Okay, this is a "Bella lived in 1918" sort of one. A little over-done, maybe. But when the plot called to you, you can't ignore it.

Okay, don't listen to me, I'm high right now.

Ha ha, just kidding. I don't do drugs and neither should you (STOP DOING DRUGS, QUINN!). But I am a huge dork, so don't listen to me trying to talk cool and wise. Because I'm not.

This is for Mmlle Poulain, because she is the sweetest Aussie I've ever (electronically) met (not that I've met many Aussie's before...and I'm also sorry if you don't appreciate being called an Aussie...)

Disclaimer for the whole thingy starts now!


The Strawberry Swing was the cities main dance hall. For ten cents, you could drink and laugh and dance your woes away all night long. It was opened soon after swing dance was introduced to the world. The people of Chicago needed the upbeat dancing to forget the fact that its population of men was slowly depleting due to the Great War.

It was at the Strawberry Swing that Isabella Swan met Edward Masen. Her friends had asked her to join them, so they could meet some of the young men that went their just before they left. Isabella didn't feel like dancing, she wasn't very coordinated. So she sat in a chair against the wall, watching her friends socializing with the young soldiers, wishing she were at home reading.

Edward was sitting with the soldiers, listening to their stories about training camps and flying planes and shooting guns. He desperately wanted to be part of the War. His mother strongly disapproved, but his father encouraged it, claiming his boy would make history.

Edward had looked up from his beer to see a slight girl with long brown hair pinned up. Her dark blue dress made the peachy tints in her pale skin stand out. Edward noticed a second later that she was sitting alone, with a forlorn look on her face.

Isabella started slightly when she heard his voice. Looking up from her entwined hands, she saw a boy of around her age. His hair was a strange dark red, with brown tints in it. The hair made his large green eyes stand out.

"Would you like to dance, miss?"

Isabella didn't really want to dance, but she saw something in the strangers face. It was healthy and good and pure. Plus, she didn't want to be rude and turn down the offer, so she took his extended hand and stood up.

They danced for longer than they realized. Isabella's friends had noticed, and were whispering about whom this boy was that Isabella couldn't seem to let go. They even noticed a couple other young men try to take her away, only for her to kindly refuse.

Just as it was starting to get late, Edward took one of her hands and kissed it.

"May I ask what you name is, miss?"

Isabella blushed slightly, "Isabella Swan."

Edward nodded, "And did you know that Bella means beautiful in Italian?"

Isabella shook her head, the light flush still tinting her cheeks.

"Well, until next time, Ms. Swan."

Isabella then rushed out of the hall with her friends, them chattering excitedly, wondering who he was.

For the next three months, Isabella and Edward met at the Strawberry Swing every Saturday evening. Sometimes they would spend hours just dancing, and sometimes they would sit at a table, talking and laughing.

Neither of the two could ever remember feeling so happy. So whole. They felt healthy and perfect, like nothing could touch them, despite the fact that the city, along with most of the world, was falling and so many people were getting sick.

One hot June night, they decided to take a walk along the lake's shore, enjoying the cool breeze coming off of the water. With their arms linked, they didn't need to talk. Edward spotted a wooded pier that was empty of boats except for a small dingy. Leading Isabella down to the end of the pier, he started to take of his shoes and stockings.

"What on earth are you doing?" Isabella gasped as he started to roll up his pant legs.

"I am cooling off my feet. Come now, Bella. No one is around. You must loosen up sometimes." He plunked down on the edge and dangled his feet in the water, stirring it around. Isabella watched the ripples on the dark surface. Then she kneeled down to unlace her boots and sit beside Edward.

Edward took her hand and began to play with her fingers. The sun was just setting, staining the water a dark red. When Isabella looked up at the sky, the first of the stars were just starting to shine. She sighed at the peacefulness of the moment.

Edward cleared his throat, and Isabella looked at him.

"What would you say to joining my family for brunch tomorrow?"

Isabella's eyes widened, but she quickly regained herself. She had wanted to meet Edward's family for a long time now.

"I would like that very much." She said quietly.

Edward looked at her with shining eyes, "Really?"

Isabella nodded, smiling. Edward suddenly leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She blushed and looked away, still smiling.

Edward's parents were in love with her the minutes she crossed the threshold. Elizabeth Masen had made biscuits and gravy, and Isabella helped her wash the dishes after brunch was done. Edward Sr. didn't talk much, because he had a small cold, but what he did say was all boasting about how his son was going to fight in the war.

And it broke poor Isabella's heart. Edward had told her about how he wanted to fight, but she didn't really think much of it until now. But now she realized that she would lose Edward soon, possibly forever. And she wasn't ready for that.

When Edward walked Isabella back to her house that afternoon, Charles Swan was sitting on the porch waiting. And the first thing he asked Edward was whether or not he was considering joining the war. When Edward replied yes, Mr. Swan asked to speak to him in private.

"I just want to make sure you know what you're doing to my daughter, with you going to fight. " He said with a stern face, his bushy eyebrows pulled down.

"Yes, sir. I care for Isabella very much, and I wouldn't want to see her get hurt." Edward said seriously.

Charlie nodded and clapped Edward on the shoulder, "Good lad."

But the more Edward thought about it, the more the idea of leaving Bella repulsed him. He did want to fight…three months ago. He still did, a small bit. But now he more wanted to stay and court his Bella.

So what should he choose?

The next Saturday, Edward and Isabella walked to the Strawberry Swing together, arm in arm. Edward was very quiet, because his father had been sent to the hospital for the Spanish Flu, and now his mother wasn't feeling well either.

They watched all the other people walking along the sidewalks. Some small families, a few other couples, but mostly woman rushing about. Eager to get what they need and be back in doors.

"What's going to happen?" Isabella asked suddenly.

Edward looked down into her wide brown eyes, "What do you mean?"

"When you go to war. What's going to happen?"

Edward was silent for a few minutes, "Well…I suppose I'll go. And I'll write to you every week. And after I've served my two years, I'll come back to find you married to some shlump with children and living in a-"

"Okay, okay." Isabella laughed.

Edward stopped walking and turned Isabella toward him, holding onto her shoulders. Staring into her eyes, he said seriously,

"If you ask me not to go, I wont. I swear to you, Bella, all you must do is ask."

Isabella stared at him and read the truth in his eyes.

"Don't go." She whispered.

Edward nodded, "Then I wont."


This one is going to be an extremely short story. I'm thinkin' three or four chapters. I'm not really devoted enough to do a thirty chapter thing. Plus, when they're that long, it's just plain annoying.

Like I said above, I'm high on tylenol right now, so if it's messed up, please don't throw rocks at me.

Review or die. Muahaha.