Be safe.

II.

Emily pov
I've been away from my family for almost a year now. You have no idea how much I miss them! I haven't spoken to Ali in two weeks and I know she's scared something really bad happened to me but I haven't had time to reply to her emails. This morning, she sent me another one but I haven't read it yet. It's almost Christmas and I don't want to spend it here. I mean here, there is nothing Christmassy and Christmas is my favorite holiday. When I was little, my dad would always come back around Christmas time. I have never missed one single Christmas with my girls, I've always managed to get deported between February and August . I have been a soldier for about six years now and I started being deported not long after mine and Ali's wedding but I have never been gone more than 4 months at a time and this time is definitely the longest I have been gone. I'm thinking about retiring from the army and apply for a swimming coach somewhere near home to spend more time with my family but that won't happen for another year or two I think. Me being in the army is the best way to provide for my family for now and I know Ali has a job but she already does so much for the girls, I want to be the provider so she doesn't have to worry about money. As I read Ali's email, I have tears falling down. God I miss her so much, I miss kissing her, hugging her, telling her how much I love her, tickling her until she begs me to stop but also her cooking: god I'd do anything to eat something she cooked with so much love right now, not that army food is disgusting or something, wait it actually is disgusting. I also miss watching her cook and teasing her while she cooks by putting my arms around her waist and leaving sweet, wet and hot open mouthed kisses down her neck, making her slightly moan. I can't wait to do that again. As I start writing an answer, the alarm that means we have to go to the battle field goes on. I put my phone down and go do my duty. We stay out there for about five hours straight before we can go back to camp. Luckily, nothing happened to me. I got another email from my wife but in this one, there is a video attached to it. It's my sweet girls. I watch it and of course, I'm sobbing. Hearing them telling me that Ali's crying because of me shattered my heart. I want to run back home and hug all of them more than anything right now. It's killing me that I can't call them but I hope I'll be able to go home very soon. I watch the video again and feel a hand on my shoulder, it's colonel Hunt.

H: hey Fields, what's wrong? are you okay?

I give him my phone and he watches the video of my girls. I can see him smiling, I've never seen anyone smile here, especially not a colonel. He gives me my phone back and looks at me.

H: they're really cute
E: I miss them hunt, more than anything
H: how long have you been here?
E: almost a year.
H: go home Fields, you have done enough!
E: really?! Oh my god! When can I go?
H: you are exempt from now
E: oh my god! Thank you!!
H: kiss the girls for me
E: will do

I quickly pack my things. I think I've never packed this fast. I'm brought to the airport by the army chauffeur. The next flight to Philly is tomorrow, I buy a ticket for the earliest flight which is in 6 hours. I could call Ali but I want to surprise her and if she hears the airport sounds, she'll know what's going on, so I just write her an email.

"hey my love, I miss you and the girls so much. I'm fine but I still don't know when I'll be home. I love you forever and always babe. -Em"

I want to plan a nice surprise for her and considering my flight is in 6 hours, I have time. I decide to call my mom and ask her to help me plan my surprise. After deciding on what I want to do, I call my mom.

E: Hey mom
P: Emily?
E: yes, the one and only
P: Omg, hey baby, how are you?
E: I'm fine, how are you?
P: I'm fine too. When are you coming home?
E: Well, I'm at the airport In Kabul right now, my plane is in 6 hours.

She screams in the phone. Great, I've lost my right hearing.

P: have you told ali?
E: no, and you won't either
P: is everything okay between you two?
E: yes yes, I just want to surprise her and I need your help.
P: of course, anything for you baby.