Sorry, I had a busy and sad Christmas, which I will mention in the next chapter, but thanks for still bearing with the story.
Thank you:
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BPOV
"It's Christmas!" Alice squealed, running full speed through my front door.
"And it will carry on that way for another," I looked at my watch, "eighteen hours." I looked over the stair rail, bemused by the pixie like girl.
"Christmas only comes around once a year!" She stomped her foot, looking up at me sadly.
"Fine, but no opening presents until everyone is in the living room and you can't force them to hurry up." I rolled my eyes and turned around to re-enter my room.
"Well Alice is here." I sighed and flopped on my bed, Victoria and Valerie on the sofa and Adam lounging by the window. He grinned.
"I gathered by the excited squeal."
"She does tend to be excited doesn't she?" Victoria laughed lightly.
"Understatement." Adam chuckled.
"I'm guessing everyone's calmed down now?" Valerie asked.
"Calm..." I mused looking up at my ceiling bemused.
After we all arrived at our house, but Annabelle who decided to stay at the ball and go visit some other friends for Christmas, the room separated similar to that of the balcony minus Rob as Joanne 'forbade' him from being there, Victoria told her story of how she was changed, Valerie adding bits here and there. Victoria told us of her travels with James, meeting with Laurent and eventually what happened since James was killed.
Some, namely Joanne, Jack, Rosalie, Jasper, Adam, and Lawrence were still sceptical, Adam was won over with his mates reassurance thankfully preventing one of his 'episodes', Lorrie is still wary, and Jack is warming to the idea of a 'clean slate', and the rest are just not ready to accept the fact she's not as bad anymore.
At about this point I suggested Valerie and Victoria stay here to catch up while the rest of us went to the Cullen's. Adam decided to stay to be with Valerie, but the rest came.
Although as we were leaving rob turned up angry at Joanne for treating him like that, when she sighed angrily and they argued a little until they came to a compromise, if he couldn't be there, she couldn't either, so she went home with him.
The rest of us stayed at the Cullen's for a few hours, arguing about what to do. Carlisle said Victoria could stay with them, but Sam agued she'd want to be with her sister. In the end I decided she's stay with our family as it might make it easier to get used to her. After that I went and quickly saw Jacob, and renewed the treaty where Victoria was included as a vampire under my care, so I would be punishable not anyone else.
I went into the woods with Edward for an hour, and when we came back Alice declared that there was 'enough messing around, it's Christmas!' and sped off to my house with bags of presents.
Joanne and Rosalie were still not pleased, although Rob had managed to convince Joanne to let him come for a few hours, how I haven't a clue.
A knock came on the door, and I moaned throwing a pillow over my face. "We're coming Alice." I mumbled through the pillow.
"Hmm, doesn't look like it." I was suddenly and violently attacked at my sides which left me gasping for air on the floor while a mischievous lopsided grin hovered above me.
"That was not nice!" I pouted jabbing him in the side, unfortunately he wasn't ticklish.
"Speak for yourself." Adam was close to wheezing from laughing so much.
I huffed and scrambled out from under Edward. "It may be Christmas but that doesn't mean I'm not in a mood with you."
"Oh I have a feeling you'll forgive me before the hour is up." He turned on the full charm and stalked towards me, that's when I found out how weak I really was.
"Okay lovebirds, break it up!" I looked over Edwards shoulder from where I was leaning against the wall and saw Alice with a Santa hat on her petite head but the face underneath it looking at us disapprovingly.
I cleared my throat, with a small smile still lurking on my lips. "Sorry Alice." I untangled myself and just before I left I smacked him on his butt and winked. I'm sure my father would be horrified if he could see me now.
Edward and I were the last to enter the living room, as Adam and the others left my room shortly after the tickling attack and as there was only my armchair left, so Edward settled himself in first and I perched onto his lap.
"Presents!" Emmett squealed, clapping his hands. Thankfully the task of handing out presents was assigned to Kaiya, Alice and Rosalie.
