The Recruitment

I blinked and then it was the day of his inspection. I was asleep on my couch, trying very hard to feign sleep with Edwrad over me. I was trying to think. I was pissed of at Jacob, last week he didn't need help moving furniture, all he wanted was for me to tag along to some protest. He kept calling me, wanting me to hang out when I was trying to spend time with Edward. Was it wrong to be mad at him? A little, but right now I didn't care. I felt Edward kiss my cheek and his breath tickled my ear.

"I know you're awake. You make faces when you're thinking. Come on Bella, please get up."

I rolled over. It couldn't be today. I probably had the dates wrong, I just needed one more day.

"Honey please."

I sighed and opened my eyes.

"Edward I don't want you to go."

"I know. I'll be back late tonight after inspection and I'll tell you what happens okay?"

"I love you."

"I love you too Bella, wish me luck."

"The best of it."

He bent down and I kissed him hard, letting my hands rake through his hair. He gently pushed me away and pulled the blanket back over my arms.

"Get some rest, relax. I'll be back tonight."

"I love you."

I love you too, bye Bella."

"Bye Edward."

I sat up to watch him leave and I bit my lip to stop the flow of tears I sat up against the couch for a few minutes staring at the door and shivering. The phone rang and I picked it up, slowly.

"H-hello?"

"Bella? It's Jacob."

"Jacob, today is the worst possible day you could ask me to come over. Edward just left to get inspected and I really have no desire to do anything today."

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to hear your voice."

"Jacob that's sweet, but I have to go."

I hung up the phone before he could protest or say good-bye and I rubbed my temples. Jacob was becomming increasingly needed and was starting to become annoying.

The phone rang again and I answered it impatiently.

"What?"

"It's Alice."

"Oh hey, I'm sorry. I thought it was Jacob again."

"I'm gonna beat up that kid if he doesn't leave you alone."

"Don't worry about it. What do you need?"

"I wanted you to come over and hang with me. Just me and you okay?"

"Okay, can you come get me?"

"Sure, give me a few minutes."

"Bye Alice."

"Bye."

I got up and found some clean clothes, just sweats and a hoodie. Normally I wanted to be pretty around Edward but today I didn't care. I brushed my teeth and ran a brush through my hair, looking at my image. I wouldn't call myself pretty, my straight brown hair hung limp on my shoulders and my think frame seemed bony and bird-like; I was more plain than anything. I heard a knock on my door and I yelled toward the sound.

"Come in!"

Alice stepped into the bathroom with me and put her arm around my shoulder, gently squeezing.

"You okay?"

"For now. It's just, the letter never came and I'm so scared that they'll put him on the front lines or something."

"They'll probably tell him he doesn't need to go in person. They're awfully busy."

"Yeah."

I followed her outside to the car and sat inside, rubbing my arms.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just really mellow today. I'll be better when he gets home."

The drive was silent and when we got to the house it was practically the same. His family gave me sympathetic looks as I followed Alice upstairs and I walked faster to get away. We got to her bedroom and I noticed there were candles and incense burning everywhere.

"Alice?"

"Don't freak. It's to help you relax. Edward asked me to help you just rest today."

She led me to the bed and without protest, I laid down inhaling the scents.

"I'm going to go downstairs but I'll be up every now and then to make sure you're okay."

I nodded and rolled over, facing away from her.

"No matter what Bella, he's going to be okay."

She walked away and I curled underneath the blanket. I didn't want him to go, I couldn't handle it. I hugged my arms close to me and closed my eyes, hoping the day would go by quickly.

For a few hours I drifted in and out of sleep. Sometimes it was Alice waking me with her stepping into the room, other times it was of my own will, thinking that Edward was finally home. After waking up for probably the fifteenth time I sat up and stretched my back. All the candles and incense were no longer burning, but the smell lingered. The clock on Alice's dresser showed it was 6:45 pm and all around me there was silence. I got up slowly and crept down the hallway to the top of the stairs. They must've thought I was still asleep because I could hear them clearly where I stood.

"Edward said so himself. Bella won't be able to handle it if he has to leave."

That was Alice.

"You can't be so sure."

Esme.

"Did you see what she did when his birthday got called? What do you think she's going to do if she realizes that he's going to leave for real?"

Rosalie.

"Rosalie you don't have to be cruel about it. She loves him. He just said that he doesn't know what do anymore. He was thinking about telling her they needed a break to try to make the seperation easier-"

"What?!"

The rest of the family.

