Author's Note. Hey guys! The response to this story have been fantastic and I'm loving it. You guys rock. And I apologize for the cliffie; it was unintentional. I just felt like it should stop there. Anyway, I apologize for the wait-this one took a little bit of time to get out—and grad school has given me limited personal time to do anything much less time to write. Enjoy, and please review. They mean a lot and help me improve.
"Please, oh God, please."
Bella did not want to open her eyes, not anymore. Her Blue, her Jasper, was gone…he was gone…
"Come, child, we don't have much time."
She knew that voice. It was Ms. Cope, or some apparition that looked like her. Dreading what she would find, Bella lifted her head…
…and found herself in her office once again, with Ms. Cope on top of the filing cabinet.
"Good. Now calm those tears. I need you clearheaded."
"Who are you?" Bella's voice was hoarse.
"We do not have time for this—"
Bella interrupted, this time louder. "Who are you?"
Ms. Cope stared at her before she flickered. In her place was a department Santa Claus, then Bella's father in his sheriff uniform, then her mother holding the burnt turkey from last Christmas, then Leah with that mean, hateful look on her face before turning back to Bella's elderly neighbor. When Bella only gave her a blank stare, she replied, "I am the Spirit of Christmas and I am here to guide you by giving you gifts…"
"Gifts? I saw Jasper die, and you call that a gift?!"
Ms. Cope shook her head. "That was one of many possibilities that rest on a choice you have to make. Now, we have enough time for one more—"
"NO!" Bella shot out of her chair. "I can't, I can't do that again. I can't lose him like that again."
"Remember, Bella, this is the future. It has yet to come true. Some aspects are meant to be, but ultimately, the choice lies within you. Your future rests in your hands. Look around."
Bella does hesitantly and found that her office had changed. Christmas decorations lined the walls and furniture: sparkling lights, bright tinsel, and scented garland. The desk was different and someone else's handwriting had taken over the calendar which held more appointments and was once again set at December 2012. Catching a glance at her sleeve, she looked down and saw herself in a hunter green sweater with a matching short skirt complete with thigh highs and heels. From her ears dangled gold earrings.
"What's changed?" Bella whispered.
"Everything," Ms. Cope replied.
Then the door opened and in came a very pregnant Angela in the same outfit as she had in the first future. "Okay, everything's ready. You can come out now."
"I can?" replied a confused Bella.
"Yes, Jasper says it's time."
Jasper! Bella immediately left the desk and hurried out the door. There, on top of a desk was Jasper decked out in Elvis's signature jumpsuit and Maria, his guitar. He, along with Tyler who was similarly dressed, began to sing "Blue Christmas."
Bella felt her heart race and tears almost flooded her eyes. Jasper's smile dropped when he saw them so she immediately smiled back. He's alive. He's here. He's alive. The mantra played over and over throughout her mind during the performance.
When the duo was done, the applause was deafening. Someone plugged up the karaoke machine and Tyler continued his performance alone as Jasper made his way to Bella. When he stood in front of her, he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"If I thought it would make you cry, I wouldn't have tried on the suit."
Shaking her head, Bella replied, "No, it was…perfect. You were perfect."
He smiled and stepped even closer. "Good." Then he kissed her. Bella allowed herself to get caught up in the moment for a little bit before pulling back, feeling the eyes of others on them.
Glancing around, she told him, "People are watching."
Jasper laughed, while pulling her into his arms. "Let them. I'll kiss my wife whenever I want."
Married? To Jasper? Glancing at her hand briefly, she noted the diamond engagement band and the gold wedding ring, a smaller version of the one on his hand.
Before Bella could fully digest that fact, her delivered another shock about the future she found herself in.
"Come on. You left your jacket in Angela's office, right?"
Angela's office? Bella thought as Jasper gently lead her into what she had thought was her office and grabbed her jacket. Now she understood the changes that she had originally noticed. It appears the Spirit was correct in that things had changed. But these changes were happening too fast, and Bella felt herself becoming overwhelmed by it all.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again when they were alone in the office. Jasper helped Bella into her jacket, his mouth near her ear as he whispered, "Come on, Bella, you're pale as a ghost. Are you sick? Dizzy? Tired?" Towards the end his voice sounded frantic.
