BELLA'S NEW HOME
Friday morning, Bella woke up, feeling much more like her usual self. The nurse in attendance directed her to the bathroom, where she gladly took a long warm soak, washing her hair as well. The nurse then followed her to her room, then helped her to brush her hair, applying a styling cream that was unfamiliar to Bella. Her nurse praised her lovely locks, telling her that she would come back to help style her hair after it air-dried.
Soon, Carlisle came to her room, and asked if she felt like taking a walk around the hospital grounds. She quickly agreed, and stood to take his hand. Carlisle found a thick robe hanging on the wall, and placed it around her shoulders, helping her put her arms through the openings. Bella tied it around her waist, and slipped her stockinged feet into the sandals that were under her bed.
Together, they walked out the back door of the hospital, and Bella finally got her first glimpse of Chicago. The day was bright & sunny, and there was a glorious growth of flowers all around the lawn. Carlisle told her to enjoy her walk, and released her hand. "Oh, that's right!" she said, "The sun is too bright for you, Carlisle." He smiled, knowing she understood his limitations as a vampire.
Stepping away from Carlisle, Bella took a deep breath. Such a beautiful garden! As she walked around the yard, she occasionally reached out to touch a particularly lovely blossom, leaning in to get a whiff. It was like a little bit of heaven here.
She remained in the garden for the next few hours, enjoying the sunshine, flowers, grass, and trees. Presently, her nurse came out to brush her hair, then take her to lunch. Bella regretfully went back inside, immediately sensing the smell of the antiseptic hospital environment. She wanted to turn back around to escape the stifling atmosphere, but the nurse implored her to have her meal.
After lunch, Bella went back to her room, on Carlisle's arm. He said that she was walking very well now, and could go home. She felt like rejoicing! When they got to her room, there was a new set of clothes for her. Carlisle closed the door, and she changed. There was a strange set of underwear, which she puzzled over for a few minutes. At one point, she looked in one of her new fashion magazines, to help her figure out how it should be worn.
When her underwear and stockings were on, she put on the lacy, high neck blouse, then finally the long petticoat and skirt. Next came the shoes, and they were another puzzle to solve. They were white leather, laced boots, and she could not understand how they laced up.
After a few minutes of trying, she just decided to sit and wait for help. She was reading one of her magazines, when there was a knock at her door. "Come in," she cried. The door opened to reveal Edward, holding a bouquet of pink roses and baby's breath. He looked so gorgeous, with his bright green eyes, bronze hair, and sweet expression.
"Bella!" he glowed, "You're out of bed! And look at your pretty skirt and blouse!" He came over to her, and knelt at her knee, taking her right hand to his lips.
"Oh Edward," she cried, "I'm so glad you're here! I don't know how to put on these boots!"
Edward laughed, and reached over for the boot hook lacing stick, and started working her shoe buttons through the holes. She watched him work, while holding her skirt up to her knee. The moment felt so sweet and intimate. Edward was such a gentleman, and she loved him so much.
When he finished the first boot, he looked up at her face, to find tears brimming in her eyes. He reached up to place his right hand on her cheek, and leaned in for a tender kiss. There was such magic in the air - it was a precious moment.
Bella sat back, then reached out to caress Edward's hair, causing him to sigh with contentment. "Oh, my beautiful boy. Are you really mine?" she crooned lovingly. Tears were coursing down Edward's cheeks, as he leaned his head closer to her touch.
"Bella love, my heart has found a home in your lovely hands. You are my shining jewel, my angel, my life. I love you more than anyone has ever loved, throughout all time," Edward proclaimed.
They moved closer to each other, and touched their lips softly, not wanting to disturb the beauty of the moment. It felt like all creation was holding its breath, witnessing their powerful union.
"So sorry to interrupt," said Carlisle quietly, "but we need to take Bella home now." The spell was broken, but not ruined. Edward helped Bella with her other boot, then pulled her to her feet. He offered her his arm, and she placed her hand in the bend of his elbow. He then handed her the roses, and she pulled them up to enjoy their heady fragrance. "Okay, we're ready," Edward replied.
Carlisle stood, transfixed, seeing Edward and Bella so beautifully attired, so perfectly matched together. "You two...you just exude love," he crooned. "You were definitely meant to be together. I'm so happy to be part of your story."
They smiled at him, and leaned closer to each other. "Okay lovebirds," Carlisle cried. "Let's go home. Bella needs to see Chicago up close." They went out of the room, down the hall, and out the front door of the hospital. The crowded streets were waiting for them.
The streets of Chicago were an eye-opening experience to Bella. So many people! She had no idea that 1917 would look like this. Carlisle told her that there were over 2 million people in Chicago. She looked around at the chaos of people running and walking on the streets, while motorcars, streetcars, and horse-drawn carriages fought for passage as well.
There were sandwich board signs placed along the sidewalks, with the familiar "I Want You" Uncle Sam pointing out. She laughed when she saw one of these, and quickly covered her mouth when she saw disapproval from a stranger. War was serious business at this time in history. Edward pulled her close, and kissed the side of her head.
A double decker Motor Bus drove by, with a group of Red Cross workers riding the top level. They were all holding up hand-painted signs, and calling out for people to donate their time, blood, and money for war relief. Young boys, with grimy faces, were hawking newspapers on street corners.
