Trials of World War I (YLOFA)
Chapter One: To go or not to go?
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
This is a sequel to "Young Love in Old – Fashioned America." I'm trying to write it so you can read this one without reading the last one, though. (Although I'd love if you wanted to read the first one, of course.)
Warning # 1: This is a story about war. The characters are going to have some permanent damages from it. There will even be some deaths, so prepare yourself for that. (I will not kill Carlisle or Esme, though.)
Warning # 2, Especially to my German readers: This story portrays Germans very negatively. Please understand that I don't have any problems with Germans. Nor do I believe that the Germans were only ones responsiblefor World War I, even though that's what this story will imply. This simply represents the attitude that most Americans had about Germans at this time. I'm only putting the story in the historical context of this period. However, if it bothers you too much, I understand if you don't want to read this story.
Oh, and for those that don't know
XXXXXXXXXX is POV change
OOOOOOOOO is time change
Carlisle Cullen arrived home at 5:30PM. He was greeted by the delicious smell of brown sugar ham baking in the oven. His mouth watered at the thought. Esme's food was always great. But where was she? Usually Esme greeted Carlisle when he came home. Confused, he hung up his outdoor coat.
A couple of minutes later, his question was answered when Esme came down the creaky stairs holding their three – month – old baby. "I'm sorry Carlisle," she told him as their eyes met. "Edward chose the wrong time to make a stink."
Carlisle nodded. That made sense. Edward could poop at the most inopportune times. "Well, it was confusing for a second, but I'll forgive the little man. After all, he's so handsome, who wouldn't forgive him?" Carlisle leaned over and kissed Edward's forehead.
Edward "ahhhed" in reply.
Esme smiled. "Yes, I think he's so handsome we'll forgive him for anything." She stroked their son's cheek. "But of course he's handsome, with you as his father, Carlisle," she added, looking into his eyes again. "Especially with your doctor's coat on." She fingered the white coat he was still wearing, mostly for her benefit. "I'm glad I'm able to see you wear it often now."
Carlisle nodded, enjoying her attention. Esme was so supportive of his career. "Thank you. I think you look wonderful, too." She did, dressed in a navy blue floor – length skirt and a green and blue stripped blouse. He leaned over and kissed her, softly.
Esme smiled at him. "Thank you, but I'm not wearing anything fancy. Just normal clothes."
"You look wonderful in anything, Esme. And speaking of wonderful, the dinner smells amazing. It's making my mouth water."
Esme smiled and placed Edward on the rug on the living room floor. "Speaking of dinner, I should look at it again."
Carlisle nodded and sat down in the large chair in the corner and watched Edward look around. He thought for a minute, then pulled his keys out of his pocket. "Here Edward," Carlisle told his son as he set them on the floor in front of the baby. Edward began examining each key carefully.
Confident that Edward was all right, Carlisle picked up the newspaper. The headlines, once again, were about the war in Europe. The people in Washington had recently decided America should entire the "Great War," as they were calling it, as well. Most American's, however, agreed it was Europeans business, not theirs. There were many editorials explaining that fact. According today's paper, there were even some men put in jail for trying to avoid the draft, which was supposed to be put in place in June.
Personally, Carlisle agreed that the United States didn't really belong there. He'd never been comfortable war in the first place. After all, the Bible said "turn the other cheek" (Mt 5:39) and "those who take up the sword will die by the sword." (Mt 26:52). It seemed to Carlisle that meant the Lord didn't approve of war. Even if what the Germans were doing was wrong, how could more fighting help the situation? If Europeans believed they needed to fight, that was their business. Carlisle would never try anything illegal to stay out of the war, of course. But he hoped by staying quiet and working hard at the hospital, he could stay out of it.
However, Carlisle's situation was complicated because his father, Rev. Cullen, firmly believed in the war. He claimed that the war would "make the world safe for democracy," and that the Lord endorsed it because it was for a just cause. Father had visited Carlisle and written Carlisle several letters within the last month and a half to try to convince his son to join the military. "You need to do the honorable thing, Carlisle." "I would go myself, but I'm too old. You must go to Europe in my place." "Carlisle, as doctor you wouldn't even have to do any fighting. Just take care of the injured soldiers." "Did you know since you're already a full doctor, they'd start you out as an officer? Just think, my son, a lieutenant!"
