Double chapter for the holiday!

Big thanks to my sister and HeartforTwilight. :)

Chapter 25

Deployment means something different for everyone.

For me, it meant turning our new apartment into a home, keeping Edward stocked with as many boxes as the post office would allow me to send, and hiding away from friends and family.

There was something wrong with me, I could feel it deep in my bones, but I had no time to dwell on it and being around family would ensure it would come out.

I'd done a good job keeping to myself until around November when I woke up to a note on my front door. Apparently I had new neighbors and they were hosting a BBQ at their place in a few days.

Knowing I wasn't going, I took the note down and walked over to my computer to send an email to the one they'd written down.

From: Bella Cullen

To: Lauren Crowley

Date: November 14, 2007

Subject: BBQ Invite

Hey there!

My name's Bella, I'm the neighbor right across from you, and I got your invite this morning.

Thank you so much for thinking of me but I've got plans and won't be around that weekend.

Thanks again!

Bella

Closing my laptop I stood up and stretched, thinking about what I was going to do today. Eli had business out of the office and said I could take the day off and relax.

Ha.

Like that was going to happen.

Cooper started running around my feet, pulling on my pant leg and basically telling me it was time to go out.

Hooking his up his leash, I grabbed my jacket and started for the door. I'd barely gotten it open when he raced out, dragging me with him, and started barking at some lady who was by the stairs.

"I'm so sorry, he's harmless, I promise."

"It's ok, really! He's adorable, what kind of dog is he?"

"Cooper is a puggle, half beagle and half pug. He's crazy but the sweetest thing." I said laughing at his antics.

He'd determined there was no threat and was desperately trying to get some attention.

I looked over at the lady and put my hand out, introducing myself.

Her eyes went wide and then a big smile broke out on her face as she shook my hand.

"I was hoping I'd get to meet you soon! I'm Lauren Crowley."

So this was the new neighbor? Hm.

"It's nice to meet you, Lauren. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other around here."

"I sure hope so! Are you married? My husband, Tyler is working, but I'll make sure you guys meet soon!"

I wasn't really sure how to answer her about Edward.

For one, I didn't know her. And second, I tried not to just spread the fact that he's on deployment around. You never know who's going to have an issue with the military in general, or see a wife alone while her husband is in another country.

It's sad how unsafe it is these days.

Cooper saved me by catching sight of a bird and pulling me down the stairs.

"Crap, I'll see you around, Lauren!" I yelled out as I let my pup pull me away.

When we were around the corner I stopped him and bent down to his level.

"You're such a good boy! Yes you are! Saving mommy from having to tell where daddy is. Let's go for a walk, ya?"

It had been a few months since meeting Lauren and I can say this, she is one persistent lady.

I'd tried to distance myself, not wanting to get involved with any new friends after my blowout with Amber.

I guess I was spending too much time with my husband before he left on deployment and was ignoring our friendship. She pretty much told me to stuff it and forget she ever existed.

Seeing as though I don't have the patience for that right now, I did exactly as she asked.

I'm still amazed at how selfish she was being about the whole thing. Between the baby and the deployment, I thought she'd give me some leeway and just support me. But, I guess I'm seeing a whole new side to her, one that I don't care for.

Shaking off the irritation that usually comes when thinking of Amber, I go back to thinking about my new friend and how she's dragging me to lunch and shopping today.

Thinking I have a few minutes, I sit down and check my email, wanting to know if Edward got the box I'd sent a couple of weeks ago.

It must be my lucky day because there's an email waiting for me.

From: Edward Cullen

To: Bella Cullen

Date: January 26, 2008

Subject: Package

Hey baby!

I got your package today and, I have to say, it's my favorite one so far. Especially the lacy pieces you sent… ;) Do I get to see you in them when I get home? Because that would be AMAZING.

Are you and Lauren heading out for some mischief today?

I really can't wait to meet her and Tyler, they've been so great to you while I've been gone.

I've gotta head out, I'm on duty tonight.

I love you so much and I'll try and call in a couple days, ok?

