Ghosts of War | CoD - MW

Chapter 45.

Thursday, 29th of December, 2021.

Kimberly stared at their bags, then over at Simon, König and Phillip. They were all standing in the passage, waiting for Kimberly to get ready.

She let her bag down on the floor, turning to look at John and Johnny.
-"I'll take your bag," Phillip said, getting his and Kimberly's. He opened the door, looking at them.
-"Good. Passenger seat's yours," Kimberly said, giving him a quick smile.

Simon glared at Phillip and he noticed the smirk on his face. Phillip left the house, walking towards the car. Kimberly walked up to John, smiling.
-"Train hard, have fun and call me if there's anything," John said, pulling Kimberly in for a hug. He could feel her hugging him back tightly.
-"I will. Love you," Kimberly said, pulling away from the hug. She could see the proud smile John was carrying, which warmed her heart. This was the first time she had said it to him, but it felt right now that he was her father.

-"Love you too," John said, giving Kimberly two claps on her shoulder. He left the living room, giving Simon and König a nod.
-"I'm just going to say the same as John, so I'll spare you from hearing it twice. Kick ass and call me if you need, sis," Johnny said, holding his fist up. Kimberly fist bumped her brother, grinning.
-"I'll see you later, bro," Kimberly said, spinning around.

She walked past Simon and König, leaving the house. She wanted to say goodbye to Kyle as well, but he had disappeared with John's car. She didn't blame him for leaving when they were going.
Kimberly got into the drivers seat of the car, starting the car. She looked over at Phillip, seeing how he was waiting for the others to join them.

-"Why is he coming with?" Phillip asked, and Kimberly knew who he was talking about.
-"Because he, as everyone else, fears that I can't be alone around you," Kimberly said. She was well aware that they didn't want Phillip anywhere near her, but she also knew that they expected her to be stupid enough to go back to him once again. Which would never happen.

-"They doubt me that much? Well, I guess it's deserved," Phillip said, staring at Simon and John speaking just outside the door.
-"Nah, they doubt me," Kimberly said. She didn't elaborate as König entered the car, settling down in the backseat. He sat down behind Kimberly, not speaking a word.

-"Are you joining on our upcoming missions?" Kimberly asked, turning around in her seat. She could see the worry in König's eyes, and she understood that he was uncomfortable. She didn't blame him either. He didn't really know any of them, but he was in the middle of a family drama that he didn't want to be included in.

-"I... think so. That's up for General Shepherd to decide," König said, nervously laughing.
-"Hope you'll get to join us. Hey, why don't the three of us go to the movies tonight? There's a horror movie having its final screening," Kimberly said, grinning to them.
-"I, uh... I don't know," König said. He wasn't a fan of horror movies, and he didn't want to seem like a scaredy cat.

-"It'll be fun," Kimberly said, giving König two hopeful eyes.
-"Okay," König said, giving up. He knew the girl was stubborn, so he just gave in.
-"Without Simon? Heck I'm in," Phillip said, smirking towards the girl. He had to admit that he loved seeing her like this. She was pretty much back to where she had been when he first started dating her, but he knew he had to be careful.

Silence settled in the car as Simon put his suitcase in the trunk. He entered the car, settling in the passenger seat behind Phillip. Kimberly cleared her throat as she backed out of the property. She could see John standing in the open doorframe, waving his hand at them. Kimberly waved back before leaving.

She had to admit to herself that it was slightly good to get a break from John and her brother. She loved the both of them as family, but it had taken its strain on her being around them all the time. She felt like they were watching her with hawk eyes, trying to protect her. Now she would finally get some days to herself, where she could do what she wanted to. She wouldn't need to explain anything to anyone. She would be free. At least for now.