A/N: I got the idea from "Eclipse" I hope you like it! Edward is not a vampire in this, just so it fits the story. Little OOC but that's because of the setting.
"If I'd have met you back then, I would have courted you. We'd have taken chaperoned strolls and iced tea on the porch. I may have stolen a kiss or two, but only after asking your father's permission. I would have got down on one knee, and I would have presented you with a ring." –Edward Cullen, Eclipse
July 13, 1918
Today I would be moving in with my fiancée and his family; whom I've still yet to meet. I'm to be married soon; each little thing has a due date, how typical.
"Isabella?"
I turned around, facing my mother, "Yes?" I answered.
"Are you ready to meet the Masen's?" She asked, walking towards me. I shook my head.
"How can I make a good wife when I can't even tighten my own corset? No matter how many times I've watched you do it yourself, I still cannot get this corset to tighten!" I said disappointed; my mother laughed lightly. I turned around again and let her do it, taking in every breath I knew I was going to need for the day.
"No need to fret over the little things," She smiled. I was glad she wasn't like the other women I usually saw; they were cold and stuck up. Mine was not.
When she finished the last tie, I smiled and turned to face her again, "Now I'm ready."
XxxxX
I stepped out of the carriage, my father helping me down. I looked around at the large house in front of us, "It's beautiful." I commented. A couple came out of the doorway, a young man following behind them.
"Ah, the Swans," The man greeted, shaking my father's hand and kissing my mother's and mine. "You must be Isabella," He said, smiling. I hated my full name; I preferred Bella, however, it wasn't ladylike, as I was always told, "We've heard such great things about you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Masen," I said, returning the smile.
"Very polite, indeed," He said, nodding at my parents, "And may I introduce to you my son, Edward Masen." Edward walked forward and took my hand in his gently. As if I couldn't already not breathe in this corset. His appearance was stunning, and he was immensely handsome.
"Pleasure," He said, kissing my hand. I smiled, almost blushing.
"Pleasure," I nodded.
"Well, we should let you get to know each other. Perhaps a stroll through the garden?" Mrs. Masen asked. We must have been staring, because my mother tapped my shoulder, and Mr. Masen cleared his throat. We stood up straight and Edward held his arm out for me. I smiled again and linked my arm through his as he escorted me towards the garden entrance.
XxxxX
"I must say what a lovely garden you have, Mrs. Masen." My mother said from behind us. We had been walking for what seemed like hours…however, I could not complain. I could walk with Edward forever. We had spent most of the time exchanging glances and laughing over unheard, quiet jokes. Although, I had learned a lot about him. His middle name was Anthony, he loved the color blue, and his birthday was June 20th. I was quite pleased with my parents. This was an arranged marriage, only it seemed like it was my choice.
"Mother, father. Would you excuse Isabella and me for a moment?" Edward asked, "I would like to show her my favorite part of the garden before we have tea."
"Well I don't see why not." His mother smiled, "We will see in you a few minutes in the dining hall." Edward nodded and escorted me down another path. When we turned another corner he lightly pushed me up against one of the gates.
"I didn't think you'd mind a little privacy...Bella," He whispered, moving his face closer. I was out of breath from the excitement already, but I didn't mind. And just hearing him call me 'Bella'…that sent my heart racing faster!
"Not at all," I replied. Why would I mind? Someone was actually allowing me to be free. He captured my lips in a breath-taking kiss suddenly, and I couldn't help myself any longer. My first kiss with a beautiful man, how much better could this get? All too quickly, it ended. I suppressed a sigh and smiled at him.
"This is now my favorite part of the garden," He said, giving me one last kiss before straightening up and fixing his appearance. I straightened my hair and waited until my pulse was normal before we walked back towards the house. I hoped my face didn't look too flustered. We walked into the dining hall just before the tea was served. He pulled my chair out and helped in before sitting down next to me.
"So, tell us, Isabella. How do you see our son as a husband?" Mr. Masen said, taking a sip from his tea.
"Oh," I said, trying not to blush, "I find Edward a very fine man. He's intelligent, thoughtful, and considerate." I could feel him looking at me. Don't think about it. I told myself over and over. Oh how badly I wanted to blush and spill about how in love with Edward I already was. I had to keep myself content. "I think he would be a great husband."
"Very good. Very good." His father said, he turned to my mother, "how is Isabella with house work and mothering?"
"Isabella has just completed finishing school. Her courses have been passed. I believe she would make a great mother and wife." I was sad it was an arranged marriage now that I thought about it. I wanted to be proposed to traditionally; no arrangement. I wanted it all to happen with love and passion.
"What do you think, Isabella?" Mrs. Masen asked. I looked up confused.
