Long Ago, Far Away
A Twilight Fan Fiction.
Summary: It's the spring of 1917 and the U.S. has just entered WWI, but back on the home front young bride-to-be Bella Swan is fighting a war of her own. All human, featuring all main characters.
Disclaimer- I don't own Twilight, or any of the characters.
A/N: My first Twilight FF! I don't want to give much away but if you love Twilight, you'll be very pleased. Set in May of 1917, Chicago, Illinois, during the First World War. A pivotal time in American history with a love story thrown in. Chapter titles are songs from the early 1900's. Enjoy, reply for more!
Chapter 1: Over There
"I could lie here all day." Alice whispered to the other girls. The words were swept away with the breeze that circled around them.
A green silk ribbon tickled Bella Swan on her brow and she giggled, turning over on her stomach and looking down into Rosalie's blue eyes. She swiftly retied the green ribbon, stylishly wrapping it around the girl's soft blonde curls.
"Thank you," Rosalie told Bella loudly before standing to her bare feet and grabbing her satchel that was carelessly tossed in the high green grass.
Alice groaned when Rosalie's tall figure blocked the sun that warmed her face. She extended a small arm upward and was pulled to her feet by Rosalie, flawlessly twirling as she stood up.
"Bella, get up. We should head home now." She commanded her friend, who was still laying on the ground.
The two girls began to place on their shoes as Bella began to huff, signaling the both of them to prepare for another rant.
"Why are the evenings so short? School already takes forever, when we get home it's all work, cook, work. We deserve to relax and just soak up all nature has to offer."
Rosalie playfully slapped Bella on her rump with her bag and laughed, "Your just making an excuse not to go home. You never liked the outdoors before, always complaining that it was too hot or there were too many insects."
Alice smiled, placing on the garland crown she created with budding wild flowers. "I agree, Bella never seemed to dislike home until Mr. Whitlock put that ring on her finger."
"Aw, poor Jasper." Rosalie mockingly cried.
Bella finally hopped up, pouting. "You two are so predictable, just gang up and tease me, poor little Bella."
"Poor little Bella!" Alice and Rosalie jeered in unison, grabbing their stomachs as they fell once again into to the soft ground.
They watched laughing as their mirthless companion stormed off, looking for her shoes and books. She finally stopped when her desperate search came to no avail and turned to the two girls with her hands firm on her hips.
"Have you seen my shoes?"
Alice lifted a small pair of leather laceup boots from behind her back and offered them to Bella, who reached for them but was shocked when Alice pulled them back.
Bella pushed back some of her long brown hair that fell into her face. "This isn't funny, Alice. You two have completely ruined my day already."
"Bella," Rosalie sighed, "we were only joking dear. Your going to be someone's wife soon. You need to loosen up."
Their heads both snapped towards the bouncing, tiny girl who was now running away with Bella's shoes.
"Alice!" She called, sometimes unable to see the brown hair that bounced around the tall wildflowers. "Alice, please stop!"
Then Rosalie soon joined Alice's little game, abandoning a frustrated Bella in the same spot. She looked down at her bare feet, knowing her attempts at running would end up with some injury. The thought made a small smile spread across her face, any injury would leave Alice and Rosalie regretful that they were so mean to her.
Their playful jabs at her upcoming marriage to Jasper Whitlock were nothing new, and she was ashamed that her disdain for the upcoming date was so visible to her closest friends.
It began back in November when her father travelled back from Texas with the stranger. He was extremely good looking, he was tall and had a soft smile and gentle gaze with his grey eyes. He was four years older than her, just turning twenty in January, but that was overlooked by a pleased Charlie, who found himself impressed by Jasper's humble character.
Sentiments about Jasper were not held by Charlie alone, she too noticed that he had the ability to make a room full of people feel completely at ease. This past month her mother Renee, who everyone was watching closely as her condition threatened to become worse, admitted to Bella that his presence was lifting her spirits a bit and for the first time since last year's life-threatening pregnancy Renee was walking around easily.
Her fiancée seemed to be a great relief on her parents. Charlie's intention to join his only daughter with the charming, southern gentlemen with wealth spurring from the booming oil industry in Texas was obviously going to be of great help now that they were starting to age. Renee's miscarriage last year with a boy confirmed that she wouldn't be able to have a son to take over her family's dwindling financial supply.
Accepting the proposal was the least she could do for the well-being of her family. Her father was close to the Cullen's but never accepted the young and quiet Edward Cullen to be the best suitor for Bella. Edward was the same age as Bella and he was still practicing medicine under the guidance of his father, waiting for him to establish a career wasn't an option. So she accepted Jasper, even if it meant abandoning all plans she made with the man she gave her heart to long before, Edward Cullen, Alice's younger brother.
"Ouch!" Bella yelped coming to a halt from the sprints she was making. Alice and Rosalie stopped and ran toward her, panting as they asked her what happened. She attempted to stop thinking about Edward, who made a good distraction and caused her to step on a sharp stone.
