Chapter 29 Edward to Bella to Edward

September 1, 1859

My Beloved Almost Wife,

I can't help but write you on our minus one month anniversary. You were right (along with Jasper, mom, dad and a few others) that I needed to get up and doing and stop feeling sorry for myself. I'm glad that you woke me up out of it and got me doing my part of the preparations, which is getting our nest set up. Thank you forever and I'll love you that long, too.

I am amazed at what has been happening here. The Representative from Maple Valley came to tell me that the man who owns the land with the iron find has found enough investors to begin building the mill, because of your train proposal. When they heard that there was going to be a great need for steel for a long, long time, they came to him, begging to be a part of it. They are working with an architect and with the contractor now. I am sure that the citizens of Newcastle will be one of their first customers. One of the investors wants to build a second plant to manufacture the cars, rails, etc. This whole thing is rolling right along. It is all because of you. When this hits the newspapers, I think that we are going to be receiving a whole bunch of requests for immigration from others around us, because of the work. They will need housing not only for themselves, but for their families, too. Construction workers will be needed for the houses, the steel plants, schools for the families, and on and on. It will take at least five years to complete the first projects. Newcastle will import what they need, they say. They are anxious to get better transportation. What a difference you have made!

You have a really big fan. Mom is absolutely as in love with you as I am, almost. You have appealed to her all time favorite projects. First, you love me, and have brought me out of a big depression, twice. Secondly, you asked her to work on the wedding reception. You trust her enough to put it all into her hands, and she cried with happiness. Third, you asked for her help with the interior furnishings of our apartment. She feels needed. She feels involved with our lives. Fourth, not only are you having a garden, you have involved me in it, a feat that I have steadfastly refused all of my life. And I like it, especially now that I am done working in the fertilizer. I feel a big sense of accomplishment as I finish each step. I am feeling that I am more in tune with my people and their work. Before I have watched and talked with the people and our gardeners. Now I am involved with the entire process. Fifth, you mentioned grandchildren. If you do any more, I'm afraid she will nominate you for sainthood.

The apartment is coming along nicely. The plumbing is done and disguised. You would never know that the pipes are there, and I can hardly wait to see if you can tell where it is. They are working on finishing the new doors and walls. The contractor got the information he needed, and is building in a dumb waiter from the kitchen downstairs to the upstairs landing near our rooms. He said that he agreed with you about the children not playing in it, and recommended a lock. We will have the key. Our helper will have the other one. Mom is a constant visitor. She is like a worried hen over her chicks, clucking around. I told her what you said about your favorite colors, and she is incorporating that into the plans. She has added a surprise for you, and I'm not allowed to tell what it is, but you will love it! It helped us solve a problem we were having with the construction, as well. We both force ourselves to actually go to work at our jobs. Bree said she would love to come over to work for us, and mom says it is fine.

Midnight is a Quarter horse, so I agree with Jasper on his choice of breeds. I know some of the things they do, but the part of working with cattle never came up, like winning races has. We will need to have Jasper and at least one of his horses down for a couple of months so that we can learn. Maybe he and Alice could come during the winter when there is less to do on the farm. Would Seth like to learn, too?

Emmett and I talked about the possibility of him courting Rose, and I encouraged him in it. I would love to be his brother-in-law. I told him our history, except for Moonlight's heritage, and I think it affected him and how he approached Rose and Charlie. I am delighted for them.

I am preparing things to leave here for our next tour on September 13, as we planned. The same people come with me time after time, and we do the same thing time after time. However, I put the time up two weeks, and sent out letters to the Assemblymen and mayors of the capital cities so that they will be expecting us earlier. This time, you will be dressed in white for me at the end. It is the best thing in the world to think about!

Write me soon or I will go mad! I love you!

Yours Forever,

Edward

September Schedule:

12th Final Check on our home & board the ship

13th leave

15th Sea View

17th Seattle

19th Tacoma

21st Mercer

23rd Maple Valley

25th Newcastle

27th Covington

29th Twin Forks

October 1 Wedding!

~~ Bella to Edward~~

September 7, 1859

My Muscle Man,

I can hardly wait to see what all of that yard work does to your arms and chest. Oh, dear! That's not a very polite thing to say. I'm sorry, I think. Wait, I have to wipe some drool off of my mouth.

You know if you let the chickens go into the garden before it is planted they will fertilize it themselves. The trick is keeping them in there. They like to scratch the newly turned soil for bugs and worms, too. I guess it's a little late to tell you that now, though.

I am so anxious to see what you have accomplished in our garden and our house! Esme isn't waiting for me to get there to help her, is she? I'm no help at all. She is welcome to do whatever she wants to do.

Doctors Peterson and Sandlin were down yesterday. We are having tremors five or six times a day now. We are mostly ignoring them. They are leaving on the tenth to get back to school for the new school year. They said that those quakes this week are stronger than last week. I noticed that today's are worse than yesterday's. They recommended that we pack the wagon and leave with whatever we can cram into it until it stops. They said not to go to town, because if anything comes down from the volcano, it might use the riverbed. We have decided that they will go to Grandpa Swan's house on the North Bend River near the foothills in Maple Valley after the wedding. I will be with you. The scientists will stay until the ninth to pack up their gear. Jasper will drive them down to the docks on that day. Rose and I are going through our things to pack up the necessities. Mine will come with us. We will store all of the food we don't take in the root cellar and hope for the best. They will take all of the animals they can herd with them. Jasper and Alice will go with them, too. They told us it is better to be packed and ready than to be caught unaware. Now that is a scary thought, indeed.

Moonlight is acting strangely. She acts like she wants to go up into the foothills. Ever since I took her to see the spring she seems obsessed with the water. She is always going to our stream near the house and wading in it. When we are near the cliff overlooking the River she almost seems like she wants to go down there. I have never gone down there myself, let alone taken any of the animals down there. It is too easy to loose them in unfamiliar territory. I play comforting music on the flute, and so far it has helped her. It's as if she is looking for something or someone, or that she wants to go do something, but doesn't know what. It's weird.

Speaking of unicorns, I have decided to go with my first thought and have Emmett use the unicorn horn to put on the end of a javelin or lance. I don't plan on telling him what it is, other than being a horn. Rose agrees. I'll ask him the next time he comes up.

I want to get this written and off so that you will get it before you go. Come quickly to me. I'll be waiting on the docks on the 29th.

Love Always,

Bella

2