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Still 1942.

The next four weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity. Carlisle flew to Maryland with me to search for a house while Alice and Esme went back to Hawaii. Within two days we had found a lovely little two bedroom house about a half a mile from the building where Edward was assigned. I wasn't sure how to go about putting down a deposit or paying the rent, but Edward told me before he left that his parents would handle it until his training was over, so I left it to Carlisle.

Carlisle and I flew back to Hawaii once the lease was signed and I began packing our belongings to set up our home. Our clothes, books, and a few other personal belongings would come with us, but everything else would stay behind. It just didn't seem worth lugging everything when the house came furnished and all we would really need were linens and maybe a painting or two. I enjoyed packing Edward's things; it felt intimate and personal and something only a wife would do for her husband.

I still hadn't decided what to do with Charlie's house, but I finished packing up the last of our belongings, leaving most of the boxes stacked inside.

Esme assured me that she and Carlisle would keep an eye on the house for me and make sure the lawn was cut and it was aired out periodically. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought that maybe Edward and I would eventually come back to Hawaii and it would be nice to have a place to live if we did.

I spent a few hours going through the boxes of Charlie's belongings that Carlisle packed all of those weeks ago, hunting for something I wanted Edward to have. I finally found it in the last box I looked in, nestled among Charlie's medals and citations. I looked at it for a long moment, letting memories of my father assault me before I put it with a few other things I wanted to take to Maryland with me.

I considered going to visit Charlie's grave and leaving the letter I had written after he died, but when I thought about it my heart would pound and my palms would sweat. For the first eighteen years of my life, my father had been my constant and I wasn't ready to have him represented in my mind by a stone marker; he was so much more than that. I kept putting it off until there was no time left and I found myself at the airport, ready to fly to my new life with Edward.

I had spoken with Edward twice by phone so we could trade details; I told him about the new house and he told me about when he would be leaving Illinois. I got to Maryland a week before Edward was due to arrive and set about making us a home. I was alone, but I wasn't lonely. Esme and I had talked about Alice coming with me but school was starting again soon and it would only be a few days before Edward would be here.

I had very little experience with anything related to setting up house. Charlie and I had moved only once, and he had a moving company handle the details. It made me nervous to think that I would have to do this alone, but I was bolstered by the fact that Edward wouldn't be far behind and after that we would be doing everything together. I cleaned and unpacked with a smile on my face and a clear sense of purpose; to make a home for, and with, my husband.

I spent some time exploring the small town of Silver Spring. The city itself was small compared to New York, but still bigger than any city back in Hawaii. I was able to easily walk to town to take care of any business I had, but I wondered if Edward would want us to have a car.

On my third day in the house, I was surprised by a knock on the door. I opened it to find a large, smiling woman holding a casserole dish.

"Hello, dear. I'm Shelley Cope, I live right next door. Welcome to the neighborhood." She held up the dish and smiled at me. "I brought you a little something."

I smiled at her, introduced myself and invited her in, pleased that she had come over. I had questions and hoped she could help me.

We sat down to coffee and she told me about herself. She had been born in Silver Spring and currently lived here with her husband, Felix. They had a son named Joseph who joined up on December 8th and was currently in basic training. When she spoke of her son, the pride in her voice and demeanor was evident and even though she was obviously quite a few years my senior, I thought we were going to get along well.

She seemed overly eager to find out about me and I hoped my initial impression of her was correct and she wasn't a gossip. I decided to tread lightly, having had my share of gossipy neighbors back in Hawaii. I told her the basics about me and about Edward, and she seemed impressed that he was stationed at ONI at such a young age. She asked some probing questions about our families and our lives back in Hawaii, but after I gave a few evasive answers, she seemed to get the hint and we moved on to more neutral topics.

I inquired about the location of the local telephone office and about how to get my milk delivery started. She happily provided me with the information I needed, along with an offer to knock on her door if anything else came up. She also invited me over for dinner but I politely declined, wanting to spend my time getting everything perfect for Edward's arrival.

We parted ways a while later and she promised to check on me periodically until Edward arrived, something I was sure would have pleased Edward, had he known about it.

The last week of February was finally upon me and while Edward couldn't give me specifics because the Navy was handling all of the arrangements, he was due on the twenty-third, sometime in the afternoon. I had handled our time apart well, but the nights were difficult. I was getting enough sleep, it never felt restful enough. I longed for the comfort of Edward's long, lean, warm body next to me at night, knowing that's where I would find my peace and my rest.

