Discover Twilight

chapter xlix

"Where's Lahote this afternoon, Kota? I didn't think he let you out of his sight anymore now that you're dating," Bella laughed, looking at me through the rearview mirror of the car Edward bought her as a wedding present, earning a murmur of agreement from Jake.

New Message: Hothead
Are you planning on putting up a tree in your house because i saw the nicest tree in the woods by your house and i know the best place to put it in your house. Have fun at Charlie's!

Reply: Hothead
No, I'm spending Christmas at Charlie's so I'm not wasting my time with a tree. Leave God's creation where it belongs. Thank you, don't eat all my food before I get home!

"My house. He wanted to stay as far away from our red eyed friends as possible since I decided to come with my favorite girl to Uncle Charlie's house," I answer, ignoring her little remark about Paul and I's relationship.

"WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AWAY FROM NESS? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGH, SO SHUT UP AND JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION WE'RE NOT EXACTLY DATING," I taunt Jake, hearing him mumble something about me evading the dating remark. Yes, since Paul and I kissed and we have been rather close as of late and to anyone with eyes it would seem as though we're dating however it was never made official nor has he asked me out on a date.

Renesmee's eyes lit up at the mention of Uncle Charlie's, looking up at me eagerly, "Are we really decorating a real Christmas tree?"

I nod, snorting at her adorable excitement as I run my hand over her hair, "Of course we are. What's Christmas without a Christmas tree? What do you think we are animals?"

"Nope," Ness shakes her head as she pops the p. "Only you, Paul, Leah, Seth and Jake."

"Wow, how rude Munchkin," I gasp before I started tickling her sides, making her giggle even harder than before. Her laugh lights up my world.

If you would have asked me in June if I ever thought I could forgive the Cullens for the life that seduced the closest thing I have to a sister, I would have laughed so hard I would still be crying now as the new year fastly approached. But since Bella became a mother and I had to put aside my feelings for their safety, I could honestly say that there is no other family that loves each other more. I love my goddaughter and everything that comes with her parents.

"I'm surprised you two took a break from Jedi training," Jake says over Renesmee's giggles, smiling at the sound of his Imprint's laughter, enjoying the sweet sound of her happiness as well.

"If I don't take Renesmee to my dad, he'll come to us. Not so great," Bella implied Charlie becoming the meal to our 15 non-vegetarian guests, making a low growl erupt from the back of my throat.

"I know that's what you told Edward," I monotonously reply, knowing that she's up to something because she's all dressed up and has no intentions of staying at Charlie's this afternoon. "Whatever. I'm just glad to get away from all those reeking bloodsuckers."

Jacob nods, coming to my defense after hearing my thoughts, "Hey. They're the good guys. But come on, Dracula One and Two are creepy."

As Bella pulls up the car into Charlie's,  Renesmee bursts out of the car and runs right into Charlie's arms as he and Sue came out of the house, "There she is. Come here."
Charlie catches Ness in his arms and spins her around like he used to do with Bella and I when we were kids, "Oh! Wow! Look at you. You've grown half a foot! Seriously. Like 6 inches."

Sue beckons us to the door, her warm smile focusing one the adults in the vehicle, "Come on inside. Lunch is on the table."

"Hi Sue. How're you?" I ask, pulling her into a hug. 

"Great sweetie, and yourself?"

"Good," I smile back at her, smelling the heavy aroma of Sue's attempt at Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry. 

"We got a tree to decorate, huh?" Charlie asks Ness, making her jump up and down in excitement then grabbing my hand and tries to pull me into the house. He notices that Bella hasn't left her car and gives her a pointed look.

"I've actually got a few errands to run, guys. I'll be back soon, okay?" Bella informs her father before getting fully back into her car, waving at Renesmee and I goodbye.

I give her a knowing look as she leaves and we all go inside the house to eat lunch and decorate, "Yeah Mom thinks she's too cool for decorating this year."

"How lame," Jake laughs along, rustling Ness's auburn curls earning her soft giggles as she follows Jake into the dining room.

Charlie smiles at his granddaughter, his heart bursting to finally have a complete family again for the holidays. Last year, it was just him and I because Bella was too depressed to leave her room after the Cullens left. We didn't do much but he and I made Christmas a time for us to appreciate each other. "Come on. Let's go."

Uncle Charlie stopped me from joining Renesmee, Sue and Jake by grabbing a hold of my wrist, his cool hand loosely wrapped around my warm skin. He's made it a habit of lightly touching me since Jake and I showed him our wolf counterparts, finding the touch of my bare skin too hot to touch. I tilt my head to the side, indicating my curiosity and confusion, making him widely smile at me, "Wow, you really reminded me of a puppy right then."

I gasp, trying so hard to suppress my laughter, yanking away my wrist, "Thanks Uncle Charlie, I'm really feeling the love."

"Oh Kods, shut up," Charlie hissed, pulling me into a tight hug, resting his chin on the top of my head.

"What was that for?"

Charlie shrugged, slyly smiling at me, "For being there for Bella since you moved in and now for my granddaughter. You are way more than my niece, Kiddo, you are my daughter too. Your parents would be so proud of the woman you've become, I know I am."

I feel the tears begin to pool in my eyes, threatening to fall from my tear ducts but I willed them to remain as I pulled my uncle into a bone crushing hug, "Thank you. Merry Christmas Uncle Charlie."

"Merry Christmas Kota."