Chapter 30: Unveiling Honored Love

Edward

I peered into the closet, a smile tugging at my lips. Bella's clothes hung alongside mine, a beautiful blend of our lives intertwined. The sight of her favorite sweaters, dresses, and her dress uniform nestled next to my shirts filled me with a sense of contentment I hadn't known before.

When I finally broached the subject of her moving in, I was nervous, but she was all for it. She told me her house didn't feel like a home, and the relief I felt was immeasurable. My grin widened as I recalled helping her pack up the house. We spent hours sorting through her things, laughing as she told me stories about the origins of various pictures and trinkets. The way she looked at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement and love, made every moment worth it.

Now, seeing her belongings here, in our shared space, made everything feel right. This was home.

Reaching into the closet, I grabbed a long sleeve golf shirt, the fabric soft and familiar in my hands. I drew it over my head, feeling the cool material slide down my arms. As I adjusted the collar, I glanced back at Bella's clothes, a sense of warmth spreading through me. This simple act of getting dressed felt different now, more meaningful, with her presence woven into the fabric of my daily life.

As I prepared to head to the base for the special event now open to the public, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The base typically only invited the town for two events—the demonstration in late August and the New Year's Eve celebration. This unexpected gathering piqued my curiosity, and Bella's tight-lipped response only deepened the enigma. Whenever I probed for details, she offered nothing but a noncommittal shrug, her secrecy an unusual departure from our usual open communication.

My phone vibrated on the dresser, its sudden buzz a stark contrast to the room's stillness. I half-expected it to be Bella, who had chosen to remain on base until after the event. Anticipation had me hoping for her message, so it came as a surprise when Sam's name flashed on the screen.

With a steadying breath to quell the flicker of panic, I opened the message. "Tonight would be the opportune time to wear the silver jaguar pin," it read.

A chuckle escaped me as I set my phone aside. Approaching the nightstand, I found the silver jaguar pin waiting there, as if anticipating its role in the evening's events. Attaching it to my collar with practiced ease, I reflected on the honorary title Bella's team had granted me during the scavenger hunt she orchestrated. It was a subtle nod to a fond memory—a detail that Bella, amidst all her secrets, would no doubt appreciate later.

Picking up my phone as I passed the dresser, I slipped it into my pocket. As I donned my coat by the front door, I made sure the pin was visible, not that I expected to see Bella until after the event.

~~ Black Cat ~~

I found myself being directed to the same hangar used for the previous demonstration. Memories from that day rushed to the forefront of my mind—not the events that unfolded afterward, but rather the thrill that the display had evoked.

As I made my way from the parking area, the weight of the town's gaze bore down on me, again. Their whispers, like daggers, each word a reminder of the innocence I fought to prove.

Turning to address a comment, I caught the wide-eyed stare of a gentleman whose gaze lingered on my collar. The recognition in his eyes was unmistakable, and it was clear that the silver jaguar pin had caught more than just his attention. It was a badge of honor among the few, yet here it served as a beacon of the protection I was afforded.

As I scanned the crowd, I saw others with furrowed brows and darting glances, their expressions a mix of nervousness and a guarded wariness that spoke volumes. This was an unexpected change. The pin, meant to be an honorary commendation, now seemed to broadcast my connection to the Black Cat squad for all to see. A symbol of distinction that I had worn with pride was now a mark that set me apart, in ways I hadn't anticipated.

Turning away with a barely concealed smile, I continued towards the hangar doors. Sam was there waiting for me, his gold jaguar pin glinting in the doorway's subdued light—a silent sentinel in the chaos.

"Thanks," I whispered, fingers grazing the cool metal of my pin. "The town's unease is palpable now."

He chuckled softly, a sound almost lost in the shuffle of movement around us. "As they should be," he murmured back, the conspiratorial gleam in his eyes hinting at secrets only a select few were privy to. "Bo asked me to give you this," he said, presenting a small, intricately designed pin.

It was a dragon, its wings spread wide in a silent roar, wrought in silver. I took it, the metal cool and heavy in my palm. "Put it on your other collar," Sam suggested with a nod.

I affixed the dragon pin opposite the jaguar, feeling the balance of the two symbols against my neck. "What's its meaning?" I asked, my fingers tracing the contours of the dragon's form.

"Delta Squad," he answered, his voice low and steady. "You're now an honorary member, much like with the Black Cat."

