Page 105 of Forever Fallen

NASCAR, it is…

Love,

Ryan

CHAPTER32

SOPHIE

“C’mon… c’mon… c’mon…”

Sophie was fidgeting and anxiously awaiting seeing Ryan walk through those security gates. His flight had just landed almost ten minutes ago, and she knew it would take time to get off the plane, walk through the terminal, and finally exit so they could walk to baggage claim together.

She had told the team that Ryan was coming home – and they were having a bonfire at Flyboys tomorrow night instead of in two weeks, just so he could see all of his friends before he had had to fly back.

Sophie was standing there, in a new dress with spaghetti straps that she’d bought last week just for this moment. She wanted to wow her husband, knock his socks off, and the dress was perfect. It was pale pink, reminding her of the one she wore for their second wedding, but fitted at the waist with a flared skirt making it look so feminine.

Being creative was not her thing, and the sign she made looked awful to her – but it was the thought behind it. She’d painted a ‘Welcome Home’sign for him, had balloons, and was trying to be patient… craning her neck to see if she could spot him as he walked through…

There was a commotion ahead – and Sophie burst out laughing.

Ryan was physically sprinting through the airport, his massive canvas bag slung over his shoulder, running as fast as possible with his pack bouncing on his back.

“RYAN!” Sophie hollered in excitement – waving at him – and literally jumping on her husband the moment he was close enough to touch.

She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist… not caring who saw her, needing to hug him bodily and never let go!

There were several exclamations around them, several audible sighs of envy, and open applause from the other occupants waiting for their loved ones to make their arrival known – but nothing beat this feeling of completion slamming into her very soul right now.

Her husband was home!

“Oh Soph… I love you,” he uttered, kissing her immediately and hugging her as his voice cracked with emotion, his dark eyes bright and shiny with unshed tears. “Oh gosh, Sunshine, I’ve missed you so much…”

“Hey there, yourself…” she said playfully, not bothering to hide her tears as she smiled at him, kissing him several times, sprinkling light tiny kisses all over his forehead, cheeks, and chin. “It’s about time you got here, Lieutenant Merrick. Welcome home!”

“Couldn’t resist the lovely Mrs. Merrick anymore…” he teased tenderly.

Sophie kissed him quickly, hugging him, and put her legs down as she took his hand in hers.

“Let’s go home…now,” she urged.

“Baby-makin’ time?” he laughed intimately, grinning proudly, and began walking with her immediately. She heard several people laughing around them and noticed a few people were filming videos with their phone.

“You know it, flyboy!”

* * *

As they arrivedhome in record time with Ryan behind the wheel, she saw something on the front porch. He got out of the car, yanked his bag out of the back, and they both started up the steps quickly, in a hurry to get inside and spend some quality time alone.

Sophie saw the crockpot and the note… and started chuckling knowingly.

She wasn’t sure which one of their friends had dropped this off – but it would be welcome later. Ryan picked up the appliance and unlocked the door as Sophie ripped open the little envelope, reading it aloud.

Reunions are the best! Here’s something for dinner so you don’t starve before we get a chance to see our best friends tomorrow. Plug it in first, and then go have some fun together…

Love,

Valkyrie and Marisol

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