…
Bella
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I watch a tear slip down Kate's cheek and into her hairline, a smile on her beautiful face. She has been coming into the clinic weekly to be checked. Since she knows when she conceived, we were able to track how far along her pregnancy was. She knows that she became pregnant while they were stopped in Wyoming for a few days, back in mid-August. We're into late December now, so we've asked her to come in weekly so we can attempt to listen to the fetal heartbeat. We only have a stethoscope, so her pregnancy needs to be over twenty weeks to hear it. Besides movement, it's the only way to monitor the baby.
We finally picked up the heartbeat today, and it's an amazing moment. Garrett was able to come with her, so they've been taking turns listening. They've both been crying, too. It is so beautiful to see this. It doesn't happen quite nearly enough here. Only eleven babies were born last year. That number may sound good to some, but when you're trying to rebuild the human race, you can't have enough deliveries.
We have well over two hundred couples here. Just about half are considered fertile. So, even if only a quarter of our fertile couples conceived each year, we should have closer to thirty pregnancies every year. It worries me that we're missing something. Maybe there's an issue with the men that we can't detect. Or, maybe people are actively trying to prevent getting pregnant, and I'm worrying over nothing.
"Kate, Garrett, everything looks and sounds good. By my estimation, I would say you'll deliver late April or early May. You should begin to feel movement any day now, by my guess. I'm sorry I can't be more precise, but all I have to work with is my measuring tape and stethoscope. We do have an old ultrasound machine we found years ago, but it requires more power than we can usually draw from the solar panels. If you were pregnant during the summer, and we had an exceptionally sunny day, it might have been possible." Carlisle is finishing up his exam and making a few notes in her chart. "Do either of you have any questions?" He looks up at the smiling couple.
Kate and Garrett look at each other and both shrug. It causes us all to laugh. "Um, no I don't think so. Except, do I still need to see you every week?"
"No, I don't think that's necessary. If you feel any unexplained pain, have any spotting or something just feels off, please stop in and we can check you. Otherwise, I won't need to see you for another month or so. If you stop into the library, we have several books covering pregnancy and childbirth. Just keep in mind that most of the books include options that are no longer available to us. Medication for pain during your labor and delivery, many of the medical interventions mentioned in those books, we just don't have. Although, I've heard that the tinctures Renee has made do offer some relief during labor."
"All right, thank you, Doc. We'll stop in and see what books are available." Kate is still beaming. It's a look I hope to have on my face one day. I've always seen myself as a mother when I think of my future. And if I believe all the things Edward has whispered in my ear over the last month or so, then I know he wants a family too.
Things with Edward have been great since we got home from the hunting trip. We try to have lunch together at least a few times a week, and we share almost every evening meal with each other, and usually one or both of our families. Evenings are also spent snuggled in front of the fireplace, reading, talking, sometimes playing games. I've even gone with him to visit Emmett and Rosalie. He seems like a nice guy, but Rose is still reserved around me. She's polite, but quiet. Edward thinks she's just a bitch. I guess they didn't see eye to eye on a few things while they were traveling here, and because she has a strong personality, he assumes it's her problem. If only he knew why she puts on that strong front, maybe he'd change his mind. But we've had a few nice evenings playing cards, even enjoying some music.
The first time Edward played his guitar for me, wow! I've read in books about women swooning, and I never understood it. Until now. Watching him play did funny things to me. And to hear him sing, well let's just say I wanted to find somewhere to have a little more alone time.
He was right that night in the tent. It was a long time before we found another opportunity to be alone together. One night, he was at our cabin for dinner, as he was several nights a week. Carlisle and Esme had to stay late at the clinic, and my parents were both tied up working late. So, we were alone. He was helping me cook, which was adorable I might add. All during the meal, we were giving each other looks that said we couldn't care less about the food on our plates; we were hungry for each other. When we each swallowed our last bite, it was a race to my loft, and our clothes were off before you could say 'dessert.'
