~Christmas one shots are back! I'm excited. I wrote ten last year. I'm trying to get some ideas together. I only have a few songs left on my Holiday Swing album, so if anyone has a Christmas song that you think might inspire me, I'm accepting requests, that includes pairings as well. I can't make any promises, but if I select your idea, I'll give you a shout out. This one is purely fluff. If you read my multi chapters, you know why I might need a change of pace.

Pairing: Bella/Paul, Charlie/?

Genre: Family/Friendship/Fluff

Rating: T

Prompts: "You're a Mean one, Mr. Grinch," Seth MacFarlane's "Little Jack Frost Get Lost" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You"

All I Want for Christmas is You

Bella was completely taken aback when she searched her father's attic, storage shed and garage. Not a single decoration, string of colored lights or even a wreath. He wasn't anti-Christmas when she was small. She had pictures in her old albums and he'd always sent a gift, but come to think of it, the cards were always generic. What the heck happened? Was it because she didn't visit for so long? She was determined to get to the bottom of it and bring a little Christmas cheer back to her father's house.

Bella was a new resident of Forks for senior year and possibly longer. She wanted to celebrate this first Christmas reunited with her father. Bella loved any and every holiday, especially Christmas. Her mother used to complain she overdid it in some of their small apartments. Now Renee had a big house in Florida with her new husband, Phil, but it was never Bella's home. Phil was alright, but her mom and him together were quite nauseating. She was relieved when it was suggested she could live with her father for a change. Bella had kept to herself since moving here. She had a couple of friends at school, but really didn't hang out with anyone on weekends or get invited to many parties. She knew Billy's son, Jacob and a couple of his friends, but they were younger than her and pretty girl crazy. She swore Jacob, Embry and Quil each had a new girl every week. Sometimes, she swore they traded. That was gross in her opinion. That one girl at school, Alice kept inviting her over, but Bella made up excuses. That family was odd, especially Edward. She'd actually named him Edweird in her journal. That was pretty judgmental of her, since Bella knew she was extremely weird herself. She really needed to try and make one good friend, possibly even go on a date once before she started college.

She was glad she had her own bank account. She had quite a bit saved up. She could buy all she needed for a perfect Christmas and her father would be totally surprised. Bella started working at sixteen and she appreciated her father had a job lined up for her as soon as she got to town. She worked for Newton's Outfitter's with Mike. He was alright, but a bit annoying. Bella asked him one afternoon as her shift ended, where to go for Christmas trees. Mike told her how to find the farm on the outskirts of town. He even let her borrow a saw from work if she promised to bring it back. It was a cut your own tree place. She wasn't sure about that, but if they had the best trees in the county, she'd give it a whirl. She wanted her father to have the best. She'd already hidden the bags, boxes of ornaments and lights in her closet. Charlie was going to be so shocked when he came home after his late shift this evening.


Bella headed out just after 3 pm. She was going to have to work fast. Charlie would be home by 11. She glanced at the directions next to her occasionally. Mike didn't tell her the road ran parallel to the reservation. Maybe she should have asked Jake or Embry for help. She was still worried she wouldn't be able to cut a tree down regardless how nice a saw she yielded. It was already too late to call Jacob. He was always too busy on weekends.

Bella followed the instructions from the kind, elderly gentleman that owned the Christmas tree farm. He told her where she'd find the best trees in her price range. He said his worker was busy on a couple of runs, but maybe he could send him out if she had time to wait. She really didn't if she wanted to have the surprise ready. Bella found the perfect tree. It had to be over six feet, but would fill out the window so nicely in the front of the house. She pulled her hair out of her face and wrapped it into a bun on top of her head. She already had on her gloves and her bulky coat was getting in the way, but it was far too cold to take off. She didn't have a clue where to start. She had no choice, but to fall on the cold ground on her knees. Her back hurt trying to bend over. Sawing through ice cold bark was no easy task. At the rate she was going, she'd have the tree cut down by the time her dad got off work the following day.

Bella was completely worn out and defeated. She fell over on her hands and knees to pound the frozen ground. If she wasn't such a big weenie about the cold, she would've drowned herself in the thick snow.

A deep voice, startled the hell out of her. "That doesn't look too comfortable."

