Um... 3,516 scrunchies, 84 book sleeves, 11 needle books, and God knows what else. So much for never wanting to sew!

Quick point: If you don't like the story and you seriously hate Edward, feel free to stop reading (although I do find your reviews hilarious) it's that little X in the top corner. If you don't like the first 12 chapters, you're going to hate it by the end (There're 50 chapters in total, by the way)!

Master Edward Cullen

I was grateful that my determination had paid off well and that Isabella and young Charles would be joining us for dinner later today.

I was also hoping that they would be spending quite a while here and possibly staying the night, which was not that unusual. Guests did stay from time to time, so yes, I had a little hope.

I found myself smiling as I thought about showing her the library, or young Charles playing with my own children after we retired from dinner.

"Edward, I would not like to come across as sounding like I am talking down to you, but please bear in mind, as fond as you are of the Isabella, you cannot court her yet. She has a full year before she can go out into society again. I know that she will have to venture out of the house to work and shop in the village, but she cannot court, you understand this, do you not?" Mother's voice was low and sad as she spoke and then the full weight of her words hit me.

I could not begin to court Isabella, even if she would permit it, until she was free of her mourning period.

My time in the country would be between heaven and hell.

"I understand," I said solemnly as we exited the carriage and I walked ahead of mother to open the front doors.

I would have to find a way to either stop this infatuation that I had with Isabella or find a way to cope through the next twelve months.

Both choices were difficult to consider, but in the end, I decided to allow nature to take its course, within the guidelines of etiquette, of course. If I had to wait to court her, so be it.

I just hoped that Isabella would be okay with it.

I walked into the nursery with a forced smile on my face as I thought about them meeting Isabella later. Would that be something Isabella would like to take on? Would she like to be a mother herself one day, or had she already reached her limit with the care already placed on her shoulders? I could not blame her for turning me down. She had so much to do in life, much more life in her yet. Why would she take on children who were not hers? Would she take on me, a widow?

And young Charles was just a little younger than Charlotte and I could see them playing happily together and when Henry got a little older, I was sure that they would all play together nicely. He was such a little gentleman. He was polite, a little cheeky, and always seemed to smile. He could brighten anyone's day.

"Daddy!" Charlotte squealed as she saw me standing in the doorway. She was quick to her feet and rushed to me, arms up and ready for me to scoop her up.

"Good morning, my princess, how did you sleep?" I asked as Henry toddled over to my side. I picked him up also.

"I had a dream about fairies, daddy, do we have fairies in the garden here? I would so wish to go and find them and say hello," she giggled as I walked all three of us over to the couch by the window.

"I do not know if we have any, but I'm sure we could go looking one day," I replied with a smile as I sat us down and then looked to Betsy, "Mother is back and no doubt she will need you for something, I am fine with the children." I smiled and she knew that she was dismissed.

I spent the remainder of the morning with the children and played so many games with them that it left me thinking about where they got their energy stores from. I was not too old, but I was still depleted by the time they were taken from me to eat in the kitchen with Betsy. After their lunch, they would be outside playing while I attended to some business before the Swan's came for dinner.

After some letters were sent, I wandered down the large halls of the house. Father and I met along one of the galleries and we spoke a little of the business that he was conducting, and he asked about mine.

"The kitchen has just informed me that Isabella and young Charles will be here for dinner. I'm surprised that your mother hadn't informed me herself, do you know where she is?" He asked.

"I know that she mentioned about the village and some clothing for Isabella, but I wasn't too sure when she would be going. I have been with the children for most of the morning," I could hold in a grin.

"Will they be accompanying you to town when you return?" Father asked and I found myself shaking my head.

"I do not care for them to be in town with the pollution, as you know, and I am hoping, that while I am away, they may become good friends with Isabella and Charles,"

"I was thinking the same, Son. Now, have you seen your rascal of a brother in your travels?"

…

Isabella Swan

Today I made butter. When I could, I always tried to make some extra for Emmett's family. His mother was old and frail, and Rosalie was hoping to conceive their first child this winter. Any extra fat they could have would be good. Once the butter was done, I made sure that Charles stayed close to the house. I needed to catch up on some chores and I did not need hunting him down to be one of them.

The day seemed to fly by and as the hours went by, my nerves grew.

"Charles, I know I do not have to ask you this, but please be on your best behavior when we go to Lord and Lady Cullen's home tonight, and please, whatever you do, do not touch anything," I implored as I cleaned him up in the shallow bath.

Bath times were very limited, but I took into account of where we were going and decided it was for the best, for Charles at least. I would not have time for one, so I had stripped down and washed earlier in the day in between chores. I knew it was not ideal, but it was the best I could do with the resources and time that I had.

"I promise to be good, Bells, I really do and will sit on my hands to stop me from touching things," Charles replied with a light giggle, and I so wished to be his age again, when I did not have the concerns that I did now.

Since mamma passed, I would have liked to have said that things were slightly easier, but they were not.

The weather was turning rapidly, and I knew that only in a month or so it would be very cold at night. I had to make sure that I had enough aged wood to burn, knowing that I couldn't burn freshly cut logs as they would smoke up the tiny house. I also had to use fattier foods, which would deplete our reserves.

"Just be the good boy I know you can be, and all will be well. Now, go and read in the parlor while I get changed out of this dress," I smiled as I walked out of the room and went upstairs.

My new mourning wardrobe consisted of a standard black gown to work in, which Lady Cullen insisted that she purchase for me and a white mourning dress that I should use when I had to be outside of the home, like going to the village.

In normal situations, I would not have dared to venture out for a meal while still in mourning, but I could not turn down the invitation from such a prestigious family and I think Master Edward knew that.

Master Edward Cullen.

He was starting to throw me for a loop with how attentive he was towards me. It was simple things, like holding my hand as I walked over a puddle or holding the basket when I was egg hunting. It was also how he would look at me and smile or say my full name with a reverence that would leave me guessing what he was thinking.

I did not have much more time to dwell on thinking of him because of the lateness of the hour and by the time I had readied myself, the clock in the bedroom chimed a quarter to five.

I rushed to put on my boots and lace them up before picking up the dress that Lady Cullen had loaned me for the ball. I had not had time so far to remember to return it and I wanted to make sure I gave it back to her before I was embarrassed by her asking for it.

A knock on the front door brought me out of my thoughts and I quickly rushed down the staircase to open it.

The footman from the carriage was waiting for us as I called to Charles to put down his book and before I knew it, the house was locked up and we were in the carriage, going to Lord and Lady Cullen's huge estate for dinner.

I should not have been nervous, because I knew that Lady Cullen, at least, liked me for who I was with no airs and graces, but tonight we would be eating from fine China and silver cutlery and I would also be meeting Master Cullen's two children.

I was beyond nervous and also a little scared.

So, Edward will have to wait a year. Or will he? No, he won't. I have a plan lol. See you tomorrow!