Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Last week I posted SF, early, so this week I will post Flyboy early just to be fair. Nothing really huge happens in this chapter. It is more or less a transitional to the next chapter which is probably the most stressful yet. So enjoy the calm before the storm. Thanks as always to AgoodWITCH for her beta work. She's awesome.

Next update will be either late Tuesday night/ Wednesday. In the meantime, a teaser will be up on my blog acullenwannabe. blogspot .com


Transitions

The month that followed was rocky for everyone. In addition to learning the ropes at a new job and trying to straighten out the mess that the Volturi brothers created with the company, Rose, Alice, and I were having to learn how to navigate a whole new city. It wasn't as thought it were harder to get around, but it was all just so new and overwhelming.

I made a trip back East with Esme and Marcus's brother Alec, whom he trusted entirely to take care of making the arrangements for the move to Chicago. I felt incredibly guilty about having bought the brownstone and furnished it, only to have to abandon it so soon afterward. Esme simply smiled shaking her head.

"Bella, I told you when we bought it that it would be excellent for an executive housing for guests, or even Marcus's replacement could live here. Since you won't need most of your furniture in Chicago with Edward's house fully furnished, we can leave much of it for our guests. Anything you feel an affinity for we'll send that way, and everything else can stay."

I sighed, nodding forlornly. I really did love my apartment on the bottom floor of the brownstone. I was going to miss my little touches that made it feel like home. We packed all of my personal belongings, as well as Rose and Alice's, making a point of taking all of their furnishings since they would need it when they eventually got a place of their own. In the meantime, we would look into putting it into some sort of storage until they were ready. Edward had a massive basement that would serve quite nicely, or as Esme suggested, there was quite a bit of storage space in the basement of the Strauss building dedicated to our company.

Within the course of four days, we had packed up everything and were directing the movers that had been hired to load everything, and deliver it to the train that would ship it to Chicago where another set of movers would be directed under the watchful eye of Alice to unload and deliver it to whatever locations they had decided. As we watched them move the last of Alice and Rose's furniture out, I stood staring at my stereo. Edward had a very nice one at his house, but I had really grown to love the one I picked out, but I felt it was selfish to have more than one.

Esme chuckled, coming next to me and wrapping an arm around my waist. "This was the first expensive thing you ever picked out for yourself isn't it?"

I nodded reluctantly nibbling on my lower lip.

"There's no sin in keeping it Bella. It means something to you. It helped you get through those first few months with your husband away at war. It's so much more than an expensive piece of equipment. Keep it and share those memories with Edward, sweetheart. I know he would want you to."

With a sigh, I finally nodded, settling onto the couch to rest my feet as Esme walked out to inform the movers that we had one more thing to go out. I kicked off my shoes and propped my feet on top of the coffee table. I had started to notice lately that my ankles were prone to swelling more often if I was on my feet too long. I was beginning to worry if it was normal to have this happen so early in pregnancy. I wasn't happy about having to change doctors after having found such a good one in New York, but Esme assured me we would find an equally qualified one in Chicago, whom we would provide with my complete medical records on my first visit.

We only had two more days before we would be returning to Chicago to begin settling in there. First we had to wait for Marcus's replacement, Eleazar, to come to town and introduce him to his highly depleted staff that we would need to call back or hire anew to fill the holes. I was excited to meet him since I knew he had been Edward's first choice. Any man Edward trusted was someone I definitely wanted to get to know better.

While Esme and I had been working to settle thing in New York, Carlisle had gone back west to Washington where he submitted his resignation at the hospital promising to work for a few more weeks until the hospital could find someone to replace him. Meanwhile, he was also working to arrange to have the majority of their things packed to be shipped to Chicago when he was done with the hospital where, with any luck, Esme would have already procured them a new residence.

In the meantime, Marcus, Alice, and Rose had all been working hard at Cullen Steel. Esme and I called in daily to keep updated on what was happening in our absence. First order of business, after a halt production order was sent to all of the mills, Marcus began cleaning house. Nearly one quarter of the support staff had to be demoted or let go, making the trio of overburdened execs work double time to find replacements. Thankfully, one benefit of the hard times was that finding qualified workers eager to get to work was not difficult.

By the time we were preparing to return, the Chicago staff was back to full compliment, all the positions once again filled, and Rosalie, along with the rest of the metallurgical engineering department, had worked out a new process to create even higher quality product than was going out before the Volturi brothers' scheme. It was going to take a few days to implement, but once they did, the boys fighting abroad would be far more protected than the last incarnation of materials would have made them.

