Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

13. General

We walked up the sidewalk to the house and stepped inside. I was immediately embraced in a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh Iris, honey, it's so good to see you again," the person said. I recognized the voice immediately. It was Carter's mom, Clara. She pulled back and held my arms as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. "We've missed you so much."

I was pulled into a different set of arms. And welcomed them immediately. Without even looking, I knew who it was. The familiar feeling of the muscular arms and chest that comforted me so many times after what happened. I felt my own eyes tearing up.

"Hey pumpkin," Carter's dad, Curtis, greeted me, squeezing me a little tighter. I pulled back and smiled at him gently through my watery eyes.

"Hey Uncle Curtis," I greeted back. He wasn't really my uncle, but he was practically my dad's brother.

"Don't do that to me, you know I'm a sympathetic crier," Clara said, fanning her face with her hands. I laughed and brushed the liquid from my eyes. Curtis's eyes turned behind me. I looked to see that he was staring at Heath. He squared his shoulders and walked over to Heath. I think Curtis was trying to intimidate him.

"Who are you, son?" he asked Heath. Heath kept his stance and met my Uncle Curtis's stare with his own as he held out his hand.

"I'm Iris's boyfriend, Heath, sir," he answered. Uncle Curtis stared at him a little longer, trying to make him squirm, but Heath never did. A small smile graced my uncle's lips as he finally shook Heath's hand.

"I like you Heath. Got a last name?" he asked.

"Lancaster, sir," Heath answered. I had to say, I was surprised at Heath's bravery. My uncle could be a very intimidating man. He was a general here, so he pretty much intimidated everyone with his title alone.

"My name is Curtis, but you can call me General Beckham," my uncle said. I rolled my eyes. Looks like he was still up to his old antics. "Let's talk son," he said, leading Heath to his office. Carter, Clara and I moved to the living room.

"Where are the girls?" I asked them.

"Sleep over at a friend's house. They'll be back tomorrow," my Aunt Clara answered. I smiled. I missed the girls. Carter had two sisters, both younger. Caitlyn and Carson. They both adored me and I adored them. Yeah, their family had a thing for C names, but I thought it was adorable. After a moment longer, Heath came out with my Uncle Curtis. I stood and walked over to them. I had to admit, I was a little worried.

"How did it go?" I asked them cautiously. My uncle chuckled and shook his head at me.

"I think you made a great choice with this one, pumpkin," he smiled. I looked to Heath surprised. It wasn't easy to impress my uncle. Heath wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my temple.

"You're uncle is really cool," Heath smiled. I smiled at the fact that they got along. It meant a lot to me.

"Carter will show you two to your room, but no funny business, Lancaster," my uncle said. Carter sighed before he stood.

"Yes sir," Heath said seriously. We followed Carter up the stairs and to a guest room before he left Heath and I alone. I sat on the bed and Heath followed.

"That's pretty cool of your uncle to let us stay together," Heath said. I only shrugged.

"When I stayed here after the incident, I had to sleep in Carter's room because of my PTSD. I kept waking up in the middle of the night with nightmares, or I would sleepwalk. It was consistent enough to the point where I had to sleep in there every night. I guess he assumed that I might need you. My nightmares have been less frequent, but I still have them every now and then," I explained. Heath pulled back and looked at me curiously.

"You slept with Carter?" he asked. I rolled my eyes and stood.

"Really, Heath? I told you he was like my brother. Nothing happened then and nothing is going to happen now," I said as I crossed my arms. He only shrugged and brought his hands up defensively.

"It was just a question, babe," he said.

"An unnecessary one," I said. He sat up and grabbed my hand, pulling me back to him. I resisted slightly.

"I didn't mean to make you upset, Iz... Come here," he said softly. He pulled me onto his lap and laced our fingers together. "Look, I know that you and Carter are close and he's helped you out a lot. I really hate that that fact bothers me so much, but I can't help it. I don't like the idea of being put on the backburner while you and your super close guy friend catch up," he said.

I was really surprised that Heath opened up to me like he did. I turned and put my hand on his cheek. I kissed him gently and slowly. When I pulled away he was looking at me confused.

"I love you, you know that?" I said softly. "Don't ever stop telling me how you're feeling. You have nothing to worry about, believe me. Carter and I have tried to go down that road before and it didn't work out. You don't have to be jealous. I love you, okay?" I said softly. He kissed me gently before he nodded. His thumb was rubbing circles on my thigh. I rested my forehead against his and smiled lightly.

"I love you more," he smiled.

"I thought guys didn't talk about their feelings," I said. He only chuckled.

"I grew up in a house of mostly girls, remember?" he reminded me.

"Have you told them where you are?" I asked. He nodded. I pecked him gently before I went to grab a change of clothes out of my bag.

"I'm going to go take a shower," I said, moving towards the connected bathroom.

"Can I join you?" he asked. I only chuckled and shook my head at him. I took a quick shower and changed into my pajamas before I walked back into the room. Heath was already asleep on the bed. I smiled lightly and flipped the lights off before I got in next to him. He adjusted and groaned a little. I only chuckled and kissed his nose. He grumbled and pulled me into him.

"Goodnight, Heath. I love you," I whispered before I closed my eyes.

~