Bella

From my elevated perch above the floor and bleachers, I had a clear view of the entire hangar. I watched as Sam led Edward through the crowd, their path deliberate and unhurried. They were heading towards where my dad, Daniela, and his parents were seated, a small island of familiarity in the sea of faces.

A flash of silver caught my eye, sparking curiosity about what adorned Edward's collar. It was an unusual addition, one that seemed out of place in the casual setting. Unlike the last demonstration, where I had my cellphone to zoom in on details, this time I was unaided, left to wonder from a distance.

The absence of my phone felt like a missing limb, a sudden handicap in my quest to uncover the truth hidden in plain sight. I sighed, resigning myself to the fact that I would find out soon enough.

As the last stragglers settled into their seats, the hangar plunged into darkness, the sudden shift sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd. I slipped on my night vision goggles, the world before me transforming into varying shades of green and black. I took a steadying breath, the cool plastic against my skin grounding me in the moment. The soft hum of anticipation was palpable, every heart in the room beating in sync with the impending revelation.

The snap of two banners dropping simultaneously reverberated through the hangar. Spotlights burst to life, casting a dramatic glow on the emblems—a gold and silver jaguar for the Black Cats, and a dragon for Delta Squad. Both formidable creatures, symbols of strength and agility. Another banner unfurled, its snap cutting through the hushed silence. This one bore no allegiance to Star Command but displayed the Cullen family coat of arms, resplendent in the same noble colors.

I wished for the power to zoom in, to capture Edward's reaction and that of his parents. The night vision goggles allowed me to pierce the darkness, but not to discern the subtleties of their expressions. It was a moment of revelation, not just for the audience, but for me as well, as I grappled with the significance of the Cullen legacy now publicly intertwined with two of Star Command's elite squads.

With practiced ease, I pushed off from the platform, my gloved hands finding the rope that dangled from the rafters, connected to the last banner. The fabric of my gloves provided a secure grip as I slid down, a swift descent that drew a collective gasp from the onlookers below.

As my feet touched the floor, the echo of their surprise still hung in the air, a testament to the unexpected spectacle I had become. After I removed the goggles, I tossed them to Leah, who waited out of sight, her presence a silent support.

"Welcome to tonight's event," I addressed the gathered crowd with a confident tone. "I'm Admiral Isabella Swan, one of your MCs for the evening." I gestured to the left side of the hangar, where a spotlight anticipated the next dramatic entrance. Bo zipped down a line, executing a flawless flip before releasing the bar and propelling himself into view. "And this is Admiral Beaufort Frakes. Together, we'll be your guides through tonight's proceedings."

Bo picked up seamlessly, his voice carrying across the hangar. "We are respectively the heads of Black Cat and Delta Squad."

With our introductions behind us, the hangar was alive with a palpable sense of anticipation. Standing beside Bo, I felt the weight of every gaze, the air thick with expectation.

"Tonight, we celebrate the courage and the fortitude of those who stand with Star Command," I said, my voice steady and clear. "We pay tribute to those who, when called to action, don't hesitate but jump to do what's necessary." I took a few steps closer to the bleachers with Bo walking with me, as if it was planned.

He took over, his tone equally firm. "And we also pay tribute to one who, in the most unlikely of circumstances, stepped up without being asked. A civilian whose world was spinning out of control, did what needed to be done and what was asked."

My eyes searched the audience in front of me and found Edward. The pins on his collar caught the light, the dragon and jaguar standing out as emblems of his honored place among us. A swell of pride rose within me. I didn't know the full story behind those pins, but I was certain that the answers would come later. For now, they were a silent testament to his bravery—a bravery I was beginning to understand was as deep as the bond we shared.

As the applause began and the room filled with the sound of admiration, I noticed Edward's face among the crowd. There was a flicker of confusion, a subtle tilt of his head—the kind that comes when one hears their name in an unexpected place. It was clear from his expression that he had no idea he was the civilian we were honoring. The realization that he was the center of this tribute seemed to wash over him like a wave, leaving a trace of bewilderment in its wake.

The Cullen banner, bearing his family crest, should have given him a clue, and maybe it did. Perhaps his look of confusion was not about the recognition itself, but about the deeper question of why. Why him? Why now? The answers were there, woven into the fabric of the night, waiting to be unraveled.

From the ceiling rafters, Paul and Seth initiated their descent, expertly rappelling down to the bleachers. They landed with a soft thud on the steps marked 'Reserved' directly behind Edward. As they unhooked themselves, the audience's murmurs grew louder, a mix of anticipation and confusion filling the air.

