I am still working on Chapter 6…. Alice is giving me a real hard time! But I thought I would give you another taste!
This chapter has not been edited. Any mistakes are mine.
Let's see how Bella felt about the proposal…
As always, please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
Bella POV 1917-1918:
I waited patiently for Edward to return from helping his mother. The piano keys called to me as I remembered and then mourned for the lullaby Edward wrote for me when we first starting seeing each other. I stroked the keys to keep the tears at bay.
When Edward came back out and asked if I played, I couldn't keep the sadness out of my voice. He looked at me for a moment, studying my face. Then his eyes lit up.
"Here, let me play something for you. I know just the song." I nodded at him; I definitely wanted to hear him play. I knew whatever it was it would sound beautiful.
This song was familiar to me it was one by Debussy. He played it for me once before… before he left me. As he played, I couldn't help but lay my head on his shoulder, just like I used to do. The memories came crashing over me, and I couldn't help but cry. I tried to sniffle as quietly as possible, and I hoped he didn't hear it.
I could feel the electric current running through me at the contact we shared. This feeling would never get old for me, and I hoped he felt it too. The song came to an end, and we sat there for a few minutes. I wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable with me leaning on him, so I lifted my face to his. As I moved I felt a lone tear trail down my cheek. Edward gently wiped it away and smiled at me.
"Did that make you sad? I thought it was a fitting piece." He asked me.
"No, not sad. You play beautifully. It just reminded me of something." I wasn't ready to tell him about his life in the future, and I hoped he wouldn't hate me when I did tell him.
He seemed so nervous all of a sudden, and I didn't understand it. He took a deep breath and turned to me, and suddenly I was nervous.
"Bella. I know we've only just met, but I already know that I love you, and that I will love you forever. I don't want to waste any time with you. Will you please be my wife?" I covered my mouth and gasped, staring at him. Was he really proposing already? Wasn't it a little soon for that? I wanted to question him, but now wasn't the time for that. I knew without a doubt what my answer would be regardless of how soon it seemed.
Edward had a look of panic in his eyes as I realized I had kept him waiting too long for an answer.
"Yes Edward. I would be honored to be your wife." I spoke softly, and a tear fell down his cheek. He brought his hand up and cupped my cheek.
He leaned in and kissed me. His lips were soft, and melded into mine. The electric jolted through me, and a feeling of euphoria overtook me. I could kiss this man forever, and do nothing else for the rest of my days and still die happily. Sadly I needed to breathe, and I knew he did too, so I pulled away.
Our eyes met, and there was so much love in his that I almost cried again. Then I felt him slip a ring onto my finger. I looked down at it, and smiled. I wondered if I would have gotten this ring had he not left me. I ran my finger over it lightly, marveling at how it just seemed to belong there. I was also shocked that it fit me perfectly.
"It was my mothers ring. She gave it to me just now to propose to you. I hope you like it, if not, we can get something different." He told me nervously, I would never want anything different.
"No Edward, it's perfect. Thank you. I love you too."
"I love you as well my Bella. I should probably escort you home soon." He smiled my way, but his smile was sad.
I knew this sadness; I didn't want to part from him either, it was necessary though.
"Bella, before you go, could I speak to you and Edward for a moment?" Elizabeth came out from the kitchen then. I knew she gave Edward the ring, but did she really approve of the sudden engagement?
Edward and I followed her into the sitting room where she had a tray of tea sitting for us.
"Bella, I can see the uncertainty in your eyes, and I just wanted to first reassure you that I do approve of this match. I can see it in Edward's eyes that he already loves you, and if he is anything like me, then his love will be forever and unbending.
Now, I wanted to ask you a few things about the wedding. When would you want to be married? Do you think the guest list will be large? And what about a dress? Have you seen anything in any of the shops you may have liked?"
Whoa! I just got engaged five minutes ago!
"I'd really like to talk with Edward more on a time frame, if that's alright. As for the guest list on my side, I don't have any family left. So I would probably invite Carlisle, Annabelle and Thomas. That's the extent of the people I know here in Chicago. As for a dress, no, I haven't seen anything, though I haven't visited any stores that offer wedding dresses."
Elizabeth looked at me for a moment, and then frowned slightly.
"Perhaps we could go out together and look around if you'd like. Just send me your schedule so we can pick a time and day. I'm also very sorry you have no one to witness such a union of love." Her voice was sincere, and it briefly made me sad that my mother and father wouldn't be able to witness this marriage.
"Oh, Edward your father wanted to see you in his office before you left. Why don't you go in and see him, and I'll get to know Bella more."
Edward left the room without a word and I was left alone with Elizabeth. She didn't make me uncomfortable, but I was slightly intimidated by her. I think it was because of the fondness Edward expressed when we would talk about her. I was always sad that I would never know her, and now that I have that chance it was nerve wracking.
"Bella, I know we discussed what brought you to Chicago, and I don't want to go over that again, but I would love to know more about you. What are your hobbies? Why did you become a nurse? What do you really want to do?"
"My only true hobby is reading. I love 'Wuthering Heights', 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Emma', books of that nature. I do like to cook as well, I love to come up with new recipes, or experiment with them to make something different.
"I don't know why I became a nurse really, I thought it would be something useful in this time of war. And I am learning a great deal from Carlisle, and maybe someday I could become a doctor like him."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at my statement, and I quickly realized my mistake. In this time period women did not become doctors or anything if they were married. They were to stay home, run the house, and raise the children.
"You'll have to forgive me Elizabeth, I'm still adjusting to the thought of marriage and what that will really involve. I forgot that I would no longer be allowed my complete independence, and would need to allow Edward to care for me financially."
Before Elizabeth could respond, I heard a door slam from down the hall, and suddenly Edward stomped his way into the room. He looked angry, and was shaking slightly.
"Bella, I am sorry for the interruption, but it is time I take you home. Mother, I apologize, I will have Bella give me an idea of her schedule so you may plan accordingly for your plans."
Edward sounded so formal, it was almost comical, and hopefully he would tell me what had him so upset. As I stood, he took my hand and started to lead me to the front door. He helped me into my coat, and practically dragged me outside.
Elizabeth called out her goodbye just as the door swung shut, but there was no point in replying to her, she wouldn't hear it.
Edward led me to the car instead of taking me out to the road to the streetcar stop. Like a true gentleman he opened the door for me and helped me inside, and shut the door.
When he took his seat next to me, he sat there for a few moments breathing hard. Then he ran his hands through his hair and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Edward" I said softly, genuinely worried that I would upset him further. "Are you alright? What happened?"
He looked over at me, his eyes were on fire, and I couldn't help the rush of desire that ran through me in that moment. I wanted to reach over and crush my lips to his in an attempt to tame the flames. His eyes cooled and softened a moment later, and I felt the desire leave me immediately.
