Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Louisiana Love

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 17: Finally Together!

Louisiana 1895, Christmas

(Arabella’s POV)

Jasper and I have been together for almost two months now. I couldn’t be happier. With him being an empath he is so attuned to my feelings he knows when to come close or leave me be. I love him so much more for that.

It’s Christmas Eve, and the boys are out looking for the perfect tree. I know wait till the last minute, but hey we have been busy with sortin life itself out. Peter still finds himself often in the barn for something stupid he did. Emmett finds the whole situation hilarious. Rosemarie’s as big as a house. I know she isn’t due for a while but i swear she is ready to pop. I think it may be twins with as big as she is. Charlotte on the other hand has been extemely anxious for the baby or babies to arrive. She said that they can hear the heart beat but won’t tell us anything more then it sounds healthy. I try to get Jasper to tell me but he said he won’t go against Char.

Finally the boys return home with the tree just as dusk settles. I should have known they wouldn’t come back till just before dark, you would think living with three vampires I would be used to this by now. They came in carring this huge tree. I’m not sure where they plan on puttin it. I don’t think it will fit in the house, at least not standing up.

“Where do you think your gonna put that tree at?”

“It’s should stand in the living room just fine why?” Peter asked.

“I don’t think it will. It looks far to big.”

“It will be fine Bella don’t worry we will have it taken care of and then we can decorate it. Do you still have all the old ornaments? Or do you have to go buy some in town?”

“I have a few but with that monstrousity i will have to go to town and buy more or we will only be able to do half the tree.”

“Okay Bella let me get the tree put up and i will go with you to town.”

“I’ll go. You two manly vamps can put the tree up and have it situated over by the bay window before we get back. Anything else we need before we leave?” Char asked.

“Not that we know of. Rose anything you need?” Emmett called to Rose.

“Just some fruits if you will please. Something citrusy if they have it?”

“Sure thing Rose.” I called as we walked out the door.

We got to the wagon and headed into town. It was a beautiful december night. The sky was clear of clouds and you could see all the stars shining like diamonds on a black silk cloth.

“So Bella I haven’t had the chance to get to talk to you since you and the Major got together, how is everything?”

“It’s great. He is wonderful. I still can’t believe he was made just for me.”

“Yeah i know shocking isn’t it. Sometimes i wonder if the fates just like messin with us. Come on they stuck me with Peter.” she laughed out.

“Oh yes Charlotte how did you get so lucky.” i teased back.

“Keep it up sister and you and me will have rounds.” she replied.

“Now you would do no such thing and you know it.”

“Your right the Major would have my head on a pike in the front yard before i even got within three feet of ya.”

“That’s a little over the top don’t ya think?”

“That is just how things are Bella. We vamps are extremely overprotective of those we love more so with our mates then anyone.”

“Wow. Char can i ask you somethin?”

“You just did but okay go ahead” she giggled.

“The night i was attacked, did the Major already know he was my mate?”

“I don’t think he did.”

“Then why did he kill those two men?”

“Because he was raised a gentleman by his momma, and if any man hurts a woman in anyway for the Major their punishment is death.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah i know harsh but hey that is just how he is.”

It grew silent between us then. There was no need for useless banter, we understood each other perfectly. We got into town just as the watchman was lighting the last of the street lamps. It was strange how even though we had the electricity in the buildings they still found it nicer to light the gas lamps on the streets. It did give it a more classic feel. We pulled up to the store and tied the horses up.

“I will go get the ornaments while you go get Rosemarie some of those fruits she wanted.” i said to Char.

“Okay we will meet back here in twenty minutes, not a minute later.”

“Yes Char.” i rolled my eyes at her. But i understood what she meant. Jasper would flip out if she let anything happen to me.

I went into the local craft shop and started browsing the decorations. There were so many lovely decorations it was hard to choose. I was approaching a back corner of the shop when several small sets of wooden decorations caught my eye. They looked to be hand crafted and painted. They would be perfect for our tree.

“Can i help you with something Miss?”

