Thank you for the great welcome back! I've missed y'all and these characters so much!
Standard disclaimer: I own the storyline, Will and Liriope…she owns the other characters.
Chapter 3
Within 4545 North Paulina Street, Edward Masen accepted a cup of tea from his mother with a soft smile. He answered her questions as to how work had gone and gave her a silent shake of the head when she inquired, as she always did, if he had met any nice young ladies while running errands for her.
"I don't have time for such things, Mother," he replied, setting the cup to the side with a soft clink. "Father arranged for my employment at the law firm, and I fully intend to show them what I can do. I do not wish for anyone to think I am a lay about that only is there because of who his father knows."
Elizabeth smiled indulgently, pride at her son radiating from her face. So many of today's youth were just as her son feared. They maintained a position by who they knew not by what they could do.
"That is true and I commend you for that sentiment, but don't entirely eliminate all of your chances to find your special someone. You never know when it might happen. Why the perfect young lady may very well just knock on the door at any time. You're the same age your father was when we met."
"Yes, Mother, I know. I have heard the story time and time again and sometimes you repeat the exact story and sometimes you embellish just a touch." Edward smiled over his teacup at his mother who returned the same crooked grin.
"I have never!" she huffed with a stifled smile.
"Oh, really? The time Father took you out on the lake in a boat that sprung a leak and he had to swim to shore, dragging the boat behind him?"
"That happened!"
"Even though the lake was three feet deep at the time and all he had to do was stand and walk?"
Elizabeth sighed, remembering the day and just how waterlogged Edward, Sr., was all to save her from getting her Sunday best ruined by slogging through the water.
"Someday you will understand and find your someone that will make you wish to do chivalrous deeds and not spend all day in and out locked in a dusty, dark office or courtroom. And I would like to have grandchildren before I'm in the grave." Elizabeth Masen primly dropped a single sugar cube into her tea and methodically stirred it.
"Yes, Mother." Edward declined the plate of cookies his mother offered him. Even though they were his favorite ones, he felt a bit queasy at the idea of eating them and decided abstaining was a better option.
She watched her only child over the rim of her teacup, taking a small sip, her emerald green eyes twinkling with mischief. Edward caught the glimmer and tilted his head in question.
"What have you done, Mother?"
"What makes you think I have done anything, Edward?" She smiled and batted her eyelashes before taking another sip of her tea.
"Mother…" he said in a warning tone.
"Edward…" she replied, a perfect mimic of his tone, earning a frustrated glare that she brushed off with practiced aplomb. "I may or may not have said you would perform at a little gathering. That is all."
"Mother." Edward sighed and ran one hand through his hair, causing it to stand up at odd angles. "Playing was a childhood dream. I am no longer a child. I've put it away. Besides, when am I going to have time to practice much less attend a social function? I have duties at work and with all the talk of war, who has…"
"Enough with the excuses, my son," Elizabeth said quietly but firmly.
Edward sat back in his seat, properly chastised and silent.
"You will have to figure that out with Mrs. Whitlock and Miss Swan," she continued. "Mrs. Lawrence and I were talking at the mercantile about the upcoming summer festival and there is a group trying to raise money for the soldiers. I thought you of all people might want to help with the war effort any way that you can."
Edward must have had a blank look on his face so his mother continued.
"Mrs. Lawrence. Strange little woman that runs McCarty's Mercantile. Has the most delightful little shop, but you cannot be in a hurry if you go into her store. She knows everything that goes on in town. She is Miss Swan's cousin and Miss Swan is good friends with Mrs. Whitlock and Mrs. Whitlock's husband is in the army."
"Yes, yes." He waved off the details his mother found important. He most certainly did not care who was coming to visit much less who they were related to.
"She and Mrs. Jasper Whitlock will be arriving any moment now to discuss the particulars of a fundraising event they are putting together."
As if on cue, the front door bell rang and Zafrina silently crossed by the doorway on her way to answer the call. She appeared in the parlor with a small silver tray in hand. She placed the tray before Elizabeth and took a step back. Elizabeth took the two delicate printed cards and read the names.
"It appears they are here. Zafrina, please bring them in."
"Yes, ma'am." Zafrina curtseyed before doing as asked.
"Sit up, Edward, and for heaven's sake, quit tugging at your hair. It looks like a lion's mane." She stood and tried to flatten her son's hair but to no avail. She sighed in frustration and returned to her place. "And be polite."
Edward huffed in frustration and slumped in his chair.
"Oh, quit pouting," Elizabeth chided, straightening her skirts more out of habit than anything. "You look like a seventeen-year-old."
"Perhaps if you didn't treat me like one, I would…" Edward began before Zafrina returned with Alice and Bella closely behind. He rose to his feet more out of habit than anything.
Edward's eyes widened as he saw the petite brunette in a dark blue hobble skirt carefully enter the room behind a shorter, more graceful woman.
Mine.
