Previous chapter: Bella - BPOV

I squeak as Jasper lifts me into his arms and carries me upstairs as I say: "Why, Major Whitlock? Isn't our living room a good place to talk?" The sexy smirk on his face is almost enough to make me come undone even before we reach our bedroom. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from moaning again as Jasper pins me to our bedroom wall and growls: "Who said anything about talking, darlin'? I know another way to communicate, and you happen to love it."

Bella - BPOV

I don't even try to stop the moan that escapes my lips as Jasper runs his hands over my body and presses his hard member against my aching center. His eyes darken as my lust and desire wash over him, and I let out another moan as he sends me his lust and desire in return. God, I love this man so much, and I will never get enough of him.

Jasper growls as I tear his shirt and jeans to shreds, and he eagerly returns the favor. He smirks as my desire and lust increase even more at his action, and my eyes flutter closed as I try to stifle another moan. The next thing I know, Jasper has me pinned down underneath him on the bed while sliding into me ever so slowly. God, I swear this man will be the death of me.

Jasper – JPOV

I snicker as Bella arches her back and growls: "Don't you dare take it slow, Major. I love it that I can make you lose control." I groan as Bella drags her nails across my back, and I pick up the pace. Bella moans loudly as I slam into her harder and faster with every thrust, and her voice is almost a growl as she says: "God, yes! Don't stop!"

"You know that I can't deny you anything, darlin'. Hold on."

Hours pass by as we continue to make love to each other. The world disappears around us as we reside inside our little bubble, and I couldn't be happier and more content than I am now. God, I love my Bella so much. The sound of Bella's cellphone somewhere in the room pulls me back to reality, and I groan as I realize that it's probably Athenodora. I chuckle as Bella tightens her hold on me and says: "Leave it. Whoever that is can wait a little longer."

I place a soft kiss on her head as I try to reach for her phone and say: "I'm afraid your mother will not agree with that statement, pumpkin. You know how much she loves your talks, and she will be over the moon when you ask her over for Christmas."

Bella huffs as I place her phone in her hand, and I smile as I feel the determination radiating from her as she says: "Fine, you win. But we will continue this later, Major Whitlock. You can bet on it." I nod as I place a kiss on her forehead and say: "Of course, ma'am. I would love to."

Bella - BPOV

I sigh happily as Jasper sends me his love as he walks into the bathroom to take a shower. I lean back against the headboard as I answer the phone and smile as I hear Athenodora say: "Bella, sweetheart, you must help me. Your father has been unusually happy all day, and he refuses to tell me why. Even the guards are looking at him strangely, ever since they heard him whistle as he walked toward the throne room. You must talk to him, mia figlia *. I'm really worried; this is so out of character for him. Do you think he's losing his mind?"

I shake my head as I stifle the laugh and say: "I'm sure nothing's wrong with papà, mama. I think I know the reason why he's so happy at the moment." Athenodora lets out a sigh in relief before saying: "You do?! Oh, thank the Gods! What is it?"

"I talked to papà this morning, after his conversation with Jasper, and I told him how you were telling me about the Christmas decorations you bought for the castle the other day. And that made me realize just how hard it would be to celebrate the Holidays without the two of you. So, I invited both of you to come over and celebrate Christmas with us here in Montana. Papà said you would throw him into a pyre if he declined the invitation."

Athenodora lets out a laugh at that, and I smile as she says: "I'm glad that your father still had a sense of self-preservation. Oh, Bella, you couldn't have given us a greater Christmas present than this. No wonder my Caius is so happy. He misses you very much, mia stellina **. I can't wait to see you and Jasper. Oh, how exciting! Christmas can't come fast enough this year."

"I feel the same, mama. Can you tell papà I miss him too?"

"Of course, Bella, right after I slap him for worrying me like that. That man will be the death of me someday." I giggle at her words and smile happily as we discuss the logistics of their trip to the US. Char was right; this is going to be the best Christmas ever.

Jasper – JPOV

I sigh contently as I soak up Bella's emotions while taking a quick shower. It will never cease to amaze me how powerful and pure Bella's emotions are. She feels and loves with every fiber of her being. I take a deep breath as I think of how devastated Bella will be when the twins return to Volterra with their mates after Michael masters his new diet but smile brightly as I instantly know what to buy my pumpkin for Christmas. I'm going to buy us a house near Volterra; that way we can divide our time between the US and Italy, and spend time with the twins whenever she wants. I'm one hundred percent sure no other gift will make her as happy as this one, even though she will scold me for spending so much money. I snicker at the thought as I finish my shower. Yep, Char was right. This is going to be the best Christmas ever.

