Only Human14

8/14/2019 Only Human14

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Chapter 14

Title: Only Human (14/27)Author: Amethyst JacksonRating: M/NC-17Category: Drama, Angst, RomancePairing: Edward/BellaSummary: A wish sends Bella back in time to Chicago, 1918, and to a human Edward.Disclaimer:All this genius belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Im just having a little fun.A/N:Were just moving right along now.

Our engagement remained our little secret for nearly two weeks afterward. We werent

intentionally hiding it, exactly, but Edward confided in me after a great deal of pestering that his

father would not be pleased.

Its not you, not at all, he said immediately, trying to reassure me. My father has had it in his

head since I was born that I would go to a great school and become a lawyer like him. Until now,

there was nothing more important than my parents approval, so I never argued. I dont think hell

take it wellbut now that I know what I want, nothing is going to stop me.


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You know I would wait, right?If you wanted to go to school? I dont want to cause any problems

in your family

Edward merely laughed and kissed me. I appreciate that, but I cant wait that long for you. Dont

worry about my father; Ill handle him. And my mother will be thrilled.

I had no doubt that his mother would be happy, if only for the fact that Edward had given up his

notions of going off to war on some heroic adventure. Every day, she reported the news dutifully

with growing relief. The Allies had just won a long battle against the Germans, the Second Battle of

the Marne, if I remembered my history lessons correctly. Now they had launched an offensive.

The tides of the war did very much seem to be turning, which seemed to comfort everyone. Only

Id been privileged with the knowledge that the war would end in November.

Things remained very much the same as they always had during this time, otherwise. I still spent

most of my time with Edward, though I tried to help Elizabeth around the house as much as

possible not an easy task, considering they had a maid and a cook, but I tried. Edward found

more and more excuses for us to sneak off places alone, mostly for the sake of stealing heated

kisses. Between Edward and the ridiculous Midwestern humidity, my head was constantly reeling.

Only in mid-August, when Edwards father mentioned at dinner that he ought to be packing to

return to school, did things finally start to go awry.

You know they want you up there a week before term starts. That doesnt leave you much time,

he went on, oblivious to my suddenly white face and Edward having frozen in place.

Edward swallowed the bite hed been chewing on with difficultly and met my eyes briefly before

answering.

Actually, Father, about thatIve decided I dont want to return to school.

I could see Edward Sr.s jaw clenched with anger and Edward bracing himself for confrontation,

but I felt suddenly like a strange spectator as a horrifying realization came over me.

Edward would be in Chicago when the epidemic hit because ofme.

Ifhe went off to boarding school like he was supposed to, he wouldnt be in the city. He might

never catch the disease. He wouldnt be taken to Carlisles hospital. He wouldnt be changed.

Edward would remain humanhave the life he always wanted

I was paralyzed with the terrifying, sickening knowledge that the future hung in the balance. My

instincts flew in a thousand different directions. On one side was the impulse to protect Edward at

all costson the other was the need to protect my future at all costs. What could I do?

Maybe we should discuss this in my office, I heard Mr. Masen say as he stood up from the table,

silverware clattering down against his plate.


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Edward got up silently to follow. I wouldnt have known he was nervous at all if he hadnt given my

hand a tight squeeze before he followed his father out of the room.

Dont worry, Elizabeth said, glancing through her eyelashes at me. My face must have tipped her

off to my distress. Theyre just being a father and son.

I nodded weakly. My mind was still reeling, and I needed to be alone to think. I quickly excused

myself from the table and hurried up to my room. What I really wanted was to talk to someone

Carlisle, perhaps but it was much too late to go out alone. The last thing I wanted now was

another run-in with the likes of Norman Bouchard.

What was I supposed to do? What would happen if I convinced Edward to leave Chicago? He

might avoid the disease altogetherwe might marry and have children and grow oldbut then he

would be dead before I ever had the chance to meet himand then how would I make the wish

that sent me here? And what was the guarantee that it would work out that way? I might spare

Edward from the epidemic in Chicago, only for him to contract it elsewhereaway from Carlisle,

who could save him

How could I risk this Edwards fate and my future Edwards? Maybe I had to let things play out

according to the story I knew. But if I stood by and did nothing when I knew what was coming, was

that the same as condemning Edward to the damnation I knew hed always cursed? What would

hewant?

Maybe it really was impossible for me to change anything. Anything that kept Edward from

becoming a vampire would change my future in a way that would prevent me from ever being in

the past. If I didnt meet Edward in 2005, I certainly wouldnt make a wish on a birthday cake in

2006 that would send me to 1918.

And who was to say I could even convince Edward to leave Chicago? He was possibly more

stubborn than I was.

No matter what I did, disastrous consequences were possible. Whether I destroyed my future, or

things stayed exactly the same and I watched Edward go through hellit was going to hurt.