Edward took a step forward before shaking his head, trying to regain control of himself. It was as though a magnet pulled him toward this woman—a woman he was certain he had never before met. He would have remembered this vision before him.
Mine.
A sudden, strong urge welled deep inside him to grab her and pull her close and never let her go. Edward hurriedly took a few steps back, tripping over his own feet and tumbled onto the sofa, earning an exasperated look from his mother and a shy smile from Bella.
Mine. Take her.
He bounced to his feet, straightened his clothes and murmured an apology to the others. Again, he felt the pull toward the young woman as she greeted his mother and other pleasantries were exchanged.
Mine. Take her.
Edward tried his best to figure out what was going on. He had never seen anyone that had this kind of effect on him and he tried his best to rationalize and explain to himself just what was going on. His mind was completely and totally blank as to an explanation, and he found it quite disturbing. It must be all the late nights at work, creating some sort of psychosis. Perhaps his mother was right in telling him he had spent too many days locked inside a tiny office.
Edward shook his head as if to erase the voice that had just echoed in his mind. He had never met either of these women, of that he was certain, and now a voice in his head was laying claim to one. He wanted to be closer to her. He needed to be closer to her.
He briefly wondered what Adler and Freud would have to say about this voice and the desire to spirit Miss Swan away and do wicked, wicked things to her.
Bella hesitantly followed Alice's lead, unsure of what to expect. She had read over L's script, made changes and approvals over the last few months but nowhere had there been an actual person playing Elizabeth. Logically, that was the only explanation. L had changed things and gotten a doppelganger to make the illusion more real. It would be just like her to make a change and forget to tell anyone.
All of Bella's attention was focused on the petite, regal woman with gorgeous emerald eyes and auburn hair pulled gracefully back and secured with a few modest combs that sat before her. With her attention otherwise occupied, she did not realize Edward was staring at her as Elizabeth and Alice made their greetings. Alice took the offered chair next to Elizabeth and declined a cup of tea before the two dove into the subject of a fete that would require some entertainment that Edward would provide. To an outside observer, it merely appeared that Bella was acquiescing to the social order of the time and stood back, listening and not bringing attention to herself.
Edward watched as the shy young woman stood while Alice and Elizabeth prattled on about war bonds and lemonade. The voice was gone and he felt himself relax as he took in Bella's petite frame, long, dark hair swept up under a few simple combs and eyes of the most unusual caramel color with just a hint of dark brown around the pupil. She was possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and would never forgive himself is he did not speak to her. Edward straightened his coat and vest before quietly approaching Bella.
"Would you care to take a seat?"
Bella jumped, started by the quiet voice so close to her ear.
Edward caught Bella by the elbow and steadied her, quickly releasing his hold as soon as he realized what he had done. Had that been an electric shock that rocketed up his arm at the mere touch of this enchanting creature? His eyes widened slightly as he took in this beautiful young woman before him.
"So sorry to startle you," he sincerely apologized, straightening to his full height. "I just thought you might be more comfortable sitting. Once Mother begins to plan a soiree, it is quite difficult to get away."
Bella looked up at her husband and realized he did not show any signs of recognizing her. She tilted her head in thought and realized he was waiting on a response.
"That would be lovely, thank you …" her voice trailed off, wanting to have him introduce himself.
"Edward … Masen." He bowed slightly.
Bella noticed he paused and smiled kindly. She continued to search his eyes for any sign that he knew who she was and found none whatsoever.
"Isabella Swan," she replied, extending her hand. "But my friends call me Bella."
Bella watched him expectantly, waiting for him to say or do something that would indicate that he was merely playing along with the scene but she saw no such evidence.
Edward took it and placed a soft kiss on the back of her knuckles. Both noticed he held her hand just a few seconds longer than proper society required but neither seemed to mind.
"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Swan."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Masen."
Edward motioned toward a fine armchair across the parlor and guided Bella toward it, taking a seat on the divan next to her once she was settled. Internally, he kicked himself. He should have offered for the two of them to sit together or at the very least, to have Miss Swan sit on the more comfortable divan. The two sat in silence, watching Elizabeth and Alice chat rapidly about bunting and swaths and cupolas and the like, all of which went right over Bella's head.
"Do you have any idea what they are planning?" Bella finally whispered, leaning over toward Edward.
"Not in the slightest. Parties are not my specialty."
"And just what is your specialty?"
"I've just started practicing law at …"
"You must be very intelligent," Bella interrupted. Had she been human, she would have blushed at her rudeness. She never had been very skilled in the art of conversation.
Edward paid no attention to the disturbance and smiled kindly. She returned the smile and waited for him to speak.
Mine.
Edward froze, his face tightening ever so slightly. Bella noticed the immediate change in his demeanor and looked at him questioningly.
He refused to make eye contact with Bella. This time the voice was even more demanding. In his mind's eye, he saw himself grabbing her, forcing her up against a wall and laying claim to her right then and there, witnesses be damned. Horrified and aroused at the same time, Edward turned away from her and clenched his eyes tight in an effort to remove the temptation before him.
