We're starting to jump ahead a little now. Time to move this story into the future and further towards its ending. I had a lot of fun with this chapter and I really hope you guys love it. I enjoyed deciding on the ornaments best of all, but Charlie's scene stealing section is a very close second.

DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. All are human.

Christmas Eve

Edward's POV

Christmas Eve had started in the usual way, with my mother's pancake breakfast, and the entire family sitting around the table. The differences were subtle, but amazing all the same: Charlie was on my lap this year, where last year he'd just been a tiny thing inside Bella's body; Lily was talking this year, entertaining us all with her story about visiting Santa yesterday; and Jasper and Alice each had a baby in their arms, where as last year, they'd been worried they might not have their own children.

"Daddy, he wants more pancake," Bella chuckled.

I looked down at my son, watching his little hand open and close as he tried to reach for my plate. "Bella, he's still got some in his mouth."

"Don't tell me, tell him," she laughed, trying to wipe a little syrup from his cheek.

Charlie fussed her, pushing her hands away. He loved bath time, but he didn't really care for getting cleaned with wipes during the day.

"It's Christmas, Eddie. Give the little man whatever he wants," Emmett said as he made a goofy face at Charlie.

My son laughed loudly at his silly uncle, making everyone else around him laugh.

"Did I tell you Angela and Ben called first thing this morning?" Bella asked as she handed Charlie his new sippy cup. He would only take it when he was eating actual food, though. Any other time, he wanted his mom or his bottle. And with that brand new tooth on the bottom, he was getting the bottle a lot more often.

"Where are they now?" Emmett asked. "I feel like I need to play 'Where's Waldo' whenever we talk about them."

"They're in London now. Angela loves it and says she could see herself living there past the two years that she's been assigned there," Bella replied. "And of course, she says we're all welcome to crash with them if we decide to broaden our horizons."

"What does Ben think?" Rose asked.

"He's a bit homesick, but he wants to be with her, so he's dealing with it," Bella explained. "He was really upset about missing this morning's pancake breakfast. He made me promise to eat a chocolate chip one in his honor."

"It's good that they're experiencing the world, though," my mother said. "I would have enjoyed traveling abroad at their age, not that I mind at all that I became a mother instead."

"We can still travel, Esme," my father told her. "I've got more than enough days saved up. Why don't I take a month off in the spring and we'll travel? We can go anywhere you want. Paris, Rome, Tuscany, Monte Carlo. You name it and I'll take you there."

"Oh, Carlisle!" my mother squealed, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

"Wow, that was very Alice-like," Emmett chuckled.

"Hey, no teasing during breakfast," Alice warned.

"Have we decided what we're doing with the babies tomorrow while Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out gifts?" Bella asked.

"Grandma and Grandpa have spent many years delivering gifts, so this year, we're going to take the little ones up to Carlisle's office and let our lovely children handle things while we spoil our grandbabies," my mother replied, smiling wide.

"Doesn't that sound fun, little man?" Bella cooed as she kissed Charlie's hand. "You get to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa and all of your cousins."

"I'm pretty sure he's more concerned with getting more pancake," Rose chuckled as Charlie tried to reach for my plate again.

"He's eaten more of that than Edward has," Emmett said with a grin. "What's wrong, Eddie? Still sad about the Volvo?"

"Don't start," Bella warned him. "You know he had that car for a long time."

"I don't get what the big deal is. It was a car, the engine died, end of story. You just go out and get a new one and the problem is solved," Emmett said.

"Just because you consider your jeep to be easily replaceable doesn't mean everyone feels the same about their vehicle," Rose told him. "If my convertible were to die—God forbid—I would not be in a rush to replace her."

"You hardly even drive the thing," Emmett argued. "You're always in the van with Lily."

"Doesn't matter. It's still my car," she replied. "It would upset me to lose her."

"Can we please talk about something else?" I asked, doing my best not to get irritated with Emmett. I was not ready to be teased about my car.

I'd been driving home from the college, the last day of classes for this semester, and halfway home, it had just died. There was no warning, nothing amiss…it just stopped. The engine turned off and I managed to get to the side of the road without having an accident. I checked under the hood, but couldn't find a problem. I spent about fifteen minutes trying to get it to start before just giving up and calling Bella to come and get me. Rosalie had been at the house with Lily, so she'd come along, hoping it was something simple. But after twenty minutes of her poking around and nothing happening, I'd known my car was done for. I'd had it towed to a shop Rose recommended, and they were still trying to figure out exactly what was wrong with it.

