AN: This is my first FanFiction and I really don't know what I'm doing, just trying to figure it out as I go along. Most of the chapter titles are songs or lyrics from songs. My main characters aren't from Twilight, but the Twilight characters do tie in a bit. I wanted to write my own story with my own characters, cause I don't know if I can do Bella and Edward or the rest of the Cullens justice. Hope you like it, and please review : )

Setting: Right after the start of the Revolutionary War on a plantation near the northern coast of South Carolina. (AN: I don't know much about life in America during this time, except that the Revolutionary War was going on… So if this is extremely inaccurate, I'm sorry for my ignorance)

Chapter One: We Were Both Young

"Nicholas, why are you doing this?" I asked, hearing the worry in my tone. He just sighed and gave me the look that said we've been over this a million times before. I took his look as an answer and continued on, "You don't have to fight. We can leave right now. Go west where they can never find us. Go south and live with the Spanish. Go to England, for all I care. Just please, please don't do this."

"Emma," he said, stopping to sit in our favorite spot in his parent's garden. "I'll do my part for my country, come home unharmed, and then come back to the love of my life."

I smiled at his words. "And just who might that be?" I teased.

He laughed and kissed me, glancing around to see that no one was watching. After a moment he said, "You won't go looking for trouble while I'm gone, will you? I'd fight better knowing you're safe and sound, here at my parents' house."

"Nicholas, why would you even worry about me getting into trouble? We're here, safe and sound. Your parents have enough money to last through the war, even if the plantation shuts down and the war lasts twenty years."

"But what if British soldiers come here?"

"We can cross that bridge when we come to it. We're over two days' ride from any town that's more than just three stores, the British don't want to come here anyway." I could tell that he saw my point there. Where we lived was about a mile from "town", and town was made up of Adams' General Store, the post office, and the meeting hall. Town was surrounded by a few small farms who grew enough food to live off of and a few other plantations like ours. There were so few people out here that even though we definitely had the rich people and the poor people, those who were rich hardly looked down on the poor. The Brooks Plantation, where I would be living during the war, was the biggest in the area.

I turned to look at Nicholas, who was fidgeting and looked nervous. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm just worried about you. I love you so much, I couldn't stand it if anything were to happen to you. When I get home, we're going to move away and start our life together."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Nicholas hadn't even asked me to marry him, and there was nowhere we could move to. My parents were both dead and my brother had taken over running the family's general store. Our whole lives were here.

Nicholas got down on one knee. "Emma Adams, will you be my wife?"

Tears sprung to my eyes as I cried, "Yes, yes, of course." Nicholas smiled as I pulled out the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. It wasn't big or gaudy, just a small circle of white gold with a glittering sapphire slightly smaller than the size of my pinky nail. On each side of the sapphire were little pearls.

"Oh, its so beautiful!"

He slipped the ring on my finger. "Now you're mine forever and ever."

I threw my arms around his neck, wishing the moment would last forever.

"Nicholas!" His brother's voice rang out across the property.

"I guess this means we have to get back," Nicholas smiled, giving me another quick kiss before taking my hand and leading me back to the house.


When we got back to the house, we were both ushered into the formal sitting room, where all guests were taken when they came to visit. I was surprised to see the elderly Mr. Morris and Mr. Newford sitting there waiting to see us. I knew Mr. Newford from when my parents died; he was in charge of wills, among other things. Mr. Morris owned a large rice plantation not far from here, and had been a good customer in my father's store when I was a child, often buying a piece of candy for my brother and I. I also knew he and his wife, who had passed away not long ago, had always been close to the Brooks and came over for dinner on numerous occasions.

After saying our hellos and how-do-you-dos, Nicholas spoke. "I'm sorry Mr. Morris, but my parents went to visit friends for the day and won't be back until after supper. But you are welcome to stay as long as you like."

Mr. Morris chuckled good naturedly before saying, "How kind of you Nicholas, but I'm actually here to talk to you. My health is failing and I'm due to join my wife, not long from now." He paused to cough. "As you know, I have no children, and none of my relatives would be interested in my plantation. Therefore, I'm ready to will you my plantation and a decent some of money." He paused for dramatic effect. Nicholas seemed shocked. I had no idea what he was planning to do once we got married, but apparently this was much better. I decided to speak for him.

"Mr. Morris, that is so very kind of you."

His eyes sparkled and he glanced at the ring around my finger. "Just think of it as a wedding present, Miss Adams. I'm very much indebted to this family, and Mr. Brooks here is like a son to me."

It was then that Mr. Newford spoke up. "Mr. Morris, Mr. Brooks, I hate to be rude, but I must be going now. I promised my wife I would be home in time for supper, so I must be getting on. Mr. Brooks, I will be in touch with you when uh, the will is in being taken into action."

Mr. Morris said his goodbyes also and left with Mr. Newford, after being thanked profusely by Nicholas. Once they were gone, he picked me up and spun me around. "I knew everything would work out for us, Emma!" We were interrupted by the maid announcing that the mid-day meal was being served on the porch behind the house.


Over dinner, we filled in Nicholas' brother, Arthur, about Mr. Morris' visit. Arthur seemed truly happy for Nicholas, since Arthur was the one who stood to inherit the Brooks plantation. After dinner, Nicholas had to go pack a few belongs that he would take with him when he left tomorrow. Even though they should have spent this last day with their son, I was happy that his parents were away and that I had him all to myself for the afternoon. It took him 15 minutes to pack everything that he needed, and we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting much closer than the rules of society allowed talking about our plans for the future and how much we would miss each other.

His parents finally pulled up to the house as it was time for me to retire to my rooms and get ready for bed. Nicholas kissed me goodnight for what would be the last time in a long time. We lingered a bit and kissed some more, until we heard the maid opening the door for his parents, at which point I quickly made my way into my bedroom. I couldn't believe that what could possibly be our last day together had gone so quickly. I was helped out of my clothes and into a bath, then into my nightgown. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep, so when my maid left I lit the lamp and sat staring out my window, thinking. Finally, a few hours later, I dragged myself off to bed and tried my hardest not to cry.