That night we explored each other by candlelight. He did things with his mouth and tongue that I still catch myself daydreaming about. He also taught me what he likes, and I was finally able to fulfill my promise to 'taste from the source.' As we came down the ladder that night, we met my mother in the kitchen as she was washing our abandoned dirty dishes. She never said a word, just whistling while she cleaned. It was a little unnerving, to say the least.
We talk all the time about our future. We both would like to build a cabin on our block, close to our families. We've talked about marriage, but only in the abstract. He hasn't asked me officially, but it seems as if it's a foregone conclusion. We speak about having children, and I tell him my fears over the uncertainty of the future. I worry that someone will come here and destroy the life we've worked so hard to build. He tries to reassure me that it's his job to protect me. It isn't him I don't have faith in, though. It's my feelings about the people outside our gates. I've heard the rumors of the settlements out east going silent. What if that happens here? We're just as small in size as the New England settlement was. We don't have nearly the numbers of defenders as California, Texas, and Wyoming.
As I'm lost in thought, cleaning up the clinic for the end of the day, the door busts open. It's Emmett.
"Doc, we need you in the soldiers' hut. We had two wanderers show up; a man and a woman. The woman is hurt, looked like a stab wound. She's bleeding pretty bad. I left Masen and Charlie with them."
"Okay, Bella, grab the emergency bag. Bring fresh towels, the alcohol, um, a suture kit. There's water access in the hut. Most everything else is in the bag."
I scurry around gathering what we need. Esme left early today and asked me to stay. She wasn't feeling well, so it's just Carlisle and me. He's busy looking through our medicinal herbs and tinctures to see what we might require. Looking through our emergency supplies, I see we're running low on suture kits. At this rate, they'll be gone in a year or so.
"Okay, Carlisle, I have what we need. Do you need any help?"
"No, perhaps grab another basket to bring all these bottles. I'd rather take a few things we may not end up using, than forget something. So, there's a lot. Here." He hands me the bottles two at a time as I place them carefully into the basket. We're as prepared as we can be. This will be the first real emergency I've assisted him with, so I'm equally excited and nervous.
We grab our heavy sweaters and jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves, and head out the door. We had a bit of snow this afternoon, so we carefully make our way to the soldier hut. When we walk in, I can see two unfamiliar faces. The man is holding a towel or cloth over the woman's wound. Dad is speaking with the man, trying to calm him down. Emmett said that Edward was here, but I don't see him. When the man finally sees we've arrived, he calls out.
"Please, you have to help her. She's all I have. She tripped over some fallen branches, and one of them cut right into her. I could smell the smoke from your camp, so I came here, hoping you could help. Please." He's practically crying at this point.
"Okay sir; let's take a look at what's going on. My name is Carlisle, I'm a doctor. And this is Bella," he says pointing at me. "She's my assistant. Do I have permission to treat your friend?"
"Yes, please. She's my wife. Her name is Victoria. Please, you have to help her."
Just then, Edward comes out of the back room. "I was heating some water; I didn't know what you'd need, but I thought it would be good to have some ready."
"Yes, we'll probably need it. Thank you." He nods at me to acknowledge what I said, but he seems off. He's staring at the man and woman as if they're the enemy. I'll have to ask him about that later. Just then, Carlisle gets my attention.
"Bella, help me position her so we can get a better look." I help him turn her and together, we work to remove some of her clothing. It's strange, because she's not wearing nearly enough to have been wandering the woods. Any length of time in the forest in this weather would be too much dressed the way she is. I brush off my thoughts and focus on our patient.
"Sir, do you know how deep the wound is? How long the piece was that penetrated her skin?"
"I don't know, four, maybe five inches. I just pulled it out and applied pressure right away."
"Bella, could you get some of that warm water so we can clean it a bit to get a better look?"
"Of course." I head to the back room to get the water. Edward is following right behind.
His voice is low when he speaks. "Bella, please be careful. I don't trust these two. Something about their story isn't sitting well with me. I know Carlisle won't turn them away because the woman is hurt, but we need to keep an eye on them."
