Page 109 of Forever Fallen

“Everything we do will always be in love – and if we are blessed with a child, then I will willingly wait to come home just so I can see you both when our little one arrives,” he said gruffly. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

The announcement over the speakers cut them both off – and Ryan nodded painfully, meeting her eyes.

“I’ve got to go.”

“See you soon…” she breathed, smiling, and looking up at him to see his blurred beautiful face before her eyes. “I love you, ‘13B’… always and forever.”

“Same for me, ‘13A’… you are everything to me – and I will see you soon.”

Sophie watched him heft up his bag onto his shoulder as he walked through the security gate towards his awaiting flight. In the last second, before he disappeared, Sophie cupped her hands and yelled.

“I love you, Lieutenant Merrick! See you soon!”

Ryan turned, smiling, and raised a hand to wave before she heard his words that warmed her heart.

“I’ll see you soon, little mama…”

Sophie grinned.

CHAPTER34

Hey Ryan,

Just got home from the airport and realized that you left your running shorts here. I’m keeping them, flyboy. No take-backs. I have some new pajama bottoms that will make me think of you because they say Merrick on the leg. Thank you for the souvenir…

The memories of us having time together will keep my heart warm during the next few months. I love breathing the same air as you, husband.

I hope your flight is smooth and you get back to base safely.

Email me when you get unpacked.

I love you,

Sophie

* * *

Hey Darling,

Thank you for letting me know about the shorts as I will need them for PT tomorrow and need to get another pair. Keep them! I guarantee they look better on you than me, any day, hands down…

I agree and understand – I will be forever dreaming of your sweet soft sighs, the touch of your skin, and the way I can see our souls merging together when we make love.

You make me weak at the knees, Sophie…

I just got settled in, got my things unpacked, and getting ready to turn in for the night. I plan on sleeping on my sweet beanbag pillow and dreaming of you.

Love always,

Ryan

* * *

Sophie staredat the pregnancy test, disbelieving.

Ryan had been gone a month and she should have started her period last week. A part of her kept thinking, ‘No, it’s the stress from him leavingagain’… but yesterday was different. She realized last night that it hurt to sleep on her stomach because her chest was tender.

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