I whistle some country tune as I finish my shower with a bright smile on my face. I can't wait for Alec and Jane to return from their shopping trip so that they can help me by picking the perfect location for our new home in Italy. I can hear that Bella is still on the phone with Athenodora as I get dressed, and I blow her a kiss as I walk into the bedroom. I send her my undying love and smile while soaking up her emotions as she gives me one of her breathtaking smiles and blows me a kiss in return. God, I love being an empath.

I grab my laptop from the desk and move to sit against the headboard as Bella finishes her call with her mother. I don't even need to be an empath to know how happy she is right now, and I smile as she claps her hands enthusiastically and says: "They're coming, Jasper. Mama was so happy when I asked her. Thank you so much, Jasper. You are the best!" I snicker as she plops down into my lap and hugs me tightly, and I say: "You're welcome, darlin'. I'll do everything to make you happy."

Bella sighs happily as she rests her head on my shoulder and says: "I love you, Jasper, so much." I can't help but smile like a crazy person as I lean down to place a kiss on her forehead and say: "I love you too, pumpkin." Bella smiles as she places a soft kiss on my lips and says: "I'm going to take a shower as well. Are you going out?"

I shake my head as Bella makes her way to the bathroom, and say: "No, pumpkin, I'm going to catch up on my emails while you take a shower, so I'll still be here when you're done." I wait until I hear the shower running to pull up a real estate website in Italy and am pleased to find a few addresses in the vicinity of Volterra that are worth checking out. I bookmark them; that way, I can show them to Alec and Jane later today. After that, I quickly check my emails, but there's nothing that needs my immediate attention, so I close my laptop with a smile on my face. Let's hope that one of the houses I marked ticks all the boxes.

Bella - BPOV

I can hear a car making its way up to our driveway right as I slip into my clothes and realize Char, Peter, and the kids are home. I smile as I watch my reflection in the mirror and fix my hair in a messy bun. Jasper is going to love this dress. Char helped me pick it out online, and it looks a lot like the one I wore when we left Forks, only this one has a desert flower print. It was the first dress I ever loved wearing, and I'll never forget the look on Jasper's face when he turned around and saw me wearing that dress. I never felt more beautiful than at that moment.

I give myself an approving nod as I turn to leave the bathroom and smile as I walk into our bedroom and find Jasper in the same spot as I left him, just like he said. I stifle a moan as I watch his eyes darken while they roam my body and shiver in delight as he lets out a low growl and says: "Fuck, darlin', are you trying to kill me? You look ravishing in that dress. Please, tell me you both a couple of them because I can't guarantee its survival."

I smile as I twirl around and say: "It must be your lucky day, Major. Char made me buy three of each piece I wanted. Don't forget to thank her." Another growl sends shivers down my spine, and I bite my lower as Jasper stalks my way and says: "Oh, I'll be thanking her all right, but first I'm going to take a closer look at that dress."

I giggle as Peter's voice rings out from the front yard as he yells: "A dress is a dress, Major. Come and help me unload this insane amount of shopping. You owe me big time for enduring endless hours of Christmas shopping. You know how fuckin' much I hate shopping." Jasper groans as he pinches the bridge of his nose and says: "He's so damn' lucky I like him."

Jasper – JPOV

I can feel Bella's happiness as she follows me outside to the car, and it makes me less pissed at Peter for interrupting us. That man has no sense of timing whatsoever. He can thank all that is holy on two knees that Bella isn't disappointed or mad right now, or I would be kicking his ass for sure. I smile as Bella rushes past me to hug the twins and says: "Did you have a great time with Auntie Char, sweeties? Did Uncle Peter behave himself?"

Jane beams as she turns to look at Char and says: "Auntie Char is the best. Wait till you see all the clothes we bought! Even Alec had fun, and he normally hates shopping. And you should have seen Uncle Peter when one of the employees at the mall flirted with Auntie Char. Neanderthal behavior, I tell you. It was hilarious."

I raise my brow at Peter as I turn to look at him, and I snicker as he shrugs his shoulders and mutters: "Nobody flirts with my woman. It's as simple as that." Jane giggles as Alec throws Bree over his shoulder, and his voice is a perfect imitation of Peter's as he strides across the front yard and says: "Dammit, woman! You're mine." I roll my eyes at Peter as the kids, Bella, and Char burst into laughter and say: "Real smooth, Captain."

Peter flips me off, and I shake my head as my brother grabs a handful of bags and carries them into the house. Alec and Michael grab a few bags each before following the girls as they make their way inside. I smile as I pick up the last load and follow my family inside.

We spend the rest of the day going through everything the girls bought. It isn't until Rose and Emmett barge into the living room that I get the chance to pull Alec and Jane aside to run my idea by them. The look on their faces tells me everything I need to know. A house near Volterra is the perfect Christmas present, not only for Bella but also for our children. Hell, even Caius is going to be over the moon when he finds out.

* Mia figlia = my daughter

** Mia stellina = my little star

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