Disclaimer: Still owned by Stephenie Meyer, thank God.

AN: I thought about this one for a long time. But as soon as it came to me, it just seemed to fit. This is not Stephenie's universe and this version of New Moon is not the same story. I don't think Bella has to have a ring on her finger to really be part of the family, but this would mean it.

Fingers shaking ever so slightly and well aware that all of them were staring at her, Bella popped open the lid.

Inside, nestled on white satin, was a necklace.

The Cullen crest.

Hesitantly, her whole hand shaking, she reached out to finger it. It was small, like Alice's, but on a chain rather than a ribbon. Delicate and understated compared to Rosalie's. It was beautiful. And now it was hers.

'Allow me,' Edward said, taking the box slowly from her hands and pulling out the necklace. Bella dutifully lifted her hair aside so that he could fasten the clasp. The pendant came to rest just above her t-shirt, comfortably above her breasts. It was a noticeable weight. Still speechless in amazement, Bella fingered it again.

And then she started crying. Even more stunned, Edward froze, but Esme wasn't so restrained.

'Oh sweetheart!' she laughed and rushed over to draw Bella into her arms.

'Thank you,' Bella sobbed into the waiting arms, choking on the words. She really should find something more articulate to say, but nothing was coming to mind.

'It's alright. They're good tears. I'd be crying myself if I could,' Esme told her, looking thoroughly unhappy that she couldn't.

'Bella.' Carlisle's soft voice behind her should have startled her, but instead she pulled back from Esme's arms to hug the blonde instead.

'Welcome to the family,' he smiled into her hair.

After another minute of choked sobs, Bella managed to get herself under control, gratefully accepting the tissue Alice passed over.

'I must say, you may be the first one to cry,' Carlisle commented.

'You're all vampires; it doesn't count,' Bella giggled, still trying to dry her eyes.

'Perhaps not,' he amended. 'This,' he said, reaching out to touch a fingertip to the crest; his look suddenly serious. 'This mean safety and protection always. It means love and care. And it means strength. It means you are one of us.'

Speechless once more Bella looked up at him with still shinning eyes. Smiling, Carlisle grasped her face gently with cold hands and kissed her forehead.

'Thank you,' she managed to whisper when he drew back, hoping the emotion in her voice conveyed just as much as the tears.

'Shall we continue with the gifts?' Esme asked.

Bella nodded. 'Actually,' she smiled, 'this is pretty much perfect for my gift. I got Jasper.' The vampire in question seemed a bit surprised at this announcement. Obviously Alice hadn't given the game away after she had drawn the name on Bella's behalf.

'I couldn't exactly buy you anything that you didn't already have. And I don't really know you well enough to know your tastes. So, I thought about it for a while, and I realised that there's one thing I can give you that might mean something.' She got up and walked over to the loveseat where Alice and Jasper were sitting. Knowing what was coming, Alice gave up her place.

'I did ask Alice for a bit of help, I'll admit. I wanted to make sure this was possible, but she said it was. It only helps after that last gift,' she smiled.

'I think I'm confused, darlin',' Jasper told her.

'I know that you like to feel positive emotions, but they're probably hard to find at Forks High. And Alice said the strongest emotion is love, and I'm sure you get a lot of that from her.' Emmett snickered. 'But after that disastrous trip last month, when you stayed with me, I wanted to find a way to thank you. So this is it. I want you to feel what I'm feeling, right now, as much as you can.'

'You're sure?' he asked, seemingly hesitant.

'Completely,' Bella promised him. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the joy that was filling her after Carlisle's gift, on her love for Edward and his family, on how truly, wholly happy she was. She let it fill her up and seep out of her, keeping her focus for as long as she could.

When Bella finally drew back and opened her eyes, Jasper had a rather drugged expression on his face. She had, in fact, never seen him look so utterly peaceful.

Alice looked like she wanted to cry.

Jasper's eyes flickered open, the palest amber Bella had seen. They were shinning. 'Oh Bella, you can't know what a gift that was.'

She shrugged. 'Maybe not completely, but I think I can guess a bit. It was all I had to give, though.'

'It was more than enough.'

'I'm glad, Jasper. You deserve to feel that much joy.'

He seemed a bit startled by that.

'She's right,' Alice said, sliding into his lap. 'She's more than right, in fact. And maybe now you'll believe it.'

'I already do, my love, I already do.'

Emmett had clearly had enough of the love in. 'Who'd you get Jasper?' he said, louder than necessary even for Bella's hearing.

Smiling, Jasper let Alice slide onto the cushion and Bella stood up to give her room, rejoining Edward. He had a rather wide grin on his own face, and Bella knew he'd been reading her through Jasper, which was wonderful. Maybe they could try that again, if Jasper was willing.

'Edward, of course. After all, if I'd have picked Esme, it would've meant Edward had chosen himself.'

'Not a bad thing. I've got my present already,' he said, wrapping an arm around Bella.