I woke before the sun the morning Edward was due, anxious to see him, to have him kiss me and hold me and fall sleep with me. I took a long bath, washed my hair and put on the prettiest dress I had. I cleaned and straightened and listened to the radio and paced, jumping at every sound I heard from the street, hoping it would be him.

At a little after seven o'clock that evening I heard a car door slam and ran to the window, where I saw Edward emerging from a black car while a man in uniform was retrieving his bags from the trunk.

I ran outside, down the steps, and threw myself into his arms.

He picked me up off the ground and buried his head in my neck. "Bella," was all he said.

He held me tightly for a long moment before he finally kissed me. I think he meant it to be chaste but I missed him so much and when I opened my mouth he followed suit, groaning softly when our tongues touched.

He continued to kiss me until I heard the man who was with Edward clear his throat. I blushed and lowered my head to Edward's shoulder before he let me down gently. Once my feet were back on the ground he took my hand and turned to the man who was now holding Edward's duffel bag. "Ensign Reynolds, this is my wife, Bella. Bella, Ensign Reynolds. He drove me here from the airport...obviously."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cullen," he said as he tipped his hat to me. He looked older than Edward, but was obviously outranked by him.

I smiled at him and said, "Thank you. Would you like to come in and have something hot to drink, Ensign?" The sun had set and the wind was fierce and biting.

"No, thank you, ma'am. My orders were to drop off Lieutenant Cullen and head straight back. But I thank you for the offer." He smiled widely at me as Edward took his bag, and they saluted each other before saying their goodbyes.

Edward put his free arm around my shoulder as we walked back up to the house. "You should have a coat on, Bella. This isn't Hawaii."

"I know, I was just excited to see you. The house is nice and warm."

When we got to through the door he dropped his bag in the foyer and took my hand as I gave him a quick tour of the house; I very much wanted him to like what I had done for us. We ended in the kitchen where he took me gently in his arms and whispered in my ear, "It's perfect, Bella. Thank you."

I pulled away and looked at him, so happy that he was finally here. His hair had grown back in nicely, but the dark circles were back under his eyes and I touched them gently. I wondered if his nightmares had returned while he was away. "You look so tired."

He gave me a small smile and said, "I am." He took me in his arms again and entwined his fingers in the hair on the back of my head. "It's so good to see you," he said, his lips against the top of my head.

I looked up at him. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I am." He smiled down at me and I kissed him quickly.

"Why don't you go upstairs and get cleaned up while I throw some dinner together?"

"Okay." He kissed me again on his way out of the kitchen and I turned to make my husband dinner for the first time. I wasn't accomplished in the kitchen; usually either Charlie cooked or I ate at the Cullens. I had done my share of helping, though, and had seen enough chickens roasted and soups put together to muddle my way through. As I moved around the kitchen I would smile every time I heard the floor creak upstairs, knowing that Edward was responsible for the noise.

We ate and talked and I kept touching him, so happy to have him next to me. I still marveled at our good fortune of having Edward stationed here and not in some far-flung location, away from me.

We cleaned up together when we were finished, even though I tried to make Edward go sit down and relax after his long day. I washed and he dried and it reminded me of the way Carlisle and Esme spent every evening and it made me smile.

When the last dish was dried it was past nine o'clock and I started to feel the effects of my early morning. I yawned and Edward chuckled at me, grabbing me in a tight hug. The amount of comfort I took from his presence and his arms around me was astounding. I signed deeply and buried my face in his chest, feeling, finally, like this house was a home.

I let out a surprised scream when Edward lifted me, wrapped my legs around his waist and made his way towards the stairs.

"Hang on," he said with a smile. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his jaw as he carried me up to our bedroom.

When we got upstairs Edward turned around and sat on the bed, still holding me, so I was straddling his lap. I kept my legs wrapped around him and ran my hands through his hair as he sighed and buried his head in my neck.

After a few minutes he said softly, "I'm so tired, Bella."

I leaned my head down to his and put my hand on his cheek. "Let's go to sleep," I said.

He rubbed my back and looked up at me for a moment before kissing me lightly on the lips. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." I took his hand and pulled him off the bed before I helped him undress and showed him where his pajamas were. Once I was changed into my nightgown I crawled into bed next to him and settled myself into his arms, my head on his chest.

When my legs entwined with his he let out a startled yell. "Bella!"

I sat up. "What?"

"Your feet, sweetheart. They're freezing."

I blushed and mumbled, "Sorry." I went to move myself away from him but he held me fast.

"Stay right where you are, please. I've gone four long weeks without you, your cold little feet aren't enough to drive me away."

