How busy has my life been? Let's just say I've had my autographed copy of The King for almost 3 weeks and haven't cracked it open other to look at the pretty inscription. Oh, the inhumanity!
But I have written an extra-long chapter so that's worth something, right?
Chapter 9:
Bella sat on a wooden bench under the sprawling oak tree in the back yard of L's house on Meyer Lane. The sun was mostly hidden behind the clouds but every now and then bright rays broke through but never too close to reveal the true nature of her skin. It was a beautiful summer's day and everyone in Evermore slash Chicago seemed to hum with contentment.
With her billowy skirt and hair pulled back in a chignon, Bella felt very Anne of Green Gables as she leafed through a book that she really paid no attention to. It was quiet in the garden. Almost too quiet. Bella could hear rustling and shuffling three houses down without even trying to eavesdrop. She had to admit that she missed her cousin and L's noisy manner if for nothing more than it would have taken her mind off of missing Edward.
Subtlety, thy name is not Liriope.
A small smile crept over her face as she imagined L's shock at finding out she was expecting. The small smile was quickly overtaken by a huge grin as Bella remembered the rather graphic comments Emmett had made when he had found out. She was certain her cousin would have turned all the shades of red known to man if she had heard.
"Knock knock!" came a gentle voice from across the yard.
Bella straightened and turned toward the garden gate. There stood a regally dressed Elizabeth Masen, awaiting permission to enter the grounds.
"Please do come in," Bella said with a smile, rising and quickly moving to greet her guest.
She was struck by just how much Edward favored his mother—the same hair, the same eyes, the same cheekbones. He must have inherited his father's jawline, Bella briefly mused, for Elizabeth's was far gentler and more feminine.
"I realized you and I should have a brief talk before your courtship with my son begins," Elizabeth said as the two sat side-by-side on the bench.
"That sounds rather ominous," Bella said lightly.
Elizabeth laughed gently.
"That is certainly not my intention, Miss Swan."
"Bella, please."
Elizabeth beamed and again, Bella was reminded of her husband.
"My son believes he is back in 1918, Bella. The war is winding down, he is ensconced in his law practice, and a pretty young woman has finally captured his interest. That was your anniversary gift to him and a quite lovely gesture, indeed, since he remembers so little from before he … well, it doesn't need to be said."
Elizabeth studied Bella's face for a moment before continuing.
"And while the battle between his human and vampire side has been alleviated by Mrs. Lawrence's departure, this entire illusion has created another issue."
"Another issue?"
"You don't belong in 1918."
Bella's face must have registered the shock she felt because Elizabeth quickly began to explain herself.
"And there is nothing wrong with that. But at that time, most ladies did not have opinions other than what their father or their espoused gave them. Ladies did not come to a gentleman's home unescorted. A date, as you would call it, was usually at the ladies' home, properly chaperoned by her family. Or at a social gathering. Where hundreds of eyes could and would see every move you made and the wagging tongues would report every detail faster than Twitter ever could imagine. I don't believe Edward remembered when he reminisced about the good old days just how difficult it was to remain a proper gentleman at all times."
"And he would beat himself up if he failed."
Elizabeth nodded.
"And you would have been utterly miserable playing along. I am quite certain my son would have attempted to make decisions for you. All completely within the realm of what was good and proper in our time but not at all adequate for the world today."
The two women sat in peaceful silence for a few moments before Elizabeth continued.
"I have a proposition as to how we should proceed. I can lay it before you and let you decide what you would like to do."
"Sounds good."
"I shall teach you as much as I can about what society was truly like. Not what the text books report but what my own courtship entailed, and you use that knowledge to court my son."
"Would he behave the same as any man of his day?"
Elizabeth shrugged.
"I cannot tell the future. I also cannot tell how exactly Edward's vampire nature will manifest. Mrs. Lawrence's departure lessened the war between the false human side and the true vampire side but it did not alleviate it completely. And I do not know how much of who he is in your present will manifest itself."
"Much like when I thought I was in 1820's England."
"Exactly. Regardless, you are his beloved. He can no more be apart from you than I can come back to life permanently."
