Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and L.J. Smith. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: Thank you armywife1979 and pozemom for your reviews! Bella has been through a lot, but I think it makes her stronger ultimately. I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter. Thank you to all my silent followers, and don't forget to favorite, follow and review!

Bella opened her eyes, hearing her horn on her Jeep wailing. Her airbags hit her straight in the face but had deflated already. She blinked a few times, feeling the warm liquid, that she knew was blood, trickle down her face, blinding her left eye.

"Bella! Bella!"

She heard Elena's voice. Her Jeep was still on, and her phone was somewhere. "El... Elena..." Bella groaned.

"Oh my god! Are you okay?"

"Mmm." Bella said, and tried to move her legs. Her body felt very strange.

"Stefan call the police, Bella's hurt." Elena said to Stefan, who was with her and Bella knew that Elena wasn't talking to her for that split moment. "Bella, can you move?"

Bella shifted her weight, fumbling with her seatbelt buckle. It unclicked, and she let the seatbelt retract. She reached a hand up to her head where she felt pain. She looked at her fingers. Blood. She looked around again, seeing her windshield cracked and busted to pieces. She saw the branch driven through the windshield into the passenger seat, and she didn't want to think about how close that was to being her own head. She moved her legs. There was no radiating pain at all, just a throb, which made her think nothing was broken. "Yeah. I can move. Hold on," Bella said, and found her phone wedged between her seat and the center consul. She slipped her hand in and found it, pulling it out. "How long was I out?"

"Like five minutes. I was calling your name over and over again. I heard a screeching and then a crash, and then a horn. I still hear the horn."

"I've got to check the other car." Bella said, reaching for her door.

"Wait, you should stay put. What if your back is messed up or something?" Elena sounded panicked.

Bella didn't feel like anything was wrong. "I'm fine. Call the police. I'm on 26 heading into McKinney. I'm probably like 20 minutes from the mall."

"Stefan is calling the police. I text Jeremy, Aunt Jenna, Uncle Ric, and Damon."

Bella groaned. Of course her sister did. "Okay. Well text Klaus please. I'm leaving you in the car. I'll be right back." She said, and she opened her door, and looked out into the night. She grabbed the pen-sized flashlight from her center consul that she kept it in. It was a bright LED light, that would help her see in this darkness. She got her footing under her as she got out. She was slid down into a ditch she realized. She struggled to get up the side of the ditch, but managed to get to the road. She saw the other car was flipped. She went to the driver's side, seeing a woman hanging upside down, blood running down her face. She flashed the light around, seeing children in the backseat.

"Shit," Bella said, and then her adrenaline kicked in. She reached in, pressing two fingers to the woman's neck, and felt a small pulse. "Hello, ma'am?" Bella called to the unconscious woman. The woman didn't answer, so she went to the back side of the car. The window was still up, she cursed under her breath and went around to the driver door and reached through the broken glass and hit the window button, rolling down the windows in the back. She got on the ground and belly crawled into the car the best she could, and eased the first child, who was about nine from the looks of it, down. The little girl coughed and started looking around in a panic.

"Shh. It's okay. I'm Bella. Can you tell me your name?" Bella kept her voice calm, and light.

"Annabeth." Her voice was shaking, tears already streaming down her face. Her blonde hair was bright, and was braided nicely in two pigtails. Her eyes were hazel, and full of fear and shock.

"Okay Annabeth, your mommy is sleeping right now in the front seat, she's really hurt. Is it just you and your sister and brother in the back?"

Annabeth nodded. "Lola and Roggie."

Bella nodded. "Okay, I'm going to get them out," she said and turned, smelling the gas. "Annabeth, can you go down the ditch and get in my Jeep please, my sister is on the phone. Can you tell her that Bella is helping your sister, brother, and mommy and that she really needs the fire department to get here quick?"

Annabeth nodded, and she slid down in the ditch and got into Bella's Jeep.

Bella turned, working faster, crawling back into the car and started unfastening the baby from the baby carrier, and carefully held him against her as she rolled on her back and scooted out with him pressed to her. He wasn't quite one yet, she noticed. He was breathing, and crying now, scared. She slid down the ditch. "Annabeth, here's your brother, can you hold him please."

