The Cullens stood on the top step watching the long lost piece to their puzzle. Seth held her hand still as he shut the truck door behind them. Excitement and anxiousness buzzed through the air. Jasper put out a calm wave for the clan before taking his place beside Alice. They watched as she smiled and wave nervously, taking in her surroundings. They always forget the house shocks people when they first see it. Nessie came bounding down the steps with a giant smile on her face, her fraternal twin finally arrived. She threw her arms around her to give a giant hug, Grace never let go of Seth's hand though. Jacob stood back a bit from his imprint laughing at her enthusiasm, he knew how much this meant to her. How much it meant to everyone. They were all using the excuse of learning who she is and shield ability but really they just wanted to meet her.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone. Boys, you get her gifts out," Nessie snapped her fingers for the wolves to bring the wrapped presents in from the truck. They all had gotten her something even though Nessie said not to. Grace and Nessie walked hand in hand up the stairs to everyone smiling and glowing. If vampires could cry, they would be.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen and this is my wife Esme," Carlisle stuck out his hand her for to shake in which she did. For the first time other then Nessie she saw someone with the same skin tone. Along with the coldness of her skin. It shocked her but she recovered quickly.
"It is so nice to meet you finally," Esme beamed with joy as she looked over the girl. She loved the simplicity of her looks compared to Nessie who grew up having Alice and Rosalie dress her. She kept in touch with Beth every few years to learn about Grace, how her grades were and what she was doing with her life. Grace never ceased to amaze Esme.
"I really appreciate the offer to let me come spend Christmas with you all," Grace was sincere in her thank you about the invitation. She was planning on just watching Christmas movies and eating her body weight in food mixed with wine. Her parents were a bit shocked when they heard she was going to be spending Christmas with the Cullens, people she had never met other then the two boys and Nessie.
"I'm Emmett and this is my wife Rosalie. We're from out of town," Emmett went straight to the lie they all decided on. Rosalie tried to hold back her groan, she could not allow her husband to mess this up for anyone.
"I adore you're outfit! You're going to have to send me links," Rosalie wasn't a huge fan of the outfit due to its lack of brand name but it fit Grace. It looked good on Grace and she loved that for her. Grace nodded with a smile, they all seemed so open.
"I'm Alice and this man is my husband Jasper. We are so thrilled you're here. We are going to be best friends," Alice couldn't wait to wrap the girl in a big hug but for now Jasper was holding her back a bit. He didn't want grace to get scared off by the woman's overexcitement.
"And I think you met my sister and I the other week at the market correct? I'm Edward and this is Bella. We're Nessie's siblings," he hesitated on the sibling part for a moment before trudging through. He wasn't use to saying that lie about Nessie, only the others.
"Oh, yeah, you were wondering about my coat for your sister-in-law," Grace remembers the brunette even took a picture of the coat. Bella looked worried for a moment, looking at others forgetting that she said sister-in-law and not sister. Bella was suppose to only be the sister to Nessie right now. Luckily, Edward stepped in.
"My wife couldn't make it, she travels for work," Edward knew he was just digging everyone into a larger hole with the lies but he had no choice.
"Okay! You met everyone, come inside. I'll get you some hot coco and then we can do gifts! We have an entire day planned out!" Nessie clapped her hands before running into the house with others laughing at her antics. Alice looped her arm through Graces and led her inside. Alice wanted to soak in as much as the girl as possible but she knew she would have to share. Seth and Jacob we're finally done putting all of Graces gifts under the giant 24ft Christmas tree when they came in. Seth looked nervous seeing everyone watch her and just hopped they played normal enough for the day. He shoved his hands in his front pockets so no one could see them balled up with anxiety when he realized he still had Sarah's gift.
"Oh, hey, Grace I forgot Sarah gave me her gift to give to you," Seth handed over the homemade bracelet. His fingers brushed her skins shocking them both.
"Oh god! This is the best!" Grace ran her finger over the princess figure before slipping the bracelet on. Alice and Rosalie cringed at how it threw the whole outfit off now but how it also suited her.
"Who's Sarah?" Esme asked while she brought out a tray of mugs and Bella followed with a pitcher of hot coco.
"Sarah is a neighbor girl I watch when her mom has to pick up a weird shift or her babysitter cancels. She's a sweet kid," Grace flidded with the princess on the bracelet smiling, she loved that little girl and only wished the best for her in life.
"Well that's nice of you," Carlisle smiled delighted with the kindness of her heart. She really was remarkable.
"She's a great kid. She just got stuck with kind of a hard life so I do what I can," Grace took a mug that Bella handed to her before taking a deep breath of chocolate. It smelled like heaven.
