Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 18
Edward sat up in bed and sipped at the broth Jane had brought him. His fever had broken a few days ago, but he was still very weak. The infection in his leg had almost completely cleared up and he wasn't in as much pain. He wished he could say the same for PFC Mike Newton. In Edward’s fevered haze he had no idea Mike was in the same hospital as he was.
Mike had lost a leg in the blast that had almost taken Edward's life, they were both lucky to be alive. If not for his own quick thinking he would have bled out and he very nearly did, before Captain Volturi found him. He wished the others could have been saved.
Edward looked up at the footsteps that were coming his way. He smiled weakly at his father. "Dad, how are my tests looking today?"
"You're still very weak, Edward, but you’re making progress. Unfortunately we aren't going to make it home for Christmas or New Years. If you keep improving though you should be home in time for the baby to get here."
"Dammit. I really wanted to be there with Bella for our first Christmas. I wanted to be able to kiss her at midnight and ring in the New Year together." Edward complained.
"I know you did. I don't like missing the holidays anymore than you do, but everything will be fine. Have faith. If you're good today and eat all that broth, I'll let you call your wife."
Edward smiled and went back to slurping up the blandest shit he’d ever tasted, it certainly wasn't his mother's or Bella's cooking. Once he was finished he set the cup aside and leaned his head back. He was only going to close his eyes for a minute, but he woke up to his father shaking his shoulder.
"Edward, wake up. Do you want to call home?" Carlisle chuckled.
Edward held his hand out for the phone and dialed the familiar number. It rang several times before it was finally answered.
"Hello?" Bella's groggy voice greeted him.
"Hello, beautiful," Edward smiled.
Bella sat up as quickly as her belly would let her and swallowed back the sobs which threatened to choke her. "Edward? Oh, baby, I miss you so much. When are you coming home?"
"Not for at least a couple of weeks, sweetheart. I've been really sick and I need to get my strength back. Dad says I should be there by the time the baby comes. Speaking of him, have you thought about what you want to name him?"
"I've tossed around a few ideas. My favorite is Landon Jude Cullen, we could call him L.J. for short. What do you think?'
"I love it, that's what we'll name him. Let's keep it a secret though and not tell anyone until he arrives."
"Okay. I miss you so much, Edward."
"I miss you too, baby. I can't wait to see you and hold you in my arms. Once I get home I never have to come back, you know that right? I will never have to leave you and our children again."
"I can't wait, baby," Bella stifled a yawn, although not very well.
"Get some sleep, Bella. I'll call again in a couple of days. I love you," Edward didn't want to hang up, but he knew that Bella needed her rest.
"I love you, too." Bella hung up and laid back down. She was soon out with Edward's voice drifting in her dreams.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett walked into his parents house on the Sunday before Christmas to check on Bella. His Mom had called and asked him to stop by, while she ran some last minute errands. He found Bella in the living room, with tears pouring down her face as she watched a movie on the TV.
"What are you watching, Belly-bean?"
"Face Off. I always cry when he brings Castor Troy's kid home. He didn't have to do that, you know?" Bella knew it was ridiculous to cry at such a movie, but she couldn't help it.
"You are one crazy pregnant lady," Emmett laughed. He abruptly stopped when he saw Bella wince, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a couple of days. I know that they aren't the bad ones like I'll have when I am in labor, but I am never prepared for them."
Emmett had no idea what she was talking about. He had never been around a pregnant woman before, except his mom, but he had only been two at the time. "Can I get you anything?"
"Can you get me up? I really have to go to the bathroom," Bella giggled.
"Sure." Emmett reached down and carefully pulled Bella to a standing position. "I'm gonna raid the fridge. You want anything?"
"Sure. I'll have whatever you're having." They separated, Bella to the bathroom and Emmett to get them their snack.
Esme came home to find Bella and Emmett laughing at a cartoon on TV. She watched for a minute before she went to put away her things and get dinner started. "Emmett?" She called.
"Yeah, Mom."
"Will you be staying for dinner?" Esme asked as she walked into the living room.
"I guess. I should probably call Rose, though, just to see if she has anything planned." Emmett got up to go call his wife.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Esme asked Bella.
"Fine, except for these stupid Braxton Hicks and I think he's trying to kick his way out." Bella laughed.
"Are you feeling like anything special for dinner?"
"Nah, whatever you want to make. Do you need any help?" Bella hated sitting around helpless.
"Nope, you stay right there. I'll holler when it's ready."
Esme went into the kitchen and started pulling out the ingredients to make a taco casserole. It was quick, easy, and tasty all at the same time. She went through the familiar routine and half an hour later, dinner was served.
After dinner, Bella went to her room and sat down to write Edward a letter. She didn't send them, but she had them all together so he could read them when he got home.