"I'm so sorry for my anger. My father… he is not on board with our engagement, and wants to force you to sign a prenuptial agreement. I however do not think it is necessary. I want you to be happy, and I don't think forcing you to sign a piece of paper that would give you nothing in the event of something happening between us is the right way to start our union."
I nodded solemnly at his speech, I had a feeling this was the case. In this moment I wished I could tell him about the future we would have, to explain to him why signing a prenuptial agreement wouldn't matter, but I really needed to discuss this with Carlisle.
"Edward, I am sure your father is worried, and frankly I would be too. We did just meet yesterday, and now suddenly we are engaged. That is not how things are typically done, and you know that. It is obvious that your family is wealthy, and your father is just trying to protect his assets. There is nothing wrong with that, and I will gladly sign anything he requires."
He looked at me with wide eyes, and then smiled slightly.
"I knew there was something special about you Bella. I have been searching for a woman who wasn't after my family's money. The girls at school, they have been ruthless in attempting to get me to court them. I just had an argument with my father a few weeks ago about them, and he tried to set me up with one of his partner's daughter. She was in love with another. And I, well… I have been having dreams about you for quite some time now. You are literally the girl of my dreams, and I am so elated to have found you."
My entire being melted at his words, to know that despite the other girls who were after his attentions he chose me. I wondered if his dreams about me were just fates way of making sure we were together. I had always wondered if he would still choose me if he was human, and I suppose I got my answer here.
I was lost for words in response to his statement, so I just smiled at him in return. He started the car and pulled through the gate. The car ride was silent; Edward was concentrating on the road. As time went on the guilt started to wash over me, and I opened my mouth to tell Edward everything. About the flu, and being changed, and a life like none other, but I clamped my mouth shut at the last second. I was afraid to tell him, afraid that he would walk away from me.
When we finally pulled up outside my house, Edward quickly got out of the car and ran to my side to open the door for me and held my hand as I stepped outside. I looked up at the house and it was completely dark inside. Carlisle must still be at the hospital. That was just my luck.
"Thank you for a lovely evening Edward. It was wonderful to meet your parents." I told him as we walked up the stairs to the door.
"The pleasure was mine Bella." He smiled and leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
I smiled stupidly when we pulled apart. The feeling of him in my arms again was sublime, and I didn't know what to do with myself in these moments. The hole in my chest was gone, and it felt wonderful to breathe again.
"When will I see you again?" I asked him.
"Tomorrow perhaps, I'll stop by the hospital and we can go from there, and I will get your schedule for my mom then too."
He squeezed my hand and then headed towards the stairs to leave. I stood there until he turned around, and then waved.
When I walked into the house, and Edward had gone, the pain washed over me like a ton of bricks. I didn't understand why it was happening again, I had Edward back in my life again, so this pain in my chest should have left me for good.
I fell to the floor, and grabbed my chest. Rocking back and forth with tears streaming down my face. And that is how Carlisle found me an hour later.
"Bella! What has happened?" He rushed through the door, and picked me up off the floor carrying me over to the couch.
"I could hear you screaming from a block away, I thought someone had accosted you."
I was screaming my pain? I hadn't even realized I was being vocal.
"Carlisle. I just don't understand what is happening to me. The hole in my chest is back, and the pain is killing me!"
"What?! What do you mean 'the hole in your chest?' I don't see any blood?" his voice was rising in volume as his confusion rose.
I tried to calm myself down, and wrap myself in a bubble to ease the pain, but it seemed to not be working as it did before. I managed to take a deep breath, and remind myself that Edward was just across town, and that he proposed to me. It helped, but only minutely.
"When Edward left me, taking your family with him, it felt like there was a dark hole sucking the life out of me. I lived like that for months, stuck in a loop of everything Edward told me. It was never ending, and I couldn't breathe, or eat, or barely move. It was all I could do to function in my day-to-day activities.
"I've been with Edward practically all day today and the pain was gone, then when he dropped me off here, and was out of my sight the pain came crashing back over me, and pulled me under. I know he is only at his house across town, but I don't think it matters to my battered wounds."
Carlisle stared at me for a few moments, his face scrunching in contemplation.
"I've seen this before with Marcus, he's one of the leaders of the Volturi. His wife Didyme was murdered, and he has been living much like you were for a very long time now. It is what happens when mates are separated in any type of forceful way.
"You will need to learn to control the feelings to be able to pull yourself together for a while Bella. It is the only advice I can give you at this time. Since you are not physically injured, this is a mental and emotional injury, and probably made worse because it is still raw. I can do some more research and see if there are any other cases of forceful separations. But lets not talk about it now. Tell me about your day with Edward."
I knew he was trying to keep me talking and hopeful to keep my mind off the pain so why not? It was also a great time to talk to him about my guilt.
"It was a wonderful day Carlisle. I met Edward Sr. and Elizabeth, Edward's parents. We had dinner, and Edward played the piano for me. And Edward proposed to me. Of course I said yes. But now I need to talk to you about something else that is bothering me."
"You got engaged today? Congratulations!" He smiled down at me, and smiled in return. I knew this was definitely a happy occasion.
"Thank you Carlisle, but I must admit that I feel awful. I feel like I am deceiving Edward with not telling him of what is to come. What happens if he doesn't want this life with me? I'm afraid to tell him, afraid he will walk away from me and all will be lost again."
"I don't think you need to worry about that Bella. I don't think Edward would walk away from you. But I must caution you against telling him right now. You know the Edward of your time, the vampire. I'm not trying to diminish your trust, but this Edward is human and lacks the life experience, so therefore I don't know if he is trustworthy with such a secret. Please do not tell him of what is to come, he may not understand fully. You will know when the time is right."
I looked at him for a long time, really hoping that he was right and Edward would understand when I told him.
"All right, I'll take your word for it. I just hope that you are right in this Carlisle. I know this must be hard for you, and you are still adjusting to the story that I told you. And I am sure you are worried about the Volturi and having me around, and I promise to be cautious in this."
"Thank you for understanding." Was all he said.
We sat on the couch for a long time, lost in our own thoughts. Carlisle was perfectly still. I wondered if it was relaxing for him. I knew that putting on the human charade was tedious for them, always moving and fidgeting, so I bet that it was nice for him to just sit as he was meant to.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
I woke the next morning with a sore neck. I had fallen asleep on the couch sitting up and Carlisle was still sitting beside me.
"Carlisle? You stayed here all night? What are you doing?" I asked him, surprised to find him next to me still.
"Oh… nothing, just been thinking all night. Did you know you talk in your sleep?"
Oh no!
"Yes, I've done it since I was little. Edward would climb in my window at night and watch over me, and he would tell me some of the things I would say. Since he couldn't read my mind, he found it fascinating."
"Read your mind?" Carlisle was surprised. Didn't I tell him of his family's gifts?
"Did I never tell you that your family would be very talented?"