"He never said he was going to! He just wants this to be easy for her. He's afraid for what she might do if he leaves."

Alice.

"Do you think he's going to tell her they're taking a break?"

Emmet.

"I don't think so."

Alice again.

I moved downstairs and rubbed my eyes, pretending to have just woken up.

"Is he back yet?"

Carlisle smiled warmly at me while the others weren't sure how to act.

"Not yet. Should be soon."

I nodded and started to walk back up the stairs when Emmet spoke up.

"I have a question for you Bella."

I turned around, a little confused.

"Ask away."

"Would you mind keeping my seat warm? I hate cold seats and I want to cook some chili."

I smiled and walked to his seat that was already vacant.

"Of course."

I sat down and pulled my knees to my chest to have something to rest my head on. I could feel Alice staring at me but I wouldn't look at her. Rosalie was holding the baby and cooing at it.

"Can I hold her?"

Rosalie smiled at me and walked over, baby on hip.

"Careful, she ate a little while ago and she might still need to burp."

"Okay."

I cradled the tiny girl in my arm and she smiled at me. She was so petite, so little... Edward and I had talked about children but we thought of them as a distant future goal. I picked up tiny Sara and bounced her on my thighs.

"How old is she now?"

"Nearly 5 months. She's so beautiful."

I nodded and cradled her in my arms again. I rocked her gently while I talked with Alice.

"So what was everyone talking about?"

It was safe to ask now, everyone was distracted by something else.

"You already know."

"He wouldn't do that to me right?"

"Of course not. Don't be so worried."

I nodded and gave Sara back to Rosalie.

"Thanks for letting me play with her."

"Of course."

She took the baby upstairs and I looked at the door. It was 7:37 pm. The minutes dragged on and Alice kept trying to distract me.

"Come on Bella just one game."

"Alice you know I'm awful at cards."

"A different game then. Please?"

I shook my head and somehow she managed to bring everyone else into it.

Carlisle and Esme begged me while Emmet and Jasper teased me mercilessly. Rosalie even asked me to since she couldn't.

"Come on Bella."

I sighed and sat down on the table, spinning the number wheel.

"At least I know how to play Life."

They smiled and despite my protests, the game at least distracted me for another hour. Emmet had to get up then and get dinner ready and Alice went to help him. I was left alone in the living room and all I could do was turn on the TV. It was mostly cartoons directed to children. Some trying to coax them to become rebels, others to make a follower's life the kind anyone would want. I flipped through the channels, bored and then one caught my eye. It was a familiar building but I couldn't place it. It was probably the fire that made it seem like I knew it. A reporter was standing in front of it, holding a red armband in a plastic bag. I grabbed the remote and turned it up.

"Moments ago, a small explosion was seen at the base of the Army Recruitment building in Seattle, Washington. This armband found by police gives them cause to believe this is one of many acts by rebels in the city. We have no reports of injuries yet, but volunteer paramedics are still vacating people from the building. We'll keep you posted."

The screen changed but I was already putting on my shoes to leave. A hand gripped my shoulder and Alice swung in front of me.

"You aren't going."

"Edward could be hurt!"

"And what are you going to do if he is?"

"I... I don't know."

"I know you want to go Bella, but the best thing you can do is stay here. I know he's okay."

"How?"

"I just do. Now come into the kitchen and eat something okay?"

"Alright..."

I ate slowly, my eyes glued to the door.

"Bella, you actually need to eat."

"I am."

"You've had six bites."

"And this is seven," I said putting a spoonful into my mouth.

Alice sighed and I pushed the chili aside.

"I'm not very hungry."

Emmet came in front of me, blocking my view of the door.

"Now I know you're not going to insult me by turning down my chili that I made just for you."

"Emmet I can't see."

"And I'm not moving until you eat more, and actually eat it."

I sighed and took the bowl back, shoveling spponfuls of chili into my mouth as I glared at Emmet. I swallowed quickly and shoved him aside.

"Happy?"

"Very, now keep eating or I'll block your view of the door again."

I ate a little faster than before, but practically all of my concentration was on the door, waiting.

"What time is it?"

"8:52."

"He should be home by now."

"He'll get here Bella, don't worry."

Alice gave me a quick hug around my shoulders and I sighed.

"Alice if he's not back by 9, I'm going to the Recruitment Center."

"Bella he's probably on his way right now."

"It doesn't take that long to get here!"

"It does when there are paramedics rushing to the scene, rebels rushing away, and people speeding to go watch."