"Bella! What's going on!" Elena's voice filled the air through the speaker.

"I've got to get the mom and other kid out of the car. Get the fire department here fast. Keep Annabeth calm please." She said quickly, and she was handing off Roggie to his sister and climbing back up the ditch to get the other child. When she got back, the mom was awake, frantic. "Hey, I'm Bella. I'm going to get your other daughter out. Roggie and Annabeth are okay. I'm going to get Lola. Can you unfasten yourself?" Bella asked as she slid back in the backseat and unfastened the other little girl, who was about four. She was unconscious.

The mom groaned. "I think so." She breathed, and was bracing herself, as she unbuckled herself. Falling to the ceiling of the car and trying to get herself out.

Bella pulled Lola free, getting her out of the car. The mother was stumbling out of the car. "Get away from the car fast." Bella called. "There's gas spilled."

The mother was dazed but understood as she limped away from her vehicle. Bella focused on Lola. She wasn't breathing, but had a slight pulse. She lay her flat on the ground a good distance away from the car. She started CPR.

"My baby! Lola!" The mother cried, going to her knees beside Bella.

Bella was doing compressions. "What's your name?" Bella asked the mother, trying to distract as she still did CPR on Lola.

"Mary." Her face was streaked with tears.

Bella leaned in, breathing a breath into Lola's mouth and then leaned up, and started compressions again. "Okay Mary. Down in my Jeep is Annabeth and Roggie. It's still turned on. My phone is hooked to my Bluetooth." She said to the rhythm she was doing the compressions to keep her count. She leaned down and gave another breath, before starting compressions again. "Go tell my sister that Lola is not responsive. That I am doing CPR, it's been two minutes."

Mary's face was streaming hard with tears, but she listened to Bella, going to the Jeep.

Bella concentrated now, doing the compressions and doing the breaths. Lola coughed finally, sucking in a breath. Bella rolled her on her side, rubbing hard circles on her back, and her chest. "Hey there Lola. Glad to see you." Bella said gently.

"Where's my mommy?" Lola wheezed.

Bella gathered Lola to her, and went down in the ditch with her to her Jeep.

"Lola!" Mary cried out as Bella carried her forward. She grabbed her daughter in her arms. Just then the car up on the road caught fire, smoke rising into the night sky.

Bella could hear the sirens, and relief washed over her. "Everything is going to be okay." Bella reassured. She took her jacket off and wrapped it around Mary and Lola. Annabeth was crying now.

"Bella! What happened? Is Lola okay?" Elena was crying, Bella could tell by her voice.

"She's okay. I hear the sirens now Elena. Thank you."

Mary rocked Lola in her arms, holding her tightly. There was a booming sound at the road where the car blew up some. Bella looked up at the smoke billowing higher now. "Thank you so much," Mary cried, reaching a hand out to Bella, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tight.

Bella offered a small smile. "Of course."

Several cops and paramedics were there as well as the fire department. "Ma'am, is everyone okay?"

"I got them out of the car before it went up." Bella explained.

Paramedics were bringing the kids up with the mother first.

"Elena, I'll see you at the hospital. I'm going to make sure the kids are okay." She said and then hung up her phone.

Another paramedic helped her up the ditch. The firefighters already had the car put out. "I'm okay. I just want to get a ride to the hospital to make sure those kids are okay."

The paramedic shone a light in Bella's eyes. Then looked at her head. "You need stitches. Come on, sit back and relax."

"Bella!" Klaus had pulled up in his Tesla. He started running towards her but a cop stopped him.

"He's okay, he's my boyfriend." Bella told the cop. The cop let him past and then Klaus was there, a frantic look in his eye as he surveyed the crash site.

"Are you okay?" His voice cracked, the panicked look not leaving his face.

"Just a cut. I'll be fine. I'm going to hospital. Just follow the ambulance okay?" Bella said with a small smile.

Klaus kissed her hard, his hands framing her face. "I'll be right behind you." He murmured, and then he jogged back to his car.

