Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 14
Sirens screamed and the sky lit up from the explosions. The bodies of dead soldiers were everywhere. She looked everywhere and could find no sign of her husband. She fell to her knees screaming his name. When her hands met the ground all she felt was blood and mud.
Sirens screamed and the sky lit up from the explosions. The bodies of dead soldiers were everywhere. She looked everywhere and could find no sign of her husband. She fell to her knees screaming his name. When her hands met the ground all she felt was blood and mud.
Chapter 14
Bella woke with a start, drenched in sweat. Her hair clung to her in wet ringlets. Her nightmares had been getting steadily worse since the day of her last doctor's appointment, when Edward had to rush away following the sirens. When she saw the news, she knew he was in a very dangerous area. She put her hand on her growing belly and swore her baby would know about his father, even if the unthinkable happened.
Knowing that sleep wasn't going to come again, she rose and went into the kitchen for a glass of water. She went into the living room and found an old movie on the tv. She settled in to watch lovers on the screen live out her dreams. She awoke with a start at the sound of someone knocking on her door.
"Coming," she called, as she got up from the couch and stretched her aching muscles. She opened the door and instantly regretted it. "Renee?"
"Morning, Bella. Can I come in?" Renee had a nervous look on her face.
"I don't think so. I think we said all that was needed on the phone.” Bella moved to shut the door.
Renee’s hand on the door stopped her, “Please. I know you hate me, but I’m still your mother."
"Why? What more could you possibly have to say to me?” Bella looked expectantly at Renee.
"Just please listen to what I have to say. If you still don’t want me around, I’ll go.
Against her better judgment, Bella opened the door and allowed her mother inside. “Just give me a minute.”
Leaving Renee in the living room, Bella went to the bathroom to wash her face and relieve her bladder that her son was using as a trampoline. She also took the time to text Jasper and let him know the situation and her current visitor.
Walking back into the living room, Bella sat in the chair across from her mother and stared at the woman who had birthed her, but had become a stranger. “What do you want to say?”
Renee wrung her hands, not knowing how to begin. Bella had been correct in her assumptions, but she didn’t want to upset her any further. “I’m sorry.”
Bella was taken aback. “Excuse me?”
Sighing, Renee met her daughter’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the things I did to you about your husband. I’m sure Edward is a good man who is doing all he can to stay safe for you and your baby.”
“Then why...?”
“Why did I push Jacob at you?” At her nod, Renee continued. “Because it was the only way to keep him close without Phil finding out. You were right, Bella. I’ve been sleeping with Jake for about a year now. He was cheating on you, with me.”
Bella felt the bile rise in her throat and tried to swallow it back. “Are you serious? Why?”
“Oh, Bella, I don’t know. Phil is great, but he just doesn’t get to me like he used to. When I came to visit you last year, I met Jake and it was like a fire was lit. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. We both wanted to break it off, but we just couldn’t stay away from each other. I figured if you married him, it would go away. That’s why I pushed so hard.”
“Jesus, if you wanted him for yourself you should have left Phil and told me. I would have been angry, sure, but eventually I would have gotten over it.” Bella sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Your treatment of me has been terrible. You’ve insulted my marriage, accused me of cheating and called me a slut. I think you need to take a long look in the mirror.”
“I know. All I can do is apologize.” Renee stood. “I’ve left Phil, but I’m not leaving Florida. Jake is actually moving out there to be with me. We’re going to try and make this work. I hope you can forgive me someday.”
Bella watched her mother walk out the door, still stunned by her confession. She picked up her cell phone, seeing she’d missed a call and dialed her brother’s number. She explained why he’d seen their mother’s car and he was just as mad as she was. When she hung up the phone, her sleepless night finally caught up with her, so after going to the bathroom again, she went back to bed.
She must have fallen asleep, because her phone was ringing and the sun was on the wrong side of the house when she opened her eyes. "Hello?" She answered groggily.
"Hello, beautiful. How are my babies doing?" Edward's velvet voice greeted her.
"Better now. It’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you."
"Oh, baby, I miss you too. So tell me, how is everything? What's been going on?"
Bella wasn't sure if she should tell him about Renee, but decided that there would be no secrets between them. She launched into the tale about the phone calls and then finally the visit from that morning. She also told him about her nightmares.
"Babe, I know you're scared, hell, I am too. But you have to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Think about our son. He needs you to be healthy so he can be too."
"I know, it's just so hard when I don't hear from you for weeks." Bella said, as silent tears streamed down her face.
"I know. I promise it's almost over and then I’ll never have to come back here. Just think about all the things we will be able to do. All the babies we can make. All the fun we'll have making them. I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you, too, Edward. You just be safe so that you can come home to us and we can make more of those babies." Bella sucked in a breath and her hand went to her belly.
"Bella! Are you okay?" Edward panicked.
"Edward, the baby just kicked. He kicked me while we were talking. This was the first time I've felt him."
"That's awesome, I wish I was there with my hand on your belly, feeling our son move inside you. I love you. I gotta go."
“I love you, too. Be safe." Bella heard the click and realized the love of her life was gone and she didn't know when she would hear from him again. She fell back to sleep, with the comfort of his voice in her head and heart.