"No, you didn't. Tell me now this seems interesting."
"Well, Edward is a mind reader, Emmett has super strength, Alice will tell the future, and Jasper is an empath, he can control emotions. You, Rosalie, and Esme are not really talented with gifts, but you have your ability to be a doctor and your compassion, Rosalie will have her beauty and her stubbornness, and Esme will be very nurturing and loving."
"Oh, those are some pretty powerful talents. And what about you? Do you think you will be gifted?"
"I've never thought about it actually. All I know is that Edward was unable to hear my thoughts."
"Perhaps you will be, time will tell I suppose. But come on, lets go get ready for work."
"Oh yes, and Edward will be stopping by the hospital at the end of my shift. I'm not sure if we will venture out today or not."
Time passed slowly at the hospital, as we only had two patients on the floor. I never knew that people were healthier during this time period; I thought healthcare was worse due to the un-advanced medical equipment and testing. I guess I would have to say that it was due to the food not being produced the way it will in the future, with chemicals and whatever else they do to it.
"Bella, I have some more research papers to be filed if you wouldn't mind." Carlisle found me sitting in the surgical waiting room staring at the wall. I was bored out of my mind and counting the seconds on the clock.
"Sure, I can do that. Come get me if anything interesting happens." I smiled wryly at him and headed to his office.
I looked up at the clock when all the papers were filed and realized that only an hour had passed. It was now only noon, and I didn't know what to do with myself. I ventured out into the hallway to find it as silent as ever, and no one to be seen.
Carlisle was now sitting in the waiting room, reading a book. At my approach he looked up and smiled.
"That didn't take long. Why don't you leave for the day, go surprise Edward and spend the day with him."
"Are you sure? What if something happens and you need my help?" I asked, you just never knew when there would be an emergency.
"Don't worry about that Bella, there are other nurses here that have worked with me before, and they know what they are doing. Go! Go be with your Edward."
I wasn't going to argue further. Maybe I could surprise him at school today. I hope he wouldn't mind that.
"Thanks Carlisle, I'll see you this evening then." I told him as I walked out of the room and towards the stairs.
I went home and quickly changed out of my nurse's uniform and into something more suitable to meet with Edward and his parents again. Getting dressed in all these layers of clothes wasn't as daunting as it once was either, so it didn't take me any time at all.
I was also lucky that I was able to catch the streetcar just a few minutes after I arrived at the stop. Thankfully I remembered the streetcar route from yesterday; otherwise I'm sure I would have gotten lost. The ride didn't seem as long as yesterday either.
When I got on Edward's street and off the streetcar, I realized that I had no idea where his school was. I walked towards his house and stood in front of the gate, trying to muster up the courage to knock on the door and ask Elizabeth about it.
Just as I took a deep breath and took hold of the gate to open it Elizabeth came out on to the porch.
"Bella? Is that you? I wasn't expecting you today. Please come in." She called out from the porch.
I smiled and pushed through the gate. And walked down the short driveway to the house.
"Hello Elizabeth, sorry to stop by unannounced, I was planning on going to surprise Edward at school, I got off work early. But when I got over here I realized that I didn't know where his school was." I smiled sheepishly at her, and she returned the smile.
"Of course dear. It's actually just down another block. I'm sure he wouldn't mind the surprise. In fact it's perfect timing, by the time you get there they should be coming out for the day. I won't hold you here, go see him, and I'll wait for you and him to return."
"Thank you." And back down the driveway I went.
I walked down the block and found the sign for the school. Then I had to decide where I wanted to wait. Should I wait out here on the sidewalk like a creepy stalker, or should I approach the stairs and wait near the doors?
Deciding it would be better to wait near the doors I entered the yard and stood off to the side so I wasn't ran over when the students left the building. Elizabeth was right; kids started leaving the building as soon as I got near the entrance.
I felt him before I saw him. The current started running through me, and I realized how much I missed the feeling. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face if I wanted to. The current was getting stronger as the seconds passed, and the anticipation of seeing him was building to a crescendo. Then, when I thought my chest was going to burst, he slammed through the doors and was wildly looking around, almost in a panic.
Our eyes met finally, and it seemed like he sighed in relief.
"Bella! What are you doing here?" He called from the top of the stairs. Several people stopped and stared in his direction as he flew down the stairs and came towards me.
He grabbed me in an iron tight hug, picking me up and spinning me around. I was laughing at his excitement.
"I was able to leave the hospital early, and thought I would come surprise you. I had to stop at your house and ask your mom where to find the school-" I was cut off by a voice calling out to Edward.
"Edward? Who is this?" I looked in the direction of the voice to find a boy looking curiously at us.
"Oh Charles, this is Isabella Swan, my fiancée." Edward said a bit too loudly, while glancing around him.
I glanced around as well, and found several girls staring, with their mouths agape.
"Bella, this is my best friend Charles. We've been friends since we were small."
I extended my hand out to him.
"It's nice to meet you Charles." He took my hand in his and I shook it, and suddenly he was looking at me strangely.
"Likewise. You're not from around here are you?" What an odd question.
"No, I'm from New York."
"Ah, that explains it. You carry yourself different than other girls. You seem more outgoing."
"Charles! Don't be rude!" Edward's harsh whisper came from beside me.
"It's alright Edward, I don't mind." I smiled over to him, and then I noticed a girl staring angrily in our direction.
She whispered to the girl beside her, and then stalked her way over towards us. The scowl on her face was comical, and I couldn't help but smirk at her anger.
"Edward…" The whine in her tone however was not amusing. "Why haven't you answered me about our date in the park? You've been avoiding me all day, and I demand my answer."
Her blue eyes were burning with jealously as she smirked at him and looked at me with disgust.
"Regina, I told you already I was engaged and that I was not interested in dating you. Thank you for your offer, but I am now off the market." Edward's tone was one of patience, but I could hear the annoyance that was underneath.
"You never told me that, and quite frankly I don't see this engagement lasting." Was she serious?
I took a breath to say something, but Edward tightened his grip around my waist.
"Bella, come on, I want to show you the park, and Charles and I were going to play catch for a while since it is a little warmer today. Want to come and watch? Don't mind Regina, she's just mad I'm not interested in her." He always was good at avoiding or rather ignoring others affections.
"Sure Edward, I'd love that. Oh your mother said she'd be waiting for us to return when I stopped to see her on my way here." I smiled at him, then leaned in and kissed him on the lips while Regina watched and went pale.
"Alright love. Lets go to the park, and then Charles and I can throw the ball at my house. Come on Charles, join us." Edward looked back to get Charles's attention.
We walked through the park, entering through the gate across from the school, and Edward showed me several of the statues in the park. There was still snow on the ground, so we didn't linger. We left the park through another gate closer to Edwards house. Charles was quite, walking behind us and I felt bad that Edward seemed to be ignoring him.
