A/N: Hello to all! I am going to give the AU, AH thing a try. This will be a historical piece, so I will try my best to keep it as true to time as posible. Please keep this in mind, I am no way affiliated with Stephenie Meyer or any other companies. I own nothing but the plot. Please take note of the "M" rating for it will be necessary in later chapters for language and sexual content.

Enjoy!

Common Blood is Sometimes the Sweetest

Prologue

Boston, Massachusetts 1862

It seemed as though all of Boston were gathered around the small, but grand sitting room of Major Swan's Elizabethian home. Major Charles Swan, leader of one of the finest units in the Army, watched proudly as his wife Renee cuddled their newborn daughter. The infant's birth had been long awaited for the Swan family, and now all of Charles' unit crowded around the small bundle. Although the child was only a few weeks old, she already had the hearts of many men wrapped around her little, cherub like fingers.

Amoung this group of onlookers was Carlisle Cullen, Duke of Forkshire, his wife Esme and their two young children, Edward and Alice. Their families had been friends for many years and now amoung the others, Carlisle came to wish his old friend the best.

"She certainly is a beauty, Charles. Good thing she took after her mother." Carlisle chuckled as he and Charles watched their wives coo over the infant.

"Yes, well I had to play a part in there somewhere, my friend." In fact, Charles had a large part in his young daughter. She had his peircing brown eyes, and chocolate brown curls. The child was indeed something to stare at in awe.

Although they were young, the Cullen children were very bright for their four years. The twins had an odd beauty about them as well. Each taking on certain aspects of their own parents.

"Father, the baby smiled at me." Young Alice giggled, the sound like tiny bells. Her short almost black hair bouncing as she bounced lightly in excitement. Standing slightly behind her was her brother, Edward observing the infant carefully. Although he was the oposite of the very energetic Alice, he was very observant. Carlisle and Charles both watched in wonder as Edward studied the baby, taking in every little detail. It seemed as though he were memorizing the baby.

"So what do you think son? Did I do pretty good?" Charles asked as he kneeled beside the inqusitive boy.

Edward turned slightly, his reddish brown hair covering his brilliant emerald green eyes slightly. "Yes sir, but are you sure she is not an Angel? Surely nothing so new to this world can that beautiful." He smiled. Even at the age of four, young Lord Edward Cullen was as charming as his father. Charles smiled and hugged the boy slighty, then returned to his place beside his dearest friend.

"Carlisle, my friend. May I ask something big of you?" The blond haired man turned to look his oldest friend in the eyes. Charles must have seen the seriousness of the situation reflected in Carlisle's eyes, so he quickly continued. "Renee and I have though this through and we would like to ask that you be the god father of our daughter." Charles smiled at his wife as he finished his question, knowing that Carlisle had a lot of important matters to deal with than take responcibility to a commoner's offspring.

"Charles, it would be my honor." Carlilse looked to his wife, who was now rocking the infant to sleep, and a smile made its way to his lips. The soundless being had surely charmed her way into everyone's hearts on this warm September day. In truth, this had been the third happiest moment of Charles' life, with the first being his wedding, the second being the day that Isabella Swan was born. The room slowly began to clear as the sun set. Everyone gave their final best wishes and let the new family begin to settle down into their new life. Renee had just settled Isabella into her craddle and served tea for the only remaining guests, the Cullens. Carlisle, being the observant person that he is, noticed that something had been troubling his friend for most of the night.

"Charles, something is troubling you. It's been there hidden on your face for most of the evening. Are you well?" Carlisle's green eyes traced his friend's as he contemplated the answer.

"Times are changing Carlisle. I have never been more happier than I am now, and yet, I fear for the life of my wife and child. War is upon, my friend, and although I try my best to keep it away, or even at bay, stopping it is inevitable." Carlisle understood perfectly where Charles was coming from. The still young United States was indeed changing, a lot of violence and bloodshed on the newly discovered land. The duke stared down into the amber liquid of his brandy as he swirled it around, listening carefully to Charles' words. Deciding to attempt to lighten his mood, Carlisle nudged his friend in the shoulder with his own.

"Come now, Charles. Although we can not escape the present, lets look to the future. You have a beautiful wife, and a little cherub to look after. Surely you must be the richest man of the hour. Lets celebrate and pour another drink. We only have a few hours until my family and I must be off to England again. Charles smiled at the words of encouragement, taking them into consideration.

Hugging his friend tightly, Charles and Renee thanked the noble family for making the long jouney to the States. Since his move to the "new land" when his parents died, Charles had missed his old home. Joining the Army had given him purpose in life and now that he had a family, that purpose became even greater. Kissing young Lady Alice and Lady Esme on the hand, and giving Edward a pat on the shoulder, he watched as the coach drove off into the night.

"Well that went well." Renee commented. Being the normally quiet woman that she was, Charles could not help but to fall in love with her beautiful voice every time she spoke. He smiled and watched as Renee began to feed the now fussy infant. Charles watched intently taking in the scene and engraving it in his mind for all time. This was his now, and his future, and he would do everything humanly posible to keep it just that way.

So what do you all think? Please review and let me know. Thanks.