Disclaimer: I do not own Edward or Bella. I'm just using them for my own devious ends. XD

A/N at the bottom.

Chapter 1 - Chicago, August 1918

EPOV

"Edward."

A wide grin spread across my face and I turned from my piano to face the young woman standing in the doorway of the parlor. She was thin and beautiful, with dark flowing hair that framed her pale heart-shaped face and fell in luscious waves down her back. I loved to run my hands through it and feel its smooth texture flowing over my fingers. She often complained that she was going to go bald someday with all the tugging I did on her head. It never failed to bring a smile to my face

I checked her over once, as I always did when I first saw her, to make sure that she was still whole and unharmed. She was wearing a dark blue dress that billowed out around her. Unlike most other dresses, however, hers never quite touched the floor. Though not fashionable, it was a necessity.

As I strode toward her, I looked into her eyes and smiled, though I knew she would never see it. I was again pierced with the heavy sadness that always washed through me when I looked into her dark brown eyes and was reminded that she was blind.

"Bella," I greeted as I politely took her hand and kissed it delicately. She smiled then, placing her palm lightly on my forearm and allowing me to guide her to the sofa. I waited until she had perched daintily on the white cushion before I sat and turned to face her. She lifted her hand, as was customary, and I leaned toward her and allowed her fingers to roam over my face, letting her 'see' my expression. She frowned as her hand ran over my forehead, feeling the worried lines there.

"What's troubling you, Edward?" she asked in her low, silky voice. She placed her hand on my cheek and stroked it lightly with her thumb. I sighed and covered her hand with my own.

"Father has been at it again," I said, trying to keep the bitter edge out of my voice. I couldn't fool her sharp hearing though.

She smiled sympathetically. "The same argument?" she asked.

"Always." I closed my eyes wearily. "He doesn't understand why I keep refusing their advances."

"I don't either," she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. I opened my eyes as she took her hand from my cheek and folded it in her lap. "You are a respectable young man with a bright future, Edward. Any young lady would be quite flattered to receive your affection." Her expression turned thoughtful. "What about Mary Eastman? I've heard she's quite beautiful. She let me touch her hair once, at a party. It's very soft, like silk, and it smelled of apples."

I snorted with laughter. "She hasn't got enough brains in her head to fill a thimble, Bella. All she's concerned with is fashion and gossip and when the next ball is going to take place. I have no use for a frivolous little girl such as her. I need a woman with intelligence, a woman who understands me."

A woman like you, I thought, but didn't voice out loud. She did not know that my affection for her ran any deeper than that of one friend to another and I had no intention of informing her of the truth. She and I both knew that my parents, and the rest of our society, would not approve. Her disability made her untouchable for me, and no amount of affection on my part could change that fact. If I was ever to voice my feelings to anyone, my parents would surely find out and I would be barred from ever seeing her again. The very idea of it was too painful to bear and I quickly shoved it all aside.

"You will find someone," Bella said confidently, unaware of my brooding. "I'm sure of it."

I smiled half-heartedly, but didn't answer and she seemed to feel the sadness in the air.

"Will you play for me?" she asked enthusiastically, effectively lightening the mood.

"Of course," I said, standing and offering her my arm. She let me lead her to the piano and she sat in her usual spot beside me, placing her hand on my forearm as I readied my fingers over the keys. She loved to 'watch' me play and I loved to let her.

It was always these times that I played my best music. The feel of her soft hands gripping my arm seemed to energize me and give me confidence. I looked up thoughtfully for a moment and then smiled brightly as I decided what to play. I had been working on a new piece for some time and, just the night before, I had finally felt that it was finished. I peeked over at the beautiful girl sitting next to me and began to play.

As the music swelled around us, light and dancing to begin with, I watched Bella's face. She had closed her eyes after the first few bars and lowered her head, listening intently as my fingers flew over the keys. I was suddenly nervous as I watched her. Of all the opinions in the world, hers was the one that mattered the most. And on this particular piece, it was especially important. After a few minutes, I closed the piece, ending it on a poignant chord. I watched her apprehensively, wondering what she was thinking.

"Bella?" I asked uncertainly. She opened her eyes then and I was shocked to see that there were tears glistening there. As I watched, one slipped down her cheek. "Are you okay?"

"That was…beautiful, Edward," she whispered. I reached for her hands and cradled them in my own.

"You were my inspiration," I said softly, watching her face intently. She looked astonished and flattered. "I've been working on it for almost a month."

"Thank you," she said with a brilliant smile. She pulled her hand free and waved it in front of her searching for my face. I caught her fingers and placed her palm on my cheek, stroking the back of her hand gently. I wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumb, relishing in the smooth texture of her skin. My hand moved down her cheek to her neck and I could feel her pulse there, racing under my thumb.

"Edward…" There was conflict raging in her voice and she bit her lip uncertainly. I watched her, mesmerized. She dropped her hand into her lap and I moved mine to her cheek, cradling her face between my hands. She sucked in her breath unevenly and all rational thought was suddenly driven from my mind. For the first time in my life, I didn't care about the rules or about society. I didn't care what my parents thought or what everyone would say about me. I was simply a man who was in love with a woman and I was suddenly seized with the overwhelming desire to kiss her.

I searched her face carefully, but I did not see rejection there and I leaned forward eagerly and pressed my lips to hers. Her hands flew to the sides of my face and my stomach plummeted. I felt sure that she was going to push me away.

I was wrong.

She kissed me back passionately, stroking my face softly and running her fingers through my hair. I put my arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to me, whispering her name tenderly whenever we had to part to breathe. Nothing in the world had ever made me feel so alive. The places where her lips and her fingers touched my skin felt as though they were burning. I was losing myself in her touch and her kiss – I was in heaven.

And then, without warning, I was in hell.

"Edward Anthony Masen!"

The happy bubble in my chest abruptly burst as my mother's angry shriek filled the room.

A/N: So, in case there is any confusion. Edward and Bella are living in 1918 in Chicago. They are both human and Bella is blind.

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