I wish there was some sort of manual on how to do this. I mean when was younger and asked Renee for her hand in marriage, I was just a young kid; what the hell did I know? Now I’m in my 40s and who would ever believe it that I’m in love again. But it’s not the same as with Renee. Sue Clearwater is like a breath of fresh air. There isn’t any pretense with her; what you see is what you get. We didn’t have any kids to raise; as they were all grown and had their own lives as weird as they were. Who would have thought that both Sue and I would be the parents and me now the grandfather to wolves, vampires, and a hybrid? Where on planet earth does that even make any sense?

          Sometimes I miss my old world where I was oblivious to all of this; that’s on the one hand. On the other, I would have had to give up Bella and perhaps even Sue eventually as she was well aware of this whole business; and that’s just not good enough. So now I get to have my daughter and granddaughter—I feel so weird being called ‘grandpa’; I’m not that old dammit! How the hell Carlisle handles it when he looks like he’s 30 something is beyond me!—and Sue remains in my life.

          Now for the real reason I wrote in this girly book; I want to spend the rest of my life—the better half of it—with Sue. So that of course means I have to do the whole getting down on one knee with a ring and actually saying the words. I already have the ring; the fact that I’m the mayor of Forks gave me a bigger salary and I have been saving up a bit over the last few months so I could buy the ring I spotted in a store in Port Angeles. I didn’t want to buy a ring in Forks because considering how small the town was, rumors would fly. I didn’t want her finding out before I got a chance to ask her. All photos are below.

          So I got the ring and picked the perfect day; Christmas Eve. I had preplanned spending it with her at La Push and thankfully the Gods were smiling on us that day as it was crystal clear and sunny though freezing. I got the run of the mill presents ready as well and early that morning went over to her place. I knocked on the door and she opened with a smile.

“Good morning Charlie! My you’re looking rather dapper today? What’s the occasion?” She said looking at my duds.

          I had decided there was no way in hell I was going to propose looking like a bum or a lumberjack so I actually dusted off a suit from the very back of my closet and put it on and what do you know, it still fits. Smelled a bit like mothballs so I used a bit of the cologne Bella and Edward sent me for my birthday; Nautical or Nautica something or other. Whatever. It smelled good and I figured it was better than smelling like fish or moth. Hey, I know how to put myself together!

“Eh it’s nothing special. Merry Christmas!” I tried to sound as nonchalant as I could.
“Merry Christmas to you too and come on in! Food is ready!” She gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Good I’m starving.” Like that was new. I walked into her living room and put the presents under the tree I helped her set up a few days before.
“I wonder if Billy will stop by.” She said thoughtfully as she piled food onto my plate.
“He uh, said he was going to be having his daughter and son in law over. I always get them confused; Rebecca or Rachel. He said he may pop over later though; I dropped his gift off yesterday.” I said trying to make sense of what I was saying.

          Well I wasn’t lying, entirely. Billy was actually being visited by his kids but they weren’t staying long and Billy would have popped over if I hadn’t sworn him to secrecy on my plan. So we made this excuse up in order for me to do what I planned and planned and planned again for months now. It had to work or well I may have a stroke! I’ve been worrying so much about her answer. She nodded her head and joined me at the table to eat. We sat there in comfortable silence for a while. I was doing everything in my power to keep my best poker cop face on. Meanwhile, my heart was sprinting a marathon out of my chest and I hadn’t even gotten to the big cahoona yet! Lord have mercy.

          Man was I glad we didn’t have any mind readers in the area anymore! That would have made all this so much harder! Ok enough of that…think about something else……She is a fabulous cook I will tell you that. Now I can understand why there was always a turnstile of giant teenagers in and out of her house. She should open up her own restaurant! Delicious!

          When we were done, I was full to capacity. I was debating on what to do next. Could I even roll let alone walk down to the beach? I felt like a large inflated beach ball! But the ring was all but burning a hole in my pocket so I knew it was now or I’d pass out! While I still had the courage. So as she was cleaning food off of the table and I helped her with that, I asked:

“Hey Sue, do you want to go for a walk on the beach? It’s really nice out. One of the few nice days we have had in a while.”
“Sure! That sounds like a great idea! Let me just get my coat.”
“Ok, I’ll wait outside.” I had to get out and to some fresh so I could formulate my next step of action a little better. She came out about 5 minutes later, wearing a dark coat, dark red hat, and a smile.
“Shall we?” I said sounding like a total dork. She though took my hand and we walked down to where the first beach was.

