Disclaimer: I don't own them...
Thanks to the lovely SunflowerFran3759 for pre-reading/editing this for me.
Isabella
Emmett and I were making our way to the Masen Estate, which was five hours away from Charleston.
The drive was quiet and peaceful. I felt like I could breathe, like I wasn't in a rush to get to the next place, do the next thing, make the next appointment.
Emmett and I had gone over the entire property last night. We had no idea what kind of shape the estate was in, so we made sure we knew the entire history. Previous permits, past contractors, storm damage that may have occurred over the years. Yes, it was a lot to remember, but would be so worth it if we get this bid.
When we arrived at the address, we found an entrance gate surrounded with overgrown ivy and weeds that were taking over the iron and concrete. Emmett and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"Add landscaping," I said, quietly.
Emmett pushed the speaker button, but instead of a voice, the gate opened automatically.
We drove up the rocky driveway and took in the estate, there was a lake off to the left, and overgrown vegetation to the right.
As we got closer to the home, I gave it all of my attention. It was...massive; larger than life. I've toured plantation homes before, but this is beyond words.
Before us were white columns, with a grand staircase leading to a wraparound porch, complete with fairly new looking rocking chairs on either side of the massive front door. Emmett stopped the car at the end of the roundabout. And we each took a deep breath.
"Here we go," Emmett said under his breath.
Emmett walked around the front of the car and opened my door, helping me out.
As we walked up the steps, the front door opened and an older woman dressed in black slacks, a white blouse and pink cardigan greeted us.
"Ms. Swan-Whitlock, Mr. McCarty?"
I smiled and nodded. "Hello," I held out my hand for hers. "Please, call me Isabella."
"Isabella, lovely name," and she turned to Emmett.
"Ma'am, pleased to meet you. My name is Emmett."
"Thank you so much for coming. Mr. Masen apologizes for not meeting you himself, he was held up on an important call. I'll just lead you into the parlor. Would you like a refreshment, some lemonade, coffee?"
"No, thank you," Emmett and I answered at the same time.
"This is gorgeous," I said under my breath, as we made our way to the parlor.
"Oh, I'm afraid it is in a bit of disrepair. But I agree with you, it's a lovely home."
"Please make yourselves comfortable, Mr. Masen should be in momentarily."
"Thank you," I looked to her, and smiled brightly.
"Emmett..." I trailed off, taking in the atmosphere of the room.
He was walking around the room, also; looking at the floors, ceilings and moldings.
I walked over to the bay window, the view was breathtaking. The grounds were not well kept, but I could imagine lush lawns, gorgeous spots of color from blooming flowers and trees. I touched the window seat and the images assaulted me immediately.
A beautiful woman with auburn hair and green eyes, laughing with a small child in her arms. A toddler with her hands resting on the glass and her little legs dipped as if she were bouncing.A golden retriever was running in circles outside, chasing birds.
Image after image, flashing in my mind...this was a happy home.
Footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor, and I opened my eyes, turning toward the entry way.
"I do apologize for making you wait."
The man that walked toward me was a very handsome, older gentleman; very handsome. He was probably around six foot two inches, greying hair and beard, and beautiful, blue eyes that were twinkling.
"Edward Masen, pleased to make your acquaintance," he said, in a slight southern drawl, reaching out to take my hand and kissing the back of it softly.
Why am I breathless?
His hold lingered, and a flash of images hit me at once.
The woman with auburn hair in a wedding dress, laughing, leaning in for a kiss, standing in the window with a baby, sunning on a boat deck...
On and on they went. The woman and baby were in every image, and each one was tinged with Love.
I was breathless.
I squeezed his hand, and swayed slightly.
"Are you alright, my dear?" He asked, wrapping an arm around me and sitting me in a chair.
"Charlotte, darlin', a glass of water, please?"
"Of course," she replied, and her heels echoed in the hallway.
I reached a hand to my forehead, I felt warm. And the images were still flashing in front of me, non-stop. It almost seemed like Mr. Masen was pushing them at me. But that's crazy, right?
Mr. Masen pulled his hand away and handed me the glass of water. And just like that the images were gone. I widened my eyes, but composed myself quickly. "I'm so embarrassed, I don't know what happened. Thank you," I said, taking a drink of the water.
Emmett was standing next to me with a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and smiled at him, squeezing his hand. "I'm okay."
"I'm sorry, Edward Masen," the gentleman said, reaching out to shake Emmett's hand.
