Chapter 88
Kevin and the others finally arrived reached England in March, joining their brothers in arms that had arrived before. Their part, thus far, was still undetermined. An agreement had been reached between the American president and other Allied Leader powers that the war would only end with the absolute surrender of Germany and her allies. They knew that there were plans to invade, but they weren't told how or when. So far, the only forces that were fighting directly were American forces that had joined the British in North Africa where Kyle had been stationed. When they arrived, the first thing Kevin did was send a letter and encouraged the rest of the group to do the same. Nathan wrote his letter to his parents just like everyone else and that was the letter he'd given to Kevin to have sent. However, there was one letter he'd stated, but he didn't give it to Kevin. It was a letter to Ada María that he had no intention of sending because it was nothing but incoherent rambling. A normal person would argue that he was writing a diary.
"You have another letter?" Kevin asked, happening upon Nathan while he was sitting on his bottom bunk.
"No," Nathan said. "I'm not sending it. I'm just writing it to sort through my frustration."
"Nathan," Kevin started.
"I'm fine," Nathan insisted. "So when do we fight?"
"I don't know yet," Kevin said.
Nathan looked up at Kevin a moment and saw the worry in his eyes. "Have you seen anything else?"
"The dreams are the same," Kevin mumbled. "All I see are grey skies, barbed wire fencing and German soldiers. It doesn't tell me where she is."
"Well," Nathan said, "The Nazis have Germany obviously. They've taken France and Poland. Austria is one of their Allies. They're allied with Italy and have soldiers stationed there and they have Northern Africa. So Kyle can start his search from there and we'll start our search once we get into France or Germany. Wherever it is we're going."
"Yeah," Kevin said a little uncomfortable. "Once I figure out the time difference, I'll try to find a chance to shift. Let dad know we're here."
"I thought that's what the letters were for," Nathan said.
"Well, yeah, but he'll want to actually talk to us. That's how he wanted it when Embry and I fought in the Great War. That's what he'll want now."
"Okay," Nathan said. "How far ahead was Germany?"
"Eight," Kevin said. "So I figure that's about how far ahead London is, but I'd rather be sure."
"I have my watch if you want to just look at that," Jae said from his bunk. "I haven't adjusted the time yet."
"Good," Kevin said and walked over. "Can I see it?" Jae nodded and handed the watch over to Kevin. It ready.
"10 in the evening," Kevin said. "So we're 7 hours ahead."
"Do you think we'll ever find time to change?" Jae asked.
"I'll make time," Kevin promised and walked away to do something else before they all had to go to breakfast.
Nathan returned his attention to his letter that he wouldn't send as Kevin walked away. On the other bunk, Jae was looking at the picture of him with Natalie and their children and smiled. He missed them desperately already. He'd even written a rather erotically personal letter to Natalie, stealing the idea from Kevin. He was willing to have any intimacy with Natalie that he could get. He would move his eyes over all their children but they always returned to Natalie. She'd been wonderful. The picture had been his idea. Something he wanted to remind him of home. Natalie had been loving and supportive even though he knew she didn't want him to go. While he really did want to help Kevin, there was another motive behind his going to war. He wanted more for them. He didn't expect to become a lawyer or anything like what had happened with Kevin. He wasn't even positive how much good a military career would do, but he was willing to try. If nothing else, it would give him connections he'd not had before. Help him form friendships he didn't have before. That to mention the pension once the war was over. He'd already become very popular among all the men on base. He'd been undeniably friendly and even the most diehard bigots that had been determined to hate him were now really fond of him.
Peta had taken the bunk right above Jae and had taken to reading in their downtime. It wasn't anything in particular. Just whatever had been made available to them when they arrived. Travis kept to himself save for Kevin and the others. While they enjoyed their downtime, it was very little that was available to them. Most of the time they were working tirelessly. Preparing for an invasion they knew nothing about yet and had no details about. Weeks went by of them preparing and training, British Air Forces had started bombing Köln, Germany, bringing the war uncomfortably close to home for many German citizens. One day in April, at long last, Kevin was able to convince his commanding officer to allow him some 'personal time' which was usually spent with soldiers going into town. Kevin, on the other hand, located some wooded area where he could change. It was early in the morning in Washington so he would be able to catch Jacob. Once he was sure he was alone, he changed from his uniform and folded them on the ground – a habit he'd developed in basic training this time around – and changed to a wolf.
Kevin! Jacob's voice sounded in his head and he felt a sense of relief. Of course, that relief was soon overwhelmed by all that had occurred since they left.
Do you want me to get Nathan?
Immediately, Jacob agreed. He would fetch Ada María and, if possible, Tamara. Though she was almost certainly still asleep and the woman needed to sleep. She'd started getting tired easily the more the baby grew.
Kevin changed back, got dressed, and returned to base while Jacob turned back, dressed, and went to retrieve Ada María and Ariel. They were at Nathan's house. Ada María and Ariel both were sleeping in Nathan's bed. He went to Ada María and placed a hand on her shoulder and gently shook her.
"Ada," Jacob said. "Ada, wake up."
She grumbled as she stirred and turned to look at Jacob. "What is it? Is everything alright?"
"I finally got in touch with Kevin. He's going to get Nathan now." That had Ada María wide awake and she moved over to Ariel. He'd grown so much. He looked to be a two year old. According to Carlisle, he was aging at a slightly slower pace than Renesmee had which Ada María was relieved about. She gently shook Ariel.
"Mijo," she said. "Ariel. Wake up." Ariel whimpered and shook his head. "Ariel, wake up. Your grandpa says he can introduce you to your father." Now it was Ariel's turn to be wide awake as he shot up, nearly hitting his head against Ada María's.
"Really?!" he said, but didn't wait for an answer.
Instead, he jumped out of bed and went for his clothes so he could get dressed. Ada María didn't bother with more than a robe over her nightgown before helping Ariel get into an appropriate outfit. Ariel insisted he wanted to dress nicely in one of the more formal outfits Alice had given him. So Ada María got Ariel dressed in a tiny pair of slacks, a little dress shirt, and a tiny vest with a little dressy hat. Again, upon Ariel's insistence. Jacob almost laughed, but held it in.
"Come on, Ariel," Jacob encouraged. "The sooner you're done, the sooner you can meet your dad."
"Okay," Ariel nodded eagerly and ran over to the mirror to make sure he looked nice. When he was pleased, he tried to run out the door, but Ada María and Jacob were able to catch up to him and made their way into the woods. In England, Kevin ran at top speeds back to the base. He looked all over for Nathan and finally found him polishing something.
"Nathan," Kevin said, "come with me. You're needed at the other end of the base."
"On who's orders, Sergeant?" one of the commanding officers said.
"On my orders, sir. A family emergency that requires my brother's immediate attention."
"What happened?" Nathan said, dropping what he was doing.
"Something that you need to address now," Kevin said firmly and then looked at the other officer. "I will return him within the hour sir."
"You'd better," the officer grumbled but did allow Kevin to take Nathan and practically drag him out of the base and into the woods.
"Kevin, just tell me what happened," Nathan said. "Is everyone alright?"
"Just shift into a wolf when I tell you," Kevin said.
Once he was comfortable with their location, Kevin undressed and folded his uniform before changing to a wolf. By the time he was a wolf, Jacob had been back for a few minutes and Ada María was with him accompanied by a very sharply dressed Ariel. When the scene from Jacob's memory played in Kevin's head, he almost laughed. But he held back and looked at Nathan, pushing the thought to his mind that it was time to change. After a brief hesitation, Nathan addressed, folded his uniform and then changed to a wolf. Ariel was the first person to come into his view as well as the revelation as to who this little boy was. He felt so many things at once and he couldn't contain them all. He immediately changed back to a human and began to dry heave. Kevin changed back and approached Nathan.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Kevin asked.
"No," Nathan said, shaking. "She's not doing this to me."