Alice kneeled and inspected the foot Bella held up, as Rosalie tried to keep her balanced.
"I'm sorry Bella," Alice apologized rubbing the soles of Bella's feet.
"Can you walk on it?" Rosalie asked watching as Bella hesitantly planted her foot on the ground.
Bella sighed, successfully being able to stand. "I'll be alright." She pointed her finger at both of them menacingly, "you two know I'm blaming you for this."
Alice rolled her eyes and gently slipped on the boots over her friend's feet. "Your just too clumsy."
"Look, there's a car by your house Alice." Rosalie squinted towards the quaint two story house now more visible beyond the large trees. The sky was becoming darker and only the main room window was illuminated.
Alice tied a neat bow in Bella's shoes before turning toward her house. "Carlisle must have some patients or visitors. Let's go."
They all walked towards the white fence that led into the Cullen's large yard. There was an easy way to get over the fence hidden behind a spruce tree. Edward had made a small part of the fence a foot shorter to assist Alice who was unable to climb over due to her petite size. The shortcut was no good for dresses but helpful when trying to enter the premises quickly and avoid walking around the enclosing. Rosalie didn't seem to have a problem with getting over the fence today, in a quick second she was flinging herself over and just a blur of white and green.
"Its Emmett!" Rosalie exclaimed, able to see her brawny spouse through the open curtains in the front of the Cullen's house.
Alice and Bella chased behind her, Bella ignoring the pain that shot through her body every time her foot touched the ground. Emmett and Rosalie had only been married for six months, but he had to leave her to complete school in Chicago for a job opportunity in Indianapolis. Until she completed the classes, Rosalie resided with the Cullen's.
Before knocking on the door Rosalie quickly tried to fix her hair and straighten her dress. She managed to lift up her hand and calmly tap the white door. She was taken aback when the door was quickly swung open by Esme. Rosalie vanished out of the sights of Alice and Bella who were met at the door by a visibly upset Esme. She ushered her daughter and Bella in quickly and they were stunned to see Rosalie embracing a solemn Emmett.
Out of the corner of her eye Bella quickly stole a glance at Edward, seated hunched over on his piano bench.
"You're here early. What's wrong? Are you okay?" Rosalie inquired when she finally caught her breath. She received a letter from him weeks earlier promising that he was going to visit her the following month.
Emmett looked over her head at Carlisle Cullen who was standing with his arms crossed in front of them. Alice studied everyone's faces and then gasped. The small sound that escaped her mouth pierced the quiet air. "Emmett, what are you doing?" She asked.
Bella was still baffled as to how Alice always knew what was coming. For her family who already knew the reason for Emmett's unexpected visit, they could only hang their heads.
"Rosalie," he began, his voice reverberating off the ivory walls, "President Wilson is encouraging men to join…"
Alice grabbed Bella's arm and they knew what he was saying, Rosalie shook her head in disbelief as Emmett finished his explanation.
"It's my duty to this country to serve in the war, Rose. I've enlisted—"
"No, no Emmett. You didn't have to, the war is going to end soon."
Her husband shook his head, refusing to listen to any excuse she might make for him. Rosalie grabbed his head in her hands and began to cry, falling to the ground as her knees buckled underneath her. Carlisle quickly helped Emmet lift her and place her on the sofa, were she wailed into Esme's pillow. Alice knelt next to her and gently stroked her hair.
"When are you leaving?" Bella quietly asked him, but doubted he could hear her over Rosalie's cries.
He finally tore his eyes off of Rosalie to answer Bella's question, "I don't know the exact date, but this month."
She nodded to his response, and turned to see Edward stand from the bench and disappear into the kitchen without a word.
"Rosalie, I'll be back just fine and when I return, you'll be done with school so we can go back to Indianapolis and find a home."
She stopped for a moment to sniff and wiped her eyes. "I hear what's going on in the war, Emmett and I can't live with the thought that you'll be over there."
Edward returned holding a tray of glasses of water. He handed one to Bella, with a quick glimpse and then handed one to everyone else. Rosalie's hand shook as she tried to bring the glass to her trembling lips. She took a sip and placed the glass down. Then she turned to Emmett with the most heart breaking look ever. No matter how upset or angry Rosalie McCarty was, she couldn't hide her undeniable beauty. The distress on her face was obviously more than Emmett could handle and he turned away from her.
"Weren't you thinking of me when you did this? How selfish you were being?"
"Rosalie, you shouldn't say such things." Carlisle interjected.
She snorted, "But it's true! He's willingly going into some stalemate war, without even consulting his wife."
"Rosalie, listen to yourself." Alice whispered to her friend in attempt to stop Rosalie from hurting her husband.
She didn't mean what she was saying, but she was less than pleased with Emmett's choice to join. He was always making such rash decisions without a thought and him not thinking about her in his plans was unsettling. But Rosalie tried to gain her composure. Taking a breath, she stood up and smoothed out her white dress.
