Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Bella loved the holidays. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Two years ago, she had helped Phil set up the store bought plastic tree that she and her mom had used for the past four years. Then her mom had put on her Elvis Christmas CD, and they had decorated the tree and house.
This year Charlie, Seth, and Jacob had gone to the tree farm and cut down a real tree. A tree that Charlie took great pride in. It had fresh water every day, and there was never a needle on the floor. When Bella had walked in the night before Christmas Eve, she stared at the living room in wonder.
"Sue and Leah went a little overboard," Charlie called from the kitchen.
"I think it's nice."
"See? I told you she wouldn't think it was overrated," Sue said from upstairs.
"Where's Jacob?" Charlie asked.
"He went to get Billy."
"How long are you in town for?" Sue asked, coming down the stairs.
"Just until Christmas, then Jacob and I are going back to the cabin until New Year's."
"How is the baby doing?" Sue asked, pulling Bella towards the couch.
"Actually, that's something that I need to talk to you two about."
"You didn't lose the baby did you?" Charlie asked as his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"No Dad, I didn't lose the babies."
"Babies?" Sue asked as her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Oh, God," Charlie said as he sat down in the recliner.
"Are you okay, Dad?"
"I'm fine. How many are there?" he asked with a twinge of panic in his voice.
"Only two."
"'Only two' she says. Jesus, Mary Mother and Joseph." he said under his breath.
Sue shook with laughter while Bella covered her mouth with one of her hands.
"Do you have pictures?" Sue asked as she calmed herself down.
"In my bag," Bella said, reaching for it.
She pulled out three pictures, holding them to her chest.
"Come here, Dad," she said, patting the empty cushion beside her.
"Did Jacob go with you?"
"He did," Bella said with a nod.
Bella pulled the pictures away from her so that they could see them. She pointed to an image in one of the pictures.
"There are two," she said, pointing out two little images in the picture.
"Is it too soon to know if they're boys or girls?" Charlie asked, taking one of the pictures from her.
"I won't find out for another two months."
"How is school going? You haven't told me much about it," Sue said, changing the subject.
"It's good. I had to quit my job because Mr. Newton wouldn't give me the time off that I needed."
"When did you do that?" Charlie asked in concern.
"A few days ago."
"We're looking for a receptionist at the station. It would only be three days a week; I'm sure Lucielle would give you whatever days you needed off," he offered.
"I'll call Lucielle after Christmas. Thanks, Dad," she said, hugging him.
"Anytime," he said, squeezing her.
Billy's truck pulled up out fron,t and Bella went to let Billy and Jacob in. Billy pushed himself into the living room, and Bella pulled Jacob upstairs. They were in her room with the door cracked a minute later.
"My dad knows," Bella said, sitting on the bed.
"What did you tell him?" Jacob asked with wide eyes.
"That I'm having twins, that I quit my job. I told him about school."
"What did he say?" he prodded.
"He offered me a job at the station."
"Really?" he asked with a relieved sigh.
"Yeah."
"What about the babies?"
"He wanted to know if I knew what the sex was yet. I told him that it was too soon. Technically, I'm not supposed to find that out for another two months."
"But he's okay with it?" he asked in concern.
"He was shocked at first, but he's fine now."
Jacob pulled Bella into his lap and rested his chin on top of her head. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she rested her head in the crook of his neck. As long as they made it through together, then everything else would be fine.
XXXX
Bella had driven to Seattle to go Christmas shopping. She didn't know what had possessed her to do it other than it was the only place within four hundred miles that she could find Renee's favorite store.
The store specialized in blown glass, and in Arizona their living room was filled with beautiful figurines from the store.
Bella was walking through the mall, trying to find the store when someone called her name. She looked around, not seeing anyone that she knew. The person called her name again, closer this time. She turned to the right, seeing Angela smiling broadly.
"Hi," Angela said excitedly.
"Hey," Bella said with a warm smile.
"I wasn't sure if it was you at first. You're not so pale anymore. You look healthy," she said before pulling Bella in for a hug.
"That's what happens when you're happy I guess," Bella said with a light laugh.
"Would Edward have anything to do with that?" she asked teasingly.
Had it really been that long since they had talked? Bella thought back to the last time she had seen Angela. Angela had come by the house to give Bella her address and number at Vassar. Bella had yet to use either.
