Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 6
Bella returned to school the Monday following Thanksgiving. She hadn't received a letter from Edward yet, but figured it was due to the holiday. Once her students were seated, she passed out the test papers to get them started on their final exams.
"You are all on the honor system, so no discussing this test to any of your friends," she informed the class. Once the test papers had gone around, Bella sat down and watched as they answered the questions in silence.
She was exhausted. Sunday night at dinner, Alice and Jasper had informed her that he was moving in with her. She thought it was kind of sudden and she really wasn't ready for her brother to leave yet, she had just gotten him back. The only upside to the arrangement was that Renee and Phil wouldn't have to stay in a hotel at Christmas. She had already called her mom and told her. To say Renee was excited would be an understatement. So with everything arranged for the upcoming holiday, Bella was going to go out with Rosalie and get a tree after she got off work.
Before she knew it class was over and the bell was ringing. Her day continued much the same as her daze continued. When the final bell of the day rang, Bella rushed out to her car and took off for home. She grabbed the mail and went inside slipping off her shoes as she flipped through the usual bills. She was disappointed not to find a letter from Edward. With the fatigue setting in she went into her room with the intention of laying down for a few minutes.
Bella woke up and it was dark outside. She bolted upright and quickly flipped on the lights. The clock beside her bed read eight fifteen. Crap. She was supposed to have met Rose an hour ago. She quickly got up and went into her living room to call her, but stopped short. There in the corner of her living room was a beautiful green spruce. Attached to it was a note.
Bella,
This is a gift. No arguing. Call me and I will tell you who it's from. Get some rest, you looked exhausted. Have a good night.
Love, Emmett
Bella grabbed her phone and dialed Emmett's number. He answered after the second ring. "Belly-button! Did you have a good nap?"
"I did, thanks. So, who is the tree from?"
"Well, I got a phone call this morning from my big brother and he told me to get you the best looking tree I could find. So that tree is from Edward. He also said it was not the only gift you would be receiving, so don't be complaining."
How could she? Bella was stunned that Edward had been thoughtful enough to get her a tree. She wanted to cry from the gesture. "Emmett, can you give me Edward’s phone number? I would like to thank him, and not in a letter."
"Sure. I'm sure he would like to hear from you." Emmett rattled off the number and then ended the call.
Edward was just getting out of the shower and heading back to his tent when his phone chimed with a new text. He pulled it from his pocket and looked at it but didn't recognize the number. He wondered who was texting him at this hour and decided to open it and see.
Thanks for the tree. It's beautiful.~ Bella
He smiled. He had wondered if she had received it. He saved her information into his phone before shooting off a quick reply.
You're welcome. I hope you take pictures of it all decorated. Did you get my letter? ~ Edward
No. I checked today. Nothing yet. ~B
You should have gotten it by now. Did Alice get it by mistake? ~E
I don't know. I'll have to check. ~B
Do that. I have to go. I'll talk to you soon. ~E
Be safe ~B
Edward smiled and stashed his phone back in the pocket of his BDU's. He donned the rest of his uniform and was ready to go at 0600. He met in the captain's tent to be briefed on the day ahead and what their assignment was. At 0700, he was meeting with his men and briefing them. At 0800 they left camp.
~~LTaS~~
Bella walked next door to Alice's and knocked on the door. Jasper opened it and stepped back so Bella could come in.
"Did either of you get the mail today?" Bella asked.
"No. Why?" Alice asked.
"I was just checking to see if maybe you got some of mine by mistake."
"Expecting a letter from Edward? Jazzy, would you go out and get it." Alice asked sweetly.
Jasper walked outside and was back a few seconds later. "Sorry, sis, no letter."
Bella tried not to be disappointed, but she couldn't hide it. "Thanks, Jazz. Are you getting settled okay? Did you get everything from the house?"
"I've got all I'm going to need. Thanks, Bells." She nodded and walked back over to her house. She locked the door and turned out the lights. She settled in her bed after changing into her pajamas. She shot off a quick message to Edward and then settled in to sleep.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett's phone was ringing as he stepped into his office. He had run a quick errand and then hustled back to work. "Sgt. Cullen."
