Letters to Bellamy

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and ocs. Feel free to let me know what you thought!

Dear Bellamy Blake,

I hate starting letters with Dear, it seems really impersonal to me, but that's the way they're supposed to be started. At least that's what I've been told since we started learning how to right letters in first grade. Anyway, my English teacher, Mister Jaha, who is also my god father and honorary uncle, suggested to the entire class that we tell our pen pals, that's you in case you didn't know, a little about ourselves. My name is Madi. I'm thirteen and in seventh grade. I'm... I was a foster kid until my mom adopted me two years ago. My biological mom was a junkie who tried to sell me to one of her dealers for a fix. My mom started fostering me shortly after I was put into the system. She volunteered when no one else would. The Case worker I had was wary at the time because she was so young, she was only nineteen, maybe twenty. But she told me that she fought until they approved her.

She's great, I love her with my entire heart. She always told me that I might not be her daughter by blood, but I was her daughter by choice, and that was so much more, she chose me just like I chose her.

My mom's name is Clarke, she's twenty six and a doctor. People always say how young she is for her career choice, but they don't know just how smart she really is. She worked hard to get where she is now and I couldn't be prouder of her. Sometimes she struggles being a single parent and a doctor, but she's always been there for me. She was the only person I could ever rely on until she brought me into her family. That's how I got Uncle Wells and Uncle Monty. Uncle Wells has known mom since they were kids and Uncle Monty was in one of her college classes. They always know how to help me drag mom out of her funk whenever she has a hard day at the hospital.

This is supposed to be a joint class project for History and English. Miss Blake said how important it was for the soldiers who were shipped over seas to have something positive in their days. She proposed the idea to our Principal, Missus Sydney, who had agreed with her for once. It was funny, the rant Miss Blake got into over this project. She's really passionate about it, but refuses to tell anyone why. I know my letter to you is all over the place, and I can't really think of just one topic to talk about, but Miss Blake and Mister Jaha,(Uncle Wells) said that it was alright if we "ramble". The soldiers would laugh and find it endearing. You can tell me if it's annoying, I'll try to keep my letters more organized and think of a topic to stick with. Anyway, that's all the time I have for today. We're sending our letters in the morning and I still need to draft it, edit for mistakes and everything else. I hope you enjoy this letter Bellamy Blake, and that you think I'm a great Pen Pal.

Madi Griffin

"Hey Little Mouse, how was school today?" Clarke questioned her daughter that evening as she stood in front of the stove, making stir fry for dinner. Madi pulled herself on to the counter top, twisting her braid that had landed over her shoulder as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"Do you remember the pen pal project Uncle Wells was talking about last Sunday?" Madi started, watching as her mother glanced over her shoulder, her brow furrowing as she thought back to her previous conversations with her best friend.

"Yeah, he said another teacher proposed it at last weeks staff meeting. She was really passionate about it and sold everyone on the idea of getting a soldier pen pal serving over seas," Clarke repeated, nodding her head as she turned her attention back to the food she was making.

"Well, we got our assigned pen pals today, and we get to send out the letters in the morning," Madi paused, choosing her words carefully.

"It sounds like you're walking on eggshells Little Mouse, why so nervous over this assignment?" Clarke turned off the fire, finally turning to face her daughter.

"What if he doesn't like my letter and decides to request a new pen pal?" Madi put on a brave front for everyone, acted indifferent when others made comments about her biological mother. She brushed off bullies the same way Clarke brushed off her mother. But she was a sensitive soul who cared deeply.

"This soldier will read your letter and think you are the most amazing seventh grader out there. You need to have a little faith in yourself Little Mouse," Clarke answered, crossing her kitchen and wrapping her arms around Madi's waist. The younger girl dipped her head into the crook of her mother's neck and sniffled quietly as Clarke hummed.

"Thanks Mom," Clarke would never tire of hearing the title from the younger girl's lips. Madi had been hard to win over, afraid Clarke would change her mind at any given point. It took her months to win the young girl's trust, to show that she was loved and cared for.

"Come on Little Mouse, it's time to eat," Clarke pulled away first before helping her daughter down and grabbing two plates to dish out the dinner she had made. Madi began talking about the rest of her day as they sat at the dining table, and Clarke relaxed back against her chair, drawing a leg up and just watched her daughter talk so animatedly about her day. This is something she would never trade for anything in the world.

Dear Madi Griffin,

I have to agree with your assessment. Dear feels very impersonal. My name is Bellamy Blake, which you already know considering you are my pen pal. I am thirty one and on my third tour for the Army, Special Forces. I joined the army when I was eighteen, it was a way to support my sister right after we lost our mother. She had trouble with addiction as well. I know what it's like to watch someone you love struggle like that. My sister is six years younger than me, she's twenty five and a history teacher for middle school kids, kids your age. I couldn't be prouder of her for everything she's done. She told me recently over a Skype call she pushed for a new program, but wouldn't tell me what it was. Said she wanted it to be a surprise. Anyway, I don't want to bore you with details that most likely won't interest you. You're mom sounds like an incredible woman, she most be very proud of you. You sound like you're very loved. Unfortunately my letter won't be as long as yours. I have to go out on patrol soon and my partner this time is a real jerk if I take to long. I hope to hear from you soon Madi.

Bellamy Blake

Madi sat at her dining room table, rereading the letter she received in class earlier, a small smile on her face before she heard her mother's voice, alerting she was home.

"No Mom, I don't think that's a good idea. Look, I don't want that around Madi. Talk to me when you're sober," Clarke sounded angry and Madi frowned, looking up from the letter to see Clarke slide her phone into the back pocket of her jeans.

"Tough shift?" Madi questioned as she watched her mom collapse into the chair next to her, resting her head on the table..

"Tough week Kid. What's that?" Clarke replied, nodding to the paper resting in front of her daughter.

"My letter from my pen pal came in today. I think Miss Blake might be his sister, but I don't want to ask her," she answered, chewing her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Why not? It would be the easiest thing to do, right?" Clarke raised her head, resting her cheek against her fist with a lazy smile on her lips.

"Yeah, it would. But what if she gets mad I drew his name?" Madi questioned, glancing from the letter to her mother who shrugged one shoulder, the stretched out collar of the thread bare tee shirt she was wearing slipping down.

"You drew his name at random Little Mouse. She can't get angry over that. Did your pen pal enjoy the letter you sent?" Clarke spoke softly, watching the wide grin on Madi's face stretch even more.

"Yeah, he did," she answered, before glancing towards the letter in front of her. Clarke watched her daughter carefully, reaching over to brush a few loose strands of dark espresso hair from her cheek.

"You are smart, funny, charming, and incredible Madi. I knew you would brighten his day. So what do you want for dinner tonight?" Clarke watched as her daughter sat back, carefully thinking over what to eat before glancing at her mother's tired expression.

"Can we order from that Indian place you like? I really want some Naan bread," she replied, watching the slight smile curve her mother's lips before she nodded.

"Sure kid. Get started on your homework," Madi nodded, before pushing away from the table and making her way towards her back pack. She already knew what she wanted to tell Bellamy and decided she would get started on her letter after dinner.

A/N: Let me know what you think of this new idea! It just wouldn't leave me alone!