A/N: So, yeah this chapter I totally started while sitting, completely bored out of my mind in driver's ed…just a little fun for me while I was supposed to be watching cars crash (Ok I get it drinking and driving is bad.. you die)… and last chapter was me clinging to happiness… it's not going to last much longer… (A little Christmas in August for you guys in the next few chapters) Read. Enjoy. Review…

Trip Around the Sun

Chapter Sixteen – Rising Tensions

I spent Thanksgiving down in Phoenix with mom and Phil so that I could spend Christmas break in Forks. Unfortunately, Alice had put some of the most innocent and non-incriminating pictures from the camping trip on Facebook, and mom decided that Carlisle looked young enough to be their older brother. She then continued to badger me about him all thanksgiving weekend, and I had the more difficult task of trying to convince her that there was nothing going on between us, not really wanting to tell her that the guy she said was looking at me lovingly in all the pictures was my friends' 'dad'. This was accentuated by the fact that Carlisle was texting me almost constantly to tell me how much he missed me, which was cute but entirely unnecessary, I knew he missed me as much as I missed him. Eventually I just blurted out that he was their dad, and she dropped it after I explained to her that he adopted them for all intensive purposes. I also threw in that Alice and Jasper were dating just to make sure she would get off my back, I knew Alice wouldn't mind.

Even with Renee on my case most of the weekend, the worst part about spending Thanksgiving down there was Phil. He was even more impossibly obnoxious than when I had left, and I hated it there then. From the way he was acting, I was sure that the new rumors that were flying around about his mistress in New York were true. My only bright spot in the day was at night when Carlisle would call me to talk and say good night, though I had to keep my voice down and remember not to actually say his name, which was harder than it sounded. I was just glad to be home Sunday night, and when I said home I meant at Carlisle's.

Time passed quickly after that, and before I knew it I was sitting on the couch at the Cullen house Friday afternoon at the very start of break. I was watching the news with Jasper and Alice, waiting for Carlisle to get home from the hospital. As much as I had been looking forward to the week and a half with no school, I was also dreading it. Without school I would be so bored and only would be able to think about the fact that Carlisle was at work, right up until Christmas eve. He had explained to me that the holidays were always busy at the hospital because of all the nutty accidents that happened when people tried to string lights on their roofs, go ice skating, or tried to go to the sales where they were trampled in the doorway.

"Hey babe," Carlisle whispered into my ear before kissing my cheek, I had zoned out on the TV and hadn't even heard him come in.

"Honey!" I said happily as he jumped over the back of the couch and landed next to me, "How was work?"

"Good," said Carlisle, leaning in and kissing me sweetly, "Busy, some guy tried to steal a sheep from the church's nativity scene earlier this evening, and he got violent. The police ended up having to shoot him in the foot to get him to stop waving a gun at them. So I got to see your dad."

Alice was laughing hysterically, even though it was something you weren't supposed to laugh about, it pretty funny. I had to chuckle a little myself as Jasper cracked a smile too. I even caught Carlisle chuckling a little as he wrapped an arm around me.

"Somehow I don't think that's what Christmas is supposed to be about," said Carlisle with a chuckle, "So wrong."

"So tell me," I said, kissing his temple and putting my arms around his neck once the laughing died down, "Where things really so easy and simple back in the day?"

"Back in the day?" He replied questioningly, "To a point, but really not too much, the corruption went in a direct curve with the technology and how 'advanced' we got."

"Makes sense," I commented and he nodded before kissing me.

"Missed you today," He said sweetly and Alice and Jasper used that as their cue to leave the room.

"Really?" I said, as if his statement differed from every other day.

"A lot," He said with a smile before kissing me again, "So are you planning on staying all weekend, because I really recommend it."

"I wish I was," I said, kissing him this time, "I'm going with dad tomorrow down to La Push."

"Oh, ok," said Carlisle in an understanding tone, "That's good, hang out with Jake."

"You are really so sweet about this," I said and he smiled, though I could tell it was a little weak.

"There's nothing to be sweet about, Bella darling," He said, "I'm not about to tell you who to hang out with."

"Do you not want me to hang out with Jake?" I asked, knowing I was reading a little too far into what he was saying, "Because I'll stop, if that's what you want. I mean, it can't be an easy thing for you to watch me do."

