Love story

67

When Poppy saw Toby her crystal blue eyes lit up and she ran from behind the trolley into his muscular arms. He lifted her with ease and spun her round in a tight hug.

I pushed the trolley towards him.

"I missed you so so much Pops." He spoke softly into her ear. He was smiling so brightly, emanating happiness.

He put Poppy down, she was jumping from one foot to the other, giddy with excitement. Toby walked towards Jake who was sat in the trolley. He picked him up and kissed him repeatedly on his nose, and forehead and chin.

Jake giggled in return and grinned.

Then, putting Jake back into his seat in the trolley he turned to face me.

The sharp, winter sun beat down on us, bringing out the golden flecks in his eyes and the blonde in his hair.

The indescribably comforting familiarity of his appearance and his smell made my heart leap in my chest.

He moved toward me with slow, purposeful steps, just a hint of a smile on his face.

He was more tanned that he used to be and his muscles were bigger. He was wearing a camouflage army uniform and black combat boots.

He stopped when he was stood right in front of me and pulled my hips into his.

Neither of us spoke.

His touch sent sparks of electricity through my body. Months of longing had built up to a moment like this. I couldn't look away.

He raised his hand and it touched my forehead first, then made its way softly down the side of my face until it was on the back of my neck. Our breath lingered in the air between us.

Then, after 6 months apart, Toby finally pulled me toward him and my lips collided with his.

The taste of his lips was familiar yet exciting.  At first the kiss was soft and gentle but I had missed him so much. I wanted more.

Everyone else in the car park suddenly disappeared and it was just me and him.

In that moment there was nothing else in the world that was on my mind.

His woody, musky smell danced in my nostrils. I ran my hands all over his body, craving his touch, pulling myself closer and closer towards him.

When we finally parted I could see tears running down his cheeks. I used my thumbs to gently wipe them away.

"Don't cry." I whispered, unable to take my eyes off him.

"I missed you." He whispered in reply. Enveloping me in a warm, comforting hug.

And finally I wasn't alone.
Finally, I was safe.
I was home.