"Not doing what to you? Introducing you to your child? Nathan, this isn't about Ada. This is about your fucking son! Now you changed back and you meet him!"
Nathan was shaking more violently. He did the math in his head, though without point. It hadn't been nine months, but that didn't matter. He knew it didn't in his and Ada María's case. Regardless, Carlisle had already confirmed he was the father. Not that he could even begin to doubt it. He knew that boy was his son the moment he laid eyes on him, even before his mind had flooded with everything that had happened. He was torn between still being angry with Ada María while simultaneously missing her and longing for her. Now he had to confront that they now had a child. A son. A son he never knew he'd wanted so badly. Or maybe it was just that Ada María had been the one to give him a son. He heard Tamara was pregnant. He had no doubt he was that child's father too. He'd love that baby just as much as he already loved his son. However, the fact remained that Ariel was a child with Ada María. No matter how angry he was, that was special. Something he'd desperately wanted but never dared voice a desire for.
"Nathan," Kevin said in a gentler tone, seeing the rush of emotion Nathan was going through. He even looked on the verge of tears.
"I have a son," Nathan finally said.
"Yes, you do," Kevin said. "He's really excited to meet you. Got really dressed up just for you and everything." Nathan laughed a little, still shaking. He couldn't believe it. He was still in shock. But finally, he took a deep breath and changed back, Ariel coming to his mind again. A moment passed and he finally realized Edward was there too. Just for the sake of translation no doubt.
"Mama," Ariel said, looking at Ada María. "¿Dónde está papa?"
Estoy aquí Ariel, Nathan said and Edward translated. Ariel looked at Edward.
"But you're not daddy," Ariel said and Edward chuckled.
"I'm translating for him, Ariel. He's still all the way in England. You can't see him, but he can see you. Just look at your grandpa and you'll be talking to him. I'm just telling you what he says."
"Oh, okay," Ariel said. He seemed slightly disappointed, but he didn't let it last long. He went up to Jacob and touched his nose. "Daddy, are you there?"
I'm here, Ariel, Nathan said with Edward translating. He could barely contain himself now. How are you doing? Do you like Washington? How are you and Scarlet doing? Edward translated, explained that Washington was the state they were in, and finally Ariel smiled.
"I'm okay. Washington is fun, but mommy complains it's too cold."
Sounds like her, Nathan managed to joke and Ariel laughed.
"Scarlet is super nice. She's the best big sister ever! She plays with me in the snow and she plays ball with me. She says I'm having a little brother or sister soon too."
That's what I'm told, Nathan answered with a smile.
"She says that if it's a boy, his name is Delsin and if it's a girl, her name is Ivory Dahlia."
Let's hope it's a girl, Nathan chuckled. Either that or you make sure to tell Tamara I said that my son won't be named Delsin.
Ariel laughed, "I'll tell her. You can count on me!" He heard Ada María laugh and it brought back memories. Fond memories. But he wasn't ready for that now. So he focused on Ariel.
Problem is I don't know what other name to give him.
"How about Gabriel?" Ariel asked. "Mommy said she likes that."
That might be a bit too…Catholic for Tamara for lack of a better word. I'll tell you what. You keep thinking of names and we'll talk about what you've decided next I get to talk to you. You can help me find a good name for your little brother.
"Okay!" Ariel answered eagerly, though Ada María flinched a little, now praying harder than ever that Tamara had a girl. "Are you okay, daddy? Is war good?" The whole group burst into laughter except Ada María. She couldn't bring herself to laugh at that.
Honestly, it's rather boring right now. We're just preparing to invade. We just don't know when it's happening. It's a shame you're not here. You could make all that polishing and training we have to do a whole lot of fun.
"Mommy, mommy, can we go to England to see daddy?" Ariel asked innocently. "He sounds so bored."
"Ariel, Mijo, England is very far away. And it's dangerous to go right now." Ariel pouted and Nathan stepped in.
Listen to your mother, Ariel. It's dangerous here. You stay home where it's safe and just have lots of fun for me okay? That'll be enough for me right now.
"When are you coming home, daddy?" Ariel asked and the question made Nathan nearly choke.
I'm sorry, Ariel. I don't know. I won't be home until after the war's over and right now, at least for us, it's really hardly begun. We haven't even gotten over the channel to fight the Germans. But I'll tell you what. I'll send you plenty of souvenirs.
"But I don't want souvenirs," Ariel pouted. "I just want you to come home."
I know, Ariel, I know, Nathan said. I'll come home. Don't you worry. We all will and when we do, I'll tell you about all our adventures. How does that sound?
"Do you promise?" Ariel asked.
I promise, Ariel. Ariel smiled at Jacob and, by virtue, at Nathan and it filled him with renewed determination. So how has Tamara been?
"She's okay," Ariel said. "She lets me touch her belly whenever the baby kicks!"
That's exciting, Nathan answered with a smile and a hint of jealousy. You look after her while I'm gone…look after your mother too for me, okay?
"I will," Ariel promised and then turned to look at Ada María. "Mommy, mommy, daddy says I need to look after you and Miss Tamara. That means I'm in charge!" Ada María giggled and Jacob looked at her in the process. She was just as he remembered her and he felt himself being less angry with her. Although he stubbornly fought the softening of his heart.
"I'm quite sure that's not exactly what your father said," Ada María smiled lovingly.
"Shit," Kevin muttered, glancing at the watch he'd brought. "Nathan, we need to get back. My hour is almost up and I need to get you back too." Nathan looked at Kevin as though he were insane, but Edward was already relaying the news.
"But daddy, you just got here," Ariel whimpered.
I know, Ariel, I know. I'm so sorry. But your uncle says we have to get back. We'll come back to visit you as soon as we can, okay? Just be good for me while I'm gone. Remember you promised to look after everyone while I'm gone.
Ariel was starting to cry a little, but he nodded. "I will, daddy."
Don't cry, Ariel. I'll be okay. Don't you worry about a thing. I'll be back before you know it.
Ariel nodded eventually, but he didn't step away from Jacob until Edward took a gentle hold of his shoulder and pulled him back towards Ada María. Just one last time, Nathan looked at her. She looked up at Jacob hoping she might be able to get through to Nathan. Her eyes were filled with longing and sorrow. An apology. He fought to think if he should say anything to her, but what could he say? He didn't have time to think of anything. Whatever he wanted to say he didn't have time for. So he changed back and got dressed feeling suddenly bolstered yet simultaneously weighted down.
"His name's Ariel Marcelo," Nathan said to Kevin as though he didn't already know.
"Handsome name," Kevin said as he also got dressed. "Ariel Marcelo Black has a rather good ring to it I think."
"It does," Nathan said. "Why didn't she tell me?"
"She didn't find out until she was already on her way to Washington to come after you. You heard the story just as much as I did."
"She really went through all that trouble to make sure Ariel was born at home," he said, feeling undeniably grateful and elated. "She really did that for me?"
"She loves you, Nathan," Kevin said. "Let this be an opportunity for you to straighten yourself up. You already had a daughter to come home to. Now you have a daughter, a son, and another child on the way. Don't let yourself get distracted."
"How can you say she loves me?" Nathan asked, the memory of that night returning with a vengeance. "She lied to me. If she loved me, she wouldn't have kept something like that from me. She can tell me he meant nothing all she wants. She still lied to me."
"Don't think about that now," Kevin said. "Think about having a son and new child on the way. Use that to push forward and keep your ass out of trouble."
Nathan nodded after a deep breath and the two returned to the base together. It was the hardest walk back to the base he'd ever have. Kevin encouraged him further, though, and they finally returned to the base and returned to their assigned tasks. Most offensives from the U.S. end were their naval and air battles with Japan for the month of April as well as the Nazi plans to continue an invasion of the Soviet Union. When May came however, Kevin had another dream, but this was different. This one was vivid, clear, and frightening. It was during the day and he saw the same image he'd seen before, but this time, he saw Anna. Anna! Amber's mother! She appeared to have a cough and, despite the distress in its musical tone, Kevin heard what was still the most beautiful sound to him.
