A/N: I'd like to say for now, the story will be mostly written in Edward's POV; if there's a shift to someone else, it'll be made known then. But for now, it'll be in his brooding point of view.
I'll also be trying my best to make the dialogue between the characters as accurate as I can get it for the time periods they're in. It may not be entirely exact but I'm doing my research as I go in areas that I can do so. Just bear with me on it. The same goes for the fashion, activities, items etc etc.
Chapter II
"Bella!" I shouted, bolting upright from my position.
Suddenly, the brightness of my room made my eyes burn after having been enveloped in the dark for so long; my eyes recoiled and I squinted my eyes, groaning to myself from the pain it brought. Then, heavily I flopped back down on my bed, shoving my palms into my eyes to try and recover from the mild pain the light had brought. I groaned and rolled this way and that, noting how my joints and muscles were feeling sore. It was like I hadn't moved around in years. With my eyes closed tightly, I let one of my hands drift away from my eyes and to go to my lower back to start rubbing at the tender area there. It helped some, albeit it was still quite raw from the soreness. I grumbled incoherent words and curses, before giving up and just decidedly lying flat on my bed.
Then, just as I was laying there, I realized something new and frightening.
My chest was pounding. I was panting, intakes of my breath coming in broken gasps. I could feel my skin was overheated, nearing sweaty. I could feel my forehead was wet, most likely due to said sweat trying to escape from the rest of my body - it had already broken out at the top of my forehead and at the nape of my neck, causing my hair to stick to my skin in those areas. And more importantly, my heart was beating a mile a minute.
My once dead heart, was thrumming in my chest.
Startled once realizing this, I bolted upright once more. I looked down, seeing that I was in a bed, sheets and a light quilt pooling. I touched the sheets around me, fingering it and noting the softness it held. Then I looked down at what I was wearing, seeing now that I wasn't wearing the sweater and jeans that I had passed out in - but now I was wearing an nightshirt of soft cotton and white in color. Whipping the sheets off of me, I saw I had cotton pajama pants on as well. I then swung my legs out to the side of my bed and placed my bare feet onto the floor below. I was met with a coolness, and looking down I see that the flooring below me was wooden, deep in color. I pushed myself up and off of my bed and then looked up to further take in my surroundings. I could feel my heart skip a beat.
The room I was in was obviously a bedroom. It wasn't however the bedroom of the cottage that I shared with my wife. It was quaint and dated; the walls a yellow striped wallpaper, with paintings and posters about World War I plastered throughout. A large bay window to the far east wall let in the sunshine, bathing the room in a warm glow. Directly across from the bed I had woken up in was a dresser that had a large mirror hanging above it. And nestled between two doors was a bookcase that held some books, ranging from weathered and aged to brand new. Beside my bed was another door. I carefully shuffled to one of the doors beside the bookcase and grasped onto the doorknob, grimacing briefly when the sharp sting of coolness shocked my skin. I turned the knob and pushed it open, looking inward. It was a small simple closet that held some suits, shirts and pants, as well as shoes seated on the floor. I closed the door and then went for the other door, pushing it again. This time I looked in briefly and saw it to be a simple bathroom; a dated skin, freestanding bathtub and toilet was all that was in here.
Closing the door, I stood there for a second, trying to still grasp what had happened and where I was. But out of the corner of my eye, I caught wind of the mirror and managed to get a glance of my appearance. When having standing up initially I didn't pay any mind to it, thinking I knew what I would expect to see. Turning now, I slowly walked up to the dresser and looked up into the mirror right above it. The minute I caught sight of myself, I released a loud "Gah!" and stumbled backwards in shock. My foot caught on something and I lost my balance, landing on the floor below me with a heavy thud!; I think my foot caught on a simple rug that was laid in my room. I winced in pain when I came into contact with the hardwood flooring, groaning when my backside started to throb.
"Ow..." I rasped, and stopped short when I heard my voice. It wasn't nearly as smooth as I remembered it. I sounded like an aging teenager... Why do I sound like this? It's not as crisp. I scrambled to think as to the why's of what was going on, pushing myself up clumsily to stand again. Then I took myself to the mirror once more, and tried to take everything in while my heart continued to pound in my chest. I touched my hair, cringing at the sweat building there while I pushed it back and hoped the slickness would keep it down. I assessed my skin, noticing that it was flushed in my cheeks and nose ever so slightly, yet I was still fairly pale. Just not as pale as I was when I was a vampire. My skin wasn't cold or hard as granite either; it was warm and quite supple, of which it hurt when I jabbed myself here and there to test its elasticity. What was the hardest to take in was my eyes. No longer were they the signature Cullen topaz. They were my human eyes, a deep emerald green. I pulled at my eyelids, thinking briefly they were colored contacts. I twisted myself around checking everything, and pulled at my skin between my lips, my eyelids, my nose and my ears. Everything was very real based off the discomfort and pain I caused myself when I tugged at my body parts.
I was a certified human again.
"How... What happened?" I whispered to myself, tugging at my hair in a panic. Then I realized there was a heaviness on my left hand. I pulled my hand back to stare down at it, and gasped again. My wedding band. It was still there, wrapped around my third finger. I pulled it off and looked on the inside of it, sighing with relief when I saw the E&B sitting there in the metal. It was such a small detail that Bella and I had agreed to do for our wedding rings; it might seem cheesy but it was just something so small yet significant for us that we have it for both of our rings.
Bella...
My heart stopped before stuttering to a new fast pace. Where was Bella? Where was I? This room... with a startling realization, I came to the conclusion that I was in my old bedroom back in Chicago. I was in my old home. But why? How did I end up back here, back in time? This couldn't be happening. I was in my cottage with my wife, I was about to spend a blissful evening with her after we had put our daughter down for sleep-
Reneesme!
The wolves, our family! They're gone?!
"No... no this can't be happening!" I hissed, staggering back and grunting with my calf came into contact with the bedpost of my bed, before I shakily sat down. I began to hyperventilate, my breathing coming out in ragged gasps. I lost everything - my wife, my daughter, my family and friends. I lost my immortality, I was back to being a human. Had everything I experienced in my 100+ year life been nothing but a dream? I was cruelly yanked back to my time period before my transformation, alone and lost. I could feel the tears - tears I hadn't felt in over a century - begin to prick in the back of my eyes. I blinked to try and hold them steadfast. My heart panged for the immense loss I was feeling; I couldn't bare to think I lost Bella and Reneesme, and my family. They were everything to me - they still are. The memories of them flooded my mind, and I let out a shuttering sob. I've lost them...