Love always, me

Giggling to myself over the pair of underwear I'd tossed in last minute, I opened a new email to respond when I heard knocking at the door.

Knowing it was Lauren, I closed my email down and headed over to let her in.

"What's up, girl? You ready to work out those credit cards?"

Laughing and pushing her out the door I said, "You know I'm not looking to buy anything. I still have a month before he's due home; I think I'll wait a little longer before buying things he's just got to tear off of me."

"It's never too early to start shopping for those kinds of gifts. How many do you plan to buy? I usually do one in each color they have."

One of the things I learned early on with Lauren is that she's also a military wife. Her husband, Tyler, has been in the Navy for about 5 years; which makes it really easy to talk about deployments and homecomings.

She's been there before and has helped me through it better than anyone else, besides Edward himself, could have.

On days where I try to hide myself away and forget the world around me, she forces me out of bed and down the road to Starbucks…which is funny because she loathes coffee.

When I have a need to rage out against the fact that my husband is away from me, she joins in and we give the Navy the what for until we feel better.

She's been an absolute lifesaver.

Now, if Edward would get home, life would finally be back to normal.

"Bella, do you have those reports I asked for? Something isn't adding up with this month's numbers and I want to go over them again."

Standing up and having Eli the paperwork he's asking for I say, "Did you split the departments when you looked at the initial numbers? Because if not, they'll seem off since our reports are printed by department but the corporate ones are printed as an office whole."

"Freaking shit. I knew I was missing something and it's been driving me crazy all morning. Why didn't I just ask you to start with?"

"That's a good question, since I'm always right, you'd have thought I would have been the first person you'd talk to. Oh well, lesson learned."

I tried desperately to keep a straight face, but when he broke out into laughter, I joined him.

He opened his mouth to say something when my cell phone started ringing. Looking down I saw it was from an "Unknown Caller," which meant one thing…the hubs.

From the smile on my face Eli must have realized who it was and told me to take it in the conference room…and say hello for him.

Racing in there I answered, so excited to hear his voice.

"Baby! Hi! I wasn't expecting your call!"

Sighing he said, "Hey, kitten, I wish I was calling with better news. We just got word that we've been delayed. We won't be home in February; they've pushed us back to the end of March. They said something about another group needing more training before they're let loose out here."

My mind went to a million different places all at once and I felt the walls closing in.

"They're extending you? How can they do that? Why would they do that? No! I need you home. You've been gone too long as it is and it's someone else's turn!"

I couldn't stop the tears and, try as I might, he heard me.

"Oh, baby, please don't cry. I know this is really shitty, but I promise it'll go by quickly, ok? We can do this. It's just an additional 4 weeks, it's nothing major. I wish I had control over this, I'd be home with you right now."

"I know you would, I just can't believe this is happening right before you're supposed to get here. How can they do this? You guys put your life on the line, literally, and they treat you like nothing."

"It's a numbers game, baby. We're all just tokens to them, nothing more and nothing less."

Shaking my head at the absurdity of all of this, I said, "We don't have a choice, so we'll deal with it, but I want it known that I'm completely pissed the hell off."

Chuckling he said, "Noted, sweetheart. I hate to cut it short after dropping that, but I need to catch some sleep while I can. I love you, baby."

"I love you, too. Stay safe, please."

"I will."

The call ended and I sat in the conference room for a few minutes, needing to collect myself before getting back to work.

I've heard stories about extensions, but I'd never had to deal with anything like this before. I don't understand the military or their choices and, while I know I'm not privy to the information that's causing them to make these choices, I wish they'd made a different one.

I want my husband home.

Today is the day.

I will finally get my husband back.

He's been gone just over 6 months and I'm over it.

Waiting in the airport is putting me on edge; I'm so worried he's not on the plane because they kept him over again.

Even though I know that's not true, I'm so nervous that I can't think straight.

Seeing a crowd of people coming from the terminals, I start bouncing up and down, looking for the only person I care about seeing.

He sees me first, running over to me and wrapping me up before I can even take a breath.

"I've missed you so much! And, you smell incredible, kitten."

I guess some things never change.

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