Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 5
Jasper sat in Bella's kitchen and watched her move around fixing some dinner. She was prattling on about things she had been doing and her students and her friends. It caught his attention when she mentioned she had started writing to Company #106.
"Wait, Bella! What do you mean you have been writing to #106? How and when did this start?" Jasper wondered.
Bella blushed realizing that she had said too much. "Oh, well..." She sat down so she could explain properly. "I started a class project. I had Emmett help me get the name of a company I could have my students write to. I graded their original letters and mailed one of my own. Actually, I’ve been writing frequently to Edward Cullen. He said you had met. What's he like in person?"
Jasper was taken aback. Edward hadn't said a word to him about sharing letters with his sister. "He's a nice guy, but he's a soldier, Bella. He's in a very dangerous and unpredictable area. I don't want you to get too attached and then, God forbid, something happen to him. And what about Jake? How does he feel about you and Edward writing to each other?"
Bella stood to finish dinner. "It's none of his business. We broke up, Jazz."
Jasper was shocked at that turn of events. He always thought, like his parents, that Bella and Jacob would get married and have a family. "Why? What happened?"
"He wanted more than I was ready to give him, Jazz. I'm not ready for marriage and kids. He didn't like that and basically it was either marry him or he was gone. So, I broke up with him. It's no big deal." Bella plated their dinner and sat down, watching as her brother dug into his first home cooked meal in a while.
Before either of them could say anything else, Bella's front door opened and banged closed. "Bella, where the hell are you? I had a rough..." Alice bolted in and stopped upon seeing Bella with a guy. A very cute guy. She put on her best smile and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Alice. Bella's best friend and neighbor. You are?"
Bella giggled and Jasper smirked. "Nice to meet you, Alice. I'm Bella's roommate and brother, Jasper."
Before another word could be spoken Alice squealed and launched herself at Jasper. "Oh, thank you God. Bella has been so worried about you. Since I’m her friend, so have I."
Jasper was unsure of what to do, so he just patted Alice's back as she sat on his lap. Bella was laughing at the expression on his face. It took her a while to get used to Alice's exuberance, now it was Jasper's turn.
"Alice, would you like to join us for dinner? I made plenty." Bella asked although she was already getting her a plate.
Alice reluctantly removed herself from Jasper's lap and sat at one of the other chairs. Without looking away from him she replied, "Thanks, Bells."
Once the initial shock wore off, conversation flowed easily among the three of them. Alice complained about her day and asked Bella if she had received any more letters, to which Bella said she had and they talked about what to put in the goodie box she was going to send Edward. Complete with a picture and some black licorice.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett was on the phone with his mother and father making plans for Thanksgiving. His Mom and Dad were planning on driving down from Bakersfield on the Wednesday before and heading back on that Sunday.
"Listen, Mom, Rose is a terrible cook and we were invited over to a friend's house for dinner with all the trimmings. What do you think?" Emmett asked, looking over at Rose. She was nodding her head excitedly.
"Honey, I don't care. Who is the friend? Have I met him?" Esme asked. She would never have assumed that it was a woman since Emmett already has one.
"Her, Mom, and no you haven't met. Her name is Bella. She’s a teacher at the high school here. I met her at the recruiting office." Emmett smiled at Rose, who was putting on her costume. They had to go soon so they could scare the little kiddies at Bella's.
"Well, I look forward to meeting her, Sweetie. Tell her to set two more places. Your father and I can't wait."
"Great, Mom. Listen, I gotta go. I’m passing out candy at Bella's and I have to get into my costume. Love to you and Dad." Emmett stood and headed to his room.
"Have fun dear and don't scare the kids too badly. Love you!" Emmett hung up, grabbed his costume and he and Rose were out the door. They arrived at Bella's with plenty of time to spare. Bella had set a travel chair on her front porch for Emmett to sit in. He was going to be completely cloaked in black and have a bowl in his lap. The bottom of the bowl had a hole in it for his hand and he would be able to grab the kids once they reached in for a treat.
