Disclaimer - I do not own Twilight, the Hampton Suits, or Mercy Hospital. All rights are given where they are due.
Its been 3 days since I'd woken up in 1918, a mere 3 months from the end of World War 1, but these people around me don't know that. There are some perks to being thrown back in time, like well for instance knowing that the war is almost over. The train ride was far too long for my liking, but I suppose it could have been longer. I mean we could have driven. Thank the lord these cars aren't made for that sort of travel.
The anticipation of perhaps seeing Edward is starting to kill me as the taxi were in comes to a halt outside of a rather massive hotel. The sign halfway up the building says Hampton Suits. Before we exit the cab I turn to the driver with an inquiry
"Sir...How far is the hospital from here?" a sullen look overtakes his rough face and he merely shakes his head
"You don't want to be goin there missus. The Spanish influenza's hit the city pretty hard. They may as well call it a morgue." his voice is gruff as he answers, and he clicks his tongue while shaking his head.
"So I've heard, but I'd still like to know." his eyes narrow at my persistence and I quickly forge a lie
"I have a friend here, and it's been ages since I've heard from him. I'm just afraid he's sick and can not write me." okay it's not a complete lie, Edward and I are friends. He just doesn't know that yet. This seems to work and his gaze softens "If you were to walk, I'd fair it would take you a few hours to get there." Considering this option I simply sigh and try to look as disappointed as possible in the hopes that the man will feel sorry for me.
"Look, if you need a ride over there... I can be of service to you." he turns to face me and I can't help the smile that spreads across my cherry colored lips. Take it for me to be sent back in time to start wearing make-up. I was curious, and thought I'd have a little fun while I was here.
"Oh I couldn't trouble you kind sir." I begin to get out of the cab and as Charlie shuts the door the man rolls his window down to speak once more.
"Now what kind of a man would I be if I let a pretty young woman as yourself wander down these streets alone?" he winks and smiles at me as Charlie and I both laugh
"Not a very good one I'd suppose" I giggle and he simply winks at me, suddenly his hands out the window and a piece of paper is being held towards me, I take it in my gloved hand and he holds it for a while longer
"Here's my number missus. Just gimme a call and I'll come and take you where you want to go." he nods his head, releasing the piece of paper and as he begins to open his door Charlie motions for him to stop.
"Let me get that for you! You've been more than kind to my daughter and me and I would be obliged to return the favour" before the man can protest Charlie's at the front of the car, twisting a lever around until the car starts with small shot.
"You all have a great evenin now ya hear?" he calls out the window over the roar of the engine and starts his way down the street. His tail lights disappear as Charlie gently takes my elbow to lead me in to the massive hotel.
"I was not aware that you had friend here in Chicago. Let alone a man!" I look at him from the corner of my eye, but his gaze is ahead of us and a smile is on his face as a greeting towards the bell hop who's already taken our things to our room for us.
"Ah, Miseur Swan I presume?" the hotel clerk smiles a wide smile and begins to reach for our room key. Charlie merely nods his head in response, his clutch on my elbow releases so he can retrieve his wallet, I quickly place the number in a small beige clutch purse I have and make my way over to one of the elevators. My thoughts are on Edward the entire time, so when we reach our floor I'm in a bit of a shock. I don't remember stepping into the elevator.
Charlie places his hand on my forehead after we step of the elevator and worry creases his forehead
"Don't worry like that, it makes you look old. I'm fine would stop that." I swipe his hand away, my arms come to cross across my stomach as he begins to lead me towards our room.
A soft click emanates and the door is pushed open to reveal a massive room with two double beds spaced evenly apart opposite the door. He ushers me through the door and I take a look around, the walls are a deep red with a medium colored wood bordering the top and bottom of each wall. A door that leads to the bathroom is directly beside the hotel door, a phone is set up between the two beds and I make a note of it to call this man early tomorrow morning. I can't take not being with Edward right now, and a part of me hopes that he has an answer to this.
Charlie begins to un-pack a few things and with a look at the clock on the wall he whistles which catches my attention.
