Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
***WARNING. GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT.***
Chapter 15
Once the smoke cleared the search began, so did the screaming. Women and children throughout the town were crying out in agony. The stench of burning flesh could be smelled for miles. Company #106 had been stationed inside the hotel, now half of them were missing. Captain Demetri Volturi was frantically searching for all of his men when he suddenly stumbled to the ground. He looked around and noticed that he had tripped. He had fallen over the limb of one of his dead soldiers. Private Tyler Crowley stared back at him, his eyes unseeing—lifeless. The captain stood and swallowed back the bile that was rising.
He continued his search and finally came upon PFC Newton. He noticed the man had managed to make a tourniquet out of his belt and was fighting to stay conscious. It looked as though his leg had been blown off.
"Newton?"
"Yeah?" His reply was weak and his eyes unfocused.
"Have you seen anyone else?" Demetri asked as he helped apply pressure to Mike's missing appendage.
"No, Sir. Yorkie was right beside me, I don't know where he went. Uley, Call, and Ateara were inside with Cullen."
The captain closed his eyes. He looked over to what was left of the hotel and realized that his best man was very likely dead under all the rubble.
~~LTaS~~
The family gathered around the TV, waiting for any new updates, but reports were still sketchy. All that has been said so far was that a suicide bomber walked into the hotel, where he detonated a device that leveled the building. Reports of any survivors had not been offered. Apparently they hadn't found any or they just couldn't say for the protection of the men. Everyone thought the fear was that they would be hit again.
As soon as the reports aired, Jasper and Emmett were on the phone trying to find out any details using their connections to the army. They weren't getting very far.
Bella was standing at the window looking out and staring toward the heavens with her hands on her belly. The baby hadn't moved in a while and she was sure it was stress, but she was scared. For her husband and for her child. She couldn't bring herself to say anything yet. However, she had forgotten about Alice.
"What are you hiding, Bella? Are you feeling okay?" Before she could respond, Bella hissed at a shooting pain in her back and abdomen. Alice noticed, "Carlisle!"
Carlisle looked up expectantly. "What's wrong Alice?"
"I think something is wrong with either Bella or the baby. She is over here hissing and rubbing her stomach."
Carlisle walked over, "Bella? Are you having contractions?"
Bella shook her head. "I think it's just indigestion, but he isn't moving very much."
"How much is 'not much'?"
"I haven't felt him in about thirty or more minutes. Is that normal?" Bella was getting concerned.
"Normally at this stage you should feel at least ten or more kicks in a forty minute period, but you are under some strain right now and he is feeling that. I would feel better though if we got you to the hospital and put you on a monitor. Just for precautionary reasons, okay?" Carlisle asked.
"Okay." Bella walked with Carlisle to the hall and let him help her put her coat on.
Carlisle went to tell Esme where he was going and was not surprised when she insisted on going. They piled into his black Mercedes and took off toward the hospital. Carlisle parked in his spot and led the women to the labor and delivery unit. He spoke with the nurse in charge and explained that he needed a room so that he could monitor a patient.
Once Bella was laying in a bed comfortably, or as much as possible, Carlisle strapped the monitors to her stomach. He handed her a buzzer and explained that he wanted her to press the button every time she felt movement. He said he was going to go ahead and page her doctor, just in case. Esme settled in beside Bella and turned on the television to a movie, so that they could avoid the news and any stress on Bella.
Carlisle came back in with Dr. Gerandy in tow. They looked at the read out and conferred before speaking to Bella.
"Bella, I‘m going to have to admit you. You’re having some pretty strong contractions and I want to leave you on the monitor overnight. We’re going to give you a shot to relax you and one of some steroids, just on the off chance the baby is in distress and has to be delivered." Dr. Gerandy explained.
Bella sighed, "Whatever you have to do to make sure he is safe."
While Dr. Gerandy made the arrangements, Carlisle helped take the monitors off Bella and wipe the gel away. He said a silent prayer that the baby was okay and then added the hope his son was also still alive.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett was getting frustrated, all of his contacts had come up empty. He had no idea if his brother was in the hotel let alone in the area. He plopped down on the couch next to his wife and placed his hand on her growing belly. "I can't get any information. This is so irritating."
He looked up as Jasper came back into the living room. He did not like the look on his friend's face.
Jasper sat next to Alice and Charlie before he spoke. "He was in the hotel, that’s all I know. My source says Edward and three other members of his team had been inside at the time the bomb exploded and their whereabouts are still unknown."
Rosalie gasped and Alice sobbed. "Oh, God! How are we going to tell Bella?"
"We're not." Charlie said with conviction.
Alice looked at him, "What? How can we not?"
"Think about it, Bella is already in the hospital. She is pregnant and from what I gathered from Carlisle, having contractions. We do not need to give her any more stress. She needs to concentrate on keeping that baby safe. Remember that ignorance is bliss." It was the longest speech Charlie had ever given.