'Let's pretend there's something else you'd like too,' Jasper said in an indulgent voice. 'You're not an easy man to buy for brother.'

'Oh, I know it.'

'Still, I think you'll like this. And I'll stop blocking you now,' he smiled.

'That must be hard, keeping presents a secret,' Bella suddenly realised.

'Well, Alice tries not to look, until we're opening them at least. And everyone has enough experience with blocking me out that as long as I try not to listen we're more or less safe.' He took the proffered box from Jasper's outstretched hand.

It was small; the size of Bella's jewellery box. Inside was a key. It looked a lot like the key Esme had given to Rose.

'To?' Edward asked, clearly trying to drag the whole thing out.

'Consider it a presumptuous gift,' Jasper winked. 'It may come in handy soon.' He was looking hard right at his brother.

Edward looked back and began to smile. 'Well now, that is a useful gift.'

'Share,' Bella poked him.

'Oh, I think I'll keep this one a surprise, for now.' He announced.

Bella pouted. 'That is not allowed. I want to know.'

'And I don't want to tell you,' he returned.

'Don't bother Bella,' Alice butted in. 'You won't win and it's better if you don't know. It'll make for a great surprise later.'

'Fine.'

'It will be worth it, I promise,' he kissed her cheek and pocketed the key. 'Well, I picked Esme, obviously.' Edward said and pulled an envelope from between him and Bella. She hadn't even realised he'd hidden anything there. It was a large manila one.

Smiling in anticipation, Esme pulled out a sheaf of papers.

'I know you hadn't started looking yet, so I thought I'd see what was available. As soon as I found this, I knew,' he said.

Esme was flipping through the documents. She finally drew out a collection of photographs. They looked like they were of a building. Smile widening with each photo, Esme flipped through them, finally pulling out one. She stared at it for a long moment and then she turned to smile at her husband.

'Our new home,' she said, handing him the photo.

Carlisle studied it carefully. 'It's perfect Edward.' He handed the photo off to Emmett and took the papers from Esme to read.

Bella soon found the photo in her hands. It wasn't anything like the current house they were in, but somehow it seemed just as perfect. It was a wide shot, taking from down a paved driveway. The red brick house looked stately and old, of a style that reminded Bella of the 1800s and Colonial American. It was two stories with a small porch at the front door. A large garage in white stood to one side, separate from the house. It looked massive, and Bella supposed it probably was. In the background was a forest of trees. It was beautiful.

'We're going to live here?' she asked.

'Oh yes,' Esme said, eyes alight with possibilities. 'It needs some restoration work, but we have plenty of time for that.'

'Where is it?' Bella asked.

'It's just south of Burlington in Vermont. It's about a thirty minute drive from the city, but far enough into the countryside for privacy. It's an old estate from 1820, though it's been renovated a few times,' Edward explained. 'There is plenty of room for us all.'

'Burlington? Are we going to Vermont then?'

'Alice isn't positive yet, but it's a distinct possibility. And even if we don't end up at that university, it's still time we moved. Vermont is as good a place as any.'

'It looks so beautiful,' Bella said, before handing the photo back to Esme.

'We'll make a trip in the spring to see it, once you know what university you'll be attending,' she decided. 'We can make provisions from there and see what work needs doing. And you're more than welcome to come with us, Bella. I'd welcome your decorating input.'

'I'm not really sure how much help I'll be, but I'd love to see the place.'

'We'll be happy here,' Esme said, holding the photo of the house in hand. 'I know it. All of us.'

'Yes,' Alice said, though Bella couldn't tell if she'd seen something or not. 'Right, I have one more gift. And it's to everyone.' She brandished what looked like a glossy magazine. 'We're leaving on the twenty-seventh and yes Bella, I already cleared it with Charlie. We'll be back on the second, in time for school. And there will be sun and sand and privacy. And that's all you need to know.'

'We're really going away?' Bella asked.

'Really, really. I said we'd go somewhere nice and we're going. And don't worry about the packing. You won't need much more than a bikini anyways.'

When she looked about ready to protest, Edward intervened. 'Just go along with it. We've book a private estate on several acres of land on the island of Maui. It's ours for the week. Complete privacy.'

'That sounds amazing.'

'Really?' He seemed surprised that she hadn't argued about 'private estate' and 'several acres of land'.

'Yes. Complete privacy, where you can go out in the sun and we can just enjoy each other's company? Sounds perfect.'

'I knew it!' Alice clapped excitedly. 'Now, you really need to get back to your house, Bella, or you won't be ready in time. We're leaving at seven on Thursday.'

'In the morning?'

'Yes, in the morning,' Alice said, an indulgent look on her face. 'You can sleep on the jet.'

'The jet?'

'Thanks Alice,' Edward told his sister. 'Can we leave a few surprises?'

'It's better if she's told ahead of time. Yes, Bella, a jet. A private jet that will fly us from Port Angeles to Maui, where we will take a helicopter to the estate. I will pack everything you need and you can stay here tomorrow night.'