"Bella," He sighed, "My heart rests with you, all the time, and I know yours rests with me. I really have no problem with you hanging around him as long as your not hurt. Yes, it makes me sad and a little angry when you come back upset, but if hanging with Jake or whatever is something you want to do, I don't mind."

"Thanks," I said and he squeezed me for a second, "And my heart is always with you, Carlisle, twenty four hours a day."

He kissed me softly, letting me know just how happy he was to hear me say that.

"Besides," He said a few minutes after pulling away, "I think you voluntarily spending time with Jake is keeping the wolves at bay. I thought they'd try to attack by now."

"Glad to know I'm doing my part," I said and he chuckled, so I added mischievously, "So is there anything I can do to get that wild jealous look in your eye again?"

"Look closer, Bella," said Carlisle kindly, kissing the side of my face, "It's there, every time some guy simply looks you up and down. Sometimes I just want to lock you away in a tower."

"Isn't that dad's job?" I asked and Carlisle smiled.

"Well he's not doing a very good job, because here you are," said Carlisle playfully.

"I don't know how he lives with himself," I teased, "Denying you the chance to ride in on a white horse and safe me from some sort of monster."

"I am a monster," He said, his mood automatically going down, and I shook my head.

"No," I said, pulling his face towards mine so we were making eye contact, "You're an angel."

He smiled a little too weakly for my liking and I leaned in and kissed him. I kissed him with every ounce of love that I had for him. It was long and beautiful just the way I intended it to be. It was like a knife to the heart whenever Alice or Jasper referred to themselves as monsters, but this was the first time Carlisle had ever said something like that, at least around me. It was like someone it was quite like he had ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it rather than him just saying four little words. I refused to think of anything as monsters, especially after what Carlisle and Jake had turned out being. I would never classify any group as monsters again without some serious thought.

"An angel wouldn't let you kiss them like that," He pointed out and I smiled.

"Well you sweetheart are most certainly no monster," I said, "A monster is like from old scary movies."

"Vampire," He said.

"Fine," I said, realizing that he was not going to let up, "You're a monster, but you're my monster, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

He chuckled as his mood shifted back into his more normal mood.

"I knew what you meant," He said, "I just wanted to see you squirm a little."

"So will you be my angel again?" I asked and he shook his head.

"There's something intriguing about being your monster," He said seductively and I grinned as he left little kisses over my face.

"Too bad," I said, and he chuckled, "Angel it is."

The next day as I sat in Billy's living room with Jake, Sam, and Emily I replayed that scene in my head. I could never get Carlisle off my mind, not that I ever wanted to, but for some reason today I couldn't think of anything else. Dad and Billy had left to go fishing after Billy threw me a couple of the most repulsive looks he could think of, and left us to ourselves.

"What's up with you, Bella?" Jake asked, "You seem all zoned out."

"Just thinking about Carlisle," I said simply, and I kind of felt he deserved the hurt look that came across his face, "Sorry, uncalled for."

"Any particular reason?" Emily asked, Sam and her were cuddling on the couch next to me, and in a position that I greatly wished I could be in with Carlisle at that moment.

"He left early for work this morning," I said, deciding to save Jake from a description of the make out session that followed the angel/monster debate, "Didn't really get to say bye, I was tired."

"Oh," said Emily, sounding like she understood completely, and from what I understood from being around them, she felt very close to how I felt about Carlisle about Sam.

"Yeah," I said, looking down at the ground as my phone buzzed.

Hey Babe, I'm going to run an errand (aka pick up your Christmas present in Seattle) and I love you, but I won't be back until seven…kisses

Ok… I love you… hope you didnt go overboard

Overboard on the first Christmas with the love of my life? No such thing. No I promise the emotion behind it is much better than the thing itself. Tell Jake and everyone I say hi

I smiled as I shut my phone, slipping it back into my pocket. I had been smart about getting his gift, and brought Alice along to help me pick it out. She had, after we were shopping around for almost a full twelve hours without stopping, picked up a pair of socks and said that he would love them. I had smiled, liking that she was getting a taste of her own medicine, then went back to what I had originally been planning on getting him, making her groan.