~~LTaS~~
Thanksgiving arrived and Bella was nearing her seventh month. She was too big to move around her kitchen much less lift a huge turkey, so Esme and Carlisle agreed to host this year. Bella had heard from Edward a few days before and he had told her that barring any complications he would call today. It was a peaceful time this year. No Renee and Jacob drama to bring down the mood. Renee had called, but the conversation was brief as Bella still hadn’t forgiven her.. As the women put the finishing touches on the meal, the men gathered around the tv watching football.
"So Bells, how are you feeling?" Rose asked, as she finished garnishing the cranberry sauce.
"I feel huge. I am so glad you guys are taking pictures of me like this. I would hate for Edward to miss how I looked." Bella laughed. "How are you feeling, Rose?"
Rose placed a hand on her smaller baby bump. At almost five months, she had popped out quickly, but she was carrying Emmett's baby. "I feel great. I'm also not as big as you though."
"I know and I have almost three months left. You would think I was carrying Em's baby and not Edward's." All of them laughed, while Rose nodded.
When all the food was ready, they each grabbed something and headed to the dining room. "Dinner!" Esme yelled to the guys.
The rumble of footsteps could be heard as they stampeded toward the dining room. Once everyone was seated, they all joined hands so Carlisle could say a word of prayer. "Dear, Heavenly Father, We ask that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and that you guide us through the rest of the holiday season. We also ask, Lord, for you to help guide our troops to a safe return. Please watch over Bella as she continues in her pregnancy and help Edward to come home to his son and wife. Please watch over Emmett and Rosalie as they also prepare for the arrival of their little one. We ask you this as we pray in your name. Amen."
Conversation flowed freely as platters were passed and plates were filled. After everyone had gotten their fill, the guys offered to do clean up so that Bella and Rose could get off of their feet and everyone could relax. After the dishes were done, they came in with a tray of coffee and desserts along with plates and utensils. They turned the game on low and everyone talked and laughed. Just as everyone finished their pie, Esme glanced up at the TV and the coffee cup she was holding slipped to the floor and shattered.
"Carlisle, turn up the volume!" She said as she grasped his arm.
"We interrupt this broadcast with a special news bulletin. Here is Brian Williams." The announcer said.
"Good evening. We have just received word that a suicide bomber has walked into a hotel in Kandahar. Reports are sketchy at this time, but we believe that there were many American troops located in that hotel. Again, a bomb has exploded in a hotel in Kandahar. We will be keeping you updated as more details become available."
"NO! I knew it. I knew something awful was going to happen. I felt it." Bella sobbed against her father.
Charlie did his best to console his daughter as around the room the woman held onto their loved ones. He couldn't help but wonder if Bella would ever have the same opportunity.
Across the ocean, the smoke billowed as soldiers began searching for fallen comrades.
Bella woke with a start, drenched in sweat. Her hair clung to her in wet ringlets. Her nightmares had been getting steadily worse since the day of her last doctor's appointment, when Edward had to rush away following the sirens. When she saw the news, she knew he was in a very dangerous area. She put her hand on her growing belly and swore her baby would know about his father, even if the unthinkable happened.
Knowing that sleep wasn't going to come again, she rose and went into the kitchen for a glass of water. She went into the living room and found an old movie on the tv. She settled in to watch lovers on the screen live out her dreams. She awoke with a start at the sound of someone knocking on her door.
"Coming," she called, as she got up from the couch and stretched her aching muscles. She opened the door and instantly regretted it. "Renee?"
"Morning, Bella. Can I come in?" Renee had a nervous look on her face.
"I don't think so. I think we said all that was needed on the phone.” Bella moved to shut the door.
Renee’s hand on the door stopped her, “Please. I know you hate me, but I’m still your mother."
"Why? What more could you possibly have to say to me?” Bella looked expectantly at Renee.
"Just please listen to what I have to say. If you still don’t want me around, I’ll go.
Against her better judgment, Bella opened the door and allowed her mother inside. “Just give me a minute.”
Leaving Renee in the living room, Bella went to the bathroom to wash her face and relieve her bladder that her son was using as a trampoline. She also took the time to text Jasper and let him know the situation and her current visitor.
Walking back into the living room, Bella sat in the chair across from her mother and stared at the woman who had birthed her, but had become a stranger. “What do you want to say?”
Renee wrung her hands, not knowing how to begin. Bella had been correct in her assumptions, but she didn’t want to upset her any further. “I’m sorry.”
Bella was taken aback. “Excuse me?”
Sighing, Renee met her daughter’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the things I did to you about your husband. I’m sure Edward is a good man who is doing all he can to stay safe for you and your baby.”
“Then why...?”
“Why did I push Jacob at you?” At her nod, Renee continued. “Because it was the only way to keep him close without Phil finding out. You were right, Bella. I’ve been sleeping with Jake for about a year now. He was cheating on you, with me.”
Bella felt the bile rise in her throat and tried to swallow it back. “Are you serious? Why?”
“Oh, Bella, I don’t know. Phil is great, but he just doesn’t get to me like he used to. When I came to visit you last year, I met Jake and it was like a fire was lit. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. We both wanted to break it off, but we just couldn’t stay away from each other. I figured if you married him, it would go away. That’s why I pushed so hard.”
