More Than a Soldier

Chapter 7 - Don't you dare

Scarlett's POV:

Having Y/n back with us is amazing. I know it's only for a few days, but we weren't sure if she would even get time off whilst she was away. I mean, I'd rather her not have been hurt to enable her to come home, but she's ok and she's safe and that's what matters. I guess it's a silver lining of having to go through watching her get hit by that mortar.

Although I wish I had time off, it's been really nice to have Y/n with me on set. Well, to have both of them. Every time I look in their direction, Y/n is already watching me with a wide smile. It gives me so much confidence, as well as ammo for Lizzie's teasing, but I'll take it. "You know, this is meant to be a serious scene. That smile on your face states differently." She teases whilst poking at my cheek. But I just roll my eyes at her, slapping her hand away. "I'm not sorry for living in the moment between takes." I respond and she laughs. "It's almost sickening how much you two love each other." She says scrunching up her face.

"You've not been a third wheel with you and Robbie." I retort and she looks at me in shock. "We are not that bad!" She defends but I laugh. "It's new young love. The worst of all loves." I joke and it's her turn to roll her eyes now. "Well, I hope that we get to the love you and Y/n have. That's the sort of love that only comes around once in a blue moon." I stop laughing when I meet her eyes and see the sincerity in her eyes. "I have a feeling it's in your cards too. You deserve it." I expressed. "We both do." She quickly adds as I nod in agreement.

I looked to Y/n after our conversation and the smile only grew knowing that she is mine. Seeing Ava snuggled up in her arms, that's what I want every day. To come home to my two girls and live the best life together. Three more months and we'd finally be there. Starting the next chapter of our lives.

That afternoon we had gone out shopping to get Y/n some of her own clothes. I may have gone a little overboard and spoilt her and Ava a little too much. But I really don't care. She deserves it and it's a way of me being able to show her how much I love her.

Once we got home, we had a family dinner together and then snuggled up on the sofa. Again, Ava stayed in with us that night. Though Y/n warned her that she'd have to go back to her own bed the following night, which Ava reluctantly agreed to. She's been very clingy to Y/n since she's been home. Not that I blame her, I have been too. She's always wanting some kind of tactile contact with her. I thought that I would be dropped by the wayside now her mom is home, but she still pulls me in with them whilst declaring a family hug.

The next morning we're having a bit of a dilemma. Well, when I say we, I mean Ava. I come downstairs to see Y/n trying to comfort the seven year old. "But you're home!" Ava says in distress. I walk over and take a seat next to Y/n. "And I'll be here when you get back this evening. There is no wrong answer here." Y/n tries to reassure her, but it doesn't seem to work. "What's wrong?" I ask, placing a hand on Y/n's shoulder. "Mum called to see if Ava still wanted to go to the new exhibition at the Natural History Museum. There are not enough tickets for me to go too and it's sold out." She explains and I let out an 'oh'. "As I was telling Ava. It's completely fine if she still wants to go and that I'll be here as soon as she's back." She says, turning to Ava again.

"But you're only here for a few days mummy. But this is the only time I'll get to see the fossils." Ava agonises as she clearly doesn't know what she wants to do. "Ava, please look at me." Y/n says firmly, taking Ava's hands in her own. Ava takes a shaky breath and sniffs. She then lifts her head for her red eyes to meet Y/n's. "Go with Grandma and the kids. You were telling me how much you were looking forward to going when I was away. I don't want you to miss out. When you come home, the three of us will have a movie night down here with Auntie Lizzie. We'll get our quilts and eat lots of trashy food. I promise you that I will still be here when you get home." Y/n makes the decision for Ava who slowly nods. "Can we watch mama?" She sniffles as Y/n laughs. "Of course! We've not watched her in a long time." Y/n smiles in return.