"Hey, Em. What's going on?" Edward's voice penetrated the line.
"Hello, Edward. What can I do for you this fine morning, or night in your case?"
"Well I need you to get the rest of Bella's present for me. Christmas is only a week away. So you'll have to do it soon. Can you do this for me?"
"Sure. What am I getting now?" Emmett listened as Edward explained his plans and smiled, she was going to shit.
Bella had finished getting things together for Edward's box. She was running a bit behind. She knew he would never get his gift in time for Christmas, but she hoped he enjoyed it. Esme had helped her get just the right thing. She had to drop the box off and then get to the Wooden Nickel for dinner with the girls. Tonight was going to be a little different. Rose was in for a surprise tonight. Emmett had paid to have a private gathering. Bella thought she knew what he had up his sleeve, but he was being very tight lipped.
Bella got to the restaurant with a few minutes to spare. Alice was bringing Rose from the counseling center where she worked with a support group, helping young girls deal with the same trauma she had. It was very commendable.
Rosalie walked into the Wooden Nickel laughing at Alice. "You are a dork, Mary Alice Brandon. I can't believe you told a customer that yellow was an ugly color and she should never wear it again. I thought the customer was always right?"
"Well this time she was wrong. She looked like a bleached out bumblebee. It was..." Alice didn't finish her thought. Her jaw dropped when she saw the place. It was covered in balloons and roses in varying colors. In the middle of all the wonder was Emmett, down on one knee.
Rose had tears running down her face before he spoke. "Rosalie Lillian Hale, I have loved you since I first saw you. You have made me happier than I have ever been before. I want to be able to repay you for the rest of your life. I say your life because when you are gone I won't be far behind. You would make me the happiest man alive if you would be my wife. Rosie, will you marry me?" Rose was so emotional she could only nod. Emmett jumped up and wrapped her in his arms, kissing her with all he had.
When Bella arrived home, she immediately checked her mail. Still no letter from Edward. It must have gotten lost, like so many other letters have before. She walked in and booted up her laptop, while it warmed she changed into her sweats. She pulled up her email and found she had new mail from an unknown person. Upon closer inspection she realized it was from Edward.
To: bswan
From: ecullen
Bella,
I haven't heard from you for a while. Are you okay? Did you ever get my letter? If not, it must have gotten lost somewhere in the ocean. Perhaps a shark is currently reading it. Are you laughing?
Did Emmett propose yet? My mom called and said he was planning on it. You could call me too. I know you have my number. You did text me. I would love to hear your voice. I miss hearing the voice of someone other than my family.
I'm tired. Tired of being here. Tired of all of it. That's not a good thing for a soldier to feel. Those kinds of thoughts could get me killed.
Did I ever tell you that I dream about you? I wonder what you're like in person. I long to hear your voice. Call me soon, beautiful.
Edward
Bella read through his email twice, trying to come to grips with what she was reading. Should she call him? What would they say to each other? She decided to toss caution to the wind and take a chance. She looked at the clock and knew Edward would just be waking. She grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed the number before she could change her mind.
"Good morning, beautiful." Edward's velvet voice greeted her.
"Hi. Actually it's good evening. How are you?" Bella smiled as she got comfortable on the end of her couch.
Edward smiled on his end. "Your voice matches your face. Would it be too much for me to tell you I’ve missed you?"
"No. I've missed you, too. I never did get your letter, maybe you're right about the shark," Bella laughed.
Edward joined her loving the sound. "Probably. Too bad, it had a picture in it for you."
"That is too bad. I would love to know what you look like. I'm kind of at a disadvantage here. You call me beautiful, I need a nickname for you." Edward laughed and the pair spoke for a little while longer. After they had hung up, Bella went to bed and hugged her pillow, dreaming of a velvet voice.
~~LTaS~~
Christmas morning found Bella rising early to put the cinnamon rolls in the oven. She got the coffee going and was humming to herself as she got out bacon, eggs and pancake batter. She usually cooked up a feast for breakfast and then everyone waited for her lasagna at dinner. Bella wasn't into the traditional turkey and trimmings since they had that a few weeks before and she liked to be different.
