Author's Note at the end VERY SHORT CHAPTER!
Dear Santa
The blending of families is never easy and though we seem to have had a smooth transition there are often bumps in the road. One of these bumps occurred when we started decorating our Christmas tree. Clearly the Cullens and the McCarty/Swans had different ideas of how to spend Christmas.
Alice reminded Carlisle that we needed to book plane tickets to go to the cabin in Maine for Christmas vacation. Emmett responded with our need not to book tickets to Maine but for us to remember to buy the Christmas ham and pull out The Polar Express because we'd need it here at the house.
They fought for a good 30 minutes before Esme and Carlisle asked mine and Edward's opinions. Evidently, they thought the couple would agree, unfortunately for them and us we didn't. I wanted to stay home for Christmas, the whole home and hearth and Charlie aspect made me happy.
Edward wanted that damned cabin that after further questioning turns out to be a mini mansion his Great, Great Grandparents had built on 50 acres of land for a vacation home.
We were at a standstill. Parental negotiations were not going well. Carlisle tried offering the cabin for spring break, Alice argued she wanted to go to Cabo or Paris for that. Esme said we could go to the cabin this year and stay home next year. Emmett told her to have fun and we'd see her after the New Year. Edward and I just sat not talking to each other. It was all kinds of messed up.
"I'm not going. I can't leave Charlie here for the holidays alone. I'm all he has." I argued.
"And Rosie and I always spend Christmas together." Emmett added in.
"Why not just bring them with us?" Alice countered.
"Charlie has work." My voice implied a duh.
"And Rose's Grandma and Grandpa Whitlock are coming in for the holidays."
"Well Jasper is going with me." She said like a little spoiled brat.
"Five bucks says he's not." Emmett spat at her.
"This is absurd." Edward added to the conversation.
"Carlisle this was supposed to be a lovely family evening what happened?" Esme asked her husband her voice sad.
"Sweetheart we will work this out." Carlisle promised her. He gently pulled her into his arms placing his chin on her head. It was sweet and simple, but it showed how much he loved her.
"Little spoiled pixie why don't you call Jasper and ask him." Emmett taunted sitting on the sofa beside me glaring at his step sister.
"Emmett be nice." I snapped at him. We might be fighting but I do love Alice as a sister.
"Fine I will." She huffed seeming to ignore my input.
"Alice." That's all Edward had to say to get his sister to freeze in her tracks. No mean tones, no harshness just her name in a regular conversational tone. "Let's just decorate this tree, watch Rudolf, write our letters and calm down. Tomorrow is Sunday and Charlie will be here we'll invite Jasper and Rose over and then we can talk it out with all parties involved." My sex God was the voice of reason this evening. But would it last?
"Fine." She huffed again.
"Whatever." Emmett said his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Thank you so much Edward." Esme hugged her step son.
"Son I am so proud of you." Carlisle clapped him on the back.
"Alice didn't you say something about new jammies?" I asked in a move to cheer up my pixie bff. Her face instantly brightened.
"Yep they are so cute and fab and completely comfy!" She gushed.
"Well why don't we start a new tradition? Decorating the tree in our jammies. We can spend the whole rest of the day in them. Maybe order pizza?"
I threw in the food for Em.
"Sounds great." Edward agreed giving me that heart stopping crooked grin.
"I'm in. Extra cheese please." Em threw in.
"Alright then kids I'll call order the food, and we can all get changed." Carlisle grinned. I think he was happy that this didn't turn into an episode of Jerry Springer in his very nice family room.
…
It didn't take us long to decorate the tree. With so many hands it went quickly. We all agreed to leave the star off and let Charlie put it on the next day so he could feel a part of our family Christmas tree. I was touched when Carlisle brought it up, and even more so when they all agreed.
It was time to do the letters and before giving the instructions to the new comers Aunt Esme went to gather the Christmas stationery and Carlisle got the fireplace going. Alice and I had the hot chocolate and snacks on trays and we brought them into the family room. Emmett was busy rubbing his tummy and staring at the snack tray and Edward had the DVD player set up for Rudolf.
