NICK

I haven't even had time to lay down properly and get some rest when Vic appears in my room again.

"Sir, the people have the assemble for you to speak to them"

I really do not want to speak to them and tell them that they are going to stay but I guess that it is the job of a leader. There is no way out of this and so I ask Vic to please give me a hand. I get into the wheelchair and then he pushes me to the door of the hospital. I stop him and then I say.

"I think I need to walk for this part. If you don't mind"

"Of course, sir"

I stand up and I can feel the pain shooting from my ribs to the rest of my body but I do not care because I want to show them that I have enough respect for them to stand up and talk to them. It feels like I take baby steps but this is the only way that I can walk without wincing like an idiot.

I stand in front of them and then I try to look at consoling as possible.

"My fellow soldiers, the Admiral has told me that we will make a base here as you all know. I would like you to look around you because this will be your new home for the foreseeable future. You will make a great team and I am sure you will keep this part of the country safe..."

I can see some of the people smiling and some do not look too happy. I wish that I can make the load lighter for them but that is the job you signed up for. You never really know where you going to be and that would be one of the reasons why I want to quit.

I can not imagine being without Kim for so many months, even years. There are so many unpredictable things that can happen in deployment and I know that you can not build a strong relationship if you do that. I continue to tell them who will be their leaders and the leaders under them.

Everyone listens intently and after that, I can feel my body is ready to give in again. Standing for so long is not a good idea. Especially when your ribs are broken. Then I make my way back to the hospital but just before I get there Vic stops me.

"Master Chief, sir!"

"Yes, what can I help you with?"

"I am sorry, sir but the Admiral would like to speak to you again"

He gives the radio to me and then I take it from him.

"Thank you"

Then he turns around and walks away.

"Admiral, sir. You wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, Master Chief. I would like you to gather the men for departure tomorrow at 08:00..."

I can not help but feel extremely happy as I know that I am going home. But it is a bit of mixed emotions because I do not look forward to telling the Admiral that I am quitting. He continues to tell me how we will depart and that it will be a quick departure. We do not want to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. Vic is not standing too far away and I call him over.

I give him the radio and then I tell him to spread the message about our departure. I will let the hospital know and he can see it to it that everyone knows outside. Then I walk back to the hospital only to find Kim standing there with the wheelchair not looking happy at all.

KIM

I just finished with my rounds and I decide to get dinner for me and Nick. Then I make my way back to his room and what I find I am not happy about. I need Nick to rest and here he is, again out of his bed. I put the plates down and quickly make my way to John but Nick is not there.

I look around the hospital and he is nowhere to be found. Then I see a wheelchair at the entrance of the hospital and as I make my way there I see Nick walking back to the hospital. I can see that he is in a lot of pain and I know why he is. He is not supposed to walk with those broken ribs.

The more he walks with those ribs like that the longer it will take to heal. I can not help but fold my arms and look straight into his eyes.

"Nick, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to stay in bed?"

He tries to lift up his hands in surrender but it is too painful so he gives me a painful smile and says while sitting in the chair.

"I am sorry but the Admiral gave me I order and I can not lay in this bed while there are things to be done but I promise I am finished for the night and you can take me back now"

I can hear how apologetic he is and even though I want to be mad at him it is something of an impossibility. I have missed him too much and he is way too cute. I take the handles of the wheelchair and then push him back to his room.

"You know, you make things very hard for me. How am I going to make you feel better if you don't do what I say?"

I help him up into his bed and I can see that his pain is severe. Then I walk over to the medical drawer and get him some morphine.

"I will try my best to listen to what you have to say but I think you must get over here first so I can tell you the news that I have"

This sounds very intriguing and so I quickly get the plates for dinner and then we sit and eat.

"I am listening? What is your news?"

I see that cocky smile of his appear on his face again and then he says.

"We get to go home tomorrow..."

It is the best news that I could ever have heard. I get to go home. I get to get married. I get to build a life with a man that I love.

"You are not joking, are you?"

I feel him holding my hand and then he says.

"Does it look like I'm going to joke about something like this? We are going home and we are going to get married"

I can not help as I automatically stand up and kiss his entire face with butterfly kisses. We laugh out of pure excitement and then we finish our dinner. Then he tells me that we should spread the word and the sick patients will come with us. But then he also tells me about the soldiers that are staying and most of the medical staff that stays.

It is sad to know that some of the friends you made will stay behind and others will come back home. But my happiness is so much that almost nothing can bring me down. By the time that we have finished dinner and news has been spread, it is time to go to bed. This will be our final night on this base and I can't be happier. I stand up from my chair next to Nick and then I say.

"Well, I think you need your sleep and I definitely do. So, I will see you tomorrow?"

NICK

I almost can not believe what she is saying because there is no way I am letting her out of my sight.

"Where do you think you are going?"

I see her smile and then she says.

"I am going to my tent to sleep"

I quickly grab her hand before she's too far away and then I pull her into me.

"you should know by now that your place is next to me and not somewhere alone in a tent. So, you have a choice, either you sleep next to me tonight or I go with you to the tent"

I can see a frown appearing on her face and then her entire body relaxes.

"Well then you going to have to move over because I am not letting you sleep in the tent"

Without even a second passing by I move over and she takes her place next to me. It is still a little bit sore when she presses against my chest but I will take this pain anytime as I do not want her out of my sight.

"Now, that wasn't so hard was it?"

"No, it wasn't but you need to sleep tonight because tomorrow is going to be very hard on you"

I can not help but frown at what she is saying. I put my hands on her waist and then I say.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean do you know you have broken ribs? Walking around like that...sitting in a helicopter? You will be in a lot of pain..."

I can see severe concern in her eyes for me and I can not help but feel a little bit satisfied by it. This only shows me that she truly cares for me and then I take a stranded hair out of her face and put it behind her ear while I say.

"You are one of a kind do you know that? I love you so much, Kim McPherson"

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like