"Okay, I'll be careful." He kisses me on the forehead before he grabs one of the hot pitchers.
Carlisle and I work together to clean and inspect her wound. To me, the cut looks too clean to have been a tree branch. But what do I know? Carlisle uses one of his precious suture kits to close it, while I prepare the poultice we use for wounds. It smells horrible, but it helps to prevent infection. He applies it, and we bandage her. We get her changed into clean, warm clothes and cover her with heavy blankets.
The man, who I've learned is James, has been speaking with my father almost the whole time. He occasionally asked questions about what we were doing, or what we were using on her. He seemed especially interested in the poultice. I get a bad vibe from him, and I don't know why. I'm usually not so leery of new arrivals but something is off about him. He's dirty and disheveled, but his shoes aren't worn. Edward is right, something doesn't add up.
"James, as a new arrival, you have to be processed before we let you officially into the settlement. We can't risk the health of everyone else. I hope you understand. You will stay in this building until we can get that done. Doc should be able to handle it tomorrow." Dad looks 'all business' right now in his stance.
James appears almost shocked, but I'm not sure of what. "Yeah, of course. I understand." He turns to Carlisle next. "How long do you think it'll be before Vic wakes up?" He doesn't seem as distraught as he was, or as distraught as I would be if my spouse were unconscious with a huge wound in her torso.
"It's hard to say. Could be a few hours, could be a few days. She's lost a lot of blood, so she's weak. Her body needs to heal, and it will do that the best while she's resting. As long as her pulse and respiration stay within normal limits, there's no reason to think she wouldn't wake up. It will just take time."
"Okay, thanks, Doctor." James just sits there on the next bed, staring at his wife. Not holding her hand, not stroking her hair, nothing. Perhaps I'm a romantic, but wouldn't a husband want to comfort his wife? If that were Edward lying there, it would bring me comfort to touch him, to let him know I was there for him.
Carlisle calls me over to where he's cleaning up a few things. When he speaks, it's low and only for me. "Bella, since she's unconscious, we should monitor her around the clock. If you could stay for a few hours, I can go home and check to see how Esme is doing, then come back for the rest of the night. Hopefully, she'll be feeling better and can take a shift. Until then, it's just you and me. I know we've been training Lauren to do a few things around the clinic, but this is beyond her scope of abilities. So, could you stay for a while?"
"As long as I at least have a guard outside, I won't feel comfortable being alone with Mr. Hunter."
He laughs, shaking his head. "If you think anyone can convince Edward to go home while leaving you here alone with these two, well, you'd need your head examined. I'm sure he'll stay. And we'll probably still post someone outside as well."
"Okay then, I'll stay. I just need to periodically check her pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature, right?"
"Yes, and record it in her chart. I brought a file, and I've already made a few notes myself. Thank you, Bella. I'll be back as soon as I can." With that, he's gone. Edward walks him out, whispering about something. I make one last check on her bandages, and her bleeding seems to have slowed. Her husband is watching me, and it's making me nervous.
"So, your name is Bella?"
"Yes." I wish I knew what was taking Edward so long.
"You seem young. How long have you been a nurse?"
"I'm actually an assistant. Carlisle's wife, Esme is our nurse, but she wasn't feeling well today, so she went home to rest. But to answer your question, I've been working in the clinic for almost two years now."
"Vic was a nurse, back before the virus. You didn't say how old you were."
"I know I didn't."
His eyes narrow. I'm sure I've offended him, but I can't find it in me to care. Thankfully, just then, Edward comes back in. He can see the exchange, and he's instantly on edge. I can see his jaw tense. Time to diffuse the situation. I don't need him going after this man, even if we don't quite trust him.
"Edward, I just checked on her bandages, and she's good for now. Maybe we can sit and read for a while until it's time to take her vitals?"
I can see he doesn't really want to. "Yeah, okay," he relents.
