To Be Loved By You - A Bradley Bradshaw Story

Homecoming

Author's Note: You guys! This is the last full chapter of To Be Loved By You! I can't believe the first part of Brad and Thea's story is over. I'm happy and proud and sad all at the same time!

I do have an epilogue and a surprise coming your way next week, though!

I just want to take a minute before you read the last chapter to say thank you! You guys encouraged me when the story was new, you hung in there during my hiatus, and you welcomed me back with open arms! This story would not have become what it is without you! So thank you to everyone that commented, voted, and added this story to a reading list! Most importantly, thank you for the thousands of views that let me know y'all are there! (There's going to be a full thank you with names at the end of this chapter so stick around to see your name!)

Without any further ado, here is Homecoming!

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Thea fiddled with the keys of Brad's Bronco but the jingling of the keys did nothing to calm her nerves. She stood beside Stef in the parking lot where she had said goodbye to Brad twice, waiting for her soldier to come home. It was killing her that she had no idea when she would see him and that she couldn't call him to find out.

"They'll be here soon," Stef said as she played with the hem of her shirt. Thea couldn't tell which of them her friend was trying to comfort.

"I know." She smiled at the shorter woman. She knew that Stef was just as anxious to see Logan as she was to see Brad.

She wanted her soldier. She wanted to hold him and kiss him and never let him go again. She and Brad had made it through his first deployment and she knew now that she could love him through her fear.

That didn't mean she would ever be ready for him to leave again.

Stef gasped and grabbed her hand as a commotion began in front of them. Voices began to rise as soldiers were reunited with their families. Squeezing Stef's hand, she rocked forward onto her toes to try and see over the crowd. She saw Logan first since he stood a good head above the soldiers around him. "I see Logan!"

In her excitement, Stef squeaked and copied Thea's posture. Because of her height, she was still unable to see. "I can't see him."

She gave her hand another squeeze to comfort her. "He's close."

"Thea!" Logan waved excitedly and she waved back to let him know she saw him. When he was sure he had her attention, he pointed to his right and that's when Thea saw him. As Logan sped up, Brad fell a few paces behind him. Just the sight of him in his dress uniform made her belly tighten and her breath catch in her throat.

She was so focused on the sight of the aviator that she barely noticed Stef pulling her hand away from hers and running to meet Logan. All her brain was able to comprehend was the slicked-back curls of his styled hair, the way his uniform jacket stretched perfectly across his shoulders, and the hazel eyes that searched the lot.

Thea knew the moment he saw her because his lips stretched into a bright smile. He threw the duffel bag he was carrying over his shoulder and sped up his pace. By the time he reached her, he was running. Throwing the bag on the ground at their feet, he gathered her in his arms and picked her up so they were at eye level.

Laughing, she brought her hands to rest on each side of his jaw and peppered kisses on his face. "You're home!" She rested her forehead against his so she could look into the hazel eyes she loved.

"I promised you I would be, sweetheart." His smile was breathtaking as he looked at her. His eyes fell to her lips and she pulled his face closer to hers so their lips could meet. It was a hungry, sweet, desperate kiss. In his kiss, she felt the weight of fear and phone calls and longing. It was a kiss months in the making. When they broke apart to breathe, his hazel eyes shone with adoration. "I missed you so fucking much."