A/N: Hey all sorry for the delay, I have been a busy lady and also been dealing with some major health issues. I am getting better now and am feeling my writing again. I want to thank you all for reading, reviewing and alerting! If I haven't responded to a review know it is because FF is being a poop head most days but know I love to hear from you all! Ok so we will move right along with the story. As always I don't own them but god I wish I did. See you at the bottom.
Em pov
"Just two more days, just two more days," I chant to myself as I clock out from another bitch of a day. It seemed the closer we got to shutting down for Christmas, the crazier shit got. Orders coming in late and wrong. Stupid mistakes made. You name it, it went wrong. I was getting used to handling things on my own, but will be ecstatic when Edward comes back after the holidays. I was more than happy to take the brunt of the work so he could stay home with Masen, especially since Jacob had only three weeks of paternity leave. But I am almost at the end of my rope when it comes to handling the office work.
My phone rings as I start my truck and some of the stress is eased. "Hey, Babe! What's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know I am running late and you should just pick up some take out." Not what I wanted to hear. I could have used some couch time, but I know he is busting his ass to finish all his work before the holidays.
"Fine, you want me to pick anything up for you?"
"No, I'm good. There's pizza in the conference room." I try not to sound whiny as I tell him I love him and can't wait until he gets home.
Pulling into grease heaven, I decide to go inside for my food. I can never understand the damn drive-thru voice. Besides I had to hit the can. Washing my hands, I glance at my tired reflection in the mirror as the door opens.
"Jesus fucking Christ, I just can't fucking get rid of you these days."
"Looks like it's the fates putting back together what was always meant to be." I want to punch the smug look off his face.
"Fate has nothing to do with it. I'll blame it on bad luck." He keeps smiling as he stalks over to me. The look on his face used to be one I loved to see - steamy and filled with desire, but now I see it as one of a slimy predator. I feel the sink at the back of my thighs. I hadn't even realized I had been backing up. "What the hell do you want, Garrett?"
"What I've always wanted from you, Emmett." The thought alone has me desperate for a hot shower. As he trails a finger down my chest, I think I may be physically sick. Flicking his hand away, I shove him hard.
"Not a fucking chance in hell." I push past him and reach for the door, but stop and look at him. "Don't you have a man? Why the hell do you keep trying to get back in my pants?"
"As fun as he is, there is no comparison to you. I think we could have some more fun. I would even let you bring your little plaything in bed with us. I wouldn't mind sharing that fine little ass of his." I am seeing red. "Just think about it, I can fill you up so sweet like old times while you can be buried in that tight little hole of his. Then we can take some turns . . ." My fist is raised and poised to fly.
"There is no way it is gonna happen, and you even think about it, I will remove your head from you shoulders in thirty seconds flat."
"Oh come on now, Emmett. It's not like we haven't shared before. Besides we both know you bought his time when you dipped into that trust fund. He's nothing but a purchased piece of ass." Garrett laughed out.
In the next second, he was hitting the door with his head and my arm pressed up against his throat. "What the fuck ever you think you know, you're wrong." I growl up into his face.
"Oh please, I overheard you and the little dyke bitch talking about it at the mall a few weeks ago. You put in your own money so lover boy would be happy and you could spend time with him." He has a lot of nerve being so smug when I could crush his throat so easily.
"Like I said Garrett, you know nothing." With one last push to his throat, I let him go and back up.
"I bet your little pet would love to hear how badly you wanted to get some. Really you should have just looked me up if you were lonely." I was done with him. I wasn't going to sit here and listen to him and his poison any more. I reach for the door once again. "Better figure out how to spin this before a little bird in his ear lets it slip." Yanking the door open, I look back one last time.
"Stay the fuck away from me and Jasper or you will be regretting it."
I skipped getting any food and stomped my way to my truck, throwing myself into the seat and slamming the door behind me. I drove home on auto-pilot. I didn't even remember the drive as I sat there in the garage for god-knows-how-long. Eventually, I pulled myself out of the truck and went about my after-work routine.
