If Only It Were That Simple

Chapter 39- Coming Home

2 years later:

Johnny:

Johnny,

I'm counting down the days until you come home, there are only two weeks left. I love and miss you dearly. Lucas is still with us, we just got word that his parents aren't coming home, I'm not sure how to break it to him. The courts made it official, and legal. We're legally responsible for Lucas Gabriel Thomason. I guess you were right, we were parents at 18.

I hope things are still well at basic training. Nikki's plans of going abroad as a foreign exchange student are falling into place. Though, I'm not sure if Jacob really likes that idea. College is turning out to be just what I needed to keep me going. The dance classes I'm teaching are rigorous, even for me. I can't wait for your return.

Have you heard from your parents?

All my love, Lorrie Scott. <3

I smile at the letter as I walk back to the barracks and to my bed. Being here has taught me so much that being home wouldn't have been able too. I still have 15 minutes until lunch so I head back outside with paper, a pen and a book.

Lorrie,

I am also counting down the days until I can see you; it's not long now. I am both happy and sad that Lucas is still with you. I had hoped that his family would be able to claim him and take him home. But I am glad to be able to see him when I return. So we're parents now huh? We'll be a happy family one day. I promise.

Everything is going fine here. It's a beautiful day today. The sun is brightly shining. The birds are chirping, the only thing that's missing is you and your beautiful smile.

I hope Nikki and Jacob can work out their views on her being a foreign exchange student. There's no need in her going away both of them angry. I'm glad college is working out for you. I still want to see you dance, for real sometime. Perhaps when I return home. I can't wait to see you in person.

I have not heard from my parents, but I suppose I will see them when I return home. I'll have to talk to them. Any word from your own parents? Tell Lucas hello for me.

With love,

Johnny Williams

I close my letter and address it before taking it to the post to be mailed. I only just make it to the mail hall before the mail truck comes.

"Williams!" My sergeant calls. What did I do?

"Yes Sir!" I respond standing at attention until he dismisses me.

"You're going home early soon any chance we can get you to stay longer?" He asks.

"Sorry Sir. I've got a girlfriend back home, and I just found out the boy we've been watching is now legally our son." I tell him trying to keep a straight face. Lucas is ours.

"Well. Congratulations lad." He tells me slapping me on the back. All I can do is smile. "Well, maybe he'll join us when he turns 18."

"I'm sure he would consider it." I tell him.

"Your dismissed Williams." He tells me, we both solute each other before I head to the mess hall.

~~

2 weeks later-

I look around the station for either Lorrie or Lucas, she said they'd both be waiting for me. There was so much we had to catch up on.

"Uncle Johnny!!!!" A familiar voice calls.

"Lucas!" Another familiar voice calls after the first. I feel Lucas before I see him, but I couldn't miss my girlfriend. In a university sweatshirt and jeans. "Johnny."

"Lorrie." We both stand only a few feet apart. I pick up Lucas, who's decided to grow another few inches.

"Welcome home." She tells me hugging me.

"Welcome home Uncle Johnny!" Lucas exclaims.

"There's so much to catch up on."

"First, this is for the birthday boy." I tell them pulling a box out of my bag. It's not much, it's just my uniform cap. He quickly opens the box and grins. He pulls the hat out and puts it on his head. "Happy birthday buddy."

"Thanks Uncle Johnny!" He grins at me. We found him only a few years ago, now he's eight. I take Lorrie's hand and Johnny latches onto my other. My bag swung over my shoulder.

"I missed you Lor." I whisper to her.

"I missed you too." She whispers back kissing my cheek softly. We make it back to my car, I'd let Lorrie use it since her and Benny seem to need to be going different directions. I get Lucas situated in the back seat and get in. Lorrie's already sitting and strapped in, she's watching me with a barely noticeable smile on her face, it's all in her eyes.

I lean over and kiss her, she kisses back with a smile.

"Yuck." Lucas says. Both of us pull apart Lorrie blushing, I can't help but laugh. She shoots me a look and I keep laughing as I start up the car. I lace our fingers together as I drive toward the apartment. The box in my pocket making me nervous. I'd had it shipped to the base.

"We're having date night. Be ready by 8." I tell Lorrie. She gives me an excited smile and a nod as we unload the car and Lucas races ahead to the apartment. This one has an elevator, and only needs a door key fob. All the doors use the same one, each apartment is wired to use different ones. Lorrie hands me my key and hands her key to Lucas. "You know, that probably wasn't smart."

"We do it all the time." She answers "He'll race ahead and open all the doors for me. Quite the young gentleman."

"He's been taught well." I acknowledge guilt that I haven't been there to help tugging at me.

"Benny and you have been great for him." She tells me wrapping her hand around my bicep. It's as if she knows what I feel without saying it.

"What, those few months I was around?" I retort throwing my bag over my shoulder.

"Believe it or not Johnny." She begins, "You are Lucas' greatest role model. He looks up to you. He missed you. Maybe more than I did."

"Is that even possible." I joke. Lucas is standing holding the door open.

"Thanks Bud." I tell Lucas as Lorrie and I make our way into the apartment. He hands Lorrie the fob before walking to the living area plopping down on the floor in front of the TV.

~~

Lorrie-

"Can I watch TV?" He asks me with the adorable puppy dog eyes. I give him a nod. He grins and turns on the TV.

"Can I have some You Me time?" Johnny asks giving the same adorable puppy dog eyes that Lucas did.

"You've got me all night Johnny." I tell him, "I have to head to dance. Can you watch Lucas until Nikki gets home?"

"Can't I go with you?" He asks.

"Dance students only." I tell him heading to the door. "I've got two hour long classes. I'll be back in 2 1/2 hours." I kiss Johnny on the cheek before grabbing my dance bag and racing out the door.