“Why you certainly can. What can you tell me about these ornaments here.” i asked as i spun to see who i was speaking with.

“Why Miss Arabella i didn’t recognize you. My you look lovely this evening.”

“Thank you kindly Mr. Adams.”

“Oh Arabella dear it is Richard. Mr. Adams seems far to formal between friends.”

“Sorry Richard. So about these ornaments?”

“Ah yes those are beautiful aren’t they.”

“Yes and i was wondering if you know who crafted them.”

“I certainly do. It was i who crafted those lovely ornaments you have set your eyes on.”

“Your work is rather catching. Are they for sale?”

“Yes they are, would you like them?”

“I most definitely do. They would look lovely on our Christmas tree with my mother’s old family decorations. They are not as lovely as your work here but would compliment them nicely.”

“You flatter an old man Miss Arabella.”

“Richard you are not old. I would say more like beautifully aged.”

“Shucks Miss.”

“Richard are you blushing.” i giggled.

“Nope. Let’s get you rung up shall we.”

With that we both headed out to the front of the shop. He rung up the several boxes of ornaments and wished me and my family a Merry christmas. I wished the same to him and his as i left out the door. That was one of the wonderful things about living in a small town. Everyone knew everyone for the most part. I was looking at the ornaments and humming slightly to myself as i bumped into someone.

“Oops. Oh I’m so sorry please forgive my clumsiness.” i said as i looked up into the face of none other then Micheal.

“No problem at all Miss Arabella. You are forgiven. Would you like any help with your packages?” he asked.

“I think i can manage i only have to go to the grocer. Char is waiting for me there.” i figured if he knew someone was waiting for me that he wouldn’t try anything stupid. Boy was i wrong. Apparently stupid is this boys middle name.

“Now Miss Arabella, what kind of gentleman would i be if i let you walk all alone on a darkened street with out an escort. Your brothers would have my head.” he replied. He thought he was smooth bringing my brothers into this. Well two could play that game.

“Yes but it is not my brothers you have to worry about. My suitor would have your hide stretched out on the lawn if any harm would befall me.” i was only kinda joking.

“Suitor? Who has come calling on you Miss?”

“Major Jasper Whitlock”

“Military? Is he the man who has been staying with you?”

“Why yes he is, and i would appreciate it much if you would let me pass so i can get back home before they start to wonder where i have gotten to.”

“But Arabella we have only just begun our conversation. I’m sure they will forgive your tardiness just this once seeing as it is Christmas.”

“Christmas or not i must be going.” i started to move away, but he grabbed my arm.

“You can’t leave yet. You haven’t given me my Christmas gift yet.” he started to drag me to the alley between the shops.

“Char” i whisper yelled i knew with her hearing she could hear me. I had to keep myself calm or Jasper would really have his hide stretched across the lawn.

Just as he was about to push me against the wall Charlotte came into view.

“Arabella what is keeping you?”

“Micheal here was just hoping i had a gift for him.” Char picked up on my nerves and read the situation for what it was.

“Now Bella we must be going, your brothers and the Major will be wondering what is takin so long and i’m sure Rose wants her fruit.” she said while holding the bag up so we could see.

“Yes dear sister. I think it best we go.” i reached for her hand and she pulled me out of the alley.

“Send my Christmas wishes to David.” i called back. “I’ll be sure to send yours to my brothers.” i said while grinning.

Micheal must have finally caught the double meaning behind that last sentence cause he visably paled. Finally we got back to the wagon and started on our way home. As soon as we were outside the towns lights Char stopped the wagon and looked at me.

“What the hell was that all about. And why didn’t you scream?”

“Well Char, it seems Micheal has a bit of a crush on me. As for the screamin, I wanted to stay as calm as possible while we were in town, wouldn’t want to try to explain a dead boy to the town folk now would we?”

“I see your point if you would have lost your head the Major would have definitely helped that boy lose his.”

“That is why i called to you. I knew you would hear me and not blow it out of proportion. Sure he could use a good ass kicken but i don’t want the boy dead. And if Jasper would have shown up i am postive that is what the outcome of him even touching me would have been.”