"I'm sorry. I was distracted by your lovely interior." I lied.
"Oh thank you," Mrs. Masen said, "I asked if November 3rd was a good date for the wedding."
"Yes, I see no problem with the date." I answered.
"Good, then the date is set!" His mother said happily. "Now all that's left is the invitations, the wedding colors, and the honeymoon location." I assumed Edward's expression was obvious as mine; we were both looking down, embarrassed.
"Well enough with the heavy, would you care to join us for dinner?" Mr. Masen asked.
"We'd be delighted." My mother answered, smiling.
XxxxX
I looked off the balcony, over the garden. It was massive, and well kept; we must have walked that whole thing earlier. I felt two arms wrap around me tightly and I smiled. "Our parents will see us." I said, turning to face him.
"They're downstairs enjoying glasses of Champaign," He replied, "I asked to be excused and they assume you're settling down in your new room; I see you already have." He smiled, "they won't pay attention to our absence." I smiled back and stroked my fingers along his jaw, admiring him in every way possible.
"This means we have some time to ourselves then?" I asked.
"Would you care to accompany me to some iced tea on the porch?" He said, holding his arm out for me again.
"That sounds wonderful." I replied, walking with him down the stairs to the porch out back. As we sat down at the small table one of the maids asked us if we wanted anything.
"Two iced teas," Edward said, "please." The maid nodded and left to get our drinks prepared. "I'm very impressed with my parents. They have chosen well for me." He said, looking at me in a way that made me lose air.
"I also agree with my parents' choice." I replied, biting my lip and keeping my eyes down.
"What a fine beauty that sits before me." Edward complimented. Now I knew I was blushing; a bright, scarlet red. "Especially with a little color." He meant my blush. He was too good to be true, almost.
I playfully pushed his arm off the table, "And I, being the way I am, must say that you're only trying to make me blush."
"Well, given from how I was brought up, I must tell you that I would never lie to lady." He said, "Especially if she were my fiancée. The truth is the truth, and I speak nothing but."
"You would never lie," I said, interested, "suppose you had to lie to get yourself out of a situation."
"I can see you're testing me." He commented with a smirk, "as tempting as lying can be, the truth is the truth, and I speak nothing but." He said again.
"But in all honesty, you've lied twice today in the presence of not one, but three women." I said, "You lied so we could sneak off earlier, and you lied so we could sneak off again. If I'm not mistaken, that is considered lying to you, isn't it?"
He chuckled, "As true as you may be, let's just say instead of a lie it was a benefit for us both."
"A lie is a lie, just like the truth is the truth, don't you agree?" I asked, teasing him.
"Let's call it an advantage then, shall we?" Edward said with a bigger smirk.
"Advantage?" I said, laughing, "Call it what you will, Edward, but I stand by my words."
"You're stubborn, aren't you?" He remarked.
"I can't help but notice that you are yourself." I replied. Our iced tea arrived then, and when the maid left to give us privacy, we continued to talk, saying whatever we wanted. It felt nice to be myself, and not be expected anything else. Everything I did, he found intriguing. Everything he did; every little smile, remark, or expression I found charming and adorable. With him, I didn't care about laughing too loud, or speaking my mind; he didn't either.
July 15, 1918
I had spent the last two days with my mother and Edward's, discussing wedding plans. More them than me, but I didn't care, I was too preoccupied with my thoughts.
"I'd like to keep the wedding colors simple. Black and white." My mother said, moving her hands, like she always did when she talked. I got that from her.
"What if we add some red?" I asked, "A little color couldn't possibly hurt." Both women thought it over and smiled.
"Very well, maybe some red roses to decorate the outlying layers." Mrs. Masen said. I nodded, pleased that they had listened to my decision.
"Excuse me a moment," I said, standing up. "I'm going to go powder my nose." Both nodded and I left the dining hall to go find Edward. If I heard one more wedding detail, I was going to burst. I searched all over the house looking for him. He was nowhere. I went back down to the dining hall. "Have you seen Edward anywhere?" I asked.
"Oh he went to play golf with your father and his." Mrs. Masen answered, looking up from the invitations. I almost passed out. There was a long list of invites, along with a huge pile of cards that had to be mailed.
"How big is this wedding?" I asked, eyeing the pile shocked.
"This wedding is very important! Edward is the youngest in our family to get married," She replied, "and our family is quite large." Quite? I could have made another mansion with that stack. I nodded and sat down; my face must have been red because my heart felt like it was going to explode.
"Are you okay, Isabella?" My mother asked.
"I'm fine," I replied, shaky. No, of course I wasn't! A wedding with over two hundred people was certainly not okay with me! I would have to wait and see how this played out.