I don't own these characters. They are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer. I only borrow them. No humans are permanently harmed through my actions, though I do confess to harassing, annoying, torturing, and exasperating them – just because it's fun. I make no money from my little stories, sad day. I only play in the sandbox, I didn't build it.
Author's Note: We're winding down now, since what I really wanted to do was explore how Bella and Edward handled the transition from teenagers to parents. We will get a glimpse of Edward's life as a soldier and you will find out how everyone turned out. But there aren't many chapters left. Edward has made his decision and Bella will start to adjust to life as a soldier's wife. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones that come after. I thank you for your patience with me, too.
Chapter 36: Change of Address
Edward's POV
"I guess that's the last of it," I said as I zipped my small bag closed. Packing was easy in the Army. There was no guess work involved. They'd given me a list of what I could – and could not – bring. The first list was pretty damned short. I had white athletic socks, no stripes, logos, or insignias. I had flip flops. I had running shoes. I had some underwear. I had stamps, stationary, my marriage certificate and Cassidy's birth certificate. What I did not have were lighters, pornographic material, or tobacco items. I didn't really care about two of those three items, but I had a feeling I was going to sorely miss one of them. Bella found it hilarious. I was less amused.
Bella had put Cassidy on the bed so she could watch me pack. We were heading out to Seattle in an hour or so. We had already spent our last night together the night before. Tomorrow I was going to be signing my final papers and being sworn in, but the Army had rules about everything – including where I'd spend the night tonight.
So, last night had been our last night together and that thought killed me. It seemed wrong that I wouldn't be in Bella's arms tonight, listening to Cassidy snuffling and squirming as she woke. Bella and my parents were staying in the same hotel but I wasn't sure if we'd see each other.
Bella lay down on the bed and I did too, Cassidy in between us. She looked up at us with wide eyes, as if she sensed her little world was changing. Our hands met over Cassidy's little body, our eyes met over her head. I saw tears fill Bella's eyes. "What am I going to do without you?" she asked.
"Take care of our daughter," I answered softly.
She bit her lip and nodded. "Yeah, I will."
I smiled and leaned over and kissed her. "Thank you."
Bella's POV
The trip to Seattle was too short. Sgt. Mann had given us a concession when he allowed us to drive Edward to Seattle. He would not go so far as to allow Edward to stay the night with me. It seemed unnecessarily cruel to take our last night from us, but I supposed I was going to have to get used to rules that didn't make any sense to me. Apparently, the Army was rather fond of them.
I didn't cry when Edward walked away with Sgt. Mann to do some last minute Army things. I didn't cry when his parents and Cassidy and I walked out of MEPS and left Edward there. I didn't even cry when I buckled Cassidy into her car seat and we drove away. No, I saved my tears for when I was alone in the bathtub back at the hotel. Esme and Carlisle were watching Cassidy. My parents were meeting us tomorrow but Esme and Carlisle had already gotten them an adjoining room. That was where I took my bath, mostly because I knew I was going to lose it. Esme seemed to understand and told me to take my time.
So I sat in that hotel bathtub and I cried.
Edward's POV
I felt like a thief or a spy. They had put me in a room with a guy who had told me that they'd check on us around midnight and then go to sleep. He knew that because his brother had joined the Army six months ago and already been through all of this. Good to know.
I had at least three hours before I had to worry about being in my room. That little tidbit of information had me sneaking through the halls of the Holiday Inn. Suddenly, I felt like I was in high school again, sneaking in some time with my girl and trying to escape the chaperones' notice. I had texted Bella with the phone that would soon be taken away from me and the door opened when I gave my first tentative knock.
She pulled me into the room adjoining my parents' and her lips mashed against mine. I was glad she had already closed the door between the rooms because the next thing I knew, she had me pinned against the wall and then was on her knees. Holy. Fuck. God, I love my girl's mouth!
"Bella," I whispered urgently. "Come on, baby, let's at least get to the bed."
This was it, one last shot. I wouldn't be in between those sweet thighs for three long months and I wanted to enjoy myself. And make sure she did too. My mother had raised a gentleman, after all.
We struggled to get off the few clothes we had on. I had tugged on a tee-shirt and sweats and had gone barefoot, carrying an ice bucket as a weak cover. That was all soon on the floor and I was sliding Bella's panties down her thighs as she instructed me to hurry.
"Yes, ma'am!" I answered smartly.
She rolled her eyes and pulled me for another kiss. The next moment I was buried inside of her and we both gave loud moans of approval. Fuck yeah.
It was quick and dirty and hard and it was perfect. Of course, it was also perfect an hour later when it was slow and sweet and tender. Pretty much it was Bella that was perfect, I decided.
Bella's POV
"Are you okay?" Mom asked with concern as I picked at my breakfast. Esme was holding Cassidy, my dad and Carlisle were talking and my mother was eyeing me like I was going to explode. Or cry. Or run. Frankly, all three had their own merits.
"Yeah, I'm good," I lied.
