RECKLESS IN INK (BOOK TWO)

B2/C5

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Zelda 

I made sure I had everything in my bags before I locked up my house. I could hear my father's truck coming down my driveway, when he pulled up I threw my bags in the back and hopped in the passenger's seat. "Everything okay baby girl?" He asked me, I looked at him and I knew he could tell something was wrong but I nodded my head anyway. I stared down my camouflage pants but I felt my father grab my hand, squeezing it. 

I had barely any sleep as I tossed and turned all night, all I kept thinking about was what Jäger told me before he left. My chest still hurt and now I had to say goodbye to my family just made it 10 times worse. 

"You look tired, sweetheart" I looked over at my father.

"Yeah I barely slept" 

"Maybe get some on the plane," he says, I nod my head turning back to watch the trees and buildings go past me.

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As my father pulled into the parking space at the airport, it was already packed with people heading in and out of the airport. I noticed a few soldiers walking inside as I got my bags from the back. I walked next to my father into the airport before I checked in, we made our way towards the gate. I could see Logan standing with her brother James as they talked. I could see her crying already. 

As I looked around I could see wife's and girlfriends hugging their men as well as fathers and boyfriends hugging their women. It was emotional for anyone to watch your loved one go off to war. I sighed to myself as I placed my carry-on bag by my feet, turning to my father. "Make me proud baby girl," he says before hugging me. I could tell I was about to cry. 

"I will dad, I will call you as soon as I land and while I'm away."

"That's all I ask for sweetheart, stay safe and keep your head up. I love you" he tells me.

"I love you too dad" I sobbed, pulling away he wipes my tears before kissing my forehead. I always hate saying goodbye whether it's to my dad or to my best friends. From the corner of my eye, I see my other best friends standing there, tears running down their faces. I hugged each one goodbye and a promise to write a letter whenever I can but when I looked around once more he was nowhere to be found and that's when I knew I blew it completely.

I lost him… 

As the lady called out that my plane was boarding I quickly hugged everyone again before I grabbed my bag and walked over to the lady scanning the boarding passes. Once she was done I looked over my shoulder and blew a kiss to everyone who stood there for me before I walked away following after James and Reggie.

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Jäger's Pov 

(Happens at the same time as Zelda's part)

"What's the matter, Luka?" I heard my mother's thick German accent ask as she watched from the kitchen table.

"Nothing ma"

"I know when you're lying to me, you look down. So look at me and tell me what's wrong" she says nodding her head towards the chair. I sighed and took a seat, I ran my hands over my face before I looked at her. 

 "I might have made a mistake," I tell her, making her look at me confused. "Zelda got back from being overseas but she is getting deployed again…"

"Okay, what's wrong with that?" 

"She never told me… I had found out by overhearing the old ladies talk about it. I thought I meant more than that to her." I said shaking my head.

"You love her?" My mother sat there drinking her tea. 

I sighed and I nodded my head yes. "But it's too late ma. She told me that whatever we had is over" I said staring at the table cloth in front of me.

"Darling I know that girl loves you, I can see it in her eyes when she is here looking at you." I felt my mother's hand on mine squeezing it "she is stubborn just like you, she doesn't want to hurt you. You know what it's like over there, you have been through what she's going through. I guess Zelda is just trying to protect her heart, she doesn't want you to get a letter saying she has died…" As I listen to mother talk I finally get it. 

"I walked away ma, she leaves today…"

"It's not too late darling. Go, go tell her that you love her" 

Somehow my mother convinced me to go, so as I was riding in and out of traffic not realising Zelda was boarding her plane right now. As I pulled into the airport, I had to take off my club jacket before I rushed inside. The airport was packed with people coming off the planes or waiting to board one, I rushed up towards where Zelda's plane would have been but as I got there I saw Mel and Gypsy standing with Zelda's father. 

Gypsy snapped her eyes at mine and I knew it was too late because once I looked over her shoulder the doors were closed. I ran my hand over my face and sighed. I was about to turn away but Gypsy stops me. 

"She wanted me to give this to you," Gypsy says, handing me a letter before wiping her tears. I looked down at the letter seeing my name written in Zelda's handwriting, I looked towards Gypsy and nodded my head in thanks. My jaw was tight as I slowly walked through the airport back out to my motorcycle. 

After a while, I just wanted to be alone so I decided to head out to the lake. I was sitting on the sand just watching the water with the letter in my hand. I sighed and opened it. 

Dear Luka 

I've been sitting here for hours staring at this piece of paper wondering what to say, wondering how to say the right words to you. After you left today I was a mess, I broke down and cried. I watch the only person I loved walk away because I'm a coward, I'm selfish and I'm stubborn. Those last words you told me before you left are keeping me up because that's all I can think about. 

If you are reading this it means I'm on the plane, I left the comfort of my home, I left my friends and my family behind and I left you…  if I could stop time believe me I would just to be by your side.

I honestly don't know what I am doing sitting here writing this but all I'm trying to say is that I am so sorry… telling you those words I'm sorry. I love you so much I just don't want you to hurt when they tell you I've been killed or I'm missing. I guess that's me being selfish again I don't know if you noticed but since I've come back I've been different, I'm not the same person I was a few years ago when I first met you sitting at the bar in the clubhouse. 

I guess things change over time. 

But my love for you hasn't, Luka I love you, God I love you. When I'm with you I'm happy, I hate leaving you. 

I know I told you I don't want to do this anymore but I wasn't thinking. I understand if you don't want to talk to me again but I will be waiting for your letter like always. 

I will be home soon. 

Love you always 

Zelda x

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Enjoy!