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One
“Don’t you find that creepy?” Eddie asked as he and Veronica laid in her bed. He spoke softly, as he did not want to give Veronica’s father any indication that Eddie had snuck through Veronica’s window. Juan Mendez didn’t even know he and Veronica were dating, and walking in on them cuddling would be the worst way to announce that.
“Find what creepy?” Veronica asked, and Eddie proceeded to point to what hung over them. There, above Veronica’s headboard, was a wooden a crucified Jesus. Whoever made it was a master at their craft, as they perfectly depicted the look of unimaginable pain in Jesus’ facial expression, a crown of thorns heavy on his brow, and even droplets that indicted blood and tears were carved into the wood. Veronica looked up at it, then back at Eddie with a puzzled look. “Why would that be creepy?”
“You have a depiction of the hypothetical son of god’s death hanging over your bed.”
“I know.”
Eddie blinked, stunned by her nonchalance. “Why?”
”It’s for protection.”
“I thought that was for protection,” Eddie said, pointing to the statue of Veronica’s beloved saint on her desk.
The statue, Eddie liked infinitely more. It too was made of wood, but instead of just being the color of the wood, it has been sanded and painted with beautiful vibrant colors. The saint wore a pink dress, a purple ribbon tied at the waist, and was draped with a sapphire robe decorated by golden stars. The saint’s face was downturned, tears running down her half-lidded eyes, and her black hair framed her sad expression. She stood on top of a red crescent moon, and an angel laid by her feet. The most beautiful aspect of the statue was the saint had a deep brown complexion, similar to Veronica’s. When he turned back to his girlfriend, she was smiling softly at the statue.
“Yes, but la virgen de Guadalupe isn’t just about protection. She’s…she’s a mother, so for me, having her there is more for comfort,” Veronica said.
Eddie hummed, resting his head on Veronica’s chest and relishing in how his face slightly sunk into the mound of her breast. Underneath his ear was Veronica’s strong heart beat, and Eddie looked back up at the crucifix. “That still doesn’t explain why you have a dying man hanging over your bed.”
“‘Cause without that dying guy, we wouldn’t be here.”
“Sure we wouldn’t.” Veronica laughed softly at Eddie’s skeptical remark. “Wouldn’t you rather, I don’t know, want a depiction of Jesus where he’s not dying?”
”There’s beauty in death, Eddie. It’s what gives life its value and weight.”
”Even when it’s unjustified?” Eddie asked, staring back up at wooden Jesus.
”Life isn’t fair to most of us. Not even the son of God. And yet, we still grasp onto it. We still fight for it. That’s why death is beautiful.”
Eddie scrunched his nose at Veronica’s musing. “I don’t get it.”
Veronica chuckled as she rested her head on Eddie’s chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. Instinctively, Eddie rubbed her back, and his girlfriend yawned. “Maybe it’s just a Mexican thing. We do have a holiday celebrating it, after all.”
”Wait, really?”
Veronica’s soft snores were his response.
Two
It would be a lie if Eddie’s feelings weren’t hurt when Veronica snatched his hand away from her thigh as they sat on the couch with Juan. It wasn’t an initiating touch for something more salacious, and Veronica knew that. Eddie simply enjoyed feeling the heat from her plush thighs, and he always rested his hand palm up in order for Veronica to intertwine their fingers. Except, she had slyly scooted away from him, and she brought her feet to the couch to hug her knees. Eddie sent an incredulous look her way, but she continued watching the movie they had rented, all the while her father’s piercing green eyes burn holes in his head. The following Friday, Juan sat in between them on the couch.
“Did I do something wrong, Mr. Mendez?” Eddie asked as he got ready to leave while Veronica got ready for bed in her room.
“No,” was Juan’s curt response.
“Oh. That’s good. I thought I did something to upset you.”
“You did.”
“What? What did I do?”
“You touched Verónica’s thigh.”
Eddie waited for the man to elaborate, but Juan only continued glaring at him. “I’m, uh, sorry? I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You should not be apologizing to me. Verónica is a señorita, and a señorita needs to be treated with the utmost respect. You made her uncomfortable.”
