Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
AN: Thank you for all your patience. Welcome new readers. Everyone's reviews are appreciated. Now on with the show...
Sirens screamed and the sky lit up from the explosions. The bodies of dead soldiers were everywhere. She looked everywhere and could find no sign of her husband. She fell to her knees screaming his name. When her hands met the ground all she felt was blood and mud.
Bella woke with a start, drenched in sweat. Her hair clung to her in wet ringlets. Her nightmares had been getting steadily worse since the day of her last doctors appointment. When Edward had to rush away following the sirens. She saw the news she knew that he was in a very dangerous area. She put her hand on her growing belly and swore that her baby would know about his father, even if the unthinkable happened.
Knowing that sleep wasn't going to come again, she rose and went into the kitchen for a glass of water. She took into the living room and found an old movie on the tv. She settled in to watch lovers on the screen live out her dreams. She awoke with a start at the sound of someone banging on her door.
"Coming," she called, as she got up from the couch and stretched her aching muscles. She opened the door and instantly regretted it. "Mother?"
"Morning, baby. Can I come in?" Renee had a bright smile on her face.
"I don't think so. I have nothing to say to you. Whatever it is you want. I don't give a shit."
Renee pushed past Bella and barged into the living room. "Is that anyway to speak to your mother, young lady?"
"I don't have a mother anymore. You may have given birth to me, but you are no mother of mine." Bella pointed for Renee to leave.
"I am your mother Isabella and you will treat me with the proper respect." Renee stood with her hands on her hips. "Now sit down."
"You need to leave now or I am calling the police and having you arrested for trespassing. What's it gonna be Renee?"
"I am not going anywhere, you little bitch!"
"Police it is." Bella walked to the phone only to be yanked back by her hair. She was shocked at first, but then finally found her voice. "Exactly what the fuck are you doing? I am pregnant, keep you fucking hands off of me."
"Oh, I have only just begun. You were always a disrespectful child. Sit down now or..."
"Or what?" Bella shot back. She wasn't expecting the hand that shot out across her cheek. She lifted her hand to cover the place where Renee's hand met her face. Bella realized then that her mother was unstable and that she would probably never get to the phone. Instead she did what she thought would bring her brother running. She took a deep breath and let loose a blood curling scream.
She waited a beat and looked up to see Jasper and Alice running in her open door. Jasper looked at his mother and then his sister. Seeing the hand print on Bella's cheek, he began to shake with rage.
"Alice take Bella and go to our place and call the police. Tell them that a pregnant woman was assaulted and that the suspect is being detained." Jasper ordered. He didn't have to look to know that Alice did exactly that.
"You went to far this time, Mom. How could you be so cruel to your own daughter?"
"She is a very selfish little girl, Jazzy. She broke the heart of a very good man to shack up with a dead man." Renee claimed.
"You are seriously disturbed. That man saved my life. Am I a dead man? I came home and so will Bella's husband. Husband Mom! They are married and she is pregnant. You are in big trouble. You assaulted a pregnant woman! What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Get off my back. I didn't hurt her. A little slap never hurt anyone."
"We beg to differ, ma'am." A voice sounded behind them.
Jasper turned to the officers as they came in the door. "Thank you for coming so quickly. This is Renee Dwyer, age fifty-seven. She showed up here unannounced and entered the home uninvited. My sister is five and half months pregnant and now bears a hand print on her left cheek. I sent her next door with my fiancé."
"Very well. My partner will go with you next door and get the young lady's statement while I place Mrs. Dwyer under arrest. Ma'am, please place your hand behind your back. Renee Dwyer, you are under arrest for assault. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. You have the right to..."
Jazz walked the other officer over to his house while Renee was read her Miranda rights. After Bella had given her statement, the men left taking Renee with them. Bella had to call and have the school get her a substitute for her classes, since she was definitely not going to make it in. They called Charlie and let them know what was going on and then Bella called Emmett and Rose to make them aware as well. Emmett promised that he would let Esme and Carlisle know of the situation and to call if she needed anything.
She must have fallen asleep, because her phone was ringing and the sun was on the wrong side of the house when she opened her curtains. "Hello?" She answered groggily.
"Hello, beautiful. How are my babies doing?" Edward's velvet voice greeted her.
