Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. However, I do own this plot and storyline. I also own my own original characters.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, products, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 3: Heavin' the Haul

EPOV

We pull through the main gate and Billy takes a road to the right instead of heading toward the house. As we approach the utility building, I see the guys and Leah standing outside with the doors already open.

Billy parks and we all start climbing out. Jessica immediately loads Cassie in an XUV and heads back towards the house.

"First, we need to get this meat in the freezer and the food put up," Billy states as we all grab bags of food and the ice chests.

Bella leads us to a door inside the utility building that I've never noticed before, and I'm in awe of what I see. She has both a walk-in freezer and refrigerator, along with an enclosed, airtight pantry. I walk into the freezer and she is already moving the items from the left side to the right. The shelves are marked with the different meat types and it's completely organized.

"Wow," I state in amazement. "This is better than I had at the restaurant."

"I like to use the older stuff first," she replies with a knowing smirk. "So everything new goes on the left and the older stuff on the right. Everyone knows to always grab from the right."

"That's a good system," I praise, noticing the ice is starting to build up. "When was the last time you cleaned it out?"

"Um," she stutters. "We haven't ever cleaned it unless we spill something."

"It needs to be defrosted and hosed down every six months," I explain. "That way the ice doesn't build up and cause any damage."

"Oh," she sighs. "I didn't know, and I don't think Sarah did either. We bought it used along with the refrigerator when a restaurant in town closed down about a year ago."

"So, why don't we do this. Lets not buy any more meat until this stuff is almost gone," I tell her. "Then, we can store what's left in the activity center freezer and I'll clean it out."

"Thanks, Edward," she whispers as we continue to separate the meat onto the correct shelves.

Sarah and Leah already have the cold stuff organized and put away in the refrigerator. I quickly peek in there to see if it has any build-up as well. When I see the same build-up, I make a mental note to clean it out as well. I finish helping Sarah organize the pantry while the others separate the remaining purchases.

They load the clothes and boots onto the bed of a utility cart, which Rose and Alice take to the house. The guys unload the building supplies, while my mother puts all the bedding and home decor stuff in a small trailer that is hooked to another utility cart. I start loading the paint cans in the bed for her along with Seth, who looks upset.

"What's got your feathers in a ruffle," we hear behind us, turning to see Bella and Billy standing there.

Seth hangs his head, "Nothin'."

"You know that ain't gonna work with me, mister," Bella admonishes. "Spill."

"Um, Sam and Emily were at Crossroads last night and told us Sam lost his job-," Seth explains with chagrin until he's cut off by Leah.

"And Emily just found out she's pregnant and Momma's upset," Leah finishes. "If Sam can't find a job, they'll have to move again, and we're the only family they got left," she states as the others walk up behind her.

I look up at Leah, confused by her last statement. "Seth is my older brother. Our mother is Sue Clearwater, from the nursing home, and Emily's our cousin."

"Hey, Jasper," Bella asks, never taking her eyes off Seth. "You gonna need to hire anyone to help with all the construction projects you have 'round here?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jasper states. "Especially that chicken house and the upstairs remodel."

"Maybe Seth here can call Sam and tell 'em you're gonna be interviewing Monday morning," Bella states as she walks off to finish helping my mother and Angela load the stuff going up to the house. Billy just shakes his head, smiling as he walks to get some more stuff from the trailer.

"Tell him to meet me in the office at eight Monday morning," Jasper comments, following Billy.

"Feel better now, brother dear?" Leah asks, in a teasingly, snarky tone. "You should have just told her instead of lettin' it getcha down."

"Yeah," he sighs, shoving her hand away from ruffling his hair.

After everything is where it's supposed to be and Lleu has been feed, I take him outside. I'm sitting on one of the patio chairs when the back door opens and Dasher darts out. Cassie and Bella follow behind, Bella plopping plops down in the chair next to mine.

"Damn," she whispers. "I'm tired as all get out."

"Me, too," I agree. "And I still have to make dinner."

"Naw," she says, shaking her head. "I sent Jake to pick up burgers for everyone."