A decent amount of presents were handed out to each person and we all took turns in opening them.
Carlisle gave Esme a small island off the coast of New Zealand, which she was ecstatic about and quickly made him a promise they'd be there before the year was up. Emmett bought Rosalie a beautiful new Lamborghini which wasn't due out onto the market for another few months. Joanne and Rob said they wouldn't spend over a certain amount on each other, so Joanne was given tickets to a premiere of a new opera in New York as she had told him she loved the opera. Jasper had managed to hide from his wife that he had created her own fashion label, under an alias as it may be difficult to explain the lack of aging in the pixie. Sam bought Kaiya a studio in Paris for her to display her art. Alice gave everyone a new wardrobe. Carlisle and Esme bought everyone their own personalised tablet in different colours. Rosalie and I teamed up and created each couple their own car from scratch and they do look quite good if I do say so myself. Emmett bought everyone tickets to the Amazon where the latest adventure holiday was voted world best, for two weeks. Kaiya gave everyone a self portrait, but Carlisle, Esme and I, where we were given a portrait of the Cullens and Swans, which I went and immediately hung in the foyer. Lorrie and Martiee gave us some personalised furniture, for example I was given a sea blue and emerald green swirled crystal vase, which was beautiful, sea blue because I just loved the colour and I've always loved the emerald green colour.
This was just a small amount of the presents, thankfully Alice thought ahead, and quickly pulled together some clothes for her from the Cullen's, and from my family, I decided to give her a motorbike which I originally built for myself but wasn't too bothered as I could easily build myself another. She was very pleased and slightly speechless.
When Emmett commented on the fact Edward hasn't given me a present, and that he must be trying to get rid of me, or wants me to kill him, Edward murmured in my ear that he had something planned for later.
After a few hours of games, a visit to the hospital and shelter to give out designer clothes which had only been worn once amongst other things, Edward and I were in my room chatting, while some were in the basement enjoying new games and console, and others were just milling around enjoying the peace and quiet before Emmett, Jasper, Lorrie and Jack were due to set off some fireworks, I dread to think.
He suddenly pulled me up off the sofa and suggested we go to my old house. I shrugged and followed curious as to why he wanted to go there of all places.
A short amount of time later, we were climbing through my old room window, looking exactly as I left it, except the floorboard was firmly back in place.
"I once told you that the time which gave me the courage to finally man-up and get to know you properly was the first night I came in here and watched you sleep, now I say it out loud I realise it was slightly creepy, but it was when you said my name in your sleep. You startled me so much! But you didn't know that about two nights after that, I said three words to you, three words that I foolishly tried to force you to forget 71 years ago. They were 'I love you', you had already ensnared me in those warm chocolate eyes which were so difficult to read. That was the moment when I knew what I wanted for the rest of my eternity, which was where you were by my side, however selfish that might be. The only reason I ran was because of the innocence in those eyes. But the next time I truly saw you, no matter what you had been through, that innocence was still there, this is what's giving me the courage to tell you to go back under that floorboard and pull out the last item, something I placed in there 69 years ago."
I looked sceptically at him, but knelt down and gently eased the floorboard out of its resting place, reached in and pulled out the small old-looking black box Edward hid from me the last time I was here. I straightened up, transfixed on the box, and gently pulled the lid up, revealing a gold ring inlaid with diamonds in a circular pattern. I gasped and looked at Edward just as he was getting down on one knee.
"Isabella Swan, would you do me the highest honour of becoming my wife?"
I brain was going in circles. I never thought I would ever get married; especially not now I'm a vampire. But I immediately knew my answer as soon as I saw the ring.
"Yes."
His face beamed in happiness and relief and pulled me in for a long and passionate kiss. When we eventually pulled away, I let out a breathless giggle and he slid the ring onto my left ring finger. It fit perfectly.
"Well that was a relief." He chuckled.
"You thought I would say no?" I smiled wrapping my arms around his neck. Admiring how it glittered in the orange light of the sunset.