Her mother and Phil had arrived two days ago and Bella couldn't wait for them to leave. Her mother was driving her nuts with the whole Jake thing. Phil would just laugh and tell his wife to stop. They had gone over to Alice and Jasper's yesterday for dinner and Charlie had come over to her house and hung out with Bella. Charlie and Phil got along for the most part, but he could only be in the same room with Renee for a small amount of time. Today would be interesting.
"Merry Christmas," Renee sang as she came to the kitchen. "How is my baby this morning?"
Bella groaned, "I'm fine, Mom. Would you like some coffee?"
"Thanks, sweetie." Renee sat down at the table, as Bella got her coffee. She was waiting for the right time to tell her that she had a surprise for her. Once Bella had placed the steaming mug in front of her and gone back to the sizzling bacon, she found her opportunity. "So, baby, I hope you don't mind but I invited a friend for dinner."
"I didn't realize you had any friends out here mom. Who did you invite?" Bella asked as she mixed the batter for the pancakes.
"Actually, sweetie, I invited Jacob."
Bella started, slopping batter out of the side of her bowl. "I'm sorry. Did you just tell me that you invited my ex-boyfriend here for Christmas dinner?"
"Yep." Renee popped the 'p' and sounded rather pleased with herself.
"Well, Mother, you are just going to have to call and un-invite him. I am not going to have my ex and the family of the man I have been writing to in the same room. How could you do this?"
"I will not call and un-invite him. You will be a gracious host and I'm sure that this person's family will be completely understanding. Jacob loves you, and I think you need to talk."
"Son-of-a-bitch! Thanks, Mom, you have just ruined my Christmas. Edward already means more to me than Jake ever did and I have never even seen his face." Bella went back to whipping up the batter and getting everything else going. She chose to ignore her mother.
By eight-thirty she had everything ready and had gone to get in the shower, to await the arrival of her dad, Jasper, and Alice. She dressed in a pair of jeans and a red sweater, leaving her hair falling down her back. When she came out into the living room, her family was all there and enjoying the breakfast she had made them.
"Bells, this is the best," Charlie complimented around a mouthful of pancake.
"Thanks, Dad." Bella gave Jasper a pointed look and he knew something was wrong. He got up and followed her into the now empty kitchen.
"What's wrong?"
Bella sighed. "Mom invited Jake for dinner. Can you believe that shit? She thinks we are going to be a happy perfect couple again. I don't want Jake, Jasper."
Jasper wasn't surprised. He had a feeling Renee would do something like this. "What do you want, Bella?"
"If I'm being completely honest, I want to see if there is anything there with Edward. Before you say anything, I know he is serving and I know we have never met. But I have talked to him on the phone, we’ve been emailing for a couple of weeks now and I texted him this morning."
Jasper sighed. He had been afraid that if Bella started writing to a soldier this could happen. "Bella, just listen to me, okay?" He waited for her to interrupt, when she didn't, he continued. "I know you know he is in the army, I also know you know what could happen over there. I just need you to promise me you will be careful and not get too invested in this too fast. I don't want you to be hurt if something were to happen to him."
Bella was silent as she thought about what he had said. She wondered if it was already too late, she cared about Edward and worried about him. She also knew her brother was right, he was in a dangerous place. How would she feel if something did happen? "Jazz, I appreciate your concern, but I think I'll take the chance. He’s worth the risk."
As Bella spoke to her brother she had no idea Edward and his parents were having a similar conversation.
"Mom! It will be fine. She’s worth the risk. We are just talking right now, though. Please keep that in mind. We have never even met, but I would love to see if there is anything there."
"Alright, Edward. I'll trust you. I love you, honey. Merry Christmas." Esme sighed as she got ready to sign off of skype. "We have to get going if we're going to get to Bella's in time for dinner."
"I'm glad you'll be there. The rest of her gift will be showing up with Emmett. Love you, Mom!" Edward signed off and sat back. Today he was going to talk to his girl face to face. He hoped Emmett got everything set up soon. Bella had said she sent him a box that had his present in it, but he hadn't received it yet. He laid back and thought about the brown-eyed beauty that was quickly capturing his heart.
Across the ocean his brown-eyed girl was preparing for a confrontation.
