The Homecoming Bride

Chapter Fifteen: Always Remember Us This Way

CHAPTER SONG: "Always Remember Us This Way" by Lady Gaga

"Thank you so much, sir. I truly appreciate it." Will spoke into the telephone receiver, his voice struggling to keep from trembling with disbelief and gratitude. "And you're certain of the same conditions for Lieutenant Blake?"

"Yes, Corporal. Lt. Blake will receive the same orders as you. You'll both be transported for safer positions, or as safe as the war's conditions will permit in Rouen. No beastly glory about kitting out fresh troops to the trenches, but you won't be going yourself. I would say you've had your fair share and have served above and beyond." Captain Smith informed the younger soldier with a paternal tone to his deep voice.

"I... I truly don't have words, Captain. With what's about to happen tomorrow with me and Miss Hunterson... I have more of a reason to come home again. I sincerely don't know how to thank you, sir." Will found himself smiling with relief, even though a cold coil of guilt unraveled through his chest as he felt a pair of slender arms wrap around his waist from behind him.

Emmy laid her cheek against Will's shoulder blade, her fingers reaching up to gently stroke the velvet hairs of his nape, feeling the goosebumps of his skin. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss the back of his head where his concussive wound had healed at the base of his cranium.

She listened quietly to the faint voice of Captain Smith on the other end of her fiancé's telephone conversation, feeling Will's other hand unoccupied with the receiver take a firmly loving hold of hers, their fingers intertwined.

"You don't have to thank me, dear boy. What you can do is be good to your bride and cherish every moment with her. When you say your vows tomorrow, you mean every word of them and never look away from her eyes as you speak them." As Will listened to Smith, he turned around to face his beloved wife-to-be, his heart racing as he freed his fingers from her grasp and raised his hand toward her features that were mostly healed from her facial injuries following her interrogation about James Satterthwaite's death.

The back of his fingers stroked her fair cheek and Emmy closed her eyes in wordless bliss in response to his physical affection. His thumb petted the edge of her plump bottom lip, a gesture he knew she especially enjoyed.

It would definitely be a challenge waiting to make love to her again until tomorrow... their wedding night.

And Will wanted to make it special for her, better than their first night together on her birthday.

His fingertips went further down to caress her chin, slowly working down further to the exposed splendor of her lovely neck...

Emmy released a sighing mewl of soft delight and her rosy lips turned up into a mischievous smile as Will wondered what she was thinking, the wonderfully clever minx she was...

Their moment of tender sensuality was interrupted by the abrupt sound of Captain Smith clearing his throat as Will's attention had been diverted from the superior officer. "Corporal Schofield, are you still there? Have we lost the connection?"

"No... not at all, sir. I apologize... I was... temporarily distracted." Will's eyes never left Emmy's as he adoringly smiled at her as she took one step away from him, holding her hands up in the air in playful surrender, her green irises bright with faux innocence.

Captain Smith chuckled much to their surprise. "Tell Miss Hunterson I look most forward to the wedding tomorrow. You both deserve nothing but happiness after all you've endured."

Emmy blushed as she realized the captain knew she was the reason Will was sidetracked from their conversation, but glad that her love wouldn't be chastised for it.