Bella realized Elizabeth paused ever so slightly at that idea. The wistfulness in the older woman's face tore at her heart and she reached for Elizabeth's hand, earning a genuine smile in return.
"Liriope's enchantment doesn't usually work on vampires. Her pregnancy changed things but for only one person."
"Edward."
Elizabeth nodded before continuing on.
"My visit will only continue for as long as Liriope is pregnant."
"Once she delivers?" Bella was not sure she really wanted to know just what would happen.
"Be at ease. I return to my afterlife and watch over my son from time to time."
"And there is no way around that?"
Elizabeth shook her head, a sad smile tugging at her lips.
"I can see why my Edward fell in love with you, Bella. Yes, his vampire side rushed the event along, but I have no doubt that he would have fallen for you no matter what, regardless of where or when you met."
Elizabeth's face lit up and again Bella saw features that reminded her of her beloved.
"You have to know, I mean no harm," Elizabeth insisted. "Any of the others can be your chaperone at all times to ensure nothing goes wrong. Dr. Cullen saved my son and I …"
Her eyes welled up with tears and she fussed with her reticule until she pulled out a fine linen handkerchief and blotted her eyes.
Bella gently patted the older woman on the hand and earned a squeeze back.
"I am ever so grateful for the life he has been allowed to have," Elizabeth continued once she regained control over her emotions. "And even more grateful to have to opportunity to cross back over and to meet you. No matter how short the time may be."
Bella grinned broadly.
"I only have one condition," she said quietly.
"And what would that be?"
"That I learn as much as I can about Edward's life before he was changed so I can share it with him when this is over."
Elizabeth's face fairly glowed with the thought.
"I would like that very much, Bella."
The two ladies then turned their attention to educating Bella on the intricacies of early twentieth century courting.
~BE~
Edward straightened his tie and attempted to tame his hair in the dressing table mirror in his bedroom. He looked for the handy tin of pomade that had been a part of his daily preparations for as long as he could remember and could not find it. With a huff of frustration, Edward slammed the palm of his hand down on the table, cringing at the crack of wood he heard. A quick inspection revealed a broken table leg.
"Esme's going to kill me," he muttered to himself, not realizing whose name he had said.
A quick glance at the clock told him he had rested away the entire afternoon and he felt anxious when he considered the time he had wasted. Time he could have spent asking the fair Isabella Swan to come over for supper.
Now he was even further behind schedule as he could not find the blasted pomade.
"Mother!" he called, quickly splashing on a little bay rum aftershave.
Receiving no answer, Edward trotted down the stairs, calling again.
"Missus went for a walk," Zafrina said from a high stool next to the silver chest in the kitchen. She looked up from her polishing before nodding and returning to the spoon in her hand.
"A walk? Mother hasn't gone for a walk since before Father passed," Edward murmured more to himself than to Zafrina.
"She said the air would do her some good, Mister Edward. I believe she headed toward the library."
Edward harrumphed in reply before grabbing his hat and bounding out the door. He had to find where Miss Swan might be so he could invite her to dinner. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt that was what he was supposed to do.
He had gone no further than a few blocks when he saw a familiar figure.
"There you are, my sweet boy," Elizabeth grinned as he caught up with her.
"Where have you been?" he demanded. "I rose from my rest and found you gone."
"I just went for a walk, Edward. And I was about to go over to the library."
Elizabeth motioned toward the building in question, just a few blocks away.
"The library? Why ever would you want to go there?"
Edward tried to remember the last time he saw his mother go to the library and found he could not.
"I go every week, Edward," she chided. "Do you not remember that?"
"I …" He paused and realized that he indeed did not remember. Those memories had long been burned away when he had been changed.
"You are still recovering from the influenza," Elizabeth said soothingly. "But I have been on the Ladies Auxiliary Board for many years. We are trying to raise funds for a new children's wing."
"Children's wing?"
"Oh, absolutely." She looked at him expectantly and out of habit, Edward offered his arm which she quickly took.
"As the soldiers return home from the war, more and more will get married and soon there will be a lot of children running around and what better place for a child than good, safe playgrounds and libraries. One to exercise the body and one to exercise the soul."
"Now you're sounding like that Dr. Kellogg that Father so loved reading about."
