A Cullen Christmas Carol

Christmas with the Cullens has gone crazy with a few Christmas carols, mistletoe and Jasper eating Santa Clause?

By Emiliana Keladry

Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, not me.

Author's note: I hope that you all had a happy holidays, whatever holiday that you celebrated! This is a little late, but I am sure that you will still enjoy the humor and romance. On my profile are links to what Bella and Alice's christmas dresses look like. I could never find one that perfectly fit Rosalie. Enjoy! Please review too, today is my birthday. December 31st. I turn 20 years old today. Enjoy the story!

Bella POV

"Do we really have to do this?" I groaned.

I quietly dressed in my Christmas dress as Edward waited patiently outside my bedroom. Charlie was downstairs watching a game while Edward attempted to comfort me as I thought of the ridiculous Christmas party at the Cullens. My black dress had a red ribbon around the middle and red lace on the very bottom. It swished as I plopped down on my bed and pulled on my leggings, looking in the box Alice gave me to find a pair of red heels with a flower on top. I was sure to kill myself in them. Alice had come over in the afternoon and curled my hair in preparation for the fun evening with the vampires. Today was Christmas Day and I had celebrated with Charlie all day long. Since my father was in such a good mood, he agreed to let me go to the Cullens house in the evening for a late party and stay the night in Alice's room. Sighing, I slipped on my shoes and attempted to stand up.

"I'm done Edward. Go to the front door and ring the doorbell, so you don't get in trouble."

I listened for Edward's soft laugh from the hallway, but I heard nothing. Less than five seconds later, the sound of Charlie's old doorbell echoed up the stairs. I waited to hear Charlie greet Edward as he entered the house from the cold air. My hand fell upon the heart necklace that Charlie had given me this morning. Glancing one last time at my reflection in the mirror and the dangly diamond earrings that belonged to Esme, I opened my bedroom door. I returned to grab my black handbag and gingerly walked to the top of the stairs. I could see Edward waiting below. He was dressed in a dark red button down shirt and black dress pants. I smiled widely at him.

"You look beautiful," Edward complimented.

The blood rushed to my cheeks as I took a step down the hardwood stairs. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was not grabbing the hand rail. I only fell a foot before I felt Edward's stone cold arms grab me and cradle me gently. Charlie gasped, but he didn't notice Edward was quicker than a normal human.

"Good catch Edward," my father praised.

"Thank you," I murmured, silently cursing Alice for these shoes. I planned on taking them off as soon as I got there. I would probably fall on the ice before I made it to the Volvo.

"You're welcome," Edward replied, giving me my favorite crooked smile. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes."

"Have fun kids," Charlie mumbled. "I am just going to enjoy a quiet evening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. And some buttered popcorn. Give me a call if you need anything." Charlie kissed my cheek and gave me a hug. "Have fun and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"We will," Edward spoke. "I'll make sure she has a nice evening."

"Don't hurt my baby," Charlie threatened mildly with nothing behind it.

I sighed as Edward set me down on my feet. He helped me slip my arms into my winter jacket, and pushing my hands into the wool gloves. I smiled, staring into his golden eyes.

"Good night Dad," I declared, kissing his cheek. "Merry Christmas."

Edward took my gloved hand and pulled me out in the lightly falling snow. It was perfect weather for Christmas, though it was a bit cold for me. I was finding that the wetness really didn't bother me anymore. My love opened the car door for me and I slid into the warm vehicle. Edward dashed around to the other side, taking my hand again once he was inside.

"Did you enjoy your Christmas day?" he asked, rubbing my gloved fingers.

"Yes, it was wonderful. Charlie gave me beautiful gifts and he loved what I gave him."

"Good," Edward murmured, pulling off my mitten and kissing my fingers.

"I am curious what we have planned for tonight. I hope that Alice isn't going overboard."

"I have tried to rein her in. At least Carlisle convinced her not to make the huge Christmas meal that is traditional. I must warn you that Alice can be extremely excited and a bit strange around the holidays. Just wait until New Year's Eve. I did make her promise to behave herself."

