Hazel's POV

June 24, 1917

Waking up today there was a strange feeling. It wasn't just because I was eleven or Edward was sixteen. It seemed like a normal day.

I was hoping it would continue this way because ever since the US entered war everyone was on edge. Not much had happened with the war lately but I was afraid something would for example all boys would have to report to the army and Edward would have to go or lie about his age.

I knew he would lie about his age but I knew he was also staying for mama. Although I couldn't imagine how he was going to just leave. I needed him…I couldn't stand it if he was in the war and died or something…I would probably kill myself.

I shook those feelings out of my head and tried to think about something else. I put my slippers and my rose colored bathrobe over my pajamas (I hate the color pink but it was mama's and had been in her family for years so it was a tradition passed down to the daughter).

As I walked to the door I was ambushed.

"HAPPY ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY!" he shouted in my face.

"Seriously Eddie?" I asked.

"What?" Edward asked.

"You know what!" I said and Edward just laughed.

"Guess what?" Edward asked.

"What?" I asked.

"Papa is home today" Edward said.

"Really?" I asked since Papa was never around…not even on our birthdays.

"Yeah remember he was home on my birthday too I think he's making an effort to 'pay attention to us'" Edward said quoting.

I rolled my eyes before whacking him in the face and he scooped me up and carried me to the kitchen.

"PUT ME DOWN!" I shouted.

"Edward, Hazel please keep your voices down" Mama said softly.

"Sorry" Edward and I said together then glanced at each other.

After we ate breakfast Edward and I went to our spot at the park. The bench next to the lake.

Edward of course had to carry me there piggyback style and sat me down on the bench.

"Can we make this a non-smoking park?" a lady said walking by and glaring at Edward.

I turn and look to see my brother smoking a cigarette.

"Yeah Edward can we make this a nonsmoking park?" I said "you promised you'd quit."

"I know" Edward said taking another drag of his cigarette.

"So why are you doing it!" I scolded him and he dropped it on the ground and stomped on it with his foot so it went out.

"Hazel…Hazel…Hazel. You just don't give up do you?" Edward said.

"No I do not" I said and Edward chuckled before taking me in his lap and kissing my hair.

"What are we going to do now that you're sixteen?" I asked.

"Nothing" Edward said.

"Can we have a party?" I asked.

"No" Edward said.

"Come on…we'll have it on July fourth so it's like for the fourth of July too. With William. I'll make mum behave no crying."

Edward scoffs "is that even possible?"

I smile-laugh and Edward tousles my hair.

"Come on let's get home Hayz" and with that Edward picks me up again and carries me home.

September 18, 1917

Since today was the day before the first day of school mama and papa took Edward and I out to town for a special treat.

I still couldn't believe that it was nine years ago that the whole incident happened with Edward knocking me out of the way of the carriage.

"Children, we're going to stop at the ice cream parlor do you want anything?" Mama asked while I was spacing out.

"Yes can I get a junior chocolate cup please?" I asked mama and she said sure.

"Roger that" Edward said tousling my hair and mama smiles at us while she goes in to get our ice cream.

After we ate we went home. It was about 8:30 and a typical night in Chicago. I was tired. So I got into bed.

"Mum?" I asked.

"Yes Hazel" mum said.

"Could Marilynn come over tomorrow after school?"

"Yes"

Edward walked into the room "I hope I'm not interrupting" he said

I sat up "Edward!" I said laughing

He ruffled my hair and kissed my forehead "what?" He asked pretending to be innocent

"Come on children it's late and you have school tomorrow" mum said.

Edward tackled me.

"Edward say something" mum said

"Children listen to your mother" papa said

"But I'm not a child papa" Edward said

"As long as your living under my roof you are" papa said

"Alright; goodnight Hayz" Edward said

"Goodnight Eddie" I said

Mum kissed my head and then I blew out the candle that was the light in my room.

I had the weirdest dream…it was later that I was a vampire just not the kind like in the silent films and books. I didn't have fangs, suck human blood or blow up in the sunlight. There was a guy with blonde hair there, a woman with caramel hair, a teenage girl with pixie hair, another teenage girl with blonde hair, a muscular guy in his twenties with blackish/brown hair, and another guy in his twenties with honey blonde hair. Edward was there too…it was VERY strange.

September 19, 1917

Today was the first day of school.

I got on my dress shoes, long socks, black skirt, black blouse that was tucked in and buttoned down. Papa had already left for his job as a lawyer mum said goodbye to Edward and I and we left for school.

This was Edward's second to last year at Chicago Prep until he either went to college or went straight to getting a job which might mean joining the army if the war was still going on –shudder-.

When we got to school Edward kissed me goodbye and went off with his friends John and William. I spotted Marilynn and she eagerly waved to me I ran over to her.

"Good Morning Hazel" she said.

"Good Morning Marilynn" I said..

"Marilynn, would you like to come over to my house after school?" I asked

"Yes that sounds wonderful" Marilynn said.

"OK why don't we walk home together and we can tell your mum when she comes to pick you up" I said

"OK" Marilynn said.

Our teacher Miss. Newberry was standing outside the school ringing the bell and all of the children in my school lined up on their class line and it was chaos to have 3rd – 12th graders all lined up.

Edward's POV

I couldn't concentrate on anything. Not the lesson Mr. Grayson had on the board, not the textbook in front of me and certainly not what anyone was saying. All I had my eyes on was the beautiful brown hair green eyed girl sitting in front of me.

Casey –sigh-

I couldn't take my eyes off of her it was unlike anything I had ever felt in my life.

Ever since I had first laid eyes on her when I was thirteen I hadn't been the same. The only person that realized was of course was Hazel. The only thing about Casey was that she was…one of those girls who wasn't exactly ready for boys yet.

