COMING HOME
Bella/Jasper
Prompts:
Habit/vanity
We need to talk
and a picture of an electrical storm.
Jasper entered the tent he shared with his team. He was over the desert, over the sand, over the heat. He was over it all. This fifth tour was really wearing him down this time and he wasn't really sure why. He moved his wedding ring out of the way dislodging the sand that was caught behind it, it rubbed the skin away. The sand got in everywhere. It was the simple things that you took pleasure in at home. At home he didn't even notice the ring on his finger it had been there that long. In fact he didn't think he could even get it off these days. Not that he would want too. He was perfectly happy with his wife.
He laid down on the bunk staring up at the underside of the bunk above him. He had photos there. Photos of his wife, their young son. It had been so long since he had seen them in the flesh and he sighed. He was sure that Benny wouldn't even remember him. He looked so much like Jasper had as a kid. But with Bellas beautiful brown eyes. The only part of her he got.
"Whats up Major?" asked Emmett, he knew that look on Jaspers face. The look told him Jasper really needed to speak to his sister. Emmett was his brother in law, but also his second in command. The thought of his best friend and his sister together still made him grimace. Even after all these years, but he couldn't deny that they were perfectly matched.
"Nothin" Jasper replied. Thou he knew Emmett would know the problem.
"Do we need to talk? We'll be home soon J" said Emmett. He wanted to be home with his own wife too.
"I know. Eighteen months is just a long time. Benny wasn't even talking or walking when I left and now he does all those things" replied Jasper quietly. He generally kept a tight lid on his emotions, especially those concerning his family. It was a bit of a habit of his. Bella was the only one that really knew what she and Benny meant to him and then she sometimes questioned it too. That stuff made his heart break. She could never understand how she had got the guy of her dreams. Jasper always told her she didn't see herself clearly at all.
"That video of him tottering around the lounge room is pretty priceless" said Emmett with a smile, he had only seen his nephew in the flesh once in the poor little guys life.
"Yeah" came Jaspers rough voice, he was hiding a small sob. They had been out of communication for eight weeks, he couldn't wait for him phone time to come tonight. He just hoped that Bella would be home.
"Four weeks Jasper. Four weeks" Emmett reminded him. He rarely called him Jasper here. Not that their team was very formal either. But Jasper was just the major, there were no other names really.
Later that night Jasper finally got near a computer, his email was a top priority for him. Bella was always sending him small clips of Benny to brighten his day. Simple things, breakfast, bath time, the first time Benny said Daddy. She was so thoughtful in what she sent, stuff that made him feel like he wasn't missing everything entirely. He wasn't sure why he was missing them more than usual. He couldn't really put his finger on it. Granted this was the longest he had been away from home their entire marriage. And the first time he had ever left two pieces of his heart behind. He had to admit that Bella dealt with it all pretty well. Of course she married Jasper knowing what she was getting into. But the reality of it is still harsh.
"That your boy?" asked the newest team member. Edward, fresh faced, freshly married, first tour. Edward didn't really know anything about the major. The major was pretty tight lipped about his home life, about anything that was stateside until you got to know him. Thou he had heard Private Mike Newton muttering about the majors family. Things he hoped the men would never say about his own wife.
Jasper nodded. "Ben, he's two"
"Must be hard to leave your family at home." said Edward hoping to break the ice a little with the major. The man made him a little nervous. He was a veteran after all. Career army guys were hard as nails.
"It is Cullen, It is" replied Jasper smiling as the film ended with both Bella and Benny in screen yelling out 'we love you'.
"Just the one?" asked Edward.
"Yeah, we want more thou. But its been pretty hard on my wife, having him on her own all the time. Not that she would complain about any of it" Jasper smiled thinking of his beautiful girl. She was all soft and warm and he was really wishing he was home right at the moment. "You married?" Jasper realized he knew nothing of Cullen.
Cullen nodded. "Just a few weeks before I was shipped out. Alice, my wife is dealing with it all pretty well. She moved our belongings out to the new house on her own and she has made some pretty good friends. One girl that she can't stop talking about. Runs the support group for wives out of the base?" Edward had no idea who she was. "She describes her as a cute, fat little thing" chuckled Edward. "Alice said she would of died without her. That she has been very kind and giving. Puts everyone before her self" Edward shrugged. "I'm just glad she has found people to be with, people that seem generally very nice. Must make it easier."