"Perhaps."
Elizabeth guided Edward toward the public library, enjoying the pleasant walk with her son.
"There's another reason to enjoy the public library," she said with a small smile.
"And what might that be?"
"Miss Swan works there."
Edward missed a step but quickly collected himself.
"Miss…"
"Swan. A lovely woman. We have been discussing plans to expand the library."
"But she … works?"
"Now don't you go on sounding like your employer. That stodgy old man. Some traditions are good, but some are just pure silliness. Times are changing all around us and holding to too many old ideas will…"
"Alice Paul would like her banner back, Mother," Edward said with a small smile, knowing his mother had several publications outlining the suffragette's beliefs on the shelves of her parlor.
"I have use for it right now," Elizabeth grumped back before relaxing a bit as the two of them approached the steps of the library.
Elizabeth waited for Edward to open the door before following him inside. She did not fail to notice how his head turned from side to side as he tried to find a certain brunette.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Masen," a young woman said with a smile as she approached them.
"Good afternoon, Angela. I am here for the meeting."
"Wonderful! It is upstairs in room three. Do you need me to show you the way?"
"No, I believe I know how to get there. But, would you happen to know if Miss Swan is here?"
"I think she is in the reference room assisting Mr. Tyler."
"Poor woman. Seems your arrival may save her, Edward," Elizabeth said with a smile before turning back toward Angela. "Could you show my son where that might be? He would like to speak with her."
Elizabeth ignored the fact her son's grip on her arm tightened ever so slightly and patted him on the arm reassuringly.
"It would be my pleasure. This way, Mr. Masen."
Angela took a few steps away before turning and making sure Edward followed her. With a small sigh, he straightened himself up and motioned for her to continue on.
Elizabeth smiled at headed upstairs to her meeting, saying a silent prayer that her son would remain the perfect gentleman.
~BE~
Bella slowly copied a few notes out of the massive reference book before her. She shook her head at the realization that it was not that long ago when librarian had to use such tomes on a daily basis. She silently threw up a thank you to all computer geeks for the Internet, search engines, and online databases, as she closed the volume and started to pick it up.
"Be sure to write the citation properly, girl," muttered a wizened old man seated next to her.
"Absolutely, Mr. Tyler," Bella replied sweetly, taking a half step away from him.
Ebenezer Tyler was fairly harmless but he did have a wandering eye and hand that tended to annoy most of the library staff as he asked his countless questions day after day. The only person his attentions did not seem to bother was Jessica Stanley who was easily fifty to sixty years his junior and at the moment, glaring at Bella from across the room.
The tale-tell scrape of chair legs on the floor told Bella he was moving closer to her yet again. She pointedly walked around the table to place the volume in hand on a book truck before picking up her writing.
"Here you are, Mr. Tyler," Bella said with a smile, handing a crisp notecard over with the answer to today's query.
With bleary eyes, he examined the information before glaring up at her and then returning his attention to the card.
"I will let you know when I need more information," he muttered before rising.
Using a ploy just slightly older than himself, Mr. Tyler wobbled on his feet and grabbed on to Bella's waist to steady himself. Bella was in no danger of falling over and deftly prevented his hands from groping her.
"Oh, my goodness!" came a shrill shriek from across the reference room.
Bella sighed and fought the urge to roll her eyes. She had known allowing Jessica to return to Evermore much less a job in the library had been a headache in the making but Alice had been in a forgiving mood and convinced the others to let Ms. Stanley return. With a fake smile plastered on her lips, she turned toward the bleached blond terror that bobbed towards them.
"Allow me to assist you, Mr. Tyler," came a sickly sweet voice as Jessica bounced her way toward them.
She laced her arm through his and pulled Mr. Tyler away from Bella, all the while glaring up at her.
"I saw you trip over Miss Swan's feet, Mr. Tyler. I don't know how you managed to keep yourself aright. She can be so clumsy. Why don't you come over this way and we will fix you right up!"
Bella watched in stunned silence as a happy Mr. Tyler was led away by the mewling Miss Jessica. She shook her head in disbelief before turning her attention back to the stacks of heavy reference books scattered on the table before her. With a quiet sigh, she started to pick one up.