"Edward and I broke up not long after I saw you last," Bella said after pulling out of the embrace.
"So this is the glow of an independent woman," Angela said with a nod.
"It's a pregnancy glow," Bella said with a nervous laugh.
"Oh wow," Angela said in astonishment.
"I'm really sorry for not telling you. I've had a lot on my mind."
"I understand," she said with a nod.
"Do you remember when we went to La Push?"
"Yeah."
"The father is my friend that you met that day."
"His face is fuzzy, but I remember that he had long hair."
"I have a picture of him on my phone," she said, fishing through her purse.
She pulled up a picture of Charlie, Jacob, and Seth from Thanksgiving.
"He's the one on the left," Bella said, handing Angela the phone.
"Wow. I can't believe that I forgot that face," Angela said in astonishment.
"It's hard to do. You did have Eric on your brain at the time. So it's understandable."
"I don't what I was thinking, going out with him," she said with a laugh.
"Are you and Ben still together?"
"Yeah, we're making it work. It's a struggle because he's here on the west coast and I'm in New York," Angela said sadly.
"Well it's good that you guys are trying."
"You haven't told me his name," she said, giving Bella a stern look.
"Sorry, it's Jacob."
"And your dad is okay with everything?"
"He's accepted it. He knows that I love Jake and how much he means to me."
"Are you still in Forks? I haven't seen you."
"I live in Olympia. I just came down yesterday. I'm going back tomorrow night."
"Let me have your new address, seeing as I have your number. I promise I'll keep in touch this time."
"Me too," Bella said, writing her address on a strip of paper.
"It's good that I ran into you. Jessica was asking about you the other day," Angela said as she quickly wrote her number and email address on a sheet of paper from her planner.
"I don't have her number."
"She's had it changed. I swear she calls me every weekend. If she didn't, I wouldn't be able to talk to her. I'll give you her number."
They talked for a few more minutes before Bella realized what time it was. She only had half an hour to find a gift for her mom, and then get it and Phil's gift in the mail before the post office closed.
XXXX
Christmas Eve dinner was held at Charlie's. Everyone laughed and joked. They talked about people that they wished were there and that they missed.
"Just think, last year everyone was worried about Bella. Now she's a completely different person," Leah said with a smile.
"It's amazing the difference a year can make," Charlie said, looking at Bella with a warm smile.
"Sweetie, we were all worried about you last year," Sue said with a laugh.
"No one more than Jake. He'd follow you around like a sad dog who wanted attention from its owner," Billy said, shaking his head.
"Can I go get Angus?" Seth asked hopefully.
"We'll be eating soon, that's not a good idea. You can go upstairs and hang out with him until dinner," Sue said as Seth took off up the stairs.
Bella watched Jacob with curious eyes. He sat across the room with Rachel and Embry. The three of them were talking with their heads close together. If he had heard what Billy had said, he didn't let on. She'd had no idea. Why hadn't he told her? What kind of person was she that she would put her family and friends through that? Waves of guilt washed over her as tears pricked her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Leah asked from a few feet away.
"I'm just feeling guilty," she said, swiping at her eyes.
"About what?" she asked as she came to sit next to Bella.
"Last year."
"I don't remember much about it. You wouldn't come downstairs. And your dad, my parents, and Billy kept trying to get you to come down. Jake would get so mad at them. He sat with you all night at the top of the stairs. From what I understand you were pretty out of it."
"I don't remember anything."
"You're lucky, he thinks about it sometimes. It's sad," Leah said, gesturing to Jacob.
"I can't believe I was so hung up on someone I hardly knew."
"It's in the past. You have a great future ahead of you. Do you know what I would give to be you?" she asked, draping an arm over Bella's shoulders.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know if I can have children, and you're going to have two in seven months. Never forget how lucky you are."
"Rosalie told me something like that the other day."
Sue called everyone into the kitchen so that they could eat. Bella went upstairs to get Seth while everyone else headed towards the kitchen. She stood at her door, watching Seth as he sprawled out on the floor, playing dead. Angus pawed at Seth's arm, nudging his cheek with his nose.
"Dinner's ready," she said, coming into the room.
