It’s never that easy

Chapter Seventeen

It’s the day of Zoe and Nathan’s wedding and unfortunately my last day with Jamie. The army have given him enough time and he’s been told that he can attend the wedding but he has to leave tonight. I looked at my handsome man while he slept, feeling sad that he has to leave me. I kissed his chest and moved up to his neck and then his lips.

“Come on handsome. We need to get up. I’ve got to get to Zoe and you need to go calm Nathan down.”

He grabbed me tighter into his warm embrace, nibbling on my neck.

“One more minute!”

“No, we need to get up.”

“Please? I won’t be able to for two months.”

“That’s not fair using that one me,” I sadly said looking at him.

“I’m sorry baby.”

“One more minute then we’re getting up.”

We just laid there, soaking in each other before getting up. Jamie drove so he dropped me off at Zoe’s parents before he headed to Nathan’s. I walked in to find Gemma and Stacey already there. Zoe was getting her hair done, while the girls were getting their nails and makeup done.

“About time Keira. We was wondering where you were!”

“Sorry. Had to sort things with Jamie.”

“Oh yeah. I forgot he’s deploying tonight.”

“Uha. It’s going to be do difficult not seeing him when I want, not able to talk to him every day, not touching him. I know he’s doing good for the country but I’m worried. What if something happens while he’s there.”

“Hey, don’t think like that. He’ll be fine. He’s Jamie. The most stubborn guy I know.”

“I know. Right, I’m putting a downer on a very happy day. Let’s go this girl wed.”

Within a couple of hours we were all set. Dresses on, hair up, nails painted and makeup done. We all got in our designated cars after taking some photos. Zoe looks absolutely stunning. We all arrived at this amazing manor house. It has ivy climbing up the brick work with white pillars at the front. They have placed red carpet outside, leading into the main hall in which the wedding will take place, scattered with flower petals. I can’t believe how beautiful it looks.

The music started which meant Gemma and I had to start walking down the aisle. Nathan looked so handsome but he looked so nervous. I however, couldn’t take my eyes off my man though, he looked so sexy in his tux. He winked at me which made me smile at him, blushing as I got closer to him. We took our places and Zoe followed behind her sister, holding onto her father. As soon as Nathan set eyes on Zoe, he had tears in his eyes. That just shows how much he loves her. It’s so cute.

The rest of the service was so romantic. They even had their own vows. Nathan had his little niece bring them their rings off a shell with the theme being the sea. They sealed it with a kiss and made their way down the aisle as Mr and Mrs Davis. The rest of us followed with me linking arms with Scott, Nathan’s cousin, as Stacey and Jamie had to walk together with them being the best man and maid of honour. I was a little jealous, I wanted to walk with him down the aisle. Maybe one day?

We went outside and took some photos and when it was time, we headed back into the manor into a different room. It was magical as you walked in. The tables were covered with shells and sand as the table toppers. Blue ribbon was placed on the chairs. There were also lots of photos on the walls of Nathan and Zoe together.

The food was delicious and the speeches were amazing. Zoe’s dad ended up crying saying how Nathan needs to look after his little girl. Nathan then replied in his speech about how thankful he was for them looking after her all these years and raising a gorgeous, smart woman. Then it was Jamie’s turn. If he was nervous, he certainly wasn’t showing it. He was incredible. He started off soppy saying what a great couple they are and then turned into humour. He mentioned things like what Nathan got up to and how she can’t get away from him now. The rest of it was just comical by ragging Nathan.

By the time we had finished the meal and speeches it was dark outside. We moved into the main hall again where it has been transformed into a party room with tables and chairs at one side and the DJ with the dancefloor at the other. Gemma and I went straight onto the dancefloor, while we let the boys get drinks for us. They were taking forever getting the drinks for us so I went looking for them. George, Jamie and Nathan were in a deep conversation. I had to eavesdrop. Who wouldn’t?

“Look after her man.”

“I will. I promise.”

Aww that’s cute of Jamie to look out for Zoe.

“I mean it. Anything that worries you, call me. I need to know she’s safe after what’s happened these past months.”

“Don’t worry. She has a lot of us around her. We will take good care of your girl.”

Oh. He was talking about me. How sweet is he? He’s off to fight in a war zone and he’s more interested in my safety. I love him so much. I decided to show myself to them. I stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame and cleared my throat for them to acknowledge me.