Bella returned to school the Monday following Thanksgiving. She hadn't received a letter from Edward yet, but figured it was due to the holiday. Once her students were seated, she passed out the test papers to get them started on their final exams.
"You are all on the honor system, so no discussing this test to any of your friends," she informed the class. Once the test papers had gone around, Bella sat down and watched as they answered the questions in silence.
She was exhausted. Sunday night at dinner, Alice and Jasper had informed her that he was moving in with her. She thought it was kind of sudden and she really wasn't ready for her brother to leave yet, she had just gotten him back. The only upside to the arrangement was that Renee and Phil wouldn't have to stay in a hotel at Christmas. She had already called her mom and told her. To say Renee was excited would be an understatement. So with everything arranged for the upcoming holiday, Bella was going to go out with Rosalie and get a tree after she got off work.
Before she knew it class was over and the bell was ringing. Her day continued much the same as her daze continued. When the final bell of the day rang, Bella rushed out to her car and took off for home. She grabbed the mail and went inside slipping off her shoes as she flipped through the usual bills. She was disappointed not to find a letter from Edward. With the fatigue setting in she went into her room with the intention of laying down for a few minutes.
Bella woke up and it was dark outside. She bolted upright and quickly flipped on the lights. The clock beside her bed read eight fifteen. Crap. She was supposed to have met Rose an hour ago. She quickly got up and went into her living room to call her, but stopped short. There in the corner of her living room was a beautiful green spruce. Attached to it was a note.
Bella,
This is a gift. No arguing. Call me and I will tell you who it's from. Get some rest, you looked exhausted. Have a good night.
Love, Emmett
Bella grabbed her phone and dialed Emmett's number. He answered after the second ring. "Belly-button! Did you have a good nap?"
"I did, thanks. So, who is the tree from?"
"Well, I got a phone call this morning from my big brother and he told me to get you the best looking tree I could find. So that tree is from Edward. He also said it was not the only gift you would be receiving, so don't be complaining."
How could she? Bella was stunned that Edward had been thoughtful enough to get her a tree. She wanted to cry from the gesture. "Emmett, can you give me Edward’s phone number? I would like to thank him, and not in a letter."
"Sure. I'm sure he would like to hear from you." Emmett rattled off the number and then ended the call.
Edward was just getting out of the shower and heading back to his tent when his phone chimed with a new text. He pulled it from his pocket and looked at it but didn't recognize the number. He wondered who was texting him at this hour and decided to open it and see.
Thanks for the tree. It's beautiful.~ Bella
He smiled. He had wondered if she had received it. He saved her information into his phone before shooting off a quick reply.
You're welcome. I hope you take pictures of it all decorated. Did you get my letter? ~ Edward
No. I checked today. Nothing yet. ~B
You should have gotten it by now. Did Alice get it by mistake? ~E
I don't know. I'll have to check. ~B
Do that. I have to go. I'll talk to you soon. ~E
Be safe ~B
Edward smiled and stashed his phone back in the pocket of his BDU's. He donned the rest of his uniform and was ready to go at 0600. He met in the captain's tent to be briefed on the day ahead and what their assignment was. At 0700, he was meeting with his men and briefing them. At 0800 they left camp.
~~LTaS~~
Bella walked next door to Alice's and knocked on the door. Jasper opened it and stepped back so Bella could come in.
"Did either of you get the mail today?" Bella asked.
"No. Why?" Alice asked.
"I was just checking to see if maybe you got some of mine by mistake."
"Expecting a letter from Edward? Jazzy, would you go out and get it." Alice asked sweetly.
Jasper walked outside and was back a few seconds later. "Sorry, sis, no letter."
Bella tried not to be disappointed, but she couldn't hide it. "Thanks, Jazz. Are you getting settled okay? Did you get everything from the house?"
"I've got all I'm going to need. Thanks, Bells." She nodded and walked back over to her house. She locked the door and turned out the lights. She settled in her bed after changing into her pajamas. She shot off a quick message to Edward and then settled in to sleep.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett's phone was ringing as he stepped into his office. He had run a quick errand and then hustled back to work. "Sgt. Cullen."