Grabbing a beer, I sat down on the couch in the dark. I had no idea how long I sat there before I heard Maggie doing her little dance and Jasper's keys in the door. I listened to him greeting the dog and the clink of his keys in the dish and his briefcase on the counter - and I sat there. I heard the fridge open and the cap hit the sink - and I sat there. I heard the sound of his steps crossing the tile. He is standing in the doorway. I know he can make me out in the dark sitting there. The room is suddenly filled with light and I hear a gasp from him.
I know I must look like shit. I sat here for god knows how long crying, then some hair pulling followed by some punching of the couch. The label from my beer is shredded on the table and bits of it are sticking to my pant leg. Jasper says nothing. He just calmly crosses the room and sits next to me. He doesn't talk - just sits and waits.
I know I need to tell him - not just the Garrett run-in, but the money thing, too. I am sure he will be OK with it, but some part of me fears he will think like Garrett said, that I was trying to buy my way into his pants. Rationally it is foolish to think he would, but there is always a bit of doubt there. Money and love have a way of blurring logic.
"Ready to talk about it?" he finally asks. His voice is quiet and soft. Running my hand through my hair, I nod at him and sit forward.
"I ran into Garrett today." I hear a grunt of anger from him.
"Where?"
"The restroom at the burger place I stopped at after work." I dare a glance to him and see his jaw ticking.
"What is it with that guy and bathrooms?" I give a humorless chuckle.
"It got ugly. He . . . god . . .he," I felt sick thinking back to the things he said.
"It's OK. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"I think I will spare you most of it - same old shit. Maybe a bit more perverted this time," I can't help the shudder and Jasper's hand starts rubbing my back. "The guy is seriously fucked in the head."
"OK, so same shit, new day. What has you sitting in the dark, looking like you have been through hell and back?" His tone was the one that always calmed me, the one that made me feel like I could tell him anything and I was so grateful for it right about now.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself to tell him about the money. It is now or never and the longer I wait to tell him, the worse it could turn out.
"You know when we first met, I was very attracted to you, right?" I get a steamy smile and a nod from him. "Well, to say I would do anything to spend more time with you would be an understatement. But that isn't why I did it."
He stiffens next to me. "Did what?"
"It was after hearing your passion and commitment, and having the same drive to help. I just couldn't sit back and not see this project being made."
"Emmett, what did you do?"
"I thought about every possible way - lower costs, cheaper materials, waive my fee on it. . . . There was just no way."
His hands are on my face and Jasper forces me to look at him. "Emmett, what did you do?"
Searching his face taking in every part of it, I take a loud breath. "I am the mystery investor. I dipped into my trust fund to get the money. It wasn't to get anything back, honest. I didn't do it . . ."
I am cut off by a smiling loud kiss. I am too shocked to respond or to even close my eyes and savor it. Before I know it, it is over and he is laughing.
"Is that what has you so worried?" I nod, kind of dumbstruck. "Oh Bunny, you sweet, sweet man. How could I be mad?"
"I just, well, I thought that maybe you would think I did it to get you into bed." He shakes his head and sits back on the couch.
"You know, a few months ago, I might have thought that, but baby, I know you now. I know you did it to get it built and built right - to help those that need it. I can see how you saw the bigger picture. And as hot as I am, I can't see anyone willing to pay that kind of money to get me into bed." Relief washes over me and I start to shake. Jasper pulls me into his arms and I squeeze him back.
"For the record, knowing what I know now about you in bed, I would pay the amount 10 times over," I say into his neck.
I pull him into my lap and sit back. After some time of silence, he speaks up what we are both thinking. "What are we gonna do about Garrett?"
"Not much we can do."
"Restraining order?" I shake my head no.
"He hasn't really done anything to warrant one. If anything, he could get one on me." Jasper pulls back and quirks his brow at me in question. "I may have gotten a little physical when he made some suggestions involving you."
I could feel my anger rising once again and my arms tighten on Jasper. "Bunny, let up so I can breathe, please."
