Disclaimer: Stephenie owns them all.

Additional Disclaimer: If you have not read 'Letters' in Mumbled Mumblings yet, please do so. I don't want any surprises.

Eternal thanks to IAmToWait for doing what you do for me.

Bella,

Do you ever miss me? Maybe I don't deserve to know… but it doesn't stop me from wondering.

Edward had been gone for three weeks. Three long and miserable weeks. At least, they were for Bella, and she could only imagine they were for him too. He hadn't been able to call or write yet, though she made sure he had everyone's address and phone numbers before he left.

The night before Edward left for basic training was filled with kisses, whispers, and tears. Sweaty bodies clinging to each other and vows of love repeated over and over.

The weeks after he left were a different story. Bella was always distant and sad. Her friends tried desperately to pull her out of her depression, but she didn't budge. Bella didn't want to feel better. She knew that Edward must be miserable and she was determined to suffer with him.

"C'mon, Bella," Jessica had pleaded with her one Friday night. "It's a huge party and I don't want to go alone."

"Ask Angela," Bella replied as she absently flipped through her literature book.

"Ang has a date. Please, Bella? You haven't been out in weeks."

"I can't, Jess!" Bella threw her book down and glared at her friend. "What if Edward calls and I'm out? How do you think he would feel?"

Jessica waited a moment before answering.

"He'd be happy you weren't sitting here moping." She gave Bella one last long look before leaving Bella's room and closing the door behind her.

Bella couldn't help but think (only a little) that maybe Jess was right. Maybe he would be happy that she was out having fun instead of sitting by the phone waiting for him. She was always waiting for him.

She waited another two weeks before he actually did call.

But when he did it was perfect. He told her how much he loved her and missed her and how miserable he was without her.

Bella felt better knowing he missed her but when he started talking about all of the friends he'd made her heart began to ache again. She tried to tell herself that he had to make friends and it was good for him to have support… but she was jealous.

She was jealous that he had people supporting him while her friends were always angry with her. He was surrounded by people exactly like him: the drive to help, the fear of battle, knowing what it's like to be so far from home, knowing what it's like to leave the ones you love behind. Bella was surrounded by people who just didn't get it.

She was jealous that other people got to spend time with Edward while she sat all alone in her stupid little dorm room with no one.

"You should go out. I don't want you staying at home."

Bella rolled her eyes at that. Did he talk to Jessica before he talked to her or something? She didn't want to go out. Things like that just weren't fun without Edward; why didn't he get that?

"I don't want to."

"Bella," he sighed into the phone. She could practically see him: eyes closed tight, hand running through his hair. She smiled. God, she missed him.

Edward eventually talked Bella into spending more time with her friends. In exchange, he promised to write twice a week and call every Sunday until he graduated.

With each letter and phone call, they became more and more convinced that marriage was imminent for them.

But even though Bella knew what would eventually take place, it didn't help her to feel any different while Edward was gone.