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Remember the good old days when I updated every day? At least it is less than a week this time right? Thanks to everyone who read, put on alert, in their favourites and reviewed the last chapter. Each email is a little sunshine added to my day :)

Many of you will not like this chapter and I am sorry but do not give up hope! :D Please stick with me. If you want a sneak peek of what the chapter will be like, I suggest you listen to Unfinished Memories by Eowyn.

I wrote the chapter like this because I wanted everyone's view on the war, not just one specific person. I am sorry if there is not enough drama for you and the letters did look longer when I was typing them on Word!

Enjoy!

Forever Bound

Chapter Thirty Five - Unfinished Memories

Dearest Bella,

I have arrived in Belgium safely and I am situated in Hasselt which is near the border of Germany. It is a beautiful town, and the people are very welcoming to the forces as they know we are here to help; luckily my skills have not been exercised too much to date.

I wish with every beat of my heart that I could be at home with you and Alicia. I miss you both more than my heart can ever express. I hate the fact that I have miss our precious angel grow, miss her run for the first time, pronounce more words for the first time and enjoy her life to the fullest. I hate the fact that I am missing our child grow inside your belly as Alicia did, promise me that you will inform me of important events?

However I hope you understand why I have to do this Bella. I have to help those protecting our country, making it a safe place for Ali and our baby to grow up in.

Has she learnt anything new? I suspect she is running about and causing havoc, just like my little girl should! If Emmett has anything to do with it, I am sure she will be a little mischief maker while her Papa is away; I expect to find a mini Emmett when I return home!

How does Rosalie's pregnancy progress? Have her moods changed a lot? I am sure she has Emmett attending to her every need.

And how are mother and father? Will you please reassure them of my safe arrival? I am certain mother has been worried. Are Alice and Jasper well? Has Jasper tired of my cousin's constant nattering yet?

Bella, I miss you so much it feels as if a hole has been carved in my chest. I cannot sleep, I find it hard to breathe and I cannot eat. I wish I could be holding you in my arms as we watch our daughter play. I am not sure I will be able to endure being here for long. Please tell me that you are okay, that you miss me but you can cope with raising Ali alone while I am away. I know it is a lot to ask my love, but if you do not tell me such things, I fear I will jump into the sea and swim home!

I will write to you as soon as I can Bella.

Please tell Alicia her Papa misses her and give her a big kiss from me. I love you Bella.

All my love,

Edward.

-o-

Darling Edward,

Of course, every one of us understands why you had to leave us. It is in your soul to do good work and save others. We love you all the more for sticking to you principles. We are all so relieved to have received your letter and know that you arrived in Belgium safely. You were correct, everyday Esme would question whether any news had arrived. I felt terrible for not being able to share anything with her.

As for your other questions, Rose is simple being Rose and orders Emmett about just as she did before. He is like a puppy, complying with her every whim. Jasper has not tired of your cousin no; thought it may be due to the fact Alice has quietened considerably since your departure.

You are right of course, as you always are. Ali is now running around wherever she can set her little feet. Whenever we try to carry her around, she protests until we have no other choice but to put her on the floor and watch her run from us. She has fallen numerous times but simply stands up once more and begins to run again. It is honestly quite endearing.

She is talking more and more every day, although her favourite word is still Papa. She calls for you numerous times a day. We have tried to tell her that you have gone away for a little while, but that does not stop her from missing you.

Edward, I understand the hole you feel. I feel it every second of everyday but you cannot allow that to be the cause for you to come home. The people need you there Edward; you are needed to save their lives. It is hard Edward; I shall not lie to you. I wish you could be here to watch everything Ali does, and watch the baby inside me grow each day but I cannot ask you to leave. You will be back soon, I know you will.

Alicia sends you a big kiss in return, and has added her own kisses to this letter, (Although I did have to guide her hand).

We love you more than you will ever know.

Bella and Alicia.

-o-

To my darling daughter,

Papa misses you darling. I promise I will be home soon .I am fighting the bad boys for you, just like Grandpa did.

Have you been having fun with Mama? Mama tells me you have been running around the house like a little dog, is Seth causing you to act in such a way? Or is it your teddy of an Uncle Emmett?

Can you promise Papa something Ali?

Will you look after Mama while I am away? I am putting you in charge of the house!