[McKinney Hospital]

They looked Bella over at the hospital, stitching the wound on her head. She had a concussion and her shoulder was actually slightly dislocated. She was put in a sling. Klaus wouldn't leave her side. She saw the nurse. "Excuse me, the mother and the kids. Are they okay?"

The nurse nodded. "Yes, she's asking about you too. Did you want to see her?"

Bella nodded. "Yes please." She said with a smile.

The nurse gave her the room number of the mother and her kids. Klaus helped her go to the room a few doors down. Bella knocked and the mother looked up from the bed. She smiled, tears coming to her eyes. "Hey Mary, how are you feeling?"

"Very thankful for you." She said as she held her son in her arms. Lola was laying in a hospital bed next to her mom, and Annabeth was sitting in the chair. Annabeth got up and then ran at Bella, throwing her arms around her, her face littered with tears. Bella patted her head, hugging her back.

"You were very brave Annabeth. I'm so proud of you," Bella murmured, and then kissed the top of the girl's head. She smiled at Mary. "I'm happy that you four are okay."

Mary nodded, tears still streaming. "I didn't see the ice…I'm so sorry."

"No no. It's okay. It's not a problem at all."

"I don't have insurance," Mary wept.

Bella held up a hand. "Not a problem. Don't worry about a thing. I'll have a new car waiting for you before you leave the hospital. Do you have health insurance?"

Mary shook her head, crying harder.

"Klaus," Bella turned.

"I'll handle it love," he said and kissed her temple.

Bella smiled. "Please don't worry about a thing."

"We were going to go see Santa." Annabeth explained.

Mary wiped at her face, her hand shaking. "I got turned around. I'm not used to the roads from here. We just moved here, and I wasn't sure which way the mall was."

Bella nodded. "These roads all look the same. I understand. Listen, after you guys get out of the hospital, I'll make sure you get to see Santa."

Lola spoke. "Thank you," she croaked. She smiled at Bella. "You saved us." She was mature for a four year old.

Bella smiled. "I'm not the hero Lola. Your big sister is. She helped me save you guys."

Lola looked at her sister, her eyes bright. Then Annabeth was on the bed hugging her sister.

Klaus returned a short while later. "Miss Appleton, your hospital bills are covered. Don't worry about a thing. My brother is driving over one of the SUVs from our dealership we own. It's compliments of Mikaelson Auto group." He walked over and handed Mary a card. It had to belong to Elijah, since he oversaw a lot of the businesses the Mikaelson's owned.

Mary shook her head, taking the card. "I couldn't possibly accept all this. It was my fault. I crashed into your wife."

"Merry Christmas," Klaus said, not correcting her calling Bella his wife. "I'm glad that you and your children are okay. Bella doesn't want you to worry about a thing, you won't."

Bella smiled and walked over to the side of the bed, she wrote down her cellphone number on a piece of paper. "Call me. When you leave the hospital, call me, and I'll make sure the kids get a good Christmas. I'll make sure they get to see Santa."

Mary didn't know what to say. "Thank you. This means…so much."

Bella smiled. "I'll see you later Mary."

Annabeth got off the bed, going to hug Bella gain. "Wait. Tell your sister thank you. She was so nice, and she helped me stop crying."

Bella nodded, smiling. Then Elena was at the doorway. "Oh, you can tell her yourself. Annabeth this is Elena, my little sister."

Elena looked at Bella, and then around the room at the woman in the hospital bed and the little girl. Stefan was standing out in the hallway, with Damon. Elena looked at Annabeth. "Annabeth?"

Annabeth nodded, wide eyed. "You're pretty."

Elena smiled, kneeling down. "You're a super brave little girl. Thank you for helping my sister." She said and they hugged. Elena looked up at the mother. "Everyone okay?"

Mary nodded. "We are. Thank you all so much."

Elena nodded, letting the little girl go and stood. "Of course. Bella, did you make sure they get to see Santa?"

Bella nodded. "We're gonna make it a date when they get out of the hospital."

"Good," Elena smiled.

They left the family to rest in peace.

Damon was waiting in the hallway. He was hugging Bella immediately. "You scared the hell out of me."

"Too tight," Bella said, and Klaus stood to the side, his hand in his pocket, trying hard not to feel the twinge of jealousy.

