A:N: Thank you for your continued support with follows and reviews. It really means a lot and keeps me going! :) Edit: Just re-uploaded the chapter as ' B. Swan ' wasn't showing on the website for me, but on the app it was. Sorry about! hoping it shows now.
During one of their scheduled video calls, Bella appeared on Edward's screen with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement. Edward could see that she was holding something in her hands, but the image was a bit blurry as the connection adjusted.
"Hi, Bella," Edward greeted, his own smile broadening at the sight of her. "You look happy today. What's going on?"
"Hi, Edward! I've got something special to show you," she replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "My students have been working on some drawings, and I thought you might like to see them."
Edward's curiosity piqued. "Drawings? What kind of drawings?"
Bella held up the first one to the camera, carefully angling it so he could see. The drawing depicted a large navy ship on the ocean, with a bright sun shining overhead. The details were simple but earnest, clearly the work of a young child. In the corner of the page, a small figure in a navy uniform was saluting, with an American flag waving beside him.
"This one is from Tommy," Bella explained. "He's really fascinated by the navy and wanted to draw a ship like the ones you might be on."
Edward leaned closer to his screen, taking in the drawing with a soft smile. "That's amazing, Bella. It's really thoughtful of him."
"There's more," Bella said, holding up another drawing. This one showed a group of soldiers in navy uniforms standing on the deck of a ship, their expressions serious but proud. The sea stretched out behind them, and in the sky above, a plane flew overhead. The child had written "Thank You" in large letters at the top.
"This one is from Sarah," Bella continued. "She wanted to draw a picture of you and your friends. She said it's her way of saying thank you for keeping us safe."
Edward felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at the drawing. The simple, heartfelt gesture from Bella's students touched him deeply. "These are incredible, Bella. Please tell them how much it means to me—and to all of us."
"I will," Bella replied, her smile softening. "They were so excited to make these for you. They've been asking a lot of questions about what you do, and I think it's helped them understand just how important your job is."
Edward nodded, feeling a swell of pride for both Bella and her students. "They're amazing kids, Bella. I can't wait to see more of their drawings."
Bella beamed at his words. "I'm planning to send them in with the care package. Sorry I haven't sent it yet, I thought it might be nice for you to have something from the kids to share with your crew."
Edward's heart warmed at the thought. "That would be great. I know everyone here will appreciate it."
They spent the rest of the call talking about the drawings, with Bella showing a few more that the students had made. Each one was unique, filled with the creativity and sincerity of young minds trying to express their gratitude. Edward found himself laughing at some of the more whimsical details—a ship with rainbow-coloured sails, a soldier with a superhero cape—appreciating the innocence and optimism behind them.
Before the call ended, Edward took a moment to thank Bella again. "I really appreciate you sharing these with me, Bella. It makes me feel connected to home, even when I'm so far away."
Bella's expression softened, her eyes filled with affection. "I'm glad, Edward. I want you to know that you're never far from our thoughts, no matter where you are."
As they said their goodbyes, Edward felt a renewed sense of determination and connection. The drawings from Bella's students were more than just pictures—they were reminders of the support and love that waited for him back home. And with Bella by his side, even from a distance, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Over the next few days, Bella carefully gathered the drawings her students had created, along with a heartfelt note she had written herself. She placed them into an envelope to include in the care package she was preparing for Edward. The package was filled with the usual essentials—shampoo, soap, and snacks—as well as a few special items Edward had requested for his fellow officers, including the hair ties and lotion for the female officers.
As she sealed the envelope with the drawings, Bella added a personal touch: a small photo of herself with the students, all of them holding up their artwork with proud smiles. She knew that Edward's crew would appreciate seeing the faces behind the drawings and that it would bring a little piece of home to him and his comrades.
With the package finally ready, Bella headed to the post office, her heart light with anticipation. She knew it would take some time to reach Edward, but she couldn't wait for him to receive it. The thought of him opening the package, seeing the children's drawings, and knowing how much he was appreciated by those back home, filled her with warmth.
A couple of weeks later, Edward was back at the base after a long day. The mail had arrived, and there was a palpable excitement among the crew as they gathered to see if anything had come for them. When Edward spotted a familiar package with Bella's handwriting, his heart skipped a beat. He quickly grabbed it and made his way to his bunk, eager to see what Bella had sent this time.
He opened the box carefully, smiling as he pulled out the familiar items. Each piece felt like a small piece of Bella, a connection to her that he could physically hold onto. As he reached the envelope with the drawings, he paused, recognizing the weight of what was inside.
