More than Expected

Part 45

January 21, 2014
Kate rolls over in bed as she opens her eyes and she smiles as her boyfriend's sleeping face is the first sight she sees, but her heart immediately clenches in her chest as she realizes this is the last morning she will wake up this way for a few months. Rick leaves for Fort Bragg today. He's leaving at 8:00 in the morning hoping to make it there by 6:00 this evening since he's driving. The Army moving company stopped by his mother's apartment yesterday and packed up all of his stuff and move it to North Carolina.
It's currently 5:30, so she has two and a half hours left with him. She runs a finger over his nose and down his lips. His eyes slowly drift open just as Royce begins to coo. Kate rolls over and lifts their three month old from the bedside bassinet and lays him in the bed between them. "Morning Bubba." Rick whispers as he kisses his son's cheek and then looks at Kate, "Good morning, beautiful." "Good morning." She whispers. "I'm gonna miss mornings like this." Kate whispers. Rick sighs and pulls her into kiss his forehead.
      "I am too, but these next five months will go quick." He says positively. Kate nods before looking down at Royce. Their baby boy begins getting fussy, so Kate takes him in her arms and lifts her shirt to reveal her breast to him. Royce latches and begins nursing while Rick moves closer and rests his head on Kate's thigh. Once she's sure that Royce is secure, she reaches one hand down to run through his hair. He kisses her thigh right above her knee, "We're gonna be okay." He whispers. "I know." She agrees before they sit in silence.
      Once Royce is done nursing, Rick burps him before they make their way downstairs where Martha is sitting at the bar with Jim while Johanna finishes making breakfast. "Good morning." Martha greets them, "Morning." The couple answers before Kate passes Royce to Martha. The little family build their plates before sitting at the table, "How're you two feeling this morning?" Johanna asks them. Rick looks at Kate who just shakes her head before hiding her face into his arm and looking away from the family as tears begin to fall down her cheeks. Rick presses a kiss to her forehead.
      She collects herself before returning to finish her breakfast. After eating, Kate and Martha tackle dishes while Jim and Johanna get ready for work and Rick packs some last minute things and gets ready to hit the road. They all come downstairs at the same time and Kate looks at the clock: 7:48. Twelve minutes until he's driving off. Jim helps Rick load up his car before they all walk outside. "Be safe, Son." Jim shakes his hand and pulls him in for a hug. He hugs Johanna who kisses his cheek. "Drive safe, okay? We love you, Bud."
     "I love you guys too." Rick tells her mother. He then moves to hug his own mother and kisses her cheek, "Please let me know when you get there, Kiddo." She requests, "I will. I love you, Mother." "I love you too, Darling." She pulls away and lays a hand to his cheek as she takes him in once more before stepping aside. Rick reaches out and takes Royce in his arms. He kisses the boy's chubby cheek, "Be good for Mama, okay Buddy? I'll see you soon. I love you." He whispers as the tears begin to well up.
       He presses another kiss to his cheek and holds him close to his chest. He then passes the baby to Martha as he steps towards Kate. The minute he wraps her arms around her she begins to break down. He runs a hand up and down her back, "I'm sorry." He whispers in her cheek. She shakes her head, "I'm going to miss you so much. Please be safe, baby." She begs in a soft voice. He kisses her cheek, "I will, beautiful, I will." He promises and pulls back to kiss her lips. "I love you so much."
      "I love you too." She replies. She turns and takes Royce back into her arms before turning and having one last family hug. He kisses both of their foreheads, "I love you both more than anything." He tells them, "We love you too." Kate says. They share one final kiss and then Kate finally steps back and let's him get into the car. He backs out of the driveway and waves to them one last time before he drives down the street. It's not until he turns at the stop sign and his car is out of sight that she breaks down.
       Jim quickly grabs the baby from his daughter as she practically falls into her mother's arms and begins to sob. "I'm so sorry, baby." Johanna whispers to her daughter as she rubs her back. "Come on, let's go get you in bed and get the baby down." Johanna insists. She and Martha help Kate back into bed while Jim settles the baby into his bassinet. "Martha will be here if you need anything, baby, okay? Dad and I have to go to work, but I'll be off at lunch time and will come straight home." Johanna promises. Kate nods. But no matter who was home, they couldn't get her the one thing she needed: Rick.
Part 45! So, Rick is off to North Carolina! These next few chapters will be full of highs and lows so stay tuned!