"Yes, actually. But I really hoped you would say yes."
"Damn, I should have tricked you then." I pecked him on the lips. "Now if you don't want to it doesn't matter, but would you mind if we didn't tell anyone till Valerie and Adam's wedding, it's only two weeks and I don't want to take it from them."
He smiled. "Of course, as long as you don't back out."
"Never."
sHssHs
"Bella! Merry Christmas! How are you dear?"My phone chirped in my ear as I climbed the stairs to my study.
"I'm great, thank you Aro. How is everyone back there?"
"Almost fully recovered. Zafrina and Senna were wondering when it would be possible to impose upon your hospitality?"
"Oh! Tell them to come whenever they want, as long as they call when they leave Volterra so we can prepare."
"Of course! I've just heard about your eldest and his engagement, pass the congratulations on." He sounded genuinely pleased at the fact, which caused a big smile on my face.
"They'll be pleased to hear it. Now..." I closed the door behind me, "any developments?"
"No," he sighed. "He's always been a weak spot with... us. Bella, next time you come, there is something important I would like to speak to you about, regarding him."
"You can tell me now if you like, the phone call is private on my end."
"No, it's best in person my dear. Besides, I hate to ask once again, but can you join us after the wedding? Caius and Marcus are eager to catch him once and for all, they would especially like you there, even Caius."
"Caius?" I scoffed. "Unlikely. I've only just convinced Jane to like me."
"He, possibly grudgingly, admits you are essential to catch him."
"Aro, his half-breeds even managed to get me, I'm not as essential as you think."
"Please, just come. Merry Christmas Isabella."
"Merry Christmas." I ended the call with a huff, and threw myself into my desk chair.
I quickly checked my emails, some off friends in the Volturi wishing me a happy Christmas, one of friends in Canada, Mexico, Greece and China wishing the same but also wondering when I would next visit. I quickly wrote a reply to each promising a week or two in the summer when we were off the pretence of school. I wrote one to Aimee, Ash and the family, letting them know how their adopted daughter was; I was surprised I hadn't received an email off them, but I'm sure they were just busy.
Lastly I responded to a worried email from Benjamin of the Egyptian Coven, his sire was killed a few years back after picking a fight with another vampire. So he was the leader of his coven which consisted of, his mate Tia and a boy of about 19 who he changed not long before his sire died. But he was emailing me as he had heard reports of whole families of vampires being killed with no warning, in random places at random times. He thought the Volturi should know but didn't want to contact Aro directly, as Aro has been pressuring him to join since he heard of his ability to control all the elements.
I highlighted the situation including some human newspaper articles and web links and sent it to the three leaders, one of them was bound to get it soon. I switched my laptop off and closed it. That was when I remembered the beautiful ring on my left finger. My face broke into a huge grin at the sight. I felt so comfortable with it on; I almost completely forgot it was there.
I stared at it for a full 5 minutes, then grudgingly slipped it off and placed it gently in my desk drawer. Everyone knows they aren't allowed to come in here, so I knew it would be safe. I comforted myself in the knowledge that in about two weeks it would be on my finger for the rest of my days.
Eventually I slid away from my desk and left my office almost tripping over my fiancé as I closed the door.
"Oh! How long have you been there?"
"About half an hour," He laughed and pulled me down next to him. "I understand that not everyone can go in there." He smiled.
"If you knock, I may allow you in." I winked and rested my head against his shoulder.
"No, no. That's your place to do your business and where it's totally private, I'll only interrupt if I see you entering with another man." He chuckled and I laughed along with him.
"I can firmly assure you that will not happen."
Suddenly Joanne burst through the front door.
"Mum!"
I jumped up and leaped over the banister, landing lightly on my feet right in front of her.
"What's wrong?" I looked her over, worried by the tone of her voice.
"Rob got a call on the way home. It's his great-grandma. He's so upset. But she's asking for you."
"Where is she?"