“Jesus, if you wanted him for yourself you should have left Phil and told me. I would have been angry, sure, but eventually I would have gotten over it.” Bella sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Your treatment of me has been terrible. You’ve insulted my marriage, accused me of cheating and called me a slut. I think you need to take a long look in the mirror.”
“I know. All I can do is apologize.” Renee stood. “I’ve left Phil, but I’m not leaving Florida. Jake is actually moving out there to be with me. We’re going to try and make this work. I hope you can forgive me someday.”
Bella watched her mother walk out the door, still stunned by her confession. She picked up her cell phone, seeing she’d missed a call and dialed her brother’s number. She explained why he’d seen their mother’s car and he was just as mad as she was. When she hung up the phone, her sleepless night finally caught up with her, so after going to the bathroom again, she went back to bed.
She must have fallen asleep, because her phone was ringing and the sun was on the wrong side of the house when she opened her eyes. "Hello?" She answered groggily.
"Hello, beautiful. How are my babies doing?" Edward's velvet voice greeted her.
"Better now. It’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you."
"Oh, baby, I miss you too. So tell me, how is everything? What's been going on?"
Bella wasn't sure if she should tell him about Renee, but decided that there would be no secrets between them. She launched into the tale about the phone calls and then finally the visit from that morning. She also told him about her nightmares.
"Babe, I know you're scared, hell, I am too. But you have to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Think about our son. He needs you to be healthy so he can be too."
"I know, it's just so hard when I don't hear from you for weeks." Bella said, as silent tears streamed down her face.
"I know. I promise it's almost over and then I’ll never have to come back here. Just think about all the things we will be able to do. All the babies we can make. All the fun we'll have making them. I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you, too, Edward. You just be safe so that you can come home to us and we can make more of those babies." Bella sucked in a breath and her hand went to her belly.
"Bella! Are you okay?" Edward panicked.
"Edward, the baby just kicked. He kicked me while we were talking. This was the first time I've felt him."
"That's awesome, I wish I was there with my hand on your belly, feeling our son move inside you. I love you. I gotta go."
“I love you, too. Be safe." Bella heard the click and realized the love of her life was gone and she didn't know when she would hear from him again. She fell back to sleep, with the comfort of his voice in her head and heart.
~~LTaS~~
Thanksgiving arrived and Bella was nearing her seventh month. She was too big to move around her kitchen much less lift a huge turkey, so Esme and Carlisle agreed to host this year. Bella had heard from Edward a few days before and he had told her that barring any complications he would call today. It was a peaceful time this year. No Renee and Jacob drama to bring down the mood. Renee had called, but the conversation was brief as Bella still hadn’t forgiven her.. As the women put the finishing touches on the meal, the men gathered around the tv watching football.
"So Bells, how are you feeling?" Rose asked, as she finished garnishing the cranberry sauce.
"I feel huge. I am so glad you guys are taking pictures of me like this. I would hate for Edward to miss how I looked." Bella laughed. "How are you feeling, Rose?"
Rose placed a hand on her smaller baby bump. At almost five months, she had popped out quickly, but she was carrying Emmett's baby. "I feel great. I'm also not as big as you though."
"I know and I have almost three months left. You would think I was carrying Em's baby and not Edward's." All of them laughed, while Rose nodded.
When all the food was ready, they each grabbed something and headed to the dining room. "Dinner!" Esme yelled to the guys.
The rumble of footsteps could be heard as they stampeded toward the dining room. Once everyone was seated, they all joined hands so Carlisle could say a word of prayer. "Dear, Heavenly Father, We ask that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and that you guide us through the rest of the holiday season. We also ask, Lord, for you to help guide our troops to a safe return. Please watch over Bella as she continues in her pregnancy and help Edward to come home to his son and wife. Please watch over Emmett and Rosalie as they also prepare for the arrival of their little one. We ask you this as we pray in your name. Amen."
Conversation flowed freely as platters were passed and plates were filled. After everyone had gotten their fill, the guys offered to do clean up so that Bella and Rose could get off of their feet and everyone could relax. After the dishes were done, they came in with a tray of coffee and desserts along with plates and utensils. They turned the game on low and everyone talked and laughed. Just as everyone finished their pie, Esme glanced up at the TV and the coffee cup she was holding slipped to the floor and shattered.
"Carlisle, turn up the volume!" She said as she grasped his arm.
"We interrupt this broadcast with a special news bulletin. Here is Brian Williams." The announcer said.
"Good evening. We have just received word that a suicide bomber has walked into a hotel in Kandahar. Reports are sketchy at this time, but we believe that there were many American troops located in that hotel. Again, a bomb has exploded in a hotel in Kandahar. We will be keeping you updated as more details become available."
"NO! I knew it. I knew something awful was going to happen. I felt it." Bella sobbed against her father.
Charlie did his best to console his daughter as around the room the woman held onto their loved ones. He couldn't help but wonder if Bella would ever have the same opportunity.
Across the ocean, the smoke billowed as soldiers began searching for fallen comrades.