Chapter 27 – Think About Those Times We Had And We'll Have More When I Get Back

Rosalie's POV

I'm not sure what has broken me out of my deep sleep like trance, but judging from the empty spot on the bed it's not hard to guess.

After a few moments I can hear the voices coming from the kitchen through the open door. When I glance at the clock I frown when I see that it's a little after 3am.

As I make my way to the kitchen where my love and my brother's are I can't help but smile at the site that greets me.

Edward is at the sink finishing up the dishes while Emmett is animatedly retelling a story that has Jasper trying and failing to hold in his laughter while Amber is trying not to snort out milk through her nose.

I can't deny the pull any longer as I make my way into the room. Amber gives me a sheepish smile. I give her a soft kiss as I settle myself behind her with my arms draped around her neck and shoulders. I swear my heart skips a beat as my love leans back into me with a contented sigh.

I can't help but ask "What have you 4 been up to?" I bend down to Amber's ear and whisper "And what was so important that it pulled you out of my arms?"

My brother's wisely kept their mouths shut. Amber shamefacedly held up a toasted steak and egg sandwich.

I couldn't hold my glare as I rolled my eyes at my bottomless stomach of a mate.

"I couldn't sleep and apparently my pacing around the house got Emmett's attention. We decided since we both couldn't sleep that we would get our restless energy out by fighting a few rounds. Our sparring woke up Jazz, who is an amazing fighter by the way. Well anyway, the three of us fought for awhile until bed-head over there (pointing to Edward who merely turned around with a disgruntled look on his face) offered to feed us if we would knock off the racket. And here we are." Amber explains while giving me a big grin.

I can only shake my head at the absurd turn of events.

As Amber takes her last bite of food I say "Well since it's almost 4am I would like to get back to my cuddles." I demand as I all but drag my mate back into bed where we spend the rest of the night and well into early morning.

It's well past 9am when we finally emerge from the bubble that we cocooned ourselves into.

The call that we had all been dreading arrived shortly after. It made everything real as my love was told to be at the base's airfield in an hour.

Everything seems like a blur after that. It seemed like time fast forwarded as my brother's help bring Amber's bags out to the vehicles.

Not long after Amber changes into her uniform we find ourselves cuddled in the back of one of the cars as we all made our way to the airfield. I dreaded every mile that the Jeep took as it took us closer and closer to Amber being gone.

I broke a little more inside with every new family member that I watched say goodbye to Amber.

Thankfully Mike made it in time to give Amber one last hug as they shared a sad goodbye as well.

When it was my turn I couldn't help the tears falling from my eyes from the overbearing sorrow that I felt.

Amber gently brushed my tears away with the pads of her thumbs "Honey don't be scared 'cause I'll be fine and I'll see you later, this ain't goodbye. I'm gonna miss you, my beautiful Rose." She says with such loving conviction.

I pull my love into a bruising kiss as if I could literally pour all of my love into Amber.

With one final kiss Amber hoists her backpack onto her shoulders.

Mike confuses me and the rest of my family when he tells Amber "Double check for any identifying markers."

Amber quickly runs through a check of her person. That's when I notice that my love isn't wearing any of her normal necklaces. Which is odd considering that she will usually wear at least one necklace if not two.

Amber grips and cups her Grandfather's naval ring with her opposite hand as she takes a deep breath.

Amber and Mike exchange a look that I don't quite understand. Within seconds Amber is back in front of me. She grabs my hand with her left hand and gentle puts her ring into my palm and closes it. She cups my hand with both of hers.

"When it's a deployment like this it's a general rule that you remove any and all jewelry except a watch and your dog tags. I'd like you to hold onto this for me and keep it safe. Until I can make it back home to you." Amber softly explains.

"I have the perfect chain in mind that would go perfectly with that ring." Alice excitedly shouts as she claps her hands while bouncing on her feet.

We all smile at the typical Alice response.

"Perfect. That way I can keep it close to my heart." I lovingly say.

Amber's eyes are holding back her tears as she tries to stay strong for us.

My love leaves me with one final kiss as she turns and makes her way to the ramp of the plane. The tension and sadness that is coming off Amber in waves does little to detract from her almost over powering regal presence that she's executing.

Even with the weight of the world on her shoulders Amber is an impressive sight to be hold.

I remembered to keep my strength in check as I tightly held Amber's ring in my hand as I watched the plane fly up and away with my love inside, and I knew that I had to just be strong till she came back home to me.