Chapter Eleven, Christmas and a Graduation

The day that Margot and Jasper had desperately awaited for had arrived; Jasper's graduation on the last day of term. As the pair were getting ready for the day in their own homes they couldn't help but be filled with nervous anticipation as they were one step closer to being together, plus the house was completely built and was only being decorated and furnished now. Jasper was hopeful that they would be moving in just after Jayden's second birthday, a little later than he'd like but at least by then there would be no comeback on his gorgeous mate. Despite not looking forward to graduating once more and adding another cap to the ever expanding collection, Jasper was also looking forward to it if it meant he could be with his mate and son.

***

Once Margot was ready in a smart white blouse, a black pencil skirt, black heels, Pearl stud earrings, a black blazer and her hair in a smart ponytail with golden eyeshadow, black eyeliner, mascara and rose lipstick (as they had demanded she dress more smartly). She quickly got Jayden dressed in red trousers, a blue checkered shirt, white trainers and a grey coat. Unfortunately there was no one to look after him today so he would be attending the ceremony with her, as the Principal had so graciously allowed due to it being the last day of term and a half day.
"There we go my handsome boy, all done." Margot cooed to her son, kissing his nose before settling him on her hip with her handbag in the other.
"Mama." Jayden giggled, resting his head on her shoulder as they headed downstairs.

"Jay, do you want to come to uncle Paulie?" Paul exclaimed, arms open wide.
"No." Jayden exclaimed loudly, snuggling closer to Margot.
"Alright, little man." Paul chuckled, ruffling his hair gently. "Let's get going then." Paul chuckled, leading the way to the Impala. They'd had breakfast first for a change as they really couldn't afford to have to change today due to having to be at the school earlier than normal.
"Thanks Paulie." Margot said gratefully.
"Any time Marlie." Paul laughed. As they were getting in the car after Jayden was safely secure in his car seat Sam's voice echoed in both their heads through the pack link that they normally kept closed while in human form.
'Paul, Margot you two are on patrol tonight.' Sam's voice ordered.
'Alright.' They replied back with a sigh, sharing a look with each other.

***

Arriving at the school Margot and Jayden waved bye to Paul, who was going to do the last of their Christmas shopping, before setting off at a slow pace towards the hall as Jayden toddled along beside his mother, holding her hand tightly as he babbled away. Margot nodded and made all the correct sounds to her baby boy, melting nearly everyone's heart at the sight. Including Jasper and the rest of the Cullens who stood watching the mother and son duo with fond smiles on their faces.

Upon entering the hall, the ceremony was a rather short one as Jasper was the only one who was graduating early but it was no less grand than it would be for the rest of the students later on in the year. After the Principal gave his speech, he called Jasper to the stage to receive his diploma. Jayden let out a loud cheer as he recognised Jasper, causing small laughs to filter around the hall and for Jasper and Major to beam with pride as their mate and son cheered proudly for them.
'We will have them with us soon.' Major growled demandingly.
'Yes, we can't be parted from them now.' Jasper agreed with a smirk upon his face.
"I'm so proud of you Jasper!" Esme declared happily, bringing him into a tight hug once he'd joined them again.
"Thank you Esme." Jasper replied happily, his smile widening when the scent of his mate and son appeared behind him.

"Congratulations Jasper. You deserve this." Margot congratulated happily, proudly.
"Thank you Margot." Jasper purred, gently ruffling Jayden's hair earning a giggle from the baby in Margot's arms as he chewed on his fingers.
"Maybe you'd like to come round mine Christmas morning." Margot whispered so no one other than the two of them could hear. The rest of Jasper's family moved away slightly giving them a semblance of privacy.
"I'd like that. Soon we can move into our house. Perhaps after Jayden's second birthday then no one can say anything." Jasper whispered.
"That would be amazing. Thank you Jasper. I can't believe you built us a house." Margot said happily, a blush gracing her cheeks.