"I can get up and get some socks," I offered.

"No, just stay with me," he said softly. He ran his hands through my hair and sighed contentedly. "I missed you and it's so good to be home with you."

I remembered the dark circles under his eyes and asked, "How were your nightmares while you were away?"

He didn't answer right away and I would have thought he had fallen asleep except for the hand still running through my hair.

Finally, he answered. "Bad."

I moved my body closer to his and kissed his chest. I wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about it so I let his words hang in the air.

When he didn't say anything else I said, "It's good to be home with you, too." His arms tightened around me briefly before I felt his breathing even out, indicating he was asleep. I let sleep take me, happier than I ever could have imagined at the presence of another person.

We woke up early the next morning, Edward to head to his new assignment and me to make him breakfast and see him off. I heard him stir early and even though part of me wanted to stay nestled in our warm bed, a bigger, more dominant part of me didn't want him to have to take care of himself this morning. He was doing good, important work in service of his country, so the least I could do was give him a hot breakfast and see him off.

I was just putting breakfast on the dining room table when Edward came in, dressed much more casually today in his Navy service uniform. He filled out the khaki pants and button down well, and I looked at him appreciatively, heat rising in my cheeks. Once my eyes made their way to his face, I noticed that the darkness under his eyes had cleared somewhat.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked as we sat down at the table.

"I did," he said, leaning over and running the back of his hand across my cheek. "Thank you."

"I didn't do anything."

"You're here. You love me. That's all I need." I was about to respond but the intensity in his eyes stopped me short.

I stared back at him until a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. I handed him the plate of toast and returned his smile. "Come on, have something to eat before you're late."

Once we started eating, Edward said, "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

I took a sip of coffee and nodded for him to continue.

"I'm working in Intelligence, and there are going to be things I won't be able to talk about with you. Just like it was at Annapolis, but even more so now. My work is highly classified and I've signed paperwork agreeing not to disclose anything I'm doing to anyone, even you." He looked a little ashamed, like he was doing something wrong.

I took his hand and smiled at him. "I understand, really. I don't like that you won't be able to talk to me about what you're doing, but I understand the necessity."

He squeezed my hand as he leaned over to kiss me. "I just didn't want you to think I was hiding anything from you. I hate that there are things I can't share with you."

"Me, too. But it won't be forever and I'm just so grateful that you're here. I'll take a little secrecy over you being away from me any day."

A few minutes later Ensign Reynolds was at our door, waiting to take Edward to his office. I invited him in out of the cold since Edward was still finishing up his coffee and he politely accepted. I barely noticed him the night before since I had been so intent on Edward. He was a few inches shorter than Edward, and where Edward was lean, Ensign Reynolds was stocky, but muscular. As he came in, he took off his hat, exposing dark blond hair. I didn't see a ring on his finger and wondered if he had a sweetheart.

"Would you like a cup of coffee, Ensign Reynolds?" I asked.

"No, ma'am, but thank you for the kind offer. And please, call me James," he said, smiling brightly at me.

"Of course. Please call me Bella."

"Sure thing, Bella." He smiled wider and was about to say something before Edward walked into the foyer. James immediately came to attention and saluted Edward crisply. Edward returned the salute before putting his cap on and turning to me.

"I'll try to call you later," he said as he cupped my face in his hands and gave me a sweet, soft kiss on my lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Have a good day." He released me and I saw James staring at us out of the corner out of my eye. I thought it might have been polite for him to look away but decided I was probably overreacting. He seemed nice enough, after all, and I didn't know him well enough to think otherwise.

I spent the day at home, not wanting to be too far from the telephone should Edward call. He didn't really know what to expect as far as when he would be home, but he promised to try to call during the day and let me know. I washed and pressed all of the laundry in Edward's duffel bag. I listened to the radio and I straightened the house. I ate lunch alone at the dining room table and called to have our milk delivery increased. By four o'clock I was starting to get anxious that Edward hadn't called yet but decided to get dinner started anyway.

By six o'clock my mind started to wander. What if something happened to him? Would anyone know where to get in touch with me to let me know? I had no idea what he was doing, how he was spending his time; for all I knew, he could be in harm's way right now and I would have no way of knowing. What would I do if I lost him? If he never walked through that door again? I felt dread coil in the pit of my stomach and I fell heavily on the couch. My breathing was erratic and I felt my heartbeat in my throat.

I took deep breaths to try to get myself under control. I knew he loved me, but this was war and so much was out of our control. I kept telling myself that he wouldn't leave me, not if he could help it.