Looking into my bag that goes with me everywhere, I pull out the book I've been reading. Edward has been teasing me relentlessly about it. I say it's a love story, he teases that it's a comedy about sparkling vampires. I told him that we could just agree to disagree.
We make ourselves comfortable in one of the beds. He's scooted up against the wall at the head, a pillow behind his back. I snuggle up between his bent knees, with my back to his chest. "This again? Seriously, Bella, you need to find a better book." He complains, but I also know he'll read it anyway.
"Oh, shut it and keep me warm soldier boy."
It's then that James decides to make his presence known. "So, you two are together?" He has a strange glint in his eye.
Edward decides to answer him. "Yep. This special young lady is the love of my life." He places a kiss to my temple to make his point.
"How long have you been together?"
"Long enough to know she's the one. How about you? You been married long?"
"Yeah, sixteen years. We married just before the virus went live. Once it was everywhere and things were closing down; schools, travel, hospitals, we decided to head to our cabin. It was off the grid, so we figured we'd be all right. Vic ended up sick, though, not too long after we got up there. She fought her way back to me, and after that, we were okay. And we were, for years. The fire wiped out just about everything we had." He shakes his head as if to rid himself of the memory.
"Where's all your gear?" Even I'm startled by my abruptness. "Did you leave it in the woods? Aren't you afraid an animal will run off with your stuff? Or worse, an army patrol?"
"Oh, it's still out there. It's probably mostly gone by now. I was just focused on getting Vic some help. I smelled the smoke and took off toward here. I'll go back another time and see what's salvageable."
"I can take you," Edward blurts out. "We can have a look around, save what we can. The sooner we go, the better." I squeeze his thigh, hoping he understands it as 'what the hell are you thinking.' I do not want him alone in the woods with this man. One of them more than likely wouldn't return. Maybe they can organize a group to go.
"You can worry about that another day, guys. Let's get Victoria well first." I try to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. "James, you had to be carrying her for a while. You have to be tired. Why don't you go ahead and rest? We can wake you if there is any change."
"You're right. I should sleep. It's been awhile since I had a decent bed to sleep in."
"There's a washroom at the end of this room, and the outhouse is out the front door."
"Thanks, Bella." He gets up and leaves, and it's then that Edward whispers in my ear.
"I do not, under any circumstances, want you alone with that man. There is something not right about all this. I don't know what yet, but my gut is telling me not to trust him." He's holding me extra tight, maybe to emphasize his point, or maybe he's just feeling overprotective.
I reach up and cup his cheek, turning to look him in the eyes. "I won't. I promise. But you need to calm down a bit. The man just carried his bleeding wife through the forest and basically knocked on a stranger's door, asking for help. Who knows, maybe he's just out of sorts. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt." I lean into him for a kiss, and I'm not disappointed. This one is slow, deep, and languid. Our kisses have been growing in intensity. I've had to cool off with some cold water more than a few times in the last month.
A clearing throat interrupts our make-out session. I guess James felt it necessary to let us know he was stepping outside. So strange. I need to take my own advice and give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe there's some logical explanation for his behavior, and why they chose to do what they did, abandoning their homestead for the great outdoors. I'm trying to reserve judgment for when the wife wakes to find out what her story is.
The next few hours pass quietly. James passed out and is now snoring away in a bed across the room. Victoria's vitals have been consistently good. Edward is having a hard time staying awake, though. I know his shift at the gate was an early one. He looks so peaceful in sleep, so much younger. If not for the stubble on his face, he could pass for, at most, seventeen. This life forces so many to grow up too soon; there isn't much time just to be a child. Don't get me wrong, I love the life we have here, it's all I know. Except sometimes, I think of how my life could have gone if the virus had never existed. Would I have done well in a big school? Would I have driven a nice car? Would I be planning on going to college this year? Would I even give a second thought to marriage and babies at such an early age? I like to think I would've still met Edward though. He is Esme's nephew, after all. At some point, he would've come to visit.
