Into Your Arms

Life As We Know It

It had been a couple of days since you had been in Oregon. You had spent so much time with your family, and your mood began to lift tremendously. You felt so much better already. Maybe moving to Oregon wouldn't be such a horrible decision after all?

You got up and ordered room service, as you drew yourself a hot bubble bath to start your day. Your phone began to ring, and Penny's name shot up on the screen. Being that this was the millionth time she's called, you figured you may as well answer and get your ass chewing over with.

"Hey, Pen, look-" she immediately cut you off, but it wasn't what you expected.

"How are you, hon?"

"I'm..better. Look, I'm so sorry for the way that I left, but it was time I headed out for a bit. You and Pete have been dealing with my shit so much lately, and had I stayed in town I knew there was no chance of keeping my head above water."

"No, I understand. Please don't apologize. I don't blame you for wanting to be around family, and I'm so glad to hear you're okay. Just, please, next time at least answer your phone. I need to know you're okay." The last part broke you. Penny really cared about you, and you pretty much left her in the dust.

"I just..couldn't bring myself to speak to you, not knowing what to say. I guess I was embarrassed. You and Pete seem to have it all figured out, you know? Bradley and I never stood a fighting chance."

"Hon, there's a lot you don't know about Pete and I that goes on behind closed doors. We're not perfect by any means. And hey, don't give up on him yet. You..haven't heard from him?"

"No, Pete called the first night I was in Portland. I talked to him and Hangman for a few minutes at most. But that's it."

"So, you don't know then?"

Your heart dropped. "Know what, exactly?"

"They're on their way home. He called me late last night. They will be getting in, hopefully, no later than 5 PM tonight." Part of you wanted to hop on a plane and rush home as fast as you could, while the other part of you was happy where you were at. You didn't want this content and peaceful feeling to go away by going back to what you considered was "home." When it came to your fight or flight response, you usually picked flight. You were always one with the wind, anyone who truly knew you, knew that about you.

"Hey, listen Pen, I gotta go. But I'll talk to you soon, okay? Give Pete my best." With that, you hung up the phone and stepped into the tub of boiling water. A hot bath seemed to always be the cure to almost anything. Why hadn't Pete called to tell you they were coming home? Does Bradley even know you're out of the state? Would you hear from him at some point today? The questions were endless, and you felt yourself begin to obsess all over again. You quickly put it out of your mind, training yourself to let it be, and move forward. You were finally in a good place, and it needed to stay that way.

After your bath, your breakfast arrived, a mimosa to complete it. God, life was good. You got ready for the day, and decided to take Luna to the beach with your sister and niece. It was a beautiful day out, and it was time to enjoy it.

As you arrived at the beach, you put towels down, and an umbrella. Luna and Emma began playing in the sand. You and your sister undressed into your bikinis and tried to tan for a bit. Why couldn't life be this amazing every single day? You felt like you were chasing a fantasy. But, the life you were living near the base, was just life as you knew it, not what it could be.

Bradley POV

Finally, we were headed home after the most dreadful week of my life. I fucked up, and I didn't know if Elena would forgive me this time. She might have, but that would have been before I left on the mission without so much as a goodbye. There were times I could have called her, but I chose not to. I feared rejection at this point more than anything, and hoped that maybe once she saw me physically in person, it would be easier for her to forgive me versus a shitty apology on the phone. I stood out on the deck of the ship, watching the waves, completely zoned out. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned around to see Hangman and Mav.