“There are rules we follow on base. Procedures. If anything ever happens to me… someone will come to tell you.”
Her whole body tenses. Then she breaks. “I can’t lose you,” she sobs, her face crumbling as tears stream down her cheeks.
Fuck.
My heart shatters. Just shatters.
I cup her face and wipe her tears away, one by one, even as more fall. “Shh, baby. It won’t happen. I’ll be fine. You’re my guardian angel, remember?” I lean forward, brushing my nose against hers, desperate to bring her comfort. “But if, for any reason, I can’t reach you—someone will. You won’t be left wondering. It’s just how my world works.”
She nods slowly, like it’s the only thing she can do. Then she clings to me, burying her face in my chest.
“I’ll miss you,” she whispers.
“You too, baby. Every damn day.” I press a kiss to her hair. “Keep your phone close, okay? I might be able to call you sometimes.”
“Okay,” she murmurs against my skin.
“I promise…” I swallow hard, my voice thick with emotion, “when I get back, we’ll finally have that honeymoon I planned. Somewhere just for us. Just you and me.”
She looks up at me, eyes still wet, but glowing. “I don’t need a honeymoon. Just you coming back safe—that’s enough for me. You’re all I need, Nate.”
God, I don’t deserve her. But I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that I do.
I hold her tighter, like I can burn this moment into my soul. Her scent, her warmth, her love—it’s all I’ll carry with me when I go.
But then my eyes catch the clock on the nightstand, and my stomach turns.
Two hours. That’s all we’ve got left.
I bury my face in her neck, kissing her soft skin. “Let’s try to rest, sweetheart.”
She shifts slightly, her hand smoothing down my chest. “All right,” she whispers, reaching for the sheet and pulling it over us like it can protect us from the world.
I close my eyes and hold her closer, praying to feel her heart beating against mine for just a little longer.
Because no matter where I go—no matter what danger waits—I’ll always carry her with me.
My wife.
My forever.
My home.
The room is bathed in the soft, golden haze of early dawn when I open my eyes.
I don’t move.
She’s still asleep in my arms, her head resting on my chest, our legs tangled together. Her breathing is slow and even, her face peaceful—but I know the moment she wakes, that calm will crack.
I wish I could freeze time. Just press pause on this moment and stay here.
But reality doesn’t give a damn about wishes.
I press a kiss to her temple, lingering there for a beat longer than I should. Then I gently shift, trying not to wake her as I slip out of bed. But she stirs anyway, instinctively reaching for me.
“Nate…?” she murmurs, her voice hoarse with sleep and emotion.
“Shh,” I whisper, brushing my hand over her hair. “Go back to sleep.”
