Chapter 1 – Life Before Bella
Annabel Rothchild was just your average girl. She was born September 16, 1901. She and her family resided in a small home in Chicago. Her family was upper middle class and they expected her to act as such. She didn't have very many actual friends, but she had acquaintances' that her mother forced her to be friends with.
However she had one person she could truly call a friend, a boy named Edward Masen who lived right next to her, and they were very close. As they got older their friendship became something more.
"Anna…" John greeted peaking in through the door.
"What John?" She mumbled.
"James Robertson is here." He announced. "Mother told me to get you."
Annabel sighed and got out of bed, and got dressed. She hated how her mother and father tried to force men on her. When she truly longed to become Annabel Masen, but her parents wouldn't allow it. They felt Edward would bring nothing to her or the family. Even thought his father was a very successful lawyer, they thought Edward wouldn't amount to anything. When in reality Edward brought her love and respect. He respected her family when they obviously didn't respect him.
Annabel's mother walked into the room to see what was taking her daughter so long to get ready.
"Annabel Rothchild, what in gods name is taking so long?"
"Oh nothing mother…" She sighed. "Maybe it's just the fact I don't want to marry James Robertson."
"Annabel don't start with this again…" She groaned. "He's the only one you haven't scared off, regardless of your efforts."
"Well why can't I be with Edward?" She added. "Don't you want me to happy?"
"Annabel… James can give you a life Edward could never even dream to give you."
"Maybe I don't want your life." She muttered.
"What did you say to me?" Her mother replied angrily.
"I said maybe I don't want your life."
Her mother glared at her angrily and struck Annabel's pale white face. She turned to exit and instructed her daughter.
"Be downstairs in no more than five minutes."
Annabel had finished getting ready and walked down to the parlor. She just wanted to walk out and run to Edward after what her mother had done.
"Here she is…" Her father exclaimed with false joy.
"Annabel." James smiled and tried to kiss her hand.
James was a tall blonde man he looked a few years older than Edward. Annabel had to admit James was attractive, but her heart belonged to Edward.
"Now… now… Mr. Robertson." She paused trying to hide her disgust. "We can't have any of that."
"A bit old fashion are we?" He smirked.
"Oh never mind her." Annabel's mother smiled.
"Mother!!!" She exclaimed frustrated.
"Annabel don't disrespect your mother like that, especially in front of our guest." Her father tried to correct his daughter.
"Look Mr. Robertson, I'm going to be bluntly honest with you." She paused. "My parents have been trying to set me up with every eligible bachelor in Chicago, but I'd rather die an old maid than not choose who I marry, so I'm sorry we wasted your time."
"Annabel!!!" Her mother screamed. "Why must you torment your father and myself?"
"Let me marry Edward, and I will leave forever."
"Annabel we will only say this once more…" Her father added. "No, Edward can't give you the life you deserve."
"Mr. Robertson, we apologize for Annabel's actions." Her mother tried to save face.
"No apologizes are needed, maybe its best I come back another time." He glanced lustfully towards Annabel.
John walked James to the door and Annabel was in for an all too familiar lecture. She didn't care what her parents thought about Edward, she loved him.
"Be thankful he's still interested." Her mother groaned. "You almost ruined everything Annabel."
"Why is it all my fault?" Annabel confronted. "I don't want to live like you mother."
Annabel rushed out the door and hurried to Edward's house. She needed him to comfort her. She couldn't take living with her family any more.
She walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Edward answered and she fell into his arms.
"What's wrong love?" Edward asked concerned.
"My family's still trying to marry me off, and now they've found the one that won't give up." She sobbed. "I've tried everything to get rid of him, but it doesn't work."
"I'll go to your father, and I'll ask him for you hand." He began.
"Edward he won't listen." She sighed. "I think at this rate I'd have to be pregnant for them to let me marry you."
A light bulb went off in her head and she looked over to Edward. He had a strange look on his face.
"Annabel we can't" He replied shocked. "I don't think we should till were married."
"Edward it's the only way." She sobbed "Please…"
"You know I'd do anything for you." He said still contemplating. "My parents are going away in a few days, and if you still feel strongly about this I will agree."
"Thank you Edward." She screamed and jumped into his chest.
The day finally came Edward was home alone, and Annabel had snuck over to his home. She was a bit nervous about everything, but she believed it was the only way for her and Edward to be together.
"Are you sure about this?" Edward greeted.
"I've never been more certain in my life."
