DISCLAIMER: I own a lovely pair of black suede boots, a sweet pair of red patent leather heels, and a trusty yellow VW Beetle, but I don't own anything Twilight. I just like to play with SM's characters! Enjoy
Description: Edward signs up for WWII without telling anyone. Can Bella and Edward keep their relationship going through the strife and difficulties of being separated overseas?
Chapter 1: December 8, 1941: Unthinkable
The days were growing ever shorter, and the streets of Chicago, Illinois now glowed with the lights donning the trees of Michigan Avenue. Crowds fought to see the colorful characters in the windows of Marshall Fields, and families with small children stopped at the Artist's Cafe for some hot chocolate to warm cold hands.
On Walton Street in the Cullen household, there was a dinner on the table that had just been set up, the wonderful smell permeating the room and giving it a homey feel. Bella Swan, the newly 18 year old beau of 17 year old Edward Cullen was seated across from Carlile and Esme Cullen who were staring at their son with a mixture of fear, sadness, and disapproval.
"But how could you do this to us? You know how dangerous! You aren't even of age!" Esme cried as tears ran down her normally rosy cheeks. Her make-up was running, and her eyes were red and bloodshot.
"Esme, please try to calm down. I'm sure Edward thought this through." Carlile interjected as he put an arm around his upset wife. "Edward, it's not that we don't support the troops fighting overseas, and it's not that we don't think you can make your own decisions. But, son kids are dying out there by the hundreds. We don't want you to be one of them. The Newton boy's parents just got a letter in the mail today. He was killed by those Japs at Pearl Harbor. Edward...we support you no matter what. But just be careful. Come home to us son."
"Dad, Mom, I know that you think this is a bad decision, but I'm almost 18. Emmet and Jasper are there. I can't just sit idly by and watch it go on without doing something. I have a duty to do. Mom, please tell me you understand?"
Esme lifted her tear filled eyes to her son. "Edward, you are my youngest child. I love you and support you no matter what. I am just afraid." She sighed and wiped her eyes with her lace handkerchief. Looking up once more, with a hint of a smile on her lovely face she said: "Just don't let me get a letter about your death. You come back home to us."
"I will Mom. I'll come back."
The table was silent once more as the maid returned from the kitchen. "I'll just go heat this back up a bit now. No need for cold supper."
All throughout this conversation Bella had remained quiet. Whether it was out of fear or anger Edward was unsure, but her hands gripped her napkin so tightly that her knuckles were white, and her lips were set in a firm line. She did not touch one bite of the meal that was served, although truth be told neither did anyone else.
"Did you even ask Bella what she thought about you enlisting or did you ignore that part of your life too?" Came the Rosalie's cold tone from the opposite end of the table. Rosalie, Emmet's wife, was furious, not at Edward, really, but because her husband was MIA. No word for three months now. She was pregnant too. Six months gone with twins.
"Rose! It's none of our busin-" Alice piped up but was cut off with Rosalie's icy stare. Alice's husband Jasper was also overseas with the Army Air Core. She had received her last letter from him a week ago. He was well, but losing faith.
For the first time since he had signed his autograph on that piece of army issued paper, Edward felt shame. He had made a rash desicion without consulting anyone first, and how could he have left Bella out of this? He wished that he had the words to explain, the words to say he was sorry for his actions...but it was too late. He was boarding a bus in two days. So little time for goodbyes, and even less time for apologies which usually take much longer than goodbyes.
Without a word Bella rose from the table. "Excuse me Carlilse, Esme, but I am not feeling well. I shall just step out for some fresh air if you don't mind." Edward's parents nodded and went back to their meal. Bella smoothed her periwinkle wool skirt and pulled her white sweater tighter around her thin frame as she made her way to the veranda in the back of the house which overlooked a large landscaped yard. She stood looking at the stars that were just beginning to appear in the blue velvet sky as she thought of her friends far away...maybe dead. She could not imagine her Edward there...doing things unimaginable for most 17 year olds. Suddenly she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind, arms that she knew to be Edwards. Angrily she stepped away from his embrace and stared at him in the moonlight, the glow from the windows backlighting his figure so that he was only an outline. He moved into the shadow of the doorway and she saw his eyes, wide and as terrified as hers were. Immediately she threw herself at him, wanting to hold all of him at once as tight as possible.