"Oh, Margot, you just have to let us help with Jayden's second birthday. Even if it's just held at our house. There's more than enough room for all of us, your family and the pack." Esme begged, knowing Rosalie and Alice would like to ask but it would be inappropriate while on the school grounds. Rosalie and Margot had become fast friends since the Girls Night a month prior (Rosalie had stolen Claire's phone and messaged/called Margot where they clicked straight away).
"That would be amazing. Thank you Esme." Margot said gratefully.
"Why do we have to have mutts in our house with their horrible stench!" Edward growled.
"Edward!!" Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett and Claire growled.

"Do not speak about my family like that! Or you will regret it!" Margot growled, a promising tone to her voice as she tried to hold in her shakes as she held her son in her arms. A tense silence filled between them as Margot and Edward glared heatedly at each other and Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett and Claire glared at Edward while Esme, Alice and Carlisle just looked disappointed.
A sudden honk of a horn distracted them and attracted their attention to the arrival of Paul. "Look there's Uncle Paulie." Margot pointed out to her son.
"'Aulie! Aulie!" Jayden cheered excitedly, causing Margot to laugh at her son, her anger simmering down.
"I'll see you soon Jasper." Margot whispered, before hurrying to the car. Once Jayden and Margot were in, Paul peeled out of the car park missing the hard slap Jasper gave to the back of Edward's head.

***

~ Christmas Day ~

Christmas Day had arrived and the Lahote family were excited to see Jayden's reaction as he was old enough to understand now. The five of them were up at six and dressed in matching Christmas themed pyjamas when there was a knock at the door, just as they came downstairs.
"I'll get it." Jamie insisted, hesitantly opening the door to find Jasper stood there in matching pyjamas, trainers and carrying two large bags. "Jasper, come in. Come in. Marlie said you'll be round. Happy Christmas." Jamie said, stepping back and allowing Jasper to enter.
"Good morning Mr Lahote and happy Christmas." Jasper returned pleasantly, stepping over the threshold into the warm and decorated house.
"Please, call me Jamie and my wife Cora. The others are probably in the living room to your right." Jamie instructed.

Jasper nodded graciously as his Ma and Pa had taught him, greeting his hosts first despite how much he'd like to greet Margot and Jayden especially when Jayden squealed in excitement when he saw him. His gaze torn between the arrival of Jasper and the present covering the room that hadn't been there yesterday.
"Good morning, and happy Christmas Cora." Jasper greeted, kissing the back of her hand.
"My aren't you a charming young man. And happy Christmas." Cora teased.
"My Ma and Pa raised me in a time where manners were everything." Jasper stated sadly. Cora and Jamie smiled sympathetically as they could tell that even after all this time Jasper missed his family. "Good morning and happy Christmas Paul. Darling and lil wolf." Jasper greeted, hugging Paul, kissing the back of Margot's hand and ruffling Jayden's hair.

"Happy Christmas Jasper." Margot said softly, kissing his cheek.
"Happy Christmas, man. Well I for one, am glad that you were raised like that. Means you will treat my other half right." Paul said firmly.
"Without a doubt." Jasper promised, pulling some presents out of his bags and adding them to the piles littered around the room, only to freeze when he saw a pile for him.
"You didn't think we wouldn't get you anything, did you?" Margot asked teasingly.
"Thank you." Jasper said softly, gratefully. "You didn't have to, but thank you."
"You're welcome. Now let's open presents before Jayden gets frustrated." Margot laughed while helping her son open a present from her: he had some woodland puppets, an alphabet train that was interactive and he could place the numbers and alphabets on the train and an outdoor sand activity stand. 

As they all opened their presents the Lahote house was filled with so much laughter as they told jokes, told stories or even just laughed at Jayden who was just adorable. Once thing was for certain; they were all healing from their own tragedies and they would all come back stronger than ever. This turned out to be their best Christmas yet.

Jayden:

Margot:

Paul:

Jasper: