Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

EPOV

Spring 1914

Everything was as I'd left it when I returned to my hometown of Les Fourchettes in the spring of 1914. I seated myself atop a boulder on the hill overlooking the small locale which five generations of Masens have called their home. If I strained my sight enough I could even see smoke coming out of a red brick chimney which belonged to the house my mother had raised me in. Everything was the way it should be; the smell, the sounds, the sight. Everything.

My heart felt like it was about to burst from the urgency of seeing my mother and having another home cooked meal again. I wanted to sprint across the green plains, past the eglise, past the patisserie and past the pub, where no doubt Monsieur Noir was recovering from last night's endeavors, and run right into my mother's welcoming, loving arms. Of course, my body, being as stubborn as it can be sometimes, refused to move from the boulder. So I supposed my athletic urges would have to be kept at bay until I had more stamina.

Taking a sip from my canister, I couldn't help but grin at the realization of where I was sitting. Eight months ago, I had been at this exact same spot, afraid of taking another step forward. It was the farthest I'd ever been from home, even on my naughtiest days. I was afraid of what I'd find ahead but somehow I managed carry on. I was right to be afraid of course. The things I'd seen during my travels across the France were not for the lighthearted but it was worth it. I'd never truly realized how much was to be seen outside Les Fourchettes. Never in my dreams, had I thought that I'd meet people who, live in shanties, clothe themselves in rags, find pleasure in whores and yet possess the most intriguing and almost brilliant intelligence and outlook on life.

I was brought out of my musing by the hurried movements of jackrabbit. I took another sip of from my canister, picked up my sac and headed towards the town.

I was met by pin drop silence when I made my way through the only paved street in town. It was, of course, Sunday and everyone, including my mother, would be at the eglise for service. I decided to wait outside the eglise doors until the service was over so that I could surprise my mother. Exhaustion took over me as I did so and I plopped onto a nearby bench. I was about to drift off to sleep when I heard the doors opening. Certainly the service wasn't over? I could still hear the hymns being sung inside. I wearily opened my eyes to see a little russet skinned boy wearing a mischievous smirk come out. He was closely followed by a brunet girl of his age whose hair was braided on two sides.

"Show it to me!" the girl begged.

"You really want to see it?" the boy chided.

"Yes, yes," she whined, "show me!"

"All right come here," he motioned him to come closer. She obeyed and waited. He raised a fisted hand to her. In a swift motion he unraveled his fist, slapped her on both cheeks and began laughing. The little girl was too shocked to react. After what had happened had sunk in she began sobbing.

"Jacob Noir!" I hollered.

The boy, Jacob, froze and turned around to meet my angry gaze. That was all it took for him to yelp and run off into the bushes.

The girl, little Bella, suddenly forgot her pain and humiliation when she saw me. She came running to me and jumped onto me to give me a big hug, "Edward! You're back!" she said in between the last of her sobs.

"Oui, Jacob has been giving you trouble again?"

"Oh he won't anymore. He's really scared of you. You know when you weren't here he'd pull on my pigtails all the time. It really hurts you know," she said, as though her pigtails were the biggest treasures in the world. Her big brown chocolate eyes twinkled as she looked up at me. "Don't leave again okay? I might lose all of my hair if you do."

I chuckled, "Well, I'm not going anywhere for a while. So you will have your pretty hair for some time to come."

"Good, I missed you Edward."

"I missed you too ma petite choue"

"And I missed you more than Tanya okay?"

"Tanya missed me?" I asked. I've missed a lot of things while I was away but if there was something I didn't miss, it was the nonsensical rants of my fiancée Tanya. She'd thrown an infantile tantrum when I'd announced that I'd be traveling for a while. Alas, I knew I'd have to face her sometime. We were, after all, to be married as soon as possible. Her father was one of the wealthiest men in the province and when I'd piqued her interest, I saw it as a godsend. My mother and I were having a difficult time running the farm all by ourselves and a marriage to one of the wealthiest women in Les Fourchettes would definitely help us financially.

"Can I tell you something?" Bella said in a hushed whisper.

"Bien sur."

"I don't think you should marry her."

"And why is that?"

"Because I think you should marry me."

I couldn't help but chuckle at this very innocent remark "But you don't think I'm a little too old for you Bella?"

"No, I'll be six in two months."

"But I'll still be twenty-three then."

"Ok, so then I can wait till I'm ten."

"Bella, I'll be twenty –eight then."

I could see her mind hard at work but I knew that most five year olds aren't very skilled when it comes to numbers.

"So when will I be grown up enough for you?"

"I grow old just like you Bella. We'll never be the same age."

"But…" she desperately looked for an excuse. Her chain of thought was interrupted by the sound of the eglise doors bursting open. I put Bella down, saying, "I'm going to find Maman now okay? You'll be able to make it home?"

She nodded. I picked up my sac and hid behind a tree to look out for my mother. The people, all familiar faces, began to file out. I made myself as inconspicuous as possible behind the tree when I saw Tanya, in her fur coat, far too extravagant for a town of farmers, being escorted out by her father. Maman was the last one to come out of the church.

Seeing her there, clutching her bible, no doubt after having prayed for my safety and health, I felt guilty for having left her. It was selfish of me to leave her alone to do the chores on the farm. She had lost far too much weight and had dark bags under her eyes. I snuck up behind her and called quietly to her, "Maman!"

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. She made no response at first. Walking towards me skeptically she gently touched my face. It was now slowly dawning on her that I was real. Tears pooled in her eyes as she took me in her arms and fluttered my face with kisses, "Edward! I can't believe it's you! It's really you! It's been too long mon petit chou!" I picked her up and spun her around like I've done ever since I grew taller and stronger than her.

I was home at last.

A/N : Hope you enjoyed this! I'm really excited to write this story. If done right it can be an amazing love story. If you enjoyed, REVIEW!