Title: A Different Time
Author: Bella Katelyn
Rating: M
Summary: With Edward gone, Bella makes a wish which could ultimately change her life for the better. Finding herself in Chicago 1918 two months before the Spanish Influenza epidemic, she sets out to discover everything about his human life, hoping it will give her a way to find him in the future. Follow Bella as she gives Edward the one thing he's always wanted. A chance to be human for her.
Disclaimer: Twilight and its characters belong to author Stephanie Meyer, and are brought to the fandom by Summit Entertainment. I'm just borrowing the characters for my own enjoyment and hopefully yours. With that said I hope you enjoy this story as much as I'm going to enjoy writing it.
Chapter Thirteen
Family Dinner
BPOV
If you'd have told me four months ago I'd be sitting in a car with my vampire husband and werewolf best friend I'd never have believed it, yet here I was waiting for Charlie, Sue and Billy to join us, Edward's arms around my waist and Jacob standing next to him, I had to keep pinching myself to realise this was actually happening. I knew this wouldn't be an enjoyable experience for Edward, especially since there was no way for him to hide his food without Charlie noticing, he would unfortunately have to eat, suddenly an idea came to me that I thought could actually work considering how nauseous I still got despite being in my second trimester. Taking a deep breath, I looked up into Edward's stunning golden eyes; I could see a million questions in them. Smiling brightly, I stood on tiptoe kissing his lips lightly before hearing the question he always asked when he wanted to know why I was so quiet.
"What are you thinking, love?"
"Well, I know this is not going to be pleasant for you and I was wondering how we could explain you getting sick once we get back to the house, since I'm still feeling slightly nauseous I was thinking we could say you had started to get a few sympathy pains."
"You my love are a genius. That will work perfectly. How are you feeling?"
"I'm perfect for now."
Laying my hand over Edward's I rubbed my baby bump in soothing circles, relaxing into his embrace as Charlie and Sue joined us, Charlie pushing Billy in his wheelchair, This was definitely going to be an interesting dinner, thankfully Billy seemed happier than he had before we left the house, something told me Charlie had warned him to be nice. Taking a deep breath we walked into the diner where we were instantly greeted by Cora, she'd been a waitress there for as long as I could remember and always managed to put a smile on your face. What Charlie didn't know was Edward had called ahead making reservations. After we were settled into a corner booth, it didn't take long for me to take hold of Edward's hand rubbing his palm in soothing circles as he grimaced. I wished there was something I could do but like me Charlie was too perceptive.
"Good evening Chief Swan."
"Hey Cora, I'll have a steak cobbler please. Edward what would you like?"
"I think I'd like the steak cobbler as well."
"Garden burger please."
"I'll have the same with extra fries please."
"Trust you Jake."
"Hey I'm a growing boy."
"Mm hmm."
"Billy what would you like?"
"Double cheese burger please."
"I'll have the same as Billy please Cora?"
"Of course. What would you like to drink?"
"One juice and cokes all round please."
"I'll get your order out as soon as possible. Congratulations Bella."
"Thanks Cora. It came as a surprise but we're happy."
Blushing slightly, I rested my head against Edward's shoulder taking a few deep breaths as the familiar queasiness entered my stomach; something told me I was going to feel sick throughout my pregnancy. Once again as if sensing how I was feeling, Edward's fingers ran through my hair, relaxing me. My hand instantly rested against Edward's stomach relaxing straight away. I could only imagine how he was already feeling despite not putting anything in his mouth yet, and with Cora knowing Dad for so many years I knew there wasn't going to be much time to prepare himself for the torture ahead. Curling my legs underneath me, I finally found some comfort resting against Edward's side, my eyes reaching Billy's, I didn't know exactly what had been said in Jake's car but whatever it was I was thankful for it, with Billy on side this pregnancy was going to be so much easier to handle. Just As I expected no sooner than five minutes had passed before Cora brought out our food order, going to take my hand away from Edward's stomach I was shocked when he stopped me pulling it back into place, I looked up curiously. Picking up my fork I started to eat, from the corner of my eye I noticed Edward start to eat.
"I just wanted to say how much this means to me, I didn't think I'd ever be able to sit in the same room with you all together, the fact that we are eating together, it makes me very happy."
""We'd do anything for you Bella."
"I know, I just hope it can stay this way. No more fighting, any of you."
"Bella I'd like to say something."
"Go ahead Billy."
"I can see how much you two love each other now having seen you the way you two interact with each other, No one other than your father has stood up to me the way you did before, while we were on our way here Charlie explained how you were whilst Edward was gone, and how happy you've been since he returned. I promise I'll make an effort to get alone with Edward."
"Thank you."
