The pieces of my puzzle.

Forty- Eight.

(Bradly's POV)

When I woke up this morning I would've never thought my day would take a hallmark-movie-worthy turn, but I guess life is full of surprises. As they say.

Let's start from the beginning.

My combat boots thump rhythmically against the concrete floor of the base as I headed to the cafeteria; the sound of my growling stomach enough of a motivator to forfeit stopping by the locker room to put away my kit, and instead just head straight for the cafeteria.

After a long morning of drills and fitness tests in full gear, I was more than ready for food.

I politely wave at a few familiar faces who greet me along the way as I stepped through the cafeteria doors, grabbing a blue plastic tray and then waiting in line as I smiled at the cooks who stood behind the counter.

While food was piled on my tray, my thoughts drift and drown out the chatter of the room; in a few months it would be Azara and I's 3 year anniversary. What was I gonna do to make it special?

When I deemed my tray full enough, I turned to scan the room for an available table, my eyes landing on a table where two people with familiar tight military buns sat, casually chatting.

I slowly made my way over, pulling out a chair to make sure they noticed me so I didn't eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Hello ladies." I greet as I sit down across from them, my tray thumping as I sat it down.

"Hi Chicken."

I send a glare her way, picking up my fork and stabbing a potato wedge. "You," i start, pointing my fork at her. "can't say much because your callsign is literally a bird that constantly catches on fire." I pop the potato in my mouth. "Mine's cooler."

Phoenix graces me with a glare that could pierce through steel as she decides to ignore me and instead turn to my wife. "Well, it's good catching up, Captain, but I'll leave you to your man-child."

Azara let out an amused snort into her glass as Phoenix stood up to put away her tray. "See ya, Nat."

Her eyes follow the other woman as she walks away, before flicking back to meet mine. "So, Commander, how was the fitness test?"

Oh yeah, that's another thing, I got promoted to Commander a few months ago. Pretty neat huh?

What wasn't so great was that being a rank higher doesn't rule out your monthly fitness tests.

She smirked at me as she took a sip from her water, knowing full well how tough those teats were.

I gave her a pointed look. "Brutal as usual."

She only replied with a pleased hum, as if she was hearing nothing new, which to be fair, she wasn't. "I'd expect nothing less."

I let my gaze inspect

Something wasn't right. She was smug; more smug than usual, that is. The corners of her mouth tilted up in a smirk she couldn't seem to keep down, her presence vibrating with a certain kind of......excitement?

"What's up with the smile?" I asked bluntly, watching as her brows raised in mild surprise as she shrugged lightly.

"Nothing. I'm just having a good day." Her mouth twitched at another attempt to suppress a smile.

I raised a brow. "Oh? And why is that?"

She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest in nonchalance. "No particular reason."

I groaned. "Az, C'monnn."

She smirked fully now. "Sorry, no can do."

I pouted, leaning my elbows on the table. "Pleaseee? I won't tell anyone, I promise."