barking at my window last night, I think he was looking in. At one point it started to jiggle and when I went to see if he was there, the tree was empty. I haven't see him, Rik, but I know he's been sitting out on the tree watching me." She sighed and cl osed her eyes. "Thank you." she whispered quietly. "I don't know what you did to make sure he couldn't open my window, but it really did make me feel safer knowing he couldn't get in through it."

I walked forward and took her hand in mine. She let me pulled her up the stairs and we entered her room. Rex looked up from his spot on the bed for a moment, he stiffened as soon as the door open, but he relaxed as soon as I entered. His tail began to wag, and I could see why Isabella thought he liked me more. I walked over to the window and with a wave of my hand the window became lit with red light. I let Isabella step forward and observe what looked like glowing red chains that secured her window.

"What is all this?" She questioned softly. I reached forward stopping her hand from touching the chains. She looked at me with wide eyes for a moment before dropping her hand to her side.

I reached over and took the ruler she had sitting at her desk. I used it to hit one of the chains and she saw how the ruler instantly burned where it touched the chain. "This." I said pointing to the window. "Is why he didn't get in last night."

"I… how?" She questioned as she looked at the chains. I could practically see the wheels in her head turning as she tried to figure out exactly what it was.

"It's one of the many things I can do. This is my energy, my power and only I control it. Whatever I want it to do, it does." I said, I waved my hand again and it disappeared. Isabella turned to look at me, she curiously looked at the window. "You can touch it." I answered her unspoken question. I watched as her hands reached forward and opened the window. She looked back at me and I could see the confusion all over her face. I waved my hand again and the chains reappeared. I used what was left of the ruler and hit the chains with it again letting the chains cut the ruler.

"It doesn't kill anyone, I thought you might not appreciate to find the body of the pathetic boy on your front lawn." I said as I let the chains disappear. "These are everywhere around your home. I wouldn't allow any chance of him allowing himself into your home without your permission. I also wanted him to learn that if he tried to break in there would be consequences. I'm sure the reason he left was because when he tried to open the window it cut open his hands. It'll take him a long while to heal his cuts, especially with his diet."

Where I expected Isabella to be angry at me for doing this without her permission, she surprised me by reacting entirely different. She laughed, her hand coming to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter. I leaned against the wall and watched her. "You're an evil genius, Rik." She said with a smile, she walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. I smiled as I watched her form leave the room, the sound of her laughter filled the air around me as she headed to the kitchen.

I was distracted as a large bark caught my attention. I turned to the dog on the bed and rolled my eyes as he was now standing and wagging his tail at me. I relented and stepped forward and pet his head slightly. I don't understand how he could want more affection, Isabella treats him like her child already and gives him entirely too much affection. I pulled my hand away and motioned for the door, instantly he jumped off the bed and headed down the stairs. I followed him as he entered the kitchen, he rested on the mat that lay in front of the sink. I took a seat on the counter and watched as Isabella continued on with the meal.

"Why do you put so much effort into it? I'm sure no one would notice if you go into town and by food that was already cooked." I mentioned as I watched her work hard in an attempt to make everything perfect.

"I'm not trying to make this perfect for my dad or his friends." Isabella responded she paused and looked at me for a moment before returning to task in front of her. "This is your first Christmas meal, Rik, I wanted to make it special for you. You've never really experienced a holiday, and this will be the first time you have a Christmas dinner. Not to mention that it's been a very long time since you've eaten. Even now, I rarely see you eat anything, I want to do something for you. I want to give you experiences you've never had before."

This was for me? I sighed as now that she said it made sense that Isabella would do something like this. "I don't need to have a Christmas dinner to enjoy the holidays."

Isabella smiled at me her beautiful face lighting up as she looked over her shoulder at me. "Just let me do this for you, Rik."

