On the 3rd day of Christmas~ Peter

Summary: Jasper's brother, Peter, decides to visit the Cullen's for Christmas. What happens when the cutie with the Southern Drawl captures their human's attention?

SN: Edward left Bella, but the rest of the Cullen's stayed behind. I'm determined to have no bashing from any of the characters, if only a mild interference. Bella has graduated from Forks High School and has been accepted by the family to be turned one day when ready.

Jasper peers down at his sister for all intent and purposes, smiling at her cheery mood. Bella had moved in with the Cullen's after Charlie had gotten married to one of his deputies. As much as he wanted Bella to stick around, she didn't wish to crowd her father and his new wife. The Cullen's were more than happy to let her stay with them. "What's got you so excited darlin'?" Bella simply shrugs, using his shoulder as leverage to set the star on top of the tree. "It's Christmas. What's to not be excited about?" Jasper just chuckles. "Are you sure it's not because Peter is coming?" It was no secret that Bella had been somewhat enamored with Japer's story, Peter specifically. Bella just rolled his eyes. "No…I genuinely like Christmas…" She murmurs. Jasper just chuckles. "Outside of the gifts, right?" Bella huffs, and Jasper helps her down, setting her on her feet.

When Peter arrived in Forks, he just knew his life was about to change. The Cullen's accepted him with open arms, happy to spend time around Jasper's extended family. When he arrived, it was just the 6 of them, Bella having run out to gather the remaining gifts she needed. "So, I hear you've gotten yourselves a human," Peter notes as he walks past a few pictures of Bella and the family. "Yes. She was Edward's girlfriend, and she's more than just a human," Jasper reminds, and Peter chuckles, setting the picture down. "I can tell. She's pretty," It was then that Peter heard a vehicle coming up the driveway, and he inclines his head curiously.

The rest of the Cullen's had left to hunt, hoping to give Jasper some alone time with Peter. "You comin'?" Jasper asks, and Peter follows Jasper out of the living room and towards the front door. Upon opening the front door, Peter was met with the sight of Bella Swan. He'd be lying if he said his eyes didn't wander for a moment, taking her in from head to toe as she stepped out of her 2016 Ford. She was quite the sight he had to admit, average height, pale, and the prettiest brown eyes he had ever seen.

Peter smirked to himself, rolling his shoulders a bit as he slowly walked down the steps, hat on his head. "Need some help Darlin'?" With the southern twang and voice, Bella almost thought it was Jasper, but upon looking up from the bed of the truck, her breath caught in her throat. She wasn't ashamed to say that she was slightly ogling him, having to crane her head up to look at him. "I would love some…. help," Bella audibly gulps as he sends her a wink, reaching over her to grab some bags.

Jasper just rolls his eyes, shaking his head. The wind suddenly blows, gently blowing Bella's scent towards Peter, and his brows slightly furrow before his smirk grows into a smile. "You and I darlin', are going to have some fun," Bella can only wonder what he means as he takes more than half of what she had from the store in his own hands, and she slightly tilts her head at his backside, blushing intently as Jasper nudged her with his elbow. "I'm not even going to ask," He murmurs.

One thing that surprised Jasper was how well Peter had taken to Bella. He wasn't a big fan of hanging around humans, but with Bella, that didn't seem to matter. Alice had called and told them that they'd be gone for a few more days, and would be back Christmas Eve, a week from today, and when she called him Jazzy, he knew she was up to something.

Bella was a little bummed, but it gave her time to spend it around Peter. While he was a sight for sore eyes, he was great company. Bella was currently in the kitchen making herself some lunch, Jasper was somewhere around the house, and Peter was currently out. As Bella reminisced about the few years prior and where she was now in life, she could only smile. She realized that she loved Edward, but she had outgrown him considerably. She hadn't seen him since the day he left her in those dreaded woods to which she still shivered at till this day.

The Cullen's were appalled by his behavior, and surprisingly Rosalie had been the one to vote to stay first. Bella had only grown closer to each of them, especially Jasper who she didn't blame for that horrible night. As Bella was tidying up for the evening, Peter had finally returned. "I want to show you something," As he was quiet on his feet, and she hadn't heard him enter, she shrieked when he appeared next to her in the living room. "Peter!" She scolded, glaring at him.

He just smiled at her. "It was hard to resist. Sorry darlin'," Bella just huffed, a small smile tugging at her lips regardless. "Come on," He takes her hand, pulling her to her feet. "Where are we going?" She asks, following behind him. "A surprise. Jasper, we'll be back," Peter called, looking up towards the staircase as Jasper had appeared upon hearing them. "She's clumsy," Jasper laughs, and Bella glares at him. "Am not," She retorts. Jasper just raises a brow, and she just sticks her tongue out at him, following behind Peter.

