Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

1st deployment over

Kelsey

My first deployment ended, and I was able to return to my family. I had to continue training, which meant moving to a military base and bringing them with me. I would get to see Jordyn and Martin more, but that also means moving again.

I didn't tell them I was coming home; I wanted to surprise them and surprise them I did. I set my bags in the yard and walked around back to see Jordyn playing. I walked over and crouched down in front of her as she looked up at me. I smiled, and she smiled.

"Do you know who I am?" I asked her.

"Hi, mommy," she said as she stood up and hugged me.

"Hi, baby," I said as I hugged her back. I picked her up and held her. "You've got so big. I can't believe it. Where's Daddy?" I asked as Jordyn pointed at the house. "Okay, let's go surprise him. She nodded as I walked to the screen door of the patio door and entered. I walked in, carrying Jordyn as Martin was in the kitchen fixing food.

I stood there holding her and put my finger to my lip to keep her quiet. Jordyn mimicked me as Martin cut up vegetables, looking out the window to notice Jordyn wasn't there. I watched the panic set in, and he said, "Jordyn?"

Martin set the knife down and turned to see me standing there with Jordyn.

"Are you looking for someone?" I asked Martin as I smiled.

"Kelsey," he said as his face turned to shock and he walked over to me, pulling me into a hug. "God, I missed you," Martin said as he hugged me tightly.

Jordyn made a sound as we pulled apart.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" Martin asked her.

"You squeeze me," Jordyn said as we laughed. It was good to be home.

Martin went and got my bags as I finished making Jordyn lunch. He returned and said, "Kels, you got home ten minutes ago."

"Martin, I missed a lot of meals with you both. I missed making our daughter lunch. I missed a lot," I informed him as he smiled and helped me. Martin had to show me what Jordyn likes since I missed a lot with her.

We finished up and sat down at the table as a family. People complain about spending time with their family, but when you're away from them, you enjoy it more. I missed close to two years with them, including holidays, birthdays, bedtime stories, I love you's, hugs, and kisses. I missed it all.

"How long are you home for this time?" Martin asked while we ate.

"A week, then we're leaving for the base so that I can train for about eighteen months," I answered as he looked at me, confused. "Martin, I get to bring you both with me while I train now since the army promoted me to Sargent." I smiled as Martin looked at me, stunned, then he got up and pulled me into a hug.

Martin pulled back and looked at me. "Then, when you deployed?"

"You and Jordyn will remain in military housing until my deployment is over and we'll move again," I told Martin as he gave me a look. I knew his look. "Martin, we knew this is a way of life with me being in the military. I want to be able to see my family."

"I know, but it's going to be hard on Jordyn. At some point, we will have to settle into a permanent place for her," Martin reminded me.

"I know," I sighed.

"Until then, we will go where you go," Martin assured me. I wrapped my arms around his necked and kissed him.

We heard someone say, "Yuck." We broke from our kiss and looked at Jordyn, who covered her face with her hands. We laughed.

******
The first night home, I spent with Martin and Jordyn, then when we put her to bed, Martin and I made up for lost times, a lot of lost times. I missed my husband so much.

After the fourth time, we finished and laid there in each other's arms.

"I miss this," Martin said as he held me. "I'm not going to lie Kels, it gets lonely without you here," he told me as I propped myself up.

"I know, and I know how temptation can tear its ugly head," I said as I looked at Martin, waiting for the boom to drop.

"No, I didn't hook up with another woman while you were away. No matter how lonely I got, I couldn't do that," Martin reassured me.

"Good, because I can field strip a gun in a minute," I reminded Martin as he gave me an unamused look. I giggled as he rolled his eyes. He pulled me to him as he kissed me.

I know Martin wouldn't cheat on me, but it's also good to remind him why he shouldn't.

********
Martin

We had a week to move to the new house on the military base. I hired a moving company, which the military paid for us. The moving company would move our belongings to the new home as we drove to the next destination. We also stopped on our way to see Baxter and Rose.

It had been a while since Baxter and Rose saw us, and Kelsey wanted to see her parents. Jordyn fell asleep in her car seat as I drove to Michigan. We were staying the night at her parents, then driving to Georgia.

I pulled into the driveway and parked. We got out as I unhooked Jordyn from her car seat and carried her inside while she still slept. Baxter and Rose were happy to see us until they saw Kelsey.

"Kelsey," Baxter said, shocked.

"Hi, Dad," Kelsey said as he walked over and hugged her. Rose followed suit and hugged her as well as I laid Jordyn down on the couch.

"When did you get home?" Baxter asked.

"Two days ago, I came back to collect my family, and we're on our way to Georgia," Kelsey answered.

"We figured we would stop by and stay the night before driving down to Georgia," I mentioned.

"Good, because we need to talk to you about something," Baxter said as we looked at him, confused. "It's about Jordyn."

I had a feeling what Baxter was going to tell us would set in motion of what was to come later. All we could do is handle it accordingly.