Winding Roads {A Creative Writing Journal}

Garren

"Ngh, do you have to go?" Talia asked as she watched her husband comb his hair in his final preparations for work. It was three in the morning, and no one should have to be ready for work that early.

Garren looked into the mirror, meeting her reflection's gaze, and his eyes softened. "Air Force One lands in two hours, and I have to be there to switch with Thomas. The President doesn't have any more flights scheduled for the week, so this is the last time I have to go in early."

"Still think we should've stayed in Keirwood," she grumbled and rolled on to her back. They both knew she didn't mean it; she only complained about moving to DC whenever he had to leave her at odds times of the night.

He leaned over her and planted a quick kiss on her forehead, his hand brushing her swollen belly as a way of saying goodbye to both her and their soon-to-be second child.

"Love you, Tal."

The young mother closed her eyes and squeezed his hand gently. "Love you too. Tell your boss I said hello."

Garren smirked. "Yes, ma'am." And with that, he was gone.

"Mommy? Where'd Daddy go?" a little voice asked only a few minutes later. Talia opened her eyes to find her two-year-old son standing in the doorway, his tiny fist curled over one eye in an attempt to rub the bleariness out. Without waiting for a reply, he climbed into the bed with her and snuggled in close.

"Daddy had to go to work, but he'll be back soon. Just go back to sleep."

Garren gazed into the rearview mirror as he drove away from his home on the outskirts of the Capitol. He loved his job, honestly, but during the times where he'd have to leave his small, but growing, family, he found himself wishing for a quieter life where they wouldn't be in danger, and he wouldn't be called away.

But that had never been him. He had always been one to answer the call of duty, even before he joined the service. Now, he just had something to come back to.