~Edward~

I had no idea life could be as good as it was the next few months. Bella and I settled into our new life together so easily, it was like breathing. She loved working at the library, and she was planning to start some courses via the net in the fall. I worked at the bar at night, and had so many jobs waiting to be done, I was amazed. For a small town, the lack of knowledgeable handymen was surprising. Every time I spoke to Emmett, I told him how much work there was here, hoping he would take the hint and come to check things out.

One weekend, the bar was fairly busy, but we had no sign ups for the live mic night. Early in the evening, Bella walked into the bar, with a huge grin on her face, carrying my guitar. Jasper chuckled as he clapped me on the shoulder and informed me tonight was my night. I was so nervous I actually shook when I climbed up on that small stage. People were talking, laughing, drinking, and enjoying themselves. I wasn't sure they would even bother listening to me, and I thought about walking back off the stage and telling Jasper to forget it.

Then my gaze found Bella. She was sitting right in front, her hands clasped together in anticipation. She beamed at me, pride shining in her eyes. Beside her was Esme and Carlisle; he grinned and gave me the thumbs up. He and I had become very close the past few months, and I considered him not only my uncle but my friend. Seeing the three people I cared about the most sitting, waiting for me, ready to support me, my nerves eased. I sat on the stool, adjusting the mic and strumming my guitar.

With a grin, I winked at Bella and began to play. For the next thirty minutes, I lost myself in my music, playing song after song without a break, letting all my feelings flow through my fingers as they stroked my guitar, and my voice lifted, filling the bar. As the last notes died away, I was startled at the noise level, lifting my head and focusing on the room.

When had it filled up? And why was everyone on their feet?

I met Bella's gaze, the tears glistening in her eyes as she stomped and clapped, yelling for an encore. Carlisle's whooping and Esme's catcalls made me blush, and grasping the mic I dropped my head down. Jasper appeared beside me, patting me on the shoulder, and handing me a cold drink.

"You have more, man? More songs?"

"Yeah." I nodded, almost draining the glass.

"Give them one more, and afterward, we need to talk about a regular night for you, son. You're gonna pack them in."

My face almost cracked from the width of my smile. I caught Bella's eye again, giving her the thumbs up. She was still clapping and calling out for me. I leaned closer to the mic. "Thanks, everyone. Really. I have one more for you." I paused, taking in a much-needed breath, finally saying the words I felt every single day. "This one is for my girl. The love of my life. Bella, baby, it's all because of you." I met her teary gaze steadily. "I love you, Angel."

She clasped her hands to her chest, allowing the tears to run down her cheeks. "I love you," she mouthed.

I began to play the song I wrote for her. The bar was full, the place becoming silent as I sang, but there was only her.

Only us.

I sang her the story of my love.

~o0o~

We were wrapped around each other as tight as possible. Not even a breath of air could slide between our heated skin. After we left the bar, and came home, we'd made love most of the night with our bodies, while our voices spoke of it out loud. Hearing her say the words she had mouthed, drove me to a frenzy, while mine were met with her sweet acceptance and gentle strength. I couldn't get enough of her, barely giving her time to sigh my name, before I was on her again. The response to my music, to me, was like adrenaline to my body, and I was wound tighter than a spring.

The sun was already beginning its slow ascension when I finally pulled back, our sweat-soaked skin separating in a slow riven of protest. The stars were fading, giving way to morning, as I collapsed beside Bella, tugging her close.

"Is that what always happens when you sing?" she asked, the question innocuous, yet filled with undercurrent.

"No," I assured her, pressing a kiss to her head. "Only when I sing for you."

"Okay, then." She sighed. "Sing away."

"Jasper wants me to take over the Saturday night time slot. Every Saturday. He'll pay me extra for it so I'm not losing out on tips. He says he'll even pay me more if I draw in bigger crowds."

"That's awesome!"

I nodded. "He says I can do a few open mic nights, too, if I want."

"Edward, that is so great." She enthused, pressing a kiss to my scruff. "I knew once he heard you he would see how talented you are."

"You did this, baby. You made all this happen." I waved my hand around the room. "You gave me a whole new life."

She buried her face into my neck, and I felt the heat of her blush. Slipping my hand under her chin, I lifted her face to mine. "I love you so much, Angel. I don't even have enough words to express it."

"I love my song."

"I have lots of songs inside to write for you."

She smiled, bending her face down, and kissing my hand. "I already love them all."