She was smart, studious and always put her schoolwork first. She always put everyone before herself first. Another quality I liked about her. I wanted her to be mine although I wasn't going to force. Her all I wanted was for her to be happy.

I watched as she wrote perfect cursive on her paper and I practiced my cursive so it looked at good as hers.

It didn't…not even close.

I decided that from that moment on I was going to dedicate myself to making my handwriting better…maybe that would impress Casey enough to be boy ready…for me at least.

Although if there was one guy who could charm a girl THAT easily it was William.

William was a complete and utter ladies' man there was no doubt about it. He flirted with girls all the time. He was with girls all the time. Even though I rarely did this I think I was going to go to William to seek advice. Usually I had my way with girls but Casey was different.

I don't think I had ever wanted a girl more in my entire life.

Hazel's POV

December 20, 1917

I woke up and felt the coolness of winter. I saw light coming through my window but knew it was cloudy so I went to look.

I saw about two and a half feet of snow on the ground and counting it was breathtaking. Of course in my eleven year old brain I could only think one thing.

NO SCHOOL!

Next thing I know Edward is running into my room and asking "why is there no school?"

"Edward, how did you know what I was thinking?"

Edward shrugs "you still didn't answer my question."

"Look!" I point to the window and Edward stares out in amazement before getting a smirk on his face.

"So that means you're stuck here with me…I'm so excited we get to spend so much time together!" Edward said and with that he picked me up and held me so I was upside down.

"Edward!" I shouted.

"What?" he asked pretending to be innocent.

"You know what" I said and Edward just stands there still holding me.

"Can you please put me down?" I asked.

"I would say yes but nah" Edward tries to sound casual and I just glare at him as he just stares back at me.

We looked at each other for a little while longer. It was pretty funny just standing there literally.

"Are we going to go outside?" Edward asks.

"I don't know are we?" I asked.

"We are" Edward said and I roll my eyes.

"Of all of the brothers in the world I get stuck with you the unnormal one!" I said sarcastically.

Edward kisses my hair and says "yes and I pity you for that matter."

"Let's get ready to go outside" I said and Edward nods before putting me down and going to his room.

Edward's POV

I went back to my room to get dressed and waited for Hazel to be ready. It was rare that it snowed in Chicago…I remembered mama once telling me that in England it used to snow all the time.

Hazel comes out of her room.

"Ready?" she asks.

"Yeah." And with that we run down the stairs of the apartment building and outside to the snow.

We had a snowball fight and hung out for a while. My sister admired the snow and the snowflakes kept falling. As she looked up they got caught on her eyelashes.

She smiled one of her priceless smiles and looked over at me. It was one of the most favorite things I saw was to see my sister happy.

The fog and wind picked up so I turned around to tell Hazel we had to go home…she wasn't there.

"Hayz…HAZEL!" I shouted.

"EDWARD!" I heard her voice and my eyes were wide. I thought she was in danger.

I ran in the direction that I heard her voice and when I caught up I saw her sitting down in the snow. I ran over to her and picked her up.

"Where the bloody hell were you?" I said sounding like my father for a split second.

"Relax Edward I was here the whole time where were you?" Hazel asked laughing and I knew I had to give it to her…this round at least.

I picked her up and said "alright well snow day is done…we're going home."

"OK" she said and leaned against my shoulder as I carried her home.

April 9, 1918

I DID IT TODAY! Finally…after months of liking Casey I finally found the guts to ask her to be my girl.

Here's how it all went down. So we were at lunch and I saw her sitting with her girlfriends…laughing and talking with them. Occasionally she would pause to glance at William or me and whisper something to her friend.

I was staring back (probably like an idiot).

"Did you ask her yet?" William asked since he knew that I liked her.

"No" I admitted sheepishly.

"Do it" William said.

"Not yet" I said.

"Maybe I'll just ask her then…" William pretended to get up.

"Alright! Alright!" I said and I pushed my chair back and walked over to Casey's table while William sat at our table pretending to look at the chair.

"Hello Casey" I said coming over.

"H-H-H-H-Hello Edward" Casey blushed and her friends smiled at each other.

"What are you up to?" I asked stalling.

"Eating my lunch. Anything new with you?" Casey asked batting her eyelashes.

I gulped and said "Yes well I was actually quite wondering would you be my girl?" I got straight to the point without even meaning too.

"Hmmm well that is a very interesting question Edward see I was just pondering about that very fact?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"To what?"

"Both" Casey said and she got up and hugged me before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"I will see you later…Edward" Casey winked at me and my heart warmed.

I had done it…gotten Casey as my girl. It wasn't as hard as I'd thought it have been.

The only thing harder…telling Hazel.

And my mum.

Hazel's POV

It was after school…the sun was shining and I was inside doing my homework when a knock was at my door.

"Hazel?" Edward asked.

"Yes" I said seriously.

Edward chuckled and said "there's something I have to tell you."

"What?" I asked nervously.

"Relax" he said.

"You're not going to war are you?" I asked.

"No…you know Casey right?"

"Yeah the one you've been fancying for three years now…what about her?" I asked although I already knew.

"Well I…I asked her to be my girl today." Edward said.

"And what did she say?"

"Yes."

There was a silent moment and I looked at my brother.

"That's great!"

"Really so you don't think I'm ditching you?" Edward asked.

"Eddie…I just want you to be happy. Now you're got to tell Mama" Hazel said.

"Yeah…do you want to come?"

"Why surely" I said and Edward held out his hand.

"Miss" he said gesturing me first.

"Why thank you Edward" I said dramatically and he rolled his eyes.

I looked back at him and knew that as long as he had Casey Edward would never leave. Now he had three (well four including William) reasons to stay in Chicago and not leave.

PLEASE REVIEW! Also next chapter will be the last chapter...