Alice had her hands full between crunching numbers to balance out the new expenditures for the new process, plus the added expenses of the new staff and severance pay they ended up paying those that they let go. On top of that, she had to oversee the safe delivery of our things and made sure that my clothes and most of my belongings were situated before I arrived home so that I wouldn't overdo it trying to do it all herself. Thankfully, Sue was a wonderful help and a great asset to everyone.

Esme and I had a great time greeting Eleazar when he arrived. He really loved the brownstone and was excited at the prospect of living there instead of having to try to find his own place. He was very grateful for the furnishings, stating that his wife, Carmen, would like much of it as well. We visited and toured the Cullen offices together that first day and I found that I felt calm around the man almost immediately. I was sure that the girls would greatly enjoy working under such a calming influence.

By the time Esme and I finally boarded the train to go back to Chicago in the wee hours of Sunday morning, we were both completely exhausted. I smiled as I opened the envelope from Edward that had arrived the day before they left that Esme had forgotten to give to me until right before the train arrived. I hadn't gotten to read it yet, but I knew it had to have been written before he found out about the baby. I was really excited to read the first post news letter to hear some of the names that he might have picked out.

I smiled happily, as I read his words, folding the paper and tucking it safely within my purse before gazing out the window at the country passing in a green blur outside the window. I couldn't help but daydream about the baby inside me, and what kind of things Edward would say in his next letter. Esme and I were fed breakfast as the scenery changed slightly. As we ate lunch, we began to see water in distance from out the window on my side of the train car. As the green stretched on and on, eventually my eyelids grew heavy as I drifted off to sleep against the glass.

I was shocked to find myself being awakened by Esme as the servers came through to put dinner out for the patrons. I ate slowly, not really feeling like ingesting another rail meal. After the tray was taken away, I curled back up in my seat and resumed my Edward daydreams that slowly turned into full fledged dreams. My heart begged every night, just as my conscious mind did every day, that my husband would return to me as soon as possible and in full health. I could hear myself whimper as the train shuddered hard as it pulled into another station. I lifted my head to look around, noticing Esme sound asleep in the seat next to me. I glanced out the window to see the sign hanging from the station roof…Lake Michigan, Indiana. We were very close now and I couldn't wait to be back in the Lake Shore Drive house, surrounded by Edward's things once more.

I sighed, settling into my seat to drift off again, knowing I was almost home, to the place where my husband would join me as soon as he possibly could.

It was still dark when the train pulled into Union Station. A groggy Esme stumbled beside me from the train, dragging our luggage blearily behind us. We both sighed in relief when we discovered that Alice was waiting for us in Edward's car. I sighed as I slid in the back seat, missing our beautiful red car. It was a frivolous thing to have in the city to begin with, then if you added the rations for rubber and gas, and the cost for shipping, all three of us reluctantly agreed to sell our beauty in New York, but we would all greatly miss her.

I feared Rose would be hurt the worst, but instead, I could almost hear the smile in Rose's voice as she chimed something about giving her a chance to build a new one from the ground up with Emmett once he returned home. They were definitely a pair made in heaven. I couldn't wait to see them together, as well as Alice and Jasper. I wondered what their boys thought of all of the insanity happening back home.

We pulled up to the house and I sighed as I walked through the front door, pleased to once again be surrounded by all things Edward, making me feel just the slightest bit like the was there with me. Neither of us looked at much of anything as we stumbled up the stairs to our rooms where we immediately collapsed on the bed to get some restful sleep before getting up again to greet the day later on.

When I finally awoke again, after a long, deep, dreamless sleep, I found the bedroom around me to be very bright. The aroma of the delicious smelling meal Sue was cooking down below made my stomach grumble loudly, desiring a real meal as opposed to the disgusting meals that were served on the train ride the night before.

I got up awkwardly, feeling stiff from my overnight train ride and subsequent loss of consciousness. I stretched in all directions as I walked to the restroom to wash up before going downstairs. After washing my face and taking care of my hygiene needs, I slid into a pair of comfortable cotton trousers and a light weight top. I twisted my hair into a quick spiral atop my head before going down to check in with Sue.

She smiled at me brightly as I entered the kitchen. "Hungry, dear?"

My stomach roared loudly on cue making us both laugh as I clasped my hand over it. "That would be an understatement. This smells wonderful."

Sue smiled. "It will only be a few more minutes before it's done. In the meantime, did you see the letter from Edward waiting for you in the foyer when you got in?"

I jumped up with wide eyes. "No! When did it come?"

Sue smiled knowingly. "It came in the mail yesterday with a London postmark. It's on the credenza in the foyer."