I nodded silencing myself as I watched her work. I watched her walk throughout the kitchen preparing a feast meant for a crowd instead of the small amount of company she was getting. I stood up straighter as I could hear the engine of the Chief's car pulling into the drive. I sat on one of the stools and grabbed the book Isabella had sitting there. I opened it to the middle section and waited for the perfect moment to flip the page. I caught the curious glance Isabella sent me, but as soon as the door opened and closed shut she understood what I was doing.

She smiled at me before returning to what she was doing, I turned my head and greeted Charlie.

"You here long, son?" Charlie questioned as he set his belt down on the table.

I shook my head closing the book. "Not long at all, Isabella was letting me read one of her novels, so the time passed quickly. Thank you for inviting me over, sir."

Charlie smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't call me sir, son. It's too formal for the holidays, just call me Charlie."

I nodded, "If you wish, Charlie." I replied with a slight nod of my head. I looked at Isabella from the corner of my eye and noticed how she was giving me a small smile as she stirred something. I looked back towards her dad and saw that he was no longer paying me any attention. He was hanging up his belt and putting away his gun.

"How's it going, Bells?" Charlie asked as he finally acknowledged his daughter.

"Good dad, almost done just making the last minute stuff." Isabella replied as she looked over her shoulder towards Charlie. I noticed how she was putting more effort into calling him dad instead of Charlie lately.

"The Blacks should be here soon, I'm going to go ahead and get the game ready." Charlie responded "Wish to join me, son?"

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here. Isabella was going to explain how to cook some things to me. Living alone, I should probably learn how to cook for myself." I replied, I earned a laugh from Charlie before he left the room. I heard him enter the living room and begin to flick through the T.V. channels.

Isabella turned to me and smiled, "How do you do that? You talk to Charlie for a few minutes and you have him thinking you're the most amazing person in the world."

I smirked in response, "It's called charm, Isabella."

She rolled her brown eyes at me, "Thank you for trying to make a good impression with him."

"He's important to you and because of that he's somewhat important to me." I replied simply. In truth no one was important to me other than Isabella, but I would care a small amount about someone she loves.

"Somewhat?" Isabella questioned quietly.

I nodded my head, "You should know by now that the only person I deem truly important to me is you."

Isabella stopped what she was doing and turned to me fully. Her eyes were locked onto mine and I couldn't tell what was going on in that head of hers. Instead of questioning her I just let her take her time thinking things through. Finally, she took in a deep breath and a small smile crept onto her face. "Love you too, Rik."

I laughed lightly at her words and watched as she returned to her task. I leaned back and watched her move. It wasn't until minutes later I could smell them before I could hear them. I turned to Isabella, "The Blacks are on their way." I warned her, I caught her sigh of disappointment and knew she didn't want them here either. To my surprise Isabella didn't offer to open the door and greet the Blacks. Instead she stayed in the kitchen with me.

A foul smell filled the air as soon as the front door open. It smelled of rotting animal, but because Isabella wasn't reacting I knew it was only my heightened senses that were picking it up. "Your friend is a shapeshifter." I whispered to Isabella as soon as the Black's entered the house. I saw her stiffen and turn to me.

"I thought they were legends…" She whispered her eyes turning wide.

I smiled at her she had to know by now that every legend had some truth to it. I was about to open my mouth to speak when she glared at me.

"Don't say it, Rik." She said quietly, I guess she was getting to know me better I she knew what I was thinking. "I don't want to hear it."

I smiled and leaned back as the hormonal boy entered the kitchen. He glanced to me for only a moment before turning his full attention to Isabella who had her back to him. I would have to warn her not to do that again to anyone.

"Hey, Bells." He greeted his overly eager smile made me want to rip his eyes out for staring at Isabella for too long.

Isabella turned around and as always greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Jacob." She smiled over at me causing the boy to look over at me as well. "This is Henrik a friend of mine. Henrik this is Jacob he's the son of my dad's best friend."

I smiled politely and nodded, "It's nice to meet you."

Jacob nodded his head. "Yeah, you too. How did you two meet?"

