Glossary terms:
Manning the rail is a method of saluting (or rendering honors) used by naval vessels. A similar but less formal ceremony is to have the crew "at quarters" when the ship is entering or leaving port.
I'm sitting on our bed and folding boxer briefs while Edward packs his seabag on the floor by the foot of the bed. This is just a practice run to make sure he can fit everything he wants in it, and I'm already teary eyed. I set a stack on the end of the bed so Edward can reach them. When he looks up, he pauses just long enough to blow me a kiss.
I laugh before I let the tears fall completely and continue folding clothes. It's been a rough couple weeks between me starting my new job and Edward inching ever closer to deploying. In fact, he leaves in three days.
Between my new job and Edward preparing to leave, the time had flown by, and suddenly, here we are.
We accomplished a lot in the last few weeks. We set up a joint bank account to take care of the household expenses, and I was added to the rental agreement. Edward got a power of attorney drawn up in my name in case anything happens, and I would need to make a decision regarding his truck, the house, or, heaven forbid, him.
We had a long talk over Zoom with his mom, Carlisle, and his dad about putting the POA in my hands, and they all agreed that I was the right choice. I'd never make a decision without discussing it with them, but hopefully, it won't ever come to that.
Chelsea is coming to stay for two weeks after Edward leaves. I don't have any time to take off, but she swears she can keep herself entertained while I have to work. I'm excited to see her, and I know Edward has arranged for everyone to come see me while he's gone so they can check on me.
"I think that's it. I've still got room in here, and I haven't packed my backpack yet." Edward sits back and looks over at me.
I nod. "Are you going to leave it or repack it again?"
He sticks out his tongue and smiles. "I'll leave it. Is there anything you want to send with me?"
Edward already has some pictures of us, but I was trying to write him some letters to read on random days. Like when he was feeling frustrated or sad. But, I was coming up empty. "I think I might have failed, babe. I'm sorry." I can feel the tears welling up again.
He crawls across the carpet to the bed, resting his elbows on the mattress to look at me. "There's no failing. This, all of this—your new job, the deployment, moving, trying to track down Jake—it's been a lot. You've been amazing."
"I love you." I lean over to press a kiss to his lips, and I can feel his smile.
"I love you too. How about some dessert?" I nod, and Edward gets up and heads downstairs.
At his mention of Jake, I search out my phone in the bedsheets to check in with Rose. I never thought it would pay to have a best friend who's a private investigator, but when I got the call that Jake had gone AWOL, I called Rose, asking her to try to track him down.
She agreed to do it, but after some conversation, we agreed that it didn't need to be a huge priority. I really just want to know that he's alive and well. If he's choosing to make questionable choices with his life, that's not my problem. He's made that perfectly clear. If I can find something out and pass it along to Sergeant Hunter, that would make me happy though.
Bella: Hey, any news on Jake?
Rose: I can't talk right now. I'll call you later this week.
I stare at my phone in confusion. This is not a typical Rose response, even when she's working. I let it go and join Edward downstairs for the last piece of cheesecake.
It's deployment day, and to be fair, I might not have realized there was something actually happening. The regular festivities that Dee warned me about have been subdued because it's raining pretty steadily.
Wives and mothers with small children decked out in Navy adjacent clothes are bundled together in small groups in strollers with blankets, raincoats, and galoshes. I only know what outfits these kids are in because I've been stuck in an over-enthusiastic group chat filled with little girls in sailor dresses and boys in mini dress blues.
Dee has Liam in a stroller, cozy and safe from the rain with some sort of plastic poncho covering the entire contraption. I'm holding a giant umbrella over the two of us while we wait for the ship to pull out. She talks to everyone who approaches us, sometimes offering hugs but mostly being a presence that everyone looks to for support.
"How many of these have you done?" I ask as we watch Alec and Edward disembark and make their way toward us.
"Um, ten; no, nine. Alec had two years of instructor duty in Georgia." Dee looks over at me before the guys reach us. "I know you did one before, but this is going to be different. You'll have a real support system this time."
I nudge her good naturedly just as Edward pulls me in for a sedate hug before he leans back and presses a chaste kiss to my lips.
"Normally, I'd get into trouble for all that PDA, but today's special." He winks, and I hold back a laugh.
Uniform codes are ridiculous, but I understand why they're in place. When we break apart, I look around to see many other couples and families huddled close, sharing quiet words and even some tears, as we all prepare to be separated for the next six months.
I can't help but notice the sweet moment Dee and Alec share with Liam before Alec offers me a smile and tells me he'll keep an eye on Edward. Dee and I wish them luck and to be safe as they board the ship, and we try to pick Edward out along the edge of the ship as the sailors are at quarters.
We watch for a while before Liam starts to whine, and Dee offers to buy me breakfast.
"I should get to work. Rain check? Why don't you come over this weekend? I'm picking up Edward's sister on Saturday morning." I turn with her as we head back to the parking lot.
"Sure. I'll get a babysitter, and we'll have a little girls' day." She hugs me as we reach her car. "Hang in there. Stay busy, and I'll see you in a couple days."
"See you." I wave at Liam and walk to my car. I brace for a flood of tears but none come. I make it through the day, staying busy, and since I'm surrounded by military people, I have plenty of shoulders to lean on. But I'm doing all right.
When I get home, I talk to Chelsea about her visit, and I get excited about her coming. We actually have some things planned, and even though I have to work, I'm really happy to spend time with her. I call Esme and Carlisle, and then check in with the Hale-McCartys and Jasper and Alice. Once everyone is updated and satisfied that I'm okay and safe, I lock up for the night, change into my pajamas, and crawl into bed.
Sleep doesn't come easy though, and when I roll over toward Edward's side, pulling his pillow into my arms, I inhale his scent that's so naturally him, and that's when the tears come.