"Alright my love." He smiled and kissed her forehead.
He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. He opened the door and walked to the side of the bed Annabel still in his arm and set her on the neatly made bed, and laid next to her.
"Annabel are you positive you want to do this?"
"Yes…" She replied without hesitation.
Edward nodded, but he still looked hesitant about the whole idea. He sat next to Annabel and kissed her tenderly.
"I wish it wasn't, but this is the only way we can be together." She tried to get rid of Edward's hesitation.
"I know Anna."
He laid on top of her and unbuttoned the top buttons to her sundress, and removed her underwear leaving the dress on. He unbuttoned his shirt and trousers looking very scared and clueless of what he was doing.
He was almost shaking, and Annabel tried to calm him down by placing her hand on his chest and kissing him lovingly on the lips. He laid on top of her and inserted himself into her and Annabel winced a little she didn't realize that it would hurt. Edward saw her tears and almost stopped.
"Anna are you sure we can stop?"
"No I'm fine I wanted this." She tired to ignore the pain.
Edward continued to give her butterfly kisses they were both sobbing quietly. They both had so much love and respect for one another.
"I love you." Edward smiled kissing Annabel as he tried to grasp his breath.
"I love you too." Annabel smiled with tears in her eyes.
After their encounter Edward and Annabel still were having sex. Annabel wanted to make sure their plan worked. It had been a month since she and Edward gave themselves to each other, and Annabel felt different.
She was always tired, her breast looked fuller and they were very sensitive. She was always hungry and she seemed to be gaining a little weight. Plus she couldn't remember her last monthly visit. She began to think she was pregnant, and she went to tell Edward.
She walked to his house and knocked on the door and his mother opened, and looked down at Annabel. Fortunately unlike Annabel's parents, Edward's mother and father were very kind and welcoming to Annabel.
"Hello Mrs. Masen is Edward home?"
"Yes dear he's in his bedroom." She coughed.
Annabel walked up the stairs and down the hallway to Edward's bedroom. She peeked in to see him sitting on his bed with his hand on his forehead.
"Edward what's wrong?" She inquired walking into the room.
"Oh it's nothing." He replied.
"Are you sure?" She added.
"Yes…" He smiled.
"Well I think we should go see the doctor soon." She smiled trying to change the subject.
"Are you?" He smiled.
"I think so." She smiled back.
"Well we can go right now." He hugged her.
They arrived to see Dr. Cullen one of the local doctors. Annabel was a bit nervous, but she didn't care what anyone thought.
"Hello Miss Rothchild…" He looked at her and Edward. "Mr. Masen."
"Hello Dr. Cullen." Edward greeted.
"What can I do for you kids?" He smiled.
"Well I… we think I'm pregnant." Annabel answered. "I missed my monthly visit and I've been feeling different."
"Well we will do a few tests and find out wont we?" He replied trying not to put stress on the situation.
Dr. Cullen proceeded with the testing and after a grueling wait Edward and Annabel learned their fate.
"Well Miss Rothchild you are pregnant." He looked at Edward. "Congratulations Mr. Masen."
Annabel hugged Edward and began to cry again. She was happy, but she was still very scared about the whole situation.
"Anything else I can do for you two?" He added.
"No doctor, I think that's it for now." Edward replied.
Edward walked Annabel back home and he entered the cold house beside her. As they entered they we greeted by Annabel's mothers cold unwelcoming eyes.
"What is he doing here?" She spat.
"Mother we need to speak with you and father."
"What do you need Anna?" Her father walked in to the awkward room.
"Mother, Father… I'm…" She paused. "I'm going to have a baby."
"You're having a what?" He mother hollered.
"Annabel how could you be so stupid." Her father bellowed while striking her face.
"Don't touch her." Edward rushed to stop him before he could hit her again.
"You stay away from my daughter." He said with rage.
"No she is carrying my child, and I want to marry her." Edward added while holding Annabel trying to comfort her.
"You will do no such thing." Mr. Rothchild replied with disgust.
"What kind of a life can you give our daughter, and now she will never find a decent husband." Mrs. Rothchild spat.
"Mother I wish to marry Edward, and he would be a far better husband than James Robertson." She pleaded "Please let me marry him."
"Out of the question, Mr. Masen please leave our home." Mr. Rothchild said coldly.
Annabel walked Edward outside and said her goodbye, or at least what seemed to be goodbyes.
