A/N: Welcome to the start of my story Soldier's Strife. I have a feeling this will be a good one. The banner is freaking awesome.

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Dedication: This story is published on Veteran's Day 2009 (November 11th, 2009). This is a tribute to all of the soldier's in times past, present, and future that selflessly put their lives in danger every day to keep the rest of us safe and free. To all those who have fought and survived – THANK YOU for everything you have done and sacrificed! For those soldiers have gave it their all and paid the ultimate sacrifice, you will never be forgotten. You have kept our country free and safe. THANK YOU! You selfless men and women, I respect you greatly…

(Emmett's PoV)

It had been a year since I last saw my brother. I had been terrified that he would never return home, much like my eldest brother Masen. Four months prior to Edward's deployment, my brother Masen was killed by a roadside bomb. He was only twenty-two. Masen's death had devastated my family. He had been in Iraq and was due home in three weeks… However, it was Edward's news that he was being deployed that had crippled my parents. Only two months after Masen's death, Edward had received the news. He was set to leave eight weeks later. A few weeks after Masen's death, Edward's girlfriend Bella Swan had given birth to their daughter. She was named after, in respect, for our lost brother. Her name was Karee Masyn Cullen. She was only three months old when Edward left for Afghanistan. Now, thirteen months later, Karee was sixteen months old and about to be reunited with her father.

Today was an exciting day for my family and me. Three days ago, we finally received a call from Edward. For the past five months we hadn't heard a word from him, not a drop of news. To say were growing anxious was an understatement. Having lost our brother to war a year ago, not hearing from Edward for five months was petrifying. My parents feared the worst. To be honest, so did the rest of us. Poor Bella was going insane with worry. We feared that Edward had been killed or taken prisoner. My father, Carlisle, had contacted the deployment office at Edward's base. The commander, Colonel Spencer Simmons had no answer for us. He said discreetly, not giving out detailed information, that where Edward was stationed in Afghanistan there was heavy fighting and moving going on. He told us not to worry, that Edward was probably distracted with little time to do anything but sleep and work. That was five weeks prior to our unexpected phone call from Edward. Dad had answered the phone. My whole family, Bella and Karee included, were home at the time.

"Hello, Cullen residence. Carlisle speaking." I hadn't heard the other person speaking but I heard dad sigh, "Oh, Edward, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice, son." Then he turned the speaker on. "You're on speaker, Edward."

"Hey everyone."

Everyone mumbled a hello and told him how glad they were to be speaking to him.

"Edward, what happened? Why haven't we heard from you in five months?" Bella asked hysterically.

"I didn't want to worry you."

"I don't like the sound of that, Edward," my mother responded.

"Before you guys fret just know I am recovering and doing much better than I was a month ago."

I heard everyone take a collective breath and held it in, myself included.

Edward took a deep breath and sighed, "I was shot multiple times during a sneak attack."

"My baby!" My mother gasped, her hands flying to her mouth, as tears began to fall.

Bella was sobbing silently. My mother gathered her in her arms while my father comforted my sister Alice. I was numb… frozen.

"What happened, son?" My father asked as he regained composure.

"We were staked out in an abandoned building across from an orphanage that we were protecting. The man in our unit who was keeping vigil was taken out with a silencer. Then all hell broke loose. I and one other were the only ones to survive. Six others were killed. My buddy who survived, he lost his leg and can no longer speak. He was sent home last month. It would have been sooner but he tried to commit suicide and failed."

"Edward you didn't… try to kill yourself either, did you?"

"Of course not, dad!" Edward exclaimed, out raged.

"I'm sorry but I had to ask. When did this occur?"

"Five months ago."

"Why are you now just being sent home? What were your injuries, Edward? Only severe injuries would keep you held in an overseas hospital for that long of duration."

My father was in doctor mode. Not that I could blame him, another son of his was injured in the war against terrorism. His mind was probably on overload with fear, concern, and relief.

"I got one bullet in the chest. It tore some muscles. Therapy's helped a lot. Another bullet grazed my head but that only required stitches. But, a bullet shattered a vertebra e in my back. I can't walk, dad. I've been in physical therapy for my back for three and half months now. They had to wait until my back healed up. Nothing's working."

I heard my brother's voice choke as a sob he'd held in escaped.

My mother, Bella, and Alice were unable to speak due to their tears. I still felt numb. Staying silent, I gazed into my father's eyes and saw him struggling internally. His son was paralyzed.

"You just need to come home to your family. Once you're around everyone again, I think we'll be able to help you. Don't give up now, son."

Edward was silent for a moment before sighing, "I'll see you in three days."

"Get some rest, Edward. I know you still need it."

My father hung up as my brother's grim news settled in.

Now, here we were, standing together with bated breath as we waited for the plane to open its doors. Another few minutes passed before the plane door opened and a ramp lowered to the ground. That was when I saw him. The hero I hadn't seen in thirteen months. He was seated in a wheel chair with a blanket covering his legs. He was dressed in his soldier's uniform looking as spectacular as ever. A fellow soldier stood behind the chair as he pushed by brother down the ramp. My numbness wore off as I ran and reached my brother at the bottom of the ramp. The other soldier nodded at me as he stepped away. Edward gazed at me timidly.

"Edward!" I exclaimed, no longer able to hold back, and wrapped my arms around him tightly. I could feel the sobs as my body shook. The tears were dripping on my brother's collar. I felt his arms tighten around my back. "I knew you'd come back. I knew you'd keep your promise."

Edward didn't meet my eyes as he spoke, but his lips slightly curved upward, "Did you keep my baby polished?"

I grinned. He was talking about his silver Volvo that I had promised to keep in tip top condition while he was away. "I sure did. I go for my license in two weeks."

"Scary thought, my baby brother driving." He let a shiver take over his body jokingly. I saw his expression go from amusement to desolation. "My gift to you for taking care of my baby is the Volvo itself."

"What?"

He looked down and jerked his hand indicating his legs, "It's not like I can drive her anymore. I'm useless."

"Edward, I can't," I started but he interrupted me.

"Emmett, we have to move now. The others would like to leave the plane and go see their families as well."

I smiled and nodded, heading to the back of his chair. I watched as his head dropped, due to the humiliation I knew he was feeling, though he had no reason to. He was a hero.

"I'm sorry you have to push me home," my brother replied dismally.

I shook my head and placed by hand on his shoulder, smiling. He raised his head to look at me and I said while shaking my head, "Hey, this is what brothers are for." Then I pushed his wheelchair over to the rest of our family.

A/N: This is just a small snippet of the story. It's a prologue/introduction. In chapters to come, we will see the past, Edward in the war, and then Edward at home trying to overcome his injury. This story goes out to all those soldiers who have fought over in Iraq and Afghanistan. My promise to you: I WILL DO MY BEST TO DO THIS STORY/TOPIC JUSTICE!

**Please note, this story will most likely have monthly updates, due to the fact that I want to get my facts straight. Like I said, I want to do this story justice. So I hope you'll bear with me and stand by me over these next couple of months. But who knows – updates could come quicker, especially with Christmas break right around the corner! But you know college life, it kills you. HAHA!**

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