She shook her head, trying to assure him. "I'm fine."
"Good," he breathed, sounding truly relieved. "I don't mean to be a pest, but you're gonna haveta get use to me bein' overprotective for the next seven and a haf' months." He reached around her and settled his large hand, fingers spread, over her belly.
She was married to Jasper, Angela had her office (and most likely her job), and she was pregnant. Ms. Cope was right—everything had changed.
Tyler was well into "Jailhouse Rock" when the two emerged from the office, hand in hand. The crowd was once again encouraging him on and he loved it, living it up to its fullest. Jasper and Bella walked towards the door but were stopped by a heavily-pregnant Angela.
"Merry Christmas, guys!" She smiled as she hugged first Jasper, then Bella. Feeling her best friend's swollen belly touch her still flat one, Bella found herself choked up. She closed her eyes as visions of her child and Angela's growing up together sharing naptime, sleepovers, and possibly being as good of friends as their mamas.
"I hope you have a good…Bella, what's wrong?" Having pulled away from the hug, Angie had noticed her friend's tears.
Jasper huddled closer to his wife's side.
"She's been like this since she saw me in that get-up." Jasper put his arm around his wife as to comfort her.
Angie leaned in close and whispered, "My first three months, I cried too. I cried at sad movies, soap operas, even cleaning commercials. I was stressed over telling both sets of parents..."
"Both sets of parents?!" Just the thought of telling her own parents made her uneasy; telling his as well came close to putting her nerves on the edge.
Jasper led his wife to the hallway. "I'm taking you to the doctor."
"No. No, I'm fine. It's just..." She did not know how to finish. She could not tell him the truth, so she smiled up at him. "I'm fine. Angie's right. The hormones are making me sappy and if I choose to act sappy on Christmas Eve then I'm so happy I have a friend like Angie and I have you to help me through it."
He looked in her eyes, before shaking his head lightly. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Positive."
"You didn't really forget everyone was coming tomorrow, right?"
Everyone? God, what a nightmare. But to him she gave a slight laugh. "No, I didn't. I was just kidding." She snuggled close to his side.
They continued down the hall towards the elevator.
I could get use to this, she thought. This future, while unexpected, was endearing and seemed more than what she had expected of the future, but a whole lot more acceptable than the last one. She blocked those dark thoughts and instead slid her hand down over her stomach. There was no bump but just the thought of being pregnant-with Jasper's baby!-was overwhelming but in the best possible way. His hand then covered hers, spreading over to also caress her stomach. They shared a smiled before entering the elevator.
The wind was brisk and cold, leaving the couple to run to Jasper's truck. He opened the door and placed her inside, soon joining her. While the silence was comfortable, the memories of the earlier future swept through her mind and Bella found herself saying, "You could get another truck."
Jasper had been placing the key in the ignition when her comment stopped him. He turned to face her. She grew slightly distracted as she took in his features. "It's not my fault your car blew the transmission today of all days," was his reply.
She took in his expression before answering. "You really love this truck, don't you?"
He nodded and leaned in close. "Yes, I do. It's one of the few things I brought here with me from Texas." He ran a finger down her face. "It's also what we drove in for our date that you claimed for months wasn't a date." He leaned in closer and closer, and Bella found herself leaning back in a slow sensual dance as the heat of their attraction sparked and ignited. "It's where we had our first fight. It's also where we made love for the first time." There was no more room behind her and he was so close. He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "When this truck dies, it's gonna get a proper burial."
He swooped in and kissed her. The heat and passion consumed them and everything else faded away. Only Jasper and his touch and his kisses and his scent and everything about him existed. They kissed, stroked, and sensually took their time exploring each other. It was all-consuming; it was so, so right. Bella found herself wanting, craving more, and Jasper wanted the same as he somehow took it up a notch.
The heat was soon smothered completely by the opening of the passenger door.
Jasper leaned back, taking Bella with him. She had frozen and another darker scenario was playing through her mind. Before it could take over, Jasper spoke, "Hello, Tyler."
