First

Chapter 44

"Congratulations to all our winners here this evening; these six winners will be moving on to the Youth Challenge Nationals in Saskatchewan at the end of March," the MC announced. "Congratulations!"

Alicia and I turned to look at each other. All the kids going to Nationals this year were from Edmonton; it was a sea of green. That hadn't happened since my last year at this tournament when Alicia and I were still bowling. With Jace gone, she and I had decided to volunteer this year; it helped to take my mind off of Jace. And now our win would make the after party all that much sweeter and wild. But, I still wasn't in too much of a party mood as I normally would have been with Jace being gone for the last eleven months. He and I had planned on attending this dance together, just like we had as kids. But then he got shipped out and our plans came crashing down around us. It had definitely been rough the last year away from him. Even though he had been gone before I still wasn't used to it. I don't think I would ever truly get used to it.

"Oh come on, hurry up and get this dance started with already," Alicia moaned; she hadn't changed a bit in the years I'd known her as we'd transitioned from competitors to chaperones. Still so eager to party, I laughed to myself.

I laughed as the MC spoke up again, drawing our attention back to her. "Now I know that everyone is looking forward to this dance... But first I have a very special announcement."

Everyone at our table looked at one another; out of the corner of my eye I could see everyone else swivel toward the stage as well. This wasn't the normal protocol. Something was up and our curiosity was now officially piqued; a hush fell over the entire crowd as we all waited for this special announcement.

"It's actually more of a surprise but... anyway. Now this evening we have a very special guest with us who traveled a very long way to get here. And I have a feeling one of you out there knows our guest very well." At this, whispers picked up and I could hear the speculating that was going on around me. Me, I'd been around long enough to know that some guests weren't always as good as they were advertised. But still, something in my gut had my heart in my throat. I had a feeling that I couldn't explain. "Quiet, everyone, please," the MC asked, waiting until we were all quiet before she continued. All the bowlers slowly quieted and turned back to the MC once more. "Okay, thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, if I can get everyone to please stand and help me give a warm welcome to Lieutenant Jason Fields."

Everyone around me rose but I stayed glued to my seat. It took me a minute to process what she had said; I was pretty sure I went into shock when the words left her lips. When the connection was made between my ears and my brain, my heart stopped. She just said Lieutenant Jason Fields, Oh my god. Jace! With the realization I felt tears starting to leak out of the corner of my eyes; I brought my hand up to cover my trembling lips. Jace was home, safe and sound. I stayed sitting until I saw him walk into the room; not fully believing this was all real until I saw him stride into the hall. He was dressed in his everyday uniform, green camouflage. A backpack was slung over his shoulder and in his free hand he carried a bouquet of flowers. His eyes immediately landed on me and I was unable to look away. And it gave me the courage to get to my feet. I slowly rose as he got closer, watching him walk toward me, tears shining in my eyes and clouding my vision. I impatiently wiped away the tears, needing to see him. He stopped in the middle of the room and waited for me to come to him. I stood there and watched him, afraid when I ran to him that he'd disappear.

Alicia turned to me, smiling. "Kadence, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" she laughed, wiping away her own set of tears. "Go get him!" she cried, giving me a gentle shove in his direction.