I love you my sweetheart. I wish I could kiss you goodnight but remember that everything I do, I do it for you and Mama.

Lots of love,

Papa.

-o-

Dear Edward,

Your letter to Alicia was beautiful my love. She made me read it to her ten times before I was allowed to stop, although she has demanded that I read it to her before she goes to bed each night. She sleeps with it under her pillow each night; we cannot cause her to part from it.

Of course Seth is influencing our child; he is Jake's son after all and takes after his uncle too much for his own good. Ali is still besotted with Thomas though. They hold hands whenever they are together and Thomas allows her to fall asleep on him; he runs his hands through her hair and will not let anyone near her. I wish you could be here to witness it Edward.

Rose's baby has begun to kick and I have not seen the smile fall from Emmett's face yet. He is the proudest father to be I have ever seen, after you of course.

Unfortunately, I must end this letter. Ali is calling for me, it is time to read the letter to her once more. I love you more than life itself Edward Cullen and I wait for your return every day. One day soon we will be together again as a family.

All my love,

Bella.

-o-

To the love of my life,

I hope this letter reaches you in time for I am wishing you a happy eighteenth birthday. And happy two year anniversary my love.

I wish with all my heart that I could be here to share both events with you, but know that I will always be thinking about you. I carry you in my heart always my love.

The locket I have sent you was made by one of the women in this village. She has become a dear friend, but do not feel threatened my angel, for she is well into her seventies. I have told her all about you and Alicia of course and when I mentioned it was your birthday, she presented me with this. Before the war began, she used to make jewellery to sell. The heart represents my heart Bella, the swirls symbolise you, how you have entwined me so much into your grip that I can never escape; of course I would never wish to!

I am pleased to know Rose's pregnancy is progressing smoothly, although a part of your letter did worry me. What on earth are you doing, allowing are daughter to be holding hands with a boy? She must be at least thirty five before she is permitted to do such a thing! For the sake of Thomas' parents alone I am glad I am not at home, for I am certain that if I was, I would be tearing him limb from limb.

I wish I could be there with you on your special day and be the one to place the locket around your neck, but alas I cannot. However, I wish to share with you my feelings but if you cannot decipher the words, you shall have to wait until I return to discover my love for you.

Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point

Je rêve de toi jour et nuit et je voudrais être avec toi mon amour. Alicia et toi êtes ma joie de vivre et pour moi, votre amour est aussi précieux que l'or. Mon amour pour toi est éternel. Que mes lettre soient les mots d'amour que je ne peux pas dire aujourd'hui. Tu es l'amour de ma vie.

De mon cœur au vôtre,

Edward.

-o-

Dearest love,

Happy anniversary to you too my love, although I wish with all my heart you could have been at home to celebrate it. It has been an amazing two years and I would not change them for the world.

Thank you very much for the beautiful necklace. It shall never leave my neck. I should hope she is not a threat Edward, I know how beautiful the French women are! Please thank her for the lovely gift she has made, it is truly stunning.

I could not understand the message you composed for me, so you shall have to hurry home and tell me the meaning, I am not sure I can wait much longer to discover your words of love.

My stomach has finally started to grow and I feel small flutters. I have had to let my corsets out to accommodate my expanding belly. Due to the fact my belly was becoming noticeable I decided it was time to inform the family of the new addition.

I feared Alicia's reaction but she took the news very well. She is so excited to be having a sibling to play with, so much so that it is all she has babbled on about for days. She told every member of family before I had the opportunity to do so, although by told I mean touched my stomach in front of everyone and said baba; I believe they gathered the general idea. I hope she continues to be this happy, as everything will soon change once more.

I hope all is going well for you out there my love and that your skills have not been needed a great mount. I pray each day that this war will be over soon and I will be back in your arms.

Please write to Esme when you have the chance Edward, she worries about you constantly and although I show her my letters, I do not think she believes that you are okay. As a mother myself, I know that a letter from you will ease her worry immensely.

All our love,

Bella and Alicia.

-o-

Dear Mother and Father,

I am writing to inform you that I am well, for I know you are worried about me. I apologise for not writing sooner, I simply use all my free time writing to Bella and Ali and although I know you wish to hear from me, I am sure you understand my reasoning.

It appears that our forces are making headway, although the fighting had resulted in ample life loss and bloodshed. I must work from dawn until dusk if I wish to save as many men as I can, though I ask you not to tell Bella such as I know it will worry her greatly and I do not want her to feel any stress, especially with the baby.

