So we are finally going to get a little bit of Edward perspective. I know I keep throwing curve balls out there and I hope you guys are enjoying the twists as much as I am. This is my first story and I am still getting used to these characters. They always seem to have a different idea then me about what is going to happen to them.

Thanks to Stepehenie Meyer for inventing all things Twilight and for letting fans like me use her characters to create new worlds!

EPOV

As I sat on the dock gazing at the ship "La Belle" I was a bit skeptical of its ability to transport people over an entire ocean. The entire ocean was more of an expanse than I could fathom, I had spent my whole life in London, though it was a large bustling city, I knew it was nothing compared to the ocean I was about to cross and the land I would encounter; if I made it across. I still had plenty of time to sit and reflect on the past few years of my life.

I had grown up as an only child, with loving parents. It was a happy life, a modest life. We may not have been the tops of society but we maintained a comfortable life. My mother was a midwife and my father was a musician. He filled our home with the sounds of violins, mandolins, drums, and flutes. My mother would sing and cook and teach me to read and write. She noticed that I was a very curious child and I also had an ability with numbers. When I was ten my father took me to our local physician, Carlisle Cullen, to offer me as an apprentice in his practice. He was unwilling to take on such a young charge but I was able to convince him to let me help with chores and sweeping. Over the next few years my father spent so much time traveling with small groups of musicians that Dr. Cullen became more of a father to me than my own. I never faulted my father though; he was doing his best to provide for his small family.

I watched carefully and read as many of the doctor's books as I could. I learned about the four humors of the body and the different diseases that could afflict the body. I learned about herbs and medicines and bloodletting, though I had begun to develop my own theories about how these diseases traveled and how well bloodletting worked.

That all began to crumble when I was 17 and people in my area began to get ill. My father became sick first, then my mother. They had fevers that raged so hot they became delirious, Dr. Cullen came over and brought leaches and gave them powders and concoctions but nothing helped. We spent so much money on the medicines, I had to start selling our belongings. Soon we had nothing left except my father's violin. When my mother became so engulfed in the fever that she didn't know who I was I knew that my life would never be the same. The day she died Dr. Cullen said I could come live in his shop for a time. Though he could not afford to take me in and I was a man now anyways. I had only been there for a week when he fell ill. He died, along with dozens of others in my area and what seemed to be hundreds around London. People were beginning to panic. When the physician died people looked to me for help, I took on his name, it seemed to soothe people's apprehension about my youth. I did the best I could but I began to feel hopeless in the situation.

I hadn't had time to grieve for my parents, or the life that was now gone. After a few years I packed the few belongings I had, my father's violin, and Carlisle's old physicians bag and headed for the coast. I wasn't sure what my plan was after that, I just needed to leave. I had been on the coast for several weeks working odd jobs around the shipyards and ports. I was working on a ship when a man near me broke his arm. I was able to quickly snap into my role as a physician and set the man's arm. Others around me noticed and I developed a reputation. It was less than a month later that I was approached by Charles Swan. He was a clergyman traveling to the new world with a company of others seeking some refuge or fortune in that strange place. He had a physician scheduled to accompany them but he had backed out of the deal at the last minute. Mr. Swan had heard of my reputation and he seemed a bit desperate. He was a smart man and knew very well how dangerous a trip to the new world is. When he offered to pay my passage in exchange for my service as a doctor on the ship and for 5 years in the colonies, I could see no reason to refuse. I had nothing to tie me to this place any more. I actually felt a sense of relief in being able to leave this country that now only held sickness and death for me.

Over the next few weeks I got to know Mr. Swan better. He was very kind and calm, an oasis in the hustle and bustle of the shipyards. I was able to get more informed about the journey and I spent my free time learning what I could about illness on the high seas and what few accounts I could gather from men who had seen the new world. It seemed the biggest problem there was starvation and cold.

I tried to learn as much as I could about the group traveling with us and the ship we would be traveling on across the sea. The Captain seemed to be experienced and trustworthy. The ship appeared adequate enough, though I wasn't sure how comfortable it would be for most people, unaccustomed to traveling on a ship. This would be an interesting group, mostly men looking for fortune or escape, about half a dozen children with parents who were going so they could find a place to worship God how they choose. Though after the past few years I had experienced I wasn't so sure what I believed about the idea of heaven and hell and everything in-between.