"You know, I was thinking about the car thing," Bella mentioned as took Charlie from me. "I thought it would be a good idea if you took the Volvo you bought me, and then I can get a van like Rose's. I'll never drive the car the way it's meant to be driven, and it'll be easier to tote Charlie and all of this things back and forth between our houses with a van anyway."

I wasn't sure if she was teasing or not. Sure, I'd still miss my car, but hers was a newer model of it and I already loved driving it. But I didn't want her to feel like she had to give up her car if she really liked it.

"Bella, just because you're a mom now doesn't mean you have to drive a van. If you love your car, then keep it," I offered.

"The only vehicle I was ever attached to was my truck and that baby died a long time ago," she replied.

"Look at his face," Emmett chuckled. "Bells, you don't even need Santa to bring him anything else."

"So you like my idea?" Bella asked, smiling up at me.

"I love your idea," I said, hugging her tightly.

"Daaaa!" Charlie yelled, tugging at my shirt.

"I love you too, little man," I chuckled, kissing his cheek and making him laugh. I tried to pull away, but he had a good grip on my shirt, so Bella had to let me take him again. He stood on my leg, holding tightly to my shirt and shoulder while I supported his back and waist. I think he'd meant to try and kiss my cheek, but he ended up head-butting me instead, making us both laugh.

"Well if Bella and Rose have vans, I want one too," Alice announced. "A black one with the doors that automatically slide out," she added, looking right at Jasper.

"Only if that means I get to drive the Porsche," he told her.

"I guess I can agree to that," she chuckled, hugging his neck. "But I still get to drive it when it's just us girls."

"Look at Charlie with the rhythm over there," Emmett said, laughing a little. "How's it feel to have your head used as a drum, Edward?"

"As long as he's not pulling hair, I'm fine," I said, trying to keep Charlie's feet on my leg and not somewhere much more sensitive.

"He must have slept good last night," my mother mentioned. "He's very active this morning."

"He went to bed about a half hour early and slept all the way through," Bella told her. "He's no longer a night owl."

"Yeah, now he's starting to display some of his Aunt Alice's traits," Emmett teased, smiling at Alice.

"I think more like Uncle Emmett," Alice replied. "You're the one who would find it amusing to pretend a person's head was a drum set."

"Yeah, I would," he agreed with a laugh.

"Look!" Bella cried, pointing toward the dining room windows. "It's finally snowing! Edward, we have to take Charlie out to see it."

"Don't you want to finish your breakfast?" I asked as she took Charlie from me.

"Pancakes are easy enough to get, but the snow has been holding out on us," she replied, already pulling things out of the coat closet.

"Let's go look at some snow then," Emmett said, taking Lily out of her high chair.

"Frosty Snowman, Daddy?" Lily asked as we joined Bella at the coat closet.

"Not just yet, Princess. The snow has to collect on the ground first," he told her.

Once we were all bundled up—with the exception of Alice and Jasper since the twins were nearly asleep—we headed through the kitchen and out of the back door. Bella had Charlie in her arms while Rose carried Lily.

"Look, Charlie! What's that?" Bella asked, helping him to hold his hand out and catch a snowflake.

He just sort of stared at his gloved hand before holding it to me. "Daaaaaa."

"Snowflake, little man," I said, showing him the few in my glove.

He looked up and his hood fell back just enough for a snowflake to land on his nose. He blinked a couple of times, looking like he might cry.

"It's just snow," Bella cooed, holding him close. "It's okay."

A couple of snowflakes landed on the hat she was wearing and Charlie just stared, trying to figure out what to make of it.

"Snow!" Lily cried as she danced around us, holding her arms out.

"You're going to get dizzy and fall over, Lily Bear," Rose warned.

"Too late," Emmett chuckled as the backyard filled with Lily's giggles.

"Carlisle, you should go and get the camera," my mother said. "Hurry."

"I'll be right back," he promised, kissing her cheek and then rushing up the back steps.

The snow started to fall a little harder and was now enough to cover the shoulders on our coats. Charlie was still trying to figure this snow thing out, and he pointed and fussed.

"It's still just snow, little man. It comes right off," Bella said, proving her words by brushing the snow from my shoulder. "Now Daddy has one gray shoulder and one white shoulder."

"Maaaa," he yelled, leaning toward me. Bella brought him a little closer and he smacked at my shoulder, trying to push the snow off the way Bella had done.

"I think he's worried the snow is attacking you in some way," Bella chuckled.

