My Sweet Valentine

Mission for the first time

A few days after Ron's graduation, I was helping him get ready for the aircraft carrier from which he would take off on his mission. I was in his accommodation in his room putting uniforms into a travel bag. In the next room, I listened to Tom trying in every way to comfort Sarah, who seemed as if there were no words or actions that would soothe her. She didn't want to let him go. He knelt in front of her holding her hands as she sat on the edge of his bed.

"No. Please. Stay." I heard Sarah begging Tom in a whisper.

"Honey, you know it's my job. You know it and you agreed to it when you met me. We've been together for years." Tom comforted her. My soul was full of sorrow. My eyes narrowed as I unconsciously crumpled Ron's uniform shirt in my fist. I fixed it and put it in my bag. His helmet was also on the bed next to it. The name Slider on the forehead and a lightning bolt on the side. I sat on the floor next to the bed hugging the helmet without moving it. This time I couldn't stand it. The tears started. It seemed like I was already mourning him which made me angry. I jumped on the floor and Ron ran into the room. He was surprised by my move. I stood in front of him angry.

"I don't care how, but come home. Otherwise I'm coming after you. The devil himself will tell God he's leaving hell if you don't come home, mister!" I told him and jumped into his arms. He giggled and kissed my neck.

"Valentine Blackwood, you are dangerous. I will be back. Trust me." He said.

"With that attitude, she would be a general or an admiral who would be fucking hard to please." Tom added in the hallway that shared their rooms.

"The same goes for you. Take care of each other and come home. And don't scoff because I'm taking the Navy Intelligence Analyst exams soon. Viper's order." I threw at Tom, waving my finger in front of his nose.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Kerner. I did not recognize you." Tom said mockingly, throwing up his hands in self-defense.

"Just come home." Sarah added, her face swollen from crying, and leaned on Tom's shoulder.

We had to come to terms with this situation. We had to let them go. We had no choice but to escort them to the port dock before boarding the carrier.

"Wait for me. Dream of me. I love you." it was Ron's words that made me cry. I hugged him as if it was the last thing in my life. Other girls, mothers and wives also saw off their men. They were going to war. To defend their country and their people. Sarah and I stayed on the dock comforting each other in each other's arms as we watched our loved ones leave for their mission. I felt another hug around me. It was Carole. I was surprised.

"Carole..."

"I came to see off Maverick. He's all I have left of Goose along with Bradley. You know...Bradley asked me when his Aunt Tina and Uncle Slider are coming. That's what he calls you. He also calls all the pilots uncles who came to us and told him about Goose." she told me.

"Tell him both aunts are coming tomorrow. This is Sarah. Iceman's darling." I said and met them.

"Nice to meet you, Carole. Tom told me about Bradley. He says he's the sweetest kid he's ever met." Sarah told her.

"Thank you. He will be glad to have you come tomorrow."

"Ok. Now...how does this work? Now what? How long does a mission usually take?" I asked them confused.

"We can have a drink or coffee now, and the mission normally lasts a couple of weeks. You will get a call from the ship that he is coming home." Sarah explained to me.

"We're definitely going for coffee because I want to know all about that ring on your hand dear." Carole said and grabbed my arm. I was glad that he was getting a little bit back to normal. She lost her beloved and that distinctive sparkle in her eyes. We sat down in a nearby cafe and I told both of them what happened that night when Ron proposed to me. We spent some time together and I returned home. I was alone now. Ron is on a mission and Lotty is in Washington. It was already very late and I didn't want to disturb her, but I wrote a reminder to call her tomorrow. I didn't feel like it, nor did I have an appetite. I put on my silk pajamas and sat on the couch to watch what was on TV. I only found a documentary about Africa that I really liked.

My days just went by so slowly. I used to come to the base for work and go to classes to take tests for an intelligence analyst. Viper saw potential in me and didn't want me to waste it.

"I'll let you in on a secret. The mission was a success and the boys are coming back in less than two weeks because they have to be on standby. Now relax because all the boys are accounted for." Viper whispered to me as I printed out the notes from the study material. He was leaning next to me with his hands on his back and the look of a father expecting a kiss on the cheek of a child because he had just brought him a long-desired toy. Impulsively, I jumped up and hugged him as hard as I could.

"Thank you." I said through tears.

"Oh, Valentine. Don't thank me. You're like a daughter to me. I want you to be happy. And if any of them bother you, just let me know. They won't think of it again." he said and released me from his embrace.

In those short two weeks, I passed most of the tests and I was delighted. I just wanted my man by my side. And I was sure that our bed would be red hot when he came back. But so be it. It's the least I can do for him.