"Sorry, I . . . just when I think . . ." He puts his finger to my lips, cutting me off.
"It won't happen, never. You have me and this asshole will not get between us. You hear me."
I nod. "Good, now, can we please go to bed? This week has been hell and we still have two days of it."
"Mmm, can't we just sleep here, babe? I don't wanna move," I whine to him, but he just laughs and pushes off of me.
"No can do, big guy. I'm not gonna listen to you moan all day tomorrow about a stiff neck and a sore back." I moan and groan and grumble as I roll off the couch. I may have even pouted a bit.
"Fine." We climb into bed and I am out before my head even hits the pillow.
Work was as bad as I thought it would be for the next two days. Jasper and I barely got a conscious hour together. Still though, just having him there sleeping in my arms was enough for me to make it through.
Friday night was going to be our get-together with the girls at Katz. GL and Alice had gone back home to pack and were planning on being back to celebrate just after Christmas. Jake and Edward were now the homebound friends - not wanting to be out with a lot of people for fear of picking up something Masen could catch. We all understood and we would see them tomorrow night for Christmas Eve.
I am almost out scott-free until I hear Billy yelling at me across the lot. I take a few deep breaths and send a word up to the heavens that nothing else has gone wrong before turning towards him. He is jogging over to me with a few colorful packages in his hands.
"What's up, Billy?"
"Sorry, I know you want to get out of here, boss man, but, well, Sue wanted me to get this to Ed and Jake a few days ago, but I forgot them in my truck. Could you? Maybe?"
"Ya sure, man, no problem. Jasper and I will see them tomorrow."
He look relieved. I can feel for him. Last week, I forgot to take some cookies to Tyler's team and I don't relish any man seeing that look of disapproval from their partner. Not a word needed to be said. It was "the look."
"Thanks man, you are a lifesaver." Handing me another bag, I peek inside. "This is some goodies she made up for you and Jasper." I thanked him and he, in turn, thanked me for another great year of work and the bonus. All our guys got a good-sized bonus and a little over a week off every year. It always had them coming back happy and ready to work their asses off.
"You have a good holiday, Billy, and send our love to Sue."
"Sure thing. You too, and send our love to your family."
I was able to make it home without another interruption and with plenty of time to hide Jasper's guitar at the back of the tree. I had been keeping it in my office for a month now. I hadn't wanted to risk him rearranging, like he does constantly, and trying to figure out what it was. I looked and looked for my gift and couldn't find it. And it was killing me! I have always been all about shaking the gifts. No matter how many times my mom scolded me about it, it didn't stop me.
I was in the middle of my daily scouting mission when I heard from behind me. "Give it up, Bunny. Your mom warned me and you're not gonna find it under there, no matter how much you look."
Busted! I stand up and put on my best not-guilty face. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
He laughs at me as I climb the stairs and start stripping.
Jas pov
I knew his game. His mama warned me weeks ago not to put his gift under the tree until the last minute. Instead, I had them all in the basement in a locked closet. Luckily he has been too busy with work to go snooping down there. I can only imagine coming home to the door off the hinges.
Now he was playing all innocent and trying to distract me with his body. I have to say the sight of the ink low on his broad back as his shirt starts to rise, the flex of the muscles, the way his waist dips in and disappears into his pants, and the flexing muscles of his ass as he climbs the stairs have me letting him get away with it. It is kind of cute and he is really kind of sexy - okay, a lot kind of sexy.
When I hear his laughter disappearing into our room, I realize I was still frozen at the bottom of the stairs and possibly there may have been a bit of drool on my chin. I took the stairs two at a time and was dropping my clothes in the hamper quicker than you could say water conservation.
"I was wondering how long it would take you." He is facing me I lower my eyes and I see he is happy I decided to join him.
"Just long enough to figure out how to climb the stairs with a boner." He lets out a light laugh as he drops to his knees. "Emm, I don't think we have time for . . . Oh, holy hell . . ."