While he prepared, with Jasper's help, Bella and the girls were in the kitchen baking cookies for Edward. Bella had decided oatmeal raisin cookies would be best and Emmett had said he liked them. She was afraid the chocolate chips in the chocolate chip cookies would melt before he got them. She had received her pictures from the school and had put one in a frame for his box. She was planning on taking some candid shots tonight and having them developed to add to it before she mailed it. Tonight she was going to sit down and write her letter. All conversation in the kitchen stopped when Emmett yelled.
"Let the hi-jinks begin." Emmett sat in the chair that had been placed by the front door and Jasper made sure his hand was in before pouring candy over top. He then placed the fake hand to the side, sat back, and then waited for the first victim. Bella snapped a couple of photos before the first Trick-or-Treater got to her steps. The timer had gone off before and she didn't get to see, but she heard the high-pitched squeal and Emmett and Jasper laughing, as the poor kid ran back to his parents. She couldn't tell who was having more fun, the kids or the men.
Bella took a couple of cookies out to the guys, but before she could sit down her phone was ringing. She ran back into the house to answer it. "Hello?" She said breathlessly.
"Hey, Bells. How are you?" Jake's voice came over the line.
"I'm fine. Why are you calling me, Jacob?"
"Is it so wrong I wanted to hear your voice? I miss you."
Bella sighed and sank down on the couch. "I'm sorry, Jake."
"Don't you miss me? Even a little? We were together for two years, Bella. That had to mean something."
Bella covered her eyes with her hand. "It did mean something, Jake, until you gave me an ultimatum."
"What!? I never gave you an ultimatum. I told you what I wanted and you didn't. You were the one that broke things off."
"You asked me if I wanted a future with you. I told you no. You said you needed something more. Jake, how is that not an ultimatum? I did the only thing I felt I could do at the time. That was to end things completely."
"Well, I guess I remember things differently. Sorry I bothered you, Bella." Bella listened to the dead air after he had hung up. She let out an exasperated growl and stomped outside.
"Who was that, Belly-bean?" Jasper asked.
"That was Jake. He apparently misses me, but since I haven't changed my mind...ugh, never mind. Are we done yet? I think I'm going to turn in. Night everyone," Bella stood to go with murmured goodnights from everyone. Before she got to her room, she heard the agreement to go next-door to Alice's place. She booted up her laptop and sat down to write Edward.
Edward,
Well, we just finished passing out candy. Your brother, and mine, traumatized the poor kids. I'm sure some of them will need therapy.
I don't know why I'm writing this. I'm hardly in the right frame of mind. I just got into a fight with Jacob. He called to tell me he missed me. He asked if I missed him, too. I couldn't tell him that I did, because I don't think I do. I honestly haven't thought of him since I wrote you that first letter. Does that make me a callous bitch? I know you've never met me, so you can't really pass judgment.
See, I told you I shouldn't be writing this. Change of subject. How are you doing? I’ve enclosed a picture of me and some of us together so that way you can see who everyone is. I know you know who Em and Jazz are, but you haven' t met the females. Would it be too much to ask for you to send me a picture as well?
I get to meet your parents soon. Your brother invited them to Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Should I be nervous? Do they even know about us writing? What should I say to them? Am I driving you nuts yet? My house will be full with my parents and Jazz, Rose and Em, Alice and your parents. The only thing missing is you. (Should I have not thought that?)
Do you have access to the internet? You could email me if you do. My email is bswan at gmail. Just make sure that you remove the spaces. I'm sorry that this letter is so short. I am just annoyed and I don't want to dump on you anymore. You have enough to deal with.
I hope you enjoy the cookies. I baked them myself (You'll see the pictures.) Take care of yourself.
Your Friend,
Bella
~~LTaS~~
Just before she got out of school for Thanksgiving break, Bella handed out the study guides she’d worked on for the end of the semester finals that would take place before Christmas break. She also passed around the sealed envelopes containing her classes mid-term grades. With her class being an advanced English course, her students needed their parents' signatures.
