FreshSqueezedLemons

Rebbie nestled close to me as I held onto her.
"Auntie Alice," she whispered, and I was sure she was going to ask me to let go, "When will you have a baby?"
I sighed, closing my eyes tight, "I don't know."
I tried to stifle the sobs, but I let one out in defeat. Rebbie cuddled close.
"Don't cry Auntie Alice," she sniffled, hugging me tighter than she was. I stroked her hair, sobbing more.
"Sorry, sweetie...I'm just very sad because I'm finding it hard to have a baby. I want one very much," I murmured. Rebbie reached up and kissed my cheek.
"You'll have a baby," she smiled. I nodded slowly.
"I hope so."
Rosalie found us in our embrace and smiled. I had stopped crying by this point, and so I just looked like I was giving her a loving hug. Rebbie smiled.
"Mommy!" she squealed, and Rosalie lifted her up.
"We have to go home now, sweetie. James isn't very well," she whispered into her golden curls, and then kissed her cheek. I looked away in envy. I almost felt my face go green.
"Say goodbye to Auntie Alice," Rose smiled as she hugged me.
"Bye bye Auntie Alice," Rebbie grinned and kissed my cheek, then looked at her dress, "You need your dress back!"
"No, no. You keep it, little princess," I smiled and stroked her hair, "I'll see you soon."
Rebbie smiled and obediently said thank you, then Rosalie hugged me again and left. They had an excuse not to have Sunday dinner. I just wanted to go home.
"Alice?" Jasper peered around the door, "Dinner's ready."
"Go without me," I mumbled, lying on the bed, "I'm not hungry."
Jasper sighed and hugged me close. He said nothing, just caressing my face and wiping away the tears. It was a few minutes until he said, "I'm taking you home."
Jasper said to Esme that I needed time to feel better, and she immediately understood. She hugged me close and told me she hoped I'd feel better soon. I went straight to my room and shut the door when I got home, though I did allow Jasper to come in bed beside me and soothe me to sleep.
~~~
The First of October came quicker than I wanted it to. I woke up at five in the morning and didn't fall asleep again. Jasper had me in his arms, holding me close to him for the last time in six months. I cuddled close, staring up at his beautiful face and wanting to scream and cry. I shifted my gaze to the several suitcases by the closet. I longed to unpack them, or pack my own suitcases and come with him, but it was too late for me to sign up, and I needed vaccinations that I didn't have. Jasper opened his eyes and let out a sigh, then noticed I was awake. I didn't say a word, I just looked at him, not wanting to draw my eyes away from my husband. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead.
"I'll miss you like crazy," he murmured, nuzzling my cheek to his. I couldn't hold in the tears.
"Don't go!" I wailed and Jasper stroked my hair.
"I'll be home before you know it. I'll phone you everyday. I'll post pictures for you on Facebook,"  he smiled sadly, tears falling down his cheeks. He was volunteering for conservation in Kenya, for animals like lions, elephants and giraffes. He was also working in an African orphanage. I would have gone with him for both things, but I hadn't got the money to pay for it. Jasper had saved up since he was seventeen, and he had offered to pay for me too, but I wanted to pay it myself.
Jasper and I laid in an embrace until 8am. Jasper's flight was at 3pm, so we had time, even though he had to check in at 1pm. I followed him everywhere, not wanting to waste a second without him. I checked he had everything with him, and I realised that a lot of his framed photos were gone.
Slowly, I opened his smaller suitcase with his washing things and his camera, and found all the missing photos. Our wedding photos, the picture of me  at graduation. A picture of us together at graduation. A family photo of us with Carlisle, Esme, all our siblings and their children, and a photo of me and Rebbie.
I put my hand over my mouth as tears streamed down my face. Jasper found me in our room, crouched over the suitcase with the photos hugged to my chest, sobbing loudly. Jasper stood me up, hugging me close to him and crying with me.
"I don't want you to suffer when I'm gone," he murmured, wiping my tears.
"I can't help it!" I cried, clinging to me, "I'm going to miss you so much."
Esme and Carlisle came to take Jasper to the airport. We were still holding onto each other and crying. Esme sighed, and went to take one of the bags downstairs. Carlisle touched my back and took the other.
I fell asleep for half an hour of the two hour car ride. I cuddled close to Jasper, who stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.
"I love you," he whispered, "My angel."
I closed my eyes tight and hugged him with no intention of letting go, even when we got to Seattle airport. Jasper held me hand and pulled one suitcase, and Esme pulled the other. Carlisle had an arm around me as I stood next to Jasper. He checked in and paid the extra baggage charge, and then went towards passport check. The gate where I couldn't follow. Jasper kissed me lovingly, his arms around my waist and my arms around his neck. He lifted me up and hugged me tight.
"I'll phone you when I get there. I love you," he murmured, and then put me down. I kissed him one last time, and then he went to passport check. Esme pulled me into a hug as I broke down into sobs. Jasper looked back at me and sighed, blew a kiss to me and then disappeared from sight. Esme rubbed my back and took me back to the car to take me home. She offered to stay with me that night, but I politely declined the offer. I sat at home, sitting by the phone despite me knowing that Jasper wouldn't arrive in Africa for hours. I barely ate anything, only a salad I had made the night before for Jasper and I to share. I picked at it sadly, then put it back in the refridgerator.
I took an early night and went to bed at eight. It would be six in the morning for Jasper, as he was ten hours ahead of me now.
The phone rang at nine in the morning.
"Hello?" I mumbled quietly, but my face lit up at the voice that responded.
"Alice, it's me," Jasper said, "I got here alright. I tried to phone when I got to my apartment but you didn't answer. It was eleven at night and I guessed you were asleep."
"Jasper! Oh Jasper!" I smiled, "Jasper I miss you so much! I was waiting by the phone all day but I went to bed early."
Jasper laughed, "I miss you too, my love. Are you alright?"
"Last night was hard enough, I can't cope without you for six months."
"Oh, Alice," Jasper sighed, "I know you can. I'll keep in contact, I promise."
I took a few seconds before I answered, "I want to see you. Not just talk."
"Alice, I know I took our laptop, but I'm sure Carlisle or Rose would let you use their computers so you can Skype me," Jasper told me, "I'm exhausted. Sorry, sweetheart, I'm going to bed now. I'll talk for longer tomorrow. I love you."
Before I could say goodbye, the call ended, and I was alone once again.