"Okay, okay, okay! Present time!" Nessie jumped excitedly beside the tree as everyone sat down on the furniture around the room. Seth and Jacob both sat next to Grace, still concerned over how today was going to go. Would today ruin everything? Nessie and Alice started handing out the pile along with Graces gifts she brought. Grace stared in shock when she herself got a pile when she was not expecting one.
"What's all this?" She whispered to Seth even though he knew everyone could hear her.
"We wanted to make you feel like family, you're important to Ness and I," Seth whispered in her ear which sent another shiver down her spine. This boy made her body got crazy without much effort. Once all the gifts were handed out Nessie came and sat on the floor in front of Grace and the boys. Everyone started opening gifts at once, making sure to save Graces for last because they all knew it would be the most special. Of course everyone gave each other brand name materialistic things but when Grace started opening hers she realized it was things she actually needed. Like a new pair of shoes with better tread so she could walk home on the ice and not die. She received a new pair of gloves along with a matching beanie, both black with flecks of glitter in them. She opened a box that had a new shiny switchblade in it which made her laugh.
"Nessie told me about your run in," Jacob smiled proudly at his gift. He had his dad help him pick it out so next time she was almost mugged she would be better protected. She received gift cards to the art store in Seattle for new supplies when needed which would save her a fortune. The last gift was a small box and when she opened it the room fell silent. Inside the box was a silver chain bracelet with a silver wolf charm hooked on to it.
"I got it for you because of the wolf painting you made. I know the wolf meant a lot to you so I thought it would make sense," Seth told her but left out the part that it was really a promise bracelet and that he wanted to just blurt out the truth now. Edward reading his mind stepped in quickly before the young boy could open his mouth anymore.
"Everyone saved your gifts for last. Everyone ready?" Edward looked at the group who all grabbed their wrapped gift from Grace with excitement buzzing at their fingertips. Seth helped clasp the bracelet onto Graces slender wrist, trying not to stare in amazement as he thought about their future together. If he could ever tell her the truth that is, if any of them could ever tell her the truth.
"On three. Three, two, one," Jasper counted down before giving the okay for everyone to rip into them. Grace had put a lot of thought and effort into each canvas she painted for them. With the help of Nessie she hoped that she had pulled it all off. Carlisle and Esme opened a canvas that had their most recent vow renewal picture a few years back painted on it. The detail to their faces were spot on, even the details on the wedding dress was perfect to every bead on it. Rosalie and Emmett opened their canvas to see a hiking trip picture of the two of them, one Nessie must have taken without them knowing. The painting was of them by the campfire laughing at something on of them said, lost in their own little world below the stars. Jasper and Alice opened up their canvas to see a photo of their left hands together with their wedding rings presented, both of them had simple rings from back when they first got married but they meant the world to each other. Grace had even painted the scars that were lightly on Jaspers hands. Edward and Bella opened their painting to see a picture of them both with Nessie recently on thanskgiving. All three were smiling at the camera with Nessie's arms thrown around what Grace thought were her siblings. The paintings were all amazing and so detailed oriented that they looked like the actual photographs themselves.
"I did a joint painting for you guys, I thought it would be the best thing I could do," Grace told Jacob, Seth and Nessie who all held the same canvas together. Nessie began opening it for them until all the paper was gone and they saw the photograph from the night of her art show. Even the background of the painting was perfect to the photo. She was a brilliant painter. Seth loved this photo that they got that night so much so it was his background on his phone, of course zoomed in on only him and Grace though.
"These are so amazing Grace," Esme stood up walking over to Grace to give her a hug. Esme lingered for a moment to long taking in her smell when touch before Bella cleared her throat.
"We really appreciate these. You are an amazing artist. We'll have to come to your next showing," Bella would be crying if she was human. She was overcome with emotions. She was so proud to see her other daughter turn out to be this sweet, talented, smart young woman.
"I couldn't have done any of these without Ness, she sent me all the photos so I could make sure I have gifts for today," Grace felt more at home with these people she had just met then she ever had with her actual family in Brooklyn. As everyone said their thank yous to each other Seth leaned over to Grace and kissed her cheek lightly.
"The paintings are the best," he told her before getting up and collecting all her new belongings to put them in his truck so they didn't forget them later. Nessie held out a hand for Grace to take so she could help her up off the floor.
"Come on, I'll give you a house tour," Nessie knew the family worked hard on hiding anything that might give them away to Grace so she was confident it was okay. All the other Cullens watched as she was led out of the room before going to place their gifts in their rooms. As Nessie took Grace through the house the rest were in the kitchen prepping, cooking and whispering.
