Anticipation

Chapter 14 - Franky

I could vaguely make out the sound of a man's voice on the other end of the receiver, a voice so stern. As Azalea sat up, I couldn't help but see her become tense. I rested my hand at the middle of her back to simply let her know that I'm here for her. Looking at her, I could tell that this wasn't a satisfying call. Azalea nodded her head as if the person on the other end could see her. "Yes sir, I'll be there tomorrow morning," and the call ended.

As she slowly brought her phone down from her ear I could sense tension filling up the room. Seeing a tear slip from her eye, I wiped it and quickly asked, "Azalea, baby what's wrong?" She just buried her face in my chest and began to sob. Wrapping my arms around her I held her tight and whispered, "it's going to be okay." She looked up at me as the streams of tears fell from her eyes saying, "no babe.. It's not going to be okay." I continued to wipe her tears, "what was that call about?"

As she pulled herself together she wiped her face and cleared her throat. Taking my hands into hers, "My general called me.. The Iranians are causing too much damage, the president is working on something right now." My heart stopped.. "But what does that have to do with you?"

"He needs me back on the team. He needs me to get back on base first thing in the morning.. To deploy back to Iraq." An aching feeling started in my chest and worked it's way through my whole body. This can't be for real, she can't be serious! "So.. You're being deployed to Iraq, tomorrow? He couldn't ask anyone else? You're his only option? You're leaving? But wait what about us?"

I felt Azalea's hand on my cheek, wiping at tears I shed without even knowing. She lifted my chin, looking into my eyes, "Francesca.. I love you." The way she said my name filled my stomach with butterflies. Her voice eased the pain if only for a moment. She does.. Wait. Did she just say she loved me? Without any control over my own tongue, "Azalea, I love you, too."

Pulling her into me, my face buried in her neck, and hers in mine. At this point I didn't know whether to make love to her or just hold her, I just know I didn't want to let her go. We stayed this way for what seemed like hours but were actually only minutes. Pulling out of our embrace I looked into her eyes, "Azalea baby.. I'll wait for you. I'll write everyday. I'll wait for your calls, I promise to not miss even one. These last couple months have been the best time of my life. I've fallen madly in love with you and I'm not letting you go that easy."

Seeing an ear-to-ear smile creep onto Azalea's face made my heart melt. "Franky, I've fallen in love with you too. Being a marine, turned me into a cold person, leaving me to push away anyone trying to get in. But you.. Your persistency changed that. Your sweetness, your charm, everything, you just being you, changed everything. I never want to lose you."

I kissed her lips, "you never have to." Standing up taking her hands in mine, pulling her up off the couch, I led her to the bedroom. Closing the door behind us. Running my fingers along her cheek, "if this is our last night.. We're going to make sure it never ends."