The River Speaks

Chapter Forty Two: Background Check

Chapter Forty Two: Background Check

I shift slightly in bed, listening to the shuffling coming from my phone.
"I miss you." I say softly.
"I miss you too." Aiden says back.
"It's weird not having you around. I miss you."
He sighs softly
"I miss you too."
"I love you."
"I love you, too." He says. "I see you in a few days."
"You see me in five days." I pout. "Maybe I should just come back home early."
"No Lovey, you love spending your birthday at the farm."
"I know." I sigh. "But I love you more."
He hums slightly.
"I love you too." He says.
I hear his police radio go off on the other end.
"There's a drunk driver baby, I have to go."
"Okay. Be safe."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
I hear the sirens on his police car start to go off before he hangs up, and I sigh.
The last seven months have been fulfilling. I got promoted so I'm the boss of my entire floor now, which is great but I don't really care because I don't like the field I'm in.
Aiden got bumped up from a security guard to a police officer, and our relationship has only gotten stronger.
We've exited the honeymoon stage and the butterflies when he does things have gone away, and now it's just...normal.
It's just home. Warm. Comfortable.
He is home.
So being in Crittenden without him is upsetting because I want him to be here, but he had to work.
See, we were both going to come for Fourth of July, but it was either that or we come for my birthday.
I chose to come for my birthday, but he ended up having to work. He insisted I come anyways, but being states away from him makes the place that I always felt was the most like home feel nothing like home at all.
Because home isn't a location anymore, it's a person.
The worst part about it all?
My birthday is July 23rd.
Our seven months is July 23rd.
Which is tomorrow.
So not only does he have to work on my birthday, but also on our anniversary.
I'm not mad at him. It's not his fault. I just miss him.
I start playing Helix Jump, yawning.
After a few minutes I get really tired so I plug my phone in to charge and go to sleep.

*****

The next morning I have multiple texts from Aiden, one from Reese, one from Andrew, who moved to Boston, and few from my coworkers. All of them are to wish me a happy birthday.
I text them all a thank you and go into the bathroom for a shower.
I shave and wash, and then I pull on jeans and a white t-shirt over my bra and panties. I brush my wet hair and brush my teeth, wandering downstairs.
"Happy birthday!" Mama exclaims.
"Thanks." I kiss her cheek and accept Daddy's hug.
"Madeline will be here shortly and then we'll go to the flea market. I know you love that place." Mama says.
I really do love the flea market. I love finding things.
After a couple minutes, Maddy shows up. Mama whips up a quick breakfast, and then we take the truck to the flea market.

*****

My passion in life is to own a riding store with supplies. I know everything about riding gear and saddles.
So when I was walking through the flea market and found an English traing saddle for World War One, I almost had a heart attack.
It was selling for five hundred dollars. My parents paid two fifty and I paid two fifty, and now I'm running through the house with it in my hands like a kid on freaking Christmas. I hardly stop to greet my relatives as I whistle for Ruby, who is our grazing.
She comes galloping to me, and I sit on the fence, setting her up in the saddle.
She looks beautiful and I couldn't be more excited.
I want to take her on a long ride, but it's my birthday and people are here for me.
"You know Ruby, this saddle was used to train police officers. Can you believe that?"
"Are you going for a ride?" Mama asks.
"I want to." I say.
"Don't go for too long, okay? We're having a birthday dinner."
"Okay."
I get on Ruby and take off across the property.
As I wander through the woods, my mind drifts to Aiden and how today is our seven month anniversary.
By this time with Elliot, I was starting to second guess things.
Aiden though, I'm sure of.
I wish he was here. I miss him so much.