BPOV
I felt frozen as I watched him, Mackenzie sitting on his lap and Tony in his arms. He was talking with them before his flight for Washington had to take off. Emmett stood behind me with both hands on my shoulders. He squeezed twice breaking me from my thoughts.
It was like my brain was trying to mentally photograph Edward, from head to toe, I watched. His hair it's normal disarray, slightly matching Kenzie's longer locks. The stubble on his jaw just the way I liked it and the way his navy blue t-shirt clung to his lean form. His tattered jeans reminded me of his rebellion in his youth. The last thing completing his signature Edward look were his unlaced boots, scuffed to the max. To look at him one wouldn't see a multi millionaire photographer, but a carefree boy.
"Bells he's going to miss his flight," Em said softly pushing me toward him to get my babies.
Edward looked from Kenzie shooting me a sad smile. I wanted just hold onto him and make him miss his flight.
"Emmett can you?" he asked quietly.
Emmett took Tony and held Kenz's hand in his free one. He walked them away from us so I could say my goodbye.
Edward lifted my chin as he leaned down to kiss me. I loved that his six foot two frame fit so well with my five foot three one. Before I even realized what I was doing, my arms and legs were wrapped around him as I deepened the kiss.
"As much as I would like to ravage you in public, there are elderly and children around," he mumbled against my lips.
I giggled feeling my tears trail down my face. I pulled back looking into the eyes I'd loved since I was five years old.
"I love you Eddie-ward," I cried as my forehead now rested against his.
"I love you Bella, no matter all the shit I used to pull, I've always loved you and only you," he breathed kissing me chastely.
"You two should break it up that security guard has been eyeing you both up," Emmett nodded to the guard that I could see over Edward's shoulder.
"Last time?" I whispered, asking him what he already promised.
"Last time," he smiled kissing me one last time before placing me down to grab his bags.
I had Tony cuddled against me as Emmett hugged his brother tightly. He whispered a few things causing Edward to laugh. They called Edward's flight and he slowly made his way to his departure.
He turned walking backwards yelling, "Look after my heart, I have leftit with you, Isabella Marie Cullen."
"So cheesy Edward Anthony Cullen," I shouted back, rocking Tony in my arms.
"Okay now that everyone in the airport knows your full names can we head back home?" Emmett chuckled rolling his eyes.
I blinked a couple times before sighing, I silently followed him to the car, he carried Kenzie and I noticed she was stealing glances back at me. I knew I had to keep it together for her and it was only a week. It was only a week and my new mantra began.
Day Four
Rose was at the end of my bed painting Alice's toes crimson as I sat next to a pissy Jake. For the past four days these three were trying to distract me until Edward came back home.
"Why do I have to be up here when all the men are downstairs watching the Mariners game?" he whined.
Tonight was our girl's night in my bedroom as Emmett and Jazz took Tony downstairs to get him away from all the estrogen.
"It's girls night, quit your bitching Jakey," Alice pouted.
"Woman I'm gay not dickless… Just because I'm a mo doesn't mean I don't love sports and all that other shit," he huffed pulling me into his side.
I knew he was right because I knew Jake. Alice was use to the Jack to her Karen so to speak. I patted his chest trying to calm him because when he was like this he could get mean and pregnant Alice could get very mean as well.
"You two mind?" I asked pointing to the two little ones coloring on the ground. I could tell that Kenz and Chloe were in there own little world.
"Sorry," they both mumbled.
I could hear the little cries start on the baby monitor and knew Little Tone was a hungry man. Emmett peeked into the room.
"It's boob time," was all he said handing me the baby before disappearing back to the living room.
Jake huffed again kissing Tony's head and gently settled me against a stack of pillows. "Fuck this I'm watching that game."
Alice tried to scramble to her feet to stop him but her enormous belly put a stop to that quick. "Rose, stop him," she whined.
"Alice let him go, he's no fun bitchy," Rose reasoned.
It was now just the five of us girls and I settled Tony in for his meal. Alice's face furrowed in confusion and Rose was on the floor painting the girls nails.
"Does that hurt?" she asked biting her lip.
"Not really, when they get… full it's a bit uncomfortable."
"How do you do it all?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's just, when I met Edward and he showed me all the pictures he had of you and Mackenzie it was like looking at these effortless people," she sighed.
"We're anything but that. When Kenzie was born, we were scared shitless, not knowing what to do with her or ourselves. I had just graduated college and was starting an entry-level job. Edward was a womanizing, hotshot photographer traipsing across the globe. Then there was this little person that needed us both all the time. I know it was harder for him than me. He would always talk about what he wanted for her and me. He bought us this house and the revolving door of girls stopped. The traveling became more, but I could see the heartache on his face when he was away for too long."
"But she is amazing, what if Jazz and I fuck Stella up with our bullshit?"