Suddenly, the final door that was in my room - the one beside my bed - opened. I jumped slightly and whipped my head around to stare at just who was there. And then my breath caught in my throat.
"Edward? My sweet son, why are you crying?" The sweet soprano voice of a small woman, asked with a tinge of fear, as she walked into my bedroom. She wore a simple silky day dress that was only simply tied at her waist to show her figure at the bare minimum yet it flowed with ease and went down to her ankle where she wore clean and pristine black and white oxford heels. On her hands were white lacy gloves and on her forearm was a small purse. The color of her dress complimented her rosy pale complexion and her coppery hair - a deep green. Her copper hair - the same hair that I inherited - fell down in loose waves, being clipped back by a sparkling bejeweled clip. Her deep brown eyes appraised me with worry while she pursed her red painted lips.
It was my mother, Elizabeth Masen.
"Mother..." I breathed shakily, wiping at my eyes to rid the traces of tears that fell from my eyes. She glided over to me and put the back of her hand to my forehead, checking for my temperature perhaps considering I was a sweaty mess. She clucked her tongue, sighing audibly at me.
"Well thank goodness you do not have a fever, though you appear to be clammy. Tell me my son, what is the matter? I heard you shouting up here and knew you were awake at last. But you seem so startled and affrighted - like you have seen a ghost." my mother chided me gently, laying a hand on my cheek. I grasped it with my right hand, holding it for a moment and remembering the comfort it brought. It's been so long since I've heard my mother, just as long since she would fret over me like this and when I'd feel her hands. I missed her motherly touch.
"I... I apologize mother. I did not mean to scare you." I told her, my voice raspy. I realized now I would have to slip back into the old dialect that was the 1900s; modern speech would be too forward and foreign, so I did my best to wrack my brain to bring back the memories of how to speak during this period. I licked my lips, realizing they had become dry, before continuing. "I had a horrible nightmare. I don't remember what it was about, just that it was enough to shock me to the current state I am in now. But I will be alright, I am starting to calm down now." I reassured her, sighing and she nodded her head slightly.
"You are not sick, correct? You seem so clammy and feverish."
"I can assure you I am healthy. Please don't fret over me." I quickly said, and then stood up slowly to my feet, noting that my heartbeat was slowing down after my initial shock that I went through. My mother then reached up - she was indeed much shorter than I remembered - and patted my cheek lightly.
"Well alright then my son, I shall take your word for it. Now, I hope you can still keep your promise to me that you made all but two days ago, that you will go on that late morning stroll with me through the park. We best be getting a move on with that so go wash up and get ready to leave!" my mother said to me, smiling brightly up at me. I nodded my head and then after she told me she would be waiting in the downstairs parlor, she left my bedroom. After she left my bedroom, closing the door behind her, I shuffled towards the mirror again. I touched my features again. I didn't know how to feel about this new situation I was in. I was alone, I was human again and back in my old home. But I didn't know where my wife was, or if I'd ever see her again.
I was utterly lost as to why I was suddenly transported back to my time period as a human again. Or how, for that matter. Everything had spiraled into chaos however when I was in our cottage and I was grasping onto Bella for dear life while we were slipping into the darkness. I had never been so scared in my life before seeing her so weak and falling like she had, much less terrified that I wasn't able to fight off the feeling of us falling into unconsciousness. I was supposed to be the stronger one, able to fight off anything and everything to protect my wife, daughter and family. Yet I couldn't do anything to stop it. I grunted angrily to myself, glowering down at my hands, eyeing the wedding band on my finger. I had failed them. I felt so ashamed of myself.
"I'm so sorry, my love... I couldn't protect you..." I whispered brokenly, noting another round of tears fell from my eyes. I hissed and wiped the back of my hand across my eyes in frustration.
A small part of me however, felt some semblance of peace and happiness at the fact I was human again. The condition as to how I became one again, sure was jarring yet infuriating on the fact I was separated from my life. But, I had another chance to see my mother and father again. Time never could fully heal the wounds of losing them to the Spanish Influenza. I may have accepted it over time and realized that while in my hundred years of immortality what I received in exchange was well worth it, nothing could fix the loss of my blood parents when they had died. I took my human life for granted previously before I was suddenly transformed into a vampire courtesy of my "father" Carlisle. Now I had the chance to reexperience it, maybe even fully enjoy my moments with my mother and father again. It was going to be different that is for sure.
The questions remained though. Why and how did I get back here to my human life? Where was my wife and family in all of this? Would I ever get to see them again - and for how long will I have to wait until that happens? Worse, what if this is a curse in disguise and I won't get transformed into a vampire? I'll die as a human during the Influenza and never see my sweet Bella, my daughter, my family ever again... I shook my head when my thoughts started to go down a dark path. You have to press on. You can try to find your answers but for now, we need to focus on the here and now. Take the time you have with your parents and enjoy it while you can. At worst, we might have to force history to repeat itself and search for Carlisle to get some answers... I thought to myself resolutely. I looked down at my wedding band once again, and sighed heavily.
"I'll keep moving forward, and see where it will take me." I whispered to myself, before finally turning towards the bathroom to start getting ready for the day.
"It is such a beautiful day! We picked the right time to go out for this stroll, didn't we my lovely son?" my mother mused while we left the front yard of our beautiful Chicago estate. Her left arm was wrapped around my right arm, where she smiled up at me. I held a parasol with my left hand to shield us both from the sunlight.
"That we did, mother." I replied back to her with a smile of my own.
It had been at least half an hour since my mother had woken me up from my sleep to get me going for the day that I had apparently promised her we'd spend outside for a stroll to a nearby park. I had reacquainted myself with the outdated plumbing in my bathroom and bathed as quick as I could to rid myself of my sweaty self. Soon after I had done that, I had dried off, tried to fix my hair as best as I could (to no avail mind you; even as a human, my hair was still as unkept as it was when I was immortal). I then took some time trying to put together an outfit that worked with the time period we were in. I settled for a light cotton button down shirt, light green tie that I had asked my mother for some help in tying it around my neck, suspenders of the era, light grey trousers and dark brown low boots. After my mother had tied the tie around my neck, she decided I should wear a soft hat that almost looked like a newspaper boy's hat; she saw I had attempted to fix my messy hair and felt the hat was the next best thing for me to wear.