"Mom, please, try not to cough," Amber's voice rang through his head. Yet the relief of hearing her voice was so brief. She sounded scared and Kevin's heart clamped in his chest.
Anna did her best not to cough and when she was having a hard time still, Amber – Kevin could tell what he saw were Amber's hands from the point of view – grabbed Anna's hat and put it on, making a fuss of coughing herself to distract from Anna. It was just in time for a few Nazi soldiers to begin rounding up people among the group. Their clothes were all so sparse and Anna looked so thin. Anyone in Amber's view except the soldiers looked thin. When a soldier came into Amber's view, she coughed more. One of the soldiers zeroed in on her and went to her, instructing her to follow him. Anna appeared to start panicking and crying. She begged to officer to take her instead. What he did was take her too and Amber was screaming at him now. Kevin's heart was racing but he couldn't seem to wake. He could only watch from Amber's view.
She as well as over a thousand others were being dragged forward towards a large building that looked like a giant shower stall. Amber, Anna and anyone else being shove into the room was stripped naked and forced inside. Amber was looking around, taking in the surroundings. It was small. Unbearably cramped and the walls were gray stone. She saw thin black poles on the top of the wall. Those weren't shower heads. Kevin knew it instantly. Apparently so did Amber. She'd heard the door lock behind them and she ran to it, screaming. Everyone looked at her strangely and Anna went to her side to ask Amber was what wrong. Then Amber, as well as Kevin, heard to sound of air seeping through those black lines that no one else could. When Amber heard that, she screamed louder and, throwing caution to the wind, started to slam herself against the door.
"What the hell's going on it there?!" a voice came from the outside.
Amber ignored it and kept pushing against the door. Using all the strength she had until, suddenly, the door flew open against the force of her slamming into it. It fell atop the soldier that had been on the other end, knocking the wind out of him and, according to Amber's ears, killing him too. Anna followed after Amber and asked her if she was alright. Several other people fled from the building, though some remained inside, struck with fear. A few in the back of the room away from the door began to pass out from the gas and a few more left after witnessing that. Amber's arm was grabbed by someone. She looked at their hand and then up at the officer who owned it. He looked furious as he grabbed Amber. She fought him, pulling against him and looking at Anna who appeared horrified and tried to follow after, but another inmate forced her back. Likely for the sake of her own safety. He could hear Amber cry as the man continued to drag her and Amber screamed and finally hit the officer. He released her instantly, clearly shocked by the force behind her punch and Amber started to run back to Anna. As Amber ran, Kevin felt a sudden sharp, excruciating pain in his right shoulder mere seconds after a gunshot went off. Amber screamed in pain, Anna screamed in horror, and Kevin screamed as he shot up in his bunk, waking all the rest of his peers. He was in a cold sweat. He was shaking and Nathan was the one that grabbed a hold of him suddenly.
"Kevin. Kevin! What's wrong?! What happened?!" Nathan yelled while some of the other men grumbled from the interruption.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Sergeant?" someone in the bunk said, but Kevin couldn't answer anyone who'd spoken to him. He was still shaking violently.
"Kevin!" Embry's voice came to his right while Nathan was to his left. Jae, Peta and Travis had also come to his bedside staring at him. He couldn't speak, though. He was in shock. So he did the only thing he could do: he replayed the memory to them. It was painful to do so, but he needed to in order to make them understand. "Sweet fuck," Embry muttered.
"She's in danger," Kevin was finally able to mutter as he shook.
"She's not dead, Kevin," Nathan said, and he looked at him. "Kevin, she's not dead. You know she's not. All we know right now is she's been shot. That doesn't necessarily mean-"
"That's not what matters!" Kevin screamed and, suddenly, the door to their bunker slammed open as their commanding officer stomped in.
"Alright you fucking caterwauling whores!" Lieutenant Davis yelled as he entered the room, apparently tasked with addressing this situation. "Mind telling me which one of you little boys started screaming in the middle of the fucking night!"
"It was Sergeant Black, sir!" one man ratted Kevin out immediately. With the information he'd requested, Lieutenant Davis marched over to Kevin's bunk. Embry and Peta moved aside when the Lieutenant glared them down.
"Now what, pray tell, Sergeant Black, has got you crying through the night like a damned little boy? Did the boogeyman pop up from your bed and scare you?"
"No, sir," Kevin answered, still shaking. Nathan, Jae and Travis stayed close despite the Lieutenant's warning glare.
"Then do you mind telling me what in the fuck possessed you to start screaming and wake your brothers in arms in the middle of the fucking night? If you're waking us, it had better be for a damned good reason."
"I had a nightmare, sir," Kevin answered.
"You had a nightmare?" Lieutenant Davis said flippantly. "Well, you poor thing. She I let you sleep with me and mommy tonight and chase the mean bad dreams away?" No one even laughed. They were either too tired or too tense.
"No sir," Kevin said. "It won't happen again, sir."
"It had better not," the Lieutenant said. "But!" he yelled. "Seeing as you're all good and awake, perhaps you could get a head start in cleaning your bunks!" No one said a word of complaint, but they all knew better not to. Instead, everyone glared daggers at Kevin. "I want your bunks spotless by dawn! Those fucking toilets had better be so clean I could eat my breakfast off them! Now move!"
Everyone came to attention despite their exhaustion, all still looking angrily at Kevin, while they attended to the task of cleaning the bunk. As they were ordered to do, the men started cleaning the bunks. Since Kevin was the one at fault, he did most of the cleaning and the others were happy to oblige while making themselves look busy. An hour later, Kevin and the others were nearly done when Lieutenant Davis stepped in and ordered all the men to attention. With a grown, Kevin ran to his bunk and fell into line like all the other men. Once in position, Lieutenant Davis started his inspection. All the sheets were clean, the beds made, all personal items put away, everyone was dressed, their boots shined – everything was as the Lieutenant would have expected. He took especially scrupulous care in checking Kevin's bed and when he was pleased, he went on. Then he went to the bathrooms to check them and almost immediately returned with a scowl.
"As I recall," Lieutenant Davis said, "I specifically ordered those bathrooms be so clean I can eat my fucking breakfast on those toilets! But what do I see when I step in? A bucket and brushes and three stalls left unclean! Were my orders in any way unclear, boys?" There was a silence. "Speak! I haven't got all day!"
"I wasn't finished, sir!" Kevin said, standing straight and looking forward. Lieutenant Davis walked over, or stomped more appropriately, until he was standing right in front of him.
"I said dawn, Sergeant," Lieutenant Davis.
"I did not finish, sir," Kevin answered.
"Isn't that rich?" Lieutenant Davis said. "You wake the men up before the damned sun and you can't even get the bunker cleaned!"
"Sergeant Black was working largely by himself, sir!" Embry said rather suddenly and the Lieutenant stared at him.
"What did you say, Corporal?"
"You ordered everyone in the bunk to clean, sir! From what I could see, not everyone was pulling their weight! Sergeant Black was cleaning mostly by himself!"
"Is that so?" Lieutenant Davis said. Kevin glanced Embry's way staring him down. He'd just made a stupid mistake. He had a feeling Embry knew, though. "I don't suppose you might point out who wasn't pulling their weight would you Corporal Call?"
"Gladly, sir!" Embry answered. After a brief silence from the Lieutenant, he punched Embry in the gut.
"If one of you fails, you all do!" the Lieutenant yelled. "You little bitches remember that or you'll all die! Is that clear?!"
"Yes, sir!" every man in the bunk answered except Embry, still bent over.
"It's breakfast time, boys," Lieutenant Davis said. "So how about all of you go grab yourself something to eat. Then you can come back here and eat in the bathroom." Lieutenant Davis looked at Kevin and Embry. "You two can use one of the last three stalls as your tables. Go!"
