Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own any of these characters and instead, I must bow down to the creator of the best book series ever, Stephenie Meyer.

Persuasion: Chapter Eleven

The week that passed after the Easter ball was like a dream. I still couldn't believe I was engaged to such a perfect man as Edward. That I, of all people, was to become Mrs. Masen!

As I thought about the whole new family that I was being welcomed into I couldn't help but remember my own mother. I had abandoned her and not even had contact in weeks! She must have been terrified for me. I could see how my mother got. But I had been so caught up here that I had completely forgot about her. How terrible was that?

I decided that I had to go and see her, if not for a short time.

Of course Edward offered to take me there himself but I refused.

"I must go alone," I pressed.

"And why must you go alone?" he asked, frustrated again.

I smiled up at his set face. "It is good to see you care for me but -"

"I do not want you hurt, Bella," he cut me off, sighing. "So many events could occur, foul in nature, to a young woman alone."

"I assure you," I said, touching his cheek lightly with my fingertips. "My trip here was nothing lower than comfortable."

He snorted at that comment. "Well your luck has not been high here," he said.

I scowled. "I believe I am fully capable of handling myself."

He shook his head but I spoke before he could. "Please Edward. Just let me do this last venture by my lonesome. I promise you I shall never leave your side there after."

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me for a moment. But eventually he gave in. I was amazed of the power I had over him. Like I could change his mind with a few words.

It wasn't like I was looking forward to taking time away from Edward. It was killing me to get on the train without him. I wanted so much to bring him with me, to never leave his side. But this was something I knew I had to do on my own. One last fling by myself.

I leaned out the train's window as the conductor called all aboard; the trains whistle calling out. I stroked his cheek once and smiled the best I could.

"You will stay, right?" I asked him over the shouts of other people.

"I promise," he answered with a glum expression.

"I will be back," I said as I leaned closer to touch my lips to his. I could feel the tears coming to my eyes. Why was I crying? I would be back in a few days and I'd be in his arms again.

We kept the kiss until the engines started. I held his hand until we slipped out of each other's grasp and I waved until the train station disappeared.

Sighing I sat back into my seat, getting a few stares from many couples around me. I didn't care. I'd get these few days over with and then I'd come home. Home, I thought with a smile. I always thought Washington would be my home for the rest of my dreary life but now it was Chicago. Well it was wherever Edward was, really. I played with my hands as I thought about that.

"Bells?" a husky voice, asked.

I looked up to see a grinning Jacob.

"Oh," I said lowly, looking out the window. "Hi Jake."

I liked seeing Jake but this was not the time for me. I knew he had some sort of feelings for me but I couldn't bear to face him now. I was engaged and Jacob's flirting wasn't something I wanted to deal with. He went on anyway as he sat down next to me.

"Where are you going?" he asked me with a smile.

"Washington State," I answered.

"Why?" he pressed.

"I am going to visit my mother for a few days," I said, looking over at him with a frown.

"You are alone?" I asked, looking around before back at me.

"Yes," I answered downcasting my eyes.

"Are you not with…what's his name?"

I glared at him. "No," I answered. "Edward is not with me at the moment. I have decided to go alone."

"Oh," he as he looked away. I could see some sort of smile on his face so I decided to give him a big hint.

When he looked over at me again and flashed my left hand in the sun coming through the window. My ring sparkled in the light, dazzling him for a moment before his eyes went wide.

"Is that new?" he asked.

I looked down, faking my surprise at his question. "Yes," I answered with a large smile.

"Where did you get it?" he pressed.

"Edward asked me to marry him," I said, grinning at his fallen expression.

"And you accepted?" he asked, his voice low.

"Yes," I answered. "Of course." I played with my ring. "I am going to tell my mother of my engagement."

"Oh," he said, looking down.

I looked up at him and smiled. "So where are you going?"

Luckily he was there to entertain me for the two days on the train. We asked each other different questions about ourselves although we stayed off the topic of Edward or my engagement. It seemed he got the point I was trying to get across. I was taken and extremely happy.

