Previous chapter: Jasper - JPOV

Alec smiles as he nods and says: "I would love to." I smile as he takes a closer look at my screen, and I can feel some reservation as he says: "It won't be easy to get the right permits to build there though. We need Master Caius to pull the right strings, and if he orders the guard to help, the house can actually be ready before Christmas."

I nod as I pull out my phone to call my future father-in-law… again.

Caius - CPOV (a bit earlier that same day)

I smile as I make my way back to the throne room after helping Athenodora plan our trip to the US. I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with our precious daughter. I smirk as a few guards duck their heads when they pass me and notice the smile on my face. It looks like I'm even more terrifying when I'm happy than when I'm scowling at everyone. Who would have thought?

I smirk even harder as Aro stares at me in horror as I storm into the throne room with my smile still in place and says: "God, I don't know what's more terrifying: Caius scowling or smiling. What do you think, Marcus?" Marcus turns to look at me as I sit down on my throne. A small smile graces his lips as he says: "I think fatherhood suits him, Aro."

Aro rolls his eyes as Felix brings in the next rule-breaking vampire to get judged for his crimes, but Marcus smiles as I nod at him in agreement. He is right. I can't say I was incomplete before I met my darling daughter because it never felt that way, but finding Bella and having her accept me as her father gave my existence a whole new meaning. She is now as important to me as my Dora, and I pity the fool that is moronic enough to try and harm her.

The remainder of the afternoon drags on as Aro reads the minds of the vampires that were brought before us because they broke our most important law. They all meet the same fate in the end. How there are still vampires out there that believe they can get away with exposing our race to humans is beyond me. The world is full of idiots.

I'm pulled from my musings by the sound of my cellphone, and I ignore Aro's disapproving glare as I answer the call the moment I see whose calling. Why on earth is Jasper calling me again?

Jasper – JPOV

I notice that Caius is trying to keep the worry out of his voice as he answers the phone and says: "Major, what's wrong?" I smile as Jane and Alec roll their eyes at their Master's voice and say: "Nothing, Master. I didn't mean to worry you. Bella is doing great, and she's looking forward to your visit. I'm calling because Jane, Alec, and I have a favor to ask of you."

I can hear the relief in his voice as Caius lets out a deep breath and says: "Thank god."

The three of us stifle a laugh as we hear Aro say: "Fatherhood is going to be the death of him if you ask me, Marcus. If he had a beating heart, he would have had a heart attack when he saw the Major was calling."

A low growl interrupts Aro's rambling, and I smile as I hear the ruffling of clothes that indicates Caius is moving away from his brothers. A few seconds pass before we hear a door closing and Caius saying: "I'm listening, Jasper. What is this favor you were speaking of?"

"I want to buy Bella a house in Italy. It will be the perfect Christmas gift because we all know Bella will miss the twins terribly when they return to Volterra. She will love having a place of our own near Volterra, and that way, we'll be able to visit the twins as well as you and Athenodora whenever she wants. However, finding a house that meets all our expectations has proven difficult. So we want to build the perfect house near the National Park east of Volterra. Alec will draw the plans, but he thinks it won't be easy to get the right permits to build there unless you help us. Is that something you would be willing to do, Master?"

I smile as Caius chuckles and says: "I find myself longing for the days when I actually had the option of saying 'no' in answer to a question. Jasper, tell me: how would my wife react if she found out I refused to help you and the twins build a house for our daughter near Volterra?"

I snicker as Alec and Jane start to giggle and say: "I think she would make your life very difficult for a long time, Master." Caius snorts at my words and says: "Very difficult is putting it mildly, Jasper. My life would be a living hell for the rest of eternity. That woman can hold a grudge like no other. I'll tell you that. Now, second question: how will Bella react if she found out her father refused to help you and the twins build a house for her so that she can visit us at any time?"

I shake my head as I think of Bella's reaction and say: "Knowing Bella, she would blame herself. She would think that she wasn't worth it and that you didn't love her enough to help us. She would try to hide it, but it would haunt her for a long time." I know that Caius is nodding in agreement as he says: "Yes, she would. So you see, Jasper, there is only one answer to your question because there's a snowball's chance in hell that I'll be the reason my daughter feels that way. Send me the plans and the exact location. I've got a house to build."

I smile as Alec and Jane high-five each other and say: "We'll send you the necessary documents before the day is over. Thank you, Caius." I can imagine Caius waving me off as he says: "Anything for my daughter, Jasper. You would do the same for Alec and Jane. Now, get a move on. Oh, and from now on, Jasper, don't mention the house over the phone. My Dora is terrible at keeping secrets. We don't want to ruin the surprise."

After that, Caius ends the call, and I smile as Jane and Alec jump up to hug me. The next few hours pass fast as Alec draws the most beautiful house ever. I can't wait for Bella to see it for real.