With a deep breath, Edward opened the envelope and began pulling out the drawings one by one. Each one brought a smile to his face—Tommy's navy ship, Sarah's soldiers, the rainbow sails, and superhero capes. They were all so full of life, so full of hope, and Edward felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
The last item in the envelope was the photo. When he saw Bella standing with her students, all of them grinning proudly with their drawings in hand, Edward couldn't help but chuckle softly. He could see how much the kids adored her, and it made him miss her even more.
As he held the photo, one of his fellow officers called Jasper walked by and noticed the drawings. "Hey, what's that?" he asked, leaning in for a closer look.
"Some drawings from Bella's students," Edward replied with a smile. "They wanted to show their support."
Jasper's face lit up. "That's awesome! Mind if I share these with the others?"
"Not at all," Edward said, passing over the drawings. "I think everyone could use a little reminder of what we're fighting for."
Soon, the drawings were being passed around the crew, each soldier taking a moment to appreciate the kids' artwork. Laughter and light-hearted conversation filled the room as the soldiers admired the creativity and enthusiasm in each piece. It was a small thing, but it had a big impact, lifting everyone's spirits and reinforcing their sense of purpose.
Later that night, Edward found a quiet moment to sit down and write Bella an email.
"Subject: Thank You
Hi Bella,
I just got your package today, and I can't tell you how much it meant to me—and to everyone here. The drawings from your students were a huge hit. You should have seen the smiles on everyone's faces as they passed them around. It was like a little piece of home had arrived, and it really lifted everyone's spirits.
Thank you so much for putting it all together. And the photo… that was the best part. Seeing you with those kids, knowing how much they look up to you, makes me even prouder to know you.
I wish I could have been there to see their faces when they were drawing these. You really are making a difference, Bella. Not just for those kids, but for me and my whole crew. It's moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.
I miss you, and I'm counting the days until we can be together again. Until then, keep those emails coming—they're the best part of my day.
Love, Edward x"
As Edward hit send, he felt a sense of calm settle over him. Even though he was far from home, Bella's love and the support of her students made him feel connected, grounded, and ready to face whatever lay ahead. The distance between them was challenging, but it was also a testament to the strength of their relationship. And with each letter, email, and package, that bond between them only grew stronger.
Bella's care packages quickly became a highlight for Edward's crew. Each time one arrived, it was like a little piece of home was delivered straight to them, bringing comfort and joy in a place where those things were often in short supply. The snacks, personal items, and especially the drawings from Bella's students were all appreciated by the crew, who looked forward to seeing what she had included each time.
As Bella's reputation among Edward's fellow crew members grew, they began to express their gratitude directly. During Edward's scheduled video calls, it wasn't uncommon for someone to pop into the frame, offering a quick "thank you" or a friendly wave. Bella, initially shy about the sudden attention, would smile brightly and wave back, thrilled to know that her small gestures were making such a difference.
One evening, during one of their video calls, Edward had just started talking to Bella when one of his crewmates walked by. "Is that Bella?" the man asked, leaning over Edward's shoulder to get a better look.
Edward chuckled. "Yeah, it is. Want to say hi?"
The crewmate grinned and moved closer to the screen. "Hey, Bella! I just wanted to say thanks for the care packages. Those snacks are a lifesaver, and the drawings really brighten up our quarters."
Bella blushed, a warm feeling spreading through her as she waved at the screen. "Thank you! I'm so glad you like them. I'll make sure to send more in a future package."
The crewmate gave a thumbs-up. "You're the best, Bella! We appreciate you more than you know. Take care of our guy here, okay?" He nudged Edward playfully before stepping out of the frame.
Edward shook his head, laughing softly. "You're a big hit around here, Bella. They all love you."
Bella's smile widened. "I'm just happy to help in any way I can. You all do so much for us; it's the least I can do."
Their calls continued in this way, with more and more of Edward's crewmates taking the opportunity to briefly say hello to Bella. Sometimes they would share a quick story about how something she had sent had made a difference in their day, or they would make a special request for the next care package. Bella started to feel like she was part of their extended family, connected to their lives in a way that was both unexpected and deeply fulfilling.
As Bella's connection to the crew grew, so did her bond with Edward. These brief interactions with his crewmates allowed her to see more of his world, the people he worked with, and the environment he was in. It helped her to understand the challenges he faced and the camaraderie that kept them all going.
One day, during another video call, Edward smiled as a group of his crewmates gathered around him, all trying to fit into the camera's view. Bella laughed as she saw their eager faces.
"Hey, Bella!" one of them called out. It was Jasper. "We just wanted to say thanks for everything you do. You're like our honorary crew member now!"
Bella's heart swelled with emotion as she waved back at the group. "Thank you all so much! I'm honoured to be part of your crew in any way I can."