Nuzzling my head into Edward's shoulder I started to rub his stomach, noticing he was starting to look paler than he usually was something I didn't think was possible. Something told me neither of us were going to last much longer, I could already feel my own stomach turning, and I could only imagine how Edward was feeling. After eating not even half of the garden burger I pushed the plate away wrapping my free arm around my stomach letting out a low groan, low enough Edward could hear but not loud enough for anyone else to. His golden eyes met mine and I could tell he was feeling the effects of the amount of food he had eaten. I knew we needed to get out of here.
"You okay Bells?"
"Not really Dad, you see I'm still getting morning sickness and Edward has started to feel the effects, literally."
"Ooh. You two better go then."
"Thanks Dad. I'll call you later."
"Sure thing Bells."
"You alright getting home Jake?"
"I'll call Quil."
"Alright."
Sliding out of the booth, I held my hand out for Edward, smiling as he took it gratefully, I knew then I'd made the move for us to leave at the right time. I'd never seen Edward get sick before and I honestly I knew I'd hate for him to get sick just as much as he hated to see me nauseated. Taking a deep breath, I somehow managed to push aside my own queasiness in order to help Edward through his. After helping him into the passenger side, I started the engine driving the short distance from The Lodge to the corner of the forest getting as far away from Charlie's eyes as I could. Glancing over at Edward I could tell he was suffering, pulling over. Before I could say anything Edward was already out of the car rushing into the trees. Sliding out of the car, I walked the short distance into the trees hoping I could help in some way, thankfully he hadn't ran very far and I could already hear him retching as I walked closer to him resting my hand gently on his stomach.
"I shouldn't have suggested going to The Lodge."
"Hey, hey it's not your fault sweetheart, you did the right thing, and Charlie would have noticed I wasn't eating if you hadn't suggested it."
"I hate seeing you like this. Will you be hunting?"
"I'll go when you're asleep tonight, although I'm sure Alice saw your decision to go eat at The Lodge and has already gotten Emmett to bag some animal blood for me."
"The joys of having a psychic for a sister. Even if she does annoy us at times."
"That's true. How are you feeling?"
"Nauseous but I'm alright. Want me to drive home?"
"Yes please."
"Would you like your belly rubbed when we get home?"
"That would be nice."
"Let's go home."
EPOV
I didn't think I could love Bella more than I already did, however that's exactly what happened when she helped me back to the car. Although I'd never admit it to her, I was scared how she would react seeing my stomach reject the foreign food I'd just consumed, yet just like she always did, Bella did the opposite from what I'd expected. On the drive home, I suddenly realised why this meant so much to Bella, finally she was able to take care of me instead of me taking care of her. I was starting to see why Bella had felt so insecure until she went back to 1918. I was so caught up with my thoughts I never even realised we were home until Bella stopped the car, making her way around to help me out. Of course I could hear Emmett laughing at me in his thoughts, just what I needed. Laying my hand into Bella's I slid out of the Aston Martin wrapping my arms around her waist.
"How do we get past Emmett?"
"Leave it to me."
"What do you have in mind?"
"He'd be able to hear if I told you."
"That's true."
"I love you."
"Love you too."
Wrapping my arm around Bella's waist, I walked into the house, blocking out the thoughts of my family as we made our way into the kitchen, just as I'd expected Alice was holding out a glass of deer blood as we entered. Taking it from her tiny hand I gulped it down, instantly feeling a difference despite still feeling nauseated. Once I'd drained the glass, I placed it on the counter top sensing my bone head brother coming up behind me. I didn't know what Bella had in mind yet the determination on her face told me she was up to something. To say I wasn't expecting what happened next was an understatement, just as Emmett bounced toward us, his arms extended to pull Bella from my arms, he was thrown backward, as I gazed at Bella she had a rather smug look on her face.
"What was that?"
"My shield, I knew Eleazar could see talents in vampires and I was curious as to whether he would be able to see mine, after Carlisle informed him of your inability to read my mind, he assured Carlisle that I was a shield, Jasper overheard whilst we were talking before I spoke to Irina and Laurent again, he told me how I would be able to practice, Carlisle thinks that once I gain proper control over it, I'll be able to let you into my thoughts."
"Wow."
"That's not the word Emmett would use, let's escape while he's still down."
"Good idea, love."
Showing Edward The Memory Book
BPOV
As we walked upstairs I couldn't help but laugh as Emmett still lay flat on his back that would tech him to try and play tricks on Edward and me for the foreseeable future. Once we were safely in our bedroom, I pulled out the memory book I'd created in 1918, excited to show Edward everything I'd documented whilst trying to push my shield aside and let him into my thoughts. Taking a deep breath I curled up on the bed patting his side gently, a few minutes later, the bed suck slightly as Edward sat next to me resting his hand over my stomach. Placing the memory book in front of Edward I motioned for him to open it. Sliding my hand up his t shirt I rested my hand against his stomach rubbing it gently watching intently as he started to flip through the book, realisation crossing his face just as I found the bubble covering my shield, pulling it away from my mind.
"Do you like it?"