I hope you are pleased to learn you have another grandchild on the way and I apologise for not being there to tell you myself. Please look after them all for me, make sure they are well and do not want for anything. When I think about my child growing in Bella's belly and Alicia growing up, I feel an ache in my stomach and due to this, I am trying everything to return home as fast as I can but it is currently to no avail.

I hope that you are both well and your duties are not weighing you down. I have not asked Bella in a while but I presume both Jasper and Alice and Emmett and Rosalie are well. Rosalie must be past the half way mark if I am correct?

Unfortunately I must cut this letter short as I am being called for. I suppose my free time is up for the evening.

I love you both and please pass my love and best wishes on to everyone in the family.

Love your son,

Edward.

-o-

Darling Edward,

Thank you for your letter, I do not think you can understand the relief your father and I felt upon its arrival.

We understand that your time is extremely limited and that you wish to know how your daughter and wife are, so we greatly appreciate any time you have to write to us.

Of course we were please to learn that we have another grandchild on the way, and although your father loves Alicia to pieces, I believe he is rooting for a grandson this time. I caught him bringing a tiny fishing rod into the house, but I have insisted that no grandchild of mine shall be fishing before they are at least three years of age.

Alicia is being her usual darling self, although she rarely talks about anything but the baby now. She is very excited about the prospect of a new sibling and whenever Bella pulls her onto her lap, Ali will lay her head on Bella's stomach and rub it. It has made us women tear up on more than one occasion and I wish you were home to witness it Edward.

Rosalie is past her half way mark, you are right. I believe we shall have another girl in the family but Emmett is boasting that he could only make a boy; we shall have to wait and see. However, Rose is as healthy as ever and Emmett is at her beck and call as usual. Alice and Jasper are still in the newlywed bliss, and are never far from one another. We are all spending as much time as we can with Bella and Alicia.

Stay safe my darling boy and let us hear from you soon.

All our love,

Mother and Father.

-o-

My love,

I am writing this letter early because although it is only November, I wish for you to get it before Christmas. You have been gone almost six months and Ali and I miss you more and more with each day that passes.

My stomach is now too large for Alicia to place herself in my lap which annoys her greatly, although Thomas is always more than willing to offer her his own. Do not get angry at this, for they are simply small children.

Our baby is kicking so much I feel sure it is a son, for Alicia never kicked this hard. Have you thought of any names for our child? I hope you could share them with me for I have no inspiration; all I can think of is your name.

I did not know what you could need on the battle fields so I had little idea of what to get you. The watch enclosed is to be placed on your wrist, we have recently discovered them at home and I thought it may be a lot easier for you to access while you work instead of constantly reaching for your pocket watch.

Alicia believed that her Papa could not go on any longer without chocolate, for she can barely go a day without whining for it, so that is what she has enclosed for you.

I wish you could be at home with us Edward, Alicia is coming along in leaps and bounds. She is running around, forming short sentences and constantly getting up to mischief, although I believe that is Emmett's doing, for he states that he is warming up his methods for his own child. God help Rosalie.

I wish you a very happy Christmas my love, knowing that mine will be all the brighter due to the fact you will be returning home to us before the year is out.

All our love,

Bella and Alicia.

-o-

To my dear Bella,

Thank you very much for such a thoughtful gift; you are right, it is much better than my pocket watch. I am the envy of all the men here with me, for both my watch and my beautiful family. I show the photo I have of you and Alicia to almost everyone I meet, luckily they are all polite enough to look at it and pass nice comments.

I am thrilled to hear that you believe we have a son on the way. You know I love Alicia to death and would do anything for my little girl, but the thought of having a son and a daughter makes our family complete. Carlisle is also looking forward to having a grandson, I am not sure if mother told you, but she caught him buying a fishing pole for our baby!

I have given a little thought to names as a matter of fact. I have been throwing names such as William, Antony, Peter and John around in my head. I always thought I would name my son Thomas but that name has been completely ruled out as I am sure you are aware.

I am dreadfully sorry but the army has had to evacuate the town simply as a precaution so I have not been able to get you a present. I promise that I will present you with one the moment I get home.

I am sorry this letter is so brief but there is little time these days, with the cold weather striking down the soldiers.

