Anything Goes (Scomiche)

A Year Pt. 3

If I thought time was moving slow before, it was almost at a dead stop now. We were in the last two weeks, the home stretch, and still not a single word from Scott or from anyone for that matter. I had no idea where he was, if he was even alive, or if he was coming home soon. Waiting to hear from him, waiting for him to come home, it felt like I was waiting for snow in Africa; waiting for something that wasn't going to happen.

The closer it gets the more I miss him. I just sit in his clothes, in the closet, remembering how he smelled, sometimes just scrolling through my phone looking at picture of us, when we were all together and happy. I've even brought some of his clothes to sleep with at night. It comforts me a little. Although most of his clothes don't smell like him anymore..

Everyday at that point was the same. Get up, get Ellie ready and eat breakfast, take Ellie to school, do errands or things around the house to occupy my time, pick up Ellie, have dinner, get ready for bed, sleep. All the while I am constantly checking my phone, probably every five minutes, if that. One day I got so fed up with it I threw my phone across the room and it broke. For a fleeting moment I was happy to not be attached to the damn thing, but five minutes later I was freaking out thinking Scott would probably call and I'd miss it, so I went right to Verizon and got a new one.

But today was different.

My birthday was coming up next week, and while I didn't want to celebrate it or do anything big, Kirstie insisted we have a get together, saying something about how I needed a fun night and a way to get my mind off of things. I didn't really have much say in it, she planned it all, all I had to do was show up. The party wasn't until 6, so I spent the day out with Ellie, knowing that if I just sat around the house my anxiety would get the best of me again. We of course ended up shopping- one of the reasons I love having a daughter. We had to get her a new dress and her nails done for the party tonight of course.

After going home and getting ready, we made our way back out and over to Kirstie's. I guess we were late, or everyone was early, because there were quite a few people already there. Ellie went off to play with some other kids while I attempted to socialize with my friends. Kirstie was right, as per usual. It did help take my mind off things for a little bit, but about halfway through I was overwhelmed and just wanted to go home. It was hard. It was another thing Scott was missing. I tried my best to look happy and enjoy myself, I really did. I think Kirstie noticed and decided to do cake and presents so that everyone could start leaving. I'm thankful she knows me well enough to see that without me having to say anything.

The cake came out and everyone was singing, including Ellie who had to sing at the top of her lungs. Presents came out shortly after that. About half an hour later when i was done opening them, I went to stand up and start making my rounds, thanking everyone for coming and all that, when Kirstie came back out.

"Sit back down! I have one more gift for you."

I did as I was told, sitting back down and looking around uncomfortably, while everyone else had giant smiles on their faces and were whispering.

"Mitch, get Ellie with you. This is for both of you, and close your eyes until I say so."

Once again, I did as I was told. I grabbed Ellie and sat back down with her in my lap, covering her eyes with my hands to make sure she didn't peek, and closing mine as well. It felt like we were sitting there forever with our eyes closed, under the uncomfortable gazes of the others. I know Kirstie, and I know she's got something up her sleeve, I just haven't figured out what. Something embarrassing I'm sure. My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Kirstie clearing her throat and a squirming Ellie in my lap.

"Okay. Mitch, Ellie, you can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and removed my hands from Ellie's, only to bring them to cover my my mouth.

Scott. Scott was standing in front of us.

Before I could register anything that was happening or form a coherent thought in my brain Ellie jumped off my lap squealing and running to him at full speed.

"Papa Papa! You came back!"

"Of course I did sweetheart! I promised you and Daddy didn't I?" He knelt down to be her height and catch her as she ran towards him, while locking eyes with me and giving me his signature goofy grin.

All I could do was cry. I cried for what we went through, all the hard times while he was gone. I cried for my daughter, and all the pain she endured and how strong she was. I cried for Scott, for all the things he'd seen and done while he was gone. But mostly I cried because it was over. It was over and I felt like I could finally breathe again.

Scott walked over to me, still carrying an ecstatic Ellie in his ams and knelt down in front of me. He lifted my chin up forcing me to look at him as he placed his forehead on mine.

"I missed you Mitch."

He basically pulled me into his lap while I engulfed him in a hug, whispering that I missed him too, much more than he'd ever realize. I'm surprised he understood me over my incessant crying and breathlessness, but he did. He kissed me full force, like his life depended on it, while everyone around us cried and cheered for us. I sat there on his lap with Ellie, my face buried in his neck, breathing him in, remembering what it was like to hold him again. I looked up at him, my hands cupping his face, and I could feel myself really smile for the first time in a year.

I don't know what the future holds for us, but I know in this moment, my family is together, and I'm complete.

"Welcome home baby." I whispered as I kissed him again.

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And that friends, is the end. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it :)