Un-betad
Characters aren't mine, that is all.
Plot Generator—Idea Completion: Is the glass half-empty or half-full?
Plot Generator—Idea Completion: Is the glass half-empty or half-full?
"You're going with me?" I asked when I saw my mom dressed and by the door.
"I told the Cynthia I would be there to hang out bags, since it's such a large group," she explained, and I nodded. "But I volunteered because I knew you'd be there, too."
I nodded solemnly and tried my hardest not to cry, but as I got into my mom's car, I felt like I was driving to my doom. The irony hadn't been lost on me that the latest topic in my English class today was on 'optimistic versus pessimistic writing.' My teacher kept going on and on about whether an author writes with a sense of hope, or gloom, and even compared it to the glass half-full or half-empty saying. Right now, my glass felt very, very dry.
We were met with tons of vehicles in the company parking lot where I would be saying goodbye to Edward. I wished there was some way to will this deployment away, but I knew better.
"I'll be around, if you need me. I won't be hovering though, so pretend like I'm not even there, but I am, that is, when you need me," she talked in circles, and I leaned over to hug her as I jumped out to find Edward.
My mom needed to be there early, and I had already planned on showing up while they did their weapons draw. The weather was blistering cold while the sun slept, so I stepped into the company and stared around at the empty desks and offices. Areas that would do nothing but collect dust for the next year.
I wasn't sure how long I sat inside, but people filtered in and out.
"Isabella?" I heard my named called out, and I turned to see Mrs. White, the wife of one of the commanders in the brigade. "I thought that was you. Honey, didn't your father already leave?" I nodded my head as realization dawned on her face. "Oh…oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. You'll get through this Isabella, we'll make sure of that."
"Thank you," I whispered quietly. I wasn't sure what else to say to that.
"Bella?" The voice from behind me made me freeze. I knew who it was, and Mrs. White quietly excused herself to leave us alone. I turned slowly to see Edward with his assault pack and weapon, dressed in head-to-toe ACU, with his patrol cap in his hands.
I knew if I tried to talk, I'd be reduced to a blubbering fool, so instead I just wrapped my arms around him. I felt his assault pack land by my feet, as his arms securely brought me closer to his chest.
"I don't know how to do this," I whispered, as Edward pulled back slightly.
"We'll do this together," he promised. "I'll call as often as I can, we'll have internet access so I'll e-mail too, and we'll talk about R&R when I know the dates. Bella, I hate that I'm leaving, but I believe we can make it. I want us to make it."
I nodded my head as I sucked in a lung full of his scent. It would be months before I could touch or smell him again, and I wasn't taken even a second of our time together, for granted.
"A year from now, I'll be on the tarmac waving you home," I informed him with as much conviction as I could muster.
"I know you will," he swore. "A year from now, we'll be dating…normally."
We both heard some commotion outside, and I knew our time was coming. We walked out hand-in-hand to see formation being called. I stood still, among a sea of crying wives, children, families, and friends as we watched our soldiers stand at attention as they were briefed. I knew my mom was close, but I wasn't ready to give in yet.
After about five minutes, the buses pulled in as a detail of rear-detachment soldiers filled in to start loading their bags. A few minutes later, they were released for one final goodbye. I felt like I had barely had enough time with Edward to say hello, that saying goodbye for a year just wasn't fair.
Instead of whispering more words and promises, Edward simply walked up, tilted my head up towards him, and placed his lips on mine. He was sweet and tender and I felt every emotion in the book, as tears stained my cheeks when he pulled away. Our kiss said everything that needed to be said from 'I'll miss you' to 'we can do this' with everything in between.
I nodded my head as he straightened his cap on his head. He left me with one lingering kiss on my hand before he disappeared into a sea of camouflage.
My eyes focused on everyone around me for a second, and I momentarily felt guilty for breaking down while wives and children stood to my side. Their lives would be turned upside down worse than mine, but somehow, my mom managed to grab my hand and pull me away.
"Come on, Bella," she urged as she put me in line with a box in front of me. "Just hand each one a bag and say something."
I stood wide eyed at her, but I got it. I'd be able to see Edward one last time. All of the soldiers stood in formation waiting to board the buses, as cars and families began to filter out. I knew some would stay to see the buses leave, but, for some, especially those with children, that would be too much.
It took several minutes before soldiers began to filter through, and as the first bus filled up, we moved to the next, and to the last. I'd hand a bag and say something like 'stay safe' or 'we'll miss you', but when Edward stood before me, all words left me. He leaned down quickly and kissed my forehead as a loud, "Cullen," sounded from behind me.
We both snapped our attention to his commander, CPT Abrams, standing behind us. My dad had him over for barbecue's so I knew him well, and he knew me.
"Only you… the colonel's daughter, really?" he muttered with a nervous laugh.
"Now, William, leave them alone. I'm sure you remember your first deployment," my mother chastised as she came to our rescue. He nodded and started doing his counts one last time. "Stay safe, Edward. You'll be missed, by more than just her."
I heard Edward say his thanks, as his hand took the bag I held out.
As the empty boxes and crates were collected by the wives of the FRG, I stood back and watched as the buses began to drive away…half of my heart definitely with them as they disappeared into the night.
I took a deep breath and turned around to several women looking at me.
"So, Bella, we're doing care packages in two weeks, would you like to come?" Mrs. Abrams asked, and I nodded.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied back, but she shook her head.
"It's Cynthia, I'm not an officer, and I can't stand the term ma'am. It'll be nice to see a fresh face at our events," she mused, and I nodded again as my mom looked on with a smile.
Somehow, while standing silently around with women who were in the same boat I was, I didn't feel so alone. As we made our way to our cars, I felt my phone vibrate.
Has he left, yet?-Alice
Yes-Bella
Okay, check your back pocket. Good night, Bella-Alice
Confused by Alice's text message, I reached into my back pocket, and felt a piece of paper. I pulled it out to see a letter, folded in a square with my name on the front.
I sighed as I shoved the letter back into my pocket, knowing I'd read it the second I was back in my room.
So, I said short, but this wasn't quite the short I was thinking. I've done two drop-offs for my own husband, and, as a FRG Leader, several more with another major one coming soon. Even if your soldier isn't boarding the bus or plane, it's emotional. I actually don't cry when my husband is leaving because I refuse to let him see me cry, but you better believe I'm a mess once he's gone...I actually teared up writing this and I never do that. Most wives agree though, the first month, last month, and two weeks before & after R&R are the worst.
For those who don't know what FRG's are they're Family Readiness Groups. They're normally comprised of wives, but family members, girlfriends, fiances...etc, are invited to participate if they wish to. They support the families as a whole, and are incredibly important during deployment to keep the flow of information current and relevant. They also have meetings, dinners, fun family events...etc. Every FRG is different, but every unit is suppose to have one.
Anyhow, see ya tomorrow!