Trying to liven up the mood I swept down and picked up a handful of snow and threw it at Edward. Then scooped up some more and threw it at Charles. This had them chasing each other and throwing snowballs back and forth. I got a few shots in and aimed for them both.
Edward picked up a handful of snow and stalked towards me, there was a predatory look in his eyes as he approached, and I decided to play it up and run from him. Of course with as clumsy as I am, when he reached out to me with the snow I tripped and fell face first into the snow.
I froze for a minute and just reveled in being so carefree in this moment. It was nice not to be so serious for a moment, and not to worry about caring for someone else.
"Bella! Are you alright?" Edward's worried voice called out. I could tell that he was almost hovering over me.
I flipped myself over so I wasn't laying face first in the snow and let out a peal of laughter.
"I'm fine! That was great!" I told them both, as Charles also rushed over to make sure I was okay.
Edward reached his hand out to me as I sat up, and he pulled me off the ground. I smiled and thanked him, and brushed the snow off my coat. Edward placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and escorted me the rest of the way down the street to his house.
"Good afternoon Charles! I'm glad you came over today." Elizabeth exclaimed as she rushed to hug him.
"Good afternoon Elizabeth! Edward and I were planning on playing catch for a while." He replied with a smile.
"It's cold out there, please don't stay out too long. Ill make some cocoa and I think I have some cookies too." Elizabeth told them.
Edward led Charles to the front closet and they got some balls and two gloves out.
"Bella, did you want to come out with us?" Edward turned to me with his hand on the doorknob.
"No, I think I will stay in here where it is warm now. I'll help your mom with dinner." I replied to him, I smiled and turned to find Elizabeth smiling at me.
"I think you are going to be good for him Bella. I see a light in his eyes that hasn't been there before. I know I am excited to welcome you to the family."
"Thank you for that. I have been so worried that things would not go over well when Edward proposed to me. It is wonderful to know I am accepted." I told her as we walked into to the kitchen.
"I don't need help with dinner, it is already done, and I made extra today so there will be enough for everyone."
I sat at the breakfast table with Elizabeth and she asked me more questions about the wedding. I told her again that my guest list would be short, and that I still did not have a vision for my dress. I knew I still had time, but the thought was daunting. I did want it to be perfect. I told her I would like for Edward to be involved in some of the decisions. She agreed that it would be good for him.
After a while Edward and Charles came in and put their things away, Elizabeth made them some cocoa while I set the table for her. And then Edward's father came come. He seemed to be in a better mood today, or at least he was being polite.
"Hello Bella, it's nice to see you today." He said as he went into his office. He came out a few minutes later and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.
"Dinner smells wonderful." He added as he walked into the sitting room.
After Edward and Charles cleaned up their dishes from the cocoa Elizabeth called everyone to the dining room.
Dinner was uneventful; we listened to Edward talk about the case he was working on. Apparently one of the grocery stores was suing another one down the block for stealing customers. It seemed so mundane, and I wound up drifting off in my thoughts wondering about Alice.
It was always speculated that she had visions as a human, but she could never confirm it since she couldn't remember. I wondered if she would have visions of me and the rest of the family before she was changed.
"Bella, were you able to get a schedule from Dr. Cullen? Id like to start preparing for the wedding soon, and would love to be able to spend time with you." Elizabeth dragged me out of my musings of Alice.
"Oh yes! I'm sorry, I forgot all about it. I work everyday except Sunday's and only from the hours of seven and two. Carlisle said that with the wedding coming he would work on finding another nurse to cover the afternoon and evening hours for me. Now that I have another purpose, I will enjoy being away from the hospital more."
"Wonderful. I'll be sure to have a car sent for you at your home everyday at three."
It took me a moment to realize that Edward's family was wealthy and could have a car sent. I wasn't going to complain, it would be better than having to take the streetcar everyday.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
"Bella, this is the best shop in town. I'm sure we will find a beautiful pattern and fabric for your gown."
Elizabeth and I have scoured the entire city of Chicago for the past three months looking for a wedding dress. Nothing has appealed to me as of yet, so we decided to look through the sewing shops to find a pattern for a dress to make ourselves if we can find the perfect one, along with the right material.
I didn't even really know what I wanted my dress to look like. I just knew what everyone always said. 'You'll know the right one when you see it and try it on'. So I was banking on that knowledge.
I sighed and followed Elizabeth into the shop, and was amazed by all the fabric inside. It was everywhere, from the floor up to the ceiling.
"Hello, and welcome. Can I help you find anything?" A woman with graying hair asked from behind a sewing machine.
"Good afternoon Gloria, this is Bella, Edward's fiancée. We have been looking for a wedding dress for months, but Bella here has not found anything to her fancy. We've decided to look for a pattern, and make it ourselves. Can you point us in the direction of your dress patterns please?"
"Oh Elizabeth! I didn't recognize you! How have you been dear?" The woman asked.
"I've been well, thank you."
Gloria came around the sewing machine and led us to the back of the shop, where there was a cabinet that she opened with drawers inside. She opened the bottom three.
"All the dress patterns are in here. I'm sure you will find what you are looking for. Let me know when you find something." She smiled and walked back to the front of the store. And after a few minutes I could here the sound of the sewing machine.
I was almost to the end of the third drawer when I found it. The photo of the dress was in black and white, but it was stunning. The bust line was low cut, but tied at the top of the breastplate. The skirt was layered tulle, to make it so you couldn't see through it. Then it was draped with flowered lace. The train was long, and the sleeves were short.
I held the pattern out to Elizabeth and smiled wide at her. Her eyes popped when she looked at it.
"Bella, I think this is perfect! You don't seem like the girl who wants the high collared dress. And I think we can get this made in the next few months. Let's go back and see Gloria and see what she has for material."
Gloria was bent over the machine carefully sewing two pieces of material together. We stood there and waited for her to look up. Once she finished her line she looked up and smiled.
"I hope you found something you liked."
"I did, thank you." I said to her and handed her the pattern.
"This is one of my new ones." She looked at me for a long moment.
"Yes, I think it will be perfect! Elizabeth, I would love to make this for you. Please let me. I have the perfect material for it."
"We would love for you to make it. Could you have it done within the next two months? Bella and I have so much to do, it would be a blessing to not have this as well" Elizabeth told her, while looking at me for approval. I smiled and nodded.
"Perfect! Bella, I'll need to get started right away. Would you mind coming into the back room with me so I can get your measurements?"
"Of course." I responded and was led through the door in the back.
Gloria had me strip down to my undergarments, and she poked, prodded, and measured every inch of me. It took over a half hour to get everything she needed.
"Thank you Bella, I think that is all I will need. I will call Elizabeth when the dress is ready for fitting."
