Chapter 4
BPOV
I can't believe I was bringing Eddie home for Thanksgiving. Charlie, Lauren's mom, Cindy, Renee and Phil were waiting outside for me.
"I'll pick you up Monday." Angela said. She winked at me.
"Hey." I said running up to my family.
"Hiya, sweetie. Oh, it's good to have you home." My mom said.
"Hi, Dad." I said hugging him.
"Hi, kiddo." I could tell he was eyeing Eddie from my hug.
"This is Eddie. Eddie, this is my mom and dad and my step mom and step dad." I said.
"Oh, we're so glad that you could join us. The only college friends of Bella's we've ever met, they've all been girls." My mom said.
"Thank you. I'm glad to be invited." He said.
"Hi, I'm Charlie Swan." My dad said shaking his hand.
"Charlie, hello."
"Hey, hey, Doc Izzy." My brother Tommy called.
"Farmer Tom Sausage." I said. My three brothers were together.
"Hey."
"Hey. Oh, Riley, you look great."
"Oh, well, you know, Kayla's got me on Slim-Fast, so I lost 10 pounds." My brother Riley said.
"And he put five of it back on today at Rocky Rococo's." My brother Tommy joked.
"Boys." My mom said, implying we had company. Just when she said that Lauren pulled up in designer clothes and got out of the car.
"Who's this guy?" Tommy asked.
"This is Eddie. Eddie's an exchange student from Denmark. He's just a friend." I said. I regretted saying he's just a friend because Laurens head shot up to look at him.
"Hello." He said.
"Welcome to our home." Riley said.
"Thank you." Eddie said.
"Riley, he speaks better English than you do."
"Yeah, anyway... Pops, we'll see you in the morning. Hey, we're watching you, Frenchy." Tommy said. I just rolled my eyes. Lauren already had his eyes on him.
"Come on into the house." My Mom said.
You can ignore the moron triplets." I whispered."
"Okay." I led him up to my room and he set the bags down. Lauren was following him like a lost puppy.
"This is it. you can put them right here." I said pointing to the bed. "Thanks." He walked around the room looking at it from all angles.
"Is it a custom for Americans to put thinks under floorboards for storage?" He asked.
"What are you talking about?" There it was. All the gifts the Cullens got me for my eighteenth birthday. "Oh my god! Eddie can you stay in here for a bit?"
"Yes. There's a letter." He handed it to me. "What does it say."
I read it out loud. "Dear Bella, I guess you found it all, the photos the plane tickets etc. They never left you along with I. Bella, I never left you. I couldn't, I was just where you couldn't find me, always watching. I've even been at college with you and your new boyfriend. I'm glad you've moved on to a safer person that's all I wanted for you. I still sneak into your room while your boyfriend and roommates aren't looking to watch you sleep. Alice told me he was good for you. Occasionally you mumble my name but mostly his but when you do mumble my name my heart still always soars. Bella even after you find this, I'm still going to be watching you, making sure you're safe, hoping that guy doesn't hurt you. I'm even watching you at this moment. Please don't let this letter ruin what you have built, it will only make me feel more guilty for ruining your life. Just know that, I love you, always will, even when you're old and wrinkly. Nothing will stop me. So continue on with your life, have children, age, watch their children grow up. Be happy. Be safe. Love always, Edward Cullen. PS ALICE SAYS HI."
Eddies POV
What did he mean he was always watching her.
BPOV
I took the letter and ripped it up. Eddie just stared at me in shock. "That was my past." I said. I took the pictures and the gifts and put them out of sight. He put his eyes to my map.
"What are all the pins for?" He asked.
"The few red ones are where I've been, and all the green ones are where I want to go." I said.
"Ecuador, El Salvador. They're not exactly tourist destinations, are they?" He asked.
"No, but they're all the places that Doctors Without Borders brings good medical care and vaccinations and clean drinking water." I saw the look on his face. "What?"
"Nothing. I just really never met someone who makes me feel so intimidated. And believe me, I've met my fair share of intimidating people." He said.
"I'm not intimidating. Look at me." I said.
"Yes, well, you see, that's pretty intimidating, as well." He said.
"Well, I'm not the only one with goals. What do you want to do?"
"I don't really have any choice. I have to take over the family business."
"No choice at all?" I asked. It seemed so unbelievable.
"No." He sat down on my bed.
"Careful, you're crushing Gus." I said picking up my old moose stuffed animal. HE had this funny look on his face.
"Oh, Gus."
"Yes, Gus. He's a very good watch-moose. Not once was I attacked by a monster under my bed or something scary in the closet. Isn't that right, Gus?" I said. I started making a funny voice. "Yes, that's right." He laughed. He took Gus's hand and shook it.
"Hello, Gus. Nice to meet you." HE said.
"Very pleased to meet you, as well." I said. We were laughing.