Carlisle didn't want to do something he believed was wrong. And he did believe the war was wrong. Still, he wished to please Father, too. He and Father had grown quite close, since Father helped him through his first son's death. But Carlisle still remembered what their relationship was like before. What if Father rejected Carlisle completely again, like he had after Carlisle had decided to become a doctor instead of a minister? Carlisle had become used to having his father in his life again in the last couple of years. He refused to do something that would cause Father to disappear from his life again. And what about Edward? Carlisle didn't want Edward to grow up without one of his grandfathers.
Carlisle couldn't even depend on his mentor this time if Father left him again. Dr. Aro Pinero was still a great doctor, but Carlisle didn't approve of his personal choices anymore. The man still treated Esme like she wasn't worthy of Carlisle and even implied Carlisle should "try another woman" when Esme was busy. Such an idea was disgusting and Carlisle avoided his old mentor whenever possible now. Carlisle also remembered the night Dr. Pinero took Carlisle to the saloon a few years ago. His behavior that night still made Carlisle shutter. But Dr. Pinero still went to the saloon at least once a week. Sometimes even two or three times. Who knew what that man was doing once he started drinking?
Carlisle finally put the newspaper down. None of this mattered right now. He was simply going to have a nice dinner with Esme and focus on their immediate family. Carlisle looked back at Edward, who was wiggling the key ring so the keys jiggled. He seemed delighted by the noise. "I suppose that key ring is musical, Edward. I never noticed that," Carlisle told his son, smiling.
Esme came back in and picked Edward up. "Have you discovered a new instrument, now?" she asked her son.
Carlisle laughed. "Edward will be the first to play the keys!"
"Definitely. Are you ready for dinner, Carlisle?"
"Of course. The ham looks amazing, and so do the potatoes," Carlisle told Esme as they sat down at the round, wooden table that Esme's father had given them when they were married.
"Thank you," Esme replied smiling. "What is in the newspaper today?"
Carlisle shrugged. "More about the war and how most Americans don't want to be involved even though Washington says we have to be. I don't want to think about that right now. You can read it yourself if you want to." He took a bite of ham. Amazing, just like always.
Esme nodded as she took a drink of milk. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up a tough subject. But I might look at the paper later tonight. Did anything happen at work?"
Carlisle shook his head. "Nothing worth mentioning. I was wondering if you might like to go to a motion picture with me at the theater next week, though. We haven't gone out since Edward was born. Even before that, really."
Esme looked at their son, lying in his portable wicker basket nearby. Then she looked back at Carlisle. "I don't know. What would we do about Edward?"
"I thought we could bring him to your parents' house. Your mother would love to take care of him for a couple of hours. You know that, Esme. And Amy, your Brother Alan's new wife, would probably like to help, too." Alan and Amy lived near Esme's parents, on the same farmland. Amy was four months pregnant with her first child.
Still, Esme looked uncertain. "My parents live outside the city, Carlisle. What if something happened to Edward?"
Carlisle smiled and took her hand from across the table. "Edward will be fine, Esme. Your mother knows how to take care of a baby. And your parents even have a telephone now. So if something did happen, they could call the movie theater to let us know."
Esme stared at her dinner for a few minutes.
Carlisle sighed. He suspected Esme would be nervous about leaving Edward for the first time, but apparently it was more difficult than he'd thought. "I thought it would be a good idea for us to do something together, Esme. You know, without the baby. But if you're not ready to leave him, perhaps we could try another time." With that he put some potato in his mouth.
Esme squeezed Carlisle's hand from across the table. "No, Carlisle you're right. It would be good to do something, just the two of us. And Edward will be fine with my mother. I like seeing motion pictures with you."
Carlisle smiled at her. "Wonderful."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
OOOOOOOOOO
Esme and Carlisle had just finished an early dinner so they could have enough time to drive Edward to Esme's family farm and still make it to the motion picture. Esme hoped she'd provided her mother with everything she'd need to take care of Edward. She'd packed several packages of glass bottles and that new powered formula for infants in case he got hungry. Edward still preferred her breasts, but sometimes these bottles and formula came in handy. Esme had also packed ten diapers and three new outfits for Edward in case he made messes. "Do you think Edward has everything he needs?" she asked Carlisle.
