The Christmas Wish

Chapter Fourteen

Luke's POV

It's been a couple of months since I finally started my recovery, and I am getting better every day. We are now in the holiday season, and I am missing my family so much. Josh says that if I keep going the way I am, I should be home for Christmas. It's only a couple of weeks away, and I want to be there for my little girl. I know I let her down last year. It wasn't my fault, but she doesn't understand that. I miss them so much, but I want to get better for them. Today has been a rough day, and I have walked out to the garden to spend some time with myself. The holidays have been hard here. I know that everyone is spending time with their families, but it still hurts that I am by myself. I don't know how long I have been here when I feel someone sitting down beside me.

"You doing okay, bud?" Josh asks quietly.

"I just needed some time to myself."
"What's going through that head of yours?"
"Just miss my family."
"Holidays are hard. Why don't you call them?"
"I don't want to bother them. I will see them soon."
"You have been doing so well. You are on track to be home before Christmas."
"Will you be going home for Christmas?"
"Actually my family is coming here this year."
"That's great."
"My parents have never been to Germany. I can't wait to show them around."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"I did. She didn't want to leave the states, so she broke up with me after I came here."
"I'm sorry. That must have been rough."
"It's okay. We were drifting apart long before that. I would have hated for her to move here and things went bad."
"How are you doing with that?"
"I've gotten over it."
"So I guess it's time to go back to work?"
"Sure is, I have to get rid of your ugly mug."
I chuckle as we get up and head back to the therapy room. I get to work with the weights, building muscle, and then on to the treadmill. We have been working on my stamina, and I think I have been doing well. I have worked up to a couple miles a day. I am getting stronger, but it is still in the back of my mind that I will not be able to support my family like I should. I fight it every day. I need to be strong and work through this. My family needs me.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It's now just a week before Christmas, and we have been working so hard. I can now walk without the use of a can. I still get tired but not as easily as I used to. We had finally finished for the day. I am sitting on my bed for a moment after taking a shower about to head down for dinner when my door opens and my sergeant walks in.

"It's good to see you, Williams. You're looking great."
"Thanks, Sarge. I am feeling good."
"I'm sorry, I haven't come sooner."
"It's alright, you are a busy man. Why are you here, though?"
"I wanted to be the one to give this to you."

He walks over and hands me an envelope and a large jewelry case. I hesitantly took it from him, and he also handed me an envelope.

"These are your discharge papers. You are being discharged with honors. You are also being bestowed with the purple heart. You have sacrificed a lot for your country. I am sad to see you go, but I am proud of the man you have become. I wish you luck in your new adventures. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I hope that I can still call you friend."
I slowly opened the envelope, and tears started to fall. This just hits home that my military career is now over, and I must go back to civilian life. I take a deep breath as I then open the box and see the purple heart. It is time for me to go home.

"You leave tomorrow and head back to base, and Baker will be there to take you home. It has been an honor to serve with you."
"Thank you, Sergeant. It was an honor to serve with you too."
He sits and talks with me for a while before he has to leave. Eventually, Josh comes in with a tray for me. I had forgotten that it was dinner time.