1918- Seventeen Years Old
Edward had been courting me for just under a year and Jasper hadn't returned home yet. They said the war would be over by the end of the year and that everyone would return home safely. I wasn't so sure and as the days went on my nightmares got worse. Thankfully, Edward wasn't in any of them but one; however Jasper stared in the rest.
My mother, and Elizabeth rushed around the house, making sure Margaret, our maid had all the food prepared and the dining room was perfect as they were holding a party for my father. He had been promoted to deputy chairman in his company. Most his work friends were coming, as well as my mother's friends and Elizabeth's friends.
Edward had yet to come round and I had asked Elizabeth where he was. She told me he had some important business to take care of before the party tonight. I grabbed a book and curled up in front of the warm fire as snow started to fall outside. Another white Christmas was coming.
"Bella, it's time for you to get changed. The party starts in twenty minutes. I have laid out a dress for you to wear. Please wear it without complaining. Tonight is important for your father and you need to look your best. Margaret will help you with your hair."
"Yes mother."
"You can choose a necklace if you wish."
"Thank you mother."
Necklaces were the only thing I took an interest in when getting dressed. I had many on my dresser in my bedroom, most were gifts from Edward throughout the years. My mother knew this and despite her wish for me to be more like the other young woman of Chicago, she was pleased I did as I was told.
Once dressed, I called for Margaret and sat behind my dresser which had a large mirror. My mother had found Margaret when I was nine and she was twelve. Her parents had disowned her and my mother offered her a room and food if she became our maid. She wasn't made to do anything difficult, it was mainly cooking and cleaning. Margaret didn't mind as she got a place to stay out of it. We became good friends and when she would escort Edward and me out within the last year, she'd often let us go off on our own as long as she was close by, but wouldn't be in sight. She was like an older sister to me.
"Good evening Miss Bella. What hair style would you like tonight?"
"A braid would be good tonight. Unless my mother requests otherwise."
"She is letting you choose tonight but gave me restrictions as to options. A braid is perfect."
"Thank you Margaret. Will you be joining us tonight?"
"I will actually. It is a special night and your mother feels I should be there."
"What will you wear?"
"Your mother has purchased a dress for me. It is a more basic dress but it is better than my usual dresses."
"My mother has been very generous tonight. I wonder if it is just my father's promotion we are celebrating."
"That is all I have catered for Miss Bella. I don't see what else could be happening. Have you chosen a necklace for this evening Miss Bella?"
"Yes. Here it is."
I handed her a silver, diamond encrusted necklace Edward had given me a few weeks ago. It was his mothers, but she passed it onto him to give to me. It was beautiful. She tied it round my neck, and placed my braid over my shoulder.
"There you go Miss Bella. Stunning. Is that all?"
"Yes thank you Margaret. You should get ready. When you are dressed I wish for you to come in here. Don't do anything with your hair just yet."
"Of course Miss Bella. I will be quick."
"There is no rush Margaret."
"On the contrary, the party begins in a few minutes and you cannot be late."
"I do not care if I am a few minutes late. I doubt my mother would notice if I am not there on time. She will be busy with the guests."
"I'm sure she will notice Miss Bella. I will go and get dressed. Give me a moment."
She ran out of the room, closing the door behind her. I folded my arms on the dresser and leaned my head on my arms. I wish Jasper was here. Just like me, he never enjoyed these parties but put up with them to please mother. He'd stand with me in the corner of the room talking about who was at the party and whatever else. Edward would join us and we'd continue talking until our mother's dismissed us to bed and we'd all collapse onto my bed. It would be difficult tonight. I had Edward, but people would be watching our every move so as to make sure we were behaving correctly. That was the only thing I hated about officially courting Edward. I loved that we were seen as each other's and no one else could approach us. I was reserved for Edward until he either proposed or found someone else he'd rather be with. Courting Edward meant that we weren't allowed as much time together and when we were at my house Margaret had to be in the same room as us at all times and when we were in Edward's house we had to stay in one of three rooms: the kitchen, the living room or the dining room.
"Miss Bella, are you alright?"
"Yes. Sorry Margaret. I was just thinking."
I turned to see her standing in the door way, with her hair in a loose bun and a beautifully basic dress.
"You look beautiful Margaret."
"I don't know about beautiful Miss Bella. If anyone here is beautiful it is you."
"Nonsense Margaret. That dress may be basic, but it is perfect on you."
"Thank you Miss Bella. What is it you wanted me for?"
"Oh yes."
I stood up from the chair and took her hands in mine, pulling her to the chair.
"I am going to do your hair."
"You don't have to do that Miss Bella. I can do it myself."
"You did my hair so now I'm going to do yours."
"It's okay Miss Bella. It's my job to look after you not the other way round."
"Listen Margaret. You've been here for around eight years, and haven't had anyone looking after you. Yes, my mother gave you a place to stay and food when you needed it, but you had to work for those things. I haven't worked a day in my life and have been handed everything to me on a silver platter. I want to do something for you."
"Thank you Miss Bella."
She sat in the seat as I started her hair. I took it out of her loose bun and brushed it out. After pinning it up into a neat, well placed bun I grabbed a necklace and tied it round her neck.
"Keep it."
I placed my hands on her shoulders as she placed one over the necklace.
"I cannot accept this Miss Bella. It's too much."
"I said keep it Margaret. I have plenty of others."
"No Miss Bella. I can't."
"Margaret, I never demand you do anything for me, you do it willingly, but for once, I demand you keep it. It's yours now."
"Thank you Miss Bella. I can never repay you."
"You staying here for the last nine years is payment enough Margaret. Now come on. We're late."
"You go first Miss Bella. You should not be seen with me on such an important night."