All the men left the bunk to the mess hall to get their food and returned to the bunk going straight to their bathrooms to eat. Everyone gave Embry a mean look, but Embry ignored them. Travis, Peta, Nathan and Jae sat with Embry and Kevin although they stayed out of the stalls.
"You should know better, Embry," Kevin said once they were all sitting.
"Oh come on, Kevin, what was I supposed to do? Let you take the blame for these lazy bitches not pulling their weight!" Embry yelled the last part so everyone could hear him.
"Fuck you Corporal!" one soldier yelled. "We're not the ones that woke up screaming in the middle of the fucking night!" Embry ignored them and continued eating despite his lack of appetite. Kevin didn't bother. He wasn't in the mood.
"I'm running out of time," Kevin mumbled. "I don't know where she is but I'm running out of time. I have to get into Germany."
"We'll get there, Kevin," Embry encouraged.
"When?" Kevin asked.
"When they say," Embry said. "I know this is hard, but you have to keep it together. You can't help Amber or her parents if you don't keep it together."
"Embry, I saw her get shot," Kevin said. "I felt it."
"But she's not dead," Embry reminded Kevin. "She's not dead. As long as she's alive, you can save her."
"For how long?" Kevin asked grimly.
"Kevin, don't do that," Jae said. "Don't do this to yourself. Embry's right. You need to stay strong. For Amber."
Kevin sighed, poking at his food that he wasn't eating. After breakfast was put to an end, the men were ordered from the bunker to continue their work for the day. Kevin, on the other hand, was instructed to stay behind and proceed with cleaning the bathrooms to Lieutenant Davis's standards. Embry wanted to help him, but Kevin ordered Embry to go about his own work for the day and he'd finish up. Kevin didn't have a dream like the one he'd had that past morning again, but he was still having dreams. Now they were dreams of a dark, grey stone room or the outside from his other dreams. He'd see Anna on those dreams periodically, but never Levi. Every time he had these dreams, he felt an overwhelming sorrow and fear. Sometimes, when he'd have dreams in the grey stone rooms, he'd hear Amber crying and it would make him choke. He never woke up screaming again, but it was rather common for him to awake in a cold sweat feeling Amber's paralyzing fear.
Back home, the tribe all finally received the first wave of letters from Kevin and the others with a current return address until they had to move again. That was still an event yet to be determined. Renesmee received a letter from Kyle earlier letting her know that he was okay physically. It was the specification that worried her the most and she remembered her own experiences during the Civil War. She'd been a mere bystander at the time, but those images still haunted her to this day. She worried how much Kyle saw in those medical barracks. She wrote him a letter of encouragement and sympathy and hoped desperately that it would reach him. Ada María helped Ariel write a letter to Nathan, teaching him how to spell works correctly and ensure he stuck with one language. He was most comfortable with Spanish for some reason, so Ariel wrote to his father in Spanish in his less than graceful handwriting. Ada María wrote her own letter to Nathan. She wanted to resolve, or start to resolve, her relationship with Nathan and a letter seemed as good a start as any. Their letters took a few more weeks to arrive to London where Kevin and the others still were. They got their letters handed out and the man handing them out, once he got to Nathan, handed him all the letters with a bit of a smile.
"Looks like one of them was written by someone special," the man said, pointing out the letter addressed to Nathan from Ariel.
"Who's it from?" Jae asked.
"It's from Ariel," Nathan said.
"He wrote to you?" Jae asked with a smile. "He's already writing?"
"I guess so," Nathan smiled a little.
"Don't worry, Jae," the guy said, "I see you getting a little jealous. Your kids wrote you too. And So did your wife."
"I'll take those," Jae smiled and accepted the letters addressed to him.
Nathan started with the letter from his son and almost laughed out loud. The handwriting was definitely rough, but his spelling was impeccable. Probably Ada María's doing. The letter went on and on about how nice Scarlet was, how they played hide and seek and she taught him how to climb trees and so on. He said Miss Tamara was even more pregnant and suggested Adam for a boy's name, though didn't offer an explanation as to where that name came from. He talked about not being able to wait to finally meet him in person and asked Nathan to come home soon. The letter had made his day all the brighter. He got to Scarlet's letter next. She gave a rather similar account of playing with Ariel and told him in confidence she'd started teaching the kid to pickpocket but that Nathan was to keep that a secret and Nathan just laughed under his breath. She also apologized in advance for being one of the culprits to Ariel being more comfortable speaking Spanish than anything else. Then he went to the letters from his mother and father. Then he went to the letter from Tamara. She reiterated that she was pregnant and, according to Renesmee and Carlisle, was expected to have the baby around September. She promised she'd send pictures to him once the baby was born too and Nathan took comfort in the knowledge.
Then he finally got to Ada María's letter. He'd been avoiding it the moment he noticed she'd written to him. When he'd seen her wearing the bracelet he'd made her, it had only twisted the knife in his gut and rubbed salt in his wound. Since meeting his son and, subsequently seeing her again for the first time since December, she was all he thought about no matter how hard he tried not to. He wasn't even mad anymore. Now he just missed her and with their son being part of the equation, he missed her more than ever. And that made him angry all over again. When he'd seen that man in Ada María's apartment, he'd been heartbroken. Walking away was the only thing he could think to do and when she'd come after him, all that hurt had turned to anger. And he'd done something he regretted because of it. Finally, after avoiding it for so long, he finally opened Ada María's letter and read.
Nathan,
I'm afraid I'd not one to be terribly poetic, so I will get straight to the point of my letter regarding that night before you left.
I will start from the beginning by stating the man you saw me with was a man by the name of Officer Heraldo Acosta. As you know, my main source of sustenance has been and remains to be blood, meaning I would frequently drink the blood of unsuspecting night crawlers. Five years before you had arrived in Salvador, Officer Acosta had someone figured out I was behind the murders of several people over the course of a year.
As to how he figured this out, I'm not sure. What matters at this point is we had reached an agreement that if we began a sexual relationship, he would keep quiet about the matter. At the time, it was not much of an inconvenience and didn't interfere with my life in any way. By the time you and I had met, I was still seeing Officer Acosta, but our relationship was still, and had never moved passed, being a business arrangements agreed upon years before.
When you and I started to become serious, it started to scare me. There are several reasons I did not mention Officer Acosta to you. Two of them being because I didn't want you to feel as though you had to fix it for me. The other reason being that I didn't want you to think less of me. Things were going well for us and I was becoming more and more comfortable with our relationship and its progression. I didn't want to risk ruining what we had.
Then Marcelo had come to me telling me that I needed to tie up loose ends with the Officer. I did not know of the bracelet you had made me at the time, but Marcelo knew. He said later that you had told him and that's why he'd encouraged I correct things with the officer once and for all. So that night, I had invited the officer back to my place. His fate had been decided that night and was almost over with them you had knocked on my door and told me you were returning home.
I was in shock and had been at a loss at the time of how to explain myself outside of tell you the immediate truth: he was no one and he meant nothing to me. The man still met his intended fate that night. By that point more so for the offense of sending you away. I killed him in a rage and fear that I had lost you forever. In that respect, I beg that not be the case.
Officer Acosta never meant anything to me. I only hope it's not too little too late.
I love you, Nathan, and I always will. Please come home soon. Ariel and I will wait for you.
Ada María
"So what did she say?" Jae asked, pulling Nathan's attention rather suddenly.
"He was nothing to her but a business arrangement," Nathan over simplified. Jae looked at him with a hint of suspicion and then reached out a hand asking Nathan to hand over the letter so he could read it. Reluctantly, Nathan handed it over and Jae read through it.
"So this man was blackmailing her?" Jae asked.
"I guess so," Nathan said. "She could have just told me that."
"She already said she didn't because she wanted to take care of it herself and didn't want you to think less of her. And she got it taken care of."
