The Marine

Chapter 13

APRIL

I was just back from a morning run and even though the temperature is below zero degrees, it was really nice. I was actually happy for a change but that might have to do with the fact that Blake is coming home tomorrow.

When he called me last night he sounded really tired but when I told him to get some rest he wouldn't listen and stayed on the line. I made him promise that he won't call today and that I will just see him tomorrow. He should be resting but sometimes I seem to forget he is in a different time zone.

It didn't work because as I held a ringing phone up in my hand, I witnessed the number that has became so common these past couple of weeks.

"Blake? I though I told you not to call today?" I didn't want him to think I wasn't wanting him to call me but he needed rest. Why didn't he understand that?

"I know but ther-"

"You can make yourself sick due to lack of sleep you know that right?" I heard a long sigh through the other side of the phone.

"April, I'm fin-"

"What if you collapse in the middle of nowhere and no one finds you?" I exaggerated to hear him chuckle. I missed his laugh so much but this is as good as it gets right now.

"Baby, I'm fine." He lightly laughed, "Maybe I should be asking if your sick? You seem to have panic syndrome." He laughed making me frown with a pout.

"It's not funny." I pouted with a whine.

"I know baby." I kept silent, "I'm sorry....and I really miss you." He whispered slightly making my heart rate pick up. Would it always be this way between us?

If it does, I don't think I could ever get used to those butterflies in my tummy, increase heart beat rate and tingles.

"I miss you too." I told him hearing something familiar in the background, " Are you in a plane or something?" I asked hearing the sounds you would receive when going on holiday via Plane.

"What?" He went silent, "No, I'm not in a plane. Your just hearing a few noises from base that's all." I heard him swallow but chose not to go deep into it.

"How are you?" I asked him trying to make sure he hasn't got any injuries.

"I'm good did my Mum tell you about tomorrow?" He asked and I sat up from my lounged position on the bed with a frown.

"No." I swallowed, " Tell me what?" I asked curiously.

"I was wondering if you would like to accompany me as my date to my Marine Ball?" He asked confidently, "My sergeant really wants to meet you." He added making me smile. How could I possibly say 'No' to him?

"Yes I will accompany you but what do I have to wear?" I asked him as I walked over to my closet.

"Something formal." He paused, " Floor length dress, long sleeves, no skin really on show..." I groaned.

"Really?" I whined putting my head in my hand.

"No." He laughed, " I just don't want all my friends asking you for a dance and stealing you away from me all night." I smirked at the fact he was jealous.

"What if I wanted to dance with your friends?" I teased hearing a groan on the other side of the phone.

"You won't have to because I'll be by your side all night." He finally mentioned making my smirk spread widely with a hint of pride.

"Your jealous!" I sang into the phone as I heard another groan.

"April, your really pushing my buttons." He growled, " how would you feel if I danced with other women?" He asked in all seriousness making me scowl.

"Don't you dare go ne-"

"Your jealous!" He sang back through the phone to me making me laugh. He was the definition of immature.

"Just get home safe and I miss you." I told him turning on the shower in my bathroom. I needed to get this sticky sweat off me.

"Have fun in the shower." I could tell he was amused by the sound of the shower. All thoughts must be going through his head so who would I be if I never gave him a tease.

"I got new coconut shower cream and I'm rubbing it everywhere." I teased, " It smells beautiful." I added trying to make it seem like an innocent statement.

"It's a good job I'm motivated or I would be running to find some privacy." He lowly chuckled, "Baby, if that attempt was to make for your satisfaction please know that you've won. I'm so horny....I'm going to be counting the hours to get home." He almost whispered in a husky tone making me blush deeply.

Why would he count the hours until he gets home?

"Me too....I'm really missing you." I sighed, " More than I thought was possible." I softly told him stripping out my clothes to go in the shower.

"Miss you more." I could tell he was smiling, "We have been together for almost three weeks and even though two weeks of that we have spent apart...I really care about you baby." I looked into the bathroom mirror and noticed pools of tears in my eyes. How can anyone get anymore sweeter?

"I really care about you too." I smiled, "I had dinner with your parents the other night." I told him remembering how generous Lilly was being to me.

"What?" He asked in disbelief, " Thats never happened before." He soon admitted making me feel special.

"Your Mum and myself went shopping the other day too." I chuckled, " She wouldn't let me pay for anything." I told him and he chuckled over the other side.

"She's like that a lot with me too." I laughed, " When I get home you will be able to meet Emily. She's coming back from a winter camp." Emily was his little sister.

"20 questions." I remembered with a smile.

"I remember too." He sighed in content, "How would I be able to forget the only way I got to know you better?" I giggled remembering him on the run.

"Don't ask any questions!" I told him with a deep voice.

"Bump and bump again." I smiled at the memory and could tell he was doing the same.

That whole memory just made me realise of how much I truly miss him and how much I would pay to have him give me a hug or a kiss as we remembered together.

I felt like one part of my heart was never filled without his presence. I guess that's why I just started to cry. Why does he need to be so perfect?

