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Part 1

A grin had graced itself onto the face of Jace Anthony.  After six years, Jace was going home. In exactly eight days Jace would be reunited with his loved ones. Sometimes, when he was alone, Jace felt like he was already there, with the sun shining on his face, as he would lie in the hammock at the bottom of the garden. It was thanks to Lizzie O’Donovan that this was all possible. She sent her letters like clockwork, every other Saturday for the past 6 years. And they weren’t half arsed letters either. They would be letters of at least 5 sides, and always included a picture of some sort; it could be a photograph of his nieces and nephews as they started to grow up, or it could be a picture by them, maybe a photo of the family, or if he was lucky, a painting by the girl herself. Jace had always loved Lizzie’s art. He was amazed by how good she was, and was disappointed by the fact that she choose to do law instead of art.

Jace started at the letter in his hand. It was bigger and bulkier than the rest. Jace new that this would be the letter that would tide him over for the remaining days. Turning over the letter, Jace smirked when he saw the same message that was written on every single letter he had ever received from Lizzie.

‘Open with a smileeee J’

He had told Lizzie numerous times that he was no longer eleven and it wasn’t necessary. But Lizzie still wrote it regardless of what she was told. Without any more hesitation Jace ripped open the letter. He had learnt from experience that it was always best to read the letter first before looking at the attached picture. The message of what was attached would leave him with a warm heart, despite all he had seen. The letters reminded him that, even though he had been away for quite some time, he was not forgotten. And even new additions to the family, such as Elsa his three year old niece, were excited to meet him. 

‘Dear Jace,

                It’s almost time for you to come home! I cannot begin to describe how excited we all are. I almost feel sorry for you when I look at the lists that the children have written, of all the things they want to do with you when they get back. I’ve told them they need to schedule in the fact that you owe me 60 movie nights, as you have not delivered on your promise from when I rescued you from the clutches of Amanda Hygate, town cougar!’

Jace smiled at the memory. Of course she hadn’t forgotten the only moment in time where she had the upper hand over Jace. The resident ‘town cougar’ had been after Jace for a while. It wasn’t until Lizzie had had a lengthy conversation with Mrs Hygate, that she backed off of Jace. Of course Jace did not get away easily. He had to promise to watch a movie, whether it was new or old, with Lizzie everyday for a month. Secretly, he hadn’t minded the deal as both he and Lizzie appreciated cinematography, and he knew he would enjoy watching films with her as she was a good laugh and wasn’t annoying.

Jace read about many incidents, such as when his nephew provided his brother with a tampon, to stop his nose from bleeding. Or when his niece had eaten all the gumballs and had blue teeth for the next couple of days. But what touched Jace’s heart was the fact that Lizzie always remembered and tried to keep as many promises as possible. When his mother passed away, Jace had been allowed leave for three days. Most of that time was spent travelling to and from his base and his home. When he arrived home and saw the desolate look in his fathers eyes, Jace knew he had to do something. His father, an ex-marine, did not take well to sympathy and was a tough man. This made communication emotions very hard. Jace had always been close to his mother. As a result, she taught him how to play golf, a keen hobby of hers. Jace’s father never had the time to join in, but he admired her dedication and how hard she worked to manage her family life, with work and her passion. Golf had always been quite intimate for Jace and his mother. So he knew that offering to take his father to play on the golf course he used to play on with his mother was the right thing to do. He had told Lizzie that he wanted to deliver on his promise when his father turned 65. However, Jace did not remember this promise when he had received his promotion, and extra time in the forces. Thankfully, Lizzie had.