Bella arrived home and changed from her school attire. It was too soon to have a letter from Edward, but it didn't stop her from checking anyway. She hollered for Jasper so that they could go and pick up the food for Thanksgiving dinner, but he didn't answer. She checked his room and he wasn't there. There was no note anywhere. She tried his phone, but it went straight to voicemail. She thought it was strange, but she wasn't too concerned. He would call her back eventually. She sent him a quick text and then left.
~~LTaS~~
Edward opened the box Bella sent him and smiled. He immediately went for the cookies and groaned when he tasted one. Oatmeal-raisin just became his new favorite. He laughed when he saw the three bags of licorice. He pulled out the envelope that contained her letter and sat down to read, while munching on cookies. He grew concerned when he read how upset she was about Jake. He laughed at how his parents invited themselves for dinner. He smiled at her email address and thought maybe they would stop writing and turn to emails. He wondered if he could call her.
Before he could open the envelope marked pictures, he was called to the Captain's office.
Edward saluted when he entered. Captain Demetri Volturi expected the proper respect and Edward always delivered. "At ease." He knew he could sit when given that command.
"Edward, I am sending your team out on maneuvers tonight. Now, I know you hate night missions, but this is important." Demetri eyed his right-hand man.
"Yes, Sir." Edward listened as he outlined the aspects of the mission and what was to be the outcome. Once he was dismissed, he walked to Newton's tent.
"Newton! We have orders, we roll out at 2100." Edward walked back to his tent and got his gear situated. He had half an hour before he was to leave and used that time to find the pictures. He opened the envelope and laughed at the images which greeted him. There was Emmett on the porch with Jasper. Emmett scaring a kid and Jasper laughing. A blonde girl was with them and he could only assume it was Rosalie. When he finally got to the pictures of Bella, his heart stuttered. She was breathtaking, even covered in flour. He flipped through the rest of the pictures and found the framed one of Bella in the bottom of the box. He smiled and placed it in his trunk, locking the others with it to protect his possessions and protect her. He didn't want her ogled by the men in camp. She was for his eyes only.
~~LTaS~~
Thanksgiving dinner was a trip. Emmett, Carlisle, Jasper and Charlie sat in the living room watching football while the woman gathered in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner.
"So, Bella, Emmett tells me that you're a teacher. What do you teach?" Esme asked.
"I teach advanced English." Bella responded as she basted the turkey for the last time.
"Then how did you and Emmett meet?"
Bella turned to face Esme. Emmett had told her Edward had said it would be fine to tell his Mom everything. He knew she would be nervous and that his letter wouldn't get there in time so he had spoken with him earlier.
"I assigned a class project and needed Emmett's help. I wanted to write a letter to our servicemen and women, and he set me up with the address of a company in Afghanistan. I mailed what the kids wrote to them, after I graded them of course. In fact I’m still writing to the one who received my letter."
Esme smiled. "Aww...that is so sweet and considerate. Does this guy have a name?"
Bella looked over to Rose and Alice for support. They both nodded their heads in encouragement. "He does. His name is First Sergeant Edward Cullen." Bella waited for the ball to drop.
Esme looked at Bella, shock written on her face and sank into a chair. "You’re the girl who is writing to my Edward? He talks about you when he calls me, I had no idea."
Bella was stunned to see tears fall from Esme's eyes. She immediately grabbed the tissues she always keeps handy. "Please don't cry."
Carlisle took that time to come check out the women. When he saw his wife crying, he rushed to her side. "Darling, what's the matter? Are you hurt?"
"Carlisle, this is Bella." Esme stuttered.
"I know that. We met when we arrived." Carlisle was concerned.
"No, Carlisle. This is Bella, Edward's Bella." Understanding dawned Carlisle's face and he turned and smiled at Bella.
"So you are the girl who is making our son happy." Everyone smiled as Bella blushed. Edward was in big trouble.
