A/N: Inspiration is just flowing right now, so here is the next chapter! Please review, I would love to hear what you think of my story!
Disclaimer: Twilight and all figures are the property of SM. I only own the plot.
Chapter 4
Bella POV
After my mother packed a few things we left for the train station, which was a short walk of 15 minutes away. The ride took just over an hour, so we reached Gatlinburg at 9am. Mama told me we would meet up with our landlord at the local lumber mill, as he and his family were the local woodworkers.
When we walked onto the grounds of the lumber mill, I saw two huge men walking towards us. Both men wore simple, dark trousers, white button-down shorts and dark vests. The older man, who had to be our landlord, had kind eyes and smiled warmly. The younger man looked very similar. He was huge and broadly built, his muscles so defined they even showed through the thin fabric of his shirt. He had dark, curly hair, tan skin and the most beautiful, blue eyes I had ever seen. I looked the man up and down until I realized I've met him before. My eyes grew wide as I realized I looked into the eyes of a very human, very handsome Emmett.
I felt a sharp pain as my mother stabbed me in the ribs hard. I must have been staring, so I quickly looked at the ground and blushed so hard I must have been glowing. When I looked back up and met Emmett's piercing gaze, he gave me a smile so bright it could light up a whole room, showing his dimples. I was so confused, what was happening? I knew Emmett, or should I say I will know him someday? And now I meet him here, in my crazy vision of my past self, all human?
I jumped a little as my mother started speaking and tried to concentrate on her and the older man instead of Emmett. "Good morning, Mr. McCarty. My name is Elisa Swan, and this is my daughter Isabelle. It's a delight to finally meet you in person. You were in contact with my husband Jason, he sent us here today to get the keys of the house we rented". Mr. McCarty nodded slightly, acknowledging my mother's words. His smile was so similar to Emmett's, it was obvious they were related. "The pleasure is all mine, Ma'am. But please, call me George". He shifted his gaze and looked me in the eyes, his were the same vibrant blue color as Emmett's. "This is my son, Emmett. As I have business to attend, he will gladly show you the property and hand over the keys. Please excuse me, I have to leave just now. Enjoy yourselves and have a great day, see you next week". He bowed his head slightly in parting and left the three of us.
"Ma'am, it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please excuse my father, business is going rather well these days and his meetings increased in numbers over the last few weeks", he greeted my mother in a throaty, deep, masculine voice that made my skin tingle. He lightly took my mother's hand in his, brushing a kiss over her hand. Then he turned towards me, repeating the same gesture, lingering just a moment longer as his lips brushed my knuckles. I averted my eyes, blushing deeply from the tingly feeling in my belly. "Isabelle, it's a delight to meet you here today as well. I hope your journey to us was acceptable?" As I raised my gaze again, he smiles so brightly, I nearly missed his question. It took me a second too long to respond. "Emmett, the pleasure is all mine. But please, call me Belle. Our journey was quite alright, thank you very much". I stared into his bright, blue eyes, loosing myself in their depth. As we stood there, just staring in each other's eyes, my mother cleared her throat, effectively snapping us both out of our trance.
Emmett recovered first, looking sheepishly at my mother, smiling slightly at her. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. Please, I'll show you the property. Please follow me, it's just a short 5-minute walk away from here". My mother gave him a knowing smirk, nodding her head in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Emmett. Please, go ahead".
As Emmett walked forward, my mother gave me the same knowing smirk before starting to follow him. We walked a few minutes in absolute silence before my mother started a conversation with the young man. "So, Emmett. Is it just a happy coincidence we met you here today or are you working with your father?" Emmett slowed his pace in order to be level with us and explained. "No, Ma'am, no coincidence. I live at my parent's house just down the street, next to the property you will be occupying from next week on. I work here with my father, we are very proud of us being woodworkers. My brother William will be working with us as well, though he is a little bit too young as he is only eleven years old". He smiled brightly while mentioning his brother and I could literally feel the brotherly love and adoration radiating from him. I didn't remember Em ever telling me about his human family, so I listened intently as he continued. "He is a very good kid and wants to join us in the woods every time we leave. My poor mother has to handle his bad mood when we tell him he is too young" he chuckled lowly, the throaty, raspy sound sending goosebumps down every inch of my skin.
I didn't understand why I reacted so strongly to him, again blushing brightly as I smiled to myself. I looked up again, intending to ask a question myself. As I lifted my gaze, I noticed him staring at me, smiling slightly and showing these beautiful dimples again. It took me a moment so regain my composure before smiling back at him and asking "He really sounds lovely, wanting to help his bog brother and father at work. Do you have any other siblings?". His smile broadened as he answered "Yes, I have a little sister as well. Helen is 14, my mother teaches her how to properly sew right now so she can help her with the clothes we need for work. You see, we go through them quite quickly, so they need to be repaired frequently". He chuckled again, the sound having the same effect on me as earlier.
As Emmett stopped in his tracks abruptly, I stumbled as I fell over my own feet, bracing myself to hit the ground in my moment of clumsiness. The impact never came, instead two strong, warm arms caught me before I could hit the ground, holding me close to his chest. I felt my heartrate picking up speed as my breath quickened and warmth spread through my entire body. I leaned into Emmett, relishing the feeling of his warm body against mine, feeling the fast rhythm of his heartbeat and the heat of his breath hitting my neck. He just held me there, making no move to let go of me.
Once again, I heard my mother clearing her throat. I quickly jerked away from him, looking at my mother mortified. She was only smirking knowingly, again. What the hell was going on with me? I rushed to apologize to Emmett. "Emmett, I'm so sorry. I'm just so clumsy, I'm really sorry. And thank you for catching me". I tried to give him a small smile but averted my eyes blushing beet red as I saw him smiling down at me, blushing himself. "No problem, Belle. I'm just glad you didn't hurt yourself. My father would be furious with me if something would happen to you while you are with me". He lowered his gaze again, blushing even more. My mother jumped in just before it could get too awkward, smiling and effectively changing the subject. "So, this is it if I'm correct? It's a beautiful house, could you show us around?"
Just then Emmett started walking towards the door of the small house at the end of the street, opening the door and handing the keys to my mother. He showed us around the house and the garden, explaining everything he thought relevant. I noticed him glancing my way every so often, smiling each time our eyes met. When we went back to the door, he turned around. "This would be everything there is about the house. Do you need anything else or do you have any further questions?" My mother smiled warmly at him, thanking him for his time and the tour of the house. As we walked out the door, my mother turned to say goodbye, but Emmett beat her to it. "If you don't have other plans right now, would you consider joining me for lunch? There is a small diner down the street", he asked, gesturing to the direction we came from. Though the question was clearly directed to both of us, Emmett looked straight into my eyes, his shining in anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Emmett. It is very kind of you to invite us, but we have to catch the train in about half an hour to get back home", my mother stated, looking at me apologetically. Emmett's smile fell for a short moment before he looked at me. "What a shame, I would love to treat two beautiful women to lunch. But I won't delay your departure, please be safe and enjoy your journey back". He took my mother's hand again, kissing her knuckles. He turned his full attention to me, taking my small hand in his, pressing two lingering kisses to my knuckles "Belle, it was a pleasure to meet you. Enjoy your journey, I hope we will see each other again as soon as possible". I blushed again deeply, my whole body feeling warm and electrified at his intimate touch. "Thank you, Emmett. I hope so, too". I looked into his eyes, smiled at him one last time and taking in his appearance once again before turning and following my mother towards the train station.