MB-Thank you!!! I was truly worried about this chapter and not entirely sure how people would feel about the development!

So glad you enjoyed it!


Rilla Ford

Ingleside, Morgan Rd

Glen St Mary

PEI, Canada

September 1st 1915

Rilla-my-Rilla

We made it to England, it was a fairly easy journey thankfully, but never really bothered me. The trip was treated as downtime, minus a few daily things required. We'll be in France before the end of the week, we have all been instructed to keep a smooth face and had our hair cut short to help us while in the trenches.

The regiment has grown since landing and we have all been meeting and making acquaintances while men who had been on leave have come to show us the ropes so to speak.

I haven't seen Walter, but I have enquired where he is and sent my coordinates for him to use.

Inside this letter are the papers you will need for separation pay and my CEF information. I should have given these to you when I got my leave but I left them behind by mistake in my excitement to see you.

You'll have to go into the recruitment offices and set it up for yourself and they will set it up and tell you where and how to pick up the allowance. I think it will be through the bank, but I am not sure truthfully.

I keep thinking about you, and the possibility. I keep kicking myself for not trying to…for not protecting you more. It seems unfair, and unkind that I didn't consider my leaving and what it means if you are…for myself as well. This isn't England where you can't meet me for leave, I am here until this war ends or until I'm injured enough to be sent him.

I hope you are getting enough rest, and eating enough.

I'll be in France by the time your response reaches me most likely, so direct there. If at all it will be redirected to me, or waiting for me.

Love always

Your Kenneth


To Lieutenant Ford

ID 163322

10th Battalion

CEF,

France

September 15th 1915

Darling

I sure hope I addressed this right, I am not used to addressing letters as such. Usually, I give Mother or Father my letter to Jem and they add it to the envelope. I wrote down what you had as a return, hoping it was enough.

I looked over the papers and put them in a safe place. I think they come in a few weeks according to Minnie. It feels strange though, it doesn't seem right that I take the money. Don't you need it for yourself over there?

I am glad you got to England safely, I have been watching the papers about the boats.

The days have been strange since you left, it's different knowing you aren't in Toronto now. My heart longs for you, and my mind reminds me that I can't be selfish.

School is in session again, and Shirley comes home occasionally, I think for Mother's sake more than anyone, but I can see his decisions weighing on him but hasn't made the decision yet, I do wonder what he will do.

I sleep here and there, dreams come and go as they always do, though sometimes they are about you know as well. Father is worried of course, then again he is always worried. I can't explain it though to him…why I can't sleep, what are some of my dreams about? I can't, because how embarrassing is that to have your father know such a thing?

It was one thing…before, but now…it is different, it was our moment in time and I never want it to be people's knowledge. Even for a little while, if…well you know. Morgan says it can take time, and it will be clear enough, but for now, I want it to be ours and I don't want people to know. I don't want the whispers and comments over something so natural.

I love you, stay safe write when you can

Your Rilla


Rilla Ford

Ingleside, Morgan Rd

Glen St Mary

PEI

October 2nd

Dearest

You addressed it correctly, it takes a moment to sort through the mail of course, but they manage well enough but it arrived and I am glad for it. Life here is as good as one can make I spend my days and hours running errands and helping my captain with the regiment I feel slightly guilty at times, that I am further from the front than others. I mean I'm still here, but it's not quite the same?

I spend my waking hours on alert, while my sleeping hours dreaming of you. Your burnished hair as the sun, your delicate freckles and your laugh. Knowing all your spots now more than ever still makes me grin.

Every once in a while one of us men grins like an idiot and we all know to some level that his thinking about his girl back home. The person he's fighting for, and we all start to know family names and who they are to each other.

You were right, though about rings though, many men have taken to wearing them and it becomes a key opener of introductions. It's easy to talk about your wife, and your kids, though I shocked a few by being married, apparently, I don't look quite old enough to be married. I was rather rattled to show them your photo, not wanting them to think things. I was in a part mind to tell them you are eighteen, but I realized lying would not do you any justice.

When I explained in a way that allows us our privacy but keeps them from asking so many questions about it. Some of the men who have been here for a while already told me to think of those bastards…I'm sorry for cursing, but I don't know what else to call them. When facing the enemy?

Thinking of you always, and thank you for the peppermints,

Love Kenneth

Lieutenant Ford


To Lieutenant Ford

ID 163322

10th Battalion

CEF,

France

September 28th

Lieutenant Ford,

Kenneth,

The days are long without you, I spend most of my days helping Mother and Susan with the canning for the season. Pickles of all sorts even green beans, jams and jellies, potatoes and other vegetables for the winter months.

Sometimes I lie in bed and just pray to god that you are safe and warm. I understand why you explained to them somewhat, I mean it's hard to explain that your wife is sixteen years old, and you've been married for over a year already?

I hate the newspaper, but at the same time I snatch every ounce of news there is now. More so than ever because of you now. Not that I don't worry about Jem or Walter, but it is different with you being there. It feels much more real and terrifying. I just want you to be here again, not in khaki, not with a shaved head, dealing with mud and the elements.

It's like I made it to Elysium and Hades is just laughing from his throne of vengeance. Like good girl, you made it this hard what else can I make you feel now? Is May--August gone that far away now, Are our talks and walks gone forever until this is over with?

It's been four weeks, and I don't think…oh how do I explain things? I had some…spotting, and light bleeding. Which I don't know makes any sort of sense to you? But it's the main sign of expecting not to…bleed? But I still feel different, but it's not the same as last autumn and it wasn't like usual. So I can only assume that my worries about you reaching England safely disrupted things? I….I don't know how to talk about such things, especially to you still. But, after everything our time together, I should be able to say these things, explain these things to you? Shouldn't I?

I don't know why I feel disappointed in a strange way, the books once said it can take multiple tries, months, unless you are lucky to have a honeymoon baby. Or Unlucky like me with my past?

If anyone noticed my thoughts, I would be surprised. Father is much too busy with cases and the war to notice much these days and Mother…when not needed for the lady's aid spends most of her time in her room lying down.

Two sons in the front, another waiting for something, and a son-in-law if she counts you as well. Of course, she is always there, she is still there when the nightmares make their appearance at night. When Hades decides that the eastern front filled with family is not enough to fulfill my dreams.

Only Susan is the one I have to worry about? She watches like a hawk these days, knowing glances, but how could she know? But she also does the laundry…so there is that as well.

Either way, I'll watch the weeks, if anything changes I will let you know but I think…I think God has ruined the chances of giving something to the ladies at church to gossip about.

I hope this wasn't too forward or gross to hear about.

Please stay safe.

Love Your Rilla