Yay! It's Christmas in April! Okay so here's the chapter, it's mostly fluff until the end...enjoy! :)

Chapter 8.

(Abby's POV)

It had been snowing for three days now. From the comforts of the warm cozy house the snow was gorgeous. This year we had gotten a white Christmas. I smiled at the thought. It would be Ivy's first white Christmas, as well as her last as an only child. I put my hand on my stomach. I was just starting to show; luckily I could still fit into my normal clothes, but it wouldn't be much longer until I would have to transfer to my maternity clothes. If the baby was a boy we would name him Wesley, which is what we would have named Ivy had she been a boy, and if it was another girl we would likely name her Rose. Yes, Kelsey had already used it as Shelby's middle name, but no one would mind.

I felt Luke's strong arms wrap around me and his warm lips press against my neck. "Merry Christmas babe," he whispered.

I giggled. His fingers tickled.

"Shhh, if we wake up Ivy the results will be loud and we will have to detain her until a more decent hour, and if we wake up your dad he will most likely kill me."

"No he wouldn't!" I laughed, hitting his chest lightly.

Suddenly something cold fell on top of me.

"It's Christmas Mommy!" Ivy nearly shouted.

"Shhh…Grandad is still sleeping."

"Why?" she asked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world to get up at seven forty-five in the morning on Christmas.

"Because some people like their sleep!" Luke said, picking her up and holding her over us.

She giggled in glee. "Oh, right! Shhh…" she whispered, trying to hold back her giggles. Luke put her down and she crawled in between us. "Merry Christmas baby," she said, kissing my stomach. Ivy had taken to the idea of a sibling very well. We'd see how well they got along once she realized a baby brother or sister meant a wailing infant that took up lots of Mommy and Daddy's attention, but for now, it was all sweet words and kisses.

We stayed under the warm covers for a while, to wait out the rest of the time until the rest of the house got up, but that wasn't long. Soon the alluring scent of bacon, ham, eggs, toast, and other delicious breakfast foods filled the house. Two things I knew as facts about the Black family. One, they always had a full house, even if it wasn't a holiday family and friends would always gather there, and two, they always had enough delicious food to feed a small country for every meal, and somehow it all got eaten.

There was a knock at the door and Ivy bounded out of the bed. Being here had helped her a lot with her shyness. She no longer hid from everyone, but often joined in on the other kids' antics, accompanied by Declan, who, although was mischievous and fond of pulling pranks, was sweet and more than willing to take Ivy under his wing.

"Merry Christmas everyone!" Kelsey grinned. She saw that Dad was still sleeping, she sat down on one side of the pull out couch he was sleeping on and ran her fingers through his hair. He hated that.

"Mmmm...Ava! Stop!" he mumbled, knocking away Kelsey's hand.

For some reason Kelsey burst out laughing at this which finally did wake him up.

"Oh! Oh! Did I sleep talk? Oops! Um, well I was having a very strange dream..." Dad stammered realizing what he had said.

Kelsey continued to laugh. "I think it was something we ate last night, I had weird dreams too." At this she became more solemn. It was quiet for a while.

"Well, are either of you going to tell us what you dreamt?" Luke finally asked, breaking the silence.

Both Kelsey and Dad shook their heads. "No, I'd rather not," Kelsey said quickly. That was strange, but they had both been acting strange lately. I figured Dad was just shaken up from the mountain lion attack, but Kelsey had been extra observant and protective, especially of me, since we came up here, and I tried not to let it get on my nerves, I knew she meant well, but it could be annoying sometimes. I made a mental note to myself to figure out what was going on with the both of them.

"Okay, well I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to get some of that delicious food out there!" Luke said, climbing out of bed.

Ivy squealed and ran out the door once again.

Coming out I was surprised to see everyone in their pajamas, even the people who came by to visit.

"It's a big tradition on the res. Everyone wears their pajamas all morning on Christmas and it's supposed to be like we all live in the same house," Seth explained.

"Like it isn't like we all live in the same house already?" I joked. The Black house was always always always crowded and you had to get up at about five in the morning to see it not so.

"Oh, come on Aunt Abby, get in the Christmas spirit!" Caleb grinned taking...a second helping? The kids here ate so fast!