Bella, after once again breathing and having straightened her clothes, turned and sure enough Tyler stood in the doorway, still in costume except with a winter scarf. He tossed a manila envelope onto her lap.
"Here's the new tour dates and you're cleared from June through October like you wanted. Mind telling me what's up?"
Jasper smiled mysteriously. "Major production. I'll tell you about it after the New Year." He reached to close the door. "Bye, Tyler."
Tyler caught it before it closed, and looking at Bella, he smirked and asked, "So what is it? Is it the jumpsuit? Tell me, it's something about the jumpsuit that has grown women jumping at a man, right?"
"Goodnight, Tyler." This time, Jasper put more force in closing the door. Tyler jumped out the way, but his smirk remained.
Bella was nervous as they approached Jasper's, no, their, home. She had been invited for work gatherings and had also received many private invitations but never came. The talk on the drive over was small but comfortable. They had agreed that the holidays would be hectic enough with both families around without having to add in announcing the newest addition. Jasper also took the initiative to let his wife know that he had talked to Ms. Clearwater and she had assured him that all the side dishes and pies were done and just needed to be reheated tomorrow and that they were responsible for the turkey. I don't want you to stress over too much, had been Jasper's response. Bella had agreed wholeheartedly-she wasn't sure she could have pulled anything off in such little time, especially not knowing his family and their tastes. After that, they sat and listened to classic Christmas songs that crooned over the radio. The drive was peaceful and set her in a semi-good mood by the time they reached the house.
And the house was beautiful. Slightly outside the city, the circular drive lead to a grand home that was majestic yet simple. Just like Jasper. It was a ranch-style home, a one-story home that was a little over 9,000 square feet.
Upon arriving at the large front door, the couple entered. Suddenly, pounding footsteps sounded in the home. A huge black dog came barreling down the hall and collided with Jasper. Jasper laughed as he fell to the ground, wrestling with the dog that was clearly his. A long pink tongue licked his face and barks echoed in the entrance as man and dog greeted each other.
Bella had a smile on her face as she watched the scene. When Jasper finally got up from the floor, the dog turned to Bella. He went to her and sat down, nosing her hand. She smiled wider and patted his head and stroked behind his ears. His tail wagged slowly as he took his greeting from his mistress.
Jasper then took both his coat and Bella's and placed them on the rack nearby. "Rudy," he commanded and the dog immediately turned to face his master, "go lay down." The dog then disappeared back into the large expanse of the house.
While Jasper showered, Bella familiarized herself with the house. Seven bedrooms, nine-and-a-half baths, and a massive master and accompanying suite took up a good majority of the home. The home also had a massive kitchen that held the rustic ranch-style feel with modern appliances. It was a chef's dream. Bella checked the fridge and saw the casseroles and other side dishes; the pies were there too.
Thank you, Ms. Clearwater.
Bella then drifted into the living room which, like the rest of the house, was massive. Lighting was strategically placed and the warm wooden interior complemented the rustic colored furniture. She reached down and patted Rudy's head where he laid on a huge pillow near the fire gnawing a rawhide bone. She then walked passed a black chair that was a cross between a loveseat and a single chair to the stereo system near the large window where the decorated tree was placed. Bella looked through the CD stacks. Jasper's were the first few and she slid a finger over each one. Legs and Blue Christmas were the first two she were familiar with but there were also three others. Heart to Heart, Many More, and Deep in the Heart. She did not feel it was right to listen to the three that in her time had yet to come out so she chose Blue Christmas.
The soft tone of Jasper's voice flowed from the speakers. Rudy lifted his head and began softly howling in tune to the music. Bella watched him in amazement, a wide smile on her face.
"Now, sugah, you know I hate to listen to myself." Bella turned and watched as Jasper walked in and turned the CD off, leaving the radio on a Christmas station instead. Rudy fell silent as well, seemingly only inclined to sing with his owner. Bella leaned forward for Jasper's kiss.
"Why?" She asked as he led her to black cross chair.
"Why, what?"
"Why do you hate listening to your songs? They're always so wonderful."