Bella was so humiliated, someone saw her wallowing on the frozen ground, complete with tearful eyes and a runny nose. She tried to get up quickly, but got bogged down in the snow and fell all the way over.

A thick, gloved hand reached over and helped her up. He didn't let go even when she stood on her own two feet. "You good?"

Bella pulled back her hands. "Yes, I'm fine. No more falling over, I swear."

She finally allowed her eyes to adjust enough to get a good look at her rescuer. He was tall, tanned and dreamy. Is that how they grew them on the reservation? Bella knew the second she locked eyes with him, he was Quileute. "Hey, I know who you are."

"You do?" her voice cracked.

"Yeah, you're Charlie's kid. Bella, right?"

"Yep, that's me, Bella, super klutz and not so tree savvy. I thought I could cut this tree down in about twenty minutes."

He laughed loudly after looking at her tiny scrapes and scratches to the trunk. She was barely making a dent.

He pulled his glove off his right hand and reached forward. She kept her gloves on, but accepted his handshake. Bella instantly felt warmth travel up her arm. He must have really good gloves, like thermal heated kind. "I'm Paul by the way. Maybe you've heard the guys talk about me sometimes."

"Um, guys?"

"Yeah, you hang with Jake, Quil and Embry, don't you?"

"Oh yeah, a little bit when my dad visits Billy."

Bella couldn't remember his name being mentioned though. Paul was completely new to her. "So you're the helper?"

"I am."

"Um, do you think... well, if it's not too much trouble, I... "

"I would, but I'm working on orders right now. I have three ahead of you."

"Oh, yeah sure. I read the sign up front. I should've called ahead like a smart person. I'll just have to find my second wind."

"No, I didn't mean that. I'll cut the tree for you, but it might be an hour and half or so." Paul explained that he didn't want her to sit around freezing all that time. He said he could cut the tree and deliver it later. He pulled a ticket out of his pocket and scribbled out a price. He also pulled a ribbon out of his other pocket and flagged the tree. "Just pay at the front and I'll bring it over, but I have one question?"

"Sure, but that sounds like a lot of extra work. You don't have to go out of your way."

"No, it's not a problem at all. Maybe, you can give me a tip."

"Oh yeah sure, of course I'll pay you for delivery."

"No silly, not money." Bella felt her cheeks heat up. What did he mean then? "Quil said you bake and shit for them sometimes. I love sweets. Brownies, cookies whatever's your specialty."

"Oh, of course. Yeah, I'll make something. I was planning to anyway. It's going to be a celebration tonight anyway."

"That brings me to my question. How'd you get Charlie to agree to Christmas? It's well known around these parts he's all humbug. Billy calls him a grinch. He boycotted it a long time ago. Hell, we celebrate Christmas more on the res and your dad was raised in one of those prim and proper church houses."

"Oh, well. I didn't know. I figured he just didn't put forth the effort, because of his bachelorhood. This is all supposed to be a surprise."

Paul looked a little concerned. Maybe she should've asked after all. What if he got upset? Maybe his reasons for forgetting the holiday were more than circumstances. Bella tried not to worry about the things Paul told her. She rushed home just as a new round of heavy snow started.


She knew she'd have to save the tree for last, but she could do all the rest of the house. Bella got busy and started spreading holiday spirit all around. She started with a festive tablecloth, stockings under the mantle, garland down the staircase as well as candles and lights all around. She had a beef stew in the crockpot, next came the baking. She decided to give Paul some choices. She made peppermint pinwheel cookies and brownie pops on a stick. She also got a few toppings ready for gourmet hot chocolate. Maybe she was going overboard. Bella doubted he wanted to stay for dinner and tree trimming. Certainly, Paul had plans on a Saturday night. The tree farm closed at 5:30. He'd be going out of his way to drop off her selection, since he lived in La Push.

Bella had been thinking about him a lot since leaving the farm. He was probably like Jake, Quil and Embry. Paul must have dozens of girls, more like women at his beck and call. He might even have a steady girlfriend. She didn't know anything about him, but she did know, she was definitely not his type. Bella really wanted to start going on some dates, but Paul was setting the bar a little high. She should probably take Mike up on his offer to take her to the movies. Although, he'd definitely get the wrong idea.