“Again you are more observant then i give you credit for.” Char smiled.

“Well live with vampires for a while and you start to pick up on a few things.” i chuckled back.

“i guess we should get going then so the boys don’t come lookin for us.”

She tapped the reigns and the horses started moving again. It wouldn’t take us long to get home. Pulling up to the side of the house i could see the silloutes of Jasper and Peter watching. Would i say i’m surprised? nope not one bit. The boys came rushing out to us. They grabbed the ornaments and Rosemarie’s fruit.

“It’s about time. That pregnant woman in there is pushy and angry when she doesn’t have what she wants.” Peter told us. I laughed.

“What do you mean pushy?” i asked.

“She kept tellin us the tree was lopsided, and that it needed to be moved to this side more or that side more. Hell i felt like i was back in the army takin commands from the Major.” Peter whined.

“Are you sayin i was whiny?” Jasper asked Peter with a sharp look on his face.

“No i’m not. I’m just sayin she is as scary as you are.” Peter replied lowerin his eyes. Damn my man was sexy when he put people in their place.

“Good now let’s get this tree decorated.” Jasper said.

“Yes Sir.” Peter marched off toward the house with us laughing the whole time.

We spent the rest of the night finishin the tree. Around midnight i said my goodnites to the vamps that were still up. Jasper carried me up to bed and then rejoined the others. Rose and Emmett had retired to their room hours ago. It was nice having the whole family in one house for Christmas, considerin that last year we thought that Peter and Charlotte were dead. I can’t wait for morning.

(Major’s POV)

It was Christmas Eve. The Girls sent us out to find a tree. I swear Peter found the biggest damn one in the woods to try to stuff into that house. We go back at dusk and Bella looked at the tree and had a look of utter fear in her eyes. She asked us how it was gonna fit and Peter told her it would. He asked if she still had the old decorations she said yes but she would have to go to town to get more cause the tree was so big. They left for town. We tried putting the tree up inside the house but it was to big so we carried out the front of the house and cut off a few feet. When we brought it back in it fit perfectly. We placed the tree where Char said to but Rose kept sayin that it was off center and lopsided. Eventually we got it perfect or so Rose said. Then we waited for the girls to return. They had only been gone maybe an hour when i felt Bella’s emotions spike alittle. Nothing to be concerned about but still they spiked and for her that isn’t normal. Peter gave me that knowing smirk. 

“Somthin goin on Major?” he asked.

“Just an emotional spike is all nothing to be concerned about.”

“If your sure Major.”

“I’m sure Peter.”

We went back to settling the tree. We already strung the lights and started on the outside decorations. I was wondering what was taking the girls so long when i caught Bella’s sent on the wind. She was close. We fininshed up outside and went into wait for them to get here.

“They are close Peter i could smell Bella on the wind.”

“Thanks for the heads up Major.”

“Welcome.”

I went and stood by window to watch for them. I saw as they rounded the bend into the drive. Then as Bella and Char started to get out of the wagon, Peter had come up behind me, we ran out to meet them. I hitched the horses to the post and untied the wagon.

Mean while Peter was bitchin about Rose and her demanding ways. Comparing her to me. Huh what a joke. I was way worse. She was nothing compared to what i was. I think i may have to remind Peter of that later after the humans go to sleep. When we got inside Bella was thrilled to see that i talked Peter into cutting the tree down to a more reasonable size. I could feel how happy she was.

We spent the rest of our evening putting the new and old decorations on the tree. Bella bought some nice handcrafted ornaments from a local merchant. She seemed really happy with them so no one made a comment. I personally liked them. Not that i would ever tell anyone that. They didn’t need to see that side. Only Bella got to see me. Everyone else got the Major.

Soon the decorations were done and Rose and Emmett headed off to bed. Bella lasted alittle longer then they did but soon she too fell to the powers of the sandman. I carried her up to bed and then rejoined Peter and Char downstairs. 

“Peter my friend why don’t we go for a little strole?” i asked.

