Mechanics and Mistletoe Update

My Christmas gift to you ... Mechanics and Mistletoe is now complete! Merry Christmas to you and your families! Much love to all of you! 

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“This place has been closed, but on the market, since the owner took ill about six years ago. His family couldn’t keep up with it since they didn’t know anything about a garage or the business,” said the real estate agent, Lauren. I was walking around the large, run-down, garage in Port Angeles. “If they don’t have a buyer in the next month or so, the bank is going to repossess.”

“I know that feeling,” I snorted, checking the equipment and making mental note of what would need to be replaced and what could be salvaged. “Thankfully, I had a windfall and was able to climb out of that rut. I own a garage in Lake Geneva. My best friend is now running that garage while I’m expanding here.”

“Lake Geneva is a great deal away from Port Angeles,” quipped Lauren, who was a young woman with flowing blonde hair and she flirted with me relentlessly. “You’re going to be lonely, Mr. Cullen.”

“No, I won’t,” I said, plastering on a fake smile. “I’m moving here with my girlfriend.”

“You said girlfriend,” she purred, laying a hand on my forearm. “Not wife.”

“And the girlfriend will shove a stiletto into your eye if you don’t remove your grubby fingers off his arm,” Bella growled, sashaying into the garage and her brown eyes flashing. Lauren snatched her hand back, her eyes wide. Bella came over, threading her fingers with mine and glowering at the sales agent. “Seriously? You’re married. I see that ring on your finger. Or is that how close every deal?”

Lauren was fuming, but she blinked slowly and a forced smile spread over her face. “My apologies, Mr. Cullen. It was never my intention to …” she trailed off uncomfortably.

“I’m certain it wasn’t, but it would be wise for you to let me check out this place and discuss this with my girlfriend,” I said, tugging Bella toward the office and closing the door. I sighed when I saw the disarray of the office. “Damn, this place looks like a bomb went off in it.”

“That harpy,” Bella growled. “She was trying to dig her talons into you, Edward. I mean, really. Her tits are lopsided and her hair is so fried …”

“Bella, I’m yours,” I said, tugging her into my arms and kissing her sweetly. “That girl doesn’t even hold a candle to you.” Bella harrumphed, her fingers toying with my hair. “Look at me, beautiful.” She blinked up to me, her eyes still swirling with ire. “I love you. I’m with you and only with you. Are you with me?”

“It’s only ever been you,” she whispered, kissing me, her lips pliant against mine and her tongue dancing in my mouth. When she relaxed and melted against me, I pulled back, holding her in my arms. “Damn you and your voodoo.”

“You calmed down, didn’t you?” I snickered. She smacked my chest and looked her around, her nose wrinkled. “And you’re right about this place looking like a bomb went off.” She poked her nose into the filing cabinet and gasped. “Ugh, this is awful.”

“It is pretty bad, but it was a family-owned business. Something about this place makes it …” I smirked. I looked at the paperwork, wrinkling my nose. “It’s overpriced, though.”

“I agree,” Bella nodded. “Lauren’s silicone boobs must be leaking if she thinks she can get that amount. I asked around about what this property should be worth. From most of the realtors I’ve spoken with, half the amount would be appropriate.”

Mechanics and Mistletoe Update

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We spent the night in Chicago, ringing in the New Year with orgasms. We’d made love several more times and it was more magical than the first time. Feeling him without any sort of barriers was nothing short of amazing. He was big, but gentle when he made love to me. I knew he was hurting from his injuries and his bruises along his torso were a stark reminder of what he was dealing with. So, I pampered him the following morning in my shower and massaged his back, which was still riddled with knots.

After our shower, I emptied the fridge and turned off all the appliances. Edward was lugging my suitcases to the car. I wanted to do it, but he said he was not completely incapable. He kissed my nose and brought my shit down to the garage. When he came back, I locked up my condo and we went down to the office, informing the building manager of my extended absence.

We drove back to Lake Geneva, arriving back at my parents’ house just after the sun had set. I went inside, wanting to check on Mom, but she was napping. I went to her room and saw her resting, curled against my father. He smiled sadly at me, holding her tightly.

After the new year, Edward went back to the garage. He worked with Emmett, cleaning up the damages in the garage from his attack. Rosalie, as far I knew, was making herself scarce because of her mouth. She felt guilty for what she’d said to me and was working at the trade school full time. Edward used the money from the creditors to completely overhaul the garage, plus pay back some of his debts. He was still struggling, but it wasn’t as bad as before. I still offered to be an investor, but he declined, not wanting to mix up our relationship with his business.