"Hey, Em. What's going on?" Edward's voice penetrated the line.
"Hello, Edward. What can I do for you this fine morning, or night in your case?"
"Well I need you to get the rest of Bella's present for me. Christmas is only a week away. So you'll have to do it soon. Can you do this for me?"
"Sure. What am I getting now?" Emmett listened as Edward explained his plans and smiled, she was going to shit.
Bella had finished getting things together for Edward's box. She was running a bit behind. She knew he would never get his gift in time for Christmas, but she hoped he enjoyed it. Esme had helped her get just the right thing. She had to drop the box off and then get to the Wooden Nickel for dinner with the girls. Tonight was going to be a little different. Rose was in for a surprise tonight. Emmett had paid to have a private gathering. Bella thought she knew what he had up his sleeve, but he was being very tight lipped.
Bella got to the restaurant with a few minutes to spare. Alice was bringing Rose from the counseling center where she worked with a support group, helping young girls deal with the same trauma she had. It was very commendable.
Rosalie walked into the Wooden Nickel laughing at Alice. "You are a dork, Mary Alice Brandon. I can't believe you told a customer that yellow was an ugly color and she should never wear it again. I thought the customer was always right?"
"Well this time she was wrong. She looked like a bleached out bumblebee. It was..." Alice didn't finish her thought. Her jaw dropped when she saw the place. It was covered in balloons and roses in varying colors. In the middle of all the wonder was Emmett, down on one knee.
Rose had tears running down her face before he spoke. "Rosalie Lillian Hale, I have loved you since I first saw you. You have made me happier than I have ever been before. I want to be able to repay you for the rest of your life. I say your life because when you are gone I won't be far behind. You would make me the happiest man alive if you would be my wife. Rosie, will you marry me?" Rose was so emotional she could only nod. Emmett jumped up and wrapped her in his arms, kissing her with all he had.
When Bella arrived home, she immediately checked her mail. Still no letter from Edward. It must have gotten lost, like so many other letters have before. She walked in and booted up her laptop, while it warmed she changed into her sweats. She pulled up her email and found she had new mail from an unknown person. Upon closer inspection she realized it was from Edward.
To: bswan
From: ecullen
Bella,
I haven't heard from you for a while. Are you okay? Did you ever get my letter? If not, it must have gotten lost somewhere in the ocean. Perhaps a shark is currently reading it. Are you laughing?
Did Emmett propose yet? My mom called and said he was planning on it. You could call me too. I know you have my number. You did text me. I would love to hear your voice. I miss hearing the voice of someone other than my family.
I'm tired. Tired of being here. Tired of all of it. That's not a good thing for a soldier to feel. Those kinds of thoughts could get me killed.
Did I ever tell you that I dream about you? I wonder what you're like in person. I long to hear your voice. Call me soon, beautiful.
Edward
Bella read through his email twice, trying to come to grips with what she was reading. Should she call him? What would they say to each other? She decided to toss caution to the wind and take a chance. She looked at the clock and knew Edward would just be waking. She grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed the number before she could change her mind.
"Good morning, beautiful." Edward's velvet voice greeted her.
"Hi. Actually it's good evening. How are you?" Bella smiled as she got comfortable on the end of her couch.
Edward smiled on his end. "Your voice matches your face. Would it be too much for me to tell you I’ve missed you?"
"No. I've missed you, too. I never did get your letter, maybe you're right about the shark," Bella laughed.
Edward joined her loving the sound. "Probably. Too bad, it had a picture in it for you."
"That is too bad. I would love to know what you look like. I'm kind of at a disadvantage here. You call me beautiful, I need a nickname for you." Edward laughed and the pair spoke for a little while longer. After they had hung up, Bella went to bed and hugged her pillow, dreaming of a velvet voice.
~~LTaS~~
Christmas morning found Bella rising early to put the cinnamon rolls in the oven. She got the coffee going and was humming to herself as she got out bacon, eggs and pancake batter. She usually cooked up a feast for breakfast and then everyone waited for her lasagna at dinner. Bella wasn't into the traditional turkey and trimmings since they had that a few weeks before and she liked to be different.