I'm not sure what time it is when Esme comes in. She says she's feeling much better and will take the next shift. It's then I notice she has Tyler with her, so I guess Edward is being relieved as well. I go over Victoria's chart with her before wishing her a good night. I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and grab my stuff to walk home, with Edward hot on my heels.
"Hey you, wait up. I'm gonna walk you home." He reaches me and grabs my hand. We're both wearing thick wool gloves, but I can still feel his warmth.
"You sure it isn't too far out of the way? I mean, I don't want to inconvenience you." I love teasing him.
"That's enough outta you, Miss Swan." We walk along in relative silence. It must be nearly midnight, and just about everyone is inside for the night. We pass a few defenders out on their patrols, but no one else is out at this hour. I don't think I've ever been out this late before. Edward breaks the silence. "You know, you look especially beautiful in the moonlight."
I just smile at him. It is a full moon, so everything is kind of lit up. Most of the settlement was built on land as it was cleared of the trees, so there's not anything to block the light. "You know, you're kind of beautiful in the moonlight too, Mr. Masen." I'm giggling when he stops us, just before we cross the footbridge to our block. He wraps me up in his arms and just holds me for a moment. I'm snuggled into his chest when I hear him.
"Bella, I know we haven't known each other long, but I have fallen so completely in love with you." Just then, snow begins to fall. I look up at him. It's sticking to his hat, his eyelashes. It must be sticking to me too because he reaches up to brush some off my hat. "We may not have known each other long, but I can't imagine the rest of my life without you. I was alone for so long. I had friends in my life, but my family was gone, and what distant family I did have was so far away. You've become a part of my family, and I don't want that to ever change. In fact, I want to make it more permanent."
He suddenly drops to one knee.
I can't stop the gasp that comes from my lips; my hand covering my mouth. He takes a deep breath before continuing. "You have become the light in what was once my very dark life. You're like the full moon tonight, bringing light and beauty to everything it touches. I didn't know what true happiness and contentment were before I met you. Isabella Marie Swan, I promise to love you every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!" I'm practically vibrating with excitement. He jumps up and wraps his arms around me. We're enveloped in each other when he yells.
"Wait! I have a ring." He fumbles around in his pocket and pulls it out. It's simple, not a diamond, but an oval blue stone, set in an ornate, silver band. It's perfect. "One more time just to make sure. Bella, will you marry me?"
"Yes, Edward. I love you so much." I'm rewarded with an amazing, heart-stopping kiss before he pulls off my glove and slides the ring on my finger. It's a perfect fit.
"Edward it's beautiful. Where did it come from?"
"It was my mother's engagement ring. I actually have the wedding bands too. They were one of the few things I was able to save of theirs. I hope we're as happy as I remember them being."
"It's beautiful. I shall treasure it forever, and I'll never take it off. So, was this your plan? To get me out here in the middle of the night and propose?"
He barks out a laugh. "No, not exactly. I've been carrying that ring around with me for a while now. I was planning on taking you for a walk late one evening and going for it, but tonight just seemed perfect. The moon was shining, the snow was falling, and you were, as always, stunningly beautiful, especially in the light of the full moon. I figured, what the hell, let's do this."
"I love you, you crazy man." I reach up to bring his lips to mine. This kiss feels different. It's as if we're cementing a promise or something. His hands are roaming, and I can feel how much the kiss is affecting him, even through the layers we're both wearing. Our kiss slows to pecks, and then one last kiss to my forehead before he releases me.
"As much as I'd like to continue our celebration, I need to get you home before you get pneumonia."
I nod my head in understanding. "I guess you're right. We can't stand out here all night. So, what is your schedule tomorrow? I'd like to tell our families."
"I think I have gate duty again. Are you working in the clinic?"
"I wasn't supposed to, but with the newcomers here, I'm sure our schedule will be off. I should at least go check on whoever is sitting with Victoria. I don't know if Carlisle will want to process James tomorrow or not. So, I'll probably go in the morning, at least to check on things, even if I don't stay all day."
