Bit of a depressing prompt today, and depressing thoughts surrounding it... but a light at the end of the tunnel, maybe?

Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative

Rating/Warning(s): T (for now)

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Devastation

I couldn't believe this was happening to me. All of our plans. Every dream. In an instant, it was gone.

I didn't know how to live without him. My whole world had revolved around him for so long, I didn't know it there was a me without him.

I used to believe that women like me were weak, unable to stand on their own two feet when their husbands died so suddenly. But these things were supposed to happen when one was old and grey, not when they are barely out of their twenties. And definitely not with a new baby on the way.

If I'd known that the kiss goodbye I gave him this morning was actually goodbye, I would have held on tighter, kissed him longer, told him I loved him one more time… not let him go at all.

Being stubborn as always, I'd held onto the anger from last night. Insisting I was right, even though now, I couldn't even remember what we were fighting about, and I'd never even be able to tell him I was sorry.

Friends and family swarmed around me, and I just couldn't be bothered to notice. I only wanted one person. The only one who could hold me and tell me that everything would be alright, and it would actually seem possible, even at a time like this.

Where was he?

Why wasn't he here yet?

A knock came to the door and I pushed through my crowded house, desperate to reach it, despite the protests from behind me. I swung it open and the moment I saw his face, I finally allowed myself to crumble. Uncontrollable sobs shook my body and I collapsed into his arms.

"I'm scared, Edward," I cried against his chest as his hand gently stoked my hair.

"I know, sweetheart," he whispered, holding my in a tight embrace. "I came as soon as I could."

The voices from inside carried out to us and I reached back to pull the door closed behind me. Walking over to the porch swing, I lowered myself onto it and pulled him down beside me. His arm came around me and my head rested on his shoulder, welcoming his comfort.

"Where are the girls?" he asked me softly, referring to my two daughters, Alyssa and Meghan.

"Next door. I just couldn't… not yet. I can't even…" I sobbed, breathing unevenly, my hand absentmindedly running over the very slight swell of my stomach. "I can't do this alone, Edward. I just can't."

"You're never alone, Bella. Ever."