Authors Note: Sorry this chapter took so long! I've been so busy with getting ready for my trip and such I haven't been on the computer much. But now that I'm sick on my vacation which sucks for me, you guys get a new chapter! I'm still surprised by the people interested in this, and I promise, I'm going to try my best to update sooner. Next chapter might be a bit harder, I still don't know what I'm going to do for it xDD. And so, here's the next chapter!
Chapter 3: And a Merry Christmas to You!
"Daddy, it has to be perfect!" Renesmee stated. She was sitting on my shoulders and myself and her were walking around the middle of the forest, looking for the perfect Christmas Tree. Christmas was only two weeks away, and we were all just getting our Christmas decorations up. Alice had gone out and bought a ton of decorations for our little home. Her and Bella stayed back at the house to decorate. It was Nessie and my job to get the 'perfect Christmas tree', according to Bella. I wasn't one to argue with Bella, and of course, our child's first Christmas had to be exactly that. Perfect.
"I know Princess, I thought it would be a lot easier to find a tree in the middle of the woods. We are going to get our own tree, I promise up that." I told her looking up at her. Her hands were dug into my hair and she pushed my head down and squealed. Before I even got a chance to ask what that could possible be about, I saw the tree. It was perfect in every way. Like something out of a Christmas special, only they spent days and days looking for it. It only took us about and hour.
"Good job Nessie! You found the tree!" I exclaimed. I turned around and put two fingers in my mouth, letting out a long whistle. A few short minutes later, Jacob came along carrying an ax with him. He had been patrolling all last night, but he insisted being here for this. He looked grumpy at me, but as soon as Nessie began bouncing on my shoulders, probably waving hello, he perked up. I had given up the whole hate Jacob thing for now, I knew he didn't have anymore then a friendship connection with my daughter, and I was glad of that.
"I may be a wolf Edward, but there no need to treat me like a dog when I'm human." he grinned, reaching up for Nessie who gladly went into his arms. The cold breeze instantly hit my shoulders, and for once in a few months now, I felt the coldness from it.
"I didn't think you would hear me if I shouted. I'm guessing you were asleep as well?" I chuckled, taking the ax away from him.
"Well yeah. So where this magnificent tree you found?" he asked me, but Nessie punched him in the chest and frowned at him. Jacob immediately sent an apology look at her, but her face stayed the same.
"I found it!" she said, crossing hers arms, still looking angry at Jacob. I laughed, she looked just like Bella when she did that. Jacob laughed as well. She didn't seemed amused.
"Oh I'm sorry. Well, would you like to show it to me?" Jacob asked her politely. She smiled back at him, obviously over her tantrum.
"Right there, see! Daddy didn't see it at all, I had to show it to him." she giggled, and pointed towards her tree. I smiled as Jacob pretended to be astonished by its perfection and I moved over to it, bringing the axe behind me and prepared to swing at it. But before I could, Nessie screeched at me to stop.
"What are you doing Daddy!?" she cried and both myself and Jacob gave her a peculiar look.
"Sweetie, I'm cutting down the tree so we can bring it back to the house and put it in the living room so when Santa comes he can put the presents under it. Remember?" I asked her, placing the ax in a stump and walked over to her.
"But won't it die then?" she whispered, tears pouring down her face. I raised my hand to her face, wiping the tears away instantly and Jacob bounced her, trying to get her to stop crying.
"It will stop growing, yes, but I have an idea." I said, walking back over to the tree, plucking off one of its pine cones. She gasped as I did but I showed her what I took off from the tree.
"Nessie, do you know what a seed is?" I asked. She thought for a moment, and then placed one of her tiny hands on Jacob's arm. I looked into her mind, seeing someone plant a seed in a flowerpot, then a few weeks later a beautiful flower blooming from it.
"Well this is a pine cone. It's a seed for these kinds of tree's. What we can do is once we cut down this one, we can plant this seed in the ground and a new tree will grow. And because the pinecone's mommy was a perfect tree, I'm sure this one will grow to be perfect as well." I smiled at her as she took the pinecone from my hand, examining it carefully. She nodded her head.