"Ok, well, don't leave without me. I'll walk you into town."
"I won't. I'll wait for you." Another kiss and he pulls me toward home.
"Come on, I better get you back before your dad calls out a search party." I notice movement on the Black's front porch as we approach. It looks like Jacob is sitting in one of their rocking chairs. The light of the moon doesn't do much to hide him. As we get closer, he jumps up and goes inside. I sigh, thinking of the good friend I've lost, simply because I didn't return his feelings. Then it dawns on me, did he watch Edward's proposal; something that I thought was private and just between him and me? I turn around to look toward the footbridge, and although you can see the bridge, you can't really see past it. So, maybe Jacob didn't see anything.
I get a kiss goodnight at my door, with a promise to see him in the morning. I go inside quietly, so as not to wake my parents, and hang up my coat, and sweater. I take my hat, gloves, and boots over closer to the fire, so they'll dry out before morning. I nose around the kitchen to see what's been left out since I didn't get any dinner tonight. I find a covered plate with a small sandwich and an apple on it. The apples we pick in the fall stay fairly fresh when stored in a bin in a cool corner of the pantry. I eat quickly, sitting in front of the fireplace. I can't keep the smile off my face or my eyes off my ring.
I can't believe I'm engaged! I wonder if he'll want a long engagement? I hope not. Maybe we could have a spring wedding. Oh, and we have to be put on the list to build our cabin. There's so much to do. I remember how busy everyone was getting things ready for Alice and Angela's weddings. It will be a busy year, I'm sure.
I clean up my mess and head upstairs. I quickly change into my warm pajamas and curl up under my quilt. I'm restless, thinking of the crazy day it was, and the amazing way it ended. I finally drift off with thoughts of a springtime wedding on my mind.
The next morning comes too early, and with unwelcome cramps. I knew it was coming soon, but it's never a welcome visitor. With our engagement last night, I'd better start doing a better job of charting my cycle, so I make a note on my homemade calendar. I decide to head straight for the bathhouse this morning, hoping no one is out there already. I grab what I need and head downstairs. I slip on my boots and grab my coat. Mom already has water on the stove, so I grab some and head for the door.
Edward happens to cross my path, and he's startled when he sees me. He's wide-eyed and gaping, but silent, as I pass. I must look like a mad woman on a mission. I'm still in my pajamas and haven't even brushed my hair. I slip inside and add the boiling water to the tub, adding cold until it's just warm enough. I don't need much water, just enough to clean myself.
One thing I'm thankful for is that when my parents were prepping for all those years, my mom had the foresight to stockpile enough pads and tampons to last at least ten years, maybe more. She even has a handful of menstrual cups put away. I feel bad for the women who weren't prepared for things like my parents were. They've had to rely on 'homemade' items. I'll share a lot of things, even give you the food off my plate, but I am not sharing my stash of feminine hygiene products!
I finish cleaning up, and decide to go ahead and get dressed in my clothes for the day while I'm out here. As I'm pulling up my pants, I hear the door handle jiggle.
"Occupied, I'll just be a min..." The door flies open, letting in a gust of cold air and some snow. Jacob is standing there just staring. It's then I realize that I'm still topless. I grab whatever scrap of clothing is within reach to cover myself.
Then I start screaming.
"Jacob Black, what in the hell are you doing in here? Get out! Get. Out! Out! You knew I was in here. I yelled through the door before you burst in! What are you thinking?"
He's just standing there, still staring. His eyes are focused on my chest, even though it's covered. It's like he's willing me to drop what I'm holding. Apparently, my screaming has attracted some attention. Both my father and my fiancé have stomped out here to see what all the commotion is.
"What the hell is going on?" My dad's eyes flash between Jacob and me, widening when they land on me. "Jacob Black, what in the hell are you doing out here?" He's got a grip on Jacob's arm now, trying to move the giant out of the doorway. "There is no reason on earth for you to be out here this early, unless you were actually trying to get a glimpse of my naked daughter. Now, I suggest you haul your ass back home before I go inside and grab my gun." My dad is beyond furious, trying to drag him away.
