DISCLAIMER: i do not own twilight~voice cracks~ everything is owned by SM~sigh~...wait. I do own the plot
The Story of Us: the summer of 1918
Chapter 1: the ball (first sight)
Bella's POV
Soft melody Clair de Lune was playing in the background. Couples were gliding gracefully on the ballroom floor, and here I was sitting by myself at the end of the hall. Here I was yet again at one of my father's acquaintance party a very formal event not at all to my liking, but in 1917 it was very common for well off people to host the events at regular intervals. I and my family just moved to this windy city of Chicago, Illinois due to my father's job. Charles Swan, my father is the new police chief on the city. We just moved here a month ago and were just settling here and yet my family has attended at least 5 formal events such as charity balls, tea parties, supper etcetera. My mother Renee Swan is a very socially active person just like how an ideal housewife of this era should be.
It was normal for people to behave like this but I Isabella Swan was far from normal. I think that my mind worked in some other way somewhat different from others of my age I guess that is why I don't have many friends. My mother wants me to start sought after a fine gentleman's affections but I haven't found some who I mildly like, maybe I will never find someone and be a disappointment to my mother? And that is what I am doing at this absurd ball waiting for a gentleman to ask me to dance but I highly doubt that it would happen not that I want it to happen anyways.
Today we were at a ball hosted by the Masens to welcome their son back; their son was advanced for his age and had already completed his study of law and his father wants him to work at a law firm. Edward Masen Sr. was a very well known lawyer and Elizabeth Masen was an extraordinary lady. I have met them quite a few times. My father helped Mr. Masen in one of his very important client's case and since then both of them have been very good friends, the Masen's also have a son that they mentioned once Edward Anthony Masen jr. if I remember correctly. The Masens were very nice and kind couples despite being very rich they were very down to earth. Elizabeth especially is a very warm, kind and joyful soul,
"Bella dear! Here you are I've been looking for you all night" came the kind voice of Elizabeth.
"Hello Elizabeth! Good evening" I said to her.
"You've been looking for me? Is everything all right?" I asked with a friendly smile.
"Oh dear do not worry everything is perfect I just wanted you to meet my son." she said gesturing towards a boy who seemed to be of my age whom I've never seen before.
When I saw him my breath caught in my throat he was utterly heartbreakingly beautiful with his unusual bronze hair and those beautiful emerald green eyes which he inherited from his mother and defined angular facial features inherited from his father he was the most handsome boy I've ever seen. He took the best physical from his both parents.
"Edward dear! This young lady right here is Isabella swan, the daughter of Charles and Renee swan" Elizabeth told him,
He looked kind of…..dazed? I was staring at him most likely making a fool of myself in front of him but I didn't care I just wanted to be stuck in this moment forever. I lost track of time while looking at the Adonis in front of me so I didn't know how much time has passed, after a minute has passed Elizabeth broke the silence,
"Edward be a gentleman that you were raised to be and introduce yourself" Elizabeth chastised with a slight glare him breaking him out of his reverie.
He flashed a grin to his mother "my sincere apologies mother for behaving in an uncivilized manner. Heavens forbid! I should act like a savage in company of a young lady" he said in a mockingly formal way,
Elizabeth was trying hard not to smile at her son's antiques unable to maintain the 'don't you dare' glare, but even she can't help but smile at her son's playfulness. "Edward be nice" she told him gesturing toward me.
After which felt like a long time of just staring and awkwardness Elizabeth broke the silence by chuckling softly.
"Well I'll just leave you two by yourself then." She sent away sending knowing looks our way.
I was confused at first but then it dawned on me that I was staring at Edward for far too long. Of course me being me I blushed a shade of red. After coming back to my senses I just couldn't help but admire the beauty that was standing in front of me he was thin but not in an unhealthy way lanky with medium built with strange bronze hair which just seemed unmanageable. He was tall about 6'2 with the most amazing green eyes which looked like they had no end.
