CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE:
CHRISTMAS

"CHRISTMAS IS OVERRATED." ECHO stated as she hugged Renesmee before placing her into the car. Bella looked at her sister and rolled her eyes.

"I haven't had a Christmas with you in five years. Suck it up." Bella told her.

"You're going to run errands! I'm not going to just awkwardly sit in my childhood home." Echo told her.

"Well, ignore everybody. It's what you're good at." Bella smiled, patting her sister on the shoulder as she passed her.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Echo asked, watching as her sister just sent her a smile before entering the vehicle. Echo forced Jacob into the back before she entered the passengers side of the door. Bella pulled away from the Cullen home and made her way toward the Swan household that now held the Clearwater's as well. When they arrived, Echo, Jake, and Renesmee exited the car.

The other two made their way towards the house whilst Echo leaned against the window of the car, glaring slightly at her sister. "You aren't back in the next hour it'll be your sixth Christmas without me."

"Well if you'd backup from my car, I'd be back in thirty." Bella sarcastically replied.

"Getting smart are we? Not to worry, I'll have your child for the next hour and I will educate her about how awkward you are." Echo smirked.

"You better not." Bella stated.

"Be back in thirty minutes and I won't." Echo called in a singsong voice before stepping away from the car and watching as Bella zoomed off. Echo watched her leave with amusement before entering the home. She immediately gave Charlie a hug as soon as she saw him.

"How've you been, Echo?" Sue spoke up. Echo removed herself from her father's grasp and turned to face the woman, a kind smile falling onto her face before the two exchanged hugs.

"I've been better." Echo answered before pulling away. She looked over at the Clearwater siblings, giving them both a smile of acknowledgment before she turned back to her father. "We should expose little Ness here to a Charlie Brown Christmas Special."

"I agree." Charlie nodded before sitting the little girl back onto the floor before going to search for the said movie. Renesmee ran up to Echo causing the older Swan sibling to look down at her. Echo picked her up, giving her a kiss on the top of the head as well as a kiss on the cheek causing her to giggle. Once Charlie successfully set the movie up, everyone gathered into the living room. They all sat there in silence, watching the movie. Renemee was placed in between Echo's legs as Echo wrapped her arms gently around the little girls body. Renesmee leaned backwards into Echo's chest, making herself comfortable as she watched the special.

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Bella had eventually called saying she would arrive in the morning. Leaving Echo to help Sue with fixing the food for the morning. She stopped only when Renesmee let out a yawn, reaching out for her aunt from Jacob's arms. Echo grabbed the girl, carrying her carefully up the steps before walking into Bella's room and laying the little girl down.

"Mommy says that you used to have a saying when you were younger before you went to bed. What was it?" Renesmee quietly asked her aunt.

"Well it's not my saying, a lot of people say it actually, but it was something that made me feel safe at night time." Echo explained, looking down at the little girl as she sat on the bed beside her.

"What was it?" Renesmee asked again.

Echo sent her a soft smile. "I used to be a believer before certain things in life happened to me, hence why I no longer really say it. But it goes, 'As I lay myself to rest, I pray my loved ones will be blessed. God, watch over me tonight, bless me with your love so bright. The angels they will dance and sing, and to me sweet dreams they bring. When I wake to greet the day, God I know you'll light the way.'"

When Echo finished, she looked down at the little girl who's eyes were closed. Echo smiled at the soft beating of her heart before leaning down and giving her a kiss on the top of the head. "Get some sleep, my love." She removed herself from the bed and walked towards the door. She glanced at her niece one last time before cutting off the lights and gently shutting the door.

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"Oh look who finally decided to show up!" Echo shouted as she watched Edward and Bella enter the home. Renesmee was currently in the living room with Jacob, everyone having been patiently waiting for the couple to show up before they opened presents. Echo walked into the living room before taking a seat on the arm of the couch beside of Seth.

"Alright, present time! Let's go! Seth, Leah, stop eating. Jake, you start. Get it going." Charlie spoke up. Jacob passed the first present to Renesmee.

"Well, dad, we didn't have time to wrap yours, but here it is." Bella said, handing the man the gift. "It's from me, E, and Edward."

"It's a five day fishing to Fraser River. It's for you and Sue." Echo said with a small smirk. Charlie rolled his eyes at his eldest daughter.

"You leave tomorrow." Edward informed.

"Wow, that's really nice. Thank you. Tomorrow? I can't. . . I can't leave tomorrow." Charlie started. Sue came in with a cup of coffee in her hands, a smile on her face.

"I made arrangements for you at work."

"Sneaky, and extravagant." Charlie mumbled.

"And non-refundable I'm afraid." Echo piped up, her smirk growing even more. Charlie sent her an 'I-know-what-you're-doing' look.

"You three trying to get to rid of me?" Charlie asked.

"Yep." Echo nodded.

"Wow, E, way to be blunt." Jacob spoke from his spot in the floor. Echo shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"Hey you, you have a present." Jacob called out to Echo. He tossed it to the girl who quickly caught it.

"Hey idiot, thank you." Echo shot back. Jacob rolled his eyes, but a small smile curved at the corners of his lips. Echo opened her present and a small smile fell onto her features. It was a picture of Echo and Carlisle.

"How did you-?" Echo started, looking over at Edward and her sister.

"Alice caught it when neither of you were looking." Edward answered. It was the moment when Echo had engulfed him into a hug after he had proposed to her.

"Thank you." She softly smiled at the two before looking back at it. This is how the rest of the day went. Spent with family and laughter, and Jacob and Echo arguing back and forth. Echo took her statement from earlier back. Christmas wasn't overrated, she had just never had one that was as great as this one.

1,165 words

Authors note: So next chapter is probably going to be a littpe on the shorter side because the chapter after that is the face off with the Volturi.

I hope you all enjoyed! Stay safe! Until next time, bye loves!♥️

@HAHA_LIFEISTOUGH