“Then, um, can I go apologize to her?”
Juan stared at him for so long, Eddie was half convinced he had turned into stone. That was until Juan opened his mouth, and in a loud, booming voice, cried out, “¡Verónica, ven aquí!”
Eddie jumped about five feet into the air. Man, Juan sure did have strong lungs.
Veronica came out of her room, wearing gym shorts and an oversized t-shirt. One half of her hair was plaited into a long braid, while the other was tied in a ponytail, indicating she was about to braid the rest of it. “¿Qué pasó?”
Juan took a step aside and gestured to Eddie. “El Eddie tiene algo que decirte.”
Veronica gave Juan a look, then turned her attention to Eddie. “Yes?”
“I’m, uh, sorry.”
That made Veronica tilt her head. “For what?”
“For making you uncomfortable last week. When I…I touched your thigh.”
Veronica frowned, then looked at her father with contempt written all over her face. “Ya te dije que fue un accidente.”
“Era un falto de respeto.”
“¿A mí o a ti?” Verónica spat out, and Juan actually looked shameful. “You don’t have to be all macho all the time, Dad. I know when I’ve been disrespected, and Eddie has never disrespected me.” Veronica then turned to Eddie and gave him a small smile. “You don’t have to apologize to me, honey. My dad is just old school, and he doesn’t want us to be all lovey-dovey. If it were up to him, we wouldn’t even hold hands until we were married.”
“But why did you pull away?” Eddie couldn’t help but ask.
“‘Cause I knew my dad would pull some shit like this.”
“Vero,” Juan reprimanded at the swear word.
His daughter didn’t listen. Instead, she grabbed Eddie’s hands and squeezed them. “I know you’re a gentleman, Eddie. And my dad does too. He’s just…protective. Overly so.”
Eddie bit back a laugh and nodded. “Well, still. I’m sorry. To both of you.”
“Just do not do it again,” Juan said, still pouting like a child at his daughter’s verbal lashing. Eddie wished he had understood it; it must’ve been good if the stoically proud Juan Mendez had his tail between his legs.
“I should get going. Goodnight, Mr. Mendez.” Eddie brought Veronica’s hands to his lips and kissed them. “Goodnight, V.”
“Goodnight,” Veronica breathed out.
If Eddie made a point to hold Veronica’s hand throughout their movie night with her dad, then he pretended not to notice how much Juan sent disapproved looks his way.
Three
When Eddie had woken up feeling like he was high, he knew he was battling a fever. Because of that, he managed to get up, stumble to the phone, and call Veronica.
“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to take you to school,” Eddie said, his voice scratchy and nasally.
“It’s okay, honey. I still have time to catch the bus. Feel better, okay?” Her sweet voice said.
“I’ll try.”
“You have medicine?”
“Yeah, Wayne just got me some.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
Always a woman of her word, Veronica had Juan bring her to the trailer after school with a mission. First, she put water in a pot and put it to boil on the stove. As she waited for the water to be ready, she came to Eddie and sat him up. She harshly brushed his sweaty and greasy hair before braiding it.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“This way you don’t have too much strain on you head but you can have it out of your face,” she said as she tied the braid with a hair tie. She then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back.”
She brought back a steaming hot cup of chamomile tea. She forced him to drink it while it was still burning, or else “it wouldn’t work.” Eddie didn’t have the energy to argue, so he did, and almost instantly began to sweat. He chugged it down as quickly as possible, and (after gaining a burnt tongue) had thought finishing the tea would suffice. But that was not the case.
“Why are you putting this shit on me?” he moaned as Veronica rubbed an unfamiliar gel on his chest. Not only was it unnaturally cold, but Eddie felt a burning sensation seep into the skin Veronica lathered the gel on. Oh, and it’s most distinctive feature made Eddie’s head spin. “It smells weird.”
“It’s Vicks, honey, and it’ll help clear you up,” Veronica said with a sweet smile.
“I thought that’s what the chamomile tea was for?”