We may have to just be a little late. I am sure the girls will understand. We were only about 10 minutes late and the whole drive was filled with the memory of him on his knees with his hands on my ass. I tried to open my eyes, I wanted to watch but it felt to good. He was encouraging me to fuck his mouth. I did - oh god, did I ever. He wouldn't let me return the favor. Instead, he came with me - stroking himself to the same pace as his mouth. We shouted out together.
"Earth to Jasper." I was brought out of my fog and Emmett was laughing at me. "I know what you were thinking about." He waggles his eyebrows at me, looking from my crotch to my face.
"It's your fault. You can't do something like that to me and expect me not to think about it all night. Think about returning the favor and then some." Emmett's eyes go wide and he groans. Yup, I can play dirty. I laugh to myself as I climb out of the truck.
The air is turning chilly and I can see my breath. I shudder a bit as Emmett rounds the truck. Putting his arm around me, I snuggle into his warm side as we cross the lot. Then I remember the packages.
"Shit, I forgot the gifts."
"It's okay. I'll go grab them. You wait inside the door for me." He holds the door for me and runs across the lot.
Watching him through the window, I see him pause and check his phone. There is a scowl on his face as he stuffs it back into his pocket and slams the door a bit harder than need be. But by the time he has reached the building again, the scowl is gone and he puts on his best happy face.
"Emm, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he says a bit too cheerfully.
"I saw the look you had by the truck." Cocking my head at him, I wait for the answer I know I won't get right now.
"Babe, it was nothing. Come on, we are already late and I am sure Bella is already on her second drink by now." He pulls my hand. I resist the pull for a half a second before moving.
"Fine, but you will tell me later."
"We'll see," he says with a flirty smile.
"We have ways of making you talk." I tell him in my worst German accent. We are both laughing pretty loudly by the time we reach the table.
"Nice of you boys to finally come up for air." Rose tried her best to look annoyed by our late arrival, but I can see a slight lift in the corner of her mouth - telling me she isn't mad at all.
After orders are taken and a few cocktails are enjoyed, the conversation turns to our plans for the holiday and the big get-together for New Years Eve.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" Bella asks, taking a very unladylike swig from her beer.
"Well, I was thinking we would meet at my mom's at nine to load, then head to the hospital first, then hit the shelters just after lunch," Emmett fills them in. We roped Rose and Bella into taking Jake and Ed's places handing out the gifts that were collected for those in need.
"Sounds good," Rose nods her head. "We were able to switch our flight to later in the day. It really pays to have connections."
Bella rolls her eyes "Just throw your power around, baby. Rose did a rush job on the ticket agents' car."
"Hey, he paid well. He was getting a custom job done on his wife's car for Christmas. I just kindly reminded him of the fact that on a normal schedule, it wouldn't have been done until mid-January," Rose informs us with a flip of her hair. "Point is, I cleared the way for us to give you guys a few more hours."
"Thank you very much, it really means a lot." Emmett gives them a dimply grin.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. What did you bring us?" Rose rubs her hands together.
Dinner was a blast. We were loud and silly as we ate and drank too much. The girls loved the gifts we had picked out for them and we loved ours. Emmett checked his phone several more times during the evening. The same brief scowl happened, but he didn't say a word about them.
I let it go for now. I didn't want to ruin the holiday weekend with stress or a fight. But as soon as the 26th rolls around, I will be all over that.
Bed that night wasn't the sexy romp we had planned at the beginning of the night, but four glasses of wine had me too tired to care. Some nights of spooning can be just as satisfying - and it was.
The next morning, I woke to bouncing on the bed. My head bounced back and forth on my pillow. With a groan, I peek open one eye and see Emmett, dressed in a emerald green sweater and a Santa hat.
"Mmm, Bunny, what the hell?"
His smile is huge as he bounces up the bed. "It's Christmas eve! Come on get up!" His energy is out of this world. He has the energy of 10 five-year-olds hopped up on sugar.
"If you are this bad today, how bad will it be tomorrow?" I groan.
With a peck on the lips, he pulls back the covers and shoves me out the bed.
