I am absolutely stunned by the response I've gotten! Thank you so much! Just a heads up it will be a slow burn, kinda...Merry Christmas to anyone who celebrates, and happy Friday to everyone else! I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Bella stood in her new house unable to believe it. It was a small two bedroom, pretty little house with one and a half baths, kitchen, dining room and lounge, as well as a small yard. It was already furnished and decorated beautifully and apparently it wasn't far from her new place of work.
"It's beautiful," Bella said sincerely while running her hand over the small dining table, the room itself a very pale blue. It was light and airy and she would get plenty of sun. "Erm… how much is the rent?" She didn't know how much her new job would be paying, not a lot seeing as she was still learning she guessed. And although she had the money from the house soon and the small payment from the Forks police department, as well as a mediocre amount from Charlie's life insurance she knew she was going to have to live carefully.
"This month and next month are sorted, then you'll have the money from the house, so you shouldn't be worrying. If you do though, call," Quinn said as though it was no big deal.
"I… I can't accept this! I've got some savings, let me pay you back," Bella inisited. She had spent the last three days with Georgia and Quinn. It had been wonderful and made Bella even angrier with Renee. They were both so kind and interested in her, they wanted to know about her, about her hobbies, her life, her friends, everything. She could have had two people who really cared all these years. Two people who may have made sure she actually had a childhood. Still, at least she had them now, she guessed.
"Nope. It's done, sorted. Take it as part payment for eighteen years worth of missed christmas presents," Georgia said with a wave of her manicured hand. "We won't take a penny."
"I don't know what to say," Bella said with a lump in her throat that she tried to swallow down. It really was beautiful and decorated like the person who did it knew exactly what she liked. She suddenly realised that Georgia's questions about her favourite colours may not have been so random. That made the lump in her throat worse. Instead of saying anything she gave Georgia and then Quinn big hugs that she hoped said more than she could verbally.
"Come on, let's get your boxes in then we'll go show you Teller-Morrow's. Clay says you can start tomorrow morning, might be best to introduce you before," Quinn said exiting out of the freshly painted white door. "Gonna have to get you some food in too I guess."
The newly found, small and unconventional family spent the next hour or two just putting Bella's belongings where she thought they should go. Quinn and Georgia would be staying with her to help settle in for a week but Quinn had said he really couldn't stay much longer than that. He had promised however that they would return frequently and that they were only a phone call away for anything at all.
Bella rode in Georgia's SUV to the garage, they followed Quinn, who of course was on his Harley. It was only a five minute drive before they were pulling into a large forecourt of the garage. Bella noticed the clubhouse attached and wondered how that would work out.
"Nervous?" Georgia asked with a knowing smile as Bella took a deep breath.
"A little," Bella admitted. This wouldn't be her first job, but it would be in the career she wanted. She didn't want to mess up.
"You just be yourself now hon, you'll do fine. And don't you let any of these boys give ya any shit, okay? Lord knows they'll try," Georgia grinned before opening her door and stepping out onto the forecourt where some men and a woman were waiting.
For a brief moment, Bella wished Happy was by her side again while doing this. Which was ridiculous, she hadn't even seen him after their drive. She didn't know if he had still been in Tacoma or if he had gone somewhere else, he hadn't said so much as see ya though. Much to her bitter disappointment. She felt like a stupid kid with a stupid crush that Happy must have picked up on. He probably laughed to himself about it. Or smirked anyway, she couldn't see him laughing to himself somehow.
Instead she stood with her head tall walking next to Georgia to meet with Quinn who was standing waiting with a huge smile on his face. She worried about this, if she failed at this job it wouldn't just be about failure anymore. It would also be about letting down Quinn and Georgia who had already done so much for her. Who she already cared about and wanted to make proud. She wanted to show them that she could do this, that they hadn't wasted their time nor money with her.
"Clay, this is her, my Bella," Quinn said, putting a large, comforting hand on Bella's shoulder as she drew level with him. He was smiling proudly down at her. "Bella, this is Clay Morrow, part owner of Teller-Morrow and one of your new bosses."