          We walked for what seemed like hours just talking about our lives, our children, even the supernatural. Sue had made me pretty comfortable with that whole aspect of life even though other than a few phasing wolves every so often, we didn’t have much action anymore since the Cullen clan moved away. The one thing that neither of us could figure out, especially not Sue or the Elders on the council is how they couldn’t have known about the existence of the Watchers. That was a puzzle no one could quite yet put together or figure out. They were something else, I’ll tell ya. The two main ones—Rogue and Alexander—were the most intimidating I’d have to say. Not by their personalities but by their physical characteristics and sheer vastness of their power; Rogue more then anyone else.

          Finally when the sun started to set I knew it was time. We had been sitting on a giant log just talking and commenting on how beautiful the sunset was. Sue hopped up saying we should head back as it was going to get dark soon and it was rather nippy. But as she stood, I remained seated until she looked down at me slightly puzzled.

“You’re not planning on sleeping here tonight, are you Charlie?” She asked with a small laugh as I hadn’t yet budged.
“No, no, I’m not.” I said looking at her.
“Then why………” She never finished her sentence as she noticed me sinking to the ground until I was on one knee. I figured sliding off a log would be easier than doing the whole dropping thing; because I kinda figured if I dropped that way…I may not be able to get back up! Her eyes widened as she took in my new stance. I took a deep breath and looking her straight in the eyes I said:

“Sue, I’m not really good at all this mushy stuff. But I do know that I have never loved anyone the way I love you. You make me feel like I’m alive and I don’t have to be anyone I’m not around you. God rest her soul but I never felt that way with Renee either. So I kind of figured that, you know, the kids have flown the coup and you and I could grow old together. Will you marry me?”

          By then I had produced the ring I had picked out and just held my breath as I waited. I watched as giant tears streamed from her eyes and fell onto her dark coat; she didn’t even try to wipe them away. It took her a while to catch her breath and get her bearings while I tried to not make my mind race a million miles an hour on what would happen if she said no. What if she couldn’t really be with me because she still loved Harry too much? What if I had misinterpreted it all and she really didn’t love me but just liked me very much as a friend? Just as another dreaded thought started to appear in my mind…

“Yes.” She whispered so softly I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly if at all.
“I’m sorry?” I asked.
“Yes! I will marry you!” She said louder and laughed.
“Wait……you said yes?! Oh my God!” I said stunned and I smiled up at her.
“Um…Charlie? You planning on putting that ring on me or are you just going to pretend to be a statue?” She said giggling. Oh crap! Yeah that would be a great idea wouldn’t it?
“Actually I think I may need some help getting up……I’m a little stuck.” I said sheepishly realizing my knee had fallen asleep!

          With that she helped me up as I groaned slightly and then when I reached maximum height, I put that ring on her finger and then without saying another word, I put my hands on both sides of her face and kissed her. We stood that way for a long time, just kissing and hugging. I guess that’s the old fart version of an engagement; please just don’t tell our children about it! I’ll never hear the end of it!

“When should we call the kids?” I asked.
“How about when we get back to the house? Would be a nice extra Christmas present for them, don’t you think?” She answered as I nodded. Absolutely!

          After that we walked hand in hand back to her house while I did a little jig; I let go of her hand at one point and started singing “Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight!” She was laughing hysterically. Hey as long as I’m an old fart might as well be a ‘cheesy’ one as the kids would say! You only live once. With that I put my arm around her shoulder and as we walked into the house, I smiled as a shooting star went by and I knew it was Harry giving us his blessing. And that’s all there was……for that night anyways.

          Lions and tigers and dragons, oh my! That was a pretty spectacular battle and one I’m glad I didn’t have to fight. That’s way beyond my or my family’s level of expertise. Glad we could stay home and watch from a distance. But that’s over and done with; Rogue doesn’t think we should have any more problems for a while. Let us hope she’s right; with our luck there’s always something around the corner. But that’s the past and in the present we are preparing for the holidays just like I’m sure you all are.