"So, what does everyone think of her?" Jacob whispered as he peeled carrots. Seth was quiet next to him peeling potatoes, all he could think of is the paintings she did. The painting of him. She painted him. She made his eyes look like how they always look when they see her, full of dreams and hopes. She had noticed the imprint.
"Seth, you can't tell her yet," Edward read his mind and was worried the young boy would expose them all too soon.
"Not yet Edward but it'll be soon enough. We can't keep telling lies. That's how we'll lose her forever," Seth whispered back to him in a harsh tone. He was feeling more guilty then ever.
"Well, I for one think she's amazing. She's kind and funny. Talented beyond belief," Bella interjected giving her opinions.
"I second that. Even though she was raised completely by humans she still has that vampire air about her," Jasper was talking about her looks, her posture, and her attitude. It was all graceful and calculated even if she wasn't thinking about it.
"She looks just like you Edward with a hint of Bella. The opposite of Nessie," Carlisle commented on the girls looks. Her bronze hair, her pale skin, her perfectly structured face. It was all Edwards minus the eyes, those were Bella's.
"Did you see her tattoos? They were badass, your other kid is badass," Emmett laughed quietly as he chopped the now peeled carrots that Jacob was passing off.
"I wouldn't have pegged her for that," Rosalie thought back to her cute simple clothing then compared that to her black and white tattoos all over her body. There had to be reason they were there.
"She's going to accept us in the end," Alice whispered knowing that even though nothing was written in stone her vision this morning had to be right. That in the end, no matter what, she would accept everything. Alice saw Grace wearing a sundress, a sun hat with a jean jacket and chunky heels talking to Seth about how she didn't care, that she knew she was meant to be with all of them, despite the lies. Alice knew that there may be trouble in the water from now until then but she had a good feeling it wouldn't change.
"So summer?" Edward questioned when he saw the vision, the dress meant warmer weather which usually didn't happen until June for them.
"I'm thinking so," Alice nodded before sliding the onions she chopped into a skillet. They all stopped the conversation as they heard Nessie and Grace approaching. Bella tried not to look too excited about having both her daughters in the home together.
"This is the kitchen and dining room. We're cooking a big holiday feast," Nessie had her arm looped through Graces. Nessie knew that only them and the boys would be eating but the boys could literally eat the whole house and still be hungry. Grace now had her sleeves rolled up and they could all get more of a look at the ink on her skin.
"So why the tattoos? They are beautiful," Rosalie didn't take her eyes off the potatoes she now cut. She was avoiding Edwards glare, he knew exactly what she was up to. She was too curious for her own good right now.
"Oh, um, I never could really change anything about my looks so when I turned eighteen I started these," Grace didn't elborate on the fact that she never was able to change anything about her looks because her body physically wouldn't allow her. She only wore one set of earrings today but normally both ears were full from top to bottom.
"Well, I think they look great on you," Seth finally snapped out of his own thoughts to tell her. He stared at her from across the room wanting nothing more then to just go and kiss her, just hurry this process up. He's waited forever already.
"Okay! Game time while the food cooks!" Edward butted in glaring at Seth. He knew that the kid was his daughters imprint but come on, not in front of him. Not another Jacob. Everyone left Carlisle and Esme in the kitchen to finish the feast while they went to play a game. Jacob grabbed red flags from the bookshelf in the living room, it was his and Nessie's favorite game. They all sat in a circle while Jacob explained the rules.
"Everyone has white cards and red cards. So we'll start with Nessie. We all put in a white card with the best sounding person for her to date. Then the person on the left of you will put down two red flags for your person. You, Nessie, have to then think about each person and if they're worth dating for six months and whoever has the most yes' win," Jacob ended when everyone nodded in understandment. The games begun.
An hour later Nessie of course won with seven wins, grace behind her with five and everyone else only having three or less. Esme called everyone into the dining room for dinner which of course looked like something out of a movie. Carlisle didn't want to admit that certain things like the roasts were cooked by Sams wife Emily, they didn't want to miss out on too much time with Grace today. As they all sat down Emmett broke out the wine, Edward was trying not to talk knowing that his one daughter was still not of age.
"A Christmas toast!" Alice stood up with her wine glass lifted up. Everyone held their glass up, Seth held Graces free hand under the table. She was doing so amazing today, she was so at ease with everyone it was shocking. It's like she was never gone.
