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Holidays

Bella POV

The holidays were finally here and our family was together and we couldn't be happier. We were all looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was especially looking forward to it because it would be my son's first one of each.

We were a week away from Thanksgiving. Since we were a family of vampires that did not eat human food and therefore did not need to cook for ourselves, we had decided to cook and serve to the Home Again homeless shelter in Richmond. The rest of the afternoon we would spend as a family at home together, playing games and watching movies.

Esme POV

Carlisle and I had very much enjoyed every minute of our second honeymoon. I wasn't aware of how much he and I needed a break until we were away from everything and everyone. We took full advantage of it, too. It was simply wonderful spending time with just my handsome husband.

I knew it was a good thing I got that break because now the holidays were coming up, and then we would be starting the new year with a double transformation for Charlie and Renee. We would certainly be busy from here on out for a while. I really didn't mind though. It was family, and I couldn't get along without them.

Thanksgiving Day….

Carlisle POV

"Carlisle, boys, it's time to get the cars loaded so we can get this food to the shelter and get it prepared on time," Esme called out.

"Coming dearest," I replied back, as I put down the book I was reading and left my study.

"What's the hurry, ma? It's still only a quarter to seven in the morning," Emmett said, as he made his way to the kitchen.

"I know what time it is, Emmett. It's going to take at least four hours to cook the turkeys; and you know we can't use our vampire speed once we get there, so hush up and do as I say," she scolded.

"Well, how come….?" Emmett started, but was cut off by Esme.

"Emmett, don't start; just get your rear in gear. You don't want to know the consequences for not doing it, son," she said, giving that look that only a mother can give.

"Yes, ma'am; I'm getting in gear, now. What do you want me to do?" Emmett asked, sounding like a truly petulant little boy, thoroughly scolded by his mother.

"Edward, Jasper, I have plenty for you to do as well; get a move on," she called out.

"I'll be right down, mom. I'm helping Bella give Chris his bath and get him dressed.

"Come down when you can, son," Esme called back.

"I'm here, mom. I was helping Alice finish getting the Christmas decorations out of the garage loft," Jasper said, breezing into the kitchen.

"So I take it by that, I know what the boys and I will be doing either late this afternoon or tomorrow?" I asked my wife, as I slid my arms around her waist from behind.

"Yes, you and the boys will be decorating the outside of the house, while the girls and I will do the inside. I want to get everything prepared for the Christmas Tour of Homes in three more weeks," she explained.

"What's that, and where did you hear about it from?" I asked.

"It's a group of women who decorate their homes for Christmas and then let the public come in and tour them. I heard about it from Mrs. Hayes the other night, when we went to dinner with her and Dr. Hayes," she replied.

"Oh, well that sounds lovely, dear. I will be glad to help," I told her.

She gave each of us an arm load of things to go pack in the Mercedes SUV that I bought her last Christmas. Once the car was all packed, I opened the door and helped Esme into the passenger seat; and then I made my way around to the driver's seat.

Edward locked up the house, and then he helped Bella into her car after she had buckled Chris in his car seat and got in himself. Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper were all riding together in Rose's car. Charlie and Renee were riding in the new Chevy Silverado he bought just before we moved.

We made it to the shelter at just after 7 a.m.; everyone helped get all the stuff unloaded. Esme and Bella did the cooking. I was in charge of taking care of Chris, while the rest were setting up and decorating the dining room.

We had to work at human pace, so it was a little harder and took a bit more time than had we been able to go at vampire speed; but it was okay, it was for a good cause. I was so proud of and thankful for the family I had.

Charlie POV

I had never met a family like the Cullens. It never ceased to amaze me how far they were willing to go to help out when there was a need. They truly were in a class all their own. I was proud to be a part of their family. Carlisle has let me in on how much they had, and I was blown away.

They had more money than I would know what to do with in ten lifetimes, and that was just each single one of them; it didn't include what they held in mutual accounts as couples. It also didn't include what they owned in properties scattered all over the US and other parts of the world.

As far as the regular everyday Joe knew, they were as hard-working as the next family. Yes, they were wealthy and had lots of nice things, but that wasn't what mattered to them. They were all about helping their fellow human man, even though they were no longer technically human.

I found it amazing and odd at the same time that they spent their holiday cooking for people less fortunate than themselves, when they no longer ate human food. When lunch was ready and being served, I stood back and watched; Chris and I watched the Cullens interact with the people that had come to get a hot meal. They were welcoming and kind to them. They didn't see themselves as any better than the homeless, just simply more fortunate. It was awesome and inspiring to watch. The homeless that came in seemed really grateful.