I thought of our honeymoon. I thought of the night we spent together on the couch in his parent's house before all hell broke loose and my world came apart. I thought of the time we were ten and Edward told me he thought I was the prettiest girl in the world.

Eventually my panic subsided and my heartbeat slowed. I went to splash cool water on my face and when I came back, Edward was walking through the door.

I ran to him and threw myself in his arms, so relieved that he was home. Of course he was safe and hadn't left me. I felt foolish for my earlier anxiety as I felt his arms around me.

He whispered apologies in my ear; he was swamped with work the minute he walked in the door and barely had any time to even eat lunch.

I wanted to ask him about his day but wasn't sure what was acceptable and what wasn't so I avoided it altogether until he brought it up. He told me that he had a small office in the ONI building and that he grabbed a quick lunch with some of the other men who had offices around his. He told me the work was challenging but rewarding and he hoped that he was doing some good.

He looked tired again and after we cleaned up from dinner I wasn't sure what he would want to do. I was about to suggest that he go straight up to bed while I put the dry dishes away when he took my hand and laced his fingers with mine. I looked up at him and he smiled at me but didn't say anything, just led me up the stairs and to our bedroom.

When we got there he took the hand that was clasped with his and brought it to his lips, softly kissing each of my knuckles while he stared deeply into my eyes. I knew that look, and I silently rejoiced. I needed so badly to feel connected to him again, to feel the comfort of the weight of his body on top of mine, to hear him say my name that certain way he did when we were making love.

When he finally brought his lips to mine, my body melted into his and nothing existed except Edward, his hands, his lips and the love and passion the consumed us as we made love.

After the first day we soon fell into an easy routine. I got up with Edward every morning and saw to his breakfast and coffee before James would pick him up. He never came home the same time every day, but I could usually count on him being gone for twelve to fourteen hours per day. I kept myself busy by learning how to cook and clean and do laundry. While growing up, I was grateful that Charlie had someone clean the house for us and do our laundry, but now I wished I had spent some time learning those basic skills. The first time I washed one of Edward's uniform shirts, I tore two buttons loose and had no idea how to sew them back on.

I went, in tears, to Mrs. Cope, who showed me how to use a needle and thread and even sent me home with my own little sewing kit.

As much of a challenge as it sometimes was, I learned that I loved taking care of Edward. He was doing good work, helping us win the war, and I felt like I was doing my part by making sure he had a hot meal on the table and clean clothes to wear.

We spent most of our nights after dinner upstairs in bed. We didn't make love every night, but nearly so. Some nights we just kissed or cuddled and talked, but we were always together. After we had been in Maryland for about two weeks, Edward and I were in bed, kissing, when he gently touched my breast through my nightgown. I took his hand and said, "Edward, we can't."

He looked down at me, confusion furrowing his brow.

"It's..." I took a deep breath. This was Edward, I could tell him anything. "Remember when I said there was a certain time of the month where it's more likely that I'll get pregnant?"

Realization dawned on him as he shifted his weight off of me. "I do remember that." He kissed me on the tip of my nose and then on each cheek and I was glad that he didn't seem too disappointed. After a moment he said, "There's something I'd like to do tonight, if it's all right with you."

"Of course. What?"

"I'll be right back." He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and left the room, only to return a few minutes later with a book in his hand. It was one I had bought just yesterday with some of the money that Edward gave me each week to take care of the house, but I hadn't had a chance to start it yet.

He crawled into bed with me, his back up against the headboard, and opened his arms to me. "Gone with the Wind, Bella?"

"I've wanted to read it for the longest time and I saw it yesterday and I just...well, I know it's not serious literature, but-"

"Relax," he said, laughing. "I was only teasing you." He kissed the top of my head, cracked to the book open, and began to read, his soft, silky voice washing over me as I put my head on his chest and listened. He read me the entire first chapter that night, and a chapter each night for the next week. He never let me read to him, explaining that he enjoyed doing it for me and that I took care of him in so many other ways that he wanted to be able to do this small thing for me.

As February thawed into March, the weather started to get warmer and Edward finally got a free day. We slept late and finally set up the extra room on the ground floor as an office for Edward where he could pay our bills and do any work he took home with him. We hung the painting of the boy and girl on the beach that had previously hung in Charlie's office and I felt good as we stood back and looked at it. I thought Charlie would approve. Later in the afternoon, we walked to town to get some office supplies and stopped for lunch at the coffee shop. After we placed our orders, Edward took my hand across the table and said, "Now would be a good time to start applying to schools, Bella."