"Is everything… is something the matter, Mr. Masen?" she asked quietly, unsure of what to do.
"Headache," he muttered, not sure why he lied but it was the first thing that came into his mind.
"Too much reading can do that."
His eyes flashed toward hers and Bella instinctively pulled back at the sight of his pure black gaze. She remembered that look and prepared herself to defend Elizabeth if the need arose.
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.
Bella watched the pained look on Edward's face and wished she knew what was going on in his mind and how she could ease him but nothing came to mind. She hesitantly reached over to place her hand on his arm but stopped, realizing propriety of the early 1900s would not allow her, an almost stranger, to comfort him. Bella decided propriety be damned and laid her small hand atop his.
Edward glared down at the touch for a brief moment and began to noticeably relax the longer her hand remained in contact with his own. His breathing calmed as he closed his eyes. One more deep breath and his face completely relaxed.
Edward opened his eyes, blinked a few times and for the first time since Bella had walked into his mother's home, he felt completely in control of himself.
"Oh, my word!" Alice suddenly exclaimed, causing Edward and Bella to both look up, pulling their hands away from each other but not so quickly that Alice didn't notice.
"Look at the time!" she continued, a worrisome glint in her eyes. "We are supposed to meet your cousin and her husband for supper."
Alice's lips moved rapidly and quietly, assuring Bella that she had seen something and would explain later the sudden change in plans.
Edward glanced up at the mantle to the carriage clock there and saw it was already half past six.
"I am so sorry to have kept you so late," Elizabeth gently said, standing and walking over to a finely carved secretary in the corner. She lowered the writing drawer and opened a small door, withdrawing a single key.
Bella noticed Edward's eyes light up as he saw the key and cast a querying glance over at Alice. Alice responded with a 'just you wait' smile and nodded toward Elizabeth.
"My son will be happy to take you home."
Edward fairly bolted toward his mother and tried to take the key from her but she pulled it out of his reach at the last moment, earning a huge grin from Alice. Bella fought a smile and shook her head at her friend.
"You know the rules, Edward Anthony," Elizabeth said quietly as she gently handed the key over. "No wild driving. You will have ladies present."
"Yes, Mother," Edward responded honestly.
"And come right back after you are done."
"Yes, Mother." His smile faded just a bit at that order.
"And no taking the scenic route. Your father had to pay eight cents a gallon this week to fill the tank up after your little runs with your friends. How anyone can run through ten gallons so quickly is beyond me."
"Yes, Mother."
Elizabeth studied her son for a moment before smiling, holding out the key and leaning in for a kiss which Edward dutifully placed on her cheek before fairly bounding out the door.
"Boys and their toys," Elizabeth sighed, watching her only child leave without so much as a fare thee well. "He'll bring the car around once he unlocks the garage and brings me back the key."
"Brings back?" Bella blurted, catching herself.
"It will only take a moment," Elizabeth continued. "Sometimes the crank is a little persnickety and it takes Edward a few tries but he'll get it started."
The ah-oooga of a horn broke the silence and all three women peered out the front window to see a beaming Edward, tam on his head, goggles over his eyes and a dashing scarf around his throat behind the wheel of a shining Model-T town car. He came to a stop, pulled the brake, jumped out of the driver's seat and ran up the front steps to hand the garage key to his mother who had walked to the porch.
"Try to keep him below thirty," Elizabeth murmured before turning and disappearing down the hall.
"Thirty?" Bella asked as Alice lead her toward the door.
"Max speed for the standard 1918 Model T was around 40 miles per hour," Alice replied, shutting the front door behind her.
"And you know this how?"
"Live around Rose for fifty years. You'll learn a lot of things about cars that you never wanted to know."
"Kind of like living around you and learning about fashion?"
"Touché."
"I would be most honored to have you sit beside me, Miss Swan," Edward said quietly, offering his arm.
"Only if you call me Bella," she smiled, taking his arm and allowing herself to be lead to the car.
"Guess I get the back," Alice muttered teasingly, following the couple. "No funny stuff, or I'll report you."
Bella was almost certain she saw her husband blush and cast a questioning look at Alice who only shrugged her shoulders.
Once everyone was settled, Edward adjusted his goggles, grinned over at Bella at his side and disengaged the brake and headed off toward Meyer Lane.
~BE~
I hope all of my southern readers are safe and sound—I was one of the millions affected by the latest winter storm with it taking DH 4 hours to travel what normally takes 25 minutes, DD2 being stuck on a bus for 4 hours and DD2 stuck at her school because someone ran over a fire hydrant at the head of the only road to and from the school.
Fortunately, by 7 pm last night the three pieces of my heart (and one bonus child—DD1's bestie) were safe at home. We were lucky. I have friends that STILL are not home but are safe and warm.
As always, I treasure your thoughts. I hope to do review replies with this story but if you want one, please log in and if you ask a question, I will answer it. =)