With that we left Gloria's shop and headed back to the house.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
It was the beginning of September and the wedding was only a few weeks away. Everything seemed like it was going too fast. Elizabeth had the menu set, Edward helped with the selections, and all the invitations had been sent out. They were expecting around one hundred guests to my mere three. I didn't let it bother me, the positives of being here with Edward far outweighed the negatives of not having my parents with me.
"Bella, Gloria called this morning and your dress is ready for the fitting. She is confident that you are going to love it even more once you put it on. She said she made some alterations." Elizabeth told me when I got to her house after my shift at the hospital.
"Perfect, would you like to accompany me?" I asked.
Elizabeth has been like a mother to me. I spent so much of my life taking care of my own mother, that it just seemed off to have a mother take care if me. I was grateful for it though.
"I would love to, why don't we go over tomorrow? We can just meet at her shop."
"That would work for me as well." I told her. There was no point in coming all the way over here to just go back across town.
The dress was stunning, and Gloria was right, I fell in love with it more when I got it on. Instead of the flowered lace that the picture had shown, Gloria used lace that had more of a gothic design.
"Thank you so much Gloria, this is better than I had expected it to be. I really like this lace design more so than the original pattern."
"I'm glad you like it dear. I found this at my home, and it just called out to me. I was worried in the beginning that you wouldn't like it." She told me, and she sighed.
I carefully took the dress off, and Gloria and Elizabeth carefully put it back in the garment bag. We talked for a few more minutes, then left.
Edward's father got home just as we were putting dinner on the table. Edward had gone over to Charles's house for the evening, but I didn't want to go home to an empty house. Carlisle has been spending more time at the hospital, but I never thought to ask him about it.
"Bella, I think we have everything ready for the wedding. Have you given any more thought about quitting your job after the wedding?" Elizabeth asked after our plates were made.
"I have, and honestly I don't think I could just quit. Perhaps I will only work two days a week and help Carlisle train a new nurse. I've been by his side for so long now that it just seems wrong just leaving him like that."
Elizabeth and Edward Sr. have been pressuring me for months to comply with the standards of this time period, and become a stay at home wife. It has been a rollercoaster struggle to go with it when I wasn't used to be taken care of.
"I think that is the best course of action. I can understand that this is a big change for you, so I will accept that." Elizabeth said after a few moments of consideration.
I was glad that they weren't trying to really force me into anything, but if I were going to blend in with social norms, I would need to do something.
When we were finished eating, Edward Sr. started talking about how he noticed that prices were starting to rise due to the costs of the war. I knew from my history lessons that this was the start of the Great Depression, even though it would take another few years for it to happen.
"It would be nice to find a way to fund the war without raising prices on everyday things." I said to add to the conversation.
"That would be something wouldn't it?" Edward said as he thought about it more.
We talked for a while more, but it was getting late and Edward was still not home, so I decided it was time to go home. Hopefully Carlisle would be home. I have been missing our conversations lately.
After refusing the car for the ride home, I said my good byes, and went to the streetcar stop to make my way home. Something seemed amiss on the ride, like I was forgetting something important.
I was reminded of it when I got home and found Carlisle sitting on the couch with his head down and his hands grasping his hair. He looked up when he realized that I was standing there.
"Bella I'm so glad you're home. I am finally finding the truth in your story. We got reports today of a sickness spreading through New York. It is definitely the flu, but this strain is much worse than anything we have ever seen."
"It's the Spanish Influenza Carlisle. There is going to be death surrounding us, and you should prepare yourself for all that loss. No matter what you do, people's immune systems won't be able to handle it. I'm sorry."
"Is there anything we can do to prevent it? Anything at all?"
I looked at him sadly. I knew this was going to be hard on him. And in a way I wished I would have never told him, but at least now he knew what to expect.
"I'm so sorry. In the future, there will be shots, immunizations you can get against this kind of thing, but right now, we just have to let it run it's course. The best thing for the flu is to stay hydrated, lots and lots of fluids, and make sure the patients eat something. Usually chicken broth, or soup would be best. That's the best I can offer you."
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
I was making my rounds with the four surgical patients we had this week when a nurse from the emergency room came running down the hall.
"Bella, your Edward is here and he has asked for you and Dr. Cullen. Please hurry."
My heart stopped and I froze. What has happened? Oh no!
"Bella! Come on. There is no point in panicking until we get down there!" Carlisle grabbed my arm and dragged me to the stairs. I still couldn't breathe.
We made it to the trauma room, and Edward was standing in the hall. Finally I could breathe. The emergency was not for him.
"Bella!" Edward called out and ran towards me.
"What's wrong Edward? What happened?" I asked as he hugged me tight to his chest.
"It's Charles, he has been feeling off for a week, and this morning he collapsed with a high fever, and horrible sweats. I didn't know what to do, so I told his mother that I would bring him here and have Carlisle look at him." He said quickly and Carlisle nodded to me and entered the room with Charles.
"Edward, please stay out here. I'll come out and update you as soon as I can." I followed Carlisle into the room with Charles, and found a pale man lying on the bed panting.
I had a feeling he wasn't going to make it, and for that I mourned already for the grief this will bring to Edward.
"Bella, how can we reduce this fever? I've never encountered one this high before." Carlisle whispered to me.
"Cool blankets, and set up an I.V. with fluids. I don't think he is going to make it until tomorrow, but we can try." I whispered back.
Carlisle ground his teeth, and started ordering the other nurses to do as I said, and also told them to put on a mask before entering the room again.
"Bella, you should have a mask on as well. We wont know for a few hours if the blankets and fluids will do any good, why don't you go out and sit with Edward."
"I wont get sick Carlisle." I protested, but Carlisle's eyes hardened.
"It doesn't matter Bella, it is time for pretenses, and you must act the part." He had me there.
I found Edward in the waiting room, and he was pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked up at me when I sat down next to him and took his hand in mine.
"Do you know what's wrong with him?" He asked, the worry in his eyes made my heart sputter.
"Yes, there were reports a few weeks ago about soldiers coming home from the war and being deathly sick in New York. We didn't think it would spread this far West. But there is a flu, the Spanish Influenza. And it is far worse then any strain we have ever seen." I told him in a low soothing voice trying to soften the blow to him that Charles probably wouldn't make it.
"You never told me that."
'There are a great many things I haven't told you yet Edward. ' I thought to myself.
"It didn't seem important at the time, they thought it was contained in New York, and there was no need to worry. Are Charles's parents coming? Do we need to go get them, or send a messenger?" I asked to change the subject for a moment.
"We can send a messenger, I don't want to leave him alone."
I escorted Edward back to the main entrance and spoke quietly to the nurse taking care of the front desk. I had Edward give her the information to send the messenger with, and then we walked back to the waiting room.
About an hour later a woman and man came rushing in, eyes wild in panic.
"Edward! Has there been any news on Charles? Is he alright?" The woman exclaimed as she hugged Edward tight.