Everything was set except for the tree. She expected him any second, but when she walked by a mirror on the wall, she practically screamed at the horror. "Oh my gosh. I look wretched." She ran as fast as her feet would carry her. Bella grabbed some decent clothes and ran into the bathroom. She smelled like a mixture of potatoes, cinnamon and peppermint with some dirt mixed in. No way could she skip a shower. She jumped in before the water had a chance to warm up. She scrubbed down in record time, but her hair was going to be soaking wet. Bella toweled dried it as much as she could, combed it out and then finger styled it, hoping it was good enough. She did all the basics, but decided to add a little make up as well. Nothing wrong with looking her best, it didn't mean she was desperate. Just as she popped her lips together with a flavored lip gloss, she heard the knock at the door.

He was a little later than she thought he would be. That actually worked in her favor, she didn't feel so self-conscious anymore. She was wearing cute winter leggings with a long sweater and she smelled much better. Bella opened up the front door with a big smile on her lips until she realized she looked crazed. She toned it down just a notch.

"Hi Paul. Right on time."

He apologized immediately, admitting he was a little late, because he was filthy and covered in tree sap. He ran home to clean up. Bella thought about why she didn't want to look dirty or smell gross for him. It was because she thought he was so cute and she really wanted him to like her. He'd done something similar, and she wished more than anything he was doing it for the same reason.

Paul surprised her by offering to stay and help get the tree up, since she was on a time schedule. An hour later, it was done and almost perfect. If her father loved it, then it would most definitely be perfect. It was nice having a tall helper or else she would have been up and down the step ladder and it would've taken twice as long.

He commented on the smells coming from the kitchen several times. It was now time to give back and reward him with a hearty dinner. Bella showed him the baked goods, but asked if he had time for supper first.

"Are you kidding? I'm starving. That looks great."

They both had a bowl of stew. Bella had a baked french bread from the day before. She filled a basket with hot bread and sat it in front of Paul. He ate so fast, she'd barely made a dent in hers before he asked if there was enough for seconds.

Bella couldn't suppress her giggles, "Yes, you can have as much as you want, but I have to save a bowl for my dad."

"No wonder Black and his flunkies like hanging out with you so much, you got it all going on."

Bella didn't know what she had 'going on' exactly, or even that Jacob liked hanging out. She was worried she was a pest every time she went over with Charlie. "Um, thanks. I guess."

He was grinning at her from across the table. "A fantastic cook, but so modest. That makes you even hotter." He raised his eyebrows at her a few times.

Never in all her life, had someone called her 'hot.' Bella didn't know what else to say. This was turning out to be her favorite day ever. Paul didn't make a big deal out of what he said, so neither did she. Instead, they started talking about various subjects, just to get to know each other a little better. She invited him to stay and watch some Christmas classics she had in her DVD collection. She was so happy he agreed. They sat down on the couch with a tray of treats and two mugs of hot cocoa. She couldn't hide her smile when he sat next to her instead of leaving a space between them.

He bragged on her brownie pops and cookies. He sipped from his mug. "That's the best I've ever tasted. Is there anything you don't do well?" He winked at her and she blushed liked crazy.

Bella tried to make a joke, "Yeah, anything physical. I trip over my own feet."

"Hmm, physical huh? I bet we could find at least one physical activity you're good at."

She didn't know if he was trying to get reactions out of her or if it was just his natural way, but everything he said, made her stomach do flip flops. After a few minutes of Elf, he reached for her hand. Tingles and warmth and so many other indescribable feelings filled her. After another thirty minutes, he hit the pause.

"I really like you Bella. You're super cool, an awesome cook, and also very beautiful. Would you like to go out with me sometime soon?"

"Um, sure Paul. I'd like that a lot."

He had the remote in his hands, but he sat it on the coffee table instead of turning the movie back on. Bella noticed he was leaning in a little closer. He was staring intently at her. She wasn't sure if she should be giving out kisses so quickly, but she would never say no if that's what he was trying for her. She swallowed first, then licked her cherry lips. He was so close, she could feel his breath, but the almost perfect moment was over before it actually happened. Paul jumped and moved across the couch before she knew what happened.

What had she done wrong to scare him away? She tried to hide her disappointment. He mumbled, "Charlie."

