Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 12
Bella was exhausted. She had been working with Alice all week to help with the final preparations for Rose and Emmett's wedding. She finally got tired of driving back and forth and took Esme up on her offer to stay with them. She had been tiring faster every day and her appetite was nonexistent.
"Bella? Are you sure you're okay, sweetheart? You look a little run down." Esme asked her one morning.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired." Bella fought to keep her eyes open, as she watched Esme make breakfast. When Esme placed a plate in front of her, the aroma assaulted Bella's nostrils and sent her running to the restroom where she vomited until she had nothing left. When she tried to stand, she was immediately dizzy and despite her best efforts, hit the floor in a dead faint.
"Carlisle!" Esme yelled, as she ran to check on her daughter-in-law. She found Bella, unconscious next to the toilet and immediately felt for her pulse, finding it strong and steady.
"What is it, Esme?" Carlisle asked as he slid to a stop in front of the door. He took in Bella's prone form and hollered for Emmett.
Emmett barreled down the stairs. "What's wrong?"
"I need you to pick up Bella and get her to the car, we’re going to the hospital."
Emmett gently picked up his sister-in-law and carried her to his father’s waiting vehicle. On the way there, she regained consciousness. She took in her surroundings and licked her lips. "What happened? Where are we going?"
"Bella, you fainted, we’re taking you to the hospital." Emmett explained from his seat next to her.
Bella knew better than to fight Emmett and Carlisle. She resigned herself to being checked out and knew she had to stay healthy for her husband. Edward needed her.
When they arrived at the hospital, Emmett and Esme led Bella in, while Carlisle parked the car. The nurse at the desk greeted them. "Good morning. How may I help you today?"
Esme spoke first. "My daughter-in-law fainted this morning. We don't know if she hit her head and would like to have her checked out."
"Sure. Fill out these forms and we’ll call you back soon." She handed Bella a clipboard and told her to have a seat.
~~LTaS~~
Edward walked into Captain Volturi's makeshift office. "Sir, you requested to see me?"
"At ease, Cullen." The Captain scuffled some papers on his desk and found what he was looking for. "You have two hours to clean out your gear. We’ve been reassigned. We move out at 1300."
"Any reason why, Sir?"
"We are moving to a new hotbed for insurgent action. Our unit was specifically requested and ordered. Apparently, your reputation precedes you."
Edward knew he was known for his strong work ethic and respect for his superiors. He had no idea anyone would want his team directly. "Sir, will we be going black?"
"Unknown at this time. Go ahead and contact anyone you need to and inform them of the move. I know you have a new wife. Get word to her or your family and make them aware that it’s a possibility. Any other questions?" Edward shook his head. "Then you are dismissed."
Edward left and headed straight for his team to tell them of the move. "Newton." He barked.
"Sir?" PFC Newton stood.
"Pack up everything. We're moving at 1300 to a new station."
"Yes, Sir." Newton saluted and Edward walked to his own quarters. He sat down at his computer and composed an email to his parents. While he was typing that he tried to call Bella.
"Bella Cullen's phone. Esme Cullen speaking."
"Mom? Why are you answering Bella's phone? Is something wrong?" Edward's voice was laced with confusion and concern.
"Edward, no, nothing is wrong. Bella is...a little indisposed at the moment." Esme paused, not wanting to worry her son unnecessarily. Of course, just as that thought entered her mind, the loud speaker in the hospital called a code blue.
"Mom! Why are you at the hospital? Someone had better tell me what the fuck is going on with my wife!" Edward panicked.
Emmett took the phone from his mother. "Chillax, bro, everything is fine. Bella fainted and mom and dad wanted to make sure she didn't have a concussion."
Edward took a deep breath. "Where is she, Em?"
He heard a voice in the background and then Bella came on the line. "Hi, honey, I'm fine. You need to calm down and remember where you are, okay?" Bella's voice sounded a little weak.