"No complaining, Babe. Today is about the kids! I just can't wait to show you why today is my favorite. It is the best part of the whole holiday - well, besides the food tomorrow."
By the time I am showered and dressed, his enthusiasm has worn off on me some and I am actually singing along to the carols as we drive to his mama's house.
Everyone was decked out in warm Christmasy garb and the loading of gifts was filled with excited conversation, hot chocolate and cookies.
"Siobhan, Tyler and Leah take the lead. Rose and I will follow them. Jasper and Emm, you take up the rear." Bella could barely contain her laughter as she joked. Tyler and Emmett laughed hysterically and as soon as Siobhan got it, Bella got a harsh look.
Bella took the scolding with a dipped head and a mumbled sorry. But I could have sworn I saw Siobhan smile as she got in the car.
The hospital was a lot of fun. Most of the children were gathered in the playroom. Emmett entertained them with his general goofy nature and Siobhan read Christmas stories to them. Those that couldn't come out, Rose and Bella took on delivering presents and candy canes to their rooms. The doctors and nurses thanked us all as we left.
"That was a great feeling," Bella exclaimed and we all agreed. I had never felt so good this time of year. I never had a really bad Christmas, but it was nothing like this. We did a nice dinner and gifts same as most families. But compared to this, it was stuffy and boring.
Before we got out of the truck, Emmett got really quiet for a minute looking at the building. It was a two-story brick house that had been a mansion once upon a time, but now it was a home for hurt and scared women and children.
"Babe, I want you to know that this won't be as easy as the hospital was. A lot of them here don't trust and might not even want us there. But I have . . ."
"I get it, Bun. I will just take your lead." He nods at me and we get out. Looking up at the dark sky, Jasper could smell the moisture in the air. Hopefully it would hold off until they were all back home and Rose and Bella were safely up in the air and away from it.
The first half hour at the shelter, you could feel the tension, but soon after that, the kids were all opening up and Siobhan has the women relaxing. I followed Emmett around for a bit, but once I found my groove, I was holding my own.
I watched as he played gently with the kids, but I noticed the phone-checking again several times before I saw him hit the off button and bury it in his coat pocket. I was about to go over and ask him if everything was OK, when I saw him rise and go over to a little girl in the corner sitting on her mama's lap.
She looked up at him shyly from under blonde curls. She was in probably her best dress - though it looked worn - and her hair was styled with obviously great care. I watched as she opened up to him. At first just with a nod or head shake then with words, I watched in amazement as she sat in his lap as he read to her.
I was pulled away from the scene by Siobhan tugging my arm. She motioned for me to follow her along with Rose.
"We need to work quickly." She led us down the hall and through the kitchen. Going out the back door, I see Emmett's truck had been pulled around and backed up to the door. "We need to get all the gifts snuck downstairs while the kids are busy. Rose and Jasper, you get on that and Tyler and I will stock the kitchen." Walking over to the truck, she pulled back a tarp where there were tons more presents, wrapped in Santa paper - and bags upon bags of food.
I was shocked still for a moment before Rose smacked me into action. We worked quickly and when we were done, I looked at Siobhan in awe. "What's wrong, Jasper?"
"I just - Wow, you amaze me." I hug her tight.
"Aww, thank you, sweetheart, but really this part of it is Emmett's really. For years, we came on Christmas eve. But for him, it wasn't enough and he came up with Santa doing this. This is our fourth year at it."
"That man must have a flaw somewhere," I tell her as I wipe away a tear.
She laughs so loud, it startles me. "Trust me Jasper, he has tons. You are just too new in love to see them yet."
Just as I was about to defend my man, my phone went off. "Lo' "
" 'My Love Don't Cost A Thing,' babe? Very cute." I can't help but blush, and Siobhan gives me a curious look. "So, we all ready back there?"
"Um ya, it is all set."
We said our good-byes and the little blond girl clung to Emmett. She cried, but he promised to come back and see her soon.
"She was sweet." I say as we head down the road. He squeezes my hand and looks a bit sad.