"I snow my hair," Lily said, trying to pull her hat off.

"Oh, no," Rose told her. "You leave that hat on or we're going inside."

"Momma, snow hair," Lily pouted.

"No, Ma'am. You'll have a wet head and then you'll get sick."

"Daddy snow hair," Lily argued, pointing at Emmett.

"Daddy doesn't have a hat here, or he'd be wearing one," Emmett told her. "Listen to your momma and leave yours on."

Lily pouted for just a few seconds before forgetting all about snow hair. "Frosty?" she asked hopefully.

"Need more snow, Princess. Maybe this afternoon," he said. "Want to shake the snow from the tree?" he asked.

She immediately started jumping up and down and clapping. Emmett lifted her easily, making airplane noises as he lowered her and raised her, letting her pretend she was flying.

"Don't make her dizzy, please," Rose begged. "She just finished eating and I really don't think any of us want to see it reappear."

"Okay," Emmett chuckled, setting Lily onto his big shoulders. "Grab that branch above our heads and give it a shake, Lily Bear."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because it will make the snow fall off the branch and onto us," he explained.

"Daddy snow pretty on tree," she replied.

"You can leave it if you want," he offered.

"No, I shake," she said, reaching up and tugging at the branch. The snow shifted from the pine needles and rained down on Lily and Emmett, getting her to giggle.

"That's going to be a great picture," my dad said, having returned at some point with the camera.

"Right along with the one of Charlie offering his snowflakes to Bella," my mother chuckled.

I looked over at Bella, finding her pretending to eat the snowflakes on Charlie's hand. He laughed and pulled his hand away, only to put it back for her to nibble on again.

My mother put her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "This is going to be our best Christmas yet, Edward. We have all of these wonderful babies in the house and everyone is healthy and happy."

"Bella and I certainly wouldn't have made it through these last five months without all of the help from Dad and you."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true. It might have taken you both longer, and there would have been many more arguments due to those stubborn streaks you both possess, but you would have found your way back eventually. When you love someone as deeply as you love Bella, or I love your father, it's impossible to not do all you can to get back on track."

"I'm going to miss you. It's going to be so strange to not see you every day."

"For me too, son. But this is just a necessary part of life. And I did get to keep you for the last twenty-four years so I can't complain at all. My little chickens have flown the coop, but they'll still be my babies."

"Mom, I really do love you, but sometimes, you're too corny for even me."

"You hush, Edward Anthony," she laughed, slapping my arm lightly.

"Cullen, you better not be giving your mother any trouble," Bella warmed, smirking at me. "Charlie and I will have to set you straight if you are."

"Hey, I want a turn with him in the snow," I said, rushing forward and taking Charlie from Bella. He giggled at the quick movement, trying to grab any part of my face that he could reach. I lifted him up above my head and then quickly lowered my arms, letting Charlie feel like he was falling without actually doing it. He laughed loudly while kicking his little legs.

"Be careful," Bella said, biting at her lip. She was getting a lot better about it, but playing this way with Charlie still seemed rough and dangerous to her.

"He's in good hands," I assured her, lifting him up and dropping him again.

"I know, but he still seems so little when you play with him that way."

I didn't want her to worry, so I brought Charlie down for the last time, turning him so that he was sitting on my arm and facing Bella and the family. "There's enough snow for a small snowball. Why don't you make one for the little man?" I suggested.

"And then teach him to throw it at Uncle Emmett," Bella chuckled as she bent down.

"I heard that, Squirt," Emmett replied.

"Good! It won't be a shock then," she told him, smiling up at him. "No hitting my son, though. If he gets any snowball on him, you're going to be in huge trouble."

Emmett huffed and rolled his eyes at her. "Bella, I'm a goofball, not an idiot. I know not to throw anything at a five month old."

"Just making sure," she said as she stood up with her miniature snowball. "Look, Charlie," she cooed, setting the ball into his gloved hand.

"Daaaa?" he said, sounding as if he was asking her a question.

"Snowball," she told him. "It's fun to throw. Watch!" She took the ball back, making sure Charlie was watching, and then launched it at Emmett. It hit him high up on his back, splattering all over his coat.

Charlie was so excited that he couldn't even get any sounds out. He just moved his arms and legs around wildly while breathing quickly.

"I think he rather enjoyed that," my mother chuckled, putting a freshly made snowball into Charlie's hands.

He stared at it for a few seconds before getting excited again. It fell right out of his hand and hit the ground near my feet. I tilted him forward so he could see the mess. "Uh, oh," I said. He turned his head, smiling up at me.