"At school." Isabella replied simply. "Henrik just moved into town, so I'll be helping him around on his first day."

"That's cool." Jacob said he was doing almost anything possible not to glare at me in front of Bella. "You need any help in here, Bells?"

Isabella shook her head. "No thank you, Henrik's been helping me if I need anything. You should go watch the game with my dad and yours. I'll be fine in here with Henrik, besides I don't want you to get bored in the kitchen with me."

"Oh… okay. Everything smells good, Bells." Jacob said as he exited the kitchen in defeat.

I waited until he was out of earshot to speak. "He's pathetically in love with you."

Isabella rolled her eyes she walked over to me with a spoon in hand. "Taste this."

I sighed and opened my mouth and let her put whatever was on the spoon in my mouth. "What is this?" I questioned as I finished whatever liquid was on the spoon.

"It's the finished gravy. Did you like it?" Isabella questioned, she was shifting slightly showing just how nervous she truly was.

I nodded, "It was perfect, Isabella."

She practically beamed and returned to whatever was left to cook. I watched her work and took in her happy expression as she finished putting everything together. "You know; we never eat at the dinner table for Christmas." She announced lightly as she finished. "It's never been our thing, we either eat here on the counter or out in the living room. With my mom, I was lucky if I got a happy meal." She turned to look up at me and grinned. "I'm glad you're here, Rik."

-Page Break-

I leaned back in the chair I was sitting in and looked at the book in my hand. Charlie was watching some re-run of a game with the Blacks and Isabella was sitting on the floor beside my legs with Rex resting his head in her lap. She was mindlessly petting him as she read.

"You like sports, son?" Charlie questioned me.

I shook my head, no point in lying to the man. "Not really, I've never been one for sports. They've never caught my interest too much."

Charlie nodded, "I'm sure we can fix that sooner or later."

I simply nodded, "I suppose it wouldn't be hard to try."

Charlie switched his attention to talk to Billy, and Jacob sat like he had been for the past hour and stared at Isabella. I felt Isabella lean against my leg and rest her head against me. I could practically feel Jacob's glare that was geared towards me. I didn't bother to pay him any attention.

I was more than relieved when Billy announced he and Jacob should get going. I watched Isabella say her goodbyes before announcing she was going to do the dishes and clean up for the night. I offered my help and joined her in the kitchen.

Isabella yawned and leaned against me as we stood at the sink. She had exhausted herself and I could tell she was minutes away from falling asleep in the kitchen. Moving easily, I lifted her up on the counter beside the sink. "Rik, I can wash the dishes."

"I'm well aware you can wash the dishes, I'm prohibiting you from doing so." I replied as I rolled the sleeves up on my shirt and began the task. "Your dad is saying goodbye to the Blacks outside. He's commenting on their snow tires and on his way back inside he'll notice my car has no snow tires. He'll come to the conclusion that I can't possibly drive in this weather. He'll offer me the couch for the night so I don't risk driving alone in this weather. I'll accept and when you ask if I need anything to sleep in I'll respond that I have a bag in the back seat with a few clothes I had planned to donate that I could use for the night."

Isabella smiled, "He loves you." She said with a yawn. "He's going to invite you fishing you know. I don't think you could handle it."

I rolled my eye of course she would say something like that. "I think I'll do just fine."

Isabella yawned, "I don't know, Rik, I think you might get bored out there on the lake."

I watched her as she starting to fall asleep. Her head was swaying and her eyes were batting as she tried to stay awake. "Go upstairs, Isabella." I said as I helped her off the counter. "I'll finish up here, you need to sleep."

Isabella sighed, I could tell she wanted to argue, but she was just too tired to do anything. "Where's my dad?"

"Outside, waving off the Blacks." I replied as I could hear the distinct shouts of Charlie and Billy saying goodbye. I smiled as I felt Isabella press a kiss to my cheek.