"Miss Swan" he said in his velvet soft voice,
"May I have this dance with you?" he asked holding out his hand for me to take,
How could I say no to his so alluring voice? "Of course Mr. Masen" I said blushing and taking his hand.
Suddenly a strange jolt electricity shot up from my palm up my body I lifted my gaze from or hands toward his face his eyes were widened telling me felt it too.
We ignored it.
"I would very much like it if you call me just Edward no need for formalities" he said to me, smiling politely
"Of course, and I would very much appreciate it if you would return the same favor to me by calling me just Bella" I told him blushing, he chuckled softly.
After that we shared no more words but just kept dancing to the slow rhythm of the song. After the song ended he kissed my knuckles softly and said "until we meet again Bella" as turned to go away very reluctantly I might add a voice stopped me "hey! Bella would you very much mind if we go to stroll in the nearby park tomorrow. I would like to get to know you better." Edward said
"Of course not I would also like to get to know you better."I said smiling softly.
Edward's POV
"Of course not I would also like to get to know you better." She said smiling softly, my heart melting at her gaze making me all jittery and dazed
You might be wondering who can have this kind of effect at the unattainable Edward Masen them you have to go and see for yourself
~FLASHBACK~
[2 days before the ball]
"Edward dear come here help me with the guest list" called my mother
I sighed and stood up from my piano bench
"Yes mother I am coming" I replied back
My mother was organizing a ball to welcome me back as I have just completed law schools and have just returned from Dartmouth.
As I entered the room my mother was working in I saw a list in her hands and she was smiling….knowingly?
"Dear come here and just see through the guest list once and check if anyone is missing whom you wanted to inviter in particular?"
"Yes mother I will go through it. Do you need me to do anything else more?" I asked
"No thank you, leave the rest to me and your father" she said.
When I saw the guest list I wasn't shocked to see so many names my mother always had the tendency to overdo things.
Guest list~
Mr. and Mrs. Swan
Isabella Swan
Mr. and Mrs. Benedict
Mr. and Mrs. Young
Hailey Young
Mr. and Mrs. Stanford
Stephan Stanford
Audrey Stanford
Clair Stanford
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert
Harriot Gilbert
Helen Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Harold Gilbert
Betty Gilbert
Mr. and Mrs. Grace
Edith Grace
Eleanor Grace
Louis Grace
Earl Grace
Hazel Grace
Mr. and Mrs. Evanson
Esther Evanson…
There were all the neighbors and many more people who I didn't even knew.
"Yes mother everyone I want there are there" I told my mother
"And who-"she suddenly cut me off with one of her questions
"Dear, were the swans on the list? And were you saying something" she asked
"Yes mother they were and I was about to ask you who are the Swans I have never heard of them are they new in town?" I inquired
"Yes Edward they are new here and have a beautiful daughter…" she trailed of suggestively
"Mother" I groaned "I have already told you that I am not ready to marry yet" I told her before leaving the room
My mother wanted me to find a respectable young woman and settle down with a decent job but I wanted to go and fight in the war with the others of my age. I wanted the glory of fighting for ones country, but my mother didn't understood that she just saw mw wanting to risk my life unnecessarily.
~FLASHBACK END~
[Day of the ball]
Today was the day of the ball. My mother has been introducing me to so many ladies that my head was spinning from hearing their shrill voices and the childish giggling while dancing.
"Edward come here dear" called my mother
As went toward her direction I saw her talking to two people. The woman had brown hair was about 5'4 feet tall and had blue eyes, the man who seemed to be her husband had curly brown hair chocolate brown eyes and was 6'0 feet tall. I have seen both of them,
"Edward meet Renee swan and her husband Charles swan" oh so these were the Swans
I then greeted them and afterwards my mother dragged me to meet their daughter, I was half dreading it thinking she was like other girls I met so I was preparing myself for the worst. The Swans weren't bad at all in fact they were the nicest couple I have met so far other than my own parents
When I saw whom I was meeting I was left speechless she was far by the most beautiful girl I had ever seen she was 5'4 feet tall she had pale skin that looked like a thin sheet cling to her body she had brown chestnut hair that hung loosely on her waist unlike many girls who had their hairs in tight buns she had the most beautiful mesmerizing chocolate brown eyes which had no end one could get lost in them she had a narrow jaw with a pointed chin her eyes were large she had prominent cheekbones and top of all she had full lips she had a slender figure she was wearing a blue gown that clung to her body perfectly
"Edward dear! This young lady right here is Isabella swan, the daughter of Charles and Renee swan" my mother told me. OH! So this was Isabella Swan
I was dazed and just kept looking at her
"Edward be a gentleman that you were raised to be and introduce yourself" my mother chastised me with a slight glare.