Laughing, I leaned over against Edward's shoulder as he wrapped an arm around me. The drive to the Cullen house didn't take long and I gasped when the house came into view. Lights decorated the outside of the house and I could see a large Christmas tree in the living room with an angel on top. The snow was still falling when Edward pulled my door open for me and proceeded to carry me up to the house so I didn't slip in my heels. Blushing, I watched Emmett from the front window as he laughed at us. Alice pulled the door open for us and I smiled widely at her.

"You look amazing," I complimented.

Alice was dressed in a strapless silver dress that almost went to her knees. She wore a small necklace in the shape of a snowflake and high glittery heels that I would have died in. Her smile grew as she sensed my approval. Jasper came up behind her, dressed in a matching silver button down shirt, and planted a kiss on her forehead, sliding his wife out of the way so we could slip inside and out of the cold. I saw Rosalie wearing a daring red dress and couldn't help but wonder if that was Emmett's Christmas gift from her. Esme was wearing a flattering evergreen color dress and wrapped in Carlisle's arms as they whispered something to each other. Edward set me down on my feet as I admired all of the ornaments on the glowing tree.

"Merry Christmas Bella," Esme greeted, pulling away from Carlisle and giving me a gentle embrace. "You look lovely. Did you have a nice day with Charlie?"

"It was perfect. I am excited to see what you guys have planned for tonight."

"You'll see in time," she promised, playing with my curls. "Are you hungry at all?"

"Not really, but I am thirsty."

"We have some eggnog for you or I could make you some hot chocolate. Edward has me watching the cooking channel all the time and I quite enjoy it."

My stomach suddenly felt a little nauseous as I thought of the eggnog and the room swirled slightly, tilting in an abnormal way. I could clearly remember the last time that I had had eggnog and it wasn't a pleasant experience. My face must have shown my horror and discomfort for Edward placed a hand on my forehead and guided me over to the sofa to sit down.

"Are you alright?" Edward inquired; his velvet voice was laced with pain. "You suddenly got really pale."

"Yes, I'm fine."

My love wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and Alice handed him a handkerchief so he could blot my skin. Carlisle was quietly checking my pulse and taking my temperature with his hand. I wasn't sick, but the thought of eggnog wasn't making me feel well.

"Really, I'm okay."

Jasper gave me away with the raising of his eyebrows and his calmness spreading throughout the room. Alice pulled him close to her as I decided to tell the reason for my dizzy moment. Hanging my head, I felt the blush grow on my cheeks.

"Eggnog makes me sick. I was seven years old when it happened. It was Christmas Eve and I was spending Christmas with Charlie. We were visiting my aunt and her cousins. My uncle used to water down the eggnog because he thought it was too strong for us kids. My cousin Laura dared me to drink quite a few cups. I didn't realize that it was so rich. Charlie had to take me home and we spent the rest of the night on the couch watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as I threw up. It's not one of my favorite Christmas memories. I swore that I would never drink it again. Just the thought of it makes me queasy."

Emmett burst out laughing and I had a sudden desire to kill him. I suddenly felt calm as Rosalie smacked her husband and made him stop laughing after a few moments. Esme gave me a sad look as she attempted to hide her amusement.

"I'm sorry darling. I'll get rid of it right away. Would you like me to make you some hot chocolate?"

"Yes, that would be wonderful."

My body was starting to relax and I didn't feel like throwing up on the Cullen's floor anymore. Carlisle went to help his wife in the kitchen and I watched as Edward sat down beside me. He pulled my feet onto his lap. Gingerly, my love slipped off the devil heels as they pinched my toes again. Jasper laughed suddenly, causing me to look up at him while Edward massaged my sore feet.

"I saw Bella killing Emmett-Clause, underneath Carlisle's nose last night. Oh what a laugh it would have been if Rose had only seen, Bella killing Emmett-Clause last night," Jasper sang in a silly voice, looking in the eyes of his wife.

Emmett growled softly, but then he burst out laughing. I smiled, loving the change of words to the traditional Christmas carol. It fit perfectly with my feelings against Emmett for laughing at my embarrassing story.