"No ma'am, we haven't heard anything yet. Oh, this is my fiancée Bella." Edward introduced me as he pulled me forward.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Charles's mother, Irene, and this is Hugh, his father."
"It is nice to meet you as well. Let me go see if I can find Carlisle and get an update for you." I let go of Edward's hand and walked to the room Charles was in.
There was a cart outside his door with a box of masks and a sign telling anyone who entered to use one. And hanging on the door was a red and white sign that read 'Quarantined'. I grabbed a mask and went into the room.
Carlisle was still in there watching Charles closely.
"Carlisle, his parents are here, and was wondering if there was any news. Would you like to come out and talk to them? How is he by the way?" I asked as he got up to follow me out.
"I'm afraid there is no good news, his condition is worsening by the hour, and I honestly do not think he will make it until morning. But I don't want to tell them that, nor do I want to give them false hope."
"It's as I feared then, I knew when he came in he wouldn't make it. His poor parents, and Edward too."
We approached the waiting room slowly, I was glad Carlisle would give this news.
"Ah, Dr. Martin it is nice to see you again, sorry it isn't under better circumstances."
"Thank you Dr. Cullen. How's my boy? What is wrong with him?"
"I'm afraid he has caught a very bad strain of the flu. It seems our soldiers have brought home the Spanish Influenza. They thought they had it contained in New York, but apparently someone slipped through. I'm afraid I have no good news for you. Charles's fever is extremely high, and I have had no luck in lowering it. Prepare yourselves, as I'm afraid he will not come out of it in time."
Carlisle's tone was soothing as he spoke, and now I knew why he had such good bedside manners. Usually doctors are so clinical and cold.
"No! No, no. No!" Irene wailed out as she threw herself back into her husband's arms.
"Would you like to come sit with him? I must caution you that this is a very contagious virus, and you may become sick as well. If you enter please put on a mask." Carlisle told them as he stood and walked back towards the room Charles was in.
I looked towards Edward and seen his eyes were shiny with tears. I grabbed his hand and held tight.
"Would you like to go sit with Charles a while Edward? I can stay out here so the family can have time." I told him. I was worried that he would fall ill as well, even though I knew he would, once his parents got sick.
"No, I think it would be best if I stayed out here for now, perhaps I will go in later."
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
Morning came and sadly Charles passed away during the night in his sleep. His parents stayed by his side until the end. Edward was distraught that he never took the chance to go in and see him, and I silently rejoiced that he didn't witness the end of his friend. I think it would have killed him.
"Edward, I am so sorry about Charles. Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked softly while we still sat in the waiting room.
"Please accompany me home, and stay with me. I love you, and I don't want to be away from you right now." I knew the feeling of possibly losing someone was overwhelming, and I knew it was now time to prepare Carlisle for a new adventure.
"Of course Edward. Let's go to your house. A hot meal will do you good, and some real sleep. Your mother must be worried about you."
I took his hand in mine and led him out to the streetcar stop in front of the hospital. The ride seemed long today, and I heard a man sitting in the back coughing the entire ride.
With the costs rising, people were going to get sick very fast around here. And I wished I knew the actual date that Edward's father got sick on. It would have been helpful to pinpoint the conversation I was going to need to have with Edward.
We made it to his house finally, and Elizabeth flung the door open and ran out on the porch.
"Where have you two been? I was about to call the police!" She screeched.
"I'm sorry mom, we were at the hospital. Charles fell ill, and died last night."
"Excuse me? What did you just say?" Her voice was still shrill. And Edward looked at me pleadingly.
"Elizabeth, there is a strain of the flu that was brought over from the war. It is named the Spanish Influenza. It is very strong and deadly. The word was received a few weeks ago, but they thought it was contained in New York. It would seem that it got through and made it's way west. Charles caught it, and was too late getting to the hospital for treatment. His fever was too high, and we couldn't get it down. He passed away in his sleep last night."
"Oh my! Have you seen Irene and Hugh? I must go to them at once!"
"They are still at the hospital making arrangements. I would avoid the hospital right now, as that is the best place for the virus to spread." I told her as she ushered us into the house.
"Edward, you are dead on your feet. Go take a shower while I make you some breakfast. Bella, if you would like to freshen up as well, there are some fresh clothes in the guest room that should fit you."
I smiled at Edward; I knew this is exactly what he needed.
"Apparently you know best love. I'll be down in a few minutes, please relax as well, you have dark circles under your eyes." He kissed me on the cheek and went up the stairs as I went down the hall to the guest room.
Freshly dressed I went back out to the kitchen to see if Elizabeth needed any help. But she already had two steaming plates sitting at the dining room table. The plates were full of eggs, sausage, and toast. And there were two steaming cups of coffee as well.
"Thank you Elizabeth. This looks wonderful." She seemed distracted as she continued to bustle around the kitchen. It looked like she was getting ready to make biscuits.
"That's nice dear. When you're done eating, could you help me make a basket of food to take over to the Martins? They are going to need some comfort right now."
"Sure." I couldn't just tell her no, even though I had been up all night.
"Mom, Bella and I were up all night at the hospital, couldn't that wait until this afternoon? Then we could all go over to the Martins to give our condolences."
Edward said as he took his seat at the table and looked in her direction.
"What? Oh, yes of course! You both need some rest. I guess I should slow down." She stopped what she was doing and headed into the living room.
Edward and I ate in silence for a few moments. Before he looked at me and smiled sadly.
"Bella, I love you, and I love your independence, but I must implore you to stop working at the hospital. If you are around all those people that are potentially sick, I worry that I will lose you too." He said, and I didn't know how to refuse his request.
"I promise to take precautions, and to stay away from the sick as much as possible. I know Carlisle will want to treat them, that's just the kind of person he is. I could stay on the surgical floor. I will be safe there." I tried. But he was shaking his head.
"It's too much to risk, I can't lose you, not now. It would kill me." How do you say no to that?
"I'll talk to Carlisle later when I head home." It was the best I could do. He needed to rest, and I knew he wouldn't if we argued about me working.
"Fair enough." He said, then continued with his meal.
Later that evening, we went to the Martins, they only lived five houses down from Edward. Irene and Hugh were red eyed and distracted when we knocked on the door with the basket of food Elizabeth made while Edward and I were sleeping.
"Thank you Elizabeth, please come in." Irene said as she took the basket and motioned for us to enter the house.
"I'm so sorry to hear about what has happened, and if there is anything else we can to do to help please let us know." Elizabeth replied.
"Of course dear. We've made arrangements to have Charles transferred to the funeral home down the street. We will have his funeral in three days. Perhaps you can help make some food for after?" Irene said between sobs. I felt terrible, and didn't know the words to say to give her comfort, so I remained quiet by Edward's side.
"Yes, Bella and I would be more than happy to help with that task Irene." Elizabeth offered our services with a smile.