Jasper sat in Bella's kitchen and watched her move around fixing some dinner. She was prattling on about things she had been doing and her students and her friends. It caught his attention when she mentioned she had started writing to Company #106.
"Wait, Bella! What do you mean you have been writing to #106? How and when did this start?" Jasper wondered.
Bella blushed realizing that she had said too much. "Oh, well..." She sat down so she could explain properly. "I started a class project. I had Emmett help me get the name of a company I could have my students write to. I graded their original letters and mailed one of my own. Actually, I’ve been writing frequently to Edward Cullen. He said you had met. What's he like in person?"
Jasper was taken aback. Edward hadn't said a word to him about sharing letters with his sister. "He's a nice guy, but he's a soldier, Bella. He's in a very dangerous and unpredictable area. I don't want you to get too attached and then, God forbid, something happen to him. And what about Jake? How does he feel about you and Edward writing to each other?"
Bella stood to finish dinner. "It's none of his business. We broke up, Jazz."
Jasper was shocked at that turn of events. He always thought, like his parents, that Bella and Jacob would get married and have a family. "Why? What happened?"
"He wanted more than I was ready to give him, Jazz. I'm not ready for marriage and kids. He didn't like that and basically it was either marry him or he was gone. So, I broke up with him. It's no big deal." Bella plated their dinner and sat down, watching as her brother dug into his first home cooked meal in a while.
Before either of them could say anything else, Bella's front door opened and banged closed. "Bella, where the hell are you? I had a rough..." Alice bolted in and stopped upon seeing Bella with a guy. A very cute guy. She put on her best smile and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Alice. Bella's best friend and neighbor. You are?"
Bella giggled and Jasper smirked. "Nice to meet you, Alice. I'm Bella's roommate and brother, Jasper."
Before another word could be spoken Alice squealed and launched herself at Jasper. "Oh, thank you God. Bella has been so worried about you. Since I’m her friend, so have I."
Jasper was unsure of what to do, so he just patted Alice's back as she sat on his lap. Bella was laughing at the expression on his face. It took her a while to get used to Alice's exuberance, now it was Jasper's turn.
"Alice, would you like to join us for dinner? I made plenty." Bella asked although she was already getting her a plate.
Alice reluctantly removed herself from Jasper's lap and sat at one of the other chairs. Without looking away from him she replied, "Thanks, Bells."
Once the initial shock wore off, conversation flowed easily among the three of them. Alice complained about her day and asked Bella if she had received any more letters, to which Bella said she had and they talked about what to put in the goodie box she was going to send Edward. Complete with a picture and some black licorice.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett was on the phone with his mother and father making plans for Thanksgiving. His Mom and Dad were planning on driving down from Bakersfield on the Wednesday before and heading back on that Sunday.
"Listen, Mom, Rose is a terrible cook and we were invited over to a friend's house for dinner with all the trimmings. What do you think?" Emmett asked, looking over at Rose. She was nodding her head excitedly.
"Honey, I don't care. Who is the friend? Have I met him?" Esme asked. She would never have assumed that it was a woman since Emmett already has one.
"Her, Mom, and no you haven't met. Her name is Bella. She’s a teacher at the high school here. I met her at the recruiting office." Emmett smiled at Rose, who was putting on her costume. They had to go soon so they could scare the little kiddies at Bella's.
"Well, I look forward to meeting her, Sweetie. Tell her to set two more places. Your father and I can't wait."
"Great, Mom. Listen, I gotta go. I’m passing out candy at Bella's and I have to get into my costume. Love to you and Dad." Emmett stood and headed to his room.
"Have fun dear and don't scare the kids too badly. Love you!" Emmett hung up, grabbed his costume and he and Rose were out the door. They arrived at Bella's with plenty of time to spare. Bella had set a travel chair on her front porch for Emmett to sit in. He was going to be completely cloaked in black and have a bowl in his lap. The bottom of the bowl had a hole in it for his hand and he would be able to grab the kids once they reached in for a treat.
