Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter. 1

February 12 1918, Chicago.

Numbers of lives taken by 'La Grim' are growing steadily, reports say the disease is spreading fast and is unstoppable in its destruction. Authorities urge all citizens not to leave their houses without a face mask, affected areas will be evacuated immediately upon inspection.

The news paper I was reading was suddenly snatched out of my hand and I looked up to find my father glaring at me.

"Why haven't you asked Katya to marry you yet? She is perfect for you son, she is beautiful, proper and she respects you. I just don't understand your hesitance on this matter, you will be eighteen soon. You will be coming to work at my firm and you need a wife if you are to be respected boy. Tell me what is the hold up?" I sigh and looked down at the table.

"I'm not ready pa, I can't stand the woman. She drives me insane beside, I want to marry for love not because it is expected." While this is all true I daren't speak of the real reasons behind my reluctance to find a wife. Homosexuality was a punishable offence if caught and if I told my father I was gay, even though he loved me very much and was a gentle hearted man, he would beat me within an inch of my life and throw me out on the street disowning me. My mother on the other hand wouldn't lay a finger on me or tell my father about it but it would break her heart.

"Edward.." my father sighed.

"Oh Ed, leave him be. He will know when the right one comes along and marry when he is ready, you need to have patience and faith. His happiness means more then what the people will think does it not?" Mum asked, raising her eyebrows at him.

"Yes it does Liz, you're right as ever." He smiled as he kissed her cheek. "Okay Junior, have it your way. I will speak with Katya's father and ask him to direct her affections elsewhere alright?" He asked smiling at me.

"Thank you pa." I smiled with relief. I really couldn't stand that woman, the moment we were alone together she practically threw herself at me. It was creepy and disgusting.

"Junior, come help me with dinner will you please."

"Sure ma." I replied following her into the kitchen. "Thank you for defending me in there, pa can be kind of difficult to reason with when he is on a mission and dealing with anyone who is not you." I tell her as I start to slice the vegetables in front of me.

"He is a stubborn man, a trait in which you received from him by the way, but his heart is in the right place. He loves you very much and only wants what is best for you."

"I know that Ma, I just wish he would let me make my own choices."

"Speak to him, tell him of your feelings. He will be more understanding if you are upfront and speak your mind of this I am sure." She said smiling at me.

"Okay Ma, thank you for the advice." I said as I finished cutting the food.

"Alright baby, go to your studies. I will call you when dinner is on the table." She told me as she kissed my cheek and pushed me toward the kitchen door.

XxX

A week later I am in my study that is joined with my room and an ensuite when I hear my father call my name from downstairs and closed the book I was reading to go to him. When I found him he was in his study with the windows open, sitting behind his desk with a stack of papers sitting in front of him. He was just signing off on the last document as I sat down in the seat opposite his desk and placed it in a file in the top draw of his desk. He stood and poured two glasses of amber liquid, offering me one.

"What is it?" I asked eyeing the glass warily, like it might bite me.

"It's whiskey son, drink up." He said taking a sip of his own.

I raised the glass to my mouth and took a tentative sip and damn near spat it all over pa's desk. He chuckled as he watched me struggle to swallow the vile liquid without vomiting.

"Do not worry son, it is not for everyone. It is an acquired taste." He smiled at me taking the glass back from me. "I called you here to ask of your studies and see how they were coming along." He said coughing a little.

"They are coming along well actually, my tutor believes I will be finished with them by the end of the year." I told him proudly and frowned when he coughed again.

"Wow the end of the year, that's quite an accomplishment."

"Yes, they called me a quick study. Are you alright pa? You do not look so well, shall I call Ma to fetch the nurse?" I asked concerned but he shook his head.

"No son, do not fret over me I am quite alright." Be even as he said this he was coughing. When I looked closer he was shaking and sweating.

"You're shaking pa, are you cold? Would you like me to close the windows?"

"No thank you son, just fetch me some water please." He asked pointing to the water pitcher in the corner with his alcohol.

I quickly poured him a glass and passed it to him but he soon began coughing violently and collapsed. "Pa! Ma help, bring the nurse to pa's study quick." I shouted as I ran to him placing his coat under his head and when I looked at his face I saw blood on his lips from the coughing fit.

I heard a gasp and looked up to see Ma standing in the doorway with her hand over her mouth and tears forming in her beautiful green eyes so much like my own. She ran over to us and placed her hand on pa's forehead.

"The nurse passed away a few nights ago and I have yet to hire a new one." She told me. "We will have to take him to the hospital ourselves." She quickly stood and rushed from the room as I struggled to lift my father from the ground. I was able to get to my feet with his arm around my shoulders and stumble outside with him. Man he is heavy, I thought to myself as I struggled to put him in the back of the car as Ma held the door open for me and sat in the back with his head in her lap as I drove us to the hospital.

"Help! I need a doctor please, my father is sick." I shouted as I ran inside.

"I am doctor Cullen, why don't you start by telling me your name and we'll go from there." A strong and confident masculine voice said from beside me.