"Huh?" Bella looked up and saw the lights. Wow, he had keen hearing. She was so caught up in their kiss that almost was, she didn't notice Charlie. He was early. His heavy steps were in front of the door seconds later.

Paul stood up and tried to look innocent. Bella just realized she didn't even have permission to have a visitor over late at night, especially a boy. She and Charlie never went over those rules.

Charlie opened the door. Bella sprang off the couch and yelled, "Surprise!"

Her father looked shocked, but not exactly joyful. He looked a little angry and he was covered in snow. It must really be coming down hard for him to have that much on him from the short walk to the house. He didn't look too long at the tree. Instead, he looked at Paul. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Dad, um, Paul works at the tree farm."

"Yeah, I know."

"Well, he delivered the tree and helped me decorate, so I offered him some dinner. Isn't it beautiful? I think it's my favorite ever."

Charlie frowned at Paul, "Maybe you should have told her, I don't celebrate Christmas."

"I tried Chief, but Bella wanted to give you some Christmas cheer. I think she did a fantastic job."

"Yeah, well, I think it's too late for you to be here alone with my daughter, so goodnight."

Bella had never seen her father act so rude. Paul was going to leave no questions asked. He thanked her for the food and companionship. He said he'd call soon. She was worried he wouldn't after the way Charlie spoke to him.

Paul opened the door and Bella saw for the first time in hours, the weather was treacherous. He looked out at his truck. She thought it was already on its way to being buried. "No, it's practically a blizzard. I don't think you can get out." She wasn't sure how her dad made it home. She asked Paul to please wait while she talked a few things over with her father.


Bella followed Charlie into the kitchen. He looked around at the decorated table and all the food she'd prepared. She could tell immediately her entire plan backfired, he wasn't happy at all. He looked really sad.

"Dad, I'm sorry if I upset you and that I didn't ask permission for Paul to be over. We were only watching movies."

"I... I know kiddo. I'm sorry I snapped. He can stay too. He'll have to. I barely made it and the weather was getting worse by the minute."

"So, you really don't like Christmas?"

He sat down and put his face in his hands. "No, it's not that. It's just, I went through a rough patch when you were small. I lost both my parents close together and then right before my first Christmas without them, your mother announced she was leaving with you. She didn't give me a chance, she packed you up and you were both long gone before I realized she didn't even take the present I had wrapped under the tree for you. I lost it. I took all of it down two days before Christmas and I burned everything in the backyard. I've never put up a tree or a damn decoration since. It was a painful memory."

Bella realized she was crying after hearing his story. Her father had watery eyes as well. She walked around the table and hugged him from behind. Charlie stood up and turned around to hug her. She sobbed against his chest. He apologized for not fighting for her. She cried that she was sorry for not making an effort to visit more. Renee always said he was a very busy man, his first love was his job. Come to find out, Renee told him Bella was super busy with various activities and he shouldn't disrupt her routine.

"Wow, Mom's a piece of work. My activities were usually taking care of us both and reading alone in my room. I love her and all, but she's pretty selfish. I've really enjoyed living with you these months. I'm sorry for not asking about the decorations? Do you want me to take them down?"

"No way, it's a new era and I'm so glad you're here too. You make me feel alive again. I've spent too many years mourning what I lost."

He assured her everything was fine and that she should get back to her company. Bella found Paul watching the movie again, allowing her some privacy with her dad. He paused it, "Everything good?"

"Yes, thanks. We really needed that. Dad says you can stay down here on the couch."

"Um, it's fine. I can figure a way out. I don't want to put you out."

Charlie stepped inside the living room. "Nonsense, boy. You can sleep here... on the couch." He accented the word, couch. Bella blushed. They'd just met, she thought her father was being a little overprotective, but she kinda liked it. "No one is getting around on those roads tonight."

As soon as he said that, they were all shocked to hear screeching brakes and see a swirl of lights through the window. Bella panicked someone had just had an accident. Both Charlie and Paul sprinted for the door. She tried to follow, but her dad told her to wait.

Several minutes ticked by before they came back inside with a very shaken young woman. Apparently, they both knew the lady that ran into the ditch. Charlie asked Bella to get her a warm drink. He was fussing at the woman for being out on the roads.

"I know, I was with my girlfriends. We were baking and making Christmas goodies. I should've stayed put, but I thought I could make it back to the res."

