First

Chapter 63

We brought Cameron Ian home in December of that year and it was the greatest gift we had ever been given. It did wonders to help Jace; he had someone else to love and protect. As the years went on, we had many ups and downs. Jace went on two more tours and with each one I worried he wouldn't come home. But each and every time he walked through the door I thanked God for giving me the life I lived.

Our family expanded as well. A year after Cameron arrived, we found out we were pregnant with our "second" child and 9 months later, Izayah Linden arrived. Payton Brianna was quick to follow. After all the drama Jace and I had been through to get to this point, our lives were finally starting to settle.

But we got news that Jace was to be sent on one last mission, one more tour before he retired. I had a pit in my stomach the day we got the news. That day was supposed to be a happy day; I was going to tell Jace that I was pregnant with one last baby but that news was overshadowed by his impending tour. I was scared. Never before had I been left alone, pregnant while he was overseas.

When Jace got on the plane for what was his last tour, there was a feeling there that I couldn't describe. As we all said goodbye, I held on longer than normal, scared to let him go, scared I would never see him again.

"You guys all by good for Mom, okay? She's going to need all the help she can get," Jace said, hugging each of the kids in turn. I had tears in my eyes just watching him. This was something I had never wanted my kids to have to experience, saying goodbye to their father. Jace hadn't been on a tour since just after Izayah was born. The kids had been too young to remember or really understand what his leaving meant. But they were older now, Cameron 9, Izayah 7 and Payton was 5.

It was all too much to take in and I broke down sobbing. I had tried to be strong for the kids but I couldn't. I was pregnant and hormonal. Jace turned to look at me and he was smiling. "It'll be okay. I'll be back before you know it," he assured. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my stomach and my heart nearly exploded out of my chest. "I can't wait to meet you."

Turning back to me, Jace said, "I want you to do something for me while I'm gone."

I nodded. "Anything," I promised.

"Write that book you've been talking about. Write our story." For the last few years I had been talking about writing our story. I had always played around with the idea, never anything serious. Jace had always told me that I could do it and that I should but I never got the courage. I was a school teacher not a writer. "Please. Do this for me, for you. I want you to do what you've always dreamed about, become a writer. And our story..." He pressed his lips to mine. "And our story is the epic romance."

I laughed and wrapped my arms around him. "I love you."

Jace smiled and buried his head in my shoulder. "I love you too."

We all said our final goodbyes as Jace was hustled off to the plane. We waved as we watched the plane take off and I felt hollow inside. This was just a simple mission, only six months, so why did I feel so afraid? Why did I feel like I had just held my husband for the last time?

Over the next six months I wrote our story, finding that it flowed easily. I often stayed up until the wee hours in the morning, trying to find time to write. Between raising three kids, working and running a household, there weren't enough hours in the day.

Asthe baby's birth and Jace's return approached we found out that he wouldn't becoming home just yet. The tour was delayed and he was expected home in a year.My heart broke at the same time I went into labour. I gave birth surrounded bymy family with the most important part missing. Jace. The next few months werehard but we got through. And with each day we eagerly awaited the news thatJace would be coming home.