In his corner of protective gloom, Juan made a chuckling sound as he waved his hand. “Just do what she says, Eddie. She’s just like her mother.” And if Eddie wasn’t so sick, he would’ve pointed out that Juan smiled too fondly for a man who supposedly wasn’t still in love with his ex-wife.
Veronica patted Eddie’s shoulder, and he was faced with her beautiful smile. “Sit up. I’m gonna put some on your back.”
Eddie obeyed, taking the opportunity to rest his head on her shoulder. “I swear I’ll be fine without all of this.”
“And I swear you’ll be better quicker with all of this. Now, lie down, I’m gonna get you some water.” Veronica laid him down, bent down and kissed Eddie’s forehead. Eddie was pretty sure her kisses were enough to heal him. “I love you.”
“Me too,” Eddie murmured, hyper aware of Juan’s intense gaze at him. “But don’t kiss me; I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Oh, don’t worry.” Veronica pointed at her father, who still stared without shame. “He forces me to get the flu shot every winter, even though he knows I’m scared of needles.”
Eddie hummed, closing his eyes as Veronica pulled away from him . “Don’t leave.”
“I’m just getting water.”
“I want you by my side. Please, I hate being sick.”
“Let me get you some water, then I promise I’ll stay next to you.”
“Can you lie next to me?”
“No,” Juan warned.
“Se siente mal,” Veronica said, and when Eddie opened his eyes, he saw that she was engaging in a stare down with her father.
“Te vas a enfermar.”
“Pero yo puedo aguantarlo.”
Wayne decided it was time to interject, as he stuck his head in through the door. “Juan, he ain’t gonna try any funny business. He can barely walk in a straight line.”
“But—”
Suddenly, in the deepest part of his stomach, something churned, and he was hit with a sharp pain. Eddie let out an anguished cry as he grabbed onto his stomach, barely managing to get out, “I’m gonna throw up.”
Instantly, Veronica jumped out of the way, and Eddie bent forward to throw up in the bin next to the bed. It burned his throat as it left his body, and Eddie knew it was mostly acid, as he hadn’t eaten anything today. Veronica rubbed his back, holding his hair back like he was some hungover girl after her first college party. Eddie coughed after emptying the contents of his stomach. “Yeah, no more kissing.”
Wayne and Juan left the room to dispose of the contents in his bin, and Veronica took it as a chance to slide behind Eddie and wrap her arms around his waist as a bone-deep chill came over him. “You’ll be okay,” she whispered, intertwining her fingers in his as shivers rocked his body.
The next day, Eddie woke up feeling like a million bucks, while Veronica caught the stomach flu from him. That didn’t stop him from excitedly telling Jeff about the miracle worker that was Vicks Vapor Rub.
Four
“V?” Eddie called out as he searched inside her cabinets.
“Yes, honey?” Veronica called out as she, her mother, and Juan brought in the groceries from the car. They were preparing for Veronica’s family to arrive in a few days, and were stocking up their food supply. In the meantime, Miss Viv had asked Eddie to pull out a pit so she can make caldo de pollo. Why she wanted to make something hot in this heat, Eddie didn’t know, but he’s learned it’s better not to question what Viviana Juarez does or does not do, nor why she or does not do something.
“I don’t think you guys have any pots,” Eddie said as he turned to look at his girlfriend, who alongside her parents, were staring at him as if he had grown another head. “I’ve checked every cabinet, every drawer, and even the dishwasher. I can’t find them anywhere.”
“Did you check the oven?” Veronica asked as if it was the most obvious solution.
“Huh?”
“The oven.”
Still confused, Eddie went to the oven, opened it, and was met with the missing pots and pans. “What the hell?”
Miss Viv chuckled as she strode to the oven and picked out a pot. “I’m guessing anglos don’t put their pots and pans here?”
“Not this anglo,” Eddie said, watching Miss Viv in astonishment as she closed the oven with her hip, something Veronica would do. “Um, do you need help with anything else?”
“Can you wash the chicken while Vero and Juan Luis put everything away?”
“…you wash your chicken before cooking it?”
That had gained not only three looks of horror, but also a lecture on proper cooking hygiene. Because how was Eddie expected to marry Veronica in the future if he was going to give her salmonella? As Miss Viv cooked the thoroughly washed chicken in the pot of water, Eddie decided to not mention that he had never heard of consumé de pollo before that day, either.