Peter suddenly didn’t look to cheerful. Char just looked between the two of us and shook her head. She knew what was coming before Peter did. The second he brought my status into play she knew it was on. So off into the woods we went. 

“Now Major you know i didn’t mean anythin by that stuff i said about Rose bein worse then you. Don’t you?”

“Well now Peter i am afraid that i may know that but apparently you forgot. So now i must go about rectifying the situation.” i said with a smirk.

By now Peter was shakin. He knew what was comin next all to well. So i went about remindin Peter why i was the scariest motherfucker on this planet. His screams could be heard for miles.

I was surprised that Char didn’t come out to make sure i wasn’t killin him, but she knows i could never do that to her. Even though Peter is an ass and forgets his place sometimes she loves the dumb ass. This went on well into the morning.

About an hour after the sun rose we headed back to the house. I could smell food cookin in the kitchen so either on of the girls were awake or Char was makin them breakfast. Entering the house through the back door we found Char in the kitchen with Emmett. He was drinkin a dark brewed coffee, watchin Char.

“So Peter was that you i heard most of the night screamin like a girl?” Emmett said with a completely straight face.

“I do not scream like a girl.” Peter agrued.

I snuck closer to him and whispered in his ear “boo”. He of course jumped and screamed sounding very much like a young girl.

“I rest my case.” Emmett smirked at me over his cup and went back to watchin Char.

I heard movement upstairs and i could tell from the location that it was Bella movin about.

“Bella is awake.” i told them.

“Perhaps Emmett shall go wake up Miss Rose?” i asked.

They all looked at me like i was crazy or had grown two more heads.

“What?”

“Never wake a sleepin pregnant woman!” Peter and Emmett said at the same time.

Char chuckled so obviously i have missed something.

“What did I miss?”

“Well the other morning Peter thought it would be a brillant idea to go wake Miss Rose up before she was ready and let me tell you I swear if she could have caught him she would be the first human to find a way to kill a vampire.” Char was laughing as she spoke.

“That bad huh?” Bella asked as she entered the room.

“YES!” Peter all but screamed.

“okay so no wakin Rose” I said.

“No need, I’m awake already. As if anyone could sleep with the girl screamin and Peter yellin.” Rose said sleepily from behind Bella.

“That girl, Darlin, was Peter.” I smirked when I saw Rose brighten.

“I do not sound like a girl!” Peter said getting frustrated with us.

“Do I need to show the girls Petey.” I chided makin him even madder.

“NO”

“Well then just admit you sound like a little girl so we can move on. I am sure the girls wanna eat and then open gifts.”

“Damn straight I wanna open gifts.” Bella yelled. 

So Char plated their food and set it in front of them both. It didn’t take long before we were all in the living room around the tree.

“Who’s first?”

“Oh me…..” Rose called.

“Okay Mama you first.”

I handed out the gifts this year. Bella said it was because I have been out of the loop for so long I need to get back into normal life. It was kinda fun. Rose was excited about the mound of gifts she had. We all waited for her to go through all of them before I handed out more. Rose’s face lite up like the fourth of July when she saw the photograph of the crib I made for her. She smiled at me, stood and gave me the warmest hug I think I have ever had. Well except from Bella.

“Oh Jasper this is wonderful but you didn’t have to buy me anything.”

“I didn’t”

“What do you mean?” she looked utterly puzzled.

“I made it myself.”

her face was priceless. If I would save any moment in time it would be this one. She looked and felt so happy that I could do a Mexican hat dance right here in the living. But I won’t cause that would be so out of character for me.

She went through the rest of her gifts rather quickly. It was mostly baby stuff. Then Emmett went. He got clothes and shoes.  But Bella must have known just what Emmett needed. She told him to wait until the rest of us opened our gifts before she gave him hers. He smiled. I knew what she was up to but there was no way I was spillen the secret.