I had taken some time to reassess my old home, noting the aged walls and flooring and all of the classic paintings that hung on the walls. I would have some more time to hopefully explore all the old rooms but I was on a time crunch as is to take my mother out for her day. When I had gone downstairs for her help, she was looking at a newspaper while working a needlepoint project. When I had gotten closer, I could see the news of the time period on the pages briefly; my eyesight wasn't as sharp as it was before of course, so I made do with what my human eyes could. She had set the paper down and helped me with my tie before she walked off to the front door to look for her parasol that she wanted for cover against the sun. I took that as my chance to pick up the paper and really see what the date was since I didn't know exactly what year it was. I glanced at the front page and say it was late March, 1917. It was at least a whole year before the Influenza would be taking over Chicago - a year before my and my parents' deaths were to hit. But why? Why did I get sent back a whole year before so? I briefly questioned myself internally, furrowing my brow at the date and eyeing the other bits of news. WWI was still ongoing during this timeframe of course - at least for another year if my memory served me right. I remembered minutely that during this period I was enraptured with the idea of going off to war and wanting to be a soldier, to fight for my country and make a name for myself. Of course my mother and father were adamantly against the idea and would rather I focused on going to school for my education; my father wanted me to go to law school specifically and wanted me to follow in his footsteps and take over his business. But I know that I wasn't keen to that plan when I was a young lad. So I know I was at a crossroad during this period.
My mother had roused me from my internal musings at that point after seeing I was looking at the paper, and gave me a slightly sorrowful look. I knew then that she realized I was looking at the news about the War and most likely was scared I'd be enamored again with the idea of being a soldier (currently with me at the age of 16 during this year, it'd only be another two years before I'd legally be the age to try and enlist myself to try and join the Army. I briefly recalled that stupidly, I had a stint where I tried enlisting even earlier than that by lying about my age, but I know it didn't exactly end well in my favor); it tugged at her heart with deep nagging worry that she'd lose her only son to something so dangerous as fighting overseas. When I had seen her expression, I put the paper down and had asked her if she was ready to leave then for the stroll, trying to put her fears out of her head for now.
Thus, we're back to where we are now.
"It is such a nice change to get out of the house at least and spend some time with you my sweet son. Thank you for humoring me with this today." my mother said gratefully while we walked leisurely down the sidewalk in the direction of the park nearby. I had to ask her again where it was considering pieces of my old human memories were frayed so I couldn't remember where everything was anymore.
I nodded my head down to her, smiling. "It's a pleasure mother. I enjoy spending time with you."
"I know my son. You know, I hate to bring up this topic but you know it has been nagging at your father ever since you have been so headstrong about it. I swear, you and your father are alike in your stubborn nature. But he is worried about your education my dear. We are respecting your desire to take a year off at least so you can sort out your wishes and desires in figuring out what you would like to do. But we are worried all this idleness may not be good for you." Elizabeth had begun, speaking while also waving and smiling briefly at some neighbors that we had passed by.
I pursed my lips. 'I know, mother. I know what you and father would like me to do, but I like to plan out everything that I can. And this is something I have not exactly gotten down to a fine point." I told her as best as I could. She clucked her tongue.
"Edward, I know that. But please do think through everything thoroughly. Why I know your passion for the piano for sure could garner you a future and that I feel is something you should look into at least for your own happiness. But for terms of longevity and stability, I still feel you should consider law school. Why think, your future wife could be secure if you are bringing home that much money a year! You would be stable for years to come and it would be one less worry on your father and I." my mother countered and my heart panged at the mention of "wife". The wedding band in my pocket felt as if it weighed thirty pounds more; I had since taken it off of my finger to try and avoid my mother seeing it, much less questioning about it. I was supposed to be a single teenager at this point in my life. I didn't need my mother to see the band and be making assumptions. Of course, during this period my sweet Bella didn't exist. I had no interest in any of the girls during this era; I had plenty who vied for my attention but none could catch my eye. And of course having met Bella a century later, I knew now none would ever hold a candle to her.
So in no way could I think about ever marrying someone here when my heart belonged to a woman who wasn't even a concept yet.
I sighed. "Mother, you know no lady has caught my eye yet. I do not think you should be talking about courtship and a wife for me when I have no thought of doing so anytime soon." I muttered to her; she frowned up at me.
"You are such a loving and careful young man, my son. Any lady would be lucky to call you their own. But I worry for you. You know how many of my fellow ladies during tea and needlework gatherings have told me their sons have begun courting? I feel so worried that no lady will ever catch your heart before you make a decision for your adult life. I know you are only but an adolescent. But you know I could help you find a lovely gal that might be just perfect for your life." she continued and I grimaced visibly. During this era, I knew much of the courtships, that which would eventually lead to marriage, around here were mostly for status and money; power plays by parents to ensure a good financial future between two families. Rarely if ever was any courtships made out of pure love with two respecting young adults realizing they were made for each other. I couldn't let that happen to me when my heart belonged to Bella eternally.
"Mother please, may we drop this? I want to enjoy my time out with you at the park, not think about some girl being my wife when I do not even know who she may be." I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. We were silent for awhile, the only sounds being the clicking of our shoes against the concrete as we continued walking towards the park, and the normal outdoor noises of neighbors taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Children were hooting and hollering in the streets while they played, birds were chirping in the trees and the dated automobiles of this time were honking and clambering by on the roads. I glanced down at her while we walked when she had been quiet for so long, and saw she was pursing her lips deep in thought. She was furrowing her brows much like I do normally when I am thinking too hard myself.
Finally, she released a heavy sigh and glanced back up at me. "Alright, Edward I will let it go for now. But this conversation is only being put on the table for now; we will have to sort it out eventually." she murmured and I nodded my head down to her in thanks, happy that we could let it drop.
We settled into idle conversation, mostly where I just listened to her talk about my father and how his business was going. I couldn't exactly remember how my father's work was during this period; I all of my human memories were very fuzzy as is. So I reveled in letting my mother remind me of everything about him.
