Leilani

I answered the phone to excited screaming in my ear. Wincing, I held the phone a few inches away until it stopped.

Jasper, who was sitting next to me on the sofa by the Christmas tree, grinned. We had planned to spend the morning at my house with my parents and then the four of us would visit his family in the afternoon.

"Ow," I said. "Evie, what-?" I started to ask.

The words spilled out as fast as she could get them. "He proposed! Darren proposed!"

"Oh my god!" I cried, getting to my feet and heading out of the room, leaving my parents with Jasper.

Darren had been with her for a year, and they'd met at the coffee shop where they both worked.

"Did you say yes?" I asked.

"Of course I said yes!" Evie squealed. "He just asked me today. And I'm sending you a picture of the ring, it's so beautiful. And you have to come to the wedding. We want it to be the day we met, on the 3rd March."

I smiled. Getting married so young was crazy, but I knew it was what Evie wanted.

I listened to her gushing over the details and how she already knew a ton of things that she'd been thinking about since she was a kid.

"Can I bring someone?" I asked her.

"Absolutely," Evie giggled. "I can't wait to meet your boyfriend."

After I'd hung up the phone, I returned to the living room, taking my place next to Jasper. "Are you free on the 3rd March?"

Before I could answer, I looked at my parents. "Evie's getting married," I announced.

"I'd love to go with you," said Jasper.

"How old is she?" My mum frowned.

"Um, a few months younger than me, actually."

She hummed, disapproving but also not saying anything else since it was none of her business.

"How about a nice cup of tea, love?" my dad patted her knee.

My mum sighed, standing up. "Leilani? Jasper? Tea?"

Jasper got to his feet. "I'll make it," he offered.

Her face lit up with a warm smile. "Are you sure? Thank you."

"You want one?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Thanks."

"Two sugars," my dad muttered, checking his phone.

My mum watched him tapping at the screen. "Will," she said sternly. "It's Christmas Day. No one is working."

"Harold sent me a document last night," he said without looking up.

"He can wait one day."

He ignored her for a minute, and then finally locked his phone and put it down on the arm of the sofa.

"I feel like I should have got you one of those phone jails," I joked.

My mum laughed. "That would've been a great idea."

"Until there's an emergency." My dad grumbled.

During dinner I sat next to Jasper and helped him out by stabbing my fork into the roast dinner on his plate whenever I could. It was tough, having two dinners, but it was a price I was willing to pay.

Every time he caught my eye, we both had to fight the laughter. By the end of it, I was regretting the belt on my dress that pressed into my gut.

My dad left to go to the bathroom, and my mum started taking the empty dishes into the kitchen.

"Oh my god, I can't move," I mumbled, hand on my bloated stomach, full of turkey, vegetables and Yorkshire puddings.

"You didn't have to eat so much," Jasper chuckled.

"It was a worthy sacrifice, for you." I put my hand down on the table between us.

Jasper placed his hand over mine. "Thank you. It's an honour."

I laughed. He started clearing the table, helping my mum, definitely winning her over.

When we arrived at the Cullen's house, Carlisle and Esme were at the front door. My dad shook hands with Carlisle and Esme gave my mum a hug.

Inside, Alice skipped over to us. "Let's do the presents!"

"Presents?" I questioned, though I don't know why I hadn't expected it. They were rich after all, and Alice especially liked to go all out.

She nodded enthusiastically, beckoning us to follow her into the living room.

There wasn't enough space for everyone, so Jasper and I sat on the floor. My dad took one of the armchairs, and my mum sat on the sofa next to Esme. Emmett was on the edge of the sofa with Rosalie between him and Carlisle. Edward was sitting in the other armchair. And Alice had moved the coffee table to the side and had placed a cushion on top for herself, though I knew she wouldn't need one. I did though, and shuffled to get comfortable, smoothing my dress down over my legs.

Opening presents became a bit chaotic, as everyone began exchanging gifts and paper wrapping got discarded over the floor. I saw Esme opening a beautiful leather-bound sketchbook and kissing Carlisle on the cheek. Emmett was putting a gold necklace around Rosalie's neck while she smiled.

Edward shook his head at Alice as she handed him a box. "I already know what this is." Edward said, opening it anyway and taking out some expensive looking headphones.