"Okay Daddy! Can we plant it by the house?" she asked, her eyes burrowing into my eyes. God, she was only a few months old and already she knew how to get her way. Though I wasn't going to say no to this one anyways.
"Of course Sweetie, where every you like." I smiled at her and Jacob stopped bouncing her, she was obviously okay to go. She returned her crooked smile to me and I returned to my work. And soon myself and Jacob, with Renesmee back on my shoulders, carrying the pine cone in her hand, carried the perfect Christmas tree home, singing Christmas songs the whole way there. When we approached the house I saw Bella looking through the window of our living room, laughing and shaking her head. She obviously heard the two of us bellow songs, but didn't believe that it could be Jacob and I. What can I say, the Christmas spirit brings the best out of me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, the four of us, Jacob, Bella, Renesmee and I all sat in the living room, examining the Christmas decorations and the wonderful lit up room. We were all gather around on one couch, I had my arm wrapped around Bella and Renesmee sat between us. Jacob sat on the floor and looked up at the decorated tree, in awe. He had told us, since his mother had died, Christmas was never as big at the Black house. Considering us Cullens have an issue with making everything big, this was just like the big Christmas tree in the Rockerfeller Center in New York. Bella was astonished as well.
"Edward, this is really something." she whispered to me, looking deeply into my eyes loving. I smiled her smile in return, kissing her gently and resting my head on hers, sighing softly as I looked up at the tree.
"After over a hundred years of Christmas's, I know this one is going to be my most memorable." I grinned and looked down at Renesmee. She looked up at me as I did, and giggled as she looked away. Jacob yawned and turned to us.
"Sam is making me patrol again tonight, and the next few nights so that I can have Christmas off with you guys." I groaned, but everyone ignored me as usual. "I have to go now. Night Eddie." I growled, again it was ignored. "Night Bella. Night Nessie." This time it was Bella's turned to growl at our daughter's nickname. We chuckled and Nessie raised one hand and waved goodbye to Jacob now. He was out the door in no time.
I squeezed Bella's shoulder, glad it was just the three of us now but we were interrupted but a loud yawn from Nessie. Figures, the only parents who never need sleep get the daughter who sleeps perfectly. I lifted her up in my arms and made my way to her room, laying her in her bed softly, tucking her in as she fell asleep. Bella was at my side in a instant and placed a glass of water on her nightstand before she gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. I repeated her action and the two of us made our way out of her room, closing her door behind us. Instantaneously, I wrapped my arm around Bella's waist as she did as well.
"You never told me what we are getting her for Christmas." she said as we made our way back into the living room.
"I thought we were getting her separate things?" I said, raising my eyebrow. She laughed and lifted her graceful hand, touching my eyebrow softly. I let my face relaxed.
"Okay yeah, fine. But what are you getting her?" she asked curiously.
"It's a surprise." I smiled crookedly and she gave me a look that I knew meant she was not pleased with me. "You'll find out on Christmas, just like your gift." she let a groan out.
"I told you to get me nothing!" she complained.
"So Alice and Jacob and Esme and Carlisle and Emmett and Rosalie and Jasper and Renesmee can all get you something, but I can't?" I asked, a laugh leaving my lips.
"Nope." she smiled and sat down on the couch, I followed her, wrapping my arms around her. She cuddled into me.
"Oh well, you are getting it anyways." I smiled crookedly and she groaned into my chest.
"Can you tell me what it is so I don't kill you on Christmas?" she asked, a sly look on her face as she suppressed a giggle.
"You'll find out on Christmas morning." I smiled.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mommy! Daddy! It's Christmas!" we heard the shriek from her bedroom and we were both at her bed in a instant. But she wasn't there when we got there, she was already running to the tree. we both laughed and followed her, watching her open each gift. She was definitely spoiled, the gifts surrounded and towered around the tree, mostly all from her. We decided to let her open all of hers first before ours were opened. Halfway through opening a box containing a dress, the Cullen clan piled in, with a ton of gifts in their arms. If they were humans, it would be impossible to carry this much stuff. Not for vampires though.