Carlisle smiled at her and at Edward. "I'm sure he'll be fine. Try to just enjoy the evening, all right?" he encouraged her as he pulled the reins so the horses would turn left.
Esme nodded. She was looking forward to spending the evening with just Carlisle. She loved her husband, after all. He had even found a motion picture with an interesting – sounding story for them to watch. "The Land of Promise," wasn't that the name of it?
Esme looked at Edward again, snuggled up in his portable wicker basket. He'll be fine, she told herself. Mother knows how to take care of babies.
Carlisle told the horses to turn again, this time onto the farm. The Platt farm was much bigger than it had been a few years ago. Father was no longer worried about losing the farm. His wheat and corn were in great demand because they supplied meals for the soldiers in Europe. Esme knew Carlisle hated the idea of war, and she could understand why he felt that way. But personally, she thought helping the Allied forces win the war might be a good idea. Helping them was certainly a good thing for Father.
Eventually, Esme and Carlisle arrived at the white farmhouse with a big porch. "Hello, Esme. Carlisle," Father greeted them, as he answered the door. "It's good to see you."
"It's pleasant to see you as well," Carlisle agreed.
Mother came running in from the kitchen, where she'd been doing dishes. "I'm all finished with tonight's dishes. How's Edward? Can I hold him?"
Esme carefully picked up her son and slowly handed him to her mother.
"Hello Edward!" Mother greeted the baby. Edward stretched, yawned, and then opened his eyes. He looked at Mother for a second, then he looked back at Esme and seemed satisfied. "You're going to have fun with Grandma tonight, you know that?" Mother continued to talk to the baby as she sat down in her old rocking chair.
Esme began to relax. Edward would be all right here. She sat down on the grey couch so they could continue to talk. "There are some diapers in here," she told her mother handing her one bag. "And some extra clothes in here," she continued holding out another bag. "And I hope he doesn't get hungry, but if he does, there's some of those glass bottles and that new powered formula in here," Esme finished holding out a third bag.
Mother nodded, then suddenly she screamed, "Timmy! Get your marbles off the living room floor. I told you not to leave them there today. Edward could choke on them."
Esme shook her head as her youngest brother came downstairs and picked them up.
Carlisle looked at Esme for a second, seeming to say "See? Your mother knows how to take care of children."
Esme nodded back at him. He was right.
Mother shook her head. "I'm glad I still have some boys to take care of here," she commented. "Did you know Junior has decided to join the army?"
Esme shook her head. "No, I hadn't heard about that." She had just been thinking helping the Allies win the war was a good idea, but she hadn't expected her oldest brother to be involved so directly.
Mother shook her head. "It might be good for him, I suppose. He keeps changing his mind on what he wants to do. Farm hand. Owning his own farm out west somewhere. Working in a factory. Perhaps the discipline and the honor of helping our country…I don't know. I just wish he hadn't signed up so quickly."
Esme shared the sentiment. "When will he be leaving?"
"He told me he's expected to report to a base in Texas next week."
Esme made a mental note to see Junior before he left.
"Well, Esme, we should be leaving if we don't want to miss the motion picture," Carlisle commented, interrupting her thoughts.
Esme looked at Edward one more time. He looked happy enough with her mother. He'll be fine, she reminded herself again. "All right," she replied, standing up and taking Carlisle's hand.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Before the motion picture began, Esme and Carlisle also viewed an informative "four – minute men" speech about the war. These men explained why it was so necessary for the United States to enter the Great War. They showed how Germany had been sinking too many ships, some of them owned and operated by Americans. The worst was when they sank the Lusitania which was a passenger ship which many Americans were on. Esme had heard of these things before, of course, from the newspaper. But somehow she'd never thought about how serious it was until these four – minute mean on the viewing screen explained it. All those innocent people on that ship. Women. Even children. Screaming for help as they realized their ship was sinking and there was nothing they could do. Some were able to escape on lifeboats, but many more drowned. All because the Germans used their U – boats. "It is absolutely necessary for the United States to help make the world safe for democracy," the four – minute men explained. "Otherwise, think of what will happen." Ships on the screen all over the world disappeared, as German U – boats drowned them all. Then the four – minute men finished with a horrifying picture of the whole world being swallowed up by the German Empire. People who knew nothing about life and freedom.