"Hark the herald Emmett sing, Jasper ate the newborn king," Emmett returned, looking quite pleased with himself.

The entire room laughed loudly as Jasper's eyes narrowed and he growled deep in his throat. Alice gave her husband a kiss on the cheek and whispered something in his ear. Before the boys could continue their fun, Esme and Carlisle returned with a cup of hot chocolate for me. I shivered once as Edward's cold hands tickled my foot. All of the Cullens settled around the room, each pulling out a present. They had each requested to get a present for me. I had refused politely, but they insisted. I couldn't talk them out of it since it was Christmas. In return, I had been allowed to buy them each a gift. Edward and I had wrapped them the day before and hidden them in his bedroom. Alice had promised not to tell anyone what I was giving them. Edward dashed upstairs and then preceded to hand everyone their gift from me. I took the small pile from my pixie sister.

"What should be opened first?" Alice asked, putting a hand on Jasper's knees as he smiled at her emotions.

"You should open my present to you!" Emmett exclaimed.

He pointed to one of the boxes. I gently tore open the paper, praying that he hadn't bought me something inappropriate just so he could make me blush. Tossing the Rudolph wrapping paper to the floor, I stared at the box with a look of astonishment on my face. Emmett had given me a box of Superman band-aids with the word Superman crossed off and replaced with Edward's name. Edward growled in his chest, but I smiled at my big burly brother.

"Thank you Emmett. It's… great," I muttered as a slight blush danced on my cheeks.

"You better watch you, you better not bleed, you better not shout I'm telling you why. Jasper is a drinking your blood."

Emmett flashed his white teeth at me as he laughed hysterically. I caught Alice covering her mouth to hide a smile. Carlisle murmured something to him that I couldn't hear and we continued the gift giving. Rosalie gave me a skirt that Alice helped her pick out and Alice had picked out a lovely dress that would only be appropriate in warmer weather, but it was still beautiful. Jasper presented me with a book that I wanted. It was even signed by the author. Carlisle and Esme gifted me a necklace that belonged to Esme's mother. It was a simple cross with a silver chain. I loved my gifts.

"I am saving your gift for later," Edward whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver.

Now it was time for the Cullens to open their gifts. Jasper and Emmett immediately began to argue over the new game that I bought them. It was all about assassins, something I figured that they would spend hours playing. Alice received a soft cuddly teddy bear that was wearing a fashioned dress. The woman at the store insisted that it was in style. She gushed about it, tucking it under her arm and cuddling in Jasper's arms. He sweetly kissed her forehead, barely listening to her words. Carlisle received a new set of paints that Edward said he was thinking of buying. It really helped to have your love read everyone's minds and knows what they wanted. Shopping was so much easier that way. Rosalie received a new stack of wedding magazines since Edward saw that she was thinking of marrying Emmett again. I saved my favorite gift for last.

"Here you go Esme," I exclaimed, handing her the last box.

She gingerly ripped off the paper and opened the white box, containing the gift that I had worked very hard on. It was a scrapbook, filled with photos of her family and pictures of her and Carlisle. Each page was decorated with inspirational sayings. Edward had thought up most of them. I had simply glued the pictures down in the book. We had spent several hours bent over boxes of family pictures and deciding which ones we liked the best.

"It's amazing," Esme whispered, her voice choking up. "Thank you Bella."

"You're welcome," I replied as Edward pulled me close to his stone chest.

Esme jumped off the chair where she was sitting with Carlisle and ran over to me. She gently pulled me into her arms, sobbing softly on my shoulder. Edward let me slide into her arms and I tightly wrapped my arms around her. She cradled me in her arms.

"This… is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me… well, it's a tie," Esme declared, stroking my cheek.

"What does it tie with?"

"Bella, I figured that you would be able to guess it. My greatest gift was Carlisle and it ties with this and the day that you gave your love to my son. He's never been happier."

Tears formed in my eyes as she released me after kissing my cheek. I let Edward pull me close again. The Cullens cleaned up the wrapped paper and prepared to play a game together. I started to laugh when I realized that Emmett was humming a Christmas song.