Jasper nodded. "The cute fat little thing is my wife"
"Oh, sorry sir, I meant no offense. Its the way Alice described her, and I had to agree when I saw the photo. Oh god, i'm digging a hole here"
Jasper laughed. "its ok Cullen. She has been called a lot worse than that"
"Really?" said Edward looking up. She was a little overweight but the woman was for from unattractive. Actually she was pretty beautiful. That strawberries and cream skin and long brunette hair, he could see the attraction. He couldn't believe people would be so rude thou. You just didn't do that where Edward was from. Who was anyone to say anything.
"Yeah. Newton will fill you in, his wife is generally the worst. Just don't get him started in front of Swan. My wife is his twin." said Jasper pulling up a photo of Bella and Emmett together for Edward.
"their twins?" said Edward in disbelief. They were about as different as twins could be. Bella looked like a child against her brother.
Jasper chuckled. "They are."
"Must be nice to have some family around" mentioned Edward.
Jasper nodded. "It is. I'm pretty lucky in that respect. Captain Whitlock, Peter is my younger brother and Emmett my brother in law. I've known Emmett my entire life, its why he makes such a good second for me. We think alike."
"Meaning you have known your wife just as long?" asked Edward. He couldn't imagine knowing anyone that long or being married to anyone he knew has a child.
"I have" smiled Jasper, lost in his memories. Jasper shook his head. "How did you meet your wife?" Jasper had to admit Edward seemed like an ok guy.
"We went to the same college. But didn't meet until the end of junior year. We haven't been together long when I compare to you, but sometimes you just know I guess" Jasper smiled in response. OH he knew.
"I may of known Bella all my life, but it took me along time to appreciate what was in front of me. You could say I was a little like Newton in my younger years, not as crude, and I would of never hurt her because she was my friend, but I didn't see her the same way I do now either." explained Jasper. He was at a loss, wondering why he was explaining himself to Cullen. Maybe he saw himself when he was in his first tour, your scared and missing home. Talking about your love ones and wives generally helps keep you grounded. And Jasper felt it was important to know in case the worst thing ever happened. He liked the idea of being able to share small stories with a grieving family if he had to. He sadly knew from experience that it helped.
"What changed?" asked Edward. He had to admit he was interested. How could you go from not being attracted to someone to them being the love of your life? He could admit to himself that he didn't think it would of mattered what Alice looked like, they still would of attracted. It was magnetic.
"My first tour. She was there to meet us, to welcome Emmett home. I hadn't seen her in fifteen months. She had written me each time she wrote to Emmett while we were gone. Nothing special, just life stuff. She was doing the college thing. It was nice to have a connection home. A reason to go home. I never once returned her letters, but she kept writing them. When you get to know her you'll understand that its such a Bella thing to do. She puts everyone ahead of herself. Anyway she ran at Emmett and he was swinging her around like a crazy person, and they were both laughing. I had never seen her that beautiful. She turned and looked at me and smiled. She was just as happy to see me home as she was Emmett. Best hug I ever had was that day. She was all warm and soft and smelt of home baking. It was the first time I saw her as more than my slightly overweight friend. She is actually pretty curvy and I can assure you its all types of good" smirked Jasper. Except for her height, Jasper thought she was pretty well proportioned. Big tits, hips and ass he loved. And the tiniest waist possible. She always dressed in a way that suited her figure and played up the best parts of it. In realistic terms she was a ten, she was never going to be a four or six. She liked to eat and Jasper didn't care. She was healthy and that was all that mattered to him. In medical terms she wasn't overweight, she just looked it because of her height.
"That was all it took?" asked Edward. He was really quite involved in the story. It was kind of amazing to him.
"You will be amazed just how good some things will look after you have been away from home long enough Cullen. I go home to a house filled with home baked goodness, a wife that gives more than she ever receives, who I love more than words can describe and who I know without a doubt loves me the same way and a little boy that about makes my heart want to break I have missed him so much. I get the feeling your Alice makes you feel the same way" said Jasper looking over at Cullen.
