Disclaimer: None of it is mine. Bummer... :o(

A/N: Thanks for thr reviews guys! They really motivate me. LOL I was able to get this out a little early for you. I will see if I can get the next update by Thursday night. I'm glad you guys are liking it so far.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Under the Willow

EPOV

It worked!

Well, either it worked or I'm having a psychotic break. As I open my eyes I see a room so unlike the one that I was just in. The biggest difference I notice is not the wallpaper or the 'new' antiques. The big difference is that this room is occupied by someone other than me. A female someone. I find myself scrambling to get out into the hall before the woman brushing her hair at the vanity in the adjoining room sees me. I do not need to explain who I am or where I am from to an irate husband…or father…or the police. I don't waste my time looking around. I just head towards the lobby as quick as I can.

Now I can breathe again. There are a several people milling about and, with a feeling of awe, I can't help but notice that everyone is in 'vintage' clothing like me and there are horse drawn buggies stopped in front of the hotel. I really have done it. Now all I have to do is find her.

I quickly check in. I don't want to be escorted off the property since I am not a guest. When the desk clerk hands me the key I can't help but beam at him. Room 416. I sign the registrar and shake my head at myself. This is really happening.

While scanning the lobby of the hotel, I can't help but turn when I hear Jasper's name being called. A young teen with shaggy blond hair and blue eyes appears and gathers luggage and leads new guests away to their room. I smile in passing at my old friend though I won't allow myself to become distracted now. I need to find her.

The first place to try is the most logical, her room. I knock at room 117 with my hat in my hand and butterflies in my stomach. A very short young woman with very short inky black hair answers the door. I ask after Miss Swan and she gives me a peculiar look. Where Isabella is traditional, this woman appears very fashion forward. These two must be quite the pair. She looks my suit up and down and seems to be stifling a giggle. Then she politely tells me that Miss Swan is not in her room and she doesn't know where she is at the moment. I thank her and do my best to excuse myself quickly. Her look is a little too knowing. It's unnerving.

Having searched inside, I leave through the rear doors and take the stairs that lead to the large manicured lawn behind the hotel. The sun is bright and so most of the people are on the shady tree lined path that runs along the beach of the lake. I don't get far when a petite woman leaning against a willow tree just off the path catches my attention. I didn't think that seeing her in the flesh would have this effect on me. My heart drops in to my stomach as I realize that it really is her. I need to remind myself to breathe. She appears lost in thought but, as I approach her, she turns to me. I am instantly lost in her large doe brown eyes when she smiles at me. To my shock, I almost run the last several feet to her. Relief must be shining through my smile as I stop short in front of her. She shyly smiles again before raising her hand to cup my jaw.

"Is it you?" She asks with hope in her eyes.

Before I can really think, I respond with a sigh and a smile, "Yes."

It's a strange moment for us both. I can feel the sudden tension crackle in the air between us. She quickly withdraws her hand and takes a step back looking away. I have to remind myself not to be too forward and familiar with her. She doesn't know me and men in the polite society of this time were much more formal.

Elizabeth Masen raised her son to be a gentleman and so I smile and tip my hat to introduce myself. I ask her to take a walk with me but I can see that it's too much. She tells me that she needs to return to the hotel. I offer to escort her back. My heart hammers in my chest when I offer her my arm and she reluctantly takes it. I feel like I am in a dream. I walk as slowly as I can without being too obvious and try my best to engage her in conversation. I have never tried so hard to charm a woman before –I can almost hear Emmett laughing at me.

I can't seem to stop staring at her. Her voice is so much softer than I had imagined. She carries herself with the same grace I recall of her older self. She isn't very tall. If we were to embrace my chin could easily rest on top of her head. Oh, how I want to take her into my arms.

As we walk, I tell her I write music for a living and this seems to excite her. It seems that, when her schedule allows, she loves attending concerts. I explain that I'm a fan but, when she asks what my favorite performance was, I sheepishly admit that I have yet to see one. So, I tell her that I've traveled from very far away just to see her. She blushes. To see that blush in full bloom and in color is almost my undoing. I have to restrain myself from caressing her cheek. She offers me a ticket to see tomorrow's performance and I can't hold back my crooked smile. It's getting late and all too soon her manager collects her so she can get dressed for dinner. It's so hard to hand her over to him. It seems that she has a hard time leaving, too.

A/N: Please take the time to review and let me know what you think. Thanks! :o)