Mein Liebling

Untitled Part 37

Not that you didn't trust Edward to know how to cook, but knowing how bland food was supposed to be in his time leaves you admittedly surprised when delicious smells waft from the kitchen and tempt your tastebuds. You had offered to help, but he insisted on doing it himself and promptly banished you, leaving you to cuddle with Gaius while you tried in vain to distract yourself with a book.

With a sigh, you close the book and glance over, seeing Edward's shadow move back and forth as you hear various utensils shuffling and plates being arranged. Your mouth actually begins to water, your stomach calling out in impatience and earning a curious head tilt from Gaius. You chuckle and stroke his head, smiling softly as he nuzzles against you and lets out a deep breath.

Edward's hand startles you as he gently tucks a loose hair behind you ear, "Sorry, liebling, I didn't realize I had snuck up on you." He leans down to kiss your temple, his hand resting along your jaw and neck, tilting your face up to meet your eyes, "dinner is ready whenever you are, my love."

Your stomach answers for you, grumbling in vehement response.

He chuckles softly as warmth spreads across your cheeks before pressing his lips to yours, "I have kept you vaiting long enough, let's eat, liebling." Leaning up, he offers his hand and pulls you to stand beside him, holding you flush at your waist and capturing another kiss with a smirk before guiding you to the kitchen.

"It seriously smells amazing," you compliment, taking your seat opposite him at the small table you had recently acquired, "What did you end up making?"

"Vell," he scoots the chair in for you before taking his own and pouring a small glass of wine for himself, offering some to you even though he already knew your response, "I've quite enjoyed the food of zhis universe, und so I vas doing some experimentation in cooking, zhinking it vould be fun, und shomezhing nice I could do for you. So, I asked Zack vhat your favorite meal vas, und did my best to find a good recipe to follow." He smiles warily and reaches across to hold your hand, the small table making it quite easy, "I do hope you enjoy it, liebling, but be honest vizh me; I can take zhe critique, und need to improve if it isn't quite right."

"I'm sure it'll be great, babe." You give his hand a squeeze in reassurance.

"I'm not as experienced a chef as you, meine liebste," he places a napkin across one knee and fiddles with his silverware, "but I hope I improve vizh practice."

"I think you're just being a perfectionist," you tease, draping a napkin across your full lap and taking your first bite, the flavors melding together in your mouth as you glance up at him, one of his brows quirked slightly in anticipation, "Just as I thought."

He tilts his head and leans in, resting his forearms on the table, "zhat bad?"

You take another bite and hold back the grin as his forehead creases, "This is absolutely amazing, babe."

He sighs in relief, running a hand down his face as he leans back in his seat, "You had me zhinking you hated it."

"I'm sorry, babe," you chuckle, taking a sip of water to wash down yet another bite, "this is seriously great though, thank you so much for making this for me."

"Anyzhing for you, liebling," he smiles broadly, reaching for his glass of wine, "I'm so very glad zhat you enjoy it."

"Maybe you'll let me cook your favorite dish next time?"

"I-"

A loud crashing noise interrupts before Edward can even fully start his sentence, startling both of you.

"Vhat in-"

A second, louder bang rings out, followed by a tumbling sound that shakes the entire building.

Edward grabs you from your chair before you can even fully process what's happening, pulling you with him as he moves to the closest doorway. Another rumble sounds and shakes again as the two of you lower and brace in the door frame, Edward's arms wrapping around you as if doing his best to shield you.

Then comes the screaming...

Though, not the kind you'd expect. There were people running by in the hallways, screaming to get downstairs and to be prepared.

Something else was going on...

You glance at Edward who returns your worry with knitted brows and a curt nod as both of you rush to grab your gear, quickly changing back into more functional clothes before rushing out into the absolute disarray in the hallway.

People run by with panic in their eyes, none stopping to say what's happening as you both hurriedly make your way to find Zack in hopes that he would have some kind of answer for whatever the hell this is.

Comms is an absolute mad house with a roar of people trying to talk over one another and various images on the big screen flashing by, showing the horror and what remains of the west wall as hoards flood inside the compound.

Your heart sinks and stomach turns in knots, but Edward's hand on your shoulder brings your focus to where he's pointing and reveals Zack attempting to talk with the other men. Dempsey is arguing with him, which doesn't surprise you in the slightest.

As you both make your way over, you pick up bits and pieces of other conversations,

"Never gonna make it..."

"...hoards this size..."

"The wall is gone..."

"...never recover from this..."

"...what do we do now..."

Edward takes your hand in his own, keeping you close by as he worms his way through the crowd .

"Are you two alright?" Zack is the first to greet you, motioning around to the flurry of commotion all around, "We've got a major fucking problem here," he turns his attention more specifically to Edward, "any chance that machine is ready yet?"

"Ja," he nods, but then motions vaguely up to the big screen and the images of hoards flashing by, "but it von't vork on zhem, only on-"

"Monty," Dempsey interrupts, "Yeah, big guy is here too."

Edward unintentionally squeezes your hand tighter, his breath faltering slightly, "Vhere is he?"

"He's moving around," Zack turns to mess with a keyboard, bringing up a few select images on the screen to show Monty's actions so far, "we have to assume he's looking for something."

"Someone," you correct.

They all glance at you, their shoulders seeming to deflate slightly as though they had entirely forgotten what Monty really wanted.

You can't help but to fixate on the screen; the images of all you and your people had worked so hard to build crumbling and burning before your eyes; everything you had done over the last 2 years to protect those you care about being undone in one day; the countless that had already died, and those who would undoubtedly die before the day was over.

Your fears had been right...

Your intuition an unfortunate curse...

Things had seemed wrong, as if they were careening toward an explosive demise, and here you are right at the climax of what feels like the end of everything near and dear.

But... maybe, just maybe, this time could be different.

Maybe you don't have to die in this reality, and maybe you can still save everyone you love; maybe the compound can be rebuilt and come back stronger.

A wave of hope flutters in your chest as you stand straighter, meeting Edward's eyes and smiling softly as he slides his hand along the small of your back to pull you flush at his side.

Maybe Samantha had given you enough warning, and your memories are enough to prepare you for this very moment.

Maybe...

This would....

Instead of a painful end...

Be a chance for a new beginning?

Maybe.