AN: SM owns Twilight and the characters contained in this story – I still own nothing.
Thank you all so much for reading & reviewing!
No warnings of any kind on this chapter.
Moving along...
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We were married a few days after returning from our trip. It was a simple ceremony in the backyard of the mansion with Carlisle officiating. I wore a simple white eyelet sundress and Jasper wore black dress pants and a blue button down shirt. Bree wore a blue eyelet sundress and held our rings for us. The entire family, including the Denalis were there to witness as we said our own vows – choosing to forgo the traditional ones. Alice and Jane were even there by way of phone. It was perfect for us. And when Alice gave us grief about not having a fancier ceremony... somehow the line got disconnected – go figure.
Just three months later, Bree and I surprised Jasper with our new home. It was built about 40 miles away from Jasper's house. I figured he would still want to keep that house, since I knew he loved it so much...but as soon as he saw the home built from Bree's designs – he was in love. He ended up giving his house to Peter and Char to live in. The Cullens found a home not too far from us as well and also settled here in Alaska. It was incredible to have all of the family so near.
Today is August 20th, and it's Bree's human birthday. Jasper had called his lawyer, Jenks, to find out when it was since she simply couldn't remember the date herself – her human memories were beginning to fade more and more. Carlisle assured us that was perfectly normal...I may have freaked out just a little and demanded medical tests - immediately. Fortunately, Jasper is the rational parent...well, most of the time...
It hasn't been easy for Bree and myself sticking to animal blood. There were trees thrown, rocks ground to dust, and furniture replaced; but we persevered and made it through - together. The first time we were able to go out in public, we went to a small mall a little ways away. That was when a couple of teenage boys noticed Bree and sent Jasper into a panic. He looked truly murderous when we arrived home that day and immediately called up Peter and gave him the descriptions of the boys – telling him to add them to the 'to be drained' list. He was kidding...well at least I think he was. After calling Carlisle in my own panic, he came right over and sat us down; explaining to us that Bree would never take a mate because she had never reached puberty. Jasper rejoiced at that news and immediately called Peter back. Though when Carlisle also explained that it wouldn't stop her from having boyfriends...Jasper called Peter once again and told him to keep them on the list, just in case.
Making my way past Bree's room, I stopped and stared in horror...her floor is completely covered, not one inch of it visible. It looks like a storm came through here. I have been telling her for two days now to clean her room to no avail. It may be her birthday today but if she doesn't get it done, well...
"Bree Annalise Whitlock...get your butt up here!" I yelled down the stairs. She dashed up the stairs with an annoyed look on her face, until she saw me standing in the doorway of her room.
"Mom...you look so pretty today," she said, attempting to butter me up. Not happening.
"Don't try that with me, Bree. What have I told you for the last two days?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and raising an eyebrow.
"Umm...to clean my room," she mumbled.
"That's right. Now why isn't it clean?" I asked.
"I had to go hunting with Dad and...umm...then there was this show on TV I had to watch and...umm..."
I held my hand up to stop her excuses. "I don't want to hear anymore, Bree. If this room isn't cleaned up, I am going to call everyone and tell them not to come over," I told her.
"They're coming over?" she asked.
"Of course they are."
"Even..."
"Yes, Bree...they just got back last night. He'll be here," I said exasperated. Their relationship was not a good thing, I don't care what Jasper says.
She dashed into her room throwing stuff around and I shook my head incredulously and made my way downstairs. They would be arriving soon and Jasper wasn't back yet with her surprise, I hope he didn't have any problems getting it. Making my way into the kitchen I smiled as my gaze fell on the large marble kitchen island. Jasper has had me on that island 102 times. Who says vampires don't need kitchens...we make great use of ours. Thank god for having so many babysitters close by.
Arms encircled me from behind as I was pulled from my daydream, his amazing scent enveloping me. "What are you thinking about, darlin'?" he murmured, brushing my hair aside to nip at my neck.
I moaned in response and pressed back against him. "Thinking about time number 103," I told him coyly.