While I slept on the train I dreamed of only Edward. How his face would look when the train stopped back in Chicago. How I would run off and into his waiting arms – reckless as always – where I would finally be safe and able to start my new life.

I wondered where we would go. Maybe we could travel all over the world. After the war was over we could go to Europe. Maybe even Paris and London, places I've always wanted to go to. The war would end, wouldn't it? Yes, it had to. It might go on for another few months and I was happy to say that Edward would not be among the men there. It would probably be over before he turned eighteen.

I really hoped Jasper and Emmett would take a page from his books and not go. I've become so attached to them all and it would devastate me to see how Alice would react if Jasper died. I winced. But I would be there to comfort her, as would Edward. We were family after all and she was like a sister to me.

It took a shorter time than I thought it would to get to Seattle. Jacob again offered to take me to my house but I refused. I could easily get a cab; I grew up in the city for goodness sake. I said my goodbyes to my friend, hoping to see him again on the train ride home and got into the car.

Forks was a long distance from Seattle but the train didn't go that far yet. They were still building the tracks but it had stopped since those men had been sent over seas as well. I sighed and sunk down into the seat as I watched the green go by. I never noticed how different it was from Chicago. How I missed home so much!

That's when I thought of what I would sat to my mother. What could I possibly say to Mama? I had been gone for weeks without calling her or sending her any letters. I knew how she would react. Was I a terrible daughter? I sighed again and shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

What would I say? I ran away because I wanted you to be happy? I knew how that would go over. A.k.a, not well.

I rolled over the different explanations in my head as the car pulled up outside our tiny townhouse.

It hadn't changed at all as I stepped out. The white bricks were the same as was the tiny garden. It seemed she hadn't been taking good care of the plants anymore. Was that my doing?

I took a deep breath and walked up the front step to the door, knocking on it lightly.

The door opened to a man I remembered. Wasn't Phil taller before? His expression lighted into a grin when he saw it was I. I smiled timidly back.

"Renee!" he called into the sitting room with a laugh. "Look who's come home!"

Home, I thought with a shake of my head. I was mearly visiting, then I would be going home.

Mama came around the corner to stand next to him, her eyes wide when she noticed whom it was. I smiled timidly at her again as she stared open mouthed at me.

"Hi Mama," I whispered.

She stood there for a few seconds before breaking down into tears and throwing her arms around me. I hugged her back, surprised at first but happy to finally be with her again.

"Isabella, where have you been?" she cried, pulling back to glare at me.

"It's a long story," I admitted with a smile.

"Oh!" she blubbered. "I am just so glad you are home!"

"Er," I started. "That is something I need to speak to you about."

"What about it?" she asked, ushering me inside.

"Well, I am really only here to visit," I said as I walked inside.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked as I turned to look at her puzzled expression.

I sighed and got myself ready for the explosion of emotion I knew would happen. I held out my left hand for her to examine.

"What am I looking at -" she started to ask but stopped when she noticed my ring.

Her eyes widened as she took my hand in hers and stared at the sparkling rock. She looked up at me in awe.

"Surprise," I muttered.

She practically screamed her head off; I was sure I saw the walls shake. The tears flew down her face and she pulled me into another bone crunching hug.

"I can not believe it!" she yelled in my ear, making me cringe back. "Speak, child!"

I sighed and started talking about my long journey.

She luckily didn't ask me my reason of leaving so I found it easier to tell my story.

I told her about how Mrs. Masen had let me live with them. We both laughed as I explained her character; Mama telling me she intended to meet her as soon as possible. I told her she would love to meet her also. She had told me she wanted to meet my mother before I left and of course I said yes. I wanted my families to come together and that would make it a whole lot easier.

Then I started on Edward. She watched me with her wide child like eyes getting bigger every second. I found myself using my hands to explain everything. I told her every detail of how he looked and how he acted. She giggled when I told her about his pessimistic attitude. Then I went on to tell her about his dreams of becoming a war hero and her smile turned down at the sides. But I explained I had calmed him down enough for him to agree to stay behind. She let out a breath as I went on.