Another thing that truly amazed me was that when lunch was over, Carlisle read some scripture from the Bible; and Edward played the piano. Rosalie led in singing a couple of hymns. I had never thought about vampires caring about any type of religion, but I guessed it was like they said, God worked in mysterious ways. The wolves back in La Push were very wrong in saying the Cullens had no souls. What I had seen today proved just how wrong they were.

Bella POV

Thanksgiving was a great day for my family and me. We served lunch to those less fortunate than ourselves and hopefully made them feel somewhat loved and wanted. Christmas was now upon us, and I was looking forward to it.

Today was going to be a great day because Edward and I were going Christmas shopping for our son and family. My mom and dad had volunteered to keep Chris for us. Today was also the day that the committee came by with the tourists to see our home, as we were the next ones on the Christmas tour.

We found out that they had a contest; and whichever home was voted the best, won a large cash prize. Esme said if she just happened to win, she was going to donate it to the Children's Hospital of Virginia; which was where we as a whole family were going to volunteer on Christmas Eve.

Carlisle and Esme were going to play Santa and Mrs. Claus. My mom and dad were going to play Joseph and Mary, and Chris would be baby Jesus. There were going to be more volunteers also playing other parts while the story of Jesus' birth was being told. Edward was going to play the piano while Alice, Rose, and I sing Christmas carols. We girls were going to be dressed as angels. Since Jasper was in the military, he was going to play the drummer boy, while Emmett was going to be one of the three kings. I thought it was going to be wonderful. I was excited thinking about bringing joy to those little ones who were sick and in need of extra love.

On Christmas Day, we would spend it at home as a family and exchange gifts. I could hardly wait to see what Chris did with his presents.

Renee POV

It was a true joy to be part of a large loving family like the Cullens. I had never known people like them existed. I was not talking about them being vampires though. I was talking about them being so wealthy and having such a high standing in whatever community they lived in. You just didn't see very many extremely wealthy families like them. They didn't just give money; they gave of themselves, just for the joy of it. They truly inspired me to be a better person. I was so thrilled to know I was a part of their family.

Edward POV

Bella and I spent all day shopping for our son and for our family. It was late when we finished up and headed home. I was glad to be finished shopping; now all that needed to be done was wrapping. That was going to be Bella's job; I hated that part. I would keep my son occupied. I couldn't wait to see him open his gifts.

We got home and got the car unloaded to take everything up to our room. When we opened the front door, we were greeted with a very funny sight. Emmett was being chased through the house by Jasper with one of Chris' dirty diapers.

"Jasper, get that nasty thing away from me!" Emmett was yelling.

I could hear the females in my family laughing and giggling in different parts of the house.

"Aww come on, Emmett; he's just a small baby. It's not that bad," Jasper said, holding the diaper out in front of him.

"Not that bad? That smells worse than those mutts on the reservation when they were wet. God almighty, Edward; what did you two feed that boy?" Emmett asked, as we passed through the living room.

"Food, Emmett," I replied.

"Well, can't you feed him food that doesn't smell so bad when it comes back out of him?" he asked, still trying to avoid Jasper's attempts to get near him.

"Did your shit smell any better when you were human?" Bella quipped.

"Ohhhhh, burn!" Jasper said, and I laughed.

"Is my son even wearing a diaper right now?" she asked.

"Yes, and he's just fine," Esme said, coming into the room with Chris in her arms.

I took the packages that Bella was holding, so she could get him.

"Hello, my beautiful boy," she said, as she lifted him from Esme's arms into her own.

I smiled when he made a sound as if trying to answer her. He adored his mother almost as much as me. I loved watching the two of them together. I never forget to be thankful for the miracle I was given.

The rest of the night the family spent getting ready for Christmas Eve. We had a lot to do. All the gifts had to be wrapped for our family and for the children at the hospital. Carlisle had gotten in touch with the head of the children's ward and had her get each child's name in the ward and asked them to write down a list of things they most wanted for Christmas. He told her that if it was possible, they would get at least one of those things on the list. It depended on what they wrote down. The women had a lot of baking and cooking to do. It was a good thing we were vampires and didn't get tired.

The next day was just as busy as the one before. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. We had to be at the hospital in the early afternoon to practice our play we were doing, then we had to get everything set up for the party afterwards. These things would go much easier and quicker if we didn't have to do everything at a human pace in public.

Once we had everything done and we had practiced one last time for our play, it was nearly time to start. There was a large room set up for us to use for the play. The kids and adults alike seemed to enjoy it.

My heart melted when this one little girl walked up to Rosalie and Bella and tugged gently on their white gowns.