"Are you sure, sweetheart? You don’t sound very good. You would tell me if anything was wrong, right?" Edward worried.
"Of course I would, baby. All they’ve done is take some blood and depending on the results of that they said they might do a CT. How are you? Anything new?"
"Actually..." Before he could say anything, the doctor came into the room to speak with Bella.
"Hang on, honey, the doctor is here. I'm gonna put you on speaker so you know there is nothing to worry about." Bella hit a button on her phone and Edward listened in on Bella's diagnosis.
"Well, Mrs. Cullen, I have good news. You’re not anemic and while I am worried about your fainting, I may have an explanation for that."
"What's that?" Edward said over the line.
"Sorry, Doctor, that's my husband. He's currently in Afghanistan." Bella smiled.
"Well, then Mr. Cullen, it's a good thing you’re on the line. I'm happy to tell you, Mrs. Cullen, that you are pregnant."
Bella's eyes filled with tears. "Really?"
"Yes, ma'am. We will need an ultrasound to tell exactly how far, but by your hormone levels, I'd say you are about five weeks."
"Did you hear that, Edward? We're going to have a baby and from what the doc here says, it happened on our wedding night." Everyone laughed at that.
"I heard, baby, I am so happy and excited.” Edward hated to tell Bella this in the midst of good news. “Take me off speaker, please."
Bella pulled the phone up to her ear and listened as Edward told her about his orders. He explained he would try and communicate as often as possible, but wasn't sure if he would be able to. He made Bella promise to keep him updated on the baby and to email him her ultrasound pictures. After ‘I love you', they disconnected.
Bella laid back in the bed and looked at Emmett. "His unit is being moved to another location. The captain wasn't sure if they would be blacked out or not. He said he would try to communicate as much as he was able." Silent tears rolled down her cheeks and that of Esme.
"He'll be fine, Bella. He's smart and knows what he's doing." Emmett reassured them.
~~LTaS~~
On July fourth, Bella joined the family and stood up for Rose as she and Emmett promised to love, honor and cherish each other until death separated them.
"By the power vested in me, by the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister stated. After they kissed, he announced, "Ladies and gentleman it is my privilege to announce for the first time Sgt. and Mrs. Emmett Cullen."
Emmett and Rose walked down the aisle to applause and shouts of congratulations. The wedding party and guests all moved to the tent which had been erected in the backyard for the reception. As the newlyweds cut the cake and danced their first dance, Bella sat back and wished Edward was with them. She hadn't heard from him since they found out she was pregnant.
Alice watched as Bella placed her hand on her belly and smiled. "Thinking of Edward?"
"Is it that obvious?" Bella smiled.
"Only to those who have seen you together. How are you feeling?"
"Better. The saltine crackers help, but I’m really getting tired of them. I wonder if Esme knows of any other cures or preventions?"
"Well, actually, I was asking her that and she recommended ginger snaps. You know how when you're sick they say drink ginger ale? Esme said with Edward, she kept a box of ginger snaps by her bed and ate one every morning when she woke up. I picked you up a box, they’re in your kitchen, you're welcome." Alice said with a laugh.
As the evening wore on, guests began leaving to go do more holiday celebrating with their families. Before dark all of the Cullen's and Alice and Jasper were sitting around a bonfire talking and waiting for the fireworks display.
"So, Alice, have you and Jasper set a date yet?" Esme asked, as the sky burst with color.
"Well we were actually thinking about October. It will have been a year since we met and we just thought it would be appropriate." Alice smiled at the sky.
"Any thoughts as to when in October. Beginning, middle or end?" Rose questioned.
Bella and Alice exchanged a glance and smiled. "Alice wants a Halloween wedding. She's into all the creepy shit, spiders, ghosts and goblins, all of it."
"Oh, that could be so much fun. I can't wait to help plan it." Esme clapped her hands together in excitement.
