A/N:I don't own Twilight. Stephanie Meyers does, I am just obsessed with the characters.

This is the first story I've ever written.

If you feel so inclined, please leave a review. I would appreciate any words of encouragement or ideas that would make me a better writer.

Sincere thank you to my Beta Yeah Her.

Chapter 10: BPOV

After writing my letter to Edward I decided to fire up my laptop and begin to do a little of my own research. Helping Edward prepare for his trip would come in handy now. There was a lot of work to be done before I could go to Ethiopia and be closer to Edward; I needed to find out a little more about the area where Edward was being held and I wanted to talk with Ben about my usefulness as a nurse while I was over there. There was going to be a lot of resistance to my plan I was sure, but everyone knows how stubborn I could be.

The first thing that I needed to do was see a travel medicine specialist and I knew it should be done four to six weeks before travel. There would be a specialist at the hospital but I would not wait four to six weeks to travel, Edward needed me now and I could not just sit and wait on the other side of the world. Ethiopia was about seven thousand miles away and what seemed like a long distance yesterday seemed immeasurable today. The reason for the four to six week wait was so that the vaccinations would be effective. As a healthcare worker I was up to date with all my routine immunizations. I still needed to get Typhoid, Meningitis, Yellow Fever and Rabies shots and I also needed to take drugs to prevent Malaria. The medication Malarone seems like a good choice because it could be started one to two days before travel.

I already had a passport and would be able to get a visa when I arrived in Ethiopia.

I was still reading about Ethiopia when I heard someone moving about in the kitchen. Renee was crying softly at the dining room table, when she lifted her head her eyes were red and she looked like she had aged over night. I fell into her arms and we just held onto each other for a while until she broke the silence. "Bella, you are the bravest, most compassionate woman I know and I just wish I had the words to help you feel better. Just know that I love you with all my heart and I am here to support you in any way that I can." I lifted my head and by now we were both soaked with tears:"Mom, I am going to Africa to be near him and help bring him home." She just looked at me and nodded her head in understanding. I have never seen a sadder look on anyone's face in my life.

The house was bustling with people and activity in no time. First all the Cullens returned then Charlie and finally Jacob and Ben. Jacob informed us all that there were currently no updates from Ethiopia. I spoke up next and told everyone of my plan to go to be near Edward. Everyone started protesting at once. I just sat and let everyone say what was on their mind then I spoke up again. I looked directly at Ben and told him that as he already knew, I was a Registered Nurse who specialized in Mental Health and was sure my services could be of great value while I was there. I would get to know the area and routines and maybe even be able to communicate with the Chief of the Hamar tribe.

Everyone except Carlisle was looking at me as if I had lost my mind. I caught a glimmer in his eyes that I have not seen since this ordeal has begun. Carlisle spoke up quickly and stated that he was sure his skills as a surgeon would be invaluable and that he was coming also. I knew he was doing this to be near Edward and also to protect me. I actually giggled; a sound that I thought I may never make again.

Ben and Jacob excused themselves and went out on the deck to speak in private. The conversation in the dining room continued. Now everyone who was originally opposed to the idea wanted to come to Africa. All or none was the motto being bantered about. When Ben and Jacob returned, I was surprised that they agreed it could be helpful to have Carlisle and I return with them. Details had to be cleared with both of their agencies first. Now they were hearing that everyone wanted to come and they just rolled their eyes heavenward and said we would regroup in the morning and talk about a plan to extract Edward from his place of captivity in the Omo River Valley.

After Ben and Jacob left we ordered takeout and Renee and Esme set the table. Emmett manned the bar and everyone sat and had a cocktail. The mood lifted a little as we were now feeling like we were doing something to get Edward back. Everyone started reminiscing and telling their favorite Edward story.