Dear Edward,
Little Landon has been kicking me a lot. I think he is trying to kick his way out of my stomach. I talk to him everyday and tell him how much we love him, but that he needs to 'cook' a little longer. I wonder what he will look like? Will he look like you? Or me? He will probably have all your looks and be clumsy like me.
I miss you so much it hurts. Sometimes I can't even breathe. I wish you were home, Edward. I want to wake up in your arms. I want to feel your breath on my face. I want your body close to me. (Now I sound like a Patrick Swayze song).
Hurry home, my love. We are waiting.
Yours,
Bella
She sealed it in an envelope, put on her pajamas and crawled into bed, she was asleep instantly.
~~LTaS~~
Edward was out of bed and walking, albeit slowly, but he was walking nonetheless. His dad was walking with him, to make sure he didn't fall. "Dad, I didn't have a spinal cord injury, I took some shrapnel to the leg. I'm not gonna fall. Go help someone else, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You're still a little weak." Carlisle asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I have to build up my strength, I'm going to be holding my wife and son soon. Christmas is tomorrow and I’m going to be strong enough to go home next week. I’m determined, now go."
Carlisle reluctantly left his son's side, but went on and checked some of the other patients in the hospital. He had been able to help get half of the patients strong enough to be sent stateside and hoped he could send more when he and Edward headed home. He missed his wife and hated not being there for Christmas, but she felt, as did he, that their son was more important than gifts.
Edward wandered around the ward and stopped to visit with Mike. "How ya doing, Private?"
"Just peachy, Sir. You?" Mike was angry. Angry at the bastard who had walked into a hotel with a bomb strapped to his body. Angry at the morons who believed he was doing the right thing. He was mostly angry with himself for having an ounce of self preservation and saving his own life.
"Mike, things are gonna be okay. I know they look bleak now, but you're going home in a week. Your wife will be there for you, you'll get through this."
"Whatever, Edward. Just leave me alone please," Mike turned on his side, away from the man who had been his commanding officer.
Edward sighed and walked away. He needed some air, so he walked outside and sat on a bench. He didn't know how long he sat there, but eventually Carlisle came out to get him.
"Edward? I think you've been up long enough, you need to get back to bed. You don't want to overdo it."
Edward nodded and followed his father back into the hospital. He was no sooner settled in his bed than he fell asleep, dreaming of his brown eyed beauty.
Across the ocean brown eyes were slowly opening to a new day. A new day when her husband still wasn't home. Those brown eyes cried.
Edward sat up in bed and sipped at the broth Jane had brought him. His fever had broken a few days ago, but he was still very weak. The infection in his leg had almost completely cleared up and he wasn't in as much pain. He wished he could say the same for PFC Mike Newton. In Edward’s fevered haze he had no idea Mike was in the same hospital as he was.
Mike had lost a leg in the blast that had almost taken Edward's life, they were both lucky to be alive. If not for his own quick thinking he would have bled out and he very nearly did, before Captain Volturi found him. He wished the others could have been saved.
Edward looked up at the footsteps that were coming his way. He smiled weakly at his father. "Dad, how are my tests looking today?"
"You're still very weak, Edward, but you’re making progress. Unfortunately we aren't going to make it home for Christmas or New Years. If you keep improving though you should be home in time for the baby to get here."
"Dammit. I really wanted to be there with Bella for our first Christmas. I wanted to be able to kiss her at midnight and ring in the New Year together." Edward complained.
"I know you did. I don't like missing the holidays anymore than you do, but everything will be fine. Have faith. If you're good today and eat all that broth, I'll let you call your wife."
Edward smiled and went back to slurping up the blandest shit he’d ever tasted, it certainly wasn't his mother's or Bella's cooking. Once he was finished he set the cup aside and leaned his head back. He was only going to close his eyes for a minute, but he woke up to his father shaking his shoulder.
"Edward, wake up. Do you want to call home?" Carlisle chuckled.
Edward held his hand out for the phone and dialed the familiar number. It rang several times before it was finally answered.
"Hello?" Bella's groggy voice greeted him.
"Hello, beautiful," Edward smiled.
Bella sat up as quickly as her belly would let her and swallowed back the sobs which threatened to choke her. "Edward? Oh, baby, I miss you so much. When are you coming home?"
"Not for at least a couple of weeks, sweetheart. I've been really sick and I need to get my strength back. Dad says I should be there by the time the baby comes. Speaking of him, have you thought about what you want to name him?"
"I've tossed around a few ideas. My favorite is Landon Jude Cullen, we could call him L.J. for short. What do you think?'
"I love it, that's what we'll name him. Let's keep it a secret though and not tell anyone until he arrives."
"Okay. I miss you so much, Edward."
"I miss you too, baby. I can't wait to see you and hold you in my arms. Once I get home I never have to come back, you know that right? I will never have to leave you and our children again."
"I can't wait, baby," Bella stifled a yawn, although not very well.
