I'm sorry it took me so long to update. Writer's block came back with a vengeance and I literally wrote and erased this chapter about five times. So here it is. Oh, and I'm skipping ahead to Christmas because that seems to be where my brain likes to go...Plus, I'm seeing the future...And, unfortunately, You Promised is going to be ending soon! :*( It'll be a big finish. But don't worry! There'll be a sequel!

~SashaFierce12.0

P.S. FLUFF ALERT! FLUFF ALERT!

Chapter 48

Leah's P.o.V.

Christmas Eve.

"C'mere, Jay!" I exclaimed, holding out my hands to my daughter. "You can do it!" Seth let go of Jayah's hands and she stood on her own, wobbling a little. He kissed her cheek and turned on his camera.

"It's okay. Go to your mom," he whispered to her. Jayah put one foot forward and wobbled a bit, her eyes landing on me. I grinned at her and she smiled widely back, continuing her little walk. Cheers went up through the house as she walked towards me. I laughed and caught her when she fell at the end. I kissed her cheek and her head.

"Ooh, I'm so proud of you!" I cooed. Jayah giggled and her dad picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder and planting raspberries on her cheek. Jayah giggled some more and screamed. I watched them, rubbing my enlarged stomach. Jayah wriggled out of Jacob's grasp and he set her back down. Then she tottled around the room, obviously happy at the newfound discovery of her legs. We all laughed as she plucked an ornament from the tree and waved it at us.

Everyone in the Clearwater-Black family was here. Me, Jake, and Jayah, of course; and then there was Mom and Seth. Paul, Rachael, and the Triplets sat together on our biggest couch. Billy and Adam sat at the dining room table, and Rebecca sat on the floor next to me. Syanne and Kyle were spending today with Embry and his mom.

"Cookies!" Mom sang, dancing into the room. She set a container filled with green and red frosted goodies onto the coffee table. "My own recipe."

"For real? Mrs. C, you're the best!" Rebecca said, taking one. I took one for myself and also held one out to Jacob. He took it with a grin and bit into the cookie, giving a thumbs-up to Mom. Seth turned off his camera and took two.

"I'm not usually a cookie person, but Mom's are the best in the world," he said.

"I know. Nice and warm, and soft, too," Rachael added. "How do you do that?"

"What can I say? I'm gifted," Mom replied, heading back into the kitchen. I stood up and went in with her. "Leah, let me cook."

"It's my house. I can help you."

"You don't need to be on your feet, honey."

"What? Just 'cause I'm with child doesn't mean that I can't use my kitchen." Mom shrugged and took out ingredients to make hot chocolate. "At least let me make this. You sit down and mingle." I pushed her out (and, actually, it's very hard to shove a freakishly strong and stubborn vampire out of a kitchen). She finally gave in and sat down on the couch next to my brother.

As I made hot chocolate, I kept glancing up at Jayah and Jake. He played with her and she giggled. Every time she picked up a gift wrapped up in shiny paper, he'd shake his head with a laugh and she'd hand it to him, then snatch it back with a giggle. Jacob would laugh and try to take it, but Jayah just shook her head. Finally, Jake attacked her with tickles and she let go.

I chuckled myself and poured the chocolate into mugs, then brought them into the living room. I set them next to the cookies. Sipping on my mug and cuddling next to Jacob, I smiled around the room.

It was great to have family. I glanced at Rachael and Rebecca, each of them holding one of the triplets. And then Paul, who was planting a kiss on Arielle's little temple, then at Adam, who was talking animatedly to Billy. Even if we weren't related, they were still a part of me somehow.

Seth was talking to Mom about something, fingering the chain around his neck. She laid on his shoulder and rubbed his hand in hers, sending loving looks up at him.

"So much like your dad, my baby boy," she whispered. If it was possible, tears would've formed at the corners of her eyes. She scrunched up her nose like she was trying not to cry.

Humph, old habits never die out.

Seth rolled his eyes like any normal teenage boy would do, but he smiled, anyway. I could tell that he like being compared to Dad; he had looked up to him so much. That's when he caught me staring and he grinned. I smiled back and then looked back up at Jake.