          When it comes to religion and such not everyone celebrates Christmas; for example Rogue and Alexander are Jewish while Kim is an atheist altogether. Everyone else does; but the above-mentioned three don’t mind, so we got the house ready for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Being so far up north, we have a ton of snow already so people were out building forts and having snow ball fights; and by people I mean Michelle, Emmett, the wolves (Jacob, Seth, and Leah), and their mates (Nessie, Corin, and Keith). Alice, Bella, Rogue, Kim, and Amy decorated the interior of the house which including the ginormous tree we put up in the great room. Yes we have a great room in this house; the reason it hasn’t been previously mentioned is because we only use it for holidays. They decorated not only the great room but the rest of the house including everyone’s bedrooms!

          Rose, Maria, and Esme were cooking up a storm in the kitchen for the feast that we were going to have. The men including Edward, Jasper, John, Alexander, Peter, and I were decorating the exterior of the house; climbing on the roof and such as well as the property surrounding. By the time we were done with the decorating alone, you’d think it looked like all of the lights of Las Vegas put together in a much smaller setting. The Denali’s were staying with us until after the New Year so we made extra room for them. They hadn’t yet arrived at that point so we had time to kill so to speak.

          Let me explain how we decided to deal with presents this year. Because we had such a shear amount of people and due to all the insanity we had gone through this year plus the fact that we already had pretty much everything imaginable; not to mention the latest in everything that we decided that in lieu of presents, we were going to donate to our favorite charities. We all regularly donated money or other things to about 8 charities. We are grateful for everything we have so therefore we love to give back to those less fortunate. The charities we donate to as well some of the other photos are below. The Denali’s agreed to this as well; The Watchers have donated before so this wasn’t new to them. We did agree that the only presents that were allowed to be given would be from one mate to the other; something private and special. It would make everything very easy and helpful at the same time. We felt like a bunch of Santa’s for the people out in the world.

          Once the Denali’s arrived, most of the men went to cut down some trees or break them in our case for the fireplaces in the houses. I honestly don’t know what every single person was doing but I did see Nessie, Michelle, Leah, Jacob, Seth, and Corin making snow angels and a really life-like looking snow man; in between chucking snow at each other that is. As we walked passed them carrying the wood, we were all bombarded with a ton of snowballs and a fit of giggles. At that point, we dropped the wood and had an old fashioned snowball fight. You would think we would use up all the snow but we got so much of it that there was enough for a supernatural snowball fight. Sooner or later everyone migrated outside and joined the barrage of snowballs. At first it was men against women; then at one point Jacob chucked one at me, which I sidestepped nicely. It flew past me towards the back door from which Rogue was emerging; knowing what was happening she ducked her head in the nick of time but Rose who was following behind her didn’t have a chance to and the snowball smacked her dead center in the face!

          To say she was a bit perplexed and pissed was an understatement; meanwhile Jacob and quite a few others were rolling on the ground laughing. Even I had to snicker at that one. Jacob meant to hit me but hit the one person he was still thawing a relationship with; no pun intended. With a shrill cry of “I’ll kill you!!!” Rose jumped into the fray and within seconds landed a Volkswagen sized snowball right on top of Jacob virtually burying him under it! It was her turn to laugh. Jacob popped out of their like nothing happened and the two of them started volleying snowballs at each other. At that point it was a free for all; basically hit whoever was closest to you or wasn’t covered by the makeshift snow forts!

          There were two nice and loud screeches when both Corin and Nessie stuffed snow down Jacob’s and Seth’s clothing respectively which was followed by more laughter. The only ones not partaking in this festive holiday fun were Carmen, Eleazer, and Marcus. The first two were more reserved but still laughed when I would get bamboozled from all sides. Marcus looked very unsure with what to do with himself; like what would be proper? Finally, it was decided for him when Tanya, Rogue, and Alexander slammed three really large ones into his back and back of the head. He realized he had no choice but to defend himself against the barrage from his mate, cousin, and cousin in law!

          Though Carmen and Eleazer were more reserved they did agree to help with the next game which was who could build the coolest looking snowman. It was split half and half; some were very engrossed in the snowball fight while other half built snowmen. We had set up a camera and video camera on a timer to take snap shots of our silliness. The video camera was motion sensitive so it was rigged in such a way that it could shoot everyone and not make it look blurry or give people vertigo from just watching the damned thing!

