Sorry for the delay, there was an email mishap, and i have been so sick this week.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

MDE

~MDE~

Chapter 10

I've been so nervous about getting his letter. What will he think of the photo I sent? Why do I care if he liked it? I don't understand why I feel this way. I've never met him in person. I hear the now tell-taile sound of the local mailman pulling up. I swear I can tell you the sound of that car apart from any other car in this city. It's as if I am stalking my own mail box. I am out of the door and at the box before he even has a chance to deposit the enveloped in their temporary home. He smiles as he hands me the mail and tells me to have a great day.

I franticly sort through the waiting envelopes. Light bill, cable bill, prescreened credit offer, coupon to my favorite clothing store, and…wait…here it is. I see the cream-colored envelope with his now-familiar handwriting. This one feels different from the others. It's a bit heaver, and there seems to be something included. I run my fingers around the rectangular shape that is enclosed in the letter. It feels strangely similar to the last envelope I mailed him. Photos; he included one, as well.

I'm scared to open it. Does he look like I imagined? I picture this young soldier, short hair, and a strong body. In my dreams, and yes, I have even started dreaming of him… he has dark hair, a soft face, with strong features. In my dreams, he looks as amazing as he sounds on paper. What if I'm disappointed?

See why I'm so confused now? I have started dreaming about a man that I have never met. I feel what I can only describe as a pull and trust in this man. I don't understand why I care what he thinks. Does it matter what he thinks of my photo, or me? I will never meet this man; he will remain perfect on paper. I need a drink - and Alice. I walk back into the house after I realize the neighbors must think I'm crazy standing in my drive way, wearing my bath robe and staring at the mail like it's going to bite me.

Once all the mail is deposited in the right places, I grab my coffee cup and open up my laptop. I log into my Facebook first and see that Alice is online. This is perfect; I'll just message her and get her advice.

"Alice, I got his letter this morning."

"And what did he say? Did he like the photo?"

"I don't know; I haven't opened it yet."

"Why not,"

"I think I'm scared?"

"Of what,"

"What if he didn't like the photo? Alice, why do I care? I'm so confused?"

"You are like any other girl, Bella. Of course, you would care what he thinks. What's going on, and don't you dare say it's nothing. I know you, and there is something going on."

"That's it. I just don't know. I feel something for a man who is on the other side of the world, and whom I've never met. That's crazy, right?"

"Sure, maybe a little, but think of it this way. You are getting to know someone without all the crap about looks. You are getting to know him for who he is."

"But what if he's not honest in his words?"

"Do you feel that way?"

"No, I feel like I can trust him. Alice, I've even been stalking my mail man, waiting for his next letter. This is crazy. It's like I have a school girl crush. Wait, is that possible?"

"Anything is possible, Bella. You are getting to know a great man. It can't be any different than meeting someone online, can it?"

"Sure, but you know how I feel about that; and besides, I'm not dating Edward."

"That's the great thing here. Don't you see? You are getting to know him with no expectations. You are not trying to impress him, and you're not worried whether this will fail as a relationship. You two have taken all the stressful stuff out of the equation."

"I guess you're right. I never thought of it that way. I just don't want to fall for him. What if I do?"

"If you do, you deal with it. I'm sorry I don't have any other answer for you. Look, take a long hot bath and relax. When you are done, open the letter, and then call me. I want all the details."

"OK, thanks a million! You are great."

I sign off my Facebook and do just that. When the water is hot, and the tub full, I climb in and relax. I have to force myself to stop staring that the envelope sitting on the counter. Yes, I brought it with me. The water starts to cool after thirty minutes, and my fingers are starting to prune. I get dressed for the day, throw up my hair, and then take the letter to the living room to open it.

I can hear the paper rip as I slide my finger under the edge where it's sealed. A thought pops into my head, and I suddenly wonder if he licked it to seal it, and if he did, is it the same as running my finger over his tongue? God I need to get my head out of the gutter. Once it is open, I pull out the letter, and sure enough, not one, but two photos fall into my lap. I pick up the first one and my heart flutters. It's a photo of a man, in full combat gear, reading a letter. In fact, it looks like the same paper that I write my letters on. Is he reading my letter in this photo? I can't tell how tall he is, but I was right about the body. He has strong arms. I pick up the second photo and turn it over. Holy shit, he is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. My dreams did not do him justice.

He is standing in front of some sort of bush that has red blossoms on it. He has one of the blossoms in the pocket of his shirt. His chest is broad and strong. You can make out the definition of his pec muscles. His hair looks to be a shade of brown, with coppery, auburn highlights, and it's messy, but a sexy messy. I look at the smile he has on his face, and really, this man is breathtaking. I stare at his photo for a while longer, before I finally open the page of his letter and read.

The letter is unbelievable, and he said I was beautiful. I know I'm not ugly, but I have never thought of myself as extraordinary, and it's been a while since I've had that sort of compliment. I decide that I don't want to wait for a letter to arrive in the mail, so I once again boot up the laptop and open my email.

Subject: I hope you are safe.

Date: August 1, 2011

Dear Edward:

I just got your letter in the mail, and to be honest, I couldn't wait to write you, so I am sending you an email. Thank you for the compliment. I've never been a girl who has gotten many compliments, but it was really nice to hear it, or should I say read it. Just so you know; I am also
twenty-eight, but no one seems to believe me. I guess that's a good thing. I know what you mean about having a face to a name. I really enjoyed the photo of you reading my letter. I'm glad you can find comfort in them. The one of you in your mom's garden is nice. You look so happy; it's like you didn't have a care in the world. It must be amazing to have down time like that. Where you can just be with the ones you love and enjoy their time.

I do agree with you; Jake was an ass, but I'm glad I found out before I married him, and it truly is his loss. It's amazing that your dad still treats your mom that way. Unfortunately, nowadays, you don't always see that. I have seen too many families split up, and what it does to the kids is hard. I swear, if more people could just take the time to get to know each other and not rush into things that more marriages would last. Sure, I know that there are some that can meet, get married three months later, and live happily ever after, but that's rare. I want my husband to be my best friend first, someone I can share my secrets with, and laugh at silly things with. I mean when you think of it, it's really not too much to ask. Your parents taught you well, and if I haven't said it before, I'll say it now, you, Edward, will make some girl very happy someday. You sound like the perfect guy, and I believe that you will meet that someone special. How could you not?

I can't tell you how relieved it was to read that you are as confused as I am. I'm glad I'm not alone in these strange feelings. Maybe we can figure them out together. I just can't seem to figure out where they are coming from, I have never felt this before, and I barely know you. It's a little scary when you think of it, but comforting at the same time. I think we will become great friends, Edward.

So, you really told your mom about me? I hope it was all good things. I don't mind that you did, besides you already know that I have spoken about you to my best friend. I was actually just talking to her on Facebook before I started this email. To be honest, I was scared to open your letter. I was worried about what you would think of my photo. That's another thing, I know that I'm not supermodel beautiful, but I know I'm pretty. For some reason, I was worried about your reaction to it, and I don't know why. Oh well, thank you again for the compliment. It was really kind of you.

As for you wanting to continue this after the summer, I agree. I don't think I can stop writing you either. I find myself wanting to know more about you, and wanting to share more about me with you. I wish I knew why I feel this way, but maybe it can be fun figuring it out together.

I will end this here for today. You can email me or write me back when you get free time. Please be safe, and take care of yourself. Oh, before I forget, watch out for new mail, I sent you something.

Bella

A/N:

hope you enjoyed it.