16 October 1942

My Dearest Matthew,

I still can't fathom how kind the universe has been to me in putting me on this path towards you; I first experienced its kindness in that final foster home, and then with Mac and all of her friends. My first glimpse into what it might have been like to have kind parents was with Jack and Phryne (and now Mum too), and loving friends through Dot and Hugh and all the others; while my love life wasn't as kind as often, I still felt fulfilled… until you stepped through the diner door and asked me about books… I will never forget it for as long as I live.

Thank you, Matthew, you help keep the demons away with every word you write.

Adelaide is a smart kitty, she'll know where to go and who to go with should you ever have to leave or go in a hurry; but, I have asked Miss Fisher and she's alright with Addy coming here if need be (under the circumstance that I'm the one who takes care of her and helps clean up after her, and hopefully prevents the little miss from climbing the curtains). I hope you don't have to stay there much longer, it's not good for you or the men to be there… but we've not received much word here on the progress of the War in the Pacific. It seems like on both fronts the war are in long, slogging campaigns much like the Great War and not much progress is being made anywhere on either side.

I miss the little spitfire too, give her some kisses from me, will you?

Journal and pencils included as asked, I tried to find ones that were hardier than usual since you're in the jungle; the person I bought the journal from included a water-resistant pouch so hopefully that helps? And enough about this nonsense of "making it up" to me; you staying alive is enough for me, dear Matthew.

Good… I've not felt this way about someone in a long time, and maybe it's the circumstances we're under or the unusual courtship we're going through, but… I'm glad I won't chase you away by being myself.

I think he has, and Jean's learned it too; I know she blames herself for pushing him away, but when two stubborn people get together… the results can sometimes be interesting, to say the least. I hope Christopher survives too, he's got two beautiful boys and his lovely wife to come home too - and I want to meet him, even if it's just to give him a smack on the arm over his foolishness of enlisting in a war to prove a point. Men… can't live with them, can't hit them with an axe!

(Only teasing, dear, I promise not to maim Jean's husband when he comes back)

You won't regret introducing me to Jean anymore than you did with Vera, don't fuss; it's good for all of us, you'll see eventually.

I was about to say I wasn't going to continue with the kisses, but since you love it, I'll continue as I was before - maybe turn it up a notch or two just to tease you, my dear Matthew. I like our talk of the future, gives us both something to look forward to whenever this damn war ends.

Thank you for the kind words, it helps even though I'm the one who should be comforting you, not the other way around; you and the boys are putting your lives on the line while I'm here wallowing in self-pity (which I hate to do), so I'm going to double my efforts to help on the homefront whenever work and school allow.

Muck and dirt I can handle, it's bodily fluids I'm uneasy around. (I know, I know, I'm training to be a doctor and I can't handle body fluids - I can, just not when people are still living.) You cheeky man, rile kids up and then hand them back? Truly devious behaviour, my dearest Matthew. I'll be happy to be an aunt for a good while yet.

Yes, you can still send me flowers, and I love your letters and hearing your thoughts on books and other things; I don't need much (nor want for much either), so I'm not big on expensive gifts - it's the thought that counts, remember?

Clara's feeling better the more I learn about it all (she comes over practically every day to get some exercise and socializing), and she's positively gleeful over the fact I'll be there with her (Is this what it's like to have a grown sister? Is this what I would have gone through with Peg if we'd stayed together?) I've felt the baby kick, it's an odd sensation, but Clara's beaming with every move of her child so I view it as a very good thing to happen. You'll get to meet Baby Cooper, my dearest Matthew, and maybe by then they'll have a name… oh, how I wish you were home.

We don't get to choose our parents, do we? Well, our birth parents at least… I know I chose Jack and Phryne, and I've chosen your mum along with the rest of the family that I've found and cultivated over the years… I might not have deserved my childhood, but you're right, it taught me how to not treat others.

I think I do like my birthday where it is… I've used it for so long, after all, it would be weird to have any other day; I like this idea of going to find my birth record, thank you, Matthew… you're too kind to me.

Reading has always been someplace I can escape to - from dreaming of the adventures Peg and I would go on to just needing a break from this world for a while. I look forward to sharing more of my favorites with you and discovering your own favorites as well.

I… thank you, Matthew, constantly you've shown me a better version of myself that I can't see on my own… it's disconcerting to constantly be shown it, but I guess I get stuck inside my own head too much and you're a much-needed breather and reminder of how far I've come from my parents. (Their claws dug deep, and it's still an everyday process to slowly pry them out of my self-worth and self-image).

I don't know if I will have children… with you, I could potentially see it, but… I don't know. I might wait to see what the world is like after the war to make any decisions.

If you're alright with helping me look for Peg, I'd welcome the help; I've searched every year with no result, even with Phryne and Jack's help - Mrs. Stanley even got involved a few years back, but we can't find anything… maybe she was taken to another state? I'm starting to give up hope I'll ever find my baby sister.

And I'm so glad you got scooped up by Jack and Hugh; you're a superb investigator and I know you'll continue that when the war is over. (I look forward to discussing cases with you).

Excuse me, Staff Sergeant Lawson, it's extremely rude to ask a lady if she snores!

(Only joking, I'm not sure if I do… I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself when you come back home.)

I can't wait for our picnics and kisses, my dearest Matthew. We'll have to do a lot of both to make up for lost time. (And thank you for the new photo of you, I absolutely adore it. Addy's gotten so big!)

Oh Christopher… that man, I swear.

You and the boys will find another batch of biscuits - all kinds - as well as a separate batch for censorship since they welcomed the last one.

I think I'm getting better at knitting, but out of the crafts that Dot has started me learning on, I think I'm better at sewing - if only because I also get practice at school. They've said my stitches have vastly improved - I don't think I could keep a straight face if I told them that learning mending and regular sewing has helped me more than their instruction - though it would be fun to shove it back in their faces for them looking down on a traditionally feminine craft.

It'll still take me a while to get the jumper for Mum done, but she'll get it eventually.

I miss you terribly as the weather grows warmer and summer's on the horizon… it's hard to believe it'll be a year since I last saw you, but each day is a day closer to you coming home.

Stay safe.

Yours, Affectionately,

Alice [the usual bright red lip print sits next to her signature]

[In the letter she has included another hardbound journal with pencils, a sharpener, and a pouch with heavy canvas on the outside - treated with some sort of waxy substance, it's flexible, but resistant to water. Alongside the journal is another batch of biscuits and an empty space beside where, presumably, the batch for censorship resided - now taken out.]