"The letters to Santa started when Bella and Emmett were little, I think Bella you were 3 the first year. Back then it was just the basic what toys do I want. Over the years as the kids have grown up, we changed the format. The rules are simple, you ask Santa for the 3 things you want most, you give something that you are thankful for and if you have something you'd like to say to the family you write it on the letter. Now you don't have to let any of us read the letter if you don't want us to. There is a tradition that has passed down for generations in my family, when we write our letters to Santa, we put them in an envelope then place them in the fireplace. It's believed that if you burn the letter it will magically find its way to Santa." Aunt Esme shares with her sweet smile, and I grin because even though it might seem silly we still loved it.
The stationary was passed around and I began to think of what I wanted most and I wondered what everyone else was going to write on their list.
Hmmm…
Emmett's POV Italics are the letters' contents
Dear Santa
What I would really love for Christmas? 1) A Ferrari that would be sweet. 2) Rosie naked on that Ferrari that would be fucking sweet. 3) A micro/mini fridge combo for my room so I have snackage and ways to heat it up without having to go down stairs in this big ass house.
What I'm thankful for? That my Mom has a real smile on her face again and that even though we are all a little different and still working shit out I've got a great family.
What I'd like to say to my family? Dudes we are so staying home for Christmas. Peace out.
Alice POV
Santa baby what I want for Christmas hmm only three things ok Prada, Gucci and Tiffany's. Nuff said. I'm thankful that my Dad is no longer alone and that after all these years I have a Mom. What I'd like to say to the family would be that even though I've never told her this Esme has become my Mom. I never knew my biological one, though I understand she was a bit cold and distant. Esme however has opened her heart quickly to Edward and I, and made all of us a family. Love and kisses, Mary Alice Cullen P.S. I wear a size 5 ring!
Carlisle POV.
Ok I can't believe I'm writing Santa at my age but here goes nothing. Santa all I want for Christmas besides a new set of high-tech golf clubs, for my family to have a wonderful holiday together and I want this squabble to stop over who has the better family tradition and where we should spend the holiday. I'm thankful for my family every day and all I have to say to them is that I love them and I'm so proud of each of them.
Esme POV
Dear Santa,
Another year has passed and we have been blessed with the Cullens joining our family. I'm so thankful for them and so in love with my Carlisle. I love each of my four children with all of my heart. What I want for Christmas is simple for each of them to have a blessed and wonderful Christmas, that we are all together and that, that bitch Renee comes nowhere near us.
What I'd love to tell my family is that I love them, and that I've never been happier than I am now.
Love Always,
Esme
Edward POV
This idea seems a bit childish to me, but the look of excitement and joy on my sweet Bella's face makes me want to write this letter. How to start?
Should I use a formal citation? Hmm…
Dear Mr. Claus,
I'm writing this letter to make my family and my beautiful Bella happy. How can I ask for anything when I already have everything? The one thing I would have to ask for is to be with her for the holidays, and forever. I never knew that I could feel this way about someone, but all I want is to keep her safe and near me. I guess that also answers what I am thankful for, Bella. And I'm also thankful for my new family in Forks, though I do miss the city, Forks is kind of growing on me. I really have nothing else to say so with warmest regards I will sign off.
Best Wishes,
EAC.
BPOV
Santa it's been another year and I have to say it's been a roller coaster of one. All I want for Christmas is my family to be happy. And perhaps a new Ipad. And to be here in Fork's for Christmas. I'm thankful for Charlie, Esme, Emmett, The Hales, The Cullens and especially Edward. All I want to say to my family is that I love them and I hope we can work things out. Love ya Bella.
I watched as the others finished their letters and put mine in the envelope no way was, I going to show this to them. I think all of the others agreed because they quickly sealed up their letters as well. We tossed them one by one into the fireplace wishing the letters safe passage to their destination. We drank the coco and watched the movie and we all tried to ignore the elephant in the room. Where were we going to spend Christmas? And would we be together?
As Rudolf slipped into Christmas in Connecticut I leaned into Edward's arms and closed my eyes. Tomorrow would bring more people into this conflict, but would it find a resolution? Would we get out happy family holiday? I prayed that we would somehow find a way.