Today was finally the day, the journey would begin. I had already boarded the ship and left my belongings. All I had was a violin, a physicians bag, and a small leather satchel. I went back outside to wait for Mr. Swan and to take in the few moments of solid ground I had left. With the impending journey I felt lighter than ever in my life. In the sea breeze I could feel the weight of a thousand lonely, scared, worried nights lifting from my shoulders. I was sitting on some crates and barrels about 40 yards from the ship. A fine coach pulled up and Mr. Swan exited. I jumped up to go over and meet him. I saw him turn and reach his hand back into help someone emerge. I knew his daughter was also coming. Then something hit me like a large granite bolder and time began to move extremely slowly. I was rooted to where I stood like a tree. A vision of beauty unlike any I had ever encountered stepped out of the carriage. Her dress swirled around her like a cloud. Her features were so dainty and soft yet strong and determined. She was breathtaking. I must have been standing there for some time. When I shook my head and came to my senses I couldn't see Mr. Swan or his daughter. I scanned the crowd and saw them at the top of the gangplank. Mr. Swan's daughter seemed to be in the grip of a ragged looking crewman. Mr. Swan took her from him and the Captain approached. I didn't realize until I was almost on the ship that I had been running. I went below decks and found Mr. Swan and his daughter and the captain.

"Ahh, Captain Newton, may I introduce our physician for this voyage, Mr. Edward Cullen." Charles Swan had a very welcoming and comforting manor in his voice, it was friendly and inviting to everyone. Though I was shaking hands with the Captain, I couldn't take my eyes off of Mr. Swan's Daughter.

"I am at your service sir, and I am happy to know you." I replied to the Captain. "Mr. Swan, may I ask who accompanies you?"

"Ahh, pardon me, the excitement of the day has left me without a thought in my head. Edward Cullen, may I present my daughter Isabella Swan." He swept his hand toward his daughter and she glanced at me shyly as she curtsied. I was dumbstruck by her.

"Bella if you please sir. I am happy to know you Dr. Cullen." She said, though it sounded more like a song to me. Perhaps I would have to rethink my beliefs about heaven.

xxx

The next few weeks went by smoothly. The seas were fairly calm and agreeable, the need for a doctor so far had amounted to helping a few people overcome seasickness and one woman who's constant seasickness turned out to be morning sickness. There were also a few minor injuries among the crewmen. I used every moment with people on the ship to keep my ears open. I found that the less I talked, the more others did and I was able to learn a lot about what was going on in the ship. It seems that not everyone was as excited to be taking this journey, there was a lot of apprehension, some excitement, and even a little indifference. Most people were somewhat frightened of the ocean, as they should be. After the time I spent in the shipyards, I also knew that men who worked on ships could be hardened and less than honorable. So I kept my ears open for their actions as well.

I also kept my eye on Bella Swan. She had an audacity and strength that was surprising in such a delicate and small person. I spent a lot of time talking to her and her father. I had noticed that one crewman in particular spent a lot of time around her. He seemed so unrefined, even savage, I couldn't find out much about him though. He often engaged Bella in conversations on the deck of the ship, often leaning over the railings, it didn't seem safe and I was bothered that he wasn't more concerned for her safety on the ship. The kitchen wench Jessica seemed to be as attentive as I was, however I noticed a menacing flare to her looks. I so thoroughly enjoyed my time with Bella and Mr. Swan. She was funny and kind, he was quiet and wise. She often enquired after other passengers who were ill and offered to aid in their care and comfort. I thought she would do well to help, Angela Weber, the passenger on board who was pregnant. Since she didn't have a mother to accompany her, it would be a great learning experience and informative. As the daughter of a pastor she could do a lot to help care for her father's flock and particularly the women in the colony. Early one morning I saw Mr. Swan gathering some food for breakfast and I approached him, I asked him if I could speak with him regarding some plans and Ideas I had for Bella. He agreed that it would be a great experience for Bella and that we could approach her at dinner mid-day.

I found a table in the corner and had pulled out my father's violin. I hadn't played it yet, but a tune had been coming to my mind and I wanted to see if I could figure it out. I didn't have the skill with the bow that my father had had, but I enjoyed it and found that I could often play a tune just from hearing it once or twice. Mr. Swan and Bella approached and I jumped out of my seat.

"Good Day Dr. Cullen, how do you find your spirits to day? In good humor?" Mr. Swan asked me, with a friendly smile and a hand on my shoulder.