Jasper chuckled. "Maybe to you but I just hear everything I could have done better and-"
Bella placed a finger on his mouth to quiet him. "There is nothing you could have done better. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect."
He smiled and the two snuggled together listening to Nat King Cole and Bing Cosby sing away. A few songs later, a news reporter broke in, announcing the arrest of socialite Alice Brandon for the murder of her husband. Bella went still at the name and felt deep-seated anger and hatred wash over her. Jasper shook his head.
"I can't believe it."
Bella turned toward him in disbelief. "You can't?"
Jasper shook his head again. "I know you don't like her. You didn't like her the moment she introduced herself to us when we went to L.A. for that western cameo. You looked at me and told me that something was off about her and you didn't want her near us..."
"Apparently, I was right."
Jasper laughed. "Yes, apparently you were." He swooped in and kissed her again. Except this kiss kept getting hotter and hotter. Hands began to roam, and before Bella knew it, Jasper swept her in his arms and carried her to their bedroom.
The sun woke Bella the next day. She stretched languidly, feeling the delicious aches all over her body. Her movements woke her husband.
"Good mornin', sugah."
She smile. "Good morning, Jasper."
He pulled her in closer for a good morning kiss. When it ended, Bella snuggled in her husband's chest as he reached over to check the time. The clocked blinked 12:00.
"The power must have gotten cut off last night." Jasper reached for his wristwatch. "Damn it!"
Bella sat up. "Jasper?"
He turned to his wife. "Bella, it's 11:15."
"Everything will be fine." Jasper said as the two, having finished rushing to get dressed-him in sweats and a sweatshirt and her in jeans and one of his old college sweatshirts-rushed downstairs to get the food in the oven on time. The families were due in around three that afternoon and only the pies were cooked.
"Yes, everything will be fine, Jasper."
In the kitchen, they got everything organized and ready. Bella placed the casseroles and other vegetable side dishes in the bottom oven. Jasper then reached to put the 16-lb turkey in the top oven when the couple realized that the turkey was too large.
Bella was about to panic when Jasper shrugged his shoulders. "That's okay."
Bella looked at him as if he had grown another head. "That's okay?" Without a turkey, we don't have a main course and we have a host of people arriving in a few hours… Her thoughts soon trailed off as she focused on her husband. She watched him placed the turkey back in the fridge and then reach into the vegetable trays for onions, peppers, and tomatoes. He then placed them on the counter, went to the freezer and pulled out hamburger meat, before going to the pantry and pulling out red beans and spices.
"Jasper?"
"Hmm?"
She watched him organize the ingredients before reaching for the big Dutch oven. "What are you doing?"
He turned and smiled at her. "Making the famous Whitlock chili."
"Chili for Christmas?" She asked in disbelief.
Jasper stopped and slowly nodded. "You're right." He went back to the fridge and began pulling out butter and eggs.
"Now, what are you doing?"
Jasper laughed. "You can't have chili without cornbread."
Bella didn't know what to do so she just laughed with him.
After everything was prepped and ready, and Rudy having to be shooed out a few times, the two went into the living room to relax after changing into more appropriate attire. Furniture was rearranged to support the large number of people coming. Well, Jasper rearranged the furniture, making his wife sit down so as not to tire herself out. Then, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he reached under the tree and brought back to her a small square gift. It was wrapped in blue paper and tied with a silver ribbon.
Bella looked her husband in his eyes, gave a light laugh, and opened the gift. There, lying on white gift paper, were the smallest pair of cowboy boots Bella had ever seen. They were tanned leather, each minuscule stitch sewn to perfect and even included tiny silver spurs. Bella ran a finger over each one.
"Do you like it?"
Looking at her husband she threw her arms around his neck. "It's perfect! I love it! The baby'll love it. And everything today is just so perfect..."
They stood wrapped in each other's arms, caught up in the moment and each other. No words were needed.
Then a crash from the kitchen startled the couple.
"Bella?" Jasper asked.
"Hmmm?"
"We didn't leave anything on the counter, did we?"
"Just the pies..." Her voice trailed off as they came to the same conclusion. "Rudy!"