We finally made it to the park, where I looked around and saw lots of people strolling through. Some were flying kites with their young children, some walking their dogs. A few were strolling with their loved ones or mothers like I was, some were older men walking with other men; perhaps talking business or politics. I could even see some riding on the old bikes of the 1900s, wobbling on the path. It was nostalgic looking at it all. My mother was admiring the flora that we'd pass, informing of each flower and their significance. I had forgotten my mother was knowledgeable in this area. I listened to her musings about them as best as I could, trying to however take in everything surrounding me with my human eyes, ears and nose.
I was so engrossed doing this, that I didn't hear the terrified squeaks of a young woman to my left. But I did refocus on everything when a small force had slammed into me and pushed me down to the concrete path. A harsh breath escaped me when this happened; I released my mother's arm so as to not take her down with me. The pain in my side began to throb from whoever knocked themselves into me, and I fell to the floor, my arms reaching out to grasp the smaller person to try and cushion their fall. They fell on top of me, releasing a yelp of surprise, and their head hit my chest slightly but enough so that the wind was knocked out of me.
"Bless my soul! Edward, young lady, are you alright?!" My mother's cry of worry sounded above me. My head had thwacked with the concrete when we fell to the ground and I felt a throbbing pain begin in the back of my head. I cursed to myself quietly, letting out a low groan.
"I am fine, mother." I muttered, opening my eyes to readjust to the bright light of the outside. My eyes didn't take in the person yet - apparently a young woman that had crashed into me - but I still held her to my chest which I tried to regain some strength within myself to get my energy back.
"I'm so terribly sorry about my daughter crashing into your son ma'am! She can't help but be a walking hazard to herself and everyone around her. Isabella Marie Anne Swanson, how many times must I tell you to watch where you walk young lady?" another woman's voice had chastised the young lady on my chest, somewhere off to my left while I heard two sets of footsteps approach us.
Isabella? Wait... No, it couldn't be!
My heart began to hammer when I realized just what name came out of the woman's mouth. I shifted some to sit up slightly and lifted my head to look down at the woman who had crashed into me. I could feel my eyes grow wider by the second as I took in her features. She had lifted her own head slightly and caught sight of me staring at her. A small porcelain face looked back at me. She had a heart shaped face, pouty full lips, chocolate brown doe eyes that had long lashes that caressed her flushed cheeks when she blinked back her stupor. Her dark brown hair which held waves and curls in the right places, cascaded down over her shoulders. She was dressed in a simple day dress - a silky deep blue fabric while a light coat sat on top. Her small delicate hands also were covered by light lacy gloves.
She looks exactly like my Bella. But... could it be her? Surely I was dreaming. Did my wife actually just crash into me?
"Bella..." I mouthed in awe, staring at her. I heard her let out a small quiet gasp, her eyes taking in everything about me.
"Edward..." she breathed quietly, almost so quiet I could barely hear her voice, but I could just barely make it out and it sounded just like her. It had to be her!
"Edward my son? How about you help the young lady up? I believe you two aren't exactly comfortable on the floor." My mother's voice burst the bubble surrounding us. My cheeks became hotter when I realized I had been caught staring at my wife to be - or someone who looked exactly like her.
"Uh, right. I apologize." I muttered quietly, shifting to where I grasped her forearms gently. A shock went through my hands when I touched her there; the both of us jumped briefly at the feeling and stared at one another in surprise. Did she feel the same thing as I did? I could only hope that she did. Trying to brush it aside so I'm not sitting there for another minute just staring at the woman before me, I continued to maneuver us around to where I stood us up at the same time. The woman, Isabella, winced audibly when she was standing and fell into my chest, her face pressed to my chest. If I wasn't already bright red I'm sure I was now just having her pressed so close to me like this. The electric current flowing between our skin while we remained touching one another was causing my heart to beat wildly while I braced her against me. I glanced up when I heard a throat being cleared and I wanted to shrink in on myself.
Standing behind the young woman were two adults. Another woman was standing closely beside a man, both dressed comfortably for the weather as is; the woman was dressed in a pale coral day dress made of silk as well, it reaching her ankles before it gave way to white oxford heels. She had on a delicate wide brimmed hat and white lacy gloves on her hands. She stared disapprovingly down at the woman in my arms, her daughter apparently, with her hazel eyes furrowed by her upset brows and lightly painted lips set into a frown. Her brown hair was curled and pinned up under her hat. The man beside her didn't looked pleased as well while he stared at me; if looks could kill, this man was trying his damned best. He was dressed in a light tweed suit, his arm hooked around the woman's arm beside him. He was carrying a light blue parasol that he held over himself and her, while his dark curly hair rested upon his head. His chocolate brown eyes - the exact same eyes that this Isabella had - casted a glare at me while I held the woman, his curled mustache twitching while he frowned at us.
"Oh my word, young lady are you alright?" My mothers sweet voice cut in and caused me to look away from the couple, where I could see my mother looking at the woman in my arms with worry; she had heard her wince.
Isabella winced again and I looked down at her to see her blushing into my chest.
"I... I believe I had twisted my ankle upon my fall. I do apologize for running into you, sir." Isabella murmured to me, grimacing. When she spoke, I felt so many emotions wake within me. This woman sounded exactly my wife; same sweet, soft voice that was music to my ears. I tried to reign in the physical reaction I was having down below, praying to a god somewhere up above that no one would notice me behaving this way. It had been an entire century since I was a human teenager, and all of the hormones decided to turn against me to roar its ugly cry. A female, possibly my wife, was standing in front of me and pressed against me that was only causing me to act like a foul lustful beast. Thankfully, with her pressed to my front, I don't think anyone would notice just what is going on down in my trousers. I tried thinking of unpleasant and unsavory thoughts that were the opposite of what my body wanted, and counted my blessing with the strain lessened some down there.
"Heaven's Isabella. You should be used to walking in those heels I had gotten you by now." the woman behind us continue to chastise her daughter, clucking her tongue audibly.
"Mother, may I please take Miss Swanson over to a nearby bench? I feel she shouldn't be standing on her feet if she has hurt herself." I cut in then, feeling worried for the woman in my arms. If this was indeed my wife in the flesh, the usual protective nature within me didn't want her putting any pressure on her ankles if she did actually hurt herself. Plus if it really was her, I wanted to try talking to her, see if I could get some confirmation and answers. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was really my Bella, but I didn't want to be so sure of it unless I could talk with her in private.