"Mmm, I can't wait," he moaned into my ear.
"Did you get it?" I asked, turning in his arms and kissing him briefly.
"I did," he said beaming.
"She's going to love it, baby," I told him, still in awe at this amazing man that I get to call my own.
"I hope so," he said unsure.
"I guarantee you, it will be her most beloved gift – no matter what any of the others get her," I assured him.
"Even..."
"Yes, even him," I huffed.
"Now, darlin'...be nice," he chuckled.
"I think he's a bad influence Jasper...just you wait – you'll see," I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
"If you say so," he laughed, pecking a kiss to my nose.
We could just hear the sounds of cars pulling into the long drive when Bree dashed into the kitchen. "All done!" she exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes at her and tried to lecture her about procrastination and how it wasn't a good thing, but her attention was elsewhere as we heard the cars getting closer and closer to the house.
"Nevermind, let's just go greet them," I said, shaking my head in defeat.
We made our way outside onto the front porch and waited. Rose and Emmet arrived first.
"Uncle Em, Aunt Rose!" Bree squealed, as Em picked her up over his head and ran circles around the car.
"Put her down you big oaf! That's my niece," Rose said, anxiously waiting for her hug. The first time Bree called her Aunt Rose, she literally sobbed for hours. Bree thought she did something wrong and it took Jasper and I quite a bit to reassure her they were happy sobs, not sad ones.
"I got you something," Rose told her, releasing her finally.
Bree opened the gift bag quickly and pulled out some tools, some nail polish, and her own overalls for working on the cars. Rose was teaching her everything she knew. We had come to find out that Bree was an extremely fast learner and good at just about everything she tried.
Edward arrived next and he handed her some new sheet music. He's been teaching her how to play the piano, which she adores and is also amazing at. He's so happy to have someone to share his love for music with. "I have one more thing," he told her, pulling a small wrapped box from his glove-box.
"What is it Uncle Edward?" she asked, looking at the pretty wrapping paper.
"Open it and find out," he told her smiling hugely.
Things were decent between him, myself, and Jasper for the most part. There were still times when Jasper or I would catch him looking at me longingly or he would say something inappropriate...but it was becoming less and less and Bree adored him, so it was bearable.
She opened the box to reveal the latest ipod – already loaded with some of her favorites. She hugged him enthusiastically in thanks.
Carlisle and Esme arrived next and Bree practically threw herself at their car. "Nana, Grandpa, you're here!"
"Of course we're here, it's our granddaughter's birthday today!" Esme said, wrapping her arms around her tightly. Carlisle pulled her from Esme's arms, receiving a glare in response, but Carlisle ignored her; scooping up Bree and lifting her onto his shoulders. They had just made it to the porch steps when the sounds of a familiar truck pulling in rang out.
"He's here!" Bree shouted, jumping down from Carlisle and bouncing on her toes while she waited for the truck to reach the house.
As soon as the truck stopped, she was beside it. Peter stepped out and scooped her up, "Peanut! I missed you!" he yelled.
"Uncle Peter, you made it!"
"Of course I did, and I brought you the best gift ever!" he told her, beginning to bounce himself.
Char stepped out of the truck looking frazzled and disheveled, she looked my way and shook her head in despair.
Oh god...I just knew it. What the hell did he get her this time? I glared at Jasper and he shrugged looking innocent. Yeah, right...he was his brother...guilty by association.
Peter bent into the truck and pulled out... a puppy. What the hell?
"Ohhhh, it's soooo cute! Is he...oh my god, is he mine?" Bree gasped excitedly.
"He's all yours, peanut. And you wouldn't believe how long I had to search for one that would actually be around vampires. He's one of a kind - his name is Jake," he told her proudly.
Char walked over to Bree and hugged her, looking like one very exhausted vampire. Poor woman...I don't know how she puts up with him.
"He got her a dog, Jasper, a dog," I gritted out between clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, darlin'," he replied.