While he prepared, with Jasper's help, Bella and the girls were in the kitchen baking cookies for Edward. Bella had decided oatmeal raisin cookies would be best and Emmett had said he liked them. She was afraid the chocolate chips in the chocolate chip cookies would melt before he got them. She had received her pictures from the school and had put one in a frame for his box. She was planning on taking some candid shots tonight and having them developed to add to it before she mailed it. Tonight she was going to sit down and write her letter. All conversation in the kitchen stopped when Emmett yelled.
"Let the hi-jinks begin." Emmett sat in the chair that had been placed by the front door and Jasper made sure his hand was in before pouring candy over top. He then placed the fake hand to the side, sat back, and then waited for the first victim. Bella snapped a couple of photos before the first Trick-or-Treater got to her steps. The timer had gone off before and she didn't get to see, but she heard the high-pitched squeal and Emmett and Jasper laughing, as the poor kid ran back to his parents. She couldn't tell who was having more fun, the kids or the men.
Bella took a couple of cookies out to the guys, but before she could sit down her phone was ringing. She ran back into the house to answer it. "Hello?" She said breathlessly.
"Hey, Bells. How are you?" Jake's voice came over the line.
"I'm fine. Why are you calling me, Jacob?"
"Is it so wrong I wanted to hear your voice? I miss you."
Bella sighed and sank down on the couch. "I'm sorry, Jake."
"Don't you miss me? Even a little? We were together for two years, Bella. That had to mean something."
Bella covered her eyes with her hand. "It did mean something, Jake, until you gave me an ultimatum."
"What!? I never gave you an ultimatum. I told you what I wanted and you didn't. You were the one that broke things off."
"You asked me if I wanted a future with you. I told you no. You said you needed something more. Jake, how is that not an ultimatum? I did the only thing I felt I could do at the time. That was to end things completely."
"Well, I guess I remember things differently. Sorry I bothered you, Bella." Bella listened to the dead air after he had hung up. She let out an exasperated growl and stomped outside.
"Who was that, Belly-bean?" Jasper asked.
"That was Jake. He apparently misses me, but since I haven't changed my mind...ugh, never mind. Are we done yet? I think I'm going to turn in. Night everyone," Bella stood to go with murmured goodnights from everyone. Before she got to her room, she heard the agreement to go next-door to Alice's place. She booted up her laptop and sat down to write Edward.
Edward,
Well, we just finished passing out candy. Your brother, and mine, traumatized the poor kids. I'm sure some of them will need therapy.
I don't know why I'm writing this. I'm hardly in the right frame of mind. I just got into a fight with Jacob. He called to tell me he missed me. He asked if I missed him, too. I couldn't tell him that I did, because I don't think I do. I honestly haven't thought of him since I wrote you that first letter. Does that make me a callous bitch? I know you've never met me, so you can't really pass judgment.
See, I told you I shouldn't be writing this. Change of subject. How are you doing? I’ve enclosed a picture of me and some of us together so that way you can see who everyone is. I know you know who Em and Jazz are, but you haven' t met the females. Would it be too much to ask for you to send me a picture as well?
I get to meet your parents soon. Your brother invited them to Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Should I be nervous? Do they even know about us writing? What should I say to them? Am I driving you nuts yet? My house will be full with my parents and Jazz, Rose and Em, Alice and your parents. The only thing missing is you. (Should I have not thought that?)
Do you have access to the internet? You could email me if you do. My email is bswan at gmail. Just make sure that you remove the spaces. I'm sorry that this letter is so short. I am just annoyed and I don't want to dump on you anymore. You have enough to deal with.
I hope you enjoy the cookies. I baked them myself (You'll see the pictures.) Take care of yourself.
Your Friend,
Bella
~~LTaS~~
Just before she got out of school for Thanksgiving break, Bella handed out the study guides she’d worked on for the end of the semester finals that would take place before Christmas break. She also passed around the sealed envelopes containing her classes mid-term grades. With her class being an advanced English course, her students needed their parents' signatures.
