Page 96 of My Fiancé's Brother 2

I rubbed my eyes and staggered to my feet. I looked at my watch. It was 10:50 PM. The excited bubbling crowd of women and kids had turned into a silent and weary group. We were led by someone into the large hanger and watched as the huge hanger doors slowly drew open. A massive military plane slowly taxied towards us. I stared at it in awe. I had never seen a plane that big. There was a cool wind, and my thin jean jacket was doing nothing to protect me. I was freezing cold. Our ragtag group huddled together as we watched in silence as the huge ramp at the back of the plane slowly lowered down to the ground.

Soldiers started filing off the plane. They were all dressed inuniform. They moved with orderly precision. It was an impressive sight. I never really could grasp Jackson or his job or what this life entailed, but this was his life. And somehow, this had become my life.

I watched him walk across the tarmac beside Forbes. He looked so strong the way he moved. He carried a huge green duffle bag over his shoulder. His big boots and his fatigues only added to his tough physique. Jackson was all man, and as a soldier he was heart-stopping.

I felt myself get nervous, as I watched him walk towards me. His eyes lifted and he scanned the group I was standing in. Would things be weird between us? The last time we talked, we had fought about Harper.

I felt a jolt the moment his eyes met mine. His expression was stoic, but it felt like the sun was again shining on my face. How had this man become so vital and so important to me? When had this happened? It staggered me knowing how much I needed him.

He walked towards me. I stood there frozen and stiff, aware that our reunion garnered a lot of attention. He dropped his bag and then he was picking me up in his arms and lifting me off my feet. My arms went up as I buried my face into his neck. He smelled so good. I was shaking from cold, fatigue and nerves.

“You’re trembling.”

“I’m cold.” My cold lips were stuck to the warm skin of his neck.

“How’s Alien?”

“Taking up more real-estate.”

He set me back down and held me so he could look me over. “That he is.”

“I’m exclusively in maternity clothes now.”

He picked up his bag and then grabbed my hand. “Let’s go home.”

Chloe howledwhen she saw Jackson. He gave her a good face washing until she calmed down.

“Someone is happy to see you.”

His smile was big. “She’s alright.”

“Do you want something to eat?”

“I’m good.”

He stood in the middle of the kitchen, dominating the room. I always seemed to forget how massive my husband was. He fairly towered over me. He studied me. “How have things been for you?”

“Everything is good. How are you? How was work?”

“Fine.”

I struggled to think of something to say. Things always seemed so weird when he came back. I felt awkward and shy around him.

I yawned.

“You look tired.”

I nodded. “Kinda.”

“Why don’t you head up to bed? I will be there in a bit.”

“Okay.”

In the morning,I woke up to the sound of Chloe whining. Jackson had come to bed last night, but he hadn’t woken me. Now it was morning and my dog needed to pee.

“Coming Chloe,” I gave a raspy call, as I forced myself to sit up in bed.

“I got it,” Jackson said. “You sleep.”

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