"I like you like this." He said.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Don't know. Just like this. Just Bella." HE leaned in and Charlie opened the door, which meant Lauren was eavesdropping and thought I was taking what was rightfully hers.
All right, Eddie, we got Tommy's room made up for you. It's just down the hall across from our room. We sleep with the door open." Enter Police Chief mode.
"Thanks, Dad." I said.
"So, Eddie, would you like to see how things work around here? Maybe help us out tomorrow?" He said. Charlie might have been Police Chief but there was a side that many didn't know about him and he was referring to other part. My dad inherited some farm land and we usually helped when he wasn't touring during the summer.
"No, no, I don't think that's such a good idea." I said.
"Oh, why not?" My dad asked.
"Yes, why not?" Eddie asked. Man he was just as stubborn as I was.
"Okay. You know what? Go ahead and help out. I'm gonna enjoy this."
"Come on, let's get you settled in." My dad said.
EPOV
I was going to work. It was a disaster. Her brothers were laughing at me the whole time.
"Nicely done with the milking. Yeah, I think you got a new best friend
in Bessy."
"Hey, should we get some dinner?" Then I saw something.
"What are those?" I asked. I noticed Bella's college friends arriving.
"They're lawn mowers."
"Lawn mowers. Really?" I was fascinated by this.
"Yeah. Actually, we race these. It's a huge sport around here."
"Really?" It sounded like fun.
"Yeah."
"Do you mind if I have a look?" I asked.
"No, be our guest."
"Take a look at this one. This is my baby. I just put a new flywheel in there." HE said.
"Yes, I see."
"You know, no matter how dirty he races, there's no way we're letting Keith Kopetsky
take the trophy again this year."
"How fast do these things go?" I asked.
"Well, we clocked it at 52."
"I can make it faster." I said.
"Yeah. Okay. Come on. Let's go."
"What?" I don't think they believed me.
"That's good." They joked.
"Oh, you don't believe me? I can."
BPOV
So Lauren found out the Cullens were back in town and invited them over for Thanksgiving thinking it would be awkward for me.
"Eddie I saved you a seat." She said.
"Trust me, you don't want to sit next to her." I whispered. We went on the opposite side of the table and Eddie sat down next to me.
"Milk?" My mom asked.
"Oh, no. I won't be drinking much milk in the near future." Eddie said and I laughed. Alice was beaming.
"you have more work?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah, 24 hours a day." Charlie said.
"Really?"
"Have to. If you don't milk them, the cows' udders will explode." Emmett said. I knew he was kidding. Eddie looked shocked. He actually believed it.
"No." I reassured him.
It happened at Frank Monahan's." Emmett said.
"And did you actually see it happen, Emmett?" Edward asked.
"No."
"You see, we gotta work twice as hard as corporate-owned farms just to stay afloat. At this rate, the family farm will be extinct in 20 years." Dad said.
"I don't think he needs to hear it now." I said. Edward was eyeing me and Eddie. Tanya was trying to get his attention.
"No, I'm interested." Eddie said.
"What the big boys need to understand is that we're all interdependent. And if somebody loses, eventually, we'll all lose." Charlie said.
"So, Eddie, what's up with you and my sister?" Tommy asked.
"Tommy!" I said.
"Look, Bella, someone had to ask." Riley said.
"Yeah, Bella, he's too good-looking." Charlie said.
"Yeah." Riley said.
"That's right, you're too good-looking." Tommy said. I looked down at the floor and blushed.
"I'm not that good-looking." Eddie said.
"He's pretty good-looking. You're pretty good-looking. Oh, yeah." They all said.
"Guys." I said.
"If you combine that with the accent and your Euro-charm, you're a lethal combination." Riley said.
"Would everyone just stop? Please." I said.
"Bella, we don't even know this guy. I don't know anyone from Denmark. I've never heard of anyone from there. Have you?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah, sure." I said. I didn't think this through I didn't know any one besides Eddie from Denmark. "Eddie?"
"Kierkegaard, Niels Bohr, Hans Christian Andersen." He said. I just smiled and nodded my head.
"Wow." I said.
"Hans Christian Andersen?" My brothers asked.
"Lars Ulrich." Eddie said.
"From Metallica?" Riley asked.
"From Metallica." Eddie confirmed.
"Get out." Riley said.
"Okay." Tommy said.
"And Helena Christensen." Eddie said.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a second. The Victoria's Secret model?" Tommy asked.
"Yes." Eddie said.
"Okay. That's gotta be the coolest country in the world now." Riley said.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Forks Town Fairgrounds. A beautiful day for racing and the 10th annual Mad Mower Derby. Give them a hand. We got the seniors' class. We've got machines up to 15 horsepower. They'll be blasting by the grandstand at a good eight 12 miles an hour. So hang on to your hats when they come by, folks. Let them hear it when they come past the stands here. Peterson's coming out of the pit. Look at him go around that corner." The race wasn't the only part of the fair that was important to my family. Charlie was a country singer before he retired to this little town once a year he sings at the fair and it is awesome.