"A dog!" I repeated.
"I know, darlin'," he replied.
"A smelly, flea ridden, dog," I clarified.
"Yes, darlin'," he replied.
"We are not keeping that thing," I told Peter. "Take it home with you, right now."
"But Mom...he likes me," Bree said pleadingly, the dog licking her hand as she held it to her chest protectively. Oh good grief!
The puppy jumped down from Bree's arms and wobbled it's way over to me, sitting down at my feet and looking up at me with his big brown puppy dog eyes. I sighed heavily as he whimpered and whined wanting me to pick him up. The thing must be dumber than a rock to not be afraid of us...how the hell did he find the one damn dog that wouldn't be? Leave it to Peter.
"Fine. But he's your responsibility, Bree. Understand?" I asked her seriously.
"Yes!" she shouted, high-fiving Peter. God help us all.
"Can you all wait on the back patio for us, we need to talk to Bree for a moment," I addressed everyone. They all nodded and made their way through the house to the patio out back.
Jasper and I led Bree into the living room and sat her down on the couch between us. "I have something for you, sweetheart," Jasper said, handing her the large manila envelope.
She looked at him confused before opening it and pulling out the contents. Inside was her original birth certificate as well as some photos of her as a baby growing up. But the main gift was the 5x7 family photo of Bree's Mom, Adam, and her. She gasped and stared at the photo, tracing over her mother's face the same way she had Adam's when he gave her the locket.
"I promised, remember...and I always keep my promises," he told her sweetly.
"Thank you, Daddy," she cried, leaning over onto his shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her temple as he told her he was just happy she liked it.
"It's the best gift ever," she told him.
I winked over her head at him and he smiled widely in return.
"I have something for you as well," I told her. Pulling out a wrapped shirt box from behind me and handing it to her.
She opened it swiftly and pushed the tissue paper aside to reveal the dual 5x7 frame with one side already filled with a picture of Jasper, her, and myself that Esme had taken a few months ago.
"I thought maybe you'd like to put the other one in the other side, sort of a past and present thing," I said, waiting for her reaction.
"Oh, Mom, I love it...thank you," she breathed, and snuggled into me. I wrapped her in my arms and Jasper wrapped his around the both of us.
The sounds of our family talking on the patio filtered through the house as Jasper, Bree, and I sat there holding onto each other.
Our lives weren't always perfect, there were ups and downs - the same as with any family. We made it through so much to get to where we are today...and while it wasn't perfect to some...it was perfect to us.
Because this...
.
.
"Don't touch me Peter!"
"Aww, Char don't be mad."
"Don't be mad? Bella spent a lot of money to send us on that trip! It was suppose to be romantic, Peter - instead you turn it into a hunt for the world's stupidest dog!"
"But it was for Bree..."
"That excuse is getting old..."
"Will it still work this time?"
.
.
"Carlisle, you ripped her from my arms!"
"Esme, now don't you think that you are overreacting just a bit?"
"No."
"Fine then, you were hogging her...I never get as much time with her as you do..."
"That's it. I want more grandchildren...maybe there is another teenage vampire somewhere needing a home..."
.
.
"Rose, can we get a puppy too?"
"No, Emmett, we are not getting a puppy! Stop asking me!"
"But Rose...that's not fair...Bree has one!"
"I said NO, Emmett!"
"Peter..."
.
.
This is our eternity.
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AN:
The End.
*sniffle*
Thank you all for embarking on this crazy journey with me. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it! This was the very first story I have ever written, so I truly appreciated you all having patience with me; as I am sure I made many, many mistakes.
A special Thank You to every single one of you who left me a review...your words encouraged me to keep writing and to strive to do better!
As of right now, I don't plan on a sequel for this story – sorry. I will be putting my focus into my other story – Major Desires – for the time being. Check it out, if you haven't done so already. If that's not to your liking, who knows, I may come up with some new crazy storyline ...I just never know how my mind works. Hehe.
As always, let me know what you thought. ;) Love ya's!