          Finally, when most of the snow in our backyard was used up or melted; we all went inside. Time for some eggnog and food by the fire. It was going to snow again overnight so we could get more of it if we needed it. Well most of us went inside; Leah asked Keith to take a walk with her. She had something really important to ask him and we all knew what it was already. Now if you all recall Emily’s wedding and when Keith met Sam and Emily for the first time; Sam had a weird reaction to Keith and kept looking at him sideways and such. Well, Leah wanted so desperately to know what Sam was thinking and why he looked at Keith sometimes like he had two heads. Keith said that Sam was nothing but pleasant to him; still Leah had to know. I guess it was her own version of closure. Keith though knowing what she wanted to ask him, waited patiently for her to actually say the words:

“So um, I’m sure you know what I’m going to ask you but I really am curious. I mean I have never seen Sam look at anyone like that. What was going on in his head?” Leah looked Keith in the eyes earnestly as she asked. They sat down on the two person swing out in the back after clearing it of snow.

“Oh that yes. It wasn’t anything bad if that’s what you’re worried about.” Keith said honestly.
“If it wasn’t anything bad, why are you stalling?”
“Because I’m not sure how you’re going to feel.”
“Just tell me already, I’m dying with suspense here!” Leah said, trying to sound flippant; didn’t quite work.
“Ok ok….breathe babe.” He said stroking a piece of hair out of her face.
“I’m breathing.” Leah grumbled as she waited patiently.
“Ok well when we first all saw each other, Sam was stunned by my size I guess you can say. I’m taller and wider built than he is. That is why he couldn’t really get words out.” Keith explained.
“I figured that much when I saw him sizing you up in the very beginning; Emily admitted to me later that she thought you were like an oak tree.” Leah finished with a giggle.
“Later when you women went about your business and we men were alone as I got to know them each better both by reading their minds and from what they were saying, all commented on my height and I joked that you would have to wear stilts just to kiss me.” Keith said with a smile and a wink. Leah blushed as Keith continued.
“Sam’s head came up and the emotions were a little hard to read at first……”
“At first? What do you mean?” Leah’s head came up to meet his eyes.

“Well when you came back to get me much later and I kissed you, Sam was standing not too far away and that’s when his emotions and facial expressions were clear to me. The emotions he was projecting were jealousy, forced happiness, and yet peace all at the time. He seemed to be conflicted. He truly wanted you to be happy and he wouldn’t give Emily up for the world but I guess my….whatever you want to call it…..manliness intimidated him. Last thought he had before we left them, was that he had to start working out more.” Keith finished shrugging while Leah’s eyes were bugging out of her head and her jaw was on the ground somewhere under the swing.

“I……you…..he……huh……” were the only words Leah could stutter out.

Keith waited patiently as she gathered her thoughts. Rogue told me earlier that he was actually very nervous about telling Leah because even though he was her imprint, she and Sam had a very long history together. Would it make her want to be with him again or would this be the final end? The only one who could really answer that was Leah because Sam and Emily were already married and happy. So there he sat waiting for her answer. Finally she was ready to speak.

“I must say out of everything I thought you would tell me, this was not anywhere near my thought process. I don’t really understand how that feels and why. I mean once you imprint the only feelings you have toward someone else whom you dated before is that of friendship. Seeing him that time when you all met, I mean that’s all I felt for him and it felt so good! I no longer had to deal with that pain in my chest; that constant ache. It was replaced by my love for you.” She said stroking his cheek and blushing simultaneously. Keith breathed a sigh of relief. That surprised her.

“Wait…..did you actually think I would have feelings for him still too?” Her eyebrows all but flying off her head.
“It crossed my mind yes; you have to remember I don’t all the ‘rules and regulations’ of imprinting and how every little thing works. You explained the basics to me and that’s all I needed to know. Do you blame me? Keith looked sheepish.
“No, I guess not. But you have nothing to worry about. Everything I ever felt that was love related toward Sam vanished the instant I saw you. Now the only way I think of him is in that friendly, fellow wolf, and the husband of cousin type of way.” Leah said with a wink and a giggle.
“Well that’s definitely good to hear.”
“And it’s actually quite amusing that he was jealous of you. You’re way hotter than him!” She said mischievously.

          At that point Keith grabbed her and kissed her as she squealed with laughter. They were laughing and hugging on that swing when suddenly they noticed Seth and Bella come out to the porch; Seth was bouncing up and down like a ball and smiling from ear to ear. Bella told Seth something and he nodded; she then strode across the grass toward Leah and Keith. By the time she reached them, she too was beaming. Before Leah could ask, Bella said:

“You’ll never believe what happened; I just got off the phone with my dad. He proposed to your mother! Charlie and Sue got engaged on Christmas eve!”

To be continued…..

P.S. Happy Holidays to you and yours! From all of us!