Edward nodded. "In our own way, yeah I think I get what your saying. Going home is like a dream come true. But Alice in a kitchen is down right scary" chuckled Edward.
"For most of us yeah. Going home is a dream come true. Peters wife Charlotte is Bellas best friend, they are quite similar. Keep us Whitlock men under control" chuckled Jasper. "Emmetts wife is quite the spit fire. Rose, she takes some warming up to, but I love her. She sticks up for my girl when Jessica gets under her skin. Everyone kind of puts Bella in a pretty high spot, because Bella puts herself at the bottom all the time. But if Alice is talking about her, then know that Alice is being well looked after while your not home. She will be ok" smiled Jasper hoping to reassure Edward.
"Thanks. For you know" muttered Edward.
"Its ok Cullen. I know. Where men we don't do the feeling shit. But its ok to talk to people about your wife, and how much you miss her. Where all in the same boat man. And I don't know about you, but I want people to know how much I love her, because if the worst thing happens over here I want to know people will be able to tell her that. That they can tell my son that he was my whole world even if I couldn't see him everyday. Being here it makes you take a look at whats important to you. It took me a long time to get my head out of my ass and claim my girl, and our girls Edward they put up with a lot of shit, so I figure the least I can do is make sure the world knows I love her." shrugged Jasper.
"What about Newton? I have heard him." Edward was being a little timid asking. "I don't think I could put up with him doing that to Alice."
"Hes like an electrical storm isn't he. If you let him strike you it hurts like hell. Heres the thing about Newton. He's not worth it. He really needs to grow up. We have come to blows before, but Bella she hates it when I let him get to me. Truth be known he is jealous. He wishes he got to go home to my house. Bella is the living definition of the perfect wife and mother. Newton rarely knows where his wife is" explained Jasper. He was starting to feel like a gossip. But hey everyone on their base knew the stories.
"Thanks for sharing your family with me" smiled Edward. He already knew he would like Bella just from Alice, but he could see being friends with them, seeing the family in his down time. Jasper seemed like a stand up guy to him. And lets face it Newton was a moron, you just didn't say those things about peoples wives.
"You didn't get him started on his perfect wife and son did you?" questioned Peter walking in for his scheduled computer time. He clipped Jaspers head on the way in a show of brotherhood. Edward nodded with a chuckle, while Jasper snorted at Peter. Peter loved Bella, she had always been his sounding board, well until he found his Charlotte, and she had taken Char under her wings so that she survived this life.
"Do you have kids to Pete?" asked Edward.
"No, we want them thou. We have only been married two years and well I've been here for most of that" shrugged Peter. "Jaspers the only one with kids. Emmett will be next, he just needs to be home long enough"
Jasper nodded in agreement. Emmett was coming off back to back tours, he had a two week break in the middle and that was it. "Well we will be home for at least the next 12 months if not more. They will have plenty of time" smirked Jasper.
All three looked at each other and let out a big whoop. Jasper walked out of the room chuckling and shaking his head. "Heads up" yelled Tyler tossing him the cell. Jasper nodded in thanks to the team leader in the tent across the way. Finally it was their turn. Jasper wasted no time in dialing home.
"Its on the vanity Rose" Yelled Bella picking up the phone. "Hello?"
Jasper laughed, and wondered just what they were up too. "Hey Darlin"
"Jasper" she said with an intake of breath. It had been so long since she had heard his voice. "Hang on a second ok. I love you" Jasper smiled and listened in.
"Benny, come to mommy." he heard her say. He heard the phone crackle.
"Daddy" Jasper heard the small voice of his son, his heart clenched. "Love you"
Jasper teared up a little. "Benjamin" Jasper whispered.
"He tells your photo that every night before bed, when I tell him all about his Daddy. He can't wait for you to come home" said Bella quietly. "I can't wait for you to come home. We miss you"
"I miss you too" said Jasper looking up at the tent ceiling. He didn't want to make her cry too. But fuck this shit just sucked. "A month Darlin. We will all be home in a month, our orders came through while we were out on mission."
