Beta'd by the wonderful Daphodil, any mistakes are all me!

Chapter 23

Bella

We stand on the other side of the gate and watch the plane disappear into the bright sky. The clouds are so beautiful and unaware that my very soul is now nestled safe within them.

The girls and I start to walk back to Carlisle and Esme, each of us stuck in our own grief. I turn to find other wives and girlfriends in the same state as Rose, Alice, and me. Crying, devastated, some unable to walk. Some like me, some with bigger bellies, some with crying infants, toddlers, or even teenagers.

To me, the saddest are the women who seem unfazed. They look sad, but it's as if they've done this so many times, that there are no tears left.

For some reason, these women make me feel worse. I look up and find what I assume is a seasoned wife give me a sympathetic smile as if she knows that I've only been married a month and now my husband is gone.

Once we reach Esme and Carlisle, I'm surprised to find Angela and Ben standing with them. Angela runs over to me and takes me in her arms.

"Edward texted last night and asked if I would come. He thought you would need me." She rubs my back while taking me over to the others where they wait for us.

I cry harder; Edward thought, I would need my best friend because I do. I just can't put it into words at the moment.

She rubs my belly, and I bury my head in her neck. "Mom is making lunch for everyone. Edward made me promise to force all of you to eat."

We all pile up into the cars; Angela pulls me into the backseat of her and Ben's car. One of her hands stays on my belly while the other rubs my hair and comforts me. I smile, feeling so lucky that I have her as a best friend.

A ding from my phone alerts me that I have a text messages.

I open it and smile at Edward's message.

I love you so fucking much - E

The message causes another crying fit. I hope this pain ends soon, I know it can't be good for the baby.

Pulling up to the pretty two-story yellow house causes a little smile to grace my lips. I know they have this large house in hopes of filling it with babies. I feel a twinge of guilt at how easily it was for me to get pregnant while Angela seems to be having a difficult time conceiving.

A smiling Mrs. Weber greets us with a dishtowel in her hands. When we were younger the dishtowel was a symbol that she had been working hard all day in the kitchen. I know we are in for a real treat, now.

"Oh my goodness! Look at that belly! I can't believe it was just last month we saw you." She gives me a motherly hug.

I'm so thankful I have her and Esme right now.

We walk into the house and my stomach rumbles from the delicious smells. Mrs. Weber's fried chicken was always the talk of the town. Despite me not having an appetite the baby has other plans, and I'm hit with an intense hunger.

I take a look around the modern house, it's perfect, and Angela really has made it a home for her and Ben.

"I had Mom make all of your favorites. She even made you a lemon cake," Angela says, leading me to the dinning room.

"Fried chicken and lemon pound cake! Aww it's just like you made me when Ange and I came in third for the ninth grade science fair." I sit down at the table.

"Mrs. Weber, everything looks wonderful." Esme gives her a smile.

"None of this Mrs. Weber mess, Esme. I told you to call me Brenda." Mrs. Weber sets a large bowl of fried chicken down in front of me.

My mouth waters at the sight of the brown, crispy skin. Maybe I'll try to make some and perfect it before Edward comes home.

"Rose, Alice, how are you two holding up?" Ben asks giving them a smile.

"I'm fine," Rose says tightly while adding some vegetables to her plate.

Alice puts some mashed potatoes on her own plate. "I'm trying to keep it together for Bella. Her and EJ need me."

"EJ?" Angela asks, and I roll my eyes.

Carlisle chuckles. "Edward's named the baby EJ; Edward Junior."

"It's a boy?" Angela drops the spoon she was using to put vegetables on her plate.

I realize I didn't text or call her after my sonogram yesterday, but I've been so consumed with spending time with Edward that I didn't even realize it.

'It's a boy. Apparently all first born Cullens are boys," I tell her and take a bite of my chicken.

"It's true. My great grandfather, grandfather, uncle Caius, Edward, and me are all first-born sons. My father was second born," Carlisle says happily eating his mashed potatoes.

We eat until we're stuffed. Mrs. Webber even packs some chicken for me to take back home and half of the cake. Now I have double cake with a small piece of my baby shower cake tucked away in the freezer.

I am not complaining! I love cake!