"Baby? Are you hurt?" He panicked, " Why are you crying? Please talk to me I'm worried sick." His voice was rushed and almost breathless as I let out another sob.

"I-I miss you so so much." I sobbed, " When you come home please don't leave again?" I begged and heard a small chuckle on the other side.

"Sometimes I wonder how I was so lucky to find a girl like you April. I promise you that when I get home it's just going to be about me and you doing things together and alone."

I miss him so much...how is that possible? We have only been together 4 days and away for two weeks.

"I better go in the shower before my Mum thinks I'm drowning or something." I giggled and I heard his content sigh over the phone.

"How is your Mum?" He asked kindly.

These past few weeks my Mum has been doing brilliantly and I could definitely see a change in her health. She even had the pleasure of meeting Lily the other day when she dropped me off for shopping and they got along perfectly. Lily even mentioned having my Mum over for dinner when Blake gets back which is an added bonus.

"She is doing brilliantly. I could definitely see a difference in her and guess what?" I was happy to tell him this piece of news.

"Tell you Mum, Hi." He sighed, " Baby, I know you think I'm extremely hot but you have me curious, what?" I chuckled and his massive ego.

"We won't be one of those couples that have parents that disagree on everything." I told him proudly.

My Mum means the world to me so it's important that she gets along with Blake's parents...like I said, added bonus.

"I told you, me and you must have been fate." I grinned, "Now get in the shower and use that coconut shower cream." He chuckled lowly on the other side and I could also hear a man shouting out an order.

"I only have one more day to see you so I'm happy." I could sense he was smiling through the other side of the phone just like me now.

"I'll pick you up at five. Don't get changed into your dress but do bring it and also bring all the appliances you will need." He sounded like he was walking somewhere and shouting became more clear.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"I want to show you something first baby that's all." I smiled, "be careful baby and remember my message to your Mum." I nodded at myself in the bathroom mirror.

"I will, bye." I chimed into the phone with a smile.

"Bye beautiful." He breathed and I hanged up knowing if one of us didn't do it we would still be on the same line.

I placed my phone down on the bathroom counter and went into the shower. The feeling of the hot steamy water hitting my muscles made me sigh and my shoulders slouched. I felt so good but instead of letting my skin prune, I used my coconut shower cream and washed myself down with it before using my strawberry shampoo that smelt like bubblegum.

I rinsed myself off, wrapped a towel around my hair and another around my body and I was ready to go. I lifted my phone off the bathroom cabinet and walked into my bedroom to head a knock on the door.

"Who is it?!" I called letting my phone fall on top of my neatly made bed.

"It's just me sweetie." I watched as my Mum peeked her head around the door and walked into my room gently closing it behind her.

"Are you ok?" I asked since she seemed a little sketchy.

"I am perfectly fine. I just wanted to see what you were upto." I smiled hoping there wasn't a hidden meaning to that.

"Well.." I sat down on the bed and she joined me, " I just got out the shower, Blake called and I think I may go shopping with Marney. She's been acting off recently and I don't know why." I frowned remembering the other the night when she was rushing me off the phone incase someone called her. I mean what's that all about?

"How is Blake?" She asked curiously as she lifted one of the many pillows from my bed and placed it in her lap.

"He's doing great but I'm just glad he gets home tomorrow it's unbelievable how much I miss him." I frowned, " He told me to say hi to you from him." He smiled and gave off a small chuckle.

"He really is a sweet boy." She smiled, " I am extremely glad you met someone like him sweetie." She admitted in all seriousness making my heart melt slightly.

"Thanks Mum." I grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze, " He invited me to his Marine Ball tomorrow but he wants to show me something before it." I laughed slightly.

"Since I know you won't be home to extremely late, take an overnight bag just in case." I smiled happily, " You are a beautiful grown woman and I trust you make responsible decisions." She raised her brows.

"Thanks and I promise you I will." I leaned over and gave her a hug but hey this is normal. I'm just out the shower in a towel hugging my Mum on my bed....not strange at all.

"I took care of the school." I leaned back hopefully this was a responsible decision.

"I'm allowed to leave?" She nodded her head and got tears in her eyes slightly. Oh Mum.

"I remember when me and your Dad would wake you up every morning and he would lift you up onto his hip. Your little head rested on his shoulder and your refused to open your eyes so he blew raspberries on your tummy." My eyes filled with tears, " your giggle filled the house and I stood back spectating at how much of a proud Mother I am. I really am so proud of you sweetie." She lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. She was talking about Dad and its almost December...

"How could I forget?" I muttered.

"What sweetie?" My Mum asked standing up from my bed and wiping her eyes.

"The anniversary of Dad dying is next week." She nodded and I frowned.

Another year gone by without him. Now I knew why Mum was being sketchy.

"Enough of this depressing talk. I'll go make us a sandwich and a coffee and get changed, your going shopping with Marney." I smiled at her braveness but that's what a Mum does. She makes everything better, the pain go away and makes everything right.

"Fine." I laughed wiping away my tears, " I'm going." I rolled my eyes as she left my room with a smile.

Time to talk to Marney and see what her problem is.