My mother looked over to the two behind her; this must be Isabella's parents of this era, if not a mockup or something. I don't know for sure. The man, her father most likely, then sighed. I think my mother was asking for permission silently if it was alright for her son to take his daughter to a bench - somewhere away from them - without a chaperone. "You may take her to sit down, young man." the man spoke up gruffly, nodding his head. I nodded my head back to him in thanks and then shifting Isabella in my arms to where I had her arm hooked around mind, I slowly walked us over to a nearby empty bench away from the adults. She limped slightly while we walked, glancing up at me every so often. I could feel her parents' eyes boring into the back of my head, which only made me blush. God, I haven't blushed this much in my life; I don't know if I really did blush much at all when I was human, but this is all so new to me. I can understand now Bella's side of things when she was a human. I thought to myself, mentally smirking at the memories of how much her cheeks would be reddened due to her feeling easily embarrassed for herself.
"Here we go, please do take it slowly when you sit." I murmured to the young woman as I helped her sit carefully on the bench. We were at least a good distance from the adults who decided to turn to one another and have their own private conversation. I sat down beside her, watching as she reached down to rub at her ankle. We sat in silence for a brief while. I glanced over at the group of adults a distance away, seeing they were busy amongst themselves chattering over something. They weren't paying attention to us which I felt was enough time for me to try and talk to this woman. I cleared my through slightly and she looked over at me from the corner of her eyes.
"Um, pardon me if I am too forward when I ask this of you," I began, gulping when she lifted her head to look up at me. Those brown orbs pierced my soul, while she bit her bottom lip. I licked my lips, realizing they were dry once more. I could feel the nervousness settle in. "But uh... oh I am not sure how to phrase this without sounding insane." I grumbled, taking a hand to scratch the back of my neck, my knuckles grazing the back of my hat.
Her cheeks reddened in color while she continued to rub at her ankle.
"Please do try your best." she murmured quietly, offering me a small smile for encouragement. That smile sent my heart fluttering again and I let out a nervous chuckle.
Realizing there was probably no best way of putting it into words, a small idea came to mind. I began to dig around in my pocket, taking out the wedding band. If I couldn't put it into words, perhaps a physical example would be the better option. She eyed the band with wide eyes, and I handed it to her. She gingerly took it in her free hand, holding it up to her face while she looked at it. Her brown eyes caught sight of the inside of the ring, where I heard her breath caught. She handed me back my ring, before she dug around in the pockets of her coat frantically. Then, I watched as she pulled out of her pocket two rings. I held out my hand and she dropped them into my palm. My heart pounded even harder when I saw what they were; a smaller wedding band, and an ring with diamonds on the band where it looked aged but it sat right for the era we were in. It was the same engagement ring that I had given to my wife - my mother's ring. I took the wedding band shakily and held it up to my face, looking inward.
E&B.
It was my wife.
I released a gush of air when I saw the letters and looked back at her, seeing her eyes become glassy. It really was my Bella.
"It's you..." Bella whispered to me, releasing a half giggle and what sounded like a sob. I let out a chuckle while handing her back the rings; once she pocketed them, I took her free hand in mine and squeezed it. My eyes felt like they wanted to burst into tears as well, but I couldn't begin crying right now in public. Not when the adults were nearby, they'd think something was wrong or find it odd that their two teenaged children whom they should have no idea who they are much less feel as close as they did, be acting like this in a public setting. I wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms, squeeze her and give her a searing kiss. The electric current we shared when our hands were in each others' grasp caused all of my feelings, all of my human hormones to surge forward once more. I never felt this happy, elated, and lust for a woman in my past human life. No woman ever captured my eye and my heart like Bella had a century later after I had become a vampire. But she was here - she was in my time period sitting right next to me. She knew who I was; her memories must've remained with her after she had woken up from her state of unconsciousness - much like mine had stuck with me when I woke up. The love I felt for her was there, it was still rearing its head as I could feel my human emotions take over. I could help but shift in my seat, feeling the embarrassment of what was going on down below while I crossed a leg casually over my knee. She eyed me, her cheeks flushed but her eyes confused.
"Forgive me but... I haven't been a human for over a century and my emotions are all over the place. It's a miracle you're here - you're really here sitting next to me. Do you... Do you remember everything my love?' I whispered to her, searching her eyes for answers. Bella lifted the hand that was on her ankle to hold onto mine while she shifted her small body to face mine more.
"I do. I remember everything Edward - meeting you in that classroom, finding out about who you really are, the nomads, the army, our wedding... our wedding night after it. And our daughter as well - I remember every single detail." Bella murmured to me, her eyes twinkling as if she was recalling everything in that moment. It really was her. This wasn't some sick dream. I thought to myself while I released a breathy laugh.
"Thank god." I sighed, smiling at her; she returned the smile with one of her own. "You have no idea how much I want to grab hold of you and kiss you with all my might, my Bella. But... it's not appropriate of me to do so when to our parents, we just met each other." I added, frowning slightly at that fact. I couldn't help but shift again in my seat, feeling almost mortified that my body was reacting the way it was while holding onto her hands. I shouldn't be acting like this in public; even if she is my wife and I was elated to have found her, I needed to behave myself and be a gentleman for her. I was more so mortified that I was acting like this while my mother and her parents were a distance away. It was shameful almost and I had to get myself under control before her father is to notice anything. He was a man and if he knew that I'm having certain thoughts about his daughter that was causing my lower half to react, he'd surely have my head. She continued to blush at that mention, but nodded her head solemnly; but she noticed my shifting again and an eyebrow raised itself on her face.
"Why did you shift, honey? What's wrong?" she asked quietly, eying my legs. I could feel my cheeks flush again. My sweet Bella was observant as ever.
"Uh... human hormones, Bella. It's uh... well you know what happens when men are aroused, right?" I muttered, coughing awkwardly that I had to explain it. Her eyes flashed specifically to my lap again, and then back to my face when her mouth made a small 'o' when she fully realized what I meant. She was so innocent and naïve still.