Bella blinked at her. She could argue, really, but the thought of a holiday away with her family sounded too perfect to ruin complaining about the expense.

'Okay,' she said. 'I'll talk Charlie into letting me come over in the afternoon.'

Alice smiled her victory.

'I'll walk you out,' Edward said.

'Thank you!' Bella told the Cullens. 'I think this has been the best Christmas I can remember.'

'See you tomorrow!' Alice called back and then they were around the corner, the rest of the family out of sight.

'I mean it,' she told him. 'I can't remember a better Christmas. And this,' she fingered the necklace again. 'Should I wear it all the time? Or will people ask?'

'I'd suggest you don't wear it at school or people will. At least until we graduate. After that, you don't ever have to take it off.'

'I'm happy, Edward.'

He grinned. 'I know. I was paying close attention to Jasper when you gave him his gift. I know just how happy you are. I only wish you could know how strongly I feel too.'

She smiled knowingly. 'I think I do. This year has been...I don't know how to explain. The highs and lows of my life, I think. And I wouldn't trade any of it,' she told him.

'Either would I.' He stood with her in front of the driver's door of her truck. 'I never expected this. I hoped, maybe, a long time ago, but I never actually thought I'd find someone. I meant it; you are my greatest gift.'

'And you're mine. This means that,' she touched the crest. 'You're mine and I'm yours.'

'Forever,' he whispered into her hair.

Startled, she drew back from him. 'You mean that?'

His eyes closed briefly and he seemed to be gathering himself. He opened them again, pale amber shinning like Jasper's had been earlier. 'I think I do. It's selfish and horrible, but I've realised – I realised in New Hampshire – I can't live without you. I want us to have a long and happy life together. A long and happy and safe life together. And there's only one way.'

'I already know that. I've known that from the beginning. I was only waiting for you to realise. You have to want this as much as I do, Edward. I'll go to college next year. I'll give it a good try, but I want us more than I want anything else. And I won't be patient for long.'

'I won't make you wait. I don't think I can.'

'Then that's your present to me this year: a promise.'

His eyes were sad, but he was smiling. 'You have it. I love you so very much,' he whispered.

'I know. I wish you could know that I love you just as much. I wish you could believe it,' she whispered back, head now cradled on his chest, his arms tight about her waist.

'I'm starting to. To give up your life for me, Bella. To give up your soul. I don't think there is a greater love in this world.'

She considered that a moment and then pulled back to stare into his eyes, held tight in his cold embrace. 'I can't imagine one.' She sighed. 'I need to go,' she said, loath to break the moment, but needing to.

'Yes,' he said and kissed her. 'Be safe tonight. Call me as soon as you get back.'

'I will. I promise. I love you,' Bella smiled as she climbed into the truck.

'Be safe,' was what he said in return. 'For this one day, please be safe.'

He was still standing there when she passed into the trees, watching. Bella knew he wanted to come with her; to watch over her. She still didn't understand exactly what was going on between the Cullens and the Quileutes, but she knew the problems were mostly on the La Push end of things. Edward just seemed to worry for her whenever she was there. She remembered the story Jacob had told her on the beach in the spring. She'd never asked, because it seemed silly to even contemplate Jacob turning into a wolf or something, but clearly the Council thought the legend true. Then again, if vampires were real...Bella resolved to ask Edward about it, now that she was part of the family. Surely it was time she knew the whole story?

Despite her contemplations, Bella was still smiling when she got back to her house.

'Had a good visit then?' Charlie asked from the couch.

'I did. This has really been a great Christmas.' She clutched the pendant in her fist.

'Not over yet, Bells,' he reminded her.

'No,' she agreed. But the best part is. 'You're really okay with this trip?'

He sat up to look at her. He didn't look okay. 'Alice was pretty convincing. And she said you'd all be staying at the same house. I trust Carlisle and Esme to look after you. Probably more than I trust anyone else, except you. Just...be careful Bella. And not just with...Edward. Every time you go away it ends badly. Just come back safe this time.'

'Oh Dad, I'm going to try my best. And as for Edward... Look, it's not something I'm going to talk about with you, but Edward...you don't have to worry about him, Dad. Really.'

He looked confused. 'I have no idea what that means, but alright. I'll stop...talking about it. I'm aware you're an adult now and you've probably got a better head on your shoulders than your mother did at your age. In fact, I know you do. Just...keep that in mind.'

'Will do. I'm going to go get ready.'

'I'll be down here,' he said, already focused on the TV screen again.

Some things really didn't change year after year. And some things most certainly did, and for the better.

Still smiling, fingers playing with the chain, Bella went upstairs to freshen up. She still had one more family to spend Christmas with, at least this year.

Oh yes, that's where it ends. I could write 10,000 words about them sitting by the pool, or how shiny Edward is, or the endless perfect days in Hawaii. But this is not their honeymoon. It's a family vacation and nothing bad is going to happen. Instead, you can all go to bed and dream about it tonight.

And there will be a sequel...eventually.