"Sounds good," I admit, relieved. "I think I'm going to do nothing tomorrow."

"I might do nothin' tomorrow right along with ya," she smirks at me. "Except Sunday dinner, we gotta do that."

The others join us on the patio, looking just as tired. I see a streak of yellow run by and followed by Seth moments later, flustered.

"I swear Luke is never gonna learn anythin'," Seth complains, dropping down into one of the patio chairs.

"It's because you don't change your tone," Alice comments. "He'll never take you seriously."

"What?" Seth asks, looking at her in shock.

"You use the same tone of voice to command him as you do when you're talking to us," Alice clarifies. "He'll never listen to you if you don't sound like you mean it."

"Can you help me train him?" he asks Alice shyly. "Bella had Garrett help with Dasher, but I don't wanna guard dog, I want him to be a companion."

I look to Bella for clarification as does most of my family.

"Garrett's a deputy with the sheriff's office," she explains. "He trained with the K-9 division in Houston before movin' here."

"Yeah," Alice concedes. "I'll help you with the basics."

Lleu starts stumbling, so I scoop him up. Poor thing can't keep up with the big dogs. Next thing I know, Cassie is climbing in my lap to be next to him. Bella just smiles at her and then winks at me. My heart gives a flutter.

We're all just sitting around chatting. Jasper and Billy are excitingly brainstorming and drawing the plans for Bella's chicken coop and asking her questions here and there. Bella is on Cassie's iPad, reading about raising chickens, while Sarah looks over her shoulder. Seth and Ben are talking about the fishing pier. Emmett is throwing a football around with Eric, Tyler, Angela, and Rose, who can outrun them all. My mother and father are just sitting back with Alice and me, taking it all in.

Jake and Jessica stumble through the back door calling for help. Alice and my father jump up to grab bags as Sarah and Bella go get drinks for everyone. I look down to see both Cassie and Lleu asleep in my lap.

"Let me take her so you can eat," Jessica states, reaching for Cassie.

"Nope. I got this," I tell her. "Sit and eat."

We're all eating and talking when Cassie begins to stir. I rub her back helping her wake up as Bella sits a cut of burger without the bun and fries in front of her. She starts picking at it as Billy opens ketchup packets and squirts it on the side by her fries. She is happily munching away after that. I dunk one of my fries in her ketchup and I look up to the sound of several gasps. Cassie looks at me, smiles and then goes back to eating.

"Well, I'll be," Billy says in disbelief. "I wouldn't believe it if I did see it."

I look around in confusion and then go back to eating and sharing Cassie's ketchup with her. Bella just smiles and shakes her before starting to eat again.

By the time we're done, Cassie and I are covered in ketchup. My mother just smiles at us. It's not my fault the ketchup would drip off her fries.

"You two are a mess," Bella chides. "Off to the bath, both of you."

She takes Cassie's hand, leading her into the house. I get up to throw our trash away and reach for Lleu so we can go upstairs.

"I'll feed him and take him to your room when he's done," Rose states. "You go get cleaned up."

The shower feels great after a long day of running around. I take my time and just let the hot water pound my muscles. I was serious when I told Bella I was going to do nothing tomorrow. The things that woman makes me feel. I'm instantly hard thinking about her. Beautiful brown eyes, the way her hand felt holding mine, sexy as fuck hips, her cute ass in those tight jeans. I come unglued just thinking about her hands on me. I'm a panting, sweaty mess when I come out of my thoughts. What the hell was that? She turns me on without even trying. I finish cleaning up, still a little out of it from my activities.

After drying off and getting dressed in some sleep pants, I go to the bedroom and see Lleu asleep on my pillow. Oh, he is so going to learn to sleep in his bed. Damn Rose for putting him up there. I get his bed out and put it in the corner, determined to introduce him to it tomorrow.

I decide to play on my iPad for a little while. I research everything from chickens to purchasing a few allergen-free cookbooks. I even find a few songs that I like and download them.

I play some mind-numbing game until I fall asleep, dreaming of brown eyes and giggles.

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