I finished the chili and pushed it away hugging my arms. Esme yelped as a dish dropped and exhaled a sigh of relief when she saw it wasn't broken.

"Bella will you help me wash dishes? The boys are going to break all my dishes if I let them keep helping."

I reluctantly got up and went to the sink, dipping the washcloth in the sudsy water.

"What first?"

She gave me a pot and I scrubbed, making sure every speck of food was wiped clean. I rinsed it quickly and put it on the drying rack.

"Is there anymore?"

She handed me a stack of plates and I washed one by one slowly. I heard the sound of the front door and I dropped the dish I was washing into the water. Edward stood in the living room and I burst into his arms, my arms tight around him.

"Edward I was so worried about you, are you okay?"

He smiled and gently pushed me away, lifting up his shirt.

"Oh my god!"

There was a large bandage covering his side, spots of red in different places.

"I was leaving when they bombed the building and a piece of metal cut me. They wouldn't let me leave until they were sure I was fine."

"I'm glad you're okay."

He nodded and mouthed something to Alice.

"Bella, honey? I need to ask Alice a quick question okay?"

"I can't listen?"

"I want it to be a surprise."

"Okay..."

I went into the kitchen with dragging feet and waited for either Alice or Edward to come back and get me. It seemed to take forever and eventually I went back to the sink to help Esme wash dishes again. I heard a soft gasp and Alice came into the kitchen.

"Okay, you can go back now."

I gave her a tiny smile and went to Edward. He looked tired.

"What was that about?"

"Just a surprise for you."

"What's that?"

"You'll find out later, right now I need to tell you something."

My heart fluttered and he led me to the couch, gently pulling me into his lap.

"They told me that my medical knowledge is pretty impressive and the fact that Carlisle is my father helps.

Then my spirits lifted.

"You're not going?"

He exhaled softly and hugged me tight.

"I'll get to that."

"Keep going."

"They wanted to make a bargain. Either I go, or Jasper does."

"Oh poor Alice..."

I felt awful that Jasper would go in Edward's place, but he would be safe, he would be with me. I would make it up to Alice somehow.

"I said I would..."

"W..what?"

"Alice is pregnant. I can't take away her baby's father."

"How do you know?"

"She's about 3 months along. We talked about it a while ago. Bella I'm so sorry... you have to understand.."

I already felt the tears and I wanted so much to be angry and proud at the same time.

"I do... but Edward I don't want you to go."

"I know honey, I don't want to leave you, but before you know it I'll be home."

"How long do you have before you have to go?" I whispered softly.

"2 days... but I'm going to write to you as often as I can and I'll make sure that you're safe here okay?"

"Okay.."

I turned around in his lap and put my forehead to his chest, breathing softly, trying so very hard not to become hysterical.

I noticed that no one else in his family had come to ask and I wiped my eyes.

"Alice told them."

"She did."

I nodded slowly and held him tighter.

"Stay safe for me, please."

"You know I will. I love you so much Bella."

"I love you too."

My tears came quicker and I could hear my breathing quicken. I was going to start bawling. Edward seemed to know and gently lifted me into his arms. He walked upstairs while he whispered into my ear that he would always love me and that he would be okay but it was just words. We got to his bedroom and we laid together in his bed. I held him as tight as I could and cried into his chest, the tears staining his shirt.

"I'm sorry, I just-"

He put his finger over my lips and shushed me.

"Don't apologize."

I nodded and kissed him again.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too."

He held me until my cries subsided and I looked up at him.

"Can I go wash off my face? I know it's all red and puffy-"

"You look beautiful."

I smiled at him and kissed his shoulder, wanting to remember the exact heat of his skin, the exact feel of it under my hands and my lips. We made love slowly, the both of us never closing our eyes for a moment. I wasn't sore anymore but it still hurt just a little. When we were both finished he held me in his arms, burying his face into my neck.

"You smell so wonderful. How am I going to get that when I'm away?"

I smiled and kissed his hair.

"I'll rub the letter on my neck before I seal it in an envelope."

He grinned at me and ran his hands along my hip.

"I'd like that." He paused for a moment, tickling the skin lightly, and then put his hand on my cheek as he stared into my eyes. "You love me don't you?"

"Of course."

"Then will you do something for me?"

"What's that?"

He kissed my lips softly and whispered into my ear his request. I blushed as I thought and barely managed to let out a simple yes. But it was said and he kissed me hard.

"I promise you'll love it. You won't regret a second of it."