Fourth of July

Chapter 43

"Daddy? When are you gonna be home?" Gee asked sadly.

"In just a few weeks, I promise, I said.

"I miss you," he mumbled. "I just cry a lot because you're not here."

"Oh, princess, it's okay, I'll be there soon," I said. "You have Mommy and Miles."

"But I want Daddy!" He cried.

Jamia came into the screen and Gee cried into her shoulder. It shattered my heart watching him cry while knowing I couldn't do anything about it.

"Baby, come here," she said. "Mommy's got you."

My eyes watered as I looked down.

"P-please don't cry, Princess," I whimpered.

I sniffled, running a hand through my short hair. Gee eventually calmed down and Jamia put him down for a nap. I sighed as I looked at my girlfriend through the screen.

"I miss you," I whispered. "God, it's physically painful from just how much I miss you, you and the kids."

"We miss you too," she said. "We can't wait until you're home and then I can give you a kiss."

I smiled, playing with the sleeves of my shirt.

"God, i love you so much," I mumbled.

Jamia looked down, a soft frown on her face.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I asked.

She bit her lip before holding up the little ring box that I had kept stashed away in my nightstand.

"What is this?" She asked.

"You weren't supposed to find it," I mumbled.

"Y-you were gonna propose?" She asked.

"Yeah, I was," I said. "Not now or anything but...I love you and I know that you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

She looked a little scared and I bit my lip.

"Why do you always seem so against us getting married?" I asked.

"Just because...y-you rejected me once before, What if you do it again?"

"Mia, I would never do that," i denied.

"You didn't used to love me, there was a time where you didn't want me kissing you," She said.

"That was in the past," I stated. "I love you more than anything."

"But you changed your mind once, what if you change it again?" Jamia asked quietly.

"I'm not," I denied.

"And you're not gonna meet someone while you're away on your that you decide you love more than me?" She asked. "Or not even that you love, someone you just decide you want to have a quick fuck with? And you have a new tour manager to replace me and she's so pretty and skinny."

"Mia, Baby, you don't have anything to worry about," I denied. "I love you more than anything and nothing will ever change that. I would never leave you for anyone else and I would never cheat on you."

Jamia sniffled, wiping her eyes.

"I'm sorry I'm just getting so freaked out," she mumbled. "I just saw the ring and freaked out a bit."

"Well, you like the ring?" I asked. "Because if you don't then I can get it exchanged."

"No, I love it," she said.

I smiled as I watched her slip it on her finger.

"It's my size, how'd you know?" She asked.

"Oh, I just borrowed a couple of rings from your jewelry box," I said.