"Good to have you sweetheart," Clay said, a little condescendingly. Still she had suffered worse.
"Thank you for giving me a chance," Bella replied with a smile.
"This is the actual boss though, Gemma Teller-Morrow," Quinn chuckled, gesturing to a woman who looked like a pointier, sharper version of Georgia. Gemma looked like a woman not to cross.
"It's nice to meet you," Bella said, feeling her face flush a bright red.
"Sure sweetheart," Gemma said, her eyes narrowing a little even as she plastered on a smile. "Tell you what, why don't you get to know the boys and have a tour, me and you can chat business in a few."
Bella knew a dismissal when she heard one and Quinn kept his hand on her as Gemma and Georgia left together.
Georgia followed Gemma into the tiny little office of Teller-Morrow and waited. She didn't have to wait long just as she thought.
"So?" Gemma asked impatiently, a hand on her hip.
"So?" Georgia repeated as though she were clueless.
"What's she like, can she be trusted, how are you doing with this, is she gonna bring me trouble?" Gemma listed her question rapidly, her eyes glued to the window where they could see Bella smiling shyly at the men she was being introduced to.
"She's a sweetheart, like a real sweetheart. Poor girls being given the short straw, needs family, needs looking after but she's an independent one so she's gonna fight us on that," Georgia said honestly. "Don't think she's gonna be trouble but once she gets used to your guys don't think she's gonna be a doormat either, she's got Rane's fire," Georgia said with a proud smile. That girl got the best of Rane that's for sure, it was something that made the woman smile. "Don't you worry on me. I'm happy, I finally have a daughter without having to deal with the shit and piss of young kids. Seems as equally happy to have a female figure that isn't that useless, fucked up, bitch Renee."
"Why, what Renee do, other than being a selfish slut and keep Quinn from his baby?" Gemma asked, her eyes still focused on Bella. Gemma was either going to be the girl's biggest ally or her meanest rival. Unfortunately Bella was gonna have to do most of the work there, still Georgia was sure if the girl was just herself that Gemma would like her sooner than later.
"Fucked up Bella's childhood something rotten. Poor kid was paying bills when she was eight, had a job at nine to get herself lunch at school. Never had no birthday party or Christmas. She moved from pillar to post and Renee was out most of the time leaving the kid on her own to look after the house. That poor kid has been an adult since she could tie her own shoelaces. Doesn't know how to let others take care of her. I thought she was going to have a conranary when we told her we'd set her up here. Didn't know what to do or say. She ain't good with affection either so I reckon hugs were not aplenty for the kid," Georgia said, also watching her new daughter out of the window. Her heart went out to Bella and as much as she wished she could change shit, all Georgia and Rane could do was look out for her now.
"Well, she's here now. She's with family baby, we'll take care of her," Gemma said, lightening up just a fraction, though her gaze was still sharp and calculating.
Bella's first week in Charming was tough. She got to know Quinn and Georgia further, each of them making time for at least one meal a day together. The meals were always full of laughter and chatter. Work however had been a different matter.
The first day the guys had her making coffees all day and 'watching' things that she could do in her sleep as well as filling in paperwork. She hadn't been allowed near a wheel let alone a motor. They were all very sexist and gave her lots of huffs and words about this being mens work. She had been 'working' with Lowell, and a guy on his first week of being a prospect, Half-Sac or Kips.
Her second day she had decided was going to be different. She walked into the garage, made coffees for everyone and then checked the current work orders. While Half-Sac, Lowell and an older man called Piney drank their coffees, Bella got to work fitting two new tires to an old clapped out Ford that was waiting. She had it finished by the time the guys had finished the cigarettes and scratching their butts. Lowell had tried having a go at her for finishing the work and using the tools but Piney had stepped in and told him to shut his lazy trap. Lowell gave her more crap after that and once again wouldn't let her touch anything.
