Summary: What if Bella had existed in 1918? What if she had two brothers who went off to war? What if she fell in love with Edward then? What would happen when Edward caught the Spanish Influenza? What would have happened in 1918?
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters. Those all belong Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter One
The sky was dark yet filled with the bright lights that the stars can create. Each star had its own individual light illuminating the night's sky. No much was spotted in my eye until I reached the urban areas, the cities. Street lights lead the way to my destination in the large city of Chicago. The year as of now is 1917. We just joined the war on the side of the Allies. The horrors of the war were everywhere. Many people had been dying and even before we joined the war the Lusitania was sunk and killed over 100 people. Now we are at war and men are joining the armies. I could only hope that when I came home my family is still intact.
My father is a Chicago policeman by the name of Charlie Swan, who had married my mother Renee. I love my mother. We got along well and only had a disagreement on a few occasions. One of the occasions was when my parents sent me away to a school far away to learn how to be a lady and proper etiquette. Leaving my home of Chicago was hard because I am not fond of leaving my family, specifically my brothers. I have two brothers, Jason and Jasper. I hadn't seen either of them since the day I left when I was thirteen. Letters were written between the two locations. The friends I made in the school were nice enough but I still missed my family. I missed my brothers' fighting over nothing. Jasper is my eldest brother. He is three years older than me and I absolutely adore and admire him. Jazz is very charismatic, intelligent, and considerate. He listens to all my problems. We relate on an intellectual level mostly. The two of us have always loved the classics and we enjoy nothing more than to try and prove which of us is smarter. Sadly, Jazz wins most of those contests. Jason is my other older brother. He is now eighteen years old and is very sweet, overprotective, and strong, both physically and mentally. Jase will never let anything happen to me and loves protecting me. Apparently it is his job as the older brother to protect me. He was a slightly bigger teen than most at the age fourteen. Jase worked on his muscles frequently. Honestly that's one of the things I'm really curious about, how big he is now. But I have no doubt in my mind that he will still be the Jason I love. My brothers and I have always been close. I don't know what I would do without them. I do know that my life would just not be the same. Sadly though, both of them want to go and help out in the war and I have no idea how much more time I really have with them.
The transport stopped in front of a big, Victorian, home with two floors. The gardens were in the front yard gated off. I walked into the yard closing the white gate behind me. I knew this place. I used to help Mother plant flowers like the white tulips that were planted into the soil in the gated space. I gazed at the beautiful flowers and walked through the unlocked white door. I walked into the living room to see a blonde man with blue eyes. I knew those blue eyes anywhere. The sea blue eyes stared and widened as they met mine. The man's cheeks lifted in a large grin. He ran over to me and hugged me tightly.
"I missed you, Bells. Welcome home." greeted the man, not pulling away from me.
"I missed you too, Jazz. I'm glad to finally be home. I missed our contests and Jase's incessant complaints and needs to pick fights with you." I replied. Jasper chuckled. We pulled away and took a good look at each other.
"You look beautiful, Bells. Jase and I might need to walk you everywhere. You're not going to be allowed to leave the house without an escort not that a woman should walk without an escort. Now we really need to keep an eye out for you." said Jasper. I rolled my eyes at his protective comments but blushed at his compliment. Only my brothers, I thought. They were the only ones who would say these things to me jokingly but actually mean them.
"Did I hear someone say 'Bells'?" yelled my other brother, Jason, stomping on the stairs hard and fast making his way into the living room. A man then came in with brown eyes and dark brown curls like mine, only shorter. His eyes searched the room until he found mine. He grinned and pulled me into a large, crushing, embrace. Dang, he got strong, I thought to myself while in his tight hold. "I missed you, Bellsy! I'm glad you're home! Jasper is no fun anymore!" said Jason excitedly. I looked to Jasper and saw him roll his eyes at the comment directed to him. I smiled. I missed this.
"I missed you too, Jase. I am glad to see you and Jasper. I missed the both of you. Have you been a good boy?" I asked teasingly knowing the answer already. Jason and I pulled apart and he hesitated before giving me an answer.
"Yep! I've been good. Aren't I always?" countered Jase. I looked at Jasper who shook his head at mine and Jason's questions. I giggled. Jase turned around and glared at Jasper. Jazz laughed at the glare. Next thing that happened was nothing out of the normal. Jason tackled him to the ground and started wrestling with him. They will never learn or mature will they, I wondered, shaking my head at the two children on the floor. Sometimes it's like they're both five years old and have got nothing better to do than pick fights.