Bella arrived home and changed from her school attire. It was too soon to have a letter from Edward, but it didn't stop her from checking anyway. She hollered for Jasper so that they could go and pick up the food for Thanksgiving dinner, but he didn't answer. She checked his room and he wasn't there. There was no note anywhere. She tried his phone, but it went straight to voicemail. She thought it was strange, but she wasn't too concerned. He would call her back eventually. She sent him a quick text and then left.
~~LTaS~~
Edward opened the box Bella sent him and smiled. He immediately went for the cookies and groaned when he tasted one. Oatmeal-raisin just became his new favorite. He laughed when he saw the three bags of licorice. He pulled out the envelope that contained her letter and sat down to read, while munching on cookies. He grew concerned when he read how upset she was about Jake. He laughed at how his parents invited themselves for dinner. He smiled at her email address and thought maybe they would stop writing and turn to emails. He wondered if he could call her.
Before he could open the envelope marked pictures, he was called to the Captain's office.
Edward saluted when he entered. Captain Demetri Volturi expected the proper respect and Edward always delivered. "At ease." He knew he could sit when given that command.
"Edward, I am sending your team out on maneuvers tonight. Now, I know you hate night missions, but this is important." Demetri eyed his right-hand man.
"Yes, Sir." Edward listened as he outlined the aspects of the mission and what was to be the outcome. Once he was dismissed, he walked to Newton's tent.
"Newton! We have orders, we roll out at 2100." Edward walked back to his tent and got his gear situated. He had half an hour before he was to leave and used that time to find the pictures. He opened the envelope and laughed at the images which greeted him. There was Emmett on the porch with Jasper. Emmett scaring a kid and Jasper laughing. A blonde girl was with them and he could only assume it was Rosalie. When he finally got to the pictures of Bella, his heart stuttered. She was breathtaking, even covered in flour. He flipped through the rest of the pictures and found the framed one of Bella in the bottom of the box. He smiled and placed it in his trunk, locking the others with it to protect his possessions and protect her. He didn't want her ogled by the men in camp. She was for his eyes only.
~~LTaS~~
Thanksgiving dinner was a trip. Emmett, Carlisle, Jasper and Charlie sat in the living room watching football while the woman gathered in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner.
"So, Bella, Emmett tells me that you're a teacher. What do you teach?" Esme asked.
"I teach advanced English." Bella responded as she basted the turkey for the last time.
"Then how did you and Emmett meet?"
Bella turned to face Esme. Emmett had told her Edward had said it would be fine to tell his Mom everything. He knew she would be nervous and that his letter wouldn't get there in time so he had spoken with him earlier.
"I assigned a class project and needed Emmett's help. I wanted to write a letter to our servicemen and women, and he set me up with the address of a company in Afghanistan. I mailed what the kids wrote to them, after I graded them of course. In fact I’m still writing to the one who received my letter."
Esme smiled. "Aww...that is so sweet and considerate. Does this guy have a name?"
Bella looked over to Rose and Alice for support. They both nodded their heads in encouragement. "He does. His name is First Sergeant Edward Cullen." Bella waited for the ball to drop.
Esme looked at Bella, shock written on her face and sank into a chair. "You’re the girl who is writing to my Edward? He talks about you when he calls me, I had no idea."
Bella was stunned to see tears fall from Esme's eyes. She immediately grabbed the tissues she always keeps handy. "Please don't cry."
Carlisle took that time to come check out the women. When he saw his wife crying, he rushed to her side. "Darling, what's the matter? Are you hurt?"
"Carlisle, this is Bella." Esme stuttered.
"I know that. We met when we arrived." Carlisle was concerned.
"No, Carlisle. This is Bella, Edward's Bella." Understanding dawned Carlisle's face and he turned and smiled at Bella.
"So you are the girl who is making our son happy." Everyone smiled as Bella blushed. Edward was in big trouble.