"Merry Christmas!" Alice chirped as she skipped inside, the rest of the family following her. Bella and I got up to take presents and put them under the tree and hug each of them as they made their way into the house. They were in pajamas, just like the three of us, to fit the Christmas mood. Nessie hopped up and eagerly met each of our family members, touching each of their cheeks to give them a Christmasy scene played in their heads, each fitting their idea's of Christmas perfectly.
Nessie was just opening the last gift from Santa when Jacob arrived, fully clothed thank god. He was carrying two presents, as he said he would. He couldn't think of anything to get my family, which was good, because the Cullen 'kids' hadn't gotten him anything. Esme had made him a ton of Christmas cookies, to thank him for all the help he had given us during the year. He seemed happy with that. Soon it was time to open everyone's gifts.
Nessie was first to go. She received a ton of dresses and clothes from Rose and Alice. Emmett got her a giant teddy bear ("From the big teddy bear himself!") while Jasper got her a bike ("I'll teach you to ride this summer."). Esme and Carlisle got her a painting set and she absolutely loved it, she wanted to go and paint right now but we reminded she had to open Bella's, Jacob's and mine yet.
Bella went first, giving her a necklace. In the back of the charm (which was emerald, because it was my human eye color), and on the back she had it engrave to say Renesmee full name. Nessie absolutely loved it and insisted that she would wear it always. Bella laughed as she place it on her daughter's neck. Jacob was next, giving her charm bracelet like Bella's but the charm on her was a wolf that was much more playful and pup-ish then Bella's. I would have to get her one just like I had to do with Bella. She shot me a glance and she read my face, knowing exactly what I was thinking. She sighed and looked at me.
"I believe it's Daddy's time for the gift giving." Bella said, a slight smile on her face. I smiled crookedly at her, and her smile grew. I picked Nessie up at passed her over to Bella before I disappeared into the storage room. I returned with a large objected covered by a large cloth and placed it by my piano. Bella walked over and looked confused, as did Renesmee. I waited for the family to gather and once they did, I pulled the cloth off. Everyone gasped.
I revealed a Renesmee size piano. It had a reddish tint to it and I placed a few starter piano books on the piano seat. Renesmee gasped again, looking at Bella, then me, then to the piano, and then repeated the action.
"Daddy, this is for me?" she gasped and I chuckled.
"Yes it is. I'm going to teach you how to play, but my keys are a tad too big for your fingers. This piano on the other hand.." I said walking over to it and playing a quick tune. The piano let out a angelic tune, playing magically. "This piano is 'Renesmee size'." I chuckled, watching as she squirmed in Bella's arm. She was released and she ran to my arms, which I had opened for her and she attacked me, squeezing me as tightly as she could, thanking me over and over again. I boom with laughter and kissed her cheek. That's when I noticed the looks my family was giving me.
Everyone had had their doubts of me being a father. But with the fake tears in the girls eyes and the grins on the boys, I knew that if they still had their doubts, they were gone now. I let Renesmee out of my grip and she grabbed Jacob to show him the piano. I had taught her chop sticks, and she gladly shared it with Jacob. I smiled at my daughter's enthusiasms and then looked to Bella, who was ready to cry. She ran to my arms and I gladly invited her in, kissing her passionately. Our lips molded perfectly and we forgot our family around us like usual. But Emmett's cough broke us apart, and I couldn't let my smile leave my face.
"Time to share our gifts now, shall we?" Carlisle said as we all sat down. Soon the gifts were passed around, mostly from couples to couples. Bella and I gave Esme and Carlisle new silverware to replace the broken things that Renesmee had broken. Everyone got a laugh out of that. I gave my sisters and mother jewelry like I do every year, which they all enjoyed. Alice gave the family a new wardrobe pretty much. Emmett gave Jasper a thong, out of a bet Jasper had lost. Emmett got a smack on the head from Alice for that one. Rosalie received a necklace with a rose charm on it from Emmett. Jasper gave Alice a gorgeous set of earrings. Esme gave Carlisle golden cufflings. Then Bella turned to me.
