Previous chapter: Jasper - JPOV

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.

Jasper – JPOV

The night passes fast as we watch a few movies together, and before we know it, we can hear two trucks making their way up the driveway. Char claps her hands as she moves to the front door and says: "The Christmas decorations have arrived!" Peter groans as he rubs his face with the palm of his hand and says: "Oh, goodie."

Char throws him a death glare as she puts her hands on her hips and says: "Stop your whining, Peter Whitlock. You owe me for your caveman act from yesterday, so up on your feet. Two trucks are waiting to get unloaded." We all watch as Peter rises to his feet, and Char giggles as he says: "Only because I love you, woman." I smile as Char kisses him passionately and says: "I love you too, Peter."

I watch as Emmett, Rose, Bree, and Michael follow them outside to help and snicker as Bella turns to look at me with a raised eyebrow and says: "Are you not coming, Jasper?" I shake my head as I lean over to kiss her cheek and say: "Nope, the twins and I are working on a Christmas surprise, and we need some time to do so, away from your prying eyes, darlin'."

Bella gasps for unneeded air at my statement, and I can feel the curiousness rolling off her in waves. I snicker as I place a quick peck on her forehead and say: "You're banned from this house until further notice, pumpkin. Out you go!" Alec and Jane giggle as Bella pouts and say: "Please, mom, you're going to love it. We promise!"

Bella smiles as she pulls them both close for a hug and says: "I know I will because it will be a gift from the people I love the most. Have fun, sweeties." I smirk as she turns to me and says: "Why do I have a feeling that you're going to spend way too much money?" I shake my head as I lead her to the front door and kiss her nose as I say: "Your feeling is spot on, pumpkin, but you don't get a say in this. We want to do this."

Bella - BPOV

I shake my head as Jasper closes the front door behind me and let out a frustrated huff as I walk over to Char to help unload the trucks. I'm already having a hard time coming up with the perfect Christmas presents as it is, and knowing that Jasper already found a present for me and that the twins love his idea puts even more pressure on me. Deep down, I know that Jasper and the twins will love whatever I buy them, but I want to surprise them just as they're going to surprise me. One thing is sure. I'm going to need help, and thankfully, I know just the person for that job.

Peter sighs as he lifts another box from the truck as I walk closer, and I shake my head as Char slaps his ass playfully and says: "Think of the reward, Peter. You know how I get when you act helpful and stuff." I could have lived forever without seeing the stupid grin that spread across Peter's face at Char's words. I swear those two have the weirdest foreplay ever. Peter smirks as he passes me, and I roll my eyes at his back as Char hands me a box and says: "You okay there, sugar? Where's Jasper and the twins?"

I turn to glance at the house as I say: "They're working on my Christmas gift. It's going to be something amazing, and nothing I will come up with will compare to theirs. I need your help, Char. Please tell me you have some great ideas!"

Char snickers as she shakes her head and says: "Sugar, they will be happy with whatever you buy them, and you know that. You don't need me to come up with the perfect gifts but seeing Peter will think I'm terminally ill because I said when you asked me to help you shop, I'll be more than happy to assist you. We can use my laptop to browse for ideas."

I sigh in relief and smile as Char keeps chattering about all the different websites we can use and all the things the twins showed interest in when they went shopping with Char earlier while we unload the trucks. She truly is the best sister ever.

Jasper – JPOV

I smirk as I feel Bella's curiosity and frustration as she walks away from the house to help unload the trucks. I turn to look at Jane and Alec and smile at the eagerness that's rolling off them in waves. I motion for them to follow me to the basement. Alec whistles as he notices the security system in place, and Jane smiles as she looks at the walls and says: "Soundproofed room… Smart of you, daddy."

I laugh as I place a kiss on her head and say: "Well, we don't want your mother hearing things by accident. That would ruin our surprise." I snicker as the twins nod in agreement and ruffle Alec's hair as he says: "She won't hear it from us, dad. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she opens her present. It will be awesome."

"I hope you're right, Alec. Your mother doesn't handle expensive surprises all that well, so we'll have to wait and see. But one thing's for sure though, she will love having a home close to the two of you. Let's hope that makes up for the load of cash we're going to spend. Now let me show you the houses I bookmarked this morning, so you can get a feel of what kind of style we're looking for. After that, we can make a list of all the requirements and start looking for a house that ticks all the boxes. How's that for a plan?"