Damon released her, sighing. "Did you seriously pull a family out of a burning car?"

They were walking towards the exit, the five of them.

"It wasn't burning at first. I got them out before it burst into flames. The mother pulled herself out."

"She did CPR on the four-year-old. Saved her life." Elena pointed out.

Damon shook his head. "You are amazing, you know that?"

"I'm not amazing. They needed help, I helped them. Lola wasn't breathing but had a pulse still. I got her breathing again before the paramedics arrived. I did what anyone would have done."

"No. Not everyone would run into a burning building to save someone." Klaus finally said.

Bella was quiet. "I smelled the gas, and I knew I had to get those kids out of there fast. I just…" she thought about her dad. "My dad would have done it."

Elena nodded, sliding her arm around Bella's waist. "He would have. We all would have. You did a great thing today."

"No. I did a thing. I'm not a hero."

Stefan finally spoke up. "You are a hero. At least you are in my book," he said with a smile.

Bella smiled at him and then looked at Klaus, when he grabbed her arm, and then pulled her against him, kissing her hard right then and there. Everyone stopped, watching them. Bella hadn't told them they were dating. She didn't want to rush into a lot and didn't want to tell the world yet. His hands framed her face as he kissed her. His mouth caressing hers.

When the kiss broke, he gazed into her eyes, deeply. "I love you. I was scared when Elena text me. I wish I drove you tonight, everything in me told me I should have when I was driving to the crash site. I love you Bella." He said it again.

Bella's eyes welled up, nodding. "I love you too. I'm sorry for scaring you."

Elena and Stefan exchanged looks and Damon looked away. He hadn't known that they had started dating, but it was clear that they were.

"Wait. When did you two become a thing?" Elena asked out loud for everyone that was thinking about it.

Bella forgot that the others were there. "Oh." She blushed.

Klaus smiled. "A month ago. I know Bella wanted to keep this to ourselves, I apologize love."

Bella shook her head. "It's okay. I should have told them." She smiled. "We said I love you for the first time."

Klaus chuckled, kissing her forehead. "We did, though I loved you for so much longer." He sighed, and then looked up at Elijah as he walked up. "Oh, is that the SUV for the Appleton's?"

Elijah nodded. "It's brand new. Has four miles on it. Paperwork is in the glovebox. Title is in her name." He looked at Bella. "Are you okay?"

"I am. Thank you Elijah, for getting here quickly."

"The dealership isn't far from the hospital." He motioned.

Damon looked at the Toyota Highlander, raising a brow. "Isn't that a 45k car?"

"If I sold it at the dealership. It's a gift, under 50k." Elijah said casually.

Bella nodded. "I want to make sure they're taken care of for Christmas. Elena, we have some shopping to do for three small children."

Elena grinned. "Yay! Shopping for kids. They have way cuter stuff at that age."

Klaus nodded. "Mary has a sister. I can get in touch with her. See what their plans are for Christmas."

Bella nodded. "Please?"

Damon smiled. "Count me in. Whatever the plans are, I'll pitch in."

The plan was set in motion then. Mary Appleton, and her three children, were going to have the best Christmas ever.

[December 20th: Swan Residence]

Bella was frustrated with the sling she was wearing, because it was her right arm, and she was right-handed.

"So, she's a single mother of three. She has one sister, no other family. Her husband died in Korea while serving in the military." Elena said, reading off the list. "Her sister's name is Sharon. Sharon said that she was going to be out of the country on Christmas visiting her son in Germany. So Mary will be alone."

Bella nodded. "Okay. Did you get her address?"

"Yes. Sharon said that Mary lives with her and her three kids because they haven't been able to find a house. She just lost her husband earlier in the year."

"She didn't get any surviving benefits?"

Elena nodded. "But that doesn't include health insurance though."

"Hmm. She needs a house?"

"Yes. They live in Fell's Church. That's not far from here." Elena said.

"Okay. Ask Aunt Jenna if there are any house for rent out there."

Elena was already texting Aunt Jenna. "So, we get a house set up, decorated, rent paid in full for the year…" Elena's phone dinged. "Aunt Jenna said that there's a few houses for rent out there. She asked why."