"She is. Poor thing might have to go into foster care though." He gives me a sad smile.
"Why? I thought, I mean, her mom . . ." He shakes his head.
"It's not her mom. That is her sister. Their mom took off a few months ago. She did her best for as long as she could until the mom's ex came back and thought he would try to pick up the happy family life with her." I sit shocked staring out the windshield. "A neighbor got them to the shelter a week ago and they agreed to let them stay together through Christmas, but unless they have someone step up . . ."
I get what he is saying. The system sucked sometimes. "How old is the older girl?"
"Almost eighteen, has a full ride to a school in Cali, volleyball and band. But she is going to give it up for Sasha. She wants to get a job and fight for custody." I can't imagine giving up a chance like that, but I understand the need to do anything for someone you love.
"Is there anything we can do? Your mama?" As he pulls to a stop, he has a sad smile and looks to me, squeezing my hand tighter.
"I love you." I squeeze back, a bit thrown by his response. "Mom is working on something. All we can do is hope and pray."
I nod and look back out the window. The rest of the ride home is quiet. Except for the buzz of his phone vibrating, I pretend not to notice. But I do see him send it to voice all three times.
Em pov
It was a day of ups and downs. Thankfully there were very few downs. Most of the day was wonderful. Sasha was a light and dark, though. She had my heart the minute I saw her, and to hear hers and Beth's story broke my heart. It has happened before when I work with these kids, but something about her was different. Something about her and her sister gave me a feeling I couldn't quite name yet.
Pulling in the drive, I silence my phone once more. I don't know how he got this number, but I am choosing to ignore him and to keep it to myself. At least for now, there is no way I am letting a lunatic spoil our first of many Christmases together.
Shaking aside all the bad of the day, I focus on the good. My goal is to make this the best Christmas Jasper has ever had. Pulling him in the house in a hurry, we find Maggie curled up in her chair with no signs she has moved from her spot all day. Jasper says he isn't surprised. She hates the cold and wet.
We shed our coats and give her a bowl of kibble before heading into the living room.
"OK, I know you didn't have traditional Christmases. So I hope you will indulge me in mine."
He gives me the softest, sweetest look. "Of course, Bunny, my holidays weren't terrible growing up, but so far I am in complete awe of how the McCarty's get it done. So shoot."
I was hoping he would say that and go right for the flat blue and silver box I had stuffed to the back of the tree, and hand it over.
"Most gifts are saved for Christmas morning, but on the eve, we give a gift that is something comfortable to wear." I am a little nervous. I have never done this personal gift thing before, so I hand over the package and cringe as he takes it and pulls back the tape.
Time stands still and I am beating myself up at how stupid the gift is. But I saw it and thought I would go for it. As he pulls off the paper and opens the box, I hear him laugh then launch himself at me.
"They are perfect, absolutely perfect!" He rains kisses all over my face. I feel the silky fabric of his gift caressing my back as I line up our lips and kiss him deep.
"Not to corny? Childish?" I ask as I pull my lips from his.
"Bunny, no, never. I love them." Quickly losing his pants, he slips into the silky boxers that are black and covered in small grey bunnies. "How do they look?"
I lick my lips and feel my heart beat faster. As much as I want to answer, I can only nod. Now I am not sure I can show him the gift I really have to give him.
"Emm? Are you OK? I love them. I really do and they fit great, but that is no surprise. I am sure you know my size by feel by now." He laughs.
Finally able to speak, I stand up and draw my shirt off my body. "As amazing as you are right now in that gift, this is my REAL gift to you." I slowly turn and hear a gasp.
I know what he is seeing. The choice wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I really hope he gets the meaning behind it.
"Oh my god, Emmett . . ."
En: Ummm well ya I did do that. It will be explained in the next chapter. Also there will be alot going on and it will move fast as there are only 5 chapters left to Steel with the epi. I thought ending it with an even 30 would be nice. So next up is Christmas day and New Years... and what the fuck is up with the messages Em is getting...