Before she knew it, Christmas had come. They had never got around to putting a tree or decorations up. On Christmas eve, Bella rushed to hang some lights in the living room windows at a last-second attempt to make the room a little festive. She and Charlie exchanged gifts that night since they would be spending the next day with Billy and Jake.
To her disbelief, Charlie had gotten her a new computer to replace the dinosaur currently in her bedroom. He claimed it was used and still under the spending allowance. Bella teasingly told him she did not believe him with a sly smile before thanking him. She did need the new computer for multiple reasons, homework included. The main reason was that the dial-up connection on the dinosaur just would not cut it anymore. Charlie just smiled and continued digging through his new tackle box stuffed with many new packages of fishing supplies.

Billy and Jacob came to the house for Christmas dinner. Charlie surprised them all when he brought out gifts for Billy and Jacob, generously including Bella in the "from" category. A new flask and cigar trimmer got a good chuckle from Billy, but Jake beamed at the size 14 black and white sneakers. Billy patted Charlie's arm gratefully as Jacob immediately began adjusting the laces to put them on. Later, Jake set up the new computer for Bella, which was in return offered for his use whenever needed. The two binged videos online, laughing themselves out of breath for a good hour before going downstairs to finish getting dinner ready. Charlie and Billy were blown away by the feast they ended up having. Bella had found her Grandmother's old recipe books hidden in the pantry. The dishes she had chosen brought back some fond memories of her for Charlie and Billy. They all watched classic Christmas movies through the evening and laughed as Charlie and Billy drunkenly strolled down memory lane. Just like their other gatherings, Jake got up to help clean up the leftover mess.
"No, no," Charlie stammered. All of the food he had eaten throughout the evening had not killed his buzz. Usually, he would have had a beer or two without getting drunk. Tonight, however, had a bottle of Wild Turkey and Billy Black written all over it.
"I'll clean stuff up this time, kids. I got it," Charlie said and waved at them from the table, transitioning back to his conversation while Billy poured them each a shot.
Jake and Bella glanced at each other with uncertainty. Charlie could barely talk straight, let alone handle the mess. However, Bella was in no hurry for Jake to go anywhere, and it was their habit for them to leave after clean-up. Jacob grabbed their coats and headed for the door.
"Want to sit outside for a little while?" he asked.
"Stay in the front yard," Charlie warned loudly, suddenly much more alert. "Some hikers disappeared pretty close to town. Some kind of animal attack. It's dark as shit outside, so keep away from the treeline."
Jake and Bella headed outside silently, their fathers suddenly talking in hushed tones behind them.
"They're so damned weird," Jake chuckled.
They both gasped in surprise as they took in the smooth, glittering perfection of the (thought I was going to write vampire, didn't you?) freshly fallen snow. The town had become a winter wonderland as all attention had been on what was happening inside. Jake cleared off the steps with his boots and removed his coat. He laid it on the edge of the porch and gestured for Bella to have a seat.
"You'll freeze," she protested.
"So will your butt," Jake laughed. He sat on one end of his coat. When Bella failed to budge, he tugged on her sleeve, gesturing for her to sit beside him. They huddled together and talked about how unexpectedly good this Christmas had been. They talked about their moms for a long time. First, how wonderful Sarah was, and then how crappy life had been with Renee. Jacob confessed his worry for his father as the holidays tended to fuel his depression. Billy was missing Rachel and Rebecca, both of which had refused to come home again. It was their eighth Christmas without Sarah. She had died before Bella stopped spending summers in Forks. Charlie had wanted to fly her in for the funeral, hoping it would be good for Jake while he took care of Billy. Renee had selfishly refused. She had told Charlie that Bella had missed too much school after having a bad cold. The truth was, a ten-year-old Bella would randomly have to miss days to take care of a hungover or beaten-up Renee. Her mother was sporting a black eye from one of her boyfriends when Charlie called with the news about Sarah. He tried all he could to persuade her, even reminding her that Sarah used to be her best friend. There was no way Renee was going to that funeral with one eye nearly blackened shut and she was afraid that Bella would tell someone what had happened. Finally revealing these things to Jacob left them both angry, then sad. Jacob grabbed her hands and threaded his fingers through hers. His warm touch was a relief to her frozen fingertips.
"I will always be your best friend, Bells," Jacob said earnestly. "I always wondered how you were. If things had gotten better with Renee. I should have called you."
"I should have called you, Jacob. I'm sorry I didn't," she admitted.
They stared up into the clear winter sky for a while in silence. The stars were bright, and eventually, he started pointing out constellations that weren't hidden by clouds. His vast and unexpected knowledge of random information always surprised her. Most of the time, she found herself spilling her guts to Jacob about things she never talked about with anyone else. Jacob was warm-bodied and warm-hearted. He had become her best friend again, and she was grateful to have him.
Bella knew she was a bit unfair to Jake, getting her way with ease no matter what they were doing. He was beautiful to look at and becoming increasingly important to her as the closeness between them grew. The way Jacob looked at her, however, confused her. He made her pulse race and cheeks flush. Despite his loving glances and easy physical closeness, Jake kept himself safely on the line of friendship, for which Bella was both grateful and oddly disappointed. With no experience of her own and a habit of only seeming to attract guys she had no interest in, Bella could never be entirely sure of how he saw her. Of one thing, she was sure. Jacob had a way with people that allowed them to feel safe, comfortable, and effortlessly happy. He was trustworthy and loyal in a way that the rest of the world had forgotten how to be.