Nicodemus

Bella's Christmas present (with pearls for berries)

Mechanics and Mistletoe Teaser

We spent the night in Chicago, ringing in the New Year with orgasms. We’d made love several more times and it was more magical than the first time. Feeling him without any sort of barriers was nothing short of amazing. He was big, but gentle when he made love to me. I knew he was hurting from his injuries and his bruises along his torso were a stark reminder of what he was dealing with. So, I pampered him the following morning in my shower and massaged his back, which was still riddled with knots.

After our shower, I emptied the fridge and turned off all the appliances. Edward was lugging my suitcases to the car. I wanted to do it, but he said he was not completely incapable. He kissed my nose and brought my shit down to the garage. When he came back, I locked up my condo and we went down to the office, informing the building manager of my extended absence.

We drove back to Lake Geneva, arriving back at my parents’ house just after the sun had set. I went inside, wanting to check on Mom, but she was napping. I went to her room and saw her resting, curled against my father. He smiled sadly at me, holding her tightly.

After the new year, Edward went back to the garage. He worked with Emmett, cleaning up the damages in the garage from his attack. Rosalie, as far I knew, was making herself scarce because of her mouth. She felt guilty for what she’d said to me and was working at the trade school full time. Edward used the money from the creditors to completely overhaul the garage, plus pay back some of his debts. He was still struggling, but it wasn’t as bad as before. I still offered to be an investor, but he declined, not wanting to mix up our relationship with his business.

Mechanics and Mistletoe Update

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Edward was fidgeting. He was dressed in a pair of black pants, a button-down and a sweater. I’d woken up early and went to a nearby store to pick up some clothes for him, not cast-offs from my father’s closet. Plus, Edward was taller than Charlie and the pants would be floods on him, as well as slightly big in the waist, too. “I’ll pay you back, Bella,” he said.

“I know,” I replied, putting on my earrings and slipping in my shoes. “But, for now, just enjoy this time off.”

“I need to go to the police department tomorrow,” Edward murmured. “Jasper is being held and I need to decide if I want to press charges.”

“You know my thoughts,” I scowled.

“I do know that, beautiful,” he chuckled, grimacing as his ribs gave a tweak. “But, I also know that Jasper is an expectant father. He may be an asshole, but he deserves to know his child.” He walked over to me, taking my hands. His palms were rough from his work, but his gesture was so sweet, gentle. “The police are checking to see if Jasper made that call. I remember him speaking on his cell phone, but I had a concussion. I still have a concussion.”

“Do you need your pain pills?”  I asked, my heart stammering.

“I’m fine, Bella,” he said, pulling me into his arms. I slid my hands around his waist, pressing my ear to his chest. I listened to his steady heartbeat and allowed his masculine, clean scent calm me. “Now, let’s head to your parents’ place. Dinner is waiting.”

I nodded and squeezed his waist gingerly. I looked up at him, smiling up at him. His face was clean-shaven, but his bruises on his face were on display. I traced his jaw and he smiled crookedly, bending his head and brushing his lips against mine. He sighed, holding me closer to his body. I melted into his embrace. He chuckled quietly, pulling back and staring at me. “You have no idea how much I love being able to do that when I want,” he said, his green eyes sparkling along with lights in the guest house. He leaned his head forward, pressing his forehead to mine. “I can do that, right?”

“Any time you want, baby,” I smiled. My phone rang and I pulled away, seeing the land line of the house dancing across my screen. I answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Are you coming?” Mom asked, her voice excited.

“We’re on our way, Mom,” I said. “Be there in a bit.” I ended the call and squeezed his hand. “Ready?”

“No,” he snorted, shooting a dubious glance to the house. “I know your mom likes me, but your dad? He’s so much like Jasper …”

“My dad is an asshole, but …” I trailed off. “He’s an asshole. Hopefully, he’ll be on his best behavior since it was my mom’s idea to have you over. His days with her are numbered and he refuses to leave her side.” Edward squeezed my hand, giving me an understanding smile. He reached for my coat and slid it over my shoulders, while he put on the new leather jacket I’d gotten for him. He offered me his arm, despite being injured, bruised and a bit clumsy, making our way to the house.

Once inside, we smelled cinnamon, ginger and cloves. There was a fire roaring in the fireplace and some old Christmas standards playing over the intercom. My dad was walking down the stairs, helping my mom. She looked better today, with a festive scarf around her bald head and her skin didn’t appear so sallow. She glanced up and beamed when she saw us. “You both look so happy,” she cooed. “Doesn’t Bella look happy, Charlie?”

“She looks beautiful, Rennie,” Dad answered.

