Wings and Waltzes!

The Call of Duty

A few weeks had passed since Nikita and Lily had officially started their relationship. They had fallen into a comfortable rhythm, spending as much time together as possible before Nikita would have to report back to duty. Each day was filled with laughter, love, and a deepening connection that made them both feel like they had found something truly special.

But life, as they both knew all too well, was unpredictable.

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon when the call came. Lily was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared lunch. Nikita was in the living room, catching up on the news, when his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at it, expecting a message from a friend or a reminder, but instead, he saw the name of his commanding officer flash across the screen.

His heart sank.

Nikita picked up the phone, his voice steady but tense. "This is Nikita."

The voice on the other end was firm and direct, delivering the news that Nikita had always known could come at any moment but had hoped wouldn't—at least not so soon. There was an emergency deployment, a situation overseas that required his immediate attention. He was to report for duty within the next 48 hours, and the deployment would last for four weeks.

"I understand," Nikita replied, his voice calm despite the storm of emotions brewing inside him. "I'll be there."

He hung up the phone, staring at it for a moment, the reality of the situation sinking in. The peaceful, joyful bubble they had been living in for the past few weeks was about to burst.

Taking a deep breath, Nikita stood up and walked to the kitchen, where Lily was setting the table. She looked up at him and immediately sensed that something was wrong. The smile on her face faded as she saw the serious expression on his.

"Nikita? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Nikita took her hands in his, his grip firm but gentle. "Lily, I just got a call. There's been an emergency, and I'm being deployed again. I have to leave in two days."

Lily felt the world shift beneath her feet, her mind racing to process the words. She had known this moment would come, had prepared herself for the possibility, but hearing it out loud still hit her like a punch to the gut.

"How long will you be gone?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Four weeks," Nikita replied, his eyes searching hers, trying to gauge her reaction.

Lily nodded slowly, her heart heavy with the knowledge that their time together was about to be cut short. "Four weeks," she repeated, as if saying it out loud would make it more real.

"I'm so sorry, Lily," Nikita said, his voice filled with regret. "I know this isn't what we planned. I hate that I have to leave you again so soon."

Lily shook her head, forcing a smile even as tears welled up in her eyes. "It's okay, Nikita. I knew this was part of the deal when I fell in love with you. I just wasn't expecting it to happen so soon."

Nikita pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "I'll be back before you know it. And we'll pick up right where we left off. I promise."

Lily buried her face in his chest, letting herself take comfort in his embrace. "I'll be counting the days," she whispered.

They stood like that for a long time, neither of them wanting to let go. The lunch Lily had been preparing was forgotten as they clung to each other, trying to soak up every moment of closeness before Nikita had to leave.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. They spent it together, trying to make the most of the time they had left. They went for a long walk, talked about everything and nothing, and simply enjoyed each other's company. But the looming reality of the deployment hung over them like a shadow, a constant reminder that their time together was running out.

That night, as they lay in bed, Nikita held Lily close, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on her back. "I hate leaving you," he murmured into the darkness. "I hate that this is part of our reality."

Lily sighed softly, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I know. But it's also part of who you are, and I love every part of you, even the parts that take you away from me."

Nikita kissed the top of her head, his heart aching with the knowledge that he was leaving behind the person who meant the most to him. "I'll be thinking of you every day," he promised. "And as soon as I'm back, we'll make up for lost time."

Lily nodded, her eyes closed as she tried to memorize the feel of him, the warmth of his body, the sound of his voice. "I'll be waiting," she whispered.

The next two days passed too quickly. They packed Nikita's bags, spent as much time together as possible, and made sure to savor every last moment. But as the hours ticked by, the inevitable goodbye grew closer.

When the time came for Nikita to leave, Lily accompanied him to the base. The drive was filled with quiet conversation, both of them trying to keep the mood light despite the heaviness in their hearts.

At the base, they stood together, holding hands as they waited for the final call. Nikita turned to Lily, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll get through this, Lily. I know we will."

Lily nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "We will. And when you come back, we'll be stronger for it."

Nikita leaned in and kissed her, a deep, lingering kiss that conveyed all the love and longing he felt. When they finally pulled apart, he smiled at her, trying to inject some lightness into the moment. "Don't get too used to me being gone, okay? I'll be back before you know it."

Lily managed a small smile, her heart aching as she watched him walk away. "I won't. I'll be counting the days until you're home."

Nikita turned back one last time, his gaze locking with hers, before he disappeared into the building. Lily stood there for a long moment, staring after him, until she could no longer see him.

Finally, she turned and made her way back to the car, the weight of the separation settling over her like a heavy blanket. As she drove home, she tried to focus on the positives, on the fact that this deployment was only four weeks, that they had a plan, and that they had promised to stay connected.

But as she walked into the empty apartment, the silence hit her hard. The space that had felt so full and vibrant just a day ago now seemed achingly empty without Nikita's presence.

She looked down at the ring on her finger, a symbol of the commitment they had made to each other. It was a reminder that despite the distance, despite the challenges, they were in this together. And that thought gave her the strength she needed.

Lily took a deep breath and made a silent vow to herself: she would stay strong, she would stay connected, and she would be waiting with open arms when Nikita came home.