"Hey! Jason! Jasper! Knock it off! This is not acting like gentlemen!" yelled my mother coming into the room. Her brown hair was tied into a bun and she was wearing a black dress. I took a look at Jason and Jasper, who had gotten off the floor, to find them wearing formal shirts and pants, both looking like they're going to a fancy party or something. My mother stopped yelling at my brothers when her eyes suddenly fell on me. She pulled me into a hug. "Hello Isabella darling. We need to get you ready. We're all going out to a dance tonight sponsored by the Masens. You need to put on a nice dress. Why don't you come with me and I'll get you ready?" greeted my mother, already dragging me up the stairs to my old room which seemed to have been redecorated for my return.
Mother sat me down and gave me long dark blue dress to wear. I quickly changed and put on the blue dress of my mother's choosing before being ordered back into the chair. She asked about my adventures at my finishing school which lacked just that, adventures. Mother finally stopped working on placing make-up on my face and gave me earrings and black high-heels to go with the dress. I told her it wasn't going to be a good idea but she dismissed my concern and took me down the stairs. I saw my father and brothers on the bottom of the stairs dressed in full black suits. My father, who also had brown hair and brown eyes (we don't know exactly how Jazz inherited blonde hair), smiled at me and pulled me into a tight hug.
"It's great to see you, Isabella. You look beautiful." complimented Father smiling at me. He looks at my mother with love and adoration. "Shall we go?" he asked. My mother took his arm and headed out the door. I walked carefully down the stairs trying not to trip. My brothers grabbed one of my arms each. We walked arms locked outside when Jase had to make his comment.
"Bells, are those shoes safe to wear? You kind of are a klutz if you seem to forget. Did you hit your head so hard falling, that you lost your memory of that little detail?" joked Jase, poking fun at my lack of balance. I glared at him. He laughed while Jazz softly chuckled.
"If you two must know Mother is forcing me to wear these death traps. I told her it was a bad idea but she didn't care." I snarled at my two annoying brothers who just kept on laughing somehow finding it funny. We'll see if they find it funny when I cause them to trip too. Who'll be laughing then? I thought before adding, everyone but the three of us.
Time had passed on the ride to the party. We finally got out of the transport after fifteen minutes of riding the streets of Chicago. Jase and Jasper locked their arms with mine again keeping me steady. The transport had pulled up to a large ballroom. We went in and saw all the wooden floors, the stage with a white backdrop behind a microphone, obviously there for the orchestra. The windows were rounded at the top and had wooden bars crossing in the middle. These were everywhere around the room. Grand chandeliers were hanging from the ceilings. Tables were scattered around but there was enough space left on the actual dance floor so people could dance the night away.
Jase and Jasper led me over to a table while our parents went dancing. I looked around, trying to find familiar faces that I may have known before leaving Chicago. Recognition did not hit me when glancing at anyone in this room. That was disappointing. Jason, Jazz, and I talked for about twenty minutes. That's when I saw two ladies coming our way; one was slim, blonde and had blue eyes, while the other had a dark red hair and brown eyes. They looked at Jason and Jazz.
"Would you two like to come and dance with us?" asked the blonde. Jase and Jasper looked at me for the okay. I nodded telling them I'd be fine. They got up and took the two ladies arms. I sat at the table alone, not really enjoying myself. I stared at my brothers and the girls they were dancing with and watched them move to the beat of the music.
"Do you mind if I sat with you?" asked a velvety voice. I tore my eyesight from the dance floor to find a young man about my age talking to me. His hair was a messy bronze color. His cheekbones were set just right. The eyes of this man were a shade of perfect green emeralds both sparkling like jewels. His skin was an ivory color like mine was. He looked like some Greek God. He was an Adonis like teenager. He couldn't have been that much younger or older than me if we weren't the same age. The clothes he was wearing was a suit like my brothers had been wearing, but it seemed to make him look better than they did. Don't get me wrong. My brothers are very sought after by girls. I noticed that when I came in and they both looked handsome in their individual suits but this man seemed to pull it off better. The man's lips formed a crooked smile that sent my heart into a frenzy. Unable to speak, I nodded. He took the seat next to me and looked at with his sparkling eyes. "My name is Edward Masen." stated the man, his friendly gaze on me. I nodded and made the decision to introduce myself to this gorgeous stranger.
"My name is Isabella Swan." I replied. Realization dawned on him as I finished my introduction. He obviously knew of either my parents or my brothers.
"You are Jasper's and Jason's younger sister, aren't you?" asked Edward. I nodded.
"How do you know my brothers?" I questioned.