I gathered her closer, wondering how I got so lucky. I knew every time I witnessed another snow storm I would remember the one that brought me to her. I pulled the blanket up over us. "Sleep, pretty girl. I've kept you up most of the night."

"Hmm . . . You did," she hummed. "We're going to sleep away most of the day."

"My father would find that wasteful."

"Your father can fuck off," she mumbled.

I burst out laughing, feeling her shake with mirth at her own words.

"Okay, Angel of mine with the foul mouth. Sleep."

~o0o~

I stood back, nodding in pride as I shoved my hammer into my tool belt. Esme's latest project was almost finished. The desk and built-in shelving unit in her "hobby room" was done. Tomorrow I would paint it, add the trim, and the room would be complete. The new floor I installed was safe under the layer of plastic, and by the weekend, she would be busy crafting . . . stuff in this room. I really had no idea what she'd be doing, but she was excited about it. So was Bella, who I found out, enjoyed "crafting," as well.

Who knew?

Esme appeared in the doorway, clapping her hands in glee as she opened the unit's doors and exclaimed her excitement over her rolling shelves and baskets I installed. The long cupboards with hanging rods were perfect for her fabrics and notions, she informed me. I grinned at her, having no idea what she was going on about, but happy I'd made what she wanted.

She threw her arms around me. "Thank you!"

I patted her back, still a little shy about her enthusiastic displays of affection. "You're welcome."

She pouted a little. "Mrs. Hammond's place is next?"

I laughed at her displeasure. "She's been waiting, Esme. I promised her kitchen reno would be done this month."

"But I'm next?"

I shook my head. "Your new steps will happen after Mrs. Aro's porch." I huffed a sigh. "It'll go faster when Emmett gets here."

I really couldn't keep up. All I had accomplished at our place was to repair the sagging porch and fixing the leak in the roof. I planned on a new one this summer and fixing up the outside, updating it a little. But I had no time at the moment.

"When does he arrive?"

"He should arrive on Thursday." I ran my hand over the back of my neck, the muscles sore after a long day. "I have to find out if he can stay over the bar for a while."

When I finally convinced Emmett to come this way, he decided it was now or never and arranged to be here within a week. He sublet his furnished apartment and he would be arriving much the same way I did—all his belongings in a suitcase and a few boxes. He was bringing his tools and his truck, which would make things much easier for us both when he got here.

Esme frowned. "I was thinking about that. Carlisle and I wondered about offering him the room over the garage. It's basic, but has its own bathroom. That way he'd be close to you and you could travel together."

"That's incredibly generous of you, Esme. You don't even know him. Are you sure?"

She nodded. "If he's a friend of yours, then it's good, Edward. He can pay us in trade." She winked. "I'm sure I have enough odd jobs around here, he can work off his room and board."

I threw back my head in laughter. "How easily I've been replaced."

She shook her head. "Nope. I will pay you for your work as always for the big jobs. But things like the creak in the stairs and the sticking windows upstairs? The boy can work for his dinner."

I kissed her cheek. "He'll be happy to—especially when he tastes your cooking. I'll warn you though—the man is an endless pit. You'll be lucky if he doesn't eat you out of house and home."

"Duly noted." She clapped her hands. "Now—when are you going to do your kitchen?"

I huffed out a huge sigh. "I have everything but the countertop. I know what she wants; I just have to order it. I need to figure out a way of getting her away for a few days and surprising her. With Emmett here, and Jasper willing to help, we can knock it out in a day, and rebuild in three. I'll move the one wall for the laundry room behind it the way I planned, but the rest is easy."

"Carlisle wants to help."

"Um . . ."

She laughed at my expression. He was terrible when it came to home renos. "Maybe you can put him on errand and trash detail. Barbequing the meals."

I chuckled. He did barbeque well. "That works."

"There is a craft show in Calgary in two weeks. It's a two-day event. I could take Bella and add in a play or something. We'll visit Shelly, too. We could leave on Thursday morning, and I can drag it out until Monday night. Maybe even Tuesday if I invent a side trip on the way home. Would that work?"

I nodded eagerly. "That would be amazing!"

"Okay, I'll bring it up at dinner. You act surprised and supportive. I'll handle the rest."

I beamed at her. "Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Esme."

She patted my cheek. "That's what families do, Edward. Help each other."

I smiled, feeling grateful, as I watched her leave the room.

It was great to have a family.

Thank you for reading! See you next week!