Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters, they belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter 1 - the letter
Edward knew it would happen some day. The whole town did. Everyone in Forks waited years for that letter to be opened. A letter his grandparents had left among their will. That letter was totally binding him with the town. A town his family practically owned...
The Cullen Family was the base of almost anything around.
The school, the hospital, the church, most of the social buildings and almost every business had the Cullen name behind it.
Everything went from one generation to another with written wills and a special family tradition. Every will had a letter for the future male heir. He had to take the challenge that was written inside and success in it. Failure was not an option. He would loose everything and the town would be sold to strangers. The tradition was a living nightmare for everybody there.
The day 17 year-old Edward Cullen opened that letter a shy girl was travelling back to Forks. She was going back home.
~ο~
Though Saturday morning was usually busy for the Cullen family, Edward was still asleep. His parents and siblings let him be. They had all assumed Edward was in no mood to talk or see anybody after Mr Jenks, the family lawyer, had given him his heritage letter the previous afternoon.
Esme and Carlisle Cullen, his parents, tried to ask him about that paper but he refused to say anything. It was his right and Carlisle knew it.
Every Cullen heir could keep his challenge a secret and act on his own. It was a choice and Edward was clear that he would use it. He had not slept at all during the night. The amount of decisions he had to make were too heavy for a teenage boy who liked to play the piano, hang out with friends, play a little with some girls from school and expected to be in Dartmouth next fall.
He closed his eyes when the first sun rays entered his room and opened them a few hours later. He was not feeling better.
After visiting his bathroom and changing into some fresh clothes, he opened that piece of paper that would turn his life plans upside down. Every word was still there. His grandparent's wishes for a good use of his inheritance, the money and the properties he would receive and lastly, "the catch". The phrases were precise and clear.
"…In order for my grandchild to have full power on my will I have this condition that has to be fulfilled in a year.
He will marry.
The bride of my heir must have been born in Forks and belong to one of the first three families that lived here since the town was founded. Strictly for when there is no such possibility, the choice will be among the next families in order. If no right partner is found in the above mentioned time, my heir is free of this challenge.
More details…."
Edward knew all the rest by heart. Nothing could help him out of this. His family would loοse everything if he refused to fulfill his grandparent's will. He would never do this to them. And it was about them. All Edward wanted was to get out of Forks and see the world. He certainly didn't want a wife.
He had to see if a possible bride existed….
AN: So, what do you think? Please let me know if you find the story interesting. Thank You!