In the middle of my dad's tirade, Edward had passed them both to help me cover myself back up. The wind from the open door on my damp and naked torso has made my nipples hard enough to cut glass, but he doesn't even crack a joke about it. He's focused on helping me.
"Charlie ... get him out of here. I need to close the door. Bella's freezing, and needs help dressing. She's shaking and can't do it on her own." He's speaking through clenched teeth and holding me closely, blocking me from their view.
"Yeah, come on Jacob, let's take a walk." Dad grabs Jacob by the collar and forcefully drags him away, closing the door as they walk off. Edward reaches behind him to lock it.
"Sssorry." My teeth are chattering now. I didn't realize how cold I was. "I sshhouldd've llockked the door, huh?"
"Shh, don't worry about it baby." He proceeds to remove his own shirt.
"Whattt are yyou ddoingg?"
"Don't you remember what I said? That skin to skin contact was the best way to stay warm?" I'm wrapped in his arms before I can respond. He's rubbing my back and arms, trying to warm me, covering us with the warm clothes he just took off. "And don't apologize for not locking the door. The door was closed with your name on the doorknob. The asshole knew you were in here. I watched him from the window. It's like he was waiting for the right time. When is he gonna get it?"
I don't answer him, because I just don't know. He helps me dress in layer after layer until I'm wearing everything I brought out with me. I'm brushing my hair when he speaks again.
"What were you doing out here so early, anyway? You don't usually like a bath so early in the day. And you just had one yesterday. I know you said in the winter you only bathe like three times a week." He's redressing now. It's a shame for him to cover all that up.
"So now you're keeping track of my bathing? I'd call that a little obsessive. Or maybe even stalkerish." I can't help but tease him.
"Guilty as charged. No seriously, what gives?"
"I started this morning."
"Started what?" He's absolutely clueless. He's just staring at me, and I'm staring right back, hoping he gets it. But if we're going to be married, I need to suck it up and talk about this kind of stuff with him. It affects him too, after all.
"My period." It's funny how it takes a second for it to click, and then I see it on his face the instant it does.
"Oh, and you needed a bath to... Yeah okay, got it." He's looking around the room like he's gonna be ambushed by a tiny tampon army or something. The thought makes me laugh.
"What?"
"Nothing honey. Thank you for your help. It would've taken me forever to warm up on my own." I can't help but giggle at his embarrassment, but I decide I better change the subject. "So, are you still walking me to the clinic this morning?" I start packing up all the things I brought out with me.
"Yeah, especially now." He looks toward the door, as if Jacob is still out there, waiting to pounce. Looking back at me, he asks, "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, I came straight out here. Would you like to join me for breakfast?" I put down my bag and snuggle into his arms, enjoying the warmth.
"That sounds great. Let's go over to Esme's though. Just in case your dad is still reaming Jacob." Looking up at him, I see the smirk on his face.
"Stop it. The guy is obviously not right in the head. I'll just stay away from him, and everything will be okay." The look on his face tells me he isn't so sure. "Really, it'll be fine." I give him what I hope is a reassuring kiss. "Come on, feed me." I grab his hand, leading him out of the bathhouse. "You'll come to learn quickly that this week out of the month, you don't want to get between me and my food."
Chuckling, and shaking his head, he follows me. Inside his cabin, he makes me breakfast. I'm a little surprised that it's as good as it is. "And you cook too? I'm definitely keeping you around." I'm trying to joke with him, but he only gives a half-hearted smile and a quick laugh through his nose.
I see sadness in his eyes.
