PRETTY Little LOVE (emison fanfic)

Chapter 40: @The_Bell_Tower

(Roughly five years ago)

Emily's pov

"I promise, this is the last trip. Next time I'm here, I will stay for good"

With a blank face, I remained silent as dad laid out a promise for me and mom as we stood there watching him in his crisp official U.S. army uniform. He was standing on the last step of the porch one hand clutching his bag, the other patting on my head. He was trying to tuck my hair strands as the soft wind blew on them.

I'm not sure how to react on his promise. He never made one he didn't keep. Dad is always true to his words and I want to hold on to that promise real tight. But it doesn't necessarily mean I don't feel crappy about his inevitable departure at this very moment.

"I will be there on the next father-daughter dance okay," he smiled before he turned to my mom, pulling her in an embrace, "As for you my beautiful love, I'll see you at the balcony by the third sound. I love you... I love you both,"

Mom nodded as she blinked away her tears. Then dad pulled me as well for a group hug. My curiosity about what he said about balconies and third sounds was quickly replaced by the ache that's been resting in my chest.

I just hate it when he leaves...

Next thing I knew, dad was waving back at me from the driver's seat of his car as he carefully drove out from the garage. Then he turned his car at the corner end of the street and he was ultimately out of sight. I turned to mom, who had her head resting in her hand, making me think that its not even a minute yet and I haven't done anything mischievous since dad left but she's already nursing a headache. I sighed and pulled her in for a hug just because. She hugged me back, tighter than I can ever managed. She was clinging onto me as if I might go ride my car as well on my way to Afghanistan just like dad right then and there.

"I love you, sweetie," she mumbled, "...so much,"

There was such weight in her tone that I don't think I can comprehend. Guess her emotions about dad going on another mission is getting in to her so much. But I do understand very clearly that my parents love me with all they can give, absolutely no question about that.

"Anyway, Em sweetie, we're going to have dinner at your aunt Claire's tonight. I'm sorry if it's on a short notice, I know you already made plans with Alison and the girls later but you need to cancel it. I just can't say no to your aunt especially now that her health situation is getting worse and your dad went on another assignment,"

Aunt Claire is my dad's only sibling and she has some kind of illness. Mom never divulged the details of the situation with me but she was closely involved.

I guided her inside our house and soon enough I heard utensils clank and cupboards open and close from the kitchen. Obviously, mom started her usual routine of busying herself with house chores. I sighed again because I just don't know how exactly I should comfort mom. I know for a fact that she always busy herself with menial things just to get her mind off of her sadness, and I just don't know what to do about it.

It's always this hard when dad leaves...

Not wanting to disrupt my mom's routine, I took the steps up to my room and then plopped on my window seat. I took out my phone and sent a group message to the girls that I can't go to our usual Saturday night movie marathon. They all expressed disappointment in varying words and I exchanged a few messages with them, but still their replies went on something that goes along the lines of 'okay we're so gonna miss you but we understand' or something like that.