Page 110 of Welcome to Forever
Epilogue
Ben rolled into the living room for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day and stared at the clock once again.
“Almost time.” Kat offered a smile, feeling just as nervous, and excited, about Micah’s return as he was.
“Do you think he’ll recognize me?” Ben asked, swiping at the lock of hair that usually fell between his eyes.
She wanted to laugh, but held a serious face. “Well, you’ve definitely gotten taller. It’ll be time for a new chair soon, I suspect. And you look older, too, with that new haircut.”
At this, Ben smiled proudly.
“But I definitely think he’ll recognize you. You are the spitting image of him.”
Ben bounced lightly in his seat. “Can we go early? Just in case he arrives sooner?” he asked.
She’d been thinking the same thing. “Sure. I’ll just go tell Aunt Clara and Uncle Rick that we’ll meet them back here for a family celebration afterward.”
Fifteen minutes later—Kat had gotten quite efficient at loading a wheelchair in a vehicle over the last few months—she and Ben were heading through the gates of Camp Leon. They parked and Kat helped Ben back into his wheelchair. “Here, let me.” She reached out for his tightly coiled left arm and gave it a slow, gentle stretch. “Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be wonderful,” she told him, catching the uncertainty in his eyes.
“I know. It’s going to be the best,” Ben said.
“That’s right.” She started to push his chair ahead of her, but he laid a hand on his wheel, stopping her.
“I want to show Dad just how much I’ve grown. I can do this all by myself.”
“Of course.” She followed a short distance, and then they stopped outside of a gate that sectioned off a large field.
“Your father told me he has a special surprise for you,” Kat said.
“He always brings me home something when he’s away. I wonder if he brought you something, too.”
“Oh, honey. Your dad being home is all the present I need.” Although Micah had hinted in his last letter to her that he was coming home with a question. He said he needed to ask her something that would change their lives forever.
Excitement swelled in her chest. He was probably going to ask her to move in with them, which would be pretty life-changing.
She sucked in a breath, continuing to watch the field beyond the gate. The minutes were long as she held on to the fact that the man she loved would step off that bus that was scheduled to show up in the next few minutes. She wouldn’t be left waiting this time. No one had come to her door, although she’d had several nightmares about that happening. There’d been no news reports of accidents involving his squadron. And she’d spoken to Micah just last night. Everything was fine and he was coming home to her and Ben. Then they could begin the life they’d dreamt up during their many phone calls and letters to each other since his deployment.
A bus came into sight in the distance, accompanied by the cheers of the crowd gathered outside. What seemed like an eternity later, the bus stopped and its door opened. She watched each man in uniform step off. Each one that wasn’t Micah felt like a pinprick to her heart.
Where is he? Where is he?
She tried not to let her fear settle in on this glorious day. Closing her eyes just for a moment, she sucked in a long breath, releasing it slowly along with a prayer that Micah would return to her, just as he’d promised. Then she opened her eyes again and relief hit her with such an overwhelming magnitude that it was all she could do not to dissolve into a puddle of tears. That, or run as fast as her feet would allow, past the gate and into his arms. She couldn’t leave Ben, though.
Micah stood tall as his eyes traveled across the crowd, no doubt asking himself the same question she just had.Where are they?
“Dad! Over here!” Ben yelled, waving his right arm. “Dad!”
Micah’s gaze connected with Ben’s, and then lifted to meet hers.
No way am I ever letting this man go again.
He walked briskly toward them, his stride eating up the pavement. Then he bent low and hugged Ben first. “Ah, buddy. I missed you so much. You’re bigger. It’s only been six months. What’s Aunt Clara been feeding you?”
Ben grinned widely. “And I got a haircut, too.”
Kat laughed, working hard to resist her tears.
A minute later, Micah straightened and leveled his gaze with hers. And if she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes were glassy, too. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said, lowering his voice.