"I used to help my mom in the kitchen all the time, or that's the way I remember it. Then after they were gone, I started helping Mrs. McCarty cook. It was simple stuff, and we didn't have much to work with, but she taught me what she could. After they died last year, it was up to me to cook whatever food we had. Emmett was only ever interested in eating, never cooking. And when Rosalie moved in with us, she, well she isn't domestically inclined, to say the least. So, that fell on me. When we weren't training for something, or getting rations, I'd trade what I could for food, then come up with something to do with it. I became really good with eggs. They were a low-value trade, and pretty easy to get. So, you can always count on me to at least be able to make you eggs." His smile is small, so I lean over and kiss him.
"Thank you. These are the best eggs I've ever eaten." I finally get a genuine smile from him. We finish our breakfast, clean up, bundle up and head out. I make sure to grab my bag, and all I need for the day. Our walk to the clinic takes a bit longer because of all the snow we got last night. There must be five or six inches on the ground.
One thing I love about snow is that everything is quieter when it's on the ground. It's as if nature is taking a break. The usual noises are softer, less sharp. We walk hand in hand, catching glances from each other, smiling. We greet those we pass with a 'good morning.' There are fewer people out at this time of day, and not as many are needed for their assignments this time of year. A good portion of the people in our settlement are field workers, so I'm sure they're still sleeping soundly in their warm beds. I would be.
When we reach the clinic, Edward walks me inside. The sight we're greeted with surprises me. Both James and Victoria Hunter are seated on tables, being examined. Carlisle and Esme are speaking to them separately, so they must be going through processing.
I catch Esme's eye, and she nods toward a pile of charts and files I need to tend to. Turning back to Edward, I give him a quick kiss. "I need to get to work. Thank you for walking me in. Have a good day." I hug him tightly, as he nuzzles into my neck to leave me with a few kisses. He also takes the opportunity to whisper into my ear.
"You're welcome. I still don't trust these two. I'm gonna try to get Charlie to let me be in on the orientation, maybe even do the interviews. Something isn't right about them. Please be careful today."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too." And after another kiss, he's gone.
I get to work organizing the files, wondering what they were out for, to begin with. Usually, we only get them out if a patient has a problem, or they're researching something. Whatever the reason, Esme obviously doesn't want them laid out with the Hunter's here. It doesn't take me long before I've filed them all away. I then busy myself with taking a quick inventory of all of our medicines. We may not have traditional medication, but the plants we do have give us the salves, tinctures, essential oils we have come to depend on.
I hear Esme finishing up with Victoria.
"Now, please come see us if you notice any signs of infection. And take the next week or so to rest. Then we can evaluate how you're healing before you begin working. Take care, Victoria. I look forward to working with you." What? Working with her? She can't be serious. I watch as Esme finishes straightening up her supplies, and Carlisle walks over to the exam table.
I turn back to my task, my thoughts spinning. Esme comes up beside me, placing her arm around my shoulder.
"Did you know that Victoria was a nurse before the virus outbreak? What luck, to have another trained nurse walk into our camp! We decided she could start after she's healed. It will be so nice to have an extra set of hands here."
My mind is reeling. I thought everyone was going to be cautious of these two? Not invite them in where they had access to every single person in the camp.
"Yeah, that's great. So, you and Carlisle decided this?"
"Well, not exactly. Carlisle thinks we should wait, give her time to settle in first, but I think it's a no-brainer. She's trained, we could use the help."
"Do you think maybe since she hasn't been a nurse in so long, that it may be a bad idea? I'm not trying to say your judgment is bad, maybe you're just getting ahead of yourself."
"No, it will be fine. We can just train her with the way we do things here. I mean, even if she had been a nurse all along, we don't do things as they would in a medical facility she'd be used to. So, we'll show her how we do it here, no big deal. And you, Carlisle and I will be able to have more days off here and there. It will give us all a bit more free time. Oh, Bella, I think this is going to change our lives!"
That's what I'm afraid of, Esme.
…
A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed, followed, and favorited. Last week, Forged reached 300 reviews! It means so very much that I've had so much support for my first story! Every review brings a smile to my face. I hope I've been able to respond to them all.
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