Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
A/N: Okay, this is my new story. I hope you like it! Please review. With new stories, I always need to know what you all think.
From Emeralds to RubiesChapter 1: The Windy City
Carlisle looked up from his evening paper and looked at me with curiosity in his ocher eyes.
"Bella," he began, "it's time for us to move."
I glanced up at my father-of-sorts. I wasn't surprised. We had been in Toronto for five years, and people were getting suspicious that we didn't seem to be aging. I never got attached to a specific place, so I was never upset when we left. It was just another part of our hellish existence.
I nodded in acknowledgement. He continued, "What do you say to Chicago?" Now I was surprised.
"Chicago?" I questioned. He nodded vigorously. "Chicago? As in the city of horrendous mobsters and pigs?"
"Yes, Bella. I already have a job there," he continued. "It's perfect. Very cloudy, little sun…"
"When do we leave?"
"The hospital wants me there within the week." I sighed. It was always traumatic picking up and leaving so swiftly, but I just had to deal with it.
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The week passed in a blur. The boxes, carriages, and traveling involved in moving allowed me time to think back to my human life.
I was born on September 13, 1853 in Manhattan, New York to Charles and Renée Swan. I wasn't close to either of them; we were rather wealthy so I was given most of my attention by a fleet of nannies and governesses. My father had inherited an enormous banking fortune that was to pass to me when he died. This, of course, made me a desirable girl on the marriage market.
When I turned seventeen, a wealthy heir to a shipping fortune, Graysen Vanderbilt, took an interest in me. Against my will, marriage papers were drawn up.
A month before the wedding, I decided to take a walk, and before long, I unknowingly wandered into the bad part of town. I was cornered by a few vagrants, mugged, beaten, and left for dead. Then, Carlisle, smelling my blood, changed me.
My power of invisibility and my aversion to human blood allowed Carlisle and I a safe escape from the city and my desperate father's search party.
"Bella?" Carlisle was standing outside our carriage, his hand outstretched for me to take. I graciously took it and stepped into the fresh Chicago air.
In front of me stood a very large white Victorian house with tall windows, double doors, and a wraparound porch. It was positively gorgeous.
"Do you like it?" Carlisle asked.
"It's wonderful!" I cried. "However, it's rather large for just two people."
"I know," he replied sheepishly, "but I saw it and couldn't resist." His eyes flickered to me; "I need to go to the hospital. Some neighbors are bound to come and welcome us, so be nice to them. I'll be back shortly." He gave me a quick hug, then climbed back into the carriage.
I stepped tentatively into the house. When I opened the door, I was amazed. The bottom floor was split into a dining room, kitchen, study, and living room. A magnificent spiral staircase dominated the foyer.
Thanks to Carlisle all the furniture from our old house had been moved and placed, including all of my books. But just as I'd begun to read Pride and Prejudice, there was a knock on the door.
I reluctantly put down my book and opened the door. On the landing stood a rather young woman, with bronze hair and vibrant green eyes. By her well-made clothes, I could tell she was rather wealthy, but definitely no as wealthy as Carlisle and I. No one was wealthier than a three-hundred-year-old vampire-doctor.
"Can I help you?" I asked the woman, attempting to sound cordial, but probably failing miserably.
"Hello," she started. "My name is Elizabeth Masen. I see that you've gotten settled." I nodded, trying to cut this conversation short.
"I hope you will consider gracing my home with you presence this evening."
I was frozen for a few moments as I remembered Carlisle's instructions. He said to be nice. What better way to do that than to have supper with her and her family?
"Of course," I consented. "My brother and I would love nothing more than to dine with you." She smiled widely and her whole face lit up beautifully.
"Oh dear, that is wonderful!" she cried. "I'm sure my husband and son will adore you both! Dinner shall be served at eight tonight. Good day!" She and I curtsied to each other and then she walked to her carriage and drove off.
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Carlisle arrived home shortly after Mrs. Masen left. When I told him of our dinner plans this evening, he smirked and chuckled lightly.
"Ah Bella," he sighed. "That was very kind of you. However…" he trailed off.
"Yes?" I prodded.
"You do realize you'll actually have to eat the food? And at least pretend you enjoy it all?" he replied. My face fell. I honestly hadn't thought of that.
"Silly Bella!" I glared at him and stalked off. "Wait Bells!" I turned to face him. "It would be proper for you and I to go to town and buy the good Mrs. Masen a bottle of fancy wine, don't you think?" I sighed and nodded.
He and I summoned the carriage and drove to the shops. We entered a wine store called The Wealthy Vineyard and began to browse, but of course, we were vampires and had no idea how to go about buying a simple bottle of wine. As Carlisle sauntered off to find an employee I continued to explore the store.
"So, why are we here Eddie?" a young boy asked this "Eddie".
"First," he replied, "don't call me Eddie. My name is Edward. As to why we are here, my mother told me to get a bottle of wine for our guests tonight." I kept listening, interested.
"Who are these mysterious visitors?" the boy asked.
"The new family. The Cullens," he replied. I moved closer to them. "Apparently it's a new doctor and his little sister." Their conversation was obviously over, so I tried to get away, but the only way I could leave was by passing them. If I did that they would notice me and probably stare at me for a while. Quite the predicament.
I decided to face my fears and walked past them. They of course saw me and spoke up.
"Oh!" Edward exclaimed. "You're the Cullen girl!" I grimaced.
"Yes I am." I turned away from them and walked to where Carlisle was with a newly acquired bottle of wine in hand. Edward seemed bemused at my rude behavior, but I brushed him off.
The last thing I heard was Edward's little friend saying, "She is incredibly gorgeous."
Carlisle and I rode home with our bottle. The second I stepped in the house, Carlisle began to scold me on my manners. I honestly did not listen to a word of his speech. He was well aware of this, but decided not to care. When he finished ranting I smiled at him and put the wine into our unnecessary refrigerator.
I stalked up to my room to dress for dinner. I ended picking out my finest dress. It was a somewhat long black dress with long sleeves, button trimmings and a high hem. I matched it with a black button-up cape, hat, and low-heeled shoes.
I walked downstairs where Carlisle had been waiting. He wore a long black coat with a red rose pinned on the lapel and light gray trousers.
"Are you ready to go Bella?" he asked, offering me his arm. I nodded and graciously accepted it.
This won't be fun…
Tada! You like? Review pretty please, I really want to know if I should continue this story. The pics of their dinner clothes are on my profile. They're a little ugly, but in my opinion, only the ball gowns of that era are something I would actually wear. The Elizabethan age was much kinder to women's fashion.
REVIEW!
That is all.