"How long will you be in town?" She asked him.
"Just for tonight, I'll be at the Inn."
Rosalie nodded, "Just give me the night, okay?" she requested, kissing him gently, and with a hug from Bella and assistance from Alice retreated to their room upstairs. Bella waved goodbye, planning on coming over in the morning and just give Rosalie some time to rest tonight.
"She's angry with me. I didn't think she'd get so worked up." Emmett admitted sitting down in a chair and running his hand through his dark curls.
Bella hissed, "Aw, Emmett. You know Rosalie is just frightened. She loves you so much any choice you made she would support."
Esme smiled thinking of strong-willed Rosalie, "Bella is right. Just give her the night."
Carlisle patted Emmett on his broad shoulder, "Rosalie knows your intentions, She'll be easier to talk to in the morning."
"They encourage men to volunteer and that might not even be enough. Its only time before they start a draft. Dr. Cullen, I know you're opposed to war but I feel the need to defend our country, because it means keeping Rosalie and all of you safe."
"I completely understand Emmett, what your doing is honorable."
The sky outside was becoming dark and Bella was suppose to be home a long time ago. Her parents would probably be worried and maybe even Jasper.
"If you will all excuse me I have to head home." Bella politely stated.
She could hear the piano bench scratch against the floor and Edward's tall, lean figure cast a long shadow on the door she was heading for. She smiled at Emmett, "I hope to see you tomorrow Emmett and I agree with Mr. Cullen, what your doing is most honorable."
He nodded his head, forcing a thankful smile, while Esme gently grabbed her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek, "Bella, tell your mom I will pay her a visit very soon."
"Yes, Mrs. Cullen. Goodnight, Mr. Cullen."
Bella turned to say goodnight to Edward but was stopped when he finally opened his mouth for this first time that night, "I should walk you home. Its… dark outside."
When they were outside he offered to hold the three books she held pressed against her chest. She handed them to him and held them in one hand with ease.
It was the first time they were alone since she had to tell him the new about her engagement. Spending time with Alice and Rosalie required sharing the same space as Edward at times and it always created an uncomfortable environment. They kept their distance whenever in the company of others, to ward off the looks everyone would give them. Their obvious attraction to one another before Jasper's arrival was no secret. They both made a promise to eventually marry, but those plans were foiled. Many wondered how it was even possible they both ignored the past so easily, but they both knew it wasn't that easy.
"Your wedding is in two weeks." Edward commented, as if Bella didn't know.
She nodded instead of saying anything, covering the ring on her finger in an attempt to forget.
Edward cleared his throat, "Are you nervous?"
She hated when her wedding was mentioned around him. He was too kind not to mention how he truly felt about the situation.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Edward stopped in his tracks, checking both sides of the street before pulling Bella by the hand into the shadows casted by the brick building of the local bank. She gasped when she realized what he was doing.
She pushed against his arm, "Edward, someone could see us."
"Don't worry, no one will."
She dropped her guard for a minute, just to savor the way she felt. It had been long time since she'd felt his arms wrap around her waist the way it was now and having his cool breath dance on the nape of her neck. Willingly she hugged him back, resting her head under his smooth jaw.
"Will you get drafted?" She finally asked.
"We'll know when it happens," he whispered, "I'll be seventeen in June, probably too young, but sometimes that doesn't matter. "
She held on to him tighter, "I hope it doesn't come to that."
They quickly separated when the bell from the front door of the building tinkered and loud heels descended down the steps.
Bella sighed, placing a hand on her heart. "I need to go home." She told him, hesitating before emerging from the shadows. He followed behind her quietly, the rest of the way to her home.
Charlie Swan was leaning against the door frame and his demeanor immediately changed when he saw his daughter and Dr. Cullen's son approaching.
"Bells, where have you been?" He asked, studying her red face and then giving Edward a look over.
"I was with Alice and Rosalie after we were released from school and then stopped at the Cullen's because Emmett came to tell Rose he's going to war," she gestured to Edward, "I realized it was getting late so Edward walked me home because it was awfully dark."
Bella gasped for air when she was done rambling and Charlie only glared at Edward. The door opened and a tall man stepped out next to Charlie Swan, he smiled when he saw Bella and extended his hands to Edward.
"Good evening Mr. Cullen," Jasper said to Edward as they shook hands. Bella watched as Edward offered Jasper a weak smile.
"Mr. Whitlock," he replied.
Jasper placed an arm around Bella's waist, "Thank you for walking Bella home. Mr. Swan and I were just about to start a search party."
Charlie looked disappointedly at his daughter, "Alright, dinner's already cold. Go ahead and get washed up."
Bella turned to Edward and smiled, "Thank you Edward." She bobbed her head and turned to quickly escape from the trio of the three men that were studying her awkward actions and embarrassingly red face.
"Bella, your books." Edward called after her, handing her the three book he held in his hands and giving her a favorite crooked smile.
With her mouth agape, she quickly took them from him and found herself practically running into her house.