"Tell her it's for the family from two days ago. "Bella said, and looked through her phone at contractors that did light decorations.

Elena was quiet as she texted Jenna back, but Jenna called her instead. "Hey, yeah. It's for the Appleton family. They're staying with the sister, who is going to be out of town on Christmas. They don't have their own house. The kids share the living room to sleep in." She explained. "Text me the address." Elena said, and then hung up. "Aunt Jenna said that she has a listing for two houses close to each other. One is a four-bedroom, three bath, and the other is five bedrooms, three baths." Her phone dinged. She grabbed her laptop from the coffee table and put the addresses in the search engine. "Oooh. These are nice." She spun the laptop around to show Bella.

Bella looked, tapping the screen, and scrolling it down to look at everything. "Fenced in back yard, playhouse already there. Pool. This one is perfect. Has two fireplaces. It's only $1800 a month. That's not bad right?"

Elena shrugged. "I don't know. She's a single mom of three kids. The military pension probably isn't that much."

"What sort of work does she do?"

"Accounting. She was an accountant before her husband went into the military. She had to stay at home with the kids when he went off. She worked part time according to her work history."

Bella thought a moment, and then called Damon. He answered on the second ring. "Hey Damon."

"Bella, how's operation Santa going?"

"Good. We found a house for Ms. Appleton and the kids. But listen, she was an accountant before. Do you know anyone hiring around Fell's Church or Mystic Falls?"

Damon was quiet a few moments. "I need someone here at the office. Susan just left. She retired. Then I believe the Mikaelson's might. Talk to Elijah too. There are some options for Mary if she needs it. You going all the way?"

"Yes. All the way." Bella said with a smile and then hung up. It was a nice distraction from all the bad that had happened this year. She wanted to do something useful with her father's life insurance, and this just felt right. Plus she was making some serious money off her painting lately. Aro Voltaire spent roughly 200k on her paintings every month it seemed.

By that night, Elena and Bella had the house secured with the security deposit, and they paid up front, an entire year of the rent.

[December 21st: Fell's Church]

Bella, Klaus, and Elena pulled up outside the home that would be the Appleton's. "The contractors are coming with lights at noon, the furniture people will be here soon and- "Elena broke off when she saw a car pull up.

A woman that favored Mary a lot got out; she was smiling. "I'm Sharon!"

Bella smiled. "Oh hi! I'm Bella, this is my sister Elena, and my boyfriend Klaus. I'm so happy you came!"

Sharon beamed. She was older that Mary. Had to be in her forties. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a bun, and her green eyes were the same as Mary's. "Of course. My flight leaves at six tonight, so plenty of time to see this Christmas miracle unfold. I don't think I could ever thank you all enough. My sister hit you, and you just…" Sharon teared up.

Bella moved to the woman and hugged her with one arm. "It's okay. I'm okay. Christmas is a time for giving, and I want to make sure that your sister and her little family are taken care of completely. Are they liking the Highlander?"

"Oh yes. The kids love everything about it. The screen that plays movies in the back is perfect for them. It helps a lot with driving around with three kiddos. The built-in navigation system also is a godsend. She gets turned around very easily."

Klaus smiled. "My brother wanted to make sure she had everything she needed for traveling with children. It's one of the best on the lot with all the features. Ah," he took something from his inside pocket and handed it to her. "I understand your son is in the air force, and this is the first time you've been able to see him all year. This is just a Christmas present from us. There's a hotel in Germany, that I have a partnership with, or my family does at least. It's the presidential suite, and all the amenities, your stay, and other accommodations are paid for. Your plane ticket has been bumped to first class going and coming back." He explained.

Sharon looked at him, her mouth dropped open. "You are…you must be Santa, because my god, this is just…" tears welled in her eyes.

Bella smiled. She knew that Klaus had a soft heart for things like this. "The movers will be here with the furniture soon. Sharon, I wasn't sure what all to get, so I just went with the list that you sent my sister. Each of the kid's rooms will be customized to that list." Bella looked at her phone. "I'm going to go pick up Mary and the kids, and we're going to the mall to go see Santa. We're going to end our trip here tonight. So, Elena is going to stay and make sure everything gets done."

