Chapter 21

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

Chad

My knees are bouncing.

My heart is racing.

My hands are itching.

Three days ago, our CO informed us that we were going home. Just a week before, he'd told us we'd be rolling out after the first of the year. I called my wife to tell her as soon as I found out. That changed, and now here we are. It's the week before Christmas, and I'm going home to my wife.

She has no idea.

I don't think I've ever been this excited about seeing someone in my entire life. The bounce of my knees is me wanting to run to her. My racing heart, that's the love I have for the woman who took my name just over four months ago. And my itching hands? It's because I can't wait to hold her.

Not long now.

The bus slows, and we turn into the base. I don't have to look at a single face on this bus to know we're all feeling the same way. We're glad to be home. What's even better is that my wife doesn't know that I'm coming.

I'd already told her it would be after the first of the year. When we were told three days ago that had changed, there was a lot of work to do. So, I focused on that because I wanted to surprise her.

The bus stops, and we quickly unload. I have to report tomorrow for a few hours, but then we're off until after the new year. I've never been more thrilled to know my wife is a teacher, and she too will be home. No need for her to take her vacation days.

"It's good to be home," I tell Erik as I follow him off the bus. The last part of the ride, we were both quiet. Hell, the entire bus was quiet. We're all exhausted and ready for home.

"Yeah," he agrees. We toss our bags over our shoulders and begin the short walk to our houses. Faith had already told me that Erik and Hannah don't live far from us. Luckily, the base is well lit for a night walk, and to be honest, I need this time to calm the hell down. I'm nervous and excited, and I need to get those feelings under control before I knock on our front door.

Yeah, I'm gonna knock. I can't wait to see her face when she sees that it's me.

As we approach the house, I know it's ours, not only from the numbers on the house, but the car in the driveway. This is it. I'm home.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Erik chuckles as I wave him off. I've spent the last several months with him. It's time for my wife to have all my attention. "See ya!" he calls over his shoulder.

Dropping my bag onto the front porch, I wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs before lifting my hand and knocking on the door. I hear footsteps inside, and then I see the curtain move to the side. A squeal of excitement greets me as the door is tugged open, and my wife is jumping into my arms.

I catch her easily as she wraps her arms and legs around me and buries her face in my neck. Her body shakes and I can feel her tears against my skin. I hold her close, so tight. In fact, I'm sure I'm probably squeezing the air from her lungs, but Faith doesn't seem to mind. I squeeze my eyes closed to ward off my own onslaught of emotions. I focus on the feel of her in my arms.

Finally.

"You're here." She lifts her head and smiles through her tears. "How are you here?" Her eyes roam over my face as if she has to catalog my every feature.

Don't worry, baby. We have a lifetime for that.

"Let's get you inside." I step through the door that's still open, kicking it closed. I look around her just so I can take us to the couch before sitting with her still wrapped around me.

"Let me look at you." I cradle her cheeks in the palms of my hands and stare into her eyes. "I've missed you." My voice cracks. The relief of having her in my arms again is palpable. She's the missing piece of me.

"I missed you too. I didn't know you were coming." Surprise colors her voice, and her smile tells me it's a good one.

"We found out three days ago. It's been a whirlwind. We were all doing whatever we needed to do to get out of there and come home. I could have made the time to call, but I wanted to surprise you," I confess.

"Best Christmas present ever." She grins.

Not able to stand it a second longer, I lean in and press my lips to hers. My tongue glides along her lips, taking my fill. She opens for me, and I don't hesitate to taste her fully, allowing our tongues to dance. I lose track of time as we continue to kiss. My hands roam over every single part of her that I can reach. When she rocks her hips, we both moan in pleasure. I need to slow this down. I want to see the home she's made for us.

"Show me what you've done to the place." I don't want to stop. However, I know we need to talk. I need her to know that when I tell her that I love her, it's not only because she's my best friend. I can't let us get sidetracked before we have that conversation. I don't want to go to bed another night without this incredible woman knowing what she means to me.

