Previous chapter: Jasper – JPOV

Caius simply smiles as his wife plops down on the couch next to Bella to watch the movie. Soon both she and Bella are so engrossed in the movie that they don't even notice it as he motions me to follow him outside.

Jasper – JPOV

I carefully stand up to follow Caius and snicker as Bella doesn't even notice me leaving her side. What is it with women and 'Pride and Prejudice' anyway? Caius smiles as he stares at his wife and daughter for a moment before walking outside with me closely behind. He runs a distance from the house before he turns around and says: "You've created a home for your coven in Montana, Major. My daughter is blissfully happy here. Why are you so certain that she would want to leave this all behind and move to Italy?"

"Bella loves with all her heart, Caius, and home is where the heart is. This house will always be special to us as a couple, and we will revisit it often in the eternity that lies ahead of us, but for Bella, it won't be home anymore the moment Jane and Alec leave for Italy. And I feel the same way. They are as much my kids as they are hers."

Caius nods as he turns to look in the direction of the house, and I smile as I feel his love for my Bella as he says: "I would be the world's greatest liar if I were to say that your words displease me, but I'm sure you sensed that already. Bella's happiness had become imperative to my own. The love for a child, blood or not, is more powerful than I ever thought possible. I love the idea of her calling Italy home very much. Here are the keys, Jasper. The house is magnificent. You and the twins put a lot of thought and love into the design, and I can't wait to see her face when she sees it for the first time. Did Jane use the last pictures I send to complete the scrapbook?"

I nod at his question and say: "Yes, she finished it this morning. Bella will love it." Caius smiles as he gently pats my shoulder and says: "I'm sure she will, Jasper. Now, let's head back before my Dora starts a search party when she realizes we're not there. That woman can overreact like no other."

I smile as I imagine Athenodora scolding Caius because he went off without informing her and say: "But still, you love her more than life itself." Caius smiles as we run back and says: "There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for my mate. You can't tell me it's different for you and my daughter."

I shake my head as we run at full speed back to the house and say: "The only thing I will never do is willingly leave her. She's my life." Caius nods as we reach the house and smiles as he opens the door for me and says: "And that's why I like you so much, Jasper. I couldn't have wished for a better mate for my daughter, son."

Bella - BPOV

My hand drifts toward Jasper's when my favorite part of the movie starts, and I look up surprised as I notice he's no longer sitting next to me. Where did he go? I turn around as I feel a soft tap on my shoulder and find Peter there, smiling at me as he says: "No need to worry, cupcake. He will be back soon. Now, watch the movie, or you'll miss your favorite part."

I snicker as my mother turns around to hush Peter, before grabbing my hand and whispering: "Oh, Bella, you need to watch this! It's is my favorite part!" I smile as I settle back into the seat next to her and whisper: "Mine too, mama, mine too."

The movie, however, doesn't hold my attention like it normally does. I can't believe I didn't notice it when Japser left my side. A sudden wave of love interrupts my musings, and I sigh relieved as I look up to see Jasper standing in the doorway. I rush straight into his arms and say: "Where did you go? Is something wrong?"

Jasper shakes his head as he strokes a loose strand of hair behind my ear and says: "Your father just wanted to talk, pumpkin. Don't worry, nothing's wrong. How was the movie?" I snicker as I slap his arm playfully and say: "You know how I feel about that movie better than I do. I couldn't focus after I noticed you were gone though. Why did I not notice that you left my side, Jasper? I'm a vampire, crying out loud. I should have noticed! I mean…"

The rest of my rant gets interrupted as Jasper leans in to kiss me while calming me with his gift. He smiles softly as he pulls back and says: "Even a vampire can miss things, pumpkin. Your focus was on the movie, and I made sure not to disturb you. As you said, I know how much you love that movie. Did your mother like it too?"

I nod as Jasper leads me back to the couch and say: "I think she likes it even more than I do." Jasper chuckles as he pulls me into his lap and whispers: "Like mother, like daughter." I smile as I lean my head against his shoulder and sigh happily as he strokes my hair while we watch another movie with our family in comfortable silence.

The rest of the days up to Christmas Eve pass quickly as Athenodora and I spend hours talking, while Jasper tries to beat my father at chess. The rest of our family falls back to their usual routine of gaming, watching moving, and arguing about the stupidest things. I can't help but smile the entire time. I've never been this happy in all my life.

Jasper – JPOV

Bella has been on cloud nine ever since her parents arrived. She hasn't stopped smiling, not even when Peter and Emmett started arguing about some stupid game they were playing. I swear that her love for those two buffoons even grew at that moment, strangely enough.

I smile at the memory as I stare out of our bedroom window while Bella is still in the bathroom getting ready for our Christmas Eve party. Char insisted that we all dress in formal wear, and I could feel that Bella liked that idea, so I easily complied. Peter tried to object, but the look on Char's face said enough. We all knew who was going to win that discussion in the end.

The soft rustling of clothing behind makes me turn around, and I'm lost for words as I stare at the vision before me. Bella giggles as she slowly walks my way and says: "Did the cat get your tongue, Major?"

