Page 22 of Love Under Siege

At that moment, a sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I finally figured out how to get closer to her and become the one she wants by her side. It will take some effort and patience, but I now have a plan. I cast one final look at the farmhouse before turning and making my way back through the trees towards my car parked down the road. Waiting for Anya has already been a years-long process, so what's a few more weeks?

CHAPTER TEN

Anya

I wake up to the sound of the roosters making their morning calls. It has been two days since my car was vandalized. With the help of Jacob and Tom, it was towed and fixed the very next day. However, I have been struggling to sleep for the past two nights. Not just because of the stalker but because today is the day I have been dreading for weeks. I can feel the weight of it crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Saying goodbye to Jacob feels like a physical pain, one that has been building up since the day he told me he was leaving. My mind is filled with images of my parents, the stalker, and now Jacob, all intertwined in a jumbled mess. But I have to be strong for him, that’s what he asked of me. The thought of him possibly worrying about me while he’s supposed to be focusing on his training makes my stomach churn with guilt. He has been my rock, my safe haven in this chaotic storm of life. And now I have to watch him go, not being able to see him until after Thanksgiving. It’s not a deployment, but it feels just as painful.

But I steel myself and put on a brave face, I’ll show him that I can handle this. I won’t cry in front of him, no matter how much my heart is breaking inside. That moment will come later, when he’s gone and the reality sets in that he won’t be here to help me.

I roll over onto my side and find Jacob lying next to me. Typically, his mother would not approve of us sleeping in the same room unless we were married; my Nana is the same way. However, with everything that has happened and Jacob leaving today, his mother made an exception.

“Good morning beautiful,” he greets me with a sweet smile.

“Good morning.”

“How did you sleep last night?” he asks, concern evident in his voice.

“To be honest, it could have been better. My mind was racing and I couldn’t fully relax,” I reply.

He pulls me close and plants a tender kiss on my forehead. “I know what you mean,” he says softly.

I rest my head on his chest, cherishing the warmth of his embrace. “I don’t want you to leave,” I say with a heavy heart.

“I know, baby. But I’ll be back before Christmas,” he reassures me.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know...it’s just that with everything going on, I wish I had you by my side.”

“Me too, Anya. But you are one of the strongest women I know. You’ve faced so many challenges and yet here you are, still standing. This is just another bump in the road of life, but you have people who love and support you,” he says while gently stroking my hair. He looks into my eyes and adds, “Anya, you are not alone.”

Jacob’s words echoed in my mind as we lay intertwined in a moment that felt all too fleeting. His departure lingered like an impending storm on the horizon, casting a shadow over our shared solitude. I tried to memorize the curve of his jaw, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath, committing every detail to memory to sustain me in the lonely days ahead.

The sun filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the room as if nature itself sought to infuse warmth into our bittersweet farewell. I traced invisible patterns on his skin, mapping out the contours of a love that anchored me in turbulent waters. But beneath the surface calm of our embrace, turmoil churned like a tempest threatening to pull us apart.

“I wish I could freeze this moment,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, afraid that speaking louder would break the fragile peace enveloping us.

Jacob’s gaze softened, a silent understanding passing between us like a shared secret. “Me too, Anya,” he murmured, his eyes reflecting a mix of love and regret. “But we will get through this, and before we know it, I’ll be back, right here with you.”

His words hung in the quiet between us, a reminder that change was inevitable and that I’d need to be strong enough to handle it. I held onto him tighter, finding comfort in his warmth, knowing that soon he’d have to leave, and I’d feel the emptiness of his absence all over again.

After a moment of shared silence, Jacob shifted to gaze at me earnestly, his eyes searching mine as if etching my features into his memory. “Anya, promise me that you’ll take care of yourself. I may not be physically here, but my heart will always be with you,” he implored.

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over despite my efforts to hold them back. I nodded wordlessly, unable to voice the myriad emotions swirling within me.

We lay side by side, our fingers still intertwined and our breaths in sync. A soft knock on the door breaks our peaceful moment. His mother enters, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She must have been up all night, dreading this moment of saying goodbye to her son. “Good morning, my dear,” she says with a trembling smile that doesn’t quite reach her sad eyes. She sets two cups of steaming hot coffee onthe nightstand and turns to leave quickly. But before she goes, she turns back and adds, “Jacob, make sure you’re all packed and ready to go when we leave.” It’s evident that she’s trying to keep a brave face, but her voice cracks as she speaks.

As she left, a heavy silence settled in the room, punctuated only by the ticking of the old clock on the wall.

Jacob shifted slightly, his eyes conveying a mixture of resolve and reluctance. “I should start getting ready,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow.

I nodded, understanding the weight of the impending farewell that loomed over us like a shadow. “Okay, I’ll get dressed too,” I whispered, my words carrying a promise of unwavering support.

Jacob slowly extricated himself from our embrace, his absence creating a physical void that sent a shiver down my spine. I watched him move around the room, gathering his belongings with practiced efficiency, each movement a testament to the impending separation. The room felt emptier with every item he packed as if the walls themselves mourned his departure.

As he zipped up his bag, Jacob turned to face me, his expression a blend of determination and longing. “Ready to eat breakfast?” he says, voice tinged with sadness. I slowly nod and he holds my hand as we make our way to the kitchen.

Marissa and Tom join us at the table, where an abundance of food awaits. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, bacon, bread, and a bowl of mixed fruits fill the plates before us. “Mom, you didn’t have to make all this,” Jacob says with a hint of guilt in his voice. “I know, but I wanted to make sure you were well-fed before we leave,” she replies with a touch of sadness in her eyes. Jacob and I exchange a knowing look; we both understand that cooking for us is her way of keeping herself occupied.

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