The Soldier Next Door

It is just before sunrise on what will be our last morning in this small little town close to the end of nowhere. Today I say goodbye to my life here. I might come back here someday when I come to see Matt, but in over a little than two hours, I shall get on a bus and leave this all behind. Next to me is my new life; she looks even more radiant than she did yesterday. If there were ever two things that I did right in my life, then it is Ana and the Corps.

One thing I can’t get right is to propose to her. I know that it is what I want to do; in a way, I am scared that she might say no, and this ego of mine will not take a heartbreak so easily. Yes being a fearless Marine is something, but opening myself completely is another thing. I missed the perfect moment last night; from here on end, it is everything deployment. The next week is going to be the worse time that we shall ever face in our relationship.

I need to do this today, it is not going to be romantic, but today is the day that I ask her to marry me. And with this thought in mind, I see her slowly opening her eyes.

“Morning, boo.”

“Morning, soldier.”

“How did you sleep?”

“Just hold that thought for two seconds.”

She jumps and out of bed and dashes for the bathroom; not even seconds later, I hear her making the most godawful sounds as she is getting sick. I can’t help but chuckle to myself.

“What is so funny, soldier?”

“I thought being pregnant should be the best time of your life.”

“And I did not know that you are a clown.”

“Hey, I did my part in this.”

“Yes, donating the sperm cells, then you conveniently off for six months.”

“Hey, at least I get to catch the best part of it.”

“And that would be?”

“Watching the baby being born.”

“Be careful what you wish for; I can see this tough Marine passing out.”

And this Marine is going to pass out when he finally gets the guts to ask her. But for now, the ring will just have to burn a hole in my pocket.

…Ana POV…

I am finding it very amusing that this man can look forward to a baby being born, but he can not pop a question. I still am very concerned that maybe it is not something he really wants to do but then why will he have a ring in his pocket. Maybe I am getting my hopes up for nothing; this is important to me though, I want to know that my child has a real father and not just a dad that visits on birthdays.

I am not saying that Ethan will not be a father; I think that I just want him to be a husband. This is my second shot at happiness, and I really want it to work out this time around, especially with Ethan.

“What are you thinking of that is making you frown so much, boo?”

“Nothing, in particular, soldier.”

“Well, at that rate of nothing, you going to need botox by the time you thirty-one.”

“You can be glad I feel like shit; otherwise, I would smack you.”

“Do you want to grab some fresh air before we get ready to leave?”

“Yes, I think that would be a good idea.”

Now hopefully, it is his second attempt at asking me. Not the ideal state for my body, but it is for certain going to make me feel better than I am.

…Ethan POV…

I don’t think I am going to attempt the take for a walk and propose this time; I am, in fact, taking her for a real walk, for if she takes a look into the mirror, she will see how awful that radiant has turned. But I value my body parts that I have left; therefore, the last thing I shall say is how shit she looks.

I don’t know how she is going to hold up on the bus, though, that constant moving on a body that feels queasy. I do feel sad that I shall miss out on this, not that it looks fun. But it is a life experience that one should at least have with the mother of your child. Now, if I can just make that mother my wife.

“What are you thinking of now, soldier?”

“How sick you are going to get on the bus.”

“Damn, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine this morning. Thank you for reminding me.”

“You can always drive up with my parents.”

“No, I said it before, and I am saying it again, I am going with you.”

We head for the very same rock we found ourselves on, and I cannot help but chuckle to myself.

“What is so funny now?”

“Nothing, boo, just laughing at myself.”

“You are acting very odd.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Just excited, that’s all.”

“Well, I think we must get our excited asses inside and get ready; we need to leave in an hour.”

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, a lot, thanks.”

We slowly wander down the green path in the crisp cool morning air. We both walk in silence as we make our way back to the house. She is completely startled as I shout out.

“Wait!”

I look down into her chocolate brown eyes. There is a pool of emotions swimming in there. I can pin not one single thought but the only one I called us to stop.

“I just wanted to say I love you.”

“I love you too, soldier, but thanks for giving a woman a heart attack.”

“Next time, I will whisper.”

I cup her red cheeks in my hands and slowly lean into her lips. When we finally touch, sparks fly in every direction, and the world slowly disappears around us. She makes me feel like nothing else that matters. Her lips are warm, and she kisses me slow. It is innocent yet so intimate.

I pull her, even more closer to me and tangle my fingers in her long brown hair. The kiss becomes deeper and more passionate. Our lips are moving in perfect sync. I feel her hands on the back of my neck as she plays with the ends of my hair. A smile grows on my face as we finally pull apart.

“That smile is what got you into trouble the first time.”

“I was not thinking anything, boo.”

“Ugh. You are impossible! Let’s go before we are late.”

…Ana POV…

Second time nothing. Does the man not know how to use that mouth. He definitely knew how to use it just now. Maybe third time lucky? Something tells me that I should not bank on it soon. This might even take him the whole of this week.

What else is taking him a week is to get dressed. I have never seen him worry about what he is wearing, but today he seems to want to be perfect. In all this while that I have known him, I have not once seen him so excited.

Once we are finally ready to go, we both are standing in the doorway. This was only our home for a very short while, but I am truly going to miss it. It is closing a chapter of our lives, but we are starting a whole new one.

We make the short walk down to the bus stop; as we get there, the whole Hunter family is waiting for us.

“Fashionably late as always,” Matt says.

“Well,” Katarina adds. “They could not have slept in; what was it that kept you?”

Then his mom says something rather odd, “Maybe something happened that we do not know about?

He looks shy and irritated as his family is nearly giving his secret away, “Can you people mind your own business.”

“You tell them, son,” his father agrees. “No wonder this town is like it is. The Hunters are the ones to start the rumors.”

Just then, the bus comes into sight further down the road. The most difficult goodbye he is going to make is the one person whom he is now pulling into his embrace. I can hear as his voice trembling, and by his short rapid breaths, I can hear that he is crying.

“Look after yourself, Matty; I will be back in six months.”

“I think I should tell you that, try coming home in one piece this time.”

“You try to stick with one girl this time.”

“And you should try and pop the question some time.”

“You know I am going to miss your stupid face and wiseass jokes.”

“I am going to miss you too, bro. I don’t have anyone to slap against the head.”

Then I hear Ethan as he completely breaks down. The tears are now freely flowing down his cheeks like a waterfall streaming over a mountain. His deep husky voice has fallen apart as he sobs. Everyone stands in silence as we watch Matt and Ethan say goodbye. It breaks my heart into pieces listening at the agonizing pain he is feeling at the moment.”

“Now get on that bus, bro. Go do what you do best.”

With that, we find ourselves on the back seats of the bus staring out of the window, watching how the Hunters getting smaller and smaller as we roll slowly out of town. We see the town disappear and becoming nothing but a memory.

Once there is nothing left but open road around us, I turn to Ethan, the sadness are fading, and the excitement seems to set in.

“Are you ready for this, boo?”

“Yes, my soldier. But there is something I want to ask you. This might not be the right time or place for it.”

“What do you want to ask me, boo?”