Only Time Will Tell

December 1916 Part 1

A/N: Okay so chapter 24 was suppsoed to be the last but then I realized just how fucking long it was getting and how long it had been since I posted so I'm splitting it in two guys. Here's the first part.

"Honestly, how could we let it get like this."

Elizabeth muttered under her breath as she clipped away at Edward's hair. Mr. Masen waiting off to the side in one of the kitchen chairs reading the paper as he waited for his turn. The kitchen being the only place that Elizabeth could cut their hair, as other then the far too small bathroom, it wasn't carpet.

Jacob was in the main part of the kitchen making dinner as she did. So that Elizabeth wouldn't have worry about it and didn't have to rush while she chopped away. Her OCD-like and perfectionist mind making her take much longer than a normal barber would. Knowing how long his wife could take Mr. Masen always came home early on these days and it made for a good time for the family to just talk, catch up, and socialize all together while she worked. Which is why they never hired anyone to cut and style their hair. They enjoyed these little moments. Even more so now that Jacob was here to cook while they all talked. It meant they could go right to having dinner once they were done. Elizabeth also appreciated the help with the chores as cooking and then cleaning the kitchen floor of everything would have been a lot to do alone.

"You know Jacob if you want me to, I can give you a nice cut as well." Elizabeth said playfully with an assertive snip of more of Edward's hair. Already knowing the answer from the way she saw Jacob meticulously take care of his hair during his stay here. Jacob just glared jokingly and flipped it over his shoulders, reminiscent of how Elizabeth would sometimes.

"Not in a million years." He said with such a serious almost insulted tone it made all of them chuckle.

"A new look could be nice for Christmas." She said conversationally still clipping away.

"Well then I'll braid it or put it up instead of just leaving it down like usual, but it will not be shrinking in size." He replied checking over the roast he had in the oven and the pots on the stove.

Elizabeth seemed to actually think about and try to picture that. Her lips turned up at one side in interest. She thinks Jacob would look rather good like that. He may even attract some young lady's attention. Something Elizabeth would greatly encourage. She knows Jacob has intention to return home after his stay with them is over, whenever that might be, but after what her husband had told her about the conversation he had with Jacob last Halloween, because she and her husband keep nothing from each other, she couldn't help but hope for Jacob to stay anyways. She knows it's a long shot as the boy is very responsible and holds great respect for one's duties in life but if anything could be stronger then that it was love. And Elizabeth thinks that with as good of a man as Jacob is he deserves that and to be happy in his life. Though... Elizabeth has always a bit of a rebel and tended to scoff at traditions she didn't agree with and values following one's hearts.

"You should consider putting it up for the Christmas eve party tomorrow." She said.

This year they actually weren't throwing their own Christmas party. You see, in high society one can not only host, it was important to also go to events. So, they tended to alternate holidays they would host for and go out for over the years. They threw their own Christmas Eve party last year, so it was best to go out to one this time.

They had plans to go to the Akerman's Christmas party this year. Having received the invitation soon after spending Halloween with them. Which was pretty rare as people sent invitation months sometimes even over a year in advance for them to attend. The Akerman's were able to send their invite late given they're close relationship with the Masen family their invite took precedence over others.