Chapter 18: Changes

*Jasper Pov*

Well my dad is definitely changing.

He has completely stopped drinking.

He is honestly trying to be nicer.

And he is even looking for a job.

What I didn't know, probably because I haven't totally been myself lately, is that it is almost Christmas!

How did i not notice that?

With the Christmas lights, trees, the freezing weather.

I swear I am blind.

So here I am, shopping for last minute gifts.

I already know what I am getting for the Cullens, Bella and Rosalie. But I am completely stumped on what to get for dad.

I got a floural vase for Esme.

A french dictionary for Carlisle (Alice told me he studied french in college).

I got the newest assassin game for Edward,

A new baseball for Emmett, since I accidentally hit his across the field into the yard of the neighborhood dog park aka: the Nelsons. They have 3 huge dogs.

I got a new book for Bella, Wuthering Heights, according to Edward she loves the book and her copy is close to losing the binding.

And for Alice I got a heart necklace that she has been keeping her eye on.

I also got something for Rosalie, a silver bracelet with her name on it.

But I can't find anything for dad. I don't know what he likes anymore.

I passed by a store and something caught my eye, it was perfect.

I went in the store and picked out a gold designer watch.

It looks just like the one he lost in the fire, the one mom gave him.

Finally I got something for everyone.

I even found a new leather wallet for Felix.

I purchased the gifts and headed out of the mall.

On my way out I caught sight of a bright blue electric guitar paired with a blue acoustic.

If I had the money I would buy the pair. But I spent my cash on everyone else.

I would give anything for those guitars, I lost mine in the fire, my mom gave it to me when I first started to show interest in playing. But when dad started getting abusive I hide it so he wouldn't find it and destroy it.

I shook my head and took the gifts out to my car.

Once I got to the Cullen house I saw no one was home.

Perfect time for me to wrap the gifts.

I found the gift wrap easily and wrapped each gift in a different color. Then I placed them under the tree.

Then I went to the kitchen and made dinner for everyone. I didn't normally make dinner, Esme wouldn't let me. So I took advantage of them all being out.

I made lasagna using my mothers secret receipe.

Once the lasagna was in the oven I made every ones favorite desert, cinnamon rolls.

I set the table and put out some veggies to go with the lasagna.

Then I put everything out and went upstairs.

After about a half hour I heard some cars pull up to the house.

I went to the top of the stairs and waited for everyone to come in.

Right when they opened the door I heard gasps from everyone.

"Jasper it smells so good" Esme said. I smiled.

Everyone ate dinner, complimenting me every 5 minutes along the way.

After dinner I was sent to my room, forbidden to help with clean up since I made everything. I tried to protest but Esme wouldn't let me. So I went upstairs without -much- complaint.

I passed by my dads room and heard him talking to someone. I couldn't figure out who he was talking to but I heard the word service.

I wondered what he was doing. I vaguley remembered him saying he wanted to join the service before I was born. But I doubted he would join now.

I went to my room and sat on the bed.

I finished a project that we were supposed to do for school and got ready for bed.

Before I was asleep I heard a knock on my door. "Come in" I said, the door opened and my dad came in. "Can we talk?" he asked, I nodded and moved so he could sit next to me.

He sat on the bed and looked around. "Not much excitement in here. your room at home had posters and pictures" he said, I smiled. "yeah, I haven't been able to put anything up. I wanted to ask Esme before I did" I said, he nodded.

He was quiet for a few moments, thinking. "Jasper do you remember me saying how I wanted to join the service, before you were born?" he asked, I nodded cautiously.

"I have decided to join. They are in need of more soldiers to go overseas. It pays enough to keep you fed and under a roof, and every month they put a certain amount away for college" he said, I couldn't speak.

"Jasper I am doing what is best for you." I shook my head. "I just got you back. I don't want you to leave again." I said, he sighed. "Jasper I'm already signed up. I leave after the new year" he said.

"This is going to be good for both of us." he said, I nodded.

I couldn't change his mind now.

All I could do is support him.

After a few moments he left and went back to his room.

I sat on the bed, no way was I going to sleep now.

This was going to be different.

Very different.

But I would support him the whole way.

A/N happy christmas eve! here is a new chapter for you guys. i hope you enjoy it. sorry about the spelling on some words. i will try to get another chapter up tomorrow. now i am heading off to read my favorite christmas book with my dad (our favorite christmas tradition) and make cookies for santa. (yes i know i am 18, but hey its fun to leave cookies and wake up to find them gone the next morning.) rumor is that i am going to shake the rafters down when i open my gifts tomorrow, that makes me very curious... anyways! leave me a review. good? bad? tell me?

~Twilightgirl587~