The Fic Lab Prompt: Sometimes life is about risking everything for dream no one can see but you.

Bella refolded the letter after she read it. With a smile on her face and a tear in her eye, she looked at the date on the envelope. The letter was postmarked on October 5, 1944. Three weeks ago. Edward was still alive, somewhere in Europe, three weeks ago. She had bent over in relief when she found the letter on the dining room table.

Bella had always thought she knew how her life would play out. Since she was 11 years old, she knew she would become a nun. She felt she was chosen by God and nothing could ever change that. She was ready to live a life of service, a life filled with piety. And, of course, chastity.

When she was in school, her classmates didn't understand her calling. They wanted a future of marriage and children. And while Bella understood their dreams, she never felt it was for her. She had a more important role to play in the world.

She realizes now that she had been too prideful.

She thought she was above the petty schoolgirl crushes. There was more to life than boys and marriage. She would be a better person.

But God had other plans. He would show her that no one life was better or more important than any other.

It all started with a simple mistake. Bella had sent a letter to her cousin, Edward E. Masen, who was serving in the war in Europe. By coincidence (or by God's divine, as Bella preferred to think of it), there was also another Edward Masen, this one an Edward A. Masen, serving in the same battalion as her cousin. And that Edward Masen received her letter instead of her cousin.

- -R- -

Dear Bella,

You don't know me, but I received the letter you wrote to your cousin. We have the same name, you see, and are the same rank in the same battalion. I did get your letter to him after I read it and realized it wasn't meant for me, so don't worry about that.

I know this may be an unusual request, and I understand if you are not comfortable doing so, but would you be willing to write to me occasionally, too? I don't have any family back home to write to me. I grew up in an orphanage. My father died in an industrial accident when I was a baby and my mother died from tuberculosis a few years later.

Mail day is a lonely day for me. I didn't realize how lonely until I received your letter hoping it was for me. I would love to continue corresponding with someone from back home.

Sincerely,

Private Edward A. Masen

- -R- -

Bella had agreed to write more letters to Private Masen. It was the least she could do to help the war effort.

It soon became more than that, though. Bella found someone she could really talk to. Her Edward, as she came to think of him, had no preconceived notions about her. She could be completely honest with him and tell him her innermost thoughts and hope and dreams. Things she never told anyone else.

And Edward did the same. He told her of his fears that he may not survive the war, and his plans for the future if he did. Edward had never had anything that he could call his growing up. He didn't want much, just a small house of his own. Maybe a little bit of land.

They have been corresponding for a year. Some things have changed during that time. Edward received a couple of promotions and was a Sergeant now. Bella graduated high school and had a job in a small bookstore. While Bella had always been able to tell Edward everything, she didn't tell him she was no longer sure she wanted to be a nun.

Still, Bella felt closer to this man, a man she'd never met in person, than anyone else in her life. Edward was her best friend. At least, that's all she let herself believe. Until she read the letter she received today.

She unfolded the paper to reread it, needing to see his words again and know they were real.

- -R- -

My dearest Bella,

I bless the day I received that letter meant for your cousin. I've never been so happy to have the same name as another soldier in all my days in the army. Your letters over this last year have been a lifeline for me. You have been a lifeline for me.

I never expected much from my life but still, it gave me you. You are my best friend, But more than that, you are everything I never knew I wanted. And I do want you. I hope that isn't too brazen, but I have seen firsthand how short and precious life can be. There is no time to pussyfoot around.

I know you had other plans for your life, but, if I may be so bold, I dare say that was before you knew me. I can tell from your letters that you care about me. I can only hope that you care about me as much as I do about you. Because I love you, Bella. I've been falling in love with you since that first letter.

I pray this war will end soon, but I know now that I will survive it. If only for the chance to see you in person, to hold you in my arms, and to kiss your lips. I want to marry you, Bella. This is not an ideal proposal, I know, but I couldn't wait any longer to tell you how I feel. I can't risk losing you - to God or to another man.

Please tell me you feel the same way and that you will marry me when I come home once this war is over.

All my love,

Your Edward

- -R- -

As Bella refolded Edward's letter, she sat down to write her reply, tears of happiness blotting the paper.

Bella would never be a nun.