I shake my head as I reach out to take her hand and say: "You take my breath away, darlin'. You look stunning. I love you so much." Bella smiles as I pull her closer, and I sigh happily as I feel her love washing over me as she leans in for a kiss and says: "I love you too, Jasper. Are you ready?"

I nod as I offer her my arm and say: "Of course, darlin'. Nobody is going to notice me anyway with the way you look." Bella giggles as she takes my arm and says: "Why, Major Whitlock, you flatter me, but you could never go unnoticed. Every woman will agree with me and say that you look very handsome tonight."

I smile as I lead her outside and say: "Just like every man will agree with me and say that you look gorgeous, pumpkin. God, I'm so lucky that I get to call you mine." Bella giggles as she pulls me close for a kiss and says: "Only yours, major, like you are mine."

Soft laughter from the barn pulls our attention back to the festivities at hand, and I smile as the sound of one of my favorite Christmas songs fills the air around us. A second later, Jane and Alec come rushing our way, and Bella smiles brightly as they grab our hands and drag us inside while saying: "Hurry up, mom and dad. Auntie Char won't let us near the presents as long as you're not there."

Bella - BPOV

Jasper snickers as Alec and Jane pull us inside, and I smile as I notice that everyone I love is already gathered in front of the Christmas tree. This is already the best Christmas Eve ever. Jasper and I smile as we move to sit on the empty couch and watch as Char hands Jane and Alec the presents Char, Peter, Rosalie, and Emmett bought for them.

Athenodora is next to walk over to the tree and pick up a present. She turns to hand me the box says: "Your father has been quite mysterious about your present, Bella, so if you don't like it, I had nothing to do with it. This, however, is my gift to you."

I smile as I carefully unwrap the present and gasp for unneeded air as I spot what's inside: the most stunning diamond and blue sapphire tiara I've ever seen in my entire life. I turn to look at my mother, and she simply smiles as she says: "It was my first tiara. Your father gifted it to me when he asked me to marry him. I want you to have it, mia figlia *. It brought me so much luck and joy over the years, and I thought it could also be your something old and something blue when you marry Jasper."

I let out a loud sob as I rush into her arms and say: "I love it. It's way too much, but I love it." Athenodora giggles as she pulls me close and places a kiss on my hair as she says: "Nothing is ever too much for you, Bella. I'm glad that you like it."

I nod as I give her another hug and say: "Thank you, mama. Now it's my turn." I turn to look at the Christmas tree and gently pick up the painting that Alec made of me. Jasper convinced me that it was a great idea, and, seeing how beautiful the painting turned out, I can only agree. Our son is a very gifted artist. Caius raises a brow as I hand him the rather large package, and I smile shyly as I say: "This is for you and mama. I hope you like it." Caius smiles at me reassuringly as he takes the painting and says: "I'm certain we will love it, mia figlia."

Athenodora nods as she joins her husband, and I watch as they unwrap the painting together. A sudden wave of awe, happiness, and joy hits me. And I smile knowing that Jasper is projecting the emotions my parents feel as they stare at the painting. After a few seconds, Caius clears his throat and says: "You captured her liking to perfection, Alec. This painting will get a special place in the castle. Thank you so much, Bella. We love it."

He carefully shows the painting to the rest of the family, and I smile brightly as everyone praises Alec for his work while I pick up Jane's gift. I bite my lower lip as I hand it to her and watch in suspense as she carefully opens her present. I sigh in relief as Jane gasps for unneeded air when she spots the silver locket, and I smile as she throws herself in my arms and says: "I love it, mom. It's perfect."

I smile as Jasper sends me a wave of love and turn to pick up Alec's gift. He smiles excitedly as he rips the wrapping paper to shreds, and I snicker as Alec stops to stare at the watch in awe and whispers: "It looks just like dad's." I nod as he rushes over to hug me and say: "I know. That's why I bought it for you." Alec smiles as he gives me another hug and says: "I love it, mom."

Jasper smiles as Alec moves to sit next to him to show him the watch, and I smile as he sends me another wave of love. I can only hope he likes his present just as much. Jasper shakes his head as I turn to grab his present and says: "Everyone has loved their gift so far, and I will too. Stop doubting yourself, pumpkin."

I give him a soft smile as I hand him his gift and move to sit next to him as he carefully unwraps it. I watch as he gently caresses the cover of the Civil War journal in awe and smile as he kisses me and says: "This is amazing. Thank you so much for this, pumpkin."

Then, he turns to look at Jane and Alec, and I realize that it's time for my gift. The twins clap their hands enthusiastically as they grab two packages from underneath the Christmas tree, while Jasper takes my hands and says: "I love you, Bella, more than anything in this world, and I know how important family is to you. The thought of the twins leaving for Italy almost breaks your heart, and that's why we made sure that you never have to leave them if you don't want to."

I swallow inaudibly as Jane and Alec hand me the first gift, and I quickly open it. I raise my brow questioningly as I spot a set of keys. Jane snickers as she gives me the second gift, and I smile as I spot a scrapbook inside. I open it and gasp for unneeded air as I stare at photos of the most beautiful house ever and whisper: "You build a house for me?"

* mia figlia = my daughter

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