"You will come with me Margaret. I do not care what people think of me. If they cannot see that I appreciate my maid, like the person she is, then that is their problem."
"Thank you Miss Bella."
I linked arms with hers before going to the top of the stairs.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
As we descended the stairs everyone stopped and turned to us. My mother moved to the bottom of the stairs with my father.
"Good evening mother, father. I apologise for being late. I was helping Margaret prepare for this evening. It will not happen again."
"I would hope it won't happen again. You look very beautiful tonight Bella. You look most stunning as well Margaret."
"Thank you Miss Renee. My beauty will never match yours or Miss Bella's though. No one is as beautiful as your daughter Miss Renee."
"She is, isn't she?"
"Father, I want to congratulate you on your success."
"Thank you darling. I believe Edward is waiting for you."
"I will talk to you later father, mother. Thank you Margaret."
I left them and went over to Edward. He took my hand in his, kissing the back of it.
"Good evening Bella. You look as beautiful as always."
"Thank you Edward. You are very handsome tonight. Not that you never look handsome, for you will always be the most handsome man I'll ever lay eyes upon."
"A compliment from you Bella, means the world. Thank you. Would you care for a drink?"
"I am fine thank you Edward."
"My mother and father wish to speak to you."
"Okay. Lead the way."
Edward looped his arm with mine and I noticed most people in the room were watching us.
"Good evening Elizabeth, Edward. How are you?"
"We are good, very good thank you Bella. I trust you are well?"
"I am thank you Elizabeth. You look most wonderful tonight."
"My dear, no one can ever match your beauty. You are truly something else."
"You speak to highly of me Elizabeth. There are many who are more beautiful than I."
"Will you accompany me on a walk Bella?"
"Of course Edward."
"I will see you in a minute Elizabeth."
"Take care my Bella. I will be waiting for you."
My Edward raised my hand and kissed it again, before I linked arms with his father, who led me into the kitchen.
"Bella, I see you do not see yourself properly. I have seen many young women, wish they had your beauty and grace."
"You must be mistaken Edward. I have no grace."
"That's the thing though Bella, you may be lacking in grace, but it gives my son all the more reason to be there for you. He needs to be there not only to protect you from others but yourself as well. Most young woman can protect themselves enough to not need a man around them the whole time. They wish for your beauty and lack of grace to have all the handsome men around them. You do not look for that. You may not remember but on the day you were born you were placed in a cot alongside Edward and the moment you first touched you made a connection. I was standing in the door way of the nursery when this happened. No one's made the link but you and Edward weren't only born on the same day, but at the same time. 9:13 in the morning. When I discovered this I was quite shocked. Your birthday is written as 9/13 at 9:13. It was the best day of my life. Not only was my son born but the woman whom he loves was born. You and Edward are meant for each other."
"Thank you Edward. I'm glad you told me that. If I have any say in it, I wouldn't leave Edward for the world but that isn't my choice. If Edward wishes to leave me then I will let him go. I only want him to be happy."
"That's very generous of you Bella. He will never leave you."
He looked at the clock and turned back to me.
"Perhaps we'd better go back. People may wonder where we have got to."
"Of course Edward. I have already been late. Mother would be furious if I missed too much more of the party."
"I'm sure she will be more understanding than you think. Now come on."
He linked his arm with mine and walked us back to the dining room.
"Bella, where have you been? Actually, it doesn't matter. Edward's waiting for you by the fireplace."
"Sorry mother. I won't keep him waiting any longer."
I turned to the fireplace to see Edward talking to Mary. Anxiously, I made my way over to them. Edward smiled at me and held his hand out to me. I relaxed and took his hand.
"Mary this is Bella. I have been with her for almost a year now. Bella, this is Mary, her mother used to work with my mother."
"It's nice to meet Mary."
"It's nice to meet you too Bella. You look very beautiful Bella. Edward's one lucky man."
"Thank you Mary. I'm sure you will find someone soon."
"I hope so too. My mother has given me until the new year to find someone before she will find someone for me."
"I'm sorry Mary."
"It's alright Bella. I need to go and speak to my father. Have a good evening."
She smiled at us before turning to leave.
"I don't know why you didn't court her. She's a very nice girl."
"Yes she is, but she isn't you."
He looked over my head and nodded at someone.
"Can I have everyone's attention?"
I turned around to see my mother standing with my father's arm around her.
"Not only are we here to celebrate Charlie's promotion we are here to celebrate something bigger."
I looked at her confused.
"For the past year our son Jasper has been fighting in the war. No one is as close to him as Bella and when he left she became lost. Edward was there to help her feel better. He then came to Charlie and I asking to court her. We gave him permission and since then they have been inseparable. Edward, I believe you have something to say."
I turned around to see Edward, on one knee, with a small velvet box in his hand.
"Bella, ever since the day we met, I've felt this connection to you. Then when you agreed to allow me to court you, you made me the happiest man on earth. The past year has been amazing. I know you miss Jasper and so do I but we were there for each other. I promise to care for you for the rest of your life. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
"Yes."
Applause sounded throughout the room as Edward slid the ring on my finger and placed his lips to mine. All too soon he pulled back, smiling down at me.
"I love you my Bella."
"I love you too my Edward. I can't believe you did this."
"You had better believe it because you will be mine forever."
"How many people knew?"
"Everyone but you. I've been planning this with our mothers for weeks. They actually started planning the wedding already. We can be married by April."
"I can't wait. There won't be anyone to judge us or tell us what not to do. It will be just you and me."
"Just you and me."
The rest of the evening passed quickly as everyone came and congratulated us. Late in the evening, when the party had ended our parents gathered us together before letting us go up to my room alone for the first time in a year. We kissed for hours, our lips moving together, making up for all the time we'd lost until we fell asleep together.