“Hey beautiful,” Jamie said, looking up at me smiling.

“Hey,” I said sitting on his lap and giving him a kiss, “we were wondering where you guys had got to. What were you talking about?”

“You!” Nathan declared.

“Me?”

“Yeah, just your man being protective of you.”

“Shut up!” Jamie said throwing a napkin at Nathan.

“Aww baby. You’re so cute you know that?”

“I know,” he smirked. “Come on you, let’s go dance before I leave.”

“No. If we do that, closer it is for you to leave.”

“I know baby but it has to happen.”

“I know,” I said sadly.

He lifted me up off his lap and grabbed hold of my hand and lead me onto the dancefloor. We danced which seemed like hours, stopping in between some songs to have a drink and watch Zoe and Nathan have their first dance. They were cute together. After their dance, Gemma and Stacey pulled me again on the dancefloor. After an hour, I looked up noticing Jamie leaning in the doorway in his army gear. It’s nearly eleven o’clock meaning he will be leaving in half an hour to get to the air base.

I blew him a kiss and he just smiled at me. I turned to Gemma and Stacey to tell them I’m off to spend some time with Jamie before he leaves and I am all theirs after he has gone. But when I looked back he was gone.

I rushed out the main hall to find him but he was nowhere to be seen. I bumped into Nathan as I was looking for him.

“Where is he?” I demanded.

“I’m sorry Keira. He’s gone.”

Before I let Nathan finish, I rushed outside to see the taxi pull away. The tears just came. I couldn’t stop them. How could he do this to me? I felt so upset and angry at the same time. I ran back inside to grab my phone out of my bag when I bumped into Gemma. She saw how distressed I was and she hugged me which set me off crying again.

“How could he...he left without saying goodbye.”

“Oh honey. I’m sorry. Phone him before he hits base.”

“On it,” I said waving my phone in my hand.

I headed outside where it’s quieter. It only rang once when I heard his voice.

“Keira?”

“How could you just leave like that? Leave me? Saying nothing?”

“I’m sorry princess. I didn’t want to hurt you. Seeing you hurt is too hard for me to see. Watching you cry. I wouldn’t have coped. This way I thought it would be easier for us both. If I saw you I wouldn’t be able to let you go. I was going to facetime you when I got to base. You looked so happy dancing, I didn’t want to disturb that.”

“No! I wanted to see you before you left. I wanted more time with you.”

“I’m so sorry baby. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Well you have by leaving me here without a goodbye.”

“It’s never a goodbye. It will always be see you soon. Goodbye makes it final, like I’m never going to see you again and that is not what I want. I love you, don’t you ever forget that. Be strong baby. I need you to be for the both of us.”

“I will. I love you. Be safe.”

“Always.”

“Come home to me.”

“I always do. It will fly by and we’ll be in each other's arms before you know it. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’ve got to go baby. I’ve just arrived. I love you. I’ll message you when we land.”

“Love you.”

We hang up and I just drop to my knees. Gemma must have been watching me as she was straight there pulling me into her embrace. I just broke. I’m going to miss him so much.

“Shush...you’re okay. He’ll be home in no time. What did he say?”

“I get why he did it now,” I said through my crying, “he wanted to protect us both from being too hurt. He knew we wouldn’t let each other go if we said bye in person.”

“That’s fair. I see his point.”

“I feel lost though Gem. Like half of me has shut down. I feel scared. Not for me, but for him. Being out there in the unknown. Facing that war zone.”

“That’s what he’s trained for. He will be fine. He has something to come back home to. That’s his determination.”

“I guess. I can’t help but worry though.”

“I know you can’t. Which is why you need to keep yourself busy. So... come on. Let’s get some shots down you and have some fun. We are at a wedding. Jamie wouldn’t want you to be moping around.”

“You’re right. He wouldn’t. Let’s go!”

We danced away up until four o’clock in the morning when we all started to disperse.

“Are you sure you’re not stopping?” Gemma asked me.

“Yeah. I need to sort the dog out and I just want to go home.”

“Jamie’s you mean?”

“Yeah. It is mine now after all.”

“Since when?”

“Last night.”

“Wow. So you’re leaving me then?”

“Well, it’ll be nice for you and George to have your own place.”

“Yeah I suppose. I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m not gone yet. I need to move my things yet.”