"Oh goodness... This is all just so new to me, seeing you as a human." she whispered, giggling briefly as her pink cheeks turned upwards when she smiled at me. I smirked again, shaking my head at her. "It's... Everything right now is so weird and confusing. I'm here with you, but we're not at home. This time, this place seems so foreign. I'm a human again and yet... I get to meet you and see you as a human too! I'm so used to you being a vampire that this almost feels like a dream. But I don't know what's happened or why we're here. I don't know what happened or why we were sent back in time. I was so scared when I woke up this morning to a foreign bed all by myself without you beside me. It's been such a whirlwind trying to adjust to what's going on though." she continued to ramble, pausing to shake her head briefly. "I didn't know what to do or how to handle this situation. I wanted to scream, cry, and run out of the house I had found myself in to try and find you. But, my mother - or... someone that is made to be my mother who looks just like Renee, ordered me to get dressed for the day. God, it was such a long morning trying to get dressed in something that's for this time period. I'm dying in this dress and corset underneath - and these heels are killing my feet! I don't know if I'm doing a great job coming across as someone who belongs in this era but I'm hoping I'm doing my damned best to be convincing. I already miss all of our modern luxuries..." she trailed off, looking up at me again this time with a frown.
"Are those people supposed to be your parents from your time? Or like... iterations of them? I heard your last name is Swanson." I asked, furrowing my brows down at her after her ranting. She shrugged her small shoulders.
"I honestly don't know, Edward. They look like my mom and dad from our time but the last name I feel like is a play on my dad's name back in Forks. I don't think they're in any shape or form related to my family. Whatever's happened or whoever suddenly created a timeline for me to fit into your time period, decided to come up with something that made it familiar for me." she answered as best as she could, pursing her lips in thinking. Then, her brown eyes grew wider as if she stumbled across possibly an answer as to why we were here. "Do you think we were sent back in time by a vampire?" she asked seriously.
"It's... possible. I'm honestly confused as to how or why we were sent back in time, my dear." I stated, sighing.
"I thought you'd have the answers at least, but we're both walking in the dark it seems." she pointed out, puffing out her cheeks.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was a vampire that did this. As you recall there were new vampire scents in our area just before you and I passed out in our home." I added, and she nodded. "Though to have such a power like that, I can't help but wonder if it was the work of one, or more; much less if it was a nomad or someone working with the Volturi. If they weren't apart of the coven, I question as to why not considering that's such a powerful gift no doubt Aro would desire to have for his own personal gain." I concluded quietly, shaking my head briefly.
"Ahem!" I jumped at a throat being cleared above me, and glanced up sheepishly. The adults had wandered over to Bella and I on the bench; their conversations with one another must've ended and possibly they felt I had spent too much time alone with her. It was Bella's mother that had cleared her throat noisily. Bella and I hastily let go of each other's hands, and looked up at the adults with sheepish looks, our cheeks pink.
"Edward son, I feel I should introduce you to the Swansons. This is Charles and Renee, parents to dear Isabella here." My mother interjected, smiling down at me to give me courage to try and do this properly. I could see a twinkle in her eyes and I could only guess as to what she was thinking. I slightly wondered if I wasn't so subtle while I sat on this bench next to the Swanson's daughter (that was my wife in actuality but in another time she was; in here she was supposed to be a stranger to me) and if my mother had been watching me interact with her. Perhaps I was giving away my feelings and relationship to her. I believe my mother was already matchmaking us in her mind and thought I had finally found the right woman to marry.
And she was damn right about that.
I cleared my throat and tried pushing past my red cheeks, pushing myself to stand up before her parents. I was about Charles' height I realized, before I bowed my head briefly. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I do apologize for monopolizing your daughter's time but I wanted to be sure that her ankle was healed from her fall." I tried to answer for no doubt their internal questions of why I was taking so long on the bench with their daughter, much less holding her hands when in their eyes we had just only but stumbled into each other and were nothing but strangers. Anything that was remotely seen as intimate - holding hands for one - is a blasphemous sight and something full of sin. I really had to settle back into my old ways to try and fit in back into this society I grew up in so long ago; I never had to really think about interactions with the opposite sex and what was deemed appropriate, considering once again no woman during this era ever caught my attention. But now that I had my wife here with me, this was going to prove to be a huge challenge for me. Charles made a grumbling noise to himself while eying me suspiciously. Renee, with hopes that she had gotten over her apprehension of a young man holding her daughter's hand, gave me a small smile. I could only hope my mother buttered them up with tales about me being a perfect gentleman. I don't think Charles was the least bit convinced, but I could only dream Renee was starting to warm up to me.
Bella slowly stood up from beside me and curtsied slightly. Her cheeks were stained red. "I am sorry to have kept you waiting, mother and father." she mumbled.
"Miss Swanson, I'd like for you to meet my mother - Elizabeth Masen." I quickly butted in to try and save her from being chewed out from her parents immediately, and gestured to my mother. Bella smiled at me from the side, before turning and dipped herself into a full curtsy now; my mother returned it, her own matching smile blinding as she gazed at Bella.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Masen." My Bella murmured to her, and my mother nodded her head satisfied.
"I do hope your ankle has healed now, Miss Swanson. It is quite lucky that my son was there to break your fall, but he is ever so sweet and careful of others that he took his time to help you rest for a short while." My mother gushed, smiling over at me while I turned sheepish and bowed my head down again to hide my face in embarrassment. Renee giggled at this while Charles grunted to himself once more; the man really didn't like me. Just like Charlie in every aspect; it's like he's in that body and nothing's changed. I thought to myself, noting Bella nodded her head and let out a small giggle of her own.
"I do apologize for also running into you like I had, Mr. Masen. I'm quite the klutz unfortunately and am not used to walking in heels no matter how hard my mother may teach me to walk in them." Bella murmured to me then, glancing up at me through her eyelashes. God damnit this woman... I grumbled to myself internally, trying my best to think of any deterrents to keep my human emotions in check when she looked at me like that. This woman could just stare at me and I'd be putty in her hands, even still much like how I was when we were married and both immortal. I coughed into my hand, eying her as she stared up at me briefly confused by the look I was giving her.