He led her outside to the backyard. It was kind of dark, and Bella squinted her eyes a bit to see. She could see a faint light in the distance in the woods, and she looked to Peter curiously. "The woods?" She questions, and he nods, holding out his hand for her to take. Bella stared at his hand apprehensively. She wasn't afraid to be around him or alone with him, but the woods still gave her this eerie feeling. She had been wandering in the woods for so long that night in the cold, and it wasn't until some man had found her that he had carried her out of the woods.

Jasper could hear their quiet talking, and he could feel Bella's slight fear and trust wavering with each other. He was about to tell Peter that it wasn't such a good idea, but before he could, he received a text message from Alice.

He knows what he's doing. She'll be fine.

Jasper knew now that Alice was up to something, and he watched from one of the windows, as she took Peter's hand, the two disappearing before his eyes.

Bella stuck close to Peter as they walked through the woods, following the soft glow of the lights. With each hoot of an owl or twig snapping in the distance, she had gotten to him as close as she could. Peter comes to a stop before they reach their destination, and Bella stops alongside him, looking up at him wide-eyed. He was looking down at her curiously. "You don't like the woods, do you?" Bella shakes her head, shifting, looking around for briefly. He takes her hand, feeling her pulse racing beneath her skin. "Why?" She squeezed his hand, frowning for a moment. "When I was 18, Edward, the other Cullen as I'm sure you know, broke up with me after my disastrous birthday party. He left me in the woods, and I was lost for quite a few hours," She murmurs. Peter just frowns before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Well darlin', I'm the most dangerous predator out here, and with me, you'll be just fine," He tucked her into his side, and they kept walking.

"Thank you," She murmurs.

"Pleasure's all mine," He drawls. Peter had set up a few lights in the woods for the Christmas gathering Bella had been planning. She had been talking about it to Jasper and he decided that he'd go on ahead and do it for her. She wanted to plan something nice, and they could sit around the fire. She was so excited and thankful that she had pulled him down to place a kiss on his cheek.

Peter could only blink in surprise, but he just smiled, winking at her.

The Cullen's were due back in two days, and for the past three days, Peter and Bella had been doing pretty much everything together. Peter found it interesting to watch her cook, though he had a few good laughs at her stumbling every few hours. Peter helped her wrap gifts, and Jasper for the most part stuck around, he and Peter catching up over the last few years.

Jasper however wasn't a fool. He could see the way Peter always veered his attention towards Bella when she'd walk into the room. He could feel his lust and admiration, as well as a deep curiosity. The two were sitting in the living room one night, Bella had fallen asleep on the couch. Peter's attention had traveled to her face, the glow of the fire from the fireplace illuminating her skin. He furrowed his brows as if deep in thought.

"Peter," Jasper called softly, gaining his brother's attention. "Bella's not…. that type of girl," Peter just nods, "I know. She's very different, human and vampire alike," Jasper agrees. "Don't start something with her you can't commit to," Jasper meets his ruby red eyes, staring at him intently. "To be honest with you Jasper, the thought of her hurting at my expense, or anyone's cuts through me,"

Recognition flashed across Jasper's face for just a moment, an understanding smile on his face.

"I think I like your human," Peter murmurs, glancing over at Bella.

Jasper just chuckles. "She's just a human Peter. Not ours,"

"So, you're going back home after this huh?" Bella questions, plopping down on the couch next to Peter. He drapes his arm over the back of the couch, nodding. "That I am. Why? You wanna come cross country with me?" Bella just chuckles. "To Texas? I don't think I'd make a very good cowgirl," Peter takes his hat off his head, placing it on hers, eyeing her for a moment, a smirk growing on his face.

"I'd think you'd do mighty fine if I'd say so myself," Bella blushes under his gaze, smiling shyly. It was just the two of them as Alice had requested Jasper's presence for some reason or another. Jasper didn't even question it at this point, already gathering the feeling that Bella and Peter were meant to spend some alone time together. Bella fiddles with her fingers, looking away from his intense gaze. His cool fingers are under her chin, lifting her face. He moves a strand of hair from her face, narrowing his eyes at her questioning gaze.

"If I asked you to do something, would you?" Peter just tilts his head, waiting for whatever request she wanted. She slowly leans towards him, searching his eyes. "I just want to know…." She trails off, her hand shakily traveling up his jean covered leg. Peter doesn't have to physically say anything, instead meeting her halfway, gently tasting her lips.