After watching this informative film, Esme understood why her oldest brother had to fight in the war. She forced herself to relax, rather than worrying about Edward or Junior, and focus on Carlisle. "The Land of Promise," was alright. The motion picture was about a couple who married for convince, but they end up needing each other emotionally. What Esme really enjoyed about the evening was doing something with just Carlisle. She'd even leaned her head on his shoulder throughout the film. He was right, she admitted to herself. It had been a good idea to spend time together without Edward.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
As nice as it was to spend an evening with her husband, Esme was quite happy to bring Edward home, too. She fed him the way he preferred, changed him again, and then gently put him in his crib. "Edward is all set," Esme commented to Carlisle as she returned to their bedroom. "You were right, my mother took good care of him. Thank you for taking me out tonight. The motion picture was nice."
Carlisle smiled at Esme. "I am glad you enjoyed the evening."
Esme wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss. "I really did."
Carlisle kissed her back, but then pulled away. "Listen, I want to talk about something. After seeing those "four – minute men," before the motion picture today, I understand why my father is so supportive about the war."
Esme squeezed his arm. "That's good to hear." Esme didn't like all the tension between Carlisle and her Father – in – law lately. She knew it was difficult for her husband. Besides, Esme was fond of Rev. Cullen, especially after helping Carlisle deal with Thomas's death.
"I think I'm going to do it, Esme," Carlisle continued. "I think I'm going to join the army, like Father is encouraging me to do."
Esme backed away Carlisle in shock. That was something she hadn't expected. She was prepared to accept her oldest brother going to war, but her husband? That was a completely different matter. "Carlisle, I don't know if that's a good idea. You should think about it a little more."
Carlisle shook his head. "I have been thinking about it, Esme! All night!"
Esme stared at him, more shocked than she had been before. Carlisle rarely shouted, and certainly not at her. "Carlisle, calm down. This isn't like you."
Carlisle sighed and pulled out his pajamas out of his drawer. "I'm sorry. You're right. But Esme…I need you to understand this decision."
Esme pulled out her pajamas as well, a little disappointed that she had to put them on. Since they'd spent the evening together, she'd been hoping it would be one of those nights when nightclothes would be unnecessary. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, Carlisle," she told him as she finished putting on her nightgown.
They climbed into their bed, made of red oak (another wedding present from Esme's father), and pulled the quilt Esme's mother had made for them over their bodies. "I love you, Carlisle," she commented in the darkness. She was still a bit upset at him, but that was important to say. Esme never wanted to get to the point where she didn't speak or touch Carlisle again, like she had after Thomas died.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Esme climbed out of bed early the next morning to begin making the oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. After putting the milk on the stove, she quickly went back upstairs for Edward. As she finished feeding Edward, Carlisle appeared in the nursery, already dressed. "I will take care of him, Esme," he offered. "You can put you day clothes on now."
Esme nodded as Carlisle picked Edward up. She could hear Edward babbling as Carlisle swung their baby around. She loved to see her boys interacting like that. Esme hoped Carlisle would think a little more before joining the army. She pulled a corset and a nice, plain brown dress and quickly put them on. Esme still didn't like corsets very much, but as an adult woman, she knew they were necessary. After pinning her hair up, Esme went down the creaky stairs to finish making breakfast. Carlisle was already there, still playing with Edward.
Esme added the oatmeal to the milk, and soon breakfast was ready. Carlisle put Edward in his portable wicker basket. Then he added honey to his oatmeal and his coffee, while Esme added a little sugar. Despite the fact that they had been talking to each other since they'd woke up, the air between Carlisle and Esme was pretty thick. Esme briefly thought of cutting it with one of her kitchen knives, actually. But instead she decided to talk about the problem. "Carlisle, I'm sorry I wasn't very supportive about your decision to join the army last night," Esme began. "But you have to understand I like having you here. I need you here with me and with Edward. How am I to take care of Edward by myself?"
