Disclaimer: All rights to these characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

AN: I have been receiving updates from readers who have family overseas, asking if I have. I have an uncle who is a chaplain, 3cousins and my children's Godfather, all serving over there. My prayers are with all of those serving, wether that is at home or abroad. Thanks for reading.

Now on with the show..

Dear Edward,

I got your letter today. Thank you so much for the kind words about my students. Thank you also for saving my brother and keeping him safe. I am almost certain that he was hurt, I just don't know the facts as you pointed out. Jasper was able to send a telegram to my parents and I received a call from them letting me know he was okay. Hearing it from you made it more real so thank you.

Halloween is coming up. I decorated my house with funny little nick-knacks I have collected over the years. I was at the Hallmark store and found a large spider-web that I can suction cup to my window. It even has rubber spiders attached to it. (Good thing I know they're fake!) I have already started buying the candy to pass out to the kids. I'll save you some and send you a package. Would that be okay? What kind do you like?

Emmett and Rosalie came over for dinner the other night. It was fun. They really took my mind off of things. I don't know if you want to know this, but here goes. Two days before I wrote you that first letter, my boyfriend of 2 years and I ended things. He was demanding a commitment I wasn't ready for. Does that sound strange? I mean, I'm 25, what am I waiting for. Jake was great, don't get me wrong, but he was more like a good friend that I occasionally slept with. (Sorry! Am I over sharing?)

I never asked you if you have someone waiting for you here in the States? Is there a wife? Fiancé? Girlfriend? Emmett hasn't really told me a lot about you. He probably thinks that we stopped at one letter each. I haven't told him that I am writing again. Is it wrong that I want to keep it a secret? Here I am rambling and you probably have some big mission you have to go on. Please take care of yourself. I have added you and your company to my nightly prayers. Hope to hear from you soon...maybe?

Your Friend?

Bella

P.S. All of my friends call me Bella...God Bless!

Edward read the letter Bella had sent him as he smoked a cigarette and drank some coffee. Her words were like the sunshine in his bleak existence. She was right though, he was going on a mission today. He was going to clear out a village where some hostile's were said to be hiding. They kept popping up. He trusted his Intel and knew that Kabul was a hotspot for Al Qaeda. One day this war would end. Of course there were always insurgents elsewhere. As long as there was discord in the world he would have a job.

"Excuse me, First Sergeant?" PFC Newton walked up to him.

"What can I do for you Private?"

"Sorry sir, Cpl. Swan is asking to see you."

"Thank you. Make sure the team is ready. We roll out at 0700."

"Yes, sir." PFC Newton saluted and went to carry out his orders.

Edward was a good soldier and a good man to have in charge. Captain Volturi never had to worry that his orders weren't carried out. Edward threw out his coffee and finished dressing for the day. Once he was set, he walked over to the infirmary tent to visit Cpl. Swan.

Jasper sat up when 1SG Cullen walked in. "Good morning, sir."

"Morning Corporal. What can I do for you?"

"Well sir I was just wondering if you knew when I might be rejoining my unit?"

"I believe you are in the short list to fly out to Germany and have that shoulder examined by a doctor there and then fly home. You can probably re-up after your R&R, but that would be up to your CO and your doctor."

"Thank you, sir." Jasper slouched down in his bed. He was a soldier. He was meant to be serving his country. He was no meant to convalesce. This was the part about orders that some soldiers hated. Jasper wanted to return to his unit, but he understood that he could potentially do more harm than good. Jasper needed to make a call.

Bella's phone buzzed in her pocket as she sat with Alice and Rosalie at the Wooden Nickle. Rosalie had joined then for their Wednesday night date. Bella pulled her phone from her pocket, but didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?" She asked, apprehensively.

Static. "Bells?"

"Jasper? Is that you?" Tears were forming in her eyes.

"Yeah, baby girl. It's me. How are you?"

Alice reached her hand over and squeezed Bella's shaking one, offering silent support. "I'm good, Jazz. I am so glad to hear your voice. How are you?"

"Actually Bells, that's why I am calling. I am getting ready to fly to Germany. I should be home in about two weeks."

"What happened? Are you okay? Do you need me to do anything?" Bella's voice rose and octave as she got more excited and panicked.

"Calm down Bella. I don't want you to hyperventilate." Jasper waited a beat, listening for her calming breathes. "I was shot in the shoulder. I'm fine, the men who rescued me took great care of me. I just have to go get checked out by a surgeon and make sure there is no permanent damage. Once I get the all clear I am coming home."

"You're sure you're okay?" Bella asked. "I need you Jazzy. I only have one big brother."

"I'm fine, babybell. I'll call you when I get more information. I love you Belly-bean."

"I love you too, Jazzy. Be safe." Bella hung up her phone and put her head in her hands and cried. She cried for her brother. She cried for all the wounded soldiers. She cried for the unlucky ones. She cried with her friends. "He's coming home, Ali."