She put Angus in his crate while Seth picked himself up off of the floor. They walked downstairs together. Jacob stood in the foyer waiting for her.
"You could have gotten yourself something to eat."
"I wanted to wait for you," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
His hands rested on her stomach as they walked into the kitchen. The counters, stove, and table were covered with food. Bella watched everyone with a smile, glad that they were all there.
She picked up two plates, handing one to Jacob. His free hand rested on her hip as they moved up in line. A sudden wave of nausea hit her as she stood over the stuffing. She set her plate on the counter, as she gasped for breath.
"You okay?" Jacob asked.
"I'm gonna be sick," she said, pulling away from him.
She made it to the bathroom with Jacob a few steps behind her. She shut the door in his face, not wanting him to see her throw up. She dry heaved twice before flushing the toilet.
"Can I come in?" he asked from outside.
She opened the door before gripping the counter. He rubbed her back as she splashed water on her face.
"I'm sorry for slamming the door in your face," she said weakly.
"I'll know to stop at the door next time."
"I didn't break your nose did I?" she asked in concern.
"No," he said, continuing to rub her back.
"Thank you," she said with a grateful smile.
"You're welcome," he said, kissing her temple.
"Everything okay?" Rachel asked from the door.
"The stuffing triggered my gag reflexes. I'll just have to get used to it," Bella said, rolling her eyes in sarcasm.
"You dad says that there's some ginger ale in the laundry room."
"I'll get it," Jacob said, walking out of the room.
"No, go eat. I'll get it."
Bella came back into the kitchen, holding her breath when she came close to the stuffing. She made herself a plate, and then went to sit on the stairs with Quil.
"At least this year you're at the bottom and not at the top."
"You were here last year?"
"Embry too. Jake had us at the bottom of the stairs trying to coax you down."
She laughed before putting her head on his shoulder.
"Thanks for trying."
"You're welcome," he said, smiling down at her.
They ate in silence while everyone else talked and laughed around them. Jacob was one of the strongest, most amazing people she had ever met. She thanked God every day for bringing him into her life.
XXXX
After everyone had left Charlie, Bella, and Jacob sat in the living room listening to Frank Sinatra sing Auld Lange Syne. Rachel had taken Billy home over an hour ago.
"I'm gonna go to bed. Don't stay up too late you two," Charlie said before he went upstairs.
"We won't," Bella said in answer.
"I can't believe he let me stay. And I can sleep in your room with you."
"Well, I'm already pregnant. There isn't much else that we can do," Bella said with a shrug.
Half an hour later, they were in her room lying side by side. He looked over her shoulder at the alarm clock. It was exactly midnight.
"Merry Christmas," he murmured.
"Merry Christmas, Jake," she said with a smile.
"I want to give you your present now," he said, reaching over the side of the bed.
"It can't wait?" she asked with a laugh.
"I've been waiting two days to give it to you. I wanted to give it to you when we were alone."
"Okay," she said with a nod.
He held a box in the palm of his hand. She looked down at it with wide eyes.
"That had better have earrings in it."
"Hear me out," he said, sitting Indian Style in front of her.
"Jake..."
"I've thought long and hard about this. I scraped up all the money I had to pay for this."
"Go on," she said with a sigh.
"I know that you want to wait to get married. But there is nothing stopping us from getting engaged now."
"I don't know," she said, not sounding sure about the idea.
"I promise that we won't get married until you're ready. Bella, will you please marry me? Eventually?" he asked with a teasing smile.
"Well, when you ask me like that how can I say no?" she said, giving him a teasing smile of her own.
He leaned over her, his arms resting on either side of her head. He smiled down at her before opening the box. He set it aside once he had pulled the ring out. He slipped it on her finger, and she stared at it with wide eyes.
The diamond was small, yet understated. It was simple, yet beautiful at the same time.
"I love it, thank you," she said, turning her attention back to him.
"You're welcome, I'm glad you like it."
"I love you," she said, brushing a stray piece of hair from his forehead.
"I love you too," he said, leaning down.
She met him halfway, linking her arms around his neck. His lips were pliant over hers. Her hands glided over his shoulders as he opened his mouth to let her in. The kiss left her feeling light headed and dizzy. He stifled a moan as she pushed down his boxers. Her shirt and underwear were next as they gave in to pent up need and want.