Mom hugged me. Out of the corner of my eye, Charlie held out a hand to Edward. With a noticeable swallow, Edward shook his hand and nodded nervously. They spoke quietly, but from the short responses, neither man was comfortable with the other. Mom must have noticed their discomfort and she waddled toward Edward. She took his hand, kissing his cheek. “You look very handsome, Edward. I hope you’re hungry.”

“I am, Mrs. Swan,” he said. “It smells really good in here.”

“What did I say yesterday, Edward,” Mom chided, tugging him into the living room. “Call me Renee.”

Nicodemus

Mechanics and Mistletoe Teaser

After sitting with Renee as she showed me baby pictures of Bella for an hour, the woman in question came into the living room. She sat down and snuggled close to me, her hand finding mine and twining our fingers together. She was quiet, listening to her mother tell me about Bella’s penchant for falling on a flat surface prior to puberty. There were so many pictures of her in casts, sporting bruises and scrapes and she laughed through all of it. As the pictures changed from adorable photos of her as a child, I saw her as a gangly pre-pubescent girl to a teenaged girl, looking very similar to the woman who was snuggled to my side. The only difference in the teenager to the woman now, was the eyes. My Bella as a teenager was free, fun and lively. Now?  She was more reserved, guarded and life has taken its toll on her.

When Renee started showing me pictures from Bella’s college years, Charlie called us to the dinner table. It was a large table, filled with more food than I’d seen in months. It a smelled delicious and my stomach snarled angrily. Bella chuckled, tugging me to the chair next to her and pouring us both a glass of wine. I didn’t drink it because of the pain medication I was taking for my injuries, but I did dig into the food: prime rib, creamed spinach, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole and a small ham. Renee kept piling more food onto my plate, harping that I was too thin, which was true. But, food wasn’t high on the list of priorities in my world. I ate what I could, but was stuffed. Bella got up after we finished eating and she began clearing the plates. I went to help. “Nonsense, Edward. You’re a guest,” Renee said, stopping me with a motherly glare. “Why don’t you have a nightcap with Charlie in the living room? I’ll help Bella.”

“Don’t push it too hard, Rennie,” Charlie said, twisting his wedding band.

“I’m feeling good, Charlie,” she retorted. “Today was a good day. I want to spend time with my baby girl and dish about her handsome boyfriend.”

“Mom!” Bella gasped.

“What? Edward’s a sweetie and those eyes,” Renee giggled, following Bella into the kitchen.

“My wife, she’s never been one to hold back,” Charlie chuckled anxiously. “She’s clearly taken with you and my daughter adores you.”

“The feeling is mutual, sir,” I said.

“Come on, Edward. You can’t be comfortable. You’ve been shifting in that chair for the past half hour,” Charlie said, getting up and leading me back to the living room. He stoked the fire, adding some more logs. “Do you want something to drink? Scotch? Bourbon?”

“I’m on some pretty hefty pain killers for my ribs,” I answered. “Water or a soda would be great.”

“I’m sorry. I’m an idiot,” he grumbled. “Proof of your injuries is plain as day on your jaw and … Coke or Pepsi?”

“Whatever is fine, sir,” I shrugged, settling back onto the comfy, overstuffed couch. I tugged at the sweater and frowned, seeing the quality of the fabric. Bella had spent too much money on me, but it’s not like I had much of a choice when it came to the situation. My garage was still a crime scene. Emmett went there earlier today and said that it had been dusted and pictures were taken. In addition to the damage to the building, all of the petty cash had been taken from the safe, which had been torn to shreds by whoever attacked me. Charlie walked back, handing me glass filled with soda. “Thank you, Mr. Swan.”

“Call me Charlie,” he said, sitting down across from me with a glass of scotch. “How are you feeling, son?”

“I’m sore, but I’ll be okay,” I said, sipping my drink. “They were trying to prove a point, which they obviously didn’t do since I’m here.”

“I’m glad you are here,” he whispered, his voice quiet. I arched a brow. “I see something in my little girl that I haven’t seen in a long time. A genuine, happy smile. Yes, she’s grieving the impending loss of her mother, but she’s happy with you. I know she was lonely in Chicago, working herself to an early grave. She got that ambition and work ethic from me, but she has her mother’s heart, all goodness and kindness wrapped up in a feisty brunette shell.”

I snickered, groaning as my ribs pressed against my bindings. “Ouch.”

“Sorry, Edward,” Charlie said, smirking as he held up his drink. “I’ll try to refrain from making you laugh.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve actually laughed, Charlie,” I shrugged. “I kind of turned off my emotions after my dad died. I didn’t have the luxury of falling apart.”