I felt myself sigh. Gosh, you won't believe how much I love him. It's hard to remember what my life was like before he had imprinted on me. It's hard to believe how we had avoided contact with each other for three months; after that fight. Ugh, it was such a stupid fight.

But now...

Now, I could fight with him and know that we would make up afterwards. That shows how much love can conquer. I leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his jaw line, and then he looked down and placed one on my lips. Someone pressed their lips against my cheek and I pulled away and gave a playful frown to my daughter. Jake and I laughed and I set down my mug, pulling her into me.

This was how I liked it. This was what Christmas was supposed to be like; spending it with your family.

I'd never trade it for the world.

000000000000000000000

Jazmyn's P.o.V.

Christmas Eve.

"So here comes Daddy Cool over here, running and crying like a baby," Sam laughed, jabbing a thumb towards Darren, who rolled his eyes with a small chuckle. "He was all, 'Sammy! Holy crap, Sammy-'" He paused as we all fell back into our chairs, laughing like idiots. "'You're freaking dead! Speak to me! Sammy!'" We laughed some more, and Sam laughed, too. "Of course, to humor myself even more, I didn't speak. He's all blubbering and crying, getting tears and snot all over my face. So I magically woke up, wiping the gunk off my face. And then..." he paused, laughing some more. Darren slapped his face, starting to laugh, too. "And then here he is, just kissing my cheeks my nose...'Thank God! I thought he was dead! It's a miracle!'" The story ended with me falling out of my chair, clutching my stomach and rolling around.

"Darren..." I giggled. "Ha! I'm burning calories!" Then I snorted, which made everyone break into more laughter. I climbed back into my chair next to Mom's hospital bed and wiped the tears out of my eyes. "Dang, I haven't laughed like that in forever."

"Jazzy! Uncle Sammy kin' funny, huh?" Claire asked, bouncing towards me. I picked her up and set her in my lap, giving her a little hug.

"Yeah. Who knew?" I joked, sticking my tongue out at Sam. He rolled his eyes and Emily kissed his cheek. That's when the door busted open and Alice walked in, her face covered by piles of colorfully wrapped gifts. How'd I know it was her? All I had to do was look at her shoes.

"I bare gifts from the Cullen House!" she exclaimed. Jasper took the top gifts out of her hands, revealing Alice's grinning face.

"Presents!" Claire exclaimed.

"Oh, how sweet are you?" Mom cooed from her bed. The rest of the Cullens followed in.

"Have room for a few more?" Emmett laughed, he had his arm wrapped around Rosalie's waste. On his head sat a little Santa hat. I laughed at it, thinking about stealing it from him later.

"Always!" Teasha replied.

"Where should I set these?" Alice asked. I gestured elaborately to the small Charlie Brown Christmas tree next to me, getting even more giggles and chuckles. It was complete with Lionel's blanket and everything. Alice set it down and placed her hands on her hips. "Now this is what I call a Christmas party!"

"You know it! That's how we do!" Teasha laughed and high fived me. Carlisle sauntered in then, his hands in his lab coat pockets.

"Carlisle, really? Working? On Christmas?" Daddy asked with a smirk.

"I just wanted to check on my favorite patient," Carlisle smiled. Mom grinned and leaned her elbows on her knees. "How're you feeling?"

"Great! I feel so loved. Everyone probably had better things to do than hang out with me," Mom winked.

"Aww. But we love you, Mommy!" I giggled, giving her a hug. Teasha and I climbed onto the foot of her bed, getting comfortable. Alice handed Mom a gift.

"Open it," she breathed. Mom did and grinned wider.

"Alice, honey, this is wonderful. Thank you." She gave Alice a tight hug and held up the large, diamond encrusted picture frame. Everyone was in the picture. The Pack, me, the Cullens, Sue...Everyone. It was the picture we took when we had all come to visit Mom on Thanksgiving. Everyone was crowded around the bed and making funny faces. "Jazzy, promise me to put it up high when you take it home, okay?"

"Okay." I tried not to think about...When she wouldn't come home with us. No. I gotta' be positive. Like her. If she didn't come home with us. I had hope.

"Don't you mean when you take it home, Marie?" Carlisle asked. Everyone looked at him. What'd he mean? "Here's my gift to you: you're getting out of here. First thing in the morning." Mom's eyes widened and her eyes glossed over. Teasha and I cheered as did everyone else.