"So we've gone from her lying to me to not trusting me enough to understand," Nathan grumbled and slumped into the bed.
"That's not what she said," Jae defended.
"It's exactly what she said," Nathan said and reached over, grabbing the letter out of Jae's hand.
"So what are you going to say to her?"
"Nothing," Nathan said.
"What do you mean 'nothing'?" Jae asked. "You aren't going to write her back?"
"No, Jae, I'm not," Nathan said.
"Why?"
"Because I said so," Nathan said.
"Nathan, if you're thinking of punishing her, then I'd implore you to think that through. What good would punishing her do?"
"I didn't say I was punishing her. I don't have anything to say."
"Bullshit, Nathan," Jae grumbled. "At least send her a letter saying you'll talk about it when you get home."
"I don't have to write her anything, Jae," Nathan said.
"Won't give her the satisfaction?" Jae said, effectively calling Nathan's bluff.
"Fine," Nathan shrugged. "You caught me. Aren't you proud?" Nathan gave Jae a shit eater grin and Jae rolled his eyes.
"You have every right to be upset with her, Nathan. I'm not saying you don't. But you and I both know you'll forgive her."
"You only prove my point," Nathan grumbled.
"What point is that exactly?" Jae asked. "That'll you'll forgive her?"
"She shouldn't get away with lying to me and, now, not trusting me just because she's my imprint," Nathan said. "I mean, really. Would you forgive Natalie so easily if you caught her with another man and didn't even trust you enough to confide in you about it if there was a problem?"
"If she didn't trust me, I'd wonder why," Jae said.
"You really expect me to believe you wouldn't be mad if you caught Natalie with another man?"
"Sure I'd be mad," Jae said. "But I would at least want her to explain or tell me why."
"Well, she has and her explanation is she didn't trust me enough to just tell me what the fuck was going on," Nathan said.
"Do you know why she might feel that way?" Jae asked.
"Oh, no, don't you dare," Nathan grumbled. "Don't you dare make this my fault."
"Nathan, I'm not making this your fault. I'm only saying this isn't a simple matter. Ada's never been simple. You've said that yourself. And she said in that letter that she was scared. You knew that."
Nathan was quiet and stared at the top bunk above him. "She also said she was starting to become comfortable. If that were true, she should have just told me the truth. I asked her if I was the only one and she said I was."
"Okay, fine, she lied about that," Jae said. "But she was telling you the truth when she said you were the only one she loved."
"So I'm supposed to just be alright with all this?"
"That's not what I said," Jae answered. "All I'm saying is I think it would serve you both better if you worked things out or at least started to. It's one thing for you to be this stubborn were Ada the only other person in this. But she's not."
Nathan thought of Ariel, knowing that's what Jae was referring to. "Why didn't she just tell me she was pregnant before I left?"
"She didn't know. Remember?" Jae said. "I'm sure if she'd known, she'd have told you right away. Hell, you might have stayed in Brazil even."
"No I wouldn't have," Nathan said even though he knew it was a lie. If when he'd told Ada María he was leaving she'd told him she was pregnant, he'd have stayed. He'd have changed back and told Jacob he wasn't coming back because he would have refused to not be there for the birth of his child. "I missed my son's birth."
"It's not your fault," Jae said. "Besides, he'll still be there when we get home."
"I'm going to miss another birth," Nathan said and rubbed his face. "I can't believe I got Tamara pregnant too."
"Hey, when it rains, it pours," Jae teased. "Do you know what you'll do? You can't exactly marry both of them."
"I don't think Tamara would marry me even if I asked," Nathan said. "I already told her in no uncertain terms that I care for her but I love Ada more."
"Then I guess you two will have to come to some agreement of shared custody," Jae said. "Would Tamara be willing to move to Washington?"
"I'd never make her," Nathan said. "She loves Las Vegas. And her family's there. I can't make her move for me when I have nothing to offer her. We'll figure something out. I just don't know what yet." He was quiet a moment. "I hope it's a girl. No son of mine will be named Delsin."
Jae laughed, "Strong words. What's the name if it's a girl?"
"Ivory Dahlia," Nathan said with a big smile. "I couldn't have picked a better name myself."
"I like it," Jae said. "It's in keeping with the theme. So I guess every girl will be a color and a plant?"
"No," Nathan said. "That'll depend on what Ada-" Nathan stopped before he could finish his thought and glanced at Jae who was smiling triumphantly. "Shut up."
"I didn't say a word," Jae answered. "Seriously, Nathan, just write her back. At least tell her you'll talk when you come home. You're not promising or denying anything, you're just saying you'll talk about it later."
"Fine, I'll write her back," Nathan said. Jae patted Nathan's shoulder with encouragement, but Nathan grumbled and waved Jae's hand away. "I fucking hate it when you're right," Nathan said.
"You'll thank me for it later," Jae said and get to work on writing his own letters.
Nathan did what he'd done before. He saved his letter to Ada María for last. The following day, he begged Lieutenant Davis to let him go into town to buy a toy or something for his son and daughter. The man eventually relented and let Nathan go into town. Nathan managed to find a little toy store that sold toys and bought Ariel a Yoyo and a slinky. He went to another shop and found a little dress that he thought Scarlet might like. Once he had his gifts and the shops had kindly wrapped them for him, he wrote his letters later that night for Ariel and Scarlet. He didn't get to his answer to Ada María until the next night and it was only because they'd been told that the following day their letters would be collected to be sent. What he'd intended to be a one word reply turned into a litany of discarded pages with varying levels of rage or confessions of love. He felt like a madman. He even got to a point where he started rummaging through the pages he'd already written and putting them all together, but doing so would have been nothing short of nonsensical babbling. When Jae saw the pile he almost laughed.
"Just tell her how you feel, Nathan," Jae suggested.
"I don't know how I feel," Nathan asked.
"Then tell her that," Jae said.
Nathan looked at Jae a little meanly, feeling like the advice fell a little flat and didn't help him much. He kept reading through the pages stubbornly trying to jigsaw something together but when it didn't work, he just did what he should have done from the beginning and took Jae's advice.
By August, Ada María was shocked of two things. One, that Brazil had now joined the war in Europe again Germany and Italy. Second, her father had still not come to Washington breathing fire. Eventually, she received a letter back from Marcelo. In short, Raphael had determined he was disowning Ada María until further notice. Marcelo reassured Yaretzi was currently trying to calm him down and that once she'd convinced Raphael that meeting their grandson was more important than being mad at Ada María. She shrugged it off and figured it was for the best. The last thing she wanted was Ariel meeting his grandfather when he was in a foul mood. She'd not wish such a thing on her worst enemy let alone her son.
"So when are we meeting your parents?" Renesmee asked Ada María after she'd mentioned the letter was from her brother.
"Once my father decides meeting his grandson is more important than disowning me," Ada María said flippantly.
"He disowned you?" Tamara asked, shocked.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Ada María said as she waved her hand dismissively. "The man's all bark and no bite most of the time."
"I suppose you'd know your father best," Tamara sighed.
"We can't all have puppy dogs for fathers," Ada María teased Tamara. They overheard Delsin grumble something under his breath while he read the paper.
They'd not expected more mail, but the following day, Hailey came to the tribe with Leah to drop off several letters and a few packages from the boys. Everything was brought to Renesmee's and Jacob's house and the whole family came over to sort through the letters and hand them out. Natalie got her letter from Jae and the children got their own letters from him as well. JJ was bolstered with praise from Jae over the good job he was doing taking care of everyone. Ariel got his own letter back from Nathan that had also been written in Spanish and he was excited to find the toys that Nathan had bought him. Ariel ran off to the fire place right away to read the letter so that he was near the picture Renesmee had received of all her sons in their uniforms before they'd been shipped off. They were all in black and white with her sons all wearing their uniforms and their hats. Kevin wore his medal of honor in the photo, basically on Renesmee's insistence once she'd heard the pictures were being taken. The metal was promptly returned to its plaque in his office.