Edward's eyes widened in surprise as he felt the presence of the two men taking their seats behind him. His initial confusion deepened, a frown momentarily creasing his brow as he turned to look back at them. The spots marked 'Reserved' had been a curious detail, but now, with Paul and Seth's silent arrival, the pieces began to fall into place.

He glanced around, taking in the faces of the crowd, their eyes flicking between him and the front where I stood. Then his gaze met mine, and I could see the spark of understanding light up his face. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a mix of curiosity and amusement dancing in his eyes. This was his moment, and the realization of it seemed to wash over him, leaving a trace of excitement in its wake. He was ready for it.

Bo picked up the announcement. "Tonight's civilian honoree, Edward Cullen," he said as Paul and Seth stood and hauled Edward to his feet. "When Admiral Swan's life was in danger, he made the call that saved precious time and got her the help she needed."

Edward's expression shifted from surprise to deep, heartfelt gratitude. He stood tall, his eyes glistening with emotion as he looked out at the audience. The room erupted in applause, and Edward took a moment to compose himself before speaking. "I'm truly honored," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I never expected to be rewarded for doing what I always do—protecting others. I didn't have the resources to help Admiral Swan in the way she needed. All I had was the number for the person who could help."

He paused, a playful glint in his eye. "I guess it's true what they say—sometimes, it's not what you know, but who you know." The audience chuckled, and Edward continued, his tone more serious. "I just wish I had been in town to protect Samantha in the same way the night she died."

As Edward spoke, I made my way to where Leah waited with my bow, pausing when I heard him speak of protecting Samantha. It touched me that he took the opportunity to clear the air with the town.

Edward continued, "I believe I have more than made up for it by protecting Admiral Swan. She and Samantha would have made great friends. Again," he turned to look at Bo and where I would have been, "thank you for this honor."

Bo placed a hand on Edward's shoulder as he made for the bleachers. "Not so fast, Edward," he said, and those gathered chuckled.

Sam stepped out into the lit area, carrying a small box. It contained a specially made medal. In some ways, it resembled the Purple Heart. It was heart-shaped and had a vestige of a rocket heading into the night sky. The ribbon was silver and gold. Along the edges was inscribed: "For rising to the call and protecting a life."

Bo lifted the medal out and pinned it on Edward's shirt—left side of the chest. I nocked an arrow as this happened, and the moment Bo stepped back and faced the crowd, I let it fly. It hit an unseen target, and confetti rained down, much like it had during the last demonstration. This time, it was gold and silver instead of colorful.

As Edward resumed his seat, the display moved forward with martial arts featuring both squads. It was fun watching as the teams interacted with the town, pulling up spectators to hold boards or participate in other ways. This time was a far cry from the weaponry display.

The night drew to a close, and as the town made their way out, I noticed the change in how they looked at Edward. Gone was the suspicious, hard stare, and it was replaced with a respectful look of appreciation. It was the medal Edward wore or the pins on his collar, but the words he spoke that made the change happen.

Many of the whispered conversations I overheard as I made my way to where Edward still sat with my workbag on my shoulder, were filled with–"I can't believe we were so wrong about him" sentiments. It made my heart swell to hear those words.

Edward might never find out tonight was my doing, though a squeal to my book that would be on shelves next month was already forming. Tonight's events intermixed in the storyline. Another romance? Maybe.

Dad, Daniela, and Edward's parents smile over at me as I joined them. I sat down, not really ready to go. I pulled two wrapped gifts out of my bag. Everyone knew I wrote a book but not that the first printing was underway. The first six books off the line were mine, not that I couldn't have had more. But why? Six was enough.

"I couldn't think of a better place to give you these," I said, handing the gifts to Esme and Daniela.

The cover of my book was revealed. Esme was the first to react which confused Edward. I had requested the editor to keep a small detail on the cover under wraps. Under the title, "Rescued by Love," and the accompanying image was the name… Isabella Marie Cullen.

Both Daniela and Esme refused to show him. I chuckled, pulling out three additional copies of the book, handing them to Edward, Dad, and Carlisle, I smiled.

Edward's laugh was music to my ears. "This was not on the cover I signed off on. But it doesn't surprise me."

He kissed my cheek as Esme asked, "So what's it about?"

It was clear she hadn't read the back cover. "It's our story," Edward answered, his voice filled with a touch of pride. "Beautifully captured and written. It graces shelves next month."