~Dream~

The first month feels like decades. So far we've spoken or skyped at least twice a week but the time difference is killing us. I started work a week after he left, and I still find myself hiding in the bathroom and crying at least once a day.

The work is okay but not what I really want to do as a photographer. Taking pictures of products for advertising isn't fulfilling. It does, however, keep me very busy and is not too stressful on the baby.

Having Rose, Alice, Esme, and even Carlisle is such a big help. We spend most weekends together and Carlisle doesn't even mind being the only male.

Esme and I just finished putting groceries away for Thanksgiving. I had totally forgot the holidays were upon us. Now I'm starting to feel worse; my parents aren't speaking to me, and I have not even tried to contact them. My husband is on assignment in another country. All of these realizations have me back to square one, that is until Esme decorates the house in festive Thanksgiving décor. The dark orange colors, miniature turkeys, little Pilgrims and Indians on the front lawn, all lift my spirits so much. I'm so glad Edward suggested I stay with them while he's gone, the both of them are truly wonderful.

My phone rings and I answer quickly excited when I see Edward's name. "Hey, Sarge! I miss you."

I'm crying already as I rush up to my room to talk to him.

"Hey, Tiny. I miss you too, baby. How's EJ?" he asks and I can tell that he's smiling.

"He's started kicking a little! I went to the doctor last week, and they said he was good. I don't go again until next month." I sit on the bed and rub my growing belly.

"I wish I could feel him kick. Have you been taking it easy? Dad emailed that you stayed late a few days at work last week." His voice is strained and I can tell he's worrying.

"They had a big new business pitch and needed product pictures. I promise I'm not over doing it. I like working. It helps with missing you." I sigh into the phone.

"I know. That's the only thing keeping me from going fucking crazy. This training is intense but we will have some damn good Marines once it's all said and done." He pauses then takes a deep breath.

"I may be able to come home sooner if all goes well. Maybe after the first of the year." He doesn't sound convinced, but I'm so hopeful.

"Oh Sarge! I hope it happens. Sometimes I can't breathe because I miss you so much," I say laying down on my side.

"I know, baby, but hang in there. EJ needs you. I've got to get to the base it's six am here. I love you, baby," he says and I start to get a little chocked up.

"I love you, too."

I hang up and just lay in the bed, all thoughts of Thanksgiving forgotten.

~Dream~

By Thanksgiving, it's a little easier to bear. The days no longer seem empty. Talking and skypeing with Edward helps, but it's the little kicks that become firmer and firmer each day that reminds me that I can't crawl up into a ball and wait for my husband to return.

Thanksgiving dinner is a fun affair with Rose and Alice joining us. Even Angela and her family drove up.

Emmett Face Time Rose on the iPad, and we all get to see our men who had celebrated Thanksgiving the day before.

Edward is smiling at me as I hold the iPad. "God, you look so fucking beautiful. Stand up and show me your belly."

"Everyone is here!" I try to protest, but I know I'm going to stand up and show him.

"It's just your stomach, now stand up," he orders getting me all hot and bothered.

I stand up, and pass the iPad to Alice. She holds it up so Edward can see my stomach when I lift my maternity shirt. Both Jasper and Emmett are staring into the screen.

"Damn! You got huge! My nephew is going to be a defensive tackle!" Emmett yells out, and everyone laughs.

"I can't wait to rub it. It looks so hard," Jasper says.

"That's what she said!" Mrs. Webers cool voice interrupts their observation of my belly.

Lord that woman is crazy! I look in the screen to find Edward with tears in his eyes.

"You look perfect, baby." He smiles at me.

"Thank you. Love you, Sarge. Happy Thanksgiving." I wipe my own eyes.

"Happy Thanksgiving. Love you, too." He blows me a kiss before passing Emmett back the iPad so that he can say good bye to Rose.

~Dream~

At my twenty-fifth week check up Rose, Alice and Esme stand around cooing at the screen while Amy, the tech that I've had since the first one, takes measurements.

A frown takes over her usually happy face, and I start to panic. "Everything okay, Amy?"

She quickly recovers and smiles at me. "Yes, he's just reading a little bigger than he should be."

"I'm really not surprised his daddy was nine pounds eight ounces," Esme says proudly, and I think I feel sick.

"Holy shit!" Rose says loudly.

