A/N: This story is set roughly ten years after the books because World War I started in 1914.
"Samantha? Samantha?" I heard my name being called in the distance but I didn't look up because I was busy writing a letter. Eddie Ryland had been my next door neighbor for as long as I could remember. When I used to come visit Grandmary with my parents we would play together. Now, it's 1918 and Eddie, well Edward, is off fighting the Germans in Europe during the Great World War. (A/N: That's what they called World War I during that time) I'm writing to him, not only because he's fighting and he needs somebody at home to write to him. His mother writes letters to him; but they are always so prim and proper. He showed me one of the letters his mother wrote him. She told him to change his undergarments every day. Not exactly the kind of letter you want to show your friends. Not only that, but, we have been getting pretty close lately and I think writing to him is a way to try and keep that closeness. He was in training for several months, and then they sent him off to Europe with no time to prepare or tell his family. This was devastating, but we went really sure what to do about the situation. We couldn't exactly say no. Mr. Ryland died a year or so ago so Grandmary has been watching out for Mrs. Ryland while Eddie has been away. I'm sure he appreciates that help. I wish I could help Grandmary, but Nellie, Jenny, Bridget and I live with Aunt Cornelia and Uncle Gard in New York City which is so far away from Mount Bedford. Although, I agreed that I would come see Grandmary now that I'm out of school and starting my studies to become a nurse. She wants me to join the war effort. I'm not sure I want to go overseas and see everything that they are doing; it's bad enough hearing it on the radio, but I do volunteer with the Red Cross. Finally, I looked up to see Grandmary standing there. She was holding an envelope.
"Samantha, sometimes I think you have cotton in your ears. This letter is for you. It's from Edward Ryland." Grandmary said before walking out of the room. I took the letter and I opened it.
"Dear Samantha,
How are you? I hope you are doing well. I am doing quite fine over here in Europe. The land is beautiful. I just hate the idea that it is being destroyed by the bombs that get dropped every day on the soldiers here. I can't tell you where I am right now, but I want you to know that I'm safe. There is something I want to tell you in case I never get the chance to.
Samantha Parkington, I love you. I always have.
I'm sorry that this letter is so short, but I don't have much time to write. I'm sure you are probably sitting there writing me a letter now, so you can send it to me and I will write back when I have a chance. I wish I could have been with you the first time I told you I loved you; but I will be when I tell you in person. Keep holding on Samantha; they are talking about sending some of us home. I hope I'm one of the lucky soldiers who do.
Sincerely,
Eddie"
He usually doesn't write me very long letters but I'm always able to find something about them that makes me smile. Today, the very thing that makes me smile is the idea that he will get to come home. I'm sure he will be in that group of soldiers to come home. He has to be. We have become so close in the last several years; it would be devastating if something happened to him. So many people around the world have lost brothers, sons, husbands, and fiancés. I know with everything I have burning in my soul that Eddie is going to be one of the first soldiers to come home; and I want to be there waiting with a smile on my face when he does. Who knew that I would feel like I loved Eddie Ryland after everything we went through growing up? Oh, I don't care who knows it anymore. I think I'm in love with Eddie Ryland and I want to tell him when he gets home.
