Page 120 of Forever Fickle

When the last child was picked up, she hurried back inside, saw him standing there in her classroom – and immediately shut the door behind her.

“Hey…” he whispered, walking over to her quickly as she smiled.

“Hey yourself…” she breathed, rushing into his arms as he kissed her passionately.

They stood there together, holding each other, as she felt such a sense of peace flood her soul at being held in his arms. He deepened the kiss, just before breaking away.

“While I loved watching you with the children, and this might be some guy’s fantasy to have time to fool around with a teacher… but I’d rather go home and say hello the right way, where no one can interrupt us…” he breathed, dropping sweet little kisses on her nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin. “Goodness, I’ve missed you, my beautiful bride.”

“I’m so glad you are home,” she admitted, feeling her eyes sting with happiness.

He picked up her hand in that moment, kissing her palm and then her wedding ring quietly, before nodding. She could see that his own eyes were bright with emotion.

“Let me get my purse,” she offered, smiling.

* * *

“How long are you in town?”Karen asked softly, laying there beside Jace, studying his profile as they lay together.

“I’m catching a late flight Sunday night and have to report for duty Tuesday morning at oh-seven-hundred,” he said quietly, turning to look at her. “I wanted to come home to break up some of the time that we are apart. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said in protest, smiling at him and quickly reaching over to trace his jawline. “I’m so happy to see you and have this chance to reconnect. I needed to see you, to hold you close.”

“Then what are you doing so far away,” he teased, rolling over, and pulling her against him.

“Your spot is right here,” he pointed to his shoulder and his bicep. “That spot missed you terribly and needs you close.”

“I wouldn’t want to disappoint,” she laughed at his playfulness and snuggled against his shoulder, causing him to sigh happily as he smiled down at her.

“I love you so much, Tink…” he whispered tenderly. “It was really great seeing you and your classroom, getting a peek into the life of my wife when I’m not home. You were incredible out there, and even Alpo commented on how you just managed to corral them all – and they listened.”

“Thanks,” she said blushing, and smiled against his skin. “Trust me, they don’t always listen…”

“And they love you,” he smiled proudly. “I saw that little girl come give you a hug… and I could see us maybe having a child of our own, you know?”

“Jace,” Karen hesitated, seeing flashbacks in her mind of Glory’s delivery and how scared Alpo, Harley, and the rest of the team had been. “Can we take our time regarding children? I’m not saying ‘no’… I’m just not ready yet. The idea of labor is a little terrifying to me and I would rather have some time for us.”

“Baby, I love that idea…” he breathed, kissing her forehead. “We need to have time for us because our lives will change dramatically – and we are already faced with another change in the near future when I need to find a job.”

“I know you worry,” Karen whispered, laying her hand on his chest. “But I’m pretty sure they are going to welcome you with open arms. You’re one of their brothers from overseas and…”

“And it has to make sense for the business above all,” he replied openly. “If we had a plane, then I could earn my way in but without one, I’d be dependent on using what they have or…”

“So maybe we look at buying a plane and stay here instead?” she offered, knowing he’d mentioned looking for a home in the future once. “I would rather do that than to worry about things. Besides, if we have a plane, then we could travel or fly around like Dixie and Romeo do…”

“Planes are expensive.”

“More than a house?”

“No,” he hesitated, looking at her in surprise as she leaned up on her elbow to look at him. “But we’d have to put down quite a bit or buy it outright, which would completely deplete my savings that I have and still leave us short.”

“But you aren’t alone anymore,” she smiled. “Remember? There’s two of us now and we can figure this out.”

“Karen…” he said nervously, looking at her.

“We can think about it or talk about it more when it gets closer to your time to leave, but I think that would be a smart investment in our future. The condo isn’t big, but it’s dirt cheap and safe… and feels like home when you are here.”

“It does,” he smiled. “I’m getting pretty good at cooking for my wife, too… despite the electric burners.”

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