Bella laughed at his expression as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Oh, wow. I think that's enough snow," she said. "His cheek is really cold and I don't want to risk him getting sick again."

"Then let's get him inside. We'll get him out of all of this gear and warm him up with his blanket," I replied, already moving toward the house with him.

"We'll be right behind you," Rose called out. "She's got two minutes left and then it's inside."

"One, Mamma," Lily cried. She was trying to learn her numbers, but she hadn't yet mastered what those numbers meant.

"Sure," Rose chuckled.

We took of all of our gear near the backdoor so we wouldn't track water through the house and then headed into the living room to find Charlie's blanket. Alice and Jasper were talking softly on the loveseat with the twins sleeping right next to them in the playpen.

"Tired of the snow so soon," Alice asked, wiggling her hands as her silent plea to hold her nephew.

"Not at all, but just a bit cold for a baby," I replied, setting Charlie on her lap.

"Hello, little man. What did you think of the snow?" she cooed, rubbing her nose against his.

"He wasn't really sure about it," Bella said, handing his blanket and pacifier to Alice. "He seemed like he was worried the snow would hurt us. But he did enjoy watching me hit Emmett with a snowball."

"Best part of the holiday season," Jasper chuckled.

"Well since they're staying in, why don't you go out and play with Emmett for a bit?" Alice offered.

"And Lily's still got another minute before she has to come in," I added. "I'm sure she'd love to see Uncle Jazz smack her daddy with a big snowball."

"I'm all over that," he said excitedly, kissing Alice's cheek and then rushing out of the room.

"Some things never change," Bella laughed, shaking her head at Jasper's quick departure.

I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her against my chest and squeezing lightly. "Luckily for us, they seem to be the things we like just as they are."

"Like having my very own Tutor-boy," she chuckled, reaching back and patting my cheek.

"Is there really nothing I can do to get you to stop calling me that?" I asked, swaying with her just a little.

"Well…" she started, drawing the word out. "Actually, no," she laughed. "I love your nickname."

"But I don't even tutor you anymore," I pointed out.

"Sure you do, Edward," she said, turning to face me. "You teach me every day how to love you best."

I smiled and lowered my head, kissing her lips softly. "Cheater."

"I learned from watching you," she chuckled.

"What if I say it's all I want for Christmas?" I asked.

"I'll say too bad because I already bought your gift."

"I thought we weren't doing gifts because of the house."

"No, I said you weren't allowed to buy me a gift. But while I was out picking up the few things we picked out for Charlie, I found something for you."

"Any hints?"

"None," she said, smiling wide.

"Just one?" I pleaded.

She pretended to think about it for a second before answering. "You'll like it."

"That's not much of a hint since I always like the gifts I receive from you, Love."

"Sorry, Tutor-boy. You're just going to have to stay curious until tomorrow morning," she replied.

Yep! Teasing, playful Bella was definitely back. And I couldn't have been happier.

The rest of Christmas Eve was spent watching holiday movies with the family and playing with the kids. Once it was completely dark outside, my father turned out all the lights and lit up the Christmas tree, much to Lily and Charlie's delight. He didn't seem like he was a hundred percent sure of what he was looking at, but he did love the lights.

A few minutes passed by and Rose turned on one of the small lamps, holding a large box in her hands. "It's time for the presentation of the new ornaments," she said happily, sitting on the edge of the sofa and balancing the box on her knees. "Bella and I took our time with it and we really think everyone will be pleased with their new ornaments. Bells, do you want the honors?"

"Sure," she said excitedly, passing Charlie to me. "Since Carlisle and Esme have done so much to help us all this year, I want to give them their ornaments first." Rose reached into the box and handed Bella something large, wrapped in pink tissue paper. "Esme, this is yours," Bella announced, placing it in my mother's hands. "It's very similar to one you already have, but we thought you would be okay with that."

My mother smiled as she pulled the tissue paper back to reveal her ornament. It was a large silver tree and the branches were engraved with all of our names, including the newest members of the family.

"We know you have the small one with just Carlisle, Alice, Edward, and you, so we thought it was time for an update," Rose said. "Do you like it?"

"My sweet, sweet girls," my mother sighed as she hugged Bella tightly. "I love it, my darlings. Thank you so much," she added, kissing Rose's cheek.

"I'm impressed," Alice chirped. "That was definitely a great ornament, but don't think for a second I'm permanently relinquishing my ornament-picking duty."

"We wouldn't dream of it," Rose chuckled.