"Ada María," Renesmee said, making the woman look away from Ariel and at her instead as she held out an envelope. "This is for you. It's from Nathan." Surprised that he'd actually written back, Ada María took the envelope and ripped it open. She was disappointed that there was only a single page. That worsened when she actually read the brief letter. Briefer than hers had been if it could be believed.
Ada,
I love you, but I don't know how I feel right now. I need time to think. We'll talk when I come home.
Nathan
She stared at the brief letter a moment unsure she could believe her eyes. She'd almost rather an angry letter. At least that would have had passion.
"Is everything alright?" Renesmee asked.
"'I love you, but I don't know how I feel right now. I need time to think. We'll talk when I come home,'" Ada María read off the letter in a dreary tone before putting it back. "At least he's agreed to talk I guess."
"He said he loves you," Tamara pointed out. "That's worth more than the length of the letter."
"Easy for you to say," Ada María said. "Your letter's at least two pages front to back."
"If it makes you feel better, he's mostly asking about the baby," Tamara reassured. "He loves the girl's name but he's adamantly contesting the boy's name."
"Tough," Delsin said from the kitchen table where he enjoyed his coffee.
"Daddy said he likes Adam!" Ariel said after reading the letter.
"Now that's a fine name," Tamara smiled at Ariel.
"My grandson's name will be Delsin," Tamara's father argued with a sip of coffee.
They all smiled and returned their attentions to their letters from everyone. Ada María and Tamara followed Scarlet back to Natalie's house later that afternoon and had dinner with her. Scarlet helped Natalie make dinner while Ada María and Tamara looked after the kids, though JJ insisted he could look after them, so they just sat back and let him be in charge. Ariel was excited to play with his cousins. JJ and Salem were more so talking about plans to go into the woods to compete to see who could climb a tree faster while Ariel and Nesia played together. They were currently fascinated with figuring out how to use the yoyo Nathan had sent Ariel and JJ stepped in to show them how to do it. While they sat together, Tamara winced and Ada María looked at her.
"Are you alright?" Ada María asked.
"I'm fine," Tamara said. "The baby's just kicking is all."
"The kid's certainly got a lot of energy," Ada María smiled and patted Tamara's belly. "How are you feeling? Any pains yet?"
"Nothing yet," Tamara said. "Carlisle and Renesmee said I'm not due until September, so we've got some time left."
"It's August," Ada María pointed out. "That clock's counting down."
Tamara smiled. "Thank you for your words of wisdom Ada."
The month of September was fast approaching and Tamara was feeling it's effects. Ada María helped keep her in good spirits and Scarlet kept Ariel occupied with all the other kids. He'd grown so much since January. He was fully mobile on his own, he finally spoke English without issue, though he was still more comfortable speaking Spanish, and he'd grown rather tall and lanky. He reminded Renesmee so much of Nathan when he'd been a toddler. Ariel looked to be about 4 or so now. She was relieved he wasn't aging quite as fast as she'd done when she had been a girl and his growth had already slowed down a bit. She hoped Ariel wouldn't be too old by the time Nathan and the others finally got home. She didn't want Nathan to miss Ariel growing up. She already knew he was crushed that he'd not been home for his son's birth. He wasn't pleased he wouldn't be home for the new baby's birth either. Alice promised she'd be ready to take a big family photo to send to Nathan once the baby was born.
When it was finally September, Nathan was sneaking away as often as he possibly could, hoping to catch his father or the other members of the pack still at home for an update. He wanted to know the moment the baby was born. In the meantime, Scarlet and Ariel finally began to really bond. She told Ariel all about the adventures she and their dad had before they'd arrived in Brazil. She taught him how to make the little red tree ornaments that they'd left all over the place during their travels and what the significance of them were. Any less savory tales she always saved for when Renesmee wasn't around. One day in late September, she had secreted Ariel away to Natalie's and Jae's house to show him the letter and newspaper clipping from Texas.
"Keep in mind," Scarlet said while Ariel read the article, "that this is highly exaggerated."
"So dad didn't get into a fight with the body guards?" Ariel asked, almost looking disappointed.
"No, I'm afraid not. We snuck our way through the guards," Scarlet smiled. "Daddy's very sneaky. Did I tell you about when we'd cheated some lady in Phoenix out of $40 and an insurance payout?"
"You have, but I'll hear that story again," Ariel grinned, continuing to read. "Was dad having an affair with the lady of the hacienda?"
"Christ no," Scarlet rolled her eyes. "The part about leaving a love letter was true apparently, but he'd done that to get back at her for cheating him a week's pay and all the unwanted sexual advances. He was just trying to get her in trouble. And while we didn't steal all their furniture – not sure why they claimed that but regardless – we did steal all the jewelry and their money. We sold the jewelry in the next town over and saved the money for our trip." She saw Ariel go bright eyed, idolization flashing through his eyes.
"Dad's amazing," Ariel smiled.
"You don't know the half of it," Scarlet smiled and patted Ariel's head.
"Do you think when dad gets back he and I can go on an adventure just like you did?"
"I'll bet you anything he'd be happy to," Scarlet smiled. Ariel's face seemed to light up at the prospect and he asked Scarlet to tell him again about the time their dad committed insurance fraud, promising not to tell anyone about it. Meanwhile, Tamara had grown more and more uncomfortable as the days wore on. She'd been moved up to Nathan's house and was using the bed in the master bedroom. Ada María didn't mind sharing it with her. Tamara was laying down now while Ada María sat by her reading when Tamara groaned.
"Are you alright?" Ada María asked.
"I'm not sure," Tamara said. "I think I'm having a contraction."
"Trust me, when you're having a contraction, you'll know," Ada María smiled and rubbed Tamara's back. "Is this the first one you've felt?"
"It's the first one that feels like this," Tamara said.
"Do you want me to go get Renesmee?"
"Not yet," Tamara said. "It's already passed."
"Alright, we'll hold off. But I'm thinking you'll probably go into labor later today or by tomorrow."
"I think so," Tamara said.
"I'll go let Renesmee know at least," Ada María said. "That way Jacob will know and can keep Nathan in the loop."
"Thank you," Tamara said as Ada María left to speak with Renesmee.
Renesmee told Ada María to stay with Tamara and keep a close eye on her. Renesmee was of the same opinion that Tamara would likely go into labor either later that day or by tomorrow. Delsin went to Nathan's house with Ada María so he could be with Tamara and make sure she was alright. They ended up waiting several hours of Tamara getting a contraction that would last only briefly and then go away. She was still just in the early stages by the time Scarlet came back with Ariel. Curious and eager to see what happened, Ariel stayed with Ada María and Tamara.
"Do you think it's a boy or a girl, Ariel?" Ada María asked him after another of Tamara's contractions passed.
"I think it's a boy," Ariel said. "I think it would be fun to have a little brother."
"Well, I think it's a girl," Ada María said, although that was more so a desperate hope than anything. "You don't think it would be fun to have a little sister?"
"But I already have a sister," Ariel said. "I don't have a brother." Tamara reached her hand over and patted Ariel's arm.
"Don't worry, Ariel. If this isn't a boy, I'm sure your mother and father can try again later," Tamara said, but Ada María shuddered. Tamara just smirked. Ariel waited eagerly, but it wasn't long before he was bored and couldn't stay awake. Ariel fell asleep in Ada María's arms and Scarlet fell asleep on the balcony.
Renesmee returned in the middle of the night to check on Tamara and noticed she was certainly progressing. Right now they were just waiting for her water to break and for her to dilate further. Tamara couldn't seem to get a decent night sleep. She'd end up waking to the feel of another contraction that seemed to get worse and worse with each new one. They were getting closer together too. By morning, she was still not in active labor, but she was often in pain through the morning. Renesmee told Jacob to stay a wolf so she could tell Nathan the moment he was able to secret away and change. During midmorning, Renesmee encouraged Tamara to stand and walk around hoping to encourage her water to break, but it wasn't happening. While she was up, though, Renesmee got the bed prepared for the birthing and allowed Tamara to sit down and relax.