"I want to wait." He looked at me skeptically. "I know, but I'm enjoying taking care of you and how would any of the housework get done? Besides, the war could end soon and we might want to go home to Hawaii."

"The war won't be ending any time soon Bella, but I would probably have to stay here regardless, and the housework would take care of itself." He ran his thumb across my knuckles. "You've always wanted to go to college. Don't lose sight of that, Bella. We'll work it out."

"I promise to think about it, okay?"

"Okay, whatever you want. I won't push you."

"Thank you."

He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it sweetly, his eyes never leaving mine. I smiled brightly at him and we continued to stare and smile at each other until I heard an unrecognizable voice call out from behind me, "Edward?"

I turned around and Edward looked up. "Hey, Emmett," he said, releasing my hand and standing.

I saw Edward shake hands with a large, handsome man in a Navy service uniform; he was a Lieutenant Commander, one rank above Edward. "You off today?" Edward asked as he released Emmett's hand.

"No, I just got finished and wanted to grab a quick lunch with Rose before heading home." He turned to the woman next to him. "Sorry. Edward, this is my wife Rosalie, Rosalie, this is Edward. We work together."

To say that Rosalie was stunning would have been an understatement. She was tall and slender, had her long blond hair tied up at the back of her neck and had the most striking features I'd ever seen. Her sparkling blue eyes settled on Edward and she gave him a small smile. "It's nice to meet you, Edward."

"You, too, Rosalie." Edward turned to me and I stood. "This is my wife, Bella. Bella, Emmett and Rosalie." Edward had told me about Emmett; they sometimes got driven in together and he had described Emmett as funny and easy-going, but also very smart and good at what he did. Not that I knew what that was.

"It's nice to meet you both." I looked at Edward briefly, searching his face. He nodded slightly. "Would you like to join us for lunch?" I asked.

"That's okay, you looked a little...involved when we came in. Emmett should have left you alone," Rosalie said, a smile on her face.

"Aw, come on, Rosie..."

I laughed at their easy banter and liked them immediately. "I insist. Please join us."

"Absolutely," said Edward. "Please."

I saw a look pass between Emmett and Rosalie.

"Sounds good," Emmett said.

After she and Emmett placed their orders, Rosalie looked at me and asked, "So, how long have you been married?"

"Since January," I answered.

"You look young. How old are you?"

I blushed as Emmett groaned, "Rose..."

"What?"

Emmett looked at me and smiled. "You'll have to excuse my wife. She says what's on her mind." He rolled his eyes but there wasn't even a trace of anger in his voice.

"Don't you apologize for me. She looks young to be married." She turned her attention back to me. "Unless there was some rush..."

I blushed an even deeper shade of red and Edward grabbed my hand and kissed it with his smiling lips. I decided that I really liked Rosalie. As embarrassed as I was, I found her blunt nature refreshing, and so different from the rest of the women I knew.

"There was a bit of a rush I guess, but perhaps not the kind you think." I launched into our tale and told them the basics of what happened from the days before the attack until we moved to Maryland. I quickly skimmed the events surrounding my father, not trusting myself to remain calm if I talked about it too much.

They listened in rapt attention, asking questions where appropriate, and Edward added a few comments when necessary.

"Wow, that's some story," Emmett said when I was finished and our lunch had arrived. "I'm sorry about your father, Bella."

"Thank you." I felt my heart begin to race but the warmth and pressure of Edward's hand on my back helped me get it under control.

As we ate, we talked about the war, about the town where we lived, and about our families. Rosalie was five years older than me and Emmett two years her senior, and they had been married for three years. They lived just two blocks from us and Rosalie spent some time every week volunteering at the VA hospital. It felt nice to just sit and talk with friends and for the first time since that fateful day in December, I felt normal.

We said goodbye to them outside of the coffee shop with promises to get together soon.

We spent the rest of the day working around the house and just being together. We were tired after dinner and decided to just go upstairs so Edward could read to me before we turned in. Edward was already under the covers when I slid in next to him and curled up to his side.

He began to read as I kissed his neck and ran my hands through his hair. By the time my lips made their way to his, the book was long forgotten.

So, the next part of the story begins. I hope you enjoyed the little snapshot of their happy, quiet life together.

Thanks to brighterthansunshine28 for her mad beta skills. Special big, huge thank you to Lucette21. She beta'd for me, as always, but she also spent an inordinate amount of time chatting me through what was wrong with the original iteration of this chapter. I owe her a debt of gratitude.

I really do appreciate everyone who takes the time to review. That was some response for the last chapter.