"Very well thank you, please sit, I brought my violin and thought I would play a little before dinner is ready." I said.

"Dr. Cullen, do your talents ever cease? I am continually impressed." Bella said with a soft laugh and a smile as she looked down at the table.

"Miss Swan, if my talents could in any way match your vivaciousness and courage, I would count my life complete." I pulled a small chair out for her to sit down on and put my hand on her arm as I slid it in. I felt an unexpected shock course through me and I quickly pulled my hand away, she held so much power over me merely by her presence. I caught her gaze and quickly turned away as I could feel my face burning red. I pulled up my chair and sat down.

"Dr. Cullen, I would greatly appreciate a performance on your violin, if you would be willing…" Mr. Swan said. I reached around behind my chair and pulled the violin out of its wooden case. I put it under my chin and began to pull the bow across the strings. My fingers seemed to know instinctively where to press and a soft low melody began to emerge. I felt it rise from deep inside of my soul. I could see Bella had closed her eyes and was as entranced in the song as I was. Mr. Swan was smiling and his hand was softly floating in the air to the rhythm of the tune. I noticed that Bella suddenly opened her eyes and looked across the room. I glanced over to see what she was looking at as I continued to play. I could see that savage looking crewman standing in a shadow and staring at us. I felt a burst of anger in my chest and frustration. He turned and quickly climbed the ladder. I stopped playing and turned to look at Bella, she looked at me, slightly confused or shocked. She jumped out of her seat.

"Pardon me, I suddenly feel seasick, I need some air now." She was already moving towards the ladder steps to the deck.

"Bella let me help you," I offered.

"No, no, please I just need a moment." I let her go. What else could I do. I returned to the table

"My, my, what was that about?" Mr. Swan asked.

"Seasickness can come on very suddenly." I replied.

"Edward, that was a beautiful song, what is it called?" Mr. Swan asked, I was rather distracted by Bella's sudden departure, but he seemed to be unfazed by it. I was trying to put together the puzzle of Bella Swan in my head but there always seemed to be a new piece that turned all of my assumptions upside down.

"I don't have a name for it yet. It has been floating around in my head since the first day of our voyage."

"Yes, well, do you think Bella is alright? We still need to discuss her possibility as a midwife. Perhaps I'll go check on her…" Mr. Swan said this a bit half-heartedly, he made no action to stand up or move.

"Please, allow me, you stay here and I'll find her." I was anxious to see why she had really left in such a hurry and how that crewman was involved. I set my violin back in its box and was about to get up.

"Dr. Cullen, perhaps we should give her another moment, often ladies need a moment of privacy and we should allow her that. You will find one day that they are mysterious creatures and often the best way to stay in their good graces is to allow them their privacy and to not pry to much into their personal moments." He sat back and seemed lost in thoughts that were deeper than I knew. I wasn't so sure how much I agreed with his observation, but Bella is his daughter and I would stay where I was. After a half-hour I couldn't take it anymore.

"Mr. Swan, perhaps I should go check on Bella now, if she is alright, we should still discuss if she is interested in helping Angela Weber with her pregnancy." I stood and quickly moved across the room and up the ladder. When I was on the deck I scanned all the way around for Bella and found her at the bow, with that savage crewman again. His hair was flying wildly around in the wind and he had his arms around her. She looked like she had been crying. I quickly strode over to them.

"Miss Swan, Miss Swan, ahh there you are. Your father requested that I seek after you to be sure that you were quite alright." I pulled one of her arms from him wrapped my other arm around her waist to guide her away from him. "Is everything alright here?" I didn't know what had happened, but I didn't like the look of it. I looked this crewman over and decided that I would have to have a talk with him, later, man to man.

"Thank you Mr. Cullen, I am perfectly fine, I just needed some fresh air suddenly and Mr. Newton has been kind enough to escort me on deck."

"Thank you crewman, I will take Miss Swan back to her father." I said. "He awaits her below decks. I believe he has a matter to discuss with her." I smiled reassuringly at Bella and turned back to the crewman. I did not like him one bit and I wanted him to know that I was aware of him and would be keeping an eye on him. As Bella and I approached the stairs something seemed different. I couldn't put my finger on it but her whole demeanor seemed to have changed. I decided right then that I did not agree with Mr. Swan's approach of ignoring private thoughts and moments. I wanted to know everything that Bella was thinking and I intended to find out one way or another.

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