His Girl

4. It's Not Goodbye

The rest of July was spent every day with each other. They spent time with Kelly and Will and friends. Lauren even got to meet Jay's mom at one point. She was very sweet and obviously loved her boys. They both knew time was running out, but they tried not to think about it.

Nights were spent in each other's arms loving the other. Lauren had never felt so alive or so loved in all her life. Jay had become her everything and she couldn't wait to spend forever with him.

The last day in July rolled around way to quickly for either of them. She'd cried all day while they were both packing. She didn't want to leave him, but she didn't have a choice. She had to return to Tennessee to her mother and finish high school. He was due at Fort Benning at oh nine hundred hours.

"Babe," he whispered cradling her cheeks and wiping her tears. "It's gonna be ok. We'll get through this and then we'll start forever ok?" He tried reassuring her.

Lauren barely nodded as she leaned into his hands. "It's just gonna be hard," she whispered. "I've gotten used to being with you."

"I know. I have to," he whispered softly kissing her lips. "But we'll communicate however we can ok?"

Lauren gave another nod and they finished packing. That night they made love over and over knowing it would be awhile before they saw each other again. After Lauren drifted to sleep, Jay laid there running his fingers softly through her hair just watching her. He hadn't planned on falling in love, but she'd captured his whole heart. He knew he told her they could get through this, and he prayed he was right because he wasn't sure he knew how to live without her.

They next morning they loaded up early and went to the airport. Lauren text her best friend to let them know the flight was still on schedule and she needed a ride from the airport. She would be landing at seven am. Jay was in his Army fatigues because he flew out right after her, so everyone stopped him to offer their thanks for his service. He didn't think he was ever going to be able to hold her or say goodbye. The tears started again as soon as they met up with Kelly.

She said goodbye to Kelly first. Of course their dad was nowhere around because he still had nothing to do with her, but Kelly wanted that relationship with his sister. Jay could hear her cries from where he was. She didn't want to leave Kelly either, but Kelly promised he'd come visit and she could come up whenever she wanted. He promised to stay in touch, talk on the phone everyday if she wanted.

Finally, he heard Kelly tell her she needed to say goodbye to him. Jay's heart was breaking inside. He didn't want to say goodbye either, but their paths were already set before they met. But if she could wait, they'd be together again.

Jay wrapped his arms around her tight and softly inhaled the scent of her and her shampoo. He felt her tears on his chest as she cried holding on tight. "I know," he whispered feeling her try to hold in her sobs.

"I don't want to leave," he heard her whisper.

"Me either baby. But you have one more year of high school and I have training. We can get through this. I believe in us," he said pulling back to look her in the eyes.

He softly brushed hair out of her face as he memorized every little detail about her.

"Here I got you this," she said reaching into her pocket as he wiped her tears. It was a wallet size picture of her and on the back was a picture of them. "So you don't forget," she whispered.

Jay picked her up unable to stand not feeling her in his arms one more time and she wrapped around him. "I'll never forget beautiful, never," he whispered kissing her hard and deep.

They heard her plane called, and Jay held her still kissing her until final boarding was called. "You've gotta go," he whispered setting her down. "Text me when you land ok?" He asked as she cried harder. "I love you Lauren. I always will," he said with one more kiss.