"It's quite alright, Miss Swanson. I am just glad you're alright is all. And please, call me Edward; I feel like I'm too old to be called Mr. Masen when that title is reserved for my father." I murmured back to her, smiling. My mother and Renee chuckled to themselves and gave each other seemingly knowing looks. Bella's cheeks deepened in color but she smiled up at me. I could hear Charles' repeating grumbling and I could see out of the corner of my eye, his scowls.
"Then do please call me Bella."
"Isabella, you shouldn't be referred to by your nickname." her father interrupted her, and Bella gave him the stink eye. Uh oh, her usual stubbornness was rearing its head. I thought to myself when I saw that look.
"Oh Charles, don't butt heads with your daughter. You and I are too harsh on her as is; please let her be referred by her nickname - Bella is just as beautiful as Isabella." Renee tried to defend her daughter; her harsh and stern nature of her daughter upon the initial clash we had thankfully has lessened up.
"Yes, I do agree that both are just as equally beautiful sounding." I added in, and grinned abashedly at the group when Bella giggled behind her hand and now Charles gave me the stink eye. I could just hear it now in his head: "I don't like you boy, you better be as formal and cordial to my daughter if you wish to be with her. You aren't worth a single grain of salt to be near her." Renee lightly slapped a hand against her husband's chest where he jumped and looked away embarrassed to be caught glaring at me.
"Well, how about we walk together? I would surely love to get to know you more Renee and find some time for us to meet again another day to work on needlepoint together!" My mother cut in then to try and break the tension. Renee smiled brightly at my mother and unlooping her arm from her husband's arm, she looped hers with Elizabeth's where the two began walking back onto the path in the park for those that wanted to still stroll through it. Charles looked shocked at his wife's behavior but after giving me one more side eyed look, he sighed.
"You may walk with my daughter, but I expect you to treat her respectfully while you walk behind us boy." he growled at me in his gruff voice. I balked visibly at his threat, and Bella stamped her foot briefly at her father.
"Father please, do ease up on your treating of Edward. He has treated me with nothing but the utmost respect I have seen in all my days!" Bella hissed at her father who in turned frowned at her next.
"Speak to me with respect young lady. I am just ensuring your reputation as my daughter and you deserve nothing but the best from young boys like Mr. Masen here." he tried to defend himself; I coughed once more.
"Sir I do hope that you can place your trust in me that I promise I will do my best to treat Isabella here with the best respect she deserves and will treat her like fine china if that pleases you. My mother and father have raised me to be a gentleman ever since I was a young lad - rest assured she will be in good hands while we stroll the park together." I tried my best to sound confident when speaking to him and gave him another small bow. Bella walked up beside me and looped her arm through mine, looking over at her father as if daring him to deny her walking beside me, much less to challenge my promise. He looked between her and I, pursing his lips and his mustache twitching. Finally he sighed and after nodding his head, he walked to catch up to my mother and her mother. I led Bella after them, keeping a safe distance between us as I would like to still continue my conversation with my wife but also trying to keep it a safe distance that wasn't too far from them so as to not draw suspicion.
"I swear, he is worse than Charlie ever was with you." Bella grumbled beside me while we slowly walked, her face contorted in slight annoyance. I smiled down at her and reached up to pat the hand that rested on my arm.
"Fathers are all about protecting their daughters' reputations and virtues during this era, my Bella. It's no surprise to me that he's giving me the third degree." I whispered back to her, and she sighed at that.
"Well, I'd like to talk more to you and try to figure out what we're supposed to do now. There's so much we have to figure out and plan I feel." Bella began then quietly, looking up at me. "I can't get over though just seeing you as a human... Your eyes are so brilliant." she whispered in awe, blushing deeply when I gave her the signature crooked grin. I knew that grin always sent her into overdrive; she admitted as much when I had been a vampire.
"I will tell you truthfully, it's odd for me to be a human again. It felt like I had been a vampire for so long that it was all I knew and forgot my ways of mortality. But, some human tendencies are coming back to me as if by muscle memory." I remarked to her, chuckling. I could see my mother glance behind me hearing me laugh briefly, but I shook my head at her to let her know it was nothing of importance. She returned her focus back to Renee.
"Really? Like what?" my wife's voice brought me back to focus on her, where I looked down at her to see she was staring up at me with a quizzical look on her face.
"Well, for one, trying to get my appetite back - no matter the era, teen boys will always want to eat so much food. I found my hunger came back in full force and I get to eat my favorites while avoiding the foods I disliked. I remember I hated carrots growing up." I mused and paused when I heard her laugh quietly at my statement about the vegetable. I snickered down at her but continued. "For another, the same old human habits are coming back to me; breathing, blinking, having to use the bathroom regularly. And of course, realizing that I can't run or walk as gracefully as I used to. I wasn't slow by any means when I was a human, much less on being a klutz unlike someone," I teasingly hinted at her, and she briefly scowled up at me. "All in jest my dear. But, I can't easily just count of my immortality anymore to make sure I'm not going to trip over something or run into something." I concluded, chuckling briefly again.
"Sounds like everything that I had to put up with most of my life. You know, it's kind of cruel for me if you were to ask me what was being a vampire like; I didn't get to experience it for long before I was yanked back down to being a human." Bella muttered, rolling her brown eyes. I bit my lip hard to try and hold back my laughter. I didn't want our parents up ahead to hear me guffaw at her tantrum and want to interrogate us as to what we're talking about. Bella saw my attempts and stuck her tongue out at me.
"I can't help but see at least small positive to this, however," she said suddenly after we had walked for a bit longer in silence; I was minutely noting my mother's interactions with Renee and Charles ahead of us, seeing the three of them talking amicably about something that had Charles laughing briefly. But when my wife spoke up again, I had glanced down at her and saw her looking up at me coyly through her eyelashes again. Ugh, the things that look does to me. "I get to at least experience some human memories with you."
"That's a fair point. To be honest, as much as we're touted for having perfect memories in some cases, my human memories were really fuzzy up until my death and thus subsequent transformation." I noted to her, nodding my head. "We're currently in 1917 which is a year before that happens - as to why we were brought here, I still don't have answers to. I will be honest, I had fears that I was going to be here by myself for another year, wandering and trying to figure out what I'm to do with myself; I was resigned to just accepting it and then perhaps forcing history to repeat itself while I would've eventually sought out Carlisle and see if I could continue everything as it should've been planned for. I'll happily accept the fact you're here with me now and we can walk through this together." I whispered to her next, and she nodded her head at this.