"So what did my husband get me for Christmas?" she sighed and I frowned.
"Can you at least try to be excited for me?" I asked her and she sighed, closing her eyes and a wide smile growing on her lips. I sighed and kissed them moving to the tree and grabbing a box, obviously containing jewelry. I bit my lip and Bella and Alice shook their heads.
She's going to love it Edward. Alice thought to me.
What ever you give me Edward, I'm going to love it either way. You know I just don't like the idea of you giving me things. Bella lowered her shield to tell me. I sighed and gave it to her.
"And here you go." she smiled and pulled a square shaped package from behind her back. I raised an eyebrow and she giggled.
"You never said I couldn't get you anything." she smiled.I looked down at my package we began to open them at the same time, but I stopped to see her reaction. Luckily for me, she forgot to raise her shield again. As she opened the box, her mouth went wide, and he thoughts couldn't be deciphered. All I could understand was Oh. My. God.
In the box was a locket, on the outside was the Cullen crest. Since she was a real Cullen now, she had to have something of her own. On the inside was a picture of me during the mid 1900's, by the piano. On the other side said "And so the Lion fell in love with the Lamb." it was really the first time I had told her I loved her, so it meant a lot. She seemed to understand all of that and she lunged on to me, pressing her lips to mine I muffled a laughed as I stopped her and sat her on my lap.
"I'm glad you like it." I told her, smiling crookedly.
"Like it? I love it Edward, thank you so much!" she said and kissed me again. I laughed and picked up her gift.
"It's not going to be as good as yours.." she mumbled. I looked at her shocked as I wrapped my arms around her, starting to open it now.
"I'm sure whatever it is I will love it just as much." I told her and opened it up. It was a picture frame, three actually. The first one was of Bella, kneeling on the ground, wearing a white blouse and a pair of black pants that fitted her perfectly. The next one was of Nessie, wearing a long sleeve white t-shirt and black overalls. She was standing up with a small flower in her hand, her face filled with laughter. The next one was empty, except for a note inside. It read:
To my dearest husband and father of our child,
This is my gift to you, a picture of both of your girls. I know how much you love us both and I know how much of a family man you have become in the last year, due to me wanting your child. I had seen families do this before and I couldn't help but do it. You know that empty wall above our fireplace? Well I did some measurements and we can have three small picture frames under one giant one. I was thinking we could get pictures of the three of us, Renesmee, you and I, together and then have the separate ones below it. I know you know that I don't like pictures so this was the best one they took of me, and Renesmee is adorable in this one. All we need now is you, because you are the one who completes this family. I love you so much Edward, and Nessie wants me to tell you that you are the best Daddy in the world. Thank you for everything.
From you loving wife and beautiful daughter, Merry Christmas.
Bella and Renesmee.
"I am not very good with words so I hope that I--" Bella never got to finish her sentence. My lips were already pressed hard against hers, kissing her the exact same way I did when she first woke up from the days of burning. A cough broke us apart but my eyes never left her amber ones.
"Bella, this is the best gift I could ever ask for. I love the picture of you and Nessie too." I said squeezing her gently. Nessie was running towards us as soon as she heard her name. I picked her up in my lap and hugged her gently. She smiled my crooked smile and thought of my reaction to the pictures, making me laugh. She was glad I loved the pictures. And I really did. I couldn't wait to get the rest of the pictures done either. I kissed her bronze curls and she giggled, trying to squirm out of my grip. After 105 Christmas's, this was definetly the best one yet.
Authors Note: Yayay. I liked this chapter, it was hard to think of something for Bella to give Edward, but then I remembered my pictures at home. I can just imagine a little girl with bronze curls and overalls on, her cheeks rosy from laughing with a little flower in her hand. I can't imagine Bella's at all, so my picture description for hers sucks.
I would like to add, if any of you guys have and ideas, throw them at me. I mean, Nessie is only young yet. I figured out what the next chapter is going to be about, so I'm going to start writing. I'll update as soon as possible, thank you guys for reading!