Author's Note: So I had completely forgotten about this story, but I am back and this story will be updated weekly if I can help it, so please enjoy this chapter, it's pretty long and heartfelt. First though I would like to thank Leens who reminded me this story existed and I needed to update it so thanks for that. READ AND REVIEW!
Chapter Two
Travelin' Soldier
"I cried, never gonna hold the hand of another guy,
Too young for him they told her, waiting for the love of a traveling soldier,
Our love will never end waiting for the soldier to come back again…"
-Travelin' Soldier by the Dixie Chicks
Isabella Marie Swan.
"Marry me baby."
Emmett and I were sitting in our kitchen, sharing one last dinner together before he shipped out tomorrow when he surprised me with those three simple words. I turned quickly toward him, startled greatly by his sudden request, only to be met with his beautiful blue eyes sparkling into mine as he pulled me into his strong embrace. Staring into his eyes I forgot for a split second what had just happened, darn attractive boyfriend.
I couldn't have heard him right, there was no way. Did Emmett just ask me to marry him? No he couldn't have, I must be losing my mind. Yes, that's it I've lost my mind. That must be it, it has to be. He smirked, clearly entertained with the inner battle I was so observably having. I sighed, exasperated, as I said the most intelligent response I could think of in that very moment.
"Come again?"
He chuckled lightly at my oh so intellectual comeback, leaning down to kiss me before pulling away and sliding down onto one knee in front of me. My breath caught in my throat and only one thought went through my mind, holy shit, this was actually happening.
"Baby, I know I'm leaving tomorrow, but I just have to ask you this now, before I leave, I just have to. Babe you are my life, my light, my key to happiness, my everything, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You have shown me what love is, Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other. Love is a thing, well, it's kind of like quicksand: The more you are in it, the deeper you sink. And when it hits you, you've just got to fall. Love works in miracles every day: such as weakening the strong, and stretching the weak; making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools; favoring the passions, destroying reason, and in a word, turning everything topsy-turvy. Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness. You've taught me all of that, through the way you live every day and I couldn't be more grateful to have you in my life. Bella you showed me that after every atrocious and revolting thing that life had dealt to me, there was still hope, I could still find love, and I did, in the most unexpected of places. I found love in the girl that had been there all along, my best friend. All that being said, will you take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you, wear it proudly until I come home, safe and sound, and then do me the honor of being my wife? Isabella Marie Swan, will you marry me?"
Tears were streaming freely down my face as he completed his proposal. All those little love quotes I had written in little notes to him over the years, he still had them. Not only did he still have them, but he had used them to propose to me. Could he get any more amazing? All I could conjure up in response was a frantic nod as he slipped the ring onto my finger. He snickered at my reaction to his proposal and pulled me into his arms, a satisfied smirk ornamenting his facial features.
"You alright there beautiful?" Smug Bastard.
A soldier's leaving home, away from the ones who love him most.
We will pray for his safety and hope that's enough,
so one day that soldier will come home to us.
That night I was snuggled in bed with my wonderful fiancé, the diamond of my engagement ring sparking brightly in the minimal light from the bedside lamp, and I was happy…ish. How could I be fully happy? My whole reason for living was leaving me tomorrow, for a foreign country in which he would be putting his life on the line to fight for our country's freedom. Watching him walk away tomorrow morning was gonna kill me. I gazed at him with a content smile on my face, my fingers lazily tracing the intricate tattoo that decorated his right side. He really was insanely attractive. He had an amazing body, sparkling blue eyes, eight pack abs, strong biceps….dear god I was one lucky girl. A small voice broke me out of my thoughts of my sexy soon to be husband.
"Daddy, Miss Bella I had a nightmare"
I looked up to see Emmett's beautiful four year old daughter, Claire, standing in the door way, teddy bear and blanket in hand, tears streaming down her face.
"Awe my poor baby girl," Emmett murmured into her hair, holding her tightly in his arms. Now I know what you're all thinking, the man's got a baby, why are you with him? I've known Emmett my entire life; he's my best friend, always has been and always will be. In high school, Emmett started dating this girl, Rosalie Hale, which he was hopelessly in love with. They had sex and inevitably she got pregnant. Rosalie never wanted a baby, said it interfered to much with her life goals and such, so she left right after Claire was born and never looked back. This really did a number on him and if it wasn't for Claire being here, I'm sure I would've lost him for good. He and I got together three years after that situation had settled. Claire fully understood the situation, but still miraculously had a bright outlook on life as a whole. She was a very loved little girl and she knew that fact very well.
"Daddy when you leave tomorrow you're gonna come back right? You're gonna come back to me and Miss Bella right daddy?"
"Of course baby girl, of course"
I will miss my soldier when he goes,
His home will be in Iraq
That will be at least a year or so,
His family has been there by his side along with his fellow comrades.
A soldier's leaving home, as they always do,
But this time he's going home to a place, he never even knew
.
We stood motionless in the middle of the terminal, embracing one another, Emmett's arms wrapped securely around my waist and Claire's arms enveloped around her father's legs. I tried my hardest not to cry, but of course failed miserably. She begged him quietly not to go, heartbreaking really.
"Daddy's got to go princess", he told Claire, letting go of me so he could peel her from his legs. She begged him again and again not to go, crying and thrashing quite loudly as he carefully placed her in my arms, preparing himself to leave us. He was fighting back his tears, that much was evident. He pressed a long, meaningful kiss to my lips, whispering a simple I love you before walking away from the two of us, wiping his tears with a tissue he had stuck in the pocket of his dress blues.
I watched him walk away, Claire held tightly in my arms. I couldn't let myself cry, not in front of Claire. All of my strength was required now, at this very moment. I had to be strong, for Emmett, for Claire, and most of all, for my sanity.
We arrived home about 45 minutes later, having stopped at McDonalds for a quick lunch, and Claire was now fast asleep on the couch in the living room. Grabbing some paper and a pen from Emmett's small in-home office, I sat at the island in our kitchen and began my first letter to my dear traveling soldier.
Dear Emmett,
You just left and I already miss you like crazy. Claire is sound asleep on the couch as I write this, but she misses you too. She drew a picture of what you looked like before you left, in your dress blues. It's really cute, so cute in fact that I stuck it in this envelope with the letter, just a little something for you to remember us by.
She really is excited about us getting married, mostly because she gets to wear a pretty princess dress and throw flower petals everywhere. It's adorable really.
I walked into our room when I got home from the airport and I have to say it's just not the same without you, it feels so empty, lonely even. I don't know how I'm gonna sleep in there without you. I want so bad to be back in your arms, smiling and laughing and just being in love. I know it may sound overly corny and stuff, but it's true.
It's almost Christmas, our first without you being home. Not exactly sure how merry of a Christmas it will be, but I will do my best to make it an amazing Christmas for Claire. That is my job as her stand in mother after all. We will definitely mail you all your presents, and I'm sure Santa will bring them safely to you. Poor Claire thinks Santa can bring you home to us for Christmas; I don't know how to tell her you won't be here. She's already started the countdown till Daddy comes home, 730 days even. Two whole years till I see you again, gosh that's a long time.
I swear to you though, no matter how long we are apart you will always hold the key to my heart. It's just you and me, always and forever. I couldn't be more proud of everything you do for me, for Claire, and for your country. You are an amazingly strong man and I admire that about you. You've been through so much already and I know for a fact you will come home to Claire and me, safe and sound. Write back soon. I love you my travelin' soldier.
All My Love,
Isabella Marie Swan.
I sealed the letter into the envelope along with Claire's drawing and stuck it in the mailbox, anxiously awaiting my fiancé's reply.