"Carlisle's turn," Bella announced, pulling another wrapped ornament from the box. "Rose found it and as soon as she showed it to me, we purchased it for you."

My dad pulled back the red tissue paper and took his gift out, a huge smile filling his face. "Perfect, girls. Completely perfect," he told them. His ornament was a grandfather sitting in a rocking chair with a girl and boy on his lap and a book in his hands, and sitting at his feet were another girl and boy staring up at the grandfather.

"The hair colors and ages aren't exactly right, but there are four of them," Bella said.

"It's perfect just the way it is," my dad replied, hanging his ornament near the top of the tree.

"Can I be next? Please?" Alice begged.

"Sure," Rose chuckled. "Told you she wouldn't last long."

"I never argued," Bella giggled. "Now, Alice, do you want your ornament first? Or Brandon and Libby's?"

"Ooh, tough choices," Alice said, frowning a little. "But these are my babies, so I want to see theirs first."

Rose handed Bella a rectangular box and she passed it to Alice. "We really hope you like them."

Alice squealed as she ripped into the box, making the rest of us laugh. She pulled back the white tissue paper and then just sat there, smiling into the box with tears streaming down her face.

"Alice, honey, are you okay?" Rose asked, reaching out and putting her hand on my sister's knee.

Alice nodded her head and smiled as she wiped at her tears. "It's just so perfect."

"What did the twins get, Dear?" my mother asked.

Alice's smile widened as she carefully lifted one of the ornaments up by the bright red ribbon attached to it. "Silver sleigh bells with their full names and 'Baby's First Christmas' engraved on them. They're just like the bells from my favorite movie, Polar Express." She got up from the loveseat and attacked Rose and Bella with her hugs, thanking them over and over.

"Ready for your own ornament now?" Bella asked as Alice returned to her seat next to Jasper.

"Please," Alice chuckled.

"We got you this one to make you laugh, so be a good sport about it," Rose warned as she passed the wrapped ornament to Alice.

My sister removed the yellow tissue paper from her ornament and immediately fell into a fit of giggles. Jasper had to take it from her just to keep it from getting dropped.

"What is it?" Emmett asked.

Jasper chuckled as he looked over the ornament. "A diaper bag. It says 'From Shopping Diva to Diaper Dodger, Merry Christmas to Libby & Brandon's Mother'."

"Diaper Dodger," Emmett snorted. "That's definitely our pixie."

"Hey, I changed that one during movie night," Alice fussed.

"Yeah, but that was a girl's diaper and hardly had anything in it," Emmett replied. "As far as I'm concerned, you still haven't changed one."

"Right, because you've changed so many," she huffed.

"I have, actually. It was Rosie's favorite punishment me for me when I annoyed her," he chuckled.

"Then you have changed a lot," I laughed.

"Okay, before you guys get carried away with the diaper talk, it's Edward's turn," Rose announced. "We actually had something very different in mind for you, but circumstances changed and we felt this one would be a much better one for you."

Bella handed me the rectangular gift, biting at her lip. "I really hope you like it," she said softly as she took Charlie.

"I'm sure I will," I replied, smiling at her.

I pulled the top off and found a long, over-sized silver key inside. Engraved across the key were the words "Our First Home: Edward, Bella, and Charlie Cullen".

"Ladies, another perfect choice," I told them.

"Flip it over," Bella urged, smiling wide now that she was sure I liked it.

I did as she said, finding another engraving. "For all that you do for us, we love you and appreciate you, Tutor-boy". I could only snort at the words.

"What?" Bella asked. How she could manage to sound so innocent with such a devilish smile on her lips was beyond me.

"You are bound and determined to make sure that nickname is permanent, aren't you?"

"Of course," she chuckled, leaning in and kissing me. "Now take your son back so we can give out the rest of these."

I stole another kiss and then took Charlie, walking him over to the tree so he could watch me hang the ornament.

"Lily next?" Bella asked Rose.

"Yeah, she's got to get to bed soon," Rose replied. "Lily Bear, want to see your new ornament?"

"Where?" Lily asked, deserting her blocks and rushing over to the sofa.

"Pull the tissue paper back," Rose instructed, holding the ornament out in her hand.

Lily smiled wide as she yanked at the pink paper. Her reaction was somewhere between a squeak and a squeal as she started jumping up and down. "A doggie, Momma. Doggie for the tree!"

"Let Daddy help you put it on," Rose said, handing the ornament to Emmett.

"Woof, woof," Lily barked, lifting her arms for Emmett to pick her up.