EPOV
"Check it out. Kopetsky." One of Bella's brothers said.
"What's up, Keith?" Riley said.
"What the hell did you do to that thing?" Keith asked.
"I bumped up the compression and a few other little modifications." I said.
BPOV
I was sitting in the bleachers with my step families and my family.
"Your brothers seem to like him." Renee said.
"Mom." I said.
"I like him too." She said.
"Yeah, I get that. I really can't afford any distractions right now." I said.
"Chemistry isn't just in a class, kiddo. And you guys have it."
"Right. Then what happens? I fool myself into thinking he's Prince Charming? We get married
and live happily ever after? Then all my work goes down the drain because I'm too busy shopping for groceries and picking my kids up at soccer." I said.
"Sweetie, it really wasn't as bad as all that."
"I didn't mean it that way."
"I know. But we're not talking about me. I made my choice. This is about you making the right choice for you." She said. Did I love Eddie? I wasn't sure.
"Okay, we're getting ready for the super-modified class." The announcer said.
"Okay, your brothers are getting out there."
"We have a Le Mans-style start. The engines will be off. The drivers, on the gun, will be running on foot across the track, onto the mowers, start the mowers and start racing. All right, this one's for all the marbles. And they've set themselves up on the line now. Boys, you've been waiting all summer for this. They're getting ready here. They're champing at the bit, folks. All set. Listen for the gun
to start it off. And they're off. There they go." Eddie started running but got knocked down by Kopetsky.
"Oh, Williams and Kopetsky collide. Williams is on the ground. Get out of there before they run you over. They're firing the machines up now. Number five is up. Number seven's up. Kopetsky pulls right out. Looks like Williams is having trouble getting his engine going. And as they head into the first turn, Kopetsky on number eight is in the lead. Look at that. Williams got it running. But he's got a long way to go. It looks like the Swan brothers are really challenging Kopetsky there. They are chasing him down...Riley Morgan, on Moovover, second. And his brother, Tommy, on number seven, is right behind him. Williams now is on the track, he's catching up. At the back of the pack, he's starting to move up nicely. And he's putting on some real speed, but he is way behind. And it looks like we've got a duel
shaping up in the front of the pack. Riley Swan is really going after Kopetsky. He's pushed Swan towards the hay bale there. It looks like he pushed him right off the track. Keep it clean there, Kopetsky. Tommy Swan is moving up now to see if he can snatch the lead away from Kopetsky. And here comes Williams on number nine. He's catching up. This could be a three-way race, folks. Kopetsky is trying to hold him off now. Weaving back and forth to the inside. Williams trying to go outside, now trying to cut inside.
Kopetsky will have none of it. He's holding him off. One lap to go. Let them hear it, folks. Going around the third corner... Williams, the rookie, is really out for the gold. He's coming after Kopetsky on the inside. Kopetsky is trying to hold him off with some quick moves. Watch out for him, Williams. He'll mess with you. It's Kopetsky and Williams now. Oh, my God, they bumped! Did you see that? Williams is coming in first! Williams, the first-time rookie rider, takes the championship of the super-modifieds." YES!
After the race I met up with the guys. Eddie was holding a jar of marbles.
"It's stupid." I said.
"He said it was for all the marbles. I won them. I'm going to keep them." HE said smiling.
"Hey, you." Kopetsky said.
"Fine race, sir." Eddie said. Reaching out his hand. Kopetsky punched him.
"Right. I'm gonna kick your ass." Eddie said. The next thing I know there is fight between Kopetsky, my brothers Eddie and Emmett.
Eddie drove me back to the house on the lawn mower. We were in my garage and I could the Cullens spying in a tree. I just rolled my eyes.
"Are you okay?"I asked.
"Yes."
"Here, come over here." I examined the damage just a bit of redness. "I still think we should've stopped at that biker bar, shown them your hog." I said laughing.
"Why? Are we trying to set some record of how many times I can get beaten up in one night? If we were fencing, he would've been in serious trouble." He said.
"He still would have punched you. Sorry. I think that people around here are getting the wrong idea about you and me." I said looking up at him.
"What idea is that?" He asked.
"That we're involved."
"Which we're not."
"No. Definitely not." We were getting closer and closer.
"Because you hate me." He said. I smiled.
"Yes, very much." HE leaned in and kissed me. Well that turned out into a full out make out session.
"YES!" I heard Emmett say and a loud thud. We broke apart. Eddies expression was hard to read.
"What? What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Which is why I am going to walk you to your door...and bid you good night?" HE kissed me one more time and we parted ways. I walked up to my room and Alice was sitting on my bed.
"OHMYGOD BELLA YOU GUYS ARE SO GREAT TOGETHER!" she pulled me in a huge hug.
"Alice calm down." I was with Eddie, maybe he was my knight in shining armor.