Promises

𝟎𝟎

Two months.

It had been two months in Venezuela. Two months since he last spoke to his best friend. Two months since that night. Where they got so wasted and did something they both regretted in the morning. Something that couldn't happen among comrades.

Jake walked along the halls, heading to his bunk. Dinner was over, and all he wanted to do now was sleep. He'd been awake for 48 hours. He was young, but the marines were wearing him down all they could.

He entered his dorm expecting to find his bunk mates, but instead there was Miriam. Hunched over, head facing the floor.

The atmosphere was tense, it felt as if oxygen was leaving the room.

"Miriam," Jake gasped, his voice was small, shocked by her presence.

Miriam's head was down, in shame. She was equally terrified at Jakes reaction. But she knew she had to say it.

Miriam took a deep breath, before opening her eyes and making direct eye contact with Jake. Her eyes were bloodshot, a clear sign that she had been crying. Her forehead was creased, an 11 between her eyebrows marking her distress.

"What's wrong Miriam?"

Just say it Miriam, rip off the bandaid there's no other way to do it.

"I'm pregnant Jake, it's yours," Jakes silence pushed out more words from Miriam, "I'm keeping the baby. I've already put in the papers for my discharge. I'll be going back home in 2 weeks. I won't ask you for anything. I just thought you should know."

Miriam moved to walk out but Jake stopped her, "wait, I- hold on."

Jakes throat was dry, this was the last thing he was expecting.

"Miriam, listen to me," Jakes hand lifted Miriam's downturned face, "I know, that you don't feel anything for me like that. But I won't abandon you — or the baby. I'll do right by the both of you. Okay?"

Miriam's chin began to wobble at Jakes words, the words bringing her the comfort that she needed. She was an orphan to the war, she had no one. She thought that she would have to do this alone. But Jake was a man of honor, that she knew, but the fear was still present in her heart.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

**********

Miriam returned to Jakes home city, where Jake shared the family house with his brother Tom. While she left, Jake stayed in Venezuela. He was the one working for their new little family.

In the last 7 months, Tommy had become a great brother to Miriam. Stepping up as an uncle for his niece. Taking Miriam to her doctors appointments, setting up the nursery. Talking to Jake as often as he could sending videos and photos.

Miriam and Jakes relationship had also blossomed. They talked more than Jake and Tommy. They loved each other, yes. It was more of respect, they knew they would have never ended up together if Miriam didn't end up pregnant. But they wanted to make it work. For them, for their baby.

They both grew up in troubled households, it would be cruel not to try and do better for their own child.

Jake was leaving Venezuela today, 2 days before Miriam was due to give birth. But it seems like it wasn't going to happen.