"You separate her from it, she comes first… they always come first," I smiled down at Tony who was just about done.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?" I asked curiously, as I tucked some loose hair behind my ear.
"For being my best friend, I've never had one and then I met Edward and you… You both have become my family," she smiled. Even though Alice was at times abrasive and critical, I loved having the pixie as a sister.
After he was finished eating, I took Anthony back to Emmett for more man time. Jazz was lazily sprawled out on the couch and I ruffled his hair, glancing over at a now contented Jake.
Jazz pulled me down next to him and hugged me. "You talk to him yet today?"
"No, he said the village he was in was a classified area and he wouldn't be able to call until the next one."
"Three more days and he'll be home," he assured me.
I sighed getting up and kissed my son's familiar red hair and looked into his green eyes, Edward's green eyes. It's only three days, only three days.
Day Six
I needed to get out of the house, it had be three days since I heard from Edward and I found the distraction I needed by focusing on my kids.
We were walking through the park and Mackenzie and Chloe made their way to the slides. Rose sat with me on a bench to help keep an eye on them. Tony cooed from his stroller and when I would talk to him, he would shoot me his little crooked smirk.
"What is that?" Rose giggled as she watched him do it again.
"That is his secret weapon," I grinned stroking his cheek with my finger.
"My god that has Edward written all over it, except his Daddy flashes more teeth."
"He hasn't really full blown smiled at me, this is all he is able to do it seems," I shrugged.
"Keep him away from the girl babies, all their diapers will drop," she teased tying her perfect blonde hair up.
"Ha-ha, my boy isn't going to be completely like his daddy."
"Mommy," I heard Kenz call.
I asked Rose to watch Tony as I made my way to Mackenzie and Chloe. Kenzie almost tackled me to the ground as her arms clung to my legs. I was about to question her, but then Chloe started tugging on my shirt.
"What, squintz?" I asked calling her by the nickname Emmett gave her. He watched too much Sandlot growing up.
"Cruella," she mumbled into my shirt.
Low and behold, Jessica was standing across from us with an older girl and Morgan at her side.
"Bella," she hissed.
"Come on girls let's go to lunch," I suggested, taking them both by the hand.
Later on that night, I was trying to read a manuscript, but my mind was filled with thoughts of Edward. Kenz found her way into our room and climbed onto my lap.
"Hey, monk," I smiled holding her close.
"I love you, Mommy," she said softly.
"I love you too, my sweet girl," I sniffled. "You okay?"
"I'm not tired and I wanted to sleep with you."
"We can watch a movie."
"Okay."
I looked at her and it made me miss Edward even more. She looked like him and the hurt in my heart grew, making me wonder where he was and if he was safe.
Day Seven Homecoming?
He was supposed to be coming home today, but he never called. He never called and I definitely knew something was wrong. Carlisle had called Tanya for information; she said she was going to call the white house to see what they knew.
He was with soldiers and medics; someone had to know where he was. She said he probably had lost service or signals.
Esme sat holding me as I cried. "Bella, we don't know if anything's wrong so you need to calm down."
"Something is wrong I can feel it," I whimpered.
Rose had taken the kids to the mall while I finally let myself break down. Carlisle's phone started to go off, making my heart rate pick up.
Day Ten
"World-renowned photographer Edward Cullen still missing on location is Sierra Leone," CNN reported to me from my television.
"Edward," I wailed letting my tears fall freely.
"Cullen was in the village of Jimmi shooting when rebel soldier arrived. Witnesses said Cullen saved two boys and their mother from being executed, as their father was moments before. Rebel leader left with Cullen and two Peace Corp Medics."
"Emmett," I choked.
He finally rushed in the room cursing. "Fuck, how did you get the remote?" He hurriedly shut it off. The story had been playing on a loop for the past four days.
"I-I needed… to see," I cried.
He scooped me into his arms in comfort, but I wasn't comforted, he wasn't Edward. Edward was lost because he was trying to be a fucking hero.
"Bella this falling apart shit at night has to stop. Your fine during the day… well actually you're like a robot, but you can't do this to yourself. You have the kids and need to stay strong for them."
"Em we don't know if he's…I can't…he might…if alive," I gasped.
"Dad!" he hollered and seconds later Carlisle appeared with a needle.
"Bella, you're having a panic attack," he said calmly injecting me with the sedative.
Sleep found me shortly after. Muffled cries break me from the numbness.
"He needs to be fed, but she can't do it," Esme sighed. She was just as broken as I was. This was her youngest son, but she made an effort to keep it together.
"We can give him formula," Carlisle suggested.
I felt fingers stroking my hair gently and heard my dad's voice. "Edward is going to be upset with us and how we've handled this when he returns," Charlie mumbled.