The third day and Bella was going to prove herself, she was determined. Again she went in and made coffees before completely ignoring Lowell and getting on with anything she could do by herself. The prospect was joining Lowell in giving her grief that day, Bella ignored it all though, working as hard as she could to get the work done. Clay came in at the end of the day and asked Lowell about how it had gone. Lowell bitched about Bella as she finished up a service on a Honda.
"Lowell says you've been ignoring him," Clay said, coming and looking over her shoulder.
"Yup, and as long as he carries on treating me like his own personal slave who doesn't know the difference between a lug wrench and a philps screwdriver I'm gonna carry on ignoring him," Bella said more confidently than she felt.
Clay chuckled. "Tell me what you've done today then," he suggested, leaning against the car she was working on, a smirk plastered over his face.
"Those four work orders over there are the one's I've completed. They're filled in ready for Gemma and I'll have the fifth done in twenty minutes or so," Bella said pointing to her neat and tidy work orders that were filled in properly.
Clay raised his eyebrows but went over her orders as she finished off the service and wiped off her hands.
"Lowell?" Clay called across the garage.
"Yeah?" He called back.
"Lay off the girl and give her some real work to do tomorrow," Clay said, nodding at Bella. She left work that day for the first time with a smile.
Friday, the last day of the week and she was finally working alongside Lowell and the prospect, she thought it may have something to do with Clay being present that day. But she was doing it and actually learning for once that week.
That was also the day that Quinn and Georgia left. Bella had given them tearful hugs that morning, she would miss them both. They had promised though that they'd be back before she knew it. The house felt empty and lonely when they'd left.
That weekend Bella spent shopping, doing laundry and cleaning her house along with reading some of the books should had brought with her.
It didn't take her long to get into a routine, working with the guys at the garage, coming home, eating and sleeping. Weekends she got back on top of the house. She found she enjoyed working alongside most of the guys. Chibs, Jax and Piney were her favourites though, they were always ready to lend a hand and didn't act like she was in over her head. Most of them were like excitable kids and were always teasing each other. They reminded her of the pack and Bella was genuinely happy with her work.
Bella had worked for Teller-Morrow for six weeks before Gemma started coming around and acting like she was more than a hindrance. Bella hadn't minded, she saw how protective the older woman was of all the men in the club and she wasn't outrightly hostile, in fact she'd brought Bella lunch a handful of times.
"Hey sweetheart, we're having a family dinner around mine on Sunday. You should come," Gemma said as Bella handed her the paperwork from the day. She had been the last one there that day and had offered to hand in everyone's paperwork.
"Oh, I don't want to intrude on your family time," Bella said.
"Sweetheart other than work and groceries have you left the house since you've been here?" Gemma said, raising an eyebrow at Bella.
"I went for a walk in the gardens," Bella ventured, it had been a bit lonely for her, she got on with the guys from work but not enough to socialize afterwards, or that's what she had thought anyway. A couple had told her to go to the clubhouse for a drink a few times. Seeing as how she didn't want to sit there drinking soda and she thought they were offering out of pity she had always declined.
"That is not getting out. Now, you are part of this family, so you will be there Sunday," Gemma didn't leave any room for argument.
"Okay thanks," Bella said with a smile. "Can I bring anything?"
"Oh no sweetheart, just bring your cute ass," Gemma said with a genuine smile. Bella had just gone to get her bag and jacket when a car pulled in.
"I've got it," Bella said to Gemma as she went to get up from the office chair. She walked out and gave a wave to Chibs and Tig who were sitting on the picnic benches smoking with beers in front of them. They'd been doing something or other for the club that day. She never asked and they never volunteered the information. Georgia had warned her off being inquisitive when it came to the club and she had taken that to heart.
"Hi there, how can I help?" Bella smiled at a guy in his early thirties who was getting out of the sedan.
"I need a mechanic," the guy said dismissively, his eyes going automatically to Chibs and Tig.