"9:30. My goodness it's been a long day, don't you agree Isabella?" wow he thinks 9:30 is late? Not wanting to cause him any more worry I merely nod and smile in agreement.
"Well, I'll be taking a bath and then retiring for the evening. Did you want to get ready before me?" he's rifling through his bag in search for something, so his back is turned towards me forcing me to speak aloud.
"No, no, take your time I think I'm going to stay up and read a bit." he chuckles and after finding whatever it was he was looking for he places a kiss on my forehead and continues to the bathroom. I wait for the lock to click and quickly race towards the phone, placing the number on the bedside table for easy access. Where the hell are the buttons? With a confused look at the odd phone I pick the ear piece up and place it against my ear.
"Operator. Whats the number you are trying to reach?" a woman's voice politely asks from the other end. Crap. Right they don't have private lines yet, its only party lines.
"4351 please. Its Isabella Swan calling" I roll my eyes and wait for her to patch me through. It rings a few times and finally someone answers.
"Isabella? Is this the young woman who needs a ride to the hospital?" a gruff voice chuckles on the other end.
"Mr. uhm...."
"Fevre. Its Jacques Fevre." it sounds as if he's smiling.
"Mister Fevre, I was wondering if I could perhaps take you up on your offer?" I make my voice almost to sickeningly sweet. This way of speaking has come way to naturally for me, I conclude its about time to get me home.
"Well missus, it is rather late..." he er's a little and I can tell he needs just a little more of a push
"I know, and I'm terribly sorry. It's just that I'm so very worried about my friend and I don't know what I would do if he were to pass away tonight." my voice catches in just the right spot and I can hear a sigh on the other end.
"Well alright. Don't go cryin now, I'll be there in less than 5 minutes." a click sounds as he hangs his end up and with a little dance I hang my end up as well.
Now to figure out what I'm going to tell Charlie... Well he did say he was going to be awhile so I could just slip out and hope he doesn't notice? No that wont work and if I outright tell him, he'll most likely try to stop me. I bite my lower lip as I try to figure out what to do and than it occurs to me. Just leave a note. I face palm and roll my eyes at how slow I can be and quickly grab my small clutch purse where I pull a pen out and snag the piece of paper with the number on it. In my clumsy handwriting I scribble a note to Charlie about running into an old friend and how I shall just be at her apartment. Ethel Martins pops into my head and she seems like someone Charlie likes so I place her name down in the hopes that he wont come looking for me. With an accomplished smirk I replace the pen and quickly but quietly make my way out of the room and into the elevator.
With a soft ding the doors glide apart and I step inside, the elevator control man asks what floor and I fleetingly glance at him as I say main.
This has to be the longest ride of my life, the anxiety of not catching Edward before Carlisle changes him seems to kill me. I hadn't noticed how much I'd wanted to see the human Edward Anthony Mason, with his green eyes and warm touch. Finally after what seems a millennium the elevator doors glide apart to reveal the main floor and my cab driver is standing at the front desk awaiting my arrival.
"Missus! Your chariot awaits" he mock bows and as I make my way closer to him he places his arm out for me to take it, so in not wanting to be rude I slide my arm around his and we continue on towards the awaiting cab.
It takes only a few minutes to get settled and for him to crank start the car but finally were on our way. Its a quiet ride and after about 10 minutes we pull up in front of the Mercy Hospital. Death is in the air and its so hard not to feel the sadness that emanates from the massive brick building. I quickly nod and begin to reach for money that's in my purse when Jacques stops me with the raising of his hand and a shake of his head.
"No. It's on the house missus. I won't let a little thing like money get in the way of young love" he smiles and winks to me in the rear view mirror.
"Thank you, so very much . I will repay you someday" his hospitality amazes me, back home in my own time you would never come across someone as kind as this in a big city. He just waves me out of the car and I do as I'm told, nearly breaking into a run as I see a young blond attractive doctor enter through the front of the hospital.
A/N - Chapter 2 complete!! I thought of this as I was out for lunch with my parents today (Remembrance Day)
The song that inspired me was We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn (1940 version)