"Alright Tamara," Renesmee said as she lifted the hem of Tamara's dress. "I'm just going to see how far along you are." Not moments after Renesmee was preparing to check, Tamara felt a sudden pain and her water broke at last. It got all over Renesmee's dress and hands and she stepped away to avoid the remainder.
"I'm so sorry," Tamara said, embarrassed.
"It's fine, honey," Renesmee answered as she grabbed a towel and dried off. "Believe me, I've gotten worse." Ada María started laughing, waking up Ariel from his nap.
"Is the baby here yet?" Ariel asked impatiently.
"I'm afraid not, honey," Ada María laughed, "but Tamara's water finally broke all over your grandmother." Ariel looked really confused.
"So she peed on her?" Ariel asked innocently and Ada María burst into laughter, nearly crying. "What?"
"Oh, God," Tamara started to laugh, but a contraction robbed her of any humor and she started crying.
"Are you alright, honey?" Delsin asked and Tamara just gave the man an unintentional dirty look.
"Never better," Tamara answered sarcastically and started to cry a little as the contraction continued.
"Keep breathing and ride it out, Tamara," Renesmee encouraged. "We're still got a ways to go."
"Are you kidding me!?" Tamara cried. Renesmee came around and let Tamara clutch onto her hand until the latest contraction finally passed.
"I'm going to get into a dry dress, but I'll be right back, okay?" Renesmee said before running back to her house to change.
Tamara was still at a resting state by the time she returned, but that didn't last very long. Nathan had managed to sneak away around that time and Jacob let Nathan know that Tamara was in labor and would have the baby by the end of the day. Nathan promised he'd return again as soon as possible and made Jacob promise not to let Tamara name the baby Delsin if it were a boy. Several more hours passed until it was nearing evening. Her contractions had come closer together, but she still wasn't fully dilated and she was losing her patience. She'd still not had the baby by the time Nathan was able to sneak away again, but, thankfully, it was now the middle of the night in London and he was able to linger without issue. Another hour later, at long last, Tamara was in active labor and, easily, in the most pain she'd ever suffered in her entire life. Scarlet sat behind Tamara to keep her upright while Ada María and Ariel sat beside her. Delsin had been in the room, but he'd started hovering and it was too many people, so she 'kindly' asked her father to give her some space.
"Alright, Tamara, you're ready," Renesmee said.
"Sweet Christ, please make it stop," Tamara cried and whimpered.
"I'm going to count down for you and when I reach one, I need you to push okay?" Tamara nodded and Renesmee counted down. Once she got to 1, Tamara pushed. "I see the baby's head, Tamara. Just one more push," Renesmee encouraged and counted down again. Tamara pushed again according to Renesmee's instructions and she didn't stop until the baby was finally out and born and she heard the baby cry. When Tamara noticed the blissful sigh of relief Ada María released, she knew. "It's a girl."
Tamara smiled, "It's a girl?"
"Ivory Dahlia," Renesmee smiled back and started cleaning her up before wrapping her up in a blanket. "Ariel, do me a favor and run to your grandpa and tell him okay? Find out if Nathan is there too."
"Okay!" Ariel said and leaped from the bed to run off to the woods. Thankfully, Nathan was still a wolf, so when Jacob saw Ariel approaching, he was there to smile alongside Jacob. "Grandpa! Grandpa! I have a little sister!"
Oh thank God,Nathan said and almost laughed with relief. Ivory Dahlia.
It's a beautiful name,Jacob smiled.
"Is daddy there?" Ariel asked and Jacob nodded. "Hold on! Grandma said to tell her." Ariel ran off back to the house and came up the stairs barely able to contain his excitement. "Grandpa says daddy's there! I told him I have a baby sister!"
"Tamara," Renesmee asked. "Might I steal Ivory for a moment?"
"Sure, just one moment," Tamara said, adjusting herself so Ivory was no longer having her milk. She was rather crabby when taken away from her first meal, but she calmed once Renesmee had her comfortable.
"Ariel, do you want to come with me?"
"Yes!" Ariel answered eagerly and followed Renesmee outside. Delsin got to see the baby beforehand and was pleased to have a granddaughter. He wasn't even upset she wouldn't have his name. She would have her grandma's and that was enough. Ariel led Renesmee where Jacob was and once she saw Jacob, she moved the blanket aside enough so Ivory's face was in easy view.
She's beautiful,Nathan smiled proudly. She looked like Tamara and already had a tuft of black hair on her head. Her skin was tan like her mothers. Can you go closer? See if she'll open her eyes?
Jacob did as Nathan asked and moved his head closer to Ivory. She grumbled and squirmed but did eventually open her eyes. Jacob pressed his nose against Ivory's cheek and she rubbed the wetness from her cheek, squirming a little. She had Nathan's eyes, black and the same shape. Now that he could see her more, she had his nose too.
She looks so much like her mother, Nathan said.
She does,Jacob agreed. But you're right; she has your eyes. Jacob pressed his nose against Ivory's cheek again and she squirmed discontentedly.
"Jacob stop, she doesn't like that," Renesmee giggled.
How's Tamara doing? Nathan asked. Jacob made an effort to write the question in the dirt with his claw and when Renesmee could finally see the question, she answered.
"She's doing alright. She's exhausted. She's been in labor since yesterday, so she needs to rest. Do you mind if I bring Ivory back inside?" Nathan confirmed that was fine and Jacob relayed the message with a nod. "Okay. You and the others stay safe okay?" Jacob nodded again on Nathan's behalf. "I love you honey," Renesmee smiled and then looked at Ariel. "Tell your daddy good night, Ariel."
"Good night, daddy," Ariel said reluctantly and finally walked away with Renesmee to return to the house.
How does it feel to be a grandpa, dad?Nathan asked.
The same as it did the first five times,Jacob joked. You get back to the base before you get in trouble.
Alright, dad. Give Ivory a kiss for me.
Alright, Nathan,Jacob smiled and Nathan's thoughts left his mind. Jacob got dressed and returned inside. Ivory was already being passed around to everyone to see while Tamara relaxed upstairs.
"So is Nathan happy?" Renesmee asked when Jacob returned.
"Thrilled," Jacob said. "He's looking forward to that picture Alice promised him.
"She's already trying to pick an outfit for Ivory to wear in the picture," Renesmee giggled. "I told her to at least let it wait until Tamara's feeling better."
"Seems reasonable," Jacob said. Renesmee smiled and leaned against Jacob.
"You need a bath," Renesmee said.
"So do you," Jacob said and Renesmee gently punched Jacob's stomach. Jacob laughed and hugged Renesmee close, kissing her head. "I love you."
"I love you too," Renesmee smiled.
When Scarlet got her turn holding Ivory, she sat on the floor so Ariel could get a closer look at their little sister. Seeing Ariel so excited, Renesmee smiled brighter for it. It was a few days before they could do so, but once Tamara was finally back on her feet and feeling better, Alice got her, Ada María, Scarlet, Ariel and Ivory shoved into Renesmee's and Jacob's living room and positioned the group before the fireplace and made sure the grandfather clock was in view as well as the picture of Nathan in his uniform. Tamara sat down with Ivory in her arms, Scarlet to her right and Ada María to her left. Ada María wanted to ensure the bracelet Nathan had made her was in the shot. Ariel stood in front of Ada María wearing a cute little suit and as soon as that picture was taken and ready, Alice had it sent to Nathan with a new slew of letters.