"Bella? How did you…"
"I've been practicing; when I gave you this book I wanted you to hear my thoughts at the same time. Kate's been helping me practice. I gathered everything I could from your human life whilst I was there."
"You're amazing."
"Read the first page, I wrote something for you."
As Edward flipped the page backward, I focused on keeping my shield down, I'd had the pleasure of loving both sides of Edward, gotten to know his biological mother, and if she was here today I knew she would be so proud of him. I could tell every time he looked at me that he now believed he had a soul. Although I wasn't completely sure he knew the reason why it felt like he had lost his soul until 2005 when we met in the cafeteria, before meeting Edward I didn't believe in love at first sight, however I was a positive believer now having fallen in love with him at first sight not once but twice, His soul was beautiful and precious, inside and out. If anyone ever told him otherwise then they would have me to deal with. I glanced down at the front cover at the same time Edward did.
My Edward,
You've given me everything I could ever ask for and more. When I first made the wish to find you again, I wasn't expecting anything to happen, even if it had I wouldn't in my wildest dreams have believed I would end up in Chicago 1918. Being in your time has opened my eyes in more ways than one, I understand now why you want to give me things, and it's the way you were raised. You've always believed you lost your soul when you were changed, believing yourself to be soulless, however I know better now, becoming a vampire didn't make you lose your soul, the reason you've felt that way was because the day you became a vampire, was the day I was sent back to 2006, you did lose your soul, but not in the way you thought.
I love you Edward Masen, every part of you. You have the most beautiful soul I have ever come across and I promise you I will always remind you of that.
All my love
Isabella Marie Masen
1918
"Bella, you have no idea how much this means to me. When did you find the time?"
"Well your mother helped me with it, she knew I was from the future, that's how we were able to be so open even though we had only just met, technically you were going to propose to me before we met, being with your mom just moved things along. Would you like to see?"
"I'd love to."
"I'm not sure how long I can hold it, it tires me."
"We have forever."
Taking a deep breath I kept my hand resting against Edward's stomach as I opened my mind fully to him, running through my memories I quickly came across the memory I wanted to show him. I knew how much seeing me with his biological mother meant to him, he didn't think I knew but I could always read his face and the wistful look in his eyes whenever he spoke about his human life. Closing my eyes I ran through the memory in my head relaxing completely as I felt his eyes on me.
Memory
I'd been sitting in my bedroom at the Masen's house since Elizabeth had shown me up here three hours ago, when I first looked into Edward's emerald green eyes the hole which had been crushing me for months finally healed and I could breathe again, The minute he smiled that crooked smile I loved so much I knew I'd fallen for him just as much as I'd fallen for my vampire Edward. Just as the thought passed my mind I realised that I needed to do something in order to preserve the memories I gained here so they were not lost when I eventually became a vampire. Opening the memory book I'd gotten from my mother on my wrecked 18th birthday I started to write everything down, hoping that I wouldn't be changing anything in the future as I did so. Just as I was writing about my visit to Carlisle I heard a soft knock on the door, placing the pen down gently I tucked my feet underneath me taking a deep breath.
"Come in."
"I'm sorry to interrupt Bella; I noticed you hadn't been down since your visit."
"I'm sorry I lost track of time. I've started a memory book for Edward when I get back I want to show him it."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Would you like some help?"
"I'd love some. I was just writing a short message to him alongside my visit with Carlisle."
"I have some family photographs that you could take back with you."
"That would be wonderful. I wish there was a way I was able to save you from the influenza."
"Hush child, it will be my time to leave this earth, Edward however has so much to look forward to."
"What do you mean?"
"Big things are coming your way."
"Can you tell me?"
"I'm afraid not, however it will be a happy surprise."
"Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. Tell Edward I love him and I'll always be watching over him."
"I will."
Before I could ask whether she would need to go and retrieve the photographs from another part of the house, Elizabeth already had them in her hands as she handed them to me before sitting down next to me. Curiosity got the better of me as I looked at the black and white images, there in his mother's arms was a bronze haired emerald green eyed baby boy holding a small teddy bear in his chubby fingers, the next, looked to be a portrait of Elizabeth and Edward Snr's wedding. Finally, there was one from a few months ago it looked to me like a school portrait, the final image Edward would have taken as a human.
End Memory
As I felt myself get tired, my shield slipped back into place as I rested my head against Edward's shoulder closing my eyes for a few minutes to regain my bearings. Once I opened my eyes again I looked up into those golden eyes I loved so much to see so much love and wonder dancing around in them, I knew in that one moment I'd just given Edward something he thought he'd lost for good, a memory of his mother, the woman who made all of this possible. My hand automatically rested against my rounded tummy as Jacob started to move around inside me. Reaching up I kissed his lips gently knowing that he was unable to speak right now. I was happy in the knowledge that I'd done the right thing by making the memory book. I only wished I could do the same for Alice. What I wouldn't give to be able to give her her human memories back.