"They have been my best friends for a while. We moved here a few years ago. Jason and Jasper had been nice enough to introduce themselves to me when I first go here. My father is a lawyer and he met your father and they became good friends. Your father and mine decided that Jason, Jasper, and I should meet. They introduced us and we've been friends ever since. They were both very excited to hear you were coming home." explained Edward. I smiled both glad that my brothers made more friends, especially one that seemed to be a perfect gentleman, and glad that I was missed at home. He looked at me and seemed to be a bit dazed. Dazed, I asked myself silently. I didn't quite understand why he was staring at me like that. I was thoroughly confused. "You have a beautiful smile." complimented Edward. I flushed a dark shade of crimson red.
"Thank you. Your smile isn't so bad either." I complimented, through my blush which increased due to the fact that I was basically telling him I loved his smile. His crooked smile took its place again.
"Thank you." We stopped talking for a minute and complimenting each other. My blush finally faded but came flushing back when I caught Edward still staring at me. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" asked Edward. I stared at him shocked. I then remembered the death traps on my feet. I'd surely fall or step on Edward's feet a million times. I sighed and shook my head.
"I can't dance." I explained. "I'm a bit of a klutz." Edward still looked at me with his crooked smile.
"It's all in the leading." Edward replied getting up from the chair to stand in front of me with his hand extended toward me. I hesitantly took his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor.
"If I step on your feet, remember you asked for it." I warned. Edward chuckled.
"I think I'll be ok, Bella." he responded. I noticed the name he called me, 'Bella'. I liked the sound of that.
"'Bella'?" I repeated, questioningly. Edward looked at me confused. "You called me 'Bella'." I explained. Realization again dawned across his perfect features.
"Yes, I thought it fit you. Your name is Isabella." stated Edward. It fit me?
"It fit me?" I repeated.
"Yes, 'Bella' means beautiful in Italian." explained Edward with a smile. I looked at him shocked. He thought I was beautiful? Before I could talk, Edward came up with his own questions. "Bella, if you do not mind me asking how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen. My birthday's on September thirteenth. How old are you, Eddie?" I asked with a teasing edge on his name. Edward rolled his eyes while we were dancing.
"Alright first off, please just call me Edward. I do not really enjoy being called Eddie. Jason calls me that every day just to drive me crazy. I am also sixteen. My birthday is on June 20th." responded Edward. I laughed when he told me about Jason calling him Eddie even if he didn't like it.
"Well you are not the only one who has tried to get him to refrain from using stupid, idiotic nicknames that you don't really like. He calls me Bellsy all the time no matter how many times I've told him to stop calling me that. At least Jazz just calls me Bells." I added.
"What about your parents? What do your parents call you?" asked Edward, seeming somehow interested in what I have to say.
"My dad occasionally calls me Bells but mainly my parents call me Isabella. You are the only one to ever call me or even think about calling me Bella." I replied.
"I'm glad. I like being the only one to call you that. Unless, of course, you don't want me to." responded Edward. I shook my head fast. I did like him calling me that and him being the only one made it special.
"I do want you to call me Bella. I think it's better than both Bells and Isabella." I responded.
"Then you will always be Bella to me from here on out." concluded Edward, staring into my eyes and smiling his crooked smile. We were both silent while dancing for a minute just gazing into the eyes of the other. His eyes really did sparkle. They were brighter than all the stars and street lights I had seen tonight. "See we've been dancing for a while now and you have not once stepped on my feet or fallen over." pointed out Edward.
"I guess not. Maybe you were right. Maybe it is all in the leading or maybe my feet decided to actually be kind to both of us." I replied. He chuckled. I could hear him chuckle all night.
"Bella, when your brothers told me about you they said you and I had a lot in common. Do you mind me asking you a few questions about your favorites?" asked Edward. I nodded.
"Ask me whatever you want, Mr. Masen."
"What's your favorite color?"
"It changes from day to day. I am quite partial to green today." I responded, not wanting to answer why. Edward smiled at my cooperation.
"What's your favorite song?" questioned Edward.
"'Clair de Lune'. Can I ask you a question?"
"Do what you wish, Bella."
"What do you like to do? What do you want to do after school ends for you?" I asked him, needing some type of hidden information about him.
"I like reading but mostly playing the piano. I learned how to play when I was about six years old." started Edward but I wanted to take a guess as to what he is going to do.
"So you want to be a composer, then?" I guessed. He paused for a minute.
"I might but I really want to go help fight in the war." he finished. I stopped in my tracks. He wanted to go to war! I know I didn't really know him but I couldn't think of someone as sweet as him could go off to war. The idea of him dying was not a pleasant thought. "What's wrong, Bella?" he asked concerned but pretty sure he knew the reason.
"You want to go to war? Edward, you could get killed over there." I said a bit upset from the vision of seeing him motionless in my head.