Later that month as well, the German Army reached Stalingrad and continued their offensive, though the Soviet Union had started their own counter-offensive. It started to become abundantly clear that taking the Soviet Union would not be as easy as Adolf Hitler had hoped it would be. The British continued to push back on the Nazi armies in North Africa and, with American assistance, the British and American forces were able to essentially corner Rommel's army in Tunisia. More soldiers from the Nazi army were moved from Sicily to Tunisia to offer reinforcements. While Kyle was rarely, if ever, anywhere near the actual battlegrounds, he saw things he could never unsee. He had seen Renesmee's memories and Carlisle's memories of the Civil War as well as Kevin's and Embry's memories of the Great War. He'd thought, perhaps, he was already steeled to such things. But he wasn't. The first he'd arrived in North Africa as an assist with injured soldiers, his first patient was a man that had lost his right arm and left leg. It wasn't the injuries or the blood or the sight of bone that had turned his stomach. It was the man himself.
It was seeing that soldier cry for his mother and be fully justified in doing so. It was listening to the man plead and beg, swearing his arm and leg were still there. He swore he still felt them there. And all Kyle could do was stop the bleeding and save the man's life. That same man fell into a deep depression. Kyle found out from one of the other injured soldiers that man had been a very talented rugby player back home. Evidently the young man's father and grandfather had both been rugby players too. Obviously that career was over. It became worse when, two weeks later, that same soldier had managed to get a hold of a pistol and shot himself in the mouth. That shook Kyle more than anything.
When Operation Torch began in November, it got far worse. The number of doctors and nurses on hand were plenty, but it didn't change the injuries that occurred and the pain they brought. Kyle did everything in his power to treat the men that came under his care. Soldiers were beginning to gravitate towards him as he'd developed a reputation for leaving amputation as an absolute last resort. He became especially popular after, given the spread of those previous rumors, a soldier was brought in who's arm had been blown off. He'd managed to find his arm and insisted on carrying it back to the hospital with him and begged Kyle to reattach it. He'd never done such a thing before and didn't even know where to begin, but that look of desperation in that man's eyes moved him. He became determined, however, when the man's reasoning for that determination was as simple as him having a little boy at home and being heartbroken at the possibility he'd never be able to play catch or baseball with his son. Kyle wasn't even sure he could do it, but he promised he'd try.
Unfortunately, it was doomed for failure. The soldier had already lost too much blood by the time he'd gotten to Kyle and he needed to stop the bleeding or the man would be dead. He attempted to cut the muscle and attempted to reattach the blood vessels, but it was a procedure that would take several hours that Kyle and the other injured men simply didn't have. By the time Kyle had come to that realization, the man had passed out. He'd not felt this powerless since Tomoeh's illness. All he could do then was keep her comfortable until she died. This time, all Kyle could do was save a man's life, but saving a limb wasn't a guarantee. He demanded to be notified the moment the man woke, insisting he wanted to speak to him personally to offer an apology. While the soldier had been understanding and thanked Kyle for saving his life, there was still that sadness in his eyes that stayed with Kyle.
It had been months of this. Of Kyle seeing these men come and go, some dead, some alive, some half of what they used to be physically yet with minds weighing four times as they had before. Then, finally, in January of 1943, Tripoli had been captured from Nazi Germany by British forces. The Nazi army was suffering a very similar fate in Stalingrad. They'd proven to be resilient to say the least and willing to fight tooth and nail. A trait Hitler and disastrously underestimated and now he, and his army, were paying the price for it. Yet despite that, he ordered the Nazi army to fight to the death. A brazen and foolish mistake to say the least. That same month, the United States began their first bombing of Berlin without allied reinforcement. The tides of the war were turning brutally. Then, in February, the Nazi army surrendered at Stalingrad.
"Kyle's taking this really hard," Renesmee said to Jacob while the two were in bed together reading the letters they'd received. She rubbed her eyes, feeling them start to water. "There'd been a man that shot himself because he wouldn't be able to play rugby anymore and another man had begged Kyle to reattach his arm, but Kyle couldn't do it."
"Is reattaching a limb even possible?" Jacob asked.
"Not yet," Renesmee said. "I've no doubt a doctor could, but it would be a delicate and painstaking task. We're talking about having to reconnect nerves and bone and ensuring proper blood flow. I've no doubt Kyle could have done it if he had the time, but he didn't. There were too many and he needed to move on." Renesmee folded Kyle's letter and put it on her nightstand, feeling an ache in her heart. Jacob put down his letters and pulled Renesmee to him.
"He did the best he could, Renesmee," Jacob said. "I'm sure that soldier knew that."
"I'm sure," Renesmee said, "but even knowing doesn't make it hurt less. Take in from me."
"He just needs to keep doing what he can," Jacob said. "That goes for all of them. Kevin and Embry already knew going in what war can do to a man, but the others are coming in with no more than second hand knowledge. Kyle knew this would be hard, but I don't think he realized how hard."
Renesmee became teary eyed. "I just wish I could make it all better. I used to be able to do that."
"Renesmee, they're all grown men," Jacob said in a comforting tone near her ear. "The trials they'll face are things neither you or I can shield them from."
"I know," Renesmee said discontentedly. There was a silence between them and Renesmee sighed. "My boys are never going to be the same after this are they?"
"Probably not," Jacob answered honestly. "They'll have grown and become wiser with experience. When Kevin left the first time, he left a boy and came home a man. In more ways than one. It'll be the same for Nathan, Kyle and the others. Especially Peta." Renesmee wasn't satisfied with the answer, but she knew it was the only answer to give. She turned so that she was fully in Jacob's arms and he held her close, going down on the bed in each other's arms holding her close.
"I want this to be over," Renesmee finally said.
"I do to, Renesmee," Jacob said and kissed her head. "I do to. It'll be over soon I'm sure. We can't change what they'll see and experience when they're away, but we can be the beacon of light they return to. We need to be that for them."
Renesmee breathed in Jacob's scent and rubbed her face in his chest. "I know," was all she could manage.
"We need to be strong for them, Renesmee," Jacob said. "They'll need all they can get."
Jacob kissed Renesmee's head and held her close, wanting to try and help her calm down. About that time, Marcus was finally able to be released from the hospital in Hawaii and he as well as Aidetzi, their children, Ruth and Didi, returned to Washington. While Marcus had a pension, it was very little and wouldn't support a family. So Didi got herself a job working at a restaurant and Aidetzi did the same, wanting to make herself useful. Marcus was able to find a job as a mechanic and, thankfully, the shop owner was very sympathetic towards Marcus and was patient with him if he ever needed to step away and ride out a pain he was having. His skin had healed but it was paler in some spots. Even when warm, Marcus never wore long sleeves from being self-conscious about the discoloration. With them back in Washington, Caevia and Embry sr. made a point to visit them in Port Angeles as much as possible. They'd not seen their grandkids and they were eager to reconnect. In the meantime, Renesmee helped look after Ariel. Tamara and her father did have to return to Las Vegas early that year. That did sadly mean that Ivory was coming with them, but Tamara reassured she would return every summer with Ivory and, of course, she would be there when Nathan returned just as she'd promised she would be.
"They're good people," Delsin said when the train departed for Nevada. "Weird, but good."
"They are," Tamara said and looked down at Ivory. She was wide awake in her tiny travel worthy bassinette and wiggling as though she wanted out. Ariel had started referring to his little sister as a worm for how much she wiggled. "Will you want to come with when I return this summer?"
"I'll stay home this time," Delsin said. "But you enjoy yourself. Just make sure you return for the school year. I'm sure the children all desperately missed you."
"I don't know if it was desperately," Tamara blushed a little at the thought. "I hope I can bring Ivory with me."
"I'll make sure you can take her to school," Delsin said. "She needs constant care right now and I'm sure the children will love her."
Tamara smiled and hugged Delsin, "Thank you daddy." Delsin accepted the hug and patted his daughter's back, giving them a tender moment as brief as it was.
"I'm still kicking that little bastard's ass next I see him," Delsin said in regards to Nathan and Tamara couldn't help but laugh.
"You'll do no such thing, daddy," Tamara smiled.