"That has to be the best news I have ever heard." said Bella and Jasper could hear the smile in her voice. Bella knew they only had a few minutes and she quickly told him of what her and Benny had been up to and how she was teaching him to kick a ball. "I took video of it for you today. Hes little legs kicking out is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I will email it later today"
"I can't wait to take him to the park" whispered Jasper. It was such a simple want. "I love you so much"
"I love you too" replied Bella keeping a tight lid on her emotions. She could cry after she got off the phone.
"Oh god, I have to go. My time is up. I'm sorry Darlin. I love you" repeated Jasper again.
"Please stay safe for us. We love you too. Come home to me Jasper" she always ended her phone calls like that. It was almost a warning.
"I always will" he replied. He hated phone call endings. He could never say enough times that he loved them, and he could never truly express what he wanted to. He needed to be with her to show her. "You give me a reason Bella. I love you sweetheart" he heard her whispered reply before ending the call. Jasper rubbed his face and tossed the phone to Emmett and walked out. The girls always forwarded house calls to their cells so he knew Emmett would find Rose.
The following month was the longest in all their lives. They lost Newton during routine patrol. The first man Jasper had lost under his command. But newton just wouldn't listen. Jasper had repeatedly told him to stay in the jeep as they went through a small town that was known to hide snipers. But would he listen?
Jasper wasn't sure what he was going to do when he got home. Jessica had fled the base home according to Bella. She had tried to reach out to her, in Bellas eyes it didn't matter how much she disliked the woman, it could have been any of their husbands, but Jessica had physically pushed Bella away. Something she had not shared with her husband.
Upon landing the men were quickly ushered in for debrief and were stood down for the following month for R and R. It was well deserved for most of them. Cullen had been lucky to of only been away six months.
The officers were retained for a further 30 minutes to go over Newton death and finalize reports. Jasper, Peter and Emmett watched the five other team mates through the window. There were screams and laughter, hugs and tears as wives met husbands. The boys couldn't see their own wives, who were out there waiting. The General seeing their eyes trained on the exit let them go. He knew what coming home was like. He had been in their shoes during the gulf war, in fact he knew Emmett and Jasper before they had wives. "Go boys, we can do this later" they only nodded in reply. Not the best conduct to display, but the general was somewhat amused.
Jasper walked through the exit door. His duffel over his shoulder. He was still dusty from travel and the sand in his hair came from a land far away from here. He saw them before they saw him. Benny holding Bellas hand as she walked him closer. There eyes met as she looked up and Jasper sighed in relief, he was home. He could see her tears and that smile that always made his heart speed. He dropped his duffel as his eyes hit the little boy. His boy. He couldn't believe he was looking at him, in the flesh, that in seconds he would have them both in his arms.
Bella was pointing Jasper out to Benny, as she crouched beside him. As Benny yelled out "Daddy" Jasper fell to his knees and a little boy hurled himself into his fathers arms. Bella was laughing and smiling through her tears. It was just as she hoped it would be. She staggered towards her boys and locked eyes with her husband and fell into his strong arms. Jasper buried his nose in her hair and smiled. Chocolate chip cookies.
The team members watched the family reunion with a big smile. "That was so beautiful" whispered Alice from under Edwards arm. "You know she doesn't believe that he loves her. Says he is far to attractive to be stuck with her. But that, that is love" Edward was sneaking glances at the family. He felt like he was looking at something he shouldn't be. Jasper and Bella both had tears streaming down their faces. You could see they were radiating love and relief. Jasper was right, coming home was like nothing on earth. And he felt privileged to of been able to witness it. People he went to school with would of laughed and called him a pussy, but really there was nothing wrong with what he had just seen. Edward knew that memory would forever be branded on his soul.
"Hmm" Edward replied. "He loves her. The way he speaks about them, you would never doubt it. And I really don't think he feels stuck do you"
Alice giggled and watched again, as the pair shared what looked like a pretty passionate kiss with Benny between them. No Jasper was right where he wanted to be.
Collecting herself Bella stood back up. Jasper had Benny in his arms, his duffel over his shoulder and his arm around Bella. Coming home was something rather special. Jasper finally felt whole.
"Lets go home" yelled Jasper towards his men and their families. The roar and applause told him they all agreed with the statement.