More Than a Soldier

Chapter 6 - Reunited

Y/n's POV:

The whole journey to mum and dad's, my knee is bouncing. I can't wait to see Ava. To hug her and know that we've got time together. Scarlett drives us to dad's and when we pull up, she looks as excited as I do. I lean over and give her a quick kiss before she is practically pushing me out of the car. When I'm out of the car, I brush down and straighten out my uniform, wanting to look my best.

"Ready?" Scarlett asks and I nod, the biggest smile on my face. I follow slightly behind her as she knocks and opens the door up. "It's just me!" She shouts through the house. "In the kitchen Scarlett." Mum replies. We walk through the house, me trailing behind as my heart starts to beat out of my chest with excitement. "I bought someone home for dinner. I hope that's ok?" Scarlett asks whilst I'm still hidden in the doorway. "Yes of course. Is it Lizzie?" She asks whilst she finishes chopping the last potato. "No but I think you'll like it." Scarlett smirks.

I step out of the shadows and Mum lets out a gasp which gets the kids attention. "MUMMY!" Ava shouts whilst jumping off her seat and sprinting towards me. She launches herself into my arms and I catch her, letting out a groan of pain before spinning her around. "Careful." Scarlett tries to say, but I wave it off. The pain is worth it. "I can't believe that you're home!" Ava cries into my shoulder. "It's ok bug. I'm here. I'm with you." I whisper to her, to try and calm her down.

I just hold her as she cries, her grip like a vice around my neck. I look up and see mum crying too. "Hi mum." I greet and she just gives me a teary smile. "Bug, can say hi to Grandma?" I ask but Ava shakes her head in my neck. "Please bug. I'll hold you as soon as I've said hello to everyone else. I promise." She looks up to me and my heart breaks when I'm greeted by her red puffy face. "Be quick." She orders, which makes me laugh. She then holds her arms out to Scarlett, who takes her easily.

Once my arms are free, I'm instantly engulfed in a hug from mum. "God, I'm so happy you're here and safe." She mumbles into our hug. "I've missed you." I reply. As she pulls away from our hug, she holds onto both my biceps and looks me up and down. "You look so smart in your uniform. I'm so proud of you baby." She states, pulling me back into a hug. "Thanks mum."

"Our turn!" I look down to see both Exton and Avri looking at me. I bend down and pull them into a group hug. "What's all this commotion about?" Dad's voice fills the kitchen as he enters. His eyes land on me and I've never seen him look so shocked. "Y/n?" He questions as if he's not sure if it's really me. "Hi dad." I greet, standing up and walking towards him.

He doesn't move so I wrap my arms around him, which seems to bring him to life as his own arms pulled me in close to him. "What are you doing here?" He questions as I pull away. "I can go if you'd like?" I joke but I'm met with a chorus of nos and Ava wriggling out of Scarlett's arms to make her way over to me. I bend down and pick her up. "You're not allowed to leave." She pouts, so I place a kiss on her forehead. "I'm here for 6 days whilst I recover. Jimmy arranged for me to come home rather than stay on medical leave out there." I answer seriously this time. "If I didn't like that man before, I certainly do now!" Dad replies. "Well, come on. Let's sit. My family is all together again." He smiles, ushering us all into the living room.

I still have Ava attached to me, and I have a feeling this is how it's going to be all night. Not that I'm complaining. I take a seat on the sofa with Scarlett sitting pretty much on top of me, snuggling in as close as she can get. I'm pretty sure this is how the next 6 days are going to go. Being smothered by my daughter and fiancé.

I wrap my arm around Scarlett and place a kiss on her head and then Ava's. I look up and see mum and dad smiling at me. "It's so good to see you home." Mum reiterates and I smile. "When Jimmy told me, I could have kissed him. I've missed you all so much." I say, squeezing both my girls and they laugh.