Letters Back Home

Chapter Five

Thanksgiving Day, the day where families are brought together to shove their faces full of food. The day where this year, I was alone. Yes, I had Nick's parent's party to go to, but without Nick I didn't care to go but to say hi.

As I pulled my white skirt out of the closet I slipped it up to button the side by my waist. I then pulled a salmon colored blouse to go with it and tied my hair in a low ponytail. When I had fixed my makeup in the mirror I walked to the living room when I heard a ringing. I ran to grab my phone to find it wasn't ringing. I then ran to the computer to see that Nick was Skyping me. A big smile appeared on my face as I pinched my cheeks for little blush before clicking the green call button.

There he sat in his uniform staring into the camera on top of his laptop.

"Hey handsome." I greeted him as a smile broke over his face when he saw I answered.

"Hey baby doll." He greeted back to me. "Happy Thanksgiving." He said, maintaining his smile.

"Happy Thanksgiving." I replied, trying not to show him my pain that he wouldn't be here to share it with me.

"I'm sorry sweetheart." He said almost immediately after I answered. He was always good to recognize a change in emotion at the slightest.

"It's alright Honey, just...just come home soon okay?" I asked. It has been almost two months already since he left and I was missing him like crazy.

"I know sweetheart, I will." He replied. There was then static over the screen and for a second I thought I would lose him, but he came back on as soon as he had disappeared.

"So what are you doing for Thanksgiving?" I asked, trying to avoid the sore subject of the distance between us.

"Well, me and the guys are going to the chow hall and probably just going to kick it with some TV dinners and a couple beers." He chuckled. I smiled, I missed his laugh and the way his dimples showed every time he smiled.

"That sounds like fun."

"It should be." He said smiling again. "So what are you doing for Thanksgiving dinner? Did mom invite you over? I heard there was a party." He asked.

"Well, I was thinking of just stopping by and saying hi then probably coming back and have my own meal." A look of disappointment came across his face as he browed his eyes.

"Why don't you want to stay for dinner?" He asked. I hadn't meant to offend him if I had but I didn't catch myself in time.

"It's nothing. I just don't feel like being near anyone right now. That's all." I said somewhat trailing off and looking down at the keyboard.

I heard a sigh and looked up to meet his face. "I know it is hard being at family events without me there, but honey when I'm gone, you need people there for you. You can't expect everyone to just know when you need someone, you have to be willing to let it go both ways." He smiled and reached towards the camera. "And besides, you need to show everyone else that you are the strong Sammy I left behind." I began to tear up, I felt like I could feel the warmth of his hand resting on my cheek.

"I miss you so much Nicky." I whispered while I closed my eyes and tears fell onto my cheeks.

"I know Sammy. I miss you like crazy too, but I will be home sooner than you think and then we can be together. I can hold you in my arms again and kiss your forehead when you fall asleep against me. I love you baby doll. Forever and Always." He finished with the same last words of his wedding vows. I smiled up at him and chuckled.

"I love you Nicky. Forever and Always." He then waved goodbye and said he had to get some rest because it was getting late there. I waved back and blew a kiss goodbye and the camera disappeared. In it's place stood the Skype contact screen and I read the name on the recent calls.

My love.

I smiled and kissed my hand, placing my hand on the name I read. I then wiped away all of my tears and began to head out to Nick's parent's house. I was going to do just as Nick had said and be strong, if not for me, for him.