“True. Night honey.”

“Night Gem.”

I got in a taxi and headed home. I just wanted to be near him and the best place for that is his place, full of his belongings. I walked in, fed the dog and let him out, then headed upstairs to our room. I took my dress off and put on one of his tops to sleep in. It smelled so good, of him. I got into bed and grabbed his pillow to hug. I felt safe with his scent around me. Before I knew it I was fast asleep. It’s been an emotional day and it’s drained me.

***

It’s finally the day I have been waiting for. He’s coming home. It’s been a hard two months without him. Yeah we’ve facetimed, wrote our letters and spoke on the phone when he had no internet a lot but it’s not the same as being able to touch him and see him in person.

I’ve been stood inside the base for a while now, waiting for him to land. They’ve gotten used to seeing me now. They send our letters off so it’s secure.

“Jake? How much longer.”

“Just had word they are landing now Keira.”

“Thank you,” I smiled at him.

I was on edge. I couldn’t stop being fidgety. Same as some of the other people around me. They finally landed but I couldn’t see him. Most of his platoon had gone to their families. I was starting to feel disappointed when I finally saw him walk down the plane's ramp. I couldn’t hold it any longer and I ran towards him. He saw me, dropping his bag on the floor, holding his arms out for me with a massive grin on his handsome face. Oh how I have missed that gorgeous face, even though I don’t like this beard he has grown. I leapt in his arms and he lifted me up in the air. He wrapped around my waist letting me drop slowly so our faces were close to touching. I stared into his beautiful blue eyes, feeling the lust that was staring back at me. He was here. I finally have my man back. Feeling him so close to me again is such a relief.

After gazing at his beautiful eyes, I kissed him on his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, his nose and finally his lips. I kissed him so hard, I needed to taste him. When we parted for air, he put me down and he leaned down to place his forehead on mine. I closed my eyes, savouring this moment.

“I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too princess.”

“I’m so glad you’ve come back to me. Safe. Well kind of,” I said stroking his eyebrow where a scar has formed.

“It’s okay. Just a little graze.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Want to go home.”

“Do I ever!”

I placed my left arm around his waist as he placed his right arm around my shoulders and we walked to my car. I drove us back to his place, holding onto him as much as possible.

“Anything happen while I’ve been away?”

“Nothing from what I’ve already told you. Never mind us lot. What about you? You never told me anything while you were over there.”

“I’d rather not for now please babe.”

“Okay. Just know I’m here if you need to talk?”

“Thank you,” he said leaning over and kissing my cheek.

We arrived back at our place and the dog fussed all over Jamie.

“You’ve moved in?”

“Yeah. I said I would and I wanted to surprise you when you got home.”

“I wanted to help you.”

“Aww baby. I had plenty of help. I hardly lifted a finger.”

“That doesn't surprise me.”

Jamie suddenly throws me onto his shoulder and runs up the stairs. He gently placed me on the bed and leaned over me. He moved my hair off my face.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?”

“Only in your eyes.”

“Again with this? You are stunning. I’m one privileged man.”

“Why? I’m the lucky one. I never thought we would ever happen. I’ve crushed on you for years. More since we have been working together. Just a shame it wasn’t sooner.”

“You’d be glad it wasn’t sooner. I wasn’t a nice guy.”

“You always have been with me. Especially at the resort.”

“Don’t remind me. I hated that week for what happened to you. I felt guilty.”

“Why? It wasn’t your fault.”

“I should've protected you. I was your boss after all. In a way I think I knew there was always something there for you. You made me different. You still make me different.”

“Come here,” I said pulling his shirt for him to get closer.

I placed my lips on his which lead us to undressing each other and passionately making love. It was great to have him again. I’ve missed how his touch feels. Afterwards we just laid in bed, embracing each other before we had to get ready. He thinks we’re going for a meal out but Nathan has organised a party for him returning safely. Only a small one with his family and close friends.

“Come on we best get going if we’re to meet our reservation.”

“Can’t we skip dinner. I’m happy lying here with you.”

“No we can’t. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“Okay, okay. How do I dress?”

“Jeans and a shirt will do.”

“Okay. Put your red dress on. You look sexy in that.”

“Anything for you. Your night tonight,” I said winking at him.

I got out of the bed and headed to the bathroom.

“Coming for a shower?”

With no hesitation he chased me into the bathroom.