They ran into the kitchen where a rather large dog laid on the tile floor, three pies eaten into, another with his paw lay on protectively, and the last being gobbled up before their very eyes.
"Rudy!" Jasper's voice boomed within the kitchen, echoing loud and clear.
Rudy and Bella both jumped at the sound. Rudy then placed his head down and whimpered. Jasper somehow got the dog outside, scolding him like a parent would a child who suck into the cookie jar. Bella had to smother her giggles, and shaking her head, she picked up and threw away the destroyed pies. As she did so, she thought about what they would serve as dessert. As she walked back from the trash, she passed the pot of chili. An idea formed, and when Jasper came back inside, he found his wife struggling to reach something on the top shelf of the pantry.
Coming up behind her, he asked, "What are you lookin' for, sugah?"
Bella glanced over her shoulder. "The marshmallow moon pies."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Have a cravin'?"
She shook her head as she watched him reached the box. "Better get the other two boxes as well."
"Why?"
She smiled widely. "For dessert."
"Thank you, Lord, for this most unusual feast we are about to eat." Bella felt Jasper squeeze her hand and she smothered a laugh. Her father, a man of few words, was offering the prayer over their meal, throwing in words such as "interesting" and "unusual" the entire time. Bella mentally shook her head-Charlie Swan only spoke when necessary and always said what he meant.
When the prayer was over, the Swan and Dwyer families helped themselves on the vegetables and side dishes while the Whitlock family dined on the family chili and cornbread.
Afterwards, the entire family convened into the living room to open gifts. There was the usual "thank yous" and gasps and squeals as everyone systematically gave in to a chaotic gift-opening ceremony. Afterwards, it was a mad house: an energetic Renee gossiping loudly with a serene Sue and an equally calm Esme; Charlie regaling Carlisle and Phil tales about "the big catch" of the past summer while still maintaining a watchful eye on his stepdaughter; a surprisingly-happy Leah snuggling with her boyfriend Jacob who shifted uncomfortably every time he met Charlie's eye; an over-enthusiastic Seth conversing about his gifts with Jasper's two youngest brothers Demetri and Felix; Emmett, Edward, and Peter shouting from another room where they wandered in order to watch the game; and, while It's a Wonderful Life played in the background, Jasper and Bella sitting in their chair, Rudy, by their feet watching the chaos that was their family. Their family. The phrase gave Bella goosebumps and she shivered.
"Cold, sugah?"
She looked up and met the grey eyes of her husband. Bella shook her head. "No. It's just..." She gathered her thoughts and finally came up with what she wanted to say.
"It's perfect," she breathed in awe. And it was. It wasn't the perfection she saw in movies or read about in novels. It wasn't the ideal Christmas but it was hers, and her family, in her home, with her unborn child, surrounded by happiness and laughter and love…the emotional epiphany Bella experienced nearly overwhelmed her and she felt tears well up in her eyes and cascade down her cheeks. Jasper's thumb gently wiped them away.
"Bella?"
She smiled at him and gently shook her head before leaning back in his embrace, both of their hands resting on her still flat belly. She suddenly felt tired and knew that when she woke up, she would not be here. She sat back up.
"Today was a good day, wasn't it, Jasper?"
He smiled in affirmation.
Looking deep in his eyes, she saw the love she felt. The love that she had spent so much time denying ever since that date that she swore wasn't a date. The date that she spent with him, the date where she fell in love with him. For so long she had had denied it to Angie, to her mother, to Jasper, to herself. And Bella had seen what would become of them both if she kept living in denial—it would be hell on earth and the good Lord knew she would never rid herself of the vision of Jasper's lifeless grey eyes. But she had also witnessed what could happen if she gave into her feelings—it equated to a life of love, happiness, and heavenly bliss.
All she had to do was reach out and take it.
A gift. That's what Ms. Cope said. And what a precious gift this turned out to be.
Leaning forward, she kissed Jasper with the barest of touches. "I love you, Blue." Then she rested back into his embrace, his heart beating in sync with her own and the TV playing in the background. Bella closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Author's Note. Just the epilogue left.