Eventually, unable to stop her teeth from chattering regardless of how close she snuggled herself against him, Bella stood to head inside. Jacob tugged on the back of her coat, this time pulling her down onto his lap. Before she could respond, he squeezed her in a tight hug. Blushing, Bella hugged him back with what strength she had, and he laughed as she relaxed against his chest.
"Comfortable," he asked, chuckling.
"Surprisingly, yes. You are very warm," she said gratefully and shivered. "Isn't your butt cold?"
"No," he laughed, "my butt is just fine." She looked up into Jacob's face, and for a brief moment, they silently stared at one another. Her breath hitched, and she blushed again, looking away.
"I'm really glad you're back in my life, Jacob," she said. He gave her one of his brilliant smiles and gently cradled her against him.
"Me too, Bells."
She reached around his waist with both arms, hugging him tighter. Jacob gasped, glancing up quickly.
"Bella, look!" he said and pointed. Bella caught the tail of a shooting star as it disappeared into the blackened sky. "Merry Christmas, Bells," Jacob said, chuckling. He placed a quick peck to her forehead before letting out a loud, heavy sigh. "It's a shame to let all this snow go to waste."
Bella could feel him shaking as he tried to hold back his laughter and looked up at him in alarm. "Jake, don't you dare."
Jacob lifted his brow at her challenge as he stood and carried her out into the snow. He dropped her as gently as he could onto her ass. Bella squealed as the snow went up the back of her coat and shirt.
"Jacob Ephriam, you know I hate the cold," she screeched. Laughing, Jacob turned abruptly and dropped onto the ground a few feet away. He flapped his arms and legs wildly, creating a large snow angel. She watched, chuckling while attempting to pack a powdery snowball between her hands. When he finished, Jacob sat up and shook off the snow that clung to his arms and shoulders.
Thwack. Bella's snowball miraculously exploded against his cheek. She squealed and darted for the porch. Tripping on air as only Bella could, she put her hands out in front of her to catch herself, squeezing her eyes shut as she anticipated her collision with the stairs. Jacob snagged her coat in time to keep her from colliding. The effort of his pull, however, sent them both flailing into the snow. Laughing with relief, Bella and Jacob began to wrestle as they each twisted around, reaching for handfuls of snow to toss at the other. A swift movement by the treeline caught her attention, and she froze.
"What th... pfffft." She spat out the powdery handful of snow that caught her in the face. Jacob laughed, but she held her hand up, motioning for him to be quiet. Jacob smiled at the gesture, one they'd practiced while eavesdropping on their parents many times. Oblivious to anything besides the trickle of fear down her back, she stared nervously toward the treeline.
"Bella, what the hell are you looking for?" Jacob whispered.
"I thought… I thought I saw a person in the woods," she whispered anxiously. "Something is watching us."
"I think you might be losing it, Bella," Jacob teased.
"No! Jacob," Bella hissed. "I really think we're being watched."
Jacob glanced up at the treeline suspiciously. A flash of white darted through the trees in a blur.
"Come on. Let's get you inside the house before you freeze or something decides to eat you." Jacob stood and held his hand out to pull her up.
"Bah, humbug," she said and glanced around the yard one last time, trying to shake the feeling of dread that was settling in.
When they ventured back into the house, Billy and Charlie were beyond drunk. After removing and shaking off their snow-covered coats and shoes, Bella almost felt relieved that Billy looked as if he had no business going anywhere for the night. The idea of their leaving while something was waiting and watching outside made her skin crawl. Bella shot Jacob a wink and headed upstairs to gather items for Billy, determined they would be staying right where they were.