Bella handed her a mug of cocoa. The beautiful Quileute woman thanked her. Bella knew she was staring, but darn those Quileutes had good genes. "Thanks so much. It's nice to finally meet you Bella. I've heard so much about you."

"You have?"

Her dad interrupted. "Oh, yeah I forgot you two haven't met. Bells, this is my assistant, Emily Young."

Bella had heard about Emily, but she had no idea she was so young and gorgeous. She had it in her mind, her father's assistant was some old lady. She sure seemed fond of Charlie. It only took a few minutes for Bella to see Emily hung on every word her father said. He invited her to the kitchen for some stew. As soon as they were out of sight, Paul made the comment, "Not very subtle, is she?"

"You mean?"

He nodded. Paul told her it was a well known fact, Emily had a big time crush on the Chief, but Charlie was the only one that didn't seem to catch a clue.

"Oh, my goodness. How old is she?"

"Older than us, but he probably thinks she's too young still."

"Well, they're both adults. I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'd love to see my father happy. I should say something."

He laughed. "You're a big romantic, I take it."

"Well, I guess. Maybe I read too much. Why, you're not?"

He admitted he wasn't normally, he might be a bit cynical on love because his parents had treated each other like crap in front of their kids for years. Paul motioned with his head after standing up. He took her hands and pulled her with across the room as he backed up to where Bella hung a sprig of mistletoe.

She whispered, "My dad."

"He's distracted and I've been dying to do this all night." She didn't have much time to overthink whether she was ready to kiss him or not. Paul closed the distance and gave her the sweetest, warmest, most tender kiss she'd ever received. He practically swept her off her feet. He even lifted her up at the end and spun her around. She really never wanted to stop kissing him. When he pulled away, he still held her close. "I really like you, Bella. I can't wait to get to know you better."

"Same here. I feel like someone should pinch me. I might be in some sort of Christmas fantasy." Paul gently pinched her side and playfully tickled her.

"Nope, you're awake."

She lifted up on her toes again, he bent down and gave her one more very real kiss. She suggested they make an appearance in the kitchen, so her father wouldn't be suspicious.

Paul tried to stop her, but Bella rounded the corner just in time to spot her dad giving Emily a kiss under the other cluster of mistletoe in the kitchen. She and Paul carefully retreated. She couldn't stop giggling. He wrapped her up in his warm embrace again and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I think your decorations made a little bit of Christmas magic happen tonight, because I never thought I'd ever see that happen."

Bella giggled, "I think I owe Mike Newton for this whole night."

"Newton? What's that tiny twerp have to do with any of this?"

"He told me where the best tree farm was, so that's how I met you."

Paul pulled her tight against his body. He kissed her again and that time it wasn't so delicate. It was downright smoking hot. She'd never kissed anyone like that in her life, but she could get used to it real quick with him. He whispered against her mouth. "You know what, I think the universe would have brought us together eventually, but I'm really glad it's now because I don't think I could've made it another day without this."


Bella got more than she bargained for after the hunt for a Christmas tree. Paul said it was destiny and Charlie's Christmas spirit was definitely renewed. Bella just knew she was going to love Emily. Anyone that could make her dad stutter and blush was a keeper. She was more at home than ever that night the four of them settled down for a long, cold night trapped in because of a raging winter storm. She hoped it was the beginning of something special. Paul slipped his hand in hers again. Charlie and Emily were too busy making googly eyes at one another to pay attention to them.

"Bella, tell me what you want for Christmas. I'm running out of time. I want to get you something special."

"Oh, well, I really want a puppy, but Dad says no."

Charlie actually was paying attention to that. "Make it a stuffed one and you've got a deal. Don't you dare get her a dog, Lahote."

He smirked. "A dog, huh?"

"Yes, I've never had a pet."

"Awe, that's sad." He lowered his voice and whispered in her ear. "I know where you can get a real live wolf... completely tame. Well, almost tame."

"You do?"

He laughed. Of course, he was teasing. He winked at her. Bella swore he had a special glint in his eye. Maybe, he wasn't teasing after all.

~Thanks for reading.

Fluff, fluff and stuff. I couldn't resist. Next one's a Christmas tearjerker, so be on the lookout.