"Here, I made sure to get you some food before they ate it all!" Luke said handing me a full plate.

"I really don't need all this..." I started.

"Nonsense! You're eating for two!" Luke said kissing my cheek and sneaking in a touch of my stomach. That was his favorite thing to do now. He was convinced it was going to kick sometime soon.

"More like one and one sixteenth or something..."

"If you don't finish I'll eat what's left!" Channing teased. Again with the appetite!

"I feed them! I promise!" Ellie called from across the room where she was cuddling romantically with Jacob.

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight..." Kelsey said sarcastically.

"Like you feed your son!" Jacob said, coming to Ellie's defense.

"Nope, not while I'm up here!"

"Yes, enjoy my mother's cooking while you can. Once we get home you'll have to cook all by yourself again," Seth said, pecking her on the lips.

"Hey! That's cheating! You're supposed to have mistletoe!" Jacob complained. He then pulled a sprig of mistletoe from his pocket, held it over Ellie, and proceeded to kiss her passionately. All the children were embarrassed considering most them were Ellie and Jacob's.

After that we opened family presents. Luke and I had told Ivy that Santa left her presents at our house so that she would have two surprises instead of one. She liked that idea. Kelsey had told the same thing to Shelby even though they were unsure about her belief in Santa. The other kids had also had Christmas at their houses, so it worked well and no one threw a fit. No, I'm understating. It was great, the air was filled with joy and Christmas cheer. The house was warm and cozy, I had all of my loved ones with me; what more could I have asked for?

Caleb's POV

I sprinted down the road. It was Christmas and I had just spent the morning with my family. Now basically everyone except Grandad was going to the Cullen's. I had told my mom that I had wanted to play football with some of the guys, and she had believed me.

Suddenly the scent of vampire filled the air and I saw a white figure fly past me. I came to a stop and watched in slight horror as I watched Ava, quickly followed by Alice and Edward, each feeding on a member of a herd of deer. I felt bad for the deer, but kept my composure, knowing it was better to let them eat the deer than get in a fight, and better for them to eat the deer than people.

"Oh! Hey Caleb! What's up? Are you coming over later?" Ava asked, wiping the blood off her lips, her eyes fading from a dark brown to an almost butterscotch color.

"Um...I don't think so...I was just heading up to see Megan," I said keeping my voice low. I didn't know how the other vampires would feel if they knew I was romantically involved with "the enemy".

"Really, Caleb?" Ava rolled her eyes. "Couldn't you have just imprinted on a nice Quileute girl, or even a vampire that isn't after your mom and aunt?"

"Ava, you said yourself that a person can't help who they imprint on," I shrugged.

"But why Megan?" Ava sighed. "Quil imprinted on a normal girl, Reese imprinted on a normal girl, Channing imprinted on a normal girl…"

"Who'd Channing imprint on?" I asked. I had seen Quil with Claire and Reese with Leah, but the only people Channing ever seemed to hang around were Koda and…

"Shelby," Ava finished my thought.

"Really?" I didn't know what to think about that. Channing was a nice enough guy, and if he cared about Shelby as much as I cared about Megan that was fine, but my protective older brother instincts were kicking in and I wasn't too sure if I liked it. Finally I decided that since it was Christmas I wouldn't kill him, but one false move and I would have to teach that guy a lesson.

"Yeah, it was forever ago. Only a few months after Channing turned."

I sighed.

"It helps if you don't think about it a lot. I know I wanted to kill your dad after he and your mom imprinted on each other. It wasn't that I wasn't happy for them, but it was just so weird you know? For her to be that committed, that young, and Shelby's even younger isn't she?"

"She's ten," I said, but I was thinking. Ava's statement meant my mom had known Ava longer than I had thought. She had to have known her before she became a wolf, but how?

"How did you and my mom meet?" I asked.

Ava looked confused for a second, but then she just looked uncomfortable. "Uh, how about you ask your mom?" she said nervously, "I've got to go. The others already left and your mom is coming soon. Sorry. Bye!" Then she bolted into the forest. I thought about chasing her, but that would take away more time from what I had already lost. Time I could be with Megan.

I finished my run, finally running up to her motel room.

"Caleb!" she exclaimed, running into my arms.