(JPOV)

Jake headed for the kitchen, silently wondering why she had darted up the stairs, and began cleaning up the dinner mess. He was still putting things away and scraping trash into the bin when Bella came back downstairs with sheets and blankets for the couch. Jake eyed her suspiciously as she pulled out the hide-a-bed for Billy, who was practically snoring in his wheelchair. Bella sent Charlie upstairs to bed, stumbling over his own feet and mumbling apologies about his failed duties. Jake helped Billy use the bathroom and get comfortable on the couch while Bella resumed the kitchen clean-up.
"You didn't have to do that, Bells," Jake whispered when he came back into the kitchen. He pulled her into a side hug, leaving a very brief peck on her temple.. "I could have got Billy home. Wouldn't be the first time."
"Don't worry about it, Jake. It's getting late. It's Christmas, and there are probably other drunks out."
"I heard that," Billy mumbled from the front room..
"You're not even sixteen yet," Bella continued. "You guys might as well just stay here."
"We get our license early on the Rez," he teased and shrugged his shoulders.
"Mmhmm," she teased back anxiously, though the sound she made had a very different effect on Jacob than intended. He looked away from her for a moment, clearing his throat nervously before stealing another glance at her face. She looked worried, her eyes darting away from him and toward the window.
Shit. Had she noticed? Oh, man.
Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she continued bustling around the kitchen.
"Hey," Jacob asked, tugging on her sleeve as she passed by him. "Something wrong? You seem awfully uneasy."
"Yes, yes I am," she huffed and glanced toward the window. "I still feel like we're being watched. I can't shake it."
Jacob hugged her to him, trying to give her some comfort.
"Please just go ahead and stay here, okay? I'll fix you breakfast in the morning." Jacob grinned with relief, though Bella assumed it was at the prospect of more food, and shook her head while appraising his growing frame. She had gathered all the dishes at the sink and was wiping the kitchen table down. Jake started rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher.
"So, where am I gonna' crash out, Bells? Charlie's recliner?" He lifted one leg and dangled his foot, hinting at his height.
"Hey, it is not my fault you are turning into a giant," Bella laughed.
Charlie was banging around in his room, and they paused to listen while he made his way to the bathroom and shut the door. Bella had cleaned up Renee many times when she was too intoxicated to function, but Jacob was well aware that the thought of having to shove a half-passed-out Charlie in the shower was damn near horrifying.
"Ern... Charlie has a fold-up cot in the closet," she finally answered, assured that Charlie was not getting sick.
Jake looked at her in shock and barked out a laugh. "I'd do better in the chair," he said.
"Not for you. For me," she explained. "You can sleep in my bed. It's big enough. I'll take the cot."
"I'm not kicking you out of your bed, Bells," Jake argued.
"Well, I'm not letting you drive home." she shot back, poking him in the chest with her index finger. He laughed and plopped down in a kitchen chair.
"Fine," Jacob said. "How about this? Your bed. Opposite ends with the door open like when we were little?" He cracked up at his suggestion, assuming there was no way Charlie would let that fly.
"That's probably a good plan," Charlie said from behind them, making his way back downstairs. He'd washed off some of his drunken stupors in the shower and was now in his robe and pajamas. Jacob chuckled in surprise as Charlie tossed him a pair of sweatpants.
"You two bicker just like I and Chief Firewater do," Charlie gestured towards the living room before placing an affectionate slap on Jake's shoulder.
"You mean like an old married couple," Bella teased.
"I'm not sure if that is supposed to be funny or scary," Jake said, and Charlie chuckled.
"It's like 2 am, kids. Go to sleep".
"Dad, it's like ten pm" Bella laughed and rolled her eyes. Charlie glanced up at the clock and groaned. He grabbed the Ibuprofen bottle off of the fridge, a bottle of water, and stomped back upstairs. Bella put the broom up, turned out the light, and they both followed Charlie, giggling.
"Door open!" Charlie reminded them, followed by the sound of a drunken grumble and snort from Billy downstairs. Their quiet laughter continued down the hallway as Charlie stumbled into his room. Bella grabbed a sleeping bag from her closet and tossed it at Jacob. Taking her PJs into the bathroom, he could hear her fumbling around as she changed and brushed her teeth. Bella grinned at him sheepishly as she reentered the room and picked up his cold, damp jeans. She hung them over the shower rod in the bathroom to dry and then quietly climbed into her bed next to him.
"Night Jake," she said, reaching over to turn out the light.
"Night, honey," he mumbled. It wasn't long before he began to snore.

