Homecoming Part 1

Eric looked around at the crowd gathered in the airport. Some faces he recognised, some he didn't. A pretty young redhead caught his eye, a baby secured against her chest with one of those wraps. Giving a little tug on the hands of his sons to capture their wandering attention again, Eric took them over to the new mother.

'Hey, Claire,' Eric greeted and the redhead greeted him with a smile.

'Hey, Eric and… Those can't be Ezra and Brayden, they aren't this big,' Claire replied eyeing the two boys holding on to Eric's hands.

'Yes, we are,' Ezra answered proudly.

'And this must be little Amelia,' Eric said, indicating to the baby. 'She's beautiful. I bet Parker can't wait to meet her at last.'

'Yeah, I talked to Greg on the phone just before they boarded,' Claire agreed. 'You know, I can't really get used to people calling him by his last name all the time.'

'Force of habit and an occupational hazard,' Eric shrugged. 'It's how Taylor addresses them when she talks about her airmen and it's mostly the standard at the guardians too, so I just copy it without a thought.'

'Daddy!' Brayden exclaimed, tugging on Eric's hand and pointing to the people emerging from a door that lead into the arrivals hall. Most of them were in uniform and the crowd was getting excited, some families already reuniting with their loved ones.

Airman Greg Parker soon appeared and Eric stepped back so he wasn't in the way of the reunion. He watched Greg and Claire carefully embrace before Greg pulled back to admire his daughter.

As more and more people emerged, the crowd started thinning, but there was still no sign of Taylor.

Suddenly a flash of blonde caught Eric's eye and the boys' hands were ripped from his. 'Mommy!' they exclaimed, running forward.

Taylor set down her laptop bag and crouched down to catch her sons, hugging them close. Tears stung her eyes as she held her babies. She didn't let go until her legs started protesting the lack of proper circulation. After collecting her bag again, her hands were claimed and Taylor and her boys walked over to where Eric was still waiting patiently, love shining in his eyes.

Once she stood in front of him, Eric laid his hands on the sides of her face and leaned in. Taylor reclaimed her hands and covered Eric's hands as they shared a long, slow kiss. It was perfectly chaste, but still Taylor's insides twisted at the promise it held.

'Let's go home,' Eric muttered against her lips. Taylor nodded lazily.

Ezra and Brayden quickly claimed Taylor's hands again when their parents separated. After a quick visit to the baggage claim for Taylor's duffle bag, they bundled into the car to drive back home. Ezra kept up talk the whole way about school and his new friends. Brayden added something of his own ever so often. Taylor listened closely, catching Eric's hand after he put the car in gear and twined their fingers together. She didn't let go until they pulled into the driveway of their house and Eric needed his hand back to put the car in park.

Eric helped Ezra out of his seat and retrieved Taylor's bags from the back, while Taylor got Brayden from his seat. Instead of putting him down, she cuddled her son close and carried him inside.

'No balloons and banners?' Taylor commented teasingly.

'There was talk of a welcome home party,' Eric responded. 'I told them they can go nuts on Saturday, but today we are already sharing you between the three of us. We are not sharing you with anyone else. Now I've got lasagne ready in the fridge. Why don't you take a quick shower and change while I slide it into the oven?'

'Only a quick shower? That lasagne will take ages to cook. Give me one good reason why I would take a quick shower after nine months in a sandbox on mostly military scrubs?'

'I'll give you three words,' Eric grinned. 'Whirlpool bath tomorrow. You insisted on having that blasted thing installed.'

'Quick shower it is,' Taylor smiled.

'No shower!' Brayden protested.

'Yes, shower,' Eric told the boy as he pried him out of Taylor's arms. 'She's not going anywhere and will be down again soon. Now you're going to sit in the living room and if you're really good, I'll let you watch cartoons.'

Sons sufficiently distracted, Taylor slipped upstairs. Inside the master bathroom a warm smile spread over her lips. Her favourite fluffy town was waiting for her, along with a change of very comfy clothes.

