Chap 2

I knew that someone had to tell Carlisle, Esme and Alice to let them know. I felt empty the house I was in felt empty he was my other halve, my soul mate. I knew I had to compose myself before I called his relatives to let them know the devastating news but I just couldn't stop the tears. It broke my heart to be the one to tell them, I went into the living room and picked up the phone and decided to call Renee. "Hello?" my mother answered. When she did all I could do was burst into to tears. "Bella is that you? Bella what's wrong," she asked, concern rising in her voice. "He's gone," I kept repeating, like the more times I said the more it would sink in. I felt like it was a nightmare I was living and eventually I would wake up and he would be here kissing me and telling me everything was going to be alright. "I'll be right over," she said as she hung up the phone. I could tell in her voice she was devastated but I think she was trying to be strong for me, Edward was like her son and as I placed my hand on my stomach as more tears fell down and I had to grip the counter for support.

"Bella?" my mother's voice sounded the empty house. I couldn't even make a sound, and she found my there sitting my arms wrapped around my knees, rocking back and forth a little, like I used to do as a kid. She found me in the kitchen "Oh Bella," she said taking me into her arms. She comforted me for God knows how long, sitting there rubbing my back. I had calmed down a little but I knew that I would never be the same. Since I had calmed down some enough to talk I pulled back and looked at her. "I need you to call Carlisle Esme and Alice for me. The casket will be flown in tomorrow and then…" I trailed off not wanting to think about it, not wanting to think that I would never see my husband walk through them doors again. Renee nodded and hesitated before she walked into the living room to Call Carlisle, Esme and Alice. I didn't cry again, not for the rest of the night and not when Edward's parents came and checked on me. I felt empty, like a zombie. They stayed the night because they were afraid to leave me and when they were asleep and I was all alone in the bed I had shared so many nights with my husband in, the tears came again. I cried into the pillow that was on Edward's side, knowing that he would never sleep in this bed with me again, and that I never cuddle up to his sleeping body on cold nights. I cried for my daughter that would never get to know her father. I cried and cried until I fell asleep.

The next few days were just as bad as the first. The whole family went to Fort Bragg to watch Edward's casket return home. Family came in from many different parts of the country, Jane his cousin and her husband Demetri from Houston and his brother Felix, and his wife Chelsea from Seattle, all offering kind words to me about Edward. My mother and Edward's parents sat with me while we planned the funeral. Esme held me in her arms while I cried away from everyone else. I tried my best to be strong, because I knew Edward would want me to be brave and not cry. Jasper had come in for Alice to bring her some comfort and looking at them two made me long for Edward to be here. One of the Army officers made an announcement that Edwards's body hadn't been recovered; he was missing in action so he was presumed dead, so the casket was empty, because they said that it was unlikely for them to find the body in enemy territory. Alice gave me a sad smile, and I attempted to give her one in return. Rose walked in with Emmett and seat beside of Alice and Jasper.

But today, today was the hardest. I woke up fixed breakfast, just before all the family came over, dressed in black with sadness painted on their faces. Today was a day that none of us thought and hoped would come. My mother offered to fix breakfast letting me have some time to myself. I walked through the bedroom and into the bathroom and started the shower and as the water heated, I looked around the bathroom and let my mind drift to those many small moments that Edward and I shared here. Even the smallest thing, like standing side by side brushing our teeth meant so much now. I tried to let the hot water wash away the sadness that filled my body, but I knew nothing would make that hurt go away today. Today was going to be hard and I didn't know if I could make it through today.

I took my time getting ready, brushing out my hair, stepping into the simple black dress that Edward had loved so much, securing the strand of pearls, that he had given me for Christmas, around my neck, applying a small amount of make-up on my face, Edward never liked it when I wore too much make-up, he said I had a natural beauty and didn't need to paint my face to achieve it. I stepped into my black pumps and stood in front of the mirror, inspecting myself, I'm always fussing over myself. If Edward were here he would have come up behind me and wrap his arms around me and tell my how beautiful I looked. It made me wrap my own arms around my body as the tears started to fill my eyes as all the sudden I felt very alone. More alone then I have ever felt in my life.

