(Shout out to all of the people who are in the military and those who left)
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Carolyn was driving home from leaving work and picking up her daughter from school. Mia was telling her mom all about what happened at school today and Carolyn made sure to be attentive to every word. After a moment of silence in the car, Mia played with her favorite Bratz doll while her mom got a phone call from her boss.
Mia hummed the lyrics to a Sade song until they pulled up to the driveway. The 30 year old mother took her daughter out of the car seat and carried her. Once she opened the door, they were greeted with the nanny, Cecelia and Carolyn's toddler.
"How was he today?" Carolyn asked as Mia played with her brother in the background.
"He was good, as usual." Cecelia said, looking at the kids then she glanced at her.
"You look tired,"
Cecelia has been through life as a mother and now she's a grandmother. So she knows the looks of a woman who is exhausted.
Carolyn exhaled. "I am. But never too tired to be a mom." She said while taking out the ingredients to make for dinner.
"I know you miss him," The nanny said and Carolyn paused for a moment.
Her husband has been in the military for years now and she always wondered if he was going to leave soon because the life of a lonely mother was starting to catch up to her. Granted, Minhyuk was an amazing father when he came home but as soon as he would leave the house would feel empty, like it was missing something.
"I do," That was all Carolyn said for the evening before Cecelia left the house.
The nanny has stood by Carolyn ever since she was pregnant with Mia. So Cecelia was there for the late nights that Carolyn was working, all the times she would feel sad about Minhyuk not being there, and for the kids. Every day was good but it could have been better if her husband was here.
Carolyn was focusing on dinner while Michael was playing in his cute bumbo and Mia watching princess movies in the living room, keeping him occupied. Before she knew it, the sun went down and the food was almost ready. She cooked the kids favorite dish so she knew that they would eat everything up.
"Kids, you can come eat now!" She shouted and they came running to her.
Carolyn put Michael in the high chair and Mia set the table up then she sat down, waiting for the food to come. When Carolyn brought the meal to the table, Mia's eyes widened.
"You made tteokbokki!" Her voice squealed causing Michael to get excited and he didn't even know why.
"Yes, I did." Carolyn sung as she put food on their plates then her own.
"Thank you!" Mia said before digging in and Michael did the same but he didn't eat too much because Cecelia already feed him a snack before she came home.
After, they were done eating. Carolyn saw how sleepy Michael was getting so she decided to end the night for the kids. As soon as Carolyn picked Michael up, he fell asleep into her arms. Mia came and walked upstairs with Carolyn to put the toddler to sleep in his crib.
Once she put Michael down, Mia held her mother's hand as they walked to her bedroom. Carolyn read her daughter a bedtime story then fixed her up for bed.
In the middle of Carolyn tucking the sheets in, Mia gave her mom a hug and she stood there confused to the sudden affection
"You're the best mom ever," Mia said causing Carolyn to smile. "I love you, mommy."
"I love you too, baby girl." Carolyn rubbed her back before she laid down in bed.
There was a moment of silence until Mia asked a question.
"Mommy, when is Dad coming home?" She asked with her adorable face.
"I already told you, Mia. He will be home soon," She kissed her on the forehead before leaving the door half way open so her daughter could have light in her room.
Carolyn walked downstairs to the living room quietly and exhaled deeply, finally having quiet time. She turned on the Tv and put on a show that she wasn't paying attention to because her mind was elsewhere.
While Carolyn reminisced on the times Mia was a baby and now seeing her grow up with her baby brother. Minhyuk opened the front door to his house, fully clothed in uniform.
He took off the patrol cap as he walked in slowly, seeing his wife watching a show on the couch in the dark. Minhyuk knew that if he were to touch her, Carolyn would scream so he decided to turn on the kitchen light instead.
Carolyn was quickly taken out of her thoughts once she saw the light turn on by itself. She scoffed loudly, hoping that it wasn't Mia because she had a habit of sneaking downstairs when she couldn't sleep.
"Mia, it's a school night," Carolyn sternly said, standing up from the couch. "You have to be in bed-
"Hey, baby." Minhyuk said once she turned around.
She covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Oh my gosh, Minhyuk."
"You're here!" Carolyn jumped into his arms and he spun her around.
They locked eyes before passionately kissing each other on the lips then pulling back as her feet touched the floor.
"I've missed you so much." Minhyuk spoke softly with teary eyes, caressing her face.
Carolyn didn't say anything but kiss him again, she had missed his touch, kisses, and his whole being.
"Daddy?" They heard a tiny voice say and looked towards the direction of the voice.
"Hey, babygirl. It's me," Minhyuk crouched down as Mia little legs ran to him. He kissed her forehead and stood back to look at her. "You have gotten taller and more beautiful."
"Just wait until you see Michael." Carolyn said as she ran up the stairs with Mia in her father's arms.
They walked inside of his room quietly, trying not to wake Michael up. Minhyuk put Mia down to grab his toddler out of the crib. Michael subconsciously laid his head on his father's chest and snored lightly.
Minhyuk took in how much hair grew on Michael's head and how tanned his skin got but most of all how much he weighed in his arms now. Mia and Carolyn watched by the door in awe with the same question in their heads.
"When did you leave Afghanistan?" Carolyn asked making Minhyuk turn around while his eyes never left Michael.
"Last week then I talked with the captain yesterday and he said I could come home," He locked eyes with Mia and Carolyn with a smile.
"How long are you staying, daddy?" Mia asked, hoping to hear the words that she wanted to him say.
"For six months then I go back but after that," Minhyuk kissed Michael on the head.
"I'm all yours forever." He said.
Carolyn and Mia's heart were filled with joy to hear him say that. Even Michael was overjoyed once he woke up a couple of hours later to see his father. Once again, their house was full and not empty.