Charlie began by talking about the first time he caught Edward and me kissing. "Edward and Bella were in the living room doing homework and I was watching the baseball game on the big screen. I went into the kitchen for one minute to get some Vitamin R (Mount Rainier Beer) and when I returned, Edward's tongue was down Bella's throat. Being clueless, I thought they were still just friends so I was shocked. I told them to stop that right now and took Edward for a walk to see my gun collection while we had a talk." Everyone started chuckling by this point. Charlie continued: "Edward was trembling and white as snow. I gave Edward the talk about having been a teenage boy myself once and told him that if thought of putting his hormonally charged paws on even one inch of my daughters skin…I felt like a fire breathing dragon at this point. Edward assured me that he had no intention of laying a hand on Bella. It was years before I ever caught them in another public display of affection."

Carlisle was next telling a story, adding on to Charlie's story about the first kiss. Carlisle recalled the awkward conversation that took place when Edward was trying to ask Carlisle about how he should handle his growing feelings for Bella. I guess father of the daughter and father of the son look differently at this situation. Edward wanted to know how to tell if Bella wanted to be kissed. I told him to always be respectful and to try something easier first like holding hands. Edward then explained that they were already holding hands, every chance they got. Then Carlisle said, "Sorry Charlie, but I told him to go in for the kiss then." Charlie replied, "No problem Carlisle, Edward has always treated Bella like the princess that she is."

Esme then talked about the day she gave Edward the poem that he keeps tucked in his wallet. She said that she let him know how loved he was and that miles put no distance between the love of mother and son. What she revealed next was a total surprise to me. Edward had sent Esme a poem shortly after we were settled which she carries around in her wallet. She read us a poem through her tears and the room turned somber. Everyone was tearful, even Charlie.

You Are My Heart and Soul

By Elizabeth A. Robinson

Thank you...
For standing by me through thick and thin
For not giving up on me when I didn't win
For your patience when I kept pushing you away
For caring when I said I didn't need you anyway

I am grateful knowing...
I can count on your strength
Ask for your support, and know you'll go to any length
When I lose my way
You help me get back on track
When in pain
Your comfort soothes and brings me back

I am lucky because...
When I was sad you gave me faith and hope
When I was confused you taught me how to cope
When I felt I couldn't go on
You carried me long miles
When I didn't believe
You restored my smiles

Mom, Thank you
For your guidance and you faith you've shown
For giving me a safe place where I have grown
For showing me how to strive
Because of your love
I will survive

With all my love,

Edward

After Esme finished reading everyone sat quietly with their own thoughts until the bell rang to alert us that our food had arrived. Emmett lifted the mood by yelling grubs here and running for the door. I think he was just trying to distract us from seeing him wipe his eyes.

After eating and cleaning up we resumed with a glass of wine in the living room and it was Alice's turn to tell a story about Edward. Alice began by stating: "I am the woman I am today thanks to Edward and Emmett as much as Carlisle and Esme. My brothers were both so overprotective but I remember one particular incident when Edward heard someone talking bad about me in the school playground. I didn't start kindergarten until Edward was in the third grade. He walked me to class everyday from the bus stop and one day we were walking past a group of other kindergartners when he heard them singing a mean song about me. I was a little chubby as a young girl and they were calling me fatty Alice in the song. Edward went right over to them and told them they were lucky that he was taught not to hit girls and he was also taught if you had nothing nice to say then say nothing. He was so mad that his face was red and his fists were clenched by his sides. I think he scared the group because he was so much taller than they were. Edward said he would not tell the principal this time but if he ever caught them being mean to anyone again they would be in big trouble. I never told Edward but those girls, Jessica and Lauren, never really changed. They never really bothered me again but they were still mean and petty girls."

The night went on much the same until we all grew tired. It seems like we didn't want to separate from each other, but the Cullens and Charlie left to go to the hotel with the promise to return first thing in the morning.

I was alone again with my thoughts of Edward and soon fell into a fitful sleep. Soon I was engulfed in a nightmare. I woke up screaming and Renee and Phil ran into my room. I was able to calm down after a few minutes but I never fell back to sleep. It was just the first of many sleepless nights.

A/N: Please review if you wish. I will answer every one. I'd love to hear feedback from you so I can learn to be a better writer. I welcome constructive criticism. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.