Edward looked at her with a mixture of pride and affection. "They're not wrong, you know. You really are part of the team. We couldn't do this without the support of people like you."
Bella's voice was soft as she responded, "I'm just glad to be here for you all. Knowing I can make even a small difference means the world to me."
As the call wrapped up and the crew dispersed, Edward stayed on the line a little longer, just to have a few more minutes with Bella.
"You really are amazing, you know that?" he said, his voice filled with admiration.
Bella blushed, but her eyes sparkled with happiness. "I think you're the amazing one, Edward. But thank you."
They both knew that the road ahead would be challenging, with long separations and the ever-present danger that came with Edward's job. But knowing that they had this connection, that Bella was not just supporting Edward but his entire crew, gave them both strength. It was a reminder that they were never truly alone, no matter how far apart they were.
As the weeks turned into months and closer to the end of the year, Bella and Edward's connection only deepened. The care packages continued to arrive, filled with everything from practical items to little comforts from home, and each one seemed to bring Edward and his crew closer to Bella. The crew began to think of her as their good luck charm, and whenever a package from her arrived, morale soared.
One evening, during a particularly lively video call, Edward was sitting in his usual spot, with a few of his crewmates hovering in the background, eager to say hello to Bella. They had just returned from a difficult mission, and the crew was exhausted, but their spirits were lifted by the sight of her smiling face on the screen.
"Hey, Bella!" one of the crewmates shouted, leaning over Edward's shoulder to get closer to the camera. "We just got back, and guess what? Your package was waiting for us!"
The rest of the group cheered, and Bella couldn't help but laugh at their enthusiasm. "I'm so glad it arrived safely! Did you like everything I sent?"
"Are you kidding?" another crewmate chimed in. "It was perfect. Those snacks were a lifesaver, and the letters from your students… man, those really hit home. We've got them pinned up in the mess hall now."
Bella's eyes welled up with emotion as she imagined the drawings hanging up where the crew could see them every day. "I'm so happy you liked them. The kids were so excited to make them for you all."
One of the crewmates, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a friendly grin, took a seat next to Edward. "Bella, we've got a little surprise for you, too," he said, his tone teasing.
Edward glanced at his friend, clearly in on the surprise but pretending to be oblivious. "Oh? What kind of surprise?" Bella asked, curiosity piqued.
The crewmate winked at the camera before reaching off-screen. When he returned, he was holding a small, navy-blue ball cap with the insignia of Edward's ship embroidered on the front. But also her name 'B . Swan' delicately stitched on the front. "We thought it was about time you became an official member of the crew," he said, holding the cap up for her to see.
Bella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise. "Oh my gosh! That's so sweet of you all!"
Edward chuckled, taking the cap from his crewmate and holding it up to the screen. "What do you think? It's official now—you're one of us."
Bella's eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she smiled. "I'm honoured. I really don't know what to say."
"Just keep being you," the tall crewmate said with a wink. "You've got our backs, and we've got yours."
The crew all took turns waving and saying their goodbyes, leaving Bella and Edward alone on the call. Edward held up the cap again, his expression softer now, full of affection. "I'll make sure this gets to you in my package," he promised.
"I can't wait to wear it," Bella replied, her heart swelling with love for the man on the other side of the screen. "It means so much to me, Edward, to be a part of your life and the crew's life. It makes the distance a little easier to bear."
Edward nodded, his gaze tender as he looked at her. "It does. Knowing you're there, thinking of us, makes everything we do out here a little more bearable"
Bella reached out, touching the screen as if she could somehow bridge the gap between them. "I miss you so much, Edward. But I'm so proud of you, of everything you're doing."
"I miss you too, Bella. More than you know. But we're getting through this, one day at a time. And when I get back, the first thing I'm going to do is come straight to you."
"I'll be waiting," Bella whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Several weeks later, the package from Edward contained the navy cap, along with a few small mementos from his ship and a handwritten letter from the crew, thanking her for all she had done for them. Each of them had signed it, adding little notes of appreciation and inside jokes that had developed over their time together.
When Bella opened the package, she sat down at her kitchen table, turning the cap over in her hands, her heart filled with love and gratitude. She put it on, adjusting it to fit snugly on her head, and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She felt closer to Edward and his crew than ever before, knowing that she was a part of something much bigger than herself.
From then on, every video call featured Bella proudly putting on her navy cap, much to the delight of Edward and his crewmates. It became a symbol of their bond, a reminder that no matter how far apart they were, they were all in this together. And as the days and weeks passed, Bella and Edward held on to the hope that soon they would be reunited, with memories of their time apart only making their reunion that much sweeter.