I wish you a happy Christmas and I promise to make it back before the New Year.

All my love for now and always,

Edward.

-o-

Darling Alicia,

Happy Christmas my darling, Papa wishes you a very happy day. I miss you greatly little girl and I will see you very soon.

Look after Mama at Christmas and make sure she has a lovely day, I am relying on you little one. I hope you get all you wish for, I am sure to get you a large teddy bear the moment I return.

I hear that you are happy with having a little brother soon, but do not forget that you will still be spoilt beyond belief; you will still be Papa's little girl.

Do not do too much before I return home Ali, I know you are talking and running circles around Mama but please do not too much more, I hate to think that I am missing you grow up.

All my love for you,

Papa.

-o-

Dearest Edward,

I am pleased you find your present useful, although I am not sure how I feel about you opening it a month before Christmas!

We understand that it is difficult for you and I hope you know we do not expect anything; all we want for Christmas is for you to return home.

Alicia loved your letter once more and keeps that one along with the other under her pillow at night. Your previous letter has been clenched in her hand so much the ink is fading. I feel this letter shall experience the same fate.

I like a most of the names you have suggested, although I do not believe we should rule Thomas out! We shall decide on a name when you return, I do not want to make the decision alone.

The snow has hit us here and I am not sure how long this letter will take to reach you. I hope the cold is not affecting your work too much and the soldiers are recuperating quickly under your hand.

The baby is kicking up a storm inside me, I am sure my ribs are bruised. Esme and Alice have been preparing everything for their arrival, as apparently someone informed them that I was not to stress.

In other news, Rose has had her daughter, we now have a niece. Her name is Isabelle Charlotte Swan. Emmett said they wanted to name her after me but it did not fit, so they settled for Isabelle. Of course, Charlotte is after father, because Rose said she owes her life to him. Emmett is smitten with his daughter and takes back everything he ever said about her being a boy.

I spend as much time with them as possible, but travel is becoming a little difficult in this late stage of the pregnancy. I do know that she is beautiful and Emmett will have a tough time fighting away all the boys that are sure to come chasing after her; she is Rosalie's daughter after all.

All my love,

Bella.

-o-

Dear Edward,

It has been a long while since we have heard from you so I am presuming that my previous letter was lost due to the weather. I hope all is well in Belgium and the weather is not affecting you too much.

In my last letter I mentioned the birth of Isabella Charlotte Swan, and she is getting bigger every day. Emmett refuses to part from her but Ali wants to constantly spend time with her uncle, so Esme takes her over to their home for a few hours each day while I rest. Being heavily pregnant is very tiring!

I hope your Christmas was enjoyable and your meal was tasty, however I am sure nothing can take first place over Esme's turkey. It was exquisite this year, as always.

Alice and Jasper are well, they mentioned the fact that they are thinking about starting a family in the New Year, I pray that God will bless them as He has us.

Alicia and I send all our love and pray for you fast, safe return.

Love,

Alicia and Bella.

-o-

Edward,

Edward, please write back as soon as you can. I know it must be hard for you to find some time to spare with all your duties, but just a line to tell us that you are well will satisfy me.

It has been over a month since was last heard from you and I do not know what to think. Please let me know that you are safe.

We are all out of our minds with worry.

All my love,

Bella.

-o-

To Mrs Cullen,

It is with the deepest regret and sympathy that I write to inform you of the attack on your husband's base.

The base was taken by surprise by the opposing forces and no one could predict the attack was to come. Few details are known as it has not been deemed safe to return to the area, but so far there has been no news of survivors.

I am sorry to tell you that due to this, we have listed your husband as missing, presumed dead.

My deepest condolences go out to your family, though I wish to inform you that Mr Cullen was a fantastic doctor and his troops could not have preformed as well as they did without your husband there to heal them.

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

Captain Miller.

---

I AM SORRY. Read first AN.

I apologise for my bad French but this is the basic translation. The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of. I dream of you day and night and I want to be with you my love. You and Alicia are my happiness and to me, your love is as precious as gold. My love for you is eternal and let my letter be the words of love that I cannot say today. You are the love of my life. my heart to yours.

I have started to write the next chapter so I hope it won't be too long before it is out. Whoever gives me my 1,900th review will get a sneak peek of the next chapter.

Please do not flame me about this chapter! :)

Until next time.