Bella was exhausted. She had been working with Alice all week to help with the final preparations for Rose and Emmett's wedding. She finally got tired of driving back and forth and took Esme up on her offer to stay with them. She had been tiring faster every day and her appetite was nonexistent.
"Bella? Are you sure you're okay, sweetheart? You look a little run down." Esme asked her one morning.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired." Bella fought to keep her eyes open, as she watched Esme make breakfast. When Esme placed a plate in front of her, the aroma assaulted Bella's nostrils and sent her running to the restroom where she vomited until she had nothing left. When she tried to stand, she was immediately dizzy and despite her best efforts, hit the floor in a dead faint.
"Carlisle!" Esme yelled, as she ran to check on her daughter-in-law. She found Bella, unconscious next to the toilet and immediately felt for her pulse, finding it strong and steady.
"What is it, Esme?" Carlisle asked as he slid to a stop in front of the door. He took in Bella's prone form and hollered for Emmett.
Emmett barreled down the stairs. "What's wrong?"
"I need you to pick up Bella and get her to the car, we’re going to the hospital."
Emmett gently picked up his sister-in-law and carried her to his father’s waiting vehicle. On the way there, she regained consciousness. She took in her surroundings and licked her lips. "What happened? Where are we going?"
"Bella, you fainted, we’re taking you to the hospital." Emmett explained from his seat next to her.
Bella knew better than to fight Emmett and Carlisle. She resigned herself to being checked out and knew she had to stay healthy for her husband. Edward needed her.
When they arrived at the hospital, Emmett and Esme led Bella in, while Carlisle parked the car. The nurse at the desk greeted them. "Good morning. How may I help you today?"
Esme spoke first. "My daughter-in-law fainted this morning. We don't know if she hit her head and would like to have her checked out."
"Sure. Fill out these forms and we’ll call you back soon." She handed Bella a clipboard and told her to have a seat.
~~LTaS~~
Edward walked into Captain Volturi's makeshift office. "Sir, you requested to see me?"
"At ease, Cullen." The Captain scuffled some papers on his desk and found what he was looking for. "You have two hours to clean out your gear. We’ve been reassigned. We move out at 1300."
"Any reason why, Sir?"
"We are moving to a new hotbed for insurgent action. Our unit was specifically requested and ordered. Apparently, your reputation precedes you."
Edward knew he was known for his strong work ethic and respect for his superiors. He had no idea anyone would want his team directly. "Sir, will we be going black?"
"Unknown at this time. Go ahead and contact anyone you need to and inform them of the move. I know you have a new wife. Get word to her or your family and make them aware that it’s a possibility. Any other questions?" Edward shook his head. "Then you are dismissed."
Edward left and headed straight for his team to tell them of the move. "Newton." He barked.
"Sir?" PFC Newton stood.
"Pack up everything. We're moving at 1300 to a new station."
"Yes, Sir." Newton saluted and Edward walked to his own quarters. He sat down at his computer and composed an email to his parents. While he was typing that he tried to call Bella.
"Bella Cullen's phone. Esme Cullen speaking."
"Mom? Why are you answering Bella's phone? Is something wrong?" Edward's voice was laced with confusion and concern.
"Edward, no, nothing is wrong. Bella is...a little indisposed at the moment." Esme paused, not wanting to worry her son unnecessarily. Of course, just as that thought entered her mind, the loud speaker in the hospital called a code blue.
"Mom! Why are you at the hospital? Someone had better tell me what the fuck is going on with my wife!" Edward panicked.
Emmett took the phone from his mother. "Chillax, bro, everything is fine. Bella fainted and mom and dad wanted to make sure she didn't have a concussion."
Edward took a deep breath. "Where is she, Em?"
He heard a voice in the background and then Bella came on the line. "Hi, honey, I'm fine. You need to calm down and remember where you are, okay?" Bella's voice sounded a little weak.
"Are you sure, sweetheart? You don’t sound very good. You would tell me if anything was wrong, right?" Edward worried.