Five
Eddie had heard from Veronica that her sister Valeria was the prettiest out of the three sisters. This seemed to have been something considered common knowledge in the family, as Vanessa, Miss Viv, Juan, and even Veronica’s late brother, Victor would often echo this sentiment.Of course, Eddie didn’t believe it before meeting Valeria, and he still didn’t believe it after meeting Valeria. He may be biased, though, as Veronica was the prettiest human being on the planet and she let him do things like kiss her and touch her butt and more X-rated activities as of late. Still, Eddie had to admit that his future sister-in-law was a very pretty woman. She had shoulder length brown hair that she styled in bouncy waves, the same way Veronica used to back when she first moved to Hawkins. She has thin eyebrows, lightly tan skin, and big green eyes. Her nose was not arched like Juan’s, Veronica’s, or Victor’s, nor was it slightly flat and round like Miss Viv’s or Vanessa’s. It was slender and lifted up like a ski slope. From what Veronica has told him, that nose came from their grandmother Isabel.
Eddie had been shocked to see how tall she was, though he really shouldn’t have been. Veronica said Juan was “really tall for a Mexican,” (whatever that meant) and Victor had been as tall as his father. Vanessa was quite average height for a woman at around 5’5/5’6, and Miss Viv was only an inch shorter than her. Veronica was the shortest, and standing next to her, Valeria looked even taller. When Veronica introduced Eddie to her, they stood at almost the same height, which meant Valeria was around 5’10, 5’11. Her husband Peter was her height, with pale skin, brown eyes, and black hair. He was a decent looking man, but nothing spectacular in Eddie’s opinion. From what Veronica had told him, his personality wasn’t his winning factor either.
Both of them shook Eddie’s hand politely, unaware of his mental dissection of their relationship, and their son Javi, who had been in Veronica’s arms, shied away from Eddie when he waved at the one-year-old. Still, Eddie could see why everyone was crazy about the boy. He was a chubby guy, with big blue eyes, ink black hair, and an infectious smile and laugh. He kept calling Veronica “Doe” instead of “Vero,” and giggled every time Veronica would get “mad” and reprimand him.
“Javi, can you say ‘Eddie?’” Veronica asked, and Javi simply shook his head. That had caused everyone to laugh, and Eddie made it his mission to make the boy to smile before he returned to Anaheim.
Vanessa had dyed her hair black since they last saw each other in January, and she had hugged Eddie tightly when she greeted him. “How are you, peludo?”
“I’m good. You know, as good as someone who failed senior year twice can be.”
Vanessa patted his back and gave him a gracious smile. “Take it from me, Eddie—just because someone is good in school doesn’t mean they’re smart. Look at Vero for instance.”
“Asshole,” Veronica muttered with an endeared smile as she and Vanessa hugged.
That left Eddie to stare at the newcomer; Vanessa’s boyfriend, Isaiah. Veronica had been right when she said he was tall, as he over all of them at around 6’3. He had dark skin, a charming smile, and a handsome face. It took everything in Eddie had to not swoon when Isaiah dapped him up before grabbing hold of his shoulders.
“So, you’re Ronnie’s boyfriend. Nessa wasn’t kidding when she said you had a lot of hair. But you’re a lot better looking than she said you were.”
“Uh, thanks?”
“The food’s ready!” Miss Viv called out as she placed a plate in front of Juan’s designated spot at the head of the table. Valeria went to the kitchen while Peter sat down with Javi, and Vanessa and Veronica both dragged their boyfriends to the kitchen. Once he sat down, Eddie was shocked to see that instead of sitting down and eating, Valeria placed her plate in front of Peter, who began to eat without a care in the world. She left, then came back with a Coke, opened it, and placed it in front of Peter, who was now offering beans on a tortilla to Javi. She then handed Peter a napkin before she went back to the kitchen to finally serve herself.
“Does she wipe your ass too?” Veronica asked as she glowered at the display.