"Dad, I don't think that’s a good idea. Bella will be royally pissed if she finds out we kept this from her." Jasper pointed out.
"I would rather have her be pissed at me, than to have my grandchild at risk." Charlie looked around the room and watched as they all reluctantly agreed.
Bella tried to sleep, but was afraid to close her eyes. She was afraid she was going to wake up and someone would tell her that Edward was dead and that she would have to raise their son alone. The nurse finally came in and gave her a shot to help her sleep and one to help her little boy grow. When she finally drifted off, she dreamed of emerald eyes and a perfect smile.
When morning came she woke to her son kicking her ribs. She smiled and rubbed her belly, "Good morning, little guy. Are you feeling better?" He kicked her in reply.
"Good morning, Mrs. Cullen. How are you feeling today?" The nurse came in.
"I am feeling fine and being kicked. I never thought I would miss it until it was gone," Bella smiled. "Do you think I could get these off?” she pointed to the monitors. “I really have to pee."
The nurse laughed. "Sure. Just a second. I'm Angela by the way."
Bella watched as Angela washed her hands and grabbed a few tissues. She came over and removed the monitors, wiping away the gel, before helping Bella stand and head to the bathroom. "Make sure you give me a sample while you're in there. There are clean cups behind the toilet."
"Okay." Bella went in and emptied her bladder, which pleased her son, as he began to kick in earnest.
When she walked out, Esme was there with fresh clothes and her toothbrush. After Bella had showered and felt more human, she went back out asking Esme if there was any news.
"No, sweetie, I'm sorry. Nothing new yet." Esme hated to lie to her daughter-in-law, but Charlie was right, the baby was more important.
Before she could ask anything else, Dr. Gerandy walked in. "Well, Bella. The contractions have stopped, but I am not taking any chances with you. I am putting you on bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy. No more work, and I would prefer it if you weren't staying by yourself. I’ll have all the papers drawn up that you’ll need to send to the school. I am not saying you are restricted to your bed, but I don't want you doing anything strenuous. You need to take it easy, young lady. Any questions?"
"No, I’ll be careful." Bella smiled.
"Alright. I'll get your discharge papers and then you can go." Dr. Gerandy left and said he would see her at her next appointment.
Bella looked at Esme, "Well, can we move in for a while?"
"Of course. We would love it. Your room is already prepared."
Bella nodded and as soon as she had signed her papers, they went to get some of her clothes and anything else Bella may need for her extended stay with her in-laws.
Across the ocean, a man lay thinking of his wife and unborn son. Praying that he would make it home to them.
Chapter 15
Once the smoke cleared the search began, so did the screaming. Women and children throughout the town were crying out in agony. The stench of burning flesh could be smelled for miles. Company #106 had been stationed inside the hotel, now half of them were missing. Captain Demetri Volturi was frantically searching for all of his men when he suddenly stumbled to the ground. He looked around and noticed that he had tripped. He had fallen over the limb of one of his dead soldiers. Private Tyler Crowley stared back at him, his eyes unseeing—lifeless. The captain stood and swallowed back the bile that was rising.
He continued his search and finally came upon PFC Newton. He noticed the man had managed to make a tourniquet out of his belt and was fighting to stay conscious. It looked as though his leg had been blown off.
"Newton?"
"Yeah?" His reply was weak and his eyes unfocused.
"Have you seen anyone else?" Demetri asked as he helped apply pressure to Mike's missing appendage.
"No, Sir. Yorkie was right beside me, I don't know where he went. Uley, Call, and Ateara were inside with Cullen."
The captain closed his eyes. He looked over to what was left of the hotel and realized that his best man was very likely dead under all the rubble.
~~LTaS~~
The family gathered around the TV, waiting for any new updates, but reports were still sketchy. All that has been said so far was that a suicide bomber walked into the hotel, where he detonated a device that leveled the building. Reports of any survivors had not been offered. Apparently they hadn't found any or they just couldn't say for the protection of the men. Everyone thought the fear was that they would be hit again.
As soon as the reports aired, Jasper and Emmett were on the phone trying to find out any details using their connections to the army. They weren't getting very far.
Bella was standing at the window looking out and staring toward the heavens with her hands on her belly. The baby hadn't moved in a while and she was sure it was stress, but she was scared. For her husband and for her child. She couldn't bring herself to say anything yet. However, she had forgotten about Alice.
"What are you hiding, Bella? Are you feeling okay?" Before she could respond, Bella hissed at a shooting pain in her back and abdomen. Alice noticed, "Carlisle!"
Carlisle looked up expectantly. "What's wrong Alice?"
"I think something is wrong with either Bella or the baby. She is over here hissing and rubbing her stomach."
Carlisle walked over, "Bella? Are you having contractions?"
Bella shook her head. "I think it's just indigestion, but he isn't moving very much."
"How much is 'not much'?"
"I haven't felt him in about thirty or more minutes. Is that normal?" Bella was getting concerned.