Carlisle smiled at her. "Of course I'll miss you both we'll I'm gone, but you can take care of Edward, Esme. You're stronger than you think. Look at how you went to art school by yourself a few years ago. Look at how you recovered from Thomas's death."
Esme sighed and swallowed a bite of oatmeal, her heart aching as Carlisle mentioned Thomas. "I don't know if I'm as recovered from that as you seem to think, Carlisle. Our baby's death…it really affected me. And sometimes I still don't know how to live with it. And now you're talking about going to war? What if something happened to you, too? How could I lose my husband right after my baby boy?"
Carlisle put his spoon down and took her hand from across the table. "Esme, remember, I won't be fighting in the war. I'll just be taking care of the soldiers who are fighting. I will be fine."
Esme nodded. "Yes, that is true. But with the bombs they've been using in the war, I hear sometimes more than just soldiers are hurt, Carlisle."
Carlisle withdrew her hand and drank some coffee. "That's true, Esme. But still, most of the casualties are still soldiers. And someone has to take care of those soldiers. Soldiers who have families, too. More of the soldiers will survive if they have good doctors to take care of them."
Esme shook her head as she took another bite of oatmeal. Of course Carlisle wanted to help the soldiers survive. It was one of the reasons why he was a doctor. And his caring heart was one of the reasons Esme loved him. Still, that caring heart could also be hurt easily, Esme knew. It was another reason she was so concerned about Carlisle joining the army. "I understand what you're saying. But Carlisle, no amount of doctoring will save all of the soldiers. I'm not just worried how I'll be able to live without you with me and Edward. I'm worried about you, too. I know how much it bothers you when you lose a patient. I don't know…how will you handle it when you're surrounded by death?"
Carlisle sighed and drank more coffee. Then he took Esme's hand again. "It will be hard, I admit. Harder than just about anything I've done, except maybe dealing with Thomas's death. Especially considering I won't be able to see you regularly. But we can write to each other, Esme. And I'll have God's support, too. I believe that now, since watching that message we saw last night. Besides, you know that babies' and children's deaths are the ones that bother me the most. There shouldn't be any of those in a war zone."
Esme nodded. She supposed that made sense. It appeared Carlisle had thought about this decision more than she'd given him credit for. Why should that surprise her? Carlisle was an intelligent man, who never did anything without thinking it through first. She gave his hand a squeeze and then withdrew it to take a bite of oatmeal.
"I know it bothers you that I'm leaving you and Edward, Esme," Carlisle continued. "And I understand that. I wish I didn't have to leave either of you. But you have to understand I'm doing it for my family, too. Father believes this war is important, as you know. I need to do this to make him proud." Esme nodded, understanding how much Carlisle would still want to please his father, especially considering they'd only reconciled a couple of years ago. "And I'm a little worried Father what Father will do if I don't say "yes," soon, Esme," Carlisle continued. "What if he rejects me again? Then I'll be without a father again, and Edward will grow up without one of his grandfathers. Plus…what if the German's do win because there aren't enough American soldiers. What would happen to our family, then? To all families in the world?" Carlisle swallowed the last bit of coffee as he finished his speech.
Esme took another bite of oatmeal. "I suppose you're right, Carlisle. I'm sorry I thought you didn't think this through last night. You do have to go."
Carlisle shook his head and stroked her arm across the table. "Thank you for understanding, Esme, but I understand why you were upset last night, too. It must have been quite a shock to you to hear I was joining the army."
Esme nodded. "Definitely."
"I need to go to the hospital today, though. I will be sure to tell Dr. Pinero I'll be leaving soon." As Carlisle got up to go, he realized he still had a whole bowl of oatmeal left. He smiled and quickly finished his breakfast.
Esme suddenly realized she still had a whole cup of coffee left. She chuckled as she finished the coffee. She must have been eating to ease her stress well Carlisle chose to drink the coffee.
The history in this story is compiled from my own general knowledge, Wikipedia, and The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I by Thomas Fleming. (I'm really excited I get to cite a real book this time!)
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And for those of you who don't know, I will give responses to all reviews (registered and unregistered) at the end of the next chapter. However, if any of you are uncomfortable with public reviews, you can give me one in a PM.