Her mother and Phil had arrived two days ago and Bella couldn't wait for them to leave. Her mother was driving her nuts with the whole Jake thing. Phil would just laugh and tell his wife to stop. They had gone over to Alice and Jasper's yesterday for dinner and Charlie had come over to her house and hung out with Bella. Charlie and Phil got along for the most part, but he could only be in the same room with Renee for a small amount of time. Today would be interesting.
"Merry Christmas," Renee sang as she came to the kitchen. "How is my baby this morning?"
Bella groaned, "I'm fine, Mom. Would you like some coffee?"
"Thanks, sweetie." Renee sat down at the table, as Bella got her coffee. She was waiting for the right time to tell her that she had a surprise for her. Once Bella had placed the steaming mug in front of her and gone back to the sizzling bacon, she found her opportunity. "So, baby, I hope you don't mind but I invited a friend for dinner."
"I didn't realize you had any friends out here mom. Who did you invite?" Bella asked as she mixed the batter for the pancakes.
"Actually, sweetie, I invited Jacob."
Bella started, slopping batter out of the side of her bowl. "I'm sorry. Did you just tell me that you invited my ex-boyfriend here for Christmas dinner?"
"Yep." Renee popped the 'p' and sounded rather pleased with herself.
"Well, Mother, you are just going to have to call and un-invite him. I am not going to have my ex and the family of the man I have been writing to in the same room. How could you do this?"
"I will not call and un-invite him. You will be a gracious host and I'm sure that this person's family will be completely understanding. Jacob loves you, and I think you need to talk."
"Son-of-a-bitch! Thanks, Mom, you have just ruined my Christmas. Edward already means more to me than Jake ever did and I have never even seen his face." Bella went back to whipping up the batter and getting everything else going. She chose to ignore her mother.
By eight-thirty she had everything ready and had gone to get in the shower, to await the arrival of her dad, Jasper, and Alice. She dressed in a pair of jeans and a red sweater, leaving her hair falling down her back. When she came out into the living room, her family was all there and enjoying the breakfast she had made them.
"Bells, this is the best," Charlie complimented around a mouthful of pancake.
"Thanks, Dad." Bella gave Jasper a pointed look and he knew something was wrong. He got up and followed her into the now empty kitchen.
"What's wrong?"
Bella sighed. "Mom invited Jake for dinner. Can you believe that shit? She thinks we are going to be a happy perfect couple again. I don't want Jake, Jasper."
Jasper wasn't surprised. He had a feeling Renee would do something like this. "What do you want, Bella?"
"If I'm being completely honest, I want to see if there is anything there with Edward. Before you say anything, I know he is serving and I know we have never met. But I have talked to him on the phone, we’ve been emailing for a couple of weeks now and I texted him this morning."
Jasper sighed. He had been afraid that if Bella started writing to a soldier this could happen. "Bella, just listen to me, okay?" He waited for her to interrupt, when she didn't, he continued. "I know you know he is in the army, I also know you know what could happen over there. I just need you to promise me you will be careful and not get too invested in this too fast. I don't want you to be hurt if something were to happen to him."
Bella was silent as she thought about what he had said. She wondered if it was already too late, she cared about Edward and worried about him. She also knew her brother was right, he was in a dangerous place. How would she feel if something did happen? "Jazz, I appreciate your concern, but I think I'll take the chance. He’s worth the risk."
As Bella spoke to her brother she had no idea Edward and his parents were having a similar conversation.
"Mom! It will be fine. She’s worth the risk. We are just talking right now, though. Please keep that in mind. We have never even met, but I would love to see if there is anything there."
"Alright, Edward. I'll trust you. I love you, honey. Merry Christmas." Esme sighed as she got ready to sign off of skype. "We have to get going if we're going to get to Bella's in time for dinner."
"I'm glad you'll be there. The rest of her gift will be showing up with Emmett. Love you, Mom!" Edward signed off and sat back. Today he was going to talk to his girl face to face. He hoped Emmett got everything set up soon. Bella had said she sent him a box that had his present in it, but he hadn't received it yet. He laid back and thought about the brown-eyed beauty that was quickly capturing his heart.
Across the ocean his brown-eyed girl was preparing for a confrontation.