Chapter Song: All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
Things settled down again after Thanksgiving break.
Leah and Jared stayed mostly to themselves, except when they purposefully groped each other in front of Maggie. Jacob's hand always finding hers helped immensely in moments like that. As for Jake; him, Bella and Edward weren't best buds, but they got along okay. They clearly saw how happy he made Maggie, so they were willing to look over his past indiscretions.
Now the most expensive holiday of the year was approaching. Christmas. Sooner event that was coming was Alice's birthday. And did they have a surprise for her. Jasper.
She'd become more and more depressed over time. Bella couldn't stand it anymore and called Jazz without permission.
She told him everything, not sugar coating a thing, but was also nice about it with no accusing tone what-so-ever. She just told him how Alice tried to act like everything was fine, but couldn't hide the pain underneath.
"Thank you for calling me and being honest," Jasper had said after a moment through the other end of the line. "Everyone else avoids the subject whenever I ask about her, just gives the same washed up answers of basically everything is just grand."
"Well, there not. I understand it's the same on your end."
He was silent for a while. "Yeah."
"I think I have a plan..."
"What the fuck are we doing here?" Alice asked Bella as they stood in the line to sit on Santa's lap.
Bella rolled her eyes in exasperation. "We're telling Santa what we want for Christmas."
"Why? Did I turn eight again without realizing it?" She was so loud, mothers and some fathers were gaping at her. She ignored them, staring Bella down.
Bella gulped, before pushing Alice's shoulder playfully. "Lighten up. We're just channeling our inner children and having a good memory."
Alice frowned at the jolly man dressed in red. "You seriously want me to sit on a chubby man's lap who's infested with sticky kiddy germs?"
Bella laughed. "Yes."
Alice groaned. "Fine—but I refuse to take a picture."
Bella held her hands up. "Okay, okay. Whatever you say."
Alice bounced on her toes as she watched kid after kid climb on and off Kris Kringle's lap.
Finally, it was their turn.
Alice turned to Bella. "Go ahead."
Bella shook her head. "No, no, beauty before age."
Alice smiled besides her obvious agitation before she walked slowly to Ol' Saint Nick.
She sat gingerly down, only half of her butt on his knee. He clasped her waist, fingers circling slowly. Her eyes snapped to his, glaring. If her eyes were made of fire, the poor guy would've been ashes.
He ignored the look, hands steadily holding her. His voice was deep and starchy sounding as if Father Christmas had picked up smoking. "What do you want for Christmas, little girl?"
She frowned at the little girl part. Her lips were a flat, tight line as her eyes snapped to Bella, promising swift and lethal revenge.
Santa cleared his throat. "Go on."
She looked at him in disdain. "A pony." Her voice was so thick with sarcasm Bella was choking on it.
Santa chuckled, actually throwing a "Ho, ho, ho." out as Alice bounced on his knee.
He grew serious in the blink of an eye. "What do you really want?"
"Tell him Alice," Bella called, knowing it was Jasper she wanted.
He was suppose to be here, but something at school had came up so he wouldn't be able to make it until two days before Christmas. At least that was what he told Alice.
Alice looked nervous and embarrassed all of sudden, chewing on her nails.
Santa absently grabbed her hand, pulling it to her side as he looked deeply into her eyes.
Alice sighed heavily, resigned. "I want my boyfriend to make it home for Christmas."
"Why wouldn't he?" Santa tilted his head at her, his red cap sliding down a bit.
"He was supposed to be home now, but something came up and he had to reschedule for next week. There's this mega blizzard that's predicted to hit on the same day as his flight." She paused, almost whispering the last part, "I wish he'd make it."
Santa looked at her, rubbing her arms with his shinny white gloves. "I'm sure I can work a miracle for you." He winked.
She smiled at him, then frowned. "I wish you could."
"You really should believe more, Ally."
Her head snapped back, something he said obviously surprising her. "You called me Ally."
"Uh-huh." Now Santa looked nervous and Bella had no idea why.
"Only one person calls me that." Instantly, she pulled down his beard, causing all the children to cry in dismay and the parents to groan their annoyance as they guided them away to explain what just happened.
Alice took a moment to take in Jasper's face before she kissed him roughly.
Bella smiled as she zoomed in the camera on her phone. She'd been recording the whole time.
Edward, Charlotte, Peter, Esme, Carlisle, Rose, Emmett, Angela, Ben, Kate, Maggie and Jacob emerged from different stores, everyone clapping as Alice started crying.
She pointed an accusing finger at Bella, laughing brokenly. "You. You planned this."
Bella nodded as she stopped the recording. "With everyone's help. The Santa thing was actually Emmett's idea."
She looked at Emmett, pulling him in for a hug as she and Jasper stayed on the throne, she snuggled fully on his lap now.
She hugged everyone, even Jacob though he hadn't done anything. Bella was too happy for them to care.
They hugged Bella the longest, Alice whispering, "I love you."
Bella smiled, tears pooling in her eyes. "I love you too. Happy birthday."
Alice smiled as Jasper scooped her up and walked her down the food court.
He was taking her to no one knew where. Well, Bella and Rose knew they were going to his hotel suit. Everyone else was clueless, Emmett, Charlotte and Peter blissfully so.
A/N: I can do a chapter with Alice and/or Jasper's POVs explaining how their night together went or have Alice explain it to Bella. I'll let it be y'all decision.