Jane claps her hands enthusiastically as she plops down in one of the chairs while Alec moves to sit next to her. I turn the computer screen, so everyone has a clear view, and start showing them the houses I found earlier today. After that, we spend the next hour compiling our list and browsing websites. It quickly dawns on me, that it won't be an easy task to find the perfect house for my Bella. Jane gives me an encouraging smile as I voice my concern out loud, and I snicker as she says: "No one said it had to be easy, daddy. Wars aren't won in one day either. You should know that better than anyone."

Alec rolls his eyes at his sister, and I send him a burst of mischievousness as I lean in to tickle Jane's side. Alec laughs as he crosses his arms and watches as his sister squeals and pleads for mercy. His face is finally that of the young boy he was when he got turned. Jane pretends to scowl at the both of us as I give in to her pleas, but I snicker as she fails miserably. I send her and Alec a burst of the love I feel for them and smile as they hug me and say: "We love you too, dad."

We spend the next hours looking at every house the Italian house market has to offer, but even with the belief that we'll find the perfect house if we look hard enough, it's starting to frustrate us that all the houses we found so far are always lacking something. The most promising one, so far, had enough bedrooms, but only one central bathroom. There is no way in hell I am sharing a shower with Peter. Been there, done that, and not doing it again. And what's even worse: none of the houses we found are located near a large forest or a National Park. That's going to be a problem.

Bella - BPOV

I shake my head in wonder as Char places the last Christmas decorations in their rightful place. I've never seen a more beautifully decorated garden and house ever, and by the look on the faces of Emmett and Rose, they haven't either. I snicker as Emmett turns to look at Peter and whispers: "Why were you complaining so hard, man? She's great at this."

Char giggles as she switches on the last string of lights and says: "He knows that, Emmett, but he likes to rile me up. Mostly, because it gets him the sex he wants, but he wouldn't be my Peter if he didn't." Peter lets out a playful growl as he pulls her close and says: "Sex, huh? Now you're talking, woman."

Char shakes her head as he leans in for a kiss and says: "I'm not ready yet, Peter. Bella still needs my help buying Christmas presents for Jasper and the twins, but I promise your patience will get rewarded. I went to Victoria's secret yesterday."

Peter quickly straightens his pose, and the rest of us burst into laughter as he turns to Emmett and says: "Emmett, I'm going to kick your ass in Halo. Let's move." Rose simply rolls her eyes when she follows both men to the common room while saying she's joining Bree and Michael to watch a movie. Suddenly it's only Char and me in the yard. I shake my head as I turn to look at her, and Char lets out a loud laugh as I say: "You do know how to clear a room, sis."

"Oh sugar, you ain't seen nothing yet. You ready to shop?"

I nod and follow as Char walks into the barn to pick up her laptop. I snicker as she plops down on the couch and pats the spot next to her. I don't have to be an empath to know that Char's dying to get started. Time passes fast as Char shows me all the stuff she was talking about earlier, but even with all her wonderful ideas, I can't seem to find the perfect gifts. I'm on the verge of giving up on the whole thing as Char opens the website of an old antique shop and browses through everything they got to offer. I actually squeal as I find a gorgeous locket for Jane, a pocket watch that looks just like Jasper's for Alec, and an original Civil War journal for Jasper. Char smiles widely as she finalizes the order, and I can only nod in agreement as she says: "They are going to love these presents, sugar. No doubt about it."

Jasper – JPOV

I sigh in frustration as I turn to look at Alec and Jane. They're still focused on the task at hand while they browse website after website in search of the perfect house for their mom, but I'm starting to believe it doesn't exist… yet! Fuck, that's it!

I quickly pull up a map of Italy on my laptop and start looking for the perfect spot to build our dream house. I realize that I'm projecting my enthusiasm as the twins turn to look at me. Alec raises his brow as he looks at my screen and says: "What are you doing, dad?"

I smile widely as I open a map of a national park about fifty miles from Volterra and say: "We can't find the perfect house because it wasn't built yet. And we're going to have it built right on the edge of that National Park. It's the perfect spot."

Jane squeals as she nods in agreement and says: "That's a great idea, daddy, and Alec can draw the plans. He's got a degree in Architecture." Alec smiles shyly at Jane's suggestion, and I send him a burst of pride as I say: "Your mom will love the house even more so if she finds out you designed it, Alec, but only if you want to, of course." 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 be ready before Christmas."

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

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