(BPOV)

The next morning Bella woke to the sound of yelling as her ice-cold toes brushed the top of Jacob's back. Half-asleep, he attempted to scramble from the bed. Instead, he thrashed around inside of his sleeping bag, landing on his back on the floor. He groaned loudly, and she tried to stifle a giggle as she leaned on all fours over the bed.
"Are you okay?" she squeaked through her laughter. Jake's eyes met her face, and he gave her a huge, beautiful smile.
"As long as my hair isn't all tangled up like yours, I'll be fine," he said and cackled. Bella lifted her eyes to the full-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door and groaned loudly. The door popped open, and Charlie looked into the room suspiciously. He took one look at Jake on the floor and then at Bella and burst out laughing.
"What happened, son? Medusa scared you off the bed?" Charlie snorted at his joke while Jacob shook with laughter.
"Funny, guys. Funny," Bella said and darted for the bathroom.
"Hey, what happened to the door being left open?" Charlie called after her. Bella poked her head out of the bathroom, brushing her wild curls up into a ponytail as best as she could.
"I didn't shut it," she said, trying to remember if she had even gotten up throughout the night.
"I'm just fuckin' with ya'. I shut it. You didn't seem to be having a hard time next to Jake's snoring, but from down the hall, he sounded like a freight train." Charlie said and laughed.
"That's weird," Bella said. "I didn't hear him snoring at all. I slept like a log until he fell off the bed."
"Well, I figured with you both sound asleep in separate blankets, it would be alright to shut the door... but if Jake ever sleeps over again and Billy's not here, he sleeps on the couch, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Jake said with a salute from the floor. Charlie chuckled and headed back downstairs. The smell of coffee gave away that either he or Billy had already been awake for a while. She finished up in the bathroom, washed her hands, and made her way downstairs.
Bella made brunch for the four of them, which Charlie insisted on cleaning up since he had not fulfilled his offer the night before. Jake and Billy finally headed home midafternoon, and Bella went upstairs to shower and nap. She was surprised to find Jake had made the bed, folded the sleeping bag for her, and she put it away with a smile on her face. Bella ducked into the closet to snag Jake's T-shirt. A note was left crudely stabbed onto the empty hanger in his sloppy chicken scratch.
If you had paid attention, you would have realized before now that I took my shirt back. I'm wearing it home, goofy! Love, Jake.
Bella turned around and found the warm, long-sleeved shirt he had worn yesterday draped across the back of the rocking chair. Bella slid into the shirt, the sleeves hanging past her fingertips while the bottom hem nearly reached her knees.
How could Jake be this impossibly tall at fifteen? Neither Billy nor Sarah had been more than average height. She was starting to wonder if he had a pituitary problem and would end up like one of the giant teenagers on a reality show. She lifted the collar to her face, inhaling. Jake's smooth, natural scent mixed lightly with his body spray was comforting. Bella folded the note from Jake and stuffed it into her wallet next to Charlie's post-it before she crawled into bed and fell asleep.

I hope you liked this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW XO
As always, I own nothing. SM owns all.