"Get some sleep, Bella. I'll call again in a couple of days. I love you," Edward didn't want to hang up, but he knew that Bella needed her rest.
"I love you, too." Bella hung up and laid back down. She was soon out with Edward's voice drifting in her dreams.
~~LTaS~~
Emmett walked into his parents house on the Sunday before Christmas to check on Bella. His Mom had called and asked him to stop by, while she ran some last minute errands. He found Bella in the living room, with tears pouring down her face as she watched a movie on the TV.
"What are you watching, Belly-bean?"
"Face Off. I always cry when he brings Castor Troy's kid home. He didn't have to do that, you know?" Bella knew it was ridiculous to cry at such a movie, but she couldn't help it.
"You are one crazy pregnant lady," Emmett laughed. He abruptly stopped when he saw Bella wince, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a couple of days. I know that they aren't the bad ones like I'll have when I am in labor, but I am never prepared for them."
Emmett had no idea what she was talking about. He had never been around a pregnant woman before, except his mom, but he had only been two at the time. "Can I get you anything?"
"Can you get me up? I really have to go to the bathroom," Bella giggled.
"Sure." Emmett reached down and carefully pulled Bella to a standing position. "I'm gonna raid the fridge. You want anything?"
"Sure. I'll have whatever you're having." They separated, Bella to the bathroom and Emmett to get them their snack.
Esme came home to find Bella and Emmett laughing at a cartoon on TV. She watched for a minute before she went to put away her things and get dinner started. "Emmett?" She called.
"Yeah, Mom."
"Will you be staying for dinner?" Esme asked as she walked into the living room.
"I guess. I should probably call Rose, though, just to see if she has anything planned." Emmett got up to go call his wife.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Esme asked Bella.
"Fine, except for these stupid Braxton Hicks and I think he's trying to kick his way out." Bella laughed.
"Are you feeling like anything special for dinner?"
"Nah, whatever you want to make. Do you need any help?" Bella hated sitting around helpless.
"Nope, you stay right there. I'll holler when it's ready."
Esme went into the kitchen and started pulling out the ingredients to make a taco casserole. It was quick, easy, and tasty all at the same time. She went through the familiar routine and half an hour later, dinner was served.
After dinner, Bella went to her room and sat down to write Edward a letter. She didn't send them, but she had them all together so he could read them when he got home.
Dear Edward,
Little Landon has been kicking me a lot. I think he is trying to kick his way out of my stomach. I talk to him everyday and tell him how much we love him, but that he needs to 'cook' a little longer. I wonder what he will look like? Will he look like you? Or me? He will probably have all your looks and be clumsy like me.
I miss you so much it hurts. Sometimes I can't even breathe. I wish you were home, Edward. I want to wake up in your arms. I want to feel your breath on my face. I want your body close to me. (Now I sound like a Patrick Swayze song).
Hurry home, my love. We are waiting.
Yours,
Bella
She sealed it in an envelope, put on her pajamas and crawled into bed, she was asleep instantly.
~~LTaS~~
Edward was out of bed and walking, albeit slowly, but he was walking nonetheless. His dad was walking with him, to make sure he didn't fall. "Dad, I didn't have a spinal cord injury, I took some shrapnel to the leg. I'm not gonna fall. Go help someone else, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You're still a little weak." Carlisle asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I have to build up my strength, I'm going to be holding my wife and son soon. Christmas is tomorrow and I’m going to be strong enough to go home next week. I’m determined, now go."
Carlisle reluctantly left his son's side, but went on and checked some of the other patients in the hospital. He had been able to help get half of the patients strong enough to be sent stateside and hoped he could send more when he and Edward headed home. He missed his wife and hated not being there for Christmas, but she felt, as did he, that their son was more important than gifts.
Edward wandered around the ward and stopped to visit with Mike. "How ya doing, Private?"
"Just peachy, Sir. You?" Mike was angry. Angry at the bastard who had walked into a hotel with a bomb strapped to his body. Angry at the morons who believed he was doing the right thing. He was mostly angry with himself for having an ounce of self preservation and saving his own life.
"Mike, things are gonna be okay. I know they look bleak now, but you're going home in a week. Your wife will be there for you, you'll get through this."
"Whatever, Edward. Just leave me alone please," Mike turned on his side, away from the man who had been his commanding officer.
Edward sighed and walked away. He needed some air, so he walked outside and sat on a bench. He didn't know how long he sat there, but eventually Carlisle came out to get him.
"Edward? I think you've been up long enough, you need to get back to bed. You don't want to overdo it."
Edward nodded and followed his father back into the hospital. He was no sooner settled in his bed than he fell asleep, dreaming of his brown eyed beauty.
Across the ocean brown eyes were slowly opening to a new day. A new day when her husband still wasn't home. Those brown eyes cried.