Home Away From Home

Chapter 6

When they got in the house Nick yelled, "MOM! I'M GONNA BE UPSTAIRS WITH VALERIE, PACKING!"

"Okay honey, I'll be up there soon to help." Sally yelled back. Not letting go of Valerie's hand, Nick dragged her upstairs. When they got to his room, Nick ran to his closet and Valerie sat on his bed.

"Will you miss me?" Nick asked coming back with 2 suitcases in his hands.

"Of course I will." Valerie knew she was going to cry any minute. 'Hold it in. Just hold it in' Her thoughts said.

"I will be back, I promise you that."

"And if you don't?" Her voice cracked.

"Why are you thinking so negative? Please don't. Have faith."

"I don't believe in faith."

"Do you believe in me?"

"Yes."

"So do that."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. My captain tells me all that."

"So, let's get started on the packing." Nick nodded. He wanted to get out of that conversation as much as she did. Valerie walked up to his drawers and skimmed through it, smirking.

"Um, can you not look in there?" Nick said embarrassed.

"Do you mind if I borrow this?" Valerie put up his superman boxers. Nick's cheeks went red. He walked over and grabbed his boxers.

"What? You don't like them? There has to be a hero in this town."

"Oh and it happens to be you?"

"Sh, I'm supposed to keep it a secret."

"Well, it isn't a secret anymore, Superman." Nick covered her mouth with his hand and his other hand behind her neck.

"No one is supposed to know." Valerie rolled her eyes; Nick felt her smile through his hand. Valerie dropped her eyes to his hand, Nick looked into her eyes. 'Kiss her' his conscience yelled. He removed his hand slowly and looked at her lips. They stared at each other's lips for a few seconds.

"Um," Valerie's voice cracked. "We should get started on the packing." She walked to his suitcase. He cursed himself under his breath.

"Valerie wait."

"So, what do you really need?" He walked up to her and cupped her face. "Nick, don't." She doesn't want me, Nick thought. "I don't want to do this right before you leave, then I'll torture myself waiting for you."

"At least you have something to look forward to, and I will be the only guy in your mind." He didn't care that he was being selfish, he couldn't control himself anymore.

"Nick, no." Nick ignored her and kissed her passionately. She didn't hesitate, she responded. They both stopped for air.

"I've been dying to do that."

"For how long?"

"My whole life." Valerie rolled her eyes. This is just an act, she thought. He's leaving so he wants to play around one last time before he leaves. "This is real, Valerie. I'm not playing you." Her eyes widened as if he had just read her mind.

"What's the point of doing this? You're leaving and probably won't be back for a few years."

"So what? It doesn't matter how long I'll be gone. All that matters is that you'll be waiting for me."

"Of course I will."

"Good. Now let's finish packing." They went back to packing. Nick knew what he had to say, but he wasn't going to say it yet. Valerie knew she couldn't control herself anymore. She was dying to tell him what she almost did that night in her house. A little later, Sally came upstairs.

"Need any help?" She asked.

"No, its okay, mom. We're already finished."

"Okay, come down and let's eat before we leave."

"You and Valerie go ahead. I just have to grab something real quick and then I'm gonna bring down the suitcases."

"Alright, hurry up." He nodded. They walked down to the kitchen and set the table. Nick walked over to his draw. He took out the uniform they send along with the acceptance letter. He changed into the uniform and put the boots on. He walked over to the mirror and looked at himself. He slid his hand across the sowed letters, U.S. ARMY. He walked over to his draw again and took out a small picture. He stared at it and then turned the picture around. 'To Nick. Something to remember me by. From Valerie.' He turned the picture back to Valerie's face and kissed it. He put it in his pocket that was underneath the sowed letters. He quickly took the suitcases downstairs by the front door and ran back upstairs. He took his hat and walked to the kitchen. After coming downstairs, Valerie and Sally couldn't take their eyes off him. "My little boy has grown up so fast." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Mom, I'm always gonna be your little boy." Sally got up and hugged Nick tightly. After they sat down and ate they headed to the place where families say farewell and go onto their missions. After signing in, they headed to the farewell section. Nick walked over to Sally first. There was tears in her eyes. "Please don't cry."

"I love you." She threw herself in his arms. He held onto her tightly.

"Please, please, don't cry." He clenched his jaw. He didn't want to cry. He knows he'll be back.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you too. I love you, mom." She let go of him and wiped her tears.

"Well, go on." She smiled as she pushed him towards Valerie. "Say your farewells." Nick walked towards Valerie. She just stood there staring at him. He pulled her into a hug. At first, she just stood there. Then she put her arms around his waist, tightly. He felt her tears on his uniform. Nick let go and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Don't say goodbye, say see you later."

"See you later." She forced a smile. Nick exhaled and said it with all his heart.

"Valerie, I love you."

"I love you too."

"No, I'm in love with you." She looked at him, blank less.

"W-What?"

"I'm in love with you." She didn't move. "Please say something."

"I'm in love with you, too." He smiled and pulled her into a kiss. He felt her tears on his face as they kissed. They both pulled back. He wiped her tears with his hand. This is it, Valerie thought, this is goodbye.

"Please wait for me."

"Of course."

"I'll be back before you know it." He kissed her one last time and grabbed his mom's hand towards them. "I'll miss you guys." He pulled them both into a hug and squeezed them tightly. He wanted to save their scent inside him. He let go and kissed both of their heads. He smiled at them and walked to the line of soldiers. As he got closer and closer to the plane he looked back to Sally and Valerie. He waved at them, and this time a tear rolled down his cheek. Valerie forced to pick her hand and wave back. She noticed a tear roll down his cheek.

"Farewell Nick." She whispered. She was about to turn around and walk away when someone yelled her name.

"VALERIE!" Nick yelled. It was loud and crowded, but she heard him. Nick noticed her looking at him. "WRITE TO ME! EVERYDAY!" She smiled and nodded. He smiled and walked on the plane. Nick sighed as he sat in his seat. Valerie looked back at Sally. She was looking outside the window where the planes fly. They watched the plane go up in the sky and disappear. Sally faced Valerie wiping her tears.

"Let's go home." Valerie nodded and they both went home, this time without Nick.

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