"Bella, I want to do everything I can to help and besides Bella, it doesn't matter right now. I'm not legally allowed to join the army anyways. I'm not quite eighteen yet." he explained.
"Edward, I know I don't really know you but just the thought of someone as sweet and kind as you, dying on that field is upsetting." I responded.
"Bella, I'm not going right now. Save that feeling for later." I looked at him confused. Was he still talking about him or someone else? He looked like he was about to explain when Jason and Jasper came up to us.
"Hey Edward can Jason and I have a word with you? Sorry Bells." asked Jasper politely. Edward nodded and walked off with my brothers but not before giving me a look that had 'I'm sorry' written all over it. I went and sat down at the table I had occupied with Edward before he asked me to dance. I already have feelings for this guy I barely knew and it kind of scared me. I meet this man and in about an hour I develop feelings that I probably shouldn't have yet. I shook my head and waited for my brothers and Edward to come back.
After fifteen minutes passed, Edward came back, alone. His eyes were sad until they met mine. His green met my brown and brightened up. He held out his hand for me to take. I gently placed my hand in his and got up off the chair. I stumbled for a minute and started to fall. I was prepared for the fall knowing that Jason and Jasper weren't around to catch me until I felt two arms wrap themselves around my waist keeping me balanced.
"Bella, your brothers want to take you home. They need to talk to you about something at your house. I just wanted to say goodnight and goodbye." I nodded. He kept my hand in his and brought my hand to his lips to place a kiss on my hand like a gentleman. "I had a fantastic time with you, Bella. You made this dance just that much more bearable. Goodnight. I hope you have sweet dreams, Bella." said Edward, kissing my hand one last time.
"Thank you and goodnight to you as well, Edward." I replied starting to walk away when I heard my name being called.
"Bella!" yelled Edward, not quite so loud everyone could hear him but loud enough that I could hear him myself. "You really do look beautiful tonight, Bella. I just wanted you to know that." complimented Edward. Crimson red fell upon my cheeks as I left the room, still thinking about his compliment.
I met up with Jason and Jasper and got into our transport. The ride was silent. Whatever Jase and Jazz had to tell me, they were not looking forward to telling me about. The silence though gave me time to think over tonight's events. Every time I thought of the grand ballroom, all I could think of were the emerald green eyes and their owner. Edward's face, his musical voice wouldn't leave my mind. I think he just became a permanent resident and I don't think that is a good thing.
We arrived home and got out silently and walked slowly into the house. I knew whatever was going to be said was something that I would rather not hear. Something is going on. Edward was sad, upset. He probably knew and that is what Jazz and Jase wanted to talk to him about. Edward was definitely in on it. I just wonder if our parents happen to know about it.
"Don't you two think we should wait until Mother and Father get home to start talking?" I asked wanting to stall whatever could end up upsetting me in a fairly good mood. My brothers shook their heads, knowing exactly what I was doing.
"They already know what we are about to tell you. They actually suggested we come find you and tell you. I'm sorry, Bells, that it couldn't wait." said Jasper. I nodded, understanding.
"It's alright. Let me hear it. What do you two have to tell me?" I asked. My brothers glanced at each other before turning their attention toward me.
"You have heard about the War while you were at school, right?" asked Jase. I feared this subject. I could already sense the bad news coming. My stomach became uneasy. I nodded.
"Well since we're eighteen and over, Bells, we are qualified to go help out in the war. As you know from our letters we signed the papers and everything and all we had to do was wait for someone to tell us we're going to Europe to help." Jazz continued. I waited for the words, the words that would crush me, crush what we had. "Bells, we got the telegram yesterday asking Jase and me to pack our bags and report for duty. Bells, we've been asked to join the war." Jasper finished. My eyes welled up in tears. I knew this was coming. I knew this was coming. I knew this was coming, my mind kept repeating to myself. Salt water tears fell from my eyes and ran down my cheeks. I wanted to ask when they had to go but I couldn't quite get the words out between my sobs. I was now more scared than ever.
"How much time do you guys have?" I asked them through sobs. Jasper's eyes and Jase's eyes filled with tears too but able to keep them from rolling off their cheeks.
"Three days." answered Jase with tears in his eyes. His voice broke at the end of the sentence. Jasper and Jason tried to pull me into an embrace but I couldn't look at them right now. I was too upset. I wished they never would have enlisted in the army. I ran up the stairs, without falling surprisingly, and into my room. I ran over to my bed, pressing my face into the pillow so no one could see my tears. My brothers, they were everything to me. Why did it have to happen now when I just got them back? This is horrible because I can't do anything to help. This news is terrible most of all because the next three days could be the last days I will ever see them again.