Before she could say a word more I was up and running to the foyer. I spotted the envelope right away, my hunger forgotten as I opened it quickly while making my way to sit in the wingback chair in the living room. I pulled the pages from the envelope with a smile as I read the date at the top.

June 2, 1943

My dearest wonderful Bella,

I can't sleep, so I decided to give up and get back out of bed to write you. Hearing your voice yesterday and again today has been the best gift I could ever hope to receive while so far away. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity and despite my upset at the condition of the company, I can't help but be grateful the chance it gave the both of us.

I am so excited, love. There are absolutely no words in existence to express how happy I am. It makes me sad to think of all of the things I will miss. I so want to see you round with my child, to feel he or she move within the warm sanctuary of your womb. I want to take care of you and make sure you are eating and sleeping well, to rub your back and feet when late pregnancy makes them sore with additional strain. It pains me to know that I will most likely miss all of that, but I hope that knowing that I want to be there for them helps you some as you have to endure it without me. Please do your best to at least take photographs, so I can see.

With any luck, I will make it home in time for the birth, but the likelihood seems scarce considering the climate of things over here of which I cannot discuss. I will say that the point of view of the men here is far less optimistic as that of those on our ship. We are isolated, only knowing of our own successes and failures, while they are aware of the greater war effort. Something big will have to happen to turn the tide in this war. I hope it happens soon, but it will take a great deal of planning and preparation, probably more than you have left of your term. Just know that I am always with you. Not a moment passes that you aren't in my heart and on my mind.

Now, I want you to promise me that you will spare no expense in preparing for the baby's arrival. I'm sure my mother will happily assist you with this, but I just wanted to say it anyway. I've already started thinking of names tonight. There's a couple that keep coming to mind as I try to picture our baby.

One was the suggestion of the gentleman who has been helping me steal time to call you in the offices. He's actually a displaced French officer who speaks German fluently. He's been working with the code breakers to sort out intel they keep intercepting. Anyway, he was very excited for us and kept talking about our "petite Cherie" (pronounced Share ree) which basically means little darling or little loved one. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed almost perfect. What do you think? Cherie Cullen…I think I like it.

The boy name has been a little more difficult, but then I started thinking of some of our friends who have been shot down in battle. It sort of seemed fitting in a way, to honor a man who fought at my side and gave his life for my child's freedom. I'm not sure how many of them would fit, but I'll share the list with you and maybe something will strike you as one you like. The ones that I was closest to were Declan, Travis, Daniel, Marshall, and Jeremiah. I look forward to your opinion.

My mind keeps wandering to all of this mess with the company. I really wish you weren't burdened with it. I'm so proud of you for stepping up to take care of things, though. I hope that the board meeting goes smoothly. I know you will be stunning, intelligent, and knock them all on their stuffy keisters. I wish I could be there to see it, but then again, if I were then your bravery wouldn't be needed. Just know you are in my thoughts and prayers and I have every faith in you. I love you so much my beautiful wife. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I will be forever grateful.

The sun is rising on the horizon and the base is starting to come to life. I am off to try to make one more call to you before I have to leave. I know I keep repeating myself, but the repetition of the words doesn't make it any less true. I love you so very much, my sweetheart. I will be back in your arms as soon as the rest of the world will allow it. Be safe and take care of yourself. I will love you till the end of time.

Always yours,

Edward

I was in tears, reading the letter for the third time when Sue came in to check on me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

"That good or that bad?" she asked as she smoothed a hand over my hair.

I sighed, "That good and that bad. I worry so much for him, Sue, and yet, all he seems focused on is what's happening with me. I'm safe on American soil surrounded by my friends and family and I'm the one he's worried about. It makes no sense in so many ways, and yet I understand. I just miss him so much."

Sue soothed me as she took the letter, folding it neatly and placing it back within the envelope before handing it to me. "I know, sweetheart, but I also know our Edward. He's going to move heaven and earth to get back to the both of you. All you can do for now is take care of his two most treasured loves. Now come along and eat your lunch before it gets cold."

I swiped at my eyes with my empty hand and as I allowed Sue to lead me by the shoulders into the kitchen, sitting me down at the small breakfast nook in the corner. I carefully placed the letter aside out of harm's way before picking up my fork and taking a bite of the deliciously flavorful casserole in front of me. I hummed happily, asking Sue to eat with me.

She smiled, dishing herself a plate and sitting across from me. We ate in silence a few minutes before I looked up at Sue mid bite. "Hey, Sue, what do you think of the name Cherie Cullen?"

Sue smiled with a wink before taking a long drink of her juice. I smiled back with a sigh, running a lazy finger over the edges of the letter sitting next to me on the top of the beautiful wood grain table top.