A/N: This is pure, self-indulgent fluff. I figured we all needed a break from the Jacob shenanigans, so here is a nice little breather. Christmas Eve Part II will get us back focused on the plot, but for now - enjoy!

Christmas Eve Part I

"So, Carlisle and Esme let me know about one of my Christmas presents," Bella told Charlie one of the evenings she was visiting with him.

"Does this have to do with your mother?" he asked.

Bella wasn't terribly surprised he would have known. "Did Mom already talk to you then?"

"Yes, but so did Esme before they even bought the plane tickets," he chuckled. "She told me she's pretty selfish over the holidays, wanting to have the whole family together—not that I can picture her anything close to selfish, personally."

Bella rolled her eyes. "She really isn't. But she knew I wanted to see you and Renee for Christmas, and she wanted Edward and me here, so. She decided bringing Mom and Phil north would be the best option."

Charlie shook his head. "I suppose if you have the money…"

Bella smiled. "It has its benefits, though it can make me uncomfortable sometimes. Anyway, I wanted to see if you'd join us Christmas Eve? It's an all-day affair with the Cullens, and then you could stay overnight in one of the guest rooms so we can do Christmas morning together before we come over here for your get-together with Billy."

Charlie eyed Bella closely for a moment. "Do you want me there?"

"Of course I do!" she insisted. He considered for a moment before nodding.

"Then I'll be there."

xxx

Renee's initial impression when they pulled up was that the Cullen home looked like the perfect setting for a Hallmark Christmas film. The house was decked out with lights twinkling in the (very) early hours of the morning. The sun was just barely rising, and with the cloud cover, the grounds were still, the colors muted, and the snow, sparkling with the reflections of the lights, insulated for a peaceful quiet.

"And I thought it was beautiful during the wedding!" she mused, staring out of the window for a moment when the engine cut off.

"It was." Phil grumbled teasingly, "And it wasn't so damn cold."

"Snow is okay, but only on Christmas," she grinned. "Don't worry, dear, we will be back in that Florida heat and sunshine in no time!"

As she was about to exit the car, the front door of the house opened, and Edward came out. He still had on pajama bottoms, but he wore a winter coat and snow boots. Renee thought he was adorable! Sexy (Sorry, Bella, but it's the truth), but adorable.

He opened the car door for her. "Good morning! How was the drive?"

"Slow-going in this weather, but it was much better in this SUV than it would have been in the original sedan we had booked to rent. Plus, this one was mysteriously paid for and fully equipped!" Renee smirked, a knowing gleam in her eye.

Edward laughed. "I'm sure I have no idea to what you're referring."

"Mhm," Renee said doubtfully. "Now come here and hug your mother-in-law!"

He did so, then he turned to Phil who had come around the car and shook his hand. "Good to see you. Could I help with the luggage?"

"I won't say no," Phil shrugged. They both carried in the suitcases while Renee made her way inside. She was surprised by how few decorations she saw when the outside of the house had been so festive.

"Today is the big Cullen Christmas Décor day," Edward explained as he came in behind her.

"Sometimes, I would swear you were a mind reader," she told him.

He gave a wry grin. "If I were a mind-reader, I wouldn't have to ask Bella what she was thinking all the time, would I?"

"Who knows, with my girl?" she teased. They laughed together before Edward offered to show her and Phil to the room they would be staying in. It was beautiful, of course, with an amazing few of the river outside and classy furniture and art on the walls.

"I love Monet!" Renee enthused.

"He is one of my favorites as well," Edward told her. "His waterlily series is truly legendary."

"Where did you get such an exact copy?" she asked him, looking very closely at the brush strokes.

"It isn't a copy," he shrugged. She stopped her hand that had been reaching out then turned to him, astonished. "Esme prefers originals when she can get them."

"You have an original Monet…in your guest room," Renee said slowly, stretching the words slowly as she tried to process that fact.

"Esme likes to treat every room as though someone important is staying in it at all times. Architecture and interior design are her passions," he explained. "Carlisle is more than happy to help her pursue those."

"Huh," Renee shook her head. "Go figure."

They all went downstairs, at which point they saw Charlie's cruiser in front of the house. Renee could smell coffee brewing, and she walked just a little faster to get to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mom!" Bella said, coming up to hug her, embracing her with her left arm while her right hand held her coffee. "Thank you so much for coming up!"

"Of course, baby, I wouldn't miss it! Now, since when do you drink so much caffeine?" she asked her daughter. She smiled, blushing a little.

"Since I decided 8 a.m. classes were a good idea in college, and I made friends with coffee addicts," she explained. "Don't worry, I don't drink it every morning. I just know you and Dad like the occasional cup."

Charlie nodded his head. "Thanks, Bells. How are you Renee?"

"I'm very good," she smiled at her ex-husband. "I think it's great that we are all getting together for a slumber party tonight!"

"That's a word for it," he took a sip from his mug. "Hey, Phil."

"Hey, Charlie. Did you know they have a real Monet in this house?" Phil still looked very concerned over that piece of information.

Bella blinked in surprise. "I—what?"

"There's a Monet in the guest room," Phil murmured. "How much money do these people have?"

"Don't be rude," Renee admonished him.