"You mean it? Mom's coming home?" I asked. Carlisle nodded and took a folder out of his coat. He dimmed the lights and put in a picture of an x-ray.

"This one was taken a few months ago," he said. He pointed to a picture. Most of it was as white as snow. "You can see how the cancer covered most of her chest. To be honest, even I didn't have much hope for her." He took that one down and put in a new one. "This one was taken last week." He turned back to Mom and smiled. "Clear as rain. It's gone. And I have reason to believe that it'll be gone for good." I jumped on Mom and hugged her tight. This was the best news of my life. Dad kissed both of our heads, and then pulled Teasha in. He kissed the top of her head, too.

"Best Christmas ever," I said. We were hugging for a while before Darren broke the happy silence.

"Who's up for pizza? I got it covered," he said. I sat up and nodded eagerly.

"Make sure to get sausage, yeah?"

"You say 'yeah' after almost every sentence," Emmett noted.

"She does. Sam, she does that a lot, yeah?" Darren looked at his brother with a laugh.

"It makes everything come out like a question, yeah?" Teasha poked my side and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Claire danced around, singing the word.

"Quit making fun of my way of talking," I pouted.

"Ooh, she didn't say it!" Aunty Emily laughed. I laughed, too.

This was one of the best days that I've had in a while. And this was how I wanted it to be forever. Laughing with family and friends. I loved to laugh.

Watching as everyone joked around and talked over our food, I wanted everything to stay like this. Where there were no problems.

I looked back up at Mom's clear-as-rain-x-ray and felt tears shoot to my eyes. Tears of happiness. Mom was a real miracle. I always thought there were no such things as Christmas miracles. Until today.

Oh, and last year when Seth finally kissed me.

Sethy-poo...

I hoped he was having as good a time as I was. He needed to be. Everyone needed to be. That's what Christmas was for. Friends. Family.

Life.

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

000000000000000000000

Seth's P.o.V.

Christmas Eve.

I hummed the song White Christmas as I made my way to La Push Memorial Site, blinking snowflakes out of my eyes. When everyone had started a game of Uno in the house, I excused myself for a little walk.

"Come back soon! It's really coming down out there!" Mom had called after me. Without turning, I'd laughed and gave her a little wave then closed the door.

I needed to come out here. It was almost like the imprint pull. I hadn't seen this place since his funeral last year.

The tombstones were all covered in white, and it took me a while to find it. I brushed snow off the stone and made it nice; as if he was standing before me himself. Tears pricked at my eyes as the words were revealed.

Harrison 'Call Me Harry' Clearwater

April 17, 1969 - October 21, 2011

After that, some lyrics to his favorite hymn was written. I hummed it, then started singing lightly.

"Coming home, coming home. Never more to roam. Open wide Thine arms of love. Lord, I'm coming..." I took a deep breath and a tear fell down my cheek. "...home." Suddenly, there was clapping. I looked to my right, and stared, wide-eyed.

"Best voice I ever heard." I was speechless. I was actually seeing him. Was the snow playing tricks on me? No. He was really there.

I grinned, "Dad."

"Look at you," he chuckled. "Have I really only been gone a year? You've changed so much." I shrugged. "Jazmyn's been taking care of you well." I gave a short laugh. "You should be with everyone else. Celebrating the best day of the year."

"I know, it's just...I haven't seen you in a while," I finally said. "A long while."

"It's okay."

"I miss you a lot. Sometimes, it's hard, y'know, being the 'man of the house' now. I always try to think about what you would do, but to be honest, I don't know what you would do. You always had the weirdest liking for surprises." I fingered with his necklace as he laughed.

"It looks good on you," he said suddenly. It took me a while to realize what he was talking about, but then I finally knew he was referring to the chain.

"Oh. Yeah."

"How's life been treating you these days?" he asked. I gave him a grim smile and looked the other way, brushing some snow out of my hair.

"Well...You know...It has its moments."

"If I recall, the last time I saw you was when you jumped off that cliff." It got kind of quiet, except for the occasional breeze. "You really weren't ready, Son."

