Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

21. Ticking Clock

The next day, I didn't get to see Heath at all. It was his day to spend with his family and I didn't want to ruin that for him. I spent the day holed up in my room and curled up on my bed. I hated being away from him. If this was what it was going to be like for the next 13 weeks, I didn't know if I could do it.

I finally got to see him the day before he left. My aunt and uncle were out of town again so we stayed at my house. We were both quiet as we sat on the couch in the living room. I sat criss cross, facing him as he took a seat as well. He took my hand in his and played with my fingers gently. We were quiet for a long time as we just sat in a comfortable silence.

"I love you," I whispered, finally breaking the silence. He smiled gently before he pulled me into his chest. I felt myself breaking down as I hugged his waist and rested my head against his chest. He kissed my head and sighed into my hair.

"I love you too," he said gently. I lay there comfortable for as long as I could. Just having him here was enough. We laid there for what felt like hours. He rubbed his hand gently over my back and through my hair.

"I should get going. I have an early day tomorrow," he said. I clutched him tighter and let out a deep breathe.

"Not yet... please," I said softly. He sat up slightly, making me sit up and look at him. I could feel the tears in my eyes. His hand slide down my side and rested on my hip.

"I'm coming right back, baby," he promised. I knew that it was just boot camp, but Heath was literally my rock, and with him gone, I felt like the ground was going to swallow me whole.

"I'm going to miss you," I whispered. I could see his eyes water slightly if I wasn't mistaken. His hand cupped my face and he smiled lightly at me.

"I'm going to miss you too," he said softly before bringing me in for a gentle kiss. "I'll try to write you if I can," he promised.

"I'll write you every week," I promised as a tear escaped my eye. Heath brushed it away with his thumb as he smiled gently at me. I held onto his hand and kissed it.

"Come stay with me tonight. You can see me off in the morning," he said. I kissed him gently before I nodded. I packed a quick bag before I left with him. When we walked inside his massive house, Hadley ran to greet us. She didn't look like her normal bubbly self. She pouted and ran into my arms. I picked her up and looked at her curiously.

"What's wrong Tigger?" I asked, calling her by her nickname. She rested her head on my shoulder as she pointed to Heath.

"Bubba is leaving me," she tattled.

"He's leaving me too," I said softly. She buried her head in my chest and I rubbed her back gently.

"Really?" she muttered. I moved towards the living room and readjusted her.

"Really," I confirmed. Piper saw me and hugged me gently with Hadley still on my hip.

"Hi sweetheart, how are you holding up?" she asked me. I sighed and looked to Heath before I gave a tight smile.

"I'm fine," I lied. Hadley poked her head out of my neck and looked at Piper.

"Mommy, can Izzy stay?" Hadley asked. Piper smiled lightly before she nodded and turned to Heath.

"Shouldn't you be getting on to sleep?" Piper asked him. Heath nodded and picked Hadley off of my lap. She protested for a bit but stopped when she realized that we were still going to the same place. On the way, Brooklyn, Kaden, and even Ivy hugged him goodbye. Hadley transferred back over to my arms and I laid her down on Heath's king-sized bed.

"Tigger, do you want to sleep with us tonight?" I asked her. She nodded and curled up on the bed. I got in next to her under the covers and she immediately curled into my side. I put an arm around her protectively. Heath watched us with a sigh before he changed and got in as well on the other side of Hadley. He turned the lights off. He held my hand in his and kissed it gently before he kissed Hadley's head.

"I love you, Haggles. I love you, Iris," he said softly.

"I love you too, Heath," I whispered. I sighed as a single tear fell from my eye. I closed my eyes and tried to get some rest.