"Merry Christmas babe," I said, kissing her gently on the lips. She came back with something much stronger. "Woah! A little slower please! From what I hear we have forever," I laughed.

Forever, I had never ever ever before thought that I would live forever. It was just crazy to think; it made my stomach twist and turn and do crazy things. Forever, in some ways it was scary, like how I was going to outlive everyone I loved, how I was never going to get to have kids, how I'd have to live a life of vague obscurity so no one would notice I didn't age, but I would be with Megan, maybe I would make friends with some of the vampires, or even some of the wolves who were planning on living forever, maybe I could convince Megan to go vegetarian and form our own coven.

She lead me into the motel room which she had decorated a little bit, one of those six inch tall trees already set up with lights and ornaments. It reminded me of what we did at home in Christmases past, decorating the tree as a family, and when Shelby and I were young enough, and Shelby still was, Dad would lift us both up and we would both put a star on the top of the tree. I smiled and sighed.

"Our first Christmas together," Megan said softly.

"Megan, I have something for you," I said.

"Oh Caleb! You didn't have to!" she exclaimed.

I took the little blue box out of my pocket. It was really just the box I kept my class ring in, but it would do. I got down on one knee and Megan gasped. I couldn't help but laugh at her as I opened the box, but there was no ring. Megan's look went from shock to confusion.

"You really didn't think I could afford a ring that could even come close your beauty right now?" I laughed.

"Uh, no, but I kind of wasn't expecting an empty box."

"Oh, but this isn't just an empty box, it's a promise, see, look, there's a note inside."

She took out my note and read it. It mainly explained how I was undeniably, inexplicably in love with her and how I was so looking forward to spending the rest of forever together.

"Caleb," she said, her voice breaking a little. I grinned. I touched her enough to make her cry, I hadn't anticipated that. "Caleb, I don't know what to say."

"Say yes?" I hinted.

"You know I want to, but...I still have feelings for him. I still miss him, and I don't want it to affect us."

Oh. Him. Henry. The source of all our problems. I couldn't see what she saw in him over me. "Megan, it doesn't matter about it. It's over and done, someone else has come along. It's time to move on," I said gently; it was a touchy subject with her.

"Caleb, it's not that simple," she fretted. "Yes, I love you, but I'm still hurting over Henry. I don't want you to have to hurt more than necessary."

"What does that mean?" All sorts of things flew through my mind.

"Well, I'm just saying, it might take you awhile to feel the same after I..." she said slowly.

"Woah! No way! I thought you had given that up after you imprinted on me!"

"Was it not enough of a clue when I came after your aunt and grandad a few days ago?"

"I...I thought you hadn't meant to...I thought you had lost control or something," I stammered.

"Caleb...surely you didn't think I attacked them of all people by accident?"

"Well, yes, yes I did. That's why I didn't tell the pack about it." I was willing to cover for her if she was willing to try and not kill my family. We could do this. We could make this work. I loved her and she loved me, that was all we needed, right?

"Like they didn't find out anyway. Your mother is more of an obstacle to me than any of those dogs."

I felt my jaw drop.

"It's not like I'm going to kill her! Just your aunt, that's all I'm asking."

"No! That's ridiculous! I'm not going to bargain off my family members like...I don't know, cookies to Ivy or something!"

Megan laughed at my analogy, but I was serious. I just couldn't think of anything better in my state of anger and shock.

I pounded my fist against the wall. "I'm serious!"

"Come on Caleb! It's not even like she's actually related to you! Technically she's not even your aunt!"

"So?!?!?!?! It's not like I'm related to you! It's not like you were related to Henry! And yes, she is legally my aunt thank you very much!"

"Ugh! Caleb! You don't see the point! I will never be able to be with you with a clean conscience without doing this final act for Henry!"

"And murder will clean your conscience? Are you going to wash your conscience with blood? Last time I check blood is a lousy detergent!"

Megan breathed deeply. "No," she said cooly, but there was danger in her voice. "But it is delicious. Now if you don't mind, I'm starved."

Oooh! What will happen next? As always I'd like to thank my special helpers Megan and Shelby! Thanks! Anyway, read and review! I'll try and update soon!

Hufflepuffbrunette :)