"Why didn't you say anything? Why! Why not even talk to us about it first? Edward I can't watch you leave! I can't do it. I can't sit and wait for the mailman day in and day out wondering whether I'll hear from you ever again, whether we'll even ever know what'll happen to you. Edward take it back, please take it back!" She begged as tears soaked the starched collar of his button up shirt. Her knees buckled and swiftly she felt herself being lifted into strong arms and placed on the porch swing.
Edward sighed as he stroked her hair, feeling it's silky smoothness between his fingers like endless rows of satin ribbons. "You know I can't take it back Bella. And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you...any of you. It was wrong of me. But you know that even if I had none of you would have allowed it. I can't just sit and listen to Roosevelt anymore, and know that my brothers are out there fighting for this and just sit at home and do nothing! To hell with senior year of high school Bella. This is more important. You know it is."
Bella sat up from his lap, looking into his emerald green eyes that were staring straight into her brown ones with such ernest. "Now you listen here." She said as tears poured down her face, "You come back to me. And you kiss me like they do in the movies we see. And you better never let me go. Promise?"
Edward smiled for the first time that night, his eyes crinkling up as his full lips curved upwards. "I'll always come back to you Bella. I'll never, ever leave you for good." With that, he brought his hands up to her face and kissed her mouth full and hard, just like in the movies.
Bella sat up higher and slid her hands around Edward's neck, unbuttoning his collar. "Please take me upstairs." She begged him with her eyes.
"Bella" he breathed, swirling his thumb across her flushed cheek, "I can't do that to you. Not now...not till we're married....and I want that. To marry you I mean.
"Edward, I don't want to be a Swan the rest of my life, and if something does happen" Edward started to interrupt but Bella placed her fore-finger against his lips to quiet him. "IF something happens, I want to know that I was an honest woman. And you're not going off to war without taking me to bed." A sexy mischievous smile came across her features, for the first time she looked like Bella before all of this war business.
"You mean it?" Edward asked? His hand fingered his pocket where the ring meant for Bella resided since he had told Carlile he had enlisted. He was going to ask her to marry him, but he never planned on marriage before he actually left. But times like these, when everything was uncertain...
"Of course I mean it. I love you Edward. I want to be your wife." Bella's eyes were wide and filled with love and emotion. "I think we should go to the courthouse tomorrow as soon as they open. Whad'ya say soldier boy?"
Edward's lips twitched and he smiled that crooked smile that made Bella's knees go weak and her heart flutter a million miles an hour.
"I say you beat me to it you little minx!" He laughed as he tickled her sides. "But I also say this:" He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out the small red velveteen box. "Bella Swan, I love you with everything I have to give you. I would give you the moon if I could. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Bella smiled softly as she took in the breathtaking diamond ring that had been Edward's granmother's. She then looked into his eyes and smiled widely as she threw her arms around his neck with a squeal of glee. "OF COURSE! Nothing would make me happier Edward. I love you. I'm yours. I always have been.
The two of them shared a deep kiss that was filled with more than just love and passion. There was fear as well, and as they walked back into the house hand in hand, they felt as if they were ready to face anything.
The family was still around the table and as Edward and Bella entered they all looked up expectantly. Edward cleared his throat. "Just so you know, Bella and I have decided to get married. Tomorrow at the courthouse. And we would all like you to be there. I know it's quick, but I want to leave for war knowing that I married the love of my life. I hope you will support us."
All at once there was commotion in the dining room. Rosalie slid violently back in her chair and swept past them out of the room. Carlisle stood and clapped Edward on the back while Esme grabbed both Edward and Bella into a hug, and Alice had jumped up on her chair and was hopping up and down with glee until she too joined the group hug.
"Congratulations!!!!! But you owe me one fantastic baby shower since I don't get to plan a wedding you two!" Alice said as she poked both of her friends in the chest.
"Alice, I don't think anything could keep you from it anyway. And who said anything about babies yet? We're not even married!"
"But you will be tomorrow! And you're going to have a honeymoon aren't you?" Alice smiled mischievously and winked in Bella's direction.
Bella blushed an intense red and hid her face in Edward's shoulder, taking comfort in his scent, only hoping that she would get to smell that wonderful scent of him for the rest of her life.
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