Okay, so, real quick before I get this up and running: first, its on time this week, so yeyy! Second, I've been gathering people to vote on the poll so thank you so much to those who voted. I got nervous yesterday because there was a six-way tie and I thought "That doesn't help me at all!" But its okay. What I decided was that Aron's surname would be Anderson (which I wanted for him at first because his father's name is "Andrew" and Anderson means "son of Andrew" so yaa... I like it. What I decided to do was find a way to use all of the names listed on the poll since everyone really liked them. But yaa, Anderson won for Aron, I'm happy about that. Thanks again guys! I'll be posting more polls so I can get the reader's help with the story. So keep voting guys! Anyway, last thing, keep in mind that for the next few chapters, Edward and Cara are seventeen at this point. I say that because sometimes its difficult to notice that characters get older as the story progresses. I have that issue. In fact, I can't seem to read the Harry Potter installments without thinking of Harry as ten years old. But, he is not and neither are our characters here. Just keep that in mind as the story treks on. I hope you like it. I write to please myself but aspire to please others. Anyway, must go on, please remember to comment, I do love comments! Enjoy my lovely readers!
...
After weeks of begging, reasoning, groveling and convincing, Cara was able to pack her trunk with all her summer dresses, hats and swimming costumes in preparation of her departure to Michigan. Edward had promised both her parents and his parents that he would look out for Cara and always be with her. This appealed to him greatly. He enjoyed the thought of spending the entire summer under the same roof as Cara. He saw it as an opportunity to get closer, and, with any luck at all, summon the courage to court her in a proper manner. The day before the departure, he hurried about his room, throwing clothes into his trunk barely bothering to fold anything. His heart went wild; his hands shook as he closed the lock on his trunk. He sat on his bed and studied his room, uncertain if he forgot anything or not. He knew that this trip would not only be a vacation, but a life-changing experience.
There were many reasons why Cara and Edward were driven over to Michigan instead of simply taking a train. For one thing, Edward never liked trains. They were too small and loud. They smelled of smoke and had too many people crammed onto it. Also, it took a lot of time and effort to convince Cara's parents to allow her to go, after this was accomplished, every seat on the train was booked up for the summer. However, the most dominant reason was that they both wanted to travel for longer and in closer proximity with each other.
"And this Aron is a gentleman?" Allegra asked nervously clutching onto the collar of her dress.
"Oh yes, he's the sweetest boy. We've sent Edward to stay with him over the summer for the past few years." Elizabeth smiled happily as Edward walked out of the house carrying one suitcase in each hand. He placed them on the lawn and walked back inside.
"You never go with him?" Another tight collar squeeze.
"Oh, no, it's a grand place but they keep horses." Edward Sr. said calmingly.
"Yes, Edward here is quite allergic to the horse hairs. We didn't stay there more than an hour; we had to take the next train back home." Elizabeth held her husband's hand and kissed it softly, "My poor dear."
"And what is the boy's father like? Good man?" Desi huffed.
"Salt of the Earth. In fact I believe he is going to drive them over." Elizabeth cooed.
"His mother?"
"Oh..." Edward Sr. and Elizabeth exchanged a glance.
"He doesn't have a mother... she died when his little sister was born. It's quite tragic, best not to mention it." Elizabeth said in a hushed tone.
"Yes, of course... how sad." Allegra became quiet. They all watched in awe as a shiny black automobile pulled up to the curb in that moment. A tall man in an expensive-looking suit got out of the car. Elizabeth waved and smiled.
"Hello, Ernest!"
The man walked over to them and extended his hand.
"Elizabeth, always a pleasure." He shook her hand then Edward Sr.'s. The man's smile was award-winning and comforting. He had a face anyone could trust, much like a politician. "Edward, it's been too long, sir."
"Ernest." Edward Sr. said neighborly. "How do you do?"
"Very well, sir, always." Another pearly smile, turning to Allegra, "You must be Allegra; I've heard so much of you." He shook her hand excitedly. She simply nodded. Desi extended his hand.
"Hello, sir, you must excuse my wife, we have never allowed our daughter to go somewhere on her own for such a long time. I'm Desi."
"Of course, of course, no need for exc-use, I understand entirely a daughter is a precious one. But, I assure you, she is safe in my care." Desi smiled as Allegra sighed.
"Thank you." She whispered as Cara walked out onto the lawn. Ernest smiled, walking towards her with his hand out.
"Hello miss." He shook her hand, "You must be Cara. It'll be a pleasure to have you." Cara smiled as Edward walked next to her.
"All ready." He said gleefully. Ernest smiled at him and pat Edward's head. "Good to see you, Ernest."
"And to you as well, my boy." Ernest said and picked up the two trunks. "I'll get these in the car so you kids can say your farewells." He walked off as Allegra hugged Cara tightly, bombarding her head with kisses.
Elizabeth hugged Edward and his father pat him on the back. As Cara hugged her father, Allegra hugged Edward.
"Make sure she is looked after Edward, I trust you." Edward nodded, looking lovingly at Cara over Allegra's shoulder. He would always be there for Cara.
Ernest held the car door open as they got in. They waved at their parents until they were mere dots on the horizon.
For about an hour, Ernest talked on and on. He talked about how long Edward has been coming up to Michigan; he talked about how Edward met Aron when he was only five or so. And when he stopped on the way to pick up four elegant summer dresses, nine medium packages in postage boxes, a long parcel usually used to hold maps or paintings, a new toaster and a very expensive Italian hand-made suit fit for a teenager, he explained that he was truly Aron's butler.
"That's right!" Ernest said as he piled the toaster box on the seat where Cara sat previously. "Ernest Royal at your service. I've been employed by the entire Anderson family for about 20 years next April." He chuckled, moving a box so it fit snugly under Edward's feet. "Not to give away my age or anything but—sorry, Ed— I've been in Andrew's employment since I was twenty-six years young, almost." He moved another box and placed a dress over it, seeming to fit all of the packages in the very limited space. "You kids alright?" He looked up at Edward and Cara. Cara had been fully moved from her seat to basically Edward's lap. Edward held her knees close to him so she didn't fall on the long parcel that stretched from door to door and with the other arm, he held her back.
"Yes." They both said all too eagerly. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Good!" Ernest said as he closed the door and hopped into the driver's seat, "because it'll be quite a few hours until we get there." He started the engine as they both shifted their weight, getting a little bit closer to each other.
...
Hours passed. The three of them talked and laughed. They were floored by how many fascinating things Ernest knew and did. As the sky darkened, Cara's head became heavy and very soon, she rested her head on Edward's chest. He stroked her hair slowly, as he held her closer.
"Does she know?" Ernest asked quietly after a period of silence.
"Know what?"
"How much you love her?"
A pause.
"There is no way to say it without being so blunt." He followed a locke of her hair down to a perfect corkscrew curl and followed the spiral with his finger, "I hoped that living with her would help me to court her."
"But you live with her now." Ernest sighed and loosened his grip on the steering wheel, "You know what Aron is like... you know how he is with girls his age... I think that bringing her here was not the best idea, Ed."
"No..." Edward smiled as he stroked her cheek softly, "she is so different. She is so modest and innocent. And she knows better than to be seduced by the likes of him." He looked up as Ernest shrugged.
"I hope so, Ed. You and her look good together. Happy." He turned to look at Edward quickly, "just tell her soon." He looked back at the road and lowered his voice, "You know how he is."