We didn't stay long. Irene and Hugh were too lost to be good company. I understood, and was glad to give them their space. I let Edward know that I needed to get home and talk to Carlisle about my job, but I needed to talk to him about something else as well.
I decided to take the streetcar again, so I could collect my thoughts in peace. The streetcars were generally empty at this time in the evening, so I knew I wouldn't be bothered.
The house was dark when I walked up the stairs, but that didn't mean it was empty. I learned that Carlisle liked to sit in the dark most nights. He had told me it was to give the pretense that he was sleeping.
He was there, the fire was low in the fireplace, and he had his head tilted backwards with his eyes closed.
"Carlisle? Are you alright?" I asked as I stepped into the room.
"No, not really. I had five more patients this afternoon come in with high fevers. I'm going to lose them all. This is going to be really hard isn't it?" He asked. The despair was thick in his tone as well.
"I'm sorry Carlisle, I wish there was something we could do to help more, but it needs to just run it's course. I need to talk to you about a few things if you're up to it."
He sat up straighter and gave me his full attention.
"Is something wrong? You're not experiencing symptoms are you?" Now he seemed panicked.
"No! It's nothing like that. But Edward expressed his worry about me working at the hospital and being around all those sick people. I have to agree with him. I may have had the vaccine, but I don't know if it will actually help if I am in the thick of the sickness so to speak."
"So you don't want to work with me anymore?" He asked sadly.
"I would love to, but I am torn between obligations. Do I go against Edward, and cause him worry and stress, and more likely to contract this flu? Or do I risk upsetting you?" I said as diplomatically as I could.
"I see your point, and I can agree with you. I don't want you getting sick as well."
"Well, that brings me to the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. With Edward's friend Charles dying already of the flu, I am afraid it is time for you to prepare to bring two new vampires into the world."
I watched as his eyes widened and he began to shake his head at me.
"Bella… I… I can't do that!" He exclaimed.
"Carlisle you must! Edward's father is going to fall ill and die soon, and then his mother is going to get sick. Edward will get sick too, and Elizabeth will beg you to save him, just as it was before. I will not be left alone either." My voice was hard, he needed to understand.
"We talked before, and at that time you speculated about the use of morphine to help with the process of the change. You didn't know if it would speed up the process or lock our bodies down, but I was willing to let you try it on me. But the time never came because you all left. If it works for us now, it will be much easier later when everyone else's time comes."
"I'll need to think about this. You don't know what you are asking." He said solemnly.
"Actually, I know exactly what I am asking for. And I know bringing two vampires into the world at once is going to be comparable to raising twins. And it is going to be a hard road to go down. Knowing that Edward and I are mates should help us get through this together better. He will die Carlisle, and then I will follow him. I must ask this of you Carlisle. If you were to ever do anything for me, this would be it. Please think about it. I don't want to lose you or him again. I couldn't bare it."
I pleaded, and I hoped to high hell that he would agree. I remember him telling me how lonely he was during this time, and yet how hard it was for him to change Edward. He didn't want to, but because Elizabeth seen something in him, he did it for her. Hopefully now, he will do it for me.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
A week had passed since I talked to Carlisle, and I was becoming bored with sitting at home during the day. Edward was back in school for his senior year without Charles and he was struggling with a deep depression.
I had attended the funeral with Edward, and held him while he cried into my shoulder for his lost friend. And I knew I would be holding on to him again as his parents fell ill with the flu. I just hoped he wouldn't have to suffer through the sickness as well.
It was nearing twilight when Carlisle came home from his shift at the hospital. His face was haggard, and lined with worry.
"How are things over there?" I asked, though I had a feeling that the news would be bad.
"It's getting worse. We had twenty more people come in with symptoms of the flu. I'm at a loss on what to do for them." He sat down heavily on the couch, and ran his hands over his face.
"I know it's hard Carlisle, but this must happen. There is just nothing we can do for them. Why don't you-." I was cut off by someone pounding on the door.
"Bella!" It sounded like Edward. I ran to the door and opened it to find him standing there panting.
"Edward? What's wrong?" I asked in a panic.
"It's my parents. They both are ill and can't get out of the house. Is Carlisle home? Can you both come over and help them. Please!" His eyes were wide, he was scared.
"Of course. Bella, go get my bag." Carlisle ordered.
I ran up the stairs to his room and grabbed the medical bag that was on the desk. When I got back downstairs he was waiting for me in the foyer.
"Come on, we must hurry. Hopefully we can get them to the hospital in time."
Thankfully Edward drove the car over instead of taking the streetcars. Carlisle got in the drivers seat and proceeded to push the car to its limit racing down the streets towards Edwards home.
When we arrived, the front door was wide open, so we raced inside. Edwards father was lying on the couch and Elizabeth was on the floor in the kitchen.
I rushed to Elizabeth and felt for a pulse. She was still alive, but barely. She was covered in a layer of sweat, and was shaking. I could feel the heat from the fever without even touching her.
"Carlisle? How's Edward over there?" He didn't answer, so I looked over to him. He was kneeling on the floor and shaking his head.
"We were too late for him. How is Elizabeth?" Carlisle asked.
"She's barely hanging on. Edward, how long have your parents been experiencing the symptoms?" I asked.
"Uh… about a week and half. I've been trying to convince them to go to the hospital, but they wouldn't. I should have forced them. This is all my fault." Edward cried out.
"Carlisle, I need to talk to you outside please. Right now!" I said, my tone demanding.
"Edward, get a cool rag and try to cool your mom's forehead down. We will be right back." I ordered him and followed Carlisle outside.
"Carlisle, have you given more thought to our discussion? Now is the time to make the decision. I must tell Edward of our future if you are agreeable. And I must warn you, if Elizabeth wakes up, she is going to beg you. So you might as well tell me now, so I can have this conversation with Edward tonight."
"Bella, I have thought about it. As much as I wouldn't wish this existence on anyone else, I understand your plight, and you have proven to me that you speak the truth about the future. I'm going to take it on good faith that you will continue to stay by my side as my family and I will agree to change you both."
"Thank you Carlisle. And I promise we will all be a family. I must tell you now, that I am also Edward's singer, and I will need you to change me before him. Otherwise he will kill me in his newborn haze. We will make the arrangements later."
"Fair enough." Was his reply as he went back in the house.
Edward was leaning heavily against the door to the kitchen when I got back in the house.
"Edward? Carlisle is going to take your mom to the hospital. I wanted to hang back with you and talk to you, and then we can make our way over. Carlisle will also make arrangements for your dad."
"Okay." His voice seemed distant, and he watched as Carlisle picked his mom up off the floor and carried her to the car.
"Come sit with me please." I led him to the sitting room, out of sight of his father's body.
"I have not told you everything about me, and for that I am sorry. I didn't want to tell you until it was time. And now, it is time you knew everything. I have been so worried that you will not accept what I am about to tell you, and that you would leave me.