A quick shower later Taylor stepped back into the bedroom. Nothing had changed, but it felt unreal standing in it again. The air did now smell of just Eric and she closed her eyes for a moment. Oh, how she had missed that smell. When she opened her eyes again, they fell on the dresser and the few books displayed on top of it. It was just a collection of their absolute favourites, held upright by two hand carved wooden bookstands, one eagle and one Q-Rex. Those had been a homemade wedding present from Cole and Alyssa.

Taylor walked over and pulled out one book somewhere near the middle; Why men love Bitches. That one had been a present from Eric.

She opened the cover and ran her fingers over the glued together pages until they hit the small carved out space in the middle. The jewellery box pillow was still tugged inside, just like it was when she opened it the very first time. Only now two rings were nestled in the pillow instead of just the one.

Taylor pulled out the rings and walked downstairs.

Eric was sitting on the couch with the boys cuddled up on either side of him. Taylor leaned against the doorframe and watched them. Eventually Eric noticed her standing there.

'Could you give me a hand with something?' she asked.

'I wanna help!' Ezra exclaimed, jumping up.

'Me too!' Brayden yelled, jumping up and down on the couch.

'That's really sweet, but it's something only daddy can help me with,' Taylor smiled.

Eric raised an eyebrow at her as he caught Brayden mid jump and sat him back on his butt. Taylor opened her hand so he could see the rings. A smile answered hers and Eric got up from the couch. In three steps he stood in front of her, taking the rings from her and caught her left hand. He looked her in the eye and showed her first the slim gold band with six small diamonds and a seventh slightly larger one in the middle. Taylor nodded and he slid it onto her finger. Next Eric held up the plain gold band. Taylor's eye sparkled as he held it to her finger.

'I love you without fear and without hesitation. I'll always be with you, if not in body then in spirit. From this day on it's you and me against the world. With this ring, I thee wed,' Eric recited as he placed the second ring back around her finger.

'You may kiss the bride,' Taylor whispered.

Eric wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Taylor wound her arms around her neck. Eric's lips claimed hers, more desperately than they had at the airport.

'Iew!' Ezra and Brayden protested.

Taylor smiled against Eric's lips and pulled him closer. They were interrupted by the alarm in the kitchen indicating the lasagne was ready.

'Boys, go wash your hands,' Eric told his sons. He stole one more kiss from Taylor before pulling away and entering the kitchen.

Two hours later Taylor pulled the door to Brayden's room closed and watched Eric do the same with Ezra's door. Eric held out his arms to her and Taylor happily stepped into his embrace, circling her arms around his waist, resting her head against his shoulder.

'My Animarium book?' she asked.

'It's the only bedtime story they've wanted since you deployed,' Eric explained. 'So what you wanna do now that our sons are fast asleep?'

'Honestly?' Taylor yawned. 'I'm jetlagged and I'd like to go to bed myself.'

Eric pressed a kiss to the top of her head. 'Sleep tight then. I'll be downstairs watching the game.'

Taylor pulled back and grabbed his shirt in her fist. 'You are not going to watch any game. I don't care how tired I am, you can do all the work. I want you in my bed like yesterday. So you had better march into that bedroom right this instant and be prepared to show me how much you've missed me.'

Eric grinned as he saluted. 'Yes, ma'am.'

Taylor woke to sheets much softer than they had been in months. The bed felt wider too and the room smelled of Eric and sex. Soft breathing sounded next to her of someone fast asleep. The digital alarm on the nightstand told her it was only 2 a.m. yet.

With a sigh she rolled over and looked at Eric. He was lying on his back, his face turned her way. He looked so peaceful and content. Reaching out, Taylor ran her hand over his cheek, smiling at the roughness of the stubble. His nose twitched.

Taylor ran her hand down lower, drawing circles over the hard muscles of his chest. Eric shifted a little.

Her fingers travelled slower still, exploring his abs and dipping into his bellybutton.

'Go back to sleep,' Eric muttered sleepily.

'Can't, jetlag,' Taylor answered.

'Try.'

'Make me,' Taylor challenged mischievously, her hand travelling even lower.

With a growl Eric opened his eyes, desire burning in them. Taylor smiled as he rolled on top of her. She had missed that look in his eyes so much these past months.