"I-I..."

"Son, you know problems can't be solved by dying." I kept my eyes trained on the horizon, blocked by snow flurries.

"I was stupid," I finally whispered. "I was selfish. I kept telling myself that it was for you. But it wasn't. I would've hurt so many people." I didn't have to say her name, but I knew that he knew I was mostly talking about Leah.

"She's grown a lot, hasn't she?" Dad asked, looking at me.

"Yeah. I guess."

"Jake treating her right?"

"Mhm."

"And that baby? How's my grandbaby?"

"Beautiful. She walked today." Dad did something between a gasp and a sigh.

"Seth. Son. Look at me." I couldn't disobey him, so I did. "I want you to go back out into the world and show them that you're the best. There'll be no more of this...This suicide nonsense. None of that. I want you...I need you to be happy. That's all I'm asking. Can you do that for me, Son?" Dad looked hopeful and sincere. I nodded and stood up. He held out his hand, and I reached out for it. But my own slid right through. Dad looked at me again, his eyes bright. "One for the team."

"And I'll take it all," I replied. "Merry Christmas, Dad." He grinned at me and faded away. I choked back babyish tears. I needed to be happy. I told him I would.

Taking one last look at his tombstone, I went back to Leah's, humming a Christmas carol on the way. I passed by houses decorated with red and green lights. When I passed one in particular, I stopped and looked in through the window.

"...Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse," Aecia read. A young boy sat in her lap and turned the page for her, pointing at a picture. "Yeah, Patrick. It's a Christmas tree. Like ours, right?" The boy, Patrick, nodded.

This was the most content and happy I'd ever seen the she-wolf. She was actually showing another emotion.

That's when I remembered that I was supposed to hate her. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. It's like, all I could feel towards her was...Love. Like she was my sister.

"When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter," Aecia continued.

"A clatter! A clatter!" Patrick pointed out the window at me and Aecia looked up. Our eyes locked and I waved sheepishly. Aecia kissed the boys head and stood up, walking to the window and opening it.

"Coming by to ruin my Christmas, Clearwater?" she asked bitterly.

"No." I walked to the window and leaned on it. "I was in the neighborhood. You got a cute kid there."

"My brother. Oh. Yeah," she looked down and ran her hands through her hair. "Look. Since it's Christmas, and the new year is coming soon and all, I wanna'...I'm sorry. For kissing you and making you do all that stuff." She was looking at my face, an expression of embarrassment written all over it. "Let's start fresh. I'm Aecia Southbrooke."

"Seth Clearwater."

"You want a cookie? Fresh from the oven," she smiled.

"Can I get a to-go box?"

"Sure." Her little brother popped up in front of her with the book in his hands. He waved it around her face.

"A clatter!" he said, and I laughed.

"Sorry, Pat. I left you hangin', didn't I? Can you wait just a minute, please?" Patrick nodded and took his seat next to the Christmas tree, staring intently at the picture. "BRB." She ran with wolfish speed into her kitchen, coming back a couple of seconds later with a Christmas decorated paper plate wrapped in Saran wrap. I could smell and feel the warmth of the cookies as she placed them in my hand.

"Thanks, Aecia." She gave me a half-smile.

"Ace. Just call me that." I nodded and waved, continuing on my way to Leah's. She went back to reading to her brother.

"Where were we...? Oh, yeah. Away to my window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash..." With my wolf hearing, I could still hear her. I listened to the story the whole rest of the walk.

I passed house after house after house, each one filled with warmth and love and happiness.

I'm done.

I'm done with being 'that poor Emo kid that lost his dad.' I'm done with all the depressing thoughts and doctor's appointments. I'm done with pills that make me so sick, I don't want to eat anything for weeks.

I'm through with it all.

I'm done with that, and starting fresh with family. And love. And happiness. Yeah. Happiness.

The word sounded weird in my head. I haven't used it in such a long time. I was lucky to have happiness. Everyone was. And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So, yeah. A cute little Christmas chapter to soften your hearts. Didn't I say it was gonna' be a lot of fluff? Hope you liked it. The next chapter is Rebecca's wedding. Ooh, that's an event going down in HISTORY!

Remember to review!

~SashaFierce12.0