"So was that him then?" Jake said tersely and I nodded.

"He says hi to everyone," I replied, figuring that was answer enough to Jake's question.

"Bella this is getting ridiculous," said Jake sounding perturbed as always.

"I would have to agree," I retorted angrily, why couldn't he just take the hint, or rather the large lighted sign that stated that I wanted Carlisle?

"When are you going to realize that I'm better for you, Bella?" said Jake, and I rolled my eyes, as did Sam and Emily.

"Jake," said Emily, the minute I had opened my mouth to reply, "She loves Carlisle, you're her friend, and that's what she wants."

"It's not right!" said Jake, his words stabbing me, but with less piercing pain then the night before when Carlisle had called himself a monster.

"It is, Jake," I said, hopping up off the couch, it was almost Christmas, I did not want Carlisle to have to comfort me tonight, "I'd better go."

"No, Bella, don't go," said Jake and I rolled my eyes.

"I should, Jake," I said, "Tell Charlie I'm at the Cullens'."

"Sure," said Sam when Jake remained silent.

"So what?" said Jake, "It's my punishment for being bad? You take yourself away and I have to picture you with him?"

"I'm not punishing you, Jake!" I said, "It's almost Christmas, and I don't want him to have to comfort me tonight, I want to just be happy, Jake."

"SO be happy here with me," said Jake and I rolled my eyes.

"Jake, Carlisle is my happiness," I said as I headed for the door, "And for the record he won't be home until seven, so you're mind is safe until then."

I went right out the door, letting the screen door slam behind me. I heard him opening the door behind me, but just ran to my truck, pulling away without looking back. I barreled right down the road and only stopped when I was parked in my usual space outside the Cullen mansion. Alice was, like a good friend, at my door about a second after I pulled in, Jasper not too far behind her.

"Bella?" She said bracingly as I opened my door and hopped out.

"I'm fine," I said and Jasper rolled his eyes.

"I disagree," He said cryptically, "You're upset."

"If you two tell Carlisle I will rip you both limp from limp," I said and Jasper nodded, getting the picture.

"Gotcha," He said and I sighed heavily.

"You wanna talk?" Alice asked and I shook my head.

"I don't want to talk," I said, "I want to be happy. So, I don't think I will be visiting Jake of my own accord anytime soon, though I am supposed to be over there for Christmas eve."

"Ok," said Alice, "It's your choice, and we can totally get you out of Christmas Eve if you want. We usually go to the candle light mass Christmas Eve, Carlisle does anyways, but we could all go. No way Charlie's going to tell you you can't go to church."

"Thanks," I said, biting my lip, mostly out of habit, "Wouldn't have thought of that."

"No problem," said Alice and I smiled as Carlisle's Mercedes came up the driveway.

"I thought he was-"

"He only said seven so you wouldn't rush home," said Alice, "He wants you to have fun with your friends."

"You lied to me!" I said angrily as he got out of his car, a plane white bag in his hand, he handed it to Alice and she ran off, Jasper going with her to give us a minute, "How could you lie to me like that?"

"Whoa, babe…"

"Don't babe me right now," I said angrily and he looked hurt, which immediately tugged on my heart strings and made me feel bad.

"What's wrong, Bella?" He asked, his face now fully confused, "And I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to run home. I wanted you to hang around with Jake if you wanted to."

"I think that's my decision," I said and he nodded, taking a step towards me.

"I think so too," He said, caressing my cheek softly, "I'm sorry, I would never mean to hurt you, I figured-"

"You figured wrong," I said and he nodded.

"Clearly," He said and I sighed, seeing just the mixture of confusion and sorrow in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said and he gave me a hug.

"I'm sorry too," He said, he was still looking down into my face concernedly, "You ok?"

"I will be," I said as he let go and started to massage my shoulders lightly, "Hopefully."

"Wow," He said, then whispered into my ear, "My Bella, you're so tense."

"I don't blame me," I said and he chuckled lightly before leaning down and kissing me.

"I don't blame you either," He said as he pulled away, "Things didn't go so good down on the reservation."

"Wild understatement," I said simply and he kissed my neck.

"I'm sorry, you want to talk about it?" Carlisle asked and I shook my head, "Ok."