He chuckled at her as he picked her up, kissing her cheek before bringing her over to the tree. "Where do you want it to go?"

"By Grandpa," she said, pointing toward my father's ornament.

"Charlie's turn," Bella said excitedly as she walked over with the ornament hiding in her hands.

"No tissue paper for him?" I asked.

"Remember Lily trying to eat it at his age?" she replied.

"Good point," I chuckled. "Charlie, ready to see what Mommy has for you?"

Bella lifted her hand up to reveal a small blue bear, much like the one from my first Christmas. "Look, little man! Yours is just like Daddy's. Isn't that nice?"

He yawned and turned his face away, rubbing it against my shirt.

"I think he's getting tired, Mommy," I said, starting to rub his back for him.

"Yeah, bedtime for the babies as soon as we're done," Bella said as she hung his ornament on the tree.

"My turn?" Emmett asked hopefully.

"Sure," Rose chuckled.

"Em, your ornament is extra special this year because Lily Bear helped make it for you," Bella told him.

"Is that right, Princess?" he questioned, taking the wrapped ornament from Lily's hands.

"Daddy, I made pretty for you," she confirmed, nodding her head and sending her curls flying.

"I bet you did," he said, leaning forward and kissing her little cheek.

He sat up straight and made a big show of unwrapping the red tissue paper, making Lily giggle and unveiling a football helmet shaped ornament. It was painted maroon with gold sparkles all over it, and written in Rose's neat script were the words "Merry Christmas, Daddy. Love, Lily".

"Best one yet," he said, scooping Lily up and hugging her tightly. "I love you so much, baby girl."

Lily pulled back from the hug and kissed him on the lips. "Love you, Daddy."

A chorus of "aw" erupted from the ladies in our family and Lily giggled as she tucked herself under Emmett's chin, blushing just a little. She was definitely going to be as gorgeous as her mother when she was older.

"Jasper's turn," Bella said, wiping away a stray tear as she brought him his ornament.

"Thanks, Bells," he told her as he took the wrapped item. He pulled back the white tissue paper and lifted up an ornament shaped like a house. There was an oval plaque at the top that proclaimed the house to have been "Built with Love", and over the body of the house were Alice and the kids' names, along with Jasper's.

"What do you think?" Rose asked.

He walked over and wrapped his sister up in a hug. "I think as much as I love what Alice picks for us, Bella and you did an amazing job of representing how special and wonderful this past year as been for us all."

"Two more," Bella said, sounding a bit nervous. "Rose, you go first."

"Alright," Rose chuckled. "I'm excited to see what you picked for me, Bells."

"I had help from Emmett and he assured me you would find it cute and funny," she replied. "So if you hate it, we're totally going to beat him up together."

"Absolutely," Rose agreed as she pulled back the tissue paper. She immediately started laughing, shaking her head as she looked between Emmett and Bella. "Nice, guys. Very nice." She held the ornament up for the rest of us, showing off a circular photo frame with a picture of Esme, Alice, Bella, and Rose hugging each other, with the words "Hot Mom Squad" emblazoned above in bright purple.

"Yeah, Em was definitely involved," Jasper chuckled.

"Hey, it's true," Emmett shrugged. "We do have the hottest wives in all of Seattle. In fact, I think—"

"Bella's turn," Rose announced, cutting Emmett off before he could really get started with whatever silliness he had in mind. "Now, Bells, a certain little man had a hand in this and we both hope you like it," she said as she handed the wrapped ornament to Bella.

"Intriguing words," Bella replied with a smile as she started to peel back the tissue paper. "Oh, wow," she breathed once the ornament came into view. It was a circular disc and in the middle of it was Charlie's little handprint. Engraved around the sides were the words "Merry Christmas to the Little Man's Mommy".

"Alright, I admit it," Alice announced, breaking the silence. "Rose and Bella kicked butt with the Christmas ornaments. But I would like to point out that it took two of them to replace me."

"There's no replacing," Bella said as she wiped away her tears and hung her ornament. "There's just sharing and helping out with adding to our beautiful tree."

"What she said," Emmett seconded, wrapping his big arms around Bella as the two of them stared up at the tree.

A few minutes of silence passed before my mother's voice broke the quiet as she started to sing.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light.

From now on,

Our troubles will be out of sight."

When she started up with the next verse, each member of our family joined in.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

Our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together

If the Fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough,

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now."

One thing I've learned while writing OLM & LLC...Nobody does Christmas like a Cullen!