"Thanks, Rik." She yawned as she headed out of the kitchen. I heard her steps as she headed out to the kitchen and up the stairs.

I watched her leave and turned back to the dishes I didn't bother to do them at human pace opting to just do them quickly. I grabbed the towel and acted as if I were finishing off the drying when Charlie came into the kitchen.

"Where's Bells?" Charlie said looking around the kitchen.

"I sent her upstairs, she was falling asleep with her hands in the sink." I replied I set the cloth down and turned to Charlie. "I thought I would finish up for her and let her rest. I should get going before the storm gets any worse and I can't make it home."

Charlie looked out the window of the kitchen and sighed. "There's no way you'll make it out on the road with those tires. If you don't mind sleeping on the couch you can wait out the storm for the night."

I looked out the window for a moment and turned back to Charlie. "Do you really think it will be so bad?"

"The roads are getting worse by the minute, trust me, in my time I've seen some accidents on nights like these." Charlie said. "I rather not have to peel your body off the road, son."

I sighed, "If you don't mind, Charlie."

"Course not, you need something to sleep in? I'm sure I can find something laying around here for you." Charlie replied sincerely, I could see where Isabella got her constant need to care for others from.

"Actually, I was going to drop off some clothes at the shelter in Port Angeles tomorrow. I have a bag in my car I can grab something from. There's no need to bother you more than I already am." I said as I followed Charlie to the front door. He rested his hand on my shoulder in what I assumed was a fatherly manner.

"You're no bother, son." Charlie said. "Hurry up and get what you need, I'll grab you some blankets and a pillow."

-Page Break-

I opened my eyes as I felt Bella lift the covers I had draped over myself. I moved slightly so she could lay down on the couch with me. Her back was pressed against my chest and my arm wrapped around her keeping a tight hold on her. "What are you doing here?" I questioned as I felt her shivering, the house had gotten colder through the night and because of the outage of power the heater had burned out. I suppose after the snow storm there just had to be a severe thunderstorm.

"The thunder woke me." Isabella replied her voice was filled with the need for sleep. "I remembered you said something about staying the night, and my room was freezing. My usual space heater has been down here with you all night, so I couldn't trust in him to keep me warm."

I smirked, Rex had been lying on the floor by the sofa for hours now. "You need sleep, Isabella."

She nodded and moved around until her face was nuzzled into my chest. "Rik, what are the chances you can make the house warmer without moving from this spot."

"Go to sleep, I'll make sure you don't freeze to death." I replied just as Isabella seemed to relax further into my hold. I felt her breathing even out I moved around so Isabella was laying between the couch and I.

Her soft sigh as she became warmer filled the silent air of the room. I closed my eyes not really needing to sleep, but I also didn't want to spend hours staring at Isabella. That would just be strange and I'm more than sure it would scare her.

It was close to midnight when I heard Charlie waking up. I stood carrying Isabella in my arms and back to her room. I laid her back in her bed and made sure to pull the covers over her. I looked down to see that Rex was following after me, I'm starting to believe this mutt thinks I'm his owner and not Isabella.

I head back down the stairs to the couch just as Charlie made his way to the bathroom. I heard him open Isabella's door and pause for a moment. His footsteps made it down the stairs and just as he looked over the couch I closed my eyes.

I heard Rex jump onto the couch and lay on my feet. The mutt knew I wouldn't push him off with Charlie watching.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Bells' room?" Charlie questioned the dog. He sighed and headed back up the stairs I opened my eyes and sighed, by the rustling upstairs I could tell Charlie was going to sleep and Bella was waking up. I stood and walked up the stairs quietly, I entered Isabella's room and sat next to her sleeping form.

"Rik." Isabella whispered in her sleep. I brushed my hand down the side of her face and saw her relax into my touch.

I leaned against the headboard of the bed with Isabella's head in my lap. I cracked an eye open as once again the mutt was laying at my feet. I wouldn't push him off as I was in a remarkably good mood.