"Let me," a gentle voice came from behind her as the book was whisked off the table.
Bella looked up to find Edward standing beside her with the reference work in hand.
"Thank you, but I could have," Bella started before being gently waved off.
"I was here, I can help," Edward replied before holding up the text to silently ask where it went. "Especially since I was not in time to assist with the gentleman."
Bella snorted before she could help herself and her hands flew to her face as she tried to hold back the sound. Edward's grin caused her to smile back in return, lessening her mortification.
"I wouldn't go so far as to call Mr. Tyler a gentleman," she finally said.
"Has he …"
"Oh, no. Nothing improper. Nothing I cannot handle myself."
"I have no doubt you cannot handle yourself, Miss Swan." Edward smiled broadly. "Now, where do these go?"
"They go on the back shelves, Mr. Masen. In the closed stacks."
"Edward, please. Lead the way."
"But…"
"Miss Swan, my mother would never let me hear the end of it if I did not assist you."
Edward flashed a winning smile and he could sense her giving in just a little. Perhaps asking her to supper would be easier than he had anticipated.
Knowing he was not going to acquiesce, Bella smiled to herself and pointedly took hold of the almost empty wood book truck next to her. She pushed it close to the table and began loading it with the rest of the set of books she had been working on. With a sheepish grin, Edward placed the book in his hands on the shelf of the book truck and helped her load it completely. He took hold of the book truck and looked at her expectantly.
"Lead the way, fair maiden," he smiled, earning a grin in return.
Bella felt almost silly smiling so much but something about the gentle attention Edward paid her was natural and kind, she felt she could not do anything but enjoy it.
"Mr. Masen is assisting me with returning these to the shelves, Angela," Bella called as she entered the reference office and headed for the locked door to the closed stacks.
"How wonderful," Angela said with a smile and a quick push on her glasses to return them to their rightful place.
As he pushed the truck along, Edward could almost read Angela's thoughts and felt the genuine happiness that flowed off of her and liked her immediately.
Bella stopped in front of the locked door and began to fumble in her pockets for the key.
"What are you doing?" came a too loud, too familiar screech from the other side of the reference office.
Bella and Edward turned toward the noise and saw a rather disheveled Jessica leaping up from the lap of a quite satisfied looking Mr. Tyler.
Bella stood staring at the two, mouth agape in disbelief.
"He's not allowed in the office!" Jessica squealed, attempting to straighten the bodice of her dress.
"Mr. Masen offered to help return some items to the shelves and since we are woefully understaffed, I thought it best to allow…" Bella began in a low, steady voice.
"Only trained employees are allowed in the back. You know that!" Jessica shrieked. "Just because you think you run the place…"
Bella was certain dogs in the surrounding areas were howling in pain and motioned for Jessica to calm down.
"I offered to assist Miss Swan," Edward interrupted calmly.
He stepped between Bella and Jessica and Bella almost laughed when she saw the look of shock pass over Jessica's face. The laugh was quickly swallowed when the look changed from shock to lust.
"Well, aren't you the helpful one," Jessica fairly purred, puffing out her chest just so.
Bella knew that if she were still human, the urge to vomit would be tickling the back of her throat right now.
Edward took a quick step back as Jessica tried to touch his arm, nearly stepping on Bella's foot.
"We will only be a moment," Bella said hurriedly, maneuvering the book truck between Jessica and Edward. "And I think Mr. Tyler might need your further assistance."
Jessica suddenly remembered the older man and glanced at him guiltily.
"Quickly," Bella whispered, pulling out a key, unlocking the door, and fairly shoving him inside before slamming the door shut.
Edward stared at the wood and frosted glass door. Although the sounds were now muted, he was quite certain everyone in the reference reading room knew of Jessica's displeasure at being locked out and Mr. Tyler's anger at being so quickly set aside.
"Quite something," he murmured.
"I suppose if her father had not donated a wing we would not have to deal with her," Bella murmured in apology.
"Can she get in?"
"No. This is the only key. Leadership has its privileges."
"I see."
Edward was unsure of how to broach the subject of inviting Miss Swan to supper after such a horrifying display so he motioned toward the book truck.