"Charlie," Carlisle breathed and I felt like sleeping for an eternity just from the pain in his voice.
Day Thirteen
I decided to listen to what dad said. Edward would be disappointed with me for abandoning our children if I kept it up. So I stepped up and completely focused all of my attention and energy on Mackenzie and Anthony.
Mackenzie asked why everyone was so sad and I told her they missed her Daddy she would frown and shake her head, keeping her thoughts to herself. I didn't have it in me to tell her he was missing until I knew for sure what happened to my husband.
Tony was so calm, was like he could tell that I was stressed and heartbroken. His green eyes would look at me calming me like Edward's did. He would cuddle with me before I put him to sleep. He was so innocent to all of this and it made my heart tighten for him.
When I woke up this morning, Emmett was the only one at the house. I made us breakfast and he sat fiddling with his hands.
"So Rose is going to pick up Aiden this afternoon?"
"Uh, yeah all the papers were filled out, so it's official."
"Want some Coco Puffs?" I offered pouring Kenzie's bowl.
The phone started ringing, which wasn't anything new. Major news outlets tried getting interviews with Edward's wilted new bride. It didn't help when people like Jessica Stanley would pop up and tell the media about Edward and I being high school sweethearts, exaggerating on the epic drama romance that was our life. The term soul mates was used the most in the interviews. Carlisle was the spokesperson for our family and gave the interviews that were necessary with the family lawyer, Mr. Jenks.
Em grabbed the phone giving his usual greeting of yea'llo? He uh huhed a few times before rushing over to the mini flat screen built in above the kitchen counter.
"Photographer Edward Cullen has been found in critical condition. Peace Corp medics Stefan King and Zafrina Belle, were found dead on arrival. Cullen was alone and tied to a chair when US forces found him in an abandoned hut."
"Yes, she has a three-month-old son, which will make that difficult. I'll talk it over with her. Thank you so much," Em smiled hanging up.
"They found him," I murmured.
"They did," he chuckled pulling me in for an Emmett bear hug. "Bells he has head trauma and a broken leg they had to life flight him to a hospital in France."
"Why?"
"I didn't ask that. The white house has offered to fly you out there," he explained.
"But I have the kids…" I struggled biting my lip.
"We can get Ani and Mack-mini cleared if we take them to the pediatrician and Dad can go with you. The trip will be by private plane."
Day Fifteen
I walked down the ICU corridor slowly. Carlisle stayed with the kids back at the hotel, we weren't sure it was best for them to see him just yet. We received pictures from the government and they weren't good.
One of the front desk nurses spoke English and told me where to go. So here I was, on his floor, looking for some assistance.
"Puis-je vous aider ?" The woman from behind the counter asked. Trying to remember my high school French I'm pretty she asked if I needed help.
"Uh, Je ne parle pas de français? Je m'appelle Isabella Cullen?" I tried maybe she would forgive me for butchering up her language.
"Mrs. Cullen we have been waiting for you, yes," said a thick French accent. I turned watching a dark skinned man with short dreads come from one of the rooms.
"I'm Dr. Pasqule," he smiled holding out his hand. "You can call me Laurent."
"Um, Bella, everyone calls me Bella."
"Bella, like Belle, no?" he chuckled.
I smiled realizing Belle was beauty in French and Kenzie love Beauty and the Beast.
"I'm here to see my husband."
"I'm the doctor on his case. Edward is in a medically induced coma for now. When he was brought in, the rescue team believed he was struck with a weapon causing his brain to swell."
"Will he be okay?"
"He has been healing and responding well in his neural test, we were waiting for you to get here until we woke him. I need to tell you he might look different. We needed to shave his head for the surgery and he was beaten pretty badly."
"I…Can you please take me to him?" I whispered.
"Of course Belle," he smiled again walking down the hall.
He opened the door and my heart instantly fell. This was not the Edward I'd seen two weeks ago. This Edward was skinny and pale. His leg in some kind of sling connected to the ceiling. The shaved head Laurent was telling me about was currently bandaged. So much for fucking dreams coming true.
"Can I kiss him or will that hurt him?"
"As long as you are gentle," he chuckled lightly writing something down on his chart.
I very carefully sat on the edge of his bed noticing the gash above his eyebrow and split lip. I leaned in giving him a chaste kiss.
"Always trying to be superman," I mumbled.
I watched him for a couple of minutes until he started shaking violently. Laurent hurried past me jumping into action hitting the call button above to bed. Nurses and doctors rushed into the room, shouting French around me and I was hopeless. One of the nurses took me out by the hand to the hall where I broke down not knowing if Edward was going to make it.
A/N: I am ready to run but before I do let me plead my case. This needed to happen for the bigger picture so if you choose to read the epi's do so if not you'll never know… I'm out!! Dolphin62958 is an amazing betaaaaaaaaa!