"I don't know why I'm still surprised," Bella sighed. "Come get settled in the livingroom. Edward and I will start on breakfast."

xxx

"Christmas with the Cullens preparation is a many-step adventure," Emmett explained once everyone was sat at the table. He was very serious, eyes almost haunted as he said, "It has several phases; some of the classics are choosing a tree, cutting down that tree, carrying the tree home, and trying not to get yelled at for breaking things while bringing said tree inside. Then, we have the tree decoration. You are always to follow your squad leader for this adventure. Squad leader is Alice; do not question her if you want to live. The star does not get put up until midnight, and that is always Carlisle's shtick. In the interim between baubles and tinsel on the tree and star time, we do carols, stories, and the one-present opening of the evening. As per request from the newest Cullen, we are now incorporating cooking baking into our schedule. Weather permitting, we will also be having a snowball fight. Any questions?"

Charlie didn't know how to respond at first. "This seems...like an adventure for young people."

"Hardly!" Renee waved her hand through the air as though to physically get rid of Charlie's initial refusal. "It sounds like fun!"

"The goal is fun, family bonding, and my personal favorite – to annoy Edward as much as possible," Emmett grinned.

"Emmett," Esme warned.

"Pardon me, annoying my little brother is a benefit, not the goal. A perk of the job, if you will," he amended his statement. Charlie chuckled, especially as he watched Edward roll his eyes.

"Jasper's my favorite brother," he huffed.

"I'll take it," Jasper laughed, giving Edward a fist-bump from across the table.

Emmett looked offended. "Oy!"

"Em, you can't say it's a perk to annoy someone then be surprised you're demoted from Big Brother of the Year," Carlisle told him, arms crossed but with mirth in his eyes.

"It's only because I care!" Emmett insisted. "For example – Bella is arguably the most entertaining little sister. In thanks, I torment her and try to make her blush, but it's in a loving way!"

"Thanks, Em," Bella rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome!"

"Enough of this," Alice interrupted. "We are getting behind schedule. Before we continue on, it is time for our annual gear."

"Gear?" Phil asked. "Are we going to war?"

"Alice chooses matching outfits for us every year," Esme explained. "So, of course you all have been included."

"That's so cute!" Renee squealed. "I love all of these traditions!"

"I-" Before Charlie could continue with his refusal, Alice turned to him.

"Charlie, I know you are out of your comfort zone, and this isn't your idea of the best time, but I promise you'll enjoy yourself. It would mean a lot of you were willing to try the outfit on, at least. I assure you, it'll fit."

Charlie looked at the girl he considered as a second daughter. Her eyes were bright, her countenance hopeful. He sighed, defeated before he could even put up a real fight.

"Fine, but no Santa hat."

xxx

The first thing to happen was the boys going out to fetch the tree. They already had one in mind, so they let Charlie and Phil sit that one out.

"That's okay," Alice assured them. "It just means you can get in your outfit sooner! The boys have to wait till they're done tromping through the woods, after all."

"Whoopie," Charlie said sarcastically, lips pressed together while he resigned himself to his fate.

The fate that turned out to mean matching pajamas. Matching candy cane striped pajamas, in green for the boys and red for the girls.

"What in the world was I thinking agreeing to this?" Charlie whispered to Bella as they passed each other in the hallway.

Bella struggled not to laugh. "That Alice is your favorite and is a very tenacious pixie who won't take no for an answer?"

"She's persistent and stubborn, a lot like someone else I know," he eyed her. "Oh well, she's your in-law. How many outfits does she choose for you?"

Bella groaned. "I own so many dresses now. And don't even get me started on the shoes."

The tree came in and went up with very little issue. Renee was impressed by the boys being strong enough to carry in the tree they chose, and perhaps stared a little too much. It was beautiful, though, and she applauded their choice. By the time the tree was in its base and positioned exactly where Alice wanted it, Esme had brought in the lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Alice then gave a brief outline of what kind of look she was going for and gave out different types of ornaments to different people. Bella, for instance, was barred from handling the glass ornaments, for safety purposes.

As they began stringing the tinsel and beads, Emmett started humming.

"Do not," Edward warned him. Renee and Charlie looked over at him, surprised at his sudden snap of frustration.

Emmett grinned. "I don't want a lot for Christmas."

"No."

"There is just one thing I need," Alice joined.

"Not you too!" Edward groaned. "So many classics to choose from…"

"I don't care about the presents…underneath the Christmas tree," they sang together. "I just want you for my own…more than you could ever know."

"Make my wish come true," Rosalie added, her voice rich and beautiful.

"Dear Lord, put me out of my misery," Edward buried his face in his hands, causing several of the others to laugh.

"Come on, Edward! You're married now! It's time to join us," Alice grinned. "You have to do your part."

"You have to contribute," Carlisle betrayed him.

"I have to do no such thing."

Bella looked up at him, amusement making her eyes bright. "Please? I love when you perform."

He looked at her for a few moments before giving out a dramatic groan. Huffing all the way, he walked over to the piano and sang, "All I want…for Christmas…is…you."

Then he took it away on the piano, playing the melody with dramatic embellishments as the Cullens began singing along, Renee and Bella joining in while Phil looked on in confusion and Charlie in horror. The boys took the lower ahhs and ooos while the girls took the melody and added in harmonies. Bella was laughing loudly but trying to contribute as well as she could.

It was ridiculous, and goofy, and nothing that anyone may imagine the elusive Cullens to be like, but they were her new family, happily mingling with her first family, and she couldn't imagine them being any different or any more perfect.

xxx

A/N: Surprise! Happy Christmas in August - I am in the process of recording this as a podfic with a friend of mine. Should you be interested in listening to it, please let me know!