"Okay. Just know that I can change anything you don't like."

"Baby, I'm sure it's fine. Let me grab my bag from the porch and then I want the tour." I kiss her again, because I can. Because she's here in my arms where she belongs. I have a few years left, and in that time, I'm probably going to have to leave her again. I hope like hell by some miracle I don't.

I do know that once my time is up, I'm done. That's something else I need to talk to her about. However, first, I need to see the home she created for us.

She stands and takes my hand, walking with me to the door to grab my things. I leave them inside on the floor and give my wife my full attention.

"This is the living room." She smiles softly.

I let my eyes roam around the room and stop when they land on an enlarged wedding photo of us. "That"—I point to the photo—"is my favorite part."

She squeezes my hand, resting her head on my shoulder from her spot next to me. "Yeah, that's my favorite too."

We continue on to each room. I see her touch in every single one of them. What I also see is me. She has my PlayStation set up in the living room. There are pictures of us everywhere. My running shoes are next to the front door beside hers, and she has a framed photo of her on my side of the bed on the nightstand. In the bathroom, there are his and hers sinks, and all my products are organized neatly. She was just waiting for me to come home.

Emotion wells in my throat. I force myself to swallow over the lump.

It feels so fucking good to be home.

"Well?" Faith asks. She's peering up at me as she bites down on her bottom lip. She's worried I won't like what she's done with the place. What she doesn't understand is that as long as she's living here, I couldn't care less what she does with it. If she's in that bed next to me every single night, she can paint our room hot pink with purple polka dots for all I care.

"You did great, baby." I bend to place my lips on hers.

Now that I've had the tour, we need to have that talk. Our bed is calling my name, and I'm not going to sleep until I know that she's going with me every night for the rest of our lives.

"We need to talk," I tell her. Instantly, her body stiffens.

"Right." She nods. "It's fine, really. I have the guest room all set up as you saw, so I can move in there until I find a place." She tries to pull away, but my hold on her is firm.

It takes me a few moments to register what she just said. "Wait. What?" I ask her. She tries to step away again, but I'm faster, keeping a tight grip on her hand, and pulling her into my chest. I wrap my other arm around her waist, keeping her close. "Faith?"

"It doesn't have to be complicated."

She won't look at me.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're home now. This—" she waves her hand between us in the little space that's left "—was temporary. I should move to my own room." Her eyes are locked on my chest.

"Fuck that."

She stills, and her breath hitches. I place my hand beneath her chin so that her eyes meet mine.

"Is that what you want? Do you want to move out of our room?"

"It's your room, Chad. I'm a guest here."

"The hell you are." I scoop her up in my arms and carry her to the bed. I place her down gently and climb above her. My hands rest beside her head, and I'm nestled between her thighs where I belong. "You are not a guest here. This is your home. Our home."

She nods, and tears form in her eyes. "But it's not real."

"Does this feel real?" I rock my hips into her pussy. "Does this feel real?" I bend my head and kiss her soft lips. Keeping one hand braced on the bed, the other takes her hand and places it over my heart. "Does this feel real?"

"Chad—"

I rock my hips again, and she arches her back. "Real," I tell her. Lowering my head, I capture her lips with mine, this time kissing her with everything I've got. By the time I pull away, we're both panting. "So fucking real," I murmur, kissing her again. "And this." I tap my hand over hers that's still resting over my heart. "It beats for you. Only you."

She blinks a few times, trying to clear her eyes from the tears. "I don't understand."

She does understand. I can see the hope in her eyes. They're not just filled with hope; there is love shining back at me. I fucked up. I should have told her before I left, but that's all right. I'm going to fix it.

Climbing off the bed, I offer her my hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Humor me, baby."

She does as I ask, placing not only her hand, but her trust in me as she allows me to help her stand from the bed as well. I hold her hands in mine and stare into her eyes.