I told her about the argument with his mother and how he acted towards me. She crossed her arms and glared, about to say something but I cut her off, telling her about he apologised to me. She relaxed and allowed me to me to continue. I left out the part where we almost kissed, worrying too much about how she would react.

Instead I went on to dancing with him and I told her every thought and feeling I had when we touched. She giggled and clapped her hands, reminding me of Alice. I was sure my face looked dreamy and far off as I recounted the events of dancing with him. She grinned as I went on.

I told her about the market, leaving out Jacob, and how he came back with the record. She covered her mouth as she giggled again, leaning in to hear more.

"I was so happy," I said with a smile. "That I just kissed him right there!"

"Right there?" she gasped, smiling.

"Mmhmm," I said with a nod.

"And?"

I explained the feeling I had when I kissed him and her smile grew more pronounced.

"What?' I asked her, raising my brow.

"It is just so amusing to see you like this," she giggled. "That is true love darling."

I blushed and went on before she could laugh at me again.

I told her about Alice and how she had made me go to her party. I described the dress, which was left at home right now. She smiled as I went on to talk about going to the city with her. But her expression turned to horrified when I explained the dark night when I went off alone.

"Oh darling!" she cried, putting a tentative arm around me. "Were you hurt?"

"Of course not Mama," I said. "Edward found me just in time. He saved me!"

She grinned as I explained how he stayed with me for my bed rest and how I was forced to go to Alice's party. Then I told her how we danced the whole night away before he whisked me away to ask for my hand. I repeated his very words and her tears came again.

"Oh Bella!" she cried. "That is so wonderful!"

"I know," I said with a grin. "And so here I am now."

"When are you getting married?" she started to ask.

"As soon as possible," I said. "Once I get back Alice is going to work out a date."

"Why is he not with you now?" she asked with a frown. "Why can I not see my son-in-law?"

"I wanted to do this alone," I admitted. "And you will get to see him soon enough."

She smiled and pulled me in for another hug.

I grinned as his face came into my mind again. Soon, I stressed to myself.

"Oh!" I cried.

I had totally forgotten to call him! It had been almost four days since I left and he would be worried, I was sure.

"Mama," I said as I stood.

"Yes dear?" she asked.

"I must go and call Edward," I said. "He is one to worry."

She smiled and nodded and I went for the phone.

I smiled to myself, humming a happy tune as I waited to talk to him. My face fell when I heard Alice's out of breath voice.

"Hello?" she asked in a sort of glum way.

"Alice?" I asked, in surprise.

"Bella!" she cried. "Oh! Bella!"

"What is it Alice?" I asked, trying to calm her down.

"Oh Bella! You have to come home, now!"

"Why, Alice?" I questioned, getting scared. "What is happening? Where is Edward?"

"The hospital!" she went on. "Oh Bella! Terrible news! Something call the Spanish Influenza has come to Chicago! Oh Bella! Edward, Auntie and Uncle have caught it!"

I nearly dropped the phone. My Edward, sick?

"Alice!" I cried in horror.

"Yes!" she said. "I do not know of how much time they may have! Hurry Bella!"

"I will be on the next train out!" I cried.

"Oh please hurry Bella! I am so scared!"

"I will Alice. I shall be there!"

With that I put the phone down and ran into the sitting room.

"What was that ab -" she started to ask but I cut her off.

"Mama! Edward is terribly sick! I have to go to him!"

Her eyes were wide as I ran out the room and threw open the door. "I shall call on you as soon as I can!" I cried and ran down the steps, pulling my coat on at the same time as I ran to the cab office. The tears had started and were flying down my cheeks as I ran down the street.

Oh please Edward, I thought. Hold on! Wait for me! I'm coming home!

FAQ:

Did Edward buy the ring the day they went to the market along with the music?: Yes he did. Just for safe keeping of course. ;)