Sharon smiled. "Thank you so much. You are an angel sent from god."

"I'm just Bella," She said with a smile. She looked at Elena. "Stefan is coming by, right?"

"Yes, Stefan, Jasper, and Jeremy. We're going to get the tree put up, and the stocking placed by the fireplace." Elena gave a thumbs up.

Bella nodded and then turned, hugging Sharon again. "I'll see you later. Have a safe flight." She said and then her and Klaus left, to go pick up Mary and the kids.

The drive back from the mall with Mary and the kids was delightful. Annabeth was talking a million words a minute, talking about all the lights, and what she asked Santa for Christmas, and just everything. Klaus was driving them in Mary's highlander. She welcomed the change of pace, and her arm was still stiff from the accident.

Klaus drove to the new house that was all ready for them. Mary noticed that turned too early. "Oh, Klaus, my street isn't for another couple miles.

"Oh, I know. There's a house on this street with beautiful lights, it's a small detour." He responded, smiling at Bella.

Mary smiled. "Oh, you're so thoughtful." She said and when the pulled up at the house Mary smiled even bigger. "Oh, this is beautiful. Whoever lives here outdone themselves."

The kids were awestruck. Bella unfastened her seatbelt, opening her door. Mary looked confused as Klaus turned the Highlander off. Bella opened Mary's door. "Come on," She said, still smiling.

Mary got out, leaning and unfastening Roggie, who's name was actually Rodger after his father, but the kids called him Roggie. Mary called him Matthew, his middle name.

They walked up to the door, and Bella opened it, causing more confusion. Mary walked into the house after Bella, and Klaus brought up the rear, picking up Lola and walking through. She was in awe.

Elena and Stefan were sitting on the couch when they came in.

Mary smiled. "Oh, I didn't know you lived out in Fell's Church Elena."

"I don't." She said with a smile.

Bella grinned. "Well, we talked to Sharon and we know how much you've gone through and how challenging it can be, especially around the holidays. I recently lost my father. He was an agent with the FBI and was shot in the line of duty while saving some children. I know the pain and confusion that comes with that heavy loss."

Mary was crying, Elena took Roggie gently, rocking him, as Mary put her arms around Bella.

"Merry Christmas Mary. The house has paid rent for a year. Everything in this house, you own. The kids have their own rooms, and your sister helped with all of that." Bella rubbed circles on Mary's back with her free arm.

"I don't think I could ever tell you enough how much this means to me. I…I can't repay you guys at all; I don't have a job and- "

"Well," Klaus started. "We know you're an accountant. I spoke with my older brother, Elijah, and there are a few positions that we are hiring for right now that could use your expertise. If you want, you can start after the holidays." He said with a warm smile, and Lola kissed his check, hugging him hard.

Mary wiped at her face, and then she hugged Klaus, and he hugged her back. "Of course. I…I'm so thankful. You guys are angels sent from heaven. The best thing that has happened since my husband passed. I was just wandering aimlessly through the days, trying to figure out how to support my kids…"

"Mary, there is no need for thanks. Merry Christmas. To you and your little family." Bella said with a smile and Annabeth hugged her. "And the presents under this tree. All for you and your sister and brother. You have your own rooms too."

Annabeth's face lit up, and she took off down the hallway, finding the large A on a door and opened it, looking at all the unicorns and full-sized bed with a canopy.

It was truly the best Christmas Bella could have imagined. They stayed, ordering some pizza, and playing some games with Mary. Stefan and Klaus were pretending to be horses while Lola and Annabeth rode on their backs, gleefully smiling, and laughing. The first time Mary had seen them laugh like that since her husband died. Her heart was so warm, and she was so thankful that she found a family in these people. Strangers in the night, that saved her and her kids from a certain death, even though it had been her that hit the ice wrong that fateful night.

[Christmas Eve: Swan Residence]

Bella managed to get all her shopping done right down to the wire. Bella had everything ready for Mary for Santa for the kids, which Mary said Bella outdone herself. She had a vacation planned for them in the summer as well. Bella told Mary that she was family now, and that included family vacations. Bella adopted Mary and her kids into her life when she needed it most. She lost her father, lost herself, but she was finding herself again, and she was so thankful that Mary and those three kids came into her life at that moment.