Peter knew what she wanted, and he took her warm hand, placing it over his chest. "I can't guarantee what will come of this, and I can't promise I'll stay darlin'…" Peter murmured against her lips, kissing her jaw so that she could have a moment to breathe. Bella grips his shirt, nodding minutely. "I know what this is, and I can't expect more than this…I just really need to…" She struggles to find the words, not sure where this sudden urge came from.

Peter understands, feeling the same way. "I know," He whispers, capturing her lips once more.

As the night went on, a day before Christmas Eve, Washington was cold enough to get a mix of rain and snow, the harsh winding kicking up outside, masking the sounds from inside the barely empty home. Unbeknownst to Peter and Bella, someone had returned to Cullen home. Peter only cared about one thing now, the sweet human he had under him, everything focused on her entirely.

He had never felt this way, and the feeling of her under him spurred him on with thoughts and feelings that made his head swim. Edward Cullen had returned home after almost three years, deciding that he needed to be with his family. He used to enjoy the years he spent away from Carlisle after his change, but after being with his family for so long, he had gotten used to them. He was unaware that Bella and the Cullen's had become closer than when he left. His own doing since he decided not to keep in touch.

He had barely registered what was going on upstairs until he heard her voice. At first, he thought he was hallucinating. He had never forgotten about his first love. He assumed she had moved on with life. Her breathless whisper of Peter's name had his feet moving on their own accord, and he quietly moved upstairs, following the sound of her melodic voice. He came upon a room that used to be used as a storage room, it was cracked closed, clothes lay about, and Edward followed with his eyes towards the bed, eyes taking in a more mature looking Bella, her long, pale, legs wrapped around a man he had only once seen in Jasper's mind. Her hands were tangled in the sheets, her face of pure rapture.

The man was kissing down her exposed skin sensually, his hair tousled from her hands.

Edward stepped away from the door, his eyes wide. He was gone in an instant.

Peter suddenly comes to a pause, his hand resting beside her head. "What?" Bella whispers, reaching up with her hand to tangle her fingers in his dirty blonde hair. "Nothin'," Peter responds, turning back to kiss her lips.

"She was…having sex…." Edward murmurs, looking away from everyone's intuitive gaze. "If you would have called, we could have told you not to go to the house," Carlisle reprimands. He had missed Edward, dearly, but did not agree with his actions regarding Bella those years ago. "Why didn't anyone ever tell me that you had stayed in her lives, I didn't want this for her," Rosalie just raises a brow. "It's not what she wanted. She loved you, Edward. She loved us too. She's family. What she did wasn't up to you, and what she is doing now…." She can't help but shake her head proudly. "Is also not up to you. You can either stay with us, or go back to wherever it is you have been,"

Christmas Eve went as planned, with the addition of Edward. Bella was surprised and had the inkling suspicion that he was what made Peter pause the night before. He looked the same of course, and she had no ill feelings as that she had outgrown that part of her life. Edward was conflicted about his feelings, and he had seen the most intimate parts of Bella the night before. They spent the day watching movies, Bella curled under Peter's arm the whole time, and Edward wasn't ashamed to say that he stared at her off and on.

The family exchanged a few gifts on Christmas morning, and Bella had called Charlie to wish him a Merry Christmas. Everyone was silently next to their partners exchanging personal gifts, and Bella had bit her lip for a moment, before standing from Peter's side. He watched her disappear upstairs, before looking around him. He liked the idea of spending time with someone, but he didn't know if the lifestyle she was used was one he could commit to. Would she accept his lifestyle?

Bella came back down the stairs, holding a box in her hand. "Um, here," She hands him a medium sized box, and Peter smiles at her. "When did you have the time to get something?" He tugs on her hand, pulling her down to his lap. "Well, I got this a few weeks ago…Jasper and Alice helped me pick it out," Edward was surprised that the family let Jasper and Bella get so close. Things had changed.

Peter takes off the wrapping paper and opens the box, brows raising in surprise. "Woah, this is perfect," Peter pulls out an authentic brown cowboy hat with silver coating along the side. Bella smiles as he places the hat on his head, giving her a grin. Bella fixes it with a laugh. "It looks great on you," She smiles. "I don't do a lot of gift giving and if I would have known that you had gotten me something, I wouldn't have shown up empty handed," Bella just shrugs. "She's not a gift person anyway Pete. You would've lucked out," Jasper laughs, and Bella takes the pillow behind Peter, tossing it at Jasper.