I am not from this time, and I did not come from New York. I met you in 2005, in Forks, Washington, and you were a vampire. We are mates, and I was your singer. Carlisle changed you when you were dying of this flu, because your mother begged him to.
There was an accident on my eighteenth birthday and it caused you to leave me. I was devastated and a few months after you left I went to your house and ran across another vampire that knew Carlisle, and as a favor to him, he sent me back to this time period to meet you so we could fall in love and have a second chance. So that is why I am here. We are fated to be together, and Carlisle has agreed to change us both so we can spend forever together."
I took a deep breath and waited. I watched as his face went through a myriad of emotions. The most prominent was confusion. I sat silently, afraid to move while he processed this information.
"So, you're telling me that vampires are real, and we are about to become one? Why didn't you tell me this before… before I fell in love with you?" He was angry now.
"I couldn't tell you Edward. There are rules, and if it were found out that humans knew, we would all have died anyways. We will have a good life. We will not be the monsters that vampires are portrayed as. Carlisle is a vampire, and a doctor."
"How can that be? Don't they drink blood? Is that why he is a doctor? To have a food source?"
"No Edward. Carlisle does not drink human blood and neither will we. We will survive on the blood of animals. Please Edward, don't be angry. I love you to the depths of my soul, and I am promising you a good life."
He sat there silent again. I knew he was going to have a hard time swallowing this information, and it was going to be hard for him.
"I need time Bella. I need to think about this and I need answers. But right now, I can't even think about this. I need to go be with my mother."
He didn't even look at me as he got up and walked out the front door. I sat there shocked. Was this the end? Again? What am I supposed to do now?
I went out and covered Edward Sr. with a sheet, and hoped that someone would be by soon to collect his body. I didn't know if I should wait here, or if I should head towards the hospital.
My question was answered when the phone rang a while later.
"Hello, Masen residence, Bella speaking."
"Yes hello Bella, this is Thomas. Carlisle asked me to call you and tell you that someone from the hospital would be by to collect Mr. Masen, and you didn't need to wait. Just leave the door unlocked and he said to go home. Your Edward arrived at the hospital and is by his mother's side, and there wasn't anything you could do at the moment. He said he would bring Edward home with him."
"Thank you Thomas." I said into the phone as I hung up.
I checked everything over, and then left the house. Leaving the door unlocked as instructed. I took the empty streetcar back to the house, and sat there in the living room and waited for Carlisle and Edward to arrive.
Hours had passed when I finally heard the door open. I didn't look up, I kept my head down and waited for my fate. Would Edward want to hear the entire story, or would he decide to leave me?
"Bella." Edward said as he sat down next to me and took my hand in his. His tone was soft, which surprised me.
"I'm sorry for being angry with you. Carlisle explained some things to me, and I have a better understanding, but I would really like to hear the rest of it. Tell me everything. Carlisle said my mother is not going to make it because the fever is too far-gone, so I need to make a decision."
I took a steadying breath, and then told him the entire story from my fist day in Forks, all the way up to the point where he left me. I told him of the family we would have, leaving out the details of their changes, he didn't need to know that until it was time.
"So is that why my reaction to you was so strong when we met at the market? Why every time I touch you an electric shock runs through me? Because we are mates?" He asked after a while.
"Yes Edward. It is our bodies way of letting us know it is right." I smiled slightly at him.
"Then I will agree to change with you. I love you more than anything else, and I couldn't imagine being without you ever."
I was elated that this wasn't going to be hard on us. And I hoped that he wouldn't regret his decision later down the road. Now I knew what he must have gone through when I begged him to change me all those times. I could appreciate his worries now.
I laughed at myself, and Carlisle and Edward both looked at me with worried gazes.
"Sorry, I just remember all the times Edward tried to talk me out of changing back then. And I can now see his point of view. I'm worried that you will regret this decision down the road and hate me for it. It is the same thing you used to tell me." I said to Edward.
His only response was to lean in and kiss me on the lips.
We fell asleep on the couch cuddled together, waiting for the morning to come so we could go check on Elizabeth. When Carlisle woke us up, I made a quick breakfast for Edward and I and the three of us headed towards the hospital.
Elizabeth was in the same state as yesterday. Her fever was still too high and she was soaked in sweat. But she was stirring as I took her hand in mine.
"Bella?" She whispered.
"Yes Elizabeth, I'm here. Edward is here too." I told her gently.
"I'm dying Bella. I feel my life slipping away from me. I should have listened to Edward when he told us to go to the hospital before it got bad. I thought it would be like any other flu and we would get over it in a week. I didn't know, and I am so sorry. Please Bella, please promise that you will take care of my son, that if he falls ill you will save him. I know that you know how to save him. I've always known that you were different. Please love him, never give up on him. He's just a boy."
Her voice trailed off, and she started to shake violently as the fever took back over. And I couldn't help but cry for her. Edward came over and took my hand as a tear slipped down his cheek as well.
"I love you mother, I will always remember you and I will never forget you." Edward whispered into her ear as he took her hand. A few minutes passed, and her breathing stilled and I knew she was gone.
We sat there for a while, and just held each other. Carlisle came over and placed a hand on her forehead.
"I promise Elizabeth, I promise to keep them both safe." He whispered down to her, and I knew he would uphold that promise.
"Come on Edward and Bella. We must make our preparations. Bella, I would like to try the morphine if you are still willing." Carlisle's tone was that of a doctor, I knew he would need to detach himself from the situation at hand. Otherwise he would have a hard time dealing with it.
"Yes Carlisle, I am willing to let you try. If it works, then it will be the best for everyone else as well." I told him with certainty.
~~~~~~~~WSI~~~~~~~~
It took Carlisle three days to muster up the strength to be mentally prepared for this next step in our lives. He put notice in at the hospital that he was going to travel farther west to try to outrun the flu. He also told them that I would be travelling with him to assist him.
Edward wasn't even thought of by anyone, he was now seventeen, and his parent's dead. There was no need to worry about a child since he was considered an adult.
"Bella, I have everything ready and set up in my office if you are ready. Edward, this is going to be a painful process, and you may want to go to your home and pack what you want to bring along with you. I can join you once Bella is situated."
"I'll stay for now, then we can go together. I don't know what I will need." Edward said, while staring into my eyes.
I leaned in and kissed him hard on the mouth.
"I'm ready Carlisle, there is no point in prolonging this." I said while I looked at him so he knew I was ready.
We followed him upstairs and I laid on the bed while Carlisle drew the morphine into the two needles.
"Alright, here we go."
He pushed the needles into my neck, waited a few moments then bit me on both wrists. When he backed away with blood dripping from the side of his mouth and a look of terror in his eyes, Edward came into my view.
Edward's lips pressed into mine, then his whispered words of love rang through my ears as I drifted off as the morphine entered my system, and then the fire raged through me...