"Leilani," Jasper touched my shoulder.

I turned my head to see he had a small, neatly wrapped present in his hand. It was silver and white with a golden bow.

I smiled, taking the gift. "Thank you, Jasper."

Flipping over the label I saw his cursive writing that said: Merry Christmas, Leilani. With all my love, Jasper x

Carefully, I slipped my finger under one side and opened the little package. Under the paper was a blue box and I lifted the lid.

It was a silver bracelet embedded with amber stones. I put it on, Jasper fastening the clasp for me. Unable to stop smiling, I held my wrist out in front of me, examine the beautiful bracelet, watching the light shining.

"Thank you so much," I didn't care that both our families were there. I kissed him on the lips, flinging my arms around his neck.

He returned the kiss, placing one hand on my back and the other on my leg. "I'm glad you like it," said Jasper.

After the presents, Carlisle opened a bottle of champagne (it was the first time our families were meeting together and he insisted it was a celebration), and after that everyone was doing their own thing. My dad had a few drinks and fell asleep in the armchair. My mum was talking to Rosalie and Esme about the garden by the large windows and doors that led to the back. Jasper, Emmett, Alice, Edward and I were all taking it in turns playing a new video game.

When my turn was over, I looked around, seeing Carlisle picking up some empty glasses and taking them towards the kitchen. I decided to seize the opportunity and follow, bringing my own empty glass with me.

In the kitchen he put them in the dishwasher and held his hand out to take my glass. I passed it to him. "Thanks."

"No problem," he closed the dishwasher.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if anyone would be listening. It was too bad, there was no other time to ask.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I said.

"Of course," he replied. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "I was just wondering, um, when someone," I lowered my voice, just in case. "When someone transforms into a vampire, if they had injuries, that would be healed, right?"

Carlisle paused. He'd probably worked out my trail of thought. "Yes," he answered. "Any injuries would be mended by the venom during the process."

"So, does that mean, mental illnesses, would also be," I trailed off, searching for the right word. "Gone?"

"Leilani, I want to say yes, but the truth is I don't know for certain."

I looked away out the window, folding my arms. "I see."

"In terms of physical injuries or illnesses, those would be healed. And I'm sure any abnormalities in the brain would also change. There's actually still a lot we don't know about mental illness. And as for examining a vampire brain – it would be impossible to study because of how difficult it is to penetrate our skin." He explained.

I chewed my lip. It wasn't exactly the answer I was hoping for.

"This life is very different to being human," Carlisle continued. "Depending on the circumstances, it's possible to enjoy a wonderful life, as my family and I do." He smiled, warmly.

"Ok," I said. "Thank you, for your honesty."

"Glad to help."

We re-joined the others in the living room and I plonked myself back down next to Jasper. He didn't say anything, putting an arm around me and handing me a controller.

That night, after my parents had gone home, I stayed to watch a movie with the family, leaning on Jasper and almost falling asleep several times. When the credits started, we departed up to his room. I opened my bag, taking out a notebook.

"It's not really a proper gift, yet." I handed it to him. "It's something I started working on for you."

He opened the notebook, examining the notes inside. "What is this?"

"Um, well," I stepped closer to him, turning the page and pointing out certain parts. "It's for a trip I was planning, if you want to go. This is where we can stay, and," I flipped the page, a screenshot of a map lying on the paper. "That's the route from the hotel-,"

"In Texas?" Jasper met my eyes.

"Yeah. I thought if we go in the winter, and only leave the hotel at night. And I started making an itinerary, but I need to know where you want to go." I rambled. I couldn't read his expression and couldn't tell whether he was pleased or not.

He broke into a wide smile, beaming at me. "This is amazing." Holding the book in one hand he wrapped his arms around me, lifting me up for a tight embrace.

I closed my eyes, my arms around his neck as I buried my face there. "I'm so happy you like it. I'm sorry it's not a real gift. I didn't know what to get someone who has everything."

"It's the best gift you could get me. I can't wait to go." He held me securely.

"It might have to wait until next year, until I finish my Masters."

"It's a date." Jasper kissed me.

This chapter was only meant to be the first scene but I just couldn't leave them having Christmas together without writing it! Hope you enjoyed ;)