"You're beautiful." Her eyes soften. Wrapping my arms around her, I hug her tight. My heart feels as though I just ran a mile as fast as I could go. Stepping back, I drop to my knees. Not just one, both.

"What are you doing?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"You're my best friend. You're the most important person in my life. You're my wife."

"Chad—"

"My love for you is infinite. It will never waver, and it can only grow stronger. This is our home, Faith, but what you don't realize is that you are my home. I don't care where we live as long as you're next to me. I want all your days and all your nights." Leaning in, I place a kiss on her belly. "I want to make a family with you. I want it all. I want my wife."

A small sob falls from her lips, but I keep going. I need her to understand.

"Mrs. Faith Anthony, will you do me the incredible honor of marrying me—again? We'll do it right, baby. We'll have the big wedding and the beautiful gown, all the guests, the wedding party, the reception, the honeymoon—all of it. I want to give you what I couldn't before. I want to give you the world. You already have all of me."

She tugs on my hands, and I stand. With my thumbs, I wipe the tears from her cheeks, but they continue to fall. "I wouldn't change any of it. Not a minute. It's our story, husband."

I smile at that, and in turn, so does she.

"I don't need another wedding. I don't need a fancy dress or a big reception. I don't need the honeymoon. I just need you. You are all I've ever wanted. You are my world. You have all of me. My love for you is infinite."

"You're mine, Mrs. Anthony. Where you go, I go. I have a few years left in my contract, but after that, I want out. I know there's a pretty good chance during that time, I'll have to leave you again. However, after that, never again. It's you and me, baby."

Her smile lights up her face. "You are my greatest gift."

"Yeah? You feeling up to another one?"

"All I need is you."

"Well, you're in luck. I'm giving you me." I step back and pull my shirt over my head, tossing it to the floor. Her eyes rake over my body, and my cock has never been this hard. "I want to make love to my wife."

"What are you waiting for?" She starts stripping out of her clothes, and all I can do is stand back and watch the show. "Too many clothes, husband. Strip."

"Yes, ma'am." I strip out of the rest of my clothes quickly. Reaching down, I grip my cock, squeezing the base. "It's a good thing you're already mine. This is about to be embarrassing."

She giggles. "We have a lifetime, right?"

"Damn right." Bending, I grip the back of her thighs, and she wraps her arms and legs around me. I stand frozen for just a minute, relishing the feel of her skin against mine. Reaching between us, I rub my thumb over her clit to find her wet. "You're ready for me." I take a seat, feeling her heat hover over me.

"Please."

"Please, what, baby?"

"Take the ache away."

"Anything for my wife." Gripping my cock, I guide myself inside her. She pushes down, and we both moan at the feeling of being one after all the months we spent apart.

"Take me. Take what you need. I'm already close, just feeling your skin against mine."

"It's going to be quick, but I promise you, I'll make love to you all night long."

"Then you better fuck me first."

"Hold on, wife." My hands move to her ass as I grip them tight. She squeals when I lift her up and bring her back down on my cock. "I fucking missed you."

"This—and you," she pants.

I grin as I plant my feet and slam her back down on my cock. Her head rolls to the side, her hair falling down her back. I want to bury my fist in it, but right now, all I can do is grip her fine ass and pull her down on me over and over again.

This is heaven.

This is my future.

"Chad— Oh!" she moans. The sound comes from somewhere deep in her chest.

"Tell me what you need, baby. I'm close." Tingles race down my spine, and my balls tighten. I'm barely hanging on. I can't come before her or without her.

I. Just. Can't.

"There. Right—there. Yes. Yes. Yes!" She screams the last one, and her pussy clamps down on my cock. The pressure is the most perfect fucking feeling, and I can't hold on. I release into her as she holds onto me, and we both ride out wave after wave of pleasure.

"Welcome home, husband."

"I love coming home to you, wife."

"Forever."

"Forever, baby."