"Normally at this stage you should feel at least ten or more kicks in a forty minute period, but you are under some strain right now and he is feeling that. I would feel better though if we got you to the hospital and put you on a monitor. Just for precautionary reasons, okay?" Carlisle asked.
"Okay." Bella walked with Carlisle to the hall and let him help her put her coat on.
Carlisle went to tell Esme where he was going and was not surprised when she insisted on going. They piled into his black Mercedes and took off toward the hospital. Carlisle parked in his spot and led the women to the labor and delivery unit. He spoke with the nurse in charge and explained that he needed a room so that he could monitor a patient.
Once Bella was laying in a bed comfortably, or as much as possible, Carlisle strapped the monitors to her stomach. He handed her a buzzer and explained that he wanted her to press the button every time she felt movement. He said he was going to go ahead and page her doctor, just in case. Esme settled in beside Bella and turned on the television to a movie, so that they could avoid the news and any stress on Bella.
Carlisle came back in with Dr. Gerandy in tow. They looked at the read out and conferred before speaking to Bella.
"Bella, I‘m going to have to admit you. You’re having some pretty strong contractions and I want to leave you on the monitor overnight. We’re going to give you a shot to relax you and one of some steroids, just on the off chance the baby is in distress and has to be delivered." Dr. Gerandy explained.
Bella sighed, "Whatever you have to do to make sure he is safe."
While Dr. Gerandy made the arrangements, Carlisle helped take the monitors off Bella and wipe the gel away. He said a silent prayer that the baby was okay and then added the hope his son was also still alive.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett was getting frustrated, all of his contacts had come up empty. He had no idea if his brother was in the hotel let alone in the area. He plopped down on the couch next to his wife and placed his hand on her growing belly. "I can't get any information. This is so irritating."
He looked up as Jasper came back into the living room. He did not like the look on his friend's face.
Jasper sat next to Alice and Charlie before he spoke. "He was in the hotel, that’s all I know. My source says Edward and three other members of his team had been inside at the time the bomb exploded and their whereabouts are still unknown."
Rosalie gasped and Alice sobbed. "Oh, God! How are we going to tell Bella?"
"We're not." Charlie said with conviction.
Alice looked at him, "What? How can we not?"
"Think about it, Bella is already in the hospital. She is pregnant and from what I gathered from Carlisle, having contractions. We do not need to give her any more stress. She needs to concentrate on keeping that baby safe. Remember that ignorance is bliss." It was the longest speech Charlie had ever given.
"Dad, I don't think that’s a good idea. Bella will be royally pissed if she finds out we kept this from her." Jasper pointed out.
"I would rather have her be pissed at me, than to have my grandchild at risk." Charlie looked around the room and watched as they all reluctantly agreed.
Bella tried to sleep, but was afraid to close her eyes. She was afraid she was going to wake up and someone would tell her that Edward was dead and that she would have to raise their son alone. The nurse finally came in and gave her a shot to help her sleep and one to help her little boy grow. When she finally drifted off, she dreamed of emerald eyes and a perfect smile.
When morning came she woke to her son kicking her ribs. She smiled and rubbed her belly, "Good morning, little guy. Are you feeling better?" He kicked her in reply.
"Good morning, Mrs. Cullen. How are you feeling today?" The nurse came in.
"I am feeling fine and being kicked. I never thought I would miss it until it was gone," Bella smiled. "Do you think I could get these off?” she pointed to the monitors. “I really have to pee."
The nurse laughed. "Sure. Just a second. I'm Angela by the way."
Bella watched as Angela washed her hands and grabbed a few tissues. She came over and removed the monitors, wiping away the gel, before helping Bella stand and head to the bathroom. "Make sure you give me a sample while you're in there. There are clean cups behind the toilet."
"Okay." Bella went in and emptied her bladder, which pleased her son, as he began to kick in earnest.
When she walked out, Esme was there with fresh clothes and her toothbrush. After Bella had showered and felt more human, she went back out asking Esme if there was any news.
"No, sweetie, I'm sorry. Nothing new yet." Esme hated to lie to her daughter-in-law, but Charlie was right, the baby was more important.
Before she could ask anything else, Dr. Gerandy walked in. "Well, Bella. The contractions have stopped, but I am not taking any chances with you. I am putting you on bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy. No more work, and I would prefer it if you weren't staying by yourself. I’ll have all the papers drawn up that you’ll need to send to the school. I am not saying you are restricted to your bed, but I don't want you doing anything strenuous. You need to take it easy, young lady. Any questions?"
"No, I’ll be careful." Bella smiled.
"Alright. I'll get your discharge papers and then you can go." Dr. Gerandy left and said he would see her at her next appointment.
Bella looked at Esme, "Well, can we move in for a while?"
"Of course. We would love it. Your room is already prepared."
Bella nodded and as soon as she had signed her papers, they went to get some of her clothes and anything else Bella may need for her extended stay with her in-laws.
Across the ocean, a man lay thinking of his wife and unborn son. Praying that he would make it home to them.