Alice smiled through her tears and got up to hug her friend. Soon Rosalie got up and joined them and it became a girl sandwich. They jolted apart when they heard a booming voice behind them.

"Hey! Is this an all girl party or can a broke down soldier get some love?" Emmett laughed as he saw the women in their group embrace. He knew from Edward that Bella's brother was coming home. He couldn't be happier for his new friend. He just hoped that she wouldn't stop writing his brother with hers here.

Class photos were taken the week of Halloween. As Bella posed for hers, she hoped that she looked okay. Once she got these back, she wanted to send one to Edward, she just didn't know if that would be inappropriate. He hadn't asked for one, but she had only received one letter from him at this point. Then again she hadn't been home today to check the mail. She looked forward to that the most. What started out as a class project had turned into her main distraction. She must have reread his first letter a million times. She had it memorized at this point.

After the pictures were done, she went back to her class and got started on her next lesson. They were having a test next week and she wanted to make sure her students knew the material. They would have all weekend to study, but come Monday she would know who used that time wisely. When the final bell rang she was out the door almost as fast as the kids, anxious to get home. She nearly got a ticket on her way home, but narrowly avoided it. She pulled into her driveway and slammed the car into park. She was out of the seat, barely turning off the motor. She grabbed the mail out of the box and ran inside. She wanted to believe that she rushed because it was starting to rain, but she knew better. She threw her bag on the floor and flipped through the envelopes until she found the now familiar writing. She squealed like a child on Christmas and did a little dance.

Before reading the letter she decided to get comfortable and went to change out of her school clothes. Once she was dressed in a pair of shorts and an 'Army' T-shirt, she curled up on the couch and opened Edward's letter.

Dear Bella,

I like that I can call you that. I'm sure you know by now that your brother is coming home. By the time you get this he will probably already be there or a few days away. I hope all is well with him. Jasper seemed to be a good guy. I wouldn't mind getting to know him under different circumstances. I wanted to ask him if he had a picture of you, but I wasn't sure if he knew we were corresponding. Do you have a picture? I would love to have one. That way I can see whom I am 'talking' to.

As to your other questions..I love candy corn and licorice (NOT the red kind. That's not real licorice.) I wouldn't mind a care package now and then. My parents send one every couple of months when I call them and tell them I am out of something. There are quite a few things that I can't receive but I'll tell you what those are. I enjoy Men's Health magazine and soduku puzzles. Homemade cookies and treats that are nonperishable are great. As I write this, I realize that you probably already know what can't be sent..Since your brother was here.

You can ask Emmett anything about me and I am sure he will tell you. I'm not married or engaged. I don't have any children (that I know of). I don't have a girlfriend either. It's hard to maintain a relationship over here. (Unless you are married) I have known a lot of guys whose girlfriends can't take the not knowing. There are times when something happens here and we go black out..Which means that there is no communication until any and all situations are quiet. And again you probably knew that too.

You weren't over sharing to tell me about your ex. If you didn't feel as though you were ready for a commitment then he should have respected that. No woman should be pressured for any sort of commitment. If the sex was good, why worry about it. Sometime you just need that release. Sex between friends can be that. (Okay now that I am done embarrassing myself) Are you going to dress up to pass out candy? I think it would be hilarious if you had Emmett over dressed as the grim reaper or something equally scary and scare the shit out of some kids. Laughing is also good stress relief.

Anyway, I hope this letter finds you well and happy. Please keep writing and please, please, please, (I'm begging here) send me a picture. 'Talk' to you soon.

Your Friend,

Edward.

P.S. Please send me a picture!

Bella folded the letter back up and couldn't keep the smile off her face. She was enjoying these letters a lot. Before she could get to her laptop to compose her reply her doorbell rang. She looked through the peephole and saw Emmett's large form taking up her whole porch. She opened the door and smiled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I got you a present and I couldn't wait to see your face." Emmett laughed.

"Why did you get me a present? It's not my birthday and Christmas is still about eight weeks away."

"Well I didn't exactly buy this. I just sorta picked it up. Why don't you come out and get it?" Emmett stepped aside and grabbed Bella's hand, pulling her out the door.

Bella gasped when she saw what Emmett had brought. Standing next to his car was Jasper. Bella took off running and launched herself into her brothers waiting arms. The tears were pouring down her face as she buried her face in her brother's neck and inhaled his scent. "It's okay, babybell. I'm home."

Bella puled back and looked in Jasper's eyes. "I missed you so much. I'm so glad your okay."

As brother and sister reunited, somewhere across the ocean a man laid sleeping. Dreaming of a faceless beauty.

AN: All of your reviews are so heartwarming that they bring tears to my eyes. I am glad that this story is touching so many of you. I will try and update soon, but this story is so emotional it takes a lot out of me...Till next time. Keep those words coming.