Uno sighed deeply as the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the French countryside. The campfire crackled softly, but the warmth it offered felt hollow compared to the warmth of home. He scrolled through his phone's gallery, watching memories flash by-moments with Denise from her early days as his junior agent to their life as a married couple and proud parents.
The photos were filled with laughter and love, and each one tugged at his heart. There was Denise beaming after her promotion, the two of them on their wedding day, and snapshots of their kids-Junior, Joey, Victoria, and Elizabeth-grinning with pure joy. Tears welled up in Uno's eyes as he stared at a recent photo of them all at the park, Thomas playfully tugging at his daughter's shoelace while Haley lounged in the stroller.
"If I didn't volunteer for this fucking solo mission, I could've been hanging out with my kids, my pets, and my loving wife!" he exclaimed, standing up in frustration. The solitude of his assignment suddenly felt like a punishment, a reminder of everything he was missing.
With nothing else to do, Uno trudged into his tent, zipping it shut behind him. He grabbed his North Heathson intelligence glasses-special-issue tech that allowed secure communication between agents-and put them on, adjusting the sleek frames on his face. He hesitated, his thumb hovering over Denise's contact. He missed her so much it hurt.
Taking a deep breath, he tapped her name, and after a few rings, Denise's familiar face appeared on the lens, slightly pixelated but still beautiful. She was sitting on their couch, one of the kids' blankets draped over her shoulders.
"Uno!" Denise's eyes lit up when she saw him. "I wasn't expecting a call. How's the mission going?"
Uno forced a smile. "Forget the fucking mission, Denise. I really, really miss you."
Denise's expression softened. "Oh, Uno... I miss you too. It's not the same without you here. The kids keep asking when you'll be home."
Uno chuckled softly, wiping away a tear. "I'll be back before they know it, but damn, it's tough. I keep thinking about you all. I wish I was there with you."
Denise nodded, her voice warm and comforting. "We're holding down the fort, but it's not the same. Even Thomas has been sulking around, wondering where his favorite human is."
Uno's smile widened. "How's Thomas doing? Still hogging the couch?"
Denise laughed. "Oh, you know him. He's been glued to it all day, waiting for you to come back. And Haley's been keeping an eye on the kids, mostly lounging on your side of the bed. She misses you too."
Uno sighed, feeling a pang of homesickness. "I miss them both so much. I can't wait to give Thomas his belly rubs and hear Haley's purrs again. How about the kids? How are Junior, Joey, Victoria, and Elizabeth?"
Denise's eyes sparkled as she talked about their children. "Junior has been practicing his football moves all afternoon, saying he wants to show you his new kick when you get back. Joey's been trying to help me in the kitchen, though he mostly just sneaks bites of whatever I'm baking."
Uno grinned, imagining his boys' antics. "That's my boy, always with the appetite."
Denise continued, her tone softening with affection. "Victoria's been working on her drawings, trying to make something special to welcome you home. And Elizabeth's been asking for bedtime stories about the great Agent Frost-though I might've toned down the dangerous parts."
Uno chuckled, touched by his children's activities. "I can't believe I'm missing all this. I'd give anything to be back, reading those bedtime stories and watching them grow."
Denise's voice was gentle but reassuring. "You'll be home soon, Uno. They know their dad is out there making the world a safer place, but they'll be so happy when you're back."