"A Christmas toast to our new friend, Grace. We want to thank you for joining us today and we want to say thank you for giving our Nessie a good friend. Along, with Seth. We are all so happy they have you and we hope that you will have us in your life too. Merry Christmas!" Alice blew kisses at Grace before taking a sip of her glass. Everyone cheered and agreed before digging into their plates. They all were so thrilled Grace was here at dinner that no one stopped to think about them not really needing to eat. After dinner Grace stayed behind to help Esme and Bella clean up the table while the others went and laid out in the living room, taking in the wonders of today.
"So I hear you work at the diner?" Esme knew the answer but was desperate to hear the girls voice.
"I do, almost a year now I think," Grace was grateful for her job. Grateful for Nikki hiring her before even meeting her.
"Nessie's grandfather use to eat there all the time. I think you actually met him? Charlie the police chief," Esme tried not to step on thin ice. She didn't want to get herself in trouble with Edward or Seth.
"Oh yeah! He gave me a ride home last night. Very nice man," Grace scraped off plates into the trash and Bella took the emptied plates from her to put in the dishwasher.
"You gave him that pie? I knew dad, I mean...grandad didn't make it," Bella laughed at the thought of her dad even cooking.
"I did, he nearly scared me half to death. I was locking up and he snuck up on me," Grace still felt bad for pulling the knife on the old man.
"Hey, I hate to break up girl time in here but it's starting to snow and I don't want to drive Grace home when it gets bad," Seth looked sorry when he interrupted them. Bella looked sad but tried to stay happy. She got time with her daughter today and she knows she'll get more.
"Well we should have another day soon. Maybe a girls day. Oh! Please let us know when your next show is. We'll all come," Bella gave Grace a tight hug not wanting to let go. Esme gave a hug and a kiss on the cheek before forcing herself to step away. Seth led her to the living room where everyone gave hugs, Emmett gave a giant bear hug that would have hurt the normal human but didn't even phase Grace.
"I'll see you soon Grace. Don't be a stranger! Seth give her all of our numbers," Alice waved goodbye as they walked down the snow covered steps to Seth's already warming up truck.
"I hope you had a great holiday. I know everyone else did," Seth smiled as he looked over at Grace who was letting her hair down out of her buns. She shook her hair that was now wavy from being tied up all day.
"I think this was the best Christmas ever. Probably even topped the Christmas I got my skateboard," Grace smiled remembering she was thirteen when her parents gave her her board. She still had it and used it when needed since she didn't drive.
"I know this was for sure my best Christmas. Hands down," Seth didn't think about it when he reached out and grabbed her hand. Grace didn't complain as they intertwined fingers. They rode in silence as they both watched the snow fall. Seth could tell Grace was tired from all of today and didn't want to push her. Once they pulled up into her apartments building lot the snow was falling faster and harder. It was covering the ground and the road making everything a white blanket. They both got out the truck, Seth told her to go inside but of course Grace said no and helped grab things from the back. Her wolf bracelet shined in the moonlight which made Seth's heart skip a beat.
"Come on, you're getting covered in snow!" Seth laughed as Grace then stuck out her tongue to catch snowflakes. Grace twirled in a circle not caring if she looked like a fool. Before Seth knew what he was doing he was stopping her spins to lean down and kiss her lips. As their mouths collided both of them saw the sparks behind their eyelids. Their hearts pulled and their stomachs lit up with butterflies. Seth knew this girl was everything to him and he was going to do whatever she asked forever. After a few moments they pulled apart, Grace lifted her fingers and touched her lips. They felt like they were on fire. In silence they both moved to go inside, Grace had snowflakes on her eyelashes. She never looked more beautiful.
"Just set them on the counter," Grace told Seth as they walked into her apartment. She turned the heat up a bit, needing feeling back in her toes.
"Thank you for spending Christmas with me," Seth whispered before reaching out for a hug. They stayed wrapped in each other's arms for more time then they both knew.
"Of course. Thank you for having me. Look, it's getting really bad out there...why don't you crash here tonight? On the couch," Grace was quick to include that part so he didn't panic by accident from the question. Seth was taken back, could he really stay here? Seth took a moment before commanding himself to stay in control tonight and only on the couch before nodded yes. Grace went and grabbed a pillow and a blanket for him before setting up the couch. They said goodnight but before Seth kept his promise to himself he reached out and grabbed her hand. He spun her around to face him before once again kissing her, this time light and simple but the same passion in his lips spoke. Once they parted Grace went into her room and stripped, ready for sleep but desperate to hold the memories of today. Seth laid on the couch, breathing in the scent around him and took comfort of knowing the love of his life was in the same place as him tonight. That his heaven on earth was right through the wall.
I know this took longer then normal but I made it super long trying to finally knock out this Christmas chapter! Review! Enjoy! Check out my others! Thank you!