Bella - BPOV

I can't help but wonder what surprise Jasper and the twins are working on as I make my way over to watch the movie with Rose, Michael, and Bree. Emmett joins us as well, which means Char is off somewhere with Peter to reward him for his patience, as she so eloquently put it. She doesn't fool me for a second, though. I know she likes the sex just as much as he does.

I try to concentrate on the movie, but I catch myself glancing at the clock every other minute. What in heaven's name is taking Jasper and the twins so long? What if something happened? Emmett snickers as he gently pats my shoulder and says: "Stop worrying, Bells. Knowing my brother, he's working on the perfect surprise, and perfection needs time. Do you want to pick the next movie?"

I smile as Emmett hands me the remote, and I nod as I say: "You're probably not going to like my pick, brother bear." Emmett shrugs his shoulders as I select 'Pride & Prejudice" out of the list and says: "I'll happily sit through that movie a dozen times if it gets your mind off things. Start it up, sis." I smile softly as I press play and settle back into my seat, determined to focus on the movie. A snicker from Emmett after about fifteen minutes tells me I'm completely failing in my attempt to not think about how much I miss my Jasper, but I just can't help it. I love the man so damn much.

We're halfway through the movie as Jasper, Jane, and Alec finally join us. I sigh in relief as he walks my way, and I can feel the tension of not being near him leave my body. Jasper smiles as he plops down on the couch next to me and kisses me softly before saying: "I missed you too, darlin', but I also know that the look on your face and the feel of your emotions when you open our present on Christmas eve will make up every second that I had to miss you. What did you get up to while we were busy?"

I smile as I snuggle up to him and say: "Nothing much. We unloaded the truck and decorated the barn. Char helped me find the perfect Christmas gifts for you and the twins, and I tried to watch the movies, but I was missing you so much that I couldn't focus at all."

Jasper – JPOV

I send her a wave of my love as I pull her closer and say: "I'm here now pumpkin. I promise you it was worth every second, you'll see." I can feel Bella's doubt for a brief second, but she smiles brightly as the twins start nodding enthusiastically, and it's replaced by her love for the three of us as Alec says: "You're going to love it, mom!" Alec beams as Bella walks over to hug him close and says: "If you and Jane agree, then it must be true. I can only hope that you and Jane will love the presents I got for you too then."

Jane gasps in surprise at Bella's words, and I can feel hope and love flowing through her as she whispers: "You got us a present?" Bella nods as she turns to look at Jane and says: "Of course, I did. You are my kids, I love you, and I get to spoil you." Jane squeals as she launches herself into Bella's arms and hugs her tight as she says: "I can't wait. It's going to be the best Christmas ever!"

I smile as the twins start questioning Bella about their presents and snicker as Bella tries to sneak in a few questions about our surprise for her. Their mutual curiosity dies down after a while when they all notice that no one is going to spill the beans. I sigh happily as Bella sits back down on the seat next to me and rests her head on my shoulder while the twins sit down with their mates. The rest of the night passes quietly as the kids decide to play a board game while Rose, Emmett, Bella, and I talk about the different places we want to visit when Bella is ready to travel.

The next few weeks pass slowly as we settle back into the routine we had before Thanksgiving. Caius mails me each other every other day about the progress of the house. He's pulling out all the stops to make sure that the house is ready before Christmas, and I'm grateful for his help. We couldn't have done it without him.

It's the week before Christmas before we know it. I quickly open my laptop as Bella leaves for the barn to prepare the guestroom for Caius and Athenodora. They called five minutes ago to say that they are on their way to the US which made Bella panic. I tried to calm her by saying that she planned everything to perfection and that everything would be fine, but she insisted on checking the guest room one more time.

I smile widely as I look through the pictures Caius mailed me just before they left for the US. My God, the house looks magnificent. Alec outdid himself when he drew it, that's for sure, and Jane's suggestions about the layout and the garden have worked out perfectly. It's the perfect gift for Bella, even more so because the twins, Caius and I had our hand in its creation. I quickly close the mail as I hear Bella entering the house and shake my head as she makes her way to our room. If she's this nervous now, I don't want to imagine how she's going to feel after a twelve-hour wait. I'll have to distract her.

Bella - BPOV

Jasper snickers as I enter our room and says: "Is the guest room ready, darlin'?" I nod as I go over my checklist in my head for the umpteenth time. God, I think I've never been so nervous in all my life. What if something isn't up to their standard? What if Athenodora doesn't like me? I take a deep breath as a wave of calm washes over me and smiles as Jasper walks over to hug me and says: "Calm down pumpkin. They're going to love everything you did, and they're going to love you. What's not to love? You're perfect in every way."

His words make me fall in love with him even more, and I sigh happily as I lean my head against his chest and say: "You're the perfect one, Jasper. Please distract me. I'm going to drive myself crazy if you don't." I shiver as a burst of lust and desire crashes over me and bite my lower lip as he leans down and whispers: "With pleasure, darlin'." I moan as Jasper kisses his way down my body. And after that, all thoughts of the impending arrival of my parents vanish from my mind as Jasper shows me heaven for hours on end. Mission accomplished.

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