"Better now. It is so good to hear your voice. I miss you."
"Oh, baby. I miss you too. So tell me, how is everything? What's been going on?"
Bella wasn't sure if she should tell him about Renee, but decided that there would be no secrets between them. She launched into the tale about the phone calls and then finally the visit. She told him about pressing charges and how she felt, but knowing that it was the right thing to do. She also told him about her nightmares.
"Babe, I know you're scared. Hell I am too. But you have to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Think about our son. He needs you healthy so that he can be too."
"I know. It's just so hard when I don't hear from you for weeks." Bella said, as silent tears streamed down her face.
"I know. I promise it's almost over and then I will never have to come back here. Just think about all the things we will be able to do. All the babies we can make. All the fun we'll have making them. I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you too, Edward. You just be safe so that you can come home to us and we can make those babies." Bella sucked in a breath and her hand went to her belly.
"Bella! Are you okay?" Edward panicked.
"Edward, the baby just kicked. He kicked me while we were talking. This was the first time I've felt him."
"That's awesome, babe. I wish I was there with my hand on your belly, feeling our son move inside you. I love you. I gotta go."
I love you too. Be safe." Bella heard the click and realized the love of her life was gone and she didn't know when she would hear from him again. She fell back to sleep, with the comfort of his voice in her head and heart.
Thanksgiving arrived and Bella was almost seven months. She was too big to move around her kitchen much less lift a huge turkey, so Esme and Carlisle agreed to host this year. Bella had heard from Edward a few days before and he had told her that baring any complications he would call today. It was a peaceful time this year. No Renee and Jacob drama to bring down the mood. Renee had been sentenced to a one year prison term and would probably only serve six months. Bella didn't care as long as she stayed far away from her and her family. As the women put the finishing touched on the meal, the men gathered around the tv watching football.
"So Bells, how are you feeling?" Rose asked, as she finished garnishing the cranberry sauce.
"I feel huge. I am so glad that you guys are taking pictures of me like this. I would hate for Edward to miss how I look." Bella laughed. "How are you feeling, Rose?"
Rose placed a hand on her smaller baby bump. At almost five months, she had popped out quickly. But she was carrying Emmett's baby. "I feel great. I'm also not as big as you though."
"I know and I have almost three months left. You would think I was carrying Em's baby and not Edward's." All of them laughed, while Rose nodded.
When all the food was ready, they each grabbed something and headed to the dining room. "Dinner!" Esme yelled to the guys.
The rumble of footsteps could be heard as they stampeded toward the dining room. Once everyone was seated, they all joined hands so Carlisle could say a word of prayer. "Dear Heavenly Father, We ask that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and that you guide us through the rest of the holiday season. We also ask Lord for you to help guide our troops to a safe return. Please watch over Bella as she continues in her pregnancy and help Edward to come home to his son and wife. Please watch over Emmett and Rosalie as they prepare for the arrival of their little one. We ask you this as we pray in your name. Amen."
Conversation flowed freely as platters were passed and plates were filled. After everyone had gotten their fill, the guys offered to do the clean up so that Bella and Rose could get off of their feet and everyone could relax. After the dishes were done, they came in with a tray of coffee and desserts along with plates and utensils. They turned the game on low and everyone talked and laughed. Just as everyone finished their pie, Esme glanced up at the tv and the coffee cup she was holding slipped to the floor and shattered.
"Carlisle, turn up the volume!" She said as she grasped his arm.
"We interrupt this broadcast with a special news bulletin. Here is Brian Williams." The announcer said.
"Good Evening. We have just received word that a suicide bomber has walked into a hotel in Kandahar. Reports are sketchy at this time, but we believe that there were many American troops located in that hotel. Again, a bomb has exploded in a hotel in Kandahar. We will be keeping you updated as more details become available."
"No! I knew it. I knew something awful was going to happen. I felt it." Bella sobbed against her father.
Charlie did his best to console his daughter as around the room the woman held onto their loved ones. He couldn't help but wonder if Bella would ever have the same opportunity.
Across the ocean the smoke billowed, as soldiers began searching for fallen comrades.
AN: Well there you have it. Should I hide? Please give me your feedback. I will be posting another chapter on Friday...I PROMISE..Keep those reviews coming and give me your thoughts on baby names...Til next time.