"Edward I want to run away with you." She sobbed. "We can elope, and then leave this place."
"Annabel if your gone your parent will blame me an claim I kidnapped you." He added.
"Then at least marry me." She plead.
"How?"
"Go ask Dr. Cullen." Annabel replied. "Then comeback tonight when all the lights are out and throw a pebble at my window and I'll sneak out the front door."
"Alright." He nodded in agreement.
"I love you." She cried into his chest.
"I love you too."
Edward went back to Dr. Cullen's office to ask him about what he and Annabel should do.
"Dr. Cullen." Edward greeted.
"Edward what can I do for you?"
"It's about me and Annabel, we want to elope." He began. "But we don't know where to go or anything about it."
"Alright slow down son." Dr. Cullen tried to slow Edward down. "So I'm guessing it's over the baby."
"Yes and her family won't let me marry her." Edward sighed. "So this is our only option."
"Alright you will need a witness, and I believe the pastor down the street will do it." Carlisle added.
"Dr. Cullen will you be our witness?" Edward inquired.
"Yes of course, and call me Carlisle."
"Thank you so much Carlisle."
The day grew later and the night finally came Edward had been waiting in front of the Rothchild home for hours waiting for the lights to go out. After a long wait Mr. Rothchild put out the last light and walked up the stairs. Edward grabbed some pebbles and lightly threw them at Annabel's window.
Annabel was lying in her bed anxiously awaiting Edward. She really wished he had agreed to run away with her, but hopefully he would change his mind sometime soon. She began to hear light tapping on her window and walked over to the widow, and looked out to see Edward looking up at her. She slowly and quietly made her way down the stairs to the front door and turned the doorknob slowly, and exited the house.
"Hello Mrs. Masen." Edward smiled.
"Not yet." She smiled back. "Let's go."
They hurried to the church and were met by the pastor and Carlisle. Annabel looked at Edward and smiled. Edward and Annabel walked to the altar and as they stood in front of the pastor and he began.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join Annabel Rothchild and Edward Masen in holy matrimony." He began. "But first I ask what Love is, and for that matter Marriage."
Annabel looked deep into Edward beautiful green eyes and she wanted to stare into them for the rest of her life.
"Love makes two fractional lives a whole; it gives to two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each to perform it; it gives to two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life." He added.
The pastor recited first then Edward repeated.
"I, Edward, take you, Annabel, to be my wife.
I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health. I will love you
and honor you all the days of my life."
Same as before the pastor recited, and Annabel repeated.
"I, Annabel, take you, Edward, to be my husband.
I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health. I will love you
and honor you all the days of my life."
"By the power vested in me, I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen."
Annabel was so happy she and Edward were now man and wife. She didn't want to go back home, but she knew she'd have to.
Annabel's mother awoke her the next morning and she had a sullen stone look on her face.
"Annabel…" She paused. "Your father and I think it be best if we sent you to live with Aunt Millie."
"What? Why?" She asked puzzled.
"It would be best for you… and the family."
"Oh so the Rothchild reputation's in jeopardy so you're sending me away." Annabel said smugly.
"Annabel it's best for everyone."
"What about my child, you're going to deprive him or her of a father."
"You're leaving in four days, I suggest you pack." Mrs. Rothchild replied coldly. "Say goodbye to the Masen boy if you wish."
Annabel was upset by the whole situation she didn't want to live with her Aunt Millie. She was sweet, but she was a bit odd. Now she had to tell Edward she would be leaving.
Annabel walked to see her husband and inform him of what was happening. She walked up the steps and before she could knock Edward answered the door and Annabel began to weep.
"What's wrong?" He looked into her eyes.
"My parent's are sending me away." She sobbed.
"What… where?" He replied concerned.
"Their sending me to live with my Aunt Millie in Washington." She sniffled. "She live in a place called Forks."
"Annabel you can't go what about the baby."
"They don't want me here." She wept. "Their afraid I will tarnish the perfect Rothchild reputation."
"Annabel I will come get you once I can." He began.
"Why can't you come now?" She whimpered.
"My father's ill, and my mother's catching it." He explained. "I have to provide for them."
"I understand." She sobbed.
"I promise I'll be there when the baby comes."
"Until then…" She held back her tears. "I love you."
"I love you too." He began to sob as well. "Write me when you can."
She and her husband said their goodbyes and Annabel couldn't stop crying she felt sick to her stomach. She began realizing she wouldn't see her beloved husband for a great period of time.