As soon as I went home I hung the familiar flag starred and striped flag off my balcony.

Before sitting down on the chair and looking out towards the horizon. I had been trying to focus on my music more but my mind kept going to the other night.

Edward plagued my mind. I wondered whether or not he was okay.

My fingers mindlessly played with the ivory keys in front of me as I sat there in the chair.

I hummed a beat, as I played, before moving away.

"Fuck… please be safe." I mumbled moving the hair out of my face as I stood up and went back inside.

The next day, a smile grazed my lips as I stared down at my phone.

'Dear Edward,

We fell in love so quickly. I figured I'd write you and fill in the gaps that we didn't have time to fill. So… Here's what you need to know about me.

Music is…my everything. I started as a kid just singing to myself to drown out what was going on at home.

My mom had a string of boyfriends from the base who did nothing but make her miserable.

We didn't talk about it. She uh... She thought I didn't notice, but I did.

So while most people learn to speak their feelings out loud, or write them in a journal, I learned to make mine to music.

My whole life, I loved to sing, but I'm kind of terrified to sing what I have to say.

So I sing covers. I hide behind someone else's words instead.

It's just every time I sit down, to write something original, making a living and all my medical problems get in the way.

Maybe it's a cop-out, but I guess now that we're married, I'll find out.'

I finished typing the email before taking a deep breath and sending it.

Over the next few days, I was finally able to go to the doctor on base. Where I got to replace the glucometer with one that tests the glucose internally. No more finger pricking!

I was assigned to on base living, but kept my apartment to use as a mini studio. Which allowed me to focus more on my music, while I worked nights at the bar.

I was finally able to quit doing GrubHub and DoorDash.

Things were looking up.

Edward's POV:

I have to admit things were calm here. It had been two weeks since we arrived, and all we had done was patrol the town.

Interact with the kids that were in the streets.

We had only just gotten back from patrolling, and I had yet to shower. Seeing as how there was a line, I decided to go check my email.

Bella had sent me one.

A small smile grazed my lips as I read it, before responding.

'Dear Bella,

Here's What you need to know about me.

I'm a third generation Marine. My grandpa fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, and my dad got a Purple Heart for being injured in combat in Desert Storm.

After high school I kind of spun out. I thought that by enlisting I could earn back my dad's respect.

But now that I'm actually here. I'm starting to understand that I'm not doing it for him.

I'm doing it for me. To serve my country, and to, uh, be a better man.

You know those freak thunderstorms they get by the beach? They used to scare the shit out of me. My dad was a hard-ass about it. But I remember once, he let my brother and me bring our sleeping bags and crash on the floor. Our family like that, all together, when it was storming out. It's one of my best memories.

Not long after that, my mom got sick, and my dad retired from the Corps to take care of her.

He went to every single of her chemo appointments. Sat up all night by her bed when she went to the hospital at the end.

Though he met Esme, his current wife, a few years later. And they're happy. I know mom was his first love.

Hmm. That's what love means to me. I guess that's what I want for us.'

I looked at the time realizing that it was my turn to shower.

I quickly finished typing before heading to my bunk to grab my clothes and shower.

That night as I laid in bed I wonderednif she was alright.

Bella's POV:

I sighed as I sat down after finally dropping the last box in the house.

Alice, Jessica, Lauren, Tanya, and Claire had helped me move. Even going as far as to go pick out furniture with me.

Everything had been delivered this past Wednesday, and they helped me organize it.

I had treated them to lunch before they headed home.

I was about to go lay down when my phone ping as I received an email. I smiled as I read the email, before grabbing my phone and making my way to the living room.

'My dear husband,

Car ride over plane ride.

Breakfast tacos over late-night tacos, with lots of hot sauce. Lots of it.

I've never left California, but my dream is to circle the globe with my band someday.

If I were home more often, I'd have a pet iguana.

Shut up. They're highly intelligent.'

I managed to send the email before my stomach churned and I sat up.

Before I could do anything else, I moved forward and threw up.

Edward's POV:

Things had gone bad to worse.

Our patrols through the city were becoming dangerous.

Today in particular a little girl that reminded me of Bella was almost hit by a car. If I hadn't gotten to her in time she wouldn't be here anymore.

As I sat down to check my email, a small smile grazed my lips as I read and typed the response back.

' My darling wife,

Nothing ruins a taco more than hot sauce. It totally kills the flavor.

Someday I'm going to run a marathon in every major city.

That's how I'm going to see the world.

And I don't mind to rush your bubble, but anyone is in the cards for us.

The only pet I've ever had was a goldfish I won at the State Fair.

P.S. I've finally got the chance to video call. Next week. Four O'clock, your time. See you soon.'

As I signed off a smile grazed my lips and I looked down at my tags, I had added my ring to it a week ago and something about the sight made my stomach clenchnat the thought.

Author's Note:

I wasn't expecting such a negative yet amusing reaction towards Tyler.

But as someone stated earlier, maybe a little positivity is what we need.

So, I may rule out having a death. Not sure.

Anyways, this chapter was a filler while I prepare myself mentally to finish and edit the others.