They walked past some shops, with advertisements in their windows for cigarettes, soap, toothpaste, and cosmetics. There was a post office along the way as well, with a bright red mail slot at the entrance. She noticed that first class stamps were 2 cents each.
A large cinema house was around the corner from the hospital, with large posters announcing films starring Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Buster Keaton. Edward promised to take her to one of those soon. 1917 Chicago would be entertaining and educational to her, and she was looking forward to seeing it all.
They walked a few more blocks, then arrived at Carlisle's home. It was a small, two-story brick home, with a simple yard, fenced in with tall, black ironwork, and a locking front gate. There was a front porch, with an iron swing and some wooden rocking chairs, painted black. There were elegant cut-glass window inserts on the dark red front door. Poplar trees were planted along the sides of the house, affording privacy from prying eyes.
Upon entering the house, Carlisle asked them to follow him upstairs, so he could show them Bella's room. As they walked to the second floor, Bella and Edward were visibly relaxing, anticipating their first real private moment since they had arrived in 1917. Their arms were tight around each other's waists.
Carlisle stopped at the top of the stairs, then led them off to the right side of the house. "Here you go, Bella. I've had this room ready for you for quite some time now. Alice gave me some pointers on what you would like. I hope you are happy with it," he smiled and opened her door.
"Oh my gosh!" Bella exclaimed, as her hands came up to cover her mouth. "It's just like Edward's bed!" A large iron-work bed was in the center of the room, fashioned with roses around the frame. Netting hung from the canopy, falling to the floor in graceful waves. The sheets were soft and smooth, with a creamy white bedspread on top. On the window seat at the side of the room, there was a stack of thick hand sewn quilts.
A tall walnut wardrobe was standing in the corner, the door opened to reveal her new set of clothes. A dressing table with a large mirror was just beside the wardrobe, with a vanity seat placed in front. In the other corner, there was a nice study desk, topped with a beautiful Tiffany lamp. At the front wall, there was a large tan leather sofa, with matching footstools and soft white throw pillows. A Tiffany floor lamp was beside the sofa. Tall bookshelves were placed along the rest of the wall space. Thick ivory drapes, with white satin lining were hung at the windows, enhancing the privacy of their retreat from the world.
Bella turned to Carlisle, with tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much, Carlisle!" She threw her arms around him, and he responded by gently stroking her hair. "You're very welcome, my daughter," he sighed. Edward was overwhelmed, and offered his thanks as well. Carlisle took them both into a compassionate embrace. "My children, please know that you are welcome to come here at any time, when you need privacy from the world. Here's a key for you both. Welcome to my home."
Walking out, and closing the door, Carlisle gave them what they needed most of all: time to reconnect. Edward immediately picked Bella up into his arms, and carried her to the bed, both of them laughing for joy. He placed her on top of the bedspread, then lay down beside her. They fell into each other's arms, embracing and kissing ecstatically. Edward placed his hands on Bella's face, looking deep into her eyes. "Finally! I have missed you so much, Bella love." They couldn't kiss each other enough. After a few minutes, Edward wrapped his arms around her, and held her close, Bella's face buried in his chest.
"I wish I could stay here, and sleep for the next month in your arms, my dear. But, I have to go home every night for dinner at my parent's house," Edward moaned. Bella agreed, "Oh Edward. I have been so lonely without you. I wish we could pretend that we were both 19, so that we could get married right away."
Edward agreed, "I know. But, my parents are here now, and they know that I'm 16, so that's that." He continued, "Bella, I know we need to wait a couple more weeks before we can make love again, but there's something I need to prepare you for."
"What's that?" Bella asked.
"Well, my darling...uh...how do I say this?" Edward hesitated with a tremendous sigh, then blew out a huge breath of air. His face was beet red.
Bella was concerned, "What is it, Edward?"
"Well...okay...here it is..." he continued, "I'm a 16 year old boy again. This body has never had sex before. I'm a virgin."
She giggled, "Oh my gosh! You're right! What does that mean? Are we going to have another six week sex feast?"
He burst out with laughter, "No...that won't happen, because neither of us is a vampire now." He sighed again, "I just don't want you to be disappointed with my normal human responses. My 16 year old self has been filling my head with all kinds of weird sex fantasies. Most of them are just figments of his imagination, because he's never had the real thing before. And he is completely confused by the things he sees from my vampire memories. You have to remember that I saw a LOT of things when I was reading minds for those 100 years."
"So, what do you think will happen when we have sex for the first time?" she asked, with one eyebrow raised expectantly.
"I really have NO idea. I just wanted you to be prepared. My 16 year old self will be having sex for the first time with a gorgeous goddess named Bella. He will be experiencing the ultimate sexual event. I hope I don't have a heart attack!" He laughed.
Before Edward left Bella's room, he invited her to go with him to the Chicago White Sox baseball game the next day, so that she could meet his parents. She agreed. So, Edward asked Carlisle to go over their cover story with Bella, so she would be ready for any questions his parents might throw out at her. He placed the six letters from 1867 in her desk drawer, kissed Bella goodbye, then went home for his usual dinner and homework routine.