I grinned at my mother ad was suddenly feeling very playful "my sincere apologies mother for behaving in an uncivilized manner. Heavens forbid! I should act like a savage in company of a young lady" I said in a mockingly formal way,
My mother was trying hard not to smile at my antiques unable to maintain the 'don't you dare' glare, but finally I won and she smiled,
"Edward be nice" she told me gesturing toward Isabella.
After some time my mother broke the silence "Well I'll just leave you two by yourself then." She sent away sending knowing looks our way.
Her voice pierced the silence which was growing more awkward by the passing of time Isabella jumped a little and after realizing something a brilliant shade of red graced her cheeks
"Miss Swan" I said formally not wanting to offend her
"May I have this dance with you?" I asked holding out his hand for her to take,
"Of course Mr. Masen" she said blushing and taking my hand.
Suddenly a strange jolt electricity shot up from my palm up my body I lifted my gaze from or hands toward her face her eyes were widened telling me she felt it too.
We ignored it.
"I would very much like it if you call me just Edward no need for formalities" I said to her, smiling slightly
"Of course, and I would very much appreciate it if you would return the same favor to me by calling me just Bella" she told me blushing, I chuckled softly.
After that we shared no more words but just kept dancing to the slow rhythm of the song. After the song ended I kissed her knuckles softly and said "until we meet again Bella" as she turned to go away I called her name
"Hey! Bella would you very much mind if we go to stroll in the nearby park tomorrow. I would like to get to know you better." I asked her suddenly getting very nervous
"Of course not I would also like to get to know you better." said smiling softly, my heart melting at her gaze making me all jittery and dazed, as we were about to say goodbye someone interrupted us
"Bella I see you have met Edward" Renee asked
"Yes Mother I have" she said
"Well dear sorry to interrupt your evening but Bella dear we are ready to leave for home"
"Sure mother. Edward thank you for the dance and I will see you tomorrow….for the stroll?" she asked unsure
"Definitely Bella I will come to pick you up at 4'o clock tomorrow evening"
"OK Edward goodbye see you tomorrow" with that she went with her mother and I stood there seeing her go.
I went to find my mother only to find her saying goodbye to all the gusts who were leaving the hall I strode to her side and stood there with her. After all the guests were gone my mother and I went to my father
"Ed dear guess who found a liking to Bella" she said in a sing song voice
"Oh my dear lizzie I don't have any idea about whom you are talking about?" my father said playing along with my mother's act. My mother gestured towards me and father faked a gasp
"Oh my god is that person our son Edward" he said feigning surprise
"MOTHER, FATHER!" I exclaimed loudly and they both went quiet waiting patiently for my rant that always accompany any talks about girls with me but they were surprised when said "do you know that you both are horrible actors" we all laughed. "Mother father I am a bit tired today so I am going to bed early. Goodnight both of you." I said and kissed my mother's cheek before retrieving to my bedroom.
Once I was in my bedroom I closed the door, changed into my night clothes and reviewed the happenings of today.
Today I met the most beautiful girl and she agreed to accompany me to a stroll at the park. Slowly I stated to doze off and before falling into unconsciousness my thoughts were full of anticipation for the next day with Bella.
Bella's pov
After going home I let my thoughts wander around and was surprised to find that Edward Masen was always on my mind before going to sleep my last thought was full of excitement and anticipation for the next day's evening stroll with Edward.
AN: so guys it is my first fan fiction show your support and just R&R