"Bella" I heard my mother's voice come from the door." Bella it is time to go," she said coming over to me and giving me a hug. I started trembling and she wrapped her arm around me to keep me from falling. The service, which took place at the Main Post Chapel, was short and sweet with wonderful words about the man and soldier my Edward had been. Then we followed the hearse to the cemetery where so many soldiers like Edward had been buried. We followed the Chaplin and the Honor Guard as they carried the flag draped cover to the gravesite. It was a perfectly cloudless day, the days that Edward loved so much, which brought a small smile to my face. I sat in the front, with Alice and Rose to my right, Alice with her arm laced with mine. The Chaplin said his words and they started folding the flag. 13 folds, and with each fold it got more and more difficult to keep the tears at bay. A boy, not much older than Edward had been when he enlisted, walked towards me with my husband's folded flag in his arms. He stopped and kneeled in front of me, with the flag in his hands. "As a representative of the United States Army, it is my high privilege to present you this flag. Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation this nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag by your loved one," he said as he placed the flag in my hands. Three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased my husband; each with a chilling boom, making me jumps a little every time. And a lone bugler started the first notes of "Taps" in the distance as I clutched the flag to my chest, letting the tears run down my checks. I looked around then, to my family that surrounded me. I watched Carlisle one of the strongest men I knew, chin quiver as he tried to control his emotions and hugged his wife Esme into his side, my mother was in a similar state. Alice, his sister, was crying into her husband's shoulder and Emmett tried to comfort an equal distraught Rosalie. You could tell that it was affected both Jasper and Emmett but they tried to stay strong for their wife's. Edwards's flag still clutched to my chest. "I love you Edward," I whispered as the last notes of "Taps" played and I watched my husband being lowered into the ground.

I didn't know how I was going to live in the house me and him shared for a little over a year. We had been seeing each other for three years before he proposed to me, which was one of the happiest days of my life, and then the marriage and soon the birth of are child. My mother looked at me and said, "I know it hurts sweetie but at least you have a part of him with you always," And placed her hand on my stomach. I knew that at least I had something from Edward he gave me a gift. The pain however was still unbearable. Alice even offered for me to stay at her place so that I wouldn't have to go inside that house. But I knew I would have to face it eventually and I wanted to be alone. I knew I wasn't the only one grieving over the loss of Edward Cullen, but it was just too difficult to look at Alice when she resembled her brother so much.

I walked into my house looking around the room, my chest hurt. The house itself seemed dead the life it once held vanished. Nothing but darkness and despair lingered inside its web. It was mine and Edwards home, he even got it built the way I wanted it. Just thinking about the day Edward surprised me with a new house brought tears to my eyes.

****Flashback*******

"Edward, are we there yet?" I asked not liking the idea of being blind folded. Edward looked at his wife and said, "Almost just a little while longer, I promise you will love it." It seemed forever before the Volvo came to a stop. I heard a door open and close then my door opens "Okay Bella now take my hand and follow me," Edward said. I placed my hand in his and he helped me out of the car. "Edward can I take the blind folds off, so that I can see and not trip," I asked. I felt Edwards lips on my forehead and he said, "Bella you trust me right? " Edward asked and I smiled and nodded yes. "Then trust me I won't let you fall, I will always be here to catch you, I love you bells." Edward said making me blush. Edward took my hand and we started walking and then he stopped. "Okay Bella you can take it off now," Edward said. I took off my blind folds and gasped there in front of me stood my dream house. "What you think of our house?" Edward asked. I looked at him and asked "I…is it really ours?" Edward smiled his crooked smile that I love and said, "Yes it is ours." I couldn't help the wide smile that crossed my face and I launched myself in Edwards's arms. "I love you," I said as I laid my head on his shoulder and he carried me bridal style inside are new home.

*****End of flashback******

I cried all that night as I dreamt of me and Edward. Are life together and the life he would never get to meet, I cried for my daughter who would never get to know her father.