"Of course I would, baby. All they’ve done is take some blood and depending on the results of that they said they might do a CT. How are you? Anything new?"
"Actually..." Before he could say anything, the doctor came into the room to speak with Bella.
"Hang on, honey, the doctor is here. I'm gonna put you on speaker so you know there is nothing to worry about." Bella hit a button on her phone and Edward listened in on Bella's diagnosis.
"Well, Mrs. Cullen, I have good news. You’re not anemic and while I am worried about your fainting, I may have an explanation for that."
"What's that?" Edward said over the line.
"Sorry, Doctor, that's my husband. He's currently in Afghanistan." Bella smiled.
"Well, then Mr. Cullen, it's a good thing you’re on the line. I'm happy to tell you, Mrs. Cullen, that you are pregnant."
Bella's eyes filled with tears. "Really?"
"Yes, ma'am. We will need an ultrasound to tell exactly how far, but by your hormone levels, I'd say you are about five weeks."
"Did you hear that, Edward? We're going to have a baby and from what the doc here says, it happened on our wedding night." Everyone laughed at that.
"I heard, baby, I am so happy and excited.” Edward hated to tell Bella this in the midst of good news. “Take me off speaker, please."
Bella pulled the phone up to her ear and listened as Edward told her about his orders. He explained he would try and communicate as often as possible, but wasn't sure if he would be able to. He made Bella promise to keep him updated on the baby and to email him her ultrasound pictures. After ‘I love you', they disconnected.
Bella laid back in the bed and looked at Emmett. "His unit is being moved to another location. The captain wasn't sure if they would be blacked out or not. He said he would try to communicate as much as he was able." Silent tears rolled down her cheeks and that of Esme.
"He'll be fine, Bella. He's smart and knows what he's doing." Emmett reassured them.
~~LTaS~~
On July fourth, Bella joined the family and stood up for Rose as she and Emmett promised to love, honor and cherish each other until death separated them.
"By the power vested in me, by the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister stated. After they kissed, he announced, "Ladies and gentleman it is my privilege to announce for the first time Sgt. and Mrs. Emmett Cullen."
Emmett and Rose walked down the aisle to applause and shouts of congratulations. The wedding party and guests all moved to the tent which had been erected in the backyard for the reception. As the newlyweds cut the cake and danced their first dance, Bella sat back and wished Edward was with them. She hadn't heard from him since they found out she was pregnant.
Alice watched as Bella placed her hand on her belly and smiled. "Thinking of Edward?"
"Is it that obvious?" Bella smiled.
"Only to those who have seen you together. How are you feeling?"
"Better. The saltine crackers help, but I’m really getting tired of them. I wonder if Esme knows of any other cures or preventions?"
"Well, actually, I was asking her that and she recommended ginger snaps. You know how when you're sick they say drink ginger ale? Esme said with Edward, she kept a box of ginger snaps by her bed and ate one every morning when she woke up. I picked you up a box, they’re in your kitchen, you're welcome." Alice said with a laugh.
As the evening wore on, guests began leaving to go do more holiday celebrating with their families. Before dark all of the Cullen's and Alice and Jasper were sitting around a bonfire talking and waiting for the fireworks display.
"So, Alice, have you and Jasper set a date yet?" Esme asked, as the sky burst with color.
"Well we were actually thinking about October. It will have been a year since we met and we just thought it would be appropriate." Alice smiled at the sky.
"Any thoughts as to when in October. Beginning, middle or end?" Rose questioned.
Bella and Alice exchanged a glance and smiled. "Alice wants a Halloween wedding. She's into all the creepy shit, spiders, ghosts and goblins, all of it."
"Oh, that could be so much fun. I can't wait to help plan it." Esme clapped her hands together in excitement.
As the sky rained with color, talks of a wedding began. While on the other side of the ocean a man celebrated with his men, not knowing that trouble was closing in.