"Bella, the gallery showing." Elena called.

"Oh right. The Winter wonderland event." Bella said and got up from the couch after pocketing Klaus' gift. "The time got away from me." She said and dashed upstairs to get changed.

Elena smiled. She looked at their Christmas tree, way too big, and too many ornaments, but it seemed to make Bella happy, so she overdecorated the tree to see her sister smile. Even though Bella had initiated the Appleton's in their lives, Elena was along for the ride and so was Jeremy. Jeremy got a puppy for the kids from the shelter with Mary's permission and was waiting to bring it over later when the kids were sleeping, so they could see Santa's surprise.

Bella came down the stairs a few long moments later, wearing a silvery blue dress that clung to her, and a white fur cape. Her hair was down because she hadn't had the time to mess with it too much.

Elena was already dressed and ready to go. "How's your arm?"

"It's fine. I can move it without the sling, and it's stiff, but it's getting there." Bella said as they went out to Bella's new Jeep, a deep blue color instead of bright red.

[Mikaelson Gallery]

There were a lot of people at the gallery, more than Bella had anticipated. She found Klaus almost immediately. He was dressed handsomely like always, his black suit fit him snuggly, and his bowtie was a sapphire color. Bella slipped her arm through his and they walked around the gallery.

"It's beautiful in here." Bella commented on the décor. It really did feel like a winter wonderland.

"Well, it's a special night."

"Special night?"

Klaus nodded. "We're unveiling the new name of the gallery tonight."

"You're renaming the gallery?" She frowned. "You didn't say anything."

"Well, it's meant to be a surprise." He said, looking at his watch. He kissed the side of her head and patted her hand before walking towards the large open area that had a large Christmas tree that reached up high towards the vaulted ceiling. "Good evening, and Merry Christmas everyone." Klaus said, his voice sounded like velvet to her. "Thank you all for your support of the gallery, and all the artists that are displayed here." He motioned for Bella, and she walked up, nervous to be in front of everyone. He put a hand on the small of her back. "Mikaelson Gallery is a newer establishment. It's been open for three years, and well, it's been an amazing three years. Earlier this year, I entered a partnership with Charles Swan. He took a large interest in the Gallery and wanted to be a part of its growth. Today, his legacy still runs that partnership," he looked at Bella. "So, we've decided to rebrand the gallery. It's a minor change," he paused. "Mikaelson-Swan Art Gallery will be the name going forward. We've added some charitable aspects as well. Ten percent of the proceeds will be gifted to the Children's orphanage here in Virginia, and help give them a better life, with better homes. This year, names were placed on this tree. Names of children without families for Christmas. This tree has been up since the first of December, and forty names have been adopted on this tree. I'm amazed by the overwhelming support this year for these children. Thank you everyone that adopted a child off the tree for the holidays. Spread, the love, and cheer to your neighbors, and to strangers. Merry Christmas everyone." He said and there were some applauses. Tears breached Bella's eyes, but she wiped them away.

"You renamed the gallery for me." She smiled.

"I did. It's only fair, you are my partner." He said with a smile. He kissed her softly. "Mmm. I must make a call real quick. I adopted two kids off the tree, twins. Alec and Jane. I have one of my men going to bring their Christmas, and I need to check with the foster family that have them right now if the children are sleeping." He disappeared, leaving Bella to stand there in amazement of the man that she was dating.

Elena walked up next to her sister. "He's amazing."

"He is isn't he," Bella smiled. She looked at her sister. "I am happy. I'm healing, and it's Christmas. I was sad a little when I woke up, realizing this is the first Christmas without dad. I cried, and I…I had to stop and think about what he wanted. What he would have wanted. So, I dried my tears, called Mary and the kids, and then finished my shopping before the showing. I'm going to live life as a newer, stronger Bella."

Damon made his appearance. "Bella, everything looks amazing."

"Thank you. It's mostly Klaus." She said and smiled at Damon.

