Today My Life Begins
Chapter 13
Paul and I have been exclusive for three months now.
All the repairs on the shop went smoothly, and turned our wonderful, the guys did a wonderful job and I gave them a glowing recommendation. I had their business cards on my counter, their sign in my window and always talked about them when people asked who did my renovations.
The repairs on my house boat however were taking a little longer.
Once Paul got into my electrical panel he saw that it wasn't installed right and it had to be totally upgraded, I was grateful he was so thorough with all his inspections, but not so happy he wouldn't let me pay him for anything.
"Bella, spending time with you and you cooking for me all the time is all the payment I need." He'd always say.
"Paul, my food and time don't amount up to the cost of repairs and parts you're putting into this place." I'd argue.
"Bella, you've saved me from a life of loneliness. Trust me. It adds up more than you know." He'd kiss down my neck and it'd turn into a steamy make out session.
We hadn't been all the way.
He knew of my past, I'd finally told him and since then, he'd done things to make me feel more self-confident and self-aware.
Paul was very attentive and he got along with my father great! They'd go fishing at least once a month when I'd do inventory and was locked in my bakery with my employees and I'd come home to a wonderfully romantic dinner.
Did I mention he could cook?
Yes, the man could cook.
Emmett and Rose were set to come home at Christmas.
She was due shortly after the first of the year, so they'd be here until school started back up.
Her parents would keep the baby once she had it so she could return to school and they'd come visit every other weekend and vice versa. Rose and Emmett weren't happy about the arrangement, but they knew it was the best one for now, they couldn't afford a nanny or a sitter without cleaning out their accounts so this was the easiest option for now.
Paul had finally finished all the work on the house boat and I'd refurnished it as well.
"Babe, do you have everything ready for the Christmas rush?" Paul asked.
He was always at the bakery helping out with the supplies and shopping for me before huge events and holidays, since they were usually off.
"Yes, although it wouldn't hurt to have a few more pounds of sugar and flour. Just to be safe." I shrugged.
"OK. I'll be back in a few." He kissed my neck and headed out.
I was putting the finishing touches on the last batch of the day when the bell rang on the door.
I wiped my hands and made my way to the front to help whoever it was, knowing we were all busy finishing last minute projects.
"How may I help you?" I asked grabbing a pen and pad before I looked up.
"I heard it's half off for brothers and their pregnant fiancés." Emmett smiled.
I gasped and ran into his arms, hugging him tight, then hugging Rose tightly too.
"I wasn't expecting you two until tonight." I said hugging Emmett again.
"We got an early start, someone was up at the crack of dawn 'not feeling' right so we left early." He shrugged.
"I'm glad, more time I get to spend with you. Well, since you're here, let me feed you, on the house." I smiled.
I ran behind the counter and got their favorite foods and drinks and told them I'd be back out in a few minutes.
I finished up the last of the cupcakes for the day and washed up just as Paul was coming back.
He carried in the supplies and I asked if he'd like to join me with my brother.
"Are you sure that will be OK? He doesn't even know about us." He sighed.
"Well, now is the perfect time." I shrugged and kissed his cheek, motioning for him to grab the coffee.
We walked out to the lobby and Emmett and Rose were all over each other.
"Geeze, do you two ever stop?" I laughed.
"Sorry, she's kind of insatiable." Emmett shrugged. "You know what I mean. Right Paul, isn't it?" he reached his hand out to shake it.
"Yeah, Paul. And no, sorry I don't know. Been single for way to long." He smiled towards me.
"Well, until recently." I grabbed his hand.
"Excuse me?" Emmett stood up. "Isn't he a little too old for you?" he snapped.
I sighed. "Em, sit down! No, he's not. He's 25, age is a number. We get along just fine. He doesn't coddle me like I'm going to break into pieces if he says the wrong things about my past, he's helped me break out of my shell in ways that would amaze you! Did you know I'm not living with dad anymore? I have my own place? Paul fixed it up for me." I smiled and kissed him freely, snuggling into him, Paul beaming.
"Wow! I guess he is helping you. Sorry for getting so defensive. It's the big brother thing." He shrugged.
"Twin brother thing." I deadpanned.
"Potatoe, potato." Emmett shrugged.