"Jasper got ran over by a reindeer, coming home from Bella's Christmas Eve. You can say there's no such thing as Emmett, but as for me and Edward we believe," he sang.

Jasper scowled as we all enjoyed the moment. Alice prepared the game as she smiled at her husband. We played several rounds of Go Fish and Uno. Everyone couldn't stop laughing as Jasper changed Emmett's emotions so he would get flustered and lose each time. The evening continued with some Christmas carols and then Carlisle lit the fake fireplace. He laughed when I asked why he hadn't lit a real fire and that I realized how silly I sounded. Rosalie turned down the lights and we listened to Edward play soft Christmas music. I cuddled under the blanket on the couch, watching him play. I love him so much that I think my heart might burst. Jasper smiled at my emotions. After a while, Edward returned to my side and cuddled beside me. The other Cullens remained focused on each other, murmuring soft things that I couldn't hear. My eyes drifted to Alice and I saw Jasper gently touch her cheek.

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jasper nipping at your throat."

Jasper groaned and prepared to attack Emmett. Alice put a hand on her love's chest, hoping to hold him back from attacking the goofy vampire. I tensed slightly and Edward gently ran his cold fingers over mine.

"Carlisle, stop them!" Alice protested, clearly upset that her brother had ruined the romantic moment.

"Emmett does have it coming," Edward teased, playing with my hair.

"Jasper, leave Emmett alone. He'll promise not to say anything else," Carlisle said, distracted by Esme cuddled in his arms.

I smiled, distracting Edward by kissing him softly on the lips. His cold lips responded and he relaxed against the sofa. After the room quieted down, Edward turned me in his lap so I was facing him and able to stare into his butterscotch eyes. I melted as he pulled a small jewelry box out of his pocket. I took it with trembling fingers. My heart was pounding and I blushed, realizing that everyone in the room could hear it.

"Edward…" I mumbled.

"Sweetheart, just open it before you say anything else."

Shaking, I gingerly flipped open the velvet covered box and gasped. Inside my gift was a small silver ring with a dark red gem enlaced with a pale cream metal that mixed into the silver. It was… wonderful. Blinking tears from my eyes, I let Edward slip the ring onto my right ring finger. He wiped the tears from my eyes, giving me his crooked smile.

"This can never top what I bought for you," I laughed, letting the tears of happiness flow. "I love it."

"It's a called a garnet, that's the gem. Do you love it more than me?" Edward joked, kissing me softly.

"Never."

Kissing him back, Edward looked me deep in the eyes and suddenly glanced above our head. Emmett stood there, holding a small mistletoe plant. I responded by pulling my hair back and kissing Edward as best I could. He gave me a moment before he pulled me back slightly.

"I love you Bella, forever. Merry Christmas," Edward whispered in my ear, causing me to tremble.

"I love you too Edward."

The evening continued with everyone sitting silently and enjoying the company of those that they loved. Edward loved his gift of tickets to a nice orchestra that Alice had helped me choose. The night couldn't have been more perfect. My love kept his arms tight around me. I was warm, though slightly chilly with his skin. Being surrounded by those that loved me and would love me for eternity was amazing. The light from the fake fireplace showed on Edward's happy face. He looked like an angel in the glow. I rested my head against his chest, content to never move again and stay with my love. Out of the blue, Alice stiffed as if she was having a vision. The room felt tense for a moment and then Jasper spoke to her.

"What's wrong Ali?" he inquired.

Edward's laugh rang softly in my ear. Alice gave Jasper a huge smile and spoke.

"I saw Jasper eating Santa Clause, underneath the mistletoe last night," she sang.

There was a moment of silence as the entire family waited for Jasper to respond. He pulled his wife close and kissed her passionately. I smiled, relaxing again.

"Would you like to help me eat him?" Jasper asked her.

His wife nodded and I went back to snuggling in the arms of my love. Their laughter rang through the room in perfect harmony. Edward singing my lullaby and kissing the top of my head was the last thing that I remembered as I fell asleep, ending the best Christmas ever.

Please review! Have a happy New Year!

Emma