All characters belong to their respective owners, I just use them for my own entertainment.
He stared at the doorknob, mustering up the strength to reach for it and turn it to the right. He picked up his olive green duffel bag and gripped the doorknob, the cool metal fitting perfectly in his palm. He adjusted his patrol cap as he slowly stepped through the threshold of his home. He dropped his bag next to the coat rack and slowly walked towards the kitchen, using his cane to keep him steady.
Little footsteps sounded against the floor, running in his direction. His little girl erupted into tears and screams as she ran towards him, attaching herself to his leg. She sobbed into his ankle, murmuring how much she missed him.
He carefully picked her up, settling her on his hip as he walked down the hallway into the kitchen. He grinned at the sight of his wife gently swaying her hips to the beat of the radio, clad in black yoga pants and his grey USMC t-shirt.
He cleared his throat and whispered, "Hey beautiful," to her, waiting for her to turn around.
The pot she was cleaning in the sink clattered to the bottom with a resounding thud. He carefully placed his daughter on the floor, straightening his stance as his wife slowly turned around. As their eyes met, her hazel to his emerald, she slowly crumpled to the floor, tears pouring from her eyes.
"You're home." She murmured to him, her eyes wandering over his utility uniform, displaying his Fleet Marine Force insignia and other accoutrements.
He nodded as he slid off his green soft garrison cap and set it down on the counter. She ran to him, locking her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, causing him to drop his cane as he wrapped his arms around her.
"You're home." She choked out, breathing in his scent.
He nodded into her hair, walking them into the living room. He sat down on the couch, settling her onto his lap as his daughter climbed onto the couch next to them.
"They said your squad was attacked," his wife wiped her eyes as she pulled their daughter onto her lap. "That there were no survivors—"
Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as she stopped talking and took in his face. Small cuts littered his face, a light scar appearing in-between his eyebrows, carrying on up towards his hairline. He kissed her chastely, gently running his palm down the side of her face, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
She whispered, "Edward," before tangling her fingers into his hair and fusing their mouths together. Her lips were needy, desperate. Her fingers slowly traced over every feature of his face, committing every curve, fresh cut and scar to memory.
She slowly pulled away for air with a sad smile. "I missed you. I missed you so much. You can't leave randomly in the middle of the night without a goodbye. That was heart wrenching." She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent, calming herself.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair, tightening his grip around her waist. "It won't happen again. I promise you."
Bella wiped her eyes as she pulled away from him, smiling at him dressed in the uniform she learned to love and hate.
"C'mon sweetie," She cleared her throat as she slid off his lap. "time for bed."
"But momma! Daddy just got here!" Abigail whined.
He smiled as he stood from the couch and gathered her into his arms. "I'm not going anywhere baby girl. I'll be right here when you wake up."
"Will you tuck me in daddy?" She asked, her chocolate eyes pleading.
He smiled. "Of course I will my little love." He lightly kissed her nose as he slowly stalked down the hallway.
After tucking Abby in and reading Good Night Moon twice as requested, he grabbed his cane from the kitchen floor and slowly walked down the hallway, ignoring the searing pain coursing through his leg. Bella jumped off their bed as he started to unbutton his jacket. He smiled as she replaced his hands with hers, slowly undoing every tan button on his utility jacket.
She carefully pushed it off his shoulders, laying it on the table at the foot of the bed. She slid down the front of his body, taking time untying both of his boots and pulling them off his feet. As she tugged his khaki t-shirt out of his pants he lifted his arms above his head, silently giving her permission to take it off.
Bella sighed as her eyes roamed the expanse of his chest, taking in every bruise and cut. She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his, smiling as he tensed underneath her. As she slowly crawled on top of him she murmured, "Welcome home Marine."