Peter only smirked. “Joke while you can, Vero. In a few years, you’ll be doing the same thing for Eddie. And watch, you’ll be doing it with a smile on your face.”
“Primera muerta,” Veronica spat out.
“Verónica,” Miss Viv reprimanded, and Veronica backed down.
After a conversation about music, movies, and The Lord of the Rings, Eddie pulled Veronica aside after she finished washing the dishes. “I don’t want you to ever start serving my food for me.”
Veronica smiled knowingly. “Good. I never was going to.”
Plus One
Half a year after Veronica’s graduation, five months after she broke up with him, and four days after they got back together, Veronica and Eddie made love for the first time in…god only knows how long. They laid in Eddie’s bathtub, in the still warm water, and Eddie couldn’t stop running his fingertips along Veronica’s body as her back rested against his chest. She had gained some pounds since they last saw each other, gaining enticing rolls on her sides, a squishier stomach, thicker thighs, and an even more comforting weight against Eddie’s chest. The stress from college had caused a few breakouts on Veronica’s cheeks ,which she hated but Eddie appreciated. Finally, some proof that Veronica was actually human. And of course, just like it always did in winter, Veronica’s skin was slightly paler.
Eddie brought Veronica’s wrist to his mouth and kissed it. “I can’t wait till summer comes.”
“Why? So you can be free from Hawkins High forever?” Veronica teased.
“That, but also so I can see your skin get all beautiful and tan again.” Eddie pressed another kiss to her wrist before letting it fall. Instantly, Veronica sat up and turned around to face him. Eddie looked in her eyes and saw something indecipherable brewing in them. “What?”
Veronica gawked at him, then laughed softly. “You’re a weirdo, Eddie Munson.”
“How am I a weirdo? You know, besides the obvious.”
“It’s just…well, I’ve told you before that back home, I’m considered ugly,” Veronica said, her eyes glazing over with a hundred yard stare. “I’m too fat. My nose is too big. My skin is too dark. I speak out too much. And yet…and yet those are all the things you always compliment me about.”
“Well, yeah,” Eddie said as he scooted closer to her. “I love those things about you.”
”Why?”
”Because they’re what make you Veronica.”
“But how?”
“How what?”
“How do you not understand that I’m not…conventionally pretty.”
“Says who?”
“Says everyone,” Veronica said with a laugh, but Eddie knew that laugh. That laugh was the one she had whenever she wanted to avoid crying. “Mexican, gringos, everyone.”
“Why should I give a damn about what anyone else says?” Eddie said, taking Veronica’s face in his hands. He traced the arched bridge of Veronica’s nose. “I like that your nose is big and hooked, and I love rubbing my nose against it like this.” He leant forward and nuzzled his nose against hers, gaining giggles from her. He pulled back and took her hands in his. “I like that you’re a little chubby. You’re warm, soft, and I like seeing your stomach and tits jiggle when I fuck you.”
“Eddie!” Veronica reprimanded, smiling despite herself.
“And I think your skin is the most stunning shade of brown. It’s like…it’s like you came directly from the earth.”
Veronica hummed at that. “Thats what the Bible says. That man came from the earth. Though, Eve came from Adam’s rib.”
“I would lose a rib if it meant I’d have you.” Veronica laughed. “I mean it, sweetheart. I don’t care what society says is beautiful, whether it’s American, Mexican. Canadian, or whatever! Who gives anyone the right to dictate who and what’s beautiful? I mean, I doubt I’m the most conventionally attractive guy out there. I’m too skinny and my arms are like noodles. Nowhere near Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
Veronica scoffed. “I don’t like muscular guys.”
”Exactly. Beauty is subjective, and it has a different definition for everyone. You think George Michael is the most gorgeous person on earth, and I think you’re the most gorgeous person on earth. Not despite of anything, or because of anything. You’re beautiful. That’s all there is to it.”
Veronica slowly climbed into Eddie’s lap and hugged him close, murmuring her love for him into his neck. When she pulled away, she smiled at him. “You’re wrong.”
”About what?”
”George Michael is the second most gorgeous person on earth. You’re number one.”
Eddie grinned; he finally got one over on that British bastard.