The Red Coral Bracelet

Chapter 13

Corporal T.L. Imlay

I laid back on my bunk and my mind was instantly was filled with Navy. I replayed the conversation I had with her eariler in my head again and again. I could tell by her voice that she had been close to crying. I was close, too, but I hid it better than her I guess.

When she left, I was mad. She didn't say good-bye to me. After two days walking around angrily, I realized that I wasn't even really mad. I figured that she didn't came say good-bye because it would tear her apart inside. I knew that if I had to do that, then my heart would be torn to shreds.

Over the past six months, I've spent almost every waking moment with her on my mind. Her beautiful face, wild blonde hair caught in the wind, her blue eyes sparkling as she smiled at me. We spent the whole week that she had to recuperate together. Luke was out and about, not really doing anything until he was 100 percent, so we had her room to ourselves.

When she was tired, she scooted over to make room for me and she would lay her head on my chest and fall asleep. When I was awake while she was sleeping, I would play with her hair or just stare at her face. I would never be able to get over how breathtakingly beautiful she was. She never slept for long, though. Halo had been haunted by nightmares of what had happened. When she would start to thrash back and forth, fighting off invisible people, I would run my hand down her cheek and tell her that she was safe in my arms.

One of my favorite memories that I keep vivid in my mind is when she was talking to Jackson and looked over at me

*.

On the surface, she looked happy, but when I looked into her eyes, I could see the pain in them. I know that doesn't sound like it should be a favorite, but it was. I nicely asked Jackson to leave so that she could rest and when he did, Navy smiled up at me and scooted over without saying a word.

Once she was wrapped in my arms, I asked, "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to leave... you." She stated and closed her eyes.

"You won't ever leave me and I won't ever leave you."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah." I placed a kiss on top of her blonde curls. "Here." I pulled my arms out from under her and tugged my dogtags out. I pulled my third one off and placed it on her neckklace with her others. "Don't lose it."

Smiling, she fiddled with it and then pulled a different one off. When I looked at it, I realized it said her name; her real full name. Marilyn Halo 'Navy' Stone.

"Thank you. Now you'll always be close to my heart."

*

I rubbed my hands over my eyes and groaned. I missed her so much. I wasn't able to do anything with it reminding me of her. When I would see Dawson or General Decker, I thought of her. When I looked up at the sky and it was a deeper shade of blue, I thought of her eyes. When I saw her brother, Luke, I would talk to him about her, but it didn't help any.

I rolled over onto my stomach and curled up around my pillow. I pulled out my phone and looked at the picture of Navy I had on it. Knowing it would be late over there, I still sent her a text.

Good night, I will see you soon and your still close to my heart. Love, Tanner

I pressed send and set the phone down next to my head. I was hoping for a reply, but I figured I wasn't going to get one. It was late over there and not late over here. Maybe she was sleeping better. I knew that during the day she was better than she had been, but I still didn't know about night. Navy didn't sleep well over here, so why would it be any better over there?

Just as I was about to give up, my phone lit up and vibrated. Opening the text, it read:

Nighty night, even though I'm not gonna sleep well. I wish you were here holding me and you are close to my heart and always in my mind. Love, Navy

Smiling like a fool, I replied to it:

I wish I was holding you, too. You never stray far from my mind. I heard you have Luke with you. I'm glad he is back there with you. Love, Tanner

Knowing that she would reply back now, I sat up and leaned against the wall. I closed my eyes and imagined her in my arms again. My phone vibrated again and I opened it.

He got back today. Had a big family reunion, kinda. Got a bunch of goofy pics of everyone. Wish you could of been with us since ur a Stone. Luke is sleeping in my apartment with me so hopefully I sleep better. Love, Navy

That's good. He's a great brother. I'll be with you sooner than you know, sweetie. Try to think good things before you sleep. Love Tanner.

I'll try. I want to see you now, but I can't. I got a new dress. It reminds me of you Love Navy

How so? And I bet it looks beautiful on you... everything does. Love, Tanner

It's the same color as your eyes. Maybe for the next military ball you'll be here with me. Love, Navy

Maybe... I hope I am... I want to see you in your purty new dress. Love, Tanner

I'll send you a pic of me in it tomorrow. I'm gonna try to sleep now. Talking to you helps... always.... Love Navy.

Instead of replying, I called her phone. When she answered, I smiled even more.

"I have an idea."

"OK."

"I'll talk to you over the phone and even when you fall asleep, I'll talk to you."

"I like that plan." She mumbled. "Tanner?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I like it when you call me that, but um.. are you mad that I left with telling you good-bye?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "At first I was, but then I realized why you did it."

"Yeah?" Her voice sounded sleepy.

"Mm-hmm." I replied. "I miss you."

"Miss you, too."

"Navy?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't want you to be hurt anymore."

"Why?"

"Because it breaks my heart everytime I think about it."

"I'll put your heart back together." She mumbled.

I knew she had fallen asleep. I put the phone on speaker, laid down on my back, and started to tell her stories from when I was growing up. Before I knew it, I was asleep, too, listening to her breathing through the phone.

***

Well, there's a look into what Tanner is going through. Isn't he the sweetest thing ever?! Wish I had a man like him. Maybe one day... Anywho, comment what you think and do you think they'll see each other before Beth's wedding??

Oh, and there is a picture of Navy played by Kate Hudson on the right! Check it out.