We all laughed and enjoyed some pastries since the shop was fairly quiet, just people picking up their holiday cakes and desserts.
"Is Paul spending the holidays with us?" Rose asked.
"Of course! We're practically inseparable. You two will have to come and see the house boat. How about dinner tomorrow. I close early." I smiled. "Paul will cook some of the trout he caught. It's to die for." I raved.
"Sounds perfect! Around 6? Rose has her last appointment at 4:30pm." Emmett smiled.
"Perfect. I'll have everything ready, just bring yourselves." I hugged them goodbye and sent them off with a few pastries to tie them over.
"Well, that went better than I thought." Paul cornered me in the kitchen.
"Yes it did." I smiled at him as he captured me in a kiss.
"You don't mind me staying with you all the time do you Bells? All you have to do is say the word and I'll go back to my house, you know that right?" he looked me in the eyes.
"I know. And no, I love having you in my bed and one day soon, I hope to fully share it with you. Fully." I stood on my tiptoes and gave him the deepest kiss that I could give him.
"I'm in no rush Bella. I've told you that. I'll take whatever you can give me, whenever you can give me. My feelings for you are like none I've ever experienced before. I know you're not ready to hear or say those words, so I'll wait a little bit longer." He kissed me again.
"How'd I get so lucky to find you?" I hugged him tightly.
"I think I found you." He whispered in my ear.
"Well, which ever it is, I'm glad we have each other now." I smiled up at his 6' 2" frame.
We went to the store and made sure we had everything for dinner and then some with Emmett and Paul both eating and Rose, plus I wanted to bake some extras for them to take home.
We arrived back to my house boat and Paul got started on his trout and I got started on my pies.
I'd just set them to cool when they arrived.
"Bella, this place is adorable!" Rose cooed.
"Thanks. I love it. I feel safe here. Paul makes me feel safe." I smiled, the guys were talking out at the grill.
"So where do you see this going between you two?" Rose asked.
"I'm not sure. He's so sweet, caring and he makes me feel empowered. He doesn't coddle me and he doesn't let me feel sorry for myself. If I'm having a bad day, we talk it through and find out the actual reason why. Same thing with our arguments. He never leaves angry. If we have a fight, we talk it out and if one of us still feels like we need space the other will go and give the space." I shrug.
"That's good. I guess that's what you get for being with a mature guy." She smiled.
"Yeah, he's been through a lot though too so that helps him in understand me." I assured her.
"You know Jasper asks about you all the time." She whispered.
"He can keep asking. He doesn't deserve any answers." I snapped a little too harshly. "Sorry."
"No, I understand. Emmett told him to screw off. He'd made his choice." She sighed.
"I just don't want it to cause problems between you two." I told her seriously.
"It doesn't. When Jasper calls, he now knows that you're off limits. Sometimes he tries but I change the subject. He even sent Christmas cards and presents, one for you was includes with ours, I sent it back to him, I wouldn't put it past him to put GPS in that shit." She laughed and I shook my head.
Paul called that dinner was ready and we all headed to the dining room to eat.
We sat down and ate, talked and they got to know Paul better and Paul got to know them, by the end of the night I think Emmett felt better about me being with Paul.
I sent them off with a pie and told them we'd see everyone on Christmas at dad's house.
The next day was Christmas Eve and very hectic at my shop, even though I was closed.
Anyone who ordered from me got a ticket with a time to pick up their purchases.
I was up at the crack of dawn with Paul dropping me off and eating breakfast with me before leaving for my dad's.
I'd given my employees the day off and Paul was busy at my dad's helping him get the house in order for everyone showing up for Christmas dinner.
I had two more orders for the day and about thirty minutes until the first of those was to pick up, so I made some coffee and grabbed a sandwich and took a break.
There was a knock on the door and I sighed, looking at my watch they were early, which was OK, because then I'd have more time to relax before the last customer.
I opened the door and smiled, welcoming my customer, only to have my smile fade from my face.
"Jasper, what are you doing here?" I spat.
"Merry Christmas Bella!" he smiled as he stepped inside.
AN:
Hope you enjoy this update…
Sorry it's taken so long for this…
I've been dealing w/ some medical issues and it takes me a little longer to write
So I apologize…
I'm working hard to catch up…
Thanks for being such amazing readers!
I love you all!
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