Just a Soldier

Chapter 84 - Preparation

Y/n's POV:

We've been back in LA for about a week now. It's been busy and it's only going to get busier the closer we get to my leaving. Which is now in 17 days. Not that I'm counting... I leave on the 28th of April and I'm starting to get everything that I need done in preparation for going. I don't want to leave everything to the last minute. I want that last week to be spent with my family, not worry about my uniform or the legal stuff I need to do.

That's meant that this week in work, I've been focusing on getting all my uniform ordered and making sure all the guys coming with us are prepared too. Although Jimmy will be joining us, I'm heading out first to lead the hand over, so it's my responsibility to make sure everyone is prepared. Every day I've come home with new things and Ava thinks it's Christmas as she helps me unbox them. So far, her favourite thing has been my head torch. Not sure why this is something she likes so much, but I guess I should be happy that she's easily pleased!

Ava's at a birthday party today, so Scarlett and I are having a nice day to ourselves. We've already gone out for a walk and done our weekly shop. The plan is to have lunch and then just spend quality time together. Once we've eaten, we take our place on the sofa. Scarlett instantly cuddles into me as she places her laptop on her legs to do a couple of work emails whilst I read my book for a bit. I love moments like this. We don't need to be talking all the time, we're just comfortable in each other's company.

When Scarlett's finished with her work, she puts her laptop away and turns to rest her feet over my lap, lying back along the sofa looking at me. From the corner of my eye, I can see her gazing at me, a smile planted on her face. I quickly finish my chapter and put the bookmark in, so I don't lose my spot, then I give her my undivided attention. "We should talk." She says and I'm pretty sure my heart stops for a moment. "Oh, it's nothing to worry about!" She quickly reassures me, and I feel my heart come back to life!

"I was thinking we should have a joint bank account." She suggests and I'm surprised as this was not where I was expecting this conversation going at all. "Okay..." I say, not sure how to respond. "I mean, we're going to get married so it makes sense to have a central account that we both have access to for anything we might need. Like things for Ava or the house." She explains her thought process. "You could still have your own account. I'm not saying all your money should be in this account. I just want you to have access to my money too, so you don't have to worry about anything." She adds on when I don't respond.

Her face looks slightly worried as my brow is furrowed in a frown as I try to work out how I feel about this. "Take London for example. All those arguments about who's paying, gone, poof!" She gives an example, doing a poof movement with her hands. "But it would most likely still be your money." I finally answer, which just makes her now frown. "No, it's not my money, it's our money." She corrects. I rub at my forehead as I try to bring my thoughts together. "I guess it makes sense. At least this way, whilst I'm away you'll be able to use it to get anything that Ava needs." I agree, but that apparently isn't what she wants to hear. She pushes up from her laid back position and kneels next to me on the sofa. "That's not why I suggested it. Besides, she's my daughter too now, so it's not you that has to pay for everything that she needs anymore. Remember that." She tells me firmly. "Look we don't need to make a decision now, but everything I have I see as yours. Don't get stuck in your head about it." She says and I nod.

"You're right. Sorry. It's still a lot for me when it comes to the money thing. I'm very aware that you bring in more. Not that it's a problem. I just want to also do my part." I explain. "I've never really had to have these discussions in a relationship before. It's all new to me." I share, so she knows why I'm feeling the way I am. "I know babe. And you do, do your part. You take care of us, and you spoil us. I'm not trying to take that away from you. I just wanted you to have that security of the account." She cuddles in further to me, tucking her legs up so they're resting against my own which are resting on the foot stool.