Military Families

July 4th Homecoming Surprise

(A/N: Happy 4th everyone! I'm at a concert right now and won't be able to edit this until I get home. I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your day!! Happy Independence day America!!! -Storywriter19 )

"Emma where is the ketchup? Dad wants it for the hotdogs and burgers." My sister walked in with Charlie, her son.
"I think we're out. Let me check the pantry." I said walking out of the kitchen and into the pantry. I moved boxes and bags around but couldn't find the ketchup.
"How is he?" Mom walked in.
I sighed. I had avoided everyone so I didn't have to answer that question. Len was still in Afghanistan and wouldn't be coming home for another month. We both were hoping he would be home for the fourth of July. But with the military, you never knew when they were coming home.
"He's tired. You know with all the patrols and such. But he sends his best." I said looking behind a box of Mac 'n cheese to find nothing.
"He'll come home soon sweetie." Mom said picking through some cans of soup. She held something up to me and I inwardly groaned. There, where I checked, was the ketchup bottle. I followed her out of the pantry and back into the kitchen.
"I know he'll be home soon mom. I just want to spend a holiday with him. Just once. He wasn't there Thanksgiving. He missed Christmas. Couldn't come home for Easter. Just one holiday would be great." I said stirring the lemonade.
"His job is very important, hun. And when he enlisted, you both knew there would be holidays you wouldn't get to spend together." Mom grabbed a tray and went out to the porch.
"I didn't think he'd miss every holiday." I said when she came back in.
"Military honey. I went through the same thing when your dad was in. You'll make it through." She patted my arm and went outside. I sighed. It wasn't just him missing every holiday. I wanted him home so we could start a family together. That way when he went back I would have someone here with me. I picked up the solo cups and the pitcher of lemonade and walked out to the backyard. Kids ran around with the dogs chasing behind them. Grandmothers and grandfathers gathered in lawn chairs around a fire pit that was yet to be lit. Mom was by dad who was cooking. Cousins and their spouses stood around chatting. My sister was no where to be found.
"Hey where's Kiley? I was just talking to her." I sat the cups and pitcher down on the serving table.
"She had to run an errand for me. She took Charlie with her." Dad said flipping a burger.
"I would have gone with her." I mumbled.
"We need you here Emma." Mom said giving me a look. Her looks always had a meaning behind them and this one said 'don't push it'. I sighed and went back inside to grab some plastic utensils.
Dinner was ready after a few minutes. Mom and I started lighting lanterns so we wouldn't be in the dark when the sun sank. The fireworks would be starting soon and all the kids were starting to break out the glow sticks.
Through dinner, dad told stories from Vietnam and then unlce Mark told his version. Dad and uncle Mark had been in the same unit. We all laughed and talked about what our favorite fourth of July was.
"The fireworks are starting!" Yelled a second cousin of mine. All the kids went running for a good spot while the rest of us stayed settled. I watched the colors sparkle in the Navy sky. The kids laughter was faint compared to the sounds of the fireworks.
All of a sudden I felt two arms encircling me and a chin resting on my shoulders.
"Hey babe." I twisted around to see Len smiling at me.
"LEONARD!" I stood up and hugged him. He was still in his uniform. Tears slid down my cheeks. "You're home."
I heard everyone clapping and laughing. He was home. He was finally home for a holiday. It wasn't Christmas but it felt like it. Christmas in July.
"Guess what?" He said into my ear and pulled back.
"What?" I wiped my cheeks and laughed.
"I'm home for the next 6 months." I about screamed. I pulled him back into a hug and started sobbing again. He was staying! BEST FOURTH OF JULY EVER!