More Than I Wanted(48)

I finished dressing and touched up my make-up. One last glance in the mirror, and with a deep breath I was ready. Oh wait, I forgot my perfume. I chose his favorite and headed out the door. Today was the day! It was hard to grasp the amount of time that had passed. It felt like forever, and yet here we were. I’d waited so long for this moment; I couldn’t wait to see him.

Sitting in my car, I gripped my steering wheel and exhaled. I was more nervous than I anticipated, and had butterflies in my stomach. It was the not knowing what to expect. I remembered when he got back after his last deployment; Heather said he needed time to adjust. How much time will it take, will he be okay? He’d gone through a ten day cycle of reintegration, and today was the day. I pulled my seatbelt on, took another deep breath, and started the car.

In just a few short hours we’ll be together. I wasn’t expecting so many people when I arrived, but it was in that moment I realized how many other families and people had gone through many of the same feelings and things I had. How many children missed their mommies or daddies, and how many wives or girlfriends missed their partners, and how many men missed their partners…it was a sea of faces. I wasn’t the only one. There were anxious people everywhere, excited and ready to greet their soldier and loved one.

And there, like a moment in a movie, our eyes met. That sign of recognition, I know you, and we were running into each other’s arms. He was really here, Austin was home! He wrapped his arms around me, swinging me around. I couldn’t let go, didn’t want to, I was so scared it was a dream and he wouldn’t be here when I woke up. Only it wasn’t a dream, and he was here, and his lips, oh his lips, I melted when he kissed me. I forgot how much I missed that kiss.

His lips were so soft, and as he parted them, his mouth opening slightly, I tilted my head and together we shared a kiss that had passionately been waiting for a year. An entire year had passed since the last time his lips had been on me, his arms around me. I felt like we were the only people in the world, even in that sea of people. Breaking free from our kiss, I couldn’t stop looking at him and kissing him again. I was overwhelmed with joy. I felt like my heart might burst from happiness at any given moment.

Tears of happiness ran down my face. I couldn’t stop crying, couldn’t stop looking at him, kissing him…he was here. And suddenly there were his parents coming over after recognizing him, and sizing me up in the process. I wanted the moment to be mine and only mine, but that was selfish. I knew he’d want to see his parents as well.

In all honestly, thinking of his homecoming, I didn’t even think about his parents coming today. I’d totally forgotten they’d be here. Of course they wanted to see him too, only they hadn’t existed in my world until this moment. I composed myself the best I was able, watching him greet his mother and father.

His mother wore a charcoal gray pant suit, his father slacks and a button down shirt. Turning towards me, his father was the first to speak, “You must be Katherine. It’s nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.

Ew, it felt so formal. “You can call me Kate,” I said, taking his hand and shaking it.

“Kate it is.”

“I much prefer Katherine,” his mother chimed in coldly. “It sounds more ladylike, don’t you think Austin?”

Seriously? That’s the first thing you’re going to say to me? I could feel her cold shoulder and scrutinizing stare all ready.

“Mother, behave,” Austin warned. And so it began.





Chapter 22





Apparently, the plan was to share a meal together, and then his folks would head off, leaving us to celebrate our time together. I didn’t know if I could handle an entire meal sitting beside his mother, but I was damn well going to try. This was my celebration to see Austin too, and I wasn’t going to let her get me down or crowd me out.

Austin and I would drive over together, and he told his parents we’d meet them at the chosen restaurant. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face when he sat in the car with me. “You’re home,” I sighed. “You’re really here.”

“I’m here, baby.” He reached over and stroked my cheek.

“I missed you so much,” I started.

“I know,” his voice was low, oh how I missed him sitting this close to me.

“I’m not used to you driving, don’t scare me,” he teased with a smile.

“Better buckle in,” I winked, “I’ve been known to drive too fast and too close.” I of course didn’t, but I couldn’t let him off that easy.

“It’s so amazing to see you. I have to say, looking into your eyes in person is way better than on some lame video, there’s so much more depth.” He said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the technology, but it doesn’t do you justice. You’re even more gorgeous in person.”