Opposites Attract

Chapter 14

A/N; I appologise now for any mistakes in my translation, but I used Google translate so if there are any mistakes, please feel free to tell me and I'll happily change it :-) I've written the English underneath the Swedish in bold so that everyone can understand, and it's over the next few chapters :-) ♥

Chapter 14;

Kate p.o.v

We got off the plane at just after 11.35am local time, at Ängelholm airport.

The first thing I noticed was that it wasn't a big airport. To be quite honest, I was just glad that we were off the plane - flying wasn't my favourite thing in the world.

The second thing I noticed was how cold it was. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground and I was able to see my own breath - I was suddenly glad that Eric had insisted I wear a coat.

"You ok, sweetie?" Eric woke me from my staring by taking my hand as we were walking across the tarmac.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, just noticing how cold it is." I huffed - I don't do cold weather. I'd much rather be on a sunny beach somewhere.

"I bet you're glad you wore a coat then." He winked as he lightly bumped my shoulder with his. Damn him always being right.

A while later, we had gotten through security, picked up our bags from inside and found a taxi. With some help from the driver, Eric heaved our bags into the boot of the car.

"From here to Kattärp will only take about 20 minutes." He'd told me excitedly as we sat down.

I settled against his warm chest and he wrapped his arms around me. We didn't really say anything for the rest of the journey, sitting in comfortable silence.

               ........................

Kate p.o.v

"Kate, sweetie, wake up." I made a 'huh?' sound before he laughed. "We're here." He smiled.

We got out and after paying the driver, got our bags from the boot. Just as Eric had put his bag on the floor next to mine, we heard a voice call out.

"Eric!" His mother, I assumed. I could instantly see the similarities between them. He had her dark eyes, nose and cheekbones.

I had yet to meet his father but that wouldn't be now as he was away on business. His parents got divorced when he was four, and his mum had taken him to England when he was 5 or 6.

He saw his father occasionally, whenever he came over here or he would invite him over to England - mostly separate from his mother and  half siblings apart from Christmas.

In Sweden, his father and older sister Lina still lived fairly close. In fact, I think we were going to see Lina at some point while we're here.

Eric closed the boot and turned to meet her. "Mamma." He beamed as she pulled him into a hug. "It's good to see you."

"Min pojke."

"My boy." She sighed. She opened her eyes and saw me, standing awkwardly behind them. She pulled away and spoke.  "Är det här Katherine?"

"Is this Katherine?" She gasped. It worried me slightly.

"Kate, ja." I'd only heard Eric speak Swedish a few times and it never failed to distract me. Obviously he would know how to speak it, but hadn't really had much need to back home.

"Eric," she smiled brightly as she walked over to me. "she is absolutely beautiful!"

I heard Eric's rather proud 'ja' as his mother enveloped me into a tight hug. "It's lovely to meet you, Kate." She told me brightly as she pulled away. "I'm Marlene, Eric's mother."

Although she'd pulled away, she was still holding both my hands in hers. "And you. Thank you for having me."

"Of course! Come, you must be hungry?" I nodded - I really was as we'd only had a bit of toast for breakfast before we'd left. "Eric, take both your bags up to your room, will you?" Eric agreed, picking up the bags and walking into the house behind us.

We'd been in the kitchen for a few minutes when Eric came in. Marlene was busy at the cooker and I was chopping tomatoes for the lunch. She hadn't seen him come in and probably hadn't heard him as the radio was on fairly loud.

Eric wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my cheek and whispering in my ear. "Everything ok?" I nodded, grinning like an idiot. He kissed my cheek again and Marlene spoke without turning around.

"Eric, you can put her down now." She laughed.

"Sorry, Mamma." He chuckled. I passed him the chopping board and the knife, and he took over with a smile plastered firmly in place. "Is everyone at school?"

"Ja. They'll be back at about 4'o clock so until then, it's just us three."

The next hour or so were spent talking, eating and washing up until we were sat in the living room and Marlene spoke.

"You've put on weight, min pojke!"

"It's muscle, Mamma." Eric smiled, although sighing heavily.

"You've always been too skinny." She carried on. Eric rolled his eyes, interrupting her.

"Kate, I don't know about you but I need a shower? I can show you where everything is." He smirked. I tried to mimic his pronunciation as I replied.

"Ja." I grinned, although my attempt probably wasn't that good. I'd noticed the differences between Eric's accent and his mother's. Granted, Marlene had lived here for longer, but I'd always thought that Eric had quite a strong accent when we were at home - it seemed extremely unnoticeable now we were actually here.

"Very good." He grinned. I took his extended hand and  followed him upstairs.