More Than a Soldier

Chapter 26 - Shared Celebration

Y/n's POV:

I feel excited when I wake up this morning. It's Scarlett's birthday. Unfortunately, she has to share it with Thanksgiving this year. I had tried suggesting we just focus on her birthday and not Thanksgiving, but I was almost kicked out the house for even suggesting it. However, just because we're having to celebrate both, it doesn't mean that I'm not going to spoil her. We're having a quieter Thanksgiving than last year, just having our parents over.

Unfortunately, Hunter can't make it as he's in Puerto Rico. Scarlett was hoping they could celebrate their birthday together, but we've promised to make up for it next time that he's stateside. Despite Hunter's absence, Ava's really excited to have all her grandparents together, especially since we've not all gotten together since before, I went away.

Scarlett insisted that she didn't want presents this year, but I of course ignored her. She deserves to be spoilt. These last few weeks she has been my rock. She has held me when I was falling, and she is the reason I was able to keep going. I want to do something special for her to, not only celebrate her, but also to thank her for everything that she has done.

Whilst she's still a sleep, I slip out of bed and grab her presents from their hiding spots. I then climb back in, knowing that my life won't be worth living if she doesn't wake up on her birthday and get morning snuggles. Luckily, I timed it perfectly as she starts to stir. Her arms pull me closer, and she lets out a content hum as she nuzzles her head into my neck. "Happy birthday angel." I whisper to her quietly, gently tracing her facial features with my index finger.

She hums and her eyes flutter open before landing on me. "There's my beautiful girl." I smile which makes her cheek blush slight. "Morning babe." She greets, making no effort to move from my hold. "How does it feel to be 34?" I ask her as she starts to get more with it. Before she answers, she leans up and gives me a kiss. "That's better." She mumbles, getting comfortable again.

"And I feel old." She grumbles which makes me laugh. "You're not old! You're still closer to 30 than 40." I try to make her feel better but she just grunts. I notice a flash of sadness in her eyes, and I feel concern growing within me. "Angel. What's wrong?" I ask her, wanting to help in any way that I can. "It's nothing." She shuts down quickly, but I can tell it's more. "No, don't do that. Talk to me." I encourage her, whilst rubbing my thumb over the apple of her cheek.

She sighs and buries her head once again. She takes a deep breath and looks up at me. "We've never really properly spoken about kids. But I'm getting older, and I'd love to carry, if we decide to have more. I'm just worried that I'll be too old for it when we get there." She explains, her eyes looking anywhere but at me. Ok, that wasn't what I was expecting, but I'm glad she was honest with me.

"Angel, can you look at me?" I ask her, giving myself time to think about what I want to say. "Let's have that talk." I smile at her as we make eye contact. "I would love nothing more than to have more kids with you." I tell her so there is no doubt of where I stand. "Really?" She asks for clarity as her eyes sparkle. "I've never been more sure of anything. Other than marrying you that is." I answer with a wide smile.

"I feel the same. I love Ava so much and I think she would be an amazing big sister." Scarlett shares and I couldn't agree more. "When would you like to start doing something about it?" I ask the big question. I would happily start tomorrow if she wanted. "I want us to get married first. We have a lot happening over the next few months and I want us to enjoy that time. Maybe we could start looking into it in the summer?" She suggests, her eyes holding a nervous look. "That sounds perfect." I agree, leaning towards her and kissing her pillow like lips.

"What if we're too late and I can't carry?" She suddenly says, her demeanour changing at the thought. I cup her face to comfort her. "Then we'll find another option. Either I can carry, or we adopt. We'll find away and have another kid. More if you want them!" I tell her with as much enthusiasm as possible. My heart grows when I see her smile. I want nothing more than to grow our family together. I would give Scarlett the moon if she asked for it.