Page 112 of Forever Fickle

“I love you,” he said openly, changing the tone of everything between them from playful to emotional. “I hope the next few months fly by quickly so I can see you again.”

“I plan on keeping busy with teaching, keeping in touch with our friends, and then I’ve got a wedding to plan, remember?”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time…” he taunted happily. “Say the word and I’ll be there.”

“Just for the honeymoon portion again,” she teased softly, remembering how sweet and tender a lover he was – and how much it meant to both of them.

“You know it’s more than just that, right, Karen?”

“It’s so much more,” she replied softly. “I wish I could hold your hand or touch your cheek right now.”

“I’m not gonna lie, Tink,” he said breathlessly, his voice thick with emotion. “I would give my eyeteeth to be able to do the same thing.”

“Not necessary… besides? I love your smile, so please don’t do anything to change it,” she quipped tenderly. “Just come home if you get a chance, even if it’s for a day or two, and we’ll get through this last bit of your career there.”

“What did our friends say about us getting married?”

“Honestly? I didn’t tell them,” she hesitated. “It didn’t seem like the right time because of everything going on, and I didn’t want to take away from Alpo and Glory’s moment. Besides, the only person that I care to know – is you, my husband.”

“You’re not hiding this, us, are you?”

“Not at all,” Karen replied openly. “I’m going to get my new driver’s license as soon as I can next week and plan on changing everything over to Sorensen as soon as I am able. I’m not hiding a thing, husband, but I also didn’t feel right stealing the spotlight. We’ll have our moment.”

“Yes, we will, my love.”

“Jace?” she whispered, hesitating.

Tonight, seeing the devastation and fear on Alpo’s face, made her realize that nothing was ever promised or guaranteed in this world. She knew Firefly’s wife, Melody, had lost her first husband… and this was the first time she ever really comprehended just how fast life changes.

She’d met Jace and her world snapped into place… but it could be unraveled too.

Alpo was afraid he’d lost Glory at one point, and while he didn’t say the words aloud? The meaning had been there when he said that he didn’t want any more children because his heart couldn’t take it.

He’d been terrified…

Karen couldn’t picture a world without Jace.

“Yeah honey?”

“Please be careful out there,” she urged softly. “I need you to come home to me, so I can keep loving you for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine a world without you and…”

“It’s the same for me, Tink…” he said thickly. “I’m coming home as soon as I can and swear, I will be safe.”

“Then I am happy… or will find a way to be.”

“That’s all I could ever ask.”

“I love you desperately, Hot Cakes,” she whispered in goodbye, knowing he was going to have to get to his connecting flight. “I’m sure going to miss you until you return to me.”

“I know, love. I’m going to miss you, too,” he replied. “Look for the little things, remember moments, scroll through photos, or think about my hand holding yours… because in my mind, I am there, holding you,” he hesitated. “And I’ve got to go. They just announced my flight.”

“I figured it was coming soon.”

“I love you, Mrs. Sorensen.”

“And I love you, Mr. Sorensen,” she replied tenderly. “Can you call when you land?”

“I shouldn’t,” he warned gently. “It’s not safe from Kabul, nor secure. I’ll email when I’m safe on base. Okay?”

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