Hi people! I tried to swing another two chapter update but, sadly, I hit a wall and haven't been able to create another chapter for today. Regardless, I give you a new chapter for the new year today.
Happy New Year!
L
(BPOV) About three months later, Dream . . .
I held my children close to me. Belle's tears soaked into my shoulder and Masen had his arms wrapped around myself and her. Shapeless shadows encircled us, threatening us.
I pulled my children even closer to me, trying to protect them. The shadows got closer and we prepared for pain.
Suddenly, another shadow appeared and defended us. This shadow was different though: it had the shape of a man and was made of light.
It fought the other shadows off and turned to us. The light faded and I saw my smiling husband.
"Edward!" I cried.
"Father!" Masen and Belle laughed. They tackled his legs with hugs.
He chuckled. I got up and came to him. I kissed him and leaned against his body. He wrapped one arm around me, "My love. My children." He kissed my cheek, "Thank you, my Bella, for bringing them into the world."
"Oh Edward!" I hugged him tightly, tears spilling from my eyes.
His warm hand rubbed my back as he quietly chided, "Don't you dare mare the skin of an angel with tears, Bella. It's a sin."
I laughed and hugged him tighter.
"When will you come home, father?" Masen asked.
"Soon, my son," Edward said, "I'll come home soon. I just want to defeat those who wish to hurt you."
"But you'll come back?" Belle asked urgently.
He smiled, "As soon as I can."
We hugged him as the dream began to fade.
"Come home soon," I pleaded.
He kissed me deeply, "I will, my love. I promise."
End Dream . . .
I opened my eyes when I heard crying. I sat up and looked around, a little confused. It was Belle. I slipped out from under the sheets and walked to the end of the bed. Belle was squirming as she cried in the crib. Masen was awake too and looking at his sister, clearly uncomfortable with the noise.
"There, there," I whispered, picking her up, "It's okay." She cried into my shoulder and seemed to cling to me. I guess she had had a bad dream. I rocked her gently and patted the downy blanket of brown locks on her head, "It's okay, little one. I'm here. I'm here."
She calmed down after a while and soon drifted back off to sleep. I laid her gently back in the crib and saw that Masen was looking at me with sad eyes. He was upset that his sister got attention and he didn't.
I smiled and picked him up next. I kissed his forehead and hugged him close to me, "My little Masen."
I could already tell that he was going to be a replica of his father. Somehow, he got everything from Edward: copper, messy hair, green eyes, and he was always such a quiet baby. Elizabeth said Edward used to be quiet too. I felt him smile and I began to hum a little. His body relaxed against me, content, and he soon fell asleep.
I kissed him again and laid him down to rest. Then, I stood and looked at my treasures. I needed a longer rest period because of giving birth to two but I loved them with all my heart.
"Bella-dear," Elizabeth's voice came softly, "You should be asleep. It's very late."
"Belle had a bad dream," I said quietly, "She woke up both myself and Masen."
She smiled and came up to look down at them, "I can't believe how much Masen looks like Edward and how much Isabelle looks like you."
I smiled and brushed the skin of my children, "I hope they'll get to meet their father soon."
"They will. We just have to keep our faith."
I nodded and thought about my dream. Masen and Belle both looked to be around six or seven years of age around that point. Maybe it was sign that they wouldn't meet him until that time . . .
"Bella? Is something wrong?"
I smiled and shook my head, "Just tired."
She smiled and pushed me around the bed, "Then, to bed with you. A mother needs to rest while her children do and, believe me, rest is scarce in motherhood."
I laughed.
(EPOV)
I stared up at the top of the tent. I felt so homesick that it scared me. I had been homesick before but never to this extent. I closed my eyes and remembered my dream a while back. I hung onto it and tried to recall my love's scent. I could barely do it and that scared me even more.
Just over a year, I thought miserably, and I want to go home so badly . . . but that's not going to happen anytime soon.
I hadn't told Jasper or Emmett but I knew we weren't leaving for a long while. The French hadn't just sent out a portion of their army. Once they found out I was here, they sent out every man able to wield arms against me to the field. With luck, we'll be here for only a couple years.
I nearly groaned at that thought. How was I supposed to survive that long without Bella near me?!
And my child, I thought, it will be hard if I suddenly show up that far into life. What if it resents me for leaving or hates me? Now I was bordering on hysterics.
I growled and got up. I left the tent, in need of fresh air, and wandered. All the children were asleep in the tents but their parents lingered outside. I strayed aimlessly until I came to a small hill that overlooked the encampment. I looked down on it and contemplated running home.
No. No, I can't do that. Lives depend upon me being here and I would just be a coward if I ran home. Imagine what father and Carlisle would say . . . I guess I'll just have to reopen the communications. If I can do that, I could, at least, get myself as well as Jasper, Emmett, and the remaining men from the city in contact with our families.
Thunder in the distance disturbed my thoughts. A storm was coming.
"Edward?" I turned to see Jasper and Emmett.
"We woke up and you were missing," Emmett said, "Are you alright?"
I nodded, "Just thinking . . ."
"Truthfully," Jasper said, "you look like Hell again. I think your running yourself to death."
I sighed, "Probably."
"There's something you're not telling us."
I looked at him and grimaced, not wanting to pull them down into depression with me.
"Edward, we can handle it," Emmett smiled with a raised eyebrow, "What is it?"
I sighed, "I received news the other day. Scouts report all French troops moving to the field. We're facing the entire French army, brothers." Another sigh escaped me, "With a little luck, we'll only be here maybe five years."
They looked down.
"I'm sorry. I never should have taken you here."
"Edward," Jasper smiled, "you always take blame upon yourself. You know very well that we made the choice to follow you. We just need to remember why we're doing this."
Emmett smiled too and touched his ring, "To protect those we care about."
We looked down at our rings for the evidence of marriage. It was there and I was startled at how the weight and prescence of the ring was so familiar to me now. I had almost forgotten about it.
"We'll go home soon," Jasper assured, "let's just promise to look after each other and get back to our women."
I smiled and nodded, "Tomorrow, there is hint of an attack from our enemies. We'll ride to the tribuchets and watch for a few nights."
They nodded. It would be our first trip to the field. I didn't want to send my brothers out with such minimal training in combat. They were beyond ready now but I wasn't about to send them without me either and I had meetings with strategists almost every day. Tomorrow was my first free moment and it was time to visit the field of battle.
This war is hard to make believable to all you history people. I wish I knew more about it all . . .