Next went Peter and Char. Again more clothes. They definitely needed them the way they tore through them. Then it was my turn Bella said she wanted to go last. So I started open what I got. Emmett and Rose got me clothes. Peter and Char gave me a civil war canteen with my numbers engraved on the front. I looked at them suspiciously but they both just shrugged and moved on. Bella’s was next. Her gift was something I would cherish forever. A leather bound journal. Just like the one I carried while at war. I know they cost a ton of cash so I can only imagine what she spent.

Now it was Bella’s turn to open gifts. Emmett got her a new saddle for her horse. Rose knitted her a blanket to keep under her saddle. Peter bought her new riding boots. I was starting to notice a pattern with these gifts. Charlotte gave her a new hat. A stetson. She must have run to Texas to buy that. I haven’t seen any around these parts. She looked to me for my gift to her. I pointed upstairs and out back. No one knew what I did. She looked at me questionably for a minute and then took off like a shot upstairs. I counted.

“5..4..3..2..1”

Bella screamed so loud I think half the county heard her.

“Major what did you do?”

“Well why don’t we have a look see shall we.”

We all headed upstairs to the spare room across from Bella’s. I have been workin in here for weeks at night while Peter and Char “Hunted” and the others slept. We entered the room to see Bella spread across the bed I had built for her.

“Jasper this is too much.”

“Nothing is ever too much for my girl.” I told her.

She lifted her head slightly and smiled. The others looked around in awe. I had built Bella an entire bedroom set from the finest red wood I could find. I had carved magnolia blossoms into the head board of the bed and on all the drawers of the dresser and night stand. As well as her new vanity.

“How?” they all asked together.

“Long nights.” was all I said.

“Wait you pointed outside to? What else did you do?” Bella asked.

“You will just have to go see won’t you.” she looked at Peter.

“Hey don’t look at me I had nothing to do with any of this. And I have no idea what he has done outside either.” Peter answered her look.

“Well hell let’s go find out. Then I can give Emmett his final gift too.” Bella called as she scrambled from the room. 

We followed her at a slower pace until she yelled and told us to hurry the hell up. Once outside I led Bella around the house to the stables. Once I had the door open she gasped.

“You rebuilt the wagon?”

“Yes I did. Just for you. Now it is cover in the back so your treasures won’t get destroyed if it should rain and it has a small canopy to cover the driver seat when you travel.”

She spun so fast and threw herself at me had I not been a vampire we both would have fell.

“Thank you so much Jasper you have no idea how much this means to me.”

tasting the emotional atmosphere around her I replied.

“I have an idea.” I said with a smirk.

She planted her lips on mine and once again the world stopped and it was only us. The air wafting around us smelled of magnolia’s and honeysuckle. Bella. She always smelt like my child hood home. There was a  great big magnolia tree in the front yard and honeysuckle grew wild all around the house. I could never get enough of her. Someone cleared their throat and burst the bubble we were in.

“Can I have my last present now sister dear, before you get lost in Major world over there.” Emmett asked nicely.

Bella chuckled at him and pointed to a stall next to the door with a ribbon on it. Emmett bounced… I mean literally bounced over to it and looked. If I didn’t know he was a man I would swear some little boy was just given the best gift ever.

“Really Bells.”

“Bells?” Bella looked at him questioningly.

“Yeah it’s Christmas and Bells is like Bella but Christmasy you know like jingle Bells.” 

Yeppers we just enter the vortex of some kind and Emmett was reverted into a ten year old.

“Okay… so what do you think.”

“Is she really for me?”

“Yes Emmett all for you.”

We walked over to the stall and there stood maybe a 6 month old filly. I remember helpin Bella bring this particular horse in right after I arrived here. She had me help keep the mother calm. I knew it was the perfect gift. Emmett didn’t own a horse so if they ever went anywhere they would borrow Bella’s mare and hitch her to their wagon. Now he won’t have to once this one is raised up right.

The day continued on like any other after that. Bella had Peter and I move her new bed set into her room and the old stuff across the hall. She said that I could use that room when I wanted alone time. Whether it be to read or just rest peacefully after a hunt. She knew me to well. Sometimes I think better then I knew myself.