Mom gave me a smile that let me know she wasn't fooled and then her hand closed over mine and she squeezed. "I wanted to tell you something, Bella," she whispered. Oh God, if this was another lecture on how we'd ruined our lives I was going to barf right here in the restaurant. "I already had a moment to talk with Edward before he left...in Forks, but I wanted you to know, Bella, that I've been very...proud of you two. You've done better than most couples would in a similar situation, no matter their ages. And I wanted you to know that I think you and Edward are both very good parents and that Cassidy is a very lucky little girl to have you and I don't think I've ever been prouder...of either of you."
It was so unexpected that for a moment I wondered if I had dreamed up the whole thing – the pregnancy and Cassidy and Edward going into the Army. Then I felt my mother's hand on mine and realized that all of it was real. And all of it was happening today. Suddenly, I was a little girl again and I wanted my mommy to make it all better.
She took me in her arms right there in the middle of the restaurant and she hugged me hard. And she made it better, just like she always did.
Edward's POV
Have you ever had one of those moments in your life when it seems that everything speeds up at the very same time it slows down to such a snail's pace that you are really aware of every passing moment? I'd never had one until that day in the airport. September had finally arrived. I had been sworn in at the MEPS for the final time earlier that day.
Bella and Cassidy and my parents and Bella's parents had all been there watching. To be honest, I hadn't given my oath much thought until I heard myself saying the words along with a dozen other men and women. I hadn't really thought about the promises I was making beyond the vaguest sense...until then. I watched Bella and Cassidy as I made a promise not only to my country, but to them. Suddenly, it all hit me.
I, Edward Cullen, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
This was big. This was huge. This was the most important thing I had ever done in my life apart from getting married and having Cassidy. As I spoke the words, I could only hope and pray that I didn't screw up. I could only hope and pray that Bella would wait for me, and that I had made the right decision, not just for me, but for all three of us.
I guessed that only time would tell.
They had followed us to the airport and Bella and Cassidy and I had spent every moment we could together, which wasn't a lot. The next thing I knew they were calling our flights and I was giving out hugs and kisses and trying not to cry like a pussy. The other new recruit hadn't had anyone there to say good-bye to, but my mother hugged him and told him to take care. I had wanted to die of embarrassment, but the guy just hugged her back.
We sat beside each other on the flight. He was mostly quiet, but he told me I had a nice family. He told me his name was Jasper Whitlock and I told him that I was Edward Cullen. We figured out that we were both going MP, or mud puppies, as he told me. He said he was from Texas, but had been living in Seattle, playing with a band. I wasn't sure how he'd ended up in the Army, but he probably wasn't sure how I had either. Sometimes even I didn't know. He told me I was a lucky man to have someone at home to write me and send me stuff. I told him that I was but that he shouldn't be surprised if my mother insisted on sending him shit too. He laughed at that but didn't say no. He went quiet for a moment and then he fell asleep. I'd never seen anyone fall asleep so fast in my life.
After the flight, they loaded us up on a bus. And I was on a heading toward a place that, for all intents and purposes, seemed to be plopped down in the middle of absolutely nowhere. We hadn't passed anything but trees in a long time. Then I saw some lights and I saw a Wal-Mart. And places to get tattoos and see naked girls dance. And pawn shops, lots of pawn shops. I was beginning to understand why the base's nickname was Ft. Lost in the Woods.
I was in the woods. And I was starting to feel lost. Very, very lost.
Bella's POV
The ride home from the airport to Forks was very quiet. Even Cassidy was silent in her car seat, though she remained surprisingly awake, watching the passing scenery with wide eyes. Suddenly, I felt the urge to howl and scream. Edward was gone. I wouldn't see him again for three long months and that seemed unbearable. I couldn't even begin to comprehend how I'd feel when he was deployed. I reached and grasped Cassidy's tiny hand. It was so fragile, and yet so strong. As she wrapped her little fingers around mine, I silently promised Edward that I would take good care of her.
He had spoiled me and I knew it. He had changed diapers and been unfailingly patient and cheerful when my own sullen mood came crashing down on us. He'd adapted to fatherhood with far more grace and good cheer than I had to motherhood. But that ended today. No more feeling sorry for myself, no more moping.
I closed my eyes and leaned back, I could see him again, standing there with his hand raised, taking his oath. He had sounded so sure, so strong in his conviction that I couldn't doubt him. This choice was tough, no doubt about it. But it was right...for us...for now. The best thing I could for him was to stay strong. We were young, but our grandparents and great-grandparents had been parents and gone to war and waited at home for a loved one when they had been our ages.
Edward and I could do this, if we did it together. I put my hand in my purse and touched the cell phone there. This would be our lifeline for the next few months. I knew I wouldn't go anywhere without it. I knew better than to expect a lot of calls, especially at first. Sgt. Mann had told me that I'd get one call when Edward arrived at the base. I might get a 2 or 3 minute call the first Sunday he was there. Or I might not. We were both at the Army's mercy now.
I clutched that phone tightly and I thought about other men and women who were, right at this exact moment, doing exactly the same thing.
Wondering. Worrying. Waiting.