They both looked down at the small girl smiling.

"What is it, sweet one?" Rose asked.

The little girl motioned with her finger for Bella and Rose to bend down so she could talk to them. They did as she bid them. She was a beautiful and precious little girl. She had sandy brown hair that was long and wavy. She had a pale complexion and had the most beautiful blue eyes.

"Hi, my name is Melanie; and I'm five," she told them.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Melanie," Rose said.

"Can I ask you a really 'portant question?" she asked, almost whispering.

"Sure, you can, honey," Bella answered.

"Are you the angels that are going to take me to heaven? My mommy is there. She had to leave me one night, but she said that one day when it was time for me to come see her that God would send his best and prettiest angels to get me and bring me to her. I asked her how I would know the angels 'cause I'm not s'posed to go with strangers. She told me I would know they were angels 'cause they would be very beautiful to look at; and they would be dressed in white, and they would have soft beautiful voices. You are all of those things, so does that mean you are here to take me to see my mommy?" she asked, and my heart broke.

Rose and Bella were speechless. I knew that if they could cry, they would have because I would have too.

"Oh you, precious little thing; I'm sorry, love, but no we aren't the angels to do that. I'm sure God has much prettier and better angels than us to bring you to see your mommy. You see the angels who do that kind of job are so special and important, and we haven't made it there yet," Bella answered and reached out to hug Melanie.

"Oh, well, when you go back to heaven, will you tell my mommy that I love her and miss her lots and lots?" she asked.

"You bet we will, precious one. Do you know what though? You can talk to your mommy, and she can hear you from right here; and I know she loves you so very much," Rose answered.

I had to get up and walk away. I had seen what happened in the child's thoughts; it made me so angry. How could a man do something so vile in front his child? If a man no longer loved and cared for his wife, why not just let her go in peace? Why beat and torture her to the point of killing her, while your child watched; and then walk out and leave them both? The mother had at least had enough wits about her to have taught her daughter to call 911. Sadly, they were too late to save her. The child now lived with her maternal grandmother.

I walked away and got control of myself, then made my way back. The party was in full swing by now. There were happy children everywhere. Melanie's grandmother had made it to the hospital to be with her. Melanie was curled up in her grandmother's lap nearly asleep. I watched as she struggled to get up with the child in her arms. I went over to help.

"Hello there, ma'am; my name is Edward Cullen, and I'm with the group who put on the play. I was wondering if you'd like help getting this little angel back to her room?" I asked.

"Why thank you, young man. You are very kind. She is pretty heavy to these tired old bones. I cherish every minute with her though," the lady answered back.

I stretched my arms out, while she laid Melanie in them; and I held her close to me and started down the hallway with her grandmother following me.

Once we were in her room, I gently laid her in her bed and pulled the covers up over her and then stepped away toward the door.

"You must be a father or at the very least an older sibling," the older lady observed.

"I am both, ma'am. I am just recently married and have become a father to a perfect little boy. I also have several other siblings that are younger than me," I told her.

"Well, I can see your wife and child, as well as your whole family, are very blessed to have you in the family. Thank you for helping me. I wish all of God's blessings on you and your family," she said.

I smiled and walked out of the room. As I walked down the hall, I made peace with myself for being what I was; and I made peace with God.

The next day was spent at home with just family. We opened presents and watched movies and enjoyed being together as a family. I was truly blessed.

BPOV

I wasn't sure exactly at what moment the change in Edward happened, but I knew a huge change had taken place. He seemed much more at peace than he ever had before, and it made me very happy. Our holidays had been filled with much love and laughter, but now another change was about to take place. My mother and father were about to be transformed into vampires and join the rest of the family in eternity.

Both of my parents had chosen to be changed in time to awaken and start their new year as vampires. Today was the day, and we had all been busy preparing for it. The hour was almost nigh; they both seem at peace with everything, and I was glad.

"Renee, Charlie, any time you're ready, so am I," Carlisle told them.

"I'm ready, whenever you are, Charlie," my mother said.

"I'm as ready as I can be, so let's get on with it," dad replied.

"Well, if you both will follow me; then, we will get to it," Carlisle said.

He led them to the room that had been prepared. Once they were comfortable in the bed that had been made ready, he made sure there were no last minute issues or questions. After my parents confirmed once more that they were ready, he gave them both a shot of morphine to help them relax. He went first to my mother and then Charlie and plunged the needle of venom into their hearts. The transformations began.

Author/Beta Note: Thanks so much for reading this story; please leave a review and let me know what you think. Check out the blog at http:/ /markingbella .blogspot .com/.

Beta'd by melanieintn