"Emmett McCarty, sir. It's nice to meet you. Your home is amazing," Emmett smiled and looked around the room again.
"Thank you," Mr. Masen smiled, and looked over at the bay window. "I'm afraid my Elizabeth would be furious with me if she could see it now. I've neglected it a bit, and I think the house is angry with me. It seems we fix one thing, and another falls apart."
Emmett smiled, and glanced at me before asking Mr. Masen questions about the design of the home and what types of things had been happening lately.
Mr. Masen spoke about his home reverently; it was obvious he loved this place. I am guessing the reason it's a bit rough for him, has to do with the auburn-haired woman I saw in all of the images.
Mr. Masen took my arm and led us through his home, giving us the history of when it was built, types of wood used, repairs that had been made over the years, and on and on. I could see glimpses of the place as he spoke. Shiny new wood, fresh paint on the banister, beautiful furniture...
When we reached the upstairs bedrooms, he moved slower, and his voice was a little softer. He opened each room and let us walk through, telling us about the furniture and design. When we got to the last two bedrooms, he paused. The door on the right was open, and I peeked inside, glancing at Mr. Masen before entering. He nodded and smiled, and I stepped inside.
It looked like a scene from 1980. A teenager had obviously lived in this room, and it looked like it hadn't been touched in years. It wasn't dusty or dirty, but pictures, makeup, clothing, records, cassettes and even 8-tracks littered the dresser and desk space. Clothes were still strewn over chairs. The fluorescent socks, and rubber bracelets made me smile.
"Elizabeth refused to change this room when our daughter, Esme, went away to college. She would come home on breaks, change things a bit, add things here and there, and go back to school. And then she met Carlisle, toward the end of her schooling. He had a modest apartment close to the law firm he worked at and she stopped coming home as often. It was quite difficult for Elizabeth to let go of her baby.
"Of course, we still saw Esme all of the time. It just wasn't enough to satisfy Elizabeth," he chuckled. "When Carlisle proposed, it was the second coming. The wedding was held here at the Estate, and it was a glorious affair. My daughter was the most beautiful bride, second only to her mother," he smiled brightly and looked out the window.
I hadn't touched anything as we looked around. But I reached out and touched the hairbrush sitting on the dresser.
A lovely girl with auburn hair and green eyes smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
Crying in her mother's arms.
Hugging her father.
Laughing, mid-twirl under a tree.
Her face covered in a white veil.
A man with blond hair and striking blue eyes waiting at the end of a white carpet.
Smiling as her hands held her round belly.
The couple with a newborn, wrapped in a blue blanket.
Mr. Masen whispering in her ear as she laughed.
Dancing with her mother.
I dropped the brush. Wow. There is so much love in this house.
"I'm sorry, dear. What did you say?"
I felt my face heat, I didn't think I'd spoken out loud. "It seems like this was a happy home. Love emanates from it."
He smiled at me, and tilted his head. "Yes, our family has always been happy here. But when Elizabeth left me, it was too difficult to relive our life here every day. I have been living in the guest house on Esme and Carlisle's property. It has helped me immensely, but Elizabeth is quite tired of my moping."
I frowned at his words, could it be...
"Mr. Masen, would you mind if I walked the grounds?" Emmett interrupted. "I'd like to take a look at the landscaping."
"Of course, of course, please." He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and handed them to Emmett. "There is a golf cart on the back porch. It was a gift from Carlisle. Please take your time, there is a gravel path that should lead you wherever you want to go."
Emmett grinned, "I do love golf carts. I won't be long."
I chuckled, and took another look around the room. "Lovely."
"Ms. Swan-Wh-" Mr. Masen gestured toward the door.
I cut him off, "Please call me Isabella or Bella."
"Isabella," he smiled, and we made our way downstairs and into the kitchen.
"This is just amazing, Mr. Masen. This house is a dream."
He made a humming noise and I turned to look at him. His eyes were on me and they sparkled with knowledge.
"Isabelle, what did you see in my daughter's room?"
I swallowed, "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean?" Did he call me Isabelle?
He laughed. "Oh my dear, I think you do."
I didn't know what to say. I can't tell him, can I? No, definitely not. I'm not telling him.
"My Elizabeth told me a young girl with a special gift would come to our home. She would have brown hair and brown eyes, and her name would be Isabelle.
"She specifically told me that this girl would be the only one who could help my family."
a/n: Happy weekend! I hope you guys like this. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think.
Thanks so much to all of you for the reviews last chapter, I appreciate them. See you next week :).