"It's your lucky day, that's exactly what I am. What's the problem?" Bella smiled still, it wasn't the first time she'd had that attitude and she was sure it wouldn't be the last. She hadn't had any complaints about her work though.
"Look, sweetcheeks, why don't you get a real mechanic and go make me a coffee, hey?" The man said harshly.
"Look, darlin', I can either take a look at the problem for you, or you'll be waiting three days for a 'real' mechanic," Bella said, her smile slipping.
"What about those two?" He pointed at Chibs and Tig.
"Not working here, now, what is the problem?" Bella asked once more, after that she'd give up.
The man eyed her from head to toe. It made her feel dirty but she stood her ground.
"Fine. It's been leaking," the man eventually said as Bella started writing on a clipboard.
"Oil, fuel, water?" Bella asked the guy.
"Water," the man replied.
"Any smoking coming from the engine or anything?" Bella asked general questions to help her find the problem but she thought it might be the radiator that was leaking.
The man answered her questions with failing patience, getting snappier the more she asked.
"Okay, let's take a look shall we?" Bella smiled as she popped the hood and took a look. Straight away she could see the radiator was cracked. "Yup, you need a new radiator."
"What? Can't you just repair it?"
"Not really, you'll get more leaks and spend more getting it fixed continuously or it will overheat which can cause a fire. Best bet is to get it replaced," Bella said, still lent over the hood to make sure that was the only damage. She didn't want to give this ass a chance to complain any further and if she missed something he was sure to do so.
"Hey!" Bella turned around at Chibs' shout, he and Tig were walking towards them and when she turned she saw why. The man had his hand out reached for her ass. "We have a look don' touch policy here."
"She was bent over right in front of me," the man said, raising his hands in the air.
"How else is tha lass supposed ta do her job?" Chibs asked the idiot with a raised eyebrow. "Y'all right lass?"
"I'm fine. Thanks," Bella said with a small blush. His accent worked for her, he had made a few appearances in her dreams alongside Happy. She always blushed when he winked at her and she thought Chibs enjoyed making her red a little too much.
"Aye, good. Ye finished here?" He asked.
"Needs a new radiator, I need to order it, probably be a couple of days," Bella explained to the man.
"That's not good enough! I need the car. I'll come back tomorrow when there's a real mechanic here!" The man griped.
"Bella love, why don' ye get on home," Chibs said, his eyes firmly fixed on the man who was frowning at her.
"Yeah, we'll take care of this gentleman," Tig grinned at her, his eyes shining. She didn't think she wanted to know exactly what they meant so she ignored it and headed for her truck after handing over the clipboard. It looked great as Jax had the prospect wash it the day before after he'd finished the Harleys and Gemma's car.
When she arrived at work the next day the man was waiting for her with Tig. He offered her an apology and accepted her doing the job when the part came in. As Tig coughed the man was quick to tell her that of course he'd be more than happy to tip her too. Bella raised her eyebrows at Tig but took the guys keys and got on with her work day.
When Sunday rolled around Bella got dressed into the only dress she owned, a white sundress that went past her knees and teamed it with a flat pair of sandals. She put on a lick of makeup, just some mascara and left her hair loose. It looked different as she usually had it tied back for work. With a little trepidation she got into her truck and headed for the Teller-Morrow house.
"Well don't you look amazing baby, look at that you have legs," Gemma said as she answered the door with a wide smile.
"Thanks, you look lovely as always," Bella said honestly, Gemma always looked put together. "Your house is beautiful," she added, stepping into the large and airy house. Bella thought she knew who decorated her apartment now.
"Thank you baby, now come into the kitchen, the guys are drinking beer and chatting shit, we're in the kitchen," Gemma led her through to a beautiful spacious kitchen where two blondes were putting food onto plates. "Wendy, Luanne, this is Bella, she works at Teller-Morrow, she's Quinn's daughter."
"Quinn?" The older of the two blondes asked with a thoughtful frown.
"President of the Nomads," Gemma offered.