"Was it a natural birth, Mom?" I ask her swallowing loudly. I've taken to calling her and Carlisle Mom and Dad.

"It was, but I had complications after. Nothing to do with Edward's size though." She pats my hand, noticing that I'm close to freaking out.

"It'll be fine. The doctor may just start monitoring what you eat." Amy smiles, wiping my stomach. "Now would you like me to email the 3D pictures and print them out."

She's bouncing happily; she really loves her job.

"That'll be perfect. I can send them to my husband." I smile, but the pain in my chest is a constant reminder that Edward's not here.

Once we are done we have a late breakfast at a place I discovered since I started working, Biscuit Bitch. I'm eating my 'Hot Mess Bitch,' and Esme is staring at me.

It has biscuits and gravy, eggs and garlic grits smothered in cheese, with grilled Louisiana hot links and jalapenos. It's so damn good that I eat at this place everyday..

"Sweetheart, you don't think those sausages are too hot for the baby?" She takes a sip of her coffee.

I smile at her, shaking my head with a mouth full.

Rose drops her fork. "I'm stuffed! No wonder EJ is big-you eat here everyday!"

I just shake my head because I can't talk EJ and I love this place.

Edward Cullen Junior-EJ, the nickname has stuck. Edward calls him EJ all the time, so Emmett and Jasper call him EJ and Mom and Dad do too. It's definitely catchy.

Alice puts her own fork down. "Jas says that they may be home in a few months. Did Edward say anything about that?" She looks to me hopeful.

"He mentioned that training was coming to an end, and that the trainees have to go on a mission to complete it."

I finish my last bite and immediately morn my 'Hot Mess Bitch' it was so good. I'm stalling because I know all three of them want me to confirm that Edward, Jasper, and Emmett will be home next month. The truth is I'm so scared of getting my hopes up and then everything comes crashing down around me. The only solace is that Edward is special ops and doesn't have a regular Marines' schedule.

"It sounds like it's going to happen to me. He will be home before the baby is born!" Esme says excitedly, and Alice's and Rose's moods improve.

I take a sip of my decaf coffee. "Hopefully."

I know they all depend on me to be the positive one lately but I also need to be realistic and not bullshit them, or myself. I can't get too excited just to be disappointed later. I miss my husband and want nothing more than to have him in my arms.

~Dream~

"Pinch your nipples, Tiny," Edward growls out as he fist his cock on the other screen.

I do as he commands with one hand and hold my vibrator with the other. It's getting harder to do with my ever-growing stomach, but the feeling is amazing. I wish it were my husbands' cock that was inside of me, though.

"Edward, I miss you." I moan as I lay back on the bed with the laptop in front of me.

He has a perfect view of my body.

"You look so fucking sexy, baby. Your pussy is glistening," he says through gritted teeth.

I push the vibrator in and out with one hand and pull on one of my nipples with the other. "Ahhh! I wish you were inside of me right now."

"Me too, baby. Damn, I wish your juices were all over my cock. I'll ram into you over and over." He's squeezing himself; I can see the moisture building at his slit.

"God, yes. You would be so deep, then you would bite my nipples and I would shiver in pleasure." I moan loudly.

"You like when I bite them, don't you, Tiny? You like it rough, baby?"

"Yes! Only with you." My orgasm hits me and my body shakes.

"That's right baby, only me. Fuck, I'm coming. Uhhhh."

Breathing heavily, I remove the dildo until I can focus again. I sit up and bring the computer closer to me.

"I love you, Bella. I'll be home next month. I promise," he says smiling at me.

"We can't wait. This little love bug is kicking up a storm."

"I can't wait either baby. After the New Year, you'll be in my arms." He smiles at me.

"Oh My God, Edward! I can't wait."

I give him a teary smile before we disconnect.

My son kicks excited for his daddy to come home. We just have to survive Christmas.

A/N: Hey! We are getting to the end! I can't believe it, but it's true! Daph has the next chapter! The Dream is up next! If I'm being honest we are looking at 3 or 4 more or less! Sometime I think I'm done and then I'm like it feels rush, I can't rush it! So then I end up writing more! I want to be true to them! Thank you all who are still with me! I know it's been sporadic! Love you! Mean it!