My Penpal

20- Back to Base

Amelia closed her eyes and pouted slightly as Alexander approached her, sensing the weight of the conversation they were about to have. Deep down, she already knew what was coming, but the thought of him leaving for the base filled her with a mix of dread and anxiety.

“Amelia,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. She melted into him, feeling the strength and comfort of his presence. It was moments like this that made her realize just how much she would miss him while he was away.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

Alexander pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, his expression a mix of warmth and determination. “I’ll miss you too, love. But I promise I’ll be back in time for Thanksgiving dinner with your family. You know how important that is to me.”

She nodded, trying to push away the tears threatening to spill. The thought of his absence was hard to bear, especially after they had just enjoyed such a wonderful evening together. “I packed you a variety of food and your favorite desserts,” she said, forcing a small smile. “I want you to have a little piece of home with you while you’re at the base.”

“Are you trying to spoil me?” he teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful grin. “You know that just makes it harder to leave.”

“Maybe that’s the point,” she replied, her lips curling into a sly smile. “I want you to remember what you’re coming back to.”

“Believe me, I will,” he promised, his gaze steady and serious. “You’re always in my thoughts, Amelia. No matter where I am, I carry you with me.”

She felt her heart flutter at his words, and she leaned in closer, wanting to savor every moment. “Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself while you’re gone. I worry about you.”

Alexander cupped her face gently in his hands, his thumb brushing over her cheek. “I promise. And you take care of yourself too, okay? I want to come back to a happy and healthy Amelia.”

“I will,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a final, lingering look, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. It was soft and lingering, a promise of his return wrapped in warmth and love. Amelia melted into him, losing herself in the moment, wishing it could last forever.

When they finally pulled apart, Alexander’s gaze softened. “Let’s make the most of the time we have left tonight.”

Amelia nodded, feeling a rush of affection for him. They spent the rest of the evening wrapped up in each other, talking and laughing, sharing stories and memories. They played games, reminisced about their favorite moments together, and even attempted to bake another batch of cookies—though it ended in a bit of chaos, flour dusting their hair and clothes.

As the hours passed, Amelia cherished every second they had together. She knew the goodbye was inevitable, but in those moments, they created memories that would keep her going while he was away. And when the time came for Alexander to leave, she would hold onto the promise of Thanksgiving and the joy of their reunion.

Finally, as the night came to an end, Amelia helped Alexander pack his bag. The food she had prepared was neatly arranged, and she made sure to include little notes of encouragement tucked between the containers. Each note was filled with sweet reminders of her love for him and her hopes for their future together.

“Are you ready?” Alexander asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder, his expression a mixture of excitement and reluctance.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, forcing a smile.