Disclaimer: You know the drill. Nothing's changed. Yup.

Extreme writer's block, people. Urrrrrrghh!

Yes, I know it's EXTREMELY short. But, people, it's also an update! Please be grateful for that, and show me some love with reviews.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! This chapter picks up when Bella is overseas, and is about to go on a patrol. She's been away for about a month and a half. Her best friends in the unit are Ashley and Madison, as mentioned last chapter. As one of my reviewers pointed out, this story isn't true to real life. I just liked the idea of doing this for a story. So, if you're not gonna be able to just read and enjoy, then stop reading.

Chapter 7: Forever and Always

I came back into the tent after the poker tournament next door. I didn't play, mainly because my poker face is terrible. When I say terrible, I mean TERRIBLE. A blind man could pick up my bluff.

We were going to go on patrol in about thirty minutes, but I wanted to see if Edward had written me back. Since my deployment, we'd started doing the whole Dear John thing, minus the "I found someone else" part.

I looked around and saw that Madison had the mail bag. I went up to her and raised my eyebrows when she looked at me. She smiled and said, "Whatever can I do for you, Bella?"

I smiled back, "You got anything for me in there?"

She pointed to my bunk and chuckled, "Gotcha covered."

"Thanks," I muttered over my shoulder as I ran to my bed and hopped onto it, snatching the envelope from my pillow. The front was graced with his elegant calligraphy, and the small heart next to the stamp.

I carefully opened the flap and removed the paper from within.

My Beautiful Bella,

I'm so glad to hear that you're safe. I don't think you really realize how much these letter exchanges mean to me. Each time Alice screams in her head, "Bella's letter came today!" my heart swells with relief, knowing that you're safe and well for another day. It would be even better if she could actually see you, but she's still limited to seeing the arrival of your letters; and even then, she only knows the day it arrives. Carlisle and I have been looking into possible reasons for these limitations, but none of the histories have been able to tell us anything.

Are Ashley and Madison well? I'm glad you're not lonely, and that you've found such nice companions. How've the superiors been? Rathbone still subtly flirting with Ashley?

How is Kellan? His arm healing normally? I shudder to think of the possibility of you being injured. I hope he recovers soon, and gets back out there to cover your back. The sooner the better!

Please write back as soon as you possibly can without putting yourself in danger. The thought of you in trouble breaks my heart, but I couldn't even imagine how it would feel if I was the reason you were in danger.

Stay safe. For me. I love you.

Forever and Always,

Your Edward

I closed the letter with a smile on my face and pout it in my lockbox underneath my bunk with the rest of his letters and my stationary. I would write him a letter when we returned from our patrol.

I tucked the box back in its place, and as I sat upright, I heard a low, smooth, apologetic voice right behind me.

"Hi. It's Bella, right? I'm new to the unit and could use some help with my mattress cover."

I turned and saw messy, beautiful copper hair and deep green eyes.

What the he-?

*puts popcorn bucket down and quits biting fingernails* Dang. Don't you just hate it when authors do that? Get you involved then BOOM! cliffhanger. I really should stop doing that. Oh well.

If I get at least three reviews by tomorrow, I won't end the next chappy with a cliffhanger. Deal? Deal. *shakes invisible hand*

P.S. Send some love to my girlie xoxoSoftballTwihard28xoxo pleaseeee!