Bella's POV

I stood at the stove stirring a pot, but my mind was far away. I couldn't stop thinking about Aro. I wanted him to be here with me tonight. It was my choice in the beginning to keep our relationship from Charlie. I just felt it would be less suspicious on Aro's after I moved to Italy. Plus I was sure that he would freak out over me being in a relationship with a 40 year old man.

Memories of earlier today passed through my mind. Him throwing me over his arm, the look on his face as I threw a snowball at him, his black silky strands that brushed over my face as he was on top of me and the look on his face as I said I love you. All of it crossed my mind. I closed my eyes and remembered the look in his milky red eyes.

"What are you smiling so big about?" Charlie said with a grin.

I blushed a bright red. I couldn't believe he had just seen that. I chose to ignore him rather than reply to him.

As I pulled the ham out of the oven, there came knock at the door. Charlie walked to the door and let in Jake and Billy.

"Something smells good in here!" Billy said with a smile.

"Dinner is almost done you guys! Go sit down at the table and I will make you all a plate. I need to cut up the ham first and finish the potatoes."

"Hey Bells, it's nice to see you alive and well. I thought by now you would be dead after your accident!" Jacob said with a wink.

I whispered low enough for only Jacob to hear. "That isn't till January. I am spending Christmas here before I leave."

He nodded solemnly and sat at the table. I was surprised by just how well he was taking this. When I was with Edward, he hated the idea of me being turned. I guess everything that happened really opened his eyes.

After dinner, Charlie and Billy went into the living room together. I put the cookies in the oven as Jacob cleared his throat.

"Uh, do you think we could talk?"

"Sure, want to walk outside for a moment while we wait for the cookies?"

I grabbed my jacket and followed Jacob out onto the porch. We stood for a moment as Jacob seemed to be struggling with what to say.

"Bella, I am really sorry about all that happened. I never should have considered keeping you from someone you love."

He looked down at his feet clearly embarrassed. I looked away, allowing him to continue.

He sighed and began to speak. "I have been watching your house a lot the past year. I have noticed how different Cullen treats you compared to Aro. I am not saying that I am ok with you changing, but I know it is what you want. Anyone can tell that you were definitely not meant to be a normal human girl anyway."

He began laughing at the last part and I gave him a dirty look.

"Sorry, that was a dick move. I mean well by it though. Seriously, you are an awesome friend for a wolf! Anyway, I am fine with you going to be with him, but I have one request."

"What is it Jake? I am seriously in debt to you for saving my life. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead or held captive by Edward."

It stung saying his name again out loud. The anger and pain I felt towards him was still obviously there.

"I want you to promise me that you will come back and see me every so often. I know you won't be able live here because of his position, but I still want to be in your life. I haven't imprinted so I have no need to continue aging yet. I just don't want to lose your friendship. You have always been my best friend and it would break my heart again to lose you for good."

I couldn't believe how mature Jacob was being. Not to mention the emotions he was showing. He really had grown up a lot in the past few months. I wanted to tell him how proud of him I was, but I knew it would embarrass him.

"Jake, thank you for saying that. You have made my night!"

I wrapped my arms around his chest tightly. "Of course Jake! I would never stop being friends with you!"

He smiled and placed a kiss on my forehead. I heard a low growl from the tree line. I turned around to see Aro crouched slightly with his fists clenched. The expression on his face was deadly. Jacob started chuckling lightly.

"That forehead kiss will be overlooked. You are repaid for keeping Isabella alive. Next touch out of line, and I will rip you limb from limb mutt. The Volturi doesn't give second chances. Do I make myself clear?"

"Sure thing, boss!" Jacob said as he playfully saluted Aro.

Aro growled once more and backed into the woods. I was about to call for him when the front door opened.

"What are you two doing out here? It's freezing! Come back in and join us." Charlie said as he visibly shivered.

Jacob and I followed him back inside. I went to the oven to check on the cookies as Jake went into the living room. After a few minutes I had them pulled out and placed onto a plate. I brought them into the living room to share with the guys. I held back two on a plate in the microwave to bring up for Aro.

It wasn't long before we were tearing into gifts. Jacob made me a bracelet with a wolf charm on the end, a gift card to the book store and a mix cd. Billy gave me a book on old Quilette legends. There was a card attached to another gift from their pile. I opened the card to find that it was from Sam, the pack leader.

"Do not be afraid to change your plans. Nothing is set in stone. Regardless of choice, you will always have a place in Forks. -Sam"

Simple and straight to the point. That was just how Sam was. I opened the gift that it was attached to. Inside was a pair of fluffy socks and a pair of matching pajama pants. The socks looked as if they had something stuffed down inside of them. As I went to open them up, Jacob stopped my hand.

"Maybe you should try them on later Bella."

I was suspicious, but I let it go. I would examine them farther once I was alone.

Charlie let me open one of the gifts from him, but I had to save the rest for Christmas. The present I chose ended up being a new cellphone. I was surprised to find that it was actually the one I had been eyeing for the past few months.

"How did you know to get this phone? I have been dying to get one of these for months!" I said with surprise.

"Well, on my second shopping trip I had met this friendly man at the electronics store. His hair was much longer than any business person I had ever met, but he claimed to be one. He said he owned several businesses. I told him about you and what you were like. He suggested this phone and said that you would definitely like it."

I narrowed my eyes as I thought of who the sneaky person to suggest this to my father might be. "Oh, really? What color hair did he have?"

"Not sure why this matters, Bells. He had pure black hair though."

I knew it! "Oh, ok. I was just wondering dad. Seriously, thank you so much! I love it!"

A certain someone would also be getting a thank you kiss from me tonight