"I can't believe this is it." Rose is staring at Edward and me as we stand arm in arm in the driveway of our new home while Emmett loads their bags into Jasper's truck.
I walk toward her with open arms. "It's not like we'll never see each other again. Eventually, Alice and Jasper are going to get married. We're all probably going to have kids one day." She scoffs, but it's followed by sniffling. "You're not getting rid of me so easily, Rosalie Hale-McCarty."
Our friends were so wonderful to spend two weeks with us after driving out. Emmett and Edward helped to situate one of the bedrooms into an office for me. A place where I can potentially work from home but also a dedicated area to rework my resume and apply for jobs, separate from the rest of the house.
We made the third bedroom into a guest room that Rose and I decorated. My bed fit in perfectly, and when Edward suggested we go pick out new furniture for us both, I moved in my dresser as well. There's still plenty of things I'll do over the next few weeks to really make it feel like my home, our home, but I feel content knowing that we're making it work together.
Edward and Emmett talk quietly to each other as Rose and I wipe at our faces. It's early in the morning, and the longer we're outside, the colder I'm feeling. Rose clears her throat to break up the boys, and we watch as they hug before Emmett walks over and sweeps me up into his arms.
"You're good for him, you know that?" He's trying to whisper, but like everything else Emmett does, it's not quiet.
I laugh. "He's good for me too. You take care of her and get home safely, okay?"
Rose and Edward share a hug, and we come back together on the front steps as they climb into the truck, and we watch them drive away. "You gonna be okay?" Edward looks down at me, and I wrap my arms around his waist.
"Yeah, we're gonna be great."
**BoU**
Several weeks after I'm settled in, I'm in my office on a video call with someone from the VA. Victoria is a recruiter for civilians who are partners of service members looking for jobs within the government. Victoria has been really helpful with guiding me through the process of applying for jobs, vetting my resume, and preparing me for the background checks.
"Bella, everything looks great. You have an appointment to meet with me for a background check next week, but do you have any questions for me before then?" Victoria is very kind, but she's all business. I don't hate it.
I sigh. I've gone back and forth about asking this. "Are any of the jobs you're going to recommend transferable? I know that if Edward gets stationed somewhere else, especially outside of the country, I may not be able to go with him."
"But you'd like to hedge your bets as much as possible?" I nod and Victoria smiles. "I'll do my best to help you out, but can I be frank with you? As long as you and your service member partner aren't married, there are no contingencies for you moving with him. All of it is on your dime and of your own accord. If you find a job posting that is available, it could take twice, sometimes three times as long for you to be accepted for the job because they'll be looking to accommodate spouses first, if any apply."
The answer doesn't surprise me, but it doesn't fill me with a lot of hope either. Edward and I are sure of where we see ourselves down the line, and he'll be in Virginia for at least four years, but that's not a lot of time.
"I understand. You don't happen to have any advice for meeting some military wives, do you?" I cringe as Victoria laughs.
"I wish I could help you with that, but just be yourself. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you next week." She gives me a little wave, and we say goodbye.
"She's right, you know."
I jump halfway out of my desk chair at the sound of Edward's voice. "When the hell did you get home?"
He grins from the doorway. "About twenty minutes ago. How did it go?" He sits down in a small armchair and smiles.
"Good, I think. I go in next week for my background check, and Victoria seems really positive. What was she right about?" I scoot my chair closer to him.
Edward shrugs. "That some things, at least in regards to getting you a work transfer if or when the need arises, would be easier if we were married."
"Is this a proposal?"
He laughs, reaching for me and pulling me onto his lap. "Not yet. I need you to do something for me first?"
"Do I need to call your mom and get her permission?" I giggle as he tickles the backside of my knee.
"No, but it might be helpful if you make a list of all the things you think aren't perfect about me." I can tell he's holding back his laughter. But for the life of me, I don't understand why he'd want me to do something like this.
"Why on Earth would I do that?"
"I just want to know if I need to worry about not being able to wear a pointy party hat." He bursts out laughing as I roll my eyes.