Maybe it means that no matter what you do, things are going to turn out the way theyre supposed

to, Carlisles voice echoed in my head. And maybe he was right. Maybe there was no way for me to

change things from their intended course, and maybe I shouldnt try.

A soft knock sounded on my door, the unmistakable signature of Edward. Come in, I called.

He did come in, closing the door softly behind him, and then sprawled out wearily beside me on

my bed like it was an old habit. Itwasbecoming a habit, I realized, taking in the familiar sight of

him throwing his arm over his eyes, like he did when hed just been through an exasperating

ordeal.


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What happened? I asked, reaching down to comb my fingers through his hair. What had always

astounded me was that his hair was just as soft as a vampire as it was now, as a human. Only the

warmth exuding from his scalp was different.

Edward dropped his arm and smiled up at me. It went well enough. Hes not making me return

to school, but he insists I try out a job at a law firm, hoping Ill change my mind. Its fine; I wasgoing to get a job anyway. Now I know where Ill be working.

I frowned at his forced smile. But it isnt what you want.

His response was to take my hand away from his hair and kiss the back of it. My heart stumbled in

my chest, as clumsy as I was. Dont worry about that, Bella. Maybe it isnt whatI want to be doing,

but I only have to do it long enough to appease my father. And as long as I can see your face at the

end of the day, I dont care what Im doing.

I could only sigh a little dreamily and lean down to brush my lips against his. A pronouncement

like that could only be rewarded with a kiss.

He grinned as I pulled away, grasping my hand tightly. See, thats all I need. You have no idea

how relieved I am. Im an abominable coward sometimes, you know Id been putting off that

conversation for so long because I was terrified he would make me leave. His face had fallen, his

eyes clouding with something I recognized, that sense of dread and fear that went along with

needing someone so much that one lived in fear of having that person taken away.

We could have run away together if he had, I offered, half-joking, trying to ease the tension. If

you could find a way to bring home the bacon, I could cook it.

He chuckled. I suppose I was worried for nothing. Silly of me. I think I could manage anything,

as long as you were with me.

I smiled back as I realized I was thinking about this entirely the wrong way. Edward was right. We

were meantto be together, and staying together was our best bet. It wouldnt help to try to send

Edward away. I could only stand by his side and try to make him happy for as long as I had with

him.

Whats that smile for? he asked, reaching up to brush his fingers along my jaw.

For you, I replied simply.

Hmm. I could get used to that, he teased, taking my hand again. I enjoyed the way he played idly

with my fingers unthinking, unafraid of breaking me. When I was a vampirebut now wasnt the

time for that thought. He would see it on my face, and I didnt want him to think there was a single

part of me that wasnt with him.

Bella Edward started tentatively, although a hint of slyness played about his eyes, Would you

be terribly offended if I tried to sneak into your room tonight?


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I laughed aloud, wondering what was going on in his head. Dont you think that would cause a

scandal?

Smiling softly, he replied, I think I would risk it for the opportunity to hold you in my arms. Just

to sleep, I promise.

I scooted down to lie beside him, facing him. Just sleep? I dont know about that. I couldnt go

without at least a kiss or two.

Edward faked a sigh of exasperation. If thats the price I have to payI guess Ill give you want

you want.

I grinned. See you in a few hours, then?

Definitely, he promised, leaning in to kiss me quickly. I watched him go with a smile; it was easy

to get caught up in watching him, studying the way he moved, the life in his every step.

True to his word, Edward returned after his parents had gone to sleep. He was adorably boyish in

his nightshirt and shorts as he slipped under the blankets beside me. I gladly wound my legs with

his as he wriggled closer, snaking an arm around my waist.

Youre warm, he sighed happily, nuzzling his nose into my hair at my shoulder.

Your feet are cold, I replied, still smiling. They werent nearly as cold as I was used to.

Soon well be able to do this every night, he said; I couldnt see his face, but I could feel him

smiling.

Well be able to do a bit more than that, I pointed out, satisfied when he tensed against me.

Bella!

Sorry, I choked back a laugh, squeezing his arm in apology. Youre cute when youre flustered.

Oh, is that so? he growled playfully as he pinned me beneath him. I think it would be much

cuter ifyouwere the flustered one.

Do you think you can fluster me? I snickered; even though I had a feeling he would make me

eat my words. Edward had no greater talent in life than charming me into submission, in any time.

I know I can, he said, his warm breath drifting over my face. My lips tingled as I met his eyes,

glinting blackly in the darkness, sparked only with moonlight. It was almost like having my vampire

back, seeing that predatory look on his face with that smug smile.

Okay, I relented, wrapping my arms around his neck. You win.


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He smiled his triumph and happily kissed me breathless.

Only Human14

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