"And this goes?"
"Oh…yes. This way."
Bella pushed the book truck down a few rows of shelves, turning every now and again.
"You could truly get lost back here," Edward observed, following behind, not so far as to get lost but far enough that he could enjoy the enticing view of Miss Swan's posterior.
He gazed at the shelf upon shelf of town directories and then the fire department maps. The rows all looked the same to him.
"We have had that happen before," Bella said over her shoulder with a warm smile. "That is why I have the only key. Less chance of that."
"Not much light, either."
She pointed to the frosted glass floor tiles. Edward bent over and examined what she gestured toward.
"The tiles let the light filter down from the upper floors. The brighter it is outside, the more light down here. Since this is two floors down from the skylights, it is a bit muted. Fortunately, these books don't belong on one of the lower levels."
"I see. No electric lights?"
"Not yet. Perhaps soon. Though I'll let you in on a secret. If you look closely, you will see the wood frame for each tile has a compass orientation on it. All you have to do is remember the entrance is to the North and you can retrace your way out."
"Fascinating."
"Isn't it, though?"
Edward noticed the excitement in Bella's face and found it contagious. He grinned back at her.
"But why not clear glass?" he asked. "Wouldn't that allow for more light?"
Bella smirked at him.
"And if I were to be one floor above you with a clear glass floor between us?" she said with a smile.
Edward's eyes widened he looked up toward the glass ceiling and then down at Bella before returning to the ceiling. Although he could no longer blush, Bella could see the tell-tale signs of sheepish embarrassment cross his face.
With the hint of a wicked grin, she beckoned for Edward to lean down which he did.
"There is one section of the closed stacks that has clear glass," she whispered conspiratorially.
"Really?" he whispered back, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh, yes. Rumor has it the architect had a bit of a crush on the librarian at the time and the floor under her office was clear glass."
"Really?"
"Mmmm-hmmm. The story is he would come in a back entrance and watch Miss Adams. He would wait hours to get a glimpse of ankle or petticoats."
"Really?"
Bella smiled to herself at how Edward's voice cracked. She liked this sweet, shy persona 1918 Edward had. She also loved assertive, demanding 2010 Edward, but variety was truly the spice of life.
"It's now a broom closet," she continued.
Edward's eyes raked over her, lingering on her ankles.
"Pity," he murmured.
Perhaps 2010 Edward was not completely replaced by 1918 Edward, Bella mused.
He took a step toward her. And then another. Bella was certain he was well within the quote proper unquote personal bubble a single man and a single lady should have. And she was perfectly fine with that.
"But you're the perfect gentleman," Bella said with a teasing lilt to her voice. "Helping me with returning these books to their proper place. Ensuring Mr. Tyler keeps his distance. Placing yourself in harm's way with Jessica."
"I'm afraid I have an ulterior motive, Miss Swan," Edward said in a low voice.
"Do you?"
Now was his chance.
"Oh, yes. I would very much like for you to join me for dinner tonight."
Bella's face lit up.
"I would like that very much."
Her face then fell.
"But my cousin and her husband are out of town. It would not be right for me to accept your invitation without a chaperone."
Edward thought for a moment.
"Do you have any other family in town who might be able to escort you?"
From the corner of her eye, Bella saw Emmett step around a set of shelves and point to himself. Her eyes widened as he began act out a very melodramatic game of Charades to tell her Alice had sent him and he was to be her escort.
"You better not be joking, Em," Bella hissed under her breath before he disappeared down the aisle he had entered.
"Pardon?" Edward asked, a look of confusion marring his face. "Did you say something?"
"Just thinking aloud," she explained. "I think I might have just the person who can be my chaperone."
"Wonderful!"
Edward's face fairly beamed with joy.
"Then I will see you at seven?" he asked.
"Seven," she smiled in return.
"I can hardly wait."
"Me either."
~BE~
After a week of Spring Break (that included family visiting & then we popped off to Birmingham for a weekend trip), a week 'off' and then a week of standardized testing and then Easter-related events, I think my life has stabilized *crosses fingers*
Let me know what you think because reviews are my own heroin, and I hope to see you next week!
3 DeJean