He easily dodges it, laughing at her frustrated expression. "No fair with supernatural abilities!" Bella points, tossing another pillow in his direction, and he catches it this time, smirking at her. "You wouldn't…" Bella narrows her eyes. Carlisle and Esme just smile, making sure the fire-pit gate was closed. "Pillow fight!" Emmett bellows, and in a matter of minutes, the living room was covered in feathers.

It was a week after Christmas, and Peter was due to leave the following day. Since then, Bella and Peter had spent much of their time around one another. Peter told her a few war stories, and Bella told him about her life before Edward and after. They were currently out in the woods, looking up at the stars. "Come with me to Texas," Peter turns over towards her, caressing her cheek. Bella turns to him surprised. "What?" He leans up on his elbow, nodding. "Tomorrow…come with me. I know it's only been a few days, but I really like you…." He had gotten to know a lot about her, physically, mentally, and emotionally. She was what was going to make his life change.

Bella bites her lip, looking down at the folded piece of paper.

Plane leaves at midnight. I really hope you change your mind. -Peter

She looked to the time. 11:30pm.

Some part of her wanted to go, get sucked into a whirlwind romance. The other part would miss her family. The people she had come to love. She didn't want to leave them either. Yet, there was something about Peter Whitlock that made her heart skip a beat. She was either going to go now or stay.

"Bella?" Bella looks up as Jasper knocks on the room door. "Jazz," She greets, and he just smiles down at her. He could feel her wavering of emotions. "I don't know what do," She admits, folding the piece of paper, and slipping it into her pocket. "What does your heart say?" He asks, and Bella just shrugs. "I don't know. I'm conflicted. You guys are my family, and I have plans," She rationalizes. Jasper nods and walks into the room. "Yes, but those plans are still possible," Bella furrows her brows. "We'll always be your family Bella, but you know deep down that you want something more. Something else, and I believe that Peter is that something more,"

Bella closes her eyes, nodding to herself. It was worth giving a shot, wasn't it?

"There's no way I'm going to make it in time," Jasper hummed. "I mean…maybe not by car or even myself, but…." Bella eyes the figure that had walked into the room. His crooked smile was the same as it had always been, eyes a bright golden, hair neatly done. "I can make it in time if we leave now," Edward offers, sending her a smile.

"Send my things?" Bella asks, and she barely sees Jasper nod as Edward gently takes her by the arm, swinging her on his back, and jumping out of the window.

Bella kept her eyes shut for most of the ride, clinging onto the back of Edward like a lifeline. He held her steady and pushed himself as fast as he could go. At 11:55 on the dot, Edward had come to a stop at the edge of the airport in the trees. Bella slid down his back, flicking her hair from his face. "Thank you," She smiles. Edward smiles sadly in return, but nods. "I know it's a little too late for this, but I never stopped loving you, and I hope that you find everything you want in him," Bella blinks back tears, but frantically nods.

"I'll see you around," Bella leans on her toes, and Edward bends down so that she may kiss his cheek. She steps away and out of the edge of the trees. "Oh, Bella?" Bella quickly turns around. "Use the name Cullen at the gate. There will be some things waiting for you. Go, you'll miss it," Edward urges, and Bella nods, racing across the tarmac and into the building.

Like Edward had said, she went to the gate, and gave the woman the Cullen name, eyeing the clock. She had two minutes left. She taps her foot impatiently. The man behind the desk took long for her liking, and he apologizes as the plane had already taken off, surprisingly early. Her face falls, and she silently curses. "Okay…when's the next flight to Texas?" She asks, and after the attendant types on his keyboard, he nods to himself. "Uh three days from now. With New Years, it's been busy. Sorry sweetheart," The airport was empty save for her and a few people. She goes to sit in one of the chairs, closing her eyes as she lets her head hang back.

She slightly groans. She could still go in three days, but she wished she hadn't delayed herself with her thoughts. Her brows furrow as something is placed over her face, just resting there. She snaps her eyes open, taking the hat off her face, looking up into a pair of murky brown, reddish eyes. "I see we both missed our flight," Peter drawls, smirking down at her.

"I thought…. but your flight…" Bella stammers, taking Peter's outstretched hand. He pulls her to her feet. "Doesn't matter," He murmurs, taking her face in both of his hands. "But I want to go with you. I changed my mind…." Bella interjects. "Texas is your home, and if it's where you'll be, I want to be there too," She places her hands over his. "And here I was about to stay and eat animals…" He chuckles.

Bella snorts out a laugh. "Not for me…." Peter finally bends down to capture her lips, pulling her as close as he could. Bella wraps her arms around his neck as he twirls her around. The attendant at the desk watches them with a smile, swiping away a tear. "I just love the holidays,"

AN: I know I'm a story behind, but I'm trying lol These keep getting longer and longer.