He walked over and kissed the top of her head, smiling down at her. "I meant your art pieces. I see you have three in total." He said, his hand sliding down her arm.

"Yes. Three, I have another painting I didn't get finished because of the accident, and my arm."

Damon nodded. "Well, I'm sure it'll look amazing when you finish with it. Congrats on your name being on the gallery."

"I didn't know he would do that," She said, blushing slightly.

"Oh?" Damon said, raising a brow. "Well, you deserve it. You work so hard."

"Thank you," She said again, smiling up at Damon, who had been more of a best friend to her as of late than ever. He was easy to talk to, and he didn't sugarcoat things for her. She liked his snarky honesty, and he made her oddly calm.

Klaus walked over, sliding his hand to the small of her back. "Aro is here love."

Bella looked away from Damon and at Klaus, a shocked expression. "Really?" She had yet to meet him. He was the biggest client, and she hadn't met him. "Excuse me Damon," she said and walked with Klaus over towards a man, who was tall, thin, with dark hair, and hazel eyes. He looked Italian to her.

Aro smiled. "Bella," he said, his voice slightly accented. "Merry Christmas." He leaned in kissing one cheek, and then the other. Bella did the same.

"Thank you, Mr. Voltaire." Bella said with a smile.

"Call me Aro." He said, smiling his glamourous smile. "I'm in love with your art Bella, such beauty. It's so strong and tells a fantastic story. Your work has gained attention from some others at my art museum in Italy. I have some work I would love for you to come do sometime in Italy."

Bella was surprised, but she smiled. "Of course. We can schedule something." She had never been to Italy before. She hadn't been out of the United States before for that matter. They spoke about Italy for a few moments before Carlisle approached, gaining Aro's attention.

The night winded down, and Bella got a text from Jeremy.

[Jeremy]: Operation Santa is completed. Mary said she'll send pictures in the morning. Love you sis.

Bella smiled, and looked up at Klaus. They were standing in the office now that most everyone had left, including Aro and Carlisle. "The puppy is in place for the kids."

"Very good. Alec and Jane will wake up to a beautiful Christmas as well."

Bella smiled, and then went over to the filing cabinet and pulled out Klaus' gift. She handed it to him.

He took it. "You didn't have to get anything for me love."

"I made it." She said, smiling as she watched him open it.

He looked at the small desk sized painting that was encased in a clear epoxy resin. It gave it a shadowed effect, and he saw the painting was silhouettes of two people holding each other in their arms, the night sky behind them. "It's beautiful," he said, as he set it on the desk. It was perfect. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long slender box. He handed it to Bella.

"I told you I didn't want anything," she said and took the box.

"Open it." He said, not saying anything else.

She opened the slender box and saw the silver chain, and then a pendant, it was clear and sapphire, with a swirl of something. She read the slip of paper that came with it, and she teared up. "My dad's ashes." She said and looked up at him. "You had some made into a necklace?"

"With Elena's help." He smiled, and then helped put the necklace on her. She turned in his arms, and then she leaned into him, her mouth on his, kissing him hard, taking his breath away. His arms circled her, lifting her off her feet, her mouth welcoming him, as their tongues collided together, drinking each other in. When he set her back on her feet, she didn't let the kiss go, pressing against him, pushing him towards a need level of intimacy. His hands gripped her hips securely as she pressed into him.

"Mmm, love," he pulled away finally. They were both breathless. He was turned on, extremely, and he wanted every bit of her, but he had to stop before it made it harder on his control.

Bella could feel his bulging erection pressed against her, and she knew that he stopped for her. To protect her. Her head was a little fuzzy, her mind racing through all the scenarios. She felt overwhelming joy, and this need…this need that shocked her. She didn't know if she could do that, could go to that next level, but right now, he felt like she could. "Take me to your home." She whispered.

Klaus' eyes swirled with lust, love, passion, as he stared into her eyes. "Bella…"

"I want to go home with you." She murmured it again.

He framed her face with his hands, leaning in and kissing her softly. "You don't have to do this Bella. You don't- "

"I want to. I really want to." She said again, and he was quiet a few moments before nodding.

He laced his fingers with hers and they left the gallery after closing everything up, and he drove them back to the manor.