"Oh of course, you look just like him sweetheart. Those eyes, such a beautiful girl. Is Quinn back then?" The woman asked, Bella noticed the other blonde was looking down her nose at Bella, despite being roughly the same size.
"No, he stops in to visit every couple of weeks though," Bella said, automatically going to help.
"How are you liking Charming then?" The older blonde asked.
"She wouldn't know she never gets out," Gemma hinted with a little smirk.
"Pretty thing like you should be out every night. Should have dates lined up round the block," the blonde said with a sparkle to her eyes.
"Erm, thanks," Bella said, feeling her face heat up. She wasn't sure why this woman was pandering to her and she didn't particularly like it. Bella knew she was plain, not quite hit by the ugly tree but not beautiful. Edward and Alice had often enough told her how much better looking she could be if only she would do this or that.
"Alright ladies, let's get this on the table," Gemma said, picking up a plate that held a huge roast. It looked and smelt delicious.
Bella grabbed a bowl of potatoes and another bowl of salad and followed Gemma out of the kitchen. A huge dining table was already set and they placed the food down in the middle. "Wendy, go tell the guys food's up. Bella, you can help me finish putting things down."
Bella once more wondered why she had been invited to this gathering as she dutifully went from the kitchen to the dining table and back again. On her third trip the men had started sitting at the table. She paid no notice to them as she set food on the table and went back to grab drinks. By the time she came back everyone was sitting down and Bella felt her face flush as they all looked at her.
"Take a seat sweetheart, anyone else wants anything else they can get it themselves," Gemma said, directing her to the only free seat.
Bella smiled as everyone said variations of hi to her. Her smile got wider as she saw the extra guest that was at the table and at the chair next to the free seat.
"Happy! How are you?" Bella asked as she sat down next to him, Juice her other side. She tried to stop her blush as he turned that intense gaze on her.
"Doin' alright. Lookin' good girly. These guys treatin' you right?" He asked with a nod and the smallest twitch of his lip.
"Yeah, everyone's great. What are you doing here?"
"Passing through, Gemma asked me to dinner," Happy shrugged.
"You look great today, Bells, like a real chick," Juice said as he passed her the potatoes.
"Thanks I was just pretending before," Bella said with a roll of her eyes. Juice was always giving her crap, but it was always meant well she thought. That's how she took it anyway.
"Still a smartass," Happy said in his deep voice.
"Still so eloquent," Bella replied with a giggle to him.
The meal passed in a blaze of teasing, laughter and smiles. The club really was a family and it had never been so apparent to Bella than that moment. She felt touched when she was included just like everyone else. By the end of the meal Bella was comfortable around everyone and had stopped blushing so fiercely.
When all the plates were clean Bella got up to help Gemma and Luanne clear the table and clean up. She was surprised to find Happy, Chibs and Juice helping. No one else said anything though so she just got on with the work.
"You have any trouble here like your last place, girly?" Happy asked Bella as he passed her plates to wash.
"Nope, it's nice and quiet here. Thanks," Bella smiled at him, not noticing the looks from the others as she did.
"Good," he nodded once.
"You had trouble back home baby?" Gemma asked, sounding like she cared.
"Just an ex and a guy who thought I owed him. It was nothing," Bella said, sharing a look with Happy. It wasn't like they could tell anyone the truth after all.
"Happy take care of it for you?" Gemma asked knowingly.
"Er… Yeah, Happy and Quinn sent a message," Bella said, biting her lip. Shooting someone with a rocket launcher sent one hell of a message.
"Good," Gemma nodded.
"You still carry?" Happy asked Bella sternly.
"Yup, in my purse," Bella told him and got a brief nod and one of those twitches of his lips in return.
Once the dishes were finished Bella followed the others out in the yard where everyone was just sitting around talking. It was a nice night and the random bursts of laughter just seemed to make it warmer.
Bella chatted with Juice, Bobby and Luanne for a bit. Playfully pushing Juice off her as he put an arm around her when the alcohol started getting to him. With a laugh and a genuine smile she decided it was time for her to leave the festivities.