Just a Soldier

Chapter 85 - The Hardest Goodbye

Scarlett's POV:

Three days. That's all we have left before Y/n leaves for Afghanistan. The time since we got back from London has flown by and I've hated that it's getting so close to her leaving. The only brightside is Y/n has had this last week off. I spoke with the Russo brothers, and they were kind enough to grant me the week off too. Wanting to have as much time together as possible, we also took Ava out of school for three days, leading up to the weekend, and she'll also have Monday and Tuesday off next week before Y/n leaves.

It's been quite hard to not get caught up in my head. Every day I have a moment where sheer panic washes over me as I think about the danger Y/n is going to be in whilst she's away. But she is always quick to reassure me. I've lost count of the times she's talked me through what she'll be doing and where she'll be staying. But she does it without complaint and I love her even more for that.

I've also had to control my jealousy a little this week. Everyone has obviously wanted to spend time with Y/n too. Which I completely understand, I just hate that it takes her away from us for a few hours at a time. But we have dedicated time with Y/n after the leaving party this afternoon. Robert and Susan are going to have dinner with us the night before she leaves, but they have promised to not stay too late, knowing that Y/n wants to spend time as a family before she goes.

This morning, we're having a lazy start to the day. The three of us are snuggled in bed with the TV on with some random cartoon that Ava seems to be enjoying. Y/n has her arms protectively around both of us, not wanting us to be too far. I've noticed these last few days, that she is more tactile than usual. She is making the most of the time we've got and that has included allowing Ava to share our bed the last two nights. Not that I'm complaining, I'm cherishing ever minute of time we have together.

I'm struggling to keep awake at the moment as Y/n's hand is mindlessly drawing random shapes on my back. The sensation is so relaxing, I can feel my eyes starting to droop. I instinctively cuddle in closer to Y/n, tugging Ava into me more as I get more comfortable. It's not long until I'm asleep, feeling content in this moment with my family.

When I wake up, Y/n and Ava are now watching Avengers. It's the sound of my annoying voice that I unfortunately wake up to. "Hey there sleepy head." Y/n smiles down at me. I let out a hum as I snuggle my head into her shoulder more. "What time is it?" I mumble against her. "It's 10:30. So still plenty of time to snuggle before we have to get ready to go." She informs me. I let out a sigh of relief, worried that I had slept the morning away, and subsequently, the time I have with Y/n.

I sit up in bed, resting my back against the headboard to ensure that I don't fall asleep again. Y/n turns her head to me and looks down at Ava. "We should probably tell her the plans." She suggests and I nod in agreement, knowing this is a conversation we need to have. Y/n pauses the movie, which earns a huff from Ava. "We just need to talk for a bit and then I'll play the movie again." Y/n tells Ava who nods and turns to give us both her attention. "We want to go through what is going to happen whilst I'm away. We don't want you to be wondering what is going on." I explain and Ava nods. I look to Y/n and let her take the lead. She's done this before, and I don't want to do anything wrong.

"As you know, I'll be leaving on Tuesday." Y/n starts and that instantly earns a pout from Ava. I hug the little girl a bit tighter to give her the reassurance I'm there. "You'll stay her with mama for about a month until she has to go to Atlanta. As you still have school, you'll stay with Auntie Sophie and Uncle Matt until the summer holidays. Grandma will also be around to help out when Sophie is busy." Y/n details the first step as Ava listens, acknowledging what she's saying.

The sad look in her eyes doesn't go unnoticed that I'll be leaving too, and it honestly hurts me to see. "But that won't be for long. I think it's what four weeks?" Y/n clarifies, turning to look at me. "Well, it's actually three weeks and four days." I smile and Ava giggles at the precise response. "There you go. Not too long at all. Once the school holidays arrive, Grandma will take you, with Exton and Avri, to Atlanta, where you'll stay with mama until filming is finished. Then you'll be back in LA for the start of the next school year. So, you'll only be away from both of us for three weeks and four days." Y/n tries to make the situation sounds as positive as possible. But it's going to suck either way.