Anticipation

Chapter 16 - Franky

I know it's going to be hard for me to have to be without her, I'm just trying my best not to think about it. Right now I just need to be strong for her and get her to the base. Looking across the table at her I watched her take another bite of her pancakes. I watched her jaw open and close as she chewed. Realizing this is the last time for awhile I'll simply be able to watch her eat. The last time for awhile I'll be cooking for her.

I reach my hand across the table and rest it on hers. "I know this is isn't easy for you. Believe me.. It's hard for me too. But we're going to be okay. You'll be back before you know it and we'll continue building our life together. Azalea I love you and I'm going to wait for you. Even if it's a couple of years, my love isn't going anywhere." A tear slipped down my cheek as one slips down hers.

"Franky, how'd I come to be so lucky? You're everything I ever wanted.. and needed," she squeezed my hand. "How can I even think to leave you?" I stand up and walk over to her wiping the tears flowing from her eyes. "Hey, hey, hey. You're not leaving, you'll be back." I get down on my knees and kiss her lips. "Babe we're going to be okay. Let's get you to the base before it gets too late."

I grab Azalea's duffle bag and toss it in the trunk. I walk back in the house and see her rubbing Izzy's belly. I lean up against the door post and just watch in adoration. I come up behind her and kiss her cheek as I wrap my arms around her, "come on babe." I scoop her in my arms and through her over my shoulder.

Her hand crept up my thigh and I held her hand tight. Looking over at her periodically with her head leaning up against the window. Yeah, just like in the movies. Not even sure what to say right now. What do you say when the girl you're in love with is about to be shipped across the ocean to fight for your country?

Pulling on to the base, I had that aching feeling in my chest again. I put the car in park and squeezed Azalea's hand. She opened her eyes and looked over at me. I said to her, "I know you don't want to.. But it's your duty, right?" She dropped her eyes and began to get down on herself. I hold her face in my hands and kiss her forehead. "My little soldier." She smiled through her tears.

"Azalea Adams?" Azalea nodded her head at the secretary, "yes that's my name." The lady scanning the paper with her finger, "You're not listed to be deployed. There must have been some misunderstanding." I grabbed Azalea's hand, hoping this was true and praying she didn't have to be shipped out. She turned around and wrapped her arms around my neck. I guess she doesn't have to go! I wrapped my arms around her waist so tight as I smiled.

"Azalea," we broke out of our embrace to see a man standing firmly beside the desk. Azalea quickly straightened up and saluted who I assumed was her general. "General Washington, Sir," came out of Azalea's mouth. "Well, Adams good to see you. Are you ready?" Azalea and I looked at each other confused. "Well sir, this lady here says that I'm not on the list to be deployed." The general hands the secretary a piece of paper, I could see the presidential symbol on it. It must have been a special letter from the president himself. "Well now you are." My heart dropped.. Yet again.

We had only a few minutes to say goodbye, but I felt like they were going so quickly. I held her close and didn't let her go. Kissing her lips, knowing it would be awhile before I kissed her, even touched her. I grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes, "now you need to be strong. I need you to be at your strongest so you'll come back to me. I'll be waiting for your letters, I love you baby," hugging her tightly. "I love you, too, Franky," squeezing me one last time before grabbing her bag and walking off. She stopped a few feet away from me and saluted me. I smirked a little because it was so sexy. Watching her walk away to the join the others I felt incomplete. Making my way back to my car, opening the door to get in. The second the door closed behind me the tears didn't stop flowing. And so it begins.. My days without you.