"But... should we really meddle already?" Upon seeing my confused expression, Bella took a deep breath and looked up at me with a worried look in her eyes. "Think about it, honey. I'm pleased we're together again, believe me. But... I'm probably going to make you laugh when I mention this. You recall that movie with Ashton Kutcher - "The Butterfly Effect" or whatever it was honestly called?" she began, biting her bottom lip.
"Of course I remember that horrid movie." I muttered, smirking as she snorted quietly.
"Jokes aside as much as it was probably not our favorite movie of all time - I can't help but fear that maybe there might be some truth to the effects of it right now. I'm worried that if we do anything currently to disrupt our future - in this case, something to do with your transformation - what if we alter the future by doing something we shouldn't have done in the past? I don't think we should go looking for Carlisle ourselves; I think if naturally we let it happen, like say if I being the usual klutz that I am, get into a situation that requires medical attention - perhaps I can meet him in the hospital. You had told me he comes to Chicago to help out here and more so to help out just before or at the time the Influenza reaches here, correct?" I nodded to her question and she smiled briefly. "Exactly then."
"But if you're wanting to follow your theory, technically speaking we're already altering the past as is with the fact you're here. When I was a young teen, I had no woman in my life to call my own; I had many that vied for my attention but none that exactly caught my heart. With you here, and obviously with the fact that both you and I retained all of our memories of each other and what we've been through - our timeline is already altered." I whispered to her, raising an eyebrow at her. She looked down at the concrete path and was quiet again, deep in thought. I let her be to try and think this through, while I still led us a safe distance behind our parents.
Finally, she spoke up again. "That I can see your point on, but I don't know really how much me being here will affect everything if at all. I'm going to take it as a sign of a blessing however; I was sent back here with you for a reason, even if it's possibly to just experience everything with you as a human. I'm going to make the most of it with you, but I think we should take it in stride and just see where everything leads us to. You have a year at least before your turning point comes to full circle, so we have time to work through this and figure out the best course of action. My point is, for every other factor outside of us, I don't think we should try and change anything if we can help it. I'm not sure honestly if even we were to encounter Carlisle if he would have the same luck as we did and was able to retain every single memory that is our family."
I sighed a bit to myself; she made a fair point. "You're right."
"Edward, Isabella." I stopped walking when my mother called us; I nearly stumbled since it was so sudden. I glanced up and saw the adults had stopped as well. We had been so engrossed with our hushed conversation that I failed to realize that we had walked the circuit that was the strolling path of the park and we were back at the entrance of the park. "Charles and Renee have informed me that they have a planned luncheon to get to, and that includes their daughter going with them." my mother continued, smiling sadly at me.
My heart immediately constricted upon hearing this. Bella and I were about to be separated again. I had just gotten her back, and now we're to leave each other again? I don't know if I could stand it. I looked down at her quickly, seeing the fear and loss in her eyes. No doubt I had something similar showing in my face, as she bit down on her bottom lip. She wanted to protest this and stay with me.
"Oh come now, Isabella. Don't fret; I already had a talk with Elizabeth. You and I will be going to her home tomorrow to work on some needlepoint and going over some cooking recipes together. You need to start up your lessons again as a dutiful young lady if I'm to ever make you a perfect housewife for your future spouse." Renee chided her daughter, and when I looked over at her, I could see a twinkle in her eyes while she looked over at me as if almost pointedly. She was reassuring her daughter, and me silently, that we would see each other again. Was she secretly now in cahoots with my mother in trying to set up the two of us together? It sure felt like it. Charles looked a bit displeased at hearing this would be tomorrow's plans, for I could just see him shuffling on his feet in an agitated manner while he scowled down at the dirt.
My heart did pick up its pace again after it had settled in my stomach, and I sighed with relief. We'd be together again; it would just be another twenty-four hours. I thought to myself. I heard Bella also sigh next to me, and I smiled down at her in hopes to give her encouragement that we would be alright. I hope that at least sometime tomorrow, even if she were to be busy with my mother and her mother doing lady activities, I could only wish that I could have more time with her to try and work through this with her.
"Alright, mother." Bella murmured, nodding her head to her. I released her arm and she curtsied to me whereas I in return gave her a bow. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Edward. I'm still terribly sorry for the circumstances that led to it, but I can say I do not regret it." she said to me with a wide smile. I wanted to chuckle at her; leave it to Bella that she would essentially "stumble into my life".
"It's quite alright, Bella. I enjoyed meeting you, and dare I say I hope to see you again sometime tomorrow while you are at my family's home getting to know my mother better." I murmured back, smiling crookedly down at her. I hope that my silent promise of hoping to steal her away at some point tomorrow was conveyed well enough for her to get the picture. She blushed when I smiled my grin at her, blinked rapidly as if to try and dispel the dazed look in her eyes. Bella nodded her head, still smiling before she made her way over to her parents. I walked toward my mother, letting her loop her arm through mine then while Charles had taken Renee's arm once more, the parasol still in his hands to shade his wife. Bella stood on the other side of her father, her eyes looking longingly at me.
Soon my love. We'll see each other again. I thought to myself, hoping that my smallest of nods to her was only seen by her and enough to reassure her that our separation won't be long.
Finally, we said our goodbyes to each other and turned in opposite directions, walking away from one another. Each step away from my wife caused me to slink back into my hole of loneliness.
But I had hope, hope that was rekindled after having woken up in a frightened state. I wasn't alone like I had feared. I had my wife here with me, and together we were going to get through this.
I could only hope that eventually, we could get back to our time period and that nothing would go wrong from here on out.
A/N: And there's another chapter for this story. I honestly couldn't hold off on trying to keep Bella and Edward separated for long - and in reality, there's a reason as to why they're together in his time period, even more so as to how they were able to hold onto their memories like they did. But, it's part of the plot and so I'll leave it as a mystery for now. All will be revealed in due time.
Until then, any feedback would be appreciated; like I said before, I'll try my best to have the dialogue, fashion, settings and its items, and any activities